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Wesley, John - Sermon 121 - On death
Identifier
024652
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
extract from The Sermons of John Wesley - Sermon 121 - Human Life A Dream
Where, indeed, is the hope of those who were lately laying deep schemes, and saying, "To-day, or to-morrow, we will go to such a city, and continue there a year, and traffic, and get gain"
How totally had they forgotten that wise admonition, "Ye know not what shall be on the morrow! For, what is your life? It is a vapour that appeareth awhile, and then vanisheth away!"
Where is all your business, where your worldly cares, your troubles or engagements? All these things are fled away like smoke; and your immortal soul is left.
And how is it qualified for the enjoyment of this new world? Has it a relish for the objects and enjoyments of the invisible world? Are your affections loosened from things below, and fixed on things above, -- ? Then happy are ye; and when He whom ye love shall appear, "ye shall also appear with him in glory."
12. But how do you relish the company that surrounds you? Your old companions are gone; a great part of them probably separated from you never to return.
Are your present companions angels of light? -- ministering spirits, that but now whispered, "Sister spirit, come away! We are sent to conduct thee over that gulf into Abraham's bosom."
And what are those?
Some of the souls of the righteous, whom thou didst formerly relieve with "the mammon of unrighteousness;" and who are now commissioned by your common Lord to receive, to welcome you "into the everlasting habitations."
Then the angels of darkness will quickly discern they have no part in you. So they must either hover at a distance, or flee away in despair. Are some of these happy spirits that take acquaintance with you, the same that travelled with you below, and bore a part in your temptations; that, together with you, fought the good fight of faith, and laid hold on eternal life?
As you then wept together, you may rejoice together, you and your guardian angels perhaps, in order to increase your thankfulness for being "delivered from so great a death." They may give you a view of the realms below; those
Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace
And rest can never dwell.