_Q._ 1. HOW much is allowed by our brethren who differ from us, with regard to entire sanctification?
_A._ They grant, 1. That every one must be entirely sanctified, in the article of death:
2. That till then, a believer daily grows in grace, comes nearer and nearer to perfection:
3. That we ought to be continually pressing after this and to exhort all others so to do.
_Q._ 2. What do we allow them?
_A._ We grant, 1. That many of those who have died in the faith, yea, the greater part of those we have known, were not sanctified throughout, not made perfect in love, till a little before death:
2. That the term, “sanctified,” is continually applied by St. _Paul_, to all that were justified, were true believers:
3. That by this term alone, he rarely (if ever) means, saved from all sin:
4. That consequently, it is not proper to use it in this sense, without adding the word “wholly, entirely,” or the like:
5. That the inspired writers almost continually speak of or to those who are justified; but very rarely, either of or to those, who were wholly sanctified:
6. That consequently, it behoves us to speak in public almost continually of the state of justification: but more rarely, in full and explicit terms, concerning entire sanctification.
_Q._ 3. What then is the point wherein we divide?
_A._ It is this: Whether we should expect to be saved from all sin, before the article of death?
_Q._ 4. Is there any clear scripture _promise_ of this? That God will save us from _all_ sin?
_A._ There is. _Psalm_ cxxx. 8. _He shall redeem Israel from_ all _his sins_.
This is more largely exprest in the prophesy of _Ezekiel_: _Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean; from_ all _your filthiness and from_ all _your idols will I cleanse you――I will also save you from_ all _your uncleannesses_, chapter xxxvi. verse 25. 29. No promise can be more clear. And to this the apostle plainly refers in that exhortation, _Having these promises, let us cleanse ourselves, from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God_. _2 Corinthians_ vii. 1. Equally clear and express is that antient promise, _The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul_. _Deuteronomy_ xxx. 6.
_Q._ 5. But does any _assertion_ answerable to this, occur in the new Testament?
_A._ There does, and that laid down in the plainest terms. So St. _John_ iii. 8. _For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil._ The works of the devil, without any limitation or restriction: but all sin is the work of the devil. Parallel to which is that assertion of St. _Paul_, _Ephesians_ v. 25, 27. _Christ loved the church and gave himself for it――that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish._
And to the same effect is his assertion in the 8th of the _Romans_, (verse 3, 4.) _God sent his Son_――that the _righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, walking not after the flesh but after the Spirit_.
_Q._ 6. Does the new Testament afford any farther ground, for expecting to be saved from all sin?
_A._ Undoubtedly it does, both in those prayers and commands which are equivalent to the strongest assertions.
_Q._ 7. What prayers do you mean?
_A._ Prayers for entire sanctification; which were there no such thing, would be mere mockery of God. Such, in particular, are 1. _Deliver us from evil_; or rather, _from the evil one_. Now when this is done, when we are delivered from all evil, there can be no sin remaining. 2. _Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word: that they all may be one, as thou Father art in me and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one._ John xvii. 20, 21, 23.
3. _I bow my knees unto the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ――that he would grant you――that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, ♦and depth, and height: and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that he might be filled with all the fulness of God._ Ephesians iii. 14, 16‒19. 4. _The very God of peace sanctify you wholly. And I pray God, your whole spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ._ 1 Thessalonians v. 23.
♦ insert “and depth” per Errata
_Q._ 8. What command is there to the same effect?
_A._ 1. _Be ye perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect._ Matthew vi. ultima.
2. _Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind._ Matthew xxii. 37. But if the love of God fill all the heart, there can be no sin there.