Wesley Corpus

Nor do we designedly “prejudice their people against them.” In this also our heart condemneth us not. But you “seduce their flocks from them.” No, not even from those who feed themselves, not the flock. All who hear us, attend the service of the Church, at least as much as they did before. And for this very thing are we reproached as bigots to the Church by those of most other denominations. Give me leave, my Lord, to say, you have mistook and mis represented this whole affair from the top to the bottom. And I am the more concerned to take notice of this, because so many have fallen into the same mistake. It is indeed, and has been from the beginning, the Tpotov Wrevôos, “the capital blunder,” of our bitterest adversaries; though how they can advance it, I see not, without “loving,” if not “making, a lie.” It is not our care, endeavour, or desire, to proselyte any from one man to another; or from one Church, (so called,) from one congre gation or society, to another; (we would not move a finger to do this, to make ten thousand such proselytes;) but from darkness to light, from Belial to Christ, from the power of Satan to God. Our one aim is, to proselyte sinners to repent ance; the servants of the devil, to serve the living and true God. If this be not done, in fact, we will stand condemned: not as well-meaning fools, but as devils incarnate. But if it be, if the instances glare in the face of the sun, if they increase daily, maugre all the power of earth and hell; then, my Lord, neither you nor any man beside (let me use great plainness of speech) can “oppose” and “fortify people against us,” with out being found even “to fight against God.” 20. I would fain set this point in a clearer light. Here are, in and near Moorfields, ten thousand poor souls for whom Christ died, rushing headlong into hell. Is Dr. Bulkely, the parochial Minister, both willing and able to stop them? If so, let it be done, and I have no place in these parts. I go and call other sinners to repentance.