The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 14 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 14 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
But there remains one objection, which though relating to the head
of doctrine, yet is independent on all that went before. And that is,
“You cannot agree in your doctrines among yourselves. One holds one
thing, and one another. Mr. _Whitefield_ anathematizes Mr. _Wesley_;
and Mr. _Wesley_ anathematizes Mr. _Whitefield_. And yet each pretends
to be led by the Holy Ghost, by the infallible Spirit of God! Every
reasonable man must conclude from hence, that neither one nor the other
is led by that Spirit.”
I need not say, how continually this has been urged, both in common
conversation and from the press: (I am grieved to add, and from the
pulpit too: for, if the argument were good, it would overturn the
bible.) Nor, how great stress has been continually laid upon it:
whoever proposes it, proposes it as demonstration, and generally claps
his wings, as being quite assured, it will admit of no answer.
And indeed I am in doubt, whether it does admit (I am sure, it does
not _require_) any other answer, than that course one of the countryman
to the _Romish_ champion, “_Bellarmine_, Thou liest.” For every
proposition contained herein, is grossly, shamelessly false. 1. “You
cannot agree in your doctrines among yourselves.”――Who told you so? All
our fundamental doctrines, I have recited above. And in every one of
these we do and have agreed for several years. In these we hold one and
the same thing. In smaller points, each of us thinks, and lets think.
2. “Mr. _Whitefield_ anathematizes Mr. _Wesley_.” Another shameless
untruth. Let any one read what Mr. _Whitefield_ wrote, even in the
heat of controversy, and he will be convinced of the contrary. 3. “And
Mr. _Wesley_ anathematizes Mr. _Whitefield_.” This is equally false and
scandalous. I reverence Mr. _Whitefield_, both as a child of God, and
a true minister of Jesus Christ. 4. “And yet each pretends to be led
by the Holy Ghost, by the infallible Spirit of God.” Not in our private
opinions: nor does either of us pretend to be any farther led by the
Spirit of God, than every Christian must pretend to be, unless he will
deny the bible. For only _as many as are led by the Spirit of |God|,
are the sons of |God|._ Therefore, if _you_ do not pretend to be led
by him too, yea, if it be not so in fact, _you are none of his_.
And now, what is become of your demonstration? Leave it to the car-men
and porters, its just proprietors: to the zealous apple-women that cry
after me in the street, “This is he that rails at the _Whole Dutyful_
of Man.” But let every one that pretends to learning or reason, be
ashamed to mention it any more.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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