Q.
What is reasonable proof? How may we certainly know one that is saved from all
sin?
A. We
cannot infallibly know one that is thus saved (no, nor even one that is
justified), unless it should please God to endow us with the miraculous
discernment of spirits. But we apprehend these would be sufficient proofs
to any reasonable man, and such as would leave little room to doubt, either the
truth or depth of the work: (a) If we had clear evidence of his exemplary behavior,
for some time before this supposed change. This would give us reason to believe
he would not lie for God, but speak neither more nor less than he felt.
(b) If he gave a distinct account of the time and manner wherein the change was
wrought, with sound speech which could not be reproved. And (c) if it appeared
that all his subsequent words and actions were holy and unblamable. (John
Wesley, “A Plain Account of Christian Perfection,” in John and Charles
Wesley: Selected Prayers, Hymns, Journal Notes, Letters and Treatises, ed.
Frank Wahling [The Classics of Western Spirituality; Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist
Press, 1981], 331, emphasis in bold added)
