The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption · §6 · John Wesley

Natural, legal, and under grace

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One who is in the first state of mind, without fear or love, is in Scripture called a natural man. One who is under the spirit of bondage and fear is sometimes said to be under the law, although that expression more frequently means one who is under the Jewish dispensation, or who thinks himself obliged to observe all the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish law. But one who has exchanged the spirit of fear for the Spirit of love is properly said to be under grace.

Now because it matters greatly to us to know what spirit we are of, I shall endeavor to point out distinctly, first, the state of a natural man, secondly, the state of one who is under the law, and thirdly, the state of one who is under grace.

1771 text

5. One who is in the first state of mind, without fear or love, is in scripture term’d a natural man. One who is under the spirit of bondage and fear is sometimes said to be under the law: (altho’ that expression more frequently signifies one, who is under the Jewish dispensation, or who thinks himself obliged to observe all the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish law.) But one who has exchanged the spirit of fear for the Spirit of love, is properly said, to be under grace.

Now because it highly imports us, to know what spirit we are of, I shall endeavour to point out distinctly, first, The state of a natural man, secondly, That of one who is under the law, and thirdly, of one who is under grace.

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About this text

On Romans 8:15: three states of the soul, the natural man asleep, the man under the law in fear, and the child of God set free.

EditionPrinted in Wesley's 1771 Works, which do not say when he preached it

Wesley's own sermon in updated English wording. The 1771 panel is the text of the Works Wesley himself had printed in 1771. It is public domain.

Reference

Sermon 9 in the 1771 Works. Romans 8:15.

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