A series of letters, addressed to the Methodist connection, explaining the important doctrines of justification by faith, and the direct witness of the Spirit ... and vindicating these doctrines from the misrepresentations and erroneous conclusions of the Rev. Melville Horne, minister of Christ Church, Macclesfield, in five letters, written by that gentleman...

Front matter

Book-

SERIES OF LETTERS

ADDRESSED TO THE ~

Preface

IN the course of our ministry, it has been our lot to meet with much opposition ; but whether this has retarded or accelerated our progress, it may be somewhat difficult to determine. The attacks w hich have been made upon us have assumed a variety of forms ; we have been assailed from opposite quarters ; and have been compelled to encounter the expostulations of those who profess to be our friends, as w r ell as the hostilities of such as have declared themselves our foes.

If w-e look back to the commencement of Methodism, and trace its annals to the present time, we shall find, that there is scarcely any offence, to which the least plausibility could be annexed, with which we have not been charged. Our motives, our conduct, our doctrines, our ceconomy, have all been examined w ith an excess of rigour, and the eye of prejudice has seen much to reprehend, and the tongue of calumny found much to condemn, in all. As to our motives, they* have been deemed base, selfish, u

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and sinister in an extreme. Otir conduct has been represented as scliisniatical and enthusiastic ; and there is scarcely an article in the black catalogue of heresy, with which our doctrines have not been loaded. In this common cry, men of jarring sentiments have exerted their talents. It has been a central point of union among them ; so that those who could agree in nothing besides, have strangely concurred in this, that Methodism must be wrong, and that every one has a right to traduce it in his own way.

But amidst the whole, Methodism has continued to prosper. The life and power of godliness are found among her converts, more so, perhaps, than among those of any other people. Thousands every year have been turned from darkness to light. Her doctrines have been blessed to the conversion of multitudes, whose experience concurs with scripture and reason, to establish their importance and authenticity. Methodism has been owned and blessed of God in a peculiar manner. And the reformation that is visible in various parts of this land, where it has been established, is so conspicuous, that every unprejudiced spectator must allow, that it has introduced a striking revolution in the morals of the community. 4

PREFACE.

hi

That Methodism, instrumental as it has been in the production of such happy effects, as its most violent opposers have scarcely the hardihood to deny, should still be the subject of opposition, may seem exceedingly strange* But strangeness in theory can never counteract fact. Hostility seems to follow it like a shadow. The animadversions, however, which are made on our conduct, are of little consequence. This is open to public inspection ; and with those who have an opportunity of observing it, can suffer nothing from attack. But w 7 ith our doctrines the case is widely different. Few of our opponents, comparatively speaking, have leisure to examine them in all their branches and bearings ; and fewer still are inclined to take the trouble of comparing them with the standard of unerring truth. It is through the representations that are made of them by others, that they are more generally viewed ; and the public mind is not unfrequently influenced by a decision which is not its own.

As nothing less than misrepresentations are to be expected from an avowed hostility towards us, we wait their arrival without much emotion, and stand upon our guard. But when, under the mask of friendship, our , doctrines are placed in an inauspicious light, our ministerial labours traduced, and we are

PREFACE.

charged with a dereliction of principle, of which we are wholly unconscious, we feel ourselves compelled by justice and duty to appear in our own defence. These traducements and charges have lately been brought both against our doctrines and ourselves, by the Rev. Melville Home, of Macclesfield, in five - Letters, the title of which has been already given.

The doctrines which are professedly investigated by Mr. H. are certainly of the last importance to mankind. They include all that can be dear to an aw akened mind ; pervading at once the cause, condition, and nature of our justification before God, and those qualifications which are necessary for our enjoyment of an eternal inheritance. On these momentous topics, Mr. H. conceives that Mr. Wesley, in his early days, entertained some erroneous opinions ; but that after some years he totally relinquished them; — that he adopted others which were more orthodox ;— and that in the belief of these he died : ' — That his followers, less discriminating, or more injudicious than himself, have abandoned what he reformed; — re-adopted what he discarded ;— ~misun« der stood their common creed, and continue to the present moment to propagate error, from a delusive persuasion that it is truth.

Charges so unfounded, can only hope to obtain

PREFACE, v

credit where tlie controverted doctrines, are unknown. And even with those who partially admit these pointed accusations, success must he more indebted to the peremptory tone in which they are made, than to the keenness of the argumentation by which they are supported. In many places, Mr. Home's charges on the Author are personal and acrimonious ; so that, if retaliation were a virtue, they would demand from him an asperity of language, which is both hostile to his inclinations, and irreconcilable with his professional character. To such conduct, therefore, he hopes he shall not descend.

These, however, -are considerations which he views as unimportant, and of little weight. It is possible, nevertheless, that Mr. Home's book may fall into the hands of some whom the specious appearance of his observations and extracts may deceive. And these extracts will be the more likely to impose on the unwary; by being taken from the writings of Mr. Wesley and Mr. Fletcher, and delivered in nearly their own words ; while the connexions from which they have been broken, have been cautiously concealed.

To pass over, in total silence, conduct so justly reprehensible, would be in a measure to plead guilty to the charges exhibited. It might be construed

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PREFACE.

into an acknowledgment that our doctrines were not defensible : it might encourage others to augment the number of false accusations, from a full persuasion that they should escape with impunity ; and induce our enemies to triumph, in the discovery of heresies which never existed but in their own imaginations. On the contrary, to notice every paragraph •with a specific reply ; — to descend to all the minutiae of involuntary error, or inconsiderate misrepresentation^ and trace each branch to its cause and consequences, would be to impose respect on a book tyhkh had forfeited all title to honourable regard.

These opposite considerations have induced the Author to pursue a middle pa|h between these tw r o extremes ; so that, without implicitly submitting to either, he might derive an advantage from both, and turn his attention more immediately to the doctrines in question. By adopting this method, he is furnished with an opportunity of stating at large, the real sentiments of those venerable men, who honoured him with their friendship while living, and whose memory he reveres now they are dead ; and of placing before the reader some of the arguments by which those doctrines are supported, and which, as Methodists, we mutually embrace. In doing this, lie trusts, that while he glances obliquely at the

PREFACE.

Vll debate, and makes a few excursions into the field of controversy, he pursues a more important object: To elucidate and defend the leading doctrines of the gospel, rather than to repel the charges and insinuations of Mr. Home, has been the Author's primary motive. If, therefore, he has been successful in his efforts ; as truth, from its own nature, is immutable, these Letters, he hopes,, may be perused with advantage, when he shall be able to write no more.

T. COKE, spe j shed

Contents

LETTER %

SUBJECT of inquiry, Dishonourable expressions used by Mr. Home. Doctrines and persons that he attacks. Connexion of supposed facts imputed to Mr. Wesley, invented by Mr. Home, — proved by an appeal to Mr. Wesley's sermons. Passage which has given Mr. H. offence, not connected with justifying, but with the full christian faith. The standard of christian perfection not raised too high by Mr. Wesley, acknowledged by Mr. Home. Mr. W. vindicated from the charge of renouncing his definition of justifying faith. Definition defended against preliminary assaults. Definition stated at large, in Mr, Wesley's own words. Faith operates prospectively and retrospectively. Definition briefly explained. Copy of Mr. Wesley's letter, which Mr. H. produces to prove that he did renounce his definition. Reply to Mr. Home's animadversions. Letter proved not to be inconsistent with the definition. Detached passages controverted. Quotation from Dr. Paley.

LETTER It

Letter III

Observations on detached passages of Mr. Home's second letter, proving that neither Mr, John nor Mr. Charles Wesley entertained those views for which Mr. H. contends. Note on Mr. Home's personal reflections. Mr. Wesley's views of justifying faith proved to have remained unaltered to the time of his death. Mr. Home's remarks controverted. Survey of the four grand dispensations of the gospel, from Mr. Fletcher. The distinction between a servant and a child of God, proved to arise from the nature of these dispensations. Objects of justifying faith different, under different dispensations. Mr. Home's objections to the distinction between servant and child proved to be fallacious. Mr. Wesley a babe in Christ when he went to America to preach the gospel. Citation from Mr, Benson, proving that the Spirit of adoption is connected with justification. Faith proved not to be a negative, but an active principle. What constitutes a babe in Christ. Mr. Hornjes severe charges inapplicable to us. p. 123»

CONTENT*.

Letter IV

Anal}' sis of Mr. Fletchers Essay on Truth. Doctrines inculcated in this Essay varied by Mr. Fletcher, according to his views of the various dispensations of the Gospel. These doctrines erroneously applied by- Mr. Home. Mr. Fletcher's sentiments in this Essay vindicated from Mr. Home's misapplication of them. Letter written by Mr. Wesley to Mr. Morgan in 1768, expressly disowning and rejecting these doctrines which Mr. Home contends that Mr. Wesley did embrace in 1747- Christian dispensation more exalted than any which preceded it. Doctrine of Mr. Fletchers Essay on Truth perfectly consistent with the doctrines that the Methodists now inculcate.

Letter V

Review and vindication of an Article written by Mr. Marsden, and published in the Methodist Magazine. Subject of the present letter. General outlines of Mr. Home's hypothesis stated. Instance of its fallacy. Hypothesis examined. To be a christian, something more than to be a mere penitent. Regeneration distinct from repentance. That faith which is only general, not justifying. Acceptance accompanicd with a knowledge of it. Faith an intuitive principle, and must, therefore, bring with it its own internal evidence. Hypothesis calculated to lead to manv pernicious effects and consequences, twenty-two of which are pointed out. Hypothesis contrasted with experience. Contrasted with scripture, and proved to be inconsistent with the declarations of our Lord and his Apostles. p. 249-

Letter VI

Mr. Home's definition of justifying faith stated and examined, and proved to be inapplicable to the thing professedly defined. Faith cannot be wholly detached from assurance. Principles of the hypothesis unmerciful. Mr. Home's erroneous views of a direct witness of the Spirit stated. Silence of scripture no basis for argument. Witness of our own spirit, and of the Spirit of adoption stated in Mr. Wesley's words. Direct witness defined ; reasons why it never can be proved to be impossible. Various scriptures and arguments adduced, to prove both the necessity and certainty of a direct witness. Some of Mr. Home's leading positions and arguments against a direct witness examined. Conclusion.' p. 311.

SERIES IETTERSi

Letter I. Beloved Brethren

The articles of our creed, which Mr. Home has thought proper to call in question, are, Mr, Wesley's definition of justifying faith; a passage that occurs in one of his sermons, which enforces the necessity of a qualification for glory ; and his opinion on the direct witness of the Spirit. Against each of these he brings many ill-directed arguments; and does not fail to scatter through his pages an abundance of illiberal epithets, which might have been spared, and from which his little volume can hope to derive few lasting honours.*

* Of these dishonourable expressions you will be able to form some idea, from the following specimen* whicli

B

On Mr. Home's familiarity with " Moloch' it is not my design to animadvert. I liave only

are selected from his book : 44 .An execrable damnatory 44 clause." (p. 11. preface.) 44 The damnatory clause I 44 gave cordially to the devil." {p. 2.) 44 Great reprobat- 44 ing fiery Moloch of Methodism." (p. 12.) " Let the 44 songs of assurance drown the cries of the wretched M babes burning to Moloch." (ibid.) 44 Cursed heads of 44 the non-assured." (p. 13.) 44 The God of Methodist '« idolatry — a very Moloch, on whose bloody altars the 44 firstlings of the church were to be cruelly butchered.' 1 (p. 16.) 44 Devil-invented sin of non-assurance." (p. 31.) 44 Satan's brats." (p. 38.) 44 Definition-men, with the 44 damnatory clause in their hands." (ibid.) 44 Yea, per- 44 haps, curse me by Moloch." (p. 40.) 44 What you will 44 do with your damned penitents I don't know." (p. 41.) 44 The devil should have his due." (ibid.) 44 All the dam- 44 natory clauses of Definition-men/- (p. 42.) 44 Damnable sin of non-assurance." (p. 43.) 44 I loathe it as much 44 as if the devil were to tell me, There is no God. "(ibid ) 44 The devil will not receive these praying babes into hell." (ibid.) * 4 You cannot thrust them into hell." (ibid.) 44 De- 44 vil-begotten sin of non-assurance." (p. 45.) 44 Dreadful 44 vibrations of the damnatory clause, as the fiery blasts 44 of the Simoon." (p. 46.) 44 Black rider of the damna- 44 tory consequence." (ibid.) 44 Horrible decree." (p. 51.) 44 Firm phalanx of the damnatory clause." (p. 53.) 44 They 44 must smoke on Moloclrs altars." (ibid.) 44 Intolerable 44 heat of the damnatory clause." (ibid.) 44 The damna- 44 tory clause is mere brut urn fuhnen" (p. 58.) 44 Damn- 44 able non-descript sin of non-assurance." (p. 62.) 14 Damnatory clauses — detestable anathemas." (p. 63.) 44 Accursed lie of the devil," (p# 69.) 44 Damnable nonquoted these expressions as proofs of indiscretion and have endeavoured to exhibit them in such a light as may induce Mr. II. to deal out his dishonourable terms in his future publications with a more sparing hand.

The men, Mr. Home tells us, to whom his let* ters are addressed, are, " The Rev. Dr. Coke, and " such Methodist Preachers as, 1. Define justi- " fying faith to be, 6 A sure trust and confidence, " that a man hath in God, through Christ, that li his sins are forgiven, and he reconciled to the " favour of God.' % VTho preach that assurance, " under the pain of da-nnatxon^ to those who are " not so assured. 3* Who assert a direct witness

<9 assurance, (ibid.) 44 Satanic sword of the damnatory 44 clause." (p. 79.) 44 Damnatory doctrine of assurance." (ibid.) 44 Damnatory rider." (ibid.) 44 Satanic assurance. 75 (p. 82.) 44 Chimerical sin of non-assurance." (p. 84*) v Diana definition." (p. 85.) 44 Damned unbeliever." (ibid.) " I credit your damnatory testimony as little as 44 Mr. Wesley's." (ibid.) 44 Damnatory lightnings now played innoxious." (p. 8G.) U Definition and damna- '* tory clause." (ibid) 44 Methodist Diana." (p. 88 f 4 Damned sincere penitents." (ibid.) ' % You damn all 44 non-assured men, in the name of your reprobating 44 Moloch." (p. 89.) 44 Great rs thy divinity, O Moloch." (p. 90.) 44 Damnatory Word." (p. 91) 44 Damnatory" 44 rider." (p. 92.) 44 You stupify them ivith damnatory 44 clauses." (p. 99.) 44 Cloven foot of the damnatory 44 clause." (p. 103) " A damning proof." (p. Utt.$ *c. &c.

of the Spirit, testifying to those who have jus-

* tifying faith, 6 Thou aft pardoned. Thou hast " redemption in his blood/ I grant, (he proceeds) " the Mr. Wesleys and first Methodists preached " these doctrines. The definition was adopted, " and avow r ed by r them. The damnatory clause " is in Mr. J. Wesley's sermon, The Almost u Christian, preached at St. Mary's, Oxford — ' The u God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who u now standeth in the midst of us, knoweth, that " if any man die without this faith, good were it

* for him, that he had never been born." This " direct witness is asserted in his sermon on the " Witness of the Spine; and, in the Minutes of u Conference, A. D. 1 747, he affirms, The Spirit " witnesses, Thou art pardoned, fyt< (p. 1.)

Nothing, I think, can be more obvious to a discerning reader, who views these subjects only through the representation of Mr. Home, than that the Mr. Wesley s, and first Methodists, connected together the above definition of justifying faith, and what he calls the " damnatory clause." His letters are addressed " to those who hold the " definition, and who preach that assurance, under « the pain of damnation, to those who are not so " assured;" and he grants, " that the Mr. Wesleys, " and first Methodists, preached these doctrines." And, finally, to prevent all mistakes in the connection, which he endeavours both to form and support, he has carefully distinguished, by Roman and Italic letters, the words that, and so, and tMs, in order to cement more firmly together the various parts of that fabric which he insinuates Mr. Wesley erected, but which he is just about to demolish.

Thus far, no doubt, the language of Mr. Home is both clear and expressive ; but before we attend to the mighty ruin with which our ears are soon to be stunned, some previous questions must be determined. Did Mr. Wesley ever connect together, as Mr. H. has stated, his definition of justifying faith and the " damnatory clause ?" Has Mr. H. produced, either from Mr. Wesley's writings, or the acknowledged writings of any other among us, any evidence of such a connection? Can any such evidence be produced by him, that the words used by Mr. Wesley in this definition of justifying faith, are ever connected with the " damnatory " clause when they are exclusively confined to justification ? It is upon the decision of these questions that the import and application of his arguments must depend ; these are the data on which his reasonings rest. And should it appear that he has combined together, w^hat none of those whom he opposes had ever united, his own assumptions, which are the foundation of his book, must instantly forsake him ; the battery which he has erected must then immediately fall, and bury in the mighty ruins his tremendous artillery by which Methodism was to have been demolished.

To detennine these points, we must apply to Mr. Wesley's own language, and works ; and, by comparing what he has advanced with what Mr. Home has asserted, examine how far his statements have been correct, his connections accurate, and his inferences just.

That Mr. Wesley did use the words which Mr. Home has quoted, in his common definition of justifying faith, I most readily admit. They are to be found in the y5th page of his first volume of sermons, in a sermon which he entitles " Justification by faith: — in the early Minutes of Conference; — and, with some occasional variations, in many other parts of his voluminous works. But in most of these places they stand in connection with other expressions, which cannot fail to elucidate their import, but which Mr. H. perhaps, for the sake of brevity, has entirely omitted. From what portion of Mr. W/s works he has selected the definition, it is impossible for me to say, as he has made no references to the place. But these omissions are of little consequence. The whole tenor of Mr. W/s works requires the connections which are passed over in silence; for, without these, he might stand justly charged with defining the faith of an Antinomian.

But while Mr. H. has so evidently broken the definition from its proper connections, he has taken care that it should not stand alone. He has applied to another sermon for an expression to supply tiie deficiency ; linked it to the definition, by ties which he would persuade his readers are indissoluble ; and then raised an exclamation at the monster which his own indiscretion had formed. " The damnatory clause (he observes) is in Mr. J. u Wesley's sermon, The Almost Christian, preach- " ed at St. Mary's, Oxford."

In. this sermon on the Almost Christian, from which Mr. H. has quoted the above passage, Mr. Wesley no where defines ■" justifying faith/' or particularly refers to it ; much less does he enforce it by the " damnatory clause," which Mr. H. has thus introduced to mount guard upon it. Instead of this, he contrasts, through the whole, the Almost, with the Perfect Christian; and, without stopping to notice any particular doctrine so as to define it, introduces all the qualifications that are necessary to render the christian character complete. In this sermon, neither conviction, faith, justification, nor sanctification, is defined. The whole are insisted on as necessary to salvation; and what Mr. II. has denominated the " damna- " tory clause," amounts to no more than this — " We must be prepared for glory before we die, or good were it for us that we had never been born." But Mr. Wesley's own words will place this fact in a still more unquestionable light.

Mr. Wesley, when addressing himself to his audience, thus speaks— " Are not many of you conscious, that you never came thus far ; that yon havt not come up to the standard of heathen honesty ? At least not to the form of Christian godliness ? Much less hath God seen sincerity in you, a real design of pleasing him in all things. You never so much as intended to devote all your words, and works, your business, studies, diversions^ to his glory. You never even designed or desired, that whatsoever you did, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, and, as such, should be a spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to God through Christ.

" But supposing you had, do good designs and good desires make a Christian ? By no means, unless they are brought to good effect. " Hell is paved, saith one, with good intentions." The great question of all then still remains, Is the love of God shed abroad in your heart? Canyon cry out 6 My God and my all r' Do you desire nothing but him? Are you happy in God? Is he your glory, your delight, your crown of rejoicing ? And is this commandment written in your heart, that he who loveth God love his brother also ? Do you then love your neighbour as yourself? Do you love every man, even your enemies, even the enemies of God, as your own soul? As Christ loved you ? Yea, dost thou believe that Christ loved thee, and gave himself for thee? Hasfc thou faith in his blood : Believest thou the Lamb of God hath taken away thy sins, and cast them as a stone into the depth of the sear That he hath blotted out the hand-writing that was against thee, taking it out of the way, nailing it to his cross ? Hast thou, indeed, redemption through his blood, even the remission of thy sins; and doth his Spirit bear witness with thy spirit that thou art a child of God ?

" The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who now standeth in the midst of us, knoweth that if any man die without this faith, and this love, good were it for him that he had never been born. Awake then thou that sleepest, and call upon God: call in the day when he may be found. Let him not rest, till he make his goodness to pass before thee, till he proclaim unto thee the name of the Lord, the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth ; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Let no man persuade thee by \yain words, to rest short of this prize of thy high calling. But cry unto him day and night, who, while we were without strength, died for the ungodly, until thou knowest in whom thou hast believed, and canst say, My Lord and my God. Remember always to pray, and not to faint, till thou canst lift up thy hand unto heaven, and declare to him that liveth for ever and ever, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. May we all thus experience what it k to be not almost only, but altogether Christians !"

Wesley's Sermons, vol, i. p. 31 — 33;

33 5

Permit me now to ask — Is there any thing in the whole of this long quotation, that looks like a design either to define justification, or to enforce the definition of it? Are not several expressions indicative of the contrary? Did " the love of our enemies, even the enemies of God, as our own soul — as Christ loved us/' ever constitute any part of Mr.W.'s definition of justifying faith? And is not. the acquirement of this exalted grace, that which, among others, he presses all to seek? Nay, do not the words which occur in the obnoxious passage, as it is quoted by Mr. H. corroborate the same fact? And is it not most evident that they look forward to the christian's growth in grace; — to his having arrived at the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, instead of making the definition, which has been given of justifying faith, the infallible standard which all must reach before they can have a title to heaven? What, but this, are we to understand by these words — " If any man die without this faith, and this love ?" The previous passages evidently describe the qualification of a mature christian ; but do not at all define justifying faith, which is but one part of it. Why Mr. H. tore this passage, w hich he has called " the a damnatory clause," from its proper connection, and linked it with justifying faith, a doctrine which is no where defined in the sermon, m&f be better known to himself than others. That this is done, appears most unquestionable, though the reasons for such conduct lie concealed ; and Mr. H. in his turn, is called upon for a vindication of his disingenuousness, " in the face of his country, and u of the church of Christ."

Whether Mr. Wesley has raised the standard of Christian experience and perfection to too great a height, is quite another question. This we may hereafter examine. The utmost for which I contend at present is, that " the damnatory clause," as Mr. H. has been pleased to term it, did not draw the line betsveen a believer and an unbeliever, as it respects his justification, but between one that is meet for glory, and one that is not. This fact, I persuade myself, all will be able to perceive from the full quotation that I have already given from Mr. W.'s sermon, as it stands contrasted with the improper combinations which Mr. H. has made, and laid down as the foundation of his future charges.

That the standard of Christian experience and perfection has not been raised too high ir he estimation of Mr. H. he more than indi n 9^ acknowledges. Referring to the time when \ie acted as a preacher among us, he observes as follows : " I believed and taught every thing you believe " and teach, not excepting christian perfection. " On the points in question, I taught what I " knew, and my hands had spiritually handled of u the word of life. I preached justifying faith, as v the receiving the Lord Jesus as a Saviour in an fl humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart. I " preached assurance as an inevitable consequence " of faith, when the believer did understand that 14 his so receiving Christ was justifying faith: but " that so long as he did not ascertain the nature

of his faith, he would not have assurance, though 44 he felt the saving power of faith by peace with " God, and victory over sin, death, and hell. I 44 preached the witness of the Spirit, peace, love, 44 joy, and every good fruit, abundantly shed " abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost gives 'A unto us, and producing the most luminous and a indubitable assurance." (p. 2.)

In these passages Mr. H. most evidently joins with us in supporting that standard of christian perfection, which Mr. W. had previously raised. He admits our approaches towards it as an inevitable consequence of faith, in all who can understand the nature of their faith; but doubts whether the nature of this justifying faith, upon which both a c irance and perfection depend, can be ascertd^ eS 7 by all. He allows justification to be by faith in the Son of God; and that those who possess its saving power enjoy " peace with God, and victory over sin, death, and hell;" and yet doubts whether we may not at the same time be wholly ignorant of the nature of that faith, by which we are united to the source from whence these blessings flow, and totally destitute of those inward evidences by which justifying faith may be distinguished !