Wesley Corpus

He likewise continu ally told them they were not to be taught by man, especially by those who had less grace than themselves. I was told of this likewise from time to time: But he denicd it; and I would not believe evil of my friend. “13. When I returned in October, 1763, I found the society in an uproar, and several of Mr. M.’s most intimate friends formed into a detached body. Enthusiasm, pride, and great uncharitableness appeared in many who once had much grace. I very tenderly reproved them. They would not bear it; one of them, Mrs. C., cried out, “We will not be brow-beaten any longer; we will throw off the mask.’ Accordingly, a few days after, she came, and, before an hundred persons, brought me hers and her husband’s tickets, and said, ‘Sir, we will have no more to do with you; Mr. M. is our Teacher.’ Soon after, several more left the society, (one of whom was George Bell,) saying, ‘Blind John is not capable of teaching us; we will keep to Mr. M.’ “14. From the time that I heard of George Bell’s prophecy, I explicitly declared against it both in private, in the society, in preaching, over and over; and, at length, in the public papers. Mr. M. made no such declaration; I have reason to think he believed it. I know many of his friends did, and several of them sat up the last of February, at the house of his most intimate friend, Mr. Biggs, in full expectation of the accomplishment. “15. About this time, one of our Stewards, who, at my desire, took the chapel in Snowsfields for my use, sent me word the chapel was his, and Mr. Bell should exhort there, whether I would or no. Upon this, I desired the next Preacher there to inform the congregation that while things stood thus, neither I nor our Preachers could in conscience preach there any more. “16. Nevertheless, Mr. M. did preach there. On this I sent him a note, desiring him not to do it; and adding, “If you do, you thereby renounce connexion with me.’ “17. Receiving this, he said, ‘I will preach at Snowsfields.” He did so, and thereby renounced connexion. On this point, and no other, we divided: By this act the knot was cut. Resolving to do this, he told Mr.