Wesley Corpus

I am now to consider what has been lately objected. with regard to the mature of saving faith. The author last mentioned “cannot understand how those texts of St. John are at all to the purpose: ” “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; ” (1 John iii. 1;) and, “We love him, because he first loved us.” (iv. 19.) I answer, (1.) These texts were not produced in the “Appeal” by way of proof, but of illustration only. But, (2.) I apprehend they may be produced as a proof, both that Christian faith implies a con fidence in the love of God, and that such a confidence has a direct tendency to salvation, to holiness both of heart and life “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!” Are not these words an expression of Christian faith, as direct an one as can well be conceived? And I appeal to every man, whe ther they do not express the strongest confidence of the love of God. Your own comment puts this beyond dispute: “Let us consider attentively, and with grateful hearts, the great love and mercy of God in calling us to be his sons, and bestowing on us the privileges belonging to such.” Do you not perceive that you have given up the cause ? You have yourself taught us that these words imply a “sense of the great love and mercy of God, in bestowing upon us the privileges belonging to his sons.” The Apostle adds, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” I suppose no one will say, either that these words are not expressive of Christian faith; or that they do not imply the strongest confidence in the love of God. It follows, “And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself even as he is pure.” Hence it appears that this faith is a saving faith, that there is the closest connexion between this faith and holiness. This text, therefore, is directly to the purpose, in respect of both the propositions to be proved.