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
Attached to the pamphlet is a postscript addressed to those of the
_Unitas Fratrum_, who once were Methodists. The following is an
extract:—
“Is not your doctrine dull, flat, and insipid? Does it not come from
a floating imagination? Is not its chief aim to fill the mind with
ideas of the Lamb’s heart? of soaking and melting in blood? of playing
near, and creeping into the side-hole? of pretty, happy sinnership? of
beating the little sinner on the bill when he has been naughty? and
of a thousand such strange, unheard of absurdities? Your doctors, by
playing with words, and jingling soft sounds, may delight the fancy;
but whoever they are that look for sense, must miss of edification.”
(Page 57.)
Such are fair specimens of the short critiques of the curious
“contents” of Zinzendorf’s folio history of the “_Acta Fratrum in
Anglia_.” It is painful to have to record quarrels among old friends
and brethren; but facts are too serious to be blinked for an author’s
private pleasure. As a sort of counterpoise to this unpleasantness, we
subjoin an extract from a letter, addressed to Wesley, by Cennick, at
this time the most laborious and successful Moravian preacher in the
sister island.
“DUBLIN, _June 25, 1751_.
“MY DEAR BROTHER,—Yesterday I received yours, and assure you, I am
sincere in my desires and proposals of speaking and writing freely to
each other; and wish heartily, that Christians conferring together had
hindered the making that wide space between us and you. Perhaps He
that maketh men to be of one mind in a house, may nevertheless, in our
days, begin the gathering together in one the people of God that are
scattered abroad. I think, if I could see the dawn of that gracious
day, I would wish no more, but be content to labour myself to death,
and finish my pilgrimage with a cheerfulness inexpressible. Till
then, as long as people in many things think differently, all must be
allowed their Christian liberty; and though some may remove from you
to us, or from us to you, without becoming bitter, and with upright
views to please our Saviour, I can see no harm in it. I really love
the servants and witnesses of Jesus in all the world. I wish all to
prosper. I salute Mrs. Wesley; and assure you, I am your affectionate
loving brother,
“JOHN CENNICK.”[110]
This is very beautiful, especially remembering the past and present
days. Wesley entitles the letter, “Sincere professions of Christian
love.” They do Cennick credit, and were grateful to the heart and mind
of Wesley.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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