Wesley Corpus

Perfect love having now cast out fear, he rejoices evermore. Yea, his joy is full, and all his bones cry out, ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten me again unto a living hope of an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, reserved in heaven for me.’ “And he, who hath this hope, thus full of immortality, in everything giveth thanks, as knowing this (whatsoever it is) is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning him. From him therefore he cheerfully receives all, saying, ‘Good is the will of the Lord;’ and whether he giveth or taketh away, equally blessing the name of the Lord. Whether in ease or pain, whether in sickness or health, whether in life or death, he giveth thanks from the ground of the heart to Him who orders it for good; into whose hands he hath wholly committed his body and soul, “as into the hands of a faithful Creator. He is therefore anxiously ‘careful for nothing, as having ‘cast all his care on Him that careth for him;’ and ‘in all things’ resting on him, after “making’ his ‘request known to him with thanksgiving.’ “For indeed he ‘prays without ceasing;' at all times the language of his heart is this, “Unto thee is my mouth, though without a voice; and my silence speaketh unto thee. His heart is lifted up to God at all times, and in all places. In this he is never hindered, much less interrupted, by any person or thing. In retirement or company, in leisure, busi ness, or conversation, his heart is ever with the Lord. Whether he lie down, or rise up, ‘God is in all his thoughts: He walks with God continually; having the loving eye of his soul fixed on him, and everywhere ‘seeing Him that is invisible.’ “And loving God, he ‘loves his neighbour as himself; ” he loves every man as his own soul. He loves his enemies, yea, and the enemies of God. And if it be not in his power to ‘do good to them that hate’ him, yet he ceases not to ‘pray for them, though they spurn his love, and still ‘ despite fully use him, and persecute him.’ “For he is ‘pure in heart. Love has purified his heart from envy, malice, wrath, and every unkind temper.