Wesley Collected Works Vol 9
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | treatise |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-wesley-collected-works-vol-9-034 |
| Words | 373 |
95, &c.,) is what you next
undertake to prove. Your loose declamation with which you
open the cause, I pass over, as it rests on your own bare
word; and haste to your main reason, drawn from my
sentiments and practice with regard to the Moravians. “He represents them,” you say, “in the blackest colours;
yet declares, in the main, they are some of the best people
in the world. His love and esteem for them increases more
and more. His own disciples among the Methodists go over
to them in crowds. But still Methodism is the strongest
barrier against the Moravian doctrines and principles.”
Sir, I bear you witness you have learned one principle, at
least, from those with whom you have lately conversed;
namely, that no faith is to be kept with heretics; of which
you have given us abundant proof. For you know I have
fully answered every article of this charge; which you repeat,
as if I had not opened my lips about it. You know that there
is not one grain of truth in several things which you here
positively assert. For instance: “His love and esteem of
them increases more and more.” Not so; no more than my
love and esteem for you. I love you both; but I do not much
esteem either. Again: “His own disciples among the
Methodists go over to them in crowds.” When? Where? I
know.not that ten of my disciples, as you call them, have gone
over to them for twice ten months. O Sir, consider ! How do
you know but some of your disciples may tell your name? 17. With the same veracity you go on: “In “The Character
of a Methodist,’ those of the sect are described as having all the
virtues that can adorn the Christian profession. But in their
‘Journals’ you find them waspish, condemning all the world,
except themselves; and among themselves perpetual broils
and confusions, with various other irregularities and vices.”
I answer, (1.) The tract you refer to (as is expressly declared
in the preface) does not describe what the Methodists are
already; but what they desire to be, and what they will be
then when they fully practise the doctrine they hear.