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
3. That the happiness of man is not to be found in any thing but in
God, is usually proved by shewing that it cannot consist in sensual
pleasure, riches, honour or power. But the shortest way of proving it
is, by shewing at once that it cannot consist in any created good. For
as by happiness we mean a state wherein the mind totally acquiesces,
and takes full rest and satisfaction, so that which is the object
of happiness must be such a good, as perfectly satisfies the mind,
contents all its desires, and gives it an absolute tranquility and
repose. But that no creature does this is plain from experience, from
the vanity which we find in all things, and that restlesness and desire
of change which is consequent upon it. *We try one thing after another,
as the searching bee wanders from flower to flower; but we go off from
every one with disappointment, and a deluded expectation. Almost every
thing promises, but nothing answers, and even the succession of new
enjoyments (the best remedy for the emptiness we find in each) amuses,
but does not satisfy. And as no created good actually does this, so
’tis plain by reason none can. For as none but infinite truth can
satisfy the understanding, so only infinite good can satisfy the will.
But this the creature is not. As its being is, so is its goodness, both
of a limited extent, and so by no means fit to satisfy the capacity of
that mind, which aspires after all good. Every creature therefore must
confess its utter insufficiency to be the object of our happiness: Nay,
the whole collection and amasment of created good, must acknowledge the
same; the very depth and abyss of it must say, _It is not in me_.
4. It is in God alone: he is the fountain of eternal blessedness; all
the springs of our happiness are in him: he is our good, and our end,
as being every way sufficient for our happiness. For he is all goodness;
he is that infinite good which is the entire and adequate object of our
will; and which being the proper object of all its inclinations, must
needs be able to satisfy them. They cannot aspire to any thing beyond
him, and therefore must needs center and acquiesce in him. _When I
awake up after thy likeness_, I shall be satisfied with it. Then, and
not before; which all resolves into that pious saying of St. _Austin_,
_Thou hast made us for thyself, and our heart has no rest till it rests
in thee_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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