Wesley Corpus

You undertake to give an account, First, of the rise and principles, Then, of the practices, of the Methodists. On the former head you say, “Our Church has long been infested with these grievous wolves, who, though no more than two when they entered in, and they so young they might rather be called wolflings,” (that is lively and pretty!) “have yet spread their ravenous kind through every part of this kingdom. Where, what havoc they have made, how many of the sheep they have torn, I need not say.” (Pages 4, 5.) “About twenty five years ago, these two bold though beardless Divines,” (pity, Sir, that you had not taught me, twenty-five years ago sapientem pascere barbam,t and thereby to avoid some part of your displeasure,) “being lifted with spiritual pride, were * With authority enough.--EDIT. + This quotation from Horace is thus translated by Boscawen : “What time, by his instructions cheer'd, He bade me train his sapient beard.”-EDIT. presumptuous enough to become founders of the sect called Methodists.” (Page 6.) “A couple of young, raw, aspiring twigs of the ministry dreamed of a special and supernatural call to this.” (Page 25.) No, Sir; it was you dreamed of this, not we. We dreamed of nothing twenty-five years ago, but instructing our pupils in religion and learning, and a few prisoners in the common principles of Christianity. You go on: “They were ambitious of being accounted Missionaries, immediately de legated by Heaven to correct the errors of Bishops and Arch bishops, and reform their abuses; to instruct the Clergy in the true nature of Christianity, and to caution the laity not to venture their souls in any such unhallowed hands as refused to be initiated in all the mysteries of Methodism.” (Pages 20, 21.) Well asserted indeed; but where is the proof of any one of these propositions? I must insist upon this; clear, cogent proof: Else they must be set down for so many glaring falsehoods. 4.