We see the numberless follies and miseries of our fellow-creatures. We see, on every side, either people of no religion at all, or people of lifeless, formal religion. We a grieved at the sight; and should greatly rejoice, if by any means we might convince some that there is a better religion to be attained,--a religion worthy of the God that gave it.
And this we conceive to be no other than love; the love of God and of all mankind; the loving God with all our heart, and soul, and strength, as having first loved us, as the fountain of all the good we have received, and of all we ever hope to enjoy; and the loving every soul which God hath made, every person on earth, as our own soul.
This love we believe to be the medicine of life, the never-failing remedy for all the evils of a disordered world, for all the miseries and vices of men. Wherever this is, there are virtue and happiness going hand in hand. There is humbleness of mind, gentleness, long-suffering, the whole image of God; and at the same time a peace that passeth all understanding, and joy unspeakable and full of glory.
-John Wesley "The Writing of John Wesley" -- Mitchell
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