I remain (with all those young gentlemen in deri-
Christian Perfection lished. This was the view of religion I then had, which even then I scrupled not to term "perfection." This is the view I have of it now, without any material addition or diminution. And what is there here which any man of understanding, who believes the Bible, can object to? What can he deny, without flatly contradicting the Scripture?
What retrench, without taking from the Word of God?
7. In the same sentiment did my brother and I remain (with all those young gentlemen in derision termed "Methodists" ) till we embarked for America, in the latter end of 1735. It was the next year, while I was at Savannah, that I wrote the following lines:
Is there a thing beneath the sun, That strives with Thee my heart to share?
Ah! tear it thence, and reign alone, The Lord of every motion there!
In the beginning of the year 1738, as I was returning from thence, the cry of my heart was:
O grant that nothing in my soul May dwell, but Thy pure love alone!
O may Thy love possess me whole, My joy, my treasure, and my crown!