JANUARY 12
I myself find more life in the Church prayers than in any formal extemporary prayers of Dissenters. Nay, I find more profit in sermons on either good temper or good works than in what are vulgarly called Gospel sermons. That term is now become a mere cant word; I wish none of our Society would use it. It has no determinate meaning. Let but a pert, self-sufficient animal, that has neither grace nor sense, bawl out something about Christ and His blood or justification by faith, and his hearers cry out: ‘What a fine Gospel sermon!’ Surely the Methodists have not so learned Christ! We know no Gospel without salvation from sin.
to Mary Bishop, 1778
Whatever clouds may interpose between, His banner over you is love.
Letter, 28th March, 1785
