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
‘My God, let me love thee! Jesus, Son of the living God, thou knowest
that I love thee! O love divine, what hast thou done! O that all
the world did but know thee! How would they then love thee, thou
_altogether lovely_!’ To this effect he often breathed out the warm
emotions of his heart: so deeply was he penetrated with the love of
God his Saviour. He was always exceedingly pleased with, and frequently
repeated those lines,
“Eternity too short to speak thy praise!
Or fathom thy profound of love to man!”
And again, without regarding their connexion; but overwhelmed with the
thought of the dying love of Jesus, he would utter sometimes abruptly,
and with astonishment,
“Sensations _new_ in angel bosoms rise
Suspend their song; and make a pause in bliss.”
*Lastly, _By faith I stand!_ was his concluding point, after all that
God had done for him. And it was not unusual with him to say, on the
closest examination of all he was, and all he did, “If Christ forsook
me but for a moment, I should fall and perish after all.” Yes, it
was from _his fullness_ he received all his good things, and with the
dependent helplessness of an infant, he had recourse to him continually,
for light, and strength, and love: for every thing in short, which
he wanted. He could be happy only in conversation with him; delighted
peculiarly in those parts of scripture which describe and endear him;
and from the fulness of his whole soul, repeated often, _God forbid
that I should glory, save in the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ. To him
that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, to
him be the glory, both now and to eternity!_
*To sum up this head. He thought _prayer_ to be more his business
than any thing else in this world; and from the desire which he had
to redeem the time, he employed great part of the night, as well as
the day, in prayer, meditation, study, and labouring for the good of
his neighbour. He was profoundly serious, and always recollected at
home and abroad. He watched over every motion of his soul, keeping
his thoughts in subjection to Christ continually. He proposed to
himself _the man Christ Jesus_, as his great model and rule in every
thing; imitating him especially, in the purity of his body, and in the
chastity of his affections. Walking in deep humility before God, he was
patient of reproof, nor ever retorted any thing, with heat or prejudice.
There was a steadiness in his proceedings for God, and in reference
to eternity, which not all the powers of earth and hell were able to
interrupt. He ate but little, wept much, loved more, received all by
faith; and rarely opened his mouth, but about heavenly things.
PART III.
CHAPTER I.
_An extract from Mr. |Thomas Walsh|’s diary, relating chiefly,
to the experience of his own soul, in his course of
|walking with God|._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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