The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., founder of the Methodists. Vol. 2 (of 3)Tyerman, L. (Luke)
History
The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., founder of the Methodists. Vol. 2 (of 3)
Tyerman, L. (Luke)
Methodism; Wesley, John, 1703-1791
Before leaving the subject, a few more letters must be added. The
following were addressed by Wesley to his brother.
“LONDON, _June 20, 1755_.
“DEAR BROTHER,—Did not you understand, that they all promised, by
Thomas Walsh, not to administer, even among themselves? I think that
a huge point given up; perhaps more than they could give up with a
clear conscience. They showed an excellent spirit. When I (not to say
you) spoke once and again—spoke _satis pro imperio_, when I reflected
on their answers, I admired their spirit, and was ashamed of my own.
The practical conclusion was, ‘Not to separate from the Church.’
Did we not all agree in this? Surely either you or I must have been
asleep, or we could not differ so widely in a matter of fact! Here is
Charles Perronet raving ‘because his friends have given up all’; and
Charles Wesley, ‘because they have given up nothing’; and I, in the
midst, staring and wondering both at one and the other. I do not want
to do anything more, unless I could bring them over to my opinion;
and I am not in haste for that. Joseph Cownley says, ‘For such and
such reasons, I dare not hear a drunkard preach, or read prayers’; I
answer, I dare—but I cannot answer his reasons. Adieu!
“JOHN WESLEY.”[231]
“LONDON, _June 28, 1755_.
“DEAR BROTHER,—Go to Ireland, if you think so, and save Ireland.
Wherever I have been in England, the societies are far more firmly and
rationally attached to the Church than ever they were before. I have
no fear about this matter. I only fear the preachers’ or the people’s
leaving, not the Church, but the love of God, and inward or outward
holiness. To this I press them forward continually. I dare not, in
conscience, spend my time and strength on externals. If, as my lady
says, all outward establishments are Babel, so is this establishment.
Let it stand for me. I neither set it up nor pull it down. But let you
and I build up the city of God. I have often desired our preachers
to bury a corpse at Wapping; I mean, to give an exhortation closed
with prayer. I do not know, that this is any branch of the sacerdotal
office. Thomas Walsh (I will declare it on the housetop) has given
me all the satisfaction I desire, and all that an honest man could
give. I love, admire, and honour him; and wish we had six preachers
in all England of his spirit. But enough of this. Let us draw the saw
no longer, but use all our talents to promote the mind that was in
Christ. We have not one preacher, who either proposed, or desires,
or designs (that I know) to separate from the Church at all. Their
principles, in this single point of ordination, I do not approve; but
I pray for more and more of their spirit (in general) and practice.
Driving me may make me fluctuate; though I do not yet. ‘When the
preachers in Ireland set up for themselves, must you not disown them?’
I answer, ‘When.’ Adieu.
“JOHN WESLEY.”[232]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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