“REVEREND SIR,—You and I the more easily bear with each other, because we are both of us _rapid_ writers, and, therefore, the more liable to mistake. I will thank you for showing me any mistake I am in; being not so tenacious of my opinions now, as I was twenty or thirty years ago. Indeed, I am not fond of any opinion as such. I read the Bible with what attention I can, and regulate all my opinions thereby, to the best of my understanding. But I am always willing to receive more light: particularly with regard to any less common opinions; because the explaining and defending them takes up much time, which I can ill spare from other employments. Whoever, therefore, will give me more light with regard to Christian perfection, will do me a singular favour. The opinion I have concerning it, at present, I espouse merely because I think it is scriptural; if, therefore, I am convinced it is not scriptural, I shall willingly relinquish it. I have no particular fondness for the term. It seldom occurs either in my preaching or writings. It is my opponents who thrust it upon me continually, and ask me what I mean by it. “That the term ‘perfection’ is a scriptural term, is undeniable. Therefore, none ought to object to the use of the _term_, whatever they may do to this or that _application_ of it. I still think, that perfection is only another term for holiness, or the image of God in man. God _made man perfect_, I think, is just the same as He made him _holy_, or in _His own image_. You are the very first person I ever read of or spoke with, who made any doubt of it. Now _this perfection_ does certainly admit of degrees. Therefore, I readily allow the propriety of that distinction, perfection of kinds, and perfection of degrees. Nor do I remember one writer, ancient or modern, who excepts against it. “I never meant any _more_ by perfection than the loving God with all our heart, and serving Him with all our strength. But I dare not say _less_ than this. For it might be attended with worse consequences than you seem to be aware of. If there be a mistake, it is far more dangerous on the one side than on the other. If I set the mark too high, I drive men into needless fears: if you set it too low, you drive them into hell fire.