The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 10 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 10 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
O thou, who art good and dost good, who extendest thy loving-kindness
to all mankind, the work of thine hands, thine image, capable of
knowing and loving thee eternally: suffer me to exclude none, O Lord,
from my charity, who are the objects of thy mercy; but let me treat all
my neighbours with that tender love, which is due to thy servants and
to thy children. Thou hast required this mark of my love to thee: O let
no temptation expose me to ingratitude, or make me forfeit thy loving
kindness which is better than life itself! But grant that I may assist
all my brethren with my prayers, where I cannot reach them with actual
services. Make me zealous to embrace all occasions that may administer
to their happiness, by assisting the needy, protecting the oppressed,
instructing the ignorant, confirming the wavering, exhorting the good,
and reproving the wicked. Let me look upon the failings of my neighbour
as if they were my own; that I may be grieved for them, that I may
never reveal them but when charity requires, and then with tenderness
and compassion. Let thy love to me, O blessed Saviour, be the pattern
of my love to him. Thou thoughtest nothing too dear to part with,
to rescue me from eternal misery: O let me think nothing too dear to
part with to set forward the everlasting good of my fellow Christians.
They are members of thy body; therefore I will cherish them. Thou hast
redeemed them with an inestimable price; assisted by thy holy Spirit,
therefore I will endeavour to recover them from a state of destruction:
that thus adorning thy holy gospel, by doing good according to my power,
I may at last be received into the endearments of thy eternal love, and
sing everlasting praise unto the Lamb, that was slain and sitteth on
the throne for ever.
Extend, I humbly beseech thee, thy mercy to all men, and let them
become thy faithful servants. Let all Christians live up to the holy
religion they profess; especially these sinful nations. Be intreated
for us, good Lord; be glorified by our reformation, and not by our
destruction. _Turn thou us, and so shall we be turned_: O be favourable
to thy people; give us grace to put a period to our provocations, and
do thou put a period to our punishment. Defend our church from schism,
heresy, and sacrilege, and the king from all treasons and conspiracies.
Bless all bishops, priests and deacons, with apostolical graces,
exemplary lives, and sound doctrine. Grant to the council wisdom
from above, to all magistrates integrity and zeal, to the universities
quietness and industry, and to the gentry and commons, pious and
peaceable, and loyal hearts.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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