Wesley Corpus

The lamps were dressed or lighted at the same time that the incense was burnt, to teach us that the reading of the scriptures (which are our light and lamp) is a part of our daily work, and should ord...

With what horror are men struck when they hear the earth groan; when her trembling succeeds her complaints; when houses are loosened from their foundations; when the roofs fall upon their heads, and t...

"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3.) "Therefore now, saith the Lord," who is not willing any should perish, "turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with w...

1. But shall we not see greater things than these? Yea, greater than have been yet from the beginning of the world. Can Satan cause the truth of God to fail, or his promises to be of none effect? If n...

True Christianity "How is the faithful city become an harlot!" Isa. 2:21. [The following Sermon was found in a mutilated manuscript among Mr. Wesley's papers. It is dated June 24, 1741. A Latin copy...

Chapter XXIII Woe against wicked pastors, the scattered flock shall be gathered, Christ shall rule and save them, ver. 1 - 8. Against false prophets, ver. 9 - 32. And mockers of the true, ver. 33 - 40...

4. No one, then, is so perfect in this life, as to be free from ignorance. Nor, Secondly, from mistake; which indeed is almost an unavoidable consequence of it; seeing those who "know but in part" [1 ...

On God's Vineyard "What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes" Isa. 5:4. The v...

Chapter VI God sends and strengthens the Babylonians against Judah, ver. 1 - 5. for her oppression and spoils, ver. 6 - 8. and obstinacy; which provokes God's wrath, ver. 9 - 12. Their covetousness, f...

And thus God is said to hiss for such whom he will employ in such work, Isa 5:26 7:18. And he styles himself the Lord of hosts, to shew that it is in vain to contend in battle with them, whom he sends...

About two hundred, mostly fishermen and sailors, saved themselves. They declared that the waves in their retreat surrounded the whole town, without leaving any means for preservation; ad that, in the ...

The breadth - The whole front of the house eastward. Cherubim - Generally taken for the portrait of angels, or young men with wings: yet is the description of them very different in different places; ...

Chapter XXXII Sennacherib invading Judah, Hezekiah fortifies himself, ver. 1 - 8. The insolent letters and messages sent by Sennacherib, ver. 9 - 19. The destruction of his army, ver. 20 - 23. Hezekia...

The conference between Achish and David, ver. 1 - 2. The preparation of the Philistines, and the distress of Saul, ver. 3 - 6. He applies to a woman which had a familiar spirit, to raise Samuel, ver. ...

Chapter XXII David prepares for building the temple, ver. 1 - 5. Instructs Solomon concerning the work, ver. 6 - 16. Commands the princes to assist him therein, ver. 17 - 19. Said - Thro' the instinct...

Charles Wesley The Cause And Cure Of Earthquakes First published in the year 1750. "O come hither, and behold the works of the Lord; what destruction he hath brought upon the earth!" Ps. 46:8. Of ...

1. But shall we not see greater things than these? Yea, greater than have been yet from the beginning of the world. Can Satan cause the truth of God to fail, or his promises to be of none effect? If n...

1. But shall we not see greater things than these? Yea, greater than have been yet from the beginning of the world. Can Satan cause the truth of God to fail, or his promises to be of none effect? If n...

3. To descend to a few particulars: The whole brute creation will then, undoubtedly, be restored, not only to the vigour, strength, and swiftness which they had at their creation, but to a far higher ...

The General Spread of the Gospel "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters covers the sea." Isa. 11:9. 1. In what a condition is the world at present! How does darkness, i...

26. At that time will be accomplished all those glorious promises made to the Christian Church, which will not then be confined to this or that nation, but will include all the inhabitants of the eart...

Shut - Closely compacted together, as things that are fastened together by a seal. This likewise is true of the crocodile, but the skin of the whale is smooth and entire without any scales at all. Sne...

The sea - The great river Nile, is called a sea, both in scripture, as Isa 11:15, and in other authors, as Euphrates is called the sea of Babylon, Isa 21:1 Jer 51:36. Lakes also are most frequently ca...

Earthquakes are set forth by the inspired writers as God's proper judicial act, or the punishment of sin: Sin is the cause, earthquakes the effect, of his anger. So the Psalmist: "The earth trembled a...

The corners of your heads - That is your temples, ye shall not cut off the hair of your heads round about your temples. This the Gentiles did, either for the worship of their idols, to whom young men ...

And the daughter of Pharaoh came - Providence brings no less a person than Pharaoh's daughter just at that juncture, guides her to the place where this poor infant lay, inclines her heart to pity it, ...

That his name be not put out - That a family be not lost. So this was a provision that the number of their families might not be diminished. Loose his shoe - As a sign of his resignation of all his ri...

Chapter XXV Their disobedience to the prophets reproved, ver. 1 - 7. The seventy years of captivity foretold, ver. 8 - 11. and after that the destruction of Babylon, ver. 12 - 14. By a cup of wine is ...

Shut - Closely compacted together, as things that are fastened together by a seal. This likewise is true of the crocodile, but the skin of the whale is smooth and entire without any scales at all. Sne...

The sea - The great river Nile, is called a sea, both in scripture, as Isa 11:15, and in other authors, as Euphrates is called the sea of Babylon, Isa 21:1 Jer 51:36. Lakes also are most frequently ca...

Chapter XXV Their disobedience to the prophets reproved, ver. 1 - 7. The seventy years of captivity foretold, ver. 8 - 11. and after that the destruction of Babylon, ver. 12 - 14. By a cup of wine is ...

Many of the prophets foretold their ruin, Jeremiah in this place, Ezek 25:12 - 14 Joel 3:19 Amos 9:11,12, and others. Teman - Was a city of Edom. Dedan - Was a city of Arabia joining to Idumea, Isa 21...

Chapter XXXII Sennacherib invading Judah, Hezekiah fortifies himself, ver. 1 - 8. The insolent letters and messages sent by Sennacherib, ver. 9 - 19. The destruction of his army, ver. 20 - 23. Hezekia...

Chapter I The general title and scope of this prophecy, ver. 1, 2. God's controversy with Syria, ver. 3 - 5. Palestine, ver. 6 - 8. Tyre, ver. 9, 10. Edom, ver. 11, 12. And Ammon, ver. 13 - 15. He saw...

And, first, God will show "signs in the earth beneath" (Acts 2:19); particularly He will "arise to shake terribly the earth." " The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed li...

Earthquakes are set forth by the inspired writers as God's proper judicial act, or the punishment of sin: Sin is the cause, earthquakes the effect, of his anger. So the Psalmist: "The earth trembled a...

4. "But does not the Scripture" (it has been objected, Fourthly) "direct us to wait for salvation? Does not David say, 'My soul waiteth upon God, for of him cometh my salvation'? And does not Isaiah t...

God appoints what workmen should be employed in the building and furnishing the tabernacle, ver. 1 - 11. He repeats the law of the sabbath, ver. 12 - 17. He delivers to Moses the two tables of the tes...

Earthquakes are set forth by the inspired writers as God's proper judicial act, or the punishment of sin: Sin is the cause, earthquakes the effect, of his anger. So the Psalmist: "The earth trembled a...

Children - God often visits the iniquities of the parents upon the children, when they imitate their parents. Of Chittim - All the isles in the Mediterranean sea, with the neighbouring coasts; for the...

Chapter XIX Under the type of breaking a potter's vessel is foreshewn the desolation of the Jews for their sins committed in the valley of Hinnom, and elsewhere, ver. 1 - 15. This place - Either this ...

Chapter XXIII Directions concerning the sabbath, ver. 1 - 3. The passover, ver. 4 - 8. The first fruits, ver. 9 - 14. The feast of pentecost, ver. 15 - 22. of trumpets, ver. 23 - 25. Of atonement, ver...

Observe 4. When this work was produced; In the beginning - That is, in the beginning of time. Time began with the production of those beings that are measured by time. Before the beginning of time the...

4. No one, then, is so perfect in this life, as to be free from ignorance. Nor, Secondly, from mistake; which indeed is almost an unavoidable consequence of it; seeing those who "know but in part" [1 ...

Lastly, Noah's obedience to the instructions given him, ver. 22. Men began to multiply upon the face of the earth - This was the effect of the blessing, Gen 1:28, and yet man's corruption so abused th...

Are they confident of their strength It shall destroy the very foundations of the mountains. It shall burn unto the lowest hell: it shall bring them to the very depth of misery in this world, which ye...

Chapter XXXIV A charge against the shepherds of Israel, ver. 1 - 6. Their dismission from their trust, ver. 7 - 10. A promise, that God would take care of his flock, ver. 11 - 16. Another charge again...

Chapter I Jehoiakim's first captivity, ver. 1, 2. The choice made of Daniel and some other young men, to be brought up for Nebuchadnezzar's service, ver. 3 - 7. Their preferring pulse before the king'...

3. A Second eminent sign of those times, the times of the coming of the Messiah, is given us in the third chapter of the prophecy of Malachi: "Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare my way ...

The circumstances of time and place, ver. 1, 2. The covenant between God and Israel settled in general. The gracious proposal God made to them, ver. 3 - 6. And their consent to the proposal, ver. 7, 8...

They that faint not, nor are weary, are said to mount up with wings as eagles, <cite>Isa 40:31</cite>. Especially it notes God's particular care of them, and affection to them. Even Egypt was the nest...

That we cannot have any other god but he will know it. That it is a sin that dares him to his face, which he cannot, will not, overlook. The second commandment is concerning the ordinances of worship,...

So that he had no pleasure of his life. If I be shaven - Not that his hair was in itself the cause of his strength, but because it was the chief condition of that covenant, whereby God was pleased to ...

But that, if parents should neglect their duty herein, or by their command, counsel, or example, draw them to pollute the sabbath, the children in that case must keep the sabbath, and prefer the comma...

Chapter X This chapter contains, the only certain account extant of the original of nations; and yet, perhaps, there is no nation, but that of the Jews, that can be confident from which of these seven...

He shall feed - Do all the office of a good and faithful shepherd, and that for ever. My servant - Christ was in this great work his fathers servant, Isa 42:1. A covenant - A covenant of promises, whi...

Isaiah 43:1-3 Source: Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739), Part II Author: Charles Wesley (attributed) --- 1 Peace, doubting heart--my God’s I am! Who form’d me man forbids my fear: The Lord hath call’d me ...

In this breast - plate, the tribes of Israel were recommended to God's favour in twelve precious stones. Some question whether Levi had a precious stone with his name on or no; if not Ephraim and Mana...

4. The Spirit of Christ is that great gift of God, which at sundry times, and in divers manners, he hath promised to man, and hath fully bestowed since the time that Christ was glorified. Those promis...

Chapter I The proclamation of Cyrus, for the release of the Jews, and building of the temple, ver. 1 - 4. The return of many of them, ver. 5, 6. Orders given for restoring the vessels of the temple, v...

In her occasion - That is, when she has an occasion to run impetuously to her male, she bears down all opposition. In her month - Perhaps the sense is, though Jerusalem be now madly bent upon going af...

Thine elder sister - The greater for power, riches, and numbers of people. Her daughters - The lesser cities of the kingdom of Israel. Thy left hand - Northward as you look toward the east. Thy younge...

Isaiah 45:22. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth” Source: Hymns and Sacred Poems (1740), Part I Author: Charles Wesley (attributed) --- I know, my struggling nought avails, My st...

Observe 4. When this work was produced; In the beginning - That is, in the beginning of time. Time began with the production of those beings that are measured by time. Before the beginning of time the...

Chapter XXXIII The taking of Jerusalem, carrying away the people, their return, ver. 1 - 8. Joyful state and settled government, ver. 9 - 14. Christ the branch of righteousness, his everlasting kingdo...

The Lord our righteousness - There is no such name any where given, either to the Jewish or Christian church, as the Lord our righteousness, but the full import of that name is spoken of Christ, Isa 4...

And the daughter of Pharaoh came - Providence brings no less a person than Pharaoh's daughter just at that juncture, guides her to the place where this poor infant lay, inclines her heart to pity it, ...

7. Entirely different will be the manner of the cure, if the cause of the disease be not sin, but ignorance. It may be, ignorance of the meaning of Scripture; perhaps occasioned by ignorant commentato...

From the tabernacle - Not from the whole tabernacle, but from that part, whither it was come, to that part which was directly over the mercy - seat, where it constantly abode. Leprous - She, and not A...

Isaiah 51:9 Source: Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739), Part II Author: Charles Wesley (attributed) --- 1 Arm of the Lord awake, awake! Thy87 own immortal strength put on. With terror cloath’d the nations ...

Concerning the consecration of the priests, and the sanctification of the altar, ver. 1 - 37. Concerning the daily sacrifice, ver. 38 - 41. To which gracious promises are annexed, ver. 42 - 46. They w...

Shall be wasted - Shall be by degrees diminished by the incursions of divers enemies, till at last the Assyrian comes to compleat the work and carries them into captivity. For the Kenites who lived pa...

Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee saith the Lord: from hence be concludes, that though he had many that pursued after his life, yet they should stumble in their ways of ...

For every sacrifice was burnt, more or less. The sacrifices signified that the whole man, in whose stead the sacrifice was offered, was to be entirely offered or devoted to God's service; and that the...

That he judged himself worthy of that death which it suffered in his stead; and that he laid his sins upon it with an eye to him upon whom God would lay the iniquity of us all, Isa 53:6, and that toge...

This was commanded for the greater reverence to the Divine Majesty then in a more special manner appearing, and that none of them might cast an eye into the holy of holies, as the high - priest went i...

Concerning the inner curtains of the tabernacle, ver. 1 - 6. Concerning the outer curtains, ver. 7 - 13. Concerning the cover which was to secure it from the weather, ver. 14. Concerning the boards wh...

That this book was of Divine inspiration is so clear, that as the Jewish writers note, none ever questioned it, although some doubted of some other of Solomon's writings. And the same arguments which ...

And this will be more than probable to any man who shall consider the following particulars; That the scriptures both of the Old and New Testament are full of allegorical passages; which being known a...

He is the lion of the tribe of Judah, as he is called with reference to this, Rev 5:5, who having spoiled principalities and powers, went up a conqueror, and couched so as none can stir him up when he...

Chapter VI Solomon declares his intent in building the house, ver. 1 - 11. His prayer of dedication, ver. 12 - 42. Thick darkness - He has indeed made darkness his pavilion. But let this house be the ...

7. It remains only, in order to our observing such a fast as is acceptable to the Lord, that we add alms thereto; works of mercy, after our power, both to the bodies and souls of men: "With such sacri...

These mutual respects at their first interview were good presages of their being a happy couple. Providence made that which seemed contingent and fortuitous to give a speedy satisfaction to Jacob's mi...

6. Thus, where the Lord Omnipotent taketh to himself his mighty power and reigneth, doth he "subdue all things to himself," cause every heart to overflow with love, and fill every mouth with praise. "...

30. Is not this the falling away or apostasy from God, foretold by St. Paul in his Second Epistle to the Thessalonians (2 Thess. 2:3.) Indeed, I would not dare to say, with George Fox, that this apost...

26. At that time will be accomplished all those glorious promises made to the Christian Church, which will not then be confined to this or that nation, but will include all the inhabitants of the eart...

Mother's children - False brethren, who pretend that the church is their mother, when their actions demonstrate, that God, the husband of the church, is not their father; hypocritial professors, who a...

all which words are very expressive in the original, and signify to pardon, to blot out, to destroy. To bring in everlasting righteousness - To bring in justification by the free grace of God in Chris...

That this book was of Divine inspiration is so clear, that as the Jewish writers note, none ever questioned it, although some doubted of some other of Solomon's writings. And the same arguments which ...

And this will be more than probable to any man who shall consider the following particulars; That the scriptures both of the Old and New Testament are full of allegorical passages; which being known a...

But God was pleased to give them sensible demonstrations, that he kept them night and day. Was taken up - Or, ascended on high, above its ordinary place, by which it became more visible to all the cam...

I will turn aside and see - He speaks as one inquisitive, and bold in his inquiry; whatever it was, he would if possible know the meaning of it. When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see it, God c...

5. There is one circumstance more which will follow the judgement, that deserves our serious consideration: "We look," says the Apostle, "according to his promise, for new heavens and a new earth, whe...