Wesley Corpus

11.) “Such an instantaneous work ing of the Holy Spirit as finishes the business of salvation once for all.” (Ibid.) I neither teach nor believe it; and am there fore clear of all the consequences that may arise therefrom. I believe “a gradual improvement in grace and goodness,” I mean, in the knowledge and love of God, is a good “testimony of our present sincerity towards God; ” although I dare not say, It is “the only true ground of humble assurance,” or the only foundation on which a Christian builds his “hopes of accept ance and salvation.” For I think, “other foundation” of these “can no man lay, than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ.” 8. To the charge of holding “sinless perfection,” as your Lordship states it, I might likewise plead, Not guilty; seeing one ingredient thereof, in your Lordship’s account, is “freedom from temptation.” (Ibid. p. 17.) Whereas I believe, “there is no such perfection in this life as implies an entire deliverance from manifold temptations.” But I will not decline the charge. I will repeat once more my coolest thoughts upon this head; and that in the very terms which I did several years ago, as I presume your Lordship cannot be ignorant : “What, it may be asked, do you mean by ‘one that is per fect, or, “one that is as his Master?' We mean one in whom is ‘the mind which was in Christ,’ and who so “walketh as He walked; a man that ‘hath clean hands and a pure heart; or that is “cleansed from all filthiness of flesh and spirit; one “in whom there is no occasion of stumbling, and who, accord ingly, ‘doth not commit sin. To declare this a little more particularly : We understand by that scriptural expression, “a perfect man, one in whom God hath fulfilled his faithful word: “From all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. I will also save you from all your uncleanness.