Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount Discourse XI · §17 · John Wesley

The torrent of examples

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But while so few are found in the way of life, and so many in the way of destruction, there is great danger lest the torrent of examples should bear us away with them. Even a single example, if it is always in our sight, is apt to make much impression upon us: especially when it has nature on its side, when it falls in with our own inclinations. How great then must be the force of so numerous examples, continually before our eyes and all conspiring together with our own hearts to carry us down the stream of nature? How difficult must it be to stem the tide and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27)?

1771 text

5. But while so few are found in the way of life, and so many in the way of destruction, there is great danger, lest the torrent of examples, should bear us away with them. Even a single example, if it be always in our sight, is apt to make much impression upon us: especially when it has nature on its side; when it falls in with our own inclinations. How great then must be the force of so numerous examples, continually before our eyes; and all conspiring together with our own hearts, to carry us down the stream of nature? How difficult must it be, to stem the tide, and to keep ourselves unspotted in the world?

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About this text

The eleventh sermon on the Sermon on the Mount, on Matthew 7:13-14: the strait gate and the narrow way, and why so few find it.

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 31 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 7:13-14.

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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