The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 07 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 07 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
But he whose eyes are opened to see into this _mystery of all things_,
sees nothing but _death to himself_, and to every thing that he had
called or delighted in as his own. This is the _bold depth_ of his
knowledge. And if you would know its _aspiring height_, it consists in
learning to know, that which the angels and twenty-four elders about
the throne of God knew, when they cast down their crowns before him
that sat on the throne, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty,
thou art worthy to receive glory, and honour, and power; for thou hast
created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.――It
is to know, that the triune majesty of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
are the three-fold power, life, glory, and perfection of every creature
that sings praises to God, in heaven and in earth. This is the _proud_
knowledge of those, who are let into the holy of holies. Which goes no
deeper, than to see the _nothingness_ of man, ascends no higher, than
to know that God is _all_; which begets nothing in man, but that which
was begotten in _Paul_, when he cried out, _God forbid that I should
glory in any thing, but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ_.
* * * * *
LETTER IX.
To _G. W._
THE large account you have given of yourself, is very affecting, and I
hope God will turn all the variety of your past distress, into means of
a future solid peace, and rest in his divine love.
To be weary and heavy laden, is to have the highest fitness to receive
that rest, that Christ alone can give. These are the persons that
he called to him, when he was upon earth. They who are content with
themselves, are in the utmost danger of never knowing that happiness,
for which they were created.
*For a while, consider yourself in such a solitude, as if there was
only God and you in the world, free from every thought, but that
of desiring to be wholly and solely his, and looking wholly to his
goodness, to be delivered out of the misery of your fallen state.
Be not too eager about much reading: nor read any thing but that which
nourishes, strengthens, and establishes that faith in you, of an inward
Saviour, who is the life of your soul. To grow up in this faith, is
taking the best means of attaining to knowledge in all divine matters.
Cast away all reflections about the world. And let all be swallowed up
in this joyful thought, that you had found the Messiah, the Saviour of
the world, not in books, but in your own soul. Give yourself up to this,
expect all from it, let it be the humble, faithful, longing desire of
your heart, and desire no knowledge, but that which proceeds from it.
Stand only in this thirst of knowledge, and then all that you know will
be spirit and life.
_With a heart full of good wishes to you,
I am_,
Your’s, &c.
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