8. An objection much more boldly and frequently urged, is that “all these bands are mere _popery_.” I hope I need not pass a harder censure on those (most of them at least) who affirm this, than that they talk of they know not what, they betray in themselves the most gross and shameful ignorance. Do not they yet know, that the only _popish_ confession is, the confession made by a single person to a priest? (And this itself is in no wise condemned by our church; nay, she recommends it in some cases) whereas, that _we_ practice, is, the confession of several persons conjointly, not to a priest, but to each other. Consequently, it has no analogy at all to _popish_ confession. But the truth is, this is a stale objection, which many people make against any thing they do not like. It is all _popery_ out of hand.
VII. 1. And yet while most of these who were thus intimately joined together, went on daily from faith to faith: some fell from the faith, either all at once, by falling into known, wilful sin; or gradually, and almost insensibly, by giving way in what they called little things; by sins of omission, by yielding to heart sins, or by not watching unto prayer. The exhortations and prayers used among the believers, did no longer profit these. They wanted advice and instructions suited to their case; which as soon as I observed I separated them from the rest, and desired them to meet me a-part on _Saturday_ evenings.
2. At this hour, all the hymns, exhortations and prayers, are adapted to their circumstances: being wholly suited to those, who _did_ see God, but have now lost the light of his countenance: and who mourn after him, and refuse to be comforted, till they know he has healed their back-sliding.
3. By applying both the threats and promises of God, to these real (not nominal) _penitents_, and by crying to God in their behalf, we endeavoured to bring them back to the great Shepherd and Bishop of their souls: not by any of the fopperies of the _Roman_ church, although in some measure countenanced by antiquity. In prescribing hair-shirts, and bodily austerities, we durst not follow even the antient church: although we had unawares, both in dividing οἰ πιστοὶ the believers from the rest of the society, and in separating the _penitents_ ♦from them, and appointing a peculiar service for them.
♦ added catch word “from” omitted from start of next page
VIII. 1. Many of these soon recovered the ground they had lost. Yea, they rose the higher for their fall: being more watchful than ever, and more meek and lowly, as well as stronger in the faith that worketh by love. They now out-ran the greater part of their brethren, continually walking in the light of God, and having fellowship with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
2. I saw it might be useful to give some advices to all those, who thus continued in the light of God’s countenance, which the rest of their brethren did not want, and probably could not receive. So I desired a small number of such as appeared to be in this state, to spend an hour with me every _Monday_ morning. My design was, not only, to direct them, how to _press after perfection_; to exercise their every grace, and improve every talent they had received; and to incite them to love one another more, and to watch more carefully over each other: but also to have a _select company_, to whom I might unbosom myself on all occasions, without reserve: and whom I could propose to all their brethren as a pattern of love, of holiness, and of good works.
3. They had no need of being incumbered with many rules; having the best rule of all in their hearts. No peculiar directions were therefore given to them: excepting only these three.
First, let nothing spoken in this society, be spoken again. (Hereby we had the more full confidence in each other.)
Secondly, Every member agrees, to submit to his minister in all indifferent things.
Thirdly, Every member will bring once a week, all he can spare toward a common stock.
4. Every one here has an equal liberty of speaking, there being none greater or less than another. I could say freely to these, when they were met together, _ye may all prophesy one by one_ (taking that word in its lower sense) _that all may learn, and all may ♦be comforted_. And I often found the advantage of such a free conversation, and that _in the multitude of counsellors there is safety_. Any who is inclined so to do, is likewise incouraged, to pour out his soul to God. And here especially we have found, that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
♦ “he” replaced with “be”
IX. 1. This is the plainest and clearest account I can give of the people, commonly called _Methodists_. It remains only, to give you a short account, of those who _serve_ their brethren in love. ♦These are _leaders_ of classes and bands (spoken of before) _assistants_, _stewards_, _visitors_ of the sick, and _school-masters_.
♦ “There” replaced with “These” per Errata