PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 15 (of 32)
Wesley, John, 1703-1791 · 93,349 words · 116 reading sections
Part 61
12. How long will you fight under the banner of the great enemy of God and ♦man? You are now in his service: you are _taking part with the devil_ against God. Even supposing there were no other proof, this would undeniably appear, from the goodly company among whom you are enlisted, and who war one and the same warfare…
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16. I cannot but believe, it is _chiefly_ on this account, that God hath now _a controversy with our land_. And must not any considerate man be inclined to form the same judgment, if he reviews the state of _public affairs_, for only a few years last past? I will not enter into particulars. But, in general, can you pos…
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_December 18, 1745_. A Plain ACCOUNT of the _People_ called METHODISTS. In a LETTER to the Reverend Mr. _PERRONET_ VICAR of _Shoreham_, in KENT. [Written in the YEAR 1748.] _Rev. and dear_ SIR, 1. SOME time since you desired an account of the _whole œconomy_ of the people commonly called METHODISTS. And you recei…
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7. Thus arose, without any previous design on either side, what was afterwards called, _a society_: a very innocent name, and very common in _London_, for any number of people _associating_ themselves together. The thing proposed in their associating themselves together was obvious to every one. They wanted to _flee fr…
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II. 1. But as much as we endeavoured to watch over each other, we soon found some who did not _live the gospel_. I do not know, that any hypocrites were crept in; for indeed there was no temptation. But several grew cold, and gave way to the sins which had long easily beset them. We quickly perceived, there were many i…
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7. It can scarce be conceived, what advantages have been reaped from this little prudential regulation. Many now happily experienced that Christian fellowship, of which they had not so much as an idea before. They began to _bear one anothers burthens_, and _naturally_ to _care for each other_. As they had daily a more …
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III. 1. About this time, I was informed, that several persons in _Kingswood_, frequently met together at the school, and (when they could spare the time) spent the greater part of the night, in prayer, and praise, and thanksgiving. Some advised me to put an end to this; but upon weighing the thing throughly, and compar…
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VI. 1. By the blessing of God upon their endeavours to help one another, many found the pearl of great price. Being justified by faith, they had _peace with_ God, _through our_ Lord Jesus Christ. These felt a more tender affection than before, to those who were partakers of like precious faith: and hence arose such a c…
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8. An objection much more boldly and frequently urged, is that “all these bands are mere _popery_.” I hope I need not pass a harder censure on those (most of them at least) who affirm this, than that they talk of they know not what, they betray in themselves the most gross and shameful ignorance. Do not they yet know, …
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2. In the third part of the _appeal_, I have mentioned, how we were led to accept of _lay-assistants_. Their office is, in the absence of the minister. 1. To expound every morning and evening: 2. To meet the united society, the bands, the select society, and the penitents once a week. 3. To visit the classes once a…
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5. I did not think it needful to give them any particular rules, beside those that follow: 1. Be plain and open in dealing with souls; 2. Be mild, tender, patient: 3. Be cleanly in all you do for the sick; 4. Be not nice. 6. We have ever since had great reason to praise God, for his continued blessing on this unde…
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2. In this (commonly called, _The Poor House_) we have now _nine_ widows, _one_ blind-woman, _two_ poor children, _two_ upper servants, a maid and a man. I might add _four_ or _five_ preachers. For I myself, as well as the other preachers who are in town, diet with the poor, on the same food, and at the same table. And…
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4. Some have supposed, this was no greater than that of the bishop of _London_. But others computed, that I received _eight hundred_ a year from _Yorkshire_ only. Now if so, it cannot be so little as _ten thousand pounds_ a year, which I receive out of all _England_! 5. Accordingly a gentleman in _Cornwall_ (the recto…
275 wordsSECTION 74JOHN WESLEY.
THE _Nature_, _Design_, and _General Rules_, OF THE UNITED SOCIETIES, In LONDON, BRISTOL, KINGSWOOD, ♦NEWCASTLE upon TYNE, &c. ♦ deleted “and” per Errata 1. IN the latter end of the year 1739, eight or ten persons came to me in _London_, who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redempti…
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By running with patience the race that is set before them, _denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily_; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and off-scouring of the world; and looking that men should _say all manner of evil of them falsely for the Lord’s sake_. 6. It is expected of a…
238 wordsSECTION 76JOHN WESLEY, CHARLES WESLEY,
_May 1, 1743_. MINUTES OF SOME LATE CONVERSATIONS, Between the Rev. Mr. WESLEYS, and Others. Conversation the First. MONDAY, 25th of _June_, 1744. THE following persons being met at the Foundery, _John Wesley_, _Charles Wesley_, _John Hodges_, rector of _Wenvo_, _Henry Piers_, vicar of _Bexley_, _Samuel Taylor_, vi…
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_A._ In _Adam_ all die, _i. e._ 1. Our bodies then became mortal. 2. Our souls died, _i. e._ were disunited from God. And hence, 3. We are all born with a sinful, devilish nature. By reason whereof, 4. We are children of wrath, liable to death eternal. _Romans_ v. 18. _Ephesians_ ii. 3. _Q._ 16. In what sense is the r…
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_Q._ 1. What is the church of _England_? _A._ According to the 20th article, the visible church of _England_ is, the congregation of English _believers_, in which the _pure word_ of God is preached, and the sacraments _duly_ administered. (But the word _church_ is sometimes taken in a looser sense, for “a congregatio…
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_Q._ 1. IS a sense of God’s pardoning love absolutely necessary to our being in his favour? Or may there be some exempt cases? _A._ We dare not say, there are not. _Q._ 2. Is it necessary to inward and outward holiness? _A._ We incline to think it is. _Q._ 3. Is it indispensably necessary to final salvation? Suppos…
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_Q._ 20. Should we not have a care of depreciating justification, in order to exalt the state of full sanctification? _A._ Undoubtedly we should beware of this: for one may insensibly slide into it. _Q._ 21. How shall we effectually avoid it? _A._ When we are going to speak of entire sanctification, let us first des…
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_Q._ 4. Let us consider a particular case. Was you, _Jonathan Reeves_, before you received the peace of God, convinced, that notwithstanding all you did, or could do, you was in a state of damnation? _J. R._ I was convinced of it, as fully as that I am now alive. ♦_Q._ 5. Are you sure that conviction was from God? ♦…
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_A._ All mankind were under the covenant of grace, from the very hour that the original promise was made. If by the covenant of works you mean, that of unsinning obedience made with _Adam_ before the fall: no man, but _Adam_, was ever under the covenant: for it was abolished before _Cain_ was born. Yet it is not so abo…
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_A._ The apostles themselves had not the proper Christian faith, till after the day of _Pentecost_. _Q._ 5. But were not those Christian believers, in the proper sense, to whom St. _John_ wrote his first epistle? Yet to these he says, chapter v. verse 13. _These things have I written unto you that believe on the name …
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_Q._ 1. HOW much is allowed by our brethren who differ from us, with regard to entire sanctification? _A._ They grant, 1. That every one must be entirely sanctified, in the article of death: 2. That till then, a believer daily grows in grace, comes nearer and nearer to perfection: 3. That we ought to be continually …
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_Q._ 9. But how does it appear, that this is to be done before the article of death? _A._ First, from the very nature of a command, which is not given to the dead, but to the living. Therefore, _Thou shalt love God with all thy heart_, cannot mean, Thou shalt do this when thou diest, but while thou livest. Secondly,…
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_A._ It is good for us to have a deep sense of this, and to be much ashamed before the Lord. But this should only incite us, the more earnestly to turn unto Christ every moment, and to draw light, and life, and strength from him, that we may go on, conquering and to conquer. And therefore, when the sense of our sin mos…
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_A._ We conceive not. We do not know that it is contrary to any law either of God or man. _Q._ 10. Have we not used it too sparingly? _A._ It seems we have: 1. Because our call is, To save that which is lost. Now we cannot expect such to seek _us_. Therefore we should go and seek _them_. 2. Because we are particularl…
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I heard Dr. _Lupton_ say, my father, visiting one of his parishioners, who had never missed going to church for forty years, then lying on his death-bed, asked him, “_Thomas_, where do you think your soul will go?” “Soul! soul!” said _Thomas_: “Yes: do not you know what your soul is?” “Aye surely,” said he: “Why, it is…
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And this is necessary to the welfare of our people, many of whom neither believe nor repent to this day. Look round about, and see how many of them are still in apparent danger of damnation! And how can you walk, and talk, and be merry with such people, when you know their case? Methinks when you look them in the face,…
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1. After a few loving words spoken to all in the house, to take each person singly into another room, where you may deal closely with them, about their sin and misery and duty. Set these home, or you lose all your labour. At least let none be present but those who are quite familiar with each other. 2. Hear what the c…
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_Q._ 20. Should we insist every where on the band-rules? Particularly, that relating to ruffles? _A._ By all means. This is no time to give any encouragement to superfluity of apparel. Therefore give no band-tickets to any in _England_, _Scotland_, or _Ireland_, till they _have left them_ off. In order to this, 1. Re…
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_A._ Perhaps as extraordinary messengers, designed by God to provoke others to jealousy. _Q._ 29. What is the office of an _helper_? _A._ In the absence of a minister, to feed and guide the flock: in particular, 1. To expound every morning and evening: (But _N. B._ He is never, in any place, to begin later in the ev…
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As to the second plea, doing more good, it was inquired, is it not doing evil that good may come? Is not the thing in question both evil in itself (for us) and evil in its consequences? _First_, Is it not (with regard to travelling preachers) evil in itself? Is it well consistent with that scripture, _2 Timothy_ ii. 4.…
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“But I have no books.” I will give each of you, as fast as you will read them, books to the value of five pounds. And I desire the assistants will take care, that all the large societies provide _The Christian Library_, or at least the notes on the new Testament, for the use of the preachers. 2. In the afternoon follo…
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_A._ No; not by one assistant out of three. For instance. Every assistant ought, 1. To “see that the other preachers behave well.” But who has sent me word, whether they did or no? 2. “To visit the classes, regulate the bands, and deliver tickets quarterly.” How few have done this? 3. Love-feasts for the bands have bee…
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_A._ We are irregular, 1. By calling sinners to repentance, in _all places_ of God’s dominion. 2. By frequently using _extemporary prayer_. Yet we are not _Dissenters_ in the only sense which our law acknowledges: namely, persons who believe it is sinful to attend the service of the church: for we do attend it at all o…
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1. Reading: _constantly_, some part of every day, and at all vacant hours; _regularly_, all the new Testament (at least) and the Lessons for Children in order; _carefully_, with the Notes, _seriously_, _deliberately_, with much prayer preceding, accompanying and following: _fruitfully_, immediately practising what you …
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8. Let them labour in honour each to prefer the other before himself. _Q._ 46. How shall we avoid popularity? We mean such esteem or love from the people, as is not for the glory of God? _A._ 1. Earnestly pray for a piercing sense of the danger there is, and the sinfulness of it. 2. Take care how you ingratiate your…
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_A._ Inquire, 1. Do they know God as a pardoning God? Have they the love of God abiding in them? Do they desire and seek nothing but God? And are they holy in all manner of conversation? 2. Have they _gifts_ (as well as _grace_) for the work? Have they (in some tolerable degree) a clear, sound understanding? Have they …
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12. Let every preacher, who does not bring or send his subscription to the conference, be fined _two shillings and sixpence_. 13. This fund is never to be reduced to less than an _hundred pounds_. 14. Let a committee be chosen to see these rules duly executed. The present committee are Peter Jaco, John Paw…
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“This indenture made between _B. Heap_, of _Manchester_, in the county of on the one part, and _Thomas Philips_, hatter, &c. on the other part, _witnesseth_, that in consideration of five shillings, lawful money of _Great-Britain_, by the said _T. P._ ♦to the said _B. H._ truly paid, before the sealing and delivery her…
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_A._ 1. Build all preaching houses, if the ground will admit, in the octagon form. It is best for the voice, and on many accounts more commodious than any other. 2. Let the roof rise only one third of the breadth: this is the true proportion. 3. Have enough windows and doors; and let all the windows be sashed, opening …
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_Q._ 72. How may we raise a _General fund_? _A._ By a yearly subscription to be proposed by every assistant when he visits the classes at _Christmas_, and received at the visitation following. To this end he may then read and enlarge upon the following hints in every society. 1. Within these twelve or fifteen years …
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6. Men and brethren, help! Was there ever a call like _this_, since you first heard the gospel-sound? Help to relieve your companions in the kingdom of Jesus, who are prest above measure. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Help to send forth able, willing labourers into your Lord’s harves…
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Let it be remarked, it was I _myself_, not the _people_, who chose these stewards, and appointed to each the distinct work wherein he was to help me, as long as I desired. And herein I began to exercise another sort of _power_, namely, that of appointing and removing stewards. 3. After a time a young man came, _T. Max…
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As to the other branch of the charge, it carries no face of truth. The Pope affirms that every Christian must do all he bids, and believe all he says, under pain of damnation. I never affirmed any thing that bears any, the most distant resemblance to this. All I affirm is, “The preachers who choose to labour with me, c…
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_A._ 1. See that no circuit be at any time without preachers. Therefore let no preacher, who does not attend the conference, leave the circuit at that time on any pretence whatever. This is the most improper time in the whole year. Let every assistant see to this, and require each of these to remain in the circuit till…
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13. Which of us “fasts every _Friday_ in the year?” Which of us fasts at all? Does not this shew the present temper of our minds, (though not of all) soft and unnerved? How then can we advance the work of God, though we may preach _loud_ and _long_ enough? Here is the root of the evil. Hence the work of God droops; few…
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2. Let all the servants in our preaching-houses go to church on _Sunday_ morning at least. 3. Let every preacher go always on _Sunday_ morning, and when he can in the afternoon. God will bless those who go on week days too, as often as they have opportunity. 18. Take heed to your doctrine. We said in 1744, “We have …
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4. I should rejoice (so little ambitious am I to be at the head of any sect or party) if the very name might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion. But if that cannot be, at least let those who will use it, know the meaning of the word they use. Let us not always be fighting in the dark. Come, and …
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5. “What then is the _mark_? Who is a _Methodist_ according to your own account?” I answer: A _Methodist_ is one, who has _the love of God shed abroad in his heart, by the Holy Ghost given unto him_: one who _loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his stren…
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9. And while he thus always exercises his love to God, by praying without ceasing, rejoicing evermore and in every thing giving thanks, this commandment is written in his heart, that he who loveth God, love his brother also. And he accordingly loves his neighbour as himself; he loves every man as his own soul. His hear…
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15. Nor do the customs of the world at all hinder his _running the race that is set before him_. He knows, that vice does not lose its nature, though it becomes ever so fashionable; and remembers, that _every man is to give an account of himself to_ God. He cannot therefore, _follow even a multitude to do evil_. He can…
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1. IT is not easy to reckon up the various accounts which have been given of the people called _Methodists_: very many of them as far remote from truth, as that given by the good gentleman in _Ireland_. “_Methodists!_ Ay, they are the people, who place all religion in _wearing long beards_.” 2. Abundance of the mistak…
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11. In _March 1741_, Mr. ♦_Whitefield_ being returned to _England_, entirely separated from Mr. _Wesley_ and his friends, “Because he did not hold _the decrees_.” Here was the first breach, which warm men persuaded Mr. _Whitefield_ to make, merely for a difference of opinion. Those indeed who believed _universal redemp…
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In this volume is given a sheet extraordinary, on account of there being one less in the last. And as it will unavoidably happen sometimes, that a volume must be concluded a few pages short of the number proposed, on account of ending with a tract, yet the deficiency will be constantly made up when opportunity serves, …
462 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.