Treatise Principles Of A Methodist
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | treatise |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-treatise-principles-of-a-methodist-001 |
| Words | 348 |
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.