4. I should rejoice (so little ambitious am I to be at the head of any sect or party) if the very name might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion. But if that cannot be, at least let those who will use it, know the meaning of the word they use. Let us not always be fighting in the dark. Come, and let us look one another in the face. And perhaps some of you who hate _what_ I _am called_, may love what I _am_ (by the grace of God:) or, rather what _I follow after, if that I may apprehend that, for which also I am apprehended of_ Christ Jesus.
_The CHARACTER of a METHODIST._
1. THE _distinguishing marks_ of a _Methodist_ are not his _opinions_ of any sort. His assenting to this or that scheme of religion, his embracing any particular set of notions, his espousing the judgment of one man or of another, are all quite wide of the point. Whosoever therefore imagines, that a _Methodist_ is a man of such or such an _opinion_, is grossly ignorant of the whole affair; he mistakes the truth totally. We believe indeed, that _all scripture is given by the inspiration of God_, and herein we are distinguished from _Jews_, _Turks_, and _Infidels_. We believe the written word of God to be the _only and sufficient_ rule, both of Christian faith and practice; and herein we are fundamentally distinguished from those of the _Romish church_. We believe Christ to be the eternal supreme God; and herein we are distinguished from the _Socinians_ and _Arians_. But as to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think. So that whatsoever they are, whether right or wrong, they are no _distinguished marks of a Methodist_.
2. Neither are _words_ or _phrases_ of any sort. We do not place our religion, or any part of it, in being attached to any peculiar mode of speaking, any quaint or ♦uncommon set of expressions. The most obvious, easy, common words, wherein our meaning can be conveyed, we prefer before others, both on ordinary occasions, and when we speak of the things of God. We never therefore willingly or designedly deviate from the most usual way of speaking; unless when we express scripture truths in scripture words, (which we presume no Christian will condemn.) Neither do we affect to use any particular expressions of scripture, more frequently than others, unless they are such as are more frequently used by the inspired writers themselves. So that it is as gross an error, to place the marks of a _Methodist_ in his _words_, as in _opinions_ of any sort.
♦ “common” replaced with “uncommon” per Errata
3. Nor do we desire to be distinguished by _actions_, _customs_, or _usages_, of an _indifferent_ nature. Our religion does not lie in doing what God has not enjoined, or abstaining from what he hath not forbidden. It does not lie in the form of our apparel, in the posture of our body, or the covering of our heads; nor yet in abstaining from marriage, or from meats and drinks, which are all good if received with thanksgiving. Therefore neither will any man who knows whereof he affirms, fix the mark of a _Methodist_ here; in any actions or customs purely indifferent, undetermined by the _word of_ God.
4. Nor, lastly, is he distinguished by laying the _whole stress_ of religion on any single part of it. If you say, “Yes, he is, for he thinks _we are saved by faith alone_.” I answer, you do not understand terms. By _salvation_ he means, holiness of heart and _life_. And this he affirms to spring from true faith alone. Can even a nominal Christian deny it? Is this placing a part of religion for the whole? _Do we then make void the law thro’ faith?_ God _forbid_! _Yea we establish the law._ We do not place the whole of religion (as too many do, God knoweth) either in doing no harm, or in doing good, or in using the ordinances of God. No, not in all of them together wherein we know by experience a man may labour many years, and at the end have no true religion at all, no more than he had at the beginning. Much less in any one of these: or, it may be in a scrap of one of them: like her who fancies herself a _virtuous_ woman, only because she is not a prostitute; or him who dreams he is an _honest_ man, merely because he does not rob or steal. May the Lord God of my Fathers preserve me, from such a poor, starved religion as this! Were this the _mark_ of a _Methodist_, I would sooner chuse to be a sincere _Jew_, _Turk_, or _Pagan_.