Wesley Corpus

He gladly drinks in the soothing sound, and sleeps on and takes his rest. We beseech those who are mad after earthly things, to take knowledge of the dreadful state they are in ; to return to their Father, and beg of him “the spirit of love and of asound mind.” You tell them, they are of a “sound mind” already. They believe, and turn to their husks again. Jesus comes to “seek and save that which is lost.” You tell the men of form, (though as dead to God as a stone,). that they are not lost; that (inasmuch as they are free from * The more inward things of the kingdom of God.--EDIT. + What! art thou one of them too ! Thou, my son?--EDIT. gross sins,) they are in a good way, and will undoubtedly be saved. So they live and die, without the knowledge, love, or image of God; and die eternally ! “They will be saved.” But are they saved already? We know all real Christians are. If they are, if these are possessed of the present salvation which the Scripture speaks of, what is that salvation? How poor, dry, dull, shallow, superficial a thing ! Wherein does it excel what the wiser Heathens taught, nay, and perhaps experienced? What poor pitiable creatures are those Christians, so called, who have advanced no higher than this! You see enough of these on every side; perhaps even in your own congregation. What knowledge have they of the things of God? what love to God, or to Christ? what heavenly mindedness? how much of “the mind which was in Christ Jesus?” How little have they profited by all your instructions ! How few are wiser and better than when you knew them first ! O take knowledge of the reason why they are not? That doctrine will not “make them wise unto salva tion.” All it can possibly do, is to shake off the leaves. It does not affect the branches of sin. Unholy tempers are just as they were. Much less does it strike at the root: Pride, self-will, unbelief, heart-idolatry, remain undisturbed and unsuspected. I am grieved for the people who are thus seeking death in the error of their life. I am grieved for you, who surely desire to teach them the way of God in truth.