Wesley Corpus

To Brian Bury Collins Date: BRISTOL, August 5, 1780. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1780) Author: John Wesley --- DEAR SIR,--It is not at all surprising that the Bishop, though a good man, should scruple to ordain a field-preacher; and I apprehend his brethren will neither endeavor or desire to remove his scruple, unless it should please God to touch some of their hearts and employ them to soften the rest. Perhaps that humane man may aim at a middle way--namely, to ordain you upon conditions. And if such conditions were proposed as would not entangle your conscience, I should have no objection. But in this case you will have need of all the wisdom from above, that you may yield far enough and not too far. I do not think that Presbyterian ordination would add anything to what you have already. And it seems we need not consider the matter farther till we know the Bishop's final determination. This we know already, that He who rules over all will order all things well. To His wise disposal I commit you; and I am, dear sir, Your most affectionate brother. The Rev. Mr. Collins, At Mr. Stevens's, High Street, Margate, Kent.