2 John 1 :1-4
The Presbyter to the chosen Lady and to her children whom I love in truth—and not only I but also all who know the truth—2. because of the truth that dwells in us and will be with us forever. 3. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son in truth and love. 4. I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth just as we were commanded by the Father. - 2 John 1: 1-4
.... So that, if a man only abstains from doing evil in order to avoid punishment, Non pasces in cruce corvos, [Thou shalt not be hanged.], saith the Pagan; there, "thou hast thy reward." But even he will not allow such a harmless man as this to be so much as a good heathen. If, then, any man, from the same motive, viz., to avoid punishment, to avoid the loss of his friends, or his gain, or his reputation, should not only abstain from doing evil, but also do ever so much good; yea, and use all the means of grace; yet we could not with any propriety say, this man is even almost a Christian. If he has no better principle in his heart, he is only a hypocrite altogether.
- Dr. John Wesley
