Wesley Corpus

14. I beg leave to ask, would it be a satisfaction to your Lordship if national persecution were to return? Does your Lordship desire to revive the old laws, de haeretico combu rendo?" Would your Lordship rejoice to see the Methodists themselves tied to so many stakes in Smithfield? Or would you applaud the execution, though not so legally or decently performed by the mob of Exeter, Plymouth-Dock, or Laun ceston? My Lord, what profit would there be in our blood? Would it be an addition to your Lordship’s happiness, or any advantage to the Protestant cause, or any honour either to our Church or nation ? 15. The Comparer, doubtless, would answer, “Yes; for it would prevent the horrid consequences of your preaching.” My Lord, give me leave to say once more, I willingly put the whole causeupon this issue. What are the general consequences of our preaching? Are there more tares or wheat? more good men destroyed, (as Mr. Church once supposed,) or wicked men saved? The last places in your Lordship's diocese, where we began constant preaching, are near Liskeard in Cornwall, and at Tiverton in Devonshire. Now, let any man inquire here, (1.) What kind of people were those a year ago, who now constantly hear this preaching? (2.) What are the main doctrines the Methodists have been teaching this twelvemonth? (3.) What effect have these doctrines had upon their hearers? And if you do not find, (1.) That the greater part of these were, a year or two ago, notoriously wicked men: (2.) Yet the main doctrines they have heard since were, “Love God and your neighbour, and carefully keep His commandments:” And, (3.) That they have since exercised themselves herein, and continue so to do;--I say, if any reasonable man, who will be at the pains to inquire, does not find this to be an unquestionable fact, I will openly acknowledge myself an enthusiast, or whatever else he shall please to style me. 16. I beg leave to conclude this address to your Lordship with a few morewords transcribed from the same letter: “Allow Mr. Wesley,” says Mr. Church, “but these few points, and he will defend his conduct beyond exception.” (Second Letter to Mr. Church, Vol. VIII. p. 477.) That is most true. If I have indeed been advancing nothing but the true knowledge and * Concerning the burning of heretics.--EDIT.