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The John Wesley Reader On Christian Perfection. (The Jhn Wesley Christian Perfection Library)

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The major strength of this book is that Wesley's writings are placed in their chronological order so that the reader can discern patterns of development in Wesley's views covering his entire ministerial career. The book begins with excerpts from Wesley's first two sermons and ends with his last will and testimony in 1791. All of Wesley's writings are drawn from: sermons, journal, writings, letters, commentary notes.

The introductions are brief and cover historical context, major motifs and themes, and alert the reader to how each writing fits into the overall development of Wesley's perfection theology. But since the introductions are brief the reader is left to reflect and examine the significance of each writing within Wesley's overall theology.

Below are the chapter/writings in the table of contents:

The Early Period 1725-1738
Ars Moriendi 1725
Forgiveness & Assurance 1725
Seeking After Holiness 1730-31
The Circumcision of the Heart 1733
Preface to a Collection of Prayers 1733
One Thing Needful 1734
Holiness Defined 1734
The Trouble and Rest of Good Men 1735
Unwilling to Die 1735-36
A Single Intention 1736
Early Testimonies 1736
Who Will Deliver Me? 1737-38

The Aldersgate Period 1738
A Perfect Faith Needed 2/1/38
A New Gospel Embraced 2-4/38
My Heart Strangely Warmed 5/24/38
Salvation By Faith 6/11/38
Victory Over Sin 10/38
Perfection in the New Birth 12/38

The Middle Period: Part One 1738-1755
Struggles Over Assurance 6/38
Living Proofs 7/38
Christian David's Testimony 8/38
Falling Short 10/38-1/39
Degrees of Regeneration 1/39
The Kingdom Within 2/39
Key Doctrines Clarified 1739-40
A Second Work of Grace 1740
Stages of Growth 1740
Christian Perfection 1741
Biblical Promises 1747
Biblical Expositions 1755

The Middle Period: Part Two 1756-1767
Letter to William Dodd 1756
Perfection in an Instant 1757-58
Thoughts on Christian Perfection 1759
Wandering Thoughts 1760
Clarifying Perfection 1760-62
Perfection Distorted 1762
On Sin in Believers 1763
The Scripture Way of Salvation 1765
Humble, Gentle, Patient Love 1767
The Repentance of Believers 1767

The Late Period 1768-1791
The Imperfection of Perfection 1772
Pressing on to Perfection 1771-84
On Perfection 1784
On Working Out Our Own Salvation 1785
Instantaneous & Gradual Perfection 1785-86
Degrees of Faith 1788
Counsel for One Made Perfect 1787-1790
On The Wedding Garment 1790
Ars Moriendi Perfected 1791