Wesley Corpus

6) “Nay, ‘they were enlightened’ means only, they were baptized, or knew the doctrines of the gospel.” I cannot believe this, till you bring me a few passages from St. Paul’s writings, wherein that expression is evidently taken in either of these senses. Again: They “had tasted of the heavenly gift,” (empha tically so called,) “and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost.” So St. Peter likewise couples them together: “Be baptized for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost;” (Acts ii. 38;) whereby the love of God was shed abroad in their hearts, with all the other fruits of the Spirit. The expression, “They had tasted of the heavenly gift,” is taken from the Psalmist, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” As if he had said, Beye as assured of his love, as of any thing you see with your eyes. And let the assurance thereof be sweet to your soul, as honey is to your tongue. “But this means only, they had some notions of remission of sins and heaven, and some desires after them; and they had received the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost.” This you affirm; but without any colour of proof. It remains, that those who see the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and who have been made partakers of the Holy Ghost, of the witness and the fruits of the Spirit, may nevertheless so fall from God as to perish everlastingly. 76. Seventhly. Those who live by faith may yet fall from God, and perish everlastingly. For thus saith the Apostle: “The just shall live by faith: But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” (Heb. x. 38.) “The just” (the justified person, of whom only this can be said) “shall live by faith;” even now shall live the life which is hid with Christ in God; and if he endure unto the end, shall live with God for ever.