Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/260

 that the salvation which is here spoken of, might be extended to the entire work of God, from the first dawning of grace in the soul, 'till it is consumated in glory.

2. If we take this in its utmost extent, it will include all that is wrought in the soul, by what is frequently termed, natural conscience, but more properly, preventing grace: all the drawings of the Father: the desires after God, which, if we yield to them, increase more and more: all that light, wherewith the Son of God ''inlighteneth every one that cometh into the world, shewing'' every man, ''to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God: all the convictions'' which his Spirit, from time to time, works in every child of man. Although, it is true, the generality of men stifle them as soon as possible; and after awhile forget, or at least deny, that ever they had them at all.

3. But we are at present concerned only with that salvation, which the apostle is directly speaking of. And this consists of two general parts, justification and sanctification.

Justification is another word for pardon. It is the forgiveness of all our sins, and (what is necessarily implied therein) our acceptance with God. The price whereby this hath been procured for us, (commonly termed the meritorious cause of our justification) is the blood and righteousness of Christ, or (to express it a little more clearly) all that Christ hath done and suffered for us, 'till