The Works of the
Rev. John Wesley, M.A.
Transcriber’s Notes
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Punctuation has been standardized.
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THE
WORKS
OF THE
Rev. JOHN WESLEY, M.A.
Late Fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford.
Volume VIII.
BRISTOL:
Printed by WILLIAM PINE, in Wine-Street.
MDCCLXXII.
THE
CONTENTS
Of the Eighth Volume.
An Extract from the Christian Pattern.
[Book IV.] (An exhortation to the Holy Communion.)
A Treatise on Christian Prudence.
[Chapter I.] Of the end proposed by Christian Prudence, and the general means of obtaining it.
[Chapter II.] How far Christian Prudence is concerned in the manner of keeping God’s commandments.
[Chapter III.] Of the subordinate means that serve to assist us in keeping the commandments of God.
[Chapter IV.] The conduct of a prudent Christian, with regard to the government of himself.
[Chapter V.] A persuasive to the study of Christian Prudence, with some advices relating to the practice of it.
[Nicodemus]:
Or a Treatise on the Fear of Man.
[Chapter I.] Of the nature and causes of the fear of man.
[Chapter II.] Of the signs and effects of the fear of man.
[Chapter III.] Of the mischiefs caused by the fear of man.
[Chapter IV.] Of the excuses that are usually made for the fear of man.
[Chapter V.] Of the means whereby we may be delivered from the fear of man.
[Chapter VI.] Of Christian discretion.
[Chapter VII.] Of the good which arises from the boldness of faith, conquering the fear of man.
[Reflections] on the Conduct of Human Life; with reference to Learning and Knowledge.
[The Life of God] in the Soul of Man.
An Extract of the
CHRISTIAN PATTERN:
Or, a treatise on the imitation of Christ. Written in Latin by Thomas a Kempis.
BOOK II.
CHAPTER VI.
Of the joy of a good conscience.
THE glory of a good man is the testimony of a good conscience.
Have a good conscience, and thou shalt ever have joy.
Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not.
Never rejoice but when thou hast done well.
Sinners have never true joy, nor feel inward peace; because There is no peace to the wicked, saith the Lord.
2. To glory in tribulation is no hard thing for him that loveth; for to glory so, is to glory in the cross of our Lord.
That glory is short which is given and received from men.
Sorrow always accompanieth the glory of the world.
The glory of the good is in their consciences, and not in the tongues of men. The gladness of the just is of God, and in God; and their joy is of the truth,
*He enjoyeth great peace of mind, that careth neither for the praise nor dispraise of men.
3. He will easily be content, whose conscience is pure.
Thou art not the more holy, though thou art praised; nor the less, though thou art dispraised.
*What thou art, thou art; neither canst thou be said to be greater than thou art in the sight of God.
If thou considerest what thou art within, thou wilt not care what men say of thee.
Man seeth the face, but God looketh into the heart.
Man considereth the deeds, but God weigheth the intention.
To do always well, and to dis-esteem himself, is a sign of an humble soul.
4. He that seeketh no witness for himself from without, doth shew that he hath wholly committed himself unto God.
For not he who commendeth himself is approved, saith St. Paul; but whom God commendeth.
*To walk inwardly with God, and not to love any thing without, is the state of a spiritual man.
CHAPTER VII.
Of the love of Jesus.
BLESSED is he that understandeth what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus.
Thou oughtest to leave what thou hast loved hitherto, for the sake of Jesus; for he will be loved alone.
The love of things created is deceitful and inconstant: the love of Jesus is faithful and constant.
*He that cleaveth unto a creature, shall fall when it falls: he that embraceth Jesus, shall stand firmly for ever.
Love him, and keep him for thy friend, who, when all go away, will not forsake thee.
*Thou must one day be left of all whether thou wilt or no.
2. Keep close to Jesus, both in life and death, and commit thyself unto his faithfulness, who, when all fail, can alone help thee.
Thy beloved will not admit of a rival, but will have thy heart alone, and sit like a king in his own throne.
*Whatsoever affection thou reposest in men out of Jesus, is all no better than lost.
*Trust not, nor lean upon a broken reed; for all flesh is grass, and all the glory thereof shall wither away.
3. Thou shalt quickly be deceived if thou regardest only the outward appearance of men.
If in them thou seekest comfort and profit, thou shalt often feel loss.
If thou seekest Jesus in all things, thou shalt surely find Jesus.
*If thou seekest thyself, thou shalt also find thyself, but to thy own destruction.
For if a man doth not seek Jesus, he doth more hurt to himself than the world and all his adversaries could do.
CHAPTER VIII.
Of familiar friendship with Jesus.
*WHEN Jesus is present, all is well; but when Jesus is absent every thing is hard.
When Jesus speaketh not inwardly, we have no true comfort: but if Jesus speak but one word, we feel much consolation.
Did not Mary presently rise from the place where she wept, when Martha said unto her, The master is come and calleth for thee?
Happy the hour when Jesus calleth from tears to spiritual joy!
How dry and cold art thou without Jesus! How foolish and vain if thou desirest any thing out of Jesus!
*Is not this a greater loss, than if thou shouldest lose the whole world?
2. What can the world profit thee without Jesus?
To be without Jesus is a grievous hell; and to be with Jesus a sweet paradise.
If Jesus be with thee, no enemy can hurt thee.
He that findeth Jesus, findeth a good treasure, yea, a good above all goods:
And he that looseth Jesus, looseth too much, and more than the whole world.
*He is most poor, that liveth without Jesus: and he is most rich that is well with Jesus.
3. It is a great skill to know how to converse with Jesus, and great wisdom to know and keep Jesus.
Be humble and peaceable, and Jesus will be with thee.
Be devout and quiet, and Jesus will stay with thee.
Thou mayest soon drive away Jesus, if thou turnest aside to outward things.
And if thou shouldest drive him away, unto whom wilt thou fly, and what friend wilt thou seek?
*Without a friend thou canst not live well, and if Jesus be not above all friends unto thee, thou shalt be very sorrowful and desolate.
Thou dost therefore foolishly, if thou dost trust or rejoice in any other.
It is better for thee to have all the world against [♦]thee, than Jesus offended with thee.
[♦] “hee” replaced with “thee”
Therefore of all things that are dear to thee, let Jesus alone be peculiarly thy beloved.
*Love all for Jesus, but Jesus for himself.
Jesus Christ alone is to be beloved; who alone is faithful above all friends.
For him, and in him, let as well friends as foes be dear unto thee; pray to him for all these, that all may know and love him.
*Never desire to be commended or beloved; for that appertaineth unto God.
*Neither do thou desire that the heart of any should be set on thee; nor do thou set thy heart on any: but let Jesus be in thee, and in every good man.
*4. Be pure and free within, and entangle not thy heart with any creature.
And truly, unless thou be prevented and drawn by his grace, thou shalt never attain to this, to forsake and cast off all, that thou mayst be united to him alone.
For when the grace of God cometh unto man, then he has power to do all things; and when that retires, he is poor and weak, and as it were, left only to affliction.
Yet in this thou oughtest not to dispair; but to resign thyself to the will of God, and to bear all things that befal thee for the glory of Christ: for after winter followeth summer, and after a storm a great calm.
CHAPTER IX.
Of the want of all comfort.
IT is not hard to despise human comfort, when we have divine.
It is much to be able to want both human and divine comfort; and for the glory of God to be willing to endure desolation of heart.
What great matter is it, if thou be chearful and devout at the coming of grace? This hour is to be wished for of all men.
*He rideth easily enough whom the grace of God carrieth.
And what marvel, if he feel no burthen, who is bore up by the Almighty?
2. We are always willing to have something for our comfort: and a man doth hardly put off himself.
*See thou learn to forsake thy intimate and beloved friend for the love of God.
*Be not grieved when thou art forsaken by a friend, knowing that we all at length must be separated from one another.
When a man trusteth in himself, he easily slideth into human comfort:
But a true lover of Christ betakes not himself to human comfort, but rather sustains hard exercises and great labour for Christ.
*3. When therefore spiritual comfort is given thee from God, receive it thankfully: but know, it is the gift of God, not thy desert.
*Be not puffed up, neither do thou presume vainly: but be rather more humble for the gift, and more wary in all thy actions: for that hour will pass away, and temptation will succeed.
4. David, in the presence of the divine grace, said, I said in my prosperity, I shall never be removed.
But in the absence of it, having experienced what he was in himself, he adds, Thou didst turn thy face from me, and I was troubled.
Yet doth he not despair, but more earnestly prayeth unto the Lord, and saith, Then cried I unto thee, O Lord, and gat me to my Lord right humbly.
Lastly, he receiveth the fruit of his prayer, and witnesseth that he was heard, saying, The Lord hath heard me, and taken pity on me: the Lord is become my helper.
But wherein? Thou hast turned, saith he, my heaviness into joy: thou hast compassed me about with gladness.
5. Whereupon therefore can I hope, or wherein ought I to trust, but in the great mercy of God alone, and in the only hope of heavenly grace?
For whether I enjoy the presence of good men, or religious brethren, or faithful friends, or holy books, or excellent treatises, or sweet songs and hymns, all these help little, and have little relish, when grace forsaketh me, and I am left in my own poverty.
At such a time there is no better remedy than patience, and renouncing my own will, according to the will of God.
Temptation going before, is wont to be a sign of ensuing comfort.
And to those that are proved by temptations, heavenly comfort is promised. He that shall overcome, saith He, I will give him to eat of the tree of life.
6. Divine comfort is given, that a man may be stronger to bear adversity.
There followeth temptation lest he should grow proud thereof.
*The devil sleepeth not, neither is the flesh as yet dead; therefore cease not to prepare thyself to the battle, for on thy right hand and on thy left are enemies that never rest.
CHAPTER X.
Of thankfulness for the grace of God.
WHY seekest thou rest, since thou art born to labour?
*Dispose thyself to patience, rather than to comfort; and to the bearing of the cross, rather than to joy.
What worldly man would not willingly receive spiritual joy and comfort, if he could always have it?
For spiritual comforts exceed all the delights of the world, and pleasures of the flesh.
2. False freedom of mind, and trust in ourselves are very contrary to heavenly visitations.
God doth well in giving his grace of consolation; but man doth evil in not returning all again unto God with thanksgiving.
And therefore the gifts of grace cannot flow in us, because we are not thankful to the giver, and return them not wholly to the fountain.
For grace ever attendeth him that is thankful; and from the proud shall be taken that which is given to the humble.
All that is high is not holy; nor all that is sweet, good; nor every desire pure; nor every thing that is dear unto us, grateful to God.
*I willingly accept that grace, whereby I may ever become more humble and careful, and more ready to renounce myself.
He that is taught by the gift of grace, and instructed by the withdrawing thereof, will not dare to attribute any good to himself, but will acknowledge himself poor and naked.
Give unto God that which is God’s, and ascribe unto thyself that which is thine own; that is, give thanks to God for his grace, and acknowledge that nothing is thine, but only sin, and the punishment due thereto.
3. Set thyself always in the lowest place, and the highest shall be given thee; for thou canst not be in the highest, till thou hast been in the lowest.
The chief saints before God are the least in their own eyes: and how much the more glorious, so much the more humble.
Those that are firmly settled and grounded in God, can no way be proud.
4. Be therefore thankful for the least gift, so shalt thou receive greater.
Let the least appear unto thee very great, and the most contemned as an especial gift.
If thou considerest the worth of the Giver, no gift will seem little, or of too mean esteem. For that is not little which is given by the most high God.
Yea, if he should give punishment and stripes, it ought to be grateful; for he doth it always for our welfare, whatsoever he permitteth to befal us.
*He that desireth to keep the grace of God, let him be thankful for the grace given, and patient for the taking away thereof. Let him pray that it may return. Let him be wary and humble, lest he lose it.
CHAPTER XI.
That there are few who love the cross of Christ.
JESUS hath many lovers of his heavenly kingdom; but few bearers of his cross.
He hath many desirous of comfort, but few of tribulation.
He findeth many companions of his table, but few of his abstinence.
All desire to rejoice with him, but few will suffer any thing for him.
Many love Jesus so long as adversity happens not.
Many praise and bless him, as long as they receive comforts from him.
But if Jesus hide himself, and leave them but awhile, they fall either into complaint, or dejection.
2. But they that love Jesus for Jesus, and not for some comfort of their own, bless him in all tribulation and anguish of heart, as well as in the greatest comfort.
And although he should never give them comfort, yet they would ever praise him and always give him thanks.
3. O how powerful is the pure love of Jesus, which is mixed with no self-interest!
Do they not shew themselves to be rather lovers of themselves than of Christ, that always think of their own pleasure?
Where may one be found that is willing to serve God gratis?
4. It is hard to find any one so spiritual, that is stript of the love of all earthly things.
*For where is any one to be found that is indeed free from all affection to creatures?
If a man should give all his substance, yet it is as nothing.
And if he should do great penances, yet they are but little.
And if he should attain to all knowledge, he is yet far off.
*And if he should be very fervent in devotion, yet there is wanting one thing, which is most necessary for him.
*What is that? That having left all, he leave himself, and go wholly out of himself;
And that when he hath done all which he knew ought to be done, he know that he hath done nothing.
5. Let him not think that a great thing, which others may think so; but according to truth let him affirm himself to be an unprofitable servant, as our Saviour hath said, When ye have done all things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants.
*Yet no man richer, no man more powerful, no man more free, than he that can leave himself and all things, and set himself in the lowest place.
CHAPTER XII.
Of the royal way of the holy cross.
THIS speech seemeth hard to many, Renounce thyself, take up thy cross, and follow Jesus.
But it will be much harder to hear that last word, Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire.
This sign of the cross shall be in heaven, when our Lord shall come to judgment.
Then all the servants of the cross shall draw near unto Christ the Judge with great confidence.
2. Why therefore fearest thou to take up the cross, which leadeth to a kingdom?
*In the cross is salvation, in the cross is life, in the cross is protection against our enemies, in the cross is heavenly sweetness, in the cross is strength of mind, in the cross is joy of spirit, in the cross is the height of virtue, in the cross is the perfection of holiness.
There is no salvation of the soul, nor hope of everlasting life, but in the cross.
Take up therefore thy cross, and follow Jesus, and thou shalt go into life everlasting.
He is gone before bearing his cross, and is dead for thee on the cross; that thou mayst also bear thy cross, and desire to die on the cross with him.
For, if thou diest with him, thou shalt also live with him: and if thou be his companion in pain, thou shalt be partaker with him in glory.
*3. Behold in the cross all doth consist, and all lieth in our dying upon it: for there is no other way to life, and to true inward peace, but the way of the holy cross.
*Go where thou wilt, seek whatsoever thou wilt, thou shalt not find a higher way above, nor a safer way below, than the way of the holy cross.
*Dispose all things according to thy will and judgment; yet thou shalt ever find, that thou must suffer somewhat, either willingly, or against thy will, and so thou shalt ever find the cross.
For either thou shalt feel pain in thy body, or in thy soul tribulation of spirit.
4. Sometimes thou shalt be tried of God, sometimes thou shalt be exercised by thy neighbour; and often thou shalt be irksome to thyself.
Neither canst thou be delivered by any other remedy or comfort; but so long as it pleaseth God, thou must bear it.
For God will have thee learn to suffer tribulation; and to subject thyself wholly to him.
No man hath so cordial a feeling of the passion of Christ, as he who hath suffered the like himself.
The cross therefore is always ready, and every where waits for thee.
*Thou canst not escape it, whithersoever thou runnest; for wheresoever thou goest, thou carriest thyself with thee, and shalt ever find thyself.
*Both above and below, without and within, which way soever thou dost turn thee, every where thou shalt find the cross; and every where thou must have patience, if thou wilt enjoy an everlasting crown.
*5. If thou bear the cross willingly, it will bear thee.
If thou bear it unwillingly thou increasest thy load, and yet thou must bear it.
If thou cast away one cross, without doubt thou shalt find another, and that perhaps a more heavy one.
6. Thinkest thou to escape that which no man could ever avoid? Which of the saints in the world was without crosses and tribulations?
Verily Jesus Christ our Lord was never one hour without suffering so long as he lived. Christ, saith he, ought to suffer, and rise again from the dead, and so enter into his glory.
And dost thou seek any other way than this royal way, which is the way of the holy cross?
The whole life of Christ was a cross and a martyrdom; and dost thou seek rest and joy?
*7. Indeed it is not of man to bear and love the cross, to keep the body under, to fly honours, to suffer reproaches gladly, to despise himself, and to rejoice in being despised, to bear all adversities and losses, and to desire no prosperity in this world.
If thou considerest thyself, thou art able to perform nothing of this.
But if thou trustest in the Lord, strength shall be given thee from heaven, and the world and flesh shall be made subject to thy command.
Neither shalt thou fear the devil, if thou art armed with faith, and bearest the cross of Christ.
8. Set therefore thyself, like a faithful servant of Christ, to bear manfully the cross of thy Lord.
Prepare thyself to bear many adversities; for so it will be with thee, wheresoever thou be; and so surely wilt thou find it, wheresoever thou hidest thyself.
*Drink of the cup of the Lord gladly, if thou wilt be his friend.
As for comforts leave them to God; let him do therein as shall best please him.
Set thou thyself to suffer tribulations, and account them the greatest comforts; for the sufferings of this life are not worthy of the glory which is to come, although thou alone couldst suffer them all.
*9. When thou shalt come to this, that tribulation shall be sweet unto thee for Christ, then think it well with thee, for thou hast found a paradise upon earth.
As long as it is grievous to thee to suffer, and thou desirest to fly it, so long shalt thou be ill at ease, and the tribulation thou fliest will follow thee every where.
Although thou hadst been wrapt into the third heaven with Paul, thou wouldst not for this be secure from suffering. I (saith Jesus) will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name.
It remaineth, therefore, that thou suffer, if thou wilt love Jesus, and perpetually serve him.
10. O that thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Jesus! How great glory would it be to thee! What joy to all the saints of God! How great edification also to thy neighbour!
For all commend patience, though few are willing to suffer.
With great reason thou oughtest to be willing to suffer a little for Christ, since many suffer far greater things for the world.
11. Know for certain that thou art to lead a dying life. And the more every one dieth to himself, the more he liveth to God.
No man is fit to attain unto heavenly things, unless he submit to suffer for Christ.
Nothing is more grateful unto God, nothing more wholesome to thee in this world, than to suffer willingly for Christ.
And if it were thy choice, thou shouldst rather wish to suffer adversities for Christ, than to enjoy many comforts; because hereby thou shouldst be more like Christ, and more conformable to all the saints.
For our proficiency consisteth not in many sweetnesses and comforts, but rather in suffering great afflictions and tribulations.
12. If any thing had been better and more profitable to the salvation of man than suffering, Christ surely would have shewn it by word and example.
But he plainly exhorteth all that follow him, to the bearing of the cross, and saith, If any will come after me, let him renounce himself, and take up the cross, and follow me.
So that when we have read and searched all, let this be the last conclusion, that by many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
An Extract of the
CHRISTIAN PATTERN:
Or, a treatise on the imitation of Christ. Written in Latin by Thomas a Kempis.
BOOK III.
CHAPTER I.
Of the inward speech of Christ unto a faithful soul.
Christian.I WILL hear what the Lord God will speak in me. Blessed is the soul that heareth the Lord speaking in her, and receiveth from his mouth the word of comfort.
Blessed are those ears that receive the whispers of the divine voice, and listen not to the whisperings of the world.
Blessed indeed are those ears that hearken not to the voice which soundeth outwardly, but unto the truth which teacheth inwardly.
Blessed are the eyes which are shut to outward things, but open to those that are internal.
Blessed are they that delight to be at leisure for God, and rid themselves of all worldly impediments.
2. Consider these things, my soul, and shut up the door of thy sensual desires, that thou mayest hear what the Lord God speaketh in thee.
*Christ. I am thy peace, thy life, and thy salvation.
*Keep thyself with me, and thou shalt find peace.
Leave all transitory, and seek everlasting things.
What are all temporal things, but snares? And what do all creatures avail thee, if thou be forsaken by thy Creator?
Forsake therefore all earthly things, and labour to please thy Creator, and be faithful unto him, that thou mayst attain true happiness.
CHAPTER II.
That truth speaketh inwardly, without noise of words.
*Christian.SPEAK, Lord, for thy servant heareth.
*I am thy servant, grant me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
*Incline my heart to the words of thy mouth. Let thy speech distil as the dew.
The children of Israel said unto Moses, Speak thou unto us, and we will hear thee: let not the Lord speak unto us, lest we die.
*Not so, Lord, not so, I beseech thee; but rather with the prophet Samuel, I humbly and earnestly intreat, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.
*Let not Moses speak unto me, nor any of the prophets; but do thou rather speak, O Lord God, the inspirer and enlightner of all the prophets; for thou alone, without them, canst perfectly instruct me; but they, without thee can profit nothing.
2. They, indeed, may sound forth words, but they cannot give spirit.
They speak well; but if thou be silent, they inflame not the heart.
They teach the letter, but thou openest the sense.
They bring forth mysteries, but thou unlockest the meaning of them.
They declare thy commandments, but thou helpest to fulfil them.
They shew the way, but thou givest strength to walk in it.
They work only outwardly, but thou instructest and enlightnest the heart.
They water, but thou givest the increase.
They make a noise with words; but thou givest to understand them.
*3. Let not therefore Moses speak unto me, but thou, my Lord God, the everlasting truth; lest I die, and prove unfruitful, if I be warned outwardly only, and not inflamed within.
Let not the word heard and not fulfilled, known and not loved, believed and not observed, turn to my condemnation.
Speak therefore, Lord, for thy servant heareth; for thou hast the words of eternal life.
*Speak, unto me, to the comfort of my soul, and to the amendment of my whole life, and to thy praise and glory, and everlasting honour.
CHAPTER III.
That the words of God are to be heard with humility, and that many weigh them not.
Christ.SON, hear my words, words of the greatest sweetness, excelling all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world.
My words are spirit and life, not to be weighed by the understanding of man.