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<\/a>\n[288 pages. Completed on 2 May 2012. Published on 1 April 2014. Portrait by William Hamilton (1788) that I used on my original back cover (see below) ]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
I have long felt an immense admiration for John Wesley, as a person of extraordinary \u201cmissionary zeal\u201d and devotion to the gospel and Christianity: the man who is said to have delivered more than 40,000 sermons, and traveled more than 250,000 miles on horseback (almost the distance to the moon). As an apologist and (to some extent) evangelist myself, Wesley\u2019s sterling example has always been a great inspiration.<\/p>\n My background is broadly Wesleyan \/ Arminian, and I was raised initially in the United Methodist Church, though I hasten to add that in those days (up to age ten) I was quite ignorant of theology. In any event, my subsequent evangelical (and \u201cmoderately charismatic\u201d) Protestant theological and spiritual development was not all that different from what Wesley or Methodism would teach. I even had an uncle (very sadly murdered at age 40) who was an Anglo-Catholic priest.<\/p>\n I entered the (Roman) Catholic Church in 1991. I mention this only for the sake of \u201cfull disclosure.\u201d My intention is to present Wesley\u2019s full theology and spiritual outlook, as a detached editor (as much as one can possibly be). I\u2019m simply being open and honest upfront about my own possible biases.<\/p>\n John Wesley (it may surprise some to discover) never ceased being an Anglican. My own favorite writers are all either lifelong or initial Anglicans (C. S. Lewis, John Henry Cardinal Newman, G. K. Chesterton, Malcolm Muggeridge, and Thomas Howard). John Wesley is also among these Anglican writers and thinkers that I respect so much and love to read.<\/p>\n My first goal in my selection of Wesley\u2019s writings is to provide the reader with Wesley\u2019s theological views as he expressed them, and to locate (to the best of my ability, in my editor\u2019s judgment) the most representative and best-expressed portions of his writings in order to fulfill that purpose.<\/p>\n The second, lesser aim (in harmony with the first) is ecumenical. Much of what Wesley held and expressed can be enthusiastically accepted by those from a wide spectrum of Christianity: Arminians, Catholics, Lutherans, Orthodox, Baptists, charismatics and non-denominational Christians, or self-described \u201cevangelicals.\u201d Even Calvinists (the traditional opposition to Wesleyans \/ Arminians) disagree mainly on a relatively small number of theological points.<\/p>\n In a broad sense, the theology and thoughts of John Wesley are treasures for all Christians. He was a great man, whose thinking and teachings ought to be more widely known and appreciated; and that is my third goal in compiling this book.<\/p>\n The quotations are categorized into 245 topics (see the Topical Index at the end), with entries drawn from the entire range of Wesley\u2019s writing: his famous journal, letters, treatises, tracts, biblical commentary, and the \u201cMinutes\u201d of various Methodist conferences (dominated by Wesley, and certainly reflective of his own views). They are arranged chronologically within the categories, with dates (to the day, where known) and primary and secondary bibliographical documentation.<\/p>\n My sincere hope is that readers will benefit from these quotations from Wesley as much as I have in finding and sharing them. May his evangelistic zeal and Christian integrity and \u201cheart for God\u201d spread like wildfire.<\/p>\n Absolution p. 15<\/p>\n Alcohol 15<\/p>\n Anabaptists 16<\/p>\n Angels 16<\/p>\n Anglicanism 17<\/p>\n Anglicanism: Faithfulness to 17<\/p>\n Anglicanism: Opposition to Separation and a New Denomination 20<\/p>\n Anglicanism: Persecution of Anglican Methodists 23<\/p>\n Anointing the Sick with Consecrated Oil 25<\/p>\n Antinomianism (Falsity of) 26<\/p>\n Apocrypha (Deuterocanon) 27<\/p>\n Apostolic Succession 27<\/p>\n Arminianism 27<\/p>\n Atonement 28<\/p>\n Atonement, Limited (Falsity of) 28<\/p>\n Atonement: Universal 32<\/p>\n Authority, Obedience to 35<\/p>\n Baptism 36<\/p>\n Baptism and Being \u201cBorn Again\u201d36<\/p>\n Baptism and Justification 38<\/p>\n Baptism and Original Sin 38<\/p>\n Baptism and Salvation 38<\/p>\n Baptism, Infant 39<\/p>\n Baptismal Regeneration 40<\/p>\n Beatific Vision 41<\/p>\n Bishops 41<\/p>\n Bishops, Liberal or Nominal 41<\/p>\n Bishops (Opposed in Methodism) 42<\/p>\n Blessings (Priestly) 42<\/p>\n Bowing (at the Name of Jesus) 42<\/p>\n Buffoonery and Fools 42<\/p>\n Calling (Wesley\u2019s) 43<\/p>\n Calvin, John 43<\/p>\n Calvinism: Criticisms of 44<\/p>\n Catholicism (Roman); Catholics 46<\/p>\n Celibacy and Singleness 48<\/p>\n Cheerfulness (and Christianity) 49<\/p>\n Child Killing 50<\/p>\n Christian 50<\/p>\n Christianity and Secular Knowledge 52<\/p>\n Church, The 53<\/p>\n Clothing 54<\/p>\n Communion, Holy: Daily Reception 54<\/p>\n Communion, Holy: Means of Grace 55<\/p>\n Communion, Holy: Preparation and Fitness for Reception 57<\/p>\n Communion, Holy: Real Presence 58<\/p>\n Communion, Holy: Transubstantiation (Falsity of) 58<\/p>\n Communion, Holy: Weekly Reception 59<\/p>\n Concupiscence 59<\/p>\n Confession 59<\/p>\n Confirmation (Rite) 59<\/p>\n Conversion 60<\/p>\n Demoniacs 61<\/p>\n Dialogue and Argument 62<\/p>\n Ecumenism; Religious Tolerance 65<\/p>\n Education, Methodist 70<\/p>\n Education, Secularization of 72<\/p>\n Election, Conditional 72<\/p>\n Election, Unconditional (Falsity of) 73<\/p>\n \u201cEnthusiasm\u201d (Opposition to) 74<\/p>\n Eucharistic Adoration (Wrongness of) 79<\/p>\n Eucharistic Sacrifice 80<\/p>\n Evangelism and Preaching, Lay 80<\/p>\n Examination of Conscience; Self-Examination 82<\/p>\n Experience, Religious 82<\/p>\n Extreme Unction (Falsity of) 84<\/p>\n Faith 85<\/p>\n Faith Alone (Falsity of) 87<\/p>\n Faith and Justification 87<\/p>\n Faith and Reason 88<\/p>\n Faith and Salvation 90<\/p>\n Faith and Works 90<\/p>\n Faith: Bold and Confident 94<\/p>\n Fasting 94<\/p>\n Fathers of the Church 95<\/p>\n Free Will 98<\/p>\n Friday Abstinence 100<\/p>\n Gifts, Extraordinary: Cessation of 101<\/p>\n God 101<\/p>\n God: All-Holy 103<\/p>\n God: Eternity of 103<\/p>\n God: His Providence 103<\/p>\n God: Just Judge 105<\/p>\n God: Omnipotence of 106<\/p>\n God: Omnipresence of 106<\/p>\n God: Omniscience of 107<\/p>\n God: Outside of Time 108<\/p>\n God: Sovereignty of 108<\/p>\n God: Sustainer of Creation 109<\/p>\n God: Will of 110<\/p>\n Gospel 110<\/p>\n Gossip 111<\/p>\n Government 111<\/p>\n Government, Church 112<\/p>\n Grace 114<\/p>\n Grace: Degrees or Greater Measure of 115<\/p>\n Grace, Falling Away from (Apostasy) 115<\/p>\n Grace, Irresistible (Falsity of) 120<\/p>\n Grace, Means of 121<\/p>\n Grace, Prevenient 123<\/p>\n Hades; Sheol; Paradise; Intermediate State 125<\/p>\n Happiness 127<\/p>\n Hardening of the Heart 128<\/p>\n Healing, Miraculous 128<\/p>\n Heartfelt Conversion; Wholehearted Devotion to God 130<\/p>\n Heathens and Salvation 133<\/p>\n Heaven 133<\/p>\n Hell 133<\/p>\n Henry VIII (and His Destruction of Church Buildings) 135<\/p>\n Holiness 135<\/p>\n Holy Days 135<\/p>\n Holy Spirit 135<\/p>\n Holy Spirit: Being Filled With 135<\/p>\n Holy Spirit, Indwelling of 137<\/p>\n Holy Spirit: Testimony and Witness of 138<\/p>\n Jesus Christ 140<\/p>\n Jesus Christ: Creator 141<\/p>\n Jesus Christ: Divinity of 141<\/p>\n Jesus Christ: Savior and Redeemer 141<\/p>\n Jesus Christ: Sustainer of Creation 142<\/p>\n Jews and Salvation 143<\/p>\n Joy 143<\/p>\n Judgment of Nations 144<\/p>\n Justification 144<\/p>\n Justification and Absolute Assurance of Pardon; Fiducial Faith 146<\/p>\n Justification and Being \u201cBorn Again\u201d 147<\/p>\n Justification and New Birth 147<\/p>\n Justification and Present Assurance 147<\/p>\n Justification and \u201cReceiving the Holy Spirit\u201d 148<\/p>\n Justification and Regeneration 148<\/p>\n Justification and Sanctification 148<\/p>\n Justification by Faith 149<\/p>\n Justification by Grace Alone 151<\/p>\n Justification, Imputed 152<\/p>\n Justification, Infused 154<\/p>\n Kingdom of Heaven 156<\/p>\n Kneeling and Bowing 156<\/p>\n Latitudinarianism 157<\/p>\n Law and Gospel 158<\/p>\n Law, God\u2019s 159<\/p>\n Lent 160<\/p>\n Lots, Casting of 160<\/p>\n Love 160<\/p>\n Luther, Martin 161<\/p>\n Man, Purpose of 162<\/p>\n Marriage: Not a Sacrament 162<\/p>\n Mary 163<\/p>\n Mary: Perpetual Virginity of 163<\/p>\n Merit 163<\/p>\n Methodism 163<\/p>\n Methodism: American 165<\/p>\n Methodism: Danger of Liberalism and Nominalism 167<\/p>\n \u201cMethodist\u201d (Title) 167<\/p>\n Miracles 168<\/p>\n Miracles, Cessation (Falsity of) 169<\/p>\n Miracles, Demonic 170<\/p>\n Miracles: Unreasonable Demand for, as Proof of Methodism 170<\/p>\n Moravians 172<\/p>\n Music (Superiority of Melody to Harmony) 172<\/p>\n New Birth 174<\/p>\n New Birth and Sanctification 177<\/p>\n New Birth: Wesley\u2019s Own 178<\/p>\n Nudity (in Art) 186<\/p>\n Ordination (Holy Orders); Priesthood 187<\/p>\n Original Sin 188<\/p>\n Orthodoxy (Correct Beliefs) 189<\/p>\n Peace of God 193<\/p>\n Peer Pressure 193<\/p>\n Pelagianism; Works Salvation (Falsity of) 194<\/p>\n Penance 195<\/p>\n Perfection (Entire Sanctification) 195<\/p>\n Perseverance, Unconditional (Falsity of) 202<\/p>\n Polemics; Controversy 203<\/p>\n Popes; Papacy 204<\/p>\n Popularity (in Old Age) 205<\/p>\n Prayer 206<\/p>\n Prayers for the Dead 207<\/p>\n Prayers, Extemporary 208<\/p>\n Prayers, Formal 209<\/p>\n Preaching 209<\/p>\n Preaching and Opposition (Riots, Etc.) 211<\/p>\n Preaching in the Fields 212<\/p>\n Predestination: Conditional 217<\/p>\n Priests 217<\/p>\n Private Judgment 218<\/p>\n Purgatory; Preparation for Heaven in the Afterlife (and This Life) 218<\/p>\n Puritans 220<\/p>\n Quakers 221<\/p>\n Reading 223<\/p>\n Reformation, Protestant 223<\/p>\n Regeneration 224<\/p>\n Repentance 225<\/p>\n Reprobation: Unconditional (Falsity of) 225<\/p>\n Reproof; Rebuke 229<\/p>\n Revival 230<\/p>\n Revolution, American 232<\/p>\n Rewards in Heaven 233<\/p>\n Riches; Love of Money 233<\/p>\n Righteousness of Faith 235<\/p>\n Rule of Faith 235<\/p>\n Sabbath 238<\/p>\n Sacraments 239<\/p>\n Saints, Communion of 239<\/p>\n Saints, Honoring of 240<\/p>\n Saints, Intercession of 240<\/p>\n Salvation 240<\/p>\n Salvation and Invincible Ignorance 241<\/p>\n Salvation: Assurance of Final (Falsity of) 242<\/p>\n Sanctification 245<\/p>\n Sanctification and Salvation 248<\/p>\n Satan and His Demons (Fallen Angels) 248<\/p>\n Schism; Separation 252<\/p>\n Scripture and Learning 253 Scripture: Chapter Divisions 254<\/p>\n Scripture, \u201cDifficulties\u201d in 254<\/p>\n Scripture: Formal Sufficiency 254<\/p>\n Scripture: Hermeneutics (Interpretation) 254<\/p>\n Scripture, Inspiration and Infallibility of 255<\/p>\n Scripture: Material Sufficiency 256<\/p>\n Scripture: Old Testament 256<\/p>\n Scripture: Unreasonable Demand for Explicit Proof Texts 257<\/p>\n Self-Defense 257<\/p>\n Sin 258<\/p>\n Sins, Forgiveness of 258<\/p>\n Slander 258<\/p>\n Slavery 260<\/p>\n Society and Christianity 262<\/p>\n Soul 262<\/p>\n Spirit (of Man) 262<\/p>\n Suffering 263<\/p>\n Talking 265<\/p>\n Temptation 266<\/p>\n Tongues, Gift of 266<\/p>\n Total Depravity 266<\/p>\n Tradition, Apostolic 267<\/p>\n Traditions of Men 268<\/p>\n Trinity, Holy 268<\/p>\n Trust in God 269<\/p>\n Truth 269<\/p>\n Unconditional Election (Falsity of Calvinist Version) 271<\/p>\n War 272<\/p>\n Whitefield, George (Calvinist Differences) 272<\/p>\n Works and Grace; Co-Laborers with God 273<\/p>\n Works (in Grace) and Salvation 276<\/p>\n Worship 278<\/p>\n Worship, Methodist 278<\/p>\n Writing 279<\/p>\n Zeal (Christian) 282<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\nContinue reading (257 more)<\/summary>\n
<\/b>INDEX OF TOPICS<\/b><\/p>\n
Scripture and Patristic Interpretation 253<\/p>\n
<\/b><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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