Wesley Corpus

A Second Letter on 'The Enthusiasm of Methodists and Papists Compared' Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 9 (Zondervan) Year: 1751 Author: John Wesley --- 1. I was grieved when I read the following words in the Third Part of the “Enthusiasm of Methodists and Papists com pared:”--“A sensible, honestwoman told the Bishop of Exeter, in presence of several witnesses, that Mr. John Wesley came to her house, and questioned her, whether she had “an assur ance of her salvation.’ Her answer was, that ‘she hoped she should be saved, but had no absolute assurance of it.” “Why then, replied he, “you are in hell, you are damned already.” This so terrified the poor woman, who was then with child, that she was grievously afraid of miscarrying, and could not, in a long time, recover her right mind. For this, and the Meth odists asking her to live upon free cost, she determined to admit no more of them into her house. So much is her own account to his Lordship, on whose authority it is here published.” 2. This renewed the concern I felt some time since, when I was informed (in letters which I have still by me) of your * Thus translated by Gifford: “Again Crispinus comes!”-EDIT. Lordship's publishing this account, both at Plymouth in Devonshire, and at Truro in Cornwall, before the Clergy assembled from all parts of those counties, at the solemn season of your Lordship’s visiting your diocese. But I was not informed that your Lordship showed a deep concern for the honour of God, which you supposed to be so dreadfully violated, or a tender compassion for a Presbyter whom you believed to be rushing into everlasting destruction. 3. In order to be more fully informed, on Saturday, August 25, 1750, Mr. Trembath, of St. Ginnys, Mr. Haime, of Shaftes bury, and I, called at Mr. Morgan's, at Mitchel.