Wesley Corpus

What is the duty, meantime, of those who desire to follow the whole word of God? Undoubtedly, to “gather up ’’ all these “fragments,” that, if possible, “nothing be lost;” with all diligence to follow all those we see about us, so far as they follow the Bible; and to join together in one scheme of truth and practice what almost all the world put asunder. 3. Many years ago I observed several parts of Christian practice among the people called Quakers. Two things I particularly remarked among them,-plainness of speech, and plainness of dress. I willingly adopted both, with some restrictions, and particularly plainness of dress; the same I recommended to you, when God first called you out of the world; and after the addition of more than twenty years' experience, I recommend it to you still. 4. But before I go any farther, I must entreat you, in the Yuame of God, be open to conviction. Whatever prejudices you have contracted from education, custom, or example, divest yourselves of them, as far as possible. Be willing to receive light either from God or man; do not shut your eyes. against it. Rather, be glad to see more than you did before; to “have the eyes of your understanding opened.” Receive the truth in the love thereof, and you will have reason to bless God for ever. II. 1. Not that I would advise you to imitate the people called Quakers in those little particularities of dress which can answer no possible end but to distinguish them from all other people. To be singular, merely for singularity’s sake, is not the part of a Christian: I do not, therefore, advise you to wear a hat of such dimensions, or a coat of a particular form. Rather, in things that are absolutely indifferent, that are of no consequence at all, humility and courtesy require you to conform to the customs of your country. 2. But I advise you to imitate them, First, in the meatness of their apparel. This is highly to be commended, and quite suitable to your Christian calling. Let all your apparel, therefore, be as clean as your situation in life will allow. It is certain the poor cannot be as clean as they would, as having little change of raiment.