Today I post the final excerpts from this week’s featured Anglican theologian and writer, John Wesley. Read Monday’s post for more information on Wesley. I hope you have found his writings edifying.

Today’s writings highlight Wesley’s theology on grace and our stewardship of money. Enjoy.

Wesley on prevenient (preventing) grace:

No man living is entirely destitute of what is vulgarly called natural conscience, But it is not natural: It is more property termed preventing grace. Every man has a greater or less measure of this, which waits not for the call of man. Everyone has, sooner or later, good desires, although the generality of men stifle them before they can strike deep root or produce any considerable fruit. Everyone has some measure of that light, some faint glimmering ray, which, sooner or later, more or less, enlightens every man that comes into the world. So that no man sins because he has not grace, but because he does not use the grace which he has.

—Sermon, On Working Out Our Own Salvation

Wesley on sanctifying grace:

There is likewise great variety in the manner and time of God’s bestowing his sanctifying grace, whereby he enables his children to give him their whole heart, which we can in no wise account for. God undoubtedly has reasons, but those reasons arc generally hid from the children of men. Once more: Some of those who are enabled to love God with all their heart and with all their soul retain the same blessing, without any interruption, till they are carried to Abraham’s bosom; others do not retain it, although they are not conscious of having grieved the Holy Spirit of God. This also we do not understand: We do not herein “know the mind of the Spirit.”

—Sermon, The Imperfection of Human Knowledge

Wesley on using a means of grace in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. Notice that Wesley sees this as a means to an end, rather than an end itself. Notice too that he sees daily discipline as a feature, not a bug:

O begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercises [of prayer and Bible study]. You may acquire the taste for which you have not: What is tedious at first will afterward be pleasant, Whether you like it or not, read and pray daily. It is for your life: there is no other way. Do justice to your own soul: give it time and means to grow. Do not starve yourself any longer. Take up your cross and be a Christian altogether. Then will the children of God rejoice.

—Personal letter

Wesley’s excellent advice on our stewardship of money:

Gain all you can, without hurting either yourself or your neighbor, in soul or body, by applying hereto with uninterrupted diligence and with all the understanding which God has given you. Save all you can, by cutting off every expense which serves only to indulge foolish desire; to gratify either the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, or the pride of life; waste nothing, living or dying, on sin or folly, whether for yourself or your children. And then give all you can, or in other words, give all you have to God. Render to God not a tenth, not a third, not a half, but all that is God’s, be it more or less, by employing all on yourself, your household, the household of faith, and all mankind, in such a manner that you may give a good account of your stewardship when ye can be no longer stewards.

—Sermon, On the Use of Money

And this warning:

O you that have riches in possession, once more hear the word of the Lord! You that are rich in this world, that have food to eat, and clothes to put on, and something over, are you clear of the curse of loving the world? Are you sensible of your danger? Is not your belly your god? Is not eating and drinking, or any other pleasure of sense, the greatest pleasure you enjoy? Do not you seek happiness in dress, furniture, pictures, gardens, or anything else that pleases the eye? Do not you grow soft and delicate, unable to bear cold, heat, the wind or the rain, as you did when you were poor? Are you not increasing in goods, laying up treasure on earth instead of restoring to God in the poor, not so much, or so much, but all that you can spare? Surely, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven!”

—Sermon, On God’s Vineyard

Below are more excerpts from John Wesley, our featured Anglican theologian and writer this week. See Monday’s post for more on Wesley and his theology. Notice the exquisite focus on God and his power. Notice the realism and humility embedded in his writings. Notice the wonderful Christian hope that bursts forth. Do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to let God speak to you through Fr. John.

Wesley on the nature of real religion:

Here then we see in the clearest, strongest light, what is real religion: A restoration of man by him that bruises the serpent’s head to all that the old serpent deprived him of, a restoration not only to the favor but likewise to the image of God, implying not merely deliverance from sin, but being filled with the fulness of God. Nothing short of this is Christian religion. Not anything else: Do not imagine an outward form, a round of duties, both in public and private is religion! Do not suppose that honesty, justice, and whatever is called morality (though excellent in its place) is religion! And least of all dream that orthodoxy, right opinion (vulgarly called faith) is religion. Of all religious dreams, this is the vainest, which takes hay and stubble for gold tried in the fire!

–Sermon, The End of Christ’s Coming

Wesley on the Lord’s Supper:

I showed at large (1) That the Lord’s supper was ordained by God to be a means of conveying to men either preventing, or justifying, or sanctifying grace, according to their several necessities. (2) That the persons for whom it was ordained are all those who know and feel that they want the grace of God, either to restrain them from sin, or to show their sins forgiven, or to renew their souls in the image of God. (3) That inasmuch as we come to his table not to give him anything but to receive whatsoever he sees best for us, there is no previous preparation indispensably necessary but a desire to receive whatsoever he pleases to give. (4) That no fitness is required at the time of communicating but a sense of our state of utter sinfulness and helplessness.

—Journal

Wesley on Christian Perfection:

Christian perfection, therefore, does not imply (as some men seem to have imagined) an exemption either from ignorance, or mistake, or infirmity, or temptations. Indeed, it is only another term for holiness [emphasis mine]. They are two names for the same thing. Thus everyone that is holy is, in the scripture sense, perfect. Yet we may, lastly, observe that neither in this respect is there any absolute perfection on earth. There is no perfection of degrees, as it is termed, none which does not admit of a continual increase.

–Sermon, Christian Perfection

Today I post more from our featured Anglican theologian and writer of the week, John Wesley. Check out Monday’s post for more details on Fr. John.

On preaching:

Immediately it struck into my mind, “Leave off preaching. How can you preach to others who have not faith yourself” I asked [Peter] Bohler whether he thought I should leave it off or not. He said, “Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith.”

–Journal (1738)

On the impact of a sermon:

I believe it pleased God to bless the first sermon [I preached today] most, because it gave most offense.

–Journal (1738)

Today concludes the sampling of hymns from Charles Wesley, our featured Anglican writer and theologian this week. Read more about Wesley in Monday’s post. I hope you have enjoyed them and taken the time to reflect on the wonderful theology contained in them.

The two hymns from today are well known, at least if you come from a tradition of singing classical Christian hymns. Both exude a joyous celebration of the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. If you aren’t familiar with the melody of these hymns, click the title of each. Enjoy!

O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing (57)

O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
’tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean;
his blood availed for me.

He speaks, and listening to his voice,
new life the dead receive;
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
the humble poor believe.

Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb,
your loosened tongues employ;
ye blind, behold your savior come,
and leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ, your head, you then shall know,
shall feel your sins forgiven;
anticipate your heaven below,
and own that love is heaven.

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (384)

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down;
fix in us thy humble dwelling;
all thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast!
Let us all in thee inherit;
let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

Finish, then, thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee;
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Today I continue to feature the hymns of Charles Wesley, our featured Anglican writer and theologian this week. Read more about Wesley in Monday’s post.

The featured hymn today is often sung during the Lenten season and Holy Week. Click here for the melody if you are not familiar with it. Pay close attention to the theology contained in this grand old hymn.

Jesus, Lover of My Soul (479)

Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none,
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
more than all in thee I find;
raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
false and full of sin I am;
thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound,
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart;
rise to all eternity.

Today I continue to feature the hymns of Charles Wesley, our featured Anglican writer and theologian this week. Read more about Wesley in Monday’s post.

Today’s hymns were written to be sung at the Eucharist. Pay attention to the rich theology in them.

Eucharistic Hymn No. 8

Come, to the supper, come,
Sinners, there is still room;
Every soul may be his guest,
Jesus gives the general word;
Share the monumental feast,
Eat the supper of your Lord.

In this authentic sign
Behold the stamp divine:
Christ revives his sufferings here,
Still exposes them to view;
See the crucified appear,
Now believe he died for you.

Eucharistic Hymn No. 66

And shall I let him go?
If now I do not feel
The streams of living water flow,
Shall I forsake the well?

Because he hides his face,
Shall I no longer stay,
But leave the channels of his grace,
And cast the mean away?

Get thee behind me, fiend,
On others try thy skill,
Here let thy hellish whispers end,
To thee I say, Be still!

Jesus hath spoken the word,
His will my reason is;
Do this in memory of thy Lord,
Jesus hath said, Do this!

He bids me eat the bread,
He bids me drink the wine;
No other motive, Lord, I need,
No other word than thine.

I cheerfully comply
With what my Lord doth say;
Let others ask a reason why,
My glory is t’ obey.

His will is good and just:
Shall I his will withstand?
If Jesus bids me like the dust,
I bow at his command.

Because he said, Do this,
This I will always do;
Till Jesus come in glorious bliss,
I thus his death will show.

Today I continue to feature the hymns of Charles Wesley, our featured Anglican writer and theologian this week. Read more about Wesley in Monday’s post.

Today’s hymns feature a wonderful Advent hymn (click here to listen to the REAL melody–Anglicans don’t sing it correctly and it drives me crazy 🙂 ) and a Christmas carol loved by many (I know, I know. It’s too early for Christmas but humor me here, will ya?). Did you know Wesley was its author? What theology do you see shining through in the lyrics?

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (196)

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (240)

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’ angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”

Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’ incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”