Wesley Corpus

I apprehend I am then laying the true, the only foundation for all those duties, when I preach, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself.” 2. With this letter was sent (I believe to every Clergyman in the diocese) the pamphlet, entitled, “Observations on the Con duct and Behaviour of a certain Sect, usually distinguished by the name of Methodists.” It has been generally supposed to be wrote by a person who is every way my superior. Perhaps one reason why he did not inscribe his name was, that his greatness might not make me afraid; and that I might have liberty to stand as it were on even ground, while I answer for myself. In considering, therefore, such parts of these “Observations” as fall in my way, I will take that method which I believe the author desires, using no ceremony at all; but speaking as to an equal, that it may the more easily be discerned where the truth lies. The first query relating to doctrine is this:-- “Whether motions in religion may not be heightened to such extremes, as to lead some into a disregard of religion itself, through despair of attaining such exalted heights: And whe ther others who have imbibed those notions may not be led by them into a disregard and disesteem of the common duties and offices of life; to such a degree, at least, as is inconsistent with that attention to them, and that diligence in them, which Provi dence has made necessary to the well-being of private families and public societies, and which Christianity does not only require in all stations, and in all conditions, but declares at the same time, that the performance even of the lowest offices in life, as unto God, (whose providence has placed people in their several stations,) is truly a serving of Christ, and will not fail of its reward in the next world.” You have interwoven so many particulars in this general question, that I must divide and answer them one by one. Query 1. Whether notions in religion may not be heightened to such extremes, as to lead some into a disregard of religion itself. Answer. They may. But that I have so heightened them, it lies upon you to prove. Q. 2.