John Wesley

Famous words

Below are extracts from some of the most famous sayings of John Wesley.

 Statue outside Wesley’s Chapel

God in Scripture commands me, according to my power, to instruct the ignorant, reform the wicked, confirm the virtuous.  Man forbids me to do this in another’s parish; that is, in effect, to do it at all, seeing I have now no parish of my own, nor probably ever shall.  Whom then shall I hear, God or man?

I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that his blessing attends it.

Cleanliness is next to godliness.

This love of God and all mankind we believe to be the medicine of life. Wherever this is, there are virtue and happiness going hand in hand.

Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.

Money never stays with me, it would burn me if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible, lest it find a way into my heart.

I bear the rich and love the poor.

Our main doctrines, which include all the rest, are three – that of repentance, of faith, and of holiness. The first of these we account, as it were the porch of religion; the next, the door; the third, religion itself.

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