Wesley & Whitefield & the Spirit of Capitalism

[Terrance]

I fear, wherever riches have increased, the essence of
religion has decreased in the same proportion. Therefore I
do not see how it is possible, in the nature of things, for
any revival of true religion to continue long. Fore religion
must necessarily produce both industry and frugality, and
these cannot but produce riches. But as riches increase, so
will pride, anger, and love of the world in all its
branches. How then is it possible that Methodism, that is, a
religion of the heart, though it flourishes now as a green
bay tree, should continue in this state? For the Methodists
in every place grow diligent and frugal; consequently they
increase in goods. Hence the proportionately increase in
pride, anger, in the desire of the flesh, the desire of the
eyes, and the pride of life. So, although the form of
religion remains, the spirit is swiftly vanishing away. Is
there no way to prevent this--this continual decay of pure
religion? We ought not to prevent people from being diligent
and frugal; we must exhort Christians to gain all they can,
and to save all they can; that is, in effect, to grow rich. 

			--John Wesley