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The Works of John Wesley
Wesley's journals, sermons, essays, interesting correspondence, linguistic works and other writings are compiled into these seven volumes.
7488 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1774
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About the author
John Wesley
2,702 books253 followersJohn Wesley is recognized as the founder of Methodism. An acclaimed preacher, Wesley travelled extensively on horseback and drew large crowds for his outdoor sermons. A contemporary of William Wilberforce, Wesley was a strong voice opposing slavery in England and the United States. His influence upon modern Christianity can be seen by the large number of Methodist organizations in the Wesleyan tradition all over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 26, 2011
This Jackson Edition (19th cen.) of Wesley's Works would have merited a five-star rating except it has in many ways been surpassed by "The Bicentennial Edition." Still, though The Bicentennial Edition is a critical edition with invaluable introductions and footnotes, there is some materials that still can only be found in The Jackson Edition. Further, Jackson is often sold for obscenely low sale prices in CBD as an entire set (for what 2-3 vols of the new edition cost)!
July 2, 2024
A MARVELOUS SET OF WRITINGS FROM THE FAMED PREACHER/THEOLOGIAN
John Wesley (1703-1791) was an English Anglican cleric and theologian who, with his brother Charles, founded Methodism. Ordained as a priest in the Church of England, in 1738 he felt his ‘heart strangely warmed’ by a reading of Luther’s exposition of Romans, and he began his own ministry. He traveled widely and often preached outdoors, and (in contrast to George Whitefield) rejected Calvinism and Predestination, supporting Arminianism.
The Preface to the Third Edition quotes Wesley, “I have had a desire, for several years… to print in one collection all that I had before published in separate tracts. (I mean all the prose, except the Notes on the Bible, the System of Philosophy, the Christian Library, and the books which were designed for the use of Kingswood School.) … I wanted to methodize these tracts, to range them under proper heads, placing those together which were on similar subjects, and in such order that one might illustrate another. This… may be of use to the serious reader, who will then readily observe, that there is scarce any subject of importance, either in practical or controversial divinity, which is not treated… But a far more necessary work … was the correcting them… But as necessary as these corrections were… I found cause for not only literal or verbal corrections, but frequently for correcting the sense also… Accordingly I have altered many words or sentences; many others I have omitted; and in various parts I have added more or less…”
Here are some quotations from the books:
VOLUME 1: He recalls, “I began to see, that true religion was seated in the heart, and that God’s law extended to all our thoughts as well as words and actions… I began to aim at, and pray for, inward holiness… I continued thus to seek it (though with strange indifference, dullness, and coldness, and unusually frequent relapses into sin)… In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate-Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans… I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation: and an assurance was given me, that he had taken away MY sins, even mine, and saved ME from the law of sin and death.” [May 1738; pg. 100-103]
VOLUME 2:
He asks, “But how is it, that almost in every place, even where there is no lasting fruit, there is so great an impression made at first upon a considerable number of people? The fact is this: Everywhere the work of God rises higher and higher, till it comes to a point. Here it seems for a short time to be at a stay. And then it gradually sinks again. All this may be easily accounted for. At first curiosity brings many hearers… One then tells another… curiosity spreads and increases… [God] now offers grace to all that hear; most of whom are in some measure affected… But it cannot stand here; for in the nature of things, curiosity must soon decline… and thereby the Spirit of God is grieved… Thus both the natural and supernatural power declining, more of the hearers will be less and less affected… And thus the number of hearers in every place may be expected first to increase, and then decrease.” [7/13/1756; pg. 376-377]
VOLUME 3: He asserts, “It is true that… most of the men of learning in Europe, have given up all accounts of witches and apparitions, as mere wives’ fables. I am sorry for it; and I willingly take this opportunity of entering my solemn protest against this violent compliment which so many that believe the Bible pay to those who do not believe it… the giving up witchcraft is, in effect, giving up the Bible…” [5/21/1768; pg. 324-325] Still later, he calls David Hume “the most insolent despiser or truth and virtue that ever appeared in the world.” [5/5,1772; pg. 462]
VOLUME 4: He notes that when visiting one large congregation, “Most of the leading men of the society were mad for separating from the Church. I endeavored to reason with them, but in vain; they had neither sense nor good manners left. At length, after meeting the whole society, I told them, ‘I you are resolved, you may have your service in church-hours; but, remember, from that time you will see my face no more.’ This struck deep; and from that hour I have heard no more of separating from the Church.” [1/2/1787; pg. 357]
VOLUME 5: This volume begins with an essay, ‘The Life of the Rev. John Wesley,’ which points out “The extraordinary manner in which some persons were frequently affected under Mr. Wesley’s preaching, as well as that of his coadjutors, now created much discussion, and to many gave great offence. Some were seized with trembling, under a painful conviction of sin; others sunk down and uttered loud and piercing cries; and others fell into a kind of agony. In some instances, when prayer was offered for them, they rose up with a sudden change of feeling, and testified that they had ‘redemption through the blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” [Pg. 10-11]
VOLUME 6: He argues, “As all that are called were predestinated, so all whom God has predestinated he foreknew. He knew, he saw them as believers, and as such predestinated them to salvation, according to his eternal decree… Who are predestinated? None but those whom God foreknew as believers. Thus the purpose and word of God stand unshaken … ‘He that believeth shall be saved; He that believeth not shall be damned.’ And thus God is clear from the blood of all men; since whoever perishes, perishes by his own act and will… The sum of all is this: The almighty, all-wise God sees and knows… through one eternal NOW… He has, therefore… no foreknowledge, no afterknowledge… Yet when he speaks to us… he lets himself down to our capacity, and speaks of himself after the manner of men. Thus… he speaks of his own purpose, counsel, or of planning his work beforehand.” [Sermon LVIII, pg. 229-230)
VOLUME 7: He states forcefully, “you cannot dismiss your wife, unless for the cause of … adultery. What can then be done, if she is habituated to any other open sin? I cannot find in the Bible that a husband has authority to strike his wife on any account, even suppose she struck him first, unless his life were in imminent danger. I have never know one instance yet of a wife that was mended thereby… I do not believe them. It seems to me, all that can be done in this case is to be done partly by example, partly by argument or persuasion, each applied in such a manner as is dictated by Christian prudence… Therefore, if this evil cannot be overcome by good, we are called to suffer it… Meanwhile, continue in earnest prayer…” [Sermon XCIV, pg. 80]
VOLUME 8: He explains, “this [‘Methodists’] is not a name which they take to themselves, but one fixed upon them by way of reproach, without their approbation of consent. It was first given to three or four young men at Oxford, by a student of Christ Church; either in allusion to the ancient sect of Physicians … from their teaching, that almost all diseases might be cured by a specific METHOD of diet and exercise, or from their observing a more regular METHOD of study and behavior than was usual with those of their age and station… I should rejoice … if the very name might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion.” [Pg. 339]
VOLUME 9: He asserts, “what good end does it serve, to term England a Christian country? Although, it is true, most of the natives are called Christians, have been baptized, frequent the ordinances; and although here and there a real Christian is to be found…does it do any honor to our great Master, among those who are not called by his name? Does it recommend Christianity to the Jews, the Mahometans, or the avowed Heathens? Surely no one can conceive that it does. It only makes Christianity stink in their nostrils… does it not keep multitudes easy in their heathen practice? Does it not make, or keep, still greater numbers satisfied with their heathen tempers? Does it not directly tend to make both the one and the other imagine, that they are what indeed they are not; that they are Christians, while they are utterly without Christ, and without God in the world?... let us do nothing to increase their blindness; but rather to recover them from that strong delusion, that they may no longer believe a lie.” [Pg. 164]
VOLUME 10: On the Perseverance of the Saints, he asks, “Can any of these fall away? … can they fall totally? Can any of these so fall from God as to perish everlastingly? I am sensible either side of this question is attended with great difficulties; such as reason alone could never remove. Therefore… Let the living oracles [i.e., the Bible] decide… On this authority, I believe a saint may fall away.; that one who is holy or righteous in the judgment of God himself may nevertheless so fall from God as to perish everlastingly.” [Pg. 285-286] He continues, “One who is endued with faith that purifies the heart, that produces a good conscience, may nevertheless so fall from God as to perish everlastingly… Do you think these words mean, ‘he that believes’ at this moment ‘shall’ certainly and inevitably ‘be saved’? … The plain meaning of the whole sentence is, ‘He that believeth,’ if he continueth in faith, ‘shall be saved; he that believeth not,’ if he continue in unbelief, ‘shall be damned.’” [Pg. 287-288]
VOLUME 11: He vehemently opposes the slave trade: “so many are taken on board our ships; but at least ten thousand of them die in the voyage… So that at an average, in the passage and seasoning together, thirty thousand die; that is, properly, are murdered. O Earth, O Sea, cover not thou their blood! When they are brought down to the shore in order to be sold… and that quite naked, women and men, without any distinction… they are stowed together in as little room as it is possible for them to be crowded… So that it is no wonder, so many should die in the passage; but rather, that any survive it… And what can be more wretched than the condition they then enter upon? Banished from their country, from their friends and relations forever, from every comfort of life, they are reduced to a state scarce anyway preferable to that of beasts of burden… Did the Creator intend that the noblest creatures in the visible world should live such a life as this?” [Pg. 67-68]
VOLUME 12: He explains, “we believe it cannot be, in the nature of things, that a man should be filled with this peace, and joy, and love, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, without perceiving it as clearly as he does the light of the sun. This is… the main doctrine of the Methodists. This is the substance of what we all preach. And I will still believe, none is a true Christian till he experiences it.” [Pg. 70]
VOLUME 13: He also states, “I cannot believe that all those who are not this elected to glory, must perish everlastingly; or that there is one soul on earth who has not, nor ever had, a possibility of escaping eternal damnation. With regard to … irresistible grace, I believe that the grace which brings faith, and thereby salvation, into the soul, is irresistible at that moment. That most believers do, at some other times, find God irresistibly acting upon their souls. Yet I believe, that the grace of God, both before and after those moments, may be, and hath been resisted; and that in general, it does not act irresistibly, but we may comply therewith, or may not… And I do not deny that all those eminently styled ‘the elect’ will infallibly persevere to the end.” [Pg. 508-509]
Wesley’s works are indeed “classics” of Christian and spiritual literature, and remain well worth reading.
John Wesley (1703-1791) was an English Anglican cleric and theologian who, with his brother Charles, founded Methodism. Ordained as a priest in the Church of England, in 1738 he felt his ‘heart strangely warmed’ by a reading of Luther’s exposition of Romans, and he began his own ministry. He traveled widely and often preached outdoors, and (in contrast to George Whitefield) rejected Calvinism and Predestination, supporting Arminianism.
The Preface to the Third Edition quotes Wesley, “I have had a desire, for several years… to print in one collection all that I had before published in separate tracts. (I mean all the prose, except the Notes on the Bible, the System of Philosophy, the Christian Library, and the books which were designed for the use of Kingswood School.) … I wanted to methodize these tracts, to range them under proper heads, placing those together which were on similar subjects, and in such order that one might illustrate another. This… may be of use to the serious reader, who will then readily observe, that there is scarce any subject of importance, either in practical or controversial divinity, which is not treated… But a far more necessary work … was the correcting them… But as necessary as these corrections were… I found cause for not only literal or verbal corrections, but frequently for correcting the sense also… Accordingly I have altered many words or sentences; many others I have omitted; and in various parts I have added more or less…”
Here are some quotations from the books:
VOLUME 1: He recalls, “I began to see, that true religion was seated in the heart, and that God’s law extended to all our thoughts as well as words and actions… I began to aim at, and pray for, inward holiness… I continued thus to seek it (though with strange indifference, dullness, and coldness, and unusually frequent relapses into sin)… In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate-Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans… I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation: and an assurance was given me, that he had taken away MY sins, even mine, and saved ME from the law of sin and death.” [May 1738; pg. 100-103]
VOLUME 2:
He asks, “But how is it, that almost in every place, even where there is no lasting fruit, there is so great an impression made at first upon a considerable number of people? The fact is this: Everywhere the work of God rises higher and higher, till it comes to a point. Here it seems for a short time to be at a stay. And then it gradually sinks again. All this may be easily accounted for. At first curiosity brings many hearers… One then tells another… curiosity spreads and increases… [God] now offers grace to all that hear; most of whom are in some measure affected… But it cannot stand here; for in the nature of things, curiosity must soon decline… and thereby the Spirit of God is grieved… Thus both the natural and supernatural power declining, more of the hearers will be less and less affected… And thus the number of hearers in every place may be expected first to increase, and then decrease.” [7/13/1756; pg. 376-377]
VOLUME 3: He asserts, “It is true that… most of the men of learning in Europe, have given up all accounts of witches and apparitions, as mere wives’ fables. I am sorry for it; and I willingly take this opportunity of entering my solemn protest against this violent compliment which so many that believe the Bible pay to those who do not believe it… the giving up witchcraft is, in effect, giving up the Bible…” [5/21/1768; pg. 324-325] Still later, he calls David Hume “the most insolent despiser or truth and virtue that ever appeared in the world.” [5/5,1772; pg. 462]
VOLUME 4: He notes that when visiting one large congregation, “Most of the leading men of the society were mad for separating from the Church. I endeavored to reason with them, but in vain; they had neither sense nor good manners left. At length, after meeting the whole society, I told them, ‘I you are resolved, you may have your service in church-hours; but, remember, from that time you will see my face no more.’ This struck deep; and from that hour I have heard no more of separating from the Church.” [1/2/1787; pg. 357]
VOLUME 5: This volume begins with an essay, ‘The Life of the Rev. John Wesley,’ which points out “The extraordinary manner in which some persons were frequently affected under Mr. Wesley’s preaching, as well as that of his coadjutors, now created much discussion, and to many gave great offence. Some were seized with trembling, under a painful conviction of sin; others sunk down and uttered loud and piercing cries; and others fell into a kind of agony. In some instances, when prayer was offered for them, they rose up with a sudden change of feeling, and testified that they had ‘redemption through the blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” [Pg. 10-11]
VOLUME 6: He argues, “As all that are called were predestinated, so all whom God has predestinated he foreknew. He knew, he saw them as believers, and as such predestinated them to salvation, according to his eternal decree… Who are predestinated? None but those whom God foreknew as believers. Thus the purpose and word of God stand unshaken … ‘He that believeth shall be saved; He that believeth not shall be damned.’ And thus God is clear from the blood of all men; since whoever perishes, perishes by his own act and will… The sum of all is this: The almighty, all-wise God sees and knows… through one eternal NOW… He has, therefore… no foreknowledge, no afterknowledge… Yet when he speaks to us… he lets himself down to our capacity, and speaks of himself after the manner of men. Thus… he speaks of his own purpose, counsel, or of planning his work beforehand.” [Sermon LVIII, pg. 229-230)
VOLUME 7: He states forcefully, “you cannot dismiss your wife, unless for the cause of … adultery. What can then be done, if she is habituated to any other open sin? I cannot find in the Bible that a husband has authority to strike his wife on any account, even suppose she struck him first, unless his life were in imminent danger. I have never know one instance yet of a wife that was mended thereby… I do not believe them. It seems to me, all that can be done in this case is to be done partly by example, partly by argument or persuasion, each applied in such a manner as is dictated by Christian prudence… Therefore, if this evil cannot be overcome by good, we are called to suffer it… Meanwhile, continue in earnest prayer…” [Sermon XCIV, pg. 80]
VOLUME 8: He explains, “this [‘Methodists’] is not a name which they take to themselves, but one fixed upon them by way of reproach, without their approbation of consent. It was first given to three or four young men at Oxford, by a student of Christ Church; either in allusion to the ancient sect of Physicians … from their teaching, that almost all diseases might be cured by a specific METHOD of diet and exercise, or from their observing a more regular METHOD of study and behavior than was usual with those of their age and station… I should rejoice … if the very name might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion.” [Pg. 339]
VOLUME 9: He asserts, “what good end does it serve, to term England a Christian country? Although, it is true, most of the natives are called Christians, have been baptized, frequent the ordinances; and although here and there a real Christian is to be found…does it do any honor to our great Master, among those who are not called by his name? Does it recommend Christianity to the Jews, the Mahometans, or the avowed Heathens? Surely no one can conceive that it does. It only makes Christianity stink in their nostrils… does it not keep multitudes easy in their heathen practice? Does it not make, or keep, still greater numbers satisfied with their heathen tempers? Does it not directly tend to make both the one and the other imagine, that they are what indeed they are not; that they are Christians, while they are utterly without Christ, and without God in the world?... let us do nothing to increase their blindness; but rather to recover them from that strong delusion, that they may no longer believe a lie.” [Pg. 164]
VOLUME 10: On the Perseverance of the Saints, he asks, “Can any of these fall away? … can they fall totally? Can any of these so fall from God as to perish everlastingly? I am sensible either side of this question is attended with great difficulties; such as reason alone could never remove. Therefore… Let the living oracles [i.e., the Bible] decide… On this authority, I believe a saint may fall away.; that one who is holy or righteous in the judgment of God himself may nevertheless so fall from God as to perish everlastingly.” [Pg. 285-286] He continues, “One who is endued with faith that purifies the heart, that produces a good conscience, may nevertheless so fall from God as to perish everlastingly… Do you think these words mean, ‘he that believes’ at this moment ‘shall’ certainly and inevitably ‘be saved’? … The plain meaning of the whole sentence is, ‘He that believeth,’ if he continueth in faith, ‘shall be saved; he that believeth not,’ if he continue in unbelief, ‘shall be damned.’” [Pg. 287-288]
VOLUME 11: He vehemently opposes the slave trade: “so many are taken on board our ships; but at least ten thousand of them die in the voyage… So that at an average, in the passage and seasoning together, thirty thousand die; that is, properly, are murdered. O Earth, O Sea, cover not thou their blood! When they are brought down to the shore in order to be sold… and that quite naked, women and men, without any distinction… they are stowed together in as little room as it is possible for them to be crowded… So that it is no wonder, so many should die in the passage; but rather, that any survive it… And what can be more wretched than the condition they then enter upon? Banished from their country, from their friends and relations forever, from every comfort of life, they are reduced to a state scarce anyway preferable to that of beasts of burden… Did the Creator intend that the noblest creatures in the visible world should live such a life as this?” [Pg. 67-68]
VOLUME 12: He explains, “we believe it cannot be, in the nature of things, that a man should be filled with this peace, and joy, and love, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, without perceiving it as clearly as he does the light of the sun. This is… the main doctrine of the Methodists. This is the substance of what we all preach. And I will still believe, none is a true Christian till he experiences it.” [Pg. 70]
VOLUME 13: He also states, “I cannot believe that all those who are not this elected to glory, must perish everlastingly; or that there is one soul on earth who has not, nor ever had, a possibility of escaping eternal damnation. With regard to … irresistible grace, I believe that the grace which brings faith, and thereby salvation, into the soul, is irresistible at that moment. That most believers do, at some other times, find God irresistibly acting upon their souls. Yet I believe, that the grace of God, both before and after those moments, may be, and hath been resisted; and that in general, it does not act irresistibly, but we may comply therewith, or may not… And I do not deny that all those eminently styled ‘the elect’ will infallibly persevere to the end.” [Pg. 508-509]
Wesley’s works are indeed “classics” of Christian and spiritual literature, and remain well worth reading.
January 20, 2016
In the world today, so many churches are teaching things in opposition to what is stated in the Bible. The sermons of John Wesley take the reader back to the original teachings. Other volumes in this set reveal the history of the church during and after the Reformation. If you want to get back to authentic Christianity, this set of books is a must read.
November 10, 2009
John Wesley was an amazing cleric, an outstanding scholar and theologian, one who read the Bible constantly and everything else he could get his hands on. He was a prolific writer (16 volumes of the Works, 8 volumes of the Journals, 8 volumes of the letters, Notes on the Bible, and the Standard Sermons). He also took many of the classics and abreviated them for the people of his day to read in easier, shorter form.
The works is a good read. It has an amazing variety of content but one can get a little tired reading some of it.
All in all, it is a wonderful source of information.
Learn more in my book:
J. Robert (Bob) Ewbank’s book “John Wesley, Natural Man, and the ‘Isms’ has been published. The ‘Isms’ are Heathenism, Judaism, Deism, Roman Catholicism, Quakerism, and Mysticism. The questions being answered are: how does each of them differ from John Wesley’s idea of True Christianity, and what are the prospects for those holding these views being saved.
Written for the layperson as well as the scholar, there is a Study Guide in the back of the book to help individual or group study. The Guide has questions in the front, which are answered later in the Guide.
Bob has a B.A. from Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas and an M.A. from Garrett-Evangelical. He is currently Lay Leader of St. Mark UMC, in Mobile, AL.
Bishop Rueben P. Job of the United Methodist Church has written some kind words on the back cover.
Sam Royappa District Superintendent of the Coulee District in Wisconsin has recommended this book to his clergy and laity. A review of the book has also been published in the October 15, 2009 copy of The Laity Link which is the newsletter of the Alabama-West Florida Conference Board of Laity.
The book is being used by one local Sunday School, divided into 14 sessions.
To find the book go on the internet to:
1. www.wipfandstock.com (Wipf and Stock) 2. The book is now available at Cokesbury, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, WJE at Yale (The Jonathan Edwards Center), Kalahari.net, Paddyfield.com,www.deepershopping.com, Booktopia, abdbooksellers.com; Christianbooksbibles.com, IBS.it, Webster.it, Bibleknowledgebookstore.com, Angus & Robertson.com.au, JabezChristianStore.com, Boonbridgebooks.com, Alibris.com, Infibeam, and Amazon.com among others.
Read and researched many times, obviously.
The works is a good read. It has an amazing variety of content but one can get a little tired reading some of it.
All in all, it is a wonderful source of information.
Learn more in my book:
J. Robert (Bob) Ewbank’s book “John Wesley, Natural Man, and the ‘Isms’ has been published. The ‘Isms’ are Heathenism, Judaism, Deism, Roman Catholicism, Quakerism, and Mysticism. The questions being answered are: how does each of them differ from John Wesley’s idea of True Christianity, and what are the prospects for those holding these views being saved.
Written for the layperson as well as the scholar, there is a Study Guide in the back of the book to help individual or group study. The Guide has questions in the front, which are answered later in the Guide.
Bob has a B.A. from Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas and an M.A. from Garrett-Evangelical. He is currently Lay Leader of St. Mark UMC, in Mobile, AL.
Bishop Rueben P. Job of the United Methodist Church has written some kind words on the back cover.
Sam Royappa District Superintendent of the Coulee District in Wisconsin has recommended this book to his clergy and laity. A review of the book has also been published in the October 15, 2009 copy of The Laity Link which is the newsletter of the Alabama-West Florida Conference Board of Laity.
The book is being used by one local Sunday School, divided into 14 sessions.
To find the book go on the internet to:
1. www.wipfandstock.com (Wipf and Stock) 2. The book is now available at Cokesbury, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, WJE at Yale (The Jonathan Edwards Center), Kalahari.net, Paddyfield.com,www.deepershopping.com, Booktopia, abdbooksellers.com; Christianbooksbibles.com, IBS.it, Webster.it, Bibleknowledgebookstore.com, Angus & Robertson.com.au, JabezChristianStore.com, Boonbridgebooks.com, Alibris.com, Infibeam, and Amazon.com among others.
Read and researched many times, obviously.
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