On Monday, June 25, 1744, our First Conference began; six Clergymen and all our Preachers being present. The next morning we seriously considered the doctrine of sanctification, or perfection. The questions asked concerning it, and the substance of the answers given, were as follows: —
QUESTION: What is it to be sanctified?
ANSWER: To be renewed in the image of God, ‘in righteousness and true holiness.’
Q: What is implied in being a perfect Christian?
A: The loving God with all our heart, and mind, and soul. (Deuteronomy 6:5.)
Q: Does this imply, that all inward sin is taken away?
A: Undoubtedly; or how can we be said to be ‘saved from all our uncleanliness?’ (Ezekiel 36:29.)”
Our Second Conference began August 1, 1745. The next morning we spoke of sanctification as follows: —
Q. When does inward sanctification begin?
A. In the moment a man is justified. (Yet sin remains in him, yea, the seed of all sin, till he is sanctified throughout.) From that time a believer gradually dies to sin, and grows in grace.
Q. Is this ordinarily given till a little before death?
A. It is not, to those who expect it no sooner.
Q. But may we expect it sooner?
A. Why not? For, although we grant,
(1.) What the generality of believers, whom we have hitherto known, were not so sanctified till near death;
(2.) That few of those to whom St. Paul wrote his Epistles were so at that time; nor,
(3.) He himself at the time of writing his former Epistles; yet all this does not prove, that we may not be so today.
Q. In what manner should we preach sanctification?
A. Scarce at all to those who are not pressing forward: To those who are, always by way of promise; always drawing, rather than driving.”
