Wesley Corpus

Mon. 10.--I accepted a pressing invitation to go to Plaistow. At five in the evening I expounded there, and at eight again. But most of the hearers were very quiet and unconcerned. In the morning, therefore, I spoke stronger words. But it is only the voice of the Son of God which is able to wake the dead. Wed. 12.--In the evening, at Fetter-lane, I described the life of faith; and many who had fancied themselves strong therein, found they were no more than new-born babes. At eight I exhorted our brethren to keep close to the Church, and to all the ordinances of God; and to aim only at living “a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.” Thur. 13.--A serious clergyman desired to know, in what points we differed from the Church of England. I answered, “'To the best of my knowledge, in none. The doctrines we preach are the doctrines of the Church of England ; indeed, the fundamental doctrines of the Church, clearly laid down, both in her Prayers, Articles, and Homilies.” He asked, “In what points, then, do you differ from the other clergy of the Church of England?” J answered, “In none from that part of the clergy who adhere to the doctrines of the Church ; but from that part of the clergy who dissent from the Church, (though they own it not,) I differ in the points following :-- “ First, They speak of justification, either as the same thing with sanctification, or as something consequent upon it. I believe justification 154 REY. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [| Sept. 1739 to be wholly distinct from sanctification, and necessarily antecedent to it. “Secondly, They speak of our own holiness, or good works, as the cause of our justification; or, that for the sake of which, on account of which, we are justified before God. I believe, neither our own holiness,. nor good works, are any part of the cause of our justification; but that the death and righteousness of Christ are the whole and sole cause of it; or, that for the sake of which, on account of which, we are justified before God.