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CIRCULAR LETTER.
Lost River Association (IN), 1828
"The Holiness and Calling of God"
By James McCoy

     BELOVED BRETHREN, --
     Gird up the loins of your minds; be sober and hope to the end, as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance, but as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye holy, for I am holy. 1st Pet. 1, 13 to the 16th, Lev. 11, 44 and 45. Again, follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Heb. 12, 14. In the above statements, several interesting and important points are brought to view, worthy of our sincere regard.

     First, God is represented as being holy. God is originally holy, in and or himself; it is the purity and rectitude of his nature, and an essential atribute [sic]; and is the glory, harmony, and luster of all other perfections. For he is glorious in holiness. Exod. I5th, 11. The holiness of God is infinite, immutable, Mal. 3, 6, and visible in all his works, by his providence, by his grace, by his word and commands, by his ordinances, by the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ in behalf of the believer; and by the everlasting punishment of the unbeliever. And he is the promoter of all holiness among his creatures.

     Secondly, believers which constitute the Church of Christ, are the called of God according to his purpose; called with a holy calling, 2nd Tim. 1st , 9th, are called out of darkness into his marvellous [sic] light. And in every age of the world, the Lord has called certain men, to observe and do certain and special things, to whom he makes them know by his word and spirit. God calls to Adam in the garden, Gen. 3, 9th; he called to Hagar by his angel out of Heaven, Gen. 21, 17; he called to Abraham twice in the same way, God called to Moses out of the bush, Exod. 3, 4th again he called to him out of the Mountain, Exod. 19th, 3d. The Lord called to Samuel, 1st Sam. 3, 10th. The prophets Isaiah and others, were called to declare the purposes of God to the world. The Apostles were called; and Paul in particular was called of God, to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God to the Gentiles. Rom. 1st, 1. Unto you O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. Prov. 8, 4. Hence it is evident that all believers are called, among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ, beloved of God, called to be Saints. Rom. 1st, 6, 7. Moreover whom he did predestinate them, he also called and whom he called he also justified, &c. Rom 8th, 30; therefore ye see your calling brethren, that it is a high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3d, 14th; a holy calling. 2d Tim. 1st, 9th; a Heavenly calling. Heb. 3d, 1st. And unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ; for when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit; and there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God. But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit; and he gave some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Pastors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in weight [wait] to deceive. Compare 1st Cor. 12th with Eph. 4th. Therefore, let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 1st Cor. 7, 20. He that exorteth on exhortation, he that ruleth with diligence &c.

     Thirdly, wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, be ye holy for God is holy. The holiness herein required, is to be free from sin, to dislike sin in all its appearances, a heart in conformity to God[']s word, truly pious, holy in all manner of conversation; to be as much like our divine redeemer as a probationary state will admit, ever giving evidence that our hearts are devoted to God. If we speak of God, let it be with becoming reverence; if we speak of his providence, let us manifest a composed resignation, as being best suited to our state; if we speak of his grace, let us manifest our gratitude for that favor and love, bestowed upon us that we should become the sons of God; if we speak of his gospel and ordinances, let us bear testimony of their divine origin, and the only way by which life and immortality is brought to light; that its precepts are explicitly to be obeyed, in repentance towards God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

     4th, We are likewise to follow peace, not only with a few, but with all men, Hebrews 12th, 14, to live in peace, to seek and pursue it. God is the God of peace; Christ is the prince of peace; he says, my peace I give unto you; my peace I leave with you; and God hath called us to peace, 1st Cor. 7, 15. Therefore, brethren, be at peace among yourselves; for it is the precious fruit of the spirit, Galatians 5, 22, and blessed are the peace makers. Mat. 5th, 9th. The wars and commotions that are in the world, and sometimes in churches and their members, hath no authority in the gospel of God. How amiable then are the children of God, when walking daily in the King's highway of holiness whose paths are peace; being beautified with all the gifts and graces of the holy spirit, travelling [sic] in the greatness of his strength. They shall see the Lord; see him in all his beauty, in al his glory; shall be kings and priests unto him and reign with him. O brethren, se[e]ing God is holy in his ways, in all his works, his angels holy, his institutions, ordinances and commands all holy, his people must be holy, they have every inducement so to be, or never expect to see a holy God in peace. Let the purposes of God in our salvation and glorification, through the atoning merits of a compassionate redeemer, rouse every one into active and explicit obedience to all his holy commands, manifesting to all, that we are a holy nation, a peculiar people, and continually shewing forth the praises of Him who hath called us to peace and holiness, confirming our right to the Tree of Life, and shortly to enter through the gates into the holy city, ever to be with the Lord. -- FAREWELL.

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[Taken from the Minutes of the third annual meeting of the Lost River Baptist Association, 1828, pp. 3-4. From Franklin (IN) College Library, Special Collections. The grammar is unchanged; the title and paragraph markings are added. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]



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