Wesley Corpus

A Letter to the Rev. Dr. Free Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 8 (Zondervan) Author: John Wesley --- 1. A LITTLE tract appearing under your name was yesterday put into my hands. You therein call upon me to speak, if L have any exceptions to make to what is advanced: and promise to reply as fairly and candidly as I can expect, “provided those exceptions be drawn up, as you have set the example, in a short compass, and in the manner wherein all wise and good people would choose to manage a religious dispute.” (Page 22.) 2. “In a short compass,” Sir, they will certainly be drawn up, for my own sake as well as yours: For I know the value of time, and would gladly employ it all in what more immediately relates to eternity. But I do not promise to draw them up in that manner whereof you have set the example. I cannot, I dare not; for I fear God, and do really believe there is a judg ment to come. Therefore, I dare not “return evil for evil,” neither “railing for railing.” Nor can I allow that your manner of treating this subject is that “wherein all wise and good people would choose to manage a religious dispute.” Far, very far, from it. I shall rejoice if a little more fairness and candour should appear in your future writings. But I cannot expect it; for the nigrae succus loliginis, “wormwood and gall,” seem to have infected your very vitals. 3. The quotation from Bishop Gibson, which takes up five out of nineteen pages, I have answered already; * and in a man ner wherewith I have good reason to believe his Lordship was entirely satisfied. With his Lordship, therefore, I have no present concern; my business now is with you only: And seeing you are “now ready,” as you express it, “to run a tilt,” I must make what defence I can. Only you must excuse me from meeting you on the same ground, or fighting you with the same * In “A Letter to the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of London.” weapons: My weapons are only truth and love. May the God of truth and love strengthen my weakness | 4. I wave what relates to Mr.