The passage, a fragment of which you produce as a sixth argument, stands thus. “¹A few of us had a long conference together. Mr. _C._ now told me plainly, he could not agree with me, because I did not preach the truth, particularly with regard to election.” He did so; but without any rancor. We had a long conference; but not a _fierce_ one.
¹ 4 Journal, page 77.
You seventhly observe, “What scurrility of language the _Moravians_ throw out against Mr. _Wesley_.” Perhaps so. But this will not prove, that “the _Methodists_ quarrel with each other.”
“And how does he turn their own artillery upon them?” This is your eighth argument. But if I do, this no more proves the “_mutual quarrels_ of the _Methodists_,” than my turning your own artillery upon _you_.
33. Having by these eight irrefragable arguments, clearly carried the day, you raise your crest, and cry out, “is this _Methodism_”?
♦Ibid. page 59.
♦ Unmarked in text.
“_And reign such mortal feuds in heavenly minds?_”
Truly, Sir, you have not yet brought one single proof (and yet I dare say, you have brought the very best you have) of any such feuds among the _Methodists_, as may not be found among the most heavenly-minded men on earth.
But you are resolved to pursue your victory, and so go on. “What are we to think of these charges, of _Whitefield_ and _Wesley_ and the _Moravians_, one against another?” The _Moravians_, Sir, are out of the question; for they are no _Methodists_. And as to the rest, Mr. _Whitefield_ charges Mr. _Wesley_ with holding universal redemption, and I charge him with holding particular redemption. This is the standing charge on either side. And now, Sir, what are we to think! Why, that you have not proved one point of this charge against the _Methodists_.
However you stumble on. “Are these things so? Are they true, or are they not true? If not true, they are grievous _calumniators_; if true, they are detestable _sectarists_. Whether true or false, the allegation stands good, of their _fierce_ and _rancorous quarrels_, and mutual _heinous accusations_.”
Sir, has your passion quite extinguished your reason? Have _fierceness_ and ♦_rancour_ left you no understanding? Otherwise how is it possible you should run on at this senseless, shameless rate? These things _are true_ which Mr. _Whitefield_ and _Wesley_ object to each other. He holds the decrees; I do not. Yet this does not prove us “detestable sectarists.” And whether these things are true or false, your “allegation of our _fierce_ and _rancorous quarrels_, and mutual _heinous accusations_” cannot stand good, without better proof than you have yet produced.
♦ “racour” replaced with “rancour” per Errata
34. Yet with the utmost confidence, _quasi re bene gesta_, you proceed, “And how stands the matter among their disciples? They are _all_ together by the ears, embroiled and broken with _unchristian quarrels and confusions_.”
How do you prove this? Why thus. “Mr. _Wesley’s fourth journal_ is mostly taken up, in enumerating their _wrath_, _dissentions_ and _apostasies_.” No, Sir, not a tenth part of it: although it gives a full and explicit account of the greatest dissentions which ever were among them.
But to come to particulars. You first cite these words, “At _Oxford_ but a few who _had not forsaken them_.”
My words are. “_Monday, October 1, 1738_, I rode to _Oxford_, and found a few who _had not yet forsaken the assembling themselves together_.” This is your first proof, “that the _Methodists_ are _all_ together by the ears.” Your second is its very twin-brother. “_Tuesday 2._ ¹I went to many who once heard the word with joy; but _when the sun arose, they withered away_.”
¹ 3 Journal, page 84.
Your third is this. ¹“Many were induced (by the _Moravians_) to deny the gift of God, and affirm, they never had any faith at all.” You are at liberty to enjoy this argument also: and let it prove what it can prove.
¹ 3 Journal, page 85.
You fourthly cite these words. ¹“Many of our sisters are shaken, grievously torn by reasonings. But few come to _Fetter-lane_, and then after their names are called over they presently depart. Our brethren here (those who were proselytes to the _Moravians_) have neither wisdom enough to guide, nor prudence enough to let it alone. They (the _Moravians_) have much confounded some of our sisters, and many of our brothers are much grieved.”
¹ 4 Journal, page 8.
This proves thus much, that _one_ society was _at that time_ divided: but not “that the _Methodists_ in general, were even _then, all_ together by the ears.”
The passage you quote, in the fifth place, is, ¹“I believe――――are determined to go on according to Mr. _Molther_’s direction, and I suppose (says the writer of the letter) above half our brethren are on their side. But they are so very confused, they do not know how to go on, and yet are unwilling to be taught, except by the _Moravians_.”
¹ 4 Journal, page 18.