Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/261

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

he poured out his soul for the transgressors. The immediate effects of justification are, the peace of God, a peace that passeth all understanding, and a rejoicing in hope of the glory of God, with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

4. And at the same time that we are justified, yea in that very moment, sanctification begins. In that instant, we are born again, born from above, born of the Spirit. There is a real as well as a relative change. We are inwardly renewed by the power of God. We feel the love of God shed abroad in our heart, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us, producing love to all mankind, and more especially to the children of God: expelling the love of the world, the love of pleasure, of ease, of honour, of money: together with pride, anger, self-will, and every other evil temper: in a word, changing the earthly, sensual, devilish mind, into the mind which was in Christ Jesus.

5. How naturally do those who experience such a change, imagine that all sin is gone? That it is utterly rooted out of their heart, and has no more any place therein? How easily do they draw that inference, "I feel no sin: therefore I have none." It does not stir; therefore it does not exist: it has no motion; therefore it has no being.

6. But it is seldom long, before they are undeceived, finding sin was only suspended, not destroyed. Temptations return and sin revives, shewing it was but stunned before, not