Wesley Collected Works Vol 8
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | treatise |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-wesley-collected-works-vol-8-076 |
| Words | 400 |
These
do not tend to weaken either thenatural or civil relations among
men; or to lead inferiors to a disesteem of their superiors, even
where those superiors are neither good nor sober men. Query the Seventh --“Whether a gradual improvement in
grace and goodness is not a better foundation of comfort, and of
an assurance of a gospel new-birth, than that which is founded
on the doctrine of a sudden and instantaneous change; which,
if there be any such thing, is not easily distinguished from
fancy and imagination; the workings whereof we may well sup
pose to be more strong and powerful, while the person considers
himself in the state of one who is admitted as a candidate for
such a change, and is taught in due time to expect it.”
Let us go one step at a time. Query 1. Whether a gradual improvement in grace and
goodness is not a good foundation of comfort. Answer. Doubtless it is, if by grace and goodness be meant
the knowledge and love of God through Christ. Q. 2. Whether it be not a good foundation of an assurance
of a gospel new-birth. A. If we daily grow in this knowledge and love, it is a
good proof that we are born of the Spirit. But this does in
mowise supersede the previous witness of God's Spirit with
ours, that we are the children of God. And this is properly
the foundation of the assurance of faith. Q. 3. Whether this improvement is not a better foundation of
comfort, and ofanassuranceofagospel new-birth, than that which
is founded on the doctrine of a sudden and instantaneous change. A. A better foundation than that. That 1 What? To what
substantive does this refer? According to the rulesofgrammar,
(for all the substantives are in the genitive case, and, conse
quently, to be considered as only parts of that which governs
them,) you must mean a better foundation than that foundation
which is founded on this doctrine. As soon as I understand
the question, I will endeavour to answer it. Q. 4. Can that sudden and instantaneous change be easily
distinguished from fancy and imagination? A. Just as easily as light from darkness; seeing it brings
with it a peace that passeth all understanding, a joy unspeak
able, full of glory, the love of God and all mankind filling the
heart, and power over all sin.