Sermon XXXIV: Catholic Spirit John Wesley (1703-1791)
April 1, 1995
In the context of spiritual pilgrimages, we commend to you the full text of this challenging sermon on 2 Kings 10:15 (this too-brief excerpt is only the conclusion), along with two of Wesley's other sermons (XCII:"On Zeal" and XXXIII: "A Caution Against Bigotry"). Each can be found on the Internet at www.cs.pitt.edu. Although a difference in opinions or modes of worship may prevent an entire external union, yet need it prevent our union in affection? Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences. These remaining as they are, they may forward one another in love and in good works.... III. 1. One inference we may make from what has been said. We may learn from hence, what is a catholic spirit.... We may learn, first, that a catholic spirit is not speculative latitudinarianism. It is not an indifference to all opinions: this is the spawn of hell, not the offspring of heaven. This unsettledness of thought, this being "driven to and fro, and tossed about with every wind of doctrine," is a great curse, not a blessing, an irreconcilable enemy, not a friend, to true Catholicism. A man of a truly catholic spirit has not now his religion to seek. He is fixed as the sun in his judgement concerning the main branches of Christian doctrine. It is true, he is always ready to hear and weigh whatsoever can be offered against his principles; but as this does not show any wavering in his own mind, so neither does it occasion any He does not halt between two opinions, nor vainly endeavour to blend them into one. Observe this, you who know not what spirit ye are of: ...
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