PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 07 (of 32)
Wesley, John, 1703-1791 · 87,581 words · 161 reading sections
Part 61
*_Theophilus._ This resolution, _Academicus_, only shews that you are just come to yourself; for every thing short of this earnest desire to live wholly unto God, may be called a most dreadful infatuation or madness, and insensibility that cannot be described. For what else is our life, but a _trial_ for the greatest e…
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*I will give you a touch-stone. Offer as continually as you can, this following form of prayer to God. Offer it frequently on your knees; but, whether sitting, standing, or walking, be always inwardly longing, and earnestly praying this _one prayer_ to God: “That, of his great goodness, he would make known to you, and …
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_Academicus._ I did not imagine, _Rusticus_, that you would have so openly declared against _manuals_ of devotion, since you know not only the most learned, but the most pious doctors of the church, consider them as necessary helps to devotion. _Rusticus._ If you was obliged to go a long journey on _foot_, and yet thr…
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*When we are brought to this conviction, then we have done with all thought of being our own builders; the whole spirit of our mind is become a mere _faith_, and _hope_, and _trust_ in the sole operation of God’s Spirit, looking no more to any other power, to become new creatures, than we look to any other power for th…
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Or if it breaks out frequently in these words, _Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, with all thy holy nature, Spirit, and tempers into my soul_, is there any occasion to enlarge or alter these words into another form or expression? Can he do better, or pray more, than by continually standing from time to time in this state …
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You, my friend, have taken the _first step_¹ in the spiritual life; you have devoted yourself absolutely to God, to live wholly to his will, under the light and guidance of his holy Spirit, intending, seeking nothing in this world, but such a passage thro’ it as may tend to the glory of God, and the recovery of your ow…
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No vice can harbour in you, no good desire languish, when once your heart is in this method of prayer; never beginning to pray, till you first see how matters stand with you; asking your heart what it wants, and having nothing in your prayers, but what the known state of your heart puts you upon _demanding_, _saying_, …
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*_Theophilus._ “God is unwearied _patience_, an ever enduring _mercifulness_; he is unmixed _goodness_, impartial, universal _love_; his delight is in the communication of himself, his own happiness to every thing according to its capacity. He does everything that is good, righteous, and lovely, for its own sake, becau…
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_My Dear Friend_, YOU had no occasion to make any apology for the manner of your letter to me; for tho’ you very well know, that I have as utter an aversion to waste my time and thoughts in matters of theological debate, as in any contentions merely of a worldly nature, as knowing that the former are generally as much…
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*Oh! Sir, would you know the blessing of all blessings, it is the _God of love_ dwelling in your soul, and killing every root of bitterness which is the pain and torment of every earthly love. For all wants are satisfied, all disorders are removed, no life is any longer a burden, every day is a day of peace, every thin…
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There is no peace, nor ever can be, for the soul of man, but in the purity and perfection of its first-created nature; nor can it have its purity and perfection in any other way, than in and by the _spirit of love_. For love is the purity, the perfection of all created things; and nothing can live in God but as it live…
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*_Purification_ therefore is so necessary, that nothing will do in the stead of it. But man is not purified, till every earthly, wrathful, sensual, selfish temper is taken from him. He is not dying to himself, till he is dying to these tempers; and he is not alive in God, but as he is dead to them. It is the purity and…
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Now the difficulty you find in attaining this spirit of love, is because you seek for it, in the way of reasoning: you would be possessed of it only from a _rational_ conviction of the fitness and amiableness of it. And as this clear idea does not put you into the possession of it, your reason begins to waver; and sugg…
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_A dialogue between |Theogenes|, |Eusebius|, and |Theophilus|._ _Theophilus._ MY heart embraces you both with the greatest affection, and I am much pleased at the occasion of your coming, which calls me to the most delightful subject in the world, to help both you and myself, to rejoice in that adorable Deity, whose i…
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*How unreasonable is it, to call perpetual inspiration fanaticism, and enthusiasm, when there cannot be the least degree of goodness or happiness in any intelligent being, but what is in its whole nature, merely and truly the breathing, the life, and the operation of God in the life of the creature? For if goodness can…
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_O God for as much as without thee_, we are not able to please thee, grant _that_ thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts. Again _we pray thee, that thy grace may_ ALWAYS _prevent_ and _follow us, and make us_ CONTINUALLY _to be given to all good works_. Again, _Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, …
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_Theogenes._ I have not the least doubt about any of these things. It is visible, that there can be no medium in this matter, either religion must be all spiritual, or all carnal; that is, we must either take up with the grossness of the _Sadducees_, who say, there is neither angel nor spirit, or with such purification…
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_A dialogue between |Theogenes|, |Eusebius|, and |Theophilus|._ _Eusebius._ THE doctrine of the spirit of love, cannot have more power over me, or be more deeply rooted in me, than it is already. It has so gained possession of my whole heart, that every thing else must be under its dominion. I can do nothing else but …
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The true profitableness of the written word of God, is fully set forth by St. _Paul_ to _Timothy_: _from a child_, saith he, _thou hast known the scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, which is by faith in Christ Jesus_. Now these scriptures were the _law and the prophets_, for _Timothy_ had known…
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And now let me tell you both, it is much to be feared, you as yet stand only under this outward teaching; your good works are only done under obedience to such rules and doctrines as your reason assents to, but are not the fruits of a new-born spirit within you. But till you are thus renewed in the spirit of your minds…
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*_Theophilus._ No; but I would have you judge of your state of love, by these angelical tempers, and not by any transient fervour. For just as far as you are freed from the folly of all earthly affections, from all disquiet, trouble and complaint about this or that, just so far is the spirit of love in you. For divine …
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But the _one true_ way of dying to self, is most _simple_ and plain; it wants no arts or methods, no _cells_, _monasteries_, or _pilgrimages_, it is equally practicable by every body, it is always at hand, it meets you in every thing, it is free from all deceit, and is never without success. If you ask what this one, …
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_Theophilus._ I have stuck closely, my friend, to the point before us. Let it be supposed, that I had given you a form of prayer in these words, _O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world_, or, _O thou bread that comest down from heaven_, or, _Thou that art the resurrection, and the life_, the _light_ and _p…
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But observe. There is no way to attain this without a total despair of all human help. When a man is brought to such an inward, full conviction, as to have no more hope from all human means, than he hopes to see with his hands, or hear with his feet, then it is, that he is truly prepared to die to sin; that is, to give…
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*These are short but full _articles_ of true religion, which carry salvation along with them, which make a true and full offering of our whole nature to the _divine operation_, and also a true and full confession of the holy Trinity in Unity. For as they look wholly to the _Father_, as blessing us with the _operation_ …
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_Theophilus._ Thither, _Theogenes_, you must certainly come, if you keep to the path of meekness, humility, patience, and full resignation to God. But if you go aside from it, let the occasion seem ever so glorious, or the effects ever so wonderful, it is only preparing for yourself, a _harder death_. For die you must,…
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IN answer to your doubt, concerning joining any church communion, I will tell you what I would do myself. _First_, As to any defects in the outward form, and performance of _baptism and the supper of the Lord in the church, I am under little or no concern about them;――Because all that is_ inwardly meant or _intended b…
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*And therefore as the defects which, some way or other, are to be found in all churches, hinder not my communion with that, under which my lot is fallen, so neither do they hinder my being in full union, and hearty fellowship with all that is Christian, holy, and good, in every other church division. * * *…
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To the Reverend Mr. _S._ _My dear Friend and Brother_, IT is a great pleasure to me to think (as you ♦you say) that my letter to you, will also be to two of your brethren, who stand in the same state of earnestness to know how to be faithful and useful in their ministry, as you do: I hope God will increase your numbe…
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*God created men and angels solely for the _glory of his love_; and therefore angels and men can give no other glory to God, but that of yielding themselves up to the work of his creating love, manifesting itself in the several powers of their natural life, so that the first creating love, which brought them into being…
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For since all that is good and evil, is only so to them, because it lives in their heart; they may easily be taught, that no virtue, whether it be humility, or charity, has any goodness in it, but as it springs in, and from the heart, nor any vice, whether it be pride, or wrath, is any farther renounced, than as its po…
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As to the other parts of your office, whether they relate to things prescribed, or to such as are to be done, according to your best discretion, there will not be much difficulty, if you stand in the state above described. As to several _outward forms_ and _orders_ in the church, they must be supposed to partake, in t…
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To a Clergyman of _Bucks_. I AM much surprised, my friend, that you should still want more to be said about the doctrine of _imputation_, whether of _Adam_’s sin, or the _righteousness_ of Christ to his followers. _Cain_ could not possibly have any other natural life, than that which was in _Adam_; and therefore so su…
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You tell me, my friend, that the seraphic _Aspasio_ is quite transported with the thought of the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the sinner, and that it should in the account of God be esteemed as his.――It may be so, transport seems to be as natural to _Aspasio_, as flying is to a bird. But surely, a more trans…
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To ―――― WHEN a man first finds himself stirred up with religious zeal, what does he generally do? He turns all his thoughts _outwards_, he runs after this or that man, he is at the beck of every _new opinion_, and thinks only of finding the truth, by resting in this or that society of Christians. Could he find a man, …
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Ask then, my friend, no more where you shall go, or what you shall do, to be in the truth; for you can have the truth no where but in Jesus, nor in him any farther than as his holy nature is born within you. _Farewell._ * * * * *…
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To a Person of Quality. _Madam_, THERE is nothing more plain and simple than the way of religion. But piety makes little progress till it has no schemes of its own, no thoughts or contrivances to be any thing, but a _naked penitent_, left wholly and solely in _faith_ and _hope_ to the divine goodness. Nothing but th…
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To Mr. _J. T._ _My dear worthy Friend_, YOUR letter, though full of complaints about the state of your heart, was very much according to my mind, and gives me great hopes that God will carry on the good work he has begun in you, and lead you by his Holy Spirit through all those difficulties, under which you at presen…
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What room now, my dear friend, for complaint at the sight, sense, and feeling of your inability to make yourself better? Did you want _this sense_, every part of your religion would only have the nature and vanity of idolatry. For you cannot come unto God, you cannot believe in him, you cannot worship him in spirit and…
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And now, my dear friend, let me tell you, that as here lies all the real freedom, which cannot be taken from you, so in the constant exercise of this freedom, that is, in a continual leaving yourself to, and depending upon the operation of God in your soul, lies all your road to heaven. No divine virtue can be had any …
567 wordsSECTION 101LETTER VII.
To a Person burdened with inward and outward Troubles. _Worthy Sir_, MY heart embraces you with all the tenderness and affection of Christian love; and I earnestly beg of God, to make me a messenger of _his peace_ to your soul. You seem to apprehend, I may be much surprized at the account you have given of yourself;…
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Only let your present and past distress make you feel and acknowledge this two-fold great truth: _First_, That in and of yourself, you are nothing but darkness, vanity, and misery. _Secondly_, That of yourself, you can no more help yourself to light and comfort, than you can create an angel. People at all times seem to…
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Expect no life, strength, or comfort, but from the Spirit of God, dwelling and manifesting his own goodness in your soul. The best of men, and the best of books, can only do you good, so far as they turn you from themselves, and every human thing, to seek and receive every kind of good from God alone; not a distant, or…
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Let every creature have your love. Love with its fruits of meekness, patience, and humility, is all that we can wish for to ourselves, and our fellow-creatures; for this is to live in God, united to him, both for ♦time and eternity. ♦ “and time” replaced with “time and” To desire to communicate good to every creature…
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It would be easy to shew how the leaven of that sect works among us, just as it did among them. _Have any of the rulers believed on him?_ was the orthodox question of the antient Pharisees. Now we readily condemn the folly of that question; and yet who does not see, that, for the most part, both priest and people, in e…
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*Give up yourself to God without reserve. This implies such a state of heart, as does nothing of itself, from its own reason, will or choice, but stands always in an absolute dependance upon being led by the Spirit of God into every thing that is according to his will; in singleness of heart meeting every thing that ev…
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♦ second letter “VII”, added “a” suffix To Mr. _T. L._ IT matters not my friend, what you are upon, whether you would save a man from _deism_, _debauchery_, or _suicide_; you must begin in the same place, from one and the same ground, and this as unavoidably, as every fruit must have its beginning from the root, and …
186 wordsSECTION 108LETTER VIII.
To the same. _My dear Friend_, THE variety of trials you have lately met with, are but a specimen of what you are to expect, in some form or other, so long as you breathe the air of this fallen world.――The longer we are without them, the more our need of them is increased. And they never give great smart, but where s…
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To _G. W._ THE large account you have given of yourself, is very affecting, and I hope God will turn all the variety of your past distress, into means of a future solid peace, and rest in his divine love. To be weary and heavy laden, is to have the highest fitness to receive that rest, that Christ alone can give. The…
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To Mr. _T. L._ _My dear L._ TAMPER with no physicians, but content yourself, to have that share of health, which a regular and good life can help you to.――Reflect not upon your predominant complexion, or how long it will be before you get from under its power. St. _Paul_ wanted to be delivered from his thorn in the f…
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_To a Clergyman of_ Westmoreland. _Reverend Sir_, ADAM’s turning from God, to hear the voice of his own _reason_ and _imagination_, and the suggestions of a satanical serpent, was that which created in him a new hardened heart, bold enough to eat of the forbidden tree. Now this rise of the first sin, demonstrates how…
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THE reason of my addressing this discourse to the clergy, is not, because it treats of things not of common concern to all Christians, but chiefly to induce them, as far as I can, to the serious perusal of it; and because whatever is _essential_ to Christian salvation, if either neglected, or mistaken by them, is of th…
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Could the angel see a _spark_ of wisdom, goodness, or excellence, as coming from, or belonging to _itself_, its place in heaven would be lost, as sure as _Lucifer_ lost his. But they are ever abiding flames of pure love, always ascending up to, and uniting with God, for this reason, because the wisdom, the power, the g…
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A religious _faith, that_ is _uninspired_, a _hope_, or _love_, that proceeds not from the immediate working of the divine nature within us, can no more unite us with God, than an hunger after earthly food, can feed us with the bread of heaven.――All that the _natural_, or _uninspired_ man does, or can do in the church …
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*Now this _middle way_, hath neither scripture, nor sense in it: for an _occasional_ influence, or concurrence, is as absurd, as an _occasional_ God. For an occasional _influence_ of the Spirit upon us, supposes an occasional _absence_ of the spirit from us. For there could be no such thing, unless God was sometimes wi…
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This must be the case of all fallen Christendom, as well Popish as Protestant, till single men, and churches, know, confess, and firmly adhere to this truth, _viz._ _That our salvation is in the life of Jesus Christ in us_. Every thing besides this, or that is not leading to it, is but mere Babel in all sects, and divi…
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I would ask all _writers_ against _continual, immediate_ divine inspiration, how they could more effectually lead men, into an _habitual_ state of _sinning_ against the Holy Ghost, than by such doctrine? For how can we possibly avoid the sin of grieving, or quenching the Spirit, but by continually reverencing his holy …
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Farther, what a blindness is it, to charge persons with the _enthusiasm_ of holding the necessity of continual, immediate inspiration, and to attack them as enemies to the established church, when every body’s eyes see, that collect after collect in the established liturgy, teaches, and requires them to believe, and pr…
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A _scholar_, pitying the blindness and folly of those who live to themselves in the cares and pleasures of this vain life, thinks himself to have escaped the pollutions of the world, because he is day after day, dividing, dissecting, and mending church opinions, fixing heresies here, schisms there; forgetting all the w…
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*Christ also saith, if _any man love me, my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him_: that is, according to the Doctor’s theology, certain books of scripture will come to him, and make their abode with him; for he expressly confineth the _constant abode_, and _supreme illumination_ o…
752 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.