An Account of Christian Perfection

This tract, revised and expanded between 1725 and 1777, contains, according to the author, “a plain and distinct account of the steps by which I was led, during a course of many years, to embrace the doctrine of Christian perfection.” This important and difficult issue, central to Wesley's thought, clearly developed and matured over time – in some ways mirroring his spiritual growth, and indeed that of any believer. Perfection is described as the culmination of sanctifying grace, where love is purified of all secondary motives, continually progressing, all unto and toward the glory of God. The work concludes with a series of “Brief Thoughts on Christian Perfection”, written in 1767.