Wesley Corpus

It is the face of God unveiled; God manifested to his creatures, as they are able to bear it. It is the heart of God disclosed to man; yea, in some sense, we may apply to his law what the Apostle says of his Son, it is ‘the streaming forth or out beaming of his glory, the express image of his person.’ “What is the law but divine virtue and wisdom, assuming a visible form? What is it but the original ideas of truth and good, which were lodged in the uncreated mind from eternity, now drawn forth and clothed with such a vehicle, as to appear even to human understanding? “The law of God is a copy of the eternal mind, a transcript of the divine nature; yea, it is the fairest offspring of the ever lasting Father, the brightest efflux of his essential wisdom, the visible beauty of the Most High.” Are these low and scanty apprehensions of God’s law? Or are any such found in the preceding sermons? Can any one form higher apprehensions of it? If not, let this accusation sink for ever. 16. I am accused, in the Eleventh place, for teaching Popish doctrine : “Mr. Wesley, setting aside pardon and reconciliation, together with the one perfect righteousness that procures them,” (I set aside neither the one or the other,) “ascribes all to the love of God. This notion may pass current at Rome, but not among the Protestant Churches.” (Page 101.) “This was the doctrine established by the Council of Trent.” (But it is not mine.) “This is still maintained in the con clave of Rome.” (Page 117.) But it is not maintained by me, nor any of my friends. We teach quite the contrary. “I acquit you from the charge of being a Jesuit or a Papist;” (so far, so good;) “but nobody, I apprehend, can acquit your principles from halting between Protestantism and Popery:” (No more than the principles of all who believe that “Christ tasted death for every man:”) “You have stolen the unhallowed fire, and are infected with the leaven of Antichrist. You have adopted papistical tenets,” (I know not which, and should be glad any one would inform me,) “and are listening to ‘the mother of abominations’ more than you are aware.” (Page 118.) But let it be observed, the holding universal redemption is no proof of this.