A Plain Account of Christian Perfection
Overview
This volume is John Wesley's most representative collection on Christian Perfection. "Now let this perfection appear in its native form, and who can speak one word against it? Will any dare to speak against loving the Lord our God with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves? Against a renewal of heart, not only in part, but in the whole image of God? Who is he that will open his mouth against being cleansed from all pollution both of flesh and spirit; or against having all the mind that was in Christ, and walking in all things as Christ walked? What man, who calls himself a Christian, has the hardiness to object to the devoting, not a part, but all our soul, body, and substance to God?" None of Wesley's statements on holiness is more comprehensive and representative than what he penned in A Plain Account of Christian Perfection in 1777. Wesley's call to love God with all of our being rings true more than two centuries later. About the Author John Wesley (1703-1791) was an eighteenth-century century Anglican evangelist and founder of the Wesleyan Tradition. He is also credited as the founder of the Methodist church. While at Oxford University, John and his brother Charles founded the "Holy Club" which was ascribed the epitaph "Methodists", because of their focus upon following rules when it came to personal conduct and religious observances. The Methodism movement under Wesley's direction, took the lead in many social justice issues of the day including prison reform and abolitionism movements. Wesley's strength as a theologian lay in his ability to combine seemingly contradicting theological views. Wesley is best known for his promotion of what he termed "Christian perfection," or holiness of heart and life. Wesley insisted that in this life, the Christian could come to a state where the love of God, or perfect love, reigned supreme in one's heart. The doctrines which Wesley revived, restated, and emphasized in his sermons and writings, are present personal salvation by faith, the witness of the Spirit, and sanctification.
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Top Highlights
“They are freed from self-will, as desiring nothing but the holy and perfect will of God; not supplies in want, not ease in pain,1 nor life, or death, or any creature; but continually crying in their Inmost soul, ‘Father, thy will be done.’ They are freed from evil thoughts, so that they cannot enter into them, no, not for a moment.” (source)
“But we do not know a single instance, in any place, of a person’s receiving, in one and the same moment, remission of sins, the abiding witness of the Spirit, and a new, a clean heart.” (source)
“They are in one sense freed from temptations; for though numberless temptations fly about them, yet they trouble them not.” (source)
“There is indeed an instantaneous, as well as a gradual, work of God in his children” (source)
“From that time a believer gradually dies to sin, and grows in grace” (source)
- Title: A Plain Account of Christian Perfection
- Author: John Wesley
- Publisher: Wordsearch
- Print Publication Date: 2000
- Logos Release Date: 2020
- Era: era:modern
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subject: Theology
- Resource ID: LLS:WS_01FFAFA33C3B4B8B92C4F1F8D1053FB7
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2021-09-29T22:16:38Z
John Wesley (1703–1791) is recognized as the founder of Methodism. An acclaimed preacher, Wesley traveled extensively on horseback and drew large crowds for his outdoor sermons. A contemporary of William Wilberforce, Wesley was a strong voice opposing slavery in England and the United States. His influence upon modern Christianity can be seen by the large number of Methodist organizations in the Wesleyan tradition all over the world.
Wesley attended Christ Church College in Oxford where he was a member of the small group known as the “Holy Group,” which also included George Whitefield and Charles Wesley. Wesley spent some time in America as a missionary.
Wesley has published over 200 books, many of which can be found in the John Wesley Collection (28 vols.), including his Explanatory Notes upon the Old and New Testaments, as well as essays, sermons, and more.