they were published, there were some things in them which I did not approve of. But I quite approved of the main
unprofitable would it be to gainsayers! `For if they hear not Moses and the Prophets,' Christ and his Apostles, `neither would they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.' "Q. Are we not apt to have a secret distaste to any who ~say they are saved from all sin? "A. It is very possible we may, and that upon several grounds; partly from a concern for the good of souls, who may be hurt if these are not what they profess; partly from a kind of implicit envy at those who speak of higher attainments than our own; and partly from our natural slowness and unreadiness of heart to believe the works of God. "Q,. Why may we not continue in the joy of faith till 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 partake of the sufferings of Christ, we may rejoice with joy unspeakable." From these extracts it undeniably appears, not only what was mine and my brother's judgment, but what was the judgment of all the Preachers in connexion with us, in the years 1744, 45, 46 and 47. Nor do I remember that, in any one of these Conferences, we had one dissenting voice; but whatever doubts any one had when we met, they were all removed before we parted. 18. In the year 1749, my brother printed two volumes of "Hymns and Sacred Poems." As I did not see these before they were published, there were some things in them which I did not approve of. But I quite approved of the main of the hymns on this head; a few verses of which are subjoined : -- Come, Lord, be manifested here, And all the devil's works destroy; Now, without sin, in me appear, And fill with everlasting joy: Thy beatific face display; Thy presence is the perfect day. (Vol. I., p. 203.) Swift to my rescue come, Thy own this moment seize; 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! (Page 247.) 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! (Vol. II., p. 124.) 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. (Page 156.) 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. (Page 162.) Come in this accepted hour, Bring thy heavenly kingdom in! Fill us with the glorious power; Rooting out the seeds of sin. (Page 168.) 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! (Page 171.) 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. (Page 188.) 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. (Page 195.) 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! (Page 324.) A second edition of these hymns Was published in the year 1752; and that without any other alteration, than that of a few literal mistakes. I have been the more large in these extracts, because hence it appears, beyond all possibility of exception, that to this day both my brother and I maintained, (1.) That Christian perfection is that love of God and our neighbour, which implies deliverance from all sin. (2.) That this is received merely by faith. (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 accepted time, now is the day of this salvation. 19. At the Conference in the year 1759, perceiving som~e danger that a diversity of sentiments should insensibly steal in among us, we again largely considered this doctrine; and soon after I published "Thoughts on Christian Perfection," prefaced with the following advertisement: -- "The following tract is by no means designed to gratify the curiosity of any man. It is not intended to prove the doctrine at large, in opposition to those who explode and ridicule it; no, nor to answer the numerous objections against it, which may be raised even by serious men. All I intend here is, simply to declare what are my sentiments on this head; what Christian perfection does, according to my apprehension, include, and what it does not; and to add a few practical observations and directions relative to the subject. "As these thoughts were at first thrown together by way of question and answer, I let them continue in the same form. They are just the same that I have entertained for above twenty years. "QUESTION. What is Christian perfection? "ANSWER. The loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. This implies, that no wrong temper, none contrary to love, remains in the soul; and that all the thoughts, words, and actions, are governed by pure love. "Q. Do you affirm, that this perfection excludes all infirmities, ignorance, and mistake? "A. I continually affirm quite the contrary, and always have done so. "Q. But how can every thought, word, and work, be governed by pure love, and the man be subject at the same