Wesley Corpus

that he, and all which are in authority under him, may duly administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and the maintenance of true religion and virtue? And is it not our part carefully to abstain from speaking evil of the ruler of our people; and to study to “lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty?” Hitherto I have addressed myself to my countrymen in general. But I would add a word to you in particular, who bear a religious character; whether you are members of the established Church, or Dissenters of any denomination. One might reasonably expect, that all of you would be cheerfully “subject to the higher powers;” seeing you are agreed “there is no power,” whether supreme or subordinate, “but of God.” Nay, one would expect that you would be continually reminding all you had any intercourse with, that they “must needs be subject, not” only “for wrath, but” also “for conscience’ sake.” How is it, then, that any of you espouse the cause of those that are in open rebellion against their lawful Sovereign that, if you do not plead expressly for them, you at least extenuate their crime; perhaps even scruple to call them rebels, and speak of them with tenderness, rather than resentment? How is it that any of you who fear God “are not afraid to speak evil of dignities?” to “speak evil of the ruler of your people,” as well as of those that are put in authority under him? Do you believe that “Michael the archangel durst not bring a railing accusation against Satan?” And dare you bring or retail an hundred railing accusations against your lawful Governors? Now, at least, humble yourselves before God, and act more suitably to your character. Wherever you are, far from countenancing, repress the base clamours of the vulgar; remembering those awful words: “If any man among you. seemeth to be religious,” (rather, be ever so religious,) “and bridleth not his tongue, that man’s religion is vain.” Are not you who dissent from the established Church, in whatever kind or degree, particularly concerned to observe this “for wrath” as well as “for conscience sake?” Do you imagine, there are no High Churchmen left? Did they all die with Dr. Sacheverel?