Wesley Corpus

that we may be able to stand in the day of temptation, and having done all to stand. Again we are cautioned, " that he that thinketh he standeth should take heed lest he fall," and commanded to work out our salva tion with fear and trembling. Now to what end are all these monitions, this care and fear enjoined, unless there be some imminent dan ger ? Why should we take to ourselves the armour of God" were there no liability of our being conquered by the enemies ofour salvation ? Why take heed to our steps if there was no danger of falling ? Were the crown of glory already in our hands, our labours must needs be at an end we are expressly told that our life must be a constant endeavour, that we must daily strive against sin, and sedulously watch against all the assaults of our enemy ; and therefore, it may be concluded, that we have not " apprehended" or attained the reward of our labour, or acquired the utmost degree of grace and Christian perfection from which we never can be shaken or removed, till we leave these tabernacles of clay. The great apostle St. Paul thought himself Obliged tb press forward towards the mark of his high calling ; arid it'woilld be the greatest pre sumption of, Us tb imagine We had arrived at a height of security which precluded the vigi lance which this eminent saint so earnestly en joins : if notwithstanding the zeal, the activity, the abundance of revelations, bestowed upon this favoured disciple of Christ, he deemed it indispensable to work out his salvation with fear and trembling, much more reason have We not to be high-minded but fear. I know there are some who hold it as an unquestion able tenet of religion, that "grace once re ceived never carl be forfeited." But this finistake has arisen from mixing metaphysics with diviriity, and admitting every one's private opinion as a rule of faith. When men began to dispate concerning grace and free-will without understanding' wherein either the one or the' other consisted, it is not extraordinary that difficulties should arise which reason was un able to solve ; and that schism and heresy were introduced into the church of Christ, by turn ing points of philosophy into religious disputes, and making the quirks and quibbles of school