Scriptural Christianity · §25 · John Wesley

Is this city Christian

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Brothers, I am persuaded of better things of you, though I thus speak. Let me ask you then, in tender love, and in the spirit of meekness, is this city a Christian city? Is Christianity, Scriptural Christianity, found here? Are we, considered as a community of men, so filled with the Holy Ghost as to enjoy in our hearts, and show forth in our lives, the genuine fruits of that Spirit? Are all the magistrates, all heads and governors of colleges and halls, and their respective societies, not to speak of the inhabitants of the town, of one heart and one soul?

Is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts? Are our tempers the same that were in him? And are our lives agreeable to that? Are we holy, as he who has called us is holy, in all manner of conversation, that is, in the whole way we live?

I entreat you to observe that here are no peculiar notions now under consideration. The question moved is not concerning doubtful opinions, of one kind or another, but concerning the undoubted, fundamental branches, if there be any such, of our common Christianity. And for the decision of this, I appeal to your own conscience, guided by the word of God. He therefore who is not condemned by his own heart, let him go free.

1771 text

3. Brethren I am persuaded better things of you, tho’ I thus speak. Let me ask you then, in tender love, and in the spirit of meekness, is this city a Christian city? Is Christianity, Scriptural Christianity, found here? Are we, considered as a community of men, so filled with the Holy Ghost, as to enjoy in our hearts, and shew forth in our lives, the genuine fruits of that spirit? Are all the magistrates, all heads and governors of colleges and halls, and their respective societies, (not to speak of the inhabitants of the town) of one heart and one soul? Is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts? Are our tempers the same that were in him? Are our lives agreeable thereto? Are we holy as he who hath called us is holy, in all manner of conversation?

4. I intreat you to observe, that here are no peculiar notions now under consideration; that the question moved is not concerning doubtful opinions, of one kind or an other; but concerning the undoubted, fundamental branches (if there be any such) of our common Christianity. And for the decision thereof, I appeal to your own conscience, guided by the word of God. He therefore that is not condemned by his own heart, let him go free.

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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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