Scriptural Christianity · §21 · John Wesley

A window into the heart

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It follows that no unkind word can ever be heard among them, no strife of tongues, no contention of any kind, no railing or evil-speaking. But everyone opens his mouth with wisdom, and in his tongue there is the law of kindness. Equally incapable are they of fraud or guile. Their love is without dissimulation. Their words are always the just expression of their thoughts, opening a window into their breast, that whoever desires may look into their hearts and see that only love and God are there.

1771 text

5. It follows, that no unkind word can ever be heard among them: no strife of tongues, no contention of any kind, no railing or evil-speaking; but every one opens his mouth with wisdom, and in his tongue there is the law of kindness. Equally incapable are they of fraud or guile: their love is without dissimulation: their words are always the just expression of their thoughts, opening a window into their breast, that whosoever desires may look into their hearts, and see that only love and God are there.

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About this text

Preached at Oxford in 1744 on Acts 4:31: Christianity as it began at Pentecost, as it spread, and as it will one day fill the earth, with a hard look at Oxford itself.

EditionPreached at Saint Mary's, Oxford, 24 August 1744. The panel is the 1771 Works

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 4 in the 1771 Works. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 24 August 1744. Acts 4:31.

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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