18. (2) Yet it was not _Peter Bohler_, who convinced me that _conversion_ (I mean justification) _was_ an _instantaneous work_. On the contrary, when I was convinced of the nature and fruits of justifying faith, still “¹I could not comprehend what he spoke of _an instantaneous work_. I could not understand, how this faith should be given in a moment; how a man could _at once_ be thus turned from darkness to light, from sin and misery to righteousness and joy in the Holy Ghost. I searched the scriptures again, touching this very thing, particularly the _Acts of the apostles_. But to my utter astonishment, I found scarce any instances there of other than _instantaneous_ conversions; scarce any other so slow as that of St. _Paul_, who was three days in the pangs of the new birth. I had but _one_ retreat left; _viz._ ‘_Thus_ I grant, God wrought in the _first ages_ of Christianity: but the times are changed. What reason have I to believe, he works in the same manner _now_’?
¹ See journal, page 19.
“But on _Sunday 22_, I was beat out of this retreat too, by the concurring evidence of several living witnesses, who testified God _had thus wrought in themselves_: giving them _in a moment_, such a faith in the blood of his Son, as translated them out of darkness into light, out of sin and fear into holiness and happiness. Here ended my disputing. I could ♦only cry out, ‘Lord, help thou my unbelief.’” ――――The remaining part of this section; with the third and fourth, contain my own words, to which I still subscribe.
♦ “now” replaced with “only” per Errata
And if there is a mistake in the fifth it is not material.
♦20. (6) It is true, that “on _Wednesday, July 12_, the Count spoke to this effect:
♦ Number 19. not shown in text.
“1. Justification is the forgiveness of sins:
“2. The moment a man flies to Christ, he is justified:
“3. And has peace with God, but not always joy:
“4. Nor perhaps may he know he is justified, till long after:
“5. For the assurance of it is distinct from justification itself:
“6. But others may know he is justified, by his power over sin, by his seriousness, his love of the brethren, and his hunger and thirst after righteousness, which alone proves the spiritual life to be begun.
“7. To be justified is the same thing as to be born of God: when a man is awakened, he is begotten of God, and his fear and sorrow, and sense of the wrath of God, are the pangs of the new birth.”
It is true also, that I then recollected what _P. Bohler_ had often said on this head, which was to this effect:
1. When a man has living faith in Christ, then he is justified:
2. This is always given in a moment:
3. And in that moment, he has peace with God:
4. Which he cannot have without knowing that he has it:
5. And being born of God he sinneth not:
6. Which deliverance from sin he cannot have without knowing that he has it.
21. I did not apprehend it possible, for any man living to have imagined, that I believed _both these accounts_: the words whereof I had purposely so ranged, and divided into short sentences, that the gross, irreconcileable difference between them, might be plain to the meanest reader. I cannot therefore but be a little surprised, at the strength of that prejudice, which could prevent any one’s seeing, that in opposition to the Count’s opinion (which in many respects I wholly disapproved of) I quoted the words of one of his own church, which, if true, overturn it altogether.
22. I have nothing to object to the quotations made in the 7th, 8th, and 9th sections. In the 10th are these words: “Now since Mr. ♦_Wesley_ went so far, to gather such materials together, let us see what was the _system_ (or rather the _medley_) of principles he had to return with to _England_.”
♦ “Westley” replaced with “Wesley”
_Of the_ Assurance _of justification_.
I believe that conversion is an instantaneous work. And that the moment a man is converted, or has living faith in Christ, he is justified. Which faith a man cannot have, without knowing that he hath it.
Yet I believe he may not know that he is justified (_i. e._ that he has living faith) till a long time after.
I believe also that the moment a man is justified, he has peace with God.
Which he cannot have without knowing that he has it.
“Yet I believe he may not know that he is justified (_i. e._ that he has peace with God) till a long time after.
“I believe when a man is justified, he is born of God.
“And being born of God he sinneth not.
“Which deliverance from sin he cannot have without knowing it.
“Yet I believe he may not know that he is justified (_i. e._ delivered from sin) till a long time after.
“Though I believe that others may know that he is justified by his power over sin, his seriousness, and love of the brethren.”
23. “_Of the_ Conditions _of justification_.