earth;-how you desired that this heavenly state might be the common privilege of all Christians, and how you immediately began to talk of the great things God had done for you.

These I consider the evidences which in all ordinary cases may rationally and scripturally be expected to accompany the great change for which we contend. Some of them may be stronger than others, and some of them may be occasionally a little obscured by circumstances, but a careful examination will bring them to view. And where all these evidences are to be found, then it may safely be concluded God has wrought the great work of entire sanctification. But of the verity of the testimony the subject himself is, in the nature of the case, the only competent judge. He only can so analyze and understand his own feelings as to judge of them safely and truly. He consequently cannot safely submit his case to others for their authoritative decision. The matter is between him and his God and though it will be useful for him to converse with eminently holy persons, and take their advice, and listen to their instructions, he must not go to any mortal for the decision of the great question, whether he has met the terms of entire sanctification, and received the impression of the seal upon his heart. This is a matter of consciousness and of induction which belongs wholly to himself, and which involves personal responsibilities which he can transfer to no other.

I will close this lecture with a single word of advice. Let those who are seeking the great blessing of a clean heart guard equally against credulity and skepticism.

You may be too ready to believe that God has wholly removed your corruptions. The suggestion that this is actually the case may be from the devil, designed by your arch foe to prevent you from truly coming into

the possession of the blessing by a thorough prosecu. tion of the great work of seeking it with all your heart. As seekers of religion are sometimes deceived, and build an evidence of pardon upon a false basis, so may you conclude you are indeed fully sanctified before you are. I have little doubt but this is the case with many, and when they afterward find themselves possessed of evil tempers, they conclude they have lost the blessing, and then are naturally led into the erroneous and discour aging conclusion that it is a state most difficult if not impossible to be retained. It is consequently of great importance that we proceed with care in the examination of our hearts, and in judging of the indications that they are wholly the Lord's. It is dangerous to fail here. O how should we pray to God to search us, and prove us, and teach us what we know not!

But, upon the other hand, we may be too slow to understand the character of the work God is carrying on in our hearts. We may require higher and stronger demonstrations of its character and integrity than is consistent with the determinations of infinite wisdom. We may wish "a sign from heaven"—an extraordinary revelation, and may be unwilling to credit the truth of the work until this is vouchsafed. In this way we may rob our own souls of the comforts of the blessing, grieve the Holy Spirit, and give into the hands of the enemy a grand triumph. Our own unworthiness, our former unfaithfulness, or the greatness of the work, must not interfere to blind our eyes to God's gracious manifestations. The more unworthy the subject, and the greater the work, the more glory will redound to God. Turn your eyes then, my brethren, from yourselves to God-the amplitude of his gracious designs, and of his resources to carry them into full effect. Be not distrustful. He who commands the winds and the

seas is at the helm. Hear his interrogation, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" Let your answer be," Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief." And when the work is accomplished, be not like the nine lepers who went their way, but like the one stranger who returned, and with a loud voice gave glory to God. And be assured that you will glorify him truly by recognising his work in all its extent, and making no conditions upon which you will acknowledge the work accomplished. Simplicity of purpose, honesty and diligence, will secure you effectually against all deception.

LECTURE XXI.

ADDRESS TO PROFESSORS OF CHRISTIAN PERFECTION.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven," Matt. v, 16.

I FEEL it incumbent upon me, before I leave this subject, to give a word of advice to such as make profession of the blessing of entire sanctification. This part of my duty I approach with great diffidence, as I feel it would be much more appropriate for me to sit at the feet of those I address, and learn of them my duty, than to assume the character of an instructer to them. Knowing, however, that a prominent trait in the character of perfect Christians is deep humility, I cannot doubt but all such will be ready to receive instruction from even the feeblest of Christ's servants. This consideration gives me some confidence to proceed in the discharge of a duty which, under other circumstances, would be quite insupportable.

Permit me then, dear brethren, to enter somewhat

into detail, and urge upon your attention several things which I consider of great importance to your own spiritual prosperity, and your usefulness in the church and in the world. For advices of a general character, and for much special instruction, you will do well to consult Mr. Wesley's Plain Account of Christian Perfection, and Mr. Fletcher's Address to Perfect Christians. Little more indeed of importance can be said of a practical nature than may be gathered from these writers. A few points, however, need at the present time to be made more prominent, which existing circumstances require should be constantly present to the view of that class of persons whom I immediately address. The present position of the controversy:-the errors of several classes of perfectionists, and the perpetual effort to convict our system of a tendency to these errors :— the deep solicitude manifested upon the part of many serious persons, both among our own people, and of other Christian communions, to receive light upon the subject, and to be aided in their efforts for holiness :devolve high responsibilities upon you. Perhaps there never was a time, since the age of the holy apostles, when it was more important that the doctrine of Christian perfection should appear a vital reality.

1. I would first advise you to study the doctrine of Christian perfection with great care.

The only infallible source of information upon the doctrines of religion is the Holy Bible. Read this blessed book, particularly the practical and devotional parts of it, with a desire to find the true standard of religious experience and practice which is there set up Read this book with attention, read it with reverence, read it with solicitude, read it with prayer. When you open the sacred pages of the book of books, let your prayer to God be, "What I know not teach thou me.”

Next to the Bible study Wesley's Plain Account. I say study it, for "plain" as is that "account," it is by no means to be understood fully without study and reflection. The definitions, the distinctions, the arguments should be so thoroughly impressed upon your minds that you can conceive of and use them with circumstantial accuracy at any moment. The want of the accurate knowledge of what Mr. Wesley says upon many points of this great subject, on the part of those who profess to follow him, and particularly those who profess this blessing, has often led them to express themselves inconsistently, and thus to give occasion for great scandal. Our opponents do not fail to take advantage of all such cases, and to use them to the great prejudice of the doctrine itself. I do not say that you cannot enjoy the blessing of perfect love without the clear understanding of the subject here inculcated-I speak with reference to your usefulness-the influence you will exert upon others, and especially the more thinking and intelligent portion of your fellow Christians.

Next to Mr. Wesley read Mr. Fletcher. His productions upon the subject of Christian perfection are logical, argumentative, and powerfully persuasive. There is an unction accompanying his thoughts and language which touches the secret springs of the soul, and eminently prepares it to receive instruction, and to enter upon immediate action.

Read the lives of the holy men and women who lived and died in the enjoyment of perfect love :-such as Bramwell, Carvosso, Mrs. Fletcher, Lady Maxwell, and Mrs. Rogers. These will give you light as well as heat-will present clearly the practical workings of the principle.

Finally, converse with wise and godly persons upon