to disavow, believing such principles repugnant to Scripture and the whole plan of salvation under the new covenant.  In union with all Protestant and Reformed Churches we hold faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ for the sinner’s justification, sanctification, righteousness, and complete redemption.  And that He, the only wise God, our Saviour, is the First and Last, the Author and Finisher, the Beginning and the End of man’s salvation:  wholly by the sacrifice of Himself to complete and perfect all those who believe.  And that under this covenant of free grace for man He does grant repentance, remission of sins, and meetness for glory, for the full and true salvation to eternal life; and that all called good works are alike the act of His free grace....  We mean to enter into no controversy on the subject; but, separated from all party bigotry, and all personal prejudice to Mr. Wesley, the Conference, or his friends, do hereby most solemnly protest against the doctrine contained in these minutes.”

The leader and champion on the part of Lady Huntingdon was the Honourable and Rev. Walter Shirley, grandson of the first Earl Ferrars, and her own first cousin.  He was an able, fervent, eloquent man, who both in Ireland and England had given full proof of his ministry, and at first was left almost alone in the conflict.  Wesley wrote to Lady Huntingdon on June 19, 1771, ending with these words, “You have one of the first places in my esteem and affection; and you once had some regard for me.  But it cannot continue if it depends on my seeing with your eyes, or my being in no mistake.  What if I were in as many errors as Mr. Law himself?  If you were, I should love you still, provided your heart was still right with God.  My dear friend, you seem not well yet to have learned the meaning of these words, which I desire to have ever written upon my heart, ’Whoever doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.’”

As the time for the conference drew on, it became apparent that the protestors had no standing place there.  Only those who were actual members of the conference could attend.  Hence, instead of the large number looked for, Shirley and seven others only appeared.  The circular, which perhaps was needlessly strong in its statements, had been withdrawn the day before the conference met.  Wesley allowed Shirley to appear at the third session of the conference, and after careful consideration a declaration was drawn up stating that as the minutes of 1770 “have been understood to favour justification by works,” “we abhor the doctrine of justification by works;” “that we have no trust or confidence but in the alone merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for justification or salvation, either in life, death, or the day of judgment.  And though no one is a real Christian believer (and consequently cannot be saved) who doth not good works when there is time and opportunity, yet our works have no part in meriting or purchasing our justification, from first to last, either in whole or part.”  Wesley and fifty-three of his ministers signed this, John Nelson and Thomas Olivers alone refusing.