Wesley Corpus

And yet another: “You have lost your first joy. Therefore, you pray: That is the devil. You read the Bible: That is the devil. You com municate: That is the devil.’” (Ibid. p. 329.) “They affirmed that there is no commandment in the New Testament but to believe; that no other duty lies upon us; and that, when a man does believe, he is not bound or obliged to do anything which is commanded there.” (Ibid. p. 275.) “Mr. St-told me, “No one has any degree of faith till he is perfect as God is perfect.’” (Ibid. p. 270.) “You believe there are no degrees in faith.” (Ibid.) “I have heard Mr. Molther affirm, that there is no justify ing faith where there is ever any doubt.” (Ibid. p. 328.) “The moment a man is justified, he is sanctified wholly. Thenceforth, till death, he is neither more nor less holy.” (Ibid. p. 324.) “We are to growin grace, but not in holiness.” (Ibid. p. 325.) 2. I have frequently observed that I wholly disapprove of a these positions: “That there are no degrees in faith; that in order to attain faith we must abstain from all the ordinances of God; that a believer does not grow in holiness; and that he is not obliged to keep the commandments of God.” But I must also observe, (1.) That you ought not to charge the Moravian Church with the first of these; since in the very page from which youquote those words, “There is no justifying faith where there is ever any doubt,” that note occurs: “In the preface to the Second Journal, the Moravian Church is cleared from this mistake.” (2.) That with respect to the ordinances of God, their practice is better than their principle. They do use them themselves, I am a witness; and that with reverence and godly fear. Those expressions, however, of our own countrymen are utterly indefensible; as I think are Mr. Molther's also; who was quickly after recalled into Germany. The great fault of the Moravian Church seems to lie in not openly disclaiming all he had said; which in all probability they would have done, had they not leaned to the same opinion. I must, (3.) Observe that I never knew one of the Moravian Church, but that single per son, affirm that a believer does not grow in holiness.