Wesley Corpus

Take this with you, and you will no more dream that “God could not create man in righteous mess and true holiness;” or that “to talk of wanting that righteousness in which Adam was created, is to talk of nothing we want.” (Page 181.) On Romans ii. 14, you observe: “This text clearly proves that natural reason and understanding is a rule of action to all mankind, and that all men ought to follow it. This, therefore, overthrows the whole doctrine of original sin.” (Page 183.) How do you prove the consequence? May not men have some reason left, which in some measure discerns good from evil, and yet be deeply fallen, even as to their understanding as well as their will and affections? On Eccles. vii. 29, “God hath made man upright; but they have found out many inventions,” you say, - “‘Man” here means all mankind; “upright,’ endued with powers to know and perform their duty.” (Pages 184, 185.) You offer no proof for either of these assertions; and with out it I cannot receive them. Again: “‘They,’” you say, “means mankind in general.” I rather believe it means our first parents, who are by Moses likewise comprehended under the common name of man, or rather ETN “Adam.” So Gen. v. 2: “God called their name Adam in the day when they were created.” And in the day that they fell, whoever reads Genesis iii., will see, “they found out,” not one, but “many inventions.” This text, therefore, in its obvious meaning, teaches both the ori ginal uprightness and subsequent fall of man. From all these texts it manifestly appears, (1.) That man was created in the image of God. (2.) That this image con sisted, not only in his rational and immortal nature, and his dominion over the creatures, but also in knowledge, actual knowledge, both of God and of his works; in the right state of his intellectual powers, and in love, which is true holiness. “Objection 3. But do we not derive from Adam a moral taint and infection, whereby we have a natural propensity to sin? “I answer: We have many natural appetites and passions, which, if they grow irregular, become sinful. But this does not amount to a natural propensity to sin.” (Page 186.) But is not pride sin Is not idolatry sin?