The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 13 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 13 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
I PRAISE God with my whole heart for your happiness and strength, and
I pray him to increase it every moment. O may that blessed peace never
leave your soul: it is eternal life begun, and ten thousands laid in
the balance with this peace would be all lighter than vanity. It is a
glorious sign, that in outward troubles, or inward temptations, you can
leave the means of your deliverance intirely to God, without suffering
your imagination to run out after the manner in which you probably may
be delivered. O that we could always venture ourselves upon the mercies
of our God! Then would he indeed work wonders for us――wonders which we
now can scarce believe, though the God of truth himself declares them
unto us. And this God will surely keep you in the dangers to which
you are going to be exposed, if you will be watchful to keep the eye
of your mind constantly turned towards him, and wait and hang upon
him, as a little child on its fond parent, drawing all your help, all
your comfort from him, and him alone. If you have but little outward
retirement, shut more closely the door of your heart, and there in
its inmost recesses commune with your God, and Redeemer, there be
continually crying unto him――Lord thou knowest all things, thou
knowest that I love thee; thou knowest, O life and joy of my soul,
that I desire nothing but to do thy perfect will, and to be conformed
to the likeness of thy sufferings, as well as to the likeness of thy
resurrection. Oh crucify in me the whole body of sin! Give me an humble,
a mortified, and child-like spirit, and in thine own good time perfect
the work thou hast begun in my soul.
As to examples which are not good, I hope I may say, that all the
effect they can have upon my beloved friend (in her present happy state
of mind) will be to drive her nearer to her God, and in that nearness
what comfort does the believing soul find?
What tho’ earth and hell engage
To shake that soul with fear;
Calmly it defies the rage
Of persecution near.
Suffering faith shall brighter grow,
As gold when in the furnace tried:
Only Jesus will we know,
And Jesus crucified.
Yes, my love, let those who stile themselves our best friends
join with the world in calling us _mopes_ and _enthusiasts_. Still
stedfastly fixed on the rock which cannot be moved, we will endure,
nay joyfully take up the reproach for his sake, who hid not his blessed
face from shame and spitting for our sakes, to make us (accursed and
lost creatures) heirs of eternal glory. Oh that his strength may but
accompany us, and the light of his countenance continually abide with
us; and then we shall not fail to go on conquering and to conquer.
_Amen._
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account