In what sense is entire sanctification instantaneous?
1. If, by entire sanctification be intended the act of cleansing the justified believer from inbred sin, it is instantaneous in the same sense as regeneration. Not necessarily in the "twinkling of an eye," at least so far as our perceptions are concerned, but is a short, quick, rapid work, the same as the new birth. It is instantaneous as a death or a birth, as a washing or refining. Note the imagery -- (question 54.)
2. The preparatory process is usually more or less gradual hence, Bishop Hamline says: "It is gradually approached, but instantaneously bestowed." Before regeneration, there was a gradual process of conviction, repentance, humiliation, consecration, and faith; but they did not regenerate the soul in part, or in whole, they preceded it. Preceding entire sanctification there is a gradual process of obtaining light, receiving conviction, hungering after purity, confession, prayer, and faith. These do not gradually sanctify the soul, but precede that work.
3. The approach to entire sanctification -- the life of righteousness, and the growth of the Christian virtues received in regeneration, are gradual, and not instantaneous. This is the sense that some writers mean who maintain that sanctification is only gradual in this life. Others claim that it is both gradual and instantaneous, gradual as to the growth of the Christian virtues, and instantaneous in heart purification.
Making this plain distinction between the death of sin and the life of righteousness, relieves this subject of much confusion, and many writers of contradiction regarding instantaneous and gradual sanctification.
4. The death of sin is made instantaneous, and the life of righteousness gradual, by Dr. George Peck, one of the purest and ablest theologians of his day:
"It will be remembered that we have found sanctification to imply both the death of sin, and the life of righteousness. and when we speak of entire sanctification, as to the former part of it, we say it may be attained at once -- it is an instantaneous work." ... But in relation to the latter part of this great work, viz., the life of righteousness embracing all holy affections, and pious efforts, it is regarded as entirely progressive. The destruction of sin in the soul, and the growth of holiness, are two distinct things The one is instantaneous, the other gradual and hence it is that we sometimes say, with propriety that the work of entire sanctification is both gradual and instantaneous." -- Peck's Christian Perfection, p. 212.
5. Dr. Raymond says: In this view it is obvious that the work of complete sanctification is both progressive and instantaneous progressive as to the acquisition of knowledge and ability to know, and instantaneous as to the appropriation of he blessing apprehended."
1. If, by entire sanctification be intended the act of cleansing the justified believer from inbred sin, it is instantaneous in the same sense as regeneration. Not necessarily in the "twinkling of an eye," at least so far as our perceptions are concerned, but is a short, quick, rapid work, the same as the new birth. It is instantaneous as a death or a birth, as a washing or refining. Note the imagery -- (question 54.)
2. The preparatory process is usually more or less gradual hence, Bishop Hamline says: "It is gradually approached, but instantaneously bestowed." Before regeneration, there was a gradual process of conviction, repentance, humiliation, consecration, and faith; but they did not regenerate the soul in part, or in whole, they preceded it. Preceding entire sanctification there is a gradual process of obtaining light, receiving conviction, hungering after purity, confession, prayer, and faith. These do not gradually sanctify the soul, but precede that work.
3. The approach to entire sanctification -- the life of righteousness, and the growth of the Christian virtues received in regeneration, are gradual, and not instantaneous. This is the sense that some writers mean who maintain that sanctification is only gradual in this life. Others claim that it is both gradual and instantaneous, gradual as to the growth of the Christian virtues, and instantaneous in heart purification.
Making this plain distinction between the death of sin and the life of righteousness, relieves this subject of much confusion, and many writers of contradiction regarding instantaneous and gradual sanctification.
4. The death of sin is made instantaneous, and the life of righteousness gradual, by Dr. George Peck, one of the purest and ablest theologians of his day:
"It will be remembered that we have found sanctification to imply both the death of sin, and the life of righteousness. and when we speak of entire sanctification, as to the former part of it, we say it may be attained at once -- it is an instantaneous work." ... But in relation to the latter part of this great work, viz., the life of righteousness embracing all holy affections, and pious efforts, it is regarded as entirely progressive. The destruction of sin in the soul, and the growth of holiness, are two distinct things The one is instantaneous, the other gradual and hence it is that we sometimes say, with propriety that the work of entire sanctification is both gradual and instantaneous." -- Peck's Christian Perfection, p. 212.
5. Dr. Raymond says: In this view it is obvious that the work of complete sanctification is both progressive and instantaneous progressive as to the acquisition of knowledge and ability to know, and instantaneous as to the appropriation of he blessing apprehended."
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