Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/265

 3. "But is this the faith of assurance, or faith of adherence?" The scripture mentions no such distinction. The apostle says, ''There is one faith, and one hope of our calling'', one Christian, saving faith, as there is one Lord, in whom we believe, and one God and Father of us all. And it is certain, this faith necessarily implies an assurance (which is here only another word for evidence, it being hard to tell the difference between them) that Christ loved me, and gave himself for me. For he that believeth, with the true, living faith, hath the witness in himself. ''The Spirit witnesseth with his spirit, that he is a child of God.'' Because he is a Son, ''God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into his heart, crying Abba, Father'': giving him an assurance that he is so, and a child-like confidence in him. But let it be observed, that, in the very nature of the thing, the assurance goes before the confidence. For a man cannot have a child-like confidence in God, till he knows, he is a child of God. Therefore confidence, trust, reliance, adherence, or whatever else it be called, is not the first, as some have supposed, but the second branch or act of faith.

4. It is by this faith we are saved, justified and sanctified, taking that word in its highest sense. But how are we justified and sanctified by faith? This is our third head of enquiry. And this being the main point in question, and a point of no ordinary importance, it will not be improper, to