Wesley Corpus

5. We agree, that true “Christianity implies a destruction of the kingdom of sin, and a renewal of the soul in righteous mess; which even babes in Christ do in a measure experience, though not in so large a measure as young men and fathers.” But here we divide. I believe even babes in Christ, “while they keep themselves, do not commit sin.” By sin, I mean, outward sin; and the word commit, I take in its plain, literal meaning. And this I think is fully proved by all the texts cited Sermon III., from the sixth chapter to the Romans. Nor do I conceive there is any material difference between committing sin, and continuing therein. I tell my neighbour here, “William, you are a child of the devil, for you commit sin; you was drunk yesterday.” “No, Sir,” says the man, “I do not live or continue in sin” (which Mr. Dodd says is the true meaning of the text); “I am not drunk continually, but only now and then, once in a fortnight, or once in a month.” Now, Sir, how shall I deal with this man? Shall I tell him he is in the way to heaven or hell? I think he is in the high road to destruction; and that if I tell him other wise his blood will be upon my head. And all that you say of living, continuing in, serving sin, as different from com mitting it, and of its not reigning, not having dominion, over him who still frequently commits it, is making so many loop holes whereby any impenitent sinner may escape from all the terrors of the Lord. I dare not therefore give up the plain, literal meaning either of St. Paul’s or St. Peter's words. 6. As to those of St. John, cited Sermon V., I do not think you have proved they are not to be taken literally. In every single act of obedience, as well as in a continued course of it, rous Buxaloavyw: And in either an act or a course of sin Troisi aplapriav. Therefore, that I may give no countenance to any kind or degree of sin, I still interpret these words by those in the fifth chapter, and believe, “he that is born of God” (while he keepeth himself) “sinneth not;” doth not commit outward sin. 7.