Wesley Corpus

17, s. 11.) Friend.--This is true Turkish doctrine, and ought so to be exploded as that used to be in these words: “I do anathematize the blasphemy of Mahomet, which saith that God deceiveth whom he will, and whom he will he leadeth to that which is good. Himself doeth what he willeth, and is himself the cause of all good and all evil. Fate and destiny govern all things.” (Nicetus Saracenita.) Pred.--Nay, our doctrine is more ancient than Mahomet: It was maintained by St. Augustine. Friend.--Augustine speaks sometimes for it, and sometimes against it. But all antiquity for the four first centuries is against you, as is the whole Eastern Church to this day; and the Church of England, both in her Catechism, Articles, and Homilies. And so are divers of our most holy Martyrs, Bishop Hooper and Bishop Latimer in particular. Pred.--But does not antiquity say, Judas was predestinated to damnation? Friend.--Quite the contrary. St. Chrysostom’s express words are, “Judas, my beloved, was at first a child of the kingdom, and heard it said to him with the disciples, “Ye shall sit on twelve thrones; but afterwards he became a child of hell.” Pred.--However, you will own that Esau was predestinated to destruction. Friend.--Indeed I will not. Some of your own writers believe he was finally saved, which was the general opinion of the ancient Fathers. And that scripture, “Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated,” plainly relates not to their persons but their posterities.* But, supposing Esau or Judas to be damned, what is he damned for ?- Pred.--Without question, for unbelief. For as we are saved by faith alone, so unbelief is the only damning sin. Friend.--By what faith are you saved? Pred.--By faith in Christ, who gave himself for me. Friend.--But did he give himself for Esau and Judas? If not, you say they are damned for not believing a lie. This consideration it was which forced Archbishop Usher to cry out, “What would not a man fly unto, rather than yield, that Christ did not die for the reprobates; and that none but the elect had any kind cf title to him; and yet many thousands should be bound in conscience to believe that he died for them, and tied to accept him for their Redeemer and Saviour?