The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 11 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 11 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
*O God, how many a bleeding wound hast thou made him an instrument
of healing, by pouring into the hearts of the disconsolate, _the wine
and oil_ of the gospel, in a rich profusion of those precious, golden
promises, which being ratified to us by the holy blood of thy dear Son,
are all yea, and amen in him, to thine eternal glory! Yes,
“Refreshing, soft, as vernal showers,
His word, on weary sinners falls,
Or, like the rapid torrent pours,
While souls to Jesu’s blood he calls!”
*It was scarcely possible for the most icy, and rocky heart, to remain
long so under his moving and authoritative discourse, laid home to the
conscience, by the sword of the Spirit, which, like the flaming sword
in paradise, turned every way, to every heart. And accordingly, it was
a very rare thing for him ever to preach a sermon, without sending some
away, either broken-hearted, rejoicing in God, or increased more or
less, in the knowledge of the Crucified.
*Towards the latter part of his progress, the two last years of his
life especially, the whole bent of his soul, his reading, meditations,
prayer, conversation and preaching, tended altogether, to the _deep
things of God_, (1 Corinthians ii. 10.) the so perfectly loving him,
with _all_ the capacity of the soul and body, as the state of humanity
can admit. The entire salvation of God, from all sin, to all the mind
that was in Christ Jesus, was now his constant, and most beloved theme,
both in public and private. And he omitted nothing which might either
inform his judgment, or affect his own, or the hearts of others, in
reference to this most interesting concern of the children of God.
*His thoughts on the head became therefore thoroughly digested; so that
there was hardly an objection which either Satan, men, or the heart
of unbelief could bring against it, for which he had not a convincing
answer. His _own_ heart-acquaintance therewith, will be seen from a
subsequent account of his experience. The light which he had into the
nature, and his fervent manner of enforcing the worth, and necessity
of Christian holiness, was one great means of enkindling, in the hearts
of many, that _fire_ of pure love, to God and man, which has since his
death likewise, increased more abundantly, and still burns (O may it
ever burn!) amongst us, to the greater glory of God. Only such as were
experimental witnesses of it, having a true relish for things of so
high a nature, can rightly conceive of the abilities, with which God
endowed him, for this part of his work; of the manner in which, he,
With strength and utterance from above
Urg’d on the saints thro’ grace forgiven,
To scale the mount of holiest love,
To seize the brightest throne in heaven!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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