The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-02-08

Of great practical importance.
The same authority which accompan-
les them, accompanies and enforces it.
And the spirit and disposition which in
duce disrespect to one, will lead to disre-
spect to all of them. One of the most
convincing evidences of the heavenly orr
gin of the christian religion, is its per-
feet purity. Infallible truth characteri-
yes it as system of doctrine, and imma-
culate holiness as a system of practice.
As its author is infinitely holy, so 1t sane
tions no sin either in heart or life, and
while it embodies as one of its funda-
mental articles, justification from all
sin, it also holds out and promises to
those who embrace it, grace to sanctify
the soul, and points onward to future
state of existence, where complete and
eternal emancipation from the power and
influence of all sin, will be experienced
and enjoyed. The perfect holiness of
the religion of Christ, is feature of it
in which the true christian glores, and
his constant prayer, and unremitting en-
deavor is, to exhibit character which
will reflect its purity. AS he which
hath called you is holy, SO be ye holy
in all manner of conversation. Because
it is written, be we holy for am holy"
is an exhortation ever present to his mind,
and one which prompts him to habitual
dependence on the Holy Spirit. The
text is expressed in terms which must
preclude any possible doubt, as to the
meaning and application of the Apostle
10 " abstain" means to refrain volunta-
rily, to avoid entirely: while the phrase,
" from all appearance of evil" teaches
that no countenance either by word or by
personal example, is to be given to sin of
any kind, or in any degree. Were we to
paraphrase the text, we would render it
thus, keep at the farthest distance possi-
BILE, from sin of every description, under
what specious and fascinating appearance
soever, it may present itself, and even
from everything you suspect to be sinful,
or tending to draw, either yourselves or
others into it. The inclination of some
to approach as near as possible to sin,
without actually committing it, or COM
ing into actual contact with it, is rebuked
and forbidden in scripture, and in the
text we have selected the question: how
near may approach without personal
guilt, is never the question, with mind
imbued with the spirit of the Gospel
but where is the most distant point. His
respect for the honor of the gospel and
his own heartfelt hatred and adherence
of all sin, prompt the question, and con-
strain him to assume the most remote po-
sition, as testimony against it." He
"hates every evil way" His language
is, :" o my soul, come not thou into their
secret, unto their assembly, mine honor
be thou not united" Besides abstinence
from what is clearly and undeniably sin.
full, our text extends to three other points
lst. TO things the moral and relig
ious propriety of which the conscience is
not fully satisfied.
ID TO things which, the particular
church, with which we are in commun
ion, condemns and testifes against.
Sd. TO things which give offence t.
christian brethren.
1st Conscience must be fully salts
fed. Paul in his Epistle to to the Romans
says, "let every man be fully persuaded il
own mind" One idea suggested by thes'
words, is, that every men should be care
ful not to do what he thinks wrong
Should the thing be perfectly harmless
perfectly lawful, yet as God judges b,
the principles and motives of the heart
it is wrong, even to do q right thin,
without the consent and approval of con
science. "As he thinketh in his heart
so is he," is the saying of Solomon; an
this same principle in christian morals /
maintained by the writers of the Ne,
Testament. Paul says, Blessed is h
that condcmneth not himself in that whic
he alloweth )" 4. e. HBlessed is the ma
that has good conscience. 1t is sourc
of great happiness to be sure that wha
We do, is right. And he adds, But h
that dOubteth is damned if he eateth nj
of faith, for whatsoever is not of faith
sin" i.c. If man thinks thing
be wrong, to him it ia wrong--if he il
du'ges, he brings himself under conden