4th. “To direct ministers ὀρθοποδεῖν to go with a right foot to the truth of the gospel, _Galatians_ ii. 14. in sound preaching, and pure declaring of the word of GOD, by true faith of free justification, because (saith the established doctrine of our church) sincere preachers ever were, and ever shall be but a few; and their preaching of GOD’s word most sincere in the beginning, by process of time waxeth less and less pure, and after is corrupt, and last of all quite laid down, and left off; because free justification is a doctrine hardly learned in a church, and soon lost again, _Galatians_ i. 6. and yet is the true strength, happiness and safety of the whole land, _Isaiah_ lxii. 1‒6.”
Hereupon, the 5th part of the sermon against disobedience and rebellion, established by Queen _Elizabeth_, teacheth the commons, that such bishops or ecclesiastical persons, as by pride and ambitious rule, do by terms of error, schism, or heresy, hinder this _main light of GOD’s word_ from the people, are the _chiefest traytors_ in the land: and the 6th and last part largely teacheth, that such subjects and commons to whom through ignorance of GOD’s word, this light of righteousness, and this sun of understanding doth not shine, although they may brag, as did sometimes the _Jewish_ clergy and people, that they cannot lack knowledge, yet are such by their blind dead faith, traytors to GOD, traytors to their king, traytors to their own souls and bodies, and traytors to the whole land and country.”
Thus writes that good man Mr. _Eaton_. I leave you, Rev. Sir, to make what use of it you please. You see we have human as well as divine authority on our side. And yet we are looked upon as erroneous, and are accordingly denied the churches: and what for? even for preaching up the doctrine of justification by faith alone; for which the glorious martyrs of the Church of _England_ burnt in _Smithfield_. If this be not like _Nero_’s setting _Rome_ on fire, and then charging it upon the christians, I know not what is.
This is really, Rev. Sir, the truth of the case. However, we are willing to frequent the church, and receive the holy sacrament, if the clergy please to give us leave. This I think we may do, without being guilty of the inconsistency you charge us with (page 29th), because in the 26th article of our church we are taught, “Although in the visible church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometime the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the word and sacraments: yet, forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name, but in CHRIST’s, and do minister by his commission and authority, we may use their ministry, both in hearing the word of GOD, and in receiving of the sacraments: neither is the effect of CHRIST’s ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of GOD’s gifts diminished from such, as by faith, and rightly do receive the sacraments ministered unto them, which be effectual, because of CHRIST’s institution and promise, although they be ministered by evil men.” This I think a sufficient vindication, for the methodists keeping in the church. But if some cannot go thus far, nor bear to hear the doctrine of justification by faith alone continually preached against, the preachers must thank themselves if any entirely desert the church, and run to meeting-houses or elsewhere, to get food for their souls. For I am persuaded, if the doctrine of justification by faith alone be banished from our pulpits, people may attend to their lives end, and yet never have the whole counsel of GOD (as you think they may, page 50.) declared unto them.
I could enlarge upon this point, and also answer the charge of enthusiasm which you bring against me in several parts of your letter. But I willingly omit it, because I shall have occasion to write more explicitly on these points in my second answer to the _Observations_: I have some reasons for deferring it at present. But I assure you, Rev. Sir, you must not expect me to treat that anonymous author with less justice than in my last. For however worthy perhaps he may be in your sight, I think I shall prove him to be no better than an unskilful slandering sophister; and if a clergyman, an unorthodox blind guide.