_Q._ 1. What is the church of _England_?
_A._ According to the 20th article, the visible church of _England_ is, the congregation of English _believers_, in which the _pure word_ of God is preached, and the sacraments _duly_ administered.
(But the word _church_ is sometimes taken in a looser sense, for “a congregation professing to believe.” So it is taken in the 26th article, and in the 1st, 2d, and 3d chapters of the _Revelation_.)
_Q._ 2. Who is a member of the church of _England_?
_A._ A believer, hearing the _pure word_ of God preached, and partaking of the sacraments duly administered, in that church.
_Q._ 3. What is it to be zealous for the church?
_A._ To be earnestly desirous of its welfare and increase: of its welfare, by the confirmation of its present members, in faith, hearing, and communicating: and of its increase, by the addition of new members.
_Q._ 4. How are we to defend the doctrine of the church?
_A._ Both by our preaching and living.
_Q._ 5. How should we behave at a false, or railing sermon?
_A._ If it only contain personal reflections, we may quietly suffer it: if it blaspheme the work and Spirit of God, it may be better to go out of the church. In either case, if opportunity serve, it would be well to speak or write to the minister.
_Q._ 6. How far is it our duty to obey the bishops?
_A._ In all things indifferent. And on this ground of obeying them, we should observe the canons, so far as we can with a safe conscience.
_Q._ 7. Do we separate from the church?
_A._ We conceive not: we hold communion therewith, for conscience sake, by constantly attending both the word preached, and the sacraments administered therein.
_Q._ 8. What then do they mean who say, “you separate from the church?”
_A._ We cannot certainly tell. Perhaps they have no determinate meaning: unless, by the church they mean _themselves_, _i. e._ that part of the clergy who accuse us of preaching false doctrine. And it is sure we do herein separate from them, by maintaining that which they deny.
_Q._ 9. But do you not weaken the church?
_A._ Do not they who ask this, by _the church_ mean _themselves_? We do not purposely weaken any man’s hands. But accidentally we may, thus far: they who come to know the truth by us, will esteem such as deny it, less than they did before.
But the church, in the proper sense, the congregation of _English_ believers, we do not weaken at all.
_Q._ 10. Do you not entail a schism on the church? _i. e._ Is it not probable, that your hearers after your death, will be scattered into all sects and parties? Or that they will form themselves into a distinct sect?
_A._ 1. We are persuaded the body of our hearers will even after our death remain in the church, unless they be thrust out.
2. We believe notwithstanding, either that they will be thrust out, or that they will leaven the whole church.
3. We do, and will do, all we can, to prevent those consequences, which are supposed likely to happen after our death.
4. But we cannot with a good conscience neglect the present opportunity of saving souls while we live, for fear of consequences which may possibly or probably happen, after we are dead.
Conversation the Second.
_Bristol_, TUESDAY, _August 1, 1745_.
THE following persons being met together at the New-Room, in _Bristol_; _John Wesley_, _Charles Wesley_, _John Hodges_, _Thomas Richards_, _Samuel Larwood_, _Thomas Meyrick_, _Richard Moss_, _John Slocombe_, _Herbert Jenkins_, and _Marmaduke Gwynne_:
It was proposed to review the minutes of the last conference with regard to justification. And it was asked.
_Q._ 1. How comes what is written on this subject to be so intricate and obscure? Is this obscurity from the nature of the thing itself? Or, from the fault or weakness of those who have generally treated of it?
_A._ We apprehend this obscurity does not arise from the nature of the subject: but, perhaps, partly from hence, that the devil peculiarly labours to perplex a subject of the greatest importance: and partly from the extreme warmth of most writers who have treated of it.
_Q._ 2. We affirm faith, in Christ is the sole condition of justification. But does not repentance go before that faith? Yea, and (supposing there be opportunity for them) fruits or works meet for repentance?
_A._ Without doubt they do.
_Q._ 3. How then can we deny them to be _conditions_ of justification? Is not this a mere strife of words? But is it worth while to continue a dispute on the term _condition_?
_A._ It seems not, though it has been grievously abused. But so the abuse cease, let the use remain.
_Q._ 4. Shall we read over together Mr. _Baxter_’s aphorisms concerning justification?
_A._ By all means: which were accordingly read. And it was desired, that each person present would in the afternoon consult the scriptures cited therein, and bring what objections might occur the next morning.
FRIDAY, _August 2_. _The_ question _was proposed_.