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
5. Some years before his death, he was peculiarly employed in the
contemplation of the blessed Trinity. Wherefore he gave this account to
his spiritual guide; *“I carry about with me ordinarily an experimental
verify, and a plenitude of the presence of the Holy Trinity.” And again,
“I possess the sacred Trinity with a plenitude of truth and clearness;
and this in so pure and vigorous a manner, that my outward employment
creates me no diversion at all.” And another time he writ thus; “Jesus
Christ worketh the experience of his kingdom in my heart, and I find
him there my Lord and my Master, and myself wholly his. I discover
now a greater enlargement of my heart, but such as I am not able to
express; only thus, it is a simple but most real sight of the Trinity,
continually accompanied with praising, blessing, and offering all
homage thereto.”
CHAPTER VI.
_His Hope._
1. A STRONG faith cannot but produce a firm hope and charity. A true
belief in God, what he is in himself, and what he is to us, will work a
strong affiance in him, and ardent charity towards him; as appeared in
M. _de Renty_, who being grounded in faith, had also an undaunted hope,
and inflamed affections.
2. The experience of the power and mercy of God, and faith in the
infinite merits of our Redeemer, were the two pillars on which he built
his hope: and resting on these, he hoped all things. He used to say,
that when he looked at himself, there was nothing so little wherein he
apprehended not difficulty. But when he looked upon God, he could think
nothing difficult, much less impossible.
3. Accordingly in all affairs, he relied not upon his own prudence,
conduct, care, or any human strength or wisdom, but on God alone,
saying, “When we have done our duty with great diffidence in ourselves,
we ought to attend wholly on God, and wait his time.” And thus he writ
to a friend, “As for my children, I leave them in the hands of the holy
Jesus, without determining any thing concerning them, not knowing what
would befall to-morrow. He giveth me great confidence in his protection,
which renders me altogether blind, without wishing any thing, but being
ready for his will in every thing.”
4. Guarded with his perfect confidence, he feared nothing, but remained
firm and resolute against all encounters. He walked securely in all
places, at all times, in the streets, in the fields, by day and by
night; travelling through woods and forests, reputed dangerous, and
frequented by robbers, without any other defence than his trust in
God. A friend told him one day, he was afraid to walk in the evening
in the streets of _Paris_ without a sword, and desired his advice; who
told him, he had left off wearing a sword a long time, and advised him,
after he had commended the business to God by prayer, to trust in his
protection; assuring himself, that his protection over us, is according
to our reliance upon him.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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