The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 08 (of 32)

Name: The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 08 (of 32)
Author: Wesley, John

Wesley, John

Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century

7. All the particular acts of prudence with regard to these means, may
be summed up in one general one, and that is, to chuse those very means
to this our great end, which God has chosen for us already. To follow
his, is indeed an implicit choice, but at the same time ’tis a very
safe and a very wise one. For he cannot but know what means are most
fit to procure the end for which he made us. And he will not impose
upon our weakness, or do what he hath forbidden us, _Make the blind go
out of his way_. And therefore, without enquiring into its intrinsic
nature, we may securely depend upon this in general, that the way which
he has prescribed, must be the very best, and consequently, that it is
our wisdom to walk in it.

*8. Now the means which God hath chosen for us are no other than his
commandments, which were intended by God for our direction to happiness.
As he made us for himself, so the laws which he prescribes to us are
but a pursuance of the same kind design, namely, to bring us to himself.
For since we cannot suppose him to propose any advantage of his own,
by giving us rules of life; and since we can as little suppose that he
does it for so poor a reason as only to shew his authority, and much
less that he does it for no reason at all, we cannot but conclude,
that the laws of God are given us with this design, to shew us the path
of life, the true way to that great end for which we were made, the
everlasting fruition of God. A consideration which, by the way, ought
greatly to endear the laws of God to us, and invite us to yield a free,
ready, and chearful obedience to them. Especially if we add,

9. That as they were given for our direction to happiness, so they
actually lead to it: _If thou wilt enter into life_, saith our Saviour,
_keep the commandments_. This is the path of life, the way of the
kingdom, the direct road that leads to happiness, described to us
by him who is himself the way, the truth and the ♦life. Men may
employ their wits, consult their ease, and flatter their hopes in the
invention of other ways; but if we will believe our guide, the way of
happiness is the way of obedience.

    ♦ “life, and men” replaced with “life. Men” per Errata

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

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

7. All the particular acts of prudence with regard to these means, may
be summed up in one general one, and that is, to chuse those very means
to this our great end, which God has chosen for us already. To follow
his, is indeed an implicit choice, but at the same time ’tis a very
safe and a very wise one. For he cannot but know what means are most
fit to procure the end for which he made us. And he will not impose
upon our weakness, or do what he hath forbidden us, _Make the blind go
out of his way_. And therefore, without enquiring into its intrinsic
nature, we may securely depend upon this in general, that the way which
he has prescribed, must be the very best, and consequently, that it is
our wisdom to walk in it.

*8. Now the means which God hath chosen for us are no other than his
commandments, which were intended by God for our direction to happiness.
As he made us for himself, so the laws which he prescribes to us are
but a pursuance of the same kind design, namely, to bring us to himself.
For since we cannot suppose him to propose any advantage of his own,
by giving us rules of life; and since we can as little suppose that he
does it for so poor a reason as only to shew his authority, and much
less that he does it for no reason at all, we cannot but conclude,
that the laws of God are given us with this design, to shew us the path
of life, the true way to that great end for which we were made, the
everlasting fruition of God. A consideration which, by the way, ought
greatly to endear the laws of God to us, and invite us to yield a free,
ready, and chearful obedience to them. Especially if we add,

9. That as they were given for our direction to happiness, so they
actually lead to it: _If thou wilt enter into life_, saith our Saviour,
_keep the commandments_. This is the path of life, the way of the
kingdom, the direct road that leads to happiness, described to us
by him who is himself the way, the truth and the ♦life. Men may
employ their wits, consult their ease, and flatter their hopes in the
invention of other ways; but if we will believe our guide, the way of
happiness is the way of obedience.

    ♦ “life, and men” replaced with “life. Men” per Errata

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 08 (of 32)

The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 08 (of 32)

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