Wesley Corpus

A means of promoting both our holiness and happiness? Would it not remove much guilt from those who have been faulty in any of these instances? and much pain from those who have kept themselves pure? Would it not be far better for the people, who suffer severely from the clashings and contentions of their leaders, which seldom fail to occasion many unprofitable, yea, hurtful, disputes among them? Would it not be better even for the poor, blind world, robbing them of their sport, ‘O they cannot agree among themselves!’ Would it not be better for the whole work of God, which would then deepen and widen on every side? “‘But it will never be; it is utterly impossible. Certainly it is with men. Who imagines we can do this? that it can be effected by any human power? All nature is against it, every infirmity, every wrong temper and passion; love of honour and praise, of power, of pre-eminence; anger, resentment, pride; long contracted habit, and prejudice lurking in ten thousand forms. The devil and all his angels are against it. For if this takes place, how shall his kingdom stand? All the world, all that know not God, are against it, though they may seem to favour it for a season. Let us settle this in our hearts, that we may be utterly cut off from all dependence on our own strength or wisdom. “But surely “with God all things are possible;’ therefore * all things are possible to him that believeth;’ and this union is proposed only to them that believe, that show their faith by their works. “When Mr. C. was objecting the impossibility of ever effecting such a union, I went up stairs, and after a little prayer opened Kempis on these words:--Expecta Dominum : Viriliter age : Noli diffidere: Noli discedere; sed corpus et animam expone constanter pro glorid Dei.” I am, dear Sir, “Your affectionate servant, “Scarborough, April 19, 1764.” * Wait for the Lord. Quit thyself like a man. Yield not to distrust. Be unwilling to depart; but constantly expose body and soul for the glory of God.-EDIT. 172 REv. J. wesLEY’s [April, 1764.