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
“Now did I find the yoke of Christ to be easy indeed, and his burden
light. His thoughts and commandments were sweet to my soul, sweeter
than honey to my tongue. It was my comfort all the day long to praise
my Lord, and to walk in the ways which he set before me. He created me
unto good works, and I chearfully walked in them.”
The Love of God being thus shed abroad in his heart enabled him rightly
to love his brother also. His soul was drawn out in good will and
tender affection to every creature: neighbours and strangers, friends
and enemies. “I could (says he) unfeignedly love them that hated me,
and pray for them that despitefully used and persecuted me!” Thus truly
evidencing himself, to be a child of his Father in heaven.
*But he did not stop here. His soul thirsted more and more for all the
_mind that was in Christ Jesus_. He followed after, and longed for, an
entire renovation; for nearer and stronger union and communion with the
Lord Jesus: nor could he be at all easy, otherwise than in a free and
near access to him, and a sweet enjoyment of his gracious presence. His
constant cry was, “Make me holy. Fulfil in me all the good pleasure of
thy goodness, and the work of faith with power.” For this he struggled,
and pleaded much with God.
This was early his mark, and the glorious prize at which he aimed
throughout the residue of his christian race.
His enjoyments were hitherto, with scarce the smallest alloy, having
had, not so much as a doubt concerning the _reality_ of what had passed
in his soul. The fury of the oppressor was so restrained, and the
light of divine truth so abode with him, that he continually set to
his seal that God _is love_, and taketh pleasure in the prosperity of
his children. All fear of death and hell was removed from him; neither
had sin any dominion over him. “God (says he) gave me the victory thro’
our Lord Jesus Christ, whose righteousness was imputed to me for the
remission of my sins!”
“Therefore did I know that I was a child of God, _under grace_, because
sin did not reign in my mortal body, that I should obey it in the
desires thereof. If so much as an evil thought was at any time injected,
or the remains of the _old man_ began to stir in me, I had immediate
power to resist and overcome them!
“Tempted indeed I was; but in every temptation there was a way made
for my escape. Whenever the enemy came in upon me as a flood, Jesus
appointed _salvation for walls and bulwarks_ around me. He lifted up a
standard against him, and frustrated all his counsels: for _greater is
he that was in_ me, _than he that is in the world_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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