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 121
But if this is not thought that fullness of regard, that is due to the holy messengers of God; if any one will still be so learnedly wise, as to affirm, that though _Paul_’s preaching in his epistles, whilst he was alive, was indeed only bare planting and watering, but the same epistles being published after his death,…
825 wordsSECTION 122Part 122
Thus Doctor _Green_, wanting to write on _divine inspiration_, runs from book to book, from country to country, to _pick up reports_ wherever he could find them, concerning divine inspiration, from this and that _judicious_ author, that so he might be sure of compiling a _judicious_ dissertation on the subject. All whi…
784 wordsSECTION 123Part 123
How is it, that the logical, critical, learned deist comes by his infidelity? Why by the same help of the same good powers of the _natural man_, as many a learned Christian comes to know, and contend for the gospel. For, drop divine inspiration, and all is dropt, that can give the believer any godly difference from the…
803 wordsSECTION 124Part 124
In the first gospel church, Heathen light had no other name, than Heathen darkness; and the wisdom of words was no more sought after, than that _friendship_ of the world, which is _enmity_ with God. In that new-born church, the _tree of life, which grew in the midst of paradise_, took root and grew up again. In the pre…
726 wordsSECTION 125Part 125
What, therefore, has every one so much to fear and abhor, as self-exaltation, and every _outward_ work that proceeds from it. But at what things shall a man look, to see _that_ which raises pride to its strongest life, and most of all hinders the life of the humble Jesus in his soul? Shall he call the _pomps_ and _vani…
865 wordsSECTION 126Part 126
Yet so it is, in this fallen state of the gospel church, that with these proud endowments of fallen nature, the _classic_ scholar, full fraught with pagan light and skill, comes forth to play the _critic_ and _orator_ with the simplicity of salvation mysteries; mysteries which mean nothing else but the _inward work_ of…
897 wordsSECTION 127Part 127
Would you divinely know the mysteries of grace and salvation? Let divine love work within you. Without this, be as learned and polite as you will, your heart is but the dark heart of fallen _Adam_, and your knowledge of the kingdom of God, will be only like that which murdering _Cain_ had.――If love is not the spirit th…
777 wordsSECTION 128Part 128
But is it not as easy to see, that the whole Christian church are in a fallen state, and for the same reason, because they are turned away from that holy Spirit who was given to be the _only_ life, and fulfilling of all that, which was _outwardly_ taught by the gospel. For the holy Spirit to come, was the same FULFILLI…
810 wordsSECTION 129Part 129
Say not, that it is only the _illiterate_ enthusiast, that condemns human learning in the gospel kingdom of God. For when he condemns the blindness and mischief of Popish logic and criticism, he has all the learned Protestant world with him; and when he lays the same charge to the Protestant learning, he has a much lar…
531 wordsSECTION 130Part 130
And _first_, can it be said, that _mammon_ is less _served_ by Christians, than by Jews and Infidels? Or can there be a fuller proof, that Christians, Jews, and Infidels, are equally fallen from God, since truth itself hath told us, That we _cannot serve God and mammon_? Is not this as unalterable a truth, as if it had…
815 wordsSECTION 131Part 131
The light which broke out at the reformation, abhorred the bloody zeal of these Catholic heroes. But what followed from this new risen, reforming light, what came forth instead of these _holy crusades_? Why wars, if possible, still more diabolical. Christian kingdoms with blood-thirsty piety, destroying, devouring and …
866 wordsSECTION 132Part 132
Look at that which the private Christian is to do to his neighbour, or his enemy, and you see that very thing, which one Christian kingdom is to do to another. Now suppose a man, redeemed from his fallen nature, by Christ formed in his soul, and then he can no more be hired to kill men gloriously in the field, than to…
712 wordsSECTION 133Part 133
*Look now at _warring Christendom_, what smallest drop of pity towards sinners is to be found in it? Or how could a spirit all hellish, more fully contrive and hasten their destruction? It stirs up every passion of fallen nature, that is contrary to the humble, meek, loving, forgiving, Spirit of Christ. It drives, and …
850 wordsSECTION 134Part 134
_This wisdom_ hath asked me, How it is possible for Christian kingdoms in the neighbourhood of one another, to preserve themselves, unless the strength and weapons of war, are every ones defence, against such invasions, incroachments, and robberies, as would otherwise be the fate of Christian kingdoms from one another?…
898 wordsSECTION 135Part 135
But this can only be done, just as the change of night into day is done, or as the darkness is lost in the light.――Something as contrary to the whole nature of sin, as light is to darkness, and as powerful over it, as the light is powerful over darkness, can alone do this.――Creeds, canons, articles of religion, stately…
801 wordsSECTION 136Part 136
*The sober divine, who abhors the pride of Enthusiasts, saith of himself and all men, We are poor, blind, imperfect creatures, all our natural faculties are perverted, corrupted, and out of their right state, and therefore nothing that is perfect can come from us, or be done by us. Truth enough! and the very same truth…
822 wordsSECTION 137Part 137
The eternal Son of God came into the world, only for the sake of this new birth, to give God the glory of restoring it to all the dead sons of fallen _Adam_. All the mysteries of this incarnate, suffering, dying Son of God, all the price that he paid for our redemption, all the washings that we have from his all cleans…
706 wordsSECTION 138CHAPTER I.
_Of the imitation of Christ and contempt of all the vanities of the world._ HE _that followeth me walketh not in darkness_, saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ, by which we are admonished, that we ought to imitate his life and manners, if we would be truly enlightened, and delivered from all blindness of hea…
263 wordsSECTION 139CHAPTER II.
_Of thinking humbly of ourselves._ *ALL men naturally desire to know; but what availeth knowledge, without the fear of God? Surely, an humble husbandman that serveth God, is better than a proud philosopher, that neglecting himself, studies the course of the heavens. He that knoweth himself, is vile in his own eyes, …
291 wordsSECTION 140CHAPTER III.
_Of the doctrine of truth._ HAPPY is he, whom truth itself teacheth, not by figures, and words that pass away; but by an immediate communication of itself. Our own opinion and our own sense often deceive us, and discern little. What availeth it to dispute about hidden things, for being ignorant of which we shall not…
599 wordsSECTION 141CHAPTER IV.
_Of prudence in our actions._ WE must not give ear to every saying or suggestion, but warily and leisurely ponder things according to the will of God. But alas! such is our weakness, that we often more easily believe and speak evil of others than good. Good men do not easily give credit to every thing one tells them…
182 wordsSECTION 142CHAPTER V.
_Of reading the holy scriptures._ TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought for in holy scripture. *All scripture is to be read by the same spirit wherewith it was written. We ought to read plain and devout books as willingly as high and profound ones. Let not the authority of the writer, whether he be of great or smal…
165 wordsSECTION 143CHAPTER VI.
_Of avoiding vain hopes and pride._ HE is vain that putteth his trust in man or creatures. Be not ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ; nor to be esteemed poor in this world. Presume not upon thyself, but place thy hope in God. *Do what lieth in thy power, and God will assist thy good-will. *Trust …
237 wordsSECTION 144CHAPTER VII.
_That too much familiarity is to be shunned._ LAY not thy heart open to every one; but treat of thy affairs with the wise and such as fear God. Converse not much with young people and strangers. Flatter not the rich; neither do thou appear willingly before great persons. Keep company with the humble and simple, wit…
116 wordsSECTION 145CHAPTER VIII.
_Of avoiding superfluity of words._ FLY the tumult of the world as much as thou canst: For we are quickly defiled and enthralled with vanity. I could wish that I had oftentimes held my peace, and that I had not been in company. *Why are we so fond of conversation, when notwithstanding we seldom return to silence wi…
159 wordsSECTION 146CHAPTER IX.
_The obtaining of peace, and zeal for improvement._ *WE might enjoy much peace, if we would not busy ourselves with the words and deeds of others, in which we have no concern. How can he live long in peace, that meddles with the cares of others, and little or seldom recollecteth himself within his own breast? Blesse…
214 wordsSECTION 147CHAPTER X.
_Of the usefulness of adversity._ IT is good that we have sometimes troubles and crosses; for they often make a man enter into himself, and consider that he ought not to place his trust in any worldly thing. It is good that we be sometimes contradicted; and that men think ill of us: and this, although we do, and inte…
736 wordsSECTION 148CHAPTER XI.
_Of avoiding rash Judgment._ TURN thine eyes unto thyself, and beware thou judge not the deeds of other men. In judging of others a man laboureth in vain, often erreth, and easily sinneth: but in judging and examining himself he always laboureth fruitfully. We often judge of things according as we fancy them: for af…
184 wordsSECTION 149CHAPTER XII.
_Of works done out of charity._ THE outward work, without charity, profiteth nothing; but whatsoever is done out of charity, be it never so little and contemptible in the sight of the world, is wholly fruitful. *For God weigheth more with how much love one worketh, than how much he doth. *He doth much that loveth mu…
208 wordsSECTION 150CHAPTER XIII.
_Of bearing with the defects of others._ THOSE things that a man cannot amend in himself, or in others, he ought to suffer patiently, until God orders things otherwise. *Think, that perhaps it is better so for thy trial and patience. *2. If one that is once or twice warned will not give over, contend not with him; b…
294 wordsSECTION 151CHAPTER XIV.
_Of the examples of the holy Fathers._ CONSIDER the lively examples of the holy fathers, in whom true religion shone, and thou shalt see how little it is and almost nothing, which we do now. Alas! what is our life, if it be compared to theirs? These saints and friends of _Christ_, served the Lord in hunger and thirs…
619 wordsSECTION 152CHAPTER XV.
_Of the love of solitude and silence._ SEEK a convenient time to retire into thyself. Meddle not with curiosities. Read such things as may rather yield compunction of heart, than busy thy head. If thou wilt withdraw thyself from superfluous talk and useless visits, as also from hearkening after news and rumours, tho…
751 wordsSECTION 153CHAPTER XVI.
_Of compunction of heart._ IF thou wilt make any progress, keep thyself in the fear of God, and use not too much liberty. Keep all thy senses under discipline, and give not thyself over to trifling mirth. 2. The levity of our minds, and want of concern for our faults, make us lose the sense of our inward state, and …
404 wordsSECTION 154CHAPTER XVII.
_Of the meditation of death._ THIS life will soon be at an end: consider therefore how thy affairs stand as to the next. Man is here to-day; to-morrow he is gone. When he is out of sight, he is soon forgotten. *Thou shouldest so order thyself in all thy thoughts and all thy actions, as if thou wert to die to-day. …
603 wordsSECTION 155CHAPTER XVIII.
_Of judgment and the punishment of sins._ IN all things remember the end, and how thou wilt be able to stand before that severe Judge, from whom nothing is hid: who is not pacified with gifts, nor admitteth any excuses; but will judge according to right. O wretched and foolish sinner, who sometimes fearest the counte…
394 wordsSECTION 156CHAPTER XIX.
_Of the zealous amendment of our whole life._ *WHEN one that was in great anxiety of mind, often wavering between fear and hope, once humbly prostrated himself in prayer, and said, O if I knew that I should persevere! He presently heard within him an answer from God, which said, If thou didst know it, what wouldst tho…
406 wordsSECTION 157CHAPTER I.
_Of the inward life._ THE kingdom of God is within you, saith the Lord. Turn thee with thy whole heart unto the Lord, and forsake this wretched world, and thy soul shall find rest. Learn to despise exterior things, and to give thyself to the interior, and thou shalt perceive the kingdom of God to come into thee. For…
746 wordsSECTION 158CHAPTER II.
_Of humble submission._ MIND not much who is with thee, or who is against thee: but endeavour and take care that God may be with thee in every thing thou dost. Keep a good conscience, and God will defend thee. For whom God will help, no man can hurt. If thou canst hold thy peace and suffer, without doubt thou shalt…
212 wordsSECTION 159CHAPTER III.
_Of a good and peaceable man._ FIRST keep thyself in peace, and then mayst thou pacify others. A peaceable man doth more good than a learned one. A passionate man turneth good into evil, and easily believeth the worst. A peaceable man turneth all things into good. He that is in peace, is not suspicious of any: Bu…
351 wordsSECTION 160CHAPTER IV.
_Of a pure mind, and simple intention._ *SIMPLICITY and purity, are the two wings by which a man is lifted up above all earthly things. *Simplicity is in the intention; purity in the affection: simplicity tends to God; purity apprehends and tastes him. *No good action will hinder thee, if thou be inwardly free from …
250 wordsSECTION 161CHAPTER V.
_Of the consideration of one’s self._ WE should not trust too much to ourselves, because we have often neither grace nor understanding. There is but little light in us, and that we quickly lose by negligence. We reprehend small things in others, and pass over greater in ourselves. We quickly feel and weigh what we …
280 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.