Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Give ME the Book of God! or, Wisdom from Wesley

The following selection is taken from the book, "Christian Believer: Knowing God with Heart and Mind (Readings)," by Abingdon Press.  In it many of John Wesley's thoughts about the word of God resonate with my own...and perhaps your own.

"To candid, reasonable men I am not afraid to lay open the inmost thoughts of my heart. I have thought, I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God and returning to God; just hovering over the great gulf, till a few moments hence I am no more seen--I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing, the way to heaven--how to land safe on that happy shore.  God himself has condescended to teach the way: for this very end he came from heaven.  He has written it down in a book.  O give me that book! At any price, give me the Book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for me.  Let me be homo unius libris [a man of one book].  Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: only God is here.  In his presence I open, I read his Book; for this end, to find the way to heaven.  Is there a doubt concerning the meaning what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of lights: 'Lord, is it not thy Word, "If any men lack wisdom, let him ask of God"?...'. I then search after and consider parallel passages of Scripture, 'comparing spiritual things with spiritual.' I meditate thereon, with all the attention and earnest ness of which my mind is capable.  If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are experienced in the things of God, and then the writings whereby, being dead, they yet speak.  And what I thus learn, that I teach."

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