Wesley Corpus

Now, the question is not whether these Rubrics ought to be observed, (you take this for granted in making the objec tion,) but whether in fact they have been observed by you, or me, most. Many can witness I have observed them punctu ally, yea, sometimes at the hazard of my life; and as many, I fear, that you have not observed them at all, and that several of them you never pretended to observe. And is it you that are accusing me for not observing the Rubrics of the Church? What grimace is this ! “O tell it not in Gath ! Publish it not in the streets of Askelon | * 82. With regard to the Canons, I would, in the first place, desire you to consider two or three plain questions: First. Have you ever read them over? Secondly. How can these be called the Canons of the Church of England, seeing they were never legally established by the Church, never regularly confirmed in any full Convocation? Thirdly. By what right am I required to observe such Canons as were never legally established? And then I will join issue with you on one question more, viz., Whether you or I have observed them most. To instance only in a few: “Canon 29.--No person shall be admitted godfather or godmother to any child, before the said person hath received the holy communion. “Can. 59.--Every Parson, Vicar, or Curate, upon every Sunday and holiday, before Evening Prayer, shall, for half an hour, or more, examine and instruct the youth and igno rant persons of his parish. “Can. 64.--Every Parson, Vicar, or Curate, shall declare to the people every Sunday, whether there be any holidays or fasting-days the week following. “Can. 68.--No Minister shall refuse or delay to christen any child that is brought to the church to him upon Sundays or holidays to be christened, or to bury any corpse that is brought to the church or church-yard.” (N.B. Inability to pay fees does not alter the case.) “Can.