Wesley Corpus

I add a few words more: Two or three years ago, by means of incendiary papers, spread throughout the nation, the minds of the people were inflamed to an amazing degree; but the greater part of the flame is now gone out. The natural tendency, or rather the avowed design, of this pamphlet, is, to kindle it again; if it be possible, to blow up into a flame the sparks that yet remain; to make the minds of His Majesty’s subjects, both at home and abroad, evil affected toward his Government; discontented in the midst of plenty, out of humour with God and man; to persuade them, in spite of all sense and reason, that they are absolute slaves, while they are actually possessed of the greatest civil and religious liberty that the condition of human life allows. Let all who are real lovers of their country use every lawful means to put out, or, at least, prevent the increase of, that flame which, otherwise, may consume our people and nation. Let us earnestly exhort all our countrymen to improve the innumerable blessings they enjoy; in particular, that invalu able blessing of liberty, civil as well as religious, which we now enjoy in a far more ample measure than any of our forefathers did. Let us labour to improve our religious liberty, by practising pure religion and undefiled; by worshipping God in spirit and in truth; and taking his “word for a lantern to our feet, and a light in all our paths.” Let us improve our civil liberty, the full freedom we enjoy, both as to our lives, goods, and persons, by devoting all we have, and all we are, to his honourable service. Then may we hope that he will continue to us all these blessings, with the crown of all, a thankful heart. Then shall we say, in all the changing scenes of life, - “Father, how wide thy glories shine, Lord of the universe and mine ! Thy goodness watches o'er the whole, As all the world were but one soul ; Yet counts my every sacred hair, As I remain'd thy single care !” WITH AN OCCASIONAL World INTERS PERSEld To Those of A. He beheld the city, and wept over it.-Luke xix. 41. Let your moderation be known unto all men.-Philip. iv. 5.