The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 03 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 03 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
3. Now this law is an incorruptible picture of the high and holy one
that inhabiteth eternity. It is he whom in his essence no man hath
seen or can see, made visible to men and angels. It is the face of
God unveiled: God manifested to his creatures as they are able to bear
it: manifested to give and not to destroy life; that they may see God
and live. It is the heart of God disclosed to man. Yea, in some sense
we may apply to this law, what the apostle says of his Son, it is
ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης, καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ· _The streaming
forth_ or out-beaming _of his glory, the express image of his person_.
4. *“If virtue, said the antient Heathen, could assume such a shape as
that we could behold her with our eyes, what wonderful love would she
excite in us!” If virtue could do this! It is done already. The law
of God is all virtues in one, in such a shape, as to be beheld with
open face, by all those whose eyes God hath enlightened. What is the
law, but divine virtue and wisdom, assuming a visible form? What is
it, but the original ideas of truth and good, which were lodged in the
uncreated mind from eternity, now drawn forth and cloathed with such
a vehicle, as to appear even to human understanding?
5. *If we survey the law of God in another point of view, it is supreme,
unchangeable reason: it is unalterable rectitude: it is the everlasting
fitness of all things that are or ever were created. I am sensible,
what a shortness, and even impropriety there is, in these and all other
human expressions, when we endeavour by these faint pictures, to shadow
out the deep things of God. Nevertheless we have no better, indeed
no other way, during this our infant state of existence. As _we_ now
_know_ but _in part_, so _we_ are constrained to _prophesy_, i. e.
speak of the things of God, _in part_ also. _We cannot order our speech
by reason of darkness_, while we are in this house of clay. While I
am _a child I_ must _speak as a child_. But I shall soon _put away
childish things_. For _when that which is perfect is come, that which
is in part shall be done away_.
6. *But to return. The law of God, (speaking after the manner of men)
is a copy of the eternal mind, a transcript of the divine nature: yea
it is the fairest offspring of the everlasting Father, the brightest
efflux of his essential wisdom, the visible beauty of the Most High.
It is the delight and wonder of Cherubim and Seraphim and all the
company of heaven, and the glory and joy of every wise believer, every
well-instructed child of God upon earth.
III. 1. Such is the nature of the ever blessed law of God. I am, in
the third place, to shew the properties of it: not all; for that would
exceed the wisdom of an angel. But those only which are mentioned in
the text. These are three: _It is holy, just and good_. And first, _The
law is holy_.
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