My name is _Owen_. I am a printer in _Amen-Corner_; and I waited upon you to let you know, that I have had orders from several of the Bishops, to print for their use, such numbers of the _Observations upon the conduct and behaviour of the Methodists_, (with some few additions) as they have respectively bespoken. And I will not fail to wait upon you with one copy, as soon as the impression is finished. I am, Sir, Your most obedient, &c.
It is a weighty thing with me, my Lords, to have insinuations made, or queries put to me, in respect to my practice and doctrine, in such a public manner, by persons that are placed at the head of the church. It is true, your Lordships have not put queries to me in your own names; but as the author has concealed his, and these papers are printed by your Lordships orders, you have thereby adopted them for your own; consequently, I am put under a necessity of directing this letter as I have done. And I can assure your Lordships, that with great deference to the dignity of your office, after earnest prayer, with I trust some degree of humility, and unfeigned simplicity of heart, I now sit down to perform my promise, to give a candid and impartial answer to the fore-mentioned papers, which were sent me last week, (collected into a pamphlet) by Mr. _Owen_; and I suppose, by your Lordships order.
I never yet was, and hope never shall be so far left to lean to my own understanding, as to fancy myself infallible. Young as I am, I know too much of the devices of Satan, and of the desperate wickedness and deceitfulness of my own heart; not to be sensible, that I am a man of like passions with others, and consequently may have sometimes mistaken nature for grace, imagination for revelation, and the fire of my own temper, for the pure and sacred flame of holy zeal, which cometh from GOD’s altar.――If therefore, upon perusing the pamphlet, I find that I have been blameable in any respect (as in all probability I may) I will not only confess it, but return hearty thanks both to the compiler and your Lordships, though unknown.
Indeed, it is but of little consequence to the merits of the cause to know who the author is. Only thus much may be said, your Lordships yourselves being judges, it is not quite fair to give stabs in the dark; and it is some satisfaction to the person attacked, to know who and what his antagonists are, that he may know the better how to deal with them. But since that cannot be granted, it may be more to the purpose, to consider the matters contained in the pamphlet, and to answer for myself, so far as I am concerned.
It is entitled, _Observations upon the conduct and behavior_ (_i. e._ upon the conduct and conduct) _of a certain sect, usually distinguished by the name of Methodists_. I think the title ought rather to run thus,――_Misrepresentations of the conduct and PRINCIPLES, of many orthodox, well-meaning ministers, and members of the church of |England|, and loyal subjects to his Majesty King |George|, FALSELY TERMED A SECT, and usually distinguished, OUT OF CONTEMPT, by the name of METHODISTS_. This title, my Lords, would just answer the contents. For the _principles_ as well as _conduct_ of the Methodists are struck at, and greatly misrepresented in this pamphlet. And the Methodists are no _sect_, no separatists from the established church, neither do they call people from her communion. Besides, the author ought to have added, _A new edition, with several alterations, additions and corrections_; for otherwise the world is made to believe, that this is the self-same composition which was handed about some months ago, and of which I had a hasty reading. Whereas there are several things omitted, some things added, and divers alterations made in this new edition; so that the title-page is not only injudicious, but false and scandalous.
And if the _title-page_ is so bad, I fear the _design and scope_ of the pamphlet itself is much worse. For is it not to represent the proceedings of the Methodists as dangerous to the church and state, in order to procure an act of parliament against them, or oblige them to secure themselves by turning dissenters?