divine favor," arrived at the still more hideous conclusion that "the
wicked actions they commit are not really sinful, nor to be considered as
instances of their violation of the divine law, and that consequently they
have no occasion either to confess their sins or to break them off by
repentance."(377) Therefore, they declared that even one of the vilest of
sins, "considered universally an enormous violation of the divine law, is
not a sin in the sight of God," if committed by one of the elect, "because
it is one of the essential and distinctive characteristics of the elect,
that they cannot do anything that is either displeasing to God or
prohibited by the law."

These monstrous doctrines are essentially the same as the later teaching
of popular educators and theologians,--that there is no unchangeable divine
law as the standard of right, but that the standard of morality is
indicated by society itself, and has constantly been subject to change.
All these ideas are inspired by the same master-spirit,--by him who, even
among the sinless inhabitants of heaven, began his work of seeking to
break down the righteous restraints of the law of God.

The doctrine of the divine decrees, unalterably fixing the character of
men, had led many to a virtual rejection of the law of God. Wesley
steadfastly opposed the errors of the Antinomian teachers, and showed that
this doctrine which led to Antinomianism was contrary to the Scriptures.
"The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to _all men_."
"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will
have _all men_ to be saved; and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for _all_."(378) The Spirit of God is
freely bestowed, to enable every man to lay hold upon the means of
salvation. Thus Christ, "the true Light," "lighteth every man that cometh
into the world."(379) Men fail of salvation through their own wilful
refusal of the gift of life.

In answer to the claim that at the death of Christ the precepts of the
decalogue had been abolished with the ceremonial law, Wesley said: "The
moral law, contained in the ten commandments and enforced by the prophets,
He did not take away. It was not the design of His coming to revoke any
part of this. This is a law which never can be broken, which 'stands fast
as the faithful witness in heaven.' ... This w