Treatise Second Letter On Enthusiasm Of Methodists And Papists
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | treatise |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-treatise-second-letter-on-enthusiasm-of-methodists-and-papists-032 |
| Words | 390 |
p. 248.) You are at liberty to
enjoy this argument also; and let it prove what it can prove. You, Fourthly, cite these words: “Many of our sisters are
shaken, grievously torn by reasonings. But few come to
Fetter-Lane, and then after their names are called over they
presently depart. Our brethren here (those who were pros
elytes to the Moravians) have neither wisdom enough to
guide, nor prudence enough to let it alone. They (the
Moravians) have much confounded some of our sisters, and
many of our brothers are much grieved.” (Ibid. p. 255.)
This proves thus much, that one society was at that time
divided; but not that the Methodists, in general, were, even
then, “all together by the ears.”
The passage you quote, in the Fifth place, is, “I believe--
are determined to go on according to Mr. Molther's direction,
and I suppose (says the writer of the letter) above half our
brethren are on their But they are so very confused,
they do not know how to go on, and yet are unwilling to be
taught, except by the Moravians.” (Ibid.)
Add to this: (I recite the whole passages in order; not as
you had mangled, and then jumbled them together:)
“Wednesday, December 19. I came to London, though
with a heavy heart. Here I found every day the dreadful
effects of our brethren’s reasoning and disputing with each
other. Scarce one in ten retained his first love; and most of
the rest were in the utmost confusion,” (they were so, more or
less, for several months,) “biting and devouring one another.”
This also proves so much, neither more nor less, that some
of the Methodists were then in confusion. And just so much
is proved by your Sixth quotation: “Many were wholly un
settled,” (by the Moravians, taking advantage of my absence,)
“ and lost in vain reasonings and doubtful disputations;
not likely to come to any true foundation.” (Ibid. p. 259.)
Your Seventh quotation (I recite the whole sentence) runs
thus: “April 19. I received a letter informing me that our
poor brethren at Fetter-Lane were again in great confusion.”
This quotation proves just as much as the preceding, or as
the following: “The plague” (of false stillness) “was now
spread to them also; ” namely, to the “little society at
Islington.” (Ibid. p.