Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-10-17

elRnt, through JESUS OuIlSL. neSe L
passages seem plainly To contemplate the
work Of Christian Sanctifcation as grad
ual II is interesting, moreover, to trace
the progress Of this blessed work, in
emissions who have finished their course /
and gone to their final reward. How /
clearly may such progress be seen IN the
life Of the late Doctor Payson. In the
early.part Of his christian life, though |
sometimes the subject of high raptures,
his rapid progress in the knowledge OF
himself as a fallen. depraved Creature,
kept him, much of his time, 10 deep
mourning.-He often loathed hi9self, as
unu,terably vile. But. rapid as was his
progress in the discovery Of the Depths of
depravily in himself, his progress. 10 an
experimental knowledge of the power OF
the blood of Christ to cleanse from sin
was equally so. It was this rapid prog
ress in the knowledge of himself, and of
the purifying efficacy of the blood OF
Christ, that brough. him to the envlable
height Of holiness on which ne stood and
rejoiced during the latter part of his emf
nentIy useful life. Standing on that height.
having by grace conquered his spiritual
enemies, and washed his robes and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb, he
could say, THE celestial city is tull 10
view.-lts glories beam upon me, its
breezes fan me, its odors are waited to
me, its sounds strike upon my cars its
spirit is breathed into my heart" ~
Having glanced atthe foregoing branch
es of this important subject, we woule
call your attention to the duty of christ
ians respecting it. tits the duty of christ
ians to be sancli6ed Christ gave him
self for them, that he might redeem then
from all iniquity, and purify unto himsel
apeculiar people, Jealous Of good works.
Our Blessed Savior prayed for them
Sanctify them, through thy truth, tn,
word is truth" God says 10 them in hi
holy word, I" Be We holy, because | ar
holy" "As he who hath called you
holy, so be We holy in ali manner of cor
versalion." Said an apostle, Having
therefore. these promises, dearly beloved
let us cleanse ourselves from all 6hhines
Of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holmes
in the fear of God" Do not these, an
similar passages of Scripture ciearl
show, that christians are under he stron:
est possible obligation to aim at entil
sancti6cation2 or in the words of Ii
apostle. at being " filled with all the ful
ness Of God ~ Tothis, we are persua
ed, all will assent. But, permit US, b
loved brethren, 10 press upon your col
sideration, the question, whether you ha,
felt the full weight of this obligation
We fear not. We are painfully impress
ed with the fear. that upon this importa
subject, great insensibility prevails. Th
the gospel is designed. and when receiv
in all its truths, is able to remove the
ward de6lement of sin, and produce no
ness of heart, is truth too imperfect
understood, and too little felt. The &C
Il sequence is an exceedingly low state
piety in our churches. This lamental
want Of elevated piety, OF Gospel holm
in the churches, sufficiently accounts
the want Of success in their efforts for
conversion of souls. 1t was when
members of the primitive churches wa
ed in the fear of the Lord, and In
comfort Of the Holy Ghost" that II
were multiplied Nothing short Of 81
liar holy living in the churches of
day, will secure to them similar succ
in the great work of saving men. Th
things being so, beloved brethren, j
high time for us 10 awake out OF sic
and carefully, and solemnly consider
calling, that it is unto holiness Let
pi;e earnest heed to the exhortation of
II apostle, Awake 10 righteousness, and
n not
Il In conclusion, we would earnestly !
- ell ~ olr,,
ed TO promote your growth in holiness
+ /. A diligent and careful study of
Holy Scriptures, with special reference
II this subject. Seek, by the study of
III word. TO know what God requires of
what he has promised you. And,
ing found this, solemnly resolve, his 81
assisting you, never to rest till you b
obtained the full measure of Gospel h
ness. This duty is the more import
III as il is through the truth, that christ,
III are sanctified. Not only may they le
by the study of the Bible, what God
ouires, but they may in this way, bl
their own minds under the influence of
holy mind Of God, and through the TT
imbibe his spirit, and become "par!a
A of the divine nature" Labor, then
bring your minds fully under the infu'
III of Christian truth.-Drink in the w
of Christ, which are spirit and life,
YOU feel all the fullness of the life of
in your souls.
8. Spend much time in faithful sell
animation. We have presented the v
Of Christian Sancti6calion as in most
es. a gradual work. Hence, you sh
anxiously watch your own progress.
should with deep solicitude search