Wesley Corpus

for, who will now “suffer the word of exhortation ?” How few will “endure sound doctrine,” and the honest, close applica tion of it! Do they not “say unto the Seers, See not; and unto the Prophets, Prophesy smooth things?” And if a man will do thus, if he will “sew pillows to all arm-holes,” and “cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before them, if he will prophesy of wine and strong drink, he shall even be the Prophet of this people.” 31. I am sensible how nice a subject this is, and how extremely difficult it is so to speak, as neither to say too little nor too much, neither more nor less than the cause of God requires. I know also, that it is absolutely impossible so to speak as not to give offence. But whosoever is offended, I dare not to be silent; neither may I refrain from plainness of speech; only I will endeavour to use all the tenderness I can consistently with that plainness. In tender love then I ask, Are there none among us, (I speak to you, my brethren, who are Priests and Prophets of the Lord, set apart to “minister in holy things, and to declare the word of the Lord,”)--Are there none among us who commit lewdness, as did those by whom “Israel was defiled ?” Hath not the Lord seen an horrible thing in some of the Prophets of this land also, even, that “they commit adultery, and” (to conceal it) “walk in lies!” God forbid that I should affirm this! I only propose (not maintain) the question.