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
The very first thing we may observe in these words, is that here is
no enquiry concerning _Jehonadab_’s opinions. And yet ’tis certain,
he held some which were very uncommon, indeed quite peculiar to
himself: and some which had a close influence upon his practice; on
which likewise he laid so great a stress, as to intail them upon his
children’s children, to their latest posterity. This is evident from
the account given by _Jeremiah_, many years after his death. _I took_
Jaazaniah _and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house
of the Rechabites――and set before them pots full of wine and cups,
and said unto them, drink ye wine. But they said, we will drink no
wine; for_ Jonadab (or _Jehonadab_) _the son of_ Rechab _our father_
(It would be less ambiguous if the words were placed thus, Jehonadab
_our father the son of_ Rechab: out of love and reverence to whom
he probably desired his descendents might be called by his name)
_commanded us, saying, ye shall drink no wine, neither ye nor your
sons for ever. Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant
vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents――and
we have obeyed and done according to all that_ Jonadab _our father
commanded us_, Jer. xxxv. 3‒10.
2. And yet _Jehu_ (although it seems to have been his manner, both in
things secular and religious to _drive furiously_) does not concern
himself at all with any of these things, but lets _Jehonadab_ abound
in his own sense. And neither of them appears to have given the other
the least disturbance, touching the opinions which he maintained.
3. ’Tis very possible, that many good men now also may entertain
peculiar opinions: and some of them maybe as singular herein, as
even ♦_Jehonadab_ was. And ’tis certain, so long as _we know_ but
_in part_, that all men will not see all things alike. It is an
unavoidable consequence of the present weakness and shortness of human
understanding, that several men will be of several minds, in religion
as well as in common life. So it has been from the beginning of the
world, and so it will be _till the restitution of all things_.
4. Nay farther. Altho’ every man necessarily believes, that every
particular opinion which he holds is true (for, to believe any opinion
is not true, is the same thing as, not to hold it:) yet can no man be
assured, that all his own opinions taken together, are true. Nay, every
thinking man is assured, they are not: seeing _Humanum est errare et
nescire_. To be ignorant of many things, and to mistake in some, is the
necessary condition of humanity. This therefore he is sensible is his
own case. He knows in the general, that he himself is mistaken. Altho’
in what particulars he mistakes, he does not, perhaps cannot know.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account