The Works of the
Rev. John Wesley, M.A.
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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 II.
Book III.
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.
Illustration: (‡ decoration)
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.