BY Rev. James Mudge,D.D.
Author of “Faber,” *”Pastor’s Missionary Manual,”
“Handbook of Methodism,” etc.

NEW YORK: HUNT & EATON
CINCINNATI; CRANSTON & CURTS
1895

CONTENTS

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CHAPTER 1. — Preliminary.

Why a new book — The Plain Account not final — Theology a progressive science — Difficulties of the fathers — A revised nomenclature called for — Inconsistencies and inaccuracies — Importance of definitions — Contradictions — The practical evil of doctrinal error — The peril that lurks behind figures of speech — Profitlessness of contentions about words — A new departure — A fervent prayer........

CHAPTER II. — Sin and Depravity.

The work laid out — Fundamental position of sin in this discussion — Mistakes in the past — Sin defined — The law of God, has it been lowered? — Diverse views of many authorities — Ambiguity of the phrase — A very important distinction — Right and duty — Actions and actors — The law of faith — What are infirmities? — Meaning well not enough — Real and formal rectitude — When is forgiveness needed? — Little sins — Self-knowledge exceedingly difficult — Objectionableness of the phrase “original sin” — Depravity defined — Its origin and development — Condition of infants — When guilt begins — Why no infants without depravity — Only one kind of depravity — Sinfulness and sinwardness — A state of sin….


CHAPTER III.—Regeneration and Holiness.

Why the two words are joined — Gross misuse of the word “holy" — New Testament meaning of the word — All who are saved are holy — Holiness defined — Only one kind of holiness — Quotations — Only one kind of love — 1 John examined — John’s use of "perfect love” — Regeneration defined — What degree of change is wrought at conversion — Why not always the same — Many degrees of holiness — Sanctification defined — What is meant by cleansing — "A root of bitterness" — No eradication — Depravity a rebel, not a root — Empowering, rather than cleansing — Justification — Blameworthiness and blemish — The normal Christian life — Falling behind light — Are "holiness” meetings and papers proper? — Who will "see the Lord” — An unwarranted assumption, and an unjustifiable position...


CHAPTER IV. — Perfection.

The many answers to the question, What is Christian perfection? — A monumental muddle — Three kinds of perfection — Maturity — Deliverance from all sin — Deliverance from all depravity — This latter deliverance not in this life — The immense advantage of careful discrimination — Two standards — The loyal Christian and the ideal Christian — What is it to be saved from all sin? — Dr. Whedon not clear — No degrees of perfection — Is entire sanctification possible in this life? — Uncalled-for sarcasm — Progressive sanctification — The goal...

CHAPTER V. — Growth.

Growth a perpetual possibility and duty — The truth and the error in the "second blessing” theory — No proof that all depravity is removed at this blessing Perversion of Scripture — The New Testament churches nowhere divided into two classes — Whence the necessity for a second blessing? — Relative backsliding — Why not a complete work at conversion — How God is limited — Obedience must be learned by suffering — The second blessing not a finality — Many cleansings required — No direct witness of the Spirit to entire sanctification — What value should be given to testimony — Absurdity of involuntary sins — Infirmities need no expiation — Sincerity, or good intention, is not perfection — A child cannot be perfect — Love conditioned upon knowledge — Imperfection of our knowledge — The asymptote — The ever-advancing ideal — Progress in the promptness and heartiness of welcoming God’s will — Love and its qualities or applications inseparable — Love tested by the life — The cure and the symptoms — Wesley and Fletcher — Spiritual, intellectual, and physical inseparably linked — Temptation defined — It cannot be in the thoughts alone — Its relation to desire — Temptations of the partially sanctified and of the entirely sanctified — A test of progress — Rash assertions — Repression — Growth in grace is always growth toward perfection — Negative and positive work simultaneous — Spiritual growth is not mere enlargement...


CHAPTER VI. — Baptism with the Holy Ghost.

How the term arose — Misapprehension of its meaning — Parallel expressions examined — Unrestricted application to all believers — Ephesian converts — Cornelius — Pentecost — Different dispensations — John Wesley and Daniel Steele — What is "receiving the Holy Ghost?” — A baptism and "the" baptism...


CHAPTER VII. — Experience.

Mutual influence of theory and experience — A common, but unfair, retort, which must be met — The author's experience — Ancestry — Conversion — Eastham Camp Meeting — Subsequent blessings — Thirty years with Jesus — Questions for self-examination — Honey from many hives — Salt...

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