Wesley Corpus

It is the most egregious trifling that can be conceived. I affirm, “Those perfected in love are saved from inward sin.” To prove I contradict myself herein, fourteen passages are alleged, wherein I affirm, “We are not saved from inward sin, till we are ‘perfected in love.’” (3.) The same fallacy is used in every instance, when some of my words are set in opposition to others. The sum is, - weak believers, babes in Christ, are not, adult believers are, saved from inward sin. And I still aver, there is no contra diction in this, if I know what a contradiction means. Now to the proofs:-- 76. “The Son hath made them who are thus ‘born of “They are sensible of pride remaining in their hearts.” God’ free from pride.” They? Who? Not those who are thus “born of God,” who are “perfected in love.” 77. “From the iniquity of pride, And self, I shall be free.” That is, when I am “perfected in love.” 78. “They are freed from wanderings in prayer.” “God’s children are daily sensible of pride and self will.” That is, till they are “perfected in love.” Is this spoken of all be lievers? Mr. H. knows it is not. 79. “Christians are saved from all sin, from all unrighte ousness.” 80. “They (adult Chris tians) are freed from all evil thoughts and evil tempers.” 81. “They (fathers in Christ) are freed from evil thoughts.” True, adult Christians. “The (infant) children of God have in them sin of every kind.” “The evil nature opposes the Spirit even in believers,” --till they arefathers in Christ. 82. “Christ was free from sinful thoughts. So are they likewise,”--adult believers. 83. “I believe some would say, ‘We trust we do keep the whole law of love.’” “This doctrine (that all be lievers are thus free) is wholly new.” “Believers are conscious of not fulfilling the whole law of love;” not till they are “per fected in love.” The reader will please to remember all along, the question is not whether the doctrine be right or wrong, (that has been elsewhere considered,) but whether I contradict myself. Upwards of fourscore witnesses have been already examined on this head; but no contradiction is proved yet. 84. “Some do love God with “They (weak believers) do all their heart and strength.” not love God with all their heart and strength.” 85.