The Profession of Perfect Love Part 5

129. Do not some profess this experience in terms seriously objectionable?

Very likely; as there is no Christian duty that has not been abused by inconsiderate, rash, and weak minds. The same is true in the profession of justification. It can not be expected that the profession of holiness will be wholly free from exhibitions of human frailty. The world is full of uncultivated, careless, rash, inconsiderate, and impetuous men, and the profession of holiness, like all other Christian duties, is liable to abuse from them. Unwise professions of holiness, however, argue no more against its profession, than the abuse of prayer argues against the duty of prayer.

There are some who profess holiness carelessly, and use objectionable and unguarded terms. These, in most cases, are those whose life and spirit present but a sorry idea of Christian holiness. Such persons sometimes say, "I am perfect," "I am pure," "I have not committed a sin for so long." These things ought to be true, and may be true; but their careless utterance by some of the professed friends of holiness has done much to injure this precious doctrine, and bring its profession into disrepute. It was so in Mr. Wesley's day, and it is so in our day.

130. Is not the profession of holiness, assumed by some, as of itself evidence of spiritual pride?

Rev. Charles G. Finney says: "It seems next to impossible, with the present views of the church, that an individual should really attain to this state, and profess to live without known sin, in a manner so humble as not of course to be suspected of enormous spiritual pride. This consideration has been a snare to some who have hesitated, and even neglected to declare what God had done for their souls, lest they should be accused of spiritual pride. And this has been a serious injury to their piety." -- Letter to Preachers.

131. Does not the profession of perfect love as a distinct blessing tend to produce jealousy and discord among brethren?

It does not among Christians. A confession of entire sanctification in suitable words, in a proper manner and place, and in the right spirit, will produce no jealousy or discord among real Christians. It may among a class of backsliders, and dead or doubtful professors. These, of course, would writhe under both the possession and confession of this grace.

Mr. Wesley says: "Nor does any thing under heaven more quicken the desires of those who are justified, than to converse with those whom they believe to have experienced a still higher salvation." -- Vol. vi. p. 502.

132. Did Mr. Wesley encourage the profession of Perfect Love?

He did. We will give you a number of quotations from his journal and letters hearing upon this question.

1. "One reason why those who are saved from sin should freely declare it to believers is because nothing is a stronger incitement to them to seek after the same blessing. And we ought, by every possible means, to press every serious believer to forget the things which are behind, and with all earnestness go on to perfection." -- Vol. vii. p. 50.

2. "You can never speak too strongly or explicitly upon the need of Christian perfection. If you speak only faintly and indirectly, none will be offended and none profited. But if you speak out, although some will probably be angry, yet others will soon find the power of God unto salvation." -- Vol. vii. p. 254.

3. "It requires a great degree of watchfulness to retain the perfect love of God and one great means of retaining it, is frankly to declare what God has given you, and earnestly to exhort all the believers you meet with to follow after full salvation." -- Vol ii. p. 13.

4. "At the love feast Mr. C. related the manner how God perfected him in love -- a testimony which is always attended with a peculiar blessing." -- Vol. iv. p. 458,

5. "By silence he might avoid many crosses which will naturally and necessarily ensue if he simply declare, even among believers, what God has wrought in his soul. If, therefore, such a one were to confer with flesh and blood, he would be entirely silent. But this could not be done with a clear conscience, for undoubtedly he ought to speak." -- Vol. vi. p. 502.

6. "Undoubtedly it would be a cross to declare what God has done for your soul; nay, and afterward Satan would accuse you on the account, telling you, 'You did it out of pride.' Yea, and some of your sisters would blame you, and perhaps put the same construction upon it. Nevertheless, if you do it with a single eye it will be well pleasing to God." -- Vol. vii. p. 103.

7. "In the evening I spoke to those at Manchester who believed the God had cleansed their hearts. They were sixty-three in number, to about sixty of whom I could not find there was any reasonable objection." -- Vol. vii. p. 381.

8. A few witnesses of pure love remain there still, but several are gone to Abraham's bosom. Encourage those in Macclesfield who enjoy it to speak explicitly what they do experience; and to go on till they know all that 'love of God that passeth knowledge.' " -- Letter to H. Ann Rogers.

9. Mrs. Hester Ann Rogers says: "Mr. Wesley came to Macclesfield, and I saw and conversed with him for the first time. He behaved to me with parental tenderness, and greatly rejoiced in the Lord's goodness to my soul; encouraged me to hold fast and to declare what the Lord had wrought." -- Journal.

10. For about three years he (Joseph Norbury) has humbly and boldly testified that God had saved him from all sin." -- Vol. ii. p. 297.

11. He writes to his brother Charles, who was about to visit Macclesfield, where there were a large number of witnesses of holiness: "I believe you will rather encourage them to speak humbly and modestly, the words of truth and soberness. Let your knowledge direct, not quench, the fire. That has been done too much already." See Vol. ii. p. 130-133.

Not a word of opposition to the profession of full salvation can be found in any of Mr. Wesley's writings. His rules of prudence in regard to the profession of holiness, given in his "Plain Account," are all good, and we believe are usually observed by the professors and friends of holiness.