15. Is the theory that the soul is entirely sanctified at regeneration, attended with serious difficulties?
It is. It involves the whole subject of Christian sanctification in inextricable difficulties. The following are some of them:
1. If sanctification is complete at justification, then every man who enjoys religion is entirely sanctified.
2. If sanctification is complete at conversion, then every Christian, to be truthful, should profess entire sanctification.
3. If all who are converted are entirely sanctified, then all the directions in the word of God, to seek holiness sanctification, or perfect love, are given exclusively to sinners.
4. If sanctification is complete at justification, then converts are not to seek for any further cleansing.
5. If sanctification is complete at justification, ministers have no right to urge Christians to "go on unto perfection," or to "cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
6. If justification and entire sanctification are inseparable, then all who feel the fruits of the flesh are in a state of condemnation.
7. If a state of entire sanctification is consistent with the struggles of pride, unbelief, impatience, jealousy, and anger (the common experience of newly justified believers), must we not infer that these must go with us to heaven? as it must be admitted that entire sanctification fits the soul for heaven.
8. If sanctification is complete at conversion then every man who is not entirely sanctified is a child of the devil.
9. If entire sanctification is complete at justification, it is so in opposition to the experience of the whole Church of God, and, with slight exceptions, the whole Christian world have been seriously mistaken during two thousand years.
10. If all that are regenerate are wholly sanctified, then, whoever is convicted for full salvation, and groaning after it, is at once to infer that he was never converted, or that he is now backslidden. Thus would this heresy, if received, perplex and harass with perpetual difficulties and discouragements the very members of the church who are most deeply concerned to possess all the mind that was in Christ.
A system involving such difficulties can not be received as the truth of God, and should be regarded as anti-scriptural, and avoided as dangerous heresy.
16. If regeneration is partial and not entire sanctification, where is the limit?
Dr. G. D. Watson answers this question:-- "The Scriptures teach that in conversion the believer is always sanctified or purified back to the moral cleanness of infancy. This is the exact limit of partial sanctification, which is fixed by the Saviour himself. "Except ye be converted and become as little children." Just as pardon removes all guilt resulting from actual transgressions, so 'the washing of regeneration' removes all the impurity acquired by actual transgression. The removal of remaining original impurity is the work of entire sanctification." -- Advocate of Holiness, September, 1879.
Rev.. B. W. Gorham: "The infant, and the man in a state of assured justification before God, are alike parties to the covenant of grace, which entitles them to holiness and heaven. Both are alike free from any voluntary antagonism to holiness; and should death come suddenly to both, our covenant-keeping Lord will surely perfect that which is locking in each, even in the very article of death." -- God's Method with Man, p. 57.
17. Does a state of justification involve a desire to be holy?
It does. If a man is a Christian, and in a justified state, he has the heart of a child of God, and desires to render Him a present, full, and unreserved obedience. This is implied in the very nature of true religion. A desire for holiness is a spontaneity of the regenerate heart, and the Christian who argues against holiness will get down on his knees and pray for a clean heart, -- his regenerated heart getting the better of his head.
Bishop Peck says: "Regeneration in its lowest state loves holiness, and pants to be filled with it."
Mr. Caughey says: "A hearty desire for purity is the brightest gem that sparkles in real justification. If it be genuine, this desire is always attached to it -- as weight to lead, as heat to fire, as fragrance to the rose, as greenness to a healthy leaf -- inseparable."
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