The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 13 (of 32) — John Shaqi
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
If any insist, that Mr. Brainerd’s religion was _enthusiasm_, I would
ask, if such things as these are the fruits of enthusiasm, _viz._
honesty and simplicity, sincere and earnest desires and endeavours,
to know and do whatever is right, and to avoid every thing that is
wrong; love to God, placing the happiness of life in him; not only
in contemplating him, but in being active in pleasing, and ♦serving
him; a firm belief in the Messiah, as the Saviour of the world;
together with great love to him, and longing for the enlargement
of his kingdom; resignation to the will of God, under all trials;
benevolence to mankind, reaching all persons without distinction,
manifested in sweetness of speech and behaviour, mercy, liberality, and
earnest seeking the good of the souls and bodies of men; attended with
extraordinary humility, meekness, forgiveness of injuries, and love to
enemies; a modest, and decent deportment, among superiors, inferiors,
and equals: a diligent improvement of time, and earnest care to lose
no part of it; great watchfulness against all sorts ♠of sin, of heart,
speech, and action; and the foregoing amiable virtues all ending in a
marvellous peace, unmoveable calmness, and resignation, in the sensible
approaches of death: I say, if all these things are _enthusiasm_, that
enthusiasm is a desirable and excellent thing.
♦ “serve” replaced with “serving” per Errata
♠ “sin” replaced with “of sin” per Errata
And whereas there are many that are not professed opposers of
_experimental religion_, who yet doubt of it, from the _bad lives_ of
some professors; and are ready to determine there is nothing in all
the talk about being born again, because that many that pretend to it,
manifest no abiding alteration in their disposition and behaviour; are
as careless, carnal, or covetous as ever; yea, perhaps much worse than
ever: it is acknowledged, that this is the case with some; but they
may see it is not so with all. There are some indisputable instances of
such a change, a “renovation of the spirit of the mind,” and a “walking
in newness of life.” In the foregoing instance particularly, they may
see the abiding influence of such a work of conversion; the fruits of
such experience through a course of years; under a great variety of
circumstances, and the blessed event of it in life and death.
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