WHAT IS ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION?

Mr. Wesley variously, but clearly, answers this question. It "does not imply an exemption either from ignorance, or mistake, or infirmities, or temptations. Indeed, it is only another term for holiness." -- Vol. 1. p. 358. It is "the loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. This implies that no wrong temper, none contrary to love, remains in the soul; and that all the thoughts, words, and actions are governed by pure love." -- Vol. 6, p. 500. "It is nothing higher, and nothing lower than this -- the pure love of God and man. It is love governing the heart and life, running through all our tempers, words, and actions." -- Vol. 6, p. 502. "The essence of Christian holiness is simplicity and purity, one design, one desire-entire devotion to God." -- Vol. 6, p.774. He defines it as experienced: "Many have (in 1761, at London) and many do daily experience an unspeakable change. After being deeply convinced of inbred sin, particularly of pride, anger, self-will, and unbelief, in a moment they feel all faith and love: no pride, no self-will, or anger: and from that moment they have continual fellowship with God, always rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks." -- Vol. 4, p. 111. "Till this universal change was wrought in his soul, all his holiness was mixed. He was humble, but not entirely; his humility was mixed with pride; he was meek, but his meekness was frequently interrupted by anger, or some uneasy or turbulent passion. His love of God was frequently damped by the love of some creature; the love of his neighbor by evil surmising, or some thought, if not temper, contrary to love. His will was not wholly melted down into the will of God: now and then nature rebelled, and he could not clearly say, 'Lord, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.' His whole soul is now consistent with itself; there is no jarring string. All his passions flow in a continual stream with an even tenor to God. There is no mixture of any contrary affections; all is peace and harmony. After being filled with love, there is no more interruption of it than of the beating of his heart; and continual love bringing continual joy in the Lord, he rejoices evermore. And as he now loves God with all his heart, so Jesus now reigns alone in his heart, the Lord of every motion there." -- Vol. 2, p.222. Rapturous joy, such as is frequently given in the beginning of justification, or of entire sanctification, is a great blessing; but it seldom continues long before it subsides into calm, peaceful love." -- Vol. 7, p. 46. And to aid n judging whether we have attained it, he observes: "Not that 'to feel all love and no sin' is sufficient proof. Several have experienced this for a time before their souls were fully renewed. None, therefore, ought to believe that the work is done till there is added the testimony of the Spirit, witnessing his entire sanctification, as clearly as his justification." -- Vol. 6, p. 505.