Wesley Corpus

But neither then, nor at any other time, did I know, or think, or say, they were desperately wicked people: I think and say just the reverse; viz., that though I soon ‘found among them a few things which I could not ap prove, yet I believe they are, in the main, some of the best Chris tians in the world. After this, are you the person who com plains of me for imperfect and partial quotations?” (Page 10.) I added, “You surprise me yet more in going on thus: In God’s name, Sir, is the contempt of almost the whole of our duty, of every Christian ordinance, to be so very gently touched ?’ Sir, this is not the case. This charge no more belongs to the Moravians than that of murder.” (Page 11.) You reply, “Mr. Sp and Mr. Molther are accused by name. If falsely, I am sorry both for them and you.” Accused ? True. But of what? of the contempt of every Christian ordinance, of almost the whole of our duty? By no means. The plain case is, I accuse them of one thing, viz., teaching that an unbeliever should abstain from the ordinances. You accuse them of another,-contemning every Christian ordinance, and almost the whole of our duty. And this you would father upon me. I desire to be excused. 10. As to what I said in my letter to the Moravian Church, “You can hinder this if you will; therefore, if you do not prevent their speaking thus, you do, in effect, speak thus yourselves,”--it may be observed, (1.) That this letter is dated August 8, 1741. (2.) That from that time the Mora vian Church did in great measure prevent any of their members speaking thus. You proceed: “You distinguish between the English breth ren and the Moravians. These English brethren, I presume, were your followers. Afterwards you represent them as per verted by the Moravians: ‘Before they had spoke these wicked things, you say, ‘they had joined these men, and acted under their direction. If they did not learn them from these new teachers, from whom did they learn them? Not, sure, from yourself, or any other Methodists. You cannot, therefore, bring off the Moravians without condemning your own people. Here, therefore, you have certainly overshot your self.” (Page 85.) Perhaps not.