Wesley Corpus

Do you understand the word? Do vou know what a Christian is? If you are a Christian, you have the mind that was in Christ; and you so walk as he also walked. You are holy as he is holy, both in heart and in all manner of conversation. Have you then that mind that was in Christ? And do you walk as Christ walked ? Are you nwardly and outwardly holy? I fear, not even outwardly. No; you live in known sin. Alas! How then are you a Christian? What, a railer a Christian? a common swearer a Christian? a Sabbath breaker a Christian? a drunkard or whoremonger a Christian? Thou art a Heathen barefaced; the wrath of God is on thy head, and the curse of God upon thy back. Thy damnation slumbereth not. By reason of such Christians it is that the holy name of Christ is blasphemed. Such as thou they are that cause the very savages in the Indian woods to cry out, “Christian much drunk; Christian beat men; Christian tell lies; devil Christian | Me no Christian.” And so thou wilt direct thy wife and children in the way of salvation | Woe unto thee, thou devil Christian | Woe unto thee, thou blind leader of the blind! What wilt thou make them? two-fold more the children of hell than thyself? Be ashamed. Blush, if thou canst blush. Hide thy face. Lay thee in the dust. Out of the deep cry unto God, if haply he may hear thy voice. Instantly smite upon thy breast. Who knoweth but God may take thee out of the belly of hell? 5. But you are not one of these. You fear God, and labour to have a conscience void of offence. And it is from a principle of conscience that you restrain your wife and children from kear ing false doctrine.--But how do you know it is false doctrine? Have you heard for yourself? Or, if you have not heard, have you carefully read what we have occasionally answered for our selves? A man of conscience cannot condemn anyone unheard. This is not common humanity. Norwill he refrain from hearing what may be the truth, for no better reason than fearof hisrepu tation.