Wesley Corpus

While we have time, let us do good unto all men; espe cially unto them that are of the household of faith. Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them.” These are my favourite tenets, and have been for many years. O that I could instil them into every soul throughout the land! Ought they not to be instilled with such diligence and zeal, as if the whole of Christianity depended upon them? For who can deny, that all efforts toward a Christian life, without more than a bare belief, without a thorough experience and practice of these, are utterly vain and ineffectual? 8. Part of your Ninth query is to the same effect:-- “A few young heads set up their own schemes as the great standard of Christianity; and indulge their own notions to such a degree, as to perplex, unhinge, terrify, and distract the minds of multitudes of people, who have lived from their infancy under a gospel ministry, and in the regular exercise of a gospel wor ship. And all this, by persuading them that they neither are anor can be true Christians, but by adhering to their doctrines.” What do you mean by their own schemes, their own notions, their doctrines? Are they not yours too? Are they not the schemes, the notisms, the doctrines of Jesus Christ; the great fundamental truths of his gospel? Can you deny one of them without denying the Bible? It is hard for you to kick against the pricks! “They persuade,” you say, “multitudes of people, that. they cannot be true Christians but by adhering to their doc trines.” Why, who says they can? Whosoever he be, I will prove him to be an infidel. Do you say that any man can be a true Christian without loving God and his neighbour? Surely you have not so learned Christ ! It is your doctrine as well as mine, and St.