Wesley Corpus

I will not recommend to you either the writings or examples of those whom you account heretics: (Although some of these, if you could view them with impartial eyes, might “provoke you to jealousy: ”) But O that God would write in your hearts the rules of self-denial and love laid down by Thomas à Kempis! or that you would follow, both in this and in good works, that burning and shining light of your own Church, the Marquis de Renty | Then would all who knew and loved the Lord rejoice to acknowledge you as the “Church of the living God; ” when ye were zealous of every good word and work, and abstained from all appearance of evil; when it was hereby shown that you were filled with the Holy Ghost, and delivered from all unholy tempers; when ye were all “unblamable and unrebukable, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, showing forth” to all Jews, infidels, and heretics, by your active, patient, spotless love of God and man, “the praises of Him who had called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” 13. “Men and brethren, children of the seed of Abraham,” suffer me to speak a few words to you also; you who do not allow that Messiah the Prince is already come and cut off. However, you so far hear Moses and the Prophets as to allow, (1.) That “it is the inspiration of the Holy One which giveth man understanding,” and that all the true children of God “are taught of God.” (2.) That the substance both of the Law and the Prophets is contained in that one word, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbour as thyself.” And, (3.) That the sure fruit of love is obedience, “ceasing from evil, and doing good.” And do you walk by this rule 7 Have you yourselves that “inspiration of the Holy One?” Are you taught of God? Hath he opened your understanding? Have you the inward knowledge of the Most High? I fear not. Perhaps you know little more, even of the meaning of the words, than a Mahometan. Let us go a little farther.