Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-07-16

that the reader may have q clear perception OF
the whole subject. They are as follows:
While at the session OF the New-jersey :
Conference this spring, Bishop Hedding was
requested to address the body upon the sub
Ject OF Christian perfection especially TO state
the nature of justification, regeneration and
entire sanethcation, and the difference between
them as distinct works of grace. This request
was made at the opening of tho conference,
and having to address the candidates for ordi-
nation during the forenoon, he embraced the
opportunity to express his views on the sub
jeet. The conference requested their pubca-
ton, and they were subsequently written out |
and published. AS they contain not only the |
distinct enunciation Of Bishop Holdings |
views, but also lucid and satisfactory ennn-
citation ofthis vital doctrine in the Christian
system, we give them entire:
"t fhren,-Among many other important !
questions, the following have been asked you,
and you have answered them in the affirmative:
q Are you going on to perfection Do you
expect to be made perfect in love in this life
Are you groaning after it 2"
"sIt is important for you, as Christians and
as ministers, to have thorough understanding
of this great subject. This subject is Christian
perfection, or baing made perfect in love in
this life. 1t is being delivered from sin, and
filled with the love OF God. The brethren
asked me to state sc tho nature OF justification,
regeneration and sanctitcaticn and the differ
once between them as distinct works Of grace.''
understand Justification to be pardon of
past sins; and regeneration, which takes place
at the same time, TO he q change OF heart, or |
of our moral nature. Regeneration, also, be- |
ing the same as new birth, is the beginning OF
sanctifcatlon, though not the completion oft,
| or not entire sancthcation. Regeneration is the
beginning Of publication entire sanetifca-
ton is the finishing of that work.
"'rhe difference between a justified soul
who is not fully sanctfed, and one fully sane
titled, / understand to be this:
"'The first Gf he does not backslide) is
kept from voluntarily committing known sin,
which is what is commonly meant in the New
Testament by committing SIN. But he yet finds
IN himself the remains Of inbred corruption, or
I original sin; such as pride, anger envy, feel
ing OF haired to an enemy, rejoicing at a ca
} lamity which has fallen upon an enemy, &c.
ow In all this the regenerate soul does
not act voluntarily his choice is against all
4 these OWLS. God has given him new heart
which hates all these evils, and ressts and
a oVercomes them as soon as the mind
: perceives them. The regenerate soul wishes
. these evils were not in his heart, yet he has in
4 his power to destroy them. Though the Chris
9 tian does not feel guilty for his depravity as
he would do Ii he had voluntarily broken the
: law Of God, yet he is often greved, and Attic
ted, and reproved at the sign of this sIntulness
OF his nature,
: "sThough the soul In this state ENJOYS q
# degree OF religion, yet it is conscious it is moi
what 1t ought to be, nor what It must be to be
!, fit for heaven.
p "fIt seems that the sinfuIness of our ma
5 ture, OF original sin, may remain in the new
born soul independent of choice, and ever
8 against choice.
"'The second, or the person fully sanctified
is eiaansed from all these involuntary sins.
: sHe may be tempted by Satan, by men
anu y ms own bodily appetites, TO commit
m 10
tires which, before his full sanctification. were
ready to fall in with temptation, and lead hin
into transgression. He may be tempted to be
proud, to love the world, to be reyenqetul OF
angry, TO nate an enemy, to wish him evil, OF
TO rejoice at his calamity, but he feels none OF
| these passions In his heart; the Holy Ghost
has cleansed him from all these pollntions OF
: his nature. Thus il is that, being emptied OF
sin, the perfect Christian Is filled with the love
Of God, even with that perfect love which cas-
a teth out fear.
d "sBut is this sanctitcation instantaneous or
IS gradualf 1t Is both. In some respects It is
e one, and in other respects it is the other
is In soul who docs not backslide. the
work Of sancthcation goes on gradually till il
h. is finished, and that event is instantaneous
&c Finishing the work is accomplished in an in
re slant. MIR. Wesley says sotaetNhng Nike TINS
se . a man may be some time dying, but ther
he is an instant in which he lies.n So in a Chris
he tian, sin may be some time dying, but there
an instant in which it dies, and that event
ly full sanctitcation. In sone the fact OF its BIZ
id ing finished in an instant is more apparent
the subject than 1t is in others.
i'd But how Is this great work performed p
w. By the Hely Spirit--no other power can cite,
it and this work of the Spirit is obtainen
no only through the atonement. That iaitl
IN which is the condition OF the entire sanctifc;
ton, is exercised only by a penitent heart
heart wiling to part with all sin forever, an
date N4.aI a A N
or Believe and pray for it it is as important thu
you should experience this holy work rs it
Z" that the sinners to whom you preach shoul
he be converted. God is as able, willing, an
h. ready to do this great work Tor you, as he WI
to pardon your sins. Christ is able to save
If, the uttermost all that come to God throug
him. But what would be the fate of a sol
c? born of the Spirit, but not fully sanct6st
in called to die in that state fine have NJ
backslidden he would go to heaven not tn
err he is now fit for heaven, but Christ would
OF him should he call him out of the world B.
fore his departure Christ would either accc
III his weak faith, or give him degree of tai
n. equal to his wants, and thus save his soul.-
IS This view is supported by the numerous pron
ut ises in Scripture OF eternal salvation to
C. who die the children of God. Those prom
A. SEES to such as perseyere and remain the chi
he dren Of God, include all the work of graC
necessary TO tit them for heaven. But the.
s. views furnish No excuse for us to neglect seel
in ing full sancttcaton now. If we were SUI
nc we would live twenty years, then experienc
full sanctitcation and die, there would
at many and important reasons tor us to seek thi
er great blessing now, and so to believe as
q experience 1t this day. With it we should
as more happy and useful: and as we are change
~ able creatures, with this blessing we shall b
Of moro safe than we could be without it. Bl
as can person possessing perfect love perfect
he keep Gods holy law, as angels do in heaven
ed No; ii he could, he would no longer need til
atonement any more than the holy angels dc
CT, throngh tbs atonement, he may accepts
bly, keep the law.
ign "tHe loves God with all his heart, and hi
teh 4eighhor as himself; he acts IN all things III
'HF oer lhe lbnnence OF that love; and this is III
lei' emu ol the commandment, and the fulhllin. {
Dh- the iaw' ANA though this soul ia free frol
een whN tae blole calls sin, yet he has in6rmiti,
, OF and unavoidable failings growing ont Of II,
original fall, on sccount of which he ought /
into say,
per g Every moment Lord need,
tor, Tho merits Of thy DEATH
ed. "Forgve me my trespasseS," nc. Unayoi
and able mistakes and failinRs arc coyared IN, !,
bad atonement AMI through il his ohedianc.
bic accepted"
the Here most assuredly is the Scriptural dc
trne Of sanctiflcation, and clear DISTINCT
to is marked between justification, or pardon
= actual sin, and sancthcation, or deliyeran
sa- from inbred sin, and they arc represented
Of two distinct works of Holy Spirit, both BILE
ings being simultaneously received by ia
nd In the blood of atonement. l wish all
oh readers Of the Advocate would ponder o,
this very lucid exposition of the doctrine
Christian perfection, purely Wesleyan as it
= and see if they can reconcile it with the ne
re, tangled notion that Justification and sanctf
he tiun are ALWAYS simultaneous and that nil N