Wesley Corpus

But possibly we may see it sooner than we desire. We may see it, not as Milton speaks,-- From its horrid hair Shake pestilence and war; but ushering in far other calamities than these, and of more extensive influence. Probably it will be seen first drawing nearer and nearer, till it appears as another moon in magni tude, though not in colour, being of a deep fiery red; then scorching and burning up all the produce of the earth, driving away all clouds, and so cutting off the hope or possibility of any rain or dew; drying up every fountain, stream, and river, causing all faces to gather blackness, and all men’s hearts to fail; then executing its grand commission on the globe itself, and causing the stars to fall from heaven." O, who may abide when this is done? Who will then be able to stand? Quo mare, quo tellus, correptaque regia caeli Ardeat; et mundi moles operosa laboret 3+ What shall we do? do now, that none of these things may come upon us unawares? We are wisely and diligently • What security is there against all this, upon the infidel hypothesis ? But upon the Christian, there is abundant security : For the Scripture prophecies arc not yet fulfilled. + This quotation from Ovid is thus translated by Drydcn : “When all his blazing worlds above shall burn, And all the inferior globc to cinders turn ?"-En IT. providing for our defence against one enemy; with such a watchful wisdom and active diligence, as is a comfort to every honest Englishman. But why should we not show the same wisdom and diligence in providing against all our enemies? And if our wisdom and strength be sufficient to defend us, let us not seek any further. Let us without delay recruit our forces, and guard our coasts against the famine, and murrain, and pestilence; and still more carefully against immoderate rains, and winds, and lightnings, and earthquakes, and comets; that we may no longer be under any painful appre hensions of any present or future danger, but may smile, Secure, amidst the jar of elements, The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds ! But if our own wisdom and strength be not sufficient to defend us, let us not be ashamed to seek farther help.