Wesley Corpus

Sacheverel? Alas, how little do you know of mankind I Were the present restraint taken off, you would see them swarming on every side, and gnashing upon you with their teeth. There would hardly need a nod from that sacred person whom you revile, or at least lightly esteem. Were he to stand neuter, in what a condition would you be within one twelve months If other Bonners and Gardiners did not arise, other Lauds and Sheldons would, who would either rule over you with a rod of iron, or drive you out of the land. Know the blessings you enjoy. Let common sense restrain you, if neither religion nor gratitude can. “Beware of the wrath of a patient man.” Dare not again to open your lips against your Sovereign:--Lest he fall upon you? No; but lest he cease to defend you. Then farewell to the liberty you now enjoy. Permit me to add a few more words to you, a small part of whom dissent from, but the far greater part remain in, the Church; you who are vulgarly called Methodists. Do any of you blaspheme God or the King? None of you, I trust, who are in connexion with me. I would no more continue in fellowship with those who continued in such a practice, than with whoremongers, or sabbath-breakers, or thieves, or drunk ards, or common swearers. But there are not a few who go under that name, though they have no connexion with us; yea, though they cordially hate us as dreadful heretics, for believing that “God willeth all men to be saved;” who hate the King and all his Ministers only less than they do an Arminian; and who speak all manner of evil of them in private, if not in public too.” But suffer me to ask, Is this well done? Is it gratitude 7 Is it prudence? In the name of wonder, what could His Majesty have done for you which he has not done? What would you have? Can you tell? What can you desire more than you have already? Have you not full liberty of conscience in every respect, without any shadow of restraint? In what other nation under the sun is such religious liberty to be found? Have you not full liberty, with regard to your life, to your person, and to your goods?