Wesley Corpus

Church once supposed,) or wicked men saved? The last places in your Lordship's diocese, where we began constant preaching, are near Liskeard in Cornwall, and at Tiverton in Devonshire. Now, let any man inquire here, (1.) What kind of people were those a year ago, who now constantly hear this preaching? (2.) What are the main doctrines the Methodists have been teaching this twelvemonth? (3.) What effect have these doctrines had upon their hearers? And if you do not find, (1.) That the greater part of these were, a year or two ago, notoriously wicked men: (2.) Yet the main doctrines they have heard since were, “Love God and your neighbour, and carefully keep His commandments:” And, (3.) That they have since exercised themselves herein, and continue so to do;--I say, if any reasonable man, who will be at the pains to inquire, does not find this to be an unquestionable fact, I will openly acknowledge myself an enthusiast, or whatever else he shall please to style me. 16. I beg leave to conclude this address to your Lordship with a few morewords transcribed from the same letter: “Allow Mr. Wesley,” says Mr. Church, “but these few points, and he will defend his conduct beyond exception.” (Second Letter to Mr. Church, Vol. VIII. p. 477.) That is most true. If I have indeed been advancing nothing but the true knowledge and * Concerning the burning of heretics.--EDIT. love of God; if God has made me an instrument in reforming many sinners, and bringing them to inward and pure reli gion; and if many of these continue holy to this day, and free from all wilful sin; then may I, even I, use those awful words, “He that despiseth me, despiseth Him that sent me.” But I Inever expect the world to allow me one of these points. How ever, I must go on as God shall enable me.