Wesley Corpus

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? Whereby they should have believed that which in itself is most untrue, and laid hold of that in which they had no kind of interest.” Pred.--But what then do you mean by the words, election and reprobation? Friend.--I mean this: First, God did decree from the beginning to elect or choose, in Christ, all that should believe to salvation. And this decree proceeds from his own goodness, and is not built upon any goodness in the creature. Secondly: God did from the beginning decree to reprobate all who should obstinately and finally continue in unbelief. Pred.--What then do you think of absolute, unconditional election and reprobation? Friend.--I think it cannot be found in holy writ, and that it is a plant which bears dismal fruit. An instance of which we have in Calvin himself; who confesses that he procured the burning to death of Michael Servetus, purely for differing from him in opinion in matters of religion. ANTINoM1AN.--WELL met, my friend. I am glad to see you. But I am sorry to hear you have changed your religion. FRIEND.--Changed my religion I I do not know what you Inean. Ant.--Why, you once believed, we are saved by faith. Friend.--Undoubtedly; and so I do still. Ant.--Do you believe, then, that the “whole work of man’s salvation was accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross?”* * The words printed as quotations, within inverted commas, are transcribed rom \ate authors. I am not willing to name them. Friend.--I believe, that, by that one offering, he made a full satisfaction for the sins of the whole world. Ant.--But do you believe that “Christ’s blood and our sins went away together?” Friend.--To say the truth, I do not understand it. Ant.--No !