Wesley Becomes A Man of One Book

In 1727 I read Mr. Law’s “Christian Perfection,” and “Serious Call,” and more explicitly resolved to be all devoted to God, in body, soul, and spirit. In 1730 1 began to be homo unius libri [a man of one book]; (1) to study (comparatively) no book but the Bible. I then saw, in a stronger light than ever before, that only one thing is needful, even faith that worketh by the love of God and man, all inward and outward holiness; and I groaned to love God with all my heart, and to serve Him with all my strength.

Journal, 3.213

Notice here the profound influence reading Scripture had on Wesley’s conception of Christian perfection.