Wesley Corpus

Let it be particularly observed, if the gospel be “glad tidings of great salvation which shall be unto all people,” then those only are, in the full sense, Gospel Ministers who proclaim the “great salvation;” that is, salvation from all (both inward and outward) sin, into “all the mind that was in Christ Jesus;” and likewise proclaim offers of this salvation to every child of man. This honourable title is therefore vilely prosti tuted, when it is given to any but those who testify “that God willeth all men to be saved,” and “to be perfect as their Father which is in heaven is perfect.” I HAD finished what I designed to say on this subject, when the “Essay on Liberty and Necessity” fell into my hands: A most elaborate piece, touched and retouched with all possible care. This has occasioned a considerable enlargement of the following tract. I would fain place mankind in a fairer point of view than that writer has done; as I cannot believe the noblest creature in the visible world to be only a fine piece of clock-work. Is man a free agent, or is he not? Are his actions free or necessary? Is he self-determined in acting; or is he determined by some other being ? Is the principle which determines him to act, in himself or in another? This is the question which I want to colsider. And is it not an important one? Surely there is not one of greater import ance in the whole nature of things. For what is there that more nearly concerns all that are born of women? What can be conceived which more deeply affects, not some only, but every child of man? I. l. That man is not self-determined; that the principle of action is lodged, not in himself, but in some other being; has been an exceeding ancient opinion, yea, near as old as the foundation of the world. It seems, none that admit of Reve lation can have any doubt of this. For it was unquestion ably the sentiment of Adam soon after he had eaten of the forbidden fruit.