PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 02 (of 32)
Wesley, John, 1703-1791 · 88,451 words · 121 reading sections
Part 61
But the apostle does not forbid us, to have any intercourse at all, even with the men that know not God. For then, says he, _ye must needs go out of the world_, which he could never advise them to do. But he subjoins, [84]_If any man that is called a brother_, that professes himself a Christian, _be a fornicator, or co…
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9. Toward those who have never tasted of the good word, God is indeed pitiful and of tender mercy. But justice takes place with regard to those who have tasted that the Lord is gracious, and have afterwards _turned back from the holy commandment_ then _delivered to them. [87]For it is impossible for those who were once…
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4. *So impossible it is, to keep our religion from being seen, unless we cast it away: so vain is the thought, of hiding the light, unless by putting it out. Sure it is, that a secret, unobserved religion cannot be the religion of _Jesus Christ_. Whatever religion can be concealed, is not Christianity. If a Christian c…
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I answer, it is granted, that the love of God and man, arising from _faith unfeigned_, is all in all, the fulfilling of the law, the end of every commandment of God. It is true, that without this whatever we do, whatever we suffer profits us nothing. But it does not follow, that love is all in such a sense, as to super…
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5. *But if so, then contemplation is only one way of worshipping God in spirit and in truth. Therefore to give ourselves up entirely to this, would be to destroy many branches of spiritual worship, all equally acceptable to God, and equally profitable, not hurtful to the soul. For it is a great mistake to suppose, That…
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“But the trial hurries and frets your own soul.” Perhaps it did so for this very reason, because you thought you was accountable for the event, which no man is, nor indeed can be. Or perhaps, because you was off your guard; you was not watchful over your own spirit. But this is no reason for disobeying God. Try again; …
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UPON OUR LORD’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. DISCOURSE V. MATT. v. 17, 18, 19, 20. _Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, ’till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, ’till all be fulfilled. W…
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4. And this our Lord has abundantly performed in the preceding and subsequent parts of the discourse before us: in which he has not introduced a new religion into the world, but the same which was from the beginning: a religion, the substance of which is without question, “as old as the creation:” being coeval with man…
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4. But if these things are so, we cannot be at a loss, what to think of those who in all ages of the church, have undertaken to change or supersede some commands of God, as they professed, by the peculiar direction of his Spirit. _Christ_ has here given us an infallible rule, whereby to judge of all such pretensions. C…
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4. But if those who even thus _break and teach_ others to break, _one of the least of these commandments, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven_, shall have no part in the kingdom of _Christ_ and of God; if even these shall be cast into _outer darkness, where is wailing and gnashing of teeth_: then where will …
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9. It is impossible indeed to have too high an esteem for _the faith of_ God’s _elect_. And we must all declare, _By grace ye are saved through faith:――not of works, lest any man should boast_. We must cry aloud to every penitent sinner, _Believe in the_ Lord Jesus Christ, _and thou shalt be saved_. But at the same tim…
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3. What _the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees_ really was, it is not difficult to determine. Our Lord has preserved an authentic account, which one of them gave of himself. And he is clear and full in describing his own righteousness; and cannot be supposed to have omitted any part of it. He _went up_ indeed …
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6. This was _the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees_: a righteousness, which in many respects, went far beyond the conception which many have been accustomed to entertain concerning it. But perhaps, it will be said, it was all false and feigned; for they were all a company of hypocrites.――Some of them doubtless…
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8. A Pharisee, secondly, (to express his sense in our common way) used all the means of grace. As he fasted _often and much, twice in_ every _week_, so he attended all the sacrifices. He was constant in public and private prayer, and in reading and hearing the scriptures. Do you go as far as this? Do you fast _much and…
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Thus, to do no harm, to do good, to attend the ordinances of God, (the righteousness of a Pharisee) are all external: whereas, on the contrary, poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger and thirst after righteousness, the love of our neighbour, and purity of heart, (the righteousness of a Christian) are all interna…
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*Above all, let thy righteousness exceed theirs in the purity and spirituality of it. What is the exactest form of religion to thee? The most perfect outside righteousness? Go thou higher and deeper than all this. Let thy religion be the religion of the heart. Be thou poor in spirit; little and base and mean and vile i…
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UPON OUR LORD’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. DISCOURSE VI. MATT. vi. 1‒15. _Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou dost thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in t…
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2. _Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them._ The thing which is here forbidden, is not, barely the doing good in the sight of men: this circumstance alone, that others see what we do, makes the action neither worse nor better: but the doing it before men, _to be seen of them_; with this view,…
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2. But it is not only, the having an eye to the praise of men, which cuts us off from any reward in heaven; which leaves us no room to expect the blessing of God, upon our works whether of piety or mercy. Purity of intention is equally destroyed by a view to any temporal reward whatever. If we repeat our prayers, if we…
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3. It consists of three parts, the preface, the petitions, and the doxology or conclusion. The preface, _Our Father which art in Heaven_, lays a general foundation for prayer; comprizing what we must first know of God, before we can pray, in confidence of being heard. It likewise points out to us all those tempers, wit…
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7. *_Hallowed be thy name._ This is the first of the six petitions, whereof the prayer itself is composed. The name of God is God himself; the nature of God, so far as it can be discovered to man: it means therefore, together with his existence, all his attributes or perfections――his eternity, particularly signified by…
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9. _Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven._ This is the necessary and immediate consequence, wherever the kingdom of God is come: wherever God dwells in the soul by faith, and _Christ_ reigns in the heart by love. It is probable, many, perhaps the generality of men, at the first view of these words, are apt to …
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Not that either the goodness or the power of God is a reason for us to stand idle. It is his will, that we should use all diligence in all things, that we should employ our utmost endeavours, as much as if our success were the natural effect of our own wisdom and strength. And then, as tho’ we had done nothing, we are …
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15. _And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Lead us not into temptation._ The word translated _temptation_, means trial of any kind. And so the English word temptation was formerly taken, in an indifferent sense: although now it is usually understood, of solicitation to sin. St. _James_ uses the wor…
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Giver and Lord of life, whose power And guardian care for all are free; To Thee in fierce temptation’s hour, From sin and _Satan_ let us flee. Thine, Lord, we are, and ours thou art; In us be all thy goodness shew’d; Renew, enlarge, and fill our heart With peace and joy and heaven and God. Blessing and honour, praise …
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UPON OUR LORD’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. DISCOURSE VII. MATT. vi. 16, 17, 18. _Moreover when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou when thou fastest, anoint thy head and wash t…
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2. To this, other circumstances were usually joined by them of old, which had no necessary connexion with it. Such were the neglect of their apparel, the laying aside those ornaments which they were accustomed to wear: the putting on mourning, the strewing ashes upon their head, or wearing sackcloth next their skin. Bu…
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But beside those which were fixt, in every nation fearing God, there have always been occasional fasts, appointed from time to time, as the particular circumstances and occasions of each required. So [103]when _the children of Moab and the children of Ammon, came against Jehoshaphat to battle; Jehoshaphat, set himself …
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3. *Another reason or ground of fasting is this. Many of those who now fear God, are deeply sensible how often they have sinned against him, by the abuse of these lawful things. They know, how much they have sinned by excess of food; how long they have transgrest the holy law of God, with regard to temperance, if not s…
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It was for this end, to avert the wrath of God, that _Daniel_ sought God, _with fasting and sackcloth and ashes_. This appears from the whole tenor of his prayer, particularly from the solemn conclusion of it. _O_ Lord, _according to all thy righteousnesses_ (or mercies) _let thy anger be turned away from thy holy moun…
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11. These were the _appointed_ means. For it was not merely by the light of reason, or of natural conscience, (as it is called) that the people of God have been in all ages directed, to use fasting as a means to these ends. But they have been from time to time taught it of God himself, by clear and open revelations of …
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2. “But is it not better (as it has, secondly, been objected) to abstain from pride and vanity, from foolish and hurtful desires, from peevishness, and anger, and discontent, than from food?” Without question it is. But here again we have need to remind you of our Lord’s words, _These things ought ye to have done, and …
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6. Use continually then as much abstinence as you please; which taken thus, is no other than Christian temperance. But this need not at all interfere with your observing solemn times of fasting and prayer. For instance; your habitual abstinence or temperance, would not prevent your fasting in secret, if you was suddenl…
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3. Not that we are to imagine, the performing the bare outward act, will receive any blessing from God. _Is it such a fast that I have chosen, saith the_ Lord: _a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?_ Are these outward acts, however str…
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7. It remains only, in order to our observing such a fast, as is acceptable to the Lord, that we add alms thereto; works of mercy, after our power, both to the bodies and souls of men. _With such sacrifices_ also God _is well-pleased_. Thus the angel declares to _Cornelius_, fasting and [114]praying in his house, _Thy …
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UPON OUR LORD’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. DISCOURSE VIII. MATT. vi. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. _Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do…
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4. The second thing which we may here understand by _light_, is holiness. While thou seeketh God in all things, thou shalt find him in all, the fountain of all holiness, continually filling thee with his own likeness, with justice, mercy and truth. While thou lookest unto _Jesus_ and him alone, thou shalt be filled wit…
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9. Therefore _lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal_. If you do, it is plain your eye is evil: it is not singly fixed on God. *With regard to most of the commandments of God, whether relating to the heart or life, the Heathens of _Af…
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Nor yet are we forbidden, thirdly, to provide for our children, and for those of our own household. This also it is our duty to do, even upon principles of Heathen morality. Every man ought to provide the plain necessaries of life, for his own wife and children: and to put them into a capacity of providing these for th…
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15. *And even if you do not succeed, what is the fruit of your _endeavouring_ to lay up treasures on earth? _They that will be rich_ (αἱ βουλόμενοι πλουτεῖν, they that desire, that endeavour after it, whether they succeed or no) _fall into a temptation and a snare_, a gin, a trap of the devil, _and into many foolish an…
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First, Trust not in them for help. Thou art miserably mistaken, if thou lookest for this in gold or silver. These are no more able to set thee _above the world_, than to set thee above the devil. Know that both the world and the prince of this world laugh at all such preparations against them. These will little avail i…
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21. These are all dead shew. Regard them not. _Trust_ thou _in the living_ God. So shalt thou be safe under the shadow of the Almighty; his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler. He is a very present help in time of trouble; such an help as can never fail. Then shalt thou say, if all thy other friends …
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“In using riches where they have no real use, nor we any real want, we only use them to our great hurt, in creating unreasonable desires, in nourishing ill tempers, in indulging foolish passions, and supporting a vain turn of mind. For high eating and drinking, fine clothes and fine houses, state and equipage, gay plea…
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27. *We _charge you_, therefore, _who are rich in this world_, as having authority from our great Lord and Master, ἀγαθοεργεῖν, _to be habitually doing good_, and to live in a course of good works. _Be ye merciful as your Father which is in heaven is merciful_, who doth good and ceaseth not. _Be ye merciful_,――“How far…
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UPON OUR LORD’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. DISCOURSE IX. MATT. vi. 24‒34. _No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or w…
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3. How vain is it for any man to aim at this? To attempt the serving of two masters. Is it not easy to foresee, what must be the unavoidable consequence of such an attempt? _Either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other._ The two parts of this sentence, altho’ sep…
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It implies, the trusting in the world for happiness; the supposing that _a man’s life consisteth_ (the comfort of his life) _in the abundance of things which he possesseth_: the looking for rest, in the things that are seen; for content in outward plenty; the expecting that satisfaction in the things of the world, whic…
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14. Does not every reasonable, every thinking man see, that he cannot _possibly serve_ God _and mammon_? Because there is the most absolute contrariety, the most irreconcileable enmity between them. The contrariety between the most opposite things on earth, between fire and water, darkness and light, vanishes into noth…
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17. What he here condemns is, “The care of the heart:” the anxious, uneasy care: the care that hath torment; all such care as does hurt, either to the soul or body. What he forbids is, that care which sad experience shews, wastes the blood and drinks up the spirits: which anticipates all the misery it fears, and comes …
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_Seek the kingdom of_ God _and his righteousness_. Righteousness is the fruit of God’s reigning in the heart. And what is righteousness but love? The love of God and of all mankind, flowing from faith in _Jesus Christ_, and producing humbleness of mind, meekness, gentleness, long-suffering, patience, deadness to the wo…
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24. _Therefore take no thought for the morrow._ Not only, take ye no thought, how to lay up treasures on earth, how to increase in worldly substance; take no thought how to procure more food than you can eat, or more raiment than you can put on; or more money than is required from day to day, for the plain, reasonable …
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27. *And _take no thought_ for the temptations of to-morrow. This also is a dangerous snare. Think not, “When such a temptation comes, what shall I do, how shall I stand? I feel, I have not power to resist: I am not able to conquer that enemy.” Most true: you have not _now_ the power which you do not _now_ stand in nee…
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UPON OUR LORD’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. DISCOURSE X. MATT. vii. 1‒12. _Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that …
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6. Yet it does not appear, that our Lord designed this caution, only or chiefly for the children of God: but rather for the children of the world, for the men who know not God. These cannot but hear of those, who are not of the world, who follow after the religion above described: who endeavour to be humble, serious, g…
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9. The thinking of another, in a manner that is contrary to love, is that _judging_ which is here condemned. And this may be of various kinds. For, first, we may think another to blame when he is not. We may lay to his charge (at least in our own mind) the things of which he is not guilty: the words which he has never …
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15. But supposing thou hast, by the grace of God, _cast the beam out of thine own eye_, and dost now _clearly see the mote or the beam which is in thy brother’s eye_, yet beware thou dost not receive hurt thyself, by endeavouring to help him. Still _give not that which is holy unto dogs_. Do not lightly account any to …
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17. _Neither cast ye your pearls before swine._ Be very unwilling to pass this judgment on any man. But if the fact be plain and undeniable, if it is clear, beyond all dispute, if the swine do not endeavour to disguise themselves, but rather glory in their shame, making no pretence to purity either of heart or life, bu…
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20. To cut off every pretence for unbelief, our blessed Lord, in the following verses, illustrates yet farther what he had said, by an appeal to what passes in our own breasts. _What man_, saith he, _is there of_ you, _who if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone_? Will even natural affection permit you to refuse…
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27. This is pure and genuine morality. This do and thou shalt live. _As many as walk by this rule, peace be to them and mercy_: for they are _the Israel of God_. But then be it observed, none can walk by this rule, (nor ever did from the beginning of the world) none can love his neighbour as himself, unless he first lo…
230 wordsSECTION 120THE END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
Footnotes. 1 ‒ Preached at St. Mary’s, Oxford, before the University, on January 1, 1733. 2 ‒ N. B. The following part of this paragraph is now added to the sermon formerly preached. 3 ‒ Gal. iii. 26. 4 ‒ John i. 12, 13. 5 ‒ 1 John v. 1. 6 ‒ Rom. i. 6, &c. 7 ‒ 1 John iii. 1, &c. 8 ‒ Ver. 9. 9 ‒ Ver. 7. 10 ‒ V…
874 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.