Wesley Corpus

A. All mankind were under the covenant of grace, from the very hour that the original promise was made. If by the cove nant of works you mean, that of unsinning obedience made with Adam before the fall, no man but Adam was ever under that covenant; for it was abolished before Cain was born. Yet it is not so abolished, but that it will stand, in a measure, even to the cnd of the world; that is, If we “do this,” we shall live; if not, we shall die eternally: If we do well, we shall live with God in glory; if evil, we shall die the second death. For every man shall be judged in that day, and rewarded “according to his works.” Q. 25. What means then, “To him that believeth, his faith is counted for righteousness?” A. That God forgives him that is unrighteous as soon as he believes, accepting his faith instead of perfect righteousness. But then observe, universal righteousness follows, though it did not precede, faith. Q. 26. But is faith thus “counted to us for righteousness,” at whatsoever time we believe? A. Yes. In whatsoever moment we believe, all our past sins vanish away: They are as though they had never been, and we stand clear in the sight of God. TUEsDAY, TEN o’clock. MR. TAYLoR of Quinton, and T. Glascot, being added, it was inquired, Q. 1. Are not the assurance of faith, the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and the revelation of Christ in us, terms nearly of the same import? A. He that denies one of them must deny all; they are so closely connected together. Q. 2. Are they ordinarily, where the pure gospel is preached, essential to our acceptance? A. Undoubtedly they are; and, as such, to be insisted on, in the strongest terms. Q. 3. Is not the whole dispute of salvation by faith or by works a mere strife of words? A. In asserting salvation by faith, we mean this: (1.) That pardon (salvation begun) is received by faith producing works. (2.) That holiness (salvation continued) is faith working by love. (3.) That heaven (salvation finished) is the reward of this faith.