Wesley Corpus

But the blood of Jesus makes us free from sin, and, as it were, destroys the connexion.” Friend.--Of all the accounts I have ever yet heard, this is the most “crude and indigested.” But let us go over it step by step. You first described what you judge a false faith, viz., “A faith that Christ hath died, to ward off” (or appease) “the wrath of God, and to purchase his favour;” (suppose, for me, a lost sinner;) “and as an effect of that,” (of God’s favour bought with the blood of Christ,) “to obtain” for me “certain inherent qualities and dispositions, to make me meet for the kingdom of heaven.” Now, how do you prove this to be a false faith? Ant.--Easily enough : for men “are obliged to support it by frames, feelings, and works.” Friend.--And did not you allow, just now, that whoever has true faith is “holy both in heart and life?” that he has in him “the love of God and of his neighbour; yea, the whole image of God?” Ant.--l did. And what then? Friend.--Why, then you have abundantly confuted your self: For you have allowed, that true faith not only cannot be supported, but cannot exist, no, not for one moment, without “certain inherent qualities and dispositions,” (viz., the love of God and of all mankind,) “which makes us meet for the kingdom of heaven.” You have allowed, that true faith cannot subsist without a holy frame of heart, a continuance in good works, and a feeling sense of God’s love to me, a sinner. Ant.--I hear you. Go on. Friend.--You said next, “Was this our faith, it would be requisite to seek after this sort of sanctification.” From your own words it appears, that this is your faith, if you have any true faith at all. See then that you “seek after this sort of sanctification,” viz., the love of God and of your neighbour. For if you can be at rest, though you feel nothing of it, it is plain your heart is not clean, but hardened. Ant.--You may say what you please. You know no better. Friend.--You went on: “On the contrary, we believe that the blood shed upon the cross has put away and blotted out all our sins.” Why, who believes otherwise?