Wesley Corpus

An Earnest Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 8 (Zondervan) Year: 1743 Author: John Wesley --- 1. ALTHough it is with us a “very small thing to be judged of you or of man’s judgment,” seeing we know God will “make our innocency as clear as the light, and our just dealing as the noon-day;” yet are we ready to give any that are willing to hear a plain account, both of our principles and actions; as having “renounced the hidden things of shame,” and desiring nothing more, “than by manifestation of the truth to commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2. We see (and who does not?) the numberless follies and miseries of our fellow-creatures. We see, on every side, either men of no religion at all, or men of a lifeless, formal religion. We are grieved at the sight; and should greatly rejoice, if by any means we might convince some that there is a better reli gion to be attained,--a religion worthy of God that gave it. And this we conceive to be no other than love; the love of God and of all mankind; the loving God with all our heart, and soul, and strength, as having first loved us, as the fountain of all the good we have received, and of all we ever hope to enjoy; and the loving every soul which God hath made, every man on earth, as our own soul. 3. This love we believe to be the medicine of life, the never failing remedy for all the evils of a disordered world, for all the miseries and vices of men. Wherever this is, there are virtue and happiness going hand in hand. There is humbleness of mind, gentleness, long-suffering, the whole image of God; and at the same time a peace that passeth all understanding, and joy unspeakable and full of glory. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind; Each prayer accepted, and each wish resign'd, Desires composed, affections ever even, Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to heaven. 4.