Diffuse thine image through my soul,has made any objection against The Character of a Methodist. I did not
Consequently, "whatever a Methodist does, it is all to the glory of God."* Methodists not only aim at this in all efforts, which is implied in having a healthy eye, but actually attain it. Work and leisure, as well as prayers, all serve to this great end. Whether "sitting in the house, or walking by the way,"** whether lying down or rising up, Methodists promote, in all words and actions, the one business of life.
Whether getting dressed, or working, or eating and drinking, or playing, everything tends to advance the glory of God through peace and good will among people. One invariable rule is this: "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."* The customs of the world do not hinder a Methodist's
"running the race that is set before him or her."** Methodists cannot therefore "store up... treasures on earth,"*" any more than they can take fire into their bosoms. Methodists cannot speak evil of a neighbor any more than they can lie either for God or human being. Methodists cannot speak an unkind word of anyone, for love keeps the door of the lips.
Methodists cannot speak idle words.** "No corrupt conversation" ever "comes out of a Methodist's mouth." Everything that is not "useful for building up" is not fit to "give grace to those who hear." Methodists think, speak, and act according to "whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable"*' in such a way that all life is
"adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in all things."? homo unius libri: Wesley did not mean that his reading was limited to only the Bible. Instead he meant that Scripture is the sole measure of Christian belief and practice. Wesley was a voracious reader and encouraged the Methodist preachers to follow his example of diligent study of human knowledge about God and God's world.
These are the very words in which I, for the first time, described in detail my beliefs regarding Christian perfection. This became the focus of my ministry in the year 1725. It became all the more important in 1730, when I began to be homo unius libri, "a man of one book." This means that I began to regard the Bible as the primary source for doctrine and ministry.
This is the very same doctrine that I believe and teach today. I have not added one point to either that inward or that outward holiness that I affirmed thirty-eight years ago. By the grace of God, it is the same that I have continued to teach for all these years. This will become apparent to every impartial person who reads the following extracts.
Reign in me, Lord, thy foes control Who would not own thy sway; 11. To this day, and for some time, I do not know that any writer has made any objection against The Character of a Methodist. I did not find much opposition at the beginning, at least not from serious people.
But after a time a cry arose that surprised me because it came from among religious people. They did not object to my description of perDiffuse thine image through my soul,
Shine to the perfect day.
Scatter the last remains of sin, And seal me thine abode; O make me glorious all within, fection. Rather, they insisted that there is no perfection on earth and vehemently attacked my brother and me for affirming the contrary. We did not expect so rough an attack from fellow brothers in Christ. This attack was surprising to us because we were clear that justification is by faith and all of salvation is a gift by the simple grace of God. But what surprised us most was that we were said to dishonor Christ by A temple built by God!
Collection, #338, stanzas 4-5 wd