Wesley Corpus

A Second Dialogue between an Antinomian and His Friend Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 10 (Zondervan) Author: John Wesley --- FRIEND.--WELL met ! You have had time to consider. What think you of our last conference? ANTINoMIAN.--I think, “the giving of scandalous names has no warrant from Scripture.” (Mr. Cudworth's Dialogue, p. 2.) Friend.--Scandalous names 1 Ant.--Yes; you called me Antinomian. But “our Saviour bids me not return railing for railing.” (Ibid.) Friend.--St. Peter does, and that is all one. But how is that a scandalous name? I think it is properly your own; for it means, “one that speaks against the law.” And this you did at that time very largely. But pray what would you have me call you? Ant.--“A Preacher of God’s righteousness.” (Ibid., page 1.) Friend.--What do you call me then? Ant.--“A Preacher of inherent righteousness.” (Ibid.) Friend.--That is, in opposition to God’s righteousness. So you mean, a Preacher of such righteousness as is inconsistent with that righteousness of God which is by faith. Ant.--True: For, “I plainly perceive you know but one sort of righteousness, that is, the righteousness of inherent qualities, dispositions, and works. And this is the reason why the language of the Holy Ghost seems foolishness unto you; even because the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.” (Ibid., pages 11, 12.) Friend.--Are you absolutely sure that this is the reason why I do not think or speak as you do? Ant.--The thing itself speaks: “Thou hast forgotten the Lord, and hast trusted in falsehood. Therefore, saith the Lord, I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.” (Ibid., page 1.) Friend.--Peremptory enough ! But you will “not return railing for railing!” so, out of mere tenderness and respect, you pronounce me a “natural man,” and one who “ hath forgotten the Lord,” and hath “trusted in falsehood l’” Ant.--And so you are, if you do not believe in Christ. Pray let me ask you one question: Do you believe that “Christ hath appeared, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself?” Friend.--I do. Ant.--But in what sense? Friend.--I believe he made, by that one oblation of him self, once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world.