Wesley Corpus

29. Has the case been altered since the Reformation Does "the mystery of iniquity" no longer work in the Church No: The Reformation itself has not extended to above one third of the Western Church: so that two thirds of this remain as they were; so do the Eastern, Southern, and Northern Churches. They are as full of heathenish, or worse than heathenish, abominations, as ever they were before. And what is the condition of the Reformed Churches It is certain that they were reformed in their opinions, as well as their modes of worship. But is not this all Were either their tempers or lives reformed Not at all. Indeed many of the Reformers themselves complained, that "the Reformation was not carried far enough." But what did they mean Why, that they did not sufficiently reform the rites and ceremonies of the Church. Ye fools and blind! to fix your whole attention on the circumstantials of religion! Your complaint ought to have been, the essentials of religion were not carried far enough! You ought vehemently to have insisted on an entire change of men's tempers and lives; on their showing they had "the mind that was in Christ," by "walking as he also walked." Without this, how exquisitely trifling was the reformation of opinions and rites and ceremonies! Now, let any one survey the state of Christianity in the Reformed parts of Switzerland; in Germany, or France; in Sweden, Denmark, Holland; in Great Britain and Ireland. How little are any of these Reformed Christians better than heathen nations! Have they more, (I will not say, communion with God, although there is no Christianity without it,) but have they more justice, mercy, or truth, than the inhabitants of China, or Indostan O no! we must acknowledge with sorrow and shame, that we are far beneath them! That we, who by thy Name are named, The heathens unbaptized out-sin!