Sermons on several occasions: in four volumes. / By John Wesley, M.A. late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford. ; Vol. I[-IV].

THE PREFACE.

THE following Sermons contain the sub∣stance of what I have been preaching, for between eight and nine years last past▪ During that time I have frequently spoken in publick, on every subject in the ensuing collection: And I am not conscious, that there is any one point of doctrine, on which I am accustomed to speak in public, which is not here, incidentally, if not professedly laid before every Christian Reader. Every serious man, who peruses these will there∣fore see in the clearest manner, what those doctrines are which I embrace and 〈…〉〈…〉 the essentials of true religion.

2. But I am thoroughly sensible, these are not proposed, in such a manner as some may expect. Nothing here appears in an elaborate, elegant, or oratorical dress. If it had been my desire or design to write thus, my leisure would not permit. But in truth I at present designed nothing less; for I now write (as I generally speak) ad populum: To the bulk of mankind, to those who nei∣ther relish nor understand the art of speak∣ing: But who notwithstanding are compe∣tent judges of those truths, which are neces∣sary to present and future happiness. I mention this, that curious readers may spare themselves the labour of seeking for what they will not find.

3. I design plain truth for plain people. Therefore of set purpose I abstain from all nice and philosophical speculations, from all perplext and intricate reasonings; and as far as possible, from even the shew of learn∣ing, unless in sometimes citing the original scriptures. I labour to avoid all words which are not easy to be understood, all which are not used in common life: ••nd in particular, those kind of technical terms, that so frequently occur in bodies of divini∣ty, those modes of speaking which men 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reading are intimately acquainted with, but which to common people are an unknown

tongue. Yet I am not assured, that I do not sometimes slide into them unawares: It is so extremely natural to imagine, that a word which is familiar to ourselves, is so to all the world.

4. Nay, my design is, in some sense to forget all that ever I have read in my life. I mean to speak, in the general, as if I had never read one author, antient or modern (always excepting the inspired.) I am per∣suaded, that on the one hand, this may be a means of enabling me more clearly to ex∣press the sentiments of my heart, while I sim∣ply follow the chain of my own thoughts, without entangling myself with those of other men: And that, on the other, I shall come with fewer weights upon my mind, with less of prejudice and prepossession, either to search for myself, or to deliver to others, the naked truths of the gospel.

5. To candid, reasonable m•••••• I am not afraid to lay open what have been the inmost thoughts of my heart. I have thought, "I am a creature of a day, passing thro' life, as an arrow through the air. I am a Spirit, come from GOD, and returning to GOD: Just hovering over the Great Gulph; till a few moments hence, I am no more seen: I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want

to know one thing, the way to Heaven: How to land safe on that happy shore. GOD himself has ••ondescended to teach the way; for this very end he came from Hea∣ven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price give me the book of GOD! I have it; Here is know∣ledge enough for me. Let me be Homo unius libri. Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: Only GOD is here. In his presence I open, I read his book; for this end, to find the way to Heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does any thing appear dark 〈◊〉〈◊〉 intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of lights. "Lord, is it not thy word, If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of GOD? Thou givest liberally and upbraidest not; Thou hast said, If any be willing to do thy will, he shall know. I am willing to do. Let me know thy will." I then search af∣ter and consider parallel passages of scrip∣ture, comparing Spiritual things with Spirit∣ual. I meditate thereon, with all the atten∣tion and earnestness of which my mind is capable. If any doubt still remain, I consult those who are experienced in the things of GOD: And then, the writings whereby be∣ing dead, they yet speak. And what I thus learn, that I teach.

6. I have accordingly set down in the fol∣lowing Sermons, what I find in the bible concerning the way to Heaven; with a view to distinguish this way of GOD, from all those which are the inventions of men. I have endeavoured to describe the true, the scriptural, experimental religion, so as to omit nothing which is a real part thereof, and to add nothing thereto which is not. And herein it is more especially my desire, first, to guard those who are just setting their faces toward Heaven, (and who having lit∣tle acquaintance with the things of GOD, are the more liable to be turned out of the way) from formality, from me•••• outside re∣ligion, which has almost driven heart-reli∣on out of the world: And secondly, To warn those who know the religion of the heart, the faith which worketh by love, left at any time they make void the law thro' faith, and so fall back into the snare of the Devil.

7. By the advice and at the request of some of my friends, I have prefixt to the other sermons contained in this volume, three sermons of my own and one of my Brother's, preached before the University of Oxford. My design requi••ed some discour∣ses on those heads. And I preferred these before any others, as being a stronger an∣swer

than any which can be drawn up now, to those who have frequently asserted,— "That we have changed our doctrine of late, and do not preach now, what we did some years ago." Any man of understand∣ing may now judge for himself, when he has compared the latter with the former Ser∣mons. But some may say, I have mistaken the way myself, altho' I take upon me to teach it to others. It is possible, many will think this, and it is very probable, that I have. But I trust, whereinsover I have mis∣taken, my mind is open to conviction. I sincerely desire to be better informed. I say to GOD and man, "What I know not, teach thou me!"

9. Are you persuaded, you see more clear∣ly than me? It is not unlikely that you may. Then, treat me, as you would desire to be treated yourself upon a change of circum∣stances. Point me out a better way than I have yet known. Sh•••• me it is so, by plain proof of scripture. And if I linger in the path I have been accustomed to tread, and therefore unwilling to leave, labour with me a little, take me by the hand, and lead me as I am able to bear. But be not displeased if I entreat you, not to beat me down, in or∣der to quicken my pace: I can go but feebly and slowly at best; then, I should not be

able to go at all. May I not request of you further, not to give me hard names, in or∣der to bring me into the right way? Sup∣pose I was ever so much in the wrong. I doubt this would not set me right. Rather, it would make me run so much the farther from you, and so get more and more out of the way.

10. Nay, perhaps, if you are angry, so shall I be too; and then there will be small hopes of finding the truth. If once anger a∣rise, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (as Homer somewhere expresses it) this smoke will so dim the eyes of my soul, that I shall be able to see nothing clearly. For GOD'S sake, if it be possible to avoid it, let us not provoke one another to wrath. Let us not kindle in each other this fire of Hell; much less, blow it up into a flame. If we could discern truth by that dreadful light, would it not be loss, rather than gain? For how far is love, even with many wrong opinions, to be preferred before truth itself without love? We may die without the knowledge of many truths, and yet be car∣ried into Abraham's bosom. But if we die without love, what will knowledge avail? Just as much as it avails the Devil and his Angels!

The GOD of love forbid we should ever make the trial! May he prepare us for the knowledge of all truth, by filling our hearts with all his love, and with all joy and peace in believing.