Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-12

error from accepted creeds and discover the
truth that sets men free. Two disquisitions
theologians, His elaborate and splendid
resume OF the argument on Liberty and Neces-
slv "a review from the early Greeks to
Jonathan Eduards, including the deliverances
OF Augustine and Aquinas, Spinoza and
bbleDni'z, Locke and Kant. Hume and
rope, Clarke and Hartley, places the
freedom OF the human will in the clearest light.
Ana MS answer to the Calvinists is the most
discriminating, analytical and annihilative
found IN the annals OF Christian polemics, and
rom the destructive effects of which the "In-
sututes OF Geneva" have never recovered
As theologian he accepted and maintained
.he larger and more comprehensive truths Of
tne christian system, and it is evidence OF the
soundness OF his views that his body of divinity
contained In his Sermons and His Notes has
NOT only remained unchanged amid the modifica-
non OF creeds. but is today the modifer of the
rehg1ous thought of the universal church. and
that while Unitarians are retracing their steps
oack through Socinianism to Arianism, while
mem. we ohiVersalists have become restorationists,
thereby accepting the elements OF future
punishment, and while the Calhinists have
practically adopted Arminianism, yet the
Wesleyans hold fast the faiths once delivered to
the saints.
EVANGELIST.
As an Evangelist, three great thoughts filled
Wesleys mind, and were ever on his lips. The
absolute freedom of the human will in personal
| salvation: the ability of Christ to save to the
uttermost. and the revelation Of God to the
consciousness of each believer. Freedom,
specification, assurance were the three magical
words by which he called mankind to moral
resurrection. Wesley is the apostle of the
freedom of the will against all forms and
aspects OF necessity, whether physical or
moral or from the arbitrary choice of the
Creator With logical discrimination
| all his own he denied that mans moral actions
are controlled by an overpowering evil, or the
vibrations of the ibers OF the brain. or ruling
passions. or controlling motives, or ignorance,
or hate or a pantheism that supposes the
universe His body and God the originating soul
| OF all actions, good or bad.
As an evangelist, Wesley preached Christ to a
lost world, His ability, purpose. willingness,
70 save all. save now, save to the uttermost
His preaching comprised the whole of the
Christian life, ranging between two extremes,
from desire to flee from the wrath to come
fear"
Desire the Alpha; perfection the Omega. De-
sire Is the infancy of the Christian life, to be
manifested by desisting from specified wrongs.
by doing specified duties 1t is the beginning
of soul salvation; it is salvation to that ex-
tent; 1t is the bruised reed that shall not be
broken; the smoking tax that shall not be
quenched; ii is the mustard seed in the ground,
the leven in the meal 1t is desire to flee from
sin, its penalties and consequences, from its
sinfulness and pollution.
Such desire, cherished and enlarged, leads
on to justification by faith the pardon OF al.
transgressions, the reinstatement OF the soul
into the divine favor though it had not
sinned. Then follows that great change, the
regeneration OF the neral nature. when old
things are passed away and all things are be-
come new, when the Christian virtues hold the
mastery over their opposite vices. when
strength is impaired to meet the acquisitions of
the divine law, and when the will, conscience
and affections are renewed. 1uickened and ele-
waited to respond to the voice of God.
Then follows that better. higher. compile ted
state of personal purity wherein all sinful ten
denotes are destroyed, all carnaI desires and as
pirations are superseded. ali appetites and pas
SONS are gratified within the limitations of law
ali the higher faculties of the soul are domi-
mated by love. and holiness is the atmosphere
wherein the purified spirit moves in perpetual
activity and peace.
Wesley's Christian perfection is the distin-
gushing doctrine of Methodism. 1t differ
entiates the Wesleyan movement from all other
religious movements. 1t is the source Of the
power and glory OF that movement ON both
sides OF the Atlantic. This great thought seized
Wesley like some invisible power. 1t domi-
mated his whole being. 1t possessed him. He
would not be diverted therefrom. He subor-
dlnated all things thereunto. He defended it
against all assailants. He preached it. he
Ject of meditation and review at each yearly
conference. He wrote thereon INFINITELY and ex-
tensiyely. He encouraged those who professed
1t. and his own humble and emphatic profss-
zion OF IT is as clear as 1t is beautiful.
BY an irresistible logic he was led on step by
step from his luminous experience OF justifca-
ton by faith to this completion of his regenera-
ton. 1t was the majority of his minority. 1t
was the verification of the saying Of the Savior
First the blade, then the ear, after that the
L fr1n H.. Il
from all tilthiness of the flesh and spirit" at
it Is to be sanctified throughout. in body, in
soul, In spirit" 1T is to walk in the light as
God is in the light, and to know
that the blood of Jesus Christ, His
Son. cleanseth from all SIM" 1t is
to be perfect man in Christ Jesus" 1t is to
be filled with the spirit" 1t Is to have AL
the mind that is in Christ" 1t is bringing
into captivity every thought to the obedience
of Christ" 1t is the reign Of love in every
motive-desire, aspiration, passion, appetite,
thought, word and act.
In the maturing of his great powers and in
the fullness of his spiritual life. some time in
the year l764, Wesley gave this sum Of the
doctrines OF Christian perfection
l. There is such thing as perfection, for ii
Is again and again mentioned in the Scriptures
III. 1t Is not SO easy as Justification for justi-
fed persons are to ''go on unto perfection"
deb vi, -
Ill 1t is not so late as death. for Paul speaks
OF living men that were perfect phil. iii. b. }
~. 1t is not absolute. Absolute perfection
belongs not to man nor to angels, but to God
alone.
'. 1t does not make a man infallible None
is infallble while he remains in the body
vi. Is it sinless? 1t is salvation from sin. "
VII. 1t is perfect love-" q John iv, 49,
This Is the essence Of it; its properties or in
separable fruits are rejoicing evermore. pray
ing without ceasing and in everything giving
thanks II Thess ', 49,
Will 1t is improbable. One perfected in
love may grow in grace far swifter than he did
before.
IN. 1t is admissible, capable Of being lost.
y. 1t is constantly both preceded and fol-
lowed by gradual work.
XI But is it in itself instantaneous
or .not?" In examining this let US go
on step by step. An instantaneous change has
been wrought in some believers: none can DENY
this. Since that change they enjoy perfect
love- they feel this. and this alone; they rejoice
evermore: pray withou. ceasing and In eI cry
thing give thanks Now. this il all that mean
by perfection; therefore, these are witnesses
OF the perfection which preach. But in some
this change was not instan infamous. They did
not perceive the instant when it was wrought.
1t Is often difficult 70 perceive the instant
when man dies. yet there is an instant in
which life ceases. And if even sin ceases there
must he u last morlent of its existence and the
first moment OF our deliverance from it.
But If they have this love now they NAV
lose it; they may, but they need not. And
whether they do or no, they have il now; they
now experience what we teach; they now are
all love: thew now rejoice pray and praiae