Wesley Corpus

Simpson were induced to leave it by reasons of quite another kind. You add, “We cannot wonder that some Methodists have withdrawn from her, while they have been used to hear doc trines which they must have been sensible have no place in her Articles and Service.” So far from it, that all I know of them are deeply sensible, the “doctrines they have been used to hear” daily, are no other than the genuine doctrines of the Church, as expressed both in her Articles and Service. 2. But our present question turns not on doctrine but dis cipline. “My first business,” you say, “is to consider some very lax notions of Church communion which I find in your last Journal. Vol.I. p.262, you say, “Our Twentieth Article defines a true Church, a congregation of faithful people, wherein the true word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly admi nistered.” (Page 3.) The use I would willingly make of this definition, (which, observe, is not mine, be it good or bad,) is to stop the boasting of ungodly men, by cutting off their pre tence to call themselves of the Church. But you think they may call themselves so still. Then let them. I will not con tend about it. But you cannot infer from hence, that my notions of Church communion are either lax or otherwise. The definition which I occasionally cite shows nothing of my sentiments on that head. And for anything which occurs in this page, they may be strict or loose, right or wrong. You add, “It will be requisite, in order to approve yourself a Minister of our Church, that you follow her rules and orders; that you constantly conform to the method of worship she has prescribed, and study to promote her peace.” (Page 5.) All this is good and fit to be done. But it properly belongs to the following question: “What led you into such very loose notions of Church com munion, I imagine, might be, your being conscious to yourself, that, according to the strict, just, account of the Church of England, you could not, with any grace, maintain your pre tensions to belong still to her.” Sir, I have never told you yet what my notions of Church communion are. They may be wrong, or they may be right, for all you know.