Wesley Corpus

“Do not they say, ‘We groan, being burdened with the workings of inbred corruption?’” You know, this is not the meaning of the text. The whole context shows, the Cause of that groaning was their longing “to be with Christ.” “The cure” of sin “will be perfected in heaven.” (Page 47.) Nay, surely in paradise, if no sooner. “This is a noble prerogative of the beatific vision.” No; it will then come too late. If sin remains in us till the day of judgment, it will remain for ever. “Our present blessedness does not consist in being free from sin.” I really think it does. But whether it does or no, if we are not free from sin, we are not Christian believers. For to all these the Apostle declares, “Being made free from sin, ye are become the servants of righteousness.” (Rom. vi. 18.) “If we were perfect in piety,” (St. John’s word is, “perfect in love,”) “Christ's priestly office would be superseded.” No.; we should still need his Spirit, and consequently his inter cession, for the continuance of that love from moment to moment. Beside, we should still be encompassed with infirmi ties, and liable to mistakes, from which words or actions might follow, even though the heart was all love, which were not exactly right. Therefore, in all these respects, we should still have need of Christ's priestly office; and therefore, as long as he remains in the body, the greatest saint may say, “Every moment, Lord, I need The merit of thy death.” The text cited from Exodus asserts nothing less than, that iniquity “cleaves to all our holy things till death.” “Sin remains, that the righteousness of faith may have its due honour.” (Page 48.) And will the righteousness of faith have its due honour no longer than sin remains in us? Then it must remain not only on earth and in paradise, but in heaven also. “And the sanctification of the Spirit its proper esteem.” Would it not have more esteem, if it were a perfect work? “It’’ (sin) “will make as lowly in our own eyes.” (Ibid.) What! will pride make us lowly? Surely the utter destruc tion of pride would do this more effectually. “It will make us compassionate.” Would not an entire renewal in the image of God make us much more so?