Paul  as  Avhen  he  learned  from  him,  almost  in  the  words  of
the  Article  itself,  that  "  Ave  are  justified  by  faith  only ;"  and
that  this  is  "a  most  Avholesome  doctrine."  For  the  joyous
change  of  Mr.  Wesley's  feelings,  upon  his  persuasion  of
his  personal  interest  in  Christ  through  faith,  those  persons
atIio  like  Dr.  Southey,  {Life  of  Wesley,)  have  bestoAved
upon  it  several  philosophic  solutions,  might  have  found  a
better  reason  had  they  either  consulted  St.  Paul,  who  says,
"  We  joy  in  God,  by  whom  Ave  have  received  the  recon-
ciliation," or  their  oAvn  Church,  Avhich  has  emphatically
declared  that  the  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith  is  not
only  very  wholesome,  but  also  "  very  full  of  comfort  "


CHAPTER  V.
From  this  time  Mr.  Wesley  commenced  that  laborious
and  glorious  ministry,  which  directly  or  indirectly  Avas
made  the  instrument  of  the  salvation  of  a  multitude,  not  to
be  numbered  till  "  the  day  Avhich  shall  make  all  things
manifest."  That  Avhich  he  had  experienced  he  preached
to  others,  Avith  the  confidence  of  one  Avho  had  "  the  Avit-
ness  in  himself;"  and  with  a  fulness  of  sympathy  for  all
Avho  wandered  in  paths  of  darkness  and  distress,  Avhich
could  not  but  be  inspired  by  the  recollection  of  his  own
former  perplexities.
At  this  period  the  religious  and  moral  state  of  the  nation
was  such  as  to  give  the  most  serious  concern  to  the  feAV
remaining  faithful.  There  is  no  need  to  draAV  a  picture
darker  than  the  truth,  to  add  importance*  to  the  labours  of
the  tAvo  Wesleys,  Mr.  Whiteficld,  and  their  associates.
The  vieAv  here  taken  has  often  been  drawn  by  pens  un-
connected Avith  and  hostile  to  Methodism.
