6. Before I proceed, suffer me to observe, here are three grievous errors, charged on the _Moravians_, Mr. _Whitefield_ and me conjointly, in none of which I am any more concerned, than in the doctrine of the Metempsychosis! But it was _not needful to charge particular tenets on particular persons_. Just as needful, my lord, as it is not to put a stumbling-block in the way of our brethren: not to lay them under an almost insuperable temptation, of condemning the innocent with the guilty. I beseech your lordship to answer in your own conscience before God, whether you did not foresee how many of your hearers would charge these tenets upon _me_? Nay, whether you did not design they should? If so, my lord, is this Christianity? Is it humanity? Let me speak plain. Is it honest heathenism?
7. I am not one jot more concerned in instantaneous justification, as your lordship explains it, viz. _A sudden instantaneous justification, by which the person receives from_ God, _a certain seal of his salvation, or absolute_ assurance _of being saved at last_, page 11. _Such an instantaneous working of the Holy Spirit, as finishes the business of salvation once for all_, ibid. I neither teach nor believe ♦it, and am therefore clear of all the consequences that may arise therefrom. I believe, _a gradual improvement in grace and goodness_, I mean, in the knowledge and love of God, is a good _testimony of our present sincerity towards_ God: although I dare not say, it is _the only true ground of humble assurance_, or the only foundation on which a Christian builds his _hopes of acceptance and salvation_. For I think _other foundation_ of these _can no man lay, than that which is laid, even_ Jesus Christ.
♦ add omitted word “it” per Errata
8. To the charge of holding _sinless perfection_ as your lordship states it, I might likewise plead, not guilty: seeing one ingredient thereof, in your lordship’s account, is _freedom from temptation_, page 17. Whereas I believe, “there is no such perfection in this life, as implies an entire deliverance from manifold temptations.” But I will not decline the charge. I will repeat once more my coolest thoughts upon this head; and that in the very terms which I did several years ago, as I presume your lordship cannot be ignorant.
“What, it may be asked, do you mean _by one that is perfect_, or, _one that is as his master_? We mean, one in whom is _the mind which was in_ Christ, and who _so walketh as he walked_; a man that _hath clean hands and a pure heart_; or that is _cleansed from all filthiness of flesh and spirit_: one _in whom there is no occasion of stumbling_, and who accordingly _doth not commit sin_. To declare this a little more particularly, we understand by that scriptural expression, _a perfect man_, one in whom God hath fulfilled his faithful word, _from all your filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse you――――I will also save you from all your uncleanness_. We understand hereby, one whom God hath _sanctified throughout_, even in _body, soul and spirit_: one who _walketh in the light, as he is in the light_, in whom _is no darkness at all; the blood of_ Jesus Christ _his Son_ having _cleansed him from all sin_.”
“This man can now testify to all mankind, _I am crucified with_ Christ; _nevertheless I live; yet I live not; but_ Christ _liveth in me_. He _is holy, as_ God _who called him is holy_, both in life, and _in all manner of conversation_. He _loveth the_ Lord _his_ God _with all his heart, and serveth him with all his strength_. He _loveth his neighbour_ (every man) _as himself_; yea, _as_ Christ _loved us_: them in particular that _despitefully use him and persecute him_, because _they know not the Son, neither the Father_. Indeed his soul is all love, filled with _bowels of mercies, kindness, meekness, gentleness, long-suffering_. And his life agreeth thereto, full _of the work of faith, the patience of hope, the labour of love_. And _whatsoever he doth, either in word or deed_, he doth _it all in the name_, in the love and power _of the_ Lord Jesus. In a word, he doth the will of God _on earth, as it is done in heaven_.”
“This is to be _a perfect man_, to be _sanctified throughout, created anew in_ Jesus Christ: even ‘to have a heart so all-flaming with the love of God,’ (to use archbishop _Usher_’s words,) ‘as continually to offer up every thought, word, and work, as a spiritual sacrifice, acceptable unto God through Christ.’ In every thought of our hearts, in every word of our tongues, in every work of our hands, _to shew forth his praise who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light_. O that both we, and all who seek the Lord Jesus in sincerity, may thus _be made perfect in one_.”