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
1. QUESTIONLESS the humble man is patient, because he knows he deserves
far more than he suffers: And whoever will search into the true cause
of his own impatience, will find it to be no other than pride. On the
contrary, M. _de Renty_ being most humble, was by consequence most
patient.
2. Persons who had lived a very long time with him, and carefully
studied all his actions, never heard him complain for any thing
whatever; neither for sickness, or loss, or any other occasion;
but they always observed in him a constancy immovable, continually
lifting up his heart to God, and offering all to him, without otherwise
dwelling on what was grievous; being glad that the work of God went on,
and receiving all in the spirit of sacrifice.
3. In his second journey to _Dijon_, with his lady and the Countess of
_Chatres_, he was seized with a violent rheumatism, which put him into
pain all over his body: and when he was obliged to take his bed, he
went thither quite stooping, supported by a staff, and by a person that
led him. *But notwithstanding the extremity of the pain, he made no
complaint, nor uttered one word. The ladies seeing him first quite pale
and wan, and in a moment all on fire, told him, “Surely he was very
ill;” He answered only by a discourse on the pain endured by Jesus
Christ, and the favour it was for a soul to suffer for God’s will; but
in terms so full of sweetness, and with so much of love and zeal, that
the company were affected with great devotion in hearing him.”
*4. When he was again asked, whether he was not in much pain, he at
length answered plainly, “My pains are great even to swooning; but
though I feel their extremity, yet through the grace of God, I yield
not up myself to them, but to him.” He said farther, that being led
into his chapel of _Citry_, and set down upon a bench by reason of
his illness, the bench broke without any visible cause, and that he
believed the evil spirit had broken it, in order to provoke him to
impatience, making him fall untowardly; “But by the mercy of God, said
he, though the pain that surprised me was sharp, I was no more moved
than you see me now.”
5. Nor was it only in sickness, but in all occurrences of life,
he carefully practised this virtue; so that whatsoever befel him,
though it shocked his whole nature, his body, spirit, judgment, will,
inclination, desires, designs, and those of the best sort, he possessed
his soul in patience and tranquillity, receiving all without any
alteration, without being either exalted or dejected by it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account