Wesley Corpus

From that time the believer gradually dies to sin, and grows in grace. Yet sin remains in him; yea, the seed of all sin, till he is sanctified throughout in spirit, soul, and body. Q. 2. What will become of a Heathen, a Papist, a Church of England man, if he dies without being thus sanctified? A. He cannot see the Lord. But none who seeks it sincerely shall or can die without it; though possibly he may not attain it, till the very article of death. Q. 3. Is it ordinarily given till a little before death? A. It is not, to those that expect it no sooner, nor conse quently ask for it, at least, not in faith. Q. 4. But ought we to expect it sooner? A. Why not? For although we grant, (1.) That the generality of believers whom we have hitherto known were not so sancti fied till near death: (2.) That few of those to whom St. Paul wrote his Epistles were so at the time he wrote: (3.) Nor he himself at the time of writing his former Epistles: Yet this does not prove that we may not to-day. Q. 5. But would not one who was thus sanctified be inca pable of worldly business? A. He would be far more capable of it than ever, as going through all without distraction. Q. 6. Would he be capable of marriage? A. Why should he not? Q. 7. Should we not beware of bearing hard on those who think they have attained? A. We should. And the rather, because if they are faith ful to the grace they have received, they are in no danger of perishing at last. No, not even if they remain in luminous faith, as some term it, for many months or years; perhaps till within a little time of their spirits returning to God. Q. 8. In what manner should we preach entire sanctifica tion ? A. Scarce at all to those who are not pressing forward. To those who are, always by way of promise; always drawing, rather than driving. Q. 9. How should we wait for the fulfilling of this promise? A. In universal obedience; in keeping all the command ments; in denying ourselves, and taking up our cross daily. These are the general means which God hath ordained for our receiving his sanctifying grace.