Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/334

 unto the Lord, that you may renew your strength, that all this sharpness and coldness may be done away, that love and peace and joy may return together, and you may be invariably ''kind to each other and tender-hearted; forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you''. Have not you given way to any foolish desire? To any kind or degree of inordinate affection? How then can the love of God have place in your heart, till you put away your idols? Be not deceived: God is not mocked: he will not dwell in a divided heart. As long therefore as you cherish Delilah in your bosom, he has no place there: it is vain to hope for a recovery of his light, till you pluck out the right-eye and cast it from you. O let there be no longer delay. Cry to him, that he may enable you so to do! Bewail your own impotence and helplessness; and the Lord being your helper, enter in at the strait gate: take the kingdom of heaven by violence! Cast out every idol from his sanctuary, and the glory of the Lord shall soon appear.

5. Perhaps it is this very thing, the want of striving, spiritual sloth, which keeps your soul in darkness. You dwell at ease in the land: there is no war in your coasts, and so you are quiet and unconcerned. You go on in the same even track of outward duties, and are content, there to abide. And do you wonder mean-time, that your soul is dead? O stir yourself up before the Lord! Arise, and shake yourself from the dust: