But in process of time, when 'the love of many waxed cold,' some began to mistake the means for the end, and to place religion rather in doing those outward works, than in a heart renewed after the image of God. Their constant practice set this beyond all dispute for so long as 'all that believed were together, and had all things common,' (Acts 2:44,) 'they continued steadfastly in the teaching of the Apostles, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.' (Acts 2:42.)Ģ. But are there any ordinances now, since life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel Are there, under the Christian dispensation, any means ordained of God, as the usual channels of his grace This question could never have been proposed in the apostolical church, unless by one who openly avowed himself to be a Heathen the whole body of Christians being agreed, that Christ had ordained certain outward means, for conveying his grace into the souls of men. 'Ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.' Mal.

The Sermons of John Wesley - Sermon 16 The Means of Grace

What are the means of grace