Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/320

 *rant and them that are out of the way. Once they were gentle toward all men, meekly instructing such as opposed the truth, and if any was ''over-*taken in a fault, restoring such an one in the spirit of meekness''. But after a suspense, perhaps of many days, anger begins to regain its power. Yea, peevishness and impatience thrust sore at them that they may fall. And it is well if they are not sometimes driven, even to ''render evil for evil, and railing for railing''.

3. In consequence of the loss of faith and love, follows, thirdly, Loss of joy in the Holy Ghost. For if the loving consciousness of pardon be no more, the joy resulting therefrom cannot remain. If the Spirit does not witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God, the joy that flowed from that inward witness, must also be at an end. And in like manner, they who once ''rejoiced with joy unspeakable, in hope of the glory of God, now they are deprived of that hope full of immortality'', are deprived of the joy it occasioned: as also of that which resulted from a consciousness of the love of God then ''shed abroad in their hearts''. For the cause being removed, so is the effect: the fountain being dammed up, those living waters spring no more, to refresh the thirsty soul.

4. With loss of faith and love and joy, there is also joined, fourthly, the loss of that peace which once past all understanding. That sweet tranquillity of mind, that composure of spirit is