clergymen and all our preachers were present. On Tuesday morning meeting of the Methodist preachers
conference: a threeto four-day meeting of the Methodist preachers with John Wesley. Important issues of theology, practice, and organiza17. On Monday, June 25, 1744, our First Conference began. Six clergymen and all our preachers were present. On Tuesday morning we seriously considered the doctrine of sanctification, also known as perfection. The questions asked and the substance of the answers given, are as follows: tion were discussed. Quarterly conferences were held usually in November, February, and May in QUESTION. What does it mean to be sanctified?
ANSWER. To be restored in the image of God, "in rightdifferent parts of England for those able to attend. The annual conference was held in London during August. All preachers—lay and clergy—were expected to attend the annual conference. Conferencing helped to galvanize the Methodists. eousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24).
Q. What is implied in being a perfect Christian?
A. Loving God with all our heart, and mind, and soul.
(Deuteronomy 6:5) Q. Does this imply that all inward sin is taken away?
A. Undoubtedly. Otherwise, how can it be said that we are To get a sense of what happened at the early Methodist conferences, read "Minutes of Several Conversa- "saved from all our uncleannesses?" (Ezekiel 36:29) tions Between the Rev. Mr. Wesley, and Others From the Year 1744 a Our Second Conference began August 1, 1745. The next morning we spoke of sanctification as follows: to the Year 1789," in The Works of John Wesley.
Q. When does inward sanctification begin?
A. In the moment a person is justified. (Sin yet remains.
Indeed, the seed of all sin remains until a person is sanctified throughout.) From the moment of justification a believer gradually dies to sin and grows in grace.
Q. Is sanctification usually given shortly before death?
A. It is not given to those who do not expect it sooner.
Q. But may we expect it sooner?
A. Why not? We grant (1) that most believers we have Sin in me, the inbred foe, known were not sanctified until near death; (2) that few of those to whom Saint Paul wrote his epistles were sancAwhile subsists in chains;
But thou all thy power shalt show, tified at that time; and (3) that it is likely that Saint Paul himself was not sanctified at the time he wrote his episAnd slay its last remains;
Thou hast conquered my desire, oy tles. Nonetheless, all these things do not prove that we may not be so today.
Thou shalt quench it with thy eso Fill me with a purer fire, And make me all like God. _ Q. How should we preach sanctification?
A. Preach it rarely to those who are not seeking after it. To - Collection, #349, es : "
A's
those who are, preach it frequently. Present sanctification as the promise it is, grace from God, always drawing rather than driving.
Our Third Conference began Tuesday, May 13, 1746. We carefully read over the minutes of the two preceding conferences to see if anything needed to be edited or changed upon more careful consideration. But we could find no reason to change anything that we had agreed upon before.
Our Fourth Conference began on Tuesday, June 16, 1747.
Because several persons were present who did not believe the doctrine of perfection, we agreed to examine it from the foundation. To begin the discussion, this question was asked:
"OR How much is accepted by our brothers who differ from us with regard to entire sanctification?
They grant, A.
(1) that every one must be entirely sanctified at the time of death; (2) that until then a believer grows in grace daily and comes nearer and nearer to perfection; (3) that we should be constantly striving toward it and encouraging all others to do the same.
. What do we allow them?
O . We grant, (1) that many of those who have died in the faith, indeed most of those we have known, were not perfected in love until a little before their death; (2) that the term sanctified is constantly applied by Saint
Paul to all that were justified; (3) that by the term sanctified alone he rarely, if ever, means "saved from all sin"; My God! I know, I feel thee mine, (4) that, consequently, it is not accurate to use the term
And will not quit my claim sanctified in that way without adding modifiers such Till all I have is lost in thine, as wholly or entirely; And all renewed I am.
(5) that the biblical writers speak consistently of, or to, I hold thee with a trembling hand, those who were justified, but rarely of, or to, those who were wholly sanctified;'
But will not let thee go (6) that, consequently, it is necessary for us to speak
Till steadfastly by faith I stand, steadily about justification, but more rarely,' "at least
And all thy goodness know. in full and explicit terms, about entire sanctification."
When shall I see the welcome hour That plants my God in me!
. What then is the point where we divide?
Spirit of health, and life, and power, . It is this: Should we expect to be saved from all sin before And perfect liberty! the time of death?
Collection, #351, stanzas 1-3 Q.
Is there any clear Scripture promise that God will save us from all sin?
There is: "God shall redeem Israel from all its sins"
(Psalm 130:8). This is expressed more fully in the prophecy of Ezekiel: "I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses,
and from all your idols. .
. I will save you from all your uncleannesses" (36:25, 29, NRSV). No promise can be more clear. The apostle clearly refers to this in his exhortation: "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God"
(2 Corinthians 7:1, NRSV). Equally clear and precise is that ancient promise: "The LorD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you will love the LorD your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 30:6, NRSV).
. But are there any corresponding claims to be found in the Jesus, thine all-victorious love New Testament?
Shed in my heart abroad!
Then shall my feet no longer rove, . There are. They are written in plain language: "The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8b, NRSV)—"the works of the devil," without any limitation or restriction; but all sin
Rooted and fixed in God.
Love only can the conquest win, — The strength of sin subdue _ (Mine own unconquerable sin) is the work of the devil. Parallel to this is Saint Paul's assertion: "Christ loved the church and gave himself up
And form my soul anew. — for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle
Love can bow down the stubt The stone to flesh con or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25b-27, NRSV).
Soften, and melt, and pierce.
He makes a similar assertion in Romans 8:3-4, "God sent his Son, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
. Does the New Testament provide any more reasons to expect to be saved from all sin?
A. Certainly it does, in those prayers and commands that are equivalent to the strongest assertions.
. What prayers do you mean?
. I mean the prayers for entire sanctification. If there were > © no such thing, they would be simple mockery of God.
Here are some examples:
(1) "Deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:13). Now, when this is done, when we are delivered from all evil, there can be no sin remaining.
(2) "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, ..
. I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one (or be made perfect in one)" (John 17:20-21, 23, NRSV).
(3) "I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of [God's] glory, ..
. you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and 3a
grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God"
(Ephesians 3:14-19, NRSV). i (4) "May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NRSV).
Q. What command is there?
A. (1) "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perO that in me the sacred fire fect" (Matthew 5:48, NRSV).
Might now begin to glow, Burn up the dross of base desire, (2) "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind"
(Matthew 22:37, NRSV). If the love of God fills up And make the mountains flow!
O that it now from heaven might fall, the heart, no sin can reside there.
And all my sins consume!
Come, Holy Ghost, for thee I call, Q. But how does it appear that this is to be done before the Spirit of burning, come! time of death? oe A. (1) The very nature of a command is that it is given to the Refining fire, go through my heart, living and not to the dead. Therefore, "You shall love
Illuminate my soul; God with all your heart," cannot mean, "You shall do Scatter thy life through every part, this when you die." Rather, it means you shall do it
And sanctify the whole. while you live.
Galleon #351. stanzas 7-9 (2) From explicit passages of Scripture: a. "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds"
(Titus 2:11-14, NRSV). b. "He has raised up a mighty savior for us," to perform "the mercy promised to our ancestors, . .
. the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days"
(Luke 1:69, 72, 73-75, NRSV).
Q. Is there any example in Scripture of people who had been perfected in love?
A. Yes. Saint John, and all those of whom he says, "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17, NRSV).
Q. Can you show an example of such a person living today?
Where is he or she that is perfect in the way you describe?
A. One might answer to some that ask this, "If I knew one here, I would not tell you. For you do not inquire out of love. You are like Herod—you only seek the young child
Sorrow and sin shall then expire, to slay it."° While, entered into rest, I only live my God t'admire— But more directly we answer: There are many reasons why there should be few, if any, indisputable examples.
What misfortunes would this bring on the person who would be set as a mark for all to shoot at! And how unprofitable would it be to opponents! "If they do not lisMy God forever blest.
No longer then my heart shall mourn, While purified by grace I only for his glory burn, ten to Moses and the prophets," Christ and his apostles,
"neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from And always see his face. the dead."* My steadfast soul, from falling free, Q. Are we not inclined to have a secret aversion to any who Shall then no longer move; — say they are saved from all sin?
A. It is possible that we may, for several reasons:
But Christ be all the world to me, And all my heart be love.
(1) partly from a concern for the good of souls who may be Collection, #351, stanzas 10-12 | hurt if those in question are not what they claim to be;
(2) partly from a kind of unexpressed envy of those who speak of higher attainments than our own; and (3) partly from our natural slowness and resistance to believe the works of God.
Q. Why may we not continue in the joy of faith until we are perfected in love?
A. Why indeed, since holy grief does not quench this joy, since even while we are under the cross, while we deeply share of the sufferings of Christ, we may rejoice with joy unspeakable.
In these extracts may be found the judgment of me and my brother, along with that of all the preachers in connexion with us in the years 1744-1747. I do not remember even one dissenting voice in any of these conferences. But whatever doubts anyone had when we met were all removed before we parted. connexion: the network of Methodist societies served by the Wesley brothers and the preachers.
This connexion was a covenant community that pooled its resources to support the preachers and for ministry, and to be under John Wesley's pastoral oversight as 18. In the year 1749 my brother printed two volumes of "Hymns and Sacred Poems." Because I did not see these before they were published, there were some things in them that I did not approve of. But I approved completely of the principal hymns on this point, a few verses of which are provided here: a cleric of the Church of England.
Come, Lord, be manifested here, And all the devil's works destroy; New, without sin, in me appear, And fill with everlasting joy:
Thy beatific face display; Thy presence is the perfect day.
& Swift to my rescue come, Thy own this moment seize; 3/7
Gather my wand'ring spirit home, And keep in perfect peace.
Suffer'd no more to rove O'er all the earth abroad, Arrest the pris'ner of thy love, And shut me up in God!
& Thy pris'ners release, Vouchsafe us thy peace; And our sorrows and sins in a moment shall cease.
That moment be now! Our petition allow, Our present Redeemer and Comforter thou!
& From this inbred sin deliver; Let the yoke Now be broke; Make me thine for ever.
Partner of thy perfect nature, Let me be Now in thee A new, sinless creature.
& Turn me, Lord, and turn me now, To thy yoke my spirit bow; Grant me now the pearl to find Of a meek and quiet mind.
Calm, O calm my troubled breast; Let me gain that second rest:
From my works for ever cease, Perfected in holiness.
& Come in this accepted hour, Bring thy heavenly kingdom in!
Fill us with the glorious power, Rooting out the seeds of sin.
& Come, thou dear Lamb, for sinners slain, Bring in the cleansing flood; Apply, to wash out every stain, Thine efficacious blood.
O let it sink into our soul Deep as the inbred sin:
Make every wounded spirit whole, And every leper clean!
& Pris'ners of hope, arise, And see your Lord appear:
Lo! on the wings of love he flies, And brings redemption near.
Redemption in his blood He calls you to receive:
"Come unto me, the pard'ning God:
Believe," he cries, "believe!"
Jesus, to thee we look, Till saved from sin's remains, Reject the inbred tyrant's yoke, And cast away his chains.
Our nature shall no more O'er us dominion have:
By faith we apprehend the power, Which shall for ever save.
&Jesu, our life, in us appear, Who daily die thy death:
Reveal thyself the finisher; Thy quick'ning Spirit breathe!
Unfold the hidden mystery, The second gift impart; Reveal thy glorious self in me, In every waiting heart.
£ In Him we have peace, In Him we have power!
Preserved by his grace Throughout the dark hour, In all our temptation He keeps us, to prove
His utmost salvation, His fulness of love.
Pronounce the glad word, And bid us be free!
Ah, hast thou not, Lord, A blessing for me?
The peace thou hast given, This moment impart, And open thy heaven, O Love, in my heart!
A second edition of these hymns was published in 1752 without any other alteration than that of a few literal mistakes.
I have provided these extended extracts in order to convey, beyond all doubt, that both my brother and I affirmed to this day:
(1) that Christian perfection is the love of God and our neighbor that leads to deliverance from all sin; (2) that this is received only by faith;
20]
(3) that it is given instantaneously, in one moment; (4) that we are to expect it, not at death, but every moment. That now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation.°
Endnotes 1. "That is, to those alone and not oth3. See Matthew 2:1-18. ers. But they speak to them almost 4. Luke 16:31, NRSV continually together with others."
See? Ciscinthians oe (John Wesley) 2. "More rarely, I allow, but yet in some places very frequently, strongly, and explicitly." (John Wesley) AO