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EXTRACTS

FROM

WESLEY

" UTERA SORIPTA MAHIT.^'

•4

TORONTO:

PRINTED FOB THE PUBLISHER.

1856.

WESLEY

THE METHODIST,

CONOKRNIX<i

€\t C|ttrc^.

"I never had any design of separating from the Church.
I have no ^ such design now. I do not believe the
Methodists in general design it when I am no more seen.
I do and will do all that is in my power to prevent such
an event. Nevertheless, in spite of all that I can do,
many of them will separate from it (although I am apt
to think not one half, perhaps not a third of them.)
These will be so bold and injudicious as to form a sepa-
rate party. In flat opposition to these, I declare once
more, that I live and die a member of the Church of Eng-
land, and that none who regard my judgment or advice,
will ever separate from it." Vol, XIII, p. 239. *

" JOHN WESLEY."
In writing to Miss Bishop, Oct. 18, 1118, he says :
^' Calvinism is not the Gospel. I see more instances of
th is than any one e lse can do ; and on this ground also ex-

53"* The work of Mr. Wesley from which these quotations
are made is the "Third London Edition, with the last cor-
rections of the Author, published by John Mason, 14 City
Road, London.,4:i5

hort all who would keep to the Methodists and from Cal-
vinism to go to the Church and not the meeting. But to
speak freely, I myself find more life in the Church Pray-
ers than in any formal extemporary prayers of Dissen-
ters." Vol. XIII, p. 134.

In writing to the Rev. Mr. G., April 2, 1761. Vol, XII,
p, 246, Wesley says :

^* I quite agree, we ^^neVher can be better men^nor bet^
ter Christians^ than by continuing; members of the Church of
England J' And not only her cloctrines,but many joar/s of
her discipline, I have adhered to at the hazard of my life."

1746. — "1 dare not renounce communion with the
Church of England. As a Minister I teach her doctrines,
I use her offices ; I conform to her Rubrics ; I sufler re-
proach for my attachment to her. As a private member,
Ihold her doctrines ; I join in her offices, in prayer, in
hearing, in communicating. Vol. VIII. p. 444,

1747. — '' We continually exhort all who attend on our
preaching, to attend the offices of the Church. And
they do pay a more regular attendance there than
they ever did before. Vol. VIII p. 488.

1755.— "We began reading together "A Gentle-
man's Reasons for his Dissent from the Church ot Eng-
land." It is an elaborate and lively tract and contains
the strength of the cause; but it did not yield us one proof
that it is lawful for us, (much less our duty,) to separate
from it. Vol. II. p. 328.

1758. — '* In this year Mr. Wesley wrote his " Reasons
against A Separation From the Chnrch of England ;" and
in writing to Miss Bishop in 1778 he says : " These rea-
sons were never yet answered and I believe they never
will.''

The Rev. Charles Wesley says of this Tract :

" I think myself bound in duty to add my testimony
to my brother's. His twelve reasons against our ever
separating from the Chnrch of England are mine ako, I

fliibscribe to them with all my heart. My aflfection Tor the
Church is as strong as ever ; and I clearly see my calling;
^hich is to live and to die in her communion. This, there-
fore, 1 am determined to do, the Lord being my Ilelper."
Vol XIII. p. 199.

1759. — " I received much comfort at the old Church in
the mornmg, and at St. Thomas, in the afternoon. It
was as if both the sermons were made forme, [pity those
who can find no good at Church ! But how should they,
if prejudice come between? An effectual bar to the
grace of God." VoL II. p 478.

" I had appointed to preach at seven in the evening, at
Bradford ; but when I came, I found Mr. Hart was to
preach at six ; so I delayed till the church service was
ended, that there might not appear (on my part at least)
even the shadow of opposition between us. Vol. II, p
516.

1761- — " Wc had along stage from hence to Swadale,
where I found an earnest, loving, simple people, whom I
likewise exhorted not to leave the Church, though they
had not the best of Ministers." Vol. Ill, p. 61.

1763. — " I then related what I had done since I came
to Norwich lirst ; and what I would do for the time to
come, particularly that I would immediately put a stop to
preaching in the time of Church service." Vol. Ill, p. 152.

1766. — " I see clearer and clearer none will keep to us,
unless they keep to the Church. Whoever separates from
the Church separates from the Methodists." Vol. Ill, p.
260.

1767. — '-I rode toYarmouth,and found the -Society after

the example of Mr. W p, had entirely left the Church.

I judged it needful to speak largely upon that head. They
stood reproved and resolved, ore and all, to go to it
again" Vol. Ill, p. 272.

1768. — " I advise all, over whom I have any influence,
steadily to keep to the Church." Vol. Ill, 337.

1770. — *' We had a poor sermon at Church. Howeyer,
I went ag^ain in the afternoon, remembering the
words of Mr. Philip Henry: 'If the preacher does not know
his duty, I bless God that I know mine.'' Vol III, p. 401.

1772. — "I attended the Church of England service in
the morning and that of the Kirk in the afternoon. Trniy^
*no man having drunk old wine, straightway desireth
new.' — How dull and dry the latter appeared to me, who
had been accustomed to the former." — Vol. Ill, p, 463.

1775. — " Understanding that almost all the Methodists

by the advice of Mr. , had left the Church, I earnestly

exhorted them to return to it. Vol. IV, p, 64.

1777. — « They (the Methodista) have read the writings
of the most eminent pleaders for separation, both in the
last and present century. They have spent several days
in a General Conference upon this very question* ' Is it
expedient (supposing, not granting, that it Is lawful) to
separate from the Established Church?' But still they
could see no sufficient cause to depart from their first
resolution. So that their fixed purpose is, let the clergy
or laity use them well or ill, by the grace of God, to en-
dure all things, to hold on their even course." Vol. VII,
p, 428.

1778. — " The original Methodists were all of the Church
of England, and the more awakened they were, the more
zealously they adhered to it in every point, both of doctrine
and discipline. Hence we inserted in the very first Rules
of our Society : " They that leave the church leave ws."
And this we did, not as a point of prudence^ but a point
of conscience J' Vol. XIIT, p 134.

" I believe one reason wliy God is pleased to continue
my life so long is, to confirm them in their present pur-
pose, not to separate from the Church. Vol. VII, p. 2 78.

" I dare not separate from the Church, I believe it
tcould be a sin so to do — I have been true to my profession
from 17.^0 to this day;' VoL VU, p. 279,

V '

ItftS.—** Finding a report had been spread abroad that
I was just going to leave the Church, to satisfy those that
were grieved concerning it, I openly declared in the
evening that I had now no more thought of separating
from the Church, than I had forty years ago. Vol. IV,
p. 320

1786. — " Whenever there is any Church service, I do
not approve of any appointment the same hour, because
I love the Church of England, and would assist, not op-
pose it, all I can." Vol. XIII, p. 55.

<' This is taken from a letter to the Rev, Freeborn Gar-
retson of the Methodist Society in America, and clearly
shows that in no instance did he suffer anything to be
done to oppose the Church of England, whether in the
States or at home."

1787.—" I went over to Deptford, but it Beemed I was
got into a den of lions. Most of the leading men of :he
Society were mad for separating from the Church. I
endeavoured to reason with them but in vain ; they had
neither sense nor even good manners left. At length after
meeting the whole Society, I told them, " If you are re-
solved, you may have your service in church hours ; but
remember fi-om that time, you will see my face no more^**
This struck deep ; and from that hour I have heard no
more of separating from the Church." Vol. IV, p. 357.

*' Few of them (those who separated,) assigned the un-
holiness either of the Clergy or laity as the cause of their
separation. And if any did so, it did not appear that
they themselves were a jot better than those they separated
from." Vol. VII, p. 183.

1788. — " This is the peculiar glory of the people called
Methodists. In spite of all manner of temptations, they
will not separate from the church. What many so ear-
nestly covet, they abhor. They will not be a distinct
body." Vol. XIII, p. 232.

1789. — " Unless I see more reason for it than 1 ever yet

saw, I will not leave the Church of England, as by law
established while the breath of God is in my nostrils J' -^^
Vol. XIII, p. 238.

In this year (two before his death) Mr. Wesley wrote
Beren more reasons against separating from the church.

1790. — <<I have been uniform both in doctrine and dis-
cipline for above these fifty years ; and it is a little too
late for me to turn into a new path now I am grey-head-
ed." Vol. XII, p. 439.

'' The Methodists in general are members of the Church
of England. They hold all her doctrines, attend her ser-
vice, and partake of her sacraments." VoL XIII, p. 119,

WBOLET ON HIS DEATH BED.

1791.— << We thank thee, Lord, for these and all thy
mercies. Bless the Church and King. And grant us
truth and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord for erer
and ever."

WESLEY, THE EARLY METHODIST PREACHERS,
AND THE DECISIONS OF CONFERENCE.

Xtse.— '^ We then largely considered the necessity of
keeping in the Church, and using the clergy with tender-
ness : and there was no dissenting voice. God gave us
all to be of one mind and of one judgment. My brother
and I closed the Conference by a solemn declaration of
our purpose, never to separate from the Church, and all
our brethren concurred therein.'' Vol 11, p. 385.

1760.—" I took my ease, riding in a chaise to Limerick;
where on Saturday 5th. ten of us met in a little Confer-
ence. By the Blessing of God, we were all of one mind

particularly with regard to the Church. Even J ,

D J has not now the least thought of leaving it, but

attends there, be the Minister good or bad." Vol. Ill, p. 9»

17(39. — a Let us keep to the Church over and above all
the reasons that were formerly given for this, we add
another now from, long experience — they that leave the
Church leave *the Methodists." Minutes of Conference
Works 1810 Vol. VI, p, 388.

[1] Exhort all our people to keep close to the Church
and sacrament. [2] W^arn them all against niceness in
hearing—a prevailing evil. [3] Warn them also, against
despising the Prayers of the Church.--[4] Against cal-
ling our Society *' the Church." [5] Against calling our
Preachers " Ministers."

In his Sermon on '' The Ministerial office, preached at
Cork, May 4, 1 789, and published in the Arminian Maga-
zine in 1790, the year before he died, he speaks the same
language, — Hear him :

"11, In 1744, all the Methodist Preachers had their
first Conference.

And when the question was proposed, ' In what right are
we to consider ourselves?' it was answered, *As extraordi"

nary messengerij raised up to r^'-ovoke the ordinary one to
jealousy.' In order hereto, one of our first rules was
given to each Preacher, ' You are to do that part of the
work which we appoint,' But ivhat work was this ? Did
we ever appoint 3'ou to administer sacrauients ; to exer-
cise the priestly oflfice ? Such a design never entered into
our mind ; it was the *hest from our thoughts ;

" I wish all of yoi are vulgarly termed Methodists

fvould seriously consiu.. what has been said. And par-
ticularly you whom God hath commissioned to call sin-
ners to rej'entence. It does by no means follow from
hence, that ye are commissioned to baptize or to adminis-
ter the Lord's Supper. Ye never dreamed of this, for ten
or twenty years after ye began to preach. Ye did not
then, like Korah, Dathan and Abiram, * seek the priest-
hood also.' Ye knew ' no man taketh this honour unto
himself but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.' con*
tain yourselves within your own bounds ; be content
with preaching the gospel." Vol. YII, p. 277*

" Q. 45. But are we not Dissenters?

We are not Dissenters in the only sense which our law
acknowledges, namely, those who renounce the service
of the Church. We do not, we dare not, separate from it.

"Q. 51. What method may we use in receiving a
new Helper ?

^* Every person proposed is then to be present ; and
each of them may be asked : Do you constantly attend
the Church and sacrament ?

" Q. Who is the Assistant ?

*' A. That Preacher in each Circuit, who is appointed,
from time to time, to take charge of the societies and the
other Preachers therein."

"Q. 41. How should an Assistant be qualified for his
charge ?

" A. By walking closely with God, and having his
work greatly at heart : by understanding and loving di~

cipline, ours in particular: and by loving the Church of
England, and resolving not to separate from it. Let this
be well observed. I fear when the Methodists leave tho
Church, God will leave them." Vol. VIII. p, 319,

J 789. — THE LAST CONFERENCE MR. WESLEY EVER ATTEND-
ED IN IRELAND.

" Our little Conference began in Dublin and ended
Tuesday 7. I never saw such a number of Preachers be-
fore, so\inanimous in all points, particularly as to leaving
the Church: which none of them had the least thought o
It is no wonder that there has been this year so U:^e
increase of the Society." Vol. IV, p. 464.

1789.~THE LAST CONFERENCE MR. WESLEY EVER
ATTENDED IN ENGLAND.

The Conference began ; about a hundred Preachers
were present, and never was our Master more eminently
present with us. The case of separation from the Church
was largely considered, and we were all unanimous
against ?t." Vol. IV. p, 4 6.

TO MR. SAMUEL BARDSLEY.

Birmingham, March 25, 1787.

" Dear Sammy : You send me good news concerning
the progress of the work of (rod in Colne circuit. I
should think brother Jackson or Sagar might set the
heads of the people at Bacup right. I still think when
the Methodists leave the Church of England, God will

leave them,

I km Dear Sammv, your affectioniite brother,

Vol. XIl/p. 488. ' JOHN WESLEY.

Again, in writing to Mr. Knox he gives him the follow-
ing advice :

" But you will not have the Church:' " Yoo never will
bv mv advice : I advise just the contrary ; I adviPQ you to

lose no opportunity of attending the service of the
Church, and receiving the Lord's supper, and of showing
your regard for all her appointments. But above all, I
cannot but earnestly entreat you, not to rest until you
experience what she teaches ; till (to sum up all in one
word) God cleanses the thoughts of your heart by the in-
spirations of his Holy Spirit, that you may perfectly love
him, and worthily magnify his holy name."

This letter is dated May 30, 1765. Vol. XII, p. 239.

WESLEY AND OTHERS CONCERNIXG BISHOPS.

*< TO THE REV. FRANCIS ASBUUY.

London, Sep. 20, 1788.

There is indeed a wide difference between the relation
wherein you stand to the Americans, and the relation
wherein I stand to all the Methodists. You are the elder
brother of the American Methodists ; I am, under God,
the father of the whole family.

But in one point, my dear brother, I am a little afraid
both the Doctor (Coke) and you differ from me. I study
to be little ; you study to be great, I creepj you strut
along.

One instance of this, your greatness has given me great
concern. How can you, how dare jou suffer yourself to
be called a Bishop ? I shudder, I start at the very
thought ! — Men may call me a knave or a fool, a rascal, a
scoundrel, and 1 am content. But they shall never, by my
consent, call me Bishop ! For my sake, for God's sake,
for Christ's sake, put a full end to this ! Let the Presby-
terians do what they please, but let the Methodists know
heir calling better.

Thus my dear Franky, I have told you all that is my
heart. And let this, when I am no more seen, bear wit-
ness how sincerely, I am your affectionate friend and
brother.

Vol. Xni, p. 58. JOHN WESLEY.

Dr. Adam Clarke [himself a Methodist Preacher] in hia
Commentary on the New Testament, says : " Episcopacy
in the Church of God is of Divine Appointment, and
should be maintained and respected." — Again : *• Deacon,
Presbyter^ and Bishop^ existed in the Apostolic Church ; and
may therefore be considered of Divine origin." 1 Tim.

Again, he says ; — In former times bishops wrote
much,and preached much; and their labours were greatly
owned of God. No Church since the Apostles' days', has
been more honoured in this way, than the British Church;
and, although Bishops are here as elsewhere, appointed
by the State ; yet we cannot help admiring the good pro-
vidence of God, that, taken as a body, they have been an
honour to their Junction. And, since the reformation of
religion in these lands, the Bishops have in general been
men of great learning and probity ; and the ablest advo-
cates of the Christian system, both as to its authenticity
and the purity and excellence of its doctrines and morali-
ty.

Again ; "In reviewing the whole of this epistle, (1 Tim.)
I cannot help considering it of the first consequence to the
Church of God. In it, we see more clearly than else-
where, what the Ministers of the gospel should be ; and
what is the character of the true Church. Bishops^ Pres-
byters and Deacons, are particularly described ; and their
qualifications so circumstantially detailed, that it is im-
possible to be ignorant on this head."

Calvin in writing to Sadolet says : "We do not deny
that the discipline, which the ancient Church had, i3
wanting to us." " Episcopacy," he continues, " proceed-
ed from God." And in his letter to Archbishop Parker,
after describing Bishops, such as they ought to be, he
says, " If there be any one who do not behave themselves
with reverence and obedience towards them, there is no
anathema, but I confess them worthy of it."

H«za. speaking of the Bishops of the^Church of England,

»ajs : " Let her enjoy this singular bounty of God, which
I wish she may hold for ever."

> Dr. Ryerson says : '* The Editor of The Church has un-
doubtedly strong grounds in favor of Episcopal govern-
ment—arising from its universality^ its reasonableness^ its
efficacy^ its importance in promoting Church union "

WESLEY AND OTHERS CONCERNING THE LITURGY.

John Wesley :— " I believe there is no Liturgy in the
world which breathes more of a solid, scriptural, rational
piety, than the Common Prayer of the Church of England
—its language is not only pure, but strong aud elegant in
the highest degree."

Alexander Knox : " I cannot doubt that, in the fulness
of time, the Prayer Book will be accounted the richest
treasure, next to the Canonical Scriptures, in the Chris-
tian Church."

Dr. Doddridge says : "The language is so plain, as to be
level to the capacities of the meanest, and yet the sense is
so noble as to raise the conception of the greatest."

Robert Hall, (a Baptist,) says of the Liturgy : " I be-
lieve that the evangelical purity of its sentiments the
chastised fervour of its devotion and the majestic simplici-
ty of its language, have combined to place it in the very
first rank of uninspired compositions."

Grotius, says : " Our Liturgy comes so near the primi-
tive pattern, that none of the Reformed Churches can
compare with it."

The members of the Dutch Reformed denominations
give this testimony : " Her spirit stirring Liturgy and
a scrupulous adherence to it, has under God, notwith-
standing the mutations of men and things, and all the as-
persions east upon her, as coldness, formality and a want
of evangelical feeling, we say a scrupulous adherence to
her Liturgy, has preserved her integrity beyond any de-
nomination of Christians since the Reformation "

Bucer : *' When I thoroughly understood the Liturffr I
gave thanks to God who had granted to the Church, to
reform her rites to that degree of purity."

Saravia : " Among others that have reformed their
Ghurches, I have oftt^n admired the wisdom of those who
restored the true worship of God to the Church of Euff-
land ; who so tempered themselves, that they cannot be
reproved for having departed from the ancient and jrnmi^
ttve custom of the Church of God •"

The Divines of the Synod of Dort say : " We have a
great honor for the good order and discipline of the
Church of England, and heartily wish that we could es-
tablish ourselves upon this model."

Alesius, a Scotch Divine, says ; " Let it be seen and
read by many for the honour of the English Church —
hope It may provoke the rest of the reformed to imitate this
most noble and divine work in setiling the Church "

Baxter, a (non-conformist ] : " I constantly join in my
parish church in Liturgy and .Sacraments."

Watson, a Methodist also, says : " Such a LiturffV
makes the Service of God's house appears more like our
true business on the Lord's day."

Dr. Adam Clarke. " The doctrines of the Church of
Jingland I most conscientiously acknowledge, as consti-
tuting the true Christian creed. / never had anythinf? to
unlearn, when, with a heart open to conviction, I read in
Ctoch " ^estamen; and thp Liturgy of the

_/na letter to Mrs. Wilkinson "Again, the rite itself
[Confirmation] is useful to call these things (our Christian
obligations) to remembrance, and who knows how
much grace may be received during the performance of
the ceremony,and especially by having a holy man's hands
laid on your head, and the blessing and protection of God
solemnly invoked in your behalf? Tell these things to
your dear daughters and sons,— tell them another thing

of which few would think, namely, that not having the
opportunity of being confirmed when I had arrived at tho
age in which I had ecclesiastic right to receive it I was de-
termined not to be without it, and therefore went and re-
ceived confirmation, even since I became a Methodist
preacher." " You see now, my good Sister, both from my
teaching and from my practice, what I think of the rite of
confirmation."

Dr. Adam Clarke ; " Jt, [the Liturgy] is almost uni-
versally esteemed by the devout and pious of every de-
nomination ; a work which all who are acquainted with
it, deem superior to every thing of the kind produced
either by ancient or modern times, and several of the
prayers and services in which were in use from the first
ages of Christianity and many of the best of them before
the name of Pope or Popery was known in the earth-
next to the Bible it is the Book of my understanding and
of my heart.'*

In writing to the Rev.Mr. G. April 2, IT6I.V0I. XII,246..
Wesley says : " I quite agree, we "neither can be better
men, nor be better Christians, than by continuing mem^
bers of the Church of England^

"Now, I beseech you, brethren, says the inspired Apostle
by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the
same thing, and that there be no divisions among you ; but
that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in
the same judgment." "Mark them which cause (/msiow^
and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned
and avoid them." Endeavouring to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace."

< WHOSO IS WISS WILL PONDER THISB THINGS.''