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Read Ebook: The Works of the Rev. John Wesley Vol. 03 (of 32) by Wesley John
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Of the THIRD VOLUME.
SERMONS on several Occasions.
SERMON XL. Christian Perfection.
THE PROMISE of SANCTIFICATION. EZEK. xxxvi. 25, &c.
UPON OUR LORD'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
UPON OUR LORD'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit: but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire.
UPON OUR LORD'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
THE ORIGINAL, NATURE, PROPERTY AND USE OF THE LAW. ROM. vii. 12.
I fear, this celebrated question is more curious than useful. And perhaps, in the manner it is usually treated of, it does not so well consist with the regard that is due from a creature, to the Creator and governor of all things. 'Tis hardly decent for man, to call the supreme God, to give an account to him! Nevertheless, with awe and reverence we may speak a little. The Lord pardon us, if we speak amiss!
"I give up every plea beside Lord, I am damn'd--but thou hast died."
"Closer and closer let us cleave To his belov'd embrace: Expect his fulness to receive, And grace to answer grace."
THE LAW ESTABLISHED THRO' FAITH.
THE LAW ESTABLISHED THRO' FAITH.
"Its nature and its office still the same, Lasting its lamp and unconsum'd its flame, In deathless triumph shall for ever live, And endless good diffuse, and endless praise receive."
"For then his reason's eye was strong and clear, And as an eagle can behold the sun, Might have beheld his Maker's face as near, As th' intellectual angels could have done."
He was then able to talk with him face to face, whose face we cannot now see and live. And consequently had no need of that faith, whose office it is, to supply the want of sight.
Faith alone it is, which effectually answers this end, as we learn from daily experience. For so long as we walk by faith not by sight, we go swiftly on in the way of holiness. While we steadily look, not at the things which are seen, but at those which are not seen, we are more and more crucified to the world and the world crucified to us. Let but the eye of the soul be constantly fixed, not on the things which are temporal, but on those which are eternal, and our affections are more and more loosened from earth, and fixed on things above. So that faith in general is the most direct and effectual means of promoting all righteousness and true holiness: of establishing the holy and spiritual law, in the hearts of them that believe.
THE NATURE OF ENTHUSIASM. ACTS xxvi. 24.
A CAUTION AGAINST BIGOTRY. MARK ix. 38, 39.
CATHOLIC SPIRIT. 2 KINGS x. 15.
There is scarce any expression which has been more grosly misunderstood, and more dangerously misapplied than this. But it will be easy for any who calmly consider the preceding observations, to correct any such misapprehensions of it, and to prevent any such misapplication.
SERMON XL.
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. PHIL. iii. 12.
THE PROMISE of SANCTIFICATION.
EZEK. xxxvi. 25, &c.
GOD of all power, and truth, and grace, Which shall from age to age endure; Whose word, when heaven and earth shall pass, Remains, and stands for ever sure:
Calmly to thee my soul looks up, And waits thy promises to prove; The object of my stedfast hope, The seal of thine eternal love.
That I thy mercy may proclaim, That all mankind thy truth may see, Hallow thy great and glorious name, And perfect holiness in me.
Chose from the world if now I stand Adorned in righteousness divine, If brought unto the promis'd land, I justly call the Saviour mine;
Perform the work thou hast begun, My inmost soul to thee convert: Love me, for ever, love thine own, And sprinkle with thy blood my heart.
Thy sanctifying Spirit pour To quench my thirst, and wash me clean; Now, Father, let the gracious shower Descend, and make me pure from sin.
Purge me from every sinful blot; My idols all be cast aside: Cleanse me from every evil thought; From all the filth of self and pride.
Give me a new, a perfect heart, From doubt, and fear, and sorrow free; The mind which was in Christ impart, And let my spirit cleave to thee.
O take this heart of stone away, In me no longer let it stay: O take away this heart of stone.
The hatred of my carnal mind Out of my flesh at once remove; Give me a tender heart, resign'd, And pure, and fill'd with faith and love.
Within me thy good Spirit place, Spirit of health, and love, and power: Plant in me thy victorious grace, And sin shall never enter more.
Cause me to walk in Christ my way, And I thy statutes shall fulfil; In every point thy law obey, And perfectly perform thy will.
Hast thou not said, who canst not lie, That I thy law shall keep and do? Lord, I believe, tho' men deny: They all are false; but thou art true.
O that I now, from sin releas'd, Thy word might to the utmost prove! Enter into the promis'd rest, The Canaan of thy perfect love!
There let me ever, ever dwell; Be thou my God, and I will be Thy servant: O set to thy seal; Give me eternal life in thee.
From all remaining filth within Let me in thee salvation have: From actual, and from inbred sin, My ransom'd soul persist to save.
Wash out my old orig'nal stain: Tell me no more, it cannot be, Demons or men! The Lamb was slain, His blood was all pour'd out for me.
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