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
And from hence sprung _fruits meet for repentance_. The drunkard
commenced sober and temperate; the whoremonger abstained from adultery
and fornication; the unjust from oppression and wrong. He that had been
accustomed to curse and swear, for many years, now swore no more. The
sluggard began to work with his hands, that he might eat his own bread.
The miser learned to deal his bread to the hungry, and to cover the
naked with a garment. Indeed the whole form of their life was changed.
They had _left off doing evil and learned to do well_.
* 5. But this was not all. Over and above this _outward change_, they
began to experience _inward_ religion. _The love of God was shed abroad
in their hearts_, which they continue to enjoy to this day. They love
him, _because he first loved us_, and with-held not from us his Son,
his only Son. And this love constrains them to love all mankind, all
the children of the Father of heaven and earth, and inspires them with
every holy and heavenly temper, the whole mind that was in Christ.
Hence it is that they are now uniform in their behaviour, unblameable
in all manner of conversation. And in whatsoever state they are, they
have learned therewith to be content: insomuch that now they can _in
every thing give thanks_: they more than patiently acquiesce, they
rejoice and are exceeding glad, in all God’s dispensations toward them.
For as long as they love God (and that love no man taketh from them)
they are always happy in God. Thus they calmly travel on through life,
being never weary nor faint in their minds, never repining, murmuring
or disatisfied, casting all their care upon God, till the hour comes
that they should drop this covering of earth, and return unto the great
Father of Spirits. Then especially it is, that they rejoice with joy
_unspeakable and full of glory_. You who credit it not, come and see.
See these living and dying Christians.
“Happy while on earth they breathe
Mightier joys ordain’d to know,
Trampling on sin, hell and death,
To the third heaven they go?”
Now if these things are so, what reasonable man can deny (supposing
the scriptures to be true) that God is now visiting this nation, in a
far other manner than we had cause to expect? Instead of pouring out
his fierce displeasure upon us, he hath made us yet another tender of
mercy: so that even when _sin did_ most _abound, grace_ hath _much more
abounded_.
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