The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 04 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 04 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
5. And are not they partakers of the same guilt, tho’ in a lower
degree, whether surgeons, apothecaries or physicians, who play with
the lives or health of men, to enlarge their own gain? Who purposely
lengthen the pain or disease, which they are able to remove speedily?
Who protract the cure of their patient’s body, in order to plunder his
substance? Can any man be clear before God who does not shorten every
disorder, _as much as he can_, and remove all sickness and pain, _as
soon as he can_? He cannot: for nothing can be more clear, than that
he does not _love his neighbour as himself_; than that he does not
_do unto others, as he would they should do unto_ himself.
6. This is dear-bought gain. And so is whatever is procured, by
hurting our neighbour _in his soul_: by ministring, suppose, either
directly or indirectly to his unchastity or intemperance; which
certainly none can do, who has any fear of God, or any real desire
of pleasing him. It nearly concerns all those to consider this, who
have any thing to do with taverns, victualling-houses, opera-houses,
play-houses, or any other places of public, fashionable diversion. If
these profit the souls of men, you are clear; your employment is good,
and your gain innocent. But if they are either sinful in themselves,
or natural inlets to sin of various kinds, then it is to be feared,
you have a sad account to make. O beware lest God say in that day,
_These have perished in their iniquity, but their blood do I require
at thy hands_!
7. These cautions and restrictions being observed, it is the bounden
duty of all who are engaged in worldly business, to observe that
first and great rule of Christian wisdom with respect to money, _Gain
all you can_. Gain all you can by honest industry: use all possible
diligence in your calling. Lose no time: if you understand yourself
and your relation to God and man, you know you have none to spare.
If you understand your particular calling as you ought, you will have
no time that hangs upon your hands. Every business will afford some
employment sufficient for every day and every hour. That wherein _you_
are placed, if you follow it in earnest, will leave you no leisure for
silly, unprofitable diversions. You have always something better to do,
something that will profit you, more or less. And _whatsoever thy hand
findeth to do, do it with thy might_. Do it _as soon_ as possible:
no delay! No putting off from day to day, or from hour to hour. Never
leave any thing ’till to-morrow, which you can do to-day. And do it
_as well_ as possible. Do not sleep or yawn over it: put your whole
strength to the work. Spare no pains. Let nothing be done by halves,
or in a slight and careless manner. Let nothing in your business be
left undone, if it can be done by labour or patience.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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