The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-04-13
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION.

second sermon Of the series on Sanctifica-
ton, to \ large congregation, on Sunday
morning last
Matt. ). 4s:-Be ye Merefore perfect, ecen
as gotr Father "hich is in hcaren is perfect.
Having in our previous discourse upon
this topic of Christian Perfection endeav-
ored to show what IL is not, i. e., that the
church does not teach the possibility of
to an angelcal nor Adamic state,
NC, we propose, on this occasion, to show
''what Christian Perfection is l. G., to
show what condition of life of the individ-
ual Christian is indicated by the church as
meeting the term Christian Perfection.
Now, i'll relation to the language of
the passage we have chosen as a text, no.
tice that the Immediately preceding con
text has reference to the forgivness of Of
fences and injuries and the treatment of
enemies generally, and the Saviour, the
very fountain of inspiration and personiti
cation OF Divinity, commands His dsci-
pies " to be perfect as is their Father in
heaven, to exhibit in their sphere and &C
cordng to the depth of their nature and
afectional capacity a love like to that of
God, reaching to all classes and exhibiting
whether friend or foe.
We have in this passage a beautiful and
very forcible illustration of the signifca-
ton of the term perfect, and similar ex-
pressions, as applied to both God and man,
and, indeed, have here the key to the com
prehenSiOn of the whole subject. The
word perfect here signifies only "to the
iullness OF the capacity or ability of the
individual to whom it is applied. In
common parlance, we make similar use of
the phrase: we say perfect horse, and yet
do not pretend to measure the animal by
the same standard as we do human being.
And we speak of a child as being 6 per.
feet child;' and the infant may be satin
skinned dimpled and rosy. with every
limb turned in symmetry and beauty, every
joint free, every muscle properly strung;
III short, every organ, member and function
complete aud excellent, and yet we do not
think for a moment of making demands of
this "perfect child such as we reasona-
bly, require of a matured man.
The same idea applies to the term per-
feet y in the language of our text as it is
applied respectively to man and to God;
and precisely the same rule should govern
us in our application of the phrase to
Christian human perfection. We remark,
then,
|. That Christian perfection is tie per-
lection IF q human being attained Mrough
and resulting from c0nncctiOn riM CHRISTI
or, better still, the perfection of connec-
ton with Christ.
That there is a modification, a regenera-
ton, in our humanity by and through con
nectlon with Christ, none deny; and we
hold only that human being by this mod
ilication may be not only perfectly united
with Christ, but that 1.-THE new creature "
in Christ Jesus is in state of "ChrIStian"
perfection; has all the organs, faculties
and functions in perfect condition, in so
far, at least. as to meet all the demands
made by Divine authority upon man as lie
is
II. 1t is state in which man is freed
from the fear of the consequences of sin
and the wrath of God. This is probably
the first and lowest step of the Christian
life, the first thought that thrills with Joy
the converted soul, that " Gods anger is
turned away and that He comforts me-"
And this surely is included in Christian
perfection. No man surely claims to be
the Lords, or that he truly honors the
atonement. while he doubts whether or not
the wrath of God is impending over him.
III. 1t is a condition in which a man is
freed from the lmpurity and defiiement of
sin. Old Testament Scripture gives US the
prayer of the Psalmist, Wash me and l
shall be whittier than snow In the prophecy
of Ezekiel God declares that in new dis
pensation Then will sprinkle clean water
upon you and we shall be clean; all your fill
thiuess will cleanse you" The man who
is perfectly united to Christ goes forth not
only pardoned criminal released by execu-
tive clemency, but a being who is pure in
the sight of even a holy judge, because
"the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from
all SIM
". 1t is condition in which a man is
enabled to live without the commission of
actual sin. Not called on to meet the re-
quirements of the Mosaic ritualistic law,
nor the Christless law of Adamic perfec-
tiOn-while in the light of this by 1.-the
deeds Of the law shall no flesh be Justified
yet this man under the law of Christ, fol
Lowing the lead of his great exemplar, who
was tempted in all points, yet without sin,
strengthened by the always sufficient
grace the man gloriiies the :" Son who has
made him free By freedom from actual
sin of thought and deed.
V. 1t is a state of constant futillment
to the fullness of human ability, of all
Gods demands. The nan who is filled
with the Esprit of power" the Holy
Ghost, who is " streug thened with might
IN the inward man," not only keeps all the
commands Of God under the Christly dis
pensation, but meets, according to his abil.
ity. all the Divine demands The affec-
tions, emotions, thoughts and will, as well
as the outward conduct, are conformed to
Gods government, aud with all his facu.
ties and with all his strength the man glori-
ties his Saviour.
VI. It is i state in which q man is SO
filled with God and Christ ipdwellipg, that
there is no response to the voice of the
tempted without. We do not mean that
the perfect christian is not tempted, nor
ever reaches a position in which he cannot
be temper; the example of our blessed
Savior teaches the contrary. But we do
mean that. though the temptation may
assail us from without. there is no response
of our own heart aud will. To illustrates
As long as there is a single vacant inch of
space in room filled only with air, noise
from without may find its response within
the room in the fluctuations of this air;
but let the room be entirely filled, SO that
no atom o, air remains, aud no volume of
sound, however great, amos any response
in the room before SO resonant. and IRE
cisely SO of our humanity. While there
remains any portion of our heart unoccu-
pied 10y God indwelling, the voice of the
tempter finds its answer within; but let
the so4l, the heart, the life, be filled with
God, AID thong. the cyl one call and the
world allure, there j. 10 resRorsG Of the
heart. The temptations mag GGntiaue, bnt
the man will stand interrupted. For exam
pie, take an individual who has formed the
habit and become slave to the appetite of
Intoxicating drinks. To such an individual
the sight and fumes of liquors stir up the
appet,te- @na1 vai,e the raging fever within.
But let such nan be .pA.Q with the Holy
Ghost, the indwelling power, and tna4gt.
the old allurements meet him and the fumes
invade his nostrils, there is no answer of the
appetite from within. And thus Christian
perfection is.
vi. t4Tt Reaspre of the Holy Ghost
which cofreapoada e Tie !a5T Of cody
living. 4 man whq has i!eterE!ined 70 re
form, to surcease his evil practices, throws
across the channel IN which his feelings aui