A Caution Against Bigotry · §13 · John Wesley

Willing subjects

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The god of this world holds his English worshippers full as fast as those in Lapland. But it is not his business to frighten them, lest they should fly to the God of heaven. The prince of darkness therefore does not appear, while he rules over these his willing subjects. The conqueror holds his captives so much the safer because they imagine themselves at liberty. Thus the strong one armed keeps his house, and his goods are in peace (Luke 11:21): neither the deist nor the nominal Christian suspects he is there, so he and they are perfectly at peace with each other.

1771 text

*The God of this world holds his English worshippers full as fast as those in Lapland. But it is not his business to affright them, lest they should fly to the God of heaven. The prince of darkness therefore does not appear, while he rules over these his willing subjects. The conqueror holds his captives so much the safer, because they imagine themselves at liberty. Thus the strong one armed keepeth his house, and his goods are in peace: neither the deist nor nominal Christian suspects he is there; so he and they are perfectly at peace with each other.

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About this text

On Mark 9:38-39: do not forbid someone who casts out devils in Christ's name just because he does not follow with us.

EditionPrinted in Wesley's 1771 Works, which do not say when he preached it

Wesley's own sermon in updated English wording. The 1771 panel is the text of the Works Wesley himself had printed in 1771. It is public domain.

Reference

Sermon 38 in the 1771 Works. Mark 9:38-39.

We have not yet re-checked this work against its source. We put this English text into updated wording with AI help. No scholar has yet certified it as faithful and complete. Open the 1771 text under any part to compare.

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