Wesley Corpus

Treatise Minutes Of Several Conversations

AuthorJohn Wesley
Typetreatise
YearNone
Passage IDjw-treatise-minutes-of-several-conversations-027
Words397
Means of Grace Universal Redemption Catholic Spirit
Have you throughly considered your office; and do you make a conscience of executing every part Of it? These means may be used without fruit: But there are some means which cannot; namely, watching, denying our selves, taking up our cross, exercise of the presence of God. (1.) Do you steadily watch against the world, the devil, yourselves, your besetting sin? (2.) Do you deny yourself every useless pleasure of sense, ~. > ". imagination, honour? Are you temperate in all things” instance in food: Do you use only that kind and that degree which is best both for your body and soul? Do you see the uecessity of this? (3.) Do you eat no flesh suppers? no late suppers? (4.) Do you eat no more at each meal than is necessary? Are you not heavy or drowsy after dinner? (5.) Do you use only that kind and that degree of drink which is best both for your body and soul? (6.) Do you drink water? Why not? Did you ever? Why did you leave it off? If not for health, when will you begin again? to-day? (7.) How often do you drink wine or ale? every day? Do you want it? (8.) Wherein do you “take up your cross daily P” Do you cheerfully bear your cross (whatever is grievous to nature) as a gift of God, and labour to profit thereby ? (9.) Do you endeavour to set God always before you; to see his eye continually fixed upon you? Never can you use these means but a blessing will ensue. And the more you use them, the more will you grow in grace. Q. 49. What can be done, in order to a closer union of our Helpers with each other. A. (1.) Let them be deeply convinced of the want there is of it at present, and the absolute necessity of it. (2.) Let them pray for a desire of union. (3.) Let them speak freely to each other. (4.) When they meet, let them never part without prayer. (5.) Let them beware how they despise each other's gifts. (6.) Let them never speak slightingly of each other in any sind. (7.) Let them defend one another's characters in every thing, so far as consists with truth: And, (8.) Let them labour in honour each to prefer the other before himself. Q. 50.