The Nature of Enthusiasm · §5 · John Wesley

What the world calls madness

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It is easy to observe that the particular thing which the world accounts madness is that utter contempt of all temporal things and steady pursuit of things eternal; that divine conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1); that rejoicing in the favor of God; that happy, holy love of God; and that testimony of his Spirit with our spirit that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16). That is, in truth, the whole spirit and life and power of the religion of Jesus Christ.

1771 text

3. *It is easy to observe, that the determinate thing which the world accounts madness, is that utter contempt of all temporal things, and steady pursuit of things eternal; that divine conviction of things not seen; that rejoicing in the favour of God; that happy, holy love of God; and that testimony of his Spirit with our spirit, that we are the children of God. That is, in truth, the whole spirit and life and power of the religion of Jesus Christ.

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About this text

On Acts 26:24: what enthusiasm, or religious madness, is, the forms it takes, and how to avoid it without losing true religion.

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 37 in the 1771 Works. Acts 26:24.

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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