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
_Hopeful._ I knew not what to do, till I went and talked with
_Faithful_; who told me, unless I had an interest in the righteousness
of one that had never sinned, neither my own righteousness, nor all
the righteousness of the world, could save me. I asked, who it was
that had never sinned? He answered, “the Lord Jesus: and you only can
be forgiven and accepted with God through faith in his blood.” “But
how, said I, can _his_ righteousness justify _me_ before God?” He told
me, he was the mighty God, and did what he did, and died the death
also, not for himself, but for _me_; to whom the merits of all should
be imputed, if I believe on him. I replied, “I did not think he was
willing to save _me_.” He bid me go to him and see. I said, “It was
presumption.” He answered, “No; for I was invited to come.” Then I
asked, what must I do when I come? And he bid me say to this effect:
“God be merciful to me a sinner, and make me to know and believe
in Jesus; for I see, if I have not faith in his blood, I am utterly
cast away. Lord, I have heard, that thou art a merciful God, and hast
ordained him to be the Saviour of the world; and moreover, that thou
art willing to accept, in him, even such a poor sinner as I am. O
magnify thy grace in the salvation of my soul, through thy Son Jesus
Christ!”
_Christian._ And did you do this?
_Hopeful._ Yes, over and over, before I found any relief.
_Christian._ Had you not thoughts then of giving it over?
_Hopeful._ Yes, a hundred times; but I knew not what else to do, being
convinced, that without Christ, all the world could not save me; and
therefore, thought I with myself, if I leave off, I die; and I can but
die, if I continue. And withal this came into my mind, _If it tarry,
wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not tarry_.
_Christian._ And how was you relieved?
*_Hopeful._ One day I was very sad, I think sadder than ever before in
my life, and this sadness was through a fresh sight of the greatness
and vileness of my sins; and I was looking for nothing but hell, when
suddenly I saw (not with my bodily eyes) the Lord look down from heaven
upon me, saying, _Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved_.
Then those scriptures came like a flood into my heart. _He that cometh
to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never
thirst. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one
that believeth. He hath died for our sins, and rose again for our
justification. There is one mediator between God and man, even the
man Christ Jesus. Wherefore he is able to save unto the uttermost
those that come unto God through him; seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them._
_Christian._ And what effect had this upon your spirit and life?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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