A Plain Account of Christian Perfection

The doctrine of entire sanctification, perfect love, full salvation, or Christian perfection was Wesley’s most distinctive and misunderstood teaching. He found it necessary to guard the teaching from both fanaticism and skepticism. In 1766 he published A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, as Believed and Taught by the Rev. Mr. John Wesley, From the Year 1725 to the Year 1765. It contained extracts from his prior publications on the subject.

The descriptive term plain in the title reflected Wesley’s commitment to “plain truth for plain people.” Some have complained, however, that he was anything but plain. Part of the problem is that 250 years have passed since his plain account was written. Anyone who takes the time to read and reflect on what he wrote, however, will find an apology, a logical defense, of the doctrine of Christian holiness.  Wesley’s appeal to Scripture is supported by reason, tradition, and experience. It is both Scriptural and pastoral, theological and devotional. It contains logic and personal testimony.

This edition has been meticulously corrected to the Fifth Edition (1783) and is not a facsimile of a used book. It has been carefully typeset and proofread for accuracy and for easier reading by today’s readers.