Wesley Corpus

(3.) It is scarce possible for us to know all the circum stances relating to such persons, so as to judge certainly con cerning them. (4.) But this we know, if Christ is not revealed in them, they are not yet Christian believers. Q. 11. But what will become of them then, suppose they die in this state? A. That is a supposition not to be made. They cannot die in this state: They must go backward or forward. If they continue to seek, they will surely find, righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. We are confirmed in this belief by the many instances we have seen of such as these finding peace at the last hour. And it is not impossible but others may then be made partakers of like precious faith, and yet go hence without giving any outward proof of the change which God hath wrought. WEDNESDAY, June 17th Q. 1. How much is allowed by our brethren who differ from us, with regard to entire sanctification? A. They grant, (1.) That every one must be entirely sanc tified in the article of death. (2.) That, till then, a believer daily grows in grace, comes nearer and nearer to perfection. (3.) That we ought to be continually pressing after this, and to exhort all others so to do. Q. 2. What do we allow them ? A. We grant, (1.) That many of those who have died in the faith, yea, the greater part of those we have known, were not sanctified throughout, not made perfect in love, till a little before death. (2.) That the term “sanctified” is continually applied by St. Paul to all that were justified, were true believers. (3.) That by this term alone, he rarely, if ever, means saved from all sin. (4.) That, consequently, it is not proper to use it in this sense, without adding the word “wholly, entirely,” or the like. (5.) That the inspired writers almost continually speak of or to those who were justified; but very rarely, either of or to those who were wholly sanctified. (6.) That, consequently, it behoves us to speak in public almost continually of the state of justification; but, more rarely, in full and explicit terms, concerning entire sanctifica tion,- Q. 3. What then is the point wherein we divide? A.