John Wesley

Founder of Methodism

Early Modern influential 140 sayings

Sayings by John Wesley

The first thing that I would advise you to do, is, to get a clear and distinct notion of the state of the world.

1733 — Sermon 12: The Circumcision of the Heart
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I am a debtor both to the wise and to the unwise.

1738 — Journal entry
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What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

1741 — Sermon 40: Christian Perfection (referencing Matthew 19:6)
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The Lord is at hand; therefore fear not.

1740 — Journal entry
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I desire to have but one thing in view, to please God.

1725 — Journal entry
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The greatest enemy to human happiness is the love of money.

1760 — Sermon 50: The Use of Money
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It is not enough to be zealous; we must be zealous for God.

1733 — Sermon 12: The Circumcision of the Heart
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I am no more afraid of the devil than I am of a fly.

Unknown — Widely attributed, but specific source hard to pinpoint
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To candid, reasonable men, I am not afraid to lay open what has been the course of my life.

1749 — A Plain Account of the People Called Methodists
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Holiness of heart and life is the one great end of all our preaching.

1765 — Sermon 8: The Scriptural Way of Salvation
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I have not time to be busy.

Unknown — Widely attributed, similar to 'never in a hurry'
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The Methodists do not desire to be distinguished from other men, but by the Spirit which they breathe.

1749 — A Plain Account of the People Called Methodists
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I am as much a High-Churchman as ever I was.

1745 — Letter, defending his Anglican ties
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It is no proof of a man's understanding that he can find fault.

1733 — Sermon 12: The Circumcision of the Heart
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I am not afraid of any man, but I am afraid of God.

Unknown — Widely attributed
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The Methodists are a people who profess to pursue a Christian life by Scriptural rules and methods.

1749 — A Plain Account of the People Called Methodists
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The world is on fire. What do you say to that?

1776 — Journal entry, reflecting on the state of the world
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I cannot but observe, that the Methodists are not a people who are fond of novelties.

1749 — A Plain Account of the People Called Methodists
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What a work has God wrought in our day!

1789 — Journal entry, reflecting on the growth of Methodism
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I am never solitary, for I am never alone.

Unknown — Widely attributed, but specific source hard to pinpoint
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