Wesley Corpus

If it be so, were there no other reason than this, they ought to throw it away at once; else they no more regard St. Paul than they do you or me; for his rule is home to the point: “All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of amy.” Away with it then, however lawful, (that is, though it were wholesome as well as cheap,) if you are already brought “under the power of ” it. And the fewer they are who follow this rule, the greater reason there is that you should add one example more to those few. Though, blessed be God, they are not so few as you suppose. I have met with very many in London who use less of it than they had done for many years; and above an hundred who have plucked out the right eye and cast it from them, who wholly abstain from it. 21. You add, “But I am equally, yea, abundantly more, concerned to set an example in all Christian behaviour.” I grant it: This, therefore, “ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” 22. But “one day,” you add, “I saw your brother drink tea; which he said was for fear of giving offence.” I answer, First, Learn from hence to follow neither his nor my practice implicitly; but weigh the reason of each, and then follow reason, wheresoever it stands. But, Secondly, Examine your heart, and beware inclination does not put on the shape of reason. Thirdly, You see with your own eyes, I do not drink it at all, and yet I seldom give offence thereby. It is not then the bare abstaining, but the manner of doing it, which usually gives the offence. Fourthly, There is therefore a manner wherein you may do it too, and yet give no more offence than I. For instance: If any ask you, simply reply, “I do not drink tea; I never use it.” If they say, “Why, you did drink it;” answer, “I did so; but I have left it off a considerable time.” Those who have either good-nature or good manners will say no more.