Wesley Corpus

unaccompanied with a sting, even in this state. Is a treasure in that kingdom of heaven, (where no moths or rust corrupt, and no thieves break through and steal) of less value than the fading enjoyments of the world ? My brethren, there is no shadow of com parison ; and therefore, the same ardour and diligence in working out our salvation, as the children of this world evince in their pursuit of riches, pleasures, and honour, is indis pensable in a Christian. Again, all our hopes of heaven are only found ed upon the promises of God ; we have no man ner of reason, therefore, to hope, if we fulfil not those conditions which he gives us the power to fulfil: now the only way proposed by the Gospel is " to ask that we may receive," and to aim at the highest degree of holiness of Christian perfection. Is it not the word of our blessed Lord himself, " Be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect ;" i. e. to offer our spirits, souls, and bodies a holy sacrifice, acceptable to God.. Now if this be so (and what Christian presumes to say it is not?) who