1.A 04. LETTER IV
LETTER IV.
Mr. Wesley’s caution Conversed with those who professed the blessing of sanctification Met the classes We should follow his example His opinion respecting those who professed the blessing Some are deficient in the graces of the Spirit Admonishes such Danger of apostasy Great work of God. MY DEAR M : In the extracts I have given from the writings of Mr. Wesley, may be seen the extreme caution with which he guarded his people against all erroneous views and practices in reference to this subject. That he might acquaint himself as thoroughly as possible with their state, he mingled in their society, met the classes, and conversed familiarly with those who professed to enjoy the blessing of " perfect love." He did not, therefore, look on with cold indifference, and make his critical remarks as a mere theorist, but he entered heartily into their experience, invited them to speak freely of the dealings of God with their souls, that he might be enabled to form an intelligible and accurate judgment of their true state and character.
It was chiefly for the information of all such, that he wrote down the results of his observations, bringing everything, every doctrine, experience, and practice, to the test of Scripture and right reason. He did not, therefore, imitate the conduct of those who stand aloof from the scene of action, draw his conclusions from mere re ports, whether true or false, and indulge in a cold phlegmatic feeling, or for the gratification of a splenetic disposition, nor yet dispute about those nice points of speculation which may amuse the fancy and feed the vanity of a meta physical mind; but he entered deeply into the hearts, and won the affection of the dear people who looked up to him for direction, sympathized with them in all their afflictions, in their temptations, doubts, and fears, encouraging the timid believer, enlightening the ignorant, confirming those who appeared to have attained the perfection which he taught, and adapting his instructions to the conditions and circumstances of all classes of believers in Jesus Christ.
What a pastor was John Wesley! that we, who profess to be his followers, and more especially those of us who are in the ministry, may catch the like spirit, exemplify the like tenderness of heart, the like kindness of disposition, and the like diligence in watching over our respective flocks, and in striving to nourish them up to everlasting life! Were this faithfully and perseveringly done, there would be less bickering among ourselves, less disputing about comparative trifles, less lukewarmness and backsliding among our people, and more and more earnestness manifested after the inestimable blessing of "perfect love." I would, indeed, that we might all lay aside our controversies respecting little unessential points, and enter unitedly, heartily, prayerfully, and with steadfast FAITH into the work for the promotion of holiness of heart and life. We should then be closer imitators of Wesley, and be more and more instrumental in building up believers " in their most holy faith." The following extracts will fully evince the truth of the above observations :
" Q. What do you think of those in London, who seem to have been lately renewed in love ?"
"A. There is something very peculiar in the experience of the greater part of them. One would expect that a believer should first be filled with love, and thereby emptied of sin; whereas these were emptied of sin first, and then filled with love. Perhaps it pleased God to work in this manner, to make his work more plain and undeniable; and to distinguish it more clearly from that overflowing love, which is often felt even in a justified state.
" It seems likewise most agreeable to the great promise : From all your filthiness I will cleanse you; a new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. Ezekiel 36:25-26.
" But I do not think of them all alike : there is a wide difference between some of them and others. I think most of them with whom I have spoken, have much faith, love, joy, and peace. Some of these I believe are renewed in love, and have the direct witness of it; and they manifest the fruit above described, in all their words and actions. Now, let any man call this what he will; it is what I call perfection. But some who have much love, peace, and joy, yet have not the direct witness; and others who think they have, are, nevertheless, manifestly wanting in the fruit. How many I will not say; perhaps one in ten; perhaps more or fewer. But some arc undeniably wanting in long-suffering, Christian resignation. They do not see the hand of God in whatever occurs, and cheerfully embrace it. They do not in everything give thanks, and rejoice evermore. They are not happy; at least, not always happy; for sometimes they complain. They say, this or that is hard!
" Some are wanting in gentleness. They resist evil, instead of turning the other cheek. They do not receive reproach with gentleness; no, nor even reproof. Nay, they are not able to bear contradiction, without the appearance, at least, of resentment If they arc re proved or contradicted, though mildly, they do not take it well; they behave with more distance and reserve than they did before. If they are reproved or contradicted harshly, they answer it with harshness; with a loud voice, or with an angry tone, or in a sharp and surly manner. They speak sharply or roughly, when they reprove others; and behave roughly to their inferiors.
Some are wanting in goodness. They are not kind, mild, sweet, amiable, soft, and loving at all times, in their spirit, in their words, in their look and air, in the whole tenor of their behaviour : and that to all, high and low, rich and poor, without loptct to persons; particularly to them that, are out of the way, to opposers, and to those of their own household. They do not long, study, endeavour, by every means, to make all about them happy. They can see them uneasy, and not be concerned; perhaps they make them so: and then wipe their mouth, and say, Why, they deserve it; it is their own fault.
Some are wanting in fidelity, a nice regard to truth, simplicity, and godly sincerity. Their love is hardly without dissimulation; something like guile is found in their mouth. To avoid roughness, they lean to the other extreme. They are smooth to an excess, so as scarce to avoid a degree of fawning, or of seeming to mean what they do not.
" Some are wanting in meekness, quietness of spirit, composure, evenness of temper. They are up and down, sometimes high, sometimes low; their mind is not well balanced. Their affections are either not in due pro portion; they have too much of one, too little of another; or they are not duly mixed and tempered together, so as to counterpoise each other. Hence there is often a jar. Their soul is out of tune, and cannot make the true harmony.
" Some are wanting in temperance. They do not steadily use that kind and degree of food, which they know, or might know, would most conduce to the health, strength, and vigour of the body : or they are not temperate in sleep; they do not rigorously adhere to what is best both for body and mind; otherwise they would constantly go to bed and rise early, and at a fixed hour : or they sup late, which is neither good for body nor soul: or they use neither fasting nor abstinence : or they prefer (which are so many sorts of in temperance) that preaching, reading, or conversation. which gives them transient joy and comfort, before that which brings godly sorrow, or instruction in righteousness. Such joy is not sanctified; it doth not tend to, and terminate in, the crucifixion of the heart. Such faith doth not centre in God, but rather in itself.
" So far all is plain. I believe you have faith, and love, and joy, and peace. Yet you who arc particularly concerned know, each for yourself, that you are wanting in the respects above mentioned. You are wanting either in long-suffering, gentleness, or goodness; either in fidelity, meekness, or temperance. Let us not, then, on either hand, fight about words. In the thing we clearly agree.
" You have not what I call perfection; if others will call it so, they may. However, hold fast what you have, and earnestly pray for what you have not.
Q. Can those who arc perfect grow in grace?
" A. Undoubtedly they can; and that not only while they are in the body, but to all eternity.
" Q. Can they fall from it?
"A. I am well assured they can; matter of fact puts this beyond dispute. Formerly we thought, one saved from sin could not full; now we know the contrary. We are surrounded with instances of those who lately experienced all that I mean by perfection. They had both the fruit of the Spirit, and the witness; but they have now lost both. Neither docs any one stand by virtue of anything that is implied in the nature of the- state. There is no such height or strength of holiness as it is impossible to fall from. If there be any that cannot fall, this wholly depends on the promise of God.
" Q. Can those who fall from this state recover it?
" Why not? We have many instances of this also. Nay, it is an exceeding common tiling for persons to lose it more than once, before they are established therein.
" It is therefore to guard them who are saved from sin. from every occasion of stumbling, that I give the following advices. But first I shall speak plainly concerning the work itself.
" I esteem this late work to be of God; probably the greatest now upon earth. Yet, like all others, this also is mixed with much human frailty. But these weak nesses are far less than might have been expected; and ought to have been joyfully borne by all that loved and followed after righteousness. That there have been a few weak, warm-headed men, is no reproach to the work itself, no just ground for accusing a multitude of sober- minded men, who are patterns of strict holiness. Yet (just the contrary to what ought to have been) the op position is great; the helps few. Hereby many are hindered from seeking faith and holiness by the false zeal of others; and some who at first began to run well are turned out of the way." In my next I shall endeavour to give his advice to those who made the profession of perfect love in his day.