Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org

SCRIPTURAL SANCTIFICATION:
An
Attempted Solution of the Holiness Problem
By The
Rev. John R. Brooks, D.D.
Chapter 23
OTHER OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED
1. The alleged difficulty of knowing that we receive this blessing is thus stated as an objection to
this theory by Dr. Whitehead: "How can we certainly know that we are entirely sanctified?" After
saying that the Spirit witnesses "only to the fact of our sonship or adoption," Dr. Whitehead says:
"There is absolutely no passage in the New Testament which even implies that any other
attainment or state of grace is certified to us by the Holy Ghost. All judgments or conclusions of our
own mind must be fallible, and can bring no assurance removing all doubt. We may be utterly and
completely mistaken ... The assertion, for example, of Dr. B. Carradine that he had a peculiar witness
by the Holy Spirit to his reception of such a blessing -- a witness more distinct than that of his
conversion, similar to that former witness, but more powerful and emphatic -- is doubtless honest
and sincere, and is intended to describe some mental assurance and satisfaction arrived at by him;
but to declare it to be the witness of the Holy Ghost is presumptuous and vain, and smacks of an
ill-regulated enthusiasm."
In reply to the above, we remark:
(1) That, as another suggests, the Spirit seems to bear witness, either directly or indirectly, to
every spiritual state resulting from the neglect or improvement of his influences brought to bear upon
us. First, to our guilt resulting from actual sin and our failure to repent and believe in Christ. This
we call "conviction of sin." It is conviction of guilt, resulting from his to the fact. Secondly, to our
adoption into our being the children of God. Our of that fact results from his witness to it. Thirdly,
to the fact that we are called to preach the gospel, impressing us with the fact that we are "moved by
the Holy Ghost" to engage in this work. Our "conviction" that it is our duty to do so is produced by
the of the Spirit to the fact. Fourthly, to backsliding -- to his loss of the divine favor. "Conviction of
that fact comes from his to it. Fifthly, to the fact that when he comes in his baptismal power he
thoroughly cleanses and mightily strengthens the fully consecrated soul. His "witness" produces
"conviction" of this fact. Does any one doubt that the one hundred and twenty at Pentecost, who most
probably before that time had the witness of adoption, received then a direct and clear witness to the
fact of a deeper and completer work of grace in their hearts?
(2) At the risk of being charged with a "bold wresting of word," we must say that we prefer Mr.
Wesley's interpretation of I Corinthians ii. 12 to that of Dr. Whitehead; not because it is Mr.
Wesley's, but because we think it is sounder. Our "knowing the things which are freely given to us
of God" is conditioned on our "receiving" "the Spirit which is of God." This knowledge comes to
us either directly or indirectly from this Spirit-knowledge of "the things which God hath prepared
for them that love him," even "the deep things of God." Has God not "prepared anything but