John Wesley
1703–1791
The founder of Methodism: grace held out to all, holiness of heart and life, Christian perfection.
In his own words
In all this, we may easily conceive our blessed Lord to act as the Physician of our souls, not merely "for his own pleasure, but for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness." If, in searching our wounds, he puts us to pain, it is only in order to heal them. He cuts away what is putrified or unsound, in order to preserve the sound part. And if we freely choose the loss of a limb, rather than the whole body should perish; how much more should we choose, figuratively, to cut off a right hand, rather than the whole soul should be cast into hell! 14. We see plainly then both the nature and ground of taking up our cross. It does not imply the disciplining ourselves; (as some speak;) the literally tearing our own flesh: the wearing hair-cloth, or iron-girdles, or anything else that would impair our bodily health; (although we know not what allowance God may make for those who act thus through involuntary ignorance;) but the embracing the will of God, though contrary to our own; the choosing wholesome, though bitter medicines; the freely accepting temporary pain, of whatever kind, and in whatever degree, when it is either essentially or accidentally necessary to eternal pleasure.
Quoted verbatim from the library, as an answer would quote it.
What we hold of him
141 sermons
including Christian Perfection (Sermon 40); Upon our Lord's Sermon on the Mount (Sermon 25); "Who will rise up with me against the wicked?" (Sermon 52)
Explanatory Notes upon the Bible
Commentary · 66 parts
A Collection of Forms of Prayer for Every Day in the Week
Prayer
A Plain Account of Christian Perfection
Classic
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