Wesley Corpus

“Now point out, What is there in our practice which is an open contradiction to these professions? Is field preaching? Not at all. It is contrary to no law which we profess to obey. The allowing lay preachers 2 We aie not clear that this is contrary to any such law. But if it is, this is one of the exempt cases; one wherein we cannot obey with a safe conscience. Therefore be it right or wrong on other accounts, it is however no just exception against our sincerity. The rules and directions given to our societies? which, you say, is a discipline utterly forbidden by the bishops. When and where did any bishop forbid this? And if any did, by what law? We know not either the man who ever did forbid, or the law by which he could forbid it. The allowing persons (for we require none to communicate at the chapel) in contradiction (you think) to all those rubrics which require all to attend always on their own parish church and pastor, and to receive only at his table? Which rubrics are those? We cannot find them. And till these are produced, all that is so frequently said of parochial unity, &c, is merely a gratis dictum. Consequently, neither is this any just exception against the sincerity of any of our professions. * Dec. 30, 1745. ea Vece Wednesday, January 1, 1746.--I preached at four in the morning, on, “I am the Almighty God: walk before me, and be thou perfect.” We dined with poor John Webb, now throughly poisoned by Robert Barclay’s “ Apology,” which he was sure would do him no hurt, till all his love to his brethren was swallowed up in dotage about questions and strife of words. Wed. 8.--I waited on Mr. B e, rector of ; who had sent to me, as soon as he had read the “ Farther Appeal.” He said, “ Sir, all this is sad truth: but what can we do to help it?” I went afterward to another clergyman, who had likewise sent and desired to speak with me. How is this? I thought the publication of this tract would have enraged the world above measure: and, on the contrary, it seems nothing ever was published which softened them so much!