Wesley Corpus

But 'Mr. Wesley says, "A poor old man decided the question of disinterested love. He said, I do not care what place I am in: let God put me where He will or do, with me what He will, so I may set forth His honor and glory."' He did so. And what then Do these words imply 'an ardent desire of going to hell' I do not suppose the going to hell ever entered into his thoughts. Nor has it any place in my notion of disinterested love. How you may understand that term I know not. But you will prove I have this desire, whether I will or no. You are sure this was my 'original meaning , in the words cited by Mr. Church See letter of June 17, 1746, sect. II. 8. Doom, if Thou canst, to endless pain, Or drive me from Thy face. 'God's power or justice,' you say, 'must be intended; because he speaks of God's love in the very next lines But if Thy stronger love constrains, Let me be saved by grace.' Sir, I will tell you a secret. Those lines are not mine. However, I will once more venture to defend them, and to aver that your consequence is good for nothing: 'If this love is spoken of in the latter lines, then it is not in the former.' No! Why not I take it to be spoken of in both; the plain meaning of which is, 'If Thou art not love, I am content to perish. But if Thou art, let me find the effects thereof; let me be saved by grace.' 16. You next accuse me of maintaining a stoical insensibility. This objection also you borrow from Mr. Church. You ought likewise to have taken notice that I had answered it and openly disowned that doctrine: I mean, according to the rules of common justice. But that is not your failing.