Wesley Corpus

wesLEY’s [April, 1764. I received three letters in answer to this, though not at the same time, part of which I gladly subjoin : “I AM not insensible of the happy consequences it might produce, if ‘those who agree in preaching that capital doctrine, By grace are ye saved through faith, would maintain a free intercourse with each other;’ and if it could by any means be accomplished, it is doubtless an event most devoutly to be wished. It is what I always have shown the greatest readiness to, and what I have laboured at for these several years past, within my little sphere: And though my success hitherto, through causes which I will not pretend to assign, has by no means equalled my hopes; yet I shall heartily rejoice, if, at length, it may please God to make you the instrument of effecting so important a design. For my own part, I despise no man for his opinion; however, I may be most closely attached (as every one is) to those whose judgment most nearly harmonizes with my own: And if I can bear anything, it is contradiction; so long as I am allowed the common liberty of answering for myself, without being treated with reproach or scorn for any heterodox notions I may be supposed to maintain. “I shall very gladly go half way to London at any time, to give a meeting to a number of Ministers, of any denomination, that may be brought together with this pious intention; and I think I may answer for Mr. Johnson’s concurrence. Will you forgive me, if, for once, I presume to suggest what (I apprehend) may be most conducive on such an occasion to our general profit and edification? “1. Let one of the books of the New Testament be made choice of previous to our interview, for the subject of our conference when we meet, not with a view of displaying our critical talents on every word or verse that occurs, but of pointing out those things which necessarily enter into the plan of apostolical preaching. 2.