Wesley Corpus

The Ninth Dialogue proves excellently well, that we cannot be justified by our works. But have you throughly considered the words which occur in the 270th page? “O children of Adam, you are no longer obliged to love God with all your strength, nor your neighbour as yourselves. Once indeed I insisted on absolute purity of heart; now, I can dispense with some degrees of evil desire. Since Christ has fulfilled the law for you, you need not fulfil it. I will connive at, yea, accommodate my demands to, your weakness.” I agree with you, that “this doctrine makes the Holy One of God a minister of sin.” And is it not your own Is not this the very doctrine which you espouse throughout your book? I cannot but except to several passages also in the Tenth Dialogue. I ask, first, “Does the righteousness of God ever mean,” as you affirm, “the merits of Christ?” (Page 291.) I believe, not once in all the Scripture. It often means, and particularly in the Epistle to the Romans, God’s method of justifying sinners. When, therefore, you say, “The righteousness of God means, such a righteousness as may justly challenge his acceptance,” (page 292,) I cannot allow it at all; and this capital mistake must needs lead you into many others. But I follow you step by step. “In order to entitle us to a reward, there must be an imputation of righteousness.” (Ibid.) There must be an interest in Christ; and then “every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour.” “A rebel may be forgiven, without being restored to the dignity of a son.” (Page 293.) A rebel against an earthly King may; but not a rebel against God. In the very same moment that God forgives, we are the sons of God. Therefore this is an idle dispute. For pardon and acceptance, though 324 PR EFACE To they may be distinguished, cannot be divided. The words of Job which you cite are wide of the question. Those of Solomon prove no more than this, (and who denies it?) that justification implies both pardon and acceptance. “Grace reigneth through righteousness unto eternal life;” (page 295;) that is, the free love of God brings us through justification and sanctification to glory.