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whether a vague earnestness； without definite doctrine； gives them
peace at seasons like these。 We must challenge them to tell us whether
they do not sometimes feel a gnawing 〃something〃 within； which all the
free inquiry and philosophy and science in the world cannot satisfy。
And then we must tell them that this gnawing 〃something〃 is the sense
of sin； guilt； and corruption； which they are leaving out in their
calculations。 And； above all； we must tell them that nothing will ever
make them feel rest； but submission to the old doctrines of man's ruin
and Christ's redemption； and simple childlike faith in Jesus。
（c） In the next place； a right view of sin is the best antidote to that
sensuous； ceremonial； formal kind of Christianity； which has swept over
England like a flood in the last twenty…five years； and carried away so
many before it。 I can well believe that there is much that is
attractive in this system of religion； to a certain order of minds； so
long as the conscience is not fully enlightened。 But when that
wonderful part of our constitution called conscience is really awake
and alive； I find it hard to believe that a sensuous ceremonial
Christianity will thoroughly satisfy us。 A little child is easily
quieted and amused with gaudy toys； and dolls； and rattles； so long as
it is not hungry； but once let it feel the cravings of nature within；
and we know that nothing will satisfy it but food。 Just so it is with
man in the matter of his soul。 Music； and flowers； and candles； and
incense； and banners； and processions； and beautiful vestments； and
confessionals； and man…made ceremonies of a semi…Romish character； may
do well enough for him under certain conditions。 But once let him
〃awake and arise from the dead；〃 and he will not rest content with
these things。 They will seem to him mere solemn triflings； and a waste
of time。 Once let him see his sin； and he must see his Saviour。 He
feels stricken with a deadly disease； and nothing will satisfy him but
the great Physician。 He hungers and thirsts； and he must have nothing
less than the bread of life。 I may seem bold in what I am about to say；
but I fearlessly venture the assertion； that four…fifths of the
semi…Romanism of the last quarter of a century would never have existed
if English people had been taught more fully and clearly the nature；
vileness； and sinfulness of sin。
（d） In the next place； a right view of sin is one of the best antidotes
to the overstrained theories of Perfection； of which we hear so much in
these times。 I shall say but little about this； and in saying it I
trust I shall not give offence。 If those who press on us perfection
mean nothing more than an all…round consistency； and a careful
attention to all the graces which make up the Christian character；
reason would that we should not only bear with them； but agree with
them entirely。 By all means let us aim high。But if men really mean to
tell us that here in this world a believer can attain to entire freedom
from sin； live for years in unbroken and uninterrupted munion with
God； and feel for months together not so much as one evil thought； I
must honestly say that such an opinion appears to me very
unscriptural。I go even further。 I say that the opinion is very
dangerous to him that holds it； and very likely to depress； discourage；
and keep back inquirers after salvation。 I cannot find the slightest
warrant in God's Word for expecting such perfection as this while we
are in the body。 I believe the words of our Fifteenth Article are
strictly truethat 〃Christ alone is without sin； and that all we； the
rest； though baptized and born again in Christ； offend in many things；
and if we say that we have no sin； we deceive ourselves； and the truth
is not in us。〃To use the language of our first Homily； 〃There be
imperfections in our best works： we do not love God so much as we are
bound to do； with all our hearts； mind； and power； we do not fear God
so much as we ought to do； we do not pray to God but with many and
great imperfections。 We give； forgive； believe； live； and hope
imperfectly； we speak； think； and do imperfectly； we fight against the
devil； the world； and the flesh imperfectly。 Let us； therefore； not be
ashamed to confess plainly our state of imperfections。〃Once more I
repeat what I have said； the best preservative against this temporary
delusion about perfection which clouds some mindsfor such I hope I
may call itis a clear； full； distinct understanding of the nature；
sinfulness； and deceitfulness of sin。
（e） In the last place； a Scriptural view of sin will prove an admirable
antidote to them low views of personal holiness which are so painfully
prevalent in these last days of the Church。 This is a very painful and
delicate subject； I know； but I dare not turn away from it。 It has long
been my sorrowful conviction that the standard of daily life among
professing Christians in this country has been gradually falling。 I am
afraid that Christ…like charity； kindness； good…temper； unselfishness；
meekness； gentleness； good…nature； self…denial； zeal to do good； and
separation from the world； are far less appreciated than they ought to
be； and than they used to be in the days of our fathers。
Into the causes of this state of things I cannot pretend to enter
fully； and can only suggest conjectures for consideration。 It may be
that a certain profession of religion has bee so fashionable and
paratively easy in the present age； that the streams which were once
narrow and deep have bee wide and shallow； and what we have gained
in outward show we have lost in quality。 It may be that the vast
increase of wealth in the last twenty…five years has insensibly
introduced a plague of worldliness； and self…indulgence； and love of
ease into social life。 What were once called luxuries are now forts
and necessaries； and self…denial and 〃enduring hardness〃 are
consequently little known。 It may be that the enormous amount of
controversy which marks this age has insensibly dried up our spiritual
life。 We have too often been content with zeal for orthodoxy； and have
neglected the sober realities of daily practical godliness。 Be the
causes what they may； I must declare my own belief that the result
remains。 There has been of late years a lower standard of personal
holiness among believers than there used to be in the days of our
fathers。 The whole result is that the spirit is grieved！ and the matter
calls for much humiliation and searching of heart。
As to the best remedy for the state of things I have mentioned； I shall
venture to give an opinion。 Other schools of thought in the Churches
must judge for themselves。 The cure for Evangelical Churchmen； I am
convinced； is to be found in a clearer apprehension of the nature and
sinfulness of sin。 We need not go back to Egypt； and borrow semi…Romish
practices in order to revive