Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/51

 upon that house, as tho' they would tear it up from the foundation. But they cannot prevail: it falleth not: for it is founded upon a rock. He buildeth on Christ by faith and love: therefore he shall not be cast down. He ''shall not fear, tho' the earth be moved, and tho' the hills be carried into the midst of the sea''. ''Tho' the waters thereof rage and swell, and the mountains shake at the tempest of the same: still he dwelleth under the defence of the Most High, and is safe under the shadow of the Almighty''.

III. 1. * How nearly then does it concern every child of man, practically to apply these things to himself? Diligently to examine, on what foundation he builds, whether on a rock or on the sand? How deeply are you concerned to inquire, what is the foundation of my hope? Whereon do I build my expectation of entring into the kingdom of heaven? Is it not built on the sand? Upon my orthodoxy or right opinions, (which by a gross abuse of words I have called faith!) Upon my having a set of notions (suppose more rational or scriptural than others have.) Alas! what madness is this? Surely this is building on the sand: or rather on the froth of the sea! Say, I am convinced of this. Am I not again building my hope on what is equally unable to support it? Perhaps on my belonging to "so excellent a church: reformed after the true scripture-model: blest with the purest doctrine,