Wesley Corpus

And yet I allow you this, that although both repent ance and the fruits thereof are in some sense necessary be fore justification, yet neither the one nor the other is neces sary in the same sense, or in the same degree, with faith. Not in the same degree; for in whatever moment a man believes (in the Christian sense of the word) he is justified, his sins are blotted out, “his faith is counted to him for right eousness.” But it is not so at whatever moment he repents, or brings forth any or all the fruits of repentance. Faith alone, therefore, justifies; which repentance alone does not, much less any outward work. And, consequently, none of these are necessary to justification, in the same degree with faith. Nor in the same sense. For none of these has so direct, immediate a relation to justification as faith. This is proxi mately necessary thereto; repentance, remotely, as it is neces sary to the increase or continuance of faith. And even in this sense these are only necessary on supposition,--if there be time and opportunity for them; for in many instances there is not; but God cuts short his work, and faith prevents the fruits of repentance. So that the general proposition is not overthrown, but clearly established by these concessions; and we conclude still, both on the authority of Scripture and the Church, that faith alone is the proximate condition of justification. III. l. Iwasonceinclined to believe that none would openly object against what I had anywhere said of the nature of salva tion. How greatly, then was I surprised some months ago, when I was shown a kind of circular letter, which one of those whom “the Holy Ghost hath made overseers” of his Church,” I was informed, had sent to all the Clergy of his diocese ! Past of it ran (nearly, if not exactly) thus:-- “There is great indiscretion in preaching up a sort of religion, as the true and only Christianity, which, in their own account of it, consists in an enthusiastic ardour, to be understood or attained by very few, and not to be practised without breaking in upon the common duties of life.” O, my Lord, what manner of words are these ! Supposing candour and love out of the question, are they the words of truth?