Wesley Corpus

An Answer to Mr. Rowland Hill's Imposture Detected Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 10 (Zondervan) Author: John Wesley --- IN a tract just published by Mr. Rowland Hill, there are several assertions which are not true; and the whole pamphlet is wrote in an unchristian and ungentlemanlike manner. I shall first set down the assertions in order, and then proceed to the manner. I. 1. “Throughout the whole of Paul's Epistles, he can scarcely write a single line without mentioning Christ.” (Page 3.) I just opened on the fifteenth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians. In the last thirty verses of this chapter, how often does he mention Christ? In every single line? 2. “In that wretched harangue, which he calls a sermon, he makes himself the only subject of his own panegyrics.” (Page 4.) Being aware of this charge, I have said, “I am, in one respect, an improper person to give this information; as it will oblige me frequently to speak of myself, which may have the appearance of ostentation. But, with regard to this, I can only cast myself upon the candour of my hearers; being persuaded they will put the most favourable construction upon what is not a matter of choice, but of necessity. For there is no other person, if I decline the task, who can supply my place, who has a perfect knowledge of the work in question, from the beginning of it to this day.” (Sermons, Vol. VII., p. 420.) I give an account of the rise of this work at Oxford, from 1725 to 1735, pages 421, 422; at London and elsewhere, pages 422,423. In all this there is not a line of panegyric upon myself, but a naked recital of facts. Nor is there any panegyric on any one in the following pages, but a plain account of the Methodist doctrines. It may be observed, (if it is worth observing,) that I preached in the open air in October, 1735. Mr. Whitefield was not then ordained. 3. “Not a single line tending to vindicate, or illustrate, any one fundamental doctrine of the gospel appears throughout the whole.” (Imposture Detected, p. 4.) Yes: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,” is one fundamental doctrine of the gospel: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,” is another. And both these are vindicated and illustrated for several pages together. 4.