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
13. Seeing one day some gentlemen fighting, he threw himself between
their swords, laying hold on those who seemed most outrageous. At first
they quarrelled with him; but in a short time were friends, both with
him, and with one another.
*14. His zeal was accompanied, secondly, with unparalleled patience;
a virtue highly requisite for him that would save the souls of men;
seeing he must endeavour to win their hearts, at which he is to
make his first entrance; not following his own will or inclinations,
but theirs; becoming all things to all men; waiting long for their
conversion, and attending (without being tired and discouraged, though
by all his labour he should gain but little ground) the favourable
moments wherein they may yield to his motives. He must, like this holy
man, not only be willing to endure hunger, thirst, heat, cold, wet,
weariness and other outward pains, inseparably attendant on employments
of this nature; but also the importunities, complaints, passions,
the repulses, the contempts and injuries that are continually to be
expected in them.
15. While he was employed in instructing the poor travellers in the
hospital of St. _Gervase_, a man who was settled there, looking upon
it as an intrusion into his office, came to him, as he was in the midst
of the poor, and with many injurious and reproachful words, forbad him
to come any more. M. _de Renty_ having heard him without any emotion,
replied, “The poor people had much need of instruction; and since he
would not be at the pains of it himself, he prayed him not to hinder
one that would.” This did not satisfy him at all, but he came four days
together to drive out M. _de Renty_, interrupting him as soon as he
began; but he still received him with the same spirit, and at length
overcame evil with good.
16. One day he visited a person who, from a groundless suspicion, had
cruelly used his wife; who understanding his business, entertained him
very coarsely, giving him much opprobrious language, lifting up his
hand to strike him, and offering to thrust him out of doors. M. _de
Renty_ replied not one word, but after some time, drew near again,
embraced him, and accosted him with such soft language, that he was
perswaded, at length, to go to confession, which he had not done in
twelve years before, and to be fully reconciled to his wife; insomuch
that he lived and died a good Christian.
17. Another time, visiting a poor, old man that was sick, he began,
as usual, to speak of spiritual things. But the old man, instead
of listning, fell into a passion, telling him, he understood those
things better than he. M. _de Renty_ told him, he would be glad to be
instructed; and after a great deal of patience, and attention, taking
advantage from some things in that weak discourse, to convince and
inform him better, he proceeded so happily, that the rest of his days
he led a truly Christian life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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