Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/338

 particular case of the apostles. But no inference can be drawn from hence, with regard to God's dealings with believers in general.

11. A fourth text (to mention no more) which has been frequently cited, in proof of the same doctrine, is, 1 Pet. iv. 12. ''Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you.'' But this is full as foreign to the point as the preceding. The text, literally rendered, runs thus. ''Beloved, wonder not at the burning, which is among you, which is for your trial.'' Now however this may be accommodated to inward trials, in a secondary sense, yet primarily it doubtless refers to martyrdom, and the sufferings connected with it. Neither therefore is this text any thing at all to the purpose for which it is cited. And we may challenge all men to bring one text either from the Old or New Testament, which is any more to the purpose than this.

12. "But is not darkness much more profitable for the soul than light? Is not the work of God in the heart, most swiftly and effectually carried on, during a state of inward suffering? Is not a believer more swiftly and throughly purified, by sorrow than by joy? By anguish and pain and distress and spiritual martyrdoms, than by continual peace?" So the Mystics teach: so it is written in their books; but not in the oracles of God. The scripture no where says, that the ab