Wesley Corpus

DEAR SIR, --1. In order to answer the question more clearly which Mr. [Downing [See previous letter.']] has proposed to you, it may be well look a little backward. Some years since, two or three clergymen of the Church of England, who were above measure zealous for all her rules and orders, were convinced that religion is not an external thing, but 'righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost,' and that this righteousness and peace and joy are given only to those who are justified by faith. As soon as they were convinced of these great truths, they preached them; and multitudes flocked to hear. For these reasons, and no others, real or pretended (for as yet they were strictly regular), because they preached such doctrine, and because such multitudes followed them, they were forbid to preach in the churches. Not daring to be silent, they preached elsewhere, in a school, by a river-side, or upon a mountain; and more and more sinners forsook their sins and were filled with peace and joy in believing. 2. But at the same time huge offence was taken at their 'gathering congregations' in so irregular a manner; and it was asked, -- (1) 'Do you judge that the Church with the authority of the State has power to enact laws for her own government?' I answer: If a dispensation of the gospel is committed to me, no Church has power to enjoin me silence. Neither has the State; though it may abuse its power and enact laws whereby I suffer for preaching the gospel. (2) 'Do you judge it your duty to submit to the laws of the Church and State as far as they are consistent with a good conscience?' I do. But 'woe is me if I preach not the gospel': this is not consistent with a good conscience. (3) 'Is it a law of the Church and State that none of her ministers shall gather congregations but by the appointment of the bishop? If any do, does not she forbid her people to attend them? Are they not subversive of the good order of the Church? Do you judge there is anything sinful in such a law?'