Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount Discourse IV · §9 · John Wesley

The wisdom from beneath

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It was not needed that anyone should tell our Lord of this masterpiece of the wisdom from beneath (James 3:15), this fairest of all the devices with which Satan has ever perverted the right ways of the Lord. And oh, what instruments he has found, from time to time, to employ in this service of his, to wield this grand engine of hell against some of the most important truths of God. Men who would deceive, if it were possible, the very elect (Matthew 24:24), the men of faith and love. Yes, who have for a season deceived and led away no small number of them, who have fallen in every age into the gilded snare, and hardly escaped with the skin of their teeth (Job 19:20).

1771 text

5. It needed not that any should tell our Lord, of this master-piece of the wisdom from beneath! This fairest of all the devices wherewith Satan hath ever perverted the right ways of the Lord. And O! What instruments hath he found from time to time, to employ in this his service! To wield this grand engine of hell, against some of the most important truths of God! Men that would deceive if it were possible the very elect; the men of faith and love: yea, that have for a season deceived and led away no inconsiderable number of them; who have fallen in all ages into the gilded snare, and hardly escaped with the skin of their teeth.

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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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