Wesley Corpus

If this work be of man, it will come to nought. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it.” And why should you “be found even to fight against God?” If a man fight with God, shall he prevail? “Canst thou thunder with a voice like him?” Make haste! Fall down Humble thyself before him, lest he put forth his hand, and thou perish ! 12. How long will you fight under the banner of the great enemy of God and man? You are now in his service; you are “taking part with the devil” against God. Even supposing there were no other proof, this would undeniably appear from the goodly company annong whom you are enlisted, and who war one and the same warfare. I have heard some affirm, that the most bitter enemies to the present work of God were Pharisees. They meant, men who had the form of godliness, but denied the power of it. But I cannot say so. The sharpest adversaries thereof whom I have hitherto known (unless one might except a few honourable men whom I may be excused from naming) were the scum of Cornwall, the rabble of Bilston and Darlaston, the wild beasts of Walsal, and the turnkeys of Newgate. 13. Might not the sight of these troops show any reasonable man to what General they belonged; as well as the weapons they never fail to use?--the most horrid oaths and execrations, and lawless violence, carrying away as a flood whatsoever it is which stands before it; having no eyes, nor ears, no regard to the loudest cries of reason, justice, or humanity. Can you join heart or hands with these any longer? with such an infamous, scandalous rabble-rout, roaring and raging as if they were just broke loose, with their captain Apollyon, from the bottomless pit? Does it not rather concern you, and that in the highest degree, as well as every friend to his King and country, every lover of peace, justice, and mercy, immediately to join and stop any such godless crew, as they would join to stop a fire just beginning to spread, or an inundation of the sea? 14. If, on the contrary, you join with that godless crew, and streng'hen their hands in their wickedness, must not you, in all reason, be accounted (like them) a public enemy of mankind?