Wesley Corpus

What has been, you know, may be again. And as the great Governor of the world has often permitted, particularly upon his own people, a judicial blindness, hardness of heart, and an amazing infatuation, which terminated in their ruin; so it is not improbable but the great and spreading defection and intemperate zeal on the one hand, and the deter mined purpose of maintaining the authority and dignity of Government by fire and sword on the other, is more judicial than we are aware of And that this is the case, I fear, is more than probable. It has been so in this kingdom, as well as the kingdom of Israel, in the matter of David and his son Absalom; and it will be so while iniquity beareth rule. If this be so, take heed what you do. Do nothing hastily or rashly. But, rather, before you touch this awfully delicate subject, and enter the lists, examine and weigh well the thoughts of your heart, and the springs of motion. And with David pray, “Search me, O God, and prove the ground of my heart,” &c. Beg to be directed. If you cannot act from a full persuasion that this is required at your hands, and if you cannot see the divine cloud go before you, desist in time. “Let the dead bury their dead;” but let not those who were designed to save the earth destroy it. Let not Christians engage in the controversy in the spirit and temper of the world, and bite and devour one another, lest they should be consumed with the world. But rather let them wish, with an eminent Prophet, (an admirable way of showing our love to our country, and doing it the most effectual service 1) “O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” and with Christ himself, the Inspirer of the Prophets, “when he beheld the rebellious “city, weep over it!” But, it may be, you are of a different complexion.