Wesley Corpus

2. It has been objected, Secondly: "This is seeking salvation by works." Do you know the meaning of the expression you use? What is seeking salvation by works? In St. Paul's writings, it means either seeking to be saved by observing the Mosaic law's ritual works; or expecting salvation for our own works' sake, by our own righteousness's merit. But how is either of these implied in my waiting in the way God has ordained, and expecting that He will meet me there, because He has promised so to do? I do expect that He will fulfil His word, that He will meet and bless me this way. Yet not for any works' sake I've done, nor for my righteousness's merit; but merely through His Son's merits, sufferings, and love, in whom He is always well pleased. 3. It has been vehemently objected, Thirdly: "That Christ is the only means of grace." I answer, this is mere playing upon words. Explain your term, and the objection vanishes away. When we say, "Prayer is a means of grace," we understand a channel through which God's grace is conveyed. When you say, "Christ is the means of grace," you understand the sole price and purchaser of it; or, that "no man cometh unto the Father, but through him." And who denies it? But this is utterly wide of the question.