Wesley Corpus

The hearts of believers “are purified through faith.” When these open their hearts one to another, there is no such scene disclosed. Yet temptations to pride in various kinds, to self-will, to unbelief in many instances, they often feel in themselves, (whether they give any place to them or no,) and occasionally disclose to their brethren. But this has no resemblance to Popish confession; of which you are very sensible. For you cite my own words: “The Popish confession is, the confession made by a single person to a Priest. Whereas, this is the confession of several persons conjointly, not to a Priest, but to each other.” You add, “Will Mr. W. abide by this, and freely answer a question?” I will. For I desire only, “by manifestation of the truth, to com mend myself to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” Your question is, “After private confessions taken in their Bands, are not reports made to Mr. W.?” I answer, No.; no reports are made to me of the particulars mentioned in private Bands. “Are no delinquents, male and female, brought before him separately, and confessed by him?” No; none at all. You ask, “How then do I know the outward and inward states of those under my care?” I answer, By examining them once a quarter, more or less, not separately, but ten or fifteen together. Therefore, every unprejudiced person must see that there is no analogy between the Popish confession to a Priest, and our confessing our faults one to another, and praying one for another, as St. James directs. Consequently, neither does this argument, though urged with all your art and force, amount to any shadow of proof, that “the Methodists are carrying on the work of Popery.” 46, Your Sixth argument, such as it is, stands thus: “Another tendency to Popery appears by the notion of a single drop of Christ's blood being a sufficient atonement for the sins of the whole world. For, however pious this may appear, it is absolutely false and Papistical.” Sir, this argu ment is perfectly new, and entirely your own. It were great pity to disturb you in the enjoyment of it.