Wesley Corpus

Certainly we cannot expect to find more goodness among them. But let us make a fair and impartial inquiry; and that not among wild and barbarous nations, but the most civilized and refined. What then were the ancient Romans? the people whose virtue is so highly extolled, and so warmly commended to our imitation? We have their character given by one who cannot deceive or be deceived,--the unerring Spirit of God. And what account does he give of these best of men, these heroes of antiquity? “When they knew God,” says he, at least as to his eternity and power, (both implied in that appel lation, which occurs more than once in their own poet, Pater omnipotens, “Almighty Father,”) “they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful.” (Rom. i. 21, &c.) So far from it that one of their oracles of wisdom (though once he stumbled on that great truth, Nemo unquam vir magnus sine afflatu divino fuit,-‘‘There never was any great man without the afflatus or inspiration of God;” yet, almost in the same breath) does not scruple to ask, Quis pro virtute aut sapientiá gratias diis dedit unquam ” “Who ever thanked God for virtue or wisdom?” No, why should he? since these are “his own aequisition, the pure result of his own industry.” Accordingly, another virtuous Roman has left it on record, as an unques tioned maxim, Haec satis est orare Jovem, quae donat et aufert: Det vitam, det opes; aquum mí animum ipse parabo. “Enough for common benefits to pray, Which Jove can either give or take away: Long life or wealth his bounty may bestow; Wisdom and virtue to myself I owe.” So “vain” were they become “in their imaginations!” So were their “foolish hearts darkened !” (Rom. i. 21, &c.) 13. But this was only the first step: They did not stop here.