Wesley Corpus

A Letter to the Rev. Mr. Potter Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 9 (Zondervan) Author: John Wesley --- 1. TILL to-day I had not a sight of your sermon, “On the Pretended Inspiration of the Methodists.” Otherwise I should have taken the liberty, some days sooner, of sending you a few lines. That sermon, indeed, only repeats what has been often said before, and as often answered. But as it is said again, I believe it is my duty to answer it again. Not that I have any acquaintance with Mr. Cayley or Osborn: I never exchanged a word with either. However, as you lump me and them toge ther, I am constrained to speak for myself, and once more to give a reason of my hope, that I am clear from the charge you bring against me. 2. There are several assertions in your sermon which need not be allowed; but they are not worth disputing. At present, therefore, I shall only speak of two things: (1.) Your account of the new birth; and, (2) “The pretended inspiration” (as you are pleased to term it) “of the Methodists.” 3. Of the new birth, you say, “The terms of being regene. rated, of being born again, of being born of God, are often used to express the works of gospel righteousness.” (Pages 10, 11.) I cannot allow this. I know not that they are ever used in Scripture to express any outward work at all. They always express an inward work of the Spirit, whereof baptism is the outward sign. You add, “Their primary, peculiar, and precise meaning signifies” (a little impropriety of expression) “our redemption from death, and restoration to eternal life, through the grace of God.” (Page 13.) It does not, unless by death you mean sin; and by eternal life, holiness. The precise mean ing of the term is, “a new birth unto righteousness,” an in ward change from unholy to holy tempers. You go on : “This grace our Lord here calls, ‘entering into the kingdom of God.’” If so, his assertion is, “Except a man be born again,--he cannot” be born again. Not so. What he says is, Except a man experience this change, he cannot enter into my kingdom. 4.