Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org

I now obey it, and tell you all, to the praise of his love, I am free from sin, dead indeed unto sin, and
alive unto God. I received the blessing four or five times before; but I lost it by not observing the
order of God who tells us, 'With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation' ... Now, my brethren, you see my folly, I have confessed it in your
presence, and now I am resolved before you all to confess my Master. I will confess him to all the
world. And I will declare unto you, in the presence of God the holy Trinity, I am now dead indeed
unto sin and alive unto God, through Jesus Christ, who is my indwelling holiness, my all in all."
When it is remembered that Mr. Fletcher used the word "sin" in the sense of "original sin,"
"indwelling sin," "the law of sin," depravity, etc., we can see how clearly he professed salvation from
all inward and outward "filthiness of the flesh and spirit," and the possession of "inward holiness"
or "purity of heart," and, "perfect love."
A judicious writer, in commenting on the above, says: "That open confession of sanctification was
the beginning both of Fletcher's permanence in holiness and of the days of his wondrous power."
And what a life he did live after this! In addition to what Southey, Taylor, Hall, and Dixon have said
of him, we add the following testimonies from others. The first is from the Rev. Joseph Benson, the
well-known commentator and intimate friend of Fletcher, and shows how completely divine grace
triumphed over a naturally fiery and passionate spirit:
"He was meek, like his Master, as well as lowly in heart. Not that he was so by nature, for he was
of a fiery, passionate spirit: insomuch that he has frequently thrown himself on the floor and lain
there most of the night, bathed in tears, imploring victory over his own temper. And he did obtain
the victory in a very eminent degree. For twenty years, and upward before his death, no one ever saw
him out of temper or heard him utter a rash expression, on any provocation whatever. And he did
not want provocation, and that sometimes in a high degree; especially from those whose religious
sentiments he thought it his duty to oppose. But none of these things moved him; no, not in the least
degree."
How complete was this triumph of divine grace, substituting the greatest irritability and
passionateness of nature with the most consummate meekness, gentleness, and humility! Christians
who say they can't control their temper ought to take courage from this experience. In his funeral
sermon, Mr. Wesley pays the following tribute to his deceased friend:
"I was intimately acquainted with him for above thirty years. I conversed with him morning, noon,
and night without the least reserve, during a journey of many hundred miles. And in all that time I
never heard him steak an improper word, nor saw him do an improper action. Many exemplary men
have I known, holy in heart and life, within fourscore years; but one equal to him I have not known:
one so inwardly and outwardly devoted to God, so unblamable a character in every respect, I have
not found either in Europe or America, and I scarce expect to find another such on this side of
eternity."
The following is from the pen of James Ireland, esq., one of Mr. Fletcher's associates and friends.
It testifies to both his greatness and goodness: