Wesley Corpus

If it only contain personal reflections, we may quietly suffer it: If it blaspheme the work and Spirit of God, it may be better to go out of the Church. In either case, if opportu nity serve, it would be well to speak or write to the Minister. Q. 6. How far is it our duty to obey the Bishops? A. In all things indifferent. And on this ground of obeying them, we should observe the Canons, so far as we can with a safe conscience. Q. 7. Do we separate from the Church? A. We conceive not: We hold communion therewith for conscience sake, by constantly attending both the word preached, and the sacraments administered therein. Q. 8. What then do they mean, who say, “You separate from the Church?” A. We cannot certainly tell. Perhaps they have no deter minate meaning; unless, by the Church they mean themselves; that is, that part of the Clergy who accuse us of preaching false doctrine. And it is sure we do herein separate from them, by maintaining that which they deny. Q. 9. But do you not weaken the Church? A. Do not they who ask this, by the Church, mean them selves? We do not purposely weaken any man’s hands. But accidentally we may, thus far: They who come to know the truth by us, will esteem such as deny it less than they did before. But the Church, in the proper sense, the congregation of English believers, we do not weaken at all. Q. 10. Do you not entail a schism on the Church? that is, Is it not probable that your hearers, after your death, will be scattered into all sects and parties; or that they will form themselves into a distinct sect? A. (1.) We are persuaded the body of our hearers will even after our death remain in the Church, unless they be thrust out. (2.) We believe notwithstanding, either that they will be thrust out, or that they will leaven the whole Church. (3.) We do, and will do, all we can to prevent those conse quences which are supposed likely to happen after our death. (4.) But we cannot with a good conscience neglect the pre sent opportunity of saving souls while we live, for fear of conse quences which may possibly or probably happen after we are dead.