3d. This theory denies that mistakes and infirmities resulting from the effects of original sin, are themselves sin, yet admits that they are to be confessed, forgiveness implored for them, and the atonement of Christ's blood applied to them, and that the more perfect a man becomes the more he abhors his own in- ternal state. Surely this is a confusion of language, and abuse of the word sin. What is sin but (1.) that which transgresses God's original law, (2.) which needs Christ's atonement, (3.) which should be confessed, and must be forgiven, (4.) which lays a proper foundation for self-abhorrence.
40. What express declarations of Scripture are contradicted by every possible modification of the theory of Christian perfection ?
1 Kings viii., 46 ; Pro v. xx., 9 ; Eccle. vii., 20 ; James iii., 2 ; 1 John i., 8.
41. How may it be shown to be in opposition to the experience of saints, as recorded in the Scriptures ?
See Paul's account of himself, Rom. vii., 14-25 ; Phil, iii., 12-14. See case of David, Ps. xix., 12 ; Ps. li. ; of Moses, Ps. xc, 8 ; of Job, Job xlii., 5, 6 ; of Daniel, ix., 20. See Luke xviii., 13 ; G-al. ii., 11-13 ; vi., 1 ; James v., 16.
42. How does it conflict ivith the ordinary experience of God's people ?
. The more holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, self-abhorring, and the more sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ. The moral imperfec- tions which cling to him he feels to be sins, laments and strives to overcome them. Believers find that their life is a constant warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and watch while they pray. They are always subject to the con- stant chastisement of their Father's loving hand, which can only be designed to correct their imperfections, and to confirm their graces. And it has been notoriously the fact that the best Chris-
424 PERFECTIONISM.
tians have been those who have been the least prone to claim the attainment of perfection for themselves.
43. What are the legitimate practical effects of perfec- tionism ?
The tendency of every such doctrine must be evil, except in so far as it is modified or counteracted by limiting or inconsistent truths held in connection, which is preeminently the case with respect to the Wesleyan view, from the amount of pure gospel which in that instance the figment of perfectionism alloys. But perfectionism, by itself, must tend, 1st, to low views of God's law ; 2d, to inadequate views of the heinousness of sin ; 3d, to a low standard of moral excellence ; 4th, to spiritual pride and fanaticism.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.
1. WJiat is the Scriptural doctrine as to the perseverance of the saints ?
" They whom God hath accepted in his beloved, effectively called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace ; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved." — Con. Faith, Chap. XVII. ; L. Cat., question 79.
2. By ivhat arguments may the certainty of the final perse- verance of the saints be established ?
1st. The direct assertions of Scripture, John x., 28, 29 ; Eom. xi., 29 ; Phil, i., 6 ; 1 Pet. i., 5.
2d. This certainty is a necessary inference, from the Scrip- tural doctrine (1.) of election, Jer. xxxi., 3; Matt, xxiv., 22-24; Acts xiii., 48 ; Kom. viii., 30 ; (2.) of the covenant of grace, wherein the Father gave his people to his Son as the reward of his obedience and suffering, Jer. xxxii., 40 ; John xvii., 2-6 ; (3.) of the union of Christians with Christ, in the federal aspect of which Christ is their surety, and they can not fail, (Kom. viii., 1,) and in the spiritual and vital aspect of which they abide in him, and because he lives they must live also, John xiv., 19 ; Kom. viii., 38, 39 ; Gal. ii., 20 ; (4.) of the atonement, wherein Christ discharged all the obligations of his people to the law as a covenant of life, and purchased for them all covenanted blessings ; if one of them should fail, therefore, the sure foundation of all would be shaken, Is. liii., 6, 11 ; Matt, xx., 28 ; 1 Pet. ii., 24 ; (5.) of justification, which declares all the conditions of the cove-
426 PERSEVERANCE.
nant of life satisfied, and sets its subject into a new relation to God for all future time, so that lie can not fall under condemna- tion, since he is not under the law, but under grace, Kom. vi., 14 ; (6.) of the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, a as a seal by which we are marked as belonging to God, b as an earnest, or first install- ment of the promised redemption, in pledge of complete fulfill- ment, John xiv., 16 ; 2 Cor. i., 21, 22 ; v., 5 ; Eph. i., 14 ; (7.) of the prevalency of Christ's intercession, John xi., 42 ; xvii., 11, 15, 20 ; Kom. viii., 34.
3. What is the doctrine of the Romish Church on this subject f