Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org

SCRIPTURAL SANCTIFICATION:
An
Attempted Solution of the Holiness Problem
By The
Rev. John R. Brooks, D.D.
INTRODUCTION
I cheerfully comply with the request of my friend, Dr. Brooks, to write a word of introduction to
his excellent volume -- no less excellent, indeed, in its spirit than in its theme and his treatment of
it. The author needs no epistle of commendation from me: he is widely known as an eminently useful
minister of our communion and a member of many general conferences.
Just as this task devolves upon me, there comes to hand the London Quarterly Review for January,
1899 -- the theological organ in England of the mother Church of Methodism. I cannot do better -especially
as Dr. Brooks has dwelt upon the acceptance of the Wesleyan doctrine by members of
other Churches -- than insert a pertinent paragraph from the editor's article on "Methodism and the
Age."
"And the doctrine of Christian perfection which Wesley calmly maintained in the face of almost
universal contempt and derision [so the paragraph runs] has been welcomed in these latter days by
devout souls in all communions. At any ordinary holiness convention the Episcopalian, the
Presbyterian, the Baptist, the Congregationalist, and the Methodist will be found together witnessing
to the reality and blessedness of the doctrine of perfect purity and perfect love. These representatives
of the several Churches may differ in their definitions of entire sanctification, but the differences are
merely verbal; substantially they unanimously witness to the great doctrine for which Wesley
contended, viz., that the infinite grace of the sovereign Spirit can renew and perfect the soul here and
now. No distinctive doctrine of primitive Methodism puts modern Methodism at a disadvantage. The
truths that were once special to her are ceasing to be special, not because she discovers that those
truths were partial or misconceived, but because they are becoming the recognized doctrines of the
universal Protestant Church."
Dr. Brooks' volume is characterized by a sane and sober appeal to experience. A wide induction
of verified facts has as much value in religion as in science. Such inductions are now being wisely
and successfully employed by theologians in the field of apologetics. The sure word of personal
testimony convinces the gainsayers. It is freely conceded that alleged experience is not legitimate as
a sole and independent instrument for the construction of doctrine. If it contradict the Scriptures, it
is self-condemned. If it supplement the Scriptures, it indicts the Holy Spirit and aims to convict him
of the sin of omission. Hence its rightful function is the confirmation or verification of the Scriptures
in the living realities of the Christian's faith, hope, and love. And in the Scriptures the characteristics
of experience must be found clearly, accurately, completely described, the Bible being the only rule
and the sufficient rule both of our faith and practice.
On the other hand, the very notion of experience is implicative of genuineness, truth, reality.
There are dangers, difficulties, deceptions, no doubt, attaching no less to conversion than to