Treatise Earnest Appeal To Men Of Reason And Religion
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | treatise |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-treatise-earnest-appeal-to-men-of-reason-and-religion-047 |
| Words | 388 |
98. If you had been then told that the jealous God would
soon arise and maintain his own cause; that he would pour down
his Spirit from on high, and renew the face of the earth; that
he would shed abroad his love in the hearts of the outcasts of
men, producing all holy and heavenly tempers, expelling anger,
and pride, and evil desire, and all unholy and earthly tempers;
causing outward religion, the work of faith, the patience of hope,
the labour of love, to flourish and abound; and, wherever it
spread, abolishing outward irreligion, destroying all the works of
the devil: If you had been told that this living knowledge of
the Lord would in a short space of time overspread our land;
yea, and daily increase, in spite of all the opposition which the
devil and his children did or could make against it; would you
not have vehemently desired to see that day, that you might
bless God and rejoice therein? 99. Behold, the day of the Lord is come! He is again visiting
and redeeming his people. Having eyes, see ye not? Having
ears, do ye not hear, neither understand with your hearts? At
this hour the Lord is rolling away our reproach. Already his
standard is set up. His Spirit is poured forth on the outcasts of
men, and his love shed abroad in their hearts. Love of all man
kind, meekness, gentleness, humbleness of mind, holy and hea
venly affections, do take place of hate, anger, pride, revenge, and
vile or vain affections. Hence, wherever the power of the Lord
spreads, springs outward religion in all its forms. The houses
of God are filled; the table of the Lord is thronged on every
side. And those who thus show their love of God, show they
love their neighbour also, by being careful to maintain good
works, by doing all manner of good, as they have time, to all
men. They are likewise careful to abstain from all evil. Curs
ing, sabbath-breaking, drunkenness, with all other (however
fashionable) works of the devil, are not once named among
them. All this is plain, demonstrable fact. For this also is not
done in a corner. Now, do you acknowledge the day of your
visitation? Do you bless God and rejoice therein? 100. What hinders?