19 D PREFACE. 1 A GENTLEMAN in the west of England informed me a few days ago, that a clergyman in his neighbourhood designed to print, in two or three volumes, the Sermons which had been published in the ten volumes of the Arminian Magazine. I had been frequently solicited to do this myself, and had as often answered, "I leave this for my executors." But if it must be done before I go hence, methinks I am the properest person to do it. 2. I intend, therefore, to set about it without delay: and if it pleases God to continue to me a little longer the use of my understanding and memory, I know not that I can employ them better. And perhaps I may be better able than another to revise my own writings; in order, either to retrench what is redundant, to supply what is wanting, or to make any farther alterations which shall appear needful. 3. To make these plain discourses more useful, I purpose now to range them in proper order; placing those first which are intended to throw light on some important Christian doctrines; and afterwards those which more directly relate to some branch of Christian practice: and I shall endeavour to place them all in such an order that one may illustrate and confirm the other. There may be the greater need of this, because they were occasionally written, during a course of years, without ny order or connection at all; just as this or the other subject either occurred to my own mind, or was suggested to me at various times by one or another friend. 4. To complete the number of twelve sermons in every volume, I have added six sermons to those printed in the Magazines; and I did this the rather, because the subjects were important, and cannot be too much insisted on.* 5. Is there need to apologize to sensible persons, for the plainness of my style? A gentleman, whom I much love and respect, lately informed me with much tenderness and courtesy, that " men of candour made great allowance for the decay of my faculties; and did not expect me to write now, either with regard to sentiment or language, as I did thirty or forty years ago." Perhaps they are decayed; though I am not conscious of it. But is not this a fit occasion to explain myself, concerning the style I use, from choice, not necessity? I could, even now, write as floridly and rhetorically as even the admired Dr. Bbut I dare not; because I seek the honour that cometh of God only. ; *This Preface was written by Mr. Wesley for the edition of his Sermons, printed in 4 vols. 12mo. What is the praise of man to me, that have one foot in the grave, and am stepping into the land whence I shall not return? Therefore, 1 dare no more write in a fine style than wear a fine coat. But were it otherwise, had I time to spare, I should still write just as I do. I should purposely decline, what many admire, a highly ornamented style. I cannot admire French oratory: I despise it from my heart. Let those that please be in raptures at the pretty, elegant sentences of Massillon or Bourdaloue; but give me the plain, nervous style of Dr. South, Dr Bates, or Mr. John Howe: and for elegance, show me any French writer who exceeds Dean Young or Mr. Seed. Let who will admire the French frippery; I am still for plain, sound English. 6. I think a preacher, or a writer of sermons, has lost his way, when he imitates any of the French orators; even the most famous of them; even Massillon or Bourdaloue. Only let his language be plain, proper and clear, and it is enough. God himself has told us how to speak, both as to the matter and the manner : "If any man speak," in the name of God, "let him speak as the oracles of God;" and if he would imitate any part of these above the rest, let it be the First Epistle of St. John. This is the style, the most excellent style, for every gospe preacher. And let him aim at no more ornament than he finds in that sentence, which is the sum of the whole gospel, "We love him, because he first loved us." London, Jan. 1, 1788 CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME. Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son-whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified, Romans The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him Yet in hope that the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth, and travaileth in pain together Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever, therefore, desireth to be a friend of the world, SERMON LXXXVI.—In what Sense we are to leave the World. Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And I will be to you a Father, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God that work- eth in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure, Phil. ii, 12, 13 Will the Lord absent himself for ever? and will he be no more entreated? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? and is his promise come utterly to an end for They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful desires, which drown men in destruction and perdition, 1 Timothy Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of.... wearing of gold, or But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek end quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great SERMON XCIV.-The More Excellent Way. Covet earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show unto you a more excellent way, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, and have And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing, 1 Cor. xiii, 1–3. |