Wesley Corpus

Instead of endeavouring to defend, he entirely gives up, the First Part of his Comparison. Indeed, I did not expect this, when I observed that the Third Part was addressed to me. I took it for granted, that he had therein aimed at something like a reply to my answer: But going on, I found myself quite mistaken. He never once attempts a reply to one page, any otherwise than by screaming out, “Pertness, scurrility, effrontery;” and in subjoining that deep remark, “Paper and time would be wasted on such stuff.” (Third Part, preface, p. 15.) 11. I cannot but account it another good effect, that he is something less confident than he was before. He is likewise not more angry or more bitter, for that cannot be, but a few degrees more serious: So that I plainly perceive this is the way I am to take if I should have leisure to answer the Third Part; although it is far from my desire to write in this manner; it is as contrary to my inclination as to my custom. 12. But is it possible that a person of your Lordship's cha racter should countenance such a performance as this? It cannot be your Lordship's desire to pour contempt on all that is truly venerable among men to stab Christianity to the heart, under a colour of opposing enthusiasm; and to increase and give a sanction to the profaneness which already overspreads our land as a flood. 13. Were the Methodists ever so bad, yet are they not too despicable and inconsiderable for your Lordship's notice? “Against whom is the King of Israel come out? against a flea? against a partridge upon the mountains?” Such they undoubt edly are, if that representation of them bejust which the Comparer has given. Against whom (if your Lordship espouses his cause) are you stirring up the supreme power of the nation? Against whom does your Lordship arm the Ministers of all denomina tions, particularly our brethren of the Established Church? inciting them to paint us out to their several congregations as not fit to live upon the earth. The effects of this have already appeared in many parts both of Devonshire and Cornwall. Nor have I known any considerable riot in any part of England, for which such preaching did not pave the way. 14.