Tract No. 27.
FRUITS OF PERFECT LOVE.
By JOHN WESLEY.
But some who have much love, peace and joy, yet have not
the direct witness (of being perfected in love;) and others
who think they have, are, nevertheless, manifestly wanting in
fruit. How many I will not say, perhaps more or fewer. But
some are undeniably wanting in longsuffering, Christian res-
ignation. They do not see the hand of God in whatever oc-
curs, and cheerfully embrace it. They do not in everything
give thanks and rejoice evermore. They are not happy; at
least, not always happy; for sometimes they complain. They
say, "This or that is hard."
Some are wanting in gentleness. They resist evil, instead of
turning the other cheek. They do not receive reproach with
gentleness; no, nor even reproof. Nay, they are not able to
bear contradiction, without the appearance, at least, of resent-
ment. If they are reproved, though mildly, they do not take
it well; they behave with more distance and reserve than they
did before. If they are reproved or contradicted harshly, they
answer with harshness; with a loud voice, or with an angry
tone, or in a sharp, surly manner. They speak sharply or
roughly when they reprove others; and behave roughly to their
inferiors.
SOME ARE WANTING IN GOODNESS. They are not kind, mild,
sweet, amiable, soft and loving at all times, in their spirit, in
their words in their look and air, in the whole tenor of their
behavior; and that to all, high and low, rich and poor, with-
out respect of persons; particularly to them that are out of the
way, to opposers, and to those of their own household. They
do not long, study, endeavor, by every means, to make all
about them happy. They can see them uneasy, and not be
concerned; perhaps they make them so; nnd then wipe their
mouth and say: "Why, they deserve it; it is their own fault."
SOME ARE WANTING IN FIDELITY,a nice regard to truth, sim-
plicity, and godly sincerity. Their love is hardly without
[second page]
dissimulation: something like guile is found in their mouth.
To avoid roughness they lean to tho other extreme. They are
smooth to all excess, so as scarcely to avoid a degree of fawn-
ing, or of seeming to mean what they do not.
SOME ARE WANTING OF MEEKNESS, quietness of spirit, com-
posure, evenness of temper. They are up and down, sometimes
high and some times low; their mind is not well balanced.
Their affections are either not in due proportion, they have
too much of one, too little of another, or they are not duly
mixed or tempered together, so as to counterpoise each other.
Hence there is often a jar. Their soul is out of tune and can-
not make the true harmony.
SOME ARE WANTING IN TEMPERANCE. They do not steadily
use that kind and degree of food which they know, or might
know, would most conduce to health, strength, and vigor of
the body; they do not rigorously adhere to what is best for
body and mind; otherwise they would constantly go to bed
and rise early, and at a fixed hour; or they sup late, which is
neither good for body or soul; or they use neither fasting nor
abstinence; or they prefer (which are so many sorts of intem-
perance) that preaching, reading or conversation which gives
them TRANSIENT joy or comfort, before that which brings GOD-
Ly SORROW, or instructron in righteousness. Such joy is not
sanctified; it does not tend nor terminate in the crucifixion of
the heart. Such faith does not centre in God, but rather
in self.
So far all is plain. I believe you (many of you) have faith,
and love, and joy, and peace. Yet you who are particularly
concerned, know each for yourself that you are wanting in the
respects above mentioned. You are wanting either in long-
suffering, gentleness or goodness; either in fidelity, meekness
or temperance. You have not what I call perfection, if others
will call it so, they may. However, hold fast what you have
and earnestly pray for what you have not.
One tract may save a SOUl; order some for distribution. 100,
10c; 1000, 75c; sample lot of 70 kinds, 5c. Address "The Re-
epairer," a clean-cut holiness paper, sample free. Atlanta Ga.
