Wesley Corpus

What would a million do, if they ran away as soon as the English appeared? Whatever they do, they will not fight. I believe they cannot; for the hand of God is upon them. But they can rob, and plunder, and destroy, and turn a well-peopled and fruitful land into a wilderness. They can burn houses, and drive men, women, and children into the wild woods, in the depth of winter. Yea, they can burn whole towns, with out any regard for the sick or aged, that necessarily perished in the flame. But did not God regard them? Did not their dying cries enter into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth ? 18. Such is the present state of affairs in America. Let us now take a view of the whole: Twelve provinces, upon various pretences, (all which have been confuted over and over,) have declared themselves independent states, openly renounced their allegiance to their lawful Sovereign, taken up arms against him, and prosecuted the war in an unheard-of manner. At first prosperity seemed to attend them in all their undertakings. But since we sought help from God, there has been a manifest blast upon them. Their armies are scattered; their forts and strongholds lost; their provinces taken one after another. Meantime, are they humbled? No; they roar like a wild bull in a net. They tear up the ground with fierceness and rage; repentance is hid from their eyes. They revenge themselves--upon women and children; they burn-all behind them / O American virtue ! Are these the men who are proposed as a pattern to all Europe? 19. Brethren | Countrymen | What are the reflections that now naturally arise in your breasts? Do you not immediately observe, that after this huge outcry for liberty, which has echoed through America, there is not the very shadow of liberty left in the confederate provinces? There is no liberty of the press. A man may more safely print against the Church in Italy or Spain, than publish a tittle against the Congress in New-England or Pennsylvania. There is no religious liberty. What Minister is permitted to follow his own conscience in the execution of his office?