Wesley Corpus

A Second Letter to the Rev. Dr. Free Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 8 (Zondervan) Author: John Wesley --- IN the preface to your Sermon, lately printed, you men tion your having received my former letter, and add, that “if the proofs you have now brought do not satisfy me as to the validity of your former assertions; if I am not yet convinced that such positions are held by people who pass under the denomination of Methodists, and will signify this by a private letter, I shall have a more particular answer.” I desire to live peaceably with all men; and should therefore wish for no more than a private answer to a private letter, did the affair lie be tween you and me. But this is not the case: You have already appealed to the Archbishop, the University, the nation. Before these judges you have advanced a charge of the highest kind, not only against me, but a whole body of people. Before these, therefore, I must either confess the charge, or give in my answer. But you say, “I charge blasphemy, impiety, &c., upon the profession of Methodism in general. I use no personal reflections upon you, nor any invective against you, but in the character of a Methodist.” That is, you first say, “All Methodists are pickpockets, rebels, blasphemers, Atheists; ” and then add, “I use no reflections upon you, but in the character of a Methodist;” but in the character of a pickpocket, blasphemer, Atheist. None but ! What can you do more? But this, you say, is the practice of all honest men, and a part of the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free. Nay, surely there are some honest men who scruple using their oppo ments in this manner. At least, I do: Suppose you was an Atheist, I would not bring against you a railing accusation. I would still endeavour to “treat you with gentleness and meek ness,” and thus to “show the sincerity” of my faith. I leave to you that exquisite “bitterness of spirit, and extreme viru lence of language,” which, you say, is your duty, and term zeal. (Preface, p. 5.) And certainly zeal, fervour, heat, it is. But is this heat from above? Is it the offspring of heaven, or a smoke from the bottomless pit?