Recently, the John Wesley Collection (29 vols.) was placed on Pre-Pub. Not only does it contain the complete Works of John Wesley and Wesley’s Explanatory Notes for both the Old and New Testaments, but it also includes the authoritative eight-volume Journals of the Rev. John Wesley and an expansive, three-volume biography. To celebrate this awesome collection, I’ve put together ten of my favorite John Wesley quotes:
1. “Every one, though born of God in an instant, yet undoubtedly grows by slow degrees.”—from a letter in the Works of John Wesley
2. “No circumstances can make it necessary for a man to burst in sunder all the ties of humanity. It can never be necessary for a rational being to sink himself below a brute.”—from Thoughts upon Slavery in the Works of John Wesley
3. “When I was young I was sure of everything. In a few years, having been mistaken a thousand times, I was not half so sure of most things as I was before. At present, I am hardly sure of anything but what God has revealed to me.”—from a letter in the Works of John Wesley
4. “Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry.”—from a letter in the Works of John Wesley
5. “Having, First, gained all you can, and, Secondly saved all you can, Then give all you can.”—from a sermon in the Works of John Wesley
6. “Passion and prejudice govern the world; only under the name of reason. It is our part, by religion and reason joined, to counteract them all we can.”—from a letter in the Works of John Wesley
7. “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.”—from a sermon in the Works of John Wesley
8. “Never dream of forcing men into the ways of God. Think yourself, and let think. Use no constraint in matters of religion. Even those who are farthest out of the way never compel to come in by any other means than reason, truth, and love.”—from a sermon in the Works of John Wesley
9. “Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergyman or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon the earth.”—from a letter in the Works of John Wesley
10. “It cannot be that the people should grow in grace unless they give themselves to reading. A reading people will always be a knowing people.”—from a letter in the Works of John Wesley
John Wesley has had an immense impact on modern Christianity, and it seems like no matter where you look in the massive John Wesley Collection (29 vols.), he’s got something of value for you to ponder. His sermons are inspiring, his essays well articulated, his letters fascinating. You’ll want Wesley’s Explanatory Notes open every time your Bible is—his perspective is always enlightening—even if you disagree with him. This is a Pre-Pub you have got to check out!
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