Wesley Corpus

An Answer to the Rev. Mr. Church's Remarks Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 8 (Zondervan) Year: 1745 Author: John Wesley --- 1. MY first desire and prayer to God is, that I may live peaceably with all men: My next, that if I must dispute at all, it may be with a man of understanding. Thus far, therefore, I rejoice on the present occasion. I rejoice also in that I have confidence of your sincerity, of your real desire to promote the glory of God, by peace and good-will among men. I am like wise thankful to God for your calm manner of writing; (a few paragraphs excepted;) and yet more for this, -that such an opponent should, by writing in such a manner, give me an opportunity of explaining myself on those very heads whereon I wanted an occasion so to do. 2. I do not want, indeed, (though perhaps you think I do) to widen the breach between us, or to represent the difference of the doctrines we severally teach as greater than it really is. So far from it, that I earnestly wish there were none at all; or, if there must be some, that it may be as small as possible; being fully persuaded, that, could we once agree in doctrines, other differences would soon fall to the ground. 3. In order to contribute, as I am able, to this, it will be my endeavour to acknowledge what I think you have spoken right, and to answer what I cannot think right as yet, with what brevity and clearness I can. I desire to do this in as inof fensive a manner as the nature of the thing will bear, and con sistently with that brotherly love which I cannot deny you without wronging my own soul. 4. You sum up your charge thus: “You have now, Sir, my sentiments.--It is impossible for you to put an entire stop to the enormities of the Moravians, while you still, I. Too much commend these men: II. Hold principles in common with them, from which these enormities naturally follow: And, III. Main tain other errors more than theirs, and are guilty of enthusiasm to the highest degree.” (Remarks, pp. 73, 74.) I. l. You, First, charge me with too much commending the Moravians.