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
7. *God forbid you should any longer continue thus to _turn the grace
of_ God _into lasciviousness_! O remember, how clear and strong a
conviction you once had, concerning all these things. And at the same
time you was fully satisfied, from whom that conviction came. The world
told you, you was in a delusion: but you knew, It was the voice of God.
In these things you was not _too scrupulous_ then; but you are not now
_scrupulous enough_. God kept you longer in that painful school, that
you might learn those great lessons the more perfectly. And have you
forgot them already? O recollect them, before it is too late. Have you
suffered so many things in vain? I trust, it is not yet in vain. Now
use the conviction without the pain: practise the lesson without the
rod. Let not the mercy of God weigh less with you now, than his fiery
indignation did before. Is love a less powerful motive than fear? If
not, let it be an invariable rule “I will do nothing now I am _under
grace_, which I durst not have done when _under the law_.”
8. *I cannot conclude this head, without exhorting you to examine
yourself likewise touching sins of omission. Are you as clear of
these, now _you are under grace_, as you was when _under the law_? How
diligent was you then in hearing the word of God? Did you neglect any
opportunity? Did you not attend thereon day and night? Would a small
hindrance have kept you away? A little business? A visitant? A slight
indisposition? A soft bed? A dark or cold morning?――Did you not then
fast often? Or use abstinence to the uttermost of your power? Was not
you much in prayer, (cold and heavy as you was) while you was hanging
over the mouth of hell? Did you not speak and not spare, even for an
unknown God? Did you not boldly plead his cause? Reprove sinners? And
avow the truth, before an adulterous generation?――And are you now a
believer in Christ? Have you the _faith that overcometh the world_?
What! and are less zealous for your Master now, than you was when you
knew him not? Less diligent in fasting, in prayer, in hearing his word,
in calling sinners to God? O repent. See and feel your grievous loss!
Remember from whence you are fallen! Bewail your unfaithfulness! Now be
zealous and do the first works; lest if you continue to _make void the
law through faith_, God cut you off, and _appoint_ you your _portion
with the unbelievers_!
SERMON XXXVI.
THE LAW ESTABLISHED THRO’ FAITH.
DISCOURSE II.
ROM. iii. 31.
_Do we then make void the law thro’ faith? God forbid! Yea, we
establish the law._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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