The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 14 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 14 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
2. But it is impossible to give so full an account of this good young
woman, whose station in life, was the same for some years. She had no
such director of her conscience, who was informed (like those in the
_Roman_ church) of the minutest particulars, relating either to her
internal or external walking with God. And she wrote no circumstantial
account of herself. We have only some hints occasionally written,
either for her own private use, or the satisfaction of her friends.
And the greatest part even of her letters are lost: particularly those
of which she took the most pains in writing. So that what follows are
little more than fragments.
“_But though they’re little, they are golden sands._”
In several respects not inferior to any thing in the life of _Armelle
Nicholas_: in others greatly superior thereto. For first, All here
is _genuine_; which I fear is not the case in the account given us of
_Armelle_. For words are there put into her mouth, which I think she
could not possibly utter. For instance. She is made to say, “I had
always such a sense of my sins, that I never felt pride in my life.”
Could any one born of a woman say this? Is it not an embellishment
added by her historian?
3. Secondly, All here is _strong, sterling sense_, strictly agreeable
to sound reason. Here are no extravagant flights, no mystic reveries,
no unscriptural enthusiasm. The sentiments are all just and noble; the
result of a fine natural understanding, cultivated by conversation,
thinking, reading, and true Christian experience. At the same time they
shew an heart as well improved as the understanding; truly devoted to
God, and filled in a very uncommon degree, with the entire _fruit_ of
his Spirit.
4. Thirdly, This strong genuine sense is expressed in such a _stile_,
as none would expect from a _young servant maid_: a stile simple and
artless in the highest degree, but likewise clear, lively, proper:
every phrase, every word being so well chosen, yea, and so well placed,
that it is not easy to mend it. And such an inexpressible sweetness
runs through the whole, as art would in vain strive to imitate.
So JANE COOPER wrote, and spoke, and lived! Thou that readest, _go and
do likewise_!
SOME ACCOUNT
OF THE
LIFE AND DEATH
OF
JANE COOPER.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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