To Miss S——
Mr. Wesley’s views — The author’s habit of inind — Evidence of justification previous to entire sanctification — Movement of the denominations toward the unity of the faith — Tuesday meeting — A charming sight — Quotations from Wesley — Experience of David — The apostles — A cloud of witnesses — Caleb and Joshua — The danger of refusing to go on to perfection.
Your own experience furnishes such
conclusive testimony relative to the two states, justification and sanctification, that I do not wonder at the solicitude you express in reference to ministers who so recklessly controvert this point. I very much venerate the opinions of Mr. Wesley, the founder of Methodism, under God. But I am so constituted, that it seems to be a habit which the law of my nature demands, to analyze sentiments let them come from whom they may, before I can really receive them as my own. Thus I seemed to be turned away from all mere human
Human Helps, Adoption before Sanctification.
opinions, previous to entering into a state of justification. In like manner, yet with more distinctness, prior to apprehending the state of sanctifi cation, was I turned away from human helps, “to the law and to the testimony.” I have already informed you of the clear -svitness of justification which preceded my entering into the enjoyment of holiness, and the distinctness of my perceptions relative to my absolute need of that state. And then, on being led by the Spirit through the blood of the everlasting covenant into the holiest, you know something of the manner in which the Holy Spirit took of the things of God and revealed them unto me. I could just as well doubt my existence this moment, as to doubt my own justification some time previous to being brought into a state of sanctification. This I know was brought about by the teachings of the Spirit through the word, for every progressive step, as you may remember, was distinctly directed by the waymarks laid down in the word of God.
It is now no small satisfaction for me to know, that the views received, by thus carefully testing every onward movement by the law and the testimony, are so fully in accordance with Mr. Wesley’s liews of Bible truth. The more I search the Sci-iptures, the more I am confirmed in the belief that “Wesley was a man eminently taught of God, and “mighty in the Scriptures.” The deeply devoted
The Wesleyan Theology. Unity of the Faith.
of all denominations seem to be verging toward that point, ‘’the unity of the faith,” where the watchmen see eye to eye. Should it not be cause of gratitude with those who adhere to Mr. Wesley’s expositions of Bible truth, that as the watchmen in Zion approach the point of union in view, they seem more and more to appreciate the Wesleyan theology?
I know these sentiments might seem egotistic, should they fall under the eye of some. But I think I may be peimitted to speak with a degree of assurance. Perhaps few have had better opportunity to judge on this subject than myself. Though your stay in our city was short, yet, by your visits at our house, and your attendance on the Tuesday afternoon meetings, it is easy for you to imagine the ground on which the watchmen may see eye to eye — the point at which we may arrive, where we may find ourselves “in the unity of the faith.” It is a usual thing for ministers of different denominations to meet with us on the common ground of holiness. Here we may say, —
“Even now we speak and think the same,
And cordially agree;
United all in Jesus’ name,
In perfect harmony.”
I have obseiTed at one meeting, side by side, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregationalist, Moravian, and Methodist brethren, united in sentiment, heaven beaming in their countenances, sitting under
Mr. Wesley misrepresented. Quotation.
the banner of love, breathing the atmosphei’e of heaven.
But I have digressed. I began with the intention of responding to what has been said of those ministers among us who maintain that they are one in doctrine with Mr. Wesley on this point, that when justified we are at the same time fully sanctified. Mr. Wesley cannot be made to favor these views without greatly distorting his words.
I have just been at pains to get his precise words on this subject: —” From what has been said we may easily learn the mischievousness of that opinion, that we are wholly sanctified when we are justified; that our hearts are then cleansed from all sin. It is true, we are then delivered, as was observed before, from the dominion of outward sin, and at the same time the power of inward sin is so broken, that we need no longer follow, or be led by it; but it is by no means true, that inward sin is then totally destroyed, that the root of pride, self-will, anger, and love of the world, is then taken out of the heart, or that the carnal mind, and the heart, bent to backslidings, are entirely extirpated. And to think the contrary, is not, as some suppose, a harmless mistake. No; it does immense harm; it entirely blocks up the way to any further change: for it is manifest, * They that are whole do not need a physician, but they that are sick.’ If, therefore, we think we are quite made whole
Mr. Wesley’s Refutation of an Unscriptural Doctrine.
already, there is no room to seek any further healing. On this supposition it is absurd to expect a further deliverance from sin, whether gradual or instantaneous.”
Mr. Wesley, in another place, goes on to bring other arguments against this “new and unscriptural doctrine,” as he terms it, which I may not now take room to transcribe, at the close of which, he says, ‘’ I cannot, therefore, by any rdeans receive the assertion that there is no sin in a believer from the moment he is justified. First, because it is contrary to the whole tenor of Scripture. Secondly, because it is contrary to the experience of the children of God. Thirdly, because it is absolutely new, never heard of in the world till yesterday. And lastly, because it is naturally attended with the most fatal consequences; not only grieving those whom God hath not grieved, but perhaps dragging them into everlasting perdition.” I have quoted largely, but you may not have his Works at hand, and as I believe I have not read the portion here given myself for years I have been glad of the opportunity of again refreshing my ovn mind. Had I known that my views of Scripture on this point so nearly accorded in word with his, I might before have given his in place of my own.
These views accord with the religious experience of men of all ages. After David had said,” He hath brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of
Experience. David. The Apostles. A Cloud of Witnesses.
the miry clay,” he further said, “And estdblishea my goings.” Doubtless this establishing grace was given in answer to the prayer, ‘* Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin:” “Create in me a clean heart, 0 God.” Previous to the day of Pentecost the disciples could dispute among themselves which should be the greatest; and Thomas could not believe imless he saw signs and wonders. Various other wrong doings exhibited the remains of carnality among them. After the full baptism of the Holy Ghost was given, strifes, cowardice, and unbelief, were put away, and in entire devotion to the service of Christ, they gave themselves up to the work of establishing his kingdom on earth. Unequivocal demonstration was given that the old leaven was purged out.
What a great cloud of witnesses has since arisen! By the word of then- testimony, and the blood of the Lamb, they have overcome. Thousands of living witnesses could now be adduced of the attainableness of this state. But 0 how important it is that those who have entered this rest should be explicit in their testimony! It was not only through the “blood of the Lamb,” but by the “word of their testimony’^ that they of whom the Revelator spake overcame.
I am reminded of Caleb and Joshua, who, after having spied out the good land, gave in “the word of their testimony “thus:” We are well able
More Witnesses wanted. The Fallen. Old Professors.
to go up and possess the good land.” Had only a few more of the spies added their voice to the weight of Caleb and Joshua’s testimony, is it probable that the Israelites would have 5H[elded to their doubts, whether God would bring them into the land which he had promised, saying, “Go up and possess it?”
Ah, little do those who are not adding their voice to the testimony, “We are well able,” <fec., think how the cause may be suffering through their deficiency. The carcasses of those who fell in the wilderness furnish a faint resemblance of the many thousands who have been brought out of spiritual Egypt, and are now commanded to go up and possess
“The land of rest from inbred sin,
The land of perfect holiness;”
but who, because of unbelief, refuse to go up.
Alas for the thousands who fall or have fallen in
the wilderness! I sometimes fear that the blood
of many of these may be found on the skirts of
old professors, who, though they may have spied
out the good land, do nevertheless by their own
experience virtually say,” We are not able to go
up and possess it.”
Mr. Wesley, in his sermon,” Let us go on unto
perfection,^^ says,” That the doing of this is a point
of the utmost importance:” the apostle intimates
in the next words,” This will we do, if God per-Danger of falling away. Willing and obedient.
mit.” For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, and have fallen away, to renew them again to repentance.” As if he had said, If we do not “go on to perfection,” we are in the utmost danger of falling away. “And if we do fall away, it is impossible (that is, exceedingly hard) to renew us again to repentance.”
I have indeed written a long letter, but you are so critically and also responsibly circumstanced with respect to the topics presented, that I will not apologize.
Your devoted friend.