John Wesley, Sermon 63, The General Spread of the Gospel
This is translated into modern English by Gemini AI, according to my prompts. Note that updates on terminology, especially including references to people groups and faiths that would not be considered courteous today are updated, and mentioned in the notes. This is done in accordance with my prompts and I take responsibility for the use of language. You can find the original sermon on ResourceUMC.org.
Note that this is divided into sections, and following each section there are comments on the updating of the language. Bold text indicates that there is a related note and is not used for emphasis. I invite readers to check the accuracy of this work, as this is experimental use of AI, at least from my point of view.
The General Spread of the Gospel
“The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” – Isaiah 11:9
- What a state the world is in at present! How does darkness—intellectual darkness, ignorance, along with the vice and misery that accompany it—cover the face of the Earth! From the precise inquiry made with tireless effort by our brilliant countryman, Mr. Brerewood (who himself traveled over a great part of the known world to form a more exact judgment), supposing the world to be divided into thirty parts, nineteen of them are professed non-Christian peoples, as ignorant of Christ as if He had never come into the world. Six of the remaining parts are professed Muslims. So that only five out of thirty are even nominally Christians!
- And let it be remembered that since this calculation was made, many new nations have been discovered—countless islands, particularly in the South Sea, large and well-inhabited. But by whom? By non-Christian peoples of the lowest sort; many of them inferior to the beasts of the field. Whether they eat people or not (which indeed I cannot find sufficient ground to believe), they certainly kill all who fall into their hands. They are, therefore, more savage than lions, who kill no more creatures than are necessary to satisfy their present hunger. See the real dignity of human nature! Here it appears in its genuine purity, not polluted either by those “general corruptors, kings,” or by the least hint of religion! What will Abbé Raynal (that determined enemy to monarchy and revelation) say to this?
- Only a little, and but a little, above the non-Christian peoples in religion are the Muslims. But how far and wide has this miserable delusion spread over the face of the Earth! So much so that the Muslims are considerably more numerous (as six to five) than Christians. And by all accounts that have any claim to authenticity, these are also, in general, as utterly strangers to all true religion as their four-footed brethren; as devoid of mercy as lions and tigers; as much given up to brutal lusts as bulls or goats. So that they are in truth a disgrace to human nature and a plague to all that are under their iron yoke.
- It is true, a celebrated writer (Lady Mary Wortley Montagu) gives a very different character of them. With the finest flow of words, in the most elegant language, she labors to “wash the Ethiopian white.” She represents them as many degrees above Christians; as some of the most amiable people in the world; as possessed of all the social virtues; as some of the most accomplished of people. But I can in no way accept her report; I cannot rely upon her authority. I believe those around her had just as much religion as their admirer had when she was admitted into the inner parts of the Grand Seignior’s seraglio. Therefore, despite all that such a witness does or can say in their favor, I believe the Turks in general are little, if at all, better than the generality of the non-Christian peoples.
- And little, if at all, better than the Turks, are the Christians in the Turkish dominions; even the best of them; those that live in the Morea, or are scattered throughout Asia. The more numerous bodies of Georgian, Circassian, Mengrelian Christians are a proverb of reproach to the Turks themselves; not only for their deplorable ignorance, but for their total, stupid, barbarous irreligion.
- From the most authentic accounts we can obtain of the Southern Christians, those in Abyssinia, and of the Northern Churches, under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Moscow, we have reason to fear they are much in the same condition, both with regard to knowledge and religion, as those in Turkey. Or if those in Abyssinia are more civilized and have a larger share of knowledge, yet they do not appear to have any more religion than either the Muslims or non-Christian peoples.
Notes on Translation Choices:
- Isaiah 11:9 Quote: Modernized the biblical language slightly.
- “Mr. Brerewood”: Edward Brerewood (1565–1613), an English mathematician and antiquary, known for his work “Enquiries Touching the Diversity of Languages and Religions Through the Chief Parts of the World.” Wesley is referencing his statistical claims about global religious demographics.
- “Heathens”: Consistent with our agreed-upon approach, this term has been translated to “non-Christian peoples” to avoid potentially offensive connotations while accurately reflecting Wesley’s distinction for those outside Abrahamic faiths in his context.
- “Mahometans”: Consistent with our agreed-upon approach, this term has been translated to “Muslims.” “Mahometans” was Wesley’s contemporary term but is now considered outdated and potentially offensive as it implies worship of Muhammad rather than Allah.
- “Basest sort” / “inferior to the beasts of the field” / “more savage than lions”: These are Wesley’s very strong, judgmental words, reflecting contemporary European views of certain indigenous peoples. They are retained to accurately reflect Wesley’s historical text, however, they represent a problematic colonial perspective from his era.
- “Abbe Raynal”: Guillaume Thomas François Raynal (1713–1796), a French writer, philosopher, and critic of colonialism and organized religion. Wesley is likely referring to Raynal’s arguments about the “noble savage” or the inherent goodness of humanity uncorrupted by European society/monarchy/religion. Wesley here implies that these “savages” prove Raynal wrong.
- “Lady Mary Wortley Montagu”: An English writer, poet, and traveler (1689–1762), known for her “Turkish Embassy Letters” where she described Ottoman society in a surprisingly favorable light for her time, challenging many Western prejudices. Wesley expresses skepticism about her account.
- “Wash the Aethiop white”: A proverb (referencing Jeremiah 13:23) meaning to attempt the impossible, to change something fundamentally unchangeable, used by Wesley to dismiss Montagu’s positive portrayal.
- “Grand Seignior’s seraglio”: Refers to the Ottoman Sultan’s palace harem, a place of exotic fascination and often misrepresentation in European literature. Wesley uses it to cast doubt on Lady Montagu’s perspective, implying her views are influenced by the environment she observed.
- “Turks”: Used by Wesley to refer broadly to the Ottoman Empire and its dominant population, who were Muslim.
- “Morea” / “Georgian, Circassian, Mengrelian Christians”: Specific geographic and ethnic groups of Christians living under Ottoman or Russian influence, often viewed as nominal Christians due to their isolation and lack of reformation. Wesley uses them to further illustrate the decay even within nominally Christian populations.
The General Spread of the Gospel “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” – Isaiah 11:9
- The Western Churches seem to have the pre-eminence over all these in many respects. They have abundantly more knowledge; they have more biblical and more rational ways of worship. Yet two-thirds of them are still involved in the corruptions of the Roman Church; and most of these are entirely unacquainted with either the theory or practice of religion. And as to those who are called Protestants, or Reformed, what acquaintance with it have they? Put Catholics and Protestants, French and English together, the majority of one and of the other nation; and what kind of Christians are they? Are they “holy as He who has called them is holy?” Are they filled with “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit?” Is there “that mind in them which was also in Christ Jesus?” And do they “walk as Christ also walked?” No, they are as far from it as hell is from heaven!
- Such is the present state of humanity in all parts of the world! But how astonishing is this, if there is a God in heaven, and if His eyes are over all the earth! Can He despise the work of His own hand? Surely this is one of the greatest mysteries under heaven! How is it possible to reconcile this with either the wisdom or goodness of God? And what can give peace to a thoughtful mind under so melancholy a prospect? What but the consideration that things will not always be so; that another scene will soon be opened? God will be jealous of His honor: He will arise and maintain His own cause. He will judge the prince of this world and strip him of his usurped dominion. He will give His Son “the nations for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession.” “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” The loving knowledge of God, producing consistent, uninterrupted holiness and happiness, shall cover the earth; it shall fill every human soul.
- “Impossible,” some people will say, “yes, the greatest of all impossibilities, that we should see a Christian world, yes, a Christian nation, or city! How can these things be?” On one supposition, indeed, not only all impossibility but all difficulty vanishes. Only suppose the Almighty to act irresistibly, and the thing is done; yes, with just the same ease as when “God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” But then, humanity would be human no longer; their innermost nature would be changed. They would no longer be a moral agent, any more than the sun or the wind, as they would no longer be endowed with liberty—a power of choosing, or self-determination. Consequently, they would no longer be capable of virtue or vice, of reward or punishment.
- But setting aside this clumsy way of cutting the knot which we are not able to untie, how can all people be made holy and happy while they continue human? While they still enjoy both the understanding, the affections, and the liberty which are essential to a moral agent? There seems to be a plain, simple way of removing this difficulty, without entangling ourselves in any subtle, metaphysical arguments. As God is one, so the work of God is uniform in all ages. May we not then conceive how He will work on the souls of people in times to come by considering how He does work now, and how He has worked in times past?
- Take one instance of this, and such an instance as you cannot easily be deceived by. You know how God worked in your own soul when He first enabled you to say, “The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” He did not take away your understanding; but enlightened and strengthened it. He did not destroy any of your affections; rather, they were more vigorous than before. Least of all did He take away your liberty—your power of choosing good or evil. He did not force you; but, being assisted by His grace, you, like Mary, chose the better part. Just so has He assisted five in one house to make that happy choice; fifty or five hundred in one city; and many thousands in a nation—without depriving any of them of that liberty which is essential to a moral agent.
- Not that I deny that there are exempt cases, where The overwhelming power of saving grace does, for a time, work as irresistibly as lightning falling from heaven. But I speak of God’s general manner of working, of which I have known countless instances—perhaps more within the last fifty years than anyone in England or in Europe. And with regard even to these exempt cases; although God does work irresistibly for the time, yet I do not believe there is any human soul in which God works irresistibly at all times. No, I am fully persuaded there is not. I am persuaded there are no people living who have not many times “resisted the Holy Spirit” and made void “the counsel of God against themselves.” Yes, I am persuaded every child of God has had, at some time, “life and death set before him,” eternal life and eternal death; and has in himself the deciding voice. So true is that well-known saying of Saint Augustine (one of the noblest he ever uttered): Qui fecit nos sine nobis, non salvabit nos sine nobis: “He that made us without ourselves will not save us without ourselves.” Now, in the same manner as God has converted so many to Himself without destroying their liberty, He can undoubtedly convert whole nations, or the whole world; and it is as easy for Him to convert a world as one individual soul.
Notes on Translation Choices:
- 7: “Western Churches”: Refers to the Christian denominations predominantly in Western Europe (including Protestant and Catholic).
- “Corruptions of the Church of Rome”: Reflects Wesley’s Protestant stance and criticisms of Roman Catholicism.
- “Papists and Protestants, French and English together”: Wesley’s direct comparison of nominal Christians across denominational and national lines.
- “Holy as He that hath called them is holy?” / “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost?” / “that mind in them which was also in Christ Jesus?” / “walk as Christ also walked?”: Kept as direct biblical allusions/quotes representing criteria for true Christianity (1 Peter 1:15; Romans 14:17; Philippians 2:5; 1 John 2:6).
- “As far from it as hell is from heaven!”: Wesley’s strong, condemning rhetoric.
- 8: “Astonishing is this, if there is a God in heaven”: Expresses the apparent contradiction of widespread unholiness given God’s existence.
- “Despise the work of his own hand?”: Kept, highlighting God’s care for humanity.
- “Prince of this world”: Kept as a biblical term for Satan.
- “Nations for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Psalm 2:8). “Heathen” changed to “nations” for consistency with earlier choices.
- “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Isaiah 11:9, Habakkuk 2:14), which is also the sermon’s text.
- 9: “Christian world… Christian nation, or city! How can these things be?”: Highlights the widespread skepticism about a truly transformed world.
- “Suppose the Almighty to act irresistibly”: Wesley introduces and then rejects the idea of God forcing conversion.
- “God said, ‘Let there be light; and there was light'”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Genesis 1:3).
- “Man would be man no longer… no longer a moral agent… not endued with liberty”: Emphasizes Wesley’s commitment to human free will as essential to moral agency, and his rejection of predestinarian views that would negate it.
- 10: “Clumsy way of cutting the knot which we are not able to untie”: Wesley’s vivid metaphor for avoiding genuine theological struggle by resorting to what he sees as an unsatisfactory explanation.
- “Subtile, metaphysical disquisitions”: Refers to complex philosophical debates.
- “God is One, so the work of God is uniform in all ages”: A key principle for Wesley, allowing him to draw parallels between past, present, and future workings of God.
- 11: “The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Galatians 2:20) and a common testimony for Methodists.
- “Assisted by his grace, you, like Mary, chose the better part”: Refers to Luke 10:42, emphasizing cooperation with grace.
- “Without depriving any of them of that liberty which is essential to a moral agent”: Reiterates his core theological commitment.
- 12: “Exempt cases”: Refers to instances of powerful, immediate conversion.
- Poetry: The Charles Wesley hymn stanza is retained in its original form. “O’erwhelming power” is bolded for emphasis.
- “God’s general manner of working”: Contrasts with the “exempt cases.”
- “Resisted the Holy Ghost” / “made void the counsel of God against themselves”: Kept as direct biblical quotes (Acts 7:51, Luke 7:30), supporting the idea of resistible grace.
- “Life and death set before him”: Kept as a direct biblical allusion (Deuteronomy 30:19).
- “Has in himself the casting voice”: A powerful metaphor for individual choice.
- St. Augustine quote: Qui fecit nos sine nobis, non salvabit nos sine nobis: Retained the Latin and Wesley’s translation, as this quote is a famous statement supporting human cooperation with grace, often cited by Wesley.
- “Convert whole nations, or the whole world; and it is as easy to him to convert a world, as one individual soul”: Reaffirms the possibility of global conversion based on God’s power and consistent method.
The General Spread of the Gospel “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” – Isaiah 11:9
- Generally, when these truths—justification by faith in particular—were declared in any large town, after a few days or weeks, a sudden, powerful, and impetuous force came upon the great congregation—not in a hidden corner, but prominently in London, Bristol, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in particular—which,Like mighty wind or torrent fierce, Did then opposers all o’er-run.And this frequently continued, with shorter or longer intervals, for several weeks or months. But it gradually subsided, and then the work of God was carried on by gentle degrees; while that Spirit, in watering the seed that had been sown, in confirming and strengthening those who had believed,Deigned his influence to infuse, Secret, refreshing as the silent dews.And this difference in His usual manner of working was observable not only in Great Britain and Ireland, but in every part of America, from South to North, wherever the word of God came with power.
- Is it not then highly probable that God will carry on His work in the same manner as He has begun? That He will carry it on, I cannot doubt; however Luther may affirm that a revival of religion never lasts above a generation—that is, thirty years (whereas the present revival has already continued over fifty); or however prophets of doom may say, “All will be at an end when the first leaders are removed.” There will then, very probably, be a great shaking; but I cannot bring myself to believe that God has performed so glorious a work only to let it sink and die away in a few years. No: I trust this is only the beginning of a far greater work; the dawn of “the latter day glory.”
- And is it not probable, I say, that He will carry it on in the same manner as He has begun? At the first breaking out of this work in this or that place, there may be a shower, a torrent of grace; and so at some other particular seasons, which “the Father has reserved in His own power.” But in general, it seems, the kingdom of God will not “come with observation” [meaning: with outward display or spectacle]; but will silently increase, wherever it is set up, and spread from heart to heart, from house to house, from town to town, from one kingdom to another. May it not spread, first, through the remaining provinces [of England]; then, through the islands of North America; and, at the same time, from England to Holland, where there is already a blessed work in Utrecht, Haarlem, and many other cities? Probably it will spread from these to the Protestants in France, to those in Germany, and those in Switzerland; then to Sweden, Denmark, Russia, and all the other Protestant nations in Europe.
- May we not suppose that the same “leaven of pure and undefiled religion,” of experiential knowledge and love of God, of inward and outward holiness, will afterwards spread to the Roman Catholics in Great Britain, Ireland, Holland; in Germany, France, Switzerland; and in all other countries where Catholics and Protestants live intermixed and familiarly converse with each other? Will it not then be easy for the wisdom of God to make a way for religion, in the life and power thereof, into those countries that are predominantly Catholic; such as Italy, Spain, Portugal? And may it not be gradually diffused from there to all who claim the name of Christ, in the various provinces of Turkey, in Abyssinia, yes, and in the remotest parts, not only of Europe, but of Asia, Africa, and America?
Notes on Translation Choices:
- 15: “Violent and impetuous power”: Wesley refers here to the early manifestations of the Methodist revival, which sometimes involved dramatic physical reactions and intense spiritual conviction among the congregations.
- Poetry: The two poetic stanzas are retained in their original form. These are from Charles Wesley’s hymns, common in Methodist worship.
- “Graceful power” vs. “gentle degrees”: Wesley contrasts the initial powerful outpouring with the subsequent, more gradual spread of the work.
- “Difference in his usual manner of working”: Reflects Wesley’s observation of God’s varied methods in revival.
- 16: Luther’s affirmation about revivals: Wesley directly challenges Luther’s supposed pessimism about the longevity of religious revivals, asserting that the Methodist revival (then over 50 years old) proves otherwise.
- “Prophets of evil”: Those who predict the downfall of the revival.
- “Great shaking”: A biblical phrase for significant upheaval.
- “Latter day glory”: A theological term referring to a period of great spiritual outpouring and widespread righteousness before Christ’s final return.
- 17: “Shower, a torrent of grace”: Again, vivid imagery for revival’s beginnings.
- “The Father has reserved in his own power”: Kept as a direct biblical allusion (Acts 1:7).
- “Kingdom of God will not ‘come with observation'”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Luke 17:20), referring to the silent, internal growth of the kingdom.
- Geographical Expansion: Wesley lays out a specific, sequential vision for the spread of Methodism/Gospel:
- “Remaining provinces”: Of England.
- “Isles of North America”: Refers to his extensive work and connections in the American colonies/new states.
- Holland (Utrecht, Haarlem): Wesley specifically mentions places where Methodism was gaining traction.
- Protestant nations in Europe: His hope for a broader Protestant revival.
- 18: “Leaven of pure and undefiled religion”: Kept as a biblical metaphor (Matthew 13:33).
- “Experiential knowledge and love of God, of inward and outward holiness”: Key Wesleyan theological tenets.
- “Roman Catholics”: Used this modern term instead of “Papists” (which Wesley uses) for sensitivity, as previously agreed.
- “Live intermixed and familiarly converse with each other”: Highlights the social conditions that might facilitate the spread of the Gospel.
- “Countries that are merely Popish”: Refers to predominantly Catholic countries.
- “Turkey, Abyssinia”: As in previous sections, referring to non-Christian or historically distant Christian areas.
- “Remotest parts, not only of Europe, but of Asia, Africa, and America”: Wesley’s vision for a truly global spread.
The General Spread of the Gospel
- And in every nation under heaven, we may reasonably believe, God will follow the same order He has observed since the beginning of Christianity. “They shall all know me, says the Lord”—not from the greatest to the least (this is the world’s wisdom, which is foolishness to God), but “from the least to the greatest”; so that the praise may be to God, not to human beings. Before the end, even the rich will enter the kingdom of God. Together with them will enter the great, the noble, the honorable; yes, the rulers, the princes, the kings of the earth. Last of all, the wise and learned, the men of genius, the philosophers, will be convinced that they are fools; they will “be converted, and become as little children,” and “enter into the kingdom of God.”
- Then shall be fully accomplished for the house of Israel—the spiritual Israel, of whatever people or nation—that gracious promise: “I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts: And I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord’: For they shall all know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more.” Then shall “the times of” universal “refreshment come from the presence of the Lord.” The great “Pentecost” shall “fully come,” and “devout men in every nation under heaven,” however distant in place from each other, shall “all be filled with the Holy Spirit”; and they will “continue steadfast in the Apostles’ doctrine, and in the fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers”; they will “eat their food,” and do all that they have to do, “with gladness and sincerity of heart. Great grace will be upon them all”; and they will be “all of one heart and of one soul.” The natural, necessary consequence of this will be the same as it was in the beginning of the Christian Church: “None of them will say that anything of the things which he possesses is his own; but they will have all things in common. Neither will there be any among them that lack: For as many as are owners of lands or houses will sell them; and distribution will be made to every person, according as he has need.” All their desires, meanwhile, and passions, and temperaments will be cast in one mold; while all are doing the will of God on Earth, as it is done in heaven. All their “conversation will be seasoned with salt,” and will “minister grace to the hearers”; seeing it will not be so much they who speak, “as the Spirit of their Father who speaks in them.” And there will be no “root of bitterness springing up,” either to defile or trouble them: There will be no Ananias or Sapphira, to bring back the cursed love of money among them: There will be no partiality; no “widows neglected in the daily ministration”; consequently, there will be no temptation to any murmuring thought, or unkind word, of one against another; while,They all are of one heart and soul, And only love informs the whole.
Notes on Translation Choices:
- Sermon Title: “The General Spread of the Gospel” is kept.
- 19: “From the least to the greatest”: Kept as a direct biblical quote, emphasizing God’s reversal of worldly expectations.
- “Wisdom of the world which is foolishness with God”: Kept as a direct biblical allusion (1 Corinthians 1:20).
- “Rich shall enter into the kingdom of God… great, the noble, the honourable; yea, the rulers, the princes, the kings of the earth. Last of all, the wise and learned, the men of genius, the philosophers”: This ordered list of those who will convert highlights the universality and scope of this future spread.
- “Converted, and become as little children,” and “enter into the kingdom of God”: Kept as direct biblical quotes (Matthew 18:3).
- 20: “House of Israel, the spiritual Israel”: Clarified as “the spiritual Israel, of whatever people or nation.”
- Jeremiah 31:33-34 / Hebrews 8:10-12: The extensive biblical promise of the New Covenant is kept, with modernized language.
- “Times of universal refreshment come from the presence of the Lord”: Kept as a direct biblical allusion (Acts 3:19).
- “Grand Pentecost”: Kept, implying a global outpouring of the Spirit.
- “Devout men in every nation under heaven” / “all be filled with the Holy Ghost” / “continue steadfast in the Apostles’ doctrine, and in the fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” / “eat their meat… with gladness and singleness of heart. Great grace will be upon them all; and they will be all of one heart and of one soul”: These are direct biblical quotes or strong allusions to the early church’s state in Acts 2 and 4, used to predict a future widespread renewal. “Eat their meat” modernized to “eat their food.”
- “None of them will say, that aught of the things which he possesses is his own; but they will have all things common. Neither will there be any among them that want: For as many as are possessed of lands or houses will sell them; and distribution will be made to every man, according as he has need”: Kept as a direct biblical quote from Acts 4:32-35, showcasing the communal and economic sharing of the early church as a model for the future. “Aught of the things” modernized to “anything of the things.”
- “All their desires, meantime, and passions, and tempers will be cast in one mould”: Describes the inward transformation.
- “Conversation will be seasoned with salt,” and will “minister grace to the hearers”: Kept as direct biblical allusions (Colossians 4:6, Ephesians 4:29).
- “Spirit of their Father that speaketh in them”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Matthew 10:20).
- “No ‘root of bitterness springing up,’ either to defile or trouble them”: Kept as a direct biblical allusion (Hebrews 12:15).
- “No Ananias or Sapphira”: Specific biblical reference (Acts 5:1-11), implying freedom from deceit and selfishness.
- “No partiality; no ‘widows neglected in the daily ministration'”: Specific biblical reference (Acts 6:1), implying perfect care and equity.
- “No temptation to any murmuring thought, or unkind word”: Describes complete harmony.
- Concluding Poetry: Retained the Charles Wesley hymn stanza in its original form, as agreed.
The General Spread of the Gospel “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” – Isaiah 11:9
- The grand obstacle being thus happily removed out of the way—namely, the lives of the Christians—the Muslims will look upon them with different eyes, and begin to pay attention to their words. And as their words will be clothed with divine energy, attended with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power, those of them who fear God will soon recognize the Spirit by which the Christians speak. They will “receive with meekness the engrafted word,” and will bring forth fruit with patience. From them, the influence will soon spread to those who, until then, had no fear of God before their eyes. Observing the “Christian dogs,” as they used to call them, to have changed their nature; to be sober, temperate, just, benevolent; and that, despite all provocations to the contrary; from admiring their lives, they will surely be led to consider and embrace their doctrine. And then the Savior of sinners will say, “The hour has come; I will glorify my Father: I will seek and save the sheep that were wandering on the dark mountains. Now will I avenge myself of my enemy, and pluck the prey out of the lion’s teeth. I will resume what is My own, lost for ages: I will claim the purchase of My blood.” So He will go forth in the greatness of His strength, and all His enemies shall flee before Him. All the prophets of lies shall vanish, and all the nations that had followed them shall acknowledge the great Prophet of the Lord, “mighty in word and deed”; and “shall honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.”
- And then, the grand obstacle being removed from the non-Christian nations also, the same Spirit will be poured out upon them; even those that remain in the uttermost parts of the sea. The poor American Indigenous person will no longer ask, “What are the Christians better than us?”—when they see their consistent practice of universal temperance, and of justice, mercy, and truth. The Malabarian non-Christian will have no more room to say, “Christian man take my wife: Christian man much drunk: Christian man kill man! Devil-Christian! Me no Christian.” Rather, seeing how far the Christians exceed their own countrymen in “whatever things are lovely and of good report,” they will adopt a very different language, and say, “Angel-Christian!” The holy lives of the Christians will be an argument they will not know how to resist: Seeing the Christians steadily and consistently practice what is agreeable to the law written in their own hearts, their prejudices will quickly fade away, and they will gladly receive “the truth as it is in Jesus.”
- We may reasonably believe that the non-Christian nations who are mingled with Christians, and those that, bordering upon Christian nations, have constant and familiar interaction with them, will be some of the first who learn to worship God in spirit and in truth. Those, for instance, that live on the continent of America, or in the islands that have received colonies from Europe. Such are likewise all those inhabitants of the East Indies that adjoin to any of the Christian settlements. To these may be added numerous tribes of Tartars, the non-Christian parts of the Russias, and the inhabitants of Norway, Finland, and Lapland. Probably these will be followed by those more distant nations with whom Christians trade; to whom they will impart what is of infinitely more value than earthly pearls, or gold and silver. The God of love will then prepare His messengers and make a way into the polar regions; into the deepest recesses of America, and into the interior parts of Africa; yes, into the heart of China and Japan, with the countries adjoining to them. And “their sound” will then “go forth into all lands, and their voice to the ends of the earth!”
- But one considerable difficulty still remains: There are very many non-Christian nations in the world that have no interaction, either by trade or any other means, with Christians of any kind. Such are the inhabitants of the numerous islands in the South Sea, and probably in all large branches of the ocean. Now, what shall be done for these poor outcasts of humanity? “How shall they believe,” says the Apostle, “in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” You may add, “And how shall they preach, unless they be sent?” Yes, but is not God able to send them? Cannot He raise them up, as it were, “out of the stones?” And can He ever lack means of sending them? No: Were there no other means, He can “take them by His Spirit,” as He did Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:12), or by His angel, as He did Philip (Acts 8), and set them down wherever it pleases Him. Yes, He can find out a thousand ways unknown to foolish humanity. And He surely will: For heaven and earth may pass away; but His word shall not pass away: He will give His Son “the uttermost part of the earth for His possession.”
- And so all Israel too shall be saved. For “blindness has happened to Israel,” as the great Apostle observes (Romans 11:25), “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” Then “the Deliverer who comes out of Zion shall turn away iniquity from Jacob.” “God has now concluded them all in unbelief, that He may have mercy upon all.” Yes, and He will so have mercy upon all Israel as to give them all temporal with all spiritual blessings. For this is the promise: “For the Lord your God will gather you from all nations, wherever the Lord your God has scattered you. And the Lord your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 30:3). Again: “I will gather them out of all countries, wherever I have driven them: And I will bring them again to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever. I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. And I will plant them in this land assuredly, with my whole heart and with my whole soul” (Jeremiah 32:37). Yet again: “I will take you from among the non-Christian peoples, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean: From all your filthiness, and from all your idols, I will cleanse you. And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God” (Ezekiel 36:24).
- At that time will be accomplished all those glorious promises made to the Christian Church, which will not then be confined to this or that nation, but will include all the inhabitants of the earth. “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain” (Isaiah 11:9). “Violence shall no more be heard in your land, wasting nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls, Salvation, and your gates Praise.” You shall be encompassed on every side with salvation, and all that go through your gates shall praise God. “The sun shall be no more your light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light to you: But the Lord shall be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory.” The light of the sun and moon shall be swallowed up in the light of His countenance, shining upon you. “Your people also shall be all righteous—the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.” “As the earth brings forth her bud, and the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations” (Isaiah 60:18; and 61:11).
- This I apprehend to be the answer, yes, the only full and satisfactory answer that can be given, to the objection against the wisdom and goodness of God, taken from the present state of the world. It will not always be this way: These things are only permitted for a season by the great Governor of the world, that He may draw immense, eternal good out of this temporary evil. This is the very key which the Apostle himself gives us in the words quoted above: “God has concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.” In view of this glorious event, how well may we cry out, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” although for a season “His judgments were unsearchable, and His ways past finding out.” (Romans 11:32, 33). It is enough that we are assured of this one point: that all these transient evils will end well; will have a happy conclusion; and that “mercy first and last will reign.” All unprejudiced persons may see with their eyes that He is already renewing the face of the earth: And we have strong reason to hope that the work He has begun, He will carry on until the day of the Lord Jesus; that He will never interrupt this blessed work of His Spirit, until He has fulfilled all His promises, until He has put an end to sin, and misery, and weakness, and death; and re-established universal holiness and happiness, and caused all the inhabitants of the Earth to sing together, “Hallelujah, the Lord God omnipotent reigns!” “Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and honor, and power, and might, be to our God forever and ever!” (Revelation 7:12).
Notes on Translation Choices:
- “Mahometans” / “Heathen”: As agreed, these terms have been consistently replaced with “Muslims” and “non-Christian peoples” (or similar context-appropriate phrasing like “non-Christian nations,” “American Indigenous person,” “Malabarian non-Christian”) for modern sensitivity and accuracy. The full explanation for these choices should be included in your blog post’s translation notes.
- 21: “Christian dogs, as they used to term them”: This historical phrase is retained to reflect the contempt with which Christians were sometimes viewed, emphasizing the dramatic nature of the change in perception Wesley anticipates.
- “Receive with meekness the engrafted word”: Kept as a direct biblical allusion (James 1:21).
- “Glorify my Father: I will seek and save the sheep that were wandering on the dark mountains. Now will I avenge myself of my enemy, and pluck the prey out of the lion’s teeth. I will resume my own, for ages lost: I will claim the purchase of my blood”: This is a powerful series of biblical allusions (John 12:27-28; Ezekiel 34:12; Psalm 144:10; Isaiah 53:11-12) used by Wesley to depict Christ’s triumphant, redemptive action in converting nations.
- “Prophet of lies”: Refers to false prophets or false religious leaders.
- “Mighty in word and deed”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Luke 24:19).
- “Shall honour the Son, even as they honour the Father”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (John 5:23).
- 22: “American savage”: This term reflects the problematic colonial attitudes of Wesley’s time. While “American Indigenous person” is used in the main text for sensitivity, the original term’s context highlights the extent of the societal transformation Wesley envisions.
- “Malabarian Heathen”: Refers to people from the Malabar Coast in India. The direct quote attributed to them (e.g., “Christian man take my wife…”) is retained as Wesley uses it to illustrate specific anti-Christian prejudices he was aware of.
- “Whatever things are lovely and of good report”: Kept as a direct biblical allusion (Philippians 4:8).
- “Law written in their own hearts”: Kept as a direct biblical allusion (Romans 2:15), referring to natural law or conscience.
- “Truth as it is in Jesus”: Kept as a direct biblical allusion (Ephesians 4:21).
- 23: Geographical progression of spread: Wesley outlines a detailed, specific geographical expansion of the Gospel, starting from regions near existing Christian influence (America, Holland, Protestant Europe) and extending to more distant, unreached areas (Turkey, Abyssinia, China, Japan, polar regions). This showcases his strategic and global vision.
- “Their sound” will then “go forth into all lands, and their voice to the ends of the earth!”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Psalm 19:4; Romans 10:18).
- 24: “Poor outcasts of men”: Reflects Wesley’s compassion for unreached peoples.
- “How shall they believe… in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?… And how shall they preach, unless they be sent?”: Kept as a direct biblical quote/allusion (Romans 10:14-15), emphasizing the need for mission.
- “Take them by his Spirit,” as he did Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:12), or by his angel, as he did Philip (Acts 8)”: Specific biblical examples of miraculous transport/guidance for evangelism, showing God’s extraordinary means.
- “Heaven and earth may pass away; but his word shall not pass away”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Matthew 24:35), affirming God’s faithfulness.
- “Uttermost part of the earth for his possession”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Psalm 2:8).
- 25: “All Israel too shall be saved”: A key eschatological hope (Romans 11:26).
- “Blindness has happened to Israel… till the fullness of the Gentiles be come in”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Romans 11:25).
- “The Deliverer that cometh out of Sion shall turn away iniquity from Jacob” / “God hath now concluded them all in unbelief, that he may have mercy upon all”: Kept as direct biblical quotes (Romans 11:26, 32).
- Deuteronomy 30:3, Jeremiah 32:37, Ezekiel 36:24: These extensive Old Testament prophecies about Israel’s restoration (return to land, circumcised hearts, new covenant) are quoted directly by Wesley to support his vision of a future conversion of the Jewish people, and are maintained here, with modernized language.
- 26: Accomplishment of promises to the Christian Church: The sermon culminates in the grand, universal glory of the Church.
- Isaiah 11:9; Isaiah 60:18, 61:11: Extensive biblical prophecies describing universal peace, righteousness, and God’s manifest glory. These are maintained for their prophetic weight.
- “Walls, Salvation, and thy gates Praise”: Powerful imagery.
- “Sun shall be no more thy light by day… Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light”: Kept as direct biblical quote/allusion (Isaiah 60:19-20).
- 27: “Only full and satisfactory answer… to the objection against the wisdom and goodness of God”: Wesley’s conclusion that the future global spread of the Gospel is the ultimate vindication of God’s character despite present evil.
- “Draw immense, eternal good out of this temporary evil”: A core Wesleyan idea of God’s redemptive purpose in permitting evil.
- “God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Romans 11:32), crucial for his argument.
- “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!… his judgments were unsearchable, and his ways past finding out”: Kept as a direct biblical quote (Romans 11:33), a doxology affirming God’s inscrutable wisdom.
- “Mercy first and last will reign”: A summary of his hopeful eschatology.
- “Renewing the face of the earth”: Kept as a biblical allusion (Psalm 104:30).
- “Unto the day of the Lord Jesus”: Kept as a common biblical phrase.
- “Put a period to sin, and misery, and infirmity, and death; and re-established universal holiness and happiness”: The ultimate, comprehensive goal of God’s work.
- “Hallelujah, the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!” / “Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever!”: Kept as direct biblical quotes (Revelation 19:6, 7:12), bringing the sermon to a triumphant close.
(Featured image is By Viktor, licensed from Adobe Stock.)