Wesley Corpus

Norwill he refrain from hearing what may be the truth, for no better reason than fearof hisrepu tation. Pray observe, I do not say, every man, or any man, is obliged in conscience to hear us: But I do say, every man in England who condemns us is obliged to hear us first. This is only common justice, such as is not denied to a thief or a mur derer. Take your choice therefore: Either hear us, or condemn us not; either speak nothing at all, or hear before you speak. But suppose you have both read and heard more than you like: Did you read and hear fairly ? Was not you loaden with prejudice P Did you not read or hear, expecting no good; perhaps, desiring to find fault? If so, what wonder you judge as you do ! What a poor mock-trial is this ! You had decided the cause in your own breast before you heard one word of the evidence. And still do you talk of acting out of conscience? yea, a conscience void of offence? We will put the case farther yet. Suppose your censure was just, and this was actually false doctrine. Still every one must give an account of himself to God; and you cannot force the conscience of any one. You cannot compel another to see as you see; you ought not to attempt it. Reason and persuasion are the only weapons you ought to use, even toward your own wife and children. Nay, and it is impossible to starve them into conviction, or to beat even truth into their head. You may destroy them in this way, but cannot convert them. Remember what our own poet has said: By force beasts act, and are by force restrain’d; The human mind by gentle means is gain'd. Thou canst not take what I refuse to yield; Nor reap the harvest, though thou spoil'st the field. 6. Every reasonable man is convinced of this. And perhaps you do not concern yourself so much about the doctrine, but the mischief that is done: “How many poor families are starved, ruined, brought to beggary!” By what? Not by contributing a penny a week, (the usual contribution in our societies,) and letting that alone when they please, when there is any shadow of reason to suppose they cannot afford it.