Wesley Corpus

Repentance absolutely must go before faith; fruits meet for it, if there be opportunity. By repent ance I mean, conviction of sin, producing real desires and sin cere resolutions of amendment; and by “fruits meet for repent ance, forgiving our brother, ceasing from evil, doing good, using the ordinances of God, and, in general, obeying him according to the measure of grace which we have received. But these I cannot, as yet, term good works, because they do not spring from faith and the love of God.” (Farther Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion, pp. 46, 47.) 2. “Faith, in general, is a divine, supernatural exeyxos (evi dence or conviction) of things not seen, not discoverable by our bodily senses, as being either past, future, or spiritual. Justi fying faith implies, not only a divine exeryxos that God “was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,” but a sure trust and confidence that Christ died for my sins, that he loved me, and gave himself for me. And the moment a penitent sinner thus believes, God pardons and absolves him.” (Ibid. p. 48.) Now, it being allowed, that both inward and outward holi ness are the stated conditions of final justification, what more can you desire, who have hitherto opposed justification by faith alone merely upon a principle of conscience, because you was zealous for holiness and good works? Do I not effectually secure these from contempt, at the same time that I defend the doctrines of the Church? I not only allow, but vehemently contend, that none shall ever enter into glory, who is not holy on earth, as well in heart as “in all manner of conversation.” I cry aloud, “Let all that have believed, be careful to main tain good works;” and, “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from all iniquity.” I exhort even those who are conscious they do not believe, “Cease to do evil, learn to do well. The kingdom of heaven is at hand; ” therefore, “repent, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance.” Are not these directions the very same, in substance, which you your self would give to persons so circumstanced? 3. “Many of those who are perhaps as zealous of good works as you, think I have allowed you too much.