Wesley Corpus

His one invariable rule is this, “Whatsoeverye do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” 15. Nor do the customs of the world at all hinder his “run ning the race that is set before him.” He knows that vice does not lose its nature, though it becomes ever so fashionable; and remembers, that “every man is to give an account of him self to God.” He cannot, therefore, “follow ’’ even “a multi tude to do evil.” He cannot “fare sumptuously every day,” or “make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof.” He cannot “lay up treasures upon earth,” any more than he can take fire into his bosom. He cannot “adorn himself,” on any pretence, “with gold or costly apparel.” He cannot join in or countenance any diversion which has the least tendency to vice of any kind. He cannot “speak evil” of his neigh bour, any more than he can lie either for God or man. He cannot utter an unkind word of any one; for love keeps the door of his lips. He cannot speak “idle words;” “no corrupt communication” ever “comes out of his mouth,” as is all that “which is” not “good to the use of edifying,” not “fit to minister grace to the hearers.” But “whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are’ justly “ of good report,” he thinks, and speaks, and acts, “adorning the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in all things.” 16. Lastly. As he has time, he “does good unto all men;” unto neighbours and strangers, friends and enemies: And that - in every possible kind; not only to their bodies, by “feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those that are sick or in prison;” but much more does he labour to do good to their souls, as of the ability which God giveth; to awaken those that sleep in death; to bring those who are awakened to the atoning blood, that, “being justified by faith, they may have peace with God;” and to provoke those who have peace with God to abound more in love and in good works.