The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 08 (of 32) — John Shaqi
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 08 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 08 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
Lord, if thou seest it expedient for me, and knowest it to be
profitable, then grant me to use this unto thy honour;
But if thou knowest it will be hurtful unto me, and not profitable to
the health of my soul, take away this desire from me:
For every desire proceedeth not from the Holy Ghost, though it seemeth
unto man right and good.
It is hard to judge rightly, whether a good spirit, or the contrary,
incline thee to desire this or that, or whether thou art not moved by
thine own spirit.
Many are deceived in the end, who at first seemed to be led by a good
spirit.
2. Always therefore, whatsoever seemeth desirable to thee, let it be
desired and prayed for in the fear of God, and with humility of heart.
And above all, thou oughtest to resign thyself, and to commit the whole
unto Me, and say,
“Lord, thou knowest what is best, let this or that be done as thou
pleasest.”
Give what thou wilt, and how much thou wilt, and when thou wilt.
Deal with me as thou thinkest good, and as best pleaseth thee, and is
most for thy honour.
Set me where thou wilt, and deal with me in all things according to thy
will.
I am in thy hand; turn me, and turn me again, which way soever thou
pleasest.
Behold, I am thy servant, prepared for all things; for I desire not to
live unto myself, but unto thee: and O that I could do it worthily and
perfectly!
3. Grant me thy grace, O most gracious Jesus, that it may be with me,
and labour with me, and continue with me unto the end.
Grant me always to desire and will that which is most acceptable unto
thee, and best pleaseth thee.
Let thy will be mine, and let my will ever follow thine, and agree
perfectly with it.
Let my will and nill be all one with thine, and let me not be able to
will or nill any thing else, but what thou willest or nillest.
4. Grant that I may die to all things that are in the world, and for
thy sake love to be contemned, and not be known in this world.
Grant that above all things that can be desired, I may rest in thee,
may quiet my heart in thee.
Thou art the true peace of the heart, thou art the only rest; out of
thee all things are troublesome and unquiet.
In this very peace, that is in thee, the one eternal good, may I sleep
and rest. _Amen._”
CHAPTER XIII.
_That true comfort is to be sought in God alone._
MY soul, thou canst not be fully comforted, but in God, the comforter
of the poor, and the helper of the humble.
Wait ♦awhile, O my soul, wait the divine promise, and thou shalt have
abundance of all good things.
♦ “awile” replaced with “awhile” per Errata
*Use temporal things, desire eternal.
Thou canst not be satisfied with any temporal good, because thou art
not created to enjoy them.
Although thou hadst all created good, yet wouldst thou not be happy or
blessed; but in God, that hath created all things, thy whole happiness
consisteth.
Vain and short is all human comfort.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account