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
“I retired a few minutes after five, to wait for the coming of Jesus.
My soul is all desire after Christ. I am resolved to love and serve
him so as I have never yet done. Come _Holy Ghost_, and kindle the fire
within my breast.”
*“From a quarter after four this morning till ten, spent in prayer, and
reading the scriptures, and such humiliation of soul, such a sense of
my vileness I hardly ever felt. It was genuine, godly sorrow indeed,
with a clear sight of the odiousness of sin. I believe the first time I
ever sinned, was brought to my remembrance. My head was as waters, and
my heart as wax before the fire. But all the time I had a clear sense
of the love of God; a witness that I was accepted in the beloved, and
all the day after, my soul delighted itself in the Lord.”
*“I ought to esteem myself unworthy of any comfort; my sins having
justly deserved damnation. The blood of Christ is of infinite value
and efficacy, otherwise I should never be saved. Infirmities, so
called, which once I passed over without much remorse, now appear
heinous, black, and damnable, and if God did not bear witness with my
spirit, that they are all forgiven, would sink me into misery. People
are seldom sufficiently sensible of the odiousness of pride, anger,
internal concupiscence, or an inordinate love of the creature; together
with the neglect of self-denial, and bearing the daily cross. These are
overlooked; yea, some even plead for, and attempt to justify them. Lord,
let me never be an advocate for the devil. Give me grace heartily to
love those who tell me of my faults. Search out my sin, till thou find
none. My whole trust is in the blood of Jesus. I have no other plea;
for this one is enough, it will, it doth prevail with God, and bring my
soul to glory.”
*“In my closet the former part of this day, it was made indeed a time
of love. I felt such sweetness, and divine felicity in my soul, and by
faith beheld the glory of God in such a manner as words cannot describe.
I saw and tasted God in all things. My Lord Jesus Christ appeared
_wonderful_ to me indeed, Isaiah ix. 6. Praise, blessing, honour,
glory, and thanksgiving be ascribed to the holy and adorable Trinity.
What could I have believed, what understood of thee, unless thou my
Lord hadst revealed it to me?¹ O love divine! O the wisdom, and power
of God! Human tongue cannot express, nor angel minds conceive, how
great and wonderful ye are in the saints; by whom God is glorified, and
in whom Christ is _justified_ by the Spirit, (1 Timothy iii. 16.) To
whom heaven is as it were let down, and whom eternal glory momentarily
awaits! They now drink of the rivers of pleasure; of the well of life:
and are warmed with the beams of the divine sun! They are delighted
with praises, allured by pleasures, cloathed with light, and filled
with God! Hallelujah! Amen.”
¹ He seems to refer to some particular communication from God
of his Triune Majesty.
CHAPTER III.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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