Wesley Corpus

The same men of old, who “made the Lord’s people to transgress,” thereby “made themselves vile.” They were despised, both as the natural effect, and the judicial punishment, of their wickedness. And the same cause the Prophet observes to have produced the same effect, many hundred years after this: “Ye are departed out of the way, saith the Lord; ye have caused many to stumble; therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people.” I have now, brethren, “delivered mine own soul; ” and in so doing, I have (as I proposed at first) “used great plainness of speech,” as not studying “to please men, but the Lord.” The event I leave to Him in whose name I have spoken, and who hath the hearts of all men in his hand. I “have brought you heavy tidings this day,” and yet I cannot but be persuaded, that some of you will not “count me your enemy, because I tell you the truth.” O that all of us may taste the good word which we declare ! may receive that knowledge of salvation which we are commanded to preach unto every creature, through the remission of sins! My heart's desire is, that all of us to whom “is committed the ministry of reconciliation” may ourselves be reconciled to God, through the blood of the everlasting covenant; that he may be henceforth unto us a God, and we may be unto him a people; that we may all know, as well as preach, the Lord, “from the least unto the greatest;” even by that token, “I am merciful tothy unrighteousness; thysins Iremember no more!” III. 1. I have hitherto spoken more immediately to those who profess themselves members of the Church of England. But inasmuch as I am a debtor also to those who do not, my design is now, to apply to them also; and briefly to show, wherein (I fear) they are severally inconsistent with their own principles.