Wesley Corpus

An everlasting spirit, going to God. For what end then did he create thee, but to dwell with him, above this perishable world, to know him, to love him, to do his will, to enjoy him for ever and ever? Olook more deeply into thyself! and into that Scripture, which thou professest to receive as the word of God, as “right concerning all things.” There thou wilt find a nobler, happier state described, than it ever yet entered into thy heart to conceive. But God hath now revealed it to all those who “rejoice evermore, and pray without ceasing, and ineverything give thanks,” and dohis “will on earth as it is done in heaven.” For this thou wast made. Hereunto also thou art called. O be not disobedient to the heavenly call ing ! At least be not angry with those who would fain bring thee to be a living witness of that religion, “whose ways are ” indeed “ways of pleasantness, and all her paths peace.” 47. Do you say in your heart?--“I know all this already. I am aot barely a man of reason. I am a religious man; for I not only avoid evil and do good, but use all the means of grace. I am constantly at church, and at the sacrament too. I say my prayers every day. I read many good books. I fast every thirtieth of January, and Good-Friday.” Do you indeed? Do you do all this? This you may do, you may go thus far, and yet have no religion at all; no such religion as avails before God: Nay, much farther than this; than you have ever gone yet, or so much as thought of going. For you may “give all your goods to feed the poor,” yea, “ your body to be burned,” and yet very possibly, if St. Paul be a judge, “have no charity,” no true religion. 48. This religion, which alone is of value before God, is the very thing you want. You want (and in wanting this, you want all) the religion of love. You do not love your neighbour as yourself, no more than you love God with all your heart. Ask your own heart now if it be not so. It is plain you do not love God. If you did, you would be happy in him. But you know you are not happy.