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    The Means of Grace
    The Means of Grace
    The Means of Grace
    Ebook45 pages50 minutes

    The Means of Grace

    By John Wesley

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    Are there any ordinances now, since life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel? Are there, under the Christian dispensation, any means ordained of God, as the usual channels of his grace? This question could never have been proposed in the apostolical church, unless by one who openly avowed himself to be a Heathen; the whole body of Christians being agreed, that Christ had ordained certain outward means, for conveying his grace into the souls of men. Their constant practice set this beyond all dispute; for so long as “all that believed were together, and had all things common,” (Acts 2:44,) “they continued steadfastly in the teaching of the Apostles, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42.)


    But in process of time, when “the love of many waxed cold,” some began to mistake the means for the end, and to place religion rather in doing those outward works, than in a heart renewed after the image of God. They forgot that “the end of” every “commandment is love, out of a pure heart,” with “faith unfeigned;” the loving the Lord their God with all their heart, and their neighbour as themselves; and the being purified from pride, anger, and evil desire, by a “faith of the operation of God.” Others seemed to imagine, that though religion did not principally consist in these outward means, yet there was something in them wherewith God was well pleased: something that would still make them acceptable in his sight, though they were not exact in the weightier matters of the law, in justice, mercy, and the love of God.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCrossReach Publications
    Release dateJul 8, 2020
    The Means of Grace

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      Book preview

      The Means of Grace - John Wesley

      name.

      Introduction to the Modern CrossReach Edition

      We are pleased here at CrossReach Publications to bring this important historical and scholarly work back into print for the modern reader.

      For most of our works this is the first time they have been fully digitized and updated into a modern format for a general public to enjoy in both paperback and eBook editions.

      We are proud of the fact that our publications therefore are one of the most readable editions of these works on the market. All original spelling is usually retained unless stated otherwise, except for obvious spelling mistakes.

      Most of our works also retain the original footnote numbering systems as they appeared in the original works, which will explain any unusual numbering you spot on the page. But don’t worry, the footnotes are still logical and easy to follow.

      The Team

      CrossReach Publications

      The Means of Grace

      Ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.—Mal. 3:7.

      I. 1. But are there any ordinances now, since life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel? Are there, under the Christian dispensation, any means ordained of God, as the usual channels of his grace? This question could never have been proposed in the apostolical church, unless by one who openly avowed himself to be a Heathen; the whole body of Christians being agreed, that Christ had ordained certain outward means, for conveying his grace into the souls of men. Their constant practice set this beyond all dispute; for so long as all that believed were together, and had all things common, (Acts 2:44,) they continued steadfastly in the teaching of the Apostles, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42.)

      2. But in process of time, when the love of many waxed cold, some began to mistake the means for the end, and to place religion rather in doing those outward works, than in a heart renewed after the image of God. They forgot that the end of every commandment is love, out of a pure heart, with faith unfeigned; the loving the Lord their God with all their heart, and their neighbour as themselves; and the being purified from pride, anger, and evil desire, by a faith of the operation of God. Others seemed to imagine, that though religion did not principally consist in these outward means, yet there was something in them wherewith God was well pleased: something that would still make them acceptable in his sight, though they were not exact in the weightier matters of the law, in justice, mercy, and the love of God.

      3. It is evident, in those who abused them thus, they did not conduce to the end for which they were ordained: Rather, the things which should have been for their health, were to them an occasion of falling. They were so far from receiving any blessing therein, that they only drew down a curse upon their head; so far from growing

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