Wesley Corpus

And do I, or you, do this? Let any one who has read her Liturgy, Articles, and Homilies, judge, which of us two denies, that “we are justified by faith alone;” that every believer has “the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit; ” that all who are strong in faith do “perfectly love him, and worthily magnify his holy name: ” He that denies this, is “the treacherous son who stabs this affection ate and tender mother.” If you deny it, you have already disowned the Church. But as for me, I neither can nor will; though I know you sincerely desire I should. Hoc Ithacus velit et magno mercentur Alride.} But I choose to stay in the Church, were it only to reprove those who “betray” her “with a kiss.” * See the green laurel rears her graceful head O'er Virgil's tomb! But can this cheer the dead? Happier by far thou wast of old, when laid Beneath thy spreading beech's ample shade 1 + This quotation from the Eneid of Virgil is thus translated by Beresford: *- This Ithacus desires, And Atreus' sons with vast rewards shall buy.”-EDIT. 84 LETTER. To 21. I come now to your defence of the Corporation and Clergy. But sure such a defence was never seen before. For whereas I had said, “I dislike the condemning the Magis trates or Clergy in general, because several of them ” (so I charitably supposed) “were not concerned in the late pro ceedings;” you answer, “Pray by all means point them out, that they may be distinguished by some mark of honour above their brethren.” (Pages 29, 30.) What do you mean? If you mean anything at all, it must be that they were all concerned in the late proceedings. Sir, if they were, (of which I own you are a better judge than I,) was it needful to declare this to all the world? especially in so plain terms as these? Did not your zeal here a little outrun your wisdom ? 22. “But the Magistrate,” you say, was only “endeavour ing to secure the peace of the city.” (Page 6.) A very ex traordinary way of securing peace! Truly, Sir, I cannot yet believe, not even on your word, that “all the Magistrates, except one,” (pp. 29, 30,) were concerned in this method of securing peace.