Wesley Corpus

(2.) That we are justified and sanctified by faith alone, faith in him who lived and died for us. Let my words be twisted and wire-drawn ever so long, they will not fairly bear any other meaning, nor, without apparent violence, contradict either of these propositions. It is true, (3.) That I have, during this whole time, occasionally used those expressions, imputed righteousness, the righteousness of Christ, and others of the same kind,--although the verses cited in several of Mr. Hervey’s Letters are not mine, but my brother's. But it is equally true, (4.) That I never used them at all, in any other meaning than that sound, scriptural one, wherein they are used by many eminent men, Calvin in particular. I choose not to speak farther on this head, lest I should be under a disagreeable necessity of saying anything that might even seem disrespectful to my ever-loved and honoured friend. 10. I am accused, Fifthly, of not understanding criticism and divinity. “What a piddling criticism is this !” (Page 220.) “I can no more admire your taste as a critic, than your doctrine as a Divine.” (Page 145.) “In this interpretation I can neither discern the true critic, nor the sound Divine.” (Page 214) I am not a judge in my own cause. What I am ignorant of, I desire to learn. I do not know whether the following charge may not fall under this head:-- “In another person, this would look like profane levity: In Mr. Wesley, the softest appellation we can give it is idle pomp.” (Page 7.) What | The using the expression, “for Christ's sake?” The whole paragraph runs thus: “‘We are not solicitous as to any particular set of phrases.’ (Page 212.) Then for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of the souls which he has purchased with his blood, do not dispute for that particular phrase, the imputed righteousness of Christ. It is not scriptural; it is not necessary. Men who scruple to use, men who never heard, the expression, may yet ‘be humbled as repenting criminals at his feet, and rely as devoted pensioners on his merits.” But it has done immense hurt.