The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 15 (of 32)Wesley, John
History
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 15 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
Do you in communicating _discern_ the Lord’s body?
Do you afterward _retire_, not formally, but in earnest?
IV. Fasting: God led us to this at _Oxford_. And he led all of you to
it, when you first set out.
How often do you fast now? Every Friday? In what degree?
V. Christian conference.
Are we convinced, how important, and how difficult it is to order our
conversation right?
Is it always _in grace_? Seasoned with salt? Meet to minister grace to
the hearers?
Do we not converse too long at a time? Is not an hour at a time
commonly enough?
Would it not be well to plan our conversation beforehand? To pray
before and after it?
II. Prudential means we may use either as _common Christians_, as
_Methodists_, as _preachers_, or as _assistants_.
1. As common Christians. What particular rules have _you_, for avoiding
evil? Doing good? Growing in grace? What arts of holy living?
2. As Methodists; Do you never miss any meeting of the society? Neither
your class, or band?
3. As preachers: Do you meet every society weekly? Also the leaders?
And bands, if any?
Do you visit the sick? And the well? Instructing masters and parents?
And in all relative duties?
4. As assistants: Do you fill up and regulate the bands wherever you
come? Diligently enquire into the state of the books, and do all you
can to propagate them? Keep watch-nights once a month? And love-feasts?
With one twice a year, for all the society?
Do you visit every society once a quarter, and regulate all things
therein?
Do you take a regular catalogue of your societies at least once a year?
Do you write me an account of all the defects of the common preachers,
which you cannot yourself cure?
These means may be used without fruit. But there are some means which
cannot. Namely, watching, denying ourselves, taking up our cross,
exercise of the presence of God.
1. Do we steadily watch against the world, the devil, ourselves? The
besetting sin?
2. Do you deny yourselves every useless pleasure of sense? Imagination?
Honour? Are you temperate in all things? To take one instance, in food?
Do you use only that _kind_ and that _degree_, which is best both for
the body and soul? Do you see the necessity of this?
Do you eat no flesh suppers? No late suppers? These naturally tend to
destroy bodily health.
Do you eat only three meals a day? If four, are you not an excellent
pattern to the flock?
Do you take no more food than is necessary at each meal? You may know
if you do, by a load at your stomach: by drowsiness, or heaviness, and
in a while, by weak or bad nerves.
Do you use only that _kind_, and that _degree_ of drink which is best
both for your body and soul?
Do _you_ drink water? Why not? Did you ever? Why did you leave it off?
If not for health, when will you begin again? To day?
How often do you drink wine or ale? Every day? Do you _want_ or _waste_
it?
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