Wesley Corpus

“But how shall I attain to, or how preserve, this strength and firmness of spirit?” In order to this, I advise you, Fourthly, (need I say, to avoid the sin of Onan, seeing Satan will not cast out Satan? or rather) avoid with the utmost care, all softness and effeminacy; remembering the express denunciation of an inspired writer, on waxxx01, the soft or effeminate, whether poor or rich, (the Apostle does not make any difference upon that account,) “shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Avoid all delicacy, first in spirit, then in apparel, food, lodging, and a thousand nameless things; and this the more speedily and the more resolutely, if you have been long accustomed thereto. Avoid all needless self indulgence, as well as delicacy and softness. All these tend to breed or cherish those appetites and passions which you have renounced for Christ’s sake. They either create or increase those desires which, “for the kingdom of heaven’s sake,” you are determined not to gratify. Avoid all sloth, inactivity, indolence. Sleep no more than nature requires. Be never idle; and use as much bodily exercise as your strength will allow. I dare not add Monsieur Pascal's rule,--Avoid all pleasure. It is not possible to avoid all pleasure, even of sense, without destroying the body. Neither doth God require it at our hands; it is not his will concerning us. On the contrary, he “giveth us all things to enjoy,” so we enjoy them to his glory. But I say, avoid all that pleasure which anyway hinders you from enjoying him; yea, all such pleasure as does not prepare you for taking pleasure in God. Add to this constant and continued course of universal self-denial, the taking up your cross daily, the enduring “hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Remember, “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” This is the way; walk therein; think not of a smoother path. Add to your other exercises constant and prudent fasting, and the Lord will uphold you with his hand. 14. I advise you, Lastly, if you desire to keep them, use all the advantages you enjoy.