Wesley Corpus

A Thought upon Marriage Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 11 (Zondervan) Author: John Wesley --- 1. I AM not now about to speak to men of the world, or to them that have only the form of religion; but to you who have experienced, if you do not now, the “faith which worketh by love:” And, in speaking to you, I do not peremptorily assert anything. I barely propose a thought that rises in my mind, and beg you to consider it. 2. You have some thoughts of altering your condition; and we know, “marriage is honourable in all men.” But is your eye single herein? This is worthy your most serious consideration. Retire a little into yourself, and ask your own heart : “What is it moves me to think of this?” 3. I will tell you how it was with me: Though I do not know I was ever low-spirited, (my spirits being always the same, whether in sickness or in health,) yet I was often uneasy. Even in vigorous health, in plenty, and in the midst of my friends, I wanted something; I was not satisfied. I looked about for happiness, but could not find it. Then I thought, “O, if I had but such a person with me, I should surely be happy.” I mused with myself, “How lovely is her look How agreeably she talks !” I thought of Sappho’s words:-- “Bless'd as the immortal gods is he, The youth that fondly sits by thee; And hears and sees thee all the while Softly speak and sweetly smile.” “Surely, this is the very thing I want; and could I attain it, I should then no more be solitary ! For,-- Thou from all shades the darkness wouldst exclude, And from a desert banish solitude : Therefore, with her I can be happy; without her I never can.” 4. Perhaps your case is something like mine. Let me then ask you a few questions. Were you ever convinced of sin? of your lost, undone state? Did you feel the wrath of God abiding on you? If so, what did you then want to make you happy? “To know, my God is reconciled.” You had your wish. You were enabled to say boldly, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” And were not you then happy? “Indeed I was.” In what?