Wesley Corpus

“Righteousness” alone “exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.” And this ever will be the case, till the end of all things. So much in general is certain; but wherein we have well-nigh filled up “the measure of our iniquity,” and may therefore expect their fate, is another point. But it is certain that iniquity of every kind, and amongst all ranks and orders of men, has and does abound; and as we are punished with the sword, it is not improbable but one principal sin of our nation is, the blood that we have shed in Asia, Africa, and America. Here I would beg your serious attention, while I observe, that however extensively pursued, and of long continuance, the African trade may be, it is nevertheless iniquitous from first to last. It is the price of blood It is a trade of blood, and has stained our land with blood | And is the East-India trader a jot better? I fear not. They seem very nearly allied. For though here is no leading into * - captivity, as in the former; yet the refined iniquity practised there, of fomenting war amongst the natives, and seizing the chief of the plunder, has been as conspicuous to the serious and attentive. What millions have fallen by these means, as well as by artificial famine! O earth, cover not thou their blood! It will speak to heaven and to the inhabitants of the earth to the latest posterity. O ye Governors of this great nation, would to God that ye had seen this, and timely done your utmost to separate those tares from the wheat of fair and honest trade What peace therefore can we expect, while these evils continue? “There can be no peace, saith the Lord.” While “the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground,” “what hast thou to do with peace?” “Shall I not visit for these things? Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?” Yes, my brethren, we have much reason to fear and tremble, as upon the brink of fate. But there is (if aught can be worse) a sorer evil, namely, an astonishing contempt and neglect of truly sacred things; especially the solemn worship of Almighty God: And herein our Nobility and Gentry almost universally distinguish them selves.