Wesley Corpus

“They value themselves upon extraordinary strict nesses and severities in life, and such as are beyond what the rules of Christianity require. They captivate the people by such professions and appearances of uncommon sanctity. But that which can never fail of a general respect is, a quiet and ex emplary life, free from the many follies and indiscretions which those restless and vagrant Teachers are apt to fall into.” (Charge, p. 25.) By “extraordinary strictnesses and severities,” I presume your Lordship means, the abstaining from wine and animal food; which, it is sure, Christianity does not require. But if you do, I fear your Lordship is not throughly informed of the matter of fact. I began to do this about twelve years ago, when I had no thought of “annoying parochial Ministers,” or of “captivating” any “people” thereby, unless it were the Chica 490 LETTER. To saw or Choctaw Indians. But I resumed the use of them both, about two years after, for the sake of some who thought I made it a point of conscience; telling them, “I will eat flesh while the world standeth,” rather than “make my brother to offend.” Dr. Cheyne advised me to leave them off again, assuring me, “Till you do, you will never be free from fevers.” And since I have taken his advice, I have been free (blessed be God!) from all bodily disorders.” Would to God I knew any method of being equally free from all “follies and indiscretions!” But this I never expect to attain till my spirit returns to God. 15. But in how strange a manner does your Lordship repre sent this! What a construction do you put upon it! “Appear ances of an uncommon sanctity, in order to captivate the people. Pretensions to more exalted degrees of strictness, to make their way into weak minds and fickle heads.” (Ibid. p. 25.) “Pre tencestogreater sanctity, whereby they draw over to themselves the most ignorant of the people.” (Ibid. p. 4.) If these are “appearances of uncommon sanctity,” (which, indeed, might bear a dispute,) how does your Lordship know that they are only appearances? that they do not spring from the heart?