Wesley Corpus

Treatise Principles Of A Methodist

AuthorJohn Wesley
Typetreatise
YearNone
Passage IDjw-treatise-principles-of-a-methodist-001
Words348
Justifying Grace Universal Redemption Catholic Spirit
Who, in controversy, casts the mantle of love over the nakedness of his brother? Who keeps steadily and uniformly to the question, without ever striking at the person? Who shows, in every sentence, that he loves his brother only less than the truth? 4. I have made a little faint essay towards this. I have a brother who is as my own soul. My desire is, in every word I say, to look upon Mr. Tucker as in his place; and to speak no tittle concerning the one in any other spirit than I would speak concerning the other. But whether I have attained this or no, I know not; for my heart is “deceitful and desperately wicked.” If I have spoken anything in another spirit, I pray God it may not be laid to my charge; and that it may not condemn me in that day when the secrets of all hearts shall be made manifest! Meanwhile,my heart's desireand prayer to God is, that both I, and all who think it their duty to oppose me, may “put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us.” 1. THERE has lately appeared in the world a tract, entitled, “A Brief History of the Principles of Methodism.” I doubt not but the writer’s design was good, and believe he has a real desire to know the truth. And the manner wherein he pursues that design is generally calm and dispassionate. He is, indeed, in several mistakes; but as many of these are either of small consequence in themselves, or do not immediately relate to me, it is not my concern to mention them. All of any consequence which relates to me, I think, falls under three heads: First. That I believe justification by faith alone. Secondly. That I believe sinless perfection. And, Thirdly. That I believe inconsistencies. Of each of these I will speak as plainly as I can. 2. First. That I believe justification by faith alone. This I allow.