Wesley Corpus

8. To bring the matter closer still. Is not scriptural Christianity preached and generally known among the people commonly called Methodists Impartial persons allow it is. And have they not Christian discipline too, in all the essential branches of it, regularly and constantly exercised Let those who think any essential part of it is wanting, point it out, and it shall not be wanting long. Why then are not these altogether Christians, who have both Christian doctrine and Christian discipline Why is not the spiritual health of the people called Methodists recovered Why is not all that "mind in us which was also in Christ Jesus" Why have we not learned of him our very first lesson, to be meek and lowly of heart to say with him, in all circumstances of life, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt I come not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me." Why are not we "crucified to the world, and the world crucified to us;" -- dead to the "desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride of life" Why do not all of us live "the life that is hid with Christ in God" O why do not we, that have all possible helps, "walk as Christ also walked" Hath he not left us an example that we might tread in his steps But do we regard either his example or precept To instance only in one point: Who regards those solemn words, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth" Of the three rules which are laid down on this head, in the sermon on "The Mammon of Unrighteousness," you may find many that observe the First rule, namely, "Gain all you can." You may find a few that observe the Second, "Save all you can:"' But how many have you found that observe the Third rule, "Give all you can" Have you reason to believe, that five hundred of these are to be found among fifty thousand Methodists And yet nothing can be more plain, than that all who observe the two first rules without the third, will be twofold more the children of hell than ever they were before.