Wesley Corpus

12. But is it possible that a person of your Lordship's cha racter should countenance such a performance as this? It cannot be your Lordship's desire to pour contempt on all that is truly venerable among men to stab Christianity to the heart, under a colour of opposing enthusiasm; and to increase and give a sanction to the profaneness which already overspreads our land as a flood. 13. Were the Methodists ever so bad, yet are they not too despicable and inconsiderable for your Lordship's notice? “Against whom is the King of Israel come out? against a flea? against a partridge upon the mountains?” Such they undoubt edly are, if that representation of them bejust which the Comparer has given. Against whom (if your Lordship espouses his cause) are you stirring up the supreme power of the nation? Against whom does your Lordship arm the Ministers of all denomina tions, particularly our brethren of the Established Church? inciting them to paint us out to their several congregations as not fit to live upon the earth. The effects of this have already appeared in many parts both of Devonshire and Cornwall. Nor have I known any considerable riot in any part of England, for which such preaching did not pave the way. 14. I beg leave to ask, would it be a satisfaction to your Lordship if national persecution were to return? Does your Lordship desire to revive the old laws, de haeretico combu rendo?" Would your Lordship rejoice to see the Methodists themselves tied to so many stakes in Smithfield? Or would you applaud the execution, though not so legally or decently performed by the mob of Exeter, Plymouth-Dock, or Laun ceston? My Lord, what profit would there be in our blood? Would it be an addition to your Lordship’s happiness, or any advantage to the Protestant cause, or any honour either to our Church or nation ? 15. The Comparer, doubtless, would answer, “Yes; for it would prevent the horrid consequences of your preaching.” My Lord, give me leave to say once more, I willingly put the whole causeupon this issue. What are the general consequences of our preaching? Are there more tares or wheat? more good men destroyed, (as Mr. Church once supposed,) or wicked men saved?