Wesley Corpus

Only a little flock in any civilized mation will observe them, till the knowledge of God covers the earth. (3.) If those who do observe them, employ the money they thus save in the most excellent manner, then a part of what before only served to fat a few rich tradesmen for hell, will suffice to feed and clothe and employ many poor that seek the kingdom of heaven. (4.) “And how will those tradesmen themselves live?” They will live like men, by honest labour; most of whom before lived like swine, wallow ing in all gluttony and sensuality. But, (5.) This is all mere trifling. It is only a copy of your countenance; for it is not this, it is not a regard to trade, or the good of the nation, that makes you disobey God. No ; it is pride, vanity, or some other sinful temper, which is the real cause of these sinful actions. 6. “But we cannot carry on our own trade without dressing like other people.” If you mean only conforming to those customs of your country that are neither gay nor costly, why should you not dress like other people? I really think you should. Let an Englishman dress like other Englishmen, not like a Turk or a Tartar. Let an English woman dress like other English women, not like a French woman, or a German. But if you mean conformity to them in what God has forbidden, the answer is ready at hand : If 474 ADVICE TO METHOD1sts, you cannot carry on your trade without breaking God's com mand, you must not carry it on. But I doubt the fact; I know no trade which may not be carried on by one who uses plain and modest apparel. I fear, therefore, this too is but a copy of your countenance; you love these things, and therefore think them necessary. Your heart carries away your judg ment; if you were not fond of them, you would never dream of their necessity.- 7. In one single case these things may be necessary, that is, unavoidable; namely, that of women who are under the yoke of self-willed, unreasonable husbands or parcnts. Such may be constrained to do, in some degree, what otherwise they would not.