Wesley Corpus

But you say, “I charge blasphemy, impiety, &c., upon the profession of Methodism in general. I use no personal reflections upon you, nor any invective against you, but in the character of a Methodist.” That is, you first say, “All Methodists are pickpockets, rebels, blasphemers, Atheists; ” and then add, “I use no reflections upon you, but in the character of a Methodist;” but in the character of a pickpocket, blasphemer, Atheist. None but ! What can you do more? But this, you say, is the practice of all honest men, and a part of the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free. Nay, surely there are some honest men who scruple using their oppo ments in this manner. At least, I do: Suppose you was an Atheist, I would not bring against you a railing accusation. I would still endeavour to “treat you with gentleness and meek ness,” and thus to “show the sincerity” of my faith. I leave to you that exquisite “bitterness of spirit, and extreme viru lence of language,” which, you say, is your duty, and term zeal. (Preface, p. 5.) And certainly zeal, fervour, heat, it is. But is this heat from above? Is it the offspring of heaven, or a smoke from the bottomless pit? O Sir, whence is that zeal which makes you talk in such a manner to his Grace of Canterbury? “I lay before you the disposition of an enemy who threaten our Church with a gene ral alteration or total subversion; who interrupt us as we walk the streets,” (Whom? When? Where?) “in that very dress which distinguishes us as servants of the state,” (altogether servants of the state?) “in the now sad capacity of Ministers of the falling Church of England. Such being the prostrate, miserable condition of the Church, and such the triumphant state of its enemies, none of the English Priesthood can expect better security or longer continuance than the rest. They all subsist at mercy. Your Grace and those of your order will fare no better than those of our own.” Sir, are you in earnest? Do you really believe Lambeth is on the point of being blown up?