The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 09 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 09 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
5. _Let the morning and evening sacrifice of solemn prayer, be daily
offered up in all your families._ Beware they be not found among the
families that call not upon God’s name; for why should there be wrath
from the Lord upon your families? O miserable families without God in
the world, that are without family prayer! What have you so many family
sins, family wants, family miseries; what, and yet no family prayers?
How do you pray with all prayer and supplication if you do not with
family prayer? Say not I have no time. What hast thou all thy time on
purpose to serve God and save thy soul, and is this that for which thou
can’st find no time? Pinch out of your meals and sleep, rather than
want for prayer. *Say not, my business will not give leave. This is thy
greatest business, to save thyself, and the souls committed to thee.
In a word, the blessing of all is to be got by prayer. And what is thy
business without God’s blessing? Say not, I am not able. Use thy one
talent, and God will increase it. Helps are to be had till thou art
better able.
*6. Put every one in your families upon private prayer. Observe whether
any perform it. Get them the help of a form, if they need it, till they
are able to go without. Direct them how to pray, by minding them of
their sins, wants, and mercies, the materials of prayer.
7. Set up catechizing in your families, at least once every week. It
was my parting, dying request, that you would set up and maintain this
duty in your families. Have you all done it accordingly? Cannot your
confidences witness, cannot your families witness you have not? Well,
I thought my parting words would have done something with you: I hoped
the fervent request of a dying minister, would have prevailed for such
a small matter with you. To this day are you without solemn catechizing
in your houses! Ah, what a discouragement to your teacher is this?
Brethren shall I yet prevail with you? Will you reject me also? O let
me persuade you before you take off your eyes from these lines, to
resolve to set upon the constant exercise of this duty. Surely I have
done and suffered more for you than this comes to: Will you deny me?
I beseech you, let me find, if ever God brings me again to visit your
houses, that the words of a suffering minister have some power with
you. I have sent you help on purpose: What shall all my persuasions be
but speaking to the wind? Beloved, have you no dread of the Almighty’s
charge, that you should _teach these things diligently to your children,
and talk of them as you sit in your houses, and train them up in the
way they should go_? Hath God so commanded _Abraham_, that he would
teach his _children and his houshold_, _Genesis xviii. 19._ and given
such a promise to him thereupon, and will not you put in for a share
of either in the praise or the promise? Say not, they are careless and
will not learn. What have you your authority for, if not to use it for
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