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Books by Dave Armstrong: “The Quotable Wesley”

Books by Dave Armstrong: “The Quotable Wesley”

Last updated on: July 13, 2026 at 4:13 pm by Dave Armstrong

Books by Dave Armstrong: “The Quotable Wesley” 2026-07-13T16:13:36-04:00 Dave Armstrong

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

[288 pages. Completed on 2 May 2012. Published on 1 April 2014. Portrait by William Hamilton (1788) that I used on my original back cover (see below) ]

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[cover design by Robbie Knight]

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PURCHASE INFORMATION

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[PAPERBACK: Amazon / The Foundry Publishing] [APPLE BOOKS: $9.99]

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CONTENTS

Dedication (p. 3)

Introduction (p. 5) [read below]

Brief Biography of John Wesley (p. 9) [from Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1911]

Bibliography and Abbreviations (p. 15)

Quotations (p. 19)

Index of Topics [see below]

INTRODUCTION

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I have long felt an immense admiration for John Wesley, as a person of extraordinary “missionary zeal” and devotion to the gospel and Christianity: the man who is said to have delivered more than 40,000 sermons, and traveled more than 250,000 miles on horseback (almost the distance to the moon). As an apologist and (to some extent) evangelist myself, Wesley’s sterling example has always been a great inspiration.

My background is broadly Wesleyan / Arminian, and I was raised initially in the United Methodist Church, though I hasten to add that in those days (up to age ten) I was quite ignorant of theology. In any event, my subsequent evangelical (and “moderately charismatic”) Protestant theological and spiritual development was not all that different from what Wesley or Methodism would teach. I even had an uncle (very sadly murdered at age 40) who was an Anglo-Catholic priest.

I entered the (Roman) Catholic Church in 1991. I mention this only for the sake of “full disclosure.” My intention is to present Wesley’s full theology and spiritual outlook, as a detached editor (as much as one can possibly be). I’m simply being open and honest upfront about my own possible biases.

John Wesley (it may surprise some to discover) never ceased being an Anglican. My own favorite writers are all either lifelong or initial Anglicans (C. S. Lewis, John Henry Cardinal Newman, G. K. Chesterton, Malcolm Muggeridge, and Thomas Howard). John Wesley is also among these Anglican writers and thinkers that I respect so much and love to read.

My first goal in my selection of Wesley’s writings is to provide the reader with Wesley’s theological views as he expressed them, and to locate (to the best of my ability, in my editor’s judgment) the most representative and best-expressed portions of his writings in order to fulfill that purpose.

The second, lesser aim (in harmony with the first) is ecumenical. Much of what Wesley held and expressed can be enthusiastically accepted by those from a wide spectrum of Christianity: Arminians, Catholics, Lutherans, Orthodox, Baptists, charismatics and non-denominational Christians, or self-described “evangelicals.” Even Calvinists (the traditional opposition to Wesleyans / Arminians) disagree mainly on a relatively small number of theological points.

In a broad sense, the theology and thoughts of John Wesley are treasures for all Christians. He was a great man, whose thinking and teachings ought to be more widely known and appreciated; and that is my third goal in compiling this book.

The quotations are categorized into 245 topics (see the Topical Index at the end), with entries drawn from the entire range of Wesley’s writing: his famous journal, letters, treatises, tracts, biblical commentary, and the “Minutes” of various Methodist conferences (dominated by Wesley, and certainly reflective of his own views). They are arranged chronologically within the categories, with dates (to the day, where known) and primary and secondary bibliographical documentation.

My sincere hope is that readers will benefit from these quotations from Wesley as much as I have in finding and sharing them. May his evangelistic zeal and Christian integrity and “heart for God” spread like wildfire.

INDEX OF TOPICS

Absolution p. 15

Alcohol 15

Anabaptists 16

Angels 16

Anglicanism 17

Anglicanism: Faithfulness to 17

Anglicanism: Opposition to Separation and a New Denomination 20

Anglicanism: Persecution of Anglican Methodists 23

Anointing the Sick with Consecrated Oil 25

Antinomianism (Falsity of) 26

Apocrypha (Deuterocanon) 27

Apostolic Succession 27

Arminianism 27

Atonement 28

Atonement, Limited (Falsity of) 28

Atonement: Universal 32

Authority, Obedience to 35

Baptism 36

Baptism and Being “Born Again”36

Baptism and Justification 38

Baptism and Original Sin 38

Baptism and Salvation 38

Baptism, Infant 39

Baptismal Regeneration 40

Beatific Vision 41

Bishops 41

Bishops, Liberal or Nominal 41

Bishops (Opposed in Methodism) 42

Blessings (Priestly) 42

Bowing (at the Name of Jesus) 42

Buffoonery and Fools 42

Calling (Wesley’s) 43

Calvin, John 43

Calvinism: Criticisms of 44

Catholicism (Roman); Catholics 46

Celibacy and Singleness 48

Cheerfulness (and Christianity) 49

Child Killing 50

Christian 50

Christianity and Secular Knowledge 52

Church, The 53

Clothing 54

Communion, Holy: Daily Reception 54

Communion, Holy: Means of Grace 55

Communion, Holy: Preparation and Fitness for Reception 57

Communion, Holy: Real Presence 58

Communion, Holy: Transubstantiation (Falsity of) 58

Communion, Holy: Weekly Reception 59

Concupiscence 59

Confession 59

Confirmation (Rite) 59

Conversion 60

Demoniacs 61

Dialogue and Argument 62

Ecumenism; Religious Tolerance 65

Education, Methodist 70

Education, Secularization of 72

Election, Conditional 72

Election, Unconditional (Falsity of) 73

“Enthusiasm” (Opposition to) 74

Eucharistic Adoration (Wrongness of) 79

Eucharistic Sacrifice 80

Evangelism and Preaching, Lay 80

Examination of Conscience; Self-Examination 82

Experience, Religious 82

Extreme Unction (Falsity of) 84

Faith 85

Faith Alone (Falsity of) 87

Faith and Justification 87

Faith and Reason 88

Faith and Salvation 90

Faith and Works 90

Faith: Bold and Confident 94

Fasting 94

Fathers of the Church 95

Free Will 98

Friday Abstinence 100

Gifts, Extraordinary: Cessation of 101

God 101

God: All-Holy 103

God: Eternity of 103

God: His Providence 103

God: Just Judge 105

God: Omnipotence of 106

God: Omnipresence of 106

God: Omniscience of 107

God: Outside of Time 108

God: Sovereignty of 108

God: Sustainer of Creation 109

God: Will of 110

Gospel 110

Gossip 111

Government 111

Government, Church 112

Grace 114

Grace: Degrees or Greater Measure of 115

Grace, Falling Away from (Apostasy) 115

Grace, Irresistible (Falsity of) 120

Grace, Means of 121

Grace, Prevenient 123

Hades; Sheol; Paradise; Intermediate State 125

Happiness 127

Hardening of the Heart 128

Healing, Miraculous 128

Heartfelt Conversion; Wholehearted Devotion to God 130

Heathens and Salvation 133

Heaven 133

Hell 133

Henry VIII (and His Destruction of Church Buildings) 135

Holiness 135

Holy Days 135

Holy Spirit 135

Holy Spirit: Being Filled With 135

Holy Spirit, Indwelling of 137

Holy Spirit: Testimony and Witness of 138

Jesus Christ 140

Jesus Christ: Creator 141

Jesus Christ: Divinity of 141

Jesus Christ: Savior and Redeemer 141

Jesus Christ: Sustainer of Creation 142

Jews and Salvation 143

Joy 143

Judgment of Nations 144

Justification 144

Justification and Absolute Assurance of Pardon; Fiducial Faith 146

Justification and Being “Born Again” 147

Justification and New Birth 147

Justification and Present Assurance 147

Justification and “Receiving the Holy Spirit” 148

Justification and Regeneration 148

Justification and Sanctification 148

Justification by Faith 149

Justification by Grace Alone 151

Justification, Imputed 152

Justification, Infused 154

Kingdom of Heaven 156

Kneeling and Bowing 156

Latitudinarianism 157

Law and Gospel 158

Law, God’s 159

Lent 160

Lots, Casting of 160

Love 160

Luther, Martin 161

Man, Purpose of 162

Marriage: Not a Sacrament 162

Mary 163

Mary: Perpetual Virginity of 163

Merit 163

Methodism 163

Methodism: American 165

Methodism: Danger of Liberalism and Nominalism 167

“Methodist” (Title) 167

Miracles 168

Miracles, Cessation (Falsity of) 169

Miracles, Demonic 170

Miracles: Unreasonable Demand for, as Proof of Methodism 170

Moravians 172

Music (Superiority of Melody to Harmony) 172

New Birth 174

New Birth and Sanctification 177

New Birth: Wesley’s Own 178

Nudity (in Art) 186

Ordination (Holy Orders); Priesthood 187

Original Sin 188

Orthodoxy (Correct Beliefs) 189

Peace of God 193

Peer Pressure 193

Pelagianism; Works Salvation (Falsity of) 194

Penance 195

Perfection (Entire Sanctification) 195

Perseverance, Unconditional (Falsity of) 202

Polemics; Controversy 203

Popes; Papacy 204

Popularity (in Old Age) 205

Prayer 206

Prayers for the Dead 207

Prayers, Extemporary 208

Prayers, Formal 209

Preaching 209

Preaching and Opposition (Riots, Etc.) 211

Preaching in the Fields 212

Predestination: Conditional 217

Priests 217

Private Judgment 218

Purgatory; Preparation for Heaven in the Afterlife (and This Life) 218

Puritans 220

Quakers 221

Reading 223

Reformation, Protestant 223

Regeneration 224

Repentance 225

Reprobation: Unconditional (Falsity of) 225

Reproof; Rebuke 229

Revival 230

Revolution, American 232

Rewards in Heaven 233

Riches; Love of Money 233

Righteousness of Faith 235

Rule of Faith 235

Sabbath 238

Sacraments 239

Saints, Communion of 239

Saints, Honoring of 240

Saints, Intercession of 240

Salvation 240

Salvation and Invincible Ignorance 241

Salvation: Assurance of Final (Falsity of) 242

Sanctification 245

Sanctification and Salvation 248

Satan and His Demons (Fallen Angels) 248

Schism; Separation 252

Scripture and Learning 253
Scripture and Patristic Interpretation 253

Scripture: Chapter Divisions 254

Scripture, “Difficulties” in 254

Scripture: Formal Sufficiency 254

Scripture: Hermeneutics (Interpretation) 254

Scripture, Inspiration and Infallibility of 255

Scripture: Material Sufficiency 256

Scripture: Old Testament 256

Scripture: Unreasonable Demand for Explicit Proof Texts 257

Self-Defense 257

Sin 258

Sins, Forgiveness of 258

Slander 258

Slavery 260

Society and Christianity 262

Soul 262

Spirit (of Man) 262

Suffering 263

Talking 265

Temptation 266

Tongues, Gift of 266

Total Depravity 266

Tradition, Apostolic 267

Traditions of Men 268

Trinity, Holy 268

Trust in God 269

Truth 269

Unconditional Election (Falsity of Calvinist Version) 271

War 272

Whitefield, George (Calvinist Differences) 272

Works and Grace; Co-Laborers with God 273

Works (in Grace) and Salvation 276

Worship 278

Worship, Methodist 278

Writing 279

Zeal (Christian) 282

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EXCERPTS

[all from Facebook]

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John Wesley on Scripture and Patristic Interpretation

John Wesley Regarded Luther’s Commentary on Galatians (Emphasizing “Faith Alone”) as Blasphemy

John Wesley Was Opposed to Experiential “Enthusiasm”? Yes, He Was

Wesley’s Reductio ad Absurdum Argument Against Calvinist Unconditional Election

John Wesley’s Remarkable Tolerance Towards Catholics (Ecumenism)

John Wesley Explains Exactly What He Means by Perfection or Entire Sanctification

John Wesley on the American Revolution

John Wesley’s Remarkable Observation About Christianity and Secular Learning

John Wesley on Polemics and Controversy

Methodist Education in 1768

John Wesley: Unconditional Reprobation is Contrary to God’s Justice and Mercy

Wesley on Sanctification and Salvation

MISC.

Announcement of publication and general comment on Facebook (1 April 2014)

BOOK REVIEWS

Brent Stubbs (5-17-12)
Ryan Scott (Nazarene) (4-17-14)
George P. Wood (6-11-14)
Baker Book House Church Connection website (7-3-14)

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PURCHASE INFORMATION

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[PAPERBACK: Amazon / The Foundry Publishing] [APPLE BOOKS: $9.99]

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Practical Matters: This is the most comprehensive and multi-faceted Catholic apologetics blog: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT. I offer more than 5,000 free online articles, fifty-eight books, and many scores of videos at the Catholic Bible Highlights YouTube channel (please subscribe!). If you believe my full-time apostolate is worth supporting, please seriously consider financially supporting it. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: [email protected]. You’ll see the term “Dave Armstrong Bookstore”. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle and 100% tax-deductible donations if desired), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million!

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Last updated on 13 July 2026

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