The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 05 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 05 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
_Fervidus_ is exact in the duties of religion; but then the greatness
of his zeal to be doing things that he cannot, makes him overlook
those little ways of doing good which are every day in his power.
_Fervidus_ is only sorry that he is not in holy orders, and that his
life is not spent in a business the most desirable of all things in
the world. He is often thinking what reformation he would make in
the world, if he was a _priest_ or a _bishop_; he would have devoted
himself wholly to God and religion, and have had no other care but
how to save souls. But do not believe yourself, _Fervidus_; for if you
desired in earnest to be a _clergyman_, that you might devote yourself
entirely to the salvation of others, why are you not doing all you can
in the state you are now in? Would you take extraordinary care of a
_parish_, or a _diocese_, why then are you not as extraordinary in the
care of a family? If you think the care of other peoples salvation to
be the happiest business in the world, why do you neglect the care of
those that are fallen into your hands? Why do you shew no concern for
the souls of your servants? If they do their business for which you
hired them, you never trouble your head about their Christianity. Nay,
_Fervidus_, you are so far from labouring to make those that are about
you truly devout and holy, that you almost put it out of their power
to be so. You hire a _coachman_ to carry you to church, and to sit in
the street with your _horses_, whilst you are attending divine service.
You never ask him how he supplies the loss of divine service, or what
means he takes to preserve himself in a state of piety. You imagine
that if you was a _clergyman_, you would be ready to lay down your
life for your flock; yet you cannot lay aside a _little state_ to
promote the salvation of your servants. It is not desired of you,
_Fervidus_, to die a _martyr_ for your brethren; you are only required
to go to _church_ on foot, to spare some _state_ and _attendance_, to
bear sometimes with a little _rain_ and _dirt_, rather than keep those
souls which are as dear to God and Christ as yours is, from their
_full share_ in the common worship of Christians. Do but deny yourself
such small matters as these; let us but see that you can take the
least trouble to make all your servants and dependants true servants
of God, then you shall be allowed to imagine what good you would have
done had you been devoted to the altar.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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