What trials are peculiar to those entirely sanctified?

         1. They are frequently tempted to withhold a confession of the blessing. Messrs. Bramwell, Stoner, Carvosso, Mrs. Hester Ann Rogers, Rev. Asa Kent, and a multitude of others, have been severely tempted in this regard.

2. Their faith will be subject to severe trials. Faith is the direct point of union between the sanctified soul and Christ. This vital point will be early and artfully assailed. They are tempted to doubt whether they are sanctified wholly. Mr. Wesley says: "We find there is very frequently a kind of wilderness state, not only after justification, but even after deliverance from sin. The most frequent cause of this second darkness or distress, I believe, is evil reasoning. If this be the cause, is there any way to regain that deliverance but by resuming your confidence?

3. Their charity will be tried. Charity is one of the chief fruits of perfect love, which fill the Christian heart in entire sanctification, yet this very charity is subject to severe trials. Indifference, ignorance, and opposition to holiness in professors of religion will try their Christian charity. Bishop Peck says, "There is opposition to holiness of which its professors must become the direct objects."

4. Their patience will be tried. In this world of sin this Christian grace must be severely tried. The rashness of friends and the violence of foes will attack it. Enfeebled and irritable nerves will try it. Unreasonable provocations from friends or enemies will try it. A thousand nameless ills will put it to a thorough test. Oh, how needful the inspired direction, "In your patience possess ye your souls!"

5. Their Christian firmness will be tried. The world is no friend to holiness; and multitudes, even in the church, through ignorance and prejudice, or the want of salvation, are unfriendly to holiness as a blessing distinct from regeneration, and will oppose any who preach or profess it. The wholly sanctified will have their firmness tried by neglect, indifference, opposition, and persecution. How many have entered the path of holiness, and, for the want of firmness, have finally abandoned it! There is a powerful opposition to holiness in the world, and to some extent in the church; and this opposition the friends of holiness must encounter. Just in proportion as Christians dissent from the fashionable sins of the world, and lifeless formalism in the church, they will provoke opposition. "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried."

6. Their fidelity to God and man will be tried. They are in danger of compromising with the world, and of loosing their aversion to sin. Christians are to bear a decided and unflinching testimony against all sin, wherever it may be found, either in or out of the church.

Bishop Peck says: "To give even an implied approval or consent to the indifference or opposition of the church or individual, to the experience and spread of holiness, would bring evil upon your own conscience which you would be unable to bear." -- Central Idea, p. 308.

Every trial of the Christian tests his character, and helps him to ascertain how much moral integrity, or real solid worth he has.