Wesley Corpus

That God hath erected a kingdom, united in and under him, for his glory, and men’s mutual happiness.” (Page 247.) “2. He will finally admit none into it who are not disposed to relish and promote the happiness of it.” (Page 247.) (Both these propositions I willingly allow.) “3. All wickedness is quite contrary to the nature and end of this kingdom; therefore no wicked men can be fit members of it, unless there be a full persuasion, that reverence, love, and obedience are due to God: ” (I add, and unless it be actually paid him; otherwise that persuasion but increases our condemn ation:) “Unless his favour is preferred before all other enjoy ments whatsoever; unless there be a delight in the worship of God, and in converse with him; unless every appetite be brought into subjection to reason; ” (add, and reason to the word of God;) “how can any man be fit to dwell with God, or to do him service in his kingdom?” (Page 248.) “4. It is one thing to be born into God’s creation, another to be born into his peculiar kingdom. In order to an admit tance into his peculiar kingdom, it is not enough for an intelli gent being to exist.” (Pages 250, 251.) I do not know that. Perhaps it is not possible for God to create an intelligent being, without creating it duly subject to himself, that is, a subject of his peculiar kingdom. It is highly probable, the holy angels were subjects of his peculiar kingdom from the first moment of theirexistence. Therefore, the following peremptory assertion, and all of the like kind, are wholly groundless: “It is absolutely necessary, before any creature can be a subject of this, that it learn to employ and exercise its powers suitably to the nature of them.” It is not necessary at all. In this sense, surely God “may do what He will with his own.” He may bestow his own blessings as he pleases. “Is thine eye evil, because he is good?” The premises them being gone, what becomes of the con clusion: “So that the being ‘born into God’s peculiar kingdom depends upon a right use and application of our life and being, and is the privilege only of those wise men whose spirits attain to a habit of true holiness?” This stands without any proof at all.