PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 10 (of 32)
Wesley, John, 1703-1791 · 85,864 words · 123 reading sections
Part 61
He went on, “O how good is God to me, that he hath given me a tongue to praise him! A little while, yet a little while, and I shall praise him in heaven! O the goodness of God, that I a worm of the earth, shall stand there, upon mount _Sion_, with the hundred and forty and four thousand which _have washed their robes a…
841 wordsSECTION 62Part 62
1. MY son, _Samuel Hitchens_, was born on the 23d of _March 1725_. He was brought up to read and write. But he had almost forgot that, and every thing which is good, until God sent his ministers into these parts also, _to call sinners to repentance_. He was soon very deeply convinced of sin: particularly, in the beginn…
866 wordsSECTION 63Part 63
9. His love of souls cannot easily be described, especially those that were more immediately under his care. If any thing was amiss in his class or band, he often felt the weight, before he discovered the reason of it: and would lay it home to them with the greatest earnestness, till he had found out the accursed thing…
858 wordsSECTION 64Part 64
16. About nine his mother and I came to him, and he said, “mother, you are troubled about many things. I know you have a great cross now sickness is in the house, over and above the care of this large family. Father, you must bear your part. There is a want in you both. You are religious singly: But you are not free in…
879 wordsSECTION 65Part 65
25. _Elizabeth Thomas_ being with him on _Friday_ night, he asked her to pray, and said, “I can pour out my whole heart, and soul, and spirit, and life in prayer.” She asked, “Can you rejoice in God?” He replied, “Yes; I have not the least doubt of my salvation. _I know that my Redeemer liveth_, and that I shall stand …
795 wordsSECTION 66Part 66
4. Here we lay five weeks on board the _Seaflower_, a ship belonging to _Whitby_. On _December 18_, new stile, we set sail for _Burnt-island_: our ship having 41 horses on board. About sun-rise, just as we got over the bar, it looking as if we should have hard weather, the man of war that sailed with us prepared for it…
909 wordsSECTION 67Part 67
7. But we had scarce lost sight of land two hours, when another violent storm arose. I then renewed the good resolutions I made in the last, and which I forgot almost as soon as I had made them. It blew exceeding hard; however on _April 9_, we came with great difficulty to _Leith_. When we were safe on shore, instead o…
917 wordsSECTION 68Part 68
11. Having sold our arms to buy us provisions, after many difficulties and dangers, in passing by both the _French_ and _Imperial_ troops, we at length came to _Mastricht_. Thence we went to _Middleburgh_, and afterward to _Flushing_, where we got on board an _English_ man of war, which the next morning sailed, and bro…
888 wordsSECTION 69Part 69
16. What follows is added by him who wrote the forgoing relation. We now parted, after I had promised to be with him, during the short remainder of his life, as much as my business would permit. _Tuesday_ the 25th, Mr. _Edwards_ administered the Sacrament to him, and examined him closely as to the state of his soul. He…
890 wordsSECTION 70Part 70
Another said, I was so prejudiced against him by reports, that I would have shot him, as soon as I would a dog. And I waited at the prison door, expecting to see a monstrous creature, when I saw a man with grace shining in his face. And I hope what I then saw and heard will be a blessing to me as long as I live. Some …
703 wordsSECTION 71Part 71
He was first committed to _Bridewell_, and continued there six weeks: during his stay there, God was pleased to incline the heart of one to visit those who were there confined, and to publish the glad tidings of salvation; and God gave _Lee_ an ear to hear the gospel-sound, and an heart to embrace it. He took great del…
902 wordsSECTION 72Part 72
He replied, “Because Jesus Christ hath washed away my sins in his own blood; and I am justified by his grace: my sins are blotted out of the book of his remembrance.” It was asked again, “How he knew that Christ had taken away his sins, and that he was washed in his blood.” *He replied: “As a lost and undone sinner, …
905 wordsSECTION 73Part 73
To some, he said, “My living in an alehouse exposed me to much evil company, and I was forced to hear much cursing and swearing, to which I myself was too much addicted. This with my living in uncleanness, made me forget God; so that God for my manifold sins, left me to commit the crime, for which I am justly to lose m…
961 wordsSECTION 74Part 74
They answered, “Why, we must all die, one time or other; and now is as well as another time.” “How can you (replied he) speak so carelessly about the most important thing in the world? But you forget.――――Death is not all: for after death there is a judgment and eternity! Indeed for my part I am easy; because I know I …
953 wordsSECTION 75Part 75
“Oh (said he) I find more solid joy and comfort in death than ever I found in all the pleasures of life. Oh, that my relations would not weep for me: it grieves me to see them grieve. Oh, that they may speedily turn to God, and then, though we part here in sorrow, we shall meet hereafter in joy; never, never to part ag…
933 wordsSECTION 76CHAPTER I.
_An account of him from his childhood, to the seventeenth year of his age._ MR. _John Janeway_ was born in the year ♦1633, _October 27_, in _Tylly_, in the county of _Hertford_. He soon gave his parents the hope of much comfort, and the symptoms of something more than ordinary appeared in him. For pregnancy of _wit_, …
665 wordsSECTION 77CHAPTER II.
_Of his conversion and carriage when fellow of ♦the college._ ♦ duplicate word “the” removed THE great work of _conversion_, was not ♦carried on upon his soul, in that dreadful manner that it is upon some, but the Lord was pleased, sweetly, to unlock his heart, by the exemplary life, and heavenly discourse of a young…
515 wordsSECTION 78SIR,
YOUR _charge is great upon a temporal account, but greater upon a spiritual. Out of an earnest desire of the good of souls and your own joy and peace, I importunately request that you should have a great care of your children, and be often dropping in some wholesome admonitions; and this I humbly, with submission to yo…
290 wordsSECTION 79Part 79
“Distance of place cannot at all lessen that natural bond, whereby we are conjoined in blood, neither ought to lessen that of love. Nay, where true love is, it cannot; for love towards you I can only say this, that I feel it better than I can express it: but love felt and not expressed is little worth. I therefore desi…
793 wordsSECTION 80CHAPTER III.
_His great love to prayer._ HE was mighty in prayer, and his spirit was oftentimes so transported in it that he forgot the weakness of his own body. Indeed the acquaintance he had with God was so sweet, and his converse with him so frequent, that when he was engaged in duty, he scarce knew how to leave off. His consta…
745 wordsSECTION 81CHAPTER IV.
_His return to King’s-college after his father’s death and his temptations._ WHEN his father was dead he returned again to _King’s-college_, and was a member of a society, which began to contrive how they might best be serviceable to God and their generation. Their custom was frequently to meet together, to pray and t…
871 wordsSECTION 82Part 82
His love to Christ and souls, made him very desirous _to spend, and be spent in the work of the ministry_. Accordingly he complied with the first clear call to preach the everlasting gospel. And though he was but two and twenty years old, yet he came to that work like one that understood what preaching was. He was a wo…
505 wordsSECTION 83CHAPTER V.
_An account of the latter part of his life._ FOR the latter part of his life, he lived like a man that was quite weary of the world, and that looked upon himself as a stranger here, and lived in the constant sight of a better. He plainly declared himself but a pilgrim that looked for a better country, a city that had …
792 wordsSECTION 84CHAPTER VI.
_His last sickness and death._ HE now fell into a deep consumption; but, this messenger of God did not in the least damp him. Spitting of blood, was no ghastly thing to one who had his eye upon the blood of Jesus; faint sweats did not daunt him that had always such reviving cordials at hand. It was matter of joy to hi…
958 wordsSECTION 85Part 85
This holy minister praying with him, his soul was ravished with the abundant incomes of light, life, and love; so that he could scarce bear the thought of staying longer in the world, but longed to be in such a condition, wherein he should be better able to bear that weight of glory; some manifestations whereof did alm…
879 wordsSECTION 86Part 86
When Ministers or Christians came to him, he would beg of them to spend all the time they had with him in praise. ‘O help me to praise God, I have nothing to do from this time to eternity, but to praise and love God. I have what my soul desires upon earth; I cannot tell what to pray for, but what I have graciously give…
903 wordsSECTION 87Part 87
_Then_ he charged all his brethren and sisters as they would answer it before God, to carry it dutiful to their dear mother. And for his eldest brother _William_ (at whose house he lay sick) his prayer was that he might be swallowed up of Christ and love to souls; and be more and more exemplary in his life and successf…
942 wordsSECTION 88Part 88
And now his desires shall soon be satisfied; death comes apace to do his office; his jaws are loosened more and more, his hands and feet are cold as clay, and a cold sweat is upon him: but, oh how glad was he when he felt his spirit just a going! never was death more welcome to any mortal. Though the pangs of death wer…
844 wordsSECTION 89Part 89
7. _This caution is necessary to be remembered, that ye who are weak be not offended. Neither be ye offended, when ye hear the wisdom of the world pronounce all this, mere enthusiasm: a hard word, which most of those who are fondest of it, no more understand ♦than they do Arabic. Ask, in the spirit of meekness, him who…
423 wordsSECTION 90CHAPTER I.
_A short account of his birth and life, till ten years of age._ 1. MR. _Thomas Haliburton_, was born at _Duplin_, in the parish of Aberdalgy, (of which his father was sometime minister) on _December 25, 1674_. The three former parts of the following account were wrote by himself: the last is partly extracted from his …
663 wordsSECTION 91Part 91
*6. When I review this first period of my life, what reason have I to be ashamed, and even confounded, to think I have spent ten years of a short life, without almost a rational thought, undoubtedly without any that was not sinful. And this being matter of undoubted experience, I have herein a strong confirmation of my…
408 wordsSECTION 92CHAPTER II.
_An account of the next two years of his life._ 1. IN May 1685, I went with my mother into Holland, and being in some danger while we were at sea, my conscience, till then asleep, began to awaken, and to be terrified with apprehensions of death. But all this concern was nothing more than natural fear, and a selfish de…
732 wordsSECTION 93CHAPTER III.
_Of the revival of his convictions, and their effects till 1690._ 1. IN the beginning of Autumn 1687, we returned home, and fixed at Perth. Here I was immediately sent to school, and made more progress in learning than before. But as to religion, I continued as unconcerned about, and as averse from it as ever. However…
663 wordsSECTION 94Part 94
6. The effects of my being thus exercised were: 1. I was brought to doubt of the truths of religion. Whenever I would have built on them in time of distress, a suspicion secretly haunted me; “What if these things are not so? Have I a certainty and evidence about them, answerable to the weight that is to be laid upon th…
464 wordsSECTION 95CHAPTER IV.
_Of the increase of his convictions, from_ Autumn 1690, _till_ May 1693. 1. FOR the better advantage of my education my mother in 1690, removed with me to _Edinburgh_. I was now again put to school, and in _November 1692_, entered at the college. Here my knowledge of the law of God daily increased; and therewith my kn…
781 wordsSECTION 96CHAPTER V.
_Of the straits he was in, and the course he took for relief, from May 1693, to August 1696._ 1. THE air of _Edinburgh_ agreeing neither with my mother nor me, in _May 1693_ she removed to St. _Andrews_. And here I came under the care of Mr. _Taylor_, a wise man, and one very careful of me. Thus chased as I was from p…
798 wordsSECTION 97Part 97
5. When I had been disappointed again and again, I was in the utmost perplexity to find where the fault lay. I found this way of covenanting with God mentioned in scripture, recommended by ministers, and approved by the experience of all the people of God. I could not tax myself with guile in doing it: I was resolved t…
797 wordsSECTION 98Part 98
9. But still my corruptions took daily root, and increased in strength by my weak resistance. Yet I had a fair form of religion: I avoided all those sins that plainly thwarted the light of my conscience. I abstained from those evils which even the more serious students gave into; and kept at a distance from the occasio…
840 wordsSECTION 99Part 99
_Lastly_, Though this work was agreeable to reason, yet it was far above the power of nature. I cannot ascribe either its rise or progress to myself; for it was what I sought not, I thought not of; nay I hated, and feared and avoided, and shunned and opposed it with all my might. I cannot ascribe it to any outward mean…
297 wordsSECTION 100CHAPTER I.
_Of the progress of his convictions and temptations._ 1. I HAD now a design to go abroad: but on the advice of some friends, I laid aside that design, and engaged as chaplain to a family. Accordingly in _August 1696_, I went to the _Wemyss_. When I came hither, a stranger among persons of considerable quality, I was i…
502 wordsSECTION 101Part 101
5. The subtle enemy, who had so often before tempted me to pride, now pressed me to a bastard sort of humility. “How can such an one as you expect to remove difficulties, which so many abler men have sunk under?” By this I was brought into grievous perplexity. I sought relief from my own reasonings, from books, and eve…
833 wordsSECTION 102Part 102
8. Before I proceed, I must observe the folly of reasoning with Satan; whenever I did so, he had still great advantage: he easily evaded all my arguments, and enforced his own suggestions: and even when they were not maintained by argument, he injected them so strongly, that I was not able to stand against them: our sa…
869 wordsSECTION 103Part 103
14. By the extremity of this anguish, I was for some time, about the end of ninety-seven, and the beginning of ninety-eight, dreadfully cast down. I was weary of my life. Oft did I use _Job_’s words, _I loath it, I would not live alway_. And yet I was afraid to die. I had no rest; _My sore ran in the day, and in the ni…
199 wordsSECTION 104CHAPTER II.
_Of his deliverance from these temptations._ *IT was in this extremity God stepped in; he found me wallowing in my blood, in a helpless and hopeless condition. I was quite overcome, neither able to fight nor fly, when the Lord passed by me, and made this time a time of love. Towards the beginning of _February 1698_, t…
837 wordsSECTION 105Part 105
3. The first effect of it was an approbation of God’s way of saving sinners by Jesus Christ; as a way of relief in all respects suitable to the needs of a poor, guilty, self-condemned, self-destroyed sinner, who is at length beat from all other reliefs, and hath his mouth entirely stopped before God. In this I rested a…
902 wordsSECTION 106Part 106
7. A fifth effect of this light, was a comfortable hope of salvation, rising in strength, or growing more weak, as the discoveries of the way of salvation, were more or less clear and strong. I knew I could not fail of salvation, otherwise than by missing this way. Sometimes I doubted of myself, but not of the way; so …
317 wordsSECTION 107CHAPTER I.
_Of the pleasure of this state; the mistakes attending it, and the way of their discovery._ 1. THIS glorious discovery was very surprising: oft I stood and wonder’d what this strange sight meant. The greatness of the things God ♦had done surpassed belief; and yet the effects would not suffer me to doubt of them. Not t…
776 wordsSECTION 108Part 108
4. God had many gracious designs in this. I was sore broken and wounded, and he did this in tenderness; he bound up my wounds, he poured in oil, he made me a bed in my sickness. He watched me, and kept me from disturbance, till I was somewhat strengthened. I had been plunged into grievous and hard thoughts of him, as i…
948 wordsSECTION 109CHAPTER II.
_Of his fresh strugglings with sin; its victories; and the cause of them, and God’s goodness with respect to this trial._ 1. FINDING my enemies had gained great advantage over me, by the security into which I was fallen, though I was unwilling to fight, yet upon their appearance I tried what weapons would be most succ…
852 wordsSECTION 110Part 110
*7. When I had got thus far, I got up again as I could, and sought him in all the duties of his appointment. Nor was it long (if I humbly and patiently continued in this way) before I found him, as at the first. He set my sin, in all its aggravations, before me; he led me up to original sin, the source of all: he cut o…
750 wordsSECTION 111Part 111
10. Upon the whole, we may remark, 1. That we may heal our wounds slightly; but it is God’s prerogative to speak solid peace. 2. That considering our unbelief, and pride of heart, it is not easy to win a sinner to believe, that the forgiveness, which is with God, is able to answer all necessities. And when the soul is …
319 wordsSECTION 112♦CHAPTER III.
♦ “PART” replaced with “CHAPTER” _A more particular account of his preceding doubts, concerning the being of God, and deliverance from them._ 1. I BEFORE mentioned the trials I had about the being of a God, almost as soon as I had any concern about religion. But at first I had no arguments, urged against it: only see…
887 wordsSECTION 113CHAPTER ♦IV.
♦ “II” replaced with “IV” _A more ♦particular account of his preceding doubts concerning the holy scriptures, and deliverance from them._ ♦ “particlar” replaced with “particular” 1. THIS temptation, as observed before, did not attack me so soon as the former; but it was managed in much the same way. Sometimes my min…
705 wordsSECTION 114Part 114
5. And ♦whereas my enemies had often asked me, how I could distinguish the real among so many pretended revelations? God himself now gave me a reply: _The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat, saith the Lord? Is not m…
359 wordsSECTION 115CHAPTER V.
_Of some other temptations, and his deliverance from them._ 1. I BEFORE shewed that when I was in doubt about the holy scriptures, the devil often suggested to me, “how can you expect satisfaction in these things, when men of so much greater abilities have sought it in vain?” And this suggestion was often so violently…
851 wordsSECTION 116Part 116
*3. Hence God shewed me, that it was to be expected, and was indeed inevitable, that a great opposition, should be every where made to his gospel; that this opposition would principally be by pretenders to wisdom, and learned men; that their objections must be against all the concernments of the gospel, the matter, man…
876 wordsSECTION 117Part 117
_Secondly_, Whereas there still continued some fear upon a near prospect of it, I was much relieved by God’s promise, that we should _not be tempted above what we are able to bear_, especially when I recollected my former experience. I remember one day in particular, I was opprest with fear of death, when God mercifull…
288 wordsSECTION 118CHAPTER I.
_Of his entrance upon the ministry, and behaviour at |Ceres|._ 1. WHEN I was under the violent strugglings before-mentioned, I had laid aside all thoughts of the ministry; for I could not entertain a thought of preaching to others what I did not believe myself. But now the scene being changed, I was, after long delibe…
819 wordsSECTION 119Part 119
*Observe, _Fourthly_, That ministers are commonly more shaken about the truths of religion, than about their own state: but the people, more about their own state, than about the truths of religion. And as ministers are assisted to clear the people as to what they are straitened about; so are the people often enabled t…
897 wordsSECTION 120Part 120
_Lastly_, That the most effectual inducement to universal obedience, is a sense that our sins are forgiven us, still kept fresh upon our souls, and a constant improvement of the blood of Christ by faith. 11. _January 11, 1708._ In the morning I arose greatly indisposed with a looseness. Before church I was somewhat re…
335 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.