Wesley Corpus

*‘ After we had wandered many years in the new path, of salvation by faith and works ; about two years ago it pleased God to show us the old way, of salvation by faith only. And many soon tasted of this salvation, ‘being justified freely, having peace with God, rejoicing in hope of the glory of God,’ and having his ‘love shed abroad in their hearts.’ These now ran the way of his commandments: they performed all their duty to God and man. They walked in all the ordinances of the Lord ; and through these means which he had appointed for that end, received daily grace to help in time of need, and went on from faith to faith. * But, eight or nine months ago, certain men arose, speaking contrary to the doctrines we had received. They affirmed that we were all ina wrong way still; that we had no faith at all; that faith admits of no degrees, and consequently weak faith is no faith; that none is justified till he has a clean heart, and is incapable of any doubt or fear. “They affirmed also, that there is no commandment in the New Testament, but ‘ to believe;’ that no other duty lies upon us; and that when a man does believe, he is not bound or obliged to do any thing which is commanded there: in particular, that he is not subject to ordinances, that is, (as they explained it,) is not bound or obliged to pray, to communicate, to read or hear the Scriptures; but may or may not use any of these things, (being in no bondage,) according as he finds his heart free to it. “They further affirmed, that a believer cannot use any of these as a means of grace; that indeed there is no such thing as any means of grace, this expression having no foundation in Scripture; and that an unbeliever, or one who has not a clean heart, ought not to use them at all; ought not to pray, or search the Scriptures, or communicate, but to ‘ be still,’ that is, leave off these ‘ works of the law;’ and then he will surely receive faith, which, till he is still, he cannot have. All these assertions I propose to consider. The first was, that weak faith is no faith.