How Far Is It the Duty of a Christian Minister to Preach Politics? Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 11 (Zondervan) 1. It is impossible to answer this question before it is understood. We must, First, therefore endeavour to under stand it; and then it will be easy to answer. 2. There is a plain command in the Bible, "Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." But notwith standing this, many that are called religious people speak evil of him continually. And they speak many things that are palpably false; particularly when they affirm him to be a MINISTER TO PREACII Politics? 155 weak man; whereas a Nobleman, who is not at all prejudiced in his favour, when he was pressed to speak, made this honest declaration: "Sir, I know him well; and I judge the King to be one of the most sensible men in Europe. His Ministers are no fools; but His Majesty is able to wind them all round his finger." 3. Now, when a Clergyman comes into a place where this and many more stories, equally false, have been diligently propagated against the King, and are generally believed, if he guards the people against this evil-speaking, by refuting those slanders, many cry out, "O, he is preaching politics!" 4. If you mean this by the term, it is the bounden duty of every Christian Minister to preach politics. It is our bounden duty to refute these vile aspersions, in public as well as in private. But this can be done only now and then, when it comes naturally in our way. For it is our main and constant business to "preach Jesus Christ, and him crucified." 5. Again: Many who do not so freely censure the King, speak all manner of evil of his Ministers. If any misfortune befals us at home or abroad, by sea or land, it is "all their fault." If one commander in America is surprised with all his forces when he is dead drunk, "Lord North deserves to be hanged." If General Burgoyne or Lord Cornwallis is betrayed into their enemy's hand, all the blame is laid on our Ministers at home. But still the King is wounded through their sides; the blame glances from them to him.

But still the King is wounded through their sides; the blame glances from them to him. Yet if we say a word in defence of them, (which is in effect defending him,) this also is preaching politics. 6. It is always difficult and frequently impossible for private men to judge of the measures taken by men in public offices. We do not see many of the grounds which determine them to act in this or the contrary manner. Generally, therefore, it behoves us to be silent, as we may suppose they know their own business best; but when they are censured without any colour of reason, and when an odium is cast on the King by that means, we ought to preach politics in this sense also; we ought publicly to confute those unjust censures: Only remem bering still, that this is rarely to be done, and only when fit occasion offers; it being our main business to preach "repent ance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." LEw Isua M, January 9, 1782. 1. SoME years ago an ingenious man published a treatise with this title. According to him, the characteristics of the English at present are sloth and luxury. And thus much we may allow, that neither the one nor the other ever abounded in England as they do at this day. With regard to sloth, it was the constant custom of our ancestors to rise at four in the morning. This was the stated hour, summer and winter, for all that werc in health. The two Houses of Parliament met "at five;" hord quintá antemeridianá, says their Journal. But how is it with people of fashion now? They can hardly huddle on their clothes before eight or nine o'clock in the morning; perhaps some of them not before twelve. And when they are risen, what do they do? They waste away In gentle inactivity the day. How many are so far from working with their hands, that they can scarce set a foot to the ground ! How many, even young, healthy men, are too lazy either to walk or ride : They must loll in their carriages day by day; and these can scarce be made easy enough ! And must not the minor Gentry have their coaches too? Yea, if they only ride on the outside.

Yea, if they only ride on the outside. See here the grand cause (together with intem perance) of our innumerable nervous complaints For how imperfectly do either medicines or the cold bath supply the place of exercise ! without which the human body can no