Wesley Corpus

On that supposition I quite agree with the epi grammatist : Virgilii in tumulo, divini premia valis, Erplicat en viridem laurea laeta comam. Qnid te defunctum juvat haec * Felicior olim Sub patulae faqi tegmine vivus eras." 20. Your last charge is, that “I profess myself to be a member of the established Church, and yet act contrary to the commands of my spiritual governors, and stab the Church to the very vitals.” (Page 27.) I answer, (1.) What “spi ritual governor ” has commanded me not to preach in any part of His Majesty’s dominions? I know not one, to this very day, either in England or Ireland. (2) What is it, to “stab the Church to the very vitals?” Why, to deny her fundamental doctrines. And do I, or you, do this? Let any one who has read her Liturgy, Articles, and Homilies, judge, which of us two denies, that “we are justified by faith alone;” that every believer has “the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit; ” that all who are strong in faith do “perfectly love him, and worthily magnify his holy name: ” He that denies this, is “the treacherous son who stabs this affection ate and tender mother.” If you deny it, you have already disowned the Church. But as for me, I neither can nor will; though I know you sincerely desire I should. Hoc Ithacus velit et magno mercentur Alride.} But I choose to stay in the Church, were it only to reprove those who “betray” her “with a kiss.” * See the green laurel rears her graceful head O'er Virgil's tomb! But can this cheer the dead? Happier by far thou wast of old, when laid Beneath thy spreading beech's ample shade 1 + This quotation from the Eneid of Virgil is thus translated by Beresford: *- This Ithacus desires, And Atreus' sons with vast rewards shall buy.”-EDIT. 21. I come now to your defence of the Corporation and Clergy. But sure such a defence was never seen before. For whereas I had said, “I dislike the condemning the Magis trates or Clergy in general, because several of them ” (so I charitably supposed) “were not concerned in the late pro ceedings;” you answer, “Pray by all means point them out, that they may be distinguished by some mark of honour above their brethren.” (Pages 29, 30.) What do you mean?