With the dispute at its height, we spoke more clearly to the point than
15. We published another volume of hymns in the year 1742.
With the dispute at its height, we spoke more clearly to the point than ever before. Accordingly, an abundance of the hymns in this volume specifically address this subject. The preface also speaks directly to the topic:
(1) Perhaps the general prejudice against Christian perfection may chiefly arise from a misunderstanding of its nature.
We willingly allow and constantly declare that there is no perfection in this life that suggests either an exemption from doing good and attending all the ordinances of God, ordinances of God: the instior freedom from ignorance, mistake, temptation, and a multitude of physical infirmities. tuted means of grace; the basics of Christian discipleship that draw us to Christ and keep us with him.
They include public worship of (2) First, we not only allow but earnestly contend that there is no perfection in this life that allows any immunity from practicing all the ordinances of God or from doing good
God, devotional reading and study, the Lord's Supper, family and private prayer, Bible study, and fasting or abstinence. to all people while we have time, "especially for those of the family of faith."** We believe that not only those who are newborn infants in Christ (who have recently found redemption in his blood), but also those who are grown up into perfect human beings* must, at every opportunity, eat bread and drink wine in remembrance of Christ and study the Scriptures. By fasting as well as moderation they are to "keep their bodies under, and bring them into subjection."** Above all, they are to pour out their souls
Grant me now the bliss to feel Of those that are in thee; Son of God, thyself reveal, in prayer, both secretly and in the great congregation.
Engrave thy name on me; (3) Secondly, we believe that there is no perfection in this life
As in heaven be here adored, And let me now the promise prove: that suggests a complete deliverance either from ignorance or mistake in things not essential to salvation.
Perfection in this life does not bring freedom from numerous temptations or countless physical ailments, by means of which the perishable body more or less oppresses the Help me, Saviour, speak the word, And perfect me in love.
Collection, #344, stanza 6 soul. We cannot find any evidence in Scripture that makes us think that any human being is wholly exempt either from bodily infirmities or from ignorance of many things.
Nor can we find any evidence that makes us imagine anyone that is not vulnerable to mistake or falling into various temptations.
(4) But whom then do you mean by "one that is perfect?"
We mean one in whom is "the mind that was in Christ, and who "walks as Christ walked."** We mean a man or woman "who has clean hands and a pure heart,"" or who is cleansed "from every defilement of body and of
one in whom there is "no cause for stumbling and who, consequently, "does not sin." To express this a little more precisely, we understand that scriptural expression "a perfect person"*' to mean one in whom God has fulfilled God's faithful word: "You shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you."** We understand by this, one whom God has "sanctified entirely in body, soul, and spirit,"** one who "walks in the light as God is in the light, in whom there is no
darkness at all, the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, having cleansed him from all sin."*°
(5) This person can now testify to all humankind, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me."*' This person is "holy as God who called" him or her "is holy," both in heart and Plant, and root, and fix in me All the mind that was in thee; Settled peace I then shall find— "in all conduct."** This person "loves the Lord God with Jesu's is a quiet mind. all the heart"*' and serves God "with all strength."® This person loves every person "as he or she loves self,"*! indeed "as Christ loves us," and in particular this person
Anger I no more shall feel, Always even, always still; Meekly on my God reclined— loves those who "hate him and persecute him, because they do not know the Son or the Father." Indeed this person's soul is all love, filled with "compassion, kindJesu's is a gentle mind.
I shall suffer, and fulfil ness, humility, meekness, and patience."** His or her life
All my Father's gracious will, Be in all alike resigned— is guided by the soul, full of the "work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope."** "And whatever" this person does, "in word or deed," he or she does "everything in the name," in the love and power, "of the Lord
Jesu's is a patient mind.
Collection, #345, stanzas 5-7 Jesus."** In a word, this person does "the will of God on earth, as it is done in heaven."* (6) This is what it means to be a perfect human being: It means being "sanctified throughout;"*' even "to have a heart so consumed with the love of God" (to use Archbishop Usher's words) "as to constantly offer up every thought, word, and work as a spiritual sacrifice, acceptArchbishop James Usher: a seventeenth-century able to God through Christ."** In every thought of our
(1580-1656) churchman hearts, in every word of our tongues, in every work of and scholar of the Church of Ireland our hands, to "show forth God's praise, who has called us out of darkness into God's marvelous light."*' O that both we and all who seek the Lord Jesus in sincerity may thus "be made perfect in one!"® This is the doctrine that we preached from the beginning and that we preach today. Indeed, we looked deeper into the nature and propWhen 'tis deeply rooted here erties of Christian perfection by viewing it in every possible light. We compared it again and again with the Word of God on the one hand, and the experience of the children of God on the other. But no disagreement at all remains between our first and our current belief.
From the beginning, our understanding of it was to have "the mind which was in Christ,"*' and to "walk as Christ walked."® To be perPerfect love shall cast out fear;
Fear doth servile spirits bind— Jesu's is a noble mind.
When I feel it fixed within I shall have no power to sin; How shall sin an entrance find? fect is to have all the mind that was in Christ, and to always walk as he walked. In other words, it is to be inwardly and outwardly devoted
Jesu's is a spotless mind. to God, completely devoted in heart and life. We have the same conception of it now, with neither addition nor subtraction.
I shall nothing know beside Jesus, and him crucified; I shall all to him be joined— 16. The hymns concerning Christian perfection in this hymnal are too numerous to transcribe. I shall cite only a part of three:
Jesu's is a loving mind.
Collection, #345, stanzas 8-10 Saviour from sin, I wait to prove That Jesus is thy healing name;
To lose, when perfected in love, Whate'er I have, or can, or am; I stay me on thy faithful word, "The servant shall be as his Lord."
Answer that gracious end in me For which thy precious life was given; Redeem from all iniquity, Restore, and make me meet for heaven.
Unless thou purge my every stain, Thy suffering and my faith is vain.
Didst thou not die, that I might live, No longer to myself but thee?
Might body, soul, and spirit give To Him who gave himself for me?
Come then, my Master and my God, Take the dear purchase of thy blood.
Thy own peculiar servant claim, For thy own truth and mercy's sake; Hallow in me thy glorious name; Me for thine own this moment take; And change and thoroughly purify; Thine only may I live and die.
& Chose from the world, if now I stand, Adorn'd with righteousness divine; If, brought into the promised land, I justly call the Saviour mine; The sanctifying Spirit pour, To quench my thirst and wash me clean, Now, Saviour, let the gracious shower Descend, and make me pure from sin.
Purge me from every sinful blot:
My idols all be cast aside:
Cleanse me from every evil thought, From all the filth of self and pride.
The hatred of the carnal mind Out of my flesh at once remove:
Give me a tender heart, resign'd, And pure, and full of faith and love.
O that I now, from sin released, Thy word might to the utmost prove, Enter into thy promised rest; The Canaan of thy perfect love!
Now let me gain perfection's height!
Now let me into nothing fall; Be less than nothing in my sight, And feel that Christ is all in all.
& Lord, I believe, thy work of grace Is perfect in the soul; His heart is pure who sees thy face, His spirit is made whole.
From every sickness, by thy word, From every foul disease, Saved, and to perfect health restored, To perfect holiness:
He walks in glorious liberty, To sin entirely dead:
The Truth, the Son hath made him free, And he is free indeed.
Throughout his soul thy glories shine, His soul is all renew'd, And deck'd in righteousness divine, And clothed and fill'd with God.
This is the rest, the life, the peace, Which all thy people prove; Love is the bond of perfectness, And all their soul is love.
O joyful sound of gospel grace!
Christ shall in me appear; I, even I, shall see his face, I shall be holy here!
He visits now the house of clay, He shakes his future home; — O would'st thou, Lord, on this glad day,
Into thy temple come!
Come, O my God, thyself reveal, Fill all this mighty void; Thou only canst my spirit fill:
Come, O my God, my God!
Fulfil, fulfil my large desires, Large as infinity!
Give, give me all my soul requires, All, all that is in thee!