Wesley Collected Works Vol 8
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | treatise |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-wesley-collected-works-vol-8-311 |
| Words | 396 |
The thing which I was greatly afraid of all this time,
and which I resolved to use every possible method of pre
venting, was, a narrowness of spirit, a party zeal, a being
straitened in our own bowels; that miserable bigotry which
makes many so unready to believe that there is any work of
God but among themselves. I thought it might be a help
against this, frequently to read, to all who were willing to
hear, the accounts I received from time to time of the work
which God is carrying on in the earth, both in our own and
other countries, not among us alone, but among those of
various opinions and denominations. For this I allotted one
evening in every month; and I find no cause to repent my
labour. It is generally a time of strong consolation to those
who love God, and all mankind for his sake; as well as of
breaking down the partition-walls which either the craft of
the devil or the folly of men has built up; and of encourag
ing every child of God to say, (O when shall it once be!)
“Whosoever doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven,
the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
VI. 1. By the blessing of God upon their endeavours to
help one another, many found the pearl of great price. Being
justified by faith, they had “peace with God, through our
Lord Jesus Christ.” These felt a more tender affection than
before, to those who were partakers of like precious faith; and
hence arose such a confidence in each other, that they poured
out their souls into each other's bosom. Indeed they had
great need so to do; for the war was not over, as they had
supposed; but they had still to wrestle both with flesh and
blood, and with principalities and powers: So that temptations
were on every side; and often temptations of such a kind, as
they knew not how to speak in a class; in which persons of
every sort, young and old, men and women, met together. 2. These, therefore, wanted some means of closer union;
they wanted to pour out their hearts without reserve, particu
larly with regard to the sin which did still easily beset them,
and the temptations which were most apt to prevail over
them.