The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1878-06-18

lar be changed back into the earth, with
all Of the dross, dirt and all other impu-
rites clinging to it? We affirm it can
not No, never, il it is in good bank,
church of God, doing all of the COM
mandments. If these things be in you
and abound, they make you that you
shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in
the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
lst Peter, lst chap, 8 also 10 verse, reads
Wherefore, the rather, bretheren, give
diligence to make your calling and cleo
ton sure; for, if We 10 these things, We
shall never fall. Now, these are the
ones that shall never fall, they that hear
the sayings of Christ and do them." He
it is that is built on the rock that the
gates of hell can never prevail against.
Next proof is st. John, 10th chap, %
and 20 "And give unto them eternal
life, and they shall never perish. neither
shall any man pluck them out of my
hand" 80 verse, My Father, which
gave them me, is greater than them all.
No man can pluck them out of My Fa-
TIERS hand" No, sir, the obedient child
of God is safe at all hazards, he is
watching, and is prepared to 60 into the
marriage supper of the Lamb. But, says
one, is there no falling from grace2 l
say, affirmatively, that there is falling
from grace, and being restored to grace.
But we know that there is no chance for
an obediedt child to fall from relation
ship with God, and If there is, there is
no more sacrifice for that sin not anoth-
or birth for that soul, for you can only
be born once spiritually, just as you are
born but once bodily; if you lose that
spiritual birth, you are eternally lost,
world without end. This is what some
call falling from grace. But think fall
ing from grace and apostatizing two very
different things. Then l say, in my af
firmation, by way of conclusion, that
there is possibility of disobedient chill
dren falling away, and being lost forever.
But not for those who hear Christ's
words and do them, for as said before,
if these things be in you and abound,
you shall never fall away. Now l will
give you the Sd chapter of lst John, 9th
verse (assurance): " Whosoever is born
of God doth not commit sin, for his
seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin
because he is born of God.' Here is
the point We say this has reference to
the sin unto death, that we are not to pray
for. Then, again, we see the man that the
seed of God remains in, cannot commit
sin; for the seed of God is his Gospel or
commandments that we must have or do
Certainly this is plain, from the same
chapter, 9th verse; look at it; there are
conditions in it: "Whosever abideth in
Him, sinneth not" This shows we have
to abide in Christ, and his word has 10
abide in US, in order to keep from falling.
For other proof turn to John, chap,
t6at Wcs6svsap e 5oth ga III Go2Y aHH
not; but be that is begotten Of God,
keepeth himself, and that wicked one
toucheth him not" Another proof, End
Thessalonians. Sd chap. Sd verse. " But
the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish
you, and keep you from evil Now this
shows that we are sealed in the heart by
the Holy Spirit, and that the evil one
toucheth us not; for greater is he that is
in us than he that is in them. Another
proof, l Cor. 10 CHI. ID, There hath
no temptation taken you, but such rs is
common to man, but God is faithful and
will not suffer you to be tempted above
that you are able, but will, with the
temptation, also make a way to escape.
that We may be able to bear it," This all
shows that we are in the hands of God,
and are under his direct commands. He
gives unto US eternal life, and none is
able to pluck us out OF his hands. while
we 60 the way he has made for our es-
cape. Now, Brother Forney, this is all
plain, positive assurance. / can give you
world of testimony on this assurance
that the true child of God is safe in Jesus
Christs hands that is born again,
And the man that hath his commandments
and does them, is the only one that hath
this assurance, and the only ones that
are his at the last day, his words being
the test rs Judge. lnow give you my
proof on this assurance, that the truly
converted are not to be lost forever.
Turn to St. John, IL chap, 26th verse !;
chap, 6, 35, 40, and so verses. See the
condition in these Many others could
be given to prove our position. And
that we are not of that class that turn
back to the weak and beggarly elements
Of the world, but Of those who believe
to the saving OF the soul. Now, we
wind up as before, with the illustration
of the smoothing iron, to show the diff
ference between falling from grace and
relationship. Now falling from first
love and works, is largely misunderstood
for falling from birth or heirship. But
becoming weak in the faith, and growing
cold in Gods love, is not falling away
entirely and neglecting some command,
and offending some, is not lost life, AS
some suppose and teach, and to back.
slide is not to apostatize. but is only
growing cold in the good cause Of God
These things are only falling from grace,
or first principles or works, and can be
restored again to place and purpose.
Now for plain illustration. Take the
same metaphor of the metal of com
merce. Take iron ore, which is certain
ly just as valuable as gold or silver, rel
atiyely. For instance, we have the smoo-
thing iron made for specific purpose
that is to smooth clothes, but it is only
useful when hot, but is not always hot
Now this represents the born children
Of God. AT times they are warm in the
cause aud useful but, like the iron, they
are not always hot to the representation