Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-12-16

IN THE PRESENT LIFE
This IS a question Of very great mag
uitude and importance, and one which has
awakened much solicitude and enquiry. /
And it cannol be doubted that much de-
ponds upon correct understanding OF this
matter, whether person shall attain any
desirable degree Ct conformity to the DI-
vine likeness. and exert legitimate infiu-
cnce upon The community in which he re-
sides; or whether be shat be found 10 fold
his hands in idIeness. and suffer almost
every opportunity of usefulness to pass
unimproved. Let as, then, attend 10 tnis
enquiry with fairness and inpartiality. ana
honestly and dispassionately attempt 10
know the truth Of this matter.
To the question; "ls the CHRISTIAN
capable of attaining this perfection In the
present Iife9'' we reply, there are many
strong reasons for believing it practicable.
Some Of these reasons may be given in
this place.
1. The FIRST reason for supposing this
state attaiuable by Christians in the pres
eat life. is derived ffom the fact that i IS
most uneqnivocaiiy required at tnelr
hands. Whatever others may think o. ~
we confess Il is repugnant to all our con-
ceplions OF the divine benevolence and JUS
tice 10 suppose that God would require oil
his own dear children absolute impossl.
bilities. And that he does require Chris
tians to be perfect, viii not. we suppose
be denied. We must then conclude eth
erthat God has required an impossibiIity,
or that Christian perfection is attainable
And with our views of mans agency and
GJd's Justice, we can much more easily
persuade ourselves that Christian Perfec
ton is nttainable, than that God should
require Of the subjects of his moral gov.
eminent utter impessibilties. Nor car
we be relieved from our embarrassment
bv snpposing that although the attain
meat OF this perfection is impossible II
the present life, yet the Christian mag
and should, make constant advances tow
ards il; and that this was the design 0
the Deity in enforcing the command |
is obvious, We think, that all such motions
Of Gods requirements. and mans agency
are founded on the most abhorrent princi
pies of absolute fatality. God is just
His requirements are reasonable There
fore Christian Perfection is practicable.
2 Another reason for this belief j
derived from the fact that the most accur
ate conceptions of the human mind leat
US TO expect such requirement on tn
part Of God, and to look for such stat
on the part of man.
What less could the Deity require
What less ought we to eypect2 Ii tn
moral Governor should attempt to dis
charge US from the obligation to be pei
feet, he would just so far give licens
to sin. If be should discharge as fror
the obligation to love him with all on
heart and soul, and mind anil strength,
would be saying in effect, that God .d
not deserve such love. And so in fact
every other requirement, If we can n
be discharged from the whole law, "
!. can not be discharged from any part of
and for the same reason. And. beside
if we be allowed to stop short of perfe
obedience, where shall we set our mark
Where shall we find rule to determil
Just how much holiness is necessary
The fact is. there is no other consiste
supposilion than that what God requir
in the text is perfectly practicable.
Remainder next week.