Wesley Corpus

Query the Second:--“Whether the enemy of Christi anity may not find his account in carrying Christianity, which was designed for a rule to all stations and all conditions, to such heights as make it practicable by a very few, in comparison, or rather, by none.” I answer, (1.) The height to which we carry Christianity (as was but now observed) is this: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself.” (2.) The enemy of Christianity cannot find his account in our carrying it to this height. (3.) You will not say, on reflection, that Christianity, even in this height, is practicable by very few, or rather, by none: You yourself will confess this is a rule (as God designed it should) for all stations and all conditions. Query the Third:--“Whether, in particular, the carrying the doctrine of justification by faith alone to such a height as not to allow that a sincere and carefulobservance of moral duties is so much as a condition of our acceptance with God, and of our being justified in his sight: Whether this, Isay, does not natu rally lead people to a disregard of those duties, and a lowesteem of them; or, rather, tothink them no part of the Christian religion.” I trust justification by faith alone has been so explained above, as to secure not only a high esteem but also a careful and sincere observance of all moral duties. 4. Query the Fourth :--“Whether a due and regular attendance on the public offices of religion, paid by good men in a serious and composed way, does not answer the true ends of devotion, and is not a better evidence of the co-operation of the Holy Spirit, than those sudden agonies, roarings, screamings, tremblings, droppings down, ravings, and mad nesses, into which their hearers have been cast.” I must answer this query likewise part by part. Query 1. Whether a due and regular attendance on the public offices of religion, paid in a serious and composed way, by good (that is, well-meaning) men, does not answer the true ends of devotion. Answer.