WIST Quotations

Wesley, John -- “Rule of Conduct”

Dave — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:17:41 +0000

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.

John Wesley (1703-1791) English cleric, Christian theologian and evangelist, founder of Methodism
“Rule of Conduct”

Commonly attributed to Wesley, but not sourced in Wesley's writings.

Wesley, John -- Journal (11 Jun 1739)

Dave — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:18:40 +0000

I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.

John Wesley (1703-1791) English cleric, Christian theologian and evangelist, founder of Methodism
Journal (11 Jun 1739)

Wesley, John -- Letter to Joseph Benson (5 Oct 1770)

Dave — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:37:37 +0000

Passion and prejudice govern the world; only under the name of reason.

John Wesley (1703-1791) English cleric, Christian theologian and evangelist, founder of Methodism
Letter to Joseph Benson (5 Oct 1770)

Wesley, John -- Letter to Joseph Benson (7 Nov 1768)

Dave — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 15:52:49 +0000

But beware you be not swallowed up in books: An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge.

John Wesley (1703-1791) English cleric, Christian theologian and evangelist, founder of Methodism
Letter to Joseph Benson (7 Nov 1768)
(Source)

Wesley, John -- Sermon #39, “Catholic Spirit,” 1.11

Dave — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:03:07 +0000

My own belief is no rule for another.

John Wesley (1703-1791) English cleric, Christian theologian and evangelist, founder of Methodism
Sermon #39, “Catholic Spirit,” 1.11
(Source)

Wesley, John -- Sermon #39, “Catholic Spirit,” I.4

Dave — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:29:30 +0000

Although every man necessarily believes that every particular opinion which he holds is true (for to believe any opinion is not true, is the same thing as not to hold it); yet can no man be assured that all his own opinions, taken together, are true. Nay, every thinking man is assured they are not, seeing humanum est errare et nescire: “To be ignorant of many things, and to mistake in some, is the necessary condition of humanity.” This, therefore, he is sensible, is his own case. He knows, in the general, that he himself is mistaken; although in what particulars he mistakes, he does not, perhaps he cannot, know.

John Wesley (1703-1791) English cleric, Christian theologian and evangelist, founder of Methodism
Sermon #39, “Catholic Spirit,” I.4

Full text.

Wesley, John -- Sermon #39, “Catholic Spirit,” I.6

Dave — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:46:57 +0000

Every wise man, therefore, will allow others the same liberty of thinking which he desires they should allow him; and will no more insist on their embracing his opinions, than he would have them to insist on his embracing theirs. He bears with those who differ from him, and only asks him with whom he desires to unite in love that single question, “Is thy heart right, as my heart is with thy heart?”

John Wesley (1703-1791) English cleric, Christian theologian and evangelist, founder of Methodism
Sermon #39, “Catholic Spirit,” I.6

Full text.

Wesley, John -- Sermon #39, “Catholic Spirit,” I.8

Dave — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:52:27 +0000

And how shall we choose among so much variety? No man can choose for, or prescribe to, another. But every one must follow the dictates of his own conscience, in simplicity and godly sincerity. He must be fully persuaded in his own mind and then act according to the best light he has. Nor has any creature power to constrain another to walk by his own rule. God has given no right to any of the children of men thus to lord it over the conscience of his brethren; but every man must judge for himself, as every man must give an account of himself to God.

John Wesley (1703-1791) English cleric, Christian theologian and evangelist, founder of Methodism
Sermon #39, “Catholic Spirit,” I.8

Full text.