Letter from John Wesley to Isaac Andrews, January 4, 1784

In this letter, John Wesley teaches Isaac Andrews (fl. 1780–1790) one of the hallmark doctrines of the Methodist movement: prevenient grace.

My dear brother After all I can say, you will not conceive what I mean unless the Holy Spirit open your understanding. Undoubtedly faith is the work of God; and yet it is the duty of man to believe. And every man may believe if he will, though not when he will. If he seek faith in the appointed ways, sooner or later, the power of the Lord will be present whereby, 1. God works, and by his power, 2. Man believes. In order of thinking, God’s working goes first. But not in order of time. Believing is the act of the human mind, strengthened by the power of God.

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John Wesley Letters
Letter from John Wesley to Isaac Andrews, January 4, 1784