The following is from a Methodist pamphlet, published in 1769; reproduced in Wesley's Standard Sermons, Sermon 43:
1. There is such a thing as Christian perfection, for it is mentioned again and again in Scripture
2. It follows justification, for we go on to perfection (Hebrew 6:1)
3. It is not at or after death, for Paul speaks of living people as perfect (Philippians 3:15)
4. It is not absolute. Neither angels or men are absolutely perfect, absolute perfection belongs only to God
5. It does not make us infallible. No one is infallible as long as we are in the body
6. It is perfect love. 1 John 4:18. Its properties and fruit are rejoicing evermore, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving thanks-- 1 Thesalonians 5:16
7. It is improvable. The one perfected in love may grow in grace more quickly than before
8. It is capable of being lost
9. It is preceded and followed by a gradual work [note: this is to say we should be coming closer and closer to God's perfect love. And when we have it, we keep growing in that love]
10. In some it is an instantaneous work; in others it is hard to tell when it came about in them.
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