Wesley Corpus

You add, “But I am equally, yea, abundantly more, concerned to set an example in all Christian behaviour.” I grant it: This, therefore, “ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” 22. But “one day,” you add, “I saw your brother drink tea; which he said was for fear of giving offence.” I answer, First, Learn from hence to follow neither his nor my practice implicitly; but weigh the reason of each, and then follow reason, wheresoever it stands. But, Secondly, Examine your heart, and beware inclination does not put on the shape of reason. Thirdly, You see with your own eyes, I do not drink it at all, and yet I seldom give offence thereby. It is not then the bare abstaining, but the manner of doing it, which usually gives the offence. Fourthly, There is therefore a manner wherein you may do it too, and yet give no more offence than I. For instance: If any ask you, simply reply, “I do not drink tea; I never use it.” If they say, “Why, you did drink it;” answer, “I did so; but I have left it off a considerable time.” Those who have either good-nature or good manners will say no more. But if any should impertinently add, “O, but why did you leave it off?” answer, mildly, “Because I thought water-gruel (suppose) was wholesomer, as well as cheaper.” If they, with still greater ill-manners and impertinence, go on, “What, you do it because Mr. Wesley bids you;” reply, calmly, “True; I do it because Mr. Wesley, on good reasons, advises me so to do.” If they add the trite cant phrase, “What, you follow man!” reply, without any emotion, “Yes, I follow any man, you or him, or any other, who gives me good reason for so doing.” If they persist in cavilling, close the whole matter with, “I neither drink it, nor dispute about it.” 23. If you proceed in this manner, with mildness and love, exceeding few will be offended. “But you ought,” say some, “to give up an indifferent thing, rather than give an offence to any. So St. Paul: ‘I will eat no flesh whilst the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.’” I reply, This is not an indifferent thing, if it affects the health either of myself or my brethren.