Bible as the only standard of truth and model of pure religion. For
5. In the year 1729 I began not only to read but to study the Bible as the only standard of truth and model of pure religion. For that reason I saw in a clearer and clearer light the fundamental need of having "the mind which was in Christ"? and of "walking as Christ also walked."* My study of Scripture helped me realize that Christians are to seek not just a part of but all of the mind of Christ. We are to strive to walk as he walked not just in some respects but in all things.
This was the light that helped me see Christianity to be a consistent following of Christ. It is a complete inward and outward conformity
John and Charles Wesley worked closely together. John was the to our Master. The only thing I feared was allowing my own experience, or the experience of others, to distort the message of the Bible to preacher; Charles the poet. John spoke to the head; Charles to the suit my own goals or desires. I could no longer live apart from the patheart. In boxes like this one throughtern of life given to the world in Jesus Christ. out this work are selected hymns by Charles Wesley on the doctrine of Christian perfection. We invite you to meditate on them, to pray with them, and to sing them. We offer them as a 6. On January 1, 1733, I preached on "The Circumcision of the Heart" before the University [Oxford] in St. Mary's church. The message is summarized in these lines: way to help you understand and appreciate the Scripture way of salvaIt is that habitual character of the soul that is known in Scripture as holiness. It directly implies being cleansed from tion known as Christian perfection. sin, "from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit."* Consequently, holiness is being gifted with those virtues that were in Christ Jesus. It is having our minds so renewed' as to be
"perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect."® In the same sermon I observed, "Love is the fulfilling of the law, mandment."® It is not only "the first and great
"" "the end of the com- "? command, That blessed law of thine, but all the commandments in one. "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise,""® they are
Jesu, to me impart:
Thy Spirit's law of life divine, O write it in my heart!
Implant it deep within, Whence it may ne'er remove, The law of liberty from sin, all contained in this one word, love.
In this is perfection, and glory, and happiness. The royal law of heaven and earth is: "You shall love the Lord your God with The perfect law of love. all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your 'strength."'' Love, the one perfect good, shall be your one ultimate goal. You shall desire one thing for its own sake—having the same mind that was in Christ Jesus," who is all in all. The singular happiness you shall propose to your souls is to have "fellowship with the Father and the Collection, #331, stanza 2 Son," being "joined to the Lord in one spirit.
The goal you are to pursue to the end of time is the enjoyment of God in time and in eternity. Desire other things only if they help you attain this end. Love the creature—as it leads to the Creator. Let love be the end of every word and action. Let every affection, thought, word, and action be dependent upon this love. Whatever you desire or fear, whatever you seek or shun, whatever you think, speak, or do, may it be in accord with your happiness in God, which is the sole end, as well as source, of your being.