Lifelong Learning
Theological Critiques by Susanna Wesley
Susanna Wesley’s writings have been available in The Complete Writings for over twenty years, but as the description on the cover of From a Mother’s Pen says her reputation is as the mother of the Wesleys. Notably, and this is relatively well-known, she was a theological and spiritual educator. This review, reflecting the reviewer’s interest, focuses on her theological writing.
In an intriguing reflection on a philosophical outline by John Locke she focuses on how to avoid the devil’s temptations (in way that Locke himself might not have expected) by understanding the direction from which they come.
Meditating on the 17th century poet-priest, George Herbert, she observes:
‘common mercies are often unregarded, but this is a great fault, for the more common the mercy, the more valuable.’
It is very interesting to see that she comments on the work of Richard Lucas, one volume of which is subtitled ‘Religious Perfection’. The editor indicates that John Wesley may have read this at his mother’s suggestion. Her comments are notable for the memorable, and familiar-sounding, phrase:
‘No man is always wise, but some are never so.’
The extracts in this section show the comprehensiveness of her reading, including the famous philosopher, Blaise Pascal. Pascal himself is quoted by Susanna in words that seem very modern, reminding us of the popular allure of Instagram celebrities:
‘they are not satisfied with that life they possess in themselves in their own proper being, but are fond of leading an imaginary life in the idea of others, and it is hence they are so eager and forward of sharing themselves to the world.’
Susanna adds this important thought:
‘Every man [and woman] ought to be so far a lover of himself as to prefer the peace and tranquility of his own mind before that of others.’
Writing on love, for God (responding to John Norris’ writing and preparing the way for Tina Turner), she says :
‘Love is a simple act or motion of the soul whereby it is carried towards and presses to a union with the beloved object, which is always apprehended to be good… And this love to God must be predominant over all our love to any creature.’
She writes as a theologian, producing metaphysical taxonomies:
‘Man is a compound being, a strange mixture of spirit and matter; or rather, a creature wherein those opposite principles are united without mixture, yet each principle after an incomprehensible manner subject to the influences of the other.’
Encouragingly, she is a proper theologian, recognising human limitations:
‘For my part, after many years’ search and inquiry I still continue to pay my devotions to an unknown God. I cannot know him. I dare not say I love him — only this, I have chose him for my only happiness, my all, my only God, in a word, for my Lord.’
For those thinking of buying (only £9.99) or reading this book, put on your early 18th century head first in order to tune into the writing style of the day. This book works well as something to be dipped into. The special feature of this section is that many of the extracts are dialogues with her sons, John (mostly), and also Charles. It provides insight into their thoughts and challenges at particular times, as there are date references, but principally of the very informed and strong religious outlook of their mother.
