Wesley Corpus

p. 10,) that we disclaim all merit, even in (really) good works; how much more in such works as we continually declare are not good, but very evil such as the attending sermons, or any public offices whatever, “to the neglect of the business of our station.” When your Lordship urged this before, in the “Observa tions,” I openly declared my belief, “that true religion cannot lead into a disregard or disesteem of the common duties and offices of life; that, on the contrary, it leads men to discharge all those duties with the strictest and closest attention; that Christianity requires this attention and diligence, in all stations, and in all conditions; that the performance of the lowest offices of life, as unto God, is truly a serving of Christ; and that this is the doctrine I preach continually; ” (Farther Appeal, Part I. p. 60;) a fact whereof any man may easily be informed. Now, if, after all this, your Lordship will repeat the charge, as if I had not once opened my mouth concerning it, I cannot help it. I can say no more. I commend my cause to God. 17. Having considered what your Lordship has advanced concerning dangerous doctrines and indirect practices, I now come to the instructions your Lordship gives to the Clergy of your diocese. How awful a thing is this 1 The very occasion carries in it a solemnity not to be expressed. Here is an angel of the Church. of Christ, one of the stars in God’s right hand, calling together all the subordinate Pastors, for whom he is to give an account to God; and directing them (in the name and by the authority of “the great Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus Christ, the First Begotten from the dead, the Prince of the kings of the earth”) how to “make full proof of their ministry,” that they may be “pure from the blood of all men; ” how to “take heed unto 492 LETTER. To themselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers; ” how to “feed the flock of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood l’’ To this end they are all assembled together.