PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 05 (of 32)
Wesley, John, 1703-1791 · 90,668 words · 138 reading sections
Part 1
THE WORKS OF THE Rev. JOHN WESLEY ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Transcriber’s Notes │ │ │ │ …
212 wordsSECTION 2OF THE
Rev. JOHN WESLEY, M.A. Late Fellow of _Lincoln-College_, OXFORD.…
10 wordsSECTION 3VOLUME V.
BRISTOL: Printed by WILLIAM PINE, in _Wine-Street_. MDCCLXXI. THE CONTENTS Of the _Fifth_ VOLUME. An extract from Mr. LAW’s treatise on _Christian Perfection_.…
23 wordsSECTION 4CHAP. VI.
_Christians are called to a constant state of prayer and devotion._…
12 wordsSECTION 5CHAP. VII.
_All Christians are required to imitate the life and example of Jesus Christ._…
14 wordsSECTION 6CHAP. VIII.
_An exhortation to Christian Perfection._ An extract from Mr. LAW’s serious _Call_ to a _Holy Life_.…
17 wordsSECTION 7CHAP. I.
_Concerning the nature and extent of Christian devotion._…
9 wordsSECTION 8CHAP. II.
_An enquiry into the reason why the generality of |Christians| fall so short of the holiness and devotion of Christianity._…
21 wordsSECTION 9CHAP. III.
_Of the great danger and folly of not |intending| to be as eminent as we can, in the practice of all Christian virtues._…
24 wordsSECTION 10CHAP. IV.
_We can please God in no state or employment, but by |intending| and |devoting| it all to his glory._…
20 wordsSECTION 11CHAP. V.
_Persons that are free from the necessity of labour and employments, are to consider themselves as devoted to God in a higher degree._…
24 wordsSECTION 12CHAP. VI.
_How the imprudent use of an |estate| corrupts all the tempers, and fills the heart with poor and ridiculous passions; represented in the character of |Flavia|._…
27 wordsSECTION 13CHAP. VII.
_How the wise and pious use of an estate carrieth us to all the virtues of the Christian life; represented in the character of |Miranda|._…
26 wordsSECTION 14CHAP. VIII.
_Shewing all orders of men and women, of all ages, are obliged to devote themselves to God._…
18 wordsSECTION 15CHAP. IX.
_Shewing that great devotion fills our lives with the greatest peace and happiness that can be enjoyed in this world._…
21 wordsSECTION 16CHAP. X.
_The happiness of a life wholly devoted unto God, farther proved, from the |vanity|, and |ridiculous, poor| enjoyments which they are forced to take up with, who live according to their own humours. This represented in various characters._…
39 wordsSECTION 17CHAP. XI.
_That not only a life of |vanity|, or |sensuality|, but even the |most regular| kind of life, that is not governed by great devotion, sufficiently shews its miseries, its wants and emptiness to the eyes of all the world. This represented in various characters._…
45 wordsSECTION 18CHAP. XII.
_Concerning that part of devotion which relates to |times| and |hours| of |prayer|. Of daily |early| prayer in the morning. How we may improve our |forms| of prayer, and increase the |spirit| of devotion._…
35 wordsSECTION 19CHAP. XIII.
_Recommending devotion at nine o’clock in the morning, called, in scripture, the |third hour| of the day. The subject of these prayers may be humility._…
26 wordsSECTION 20CHAP. XIV.
_Shewing how the |education| which men generally receive, makes the doctrines of humility difficult to be practised. The spirit of a better education represented in the character of |Paternus|._…
30 wordsSECTION 21CHAP. XV.
_Shewing how the method of educating |daughters|, makes it difficult for them to enter into the spirit of Christian humility. How miserably they are injured and abused by such an education. The spirit of a better education, represented in the ♦character of |Eusebia|._ ♦ ‘charact’ replaced with ‘character’…
48 wordsSECTION 22CHAP. XVI.
_Recommending devotion at twelve o’clock, called, in scripture, the |sixth hour| of the day, this frequency of devotion, equally desirable by all orders of people. |Universal love| is recommended to be the subject of prayer at this hour. Of intercession, as an act of universal love._…
47 wordsSECTION 23CHAP. XVII.
_Of the necessity and benefit of |intercession|, considered as an exercise of universal love. How all orders of men are to interceed with God for one another: how such intercession amends and reforms the heart._ Illustration: (‡ decoration) An Extract from Mr. LAW’s TREATISE On CHRISTIAN PERFECTION.…
47 wordsSECTION 24CHAP. VI.
_Christians are called to a constant state of prayer and devotion?_ I. IT is one principal article of our religion to believe that our blessed Saviour is now at the right hand of God, there making _perpetual intercession_ for us, till the redemption of mankind is finished. Prayer therefore is undoubtedly a proper mean…
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IV. *Hence we may perceive why people of _learning_, and great _application_ to _books_, who seem to have retired from the corruptions of the world, are yet often not devout. The reason is, because devotion imparts a full sense of the vanity and littleness of _every thing_ but God, whereas it is often the _same vanity_…
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VII. To live in true devotion, we must daily consider the end and hope of our calling, that all worldly passions and desires may be swallowed up in one great desire of future glory. This devotion to God is signified in scripture, by living _by faith and not by sight_, when the invisible things of the other life, are th…
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XI. _Clito_ says he desires no more time for rising, dressing, and saying his prayers, than a quarter of an hour. He tells this to his friends; not to shew his want of religion, but that he may be thought to understand devotion. You tell him that our Saviour’s parables teach _continuance_ and _importunity_ in _prayer_;…
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XV. *Now prayer never so corrects and amends the heart as when we extend it to all the _particulars_ of our state, enumerating all our wants, infirmities, and disorders; not because God needs to be informed of them, but because by this means we inform ourselves, and make our hearts in the best manner acquainted with ou…
732 wordsSECTION 29CHAP. VII.
_All Christians are required to imitate the life and example of Jesus Christ._ I. OUR religion teaches us, that as we have _borne the image of the earthly, so we shall bear the image of the heavenly_; that after our death we shall rise to a state of life and happiness, like to that life and happiness which our blessed…
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The _poor widow’s mites_ were but a small matter in themselves, yet as they were the utmost she could give, our blessed Saviour set them above the larger contributions of the rich. This may encourage people in every state of life to be contented with their _capacity_ of doing good, provided they act up to it. Let no on…
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VI. This therefore is the first great instance in which we are to follow the example and spirit of our blessed Saviour. He came to save the world: we must all consider ourselves as called to carry on this _great work_. For how can we think ourselves to be his _followers_, if we do not follow him in that for which he ca…
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Thou, it may be, art not a _prophet_; God has not honoured thee with this post in his service; yet needest thou not fall short of this happiness: for our Saviour hath said, _He that receiveth a prophet, in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward_. Now this shews us, that though all men have not the same…
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X. *_Eugenia_ is a young woman, full of pious dispositions; she is intending, if ever she has a family, to be the _best mistress_ of it that ever was; her house shall be a _school_ of religion, and her children and servants shall be brought up in the strictest piety; she will spend her time, and live in a very differen…
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XIII. The short of the matter is this, the spirit and temper of Christ is the _strict measure_ of the Spirit and temper of all Christians. It is not in this or that particular temper of Christ, that we are to follow his example; but we are to aspire after his whole spirit, to be in all things as he was, and think it as…
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*It ought to be observed, that there must be something very _extraordinary_ in these dispositions, from the manner in which we are taught them. It is only in this place, that our Saviour says expresly, _Learn of me_; and when he says, _Learn of me_, he does not say, for I am just and equitable, or kind, or holy, but _I…
707 wordsSECTION 36CHAP. VIII.
_An exhortation to Christian perfection._ I. WHOEVER hath read the foregoing chapters with attention, is, I hope, sufficiently instructed in the knowledge of Christian perfection. He hath seen that it requireth us to _devote_ ourselves _wholly_ unto God; to make the ends and designs of religion, the ends and designs o…
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IV. This shews us how inexcusable all Christians are, who are devoted to the things of this life. It is not because they want _fine parts_, or are unable to make _deep reflections_; but it is because they reject the first principles of _common sense_; they won’t so much as ask what those things are which they are labou…
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*A grave _doctor_ in divinity would perhaps think his time very ill employed, that he was acting below his character, if he was to be an _amanuensis_ to some _modern poet_. Why then does he think it suitable with the weight of his calling, to have been a _drudge_ to some _ancient poet_, counting his syllables for sever…
827 wordsSECTION 39Part 39
X. Here therefore I place my argument for _Christian perfection_. I exhort thee to labour after it, because there is nothing else for thee to labour after; there is nothing else that the reason of man can exhort thee to. The whole world has nothing to offer thee in its stead; chuse what other way thou wilt, thou hast c…
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XIII. Now stand still awhile, and ask yourself, whether you really believe this to be true, that the more perfect we are here, the more happy we shall be hereafter? If you do not believe this, you know nothing of God and religion. And if you do believe it, is it possible to be _awake_ and not aspiring after Christian p…
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XV. Consider again, that besides the rewards of the other life, the devoting yourself wholly to God has a great reward even in this life, as it makes religion _doubly_ pleasant to you. Whilst you are divided betwixt God and the world, you have neither the pleasures of religion, nor the pleasures of the world; but are a…
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As you could not exercise your charity, unless you met with objects; so neither could you shew, that you had _overcome_ the world, unless you had many worldly engagements to overcome. If all your _friends_ and _acquaintance_ were devout, humble, heavenly-minded, and wholly intent upon the one end of life, it would be l…
765 wordsSECTION 43CHAP. I.
_Concerning the nature and extent of Christian devotion._ 1. DEVOTION is neither _private_ nor _public_ prayer; but prayers, whether private or public, are particular parts or instances of devotion. Devotion signifies a life _devoted_ to God. He therefore is the _devout_ man, who lives no longer to his own _will_, or…
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If a man was to tell _Julius_, that there was no occasion for so much constancy at prayers, and that he might neglect the service of the church, as the generality of people do, _Julius_ would think such a one to be no Christian, and that he ought to avoid his company: but if a person only tell him, that he may live as …
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10. I don’t mean this comparison betwixt people seemingly good and professed _rakes_ but betwixt people of sober lives. Let us take an instance in two modest women: let it be supposed that one of them is careful of times of devotion, thro’ a sense of duty; and that the other is at church seldom or often, just as it hap…
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12. Every one capable of reflection, must have observed, that this is generally the state, even of devout people, whether _men_ or _women_. You may see them different from other people, as to _times_ and _places_ of prayer, but like the rest of the world in all the other parts of their lives; that is, adding _Christian…
206 wordsSECTION 47CHAP. II.
_An enquiry into the reason why the generality of |Christians| fall so short of the holiness of Christianity._ 1. IT may now be reasonably enquired, how it is, that the lives, even of the better sort of people, are thus strangely contrary to the principles of Christianity? Before I give a direct answer, I desire it m…
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*Let a _clergyman_ but be thus _pious_, and he will _converse_ as if he had been brought up by an _apostle_. He will no more think and talk of _noble preferment_, than of _noble eating_, or a glorious _chariot_. He will no more complain of the _frowns_ of the _world_, or a _small cure_, or the want of a _patron_, than …
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8. I have chose to explain this matter, by appealing to this _intention_, because it makes the case so plain, and because every one may see it in the clearest light, and feel it in the strongest manner, only by looking into his own heart. For it is as easy for every person to know, whether he _intends_ to please God in…
916 wordsSECTION 50CHAP. III.
_Of the great danger and folly of not |intending| to be as eminent as we can, in the practice of all Christian virtues._ 1. ALTHOUGH the goodness of God, and his rich mercy in Christ Jesus, are a sufficient assurance to us, that he will be merciful to our unavoidable weaknesses, that is, to such failings as are the ef…
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If I use the world and worldly enjoyments, as the generality of people do, and in all ages have done, why should I think that I am amongst _those few_, who are walking in the _narrow way_ to heaven? *And yet, if the way is _narrow_, if none can walk in it but those that _strive_, is it not as necessary for me to consi…
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9. *_Penitens_ was a busy, notable tradesman, and very prosperous in his dealings, but died in the _thirty-fifth_ year of his age. A little before his death, when the doctors had given him over, some of his neighbours came to see him; at which time he spoke thus to them. I see, my friends, the tender concern you have…
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12. Just as you came into my chamber, I was thinking with myself, what numbers of souls there are now in the world, in my condition at this very time, surprized with a summons to the other world; some taken from their _shops_ and _farms_, others from their _sports_ and _pleasures_, these at _suits at law_, those at _ga…
587 wordsSECTION 54CHAP. IV.
_We can please |God| in no state or employment, but by |intending| and |devoting| it all to his glory_. 1. HAVING already stated the general nature of devotion, and shewn, that it implies not any _form of prayer_, but a certain form of life, that is offered to God, not at any particular _times_ or _places_, but every …
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This is the _common business_ of all persons in this world. It is not left to any _women_ in the world to trifle away their time in the follies and impertinences of a _fashionable life_, nor to any _men_ to resign themselves up to worldly _cares_ and _concerns_; it is not left to the _rich_, to gratify their passions i…
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8. *The _husbandman_ that tilleth the ground, is employed in an honest business, that is necessary in life, and very capable of being made an _acceptable service_ unto God: but if he labours and toils, not to serve any reasonable ends of life, but in order to have his _plough_ made of _silver_, and to have his _horses_…
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11. Now they do not live thus, because they cannot support themselves with _less care_ and application to business; but they live thus because they want to grow _rich_ in their trades, and to maintain their families in some such _figure_ and degree of _finery_, as a _reasonable Christian_ has no occasion for. Take away…
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That we must _eat_, and _drink_, and _dress_, and _discourse_ according to the sobriety of the Christian spirit; engage in no employments but such as we can truly devote unto God; nor pursue them any farther, than conduces to the reasonable ends of a holy life. That we must be _honest_, not only on particular occasion…
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I have appealed to this pious custom of all ages as a proof of the reasonableness of the doctrine of this and the foregoing chapters; that is, as a proof that religion is to be the _rule_ and _measure_ of all the actions of our _ordinary_ life. For surely, if we are not to _eat_, but under such rules of devotion, it mu…
85 wordsSECTION 60CHAP. V.
_Persons that are free from the necessity of labour and employments, are to consider themselves as devoted to God in a higher degree._ 1. GREAT part of the world are free from the necessities of labour, and have their _time_ and _fortunes_ in their own disposal. But as no one is to live in his _employment_ according …
898 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.