Wesley Corpus

But I dare not use the word Trinity or Person.” I dare, and I think them very good words. But I should think it very hard to be burned alive for not using them; especially with a slow fire, made of moist, green wood | I believe Calvin was a great instrument of God; and that he was a wise and pious man: But I cannot but advise those who love his memory to let Servetus alone. Yet if any one resolves to understand the whole affair, he may see a circum stantial account of it, published some years since, by Dr. Chandler, an eminent Presbyterian Divine in London. 7. Of myself I shall speak a little by and by. But I would now speak of the Methodists, so called, in general. Concerning these, Dr. E. cites the following words, from a little tract, published some years since:--* “We look upon ourselves, not as the authors or ring-leaders of a particular sect or party, but as messengers of God to those who are Christians in name, but Heathens in heart and life, to call them back to that from which they are fallen, to real, genuine Christianity.--We look upon the Methodists, not as any particular party, but as living witnesses, in and to every party, of that Christianity which we preach.” (Page 3.) On this Dr. E. remarks: “If the Methodist Teachers confined themselves to preaching, there might be some room for this plea; but hardly, when they form bands and classes;” that is, when they advise those who are “recalled to real Christianity,” to watch over each other, lest they fall again into the nominal religion, or no religion, that surrounds them. But how does this alter the case? What, if, being jealous, “lest any” of their brethren should again “be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin,” they should “exhort one another,” not only weekly, but daily, to cleave to God “with full purpose of heart 1.” Why might we not plead still, that these are not to “be looked upon as any particular party, but as living witnesses, in and to every party, of that Christianity which we preach?” What Dr. E.