Wesley Corpus

W. I came not this day to dispute with your Lordship; my own inability would forbid me so to do. B. No, no; but give me your reason. May, 1765.] JOURNAL. 217 W. I am not called to office, and therefore cannot be ordained. B. Why have you then preached all this while? W. I was called to the work of the ministry, though not the office. There is, as we believe, vocatio ad opus, et ad munus.* B. Why may you not have the office of the ministry? W. May it please your Lordship, because they are not a people who are fit subjects for me to exercise office-work among them. B. You mean a gathered Church: But we must have no gathered Churches in England, and you will see it so; for there must be a unity without divisions among us, and there can be no unity without uniformity. Well, then, we must send you to your Church, that they may dispose of you, if you were ordained by them. W. I have been informed, by my cousin Pitfield and others, concerning your Lordship, that you have a disposition inclined against morosity. However you may be prepossessed by some bitter enemies to my person, yet there are others who can and will give you another character of me. Mr. Glisson hath done it; and Sir Francis Tulford desired me to present his service to you, and, being my hearer, is ready to acquaint you concerning me. B. I asked Sir Francis Tulford whether the presentation to Whitchurch was his. Whose is it? He told me it was not his. W. There was none presented to it these sixty years. Mr. Walton lived there. At his departure, the people desired me to preach to them; and when there was a way of settlement appointed, I was by the Trustees appointed, and by the Triers approved. B. They would approve any who would come to them, and close with them. I know they approved those who could not read twelve lines of English. W. All that they did I know not; but I was examined touching gifts and graces. B. I question not your gifts, Mr. Wesley. I will do you any good I can; but you will not long be suffered to preach, unless you will do it according to order. .