Wesley Corpus

How comes it then to be done now? I suppose, through the zeal of those who are so vehemently attached to their own opinions, that they would sacrifice all things to them; and who may sincerely believe, that the bringing any reproach upon me would be “doing God service.” 5. In this prefatory discourse, I do not intend to “answer Mr. Hervey’s book.” Shall my hand be upon that saint of God? No; let him rest in Abraham’s bosom. When my warfare is accomplished, may I rest with him till the resurrec tion of the just 1 Nor do I intend to say anything on those questions, whether Christ was the Mediator of the new cove nant, or one of the contracting parties, or both the Mediator and a contracting party; neither indeed on any point of Calvinism: Herein I think and let think. I do not design to contend about the phrase, imputed righteousness; nor yet about the sense of it. I cannot explain this more fully or clearly than it is done in the ensuing Tract. I purpose only to speak a little on the personal accusations which are brought against me; and I doubt not but I shall convince all impartial men that I am clear of the things laid to my charge. 6. The chief of these are twelve. I might reckon many more; but they are all reducible to one or other of these. Each of these accusations is frequently repeated, and in great variety of language. But I shall be easily excused for citing only a few out of numerous passages to the same effect. The First is, that I “assert things without proof.” This is undoubtedly true. In the Letter before us, I touch upon many things, without once attempting to prove them. For I designed only, (1.) To warn a friend, and give him matter for farther consideration. (2.) To guard others from slipping into mistakes. Therefore Mr. Hervey need not have said, “Never did I meet with a person who seemed so totally ignorant, that there is a wide difference between saying and proving.” (Page 236.) I am not ignorant of this; and so my friend would have found, had he favoured me with a private answer. It would then have lain upon me to prove what I had barely said before. 7.