Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount Discourse IV · §8 · John Wesley

Cease from outward actions

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Many eminent men have spoken this way. They have advised us to cease from all outward actions, wholly to withdraw from the world, to leave the body behind us, to abstract ourselves from all sensible things, to have no concern at all about outward religion, but to work all virtues in the will, as the far more excellent way, more perfecting of the soul, as well as more acceptable to God.

1771 text

4. Many eminent men have spoken thus: have advised us “To cease from all outward actions;” wholly to withdraw from the world; to leave the body behind us; to abstract ourselves from all sensible things: to have no concern at all about outward religion, but to “work all virtues in the will,” as the far more excellent way, more perfective of the soul, as well as more acceptable to God.

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About this text

The fourth sermon on the Sermon on the Mount, on Matthew 5:13-16: Christians as salt and light, and why Christianity is a social religion that cannot be hidden.

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 24 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:13-16.

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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