The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 09 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 09 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
They then called _Superstition_, who spake thus: “My Lord, I have
not much knowledge of this man, neither do I desire it; but this I
know, ♦that he is a pestilent fellow, and of very dangerous principles.
I heard him say, that our religion was naught, and such as it was
impossible to please God by. And your lordship very well knows, what
must follow from thence: that we worship in vain, and are still in our
sins.”
♦ duplicate word “that” removed
Then was _Pickthank_ called, and deposed as follows:
“My Lord, I have heard this fellow rail on our noble prince _Beelzebub_;
yea and speak contemptuously of his most honourable friends: nay, he
hath not been afraid to rail on you, my Lord, in the same terms, with
which he has bespattered most of the nobility and gentry of our town.”
The judge then said, thou traitor, hast thou heard what these honest
gentlemen have witnessed against thee?
_Faith._ May I speak a few words?
_Judge._ Sirrah, thou deservest to be slain immediately upon the place;
but that all men may see our gentleness to thee, we will hear what thou
hast to say.
_Faith._ I say, that all the customs of this place are flatly opposite
to the word of God: that your worship, being void both of faith and
love, is an abomination to the Lord; and that your prince with all his
attendants, are only fit for that hell which is prepared of old for him
and his angels.
_Judge._ Gentlemen of the jury, you have heard this man’s own
confession. What think ye?
_Jury._ We are all agreed. He is guilty of death.
Immediately after, sentence was past, they brought him out, to do
with him according to their law. And, after they had scourged him, and
buffeted him, they tied him to a stake, and then burnt him to ashes.
Now I saw that there stood behind the multitude a chariot and horses
waiting for _Faithful_, who (so soon as the earthly tabernacle was
dissolved) was straightway carried therein thro’ the clouds. But
_Christian_ was remanded to prison, and shortly after discharged; he
that hath the hearts of all men in his hand, over-ruling the malice of
his enemies.
But he went not forth alone; for one, whose name was _Hopeful_, (having
been won by their meekness and patience in suffering) resolved to
accompany him wherever he went. He also told _Christian_, that there
were many more of the men in the fair, that would take their time and
follow after.
So they went on without stopping or looking behind them, till they came
to a pleasant plain, called _Ease_; but it was narrow, so that they
were quickly over it. On the farther side was a little hill, called
_Lucre_, and in that hill a silver mine, which many who went that way,
had formerly turned aside to see: but the ground breaking in with them,
they miserably perished. A little way off, over against it, stood one,
who called to _Christian_ and his fellow, “Ho! turn aside hither, and I
will shew you a thing.”
_Christian._ For what thing should we turn out of our way?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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