From Sermons on Several Occasions, by John Wesley
Evil-speaking is the more difficult to be avoided, because it frequently attacks us in disguise.
It is something attainable, yea, actually attained, on earth, by those who are partakers of this faith.
Christian faith is then, not only an assent to the whole gospel of Christ, but also a full reliance on the blood of Christ; a trust in the merits of his life, death, and resurrection.
If there were no hearers, there would be no speakers, of evil.
Through this faith they are saved from the power of sin, as well as from the guilt of it.
This is properly the ground of a Christian’s joy. We may now therefore readily conceive, how he that hath this testimony in himself rejoiceth evermore.
It gratifies our pride, to relate those faults of others whereof we think ourselves not to be guilty.
The success of a reproof greatly depends on the spirit wherein it is given.
It was therefore an instance of wisdom worthy of God, to appoint such a condition of reconciliation for him and all his posterity as might effectually humble, might abase them to the dust. And such is faith.
He who knows himself, neither desires nor values the applause which he knows he deserves not.
Practise it universally, on every one of the thousand occasions which will occur in all circumstances of life! Practise it daily, without intermission.
If love is not conquered, it conquers all things. Who can tell the force of love?
Nothing short of God can satisfy your soul. Therefore, eye him in all, through all, and above all.
To deny ourselves, is, to deny our own will, where it does not fall in with the will of God; and that however pleasing it may be.
Christian joy is joy in obedience; joy in loving God and keeping his commandments.
All the blessings which God hath bestowed upon man are of his mere grace, bounty, or favour; his free, undeserved favour; favour altogether undeserved; man having no claim to the least of his mercies.
Evil-speaking is neither more nor less than speaking evil of an absent person; relating something evil, which was really done or said by one that is not present when it is related.
The one perfect Good shall be your one ultimate end. One thing shall ye desire for its own sake.
Here end remorse, and sorrow of heart, and the anguish of a wounded spirit. God turneth his heaviness into joy. He made sore, and now his hands bind up. Here ends also that bondage unto fear; for his heart standeth fast, believing in the Lord.
Christian perfection, therefore, does not imply an exemption either from ignorance or mistake, or infirmities or temptations. Indeed, it is only another term for holiness.
MannaScroll