In 1744, more than six years subsequent to that blessed experience at
Aldersgate, Mr. Wesley relates another experience which we must not
overlook. It is related in these words: "In the evening while I was
reading prayers at Snowfield I found such light and strength as I never
remember to have had before. I saw every thought, as well as action or
word, just as it was rising in my heart, and whether it was right before
God or tainted with pride or selfishness. I never knew before--I mean
not at this time--what it was to be still before God. I waked the next
morning by the grace of God in the same spirit; and about eight, being
with two or three that believed in Jesus, I felt such an awe and tender
sense of the presence of God as greatly confirmed me therein; so that
God was before me all the day long. I sought and found him in every
place, and could truly say, when I lay down at night, 'Now I have lived
to-day.'"
In 1771, referring to this experience, he says: "Many years since I saw
that 'without holiness no man shall see the Lord.' I began by following
after it, and inciting all with whom I had any intercourse to do the
same. Ten years after God gave me a clearer view than I had before of
the way how to attain it; namely, by faith in the Son of God. And
immediately I declared to all, 'We are saved from sin, we are made holy,
by faith. _This I testified in private, in public, in print_; and God
confirmed it by a _thousand witnesses_. I have continued to declare this
for about thirty years; and God has continued to confirm the work of
grace."
These experiences flamed out in his whole life. He claimed that he knew
whereof he affirmed. While he advocated strongly the doctrines of
Christianity, he was most earnest in promoting the experience of
personal holiness.
A question has been propounded here eliciting much controversy, namely,
"Did Mr. Wesley ever profess to have experienced the blessing of entire
sanctification?" It does not appear to us to be a question of as much
importance as many seem to imagine. The more important question is: Did
Mr. Wesley believe and teach that such an experience was possible in
this life? Did he encourage his people to seek such a blessing, and,
when obtained, profess it in a humble spirit? This question among others
was submitted to Dr. James M. Buckley: "Have we any record of Mr.
Wesley's professing to be entirely sanctified; if so, where may it be
found?" His answer will be regarded as entirely satisfactory to all
unprejudiced minds.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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