Wesley Corpus

“ And now first it was that I had that full assurance of my own recon ciliation to God, through Christ. For many years I had had the forgiveness of my sins, and a measure of the peace of God; but I had not till now that witness of his Spirit, which shuts out all doubt and fear. In all my trials I had always a confidence in Christ, who had done so great things for me. But it was a confidence mixed with fear: I was afraid I had not done enough. There was always something dark in my soul till now. But now the clear light shined; and I saw that what I had hitherto so constantly insisted on,--the dowmg so much and feeling so much, the long repentance and preparation for believing, the bitter sorrow for sin, and that deep contrition of heart which is fsund in some,--were by no means essential to justification. Yea, that wnerever the free grace of God is rightly preached, a sinrer in the full career of his sins will probably receive it, and be justified by it, before one who insists en such previous preparation. “ At my return to Hernhuth I found it difficult at first te make my brethren sensible of this, or to persuade them not to insist on the assurance of faith, as a necessary qualification for receiving the Lord’s Supper. But from the time they were convinced, which is now three years since, we have all chiefly insisted on Christ given for us. (I dare not say this is right:) this we urge as the principal thing, which if we rightly believe, Christ will surely be formed in us. And this preaching we have always found to be accompanied with power, and to have the blessing of God following it. By this, believers receive a steady purpose of heart, and a more unshaken resolution, to endure with a free and cheerful spirit whatsoever our Lord is pleased to lay upon them.” a Aug. 1738. | REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. 91 The same day I was with Micuazi Linner, the eldest of the Church ; the sum of whose conversation was this :--