As to the other branch of the charge, it carries no face of truth. The Pope affirms that every Christian must do all he bids, and believe all he says, under pain of damnation. I never affirmed any thing that bears any, the most distant resemblance to this. All I affirm is, “The preachers who choose to labour with me, choose to serve me as sons in the gospel.” And “the people who choose to be under my care, choose to be so on the same terms they were at first.”
Therefore all talk of this kind is highly injurious to _me_, who bear this burden merely for _your_ sakes. And it is exceeding mischievous to the people, tending to confound their understandings, and to fill their hearts with evil-surmisings and unkind tempers towards _me_: to whom they really owe more, for taking all this load upon me, for exercising this very _power_, for shakling myself in this manner, than for all my preaching put together. Preaching twice or thrice a day is no burden to me at all; but the care of all the preachers and all the people, is a burden indeed!
_Q._ 78. What can be done in order to the future union of the _Methodists_?
_A._ On _Friday, August 4, 1769_, Mr. _Wesley_ read in the conference the following paper.
1. IT has long been my desire, that all those ministers of our church, who believe and preach salvation by faith, might cordially agree between themselves, and not hinder, but help one another. After occasionally pressing this in private conversation, wherever I had opportunity, I wrote down my thoughts upon this head, and sent them to each in a letter. Out of _fifty_ or _sixty_ to whom I wrote, only _three_ vouchsafed me an answer. So I gave this up. I can do no more. They are a rope of sand; and such they will continue.
2. But it is otherwise with the _travelling preachers_ in our connection: you are at present one body. You act in concert with each other, and by united counsels. And now is the time to consider what can be done, in order to continue this union? Indeed, as long as I live, there will be no great difficulty: I am, under God, a centre of union to all our _travelling_, as well as _local_ preachers.
They all know me and my communication. They all love me for my work’s sake: and therefore, were it only out of regard to me, they will continue connected with each other. But by what means may this connection be preserved, when God removes me from you?
3. I take it for granted, it cannot be preserved, by any means, between those who have not a single eye. Those who aim at any thing but the glory of God, and the salvation of men: who desire, or seek any earthly thing, whether honour, profit, or ease, will not, cannot continue in the connection; it will not answer their design. Some of them, perhaps a _fourth_ of the whole number, will procure preferment in the church. Others will turn independents, and get separate congregations, like _John Edwards_ and _Charles Skelton_. Lay your accounts with this, and be not surprised if some you do not suspect be of this number.
4. But what method can be taken to preserve a firm union between these who choose to remain together?
Perhaps you might take some such steps as these:
On notice of my death, let all the preachers in _England_ and _Ireland_, repair to _London_ within _six_ weeks.
Let them seek God by solemn fasting and prayer.
Let them draw up articles of agreement, to be signed by those who choose to act in concert.
Let those be dismissed who do not choose it, in the most friendly manner possible.
Let them choose, by votes, a _committee_ of three, five, or seven, each of whom is to be _moderator_ in his turn.
Let the committee do what I do now: propose _preachers_ to be _tried_, _admitted_, or _excluded_: fix the place of each preacher for the ensuing year, and the time of the next conference.
5. Can any thing be done now, in order to lay a foundation for this future union? Would it not be well, for any that are willing, to sign some articles of agreement before God calls me hence? Suppose something like these:
“We, whose names are underwritten, being thoroughly convinced of the necessity of a close union between those whom God is pleased to use as instruments in this glorious work, in order to preserve this union between ourselves, are resolved, God being our helper.
“I. _To devote ourselves entirely to_ God; denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, steadily aiming at one thing, _to save our own souls, and them that hear us_.
“II. To preach the _old Methodist doctrines_, and no other, contained in the minutes of the conferences.
“III. To observe and enforce the whole _Methodist discipline_, laid down in the said minutes.”
_Q._ 79. What can be done in order to revive the work of God where it is decayed?