Wesley Corpus

12. "No," says a great man, "this is the error of errors: I hate it from my heart. I pursue it through all the world with fire and sword." Nay, why so vehement Do you seriously think there is no error under heaven equal to this Here is something which I cannot understand. Why are those that oppose salvation from sin (few excepted) so eager, -- I had almost said, furious Are you fighting pro aris et focis "for God and your country" for all you have in the world for all that is near and dear unto you for your liberty, your life In God's name, why are you so fond of sin What good has it ever done you what good is it ever likely to do you, either in this world or in the world to come And why are you so violent against those that hope for deliverance from it Have patience with us, if we are in an error; yea, suffer us to enjoy our error. If we should not attain it, the very expectation of this deliverance gives us present comfort; yea, and ministers strength to resist those enemies which we expect to conquer. If you could persuade us to despair of that victory, we should give over the contest Now "we are saved by hope:" From this very hope a degree of salvation springs. Be not angry at those who are felices errore suo, "happy in their mistake." Else, be their opinion right or wrong, your temper is undeniably sinful. Bear then with us, as we do with you; and see whether the Lord will not deliver us! whether he is not able, yea, and willing "to save them to the uttermost that come unto God through him." [Tunbridge Wells, Dec. 6, 1784]