Wesley Corpus

If the sin of our nature keep the throne, it will set up another in its stead;--as when a water-course is stopped in one place, it will break forth in another. Thus some cast off their prodi gality; but covetousness comes in its stead. Some quit their profaneness; but the same stream runs in the other channel of self-righteousness.- “That you may have a full view of the sin of your nature, I would recommend to you three things:-1. Study to know the spirituality and the extent of the law of God; for that is the glass wherein you may see yourselves. 2. Observe your hearts at all times; but especially under temptation. Temptation is a fire that brings up the scum of the unregenerate heart. 3. Go to God through Jesus Christ, for illumination by his Spirit. Say unto him, ‘What I know not, teach thou me!’ and be willing to take in light from the word. It is by the word the Spirit teacheth; but unless he teach, all other teaching is to little pur pose. You will never see yourself aright, till he light his candle in your breast. Neither the fulness and glory of Christ, nor the corruption and vileness of our nature, ever were, or can be, rightly learned, but where the Spirit of Christ is the teacher. “To conclude: Let the consideration of what has been said commend Christ to you all. Ye that are brought out of your natural state, be humble; still coming to Christ, still cleaving to him, for the purging out what remains of your natural corrup tion. Ye that are yet in your natural state, what will ye do? Yemust die;yemust standatthejudgment-seat of God. Willyou lie down, and sleep another might at ease in this case! See ye do it not. Before another day youmaybe set before his dreadful tribunal, in the grave-clothes of your corrupt state, and your vile souls cast into the pit of destruction, to be forever buried out of God’s sight: For I testify unto you, there is no peace with God, no pardon, no heaven for you in this state. There is but a step betwixt you and eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord.