Wesley Corpus

4. But if this be the rule by which Christians walk, which is the land where Christians live A few you may possibly find scattered up and down, who make a conscience of observing it. But how very few! How thinly scattered upon the face of the earth! And where is there any body of men that universally walk thereby Can we find them in Europe Or, to go no farther, in Great Britain or Ireland I fear not: I fear we may search these kingdoms throughout, and yet search in vain. Alas for the Christian world! Alas for Protestants, for Reformed Christians! O, "who will rise up with me against the wicked" "Who will take God's part" against the evil-speakers Art thou the man By the grace of God, wilt thou be one who art not carried away by the torrent Art thou fully determined, God being thy helper, from this very hour to set a watch, a continual "watch, before thy mouth, and keep the door of thy lips" From this hour wilt thou walk by this rule, "Speaking evil of no man" If thou seest thy brother do evil, wilt thou "tell him of his fault between thee and him alone" Afterwards, "take one or two witnesses," and then only "tell it to the church" If this be the full purpose of thy heart, then learn one lesson well, "Hear evil of no man." If there were no hearers, there would be no speakers, of evil. And is not (according to the vulgar proverb) the receiver as bad as the thief If, then, any begin to speak evil in thy hearing, check him immediately. Refuse to hear the voice of the charmer, charm he never so sweetly; let him use ever so soft a manner, so mild an accent, ever so many professions of goodwill for him whom he is stabbing in the dark, whom he smiteth under the fifth rib! Resolutely refuse to hear, though the whisperer complain of being "burdened till he speak." Burdened! thou fool! dost thou travail with thy cursed secret, as a woman travaileth with child Go, then, and be delivered of thy burden in the way the Lord hath ordained!