A Presentation of Perfection - Media Sabda Org

Like John Wesley, Clarke was a consistent promoter of the experience of holiness. However; there
are at least three ways in which Clarke approached the doctrine of holiness differently from Wesley
First, Clarke thought there should have been more emphasis put on the fact that sanctification was
wrought in the heart instantaneously. "In fact, the instantaneous is the only method he recognizes as
scriptural. Unlike Wesley and Fletcher he rules out altogether the idea of gradual attainment," [12]
notes Peters. Secondly, Clarke dogmatically proclaimed the experience of holiness was obtainable
in this life on earth. Wesley wanted to find out if others had received the blessing before he preached
about it, whereas Clarke said he would preach about it and live it even if no one else ever claimed
the experience of holiness. Thirdly, Clarke left a written emphatic testimony to his personal holiness
experience, whereas Wesley did not. Other than these items, Clarke was faithful to expound the
doctrine of holiness as proclaimed by Wesley and, ultimately, by Scripture.
Richard Watson
Watson, a few years younger than Clarke, is also remembered as an influential early Methodist
theologian. This scholar is known as the first person to systematize the theology of Methodism. His
best known work is Theological Institutes. At least two things are noteworthy about Watson and his
teaching of sanctification. In the first place, he held a high view of the work that takes place in
regeneration. Watson emphasized that one must really be saved before he can receive the second
work of grace. Secondly, he often spoke of a person "gradually" experiencing sanctification. Peters
has said,
Moreover, while Clarke was tending to move to the left of the standard set by Wesley
and Fletcher (by his emphasis on the instantaneous), Watson was moving to the right
(by his emphasis on the gradual). [13]
William Pope
William Pope is best known for his three-volume work entitled Compendium of Christian
Theology published in 1875. In this work Pope quotes extensively from Wesley's Plain Account of
Christian Perfection. Later Pope wrote another book, Higher Catechism of Theology. In this volume
he gave more of his own view about Christian Perfection and summarizes and simplifies the
Compendium of Christian Theology. William Greathouse has pointed out:
What Pope wishes to make most clear about the Wesleyan view is given under the
heading "cardinal teaching." And this is that perfection is solely the Spirit's work in
the believer; but implies his most strenuous cooperation: as to the former, it is
received merely by faith and hence may be given instantaneously, in a moment; as
to the latter, this is a gradual work, both preceding and following that instant. [14]
It is evident that Pope believed in both the instantaneous and gradual aspects of Christian
Perfection.
There was one point upon which Pope is controversial among holiness theologians. "A distinct
assurance, connected with the moment of final deliverance from sin, and as it were apart from the