The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 06 (of 32) — John Shaqi
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 06 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 06 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
Would we therefore exercise a _true fortitude_, we must do all in the
spirit of _devotion_, be valiant against the corruptions of the _world_,
and the lusts of the _flesh_, and the temptations of the _devil_:
for to be daring and courageous against these enemies, is the noblest
bravery that an human mind is capable of.
I have made this digression for the sake of those, who think great
devotion to be _bigotry_ and _poorness_ of _spirit_; that by these
considerations they may see, how _poor_ and _mean_ all other _tempers_
are, if compared to it: that they may see all worldly attainments,
whether of greatness, wisdom, or bravery, are but _empty sounds_; and
there is nothing _wise_, or _great_, or _noble_, in an _human spirit_,
but rightly to _know_, and heartily _worship_ and _adore_ the great God,
that is the _support_ and _life_ of all spirits, whether in _heaven_,
or on _earth_.
An extract from the Rev. Mr. LAW’s
LATER WORKS.
An extract from the Case of Reason, or Natural Religion, fairly
and fully stated. In answer to a book, entitled _Christianity
as Old as the Creation_.
_The Introduction, shewing the state of the Controversy._
THE infidelity which is now openly declared for, pretends to support
itself upon the _sufficiency_, _excellency_, and _absolute perfection_
of reason, or natural religion.
The author with whom I am engaged, makes no attempt to invalidate
the _historical evidence_ on which Christianity is founded; but by
arguments drawn from the nature of God, and natural religion, pretends
to prove that no religion can come from God, which teaches any thing
more than that, which is fully manifest to all mankind by the _mere
light_ of nature.
His chief principles may be reduced to these following propositions.
1. That human reason, or natural light, is the _only means_ of knowing
all that God requires of us.
2. That reason, or natural light, is so full, sufficient, plain,
and certain a rule in all religious duties, that no external divine
revelation can add any thing to it, or require us to believe or
practise any thing, that was not as fully known before. A revelation,
if ever made, can only declare those very _same_ things _externally_,
which were before equally declared by the _internal_ light of nature.
3. That this must be the case of natural and revealed religion, unless
God be an arbitrary being. For if God be not an arbitrary being, but
acts according to the reason and nature of things; then he can require
nothing of us by revelation, but what is already required by the nature
and reason of things. And therefore, as he expresses it, _reason and
revelation must exactly answer one another like two tallies_¹.
¹ Page 60.
4. That whatever is at any time admitted as matter of religion, that is
not manifest from the reason of the thing, and plainly required by the
light of nature, is gross superstition.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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