Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-01-04
BRANDON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1887


The mode by which pardon is sought or
obtained, is to the sinner perfectly imma-
terial, and if pardon be his leading object,
he will remain utterly selfish. II. An
other, in comparing the relative import
ance of present pleasures with future sal
walton, will resolve to give up all for Christ
that is. will barter the world for saliva
ton; and under the idea that his selfin-
terests are secured, will rejoice. H. An
other is conscious that some favorite sin is
not abandoned, or that some injury done
to others remains unrepaired, or that res
tltution, needed and within his power, is
unPerformed; unwilling to yield to con-
science, he diverts his thoughts, tries to
submit, INDUCES in occasional hope of
having secured his salvation; and pro-
claims himself a believer. Conscience,
whenever suffer4A to speak, warns him
thatche has reserved some sin or duty, and
that therefore he has not truly submitted
to the will of God and thus stamps the
lie upon all his hopes as selfish, and d.
reefs him to wash his hands in innocen-
Icy. Is. Another, under the idea that
Christ will save him if he repent, falsely
infers that he is now willing and waiting
to forgire, and yields himself to Christ
with the hope, or determination to give
up his evil ways with the view of being
saved This he calls submission, or re-
pentance, and hopes his peace is secured.
This is not repentance, nor submission -
nor is Christ waiting or willing to forgive
the sinner-he is waiting his abandon
ment of his abominable rebellion, for which
it is his intention to punish him. No one
ever did repent, or secure the favor Of
Christ, who went to him in the first in
stance for pardon, because the act is Who'll
ly selfish. Yet every sinner indul ges this
idea, and is liable to yield with this view,
and thus pervert the gospel to his own de-
struction. IA. Another, is very properly
directed to yield himself without reserve
to the disposal of God, and devote his life
to his service, whether saved or lost, or,
in the language of the prophet, to accept
the punishment OF his iniquity. To this
he yields, not sincerely, but with the Sc.
cret expectation Of becoming a Christian,
and securing the favor Of God and his own
| AoPPISSS3 ~ PlIohNCS "AlNA 10 OpCl
rebellion, being tantamount to conserving
that God may reign over him, only on
condition that he will do as the sinner
wishes in respect to his own future hap
piness.
In all these cases the promotion of his
self-interest, and not God, is chosen du-
ty is selected on y as means Of obtaining
pardon, and not for its own sake; and the
individual remains selfish still. The
mind, distressed under truth, welded by
the Holy Spirit, obtains relief by the
thought that its selfish ends are secured
and selfish love to God for anticipated ia
vors arises, and is regarded as Gods own
seal to the sinner S pardon. But, to re-
turn to your own case. You resolved to
obey God, with view of thereby secur-
ing future happiness; and at one time,
under the belief of having received the as
surance of his favor, and at another, under
the hope that by that act you had become
Christian, you was filled with Joy and
love to Christ. | infer, then, that amme-
diately after this decision, you did not ex-
ercise any particular love to God on &C.
count of his infinite purity, holiness, and
Justice in furnishing the sinner with ever
lasting destruction; but, l suppose your
attention was on Christ, and you loved
him for his goodness in forgiving your
sins, and releasing you from the pains and
apprehensions under which you had la
bored was grateful for your spared life,
and for his mercy in sacrificing himself
to save you from hell.
P. NY thoughts were then especially
directed to my Savior; and you have fully
told my exercises. do not recollect then
having the feelings you first described.
NJ l also infer, that at that time you ex,
ercised no deep adherence of your sins,
nor loathing toward yourself, on account
oftheir being wrong and guilty; but i'm
agine you regretted having treated so
kind friend so very ungratefully by
your transgressions; confessed some OF
them under the hope of receiving pardon
perhaps disliked them for having reduced
you to the borders of hell; and purposed
TO abstain for the future, knowing that 9th.
erwise you could not be Christian.
P. You have again described my ex-
ercises as they were My Savior was
very precious; and l loved the company
of Christians very much.
M. Yet suppose you didSnot particu,
larly love Christians themselves on &C.
count of their holiness and efforts at en-.
tire purity of heart; put did you not rath,
er enjoy their society, because you could
not mix with the worldly, and because
they We're friendly, their conversation
strengthened your hopes, and increased
your happiness, and you regarded then
as your companions for eternity!
J P. I have no recollection of noticing
= any peculiar holiness in Christians, or o
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