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 121
5. *_Matilda_ is a fine woman, of good _breeding_, and great _sense_. She has three daughters that are educated by herself. She will not trust them with any one else, or at any _school_, for fear they should learn any thing ill. She stays with the _dancing-master_ all the time he is with them, because she will hear eve…
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It may be answered, that tho’ I don’t pretend to state the _exact degree_ of mischief that is done by it, yet its plain and natural tendency to do harm, is sufficient to justify the most _absolute_ condemnation of it. 9. But how possible it is to bring up daughters in a more excellent way, let the following character …
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12. But, my children, you are not only in this manner _spirits_, but you are _fallen_ spirits, that began your life in a state of corruption and disorder, full of tempers and passions, that blind and darken your reason, and incline you to that which is hurtful. Your bodies are not only poor and perishing like your clo…
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Never therefore consider yourselves as persons that are to be _seen_, _admired_, and _courted_ by men; but as _poor sinners_, that are to save yourselves from the vanities and follies of a miserable world. Learn to live for your own sakes, and the service of God; and let nothing in the world be of any value with you, b…
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Rejoice at every opportunity of doing an humble action; whether it be, as the scripture expresses it, in _washing the saints feet_, that is, in waiting upon, and serving those that are below you, or in bearing with the haughtiness and ill manners of those that are your equals, or above you. For there is nothing better …
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That you may look for nothing, claim nothing, resent nothing; that you may go thro’ all the actions of life calmly and quietly, as in the presence of God, looking wholly unto him, acting wholly for him; neither seeking applause, nor resenting neglects, or affronts, but doing and receiving every thing in the meek and lo…
64 wordsSECTION 127CHAP. 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._ 1. IT will, perhaps, be thought by…
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But if people will live in so _much ignorance_, as never to put these questions to themselves, but push on a blind life at all chances, in quest of they don’t know what, or why; without ever considering the worth, or value, or tendency of their actions; without considering what God, _reason_, _eternity_, and their own …
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6. Thus much being said to shew, that _great devotion_ is not to be left to any particular sort of people, but to be the _common spirit_ of all Christians; I now proceed to consider the nature of _universal love_, which is here recommended to be the subject of your devotion at this hour. By intercession is meant a pra…
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10. *God, besides his own great example of love, which ought to draw all his creatures after it, has so provided for us, and made our happiness so _common_ to us all, that we have no occasion to envy or hate one another. For we cannot stand in one another’s way; or by enjoying our true good, keep another from his full…
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14. Now there is nothing that so much exalts our souls, as this heavenly love; it cleanses and purifies like a holy fire, and all ill tempers fall away before it. By love, I don’t mean any _natural tenderness_, which is more or less in people, according to their constitutions; but a _larger principle_ of the soul, whic…
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This love therefore, you see, is nothing but a love of _benevolence_; it requires nothing of us, but good _wishes_, _tender affections_, and such acts of kindness, as we shew to ourselves. 17. Now we are obliged to this love, in imitation of God’s goodness, that we may be children of our Father which is in heaven, who…
716 wordsSECTION 133CHAP. 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._ 1. THAT intercession is a great and necessary part of Christian devotion, is very evident from scripture. …
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Such prayers as these amongst _neighbours_ and _acquaintance_, would unite them to one another in the strongest bonds of love and tenderness. It would teach them to consider one another in a higher state, as members of a _spiritual society_, that are created for the enjoyment of the common blessings of God, and fellow …
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8. _Ouranius_ is mightily affected with this passage of holy scripture, _The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much_, James v. 16. This makes him practise all the arts of holy living, and aspire after every instance of piety, that his prayers for his flock may have their full force, and avail much …
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12. Now if _gentlemen_ think it too low an employment to exercise such a devotion as this for their _servants_, let them consider how far they are from the spirit of Christ, who made himself not only an intercessor, but a sacrifice for the whole race of sinful mankind? Let them consider how miserable their greatness w…
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*_Again_: If in any little difference or misunderstandings that you happened to have at any time with a _relation_, a _neighbour_, or any one else, you should then pray for them in a more _extraordinary manner_ than you ever did before, beseeching God to give them every grace and blessing you can think of, you would ta…
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_Susurrus_ had such a tender, compassionate manner of relating things the most prejudicial to his neighbour, that he even seemed, both to himself and others, to be exercising a Christian charity, at the same time that he was indulging a whispering, evil-speaking temper. _Susurrus_ once whispered to a particular friend…
492 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.