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
He is the breathing forth of the heart, and Spirit of God, into all the
dead race of _Adam_. He is the seeker, the finder, the restorer, of all
that was lost and dead to the life of God. He is the love, that, from
_Cain_ to the end of time, prays for all its murderers; the love that
willingly suffers and dies among thieves, that thieves may have a life
with him in paradise: The love that visits publicans, harlots, and
sinners, that wants and seeks to forgive, where most is to be forgiven.
Oh, my friends, let us surround and incompass _Humanus_ with these
flames of love, till he cannot make his escape from them, but must
become a willing victim to their power. For the universal God is
universal love; all is love, but that which is hellish and earthly.
All religion is the spirit of love; all its gifts and graces are the
gifts and graces of love; it has no breath, no life, but the life of
love. Nothing exalts, nothing purifies, but the fire of love; nothing
changes death into life, earth into heaven, men into angels, but love
alone. Love breathes the Spirit of God; its words and works are the
inspiration of God. It speaketh not of itself, but the word, the
eternal word of God speaketh in it; for all that love speaketh, that
God speaketh, because love is God. Love is heaven revealed in the soul;
it is light, and truth, it has no errors, for all errors are the want
of love. Love has no more of pride, than light has of darkness; it
stands and bears all its fruits from a depth of humility. Love is no
sect or party; it neither makes, nor admits of any bounds; you may
as easily inclose the light, or shut up the air, as confine love to
a sect or party. It lives in the _liberty_, the _universality_, and
_impartiality_, of heaven. It believes in one, holy, catholic God, the
God of all spirits; it joins with the catholic Spirit of the one God,
who unites with all that is good, and is meek, patient, well-wishing,
and long-suffering over all the evil that is in nature. Love, like the
Spirit of God, rideth upon the wings of the wind; and is in communion
with all the saints that are in heaven and on earth. Love is quite pure;
it hath no by-ends; it seeks not its own; it has but _one will_, and
that is, to give itself into every thing, and overcome all evil with
good. Lastly, love cometh down from heaven; it regenerateth the soul
from above; it blotteth out all transgressions; it taketh from death
its sting, from the devil his power, and from the serpent his poison.
It healeth all the infirmities of our earthly birth; it gives eyes to
the blind, ears to the deaf, and makes the dumb to speak; it cleanses
the lepers, and casts out devils, and puts man in paradise before he
dies. It liveth wholly to the will of him, of whom it is born; its meat
and drink is, to do the will of God. It is the resurrection and life
of every divine virtue, a fruitful mother of true humility, boundless
benevolence, unwearied patience, and bowels of compassion. This
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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