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. We see (and who does not?) the numberless follies and miseries of
our fellow-creatures. We see on every side, either men of no religion
at all, or men of a lifeless, formal religion. We are grieved at the
sight, and should greatly rejoice, if by any means we might convince
some, that there is a better religion to be attained, a religion worthy
of God that gave it. And this we conceive to be no other than love; the
love of God, and of all mankind; the loving God with all our heart and
soul, and strength, as having first loved _us_, as the fountain of all
the good we have received, and of all we ever hope to enjoy; and the
loving every soul which God hath made, every man on earth, as our own
soul.
*3. This love we believe to be the medicine of life, the never-failing
remedy, for all the evils of a disordered world, for all the miseries
and vices of men. Wherever this is, there are virtue and happiness,
going hand in hand. There is humbleness of mind, gentleness, long
suffering, the whole image of God, and at the same time a peace that
passeth all understanding, and joy unspeakable and full of glory.
“Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind;
Each pray’r accepted, and each wish resign’d:
Desires compos’d, affections ever even,
Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to heav’n.”
4. This religion we long to see established in the world, a religion of
love, and joy, and peace, having its seat in the inmost soul, but ever
shewing itself by its fruits, continually springing forth not only in
all innocence, (for love worketh no ill to his neighbour) but likewise
in every kind of beneficence, spreading virtue and happiness all around
it.
5. This religion have we been following after for many years, as many
know, if they would testify: but all this time, seeking wisdom we found
it not; we were spending our strength in vain. And being now under full
conviction of this, we declare it to all mankind: for we desire not
that others should wander out of the way, as we have done before them;
but rather that they may profit by our loss, that they may go (tho’
we did not, having then no man to guide us) the straight way to the
religion of love, even by faith.
*6. Now faith (supposing the scripture to be of God) is πραγμάτων
♦ἔλεγχος οὐ βλεπομένων, the demonstrative evidence of things unseen,
the supernatural evidence of things invisible, not perceivable by eyes
of flesh, or by any of our natural senses or faculties. Faith is that
divine evidence, whereby the spiritual man discerneth God, and the
things of God. It is with regard to the spiritual world, what sense is
with regard to the natural. It is the spiritual sensation of every soul
that is born of God.
♦ “ἔαγχος οὑ βλπομένων” replaced with “ἔλεγχος οὐ βλεπομένων”
7. Perhaps you have not considered it in this view; I will then explain
it a little further.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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