tion, they received this truth, and were qualified to preach it to all men, out of the fulness of a heart purified by faith from its guilt and natural corruption. For the long space of ten years had Charles been labouring after holiness, without attaining to it; and for the longer space of twelve or thirteen years had John been engaged in the same pursuit, and with the same want of success. They were still in the state which is described in the seventh chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. They were "carnal, and sold under sin." Their struggles to get free from it were powerless and unavailing; so that, after a thousand resolutions and efforts, they could only lament, in the bitterness of disappointed hope, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Now they were translated from the legal to the evangelical state; and could testify with the Apostle, "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." "Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." "Whom, having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." Their friend the Rev. John Gambold, Incumbent of Stanton-Harcourt, and one of their Oxford companions, received the truth at the same time, and through the same instrumentality. Like them, he had long been wandering in the labyrinths of Mysticism, wearying himself for verý vanity; and on emerging into light, he appositely denominated the evangelical method of justification by faith, "the sinner's short way to God." Next to the study of the holy Scriptures, the Wesleys were established in the truth by reading the Homilies of the Church of England. They wondered, as well they might, that they had so long overlooked the obvious meaning of their own formularies. While the doctrine of present salva tion from the guilt and power of sin, by faith in the Lord Jesus, meets the wants of fallen man, and is thus of universal application, it is the most effectual antidote to Popery; and in this light it was regarded by all the Protestant Reformers. Against the advocates of this vital truth, therefore, the Papal Council of Trent levelled its bitterest anathemas; and the same important tenet is now assailed by misrepresentation and unmeaning verbiage by the men who are attempting to revive the dogmas of Romanism in the Church of England, and to supersede the scriptural theology of the Reformation.* • Allusion is here especially intended to Dr. Pusey's Letter to the Bishop of Oxford, and Mr. Newman's Lectures on Justification. The first of these publications contains such misstatements concerning the Wesleyan tenets as it is hard to reconcile with honesty of purpose. As to many passages in the latter of these works, conjectures may indeed be formed respecting their import; but what the author really intended to teach, on the all-important subject of justification before God, it would be difficult to decide. It cannot be here said that the trumpet does not give an uncertain sound. Like the true Theologues of the Roman school, the author "Leads to bewilder, and dazzles to blind." CHAPTER V. THE day on which Mr. Charles Wesley came to Christ, weary and heavy laden, and found rest to his soul, was unquestionably the most important period of his existence. He then felt that he passed from death unto life. His spiritual enjoyments now began, in all their richness and depth; and he entered upon a course of ministerial usefulness, of which, up to this period, he had no conception. It is easy to trace, in his subsequent spirit and practice, all the scriptural marks of a renewed nature. His conscience was exceedingly tender. He watched the workings of his heart with unremitting care, fearful lest he should sin against God, by pride, or any other evil temper. The means of grace were his delight; for in the use of them he enjoyed communion with God. Before the end of the month his health was so far improved, that he was able to go abroad; and he was then every day an attendant at church, where he received the Lord's supper at every opportunity. He appears indeed to have still communicated with his friends almost daily. The Bible was his constant companion. He read it, and meditated upon it, day and night. In consequence of his long and severe afflictions, he was, as yet, unable to address large congregations in public; but, like the Apostles at Jerusalem, daily, and in every house," where he could gain access, "he ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." In private companies, where many resorted to him, he read the Scriptures, sang hymns, related his religious experience, and urged upon all the duty and privilege of an immediate application to Christ, in faith, for pardon, and peace, and holiness. Never did he forget the bright and joyous days, and months, and years, which followed his espousal to Christ; and every remembrance of them was refreshing to his heart. The most perfect picture of his feelings and character at this period is that which was drawn many years afterwards by his own inimitable hand. It was not under the mere influence of a lively and poetic imagination, but of deep and holy feeling, that he thus sang : : How happy are they Who the Saviour obey, Tongue cannot express The sweet comfort and peace That comfort was mine, When the favour divine When my heart it believed, What a joy I received, 'Twas a heaven below My Saviour to know; Than fall at his feet, And the story repeat, And the Lover of sinners adore. Jesus all the day long Was my joy and my song; O that all his salvation might see! "He hath loved me," I cried, "He hath suffer'd and died, To redeem such a rebel as me!" On the wings of his love I was carried above I could not believe, That I ever should grieve, I rode on the sky, Freely justified I! My soul mounted higher, In a chariot of fire, O the rapturous height Of that holy delight, Of my Saviour possess'd, I was perfectly bless'd, A few extracts from his journal will best show the spirit by which he was actuated; the manner in which he spent his time; the opposition which he had to encounter; the success with which his efforts to convert others were crowned; and the unction from God which rested upon the people around him. Among other persons who received spiritual benefit from his instrumentality at this time, were the learned Mr. Ainsworth, already mentioned; Mr. Piers, the Vicar of Bexley; Mr. John Byrom, the poet of Manchester, author of a system of short-hand, who was a member of the University of Cambridge; and different members of the 66 May 24th. I was much pleased to-day at the sight of Mr. Ainsworth; a little child, full of grief, and fears, and love. At our repeating the line of the hymn, 'Now descend and shake the earth,' he fell down, as in an agony. "May 26th. We joined this morning in supplication for the poor malefactors, while passing to execution; and in the sacrament commended their souls to Christ. The great comfort we found therein made us confidently hope, some of them were received as the penitent thief at the last hour. I dined with great liberty of spirit, being amazed to find my old enemy, Intemperance, so suddenly subdued, that I have almost forgot I was ever in bondage to him. "May 27th. I felt a motion of anger from a trifling disappointment; but it was no sooner felt than conquered. "June 3d. In the evening Mr. Brown, Holland, and others, called. I was very averse to coming among them; but forced myself to it, and spent two or three hours in singing, reading, and prayer. This exercise a little revived me, and I found myself much assisted to pray. We asked particularly, that, if it was the will of God, some one might now receive the atonement. While I was yet speaking the words, Mr. Brown found power to believe. He rose, and told me, my prayer was heard, and answered in him. We were all full of joy and thanksgiving. Before we parted, I prayed with Mr. Brown, and praised God, to the great confirmation of my faith. The weight was quite taken off. found power to pray with great earnestness. "June 5th. I waked thankful, with power to pray and praise. I had peace at the sacrament, and some attention in public prayer. In the afternoon I met Mrs. Sims, with Mr. and Mrs. Burton, at Islington. He told me God had given him faith while I was praying the last night; but he thought it would do hurt to declare it then. Upon finding his heart would give him some burn within him, he desired God 1 exple de ce gredice!. едче, |