Wesley Corpus

But I must explain myself a little on that practice which you so often term “abusing the Clergy.” I have many times great sorrow and heaviness in my heart on account of these my brethren. And this sometimes constrains me to speak to them, in the only way which is now in my power; and sometimes, though rarely, to speak of them; of a few, not all in general. In either case, I take an especial care, (1.) To speak nothing but the truth. (2.) To speak this with all plainness. And, (3) With love, and in the spirit of meekness. Now, if you will call this abusing, railing, or reviling, you must. But still I dare not refrain from it. I must thus rail, thus abuse sinners of all sorts and degrees, unless I will perish with them. When I first read your declaration, that our brethren “in general had treated us with all meekness and temper,” I had thoughts of spreading before you a few of the flowers which they have strewed upon us with no sparing hand. But, on reflection, I judged it better to forbear. Let them die and be forgotten As to those of the people called Methodists, whom you sup pose to “rail at and abuse the Clergy,” and to “revile and censure their neighbours,” I can only say, Which are they? Show me the men. And if it appear, that any of those under my care habitually “censure” or “revile” others, whether Clergy or laity, I will make them an example, for the benefit of all the rest. Touching you, I believe I was afraid without cause. I do not think you advanced a wilful untruth. This was a rash word. I hereby openly retract it, and ask pardon of God and you.