DUKE UNIVERSITY DIVINITY SCHOOL LIBRARY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Duke University Libraries https://archive.org/details/authorsapologyfoOOokel It !> & Li¬ lt ■f Hsfeett SiWcaf-lp^itBU Ivansbn, U.ino V « — r *— c — ‘f r\ O f. TJ .'"A T A N~ ik U A Ax w kv vD A if O —i w Li" A ik A * A V* ,( ■ PROTESTING .AGAINST RE -K E ' A' . < -* ..SP&SRf ■ £? I >: CO 1 1 AT GO VEST J A ON T o*^-V '.v ■. ;. <3.. JJ ■ - • “ through rr.iv. precepts i get ukdp.k— . SANDING r THY WORD 13 A DAMP TO MV fEET, AND A LIGHT TO MY RAITilk' &v O’, ■G * * it-/ C N D: •»v* . /*mxzed Ij John Dixon, /«* //;* Av :r& ADVERTISEMENT.^ V. S > ia ? 7 .^73 '. O HI A : IF Chrifians are free citizens of Zion, they foil Id prize ihofe liber¬ ties, feeing they were purchafed ») '> with the precious blood of Chrif, • - j .: By adding reproaches to opprefi- on., can never tend to heal a clifref i fed mind. - If my narrative is thought defU, tide of merit , I can give no preface | that can P'ofjibly grace it . , i. The Author* /, ^ • PH- V’ , r ^■r: ■- ■.-.s-rz.v-L' .tiraiwr\* <2_•;• > i'.‘f3B3BS: % : f-THE AUTHOR’S APOLOGY, &e. CHAP. L i . The Origin of Method fin, &r. Tf? Y the term Methodifts, we diflinguifh a i.O body of religious people, living by par - ticular rule and order. 2 Methodifm is not the offspring of epif~ . ropacy, but it judly claims.the Holy Bible for its facred root. For, W 3 In the year 1729, two young men by d reading the bible, law, that none could be d faved without holinefs. 4 This bible-holinefs they followed after, and in the (Longed terms advifed others lo to do. 5 And it came to pafs after thofe days, e , hen in the year 1766, two niiniders of the I methodift order, viz. Embury and Straws i bridge , emigrated irom~THe land of kings, and fettled in North America. 6 They taught the people the fear of the Lord, and formed focic.ies. T Then came over Pi 1 more .and Hoard man, 'and helped them. Then in the year 1775, John of England lent Francis alio to America, ' 7 The Lord of the hat veil foon called Nath n [ 4 ] a g-eat company of preachers from the woods of Columbia; from their Shops and farms. •3 The Lord gave the word, and great was the company of the preachers, s hey ran to and fro, and knowledge increafed. 9 Li thofe days the people of America groaned, by realon of opprefTion, they pray¬ ed the king of Britain to eafe their burden, to But the king confuhed the young men, and reSufcd to remove any of their burdens, but fen.t his army and Shot the people of Co¬ lumbia : the people revolted, and returned the darning complement. - it 1 he king’s people frnote us hip and thigh, but the refolute Franks came over in Ihips, and helped us; then we prevailed. 12 Thofe preachers who came over the-fait water, feme of whom, confcientioufly refufed to qualify as American citizens. Could not Walk at large: 13 Therefore there appeared a kind of re¬ paration between the northern preachers and thole in the fourh. 14 And in thofe days, when the number of •the difeipdes was multiplied,- there arofc a murm u ring among the people and four hem- preachers, with refpebt to the ordinances: for-, the old church had corrupted hcrfelf. 15 'the fouthern preachers had a meeting; on theoccaiion, in the county of Fluvarinah, about the year 1779. 1 6 And after we were come together for tpj - ccnfider the matter, and there had been much"'" r 5' j deputing, John, vhofc lir-namcwss Di-chins, made appear from fcripture, that a Prciby- tcrv, and not L'pifcopacv was the divine order.' 17 Then’it pleated the conference to form a Prctbyrery, and ordain eklcis. Wc went out in the name of the Lord, and the pleafure. of the Lord profpored in our hands. 1 8 Tidings of this foon reached the north¬ ern preachers, and Francis wiote that we fhould meet in conference at the M-anakin- town, ro confider the matter more minutely. 19 We met accordingly; and Ft'ancisTrom the north and John from the loath, were cheif fpeakers. Francis raifed his arguments from an author, who advifed th.c rae.thodids. never to leave the eftahlifhed church. 16 But John drew his arguments from the new tellameni', proving thereby, that the truer church was not the epifcopal order. Confer¬ ence broke, and. a fepa,ration was the re Cult. ! 21 I consulted-my brother John, who was ■ a man of \yitdom and patience, that-we iliouId- make an attempt at negociation. 22 We propofed that Francis fnould lay our grievances before Wefley, and that there fnould be a fufpcnf on ot the ordinances'-until- we could receive counfel from him. On thefe terms-we united. ... ■ ■ > . 23 1 he heavy fruggie between Britain and the men of Columbia/ being not. at an end,- Job: f Fngland fufpende'd his anfwer till* the b.cfTed epoch, or time of peace. [ S I CHAP. II. John tf England writes circular letters to the American prencbtrs, &c. J OHN, whofe fir-name was Wdley, Pent primed circular letters to the preachers, m America, in anfwer to our former nquell. The following, is the letter verbatim. Z Bridol Sepc. 10, 1784. To Dr. Coke, Mr. A (bury, and our brethren in North America. 3 By a very uncommon train of Provi¬ dences many of the provinces of North- Ame¬ rica are totally disjoined from their mother- country, and eredied into independent dates. 4 The Lnglifn government has no autho¬ rity over them either civil or ecledadical, any more than over the dates of Holland. 5 A civil authority is excrcifed over them, , pratly by the Congrcfs, partly by the Provin-. cial AfTemblies. But no one either exercifes or claims any ecledadical authority at all. 6 In this peculiar fituation feme thqufands of the inhabitants of thefe dates dedre my advice : and in compliance with their defire, j have drawn up a little (ketch. 7 Lord King’s account of the primitive church convinced me many years ago, that Lid,ops and Prdbyters ate the fame order, and conkquently have the fame right to or¬ dain. 8 For many years I have been importuned from time to time, to excrcife this right, by [ 7 3 ordaining part of our travelling preachers. 9 But 1 have Bill refufed, • not only for peace fake ; but beeaule 1 was determined, as little as pollible to violate th.e eftablidied or¬ der of the national church to which I belong¬ ed. 10 But the cafe is widely -different between England and North-America. Here there are Bifhops uho have a legal jurifdiction : in America there are none, neither pari ill mini- flers. 11 So that for fome hundred miles together there is none either to baptife or admimder the Lord’s fupper. Here therefore my fcTu¬ ples are at an end: 12 And I conceive rnyfelf at full liberty, as I violate no order and invade no man’s right, by appointing and lending labourers into the' harvelL 13 1 have accordingly appointed Dr. Coke and Mr. Francis Afbury, to be joint Superintend dants over our brethren in North America: as alfo Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vafeyg to a 61 as Elders among them, by baptifmg and ' adminidcring the Lord’s lupper. i/j. And 1 have prepared a leturgv little diflh ring from that of the church of Englan L (1 think, the bed condicated national church 1 dn the world) which I advife all the travelling' preachers to ufoon the Lord's Day, in all the congregations, 15 Reading the Litany only on.Wednel- days and Fridays, and praying extempore on [ 8 ] all other da^s. I alfoadvife the Elders to ad-, minister the {upper ol the Lord on every Lends Day, i 6 It any one will p. int out a more ration¬ al and 0 nptural way, ol feeding and guiding thole poor lheep in the wildernefs, I will gl.idlv embrace it. At prefent I cannot fee an\ better method than I nave taken. t It has been propofed, to defire the En- ?' !h b'ilhops, to ordain part of our preachers ! r America. But to this I objected, i. i dc- fired the Biihop of London, to ordain only one; but could not prevail: i 8 'i If they confentcd, we know theflow- nefs ot their, proceedings j but the matter admi s of no delay, j. if they would ordain them now, they would likevviie expect to go¬ vern them. 19 And how grievoiifly would this entangle ns? 4 As our American brethren are now to¬ tally difentanglcd both from the State, and from the En^Uh Hierarchy, wc dare not en-. tangle them again, either with the one or the other.. 20 They are now at full liberty, limply to follow the fci iotures and the primitive church. And we judge it belt that they fhouid hand fad in that liberty, whcrewnlV'God has lo gely made them free. JOHN WESLEY, t [ 9 ] ( CHAP. III. 'fhc ventral conference called—'(‘he circular Idler confdered—-A feparaiion from the church of England , &C. A N D ic came ro pals in the year of our Xi Lord 178.4., in the twelfth month, the travelling preachers were calld together ro the great city of Baltimore, to confider the contents of the circular letter 2 We perceived the count'd given in the circular letter to be good ; becaufe we are di- rceded to follow the Icriptures and the primi¬ tive church: and to iland fait in our liberties, peeing we were free from the power of kings land bilhops. Amen, 3 The conference unanirnoufly agreed to de t va are ficm the church of England : and Therefore we formed our religions focieties- ir.to an independent church. I he title was, . |“ The Methodili Epilcopal Church.” 4 The term Epifcopacy, did not let well on A he rounds of fome, feeing Mr. Wefley allured •as th t it was-vhpt Apofiolic.-. But Thomas explained ic ajjlay, by that indilinitive term, Mediodid Epifcopacy”—We had Epifco- fey, but no hifhop. • < - 5 I harms and Francis were our Superin- tend ants, as Prefident Elders; according to- ,John.’s appointment. But they were not e-*' icpdecl by the fdBrage of conference, pakhongK: it is 1) v nr ten in the book of difeipline. iy ■ 6 hpifcapacy, and the furccfiion of-biBiops-* •mm the A pell leg were proved, erronious by; [ 10 3 thole Superintendar.ts, in the following man r ner. 7 "As for the fucceHions of Bifhops from * r the Apoflles, can be proved neither Irom c * fcripture, nor antiquity.” Bilhop, Elder, or Overlecr, are iynonimous reims through¬ out the writings oi St. Paul, Dr. 8 Are nor thcfe things written in the fer- mon delivered by Thomas, on the ordination of Francis. Yea, and in the book of difci- pline for the year 17 84. 9 In the fame book, the origin of Method- id ordination is recorded in the following manner: “ Our ordination ft equal to that of Prefbyterians, originating in three Prefhyters. of the church of England.” 10 The conference unanimouflv agreed to fubmit to John of England in matters of church government: but we did not. CHAP. IV. A third Sr.perintcndant propo/ed—Debates on the ' Jy.bjeA—The motion lofi—dhe Jo.ci which hup - ' petted in S7 and 1788. 1 A ND it came to pafs after thefe things, 1 the Dr. came over to America, with di¬ rections from John of England, that Richard Wa tcoat, ("lately from Europe) fhould be let apart for the purpofe ,of a J jint-Superintcn- dunt with Francis. ) 2 And it was fo, that the fubjedt was laid before conference, held at Rough creek, in the year i 7 86. [ n; ] 3 The chief fpeakers on the fubjciTt, were Thomas and James. Francis wasoppofed to a Joint-Supei intendant, yet faid but little— hor he was under authority. . 4 Although Thomas feemed to be'lome- what in conference, “ it makethno matter to me;” God accepteth no man’s perlon. 5 I fpake after this manner ; That the free people of America were exceeding jealous of ■ the growing body of Methodifts, becaufe of the Furopean heads. 6 Moreover, I did not confider the perfon to be adequate to the talk, on account of his age; and that alfo, he was a ftranger to the v iidernels of America, &c. But above all, 1 I urged that two heads would produce two bodies. - - 7 Francis propefed for the Baltimone con-' . ference to defide the difpute, to which we all agreed; and there the motion was loft; • ; , ? . ; 8 How cruel, and how falle is the prevail- ing report of mv leaving the Epifcopal Me-' thodiifs becaule I could not obtain the place of a bifhop. I deny the charge, in the prelence of the Lord, and in the face of the world. . 9 And it came to pals about the year 1787,’ h -F Frapcis directed the preachers that whenever- they wrote to him, to title him Bilhop. They did lo: and this was the beginning of our fpuFious Epifcopacy. ; to The p’eafure of the Lord ftil! prefpered. in our hands, n oft glcrioufly indeed. We lengthened cur qerds, but our (fakes gave' way.- ii Ariel in was fo, that in thole days we knew but little of government; we depended oa the gcodiids and wifdom of the Biihop. i 2 It hath been faid by feme, that it woulci have been well if we had “ remained igno¬ rant on the fubjeft of church government."— Yet I mud believe that knowledge is better than ignorancej and light better than dark- nefs. 13 Thefe were glorious times for gaining prolclytes to God; but the people thus con¬ verted, did not profper, becaufe they were deprived of liberty, and gofpel government: being influenced too much by the fear of man. 14 In thole days the dillrifts were formed in a kind of confederacy; and the Bifhop was amenable to the diftrifts refpefting his con- dud. This plan was'directed by John, of England, I believe. 15 After thole things, Francis took w ith him a few chofen men, and in a clandeftifie manner (he) expelled John, whole fir-name was Wefiey, from the “ Methodic Epifcopal Church." 16 The fouthern preachers were utter Gran¬ gers to the thing which had happened, for a teafon } till it began to be whifpered abroad, and we then difeovered W—'s name was blot¬ ted out of the book: This confirmed the re¬ port. . • 17 This cruel aft, was thought by one to hallen the death of dear Wcfley. Old not 1 nomas, in behalf of VVefiey, .explode thet conduct of Francis, before a congregation, irt tire city of Baltimore ? Are thefe things fo? 18 I was alfotold, that the Dr. was about to publifh it from the prefs, as a wicked a6t; but was prevailed on to defift. 1 ' 19 Yvefley could only adh in America by his delegates, and Francis was one of thofe in' whom he confided: but alas, I fuppofe Francis bet rayed his mid . . '< ‘ r " 20 But what appears fo exceptionable in the conduct of Francis,-is che clandeftine manner in which he expelled the name, and Authority of Wefley ; and then toad: with a? far more lordly and tyranaical power overus! 21 Yea, his little finger has proved thicker* than Weflev’s loins. Witnefs the book on divitions; and alfo the late Jlander in the E- pifcopal minutes: lacking only civil power to make it “ the Pope’s bull!"■ F r ; • *• F ' - ■ . :v- : , ■' '> CHAP. V. Concerning the ■ Council. A ND it came to pafs in the fecond year of, il Epifcopacy (after the title Bifliop) that* Francis revealed his mind to the travelling- preachers in the diflridl conferences, .refpedt- 5 ing a change of government. - * * 2 Francis informed us of an uncommon,! ‘and glorious union among, the travelling' preachers, fo that the Millenium was ap~ : preaching, or coming faft onl 3 Then he propofed that a general confer¬ ence-plan fnould be eflabliflicd,. where ail* rnighr aiTcmble together at one place. 4 This led us firaightway into difputation^ We raifed feveral objections againll his pro- pofal, and our thoughts on fuch a plan of government, were approved of through the diflrids: the motion was loll, and our objec¬ tions puhlilhed. 5 And thus it is written in the Minutes for the year 1789, page 12.—“ Whereas the j holding ol general conferences on this exten- fivecontinent, would be attended with a va¬ riety of difficulties, and inconveniences to the work of God—lofs of time, expenfe, &C;” 6 Let it be remembered in the annals of ' church-hirtory, that the very plan of govern¬ ment which was condemned, and exploded through the connexion, is now unanimoufly received, and ertablifhed by the fame men ! 7 Neverthelefs, thofe men plead the wif- dom and weight of the majority : although-' r they have turned as the “ weather-cock." 8 13 c it known, that at the lame time the general conference-plan was propofed, Fran¬ cis propofed a council-plan alfo, where a few Elders might meet with their Bifhop, and do the bufinefs. N ' 9 I then arofe when the council was pro¬ posed, and Ipake after this manner; We would wilh the matter to be further explained" to us. ' v 10 That is to fay, what will be the bufinefs cf fuch a council, what power fhall it be in¬ verted with, and what benefits may wc expeil CM 1 to receive from its operation ? 11 Francis fpake and (aid, “ there mud: be fomething to preferve the union.” However, (faid he) the council d'.all only mature mat¬ ters for the dill rifts, and form no refolution without a unanimity. 12 And after forming fuch refolutions, they fhall be binding on no didrift, unlefs a ma¬ jority of the preachers in the dillrift agree to them. 13 The conference gave their voice in fa¬ vor of the council, and ordered, that the fol- j lowing refolution be printed, j 14 “ No refolution in council without a unanimity, and no refolution fhall be binding on any didrift, unlefs a majority of the preach¬ ers agree to it.”—See minutes for the year | I 78 9 , page 13. I 15 Juft about the time the motion was j carried, a powerful impredion rud'.cd into my mind, refpefting the ruin that fuch a change might bring upon us. . 16 As I fat the table, I opened my mouth and fpake after this manner; 17 This council I fear will brake our uni- i on, and not preferve it: One didrift may re¬ ceive what another may rejeft, &c, Francis jogc-d my elbow, and I ceafed fpcaking., ■ I t CHAP. VI. The A tec ting of the Pir /1 Council , A ND it came to pafs on the fir if day of the tenth month, in the year 4789, that t >6 r Francis, with a'few Elders, afiembiecl in. council at Baltimore. 2 Francis refufed two worthy miniders a feat in council, in his abfolute manner, with¬ out rendering any reafon for fuch conduct. 3 We then proceeded to bufmefs, but what, I knew not; for all was premediated, and de- pofited in the one mind. ^ 4 The political project was carried on in the following manner; Francis would propofe a few fentences at a time, &c. , 5 The intention of the man I.knew not, therefore the thing being hid, the interpreta¬ tion was too hard for me. 6 I moved on in the dark, and groped as a blind man: For none know the mind of a man, fave his fpiric within him. 7 The judicious reader will wonder at our fiupid conduct, thus to be duped, not to de¬ mand the intention to be explained, previous to our entering into bufinefs. 8 I confefs, that on one fide it difeovers Veaknefs; and on the other hand policy. ; 9 But as we were men under authority, we . feared to offend our fuperior. He would of¬ ten pray that God would deliver the preach- t . ers from the curfe of fufpicion. This prayer, had the deftred effedt on fome of us. • • 10 Francis propofed that no preaching > houfe fhould be built for the time to come, by the people, without fir ft obtaining liberty of the conference. 'ill cogently oppofed the motion, bccaufe- £ »7 *3 ' loved the people, and conceived it to be'atf :?ivcfion on their civil, aswell as religious lib.er- * ties! ' * 12 I contended on, till 1 difeovered Fran-* ’ ;is to be much dilpleafed; and he anfwered' »nd faid unto me, ,f I can (lay in Baltimore a$ S‘ long as you: and if I do not carry this-, L will never fit in another council.” n 13 However, I obtained a fmall amend¬ ment, and fo gave over contending: and the Dufinefs went on. • . ) i 14 In the evening I unboforaed myfelf to gny brother Philip; but from what I after- . wards heard, I found that Solomon’s bird had tarried the news to the great man.. ■« ' v 15 However I told Francis, that inftead oF rounfellors, v.’e were his tools; and that I dif. ihed to be a tool for any man. :/ • . > ; 16 The bufmefs was (inifhed, and the whale tolle&ed, and I fuppofe prepared, and fenc :o the prefs. I faw them no more until the refolves came out in print.. . . •' . ; ; i 1 . ... . CHAP. VIL. . .. ! , d Preacher Discharged , hPu . ND it came to pafs after thefe fhingV when the morning was c.omc, that the preachers were abeijt to addrefs themfelves to ‘heir journey, each one was prefented with a new plan of government..;. . ; * 2 Then I thought it good to take with me ■Edward, whofe lir-name Was Morris, for he was a good man and a good minifter.' '* 3 And when we had departed out of the city, we began, as we journeyed, to examine our new cooftuuticn; for although we were members of the council, we knew not rightly what Was done. • 4 In obferving the contents, w’e difeovered a new conftitution, of a very defpotic nature, i Nine med could ad as the legiflature, but the Bifltop had the negative on the Council for time to come. ' 5 Edward fignified to me, that he would not travel unoer luch a government; and went ftraightway and married a virtuous dam- fei, and located himfelf, as others have fince done. ' : , 6 When I had informed the Virginia preach¬ ers of what was done, they were ferely dif- pleafed with our conduct. o r : 7 T allured them, that they had yet powef tc reject it when it came to the vote in our dif- trict; fcecaule we had a law*, and by that lav* nothing done in Council could bind any dif- tridt, without the majority of preachers a- greed to ic» ' ' ‘. i;'d The cogitations C*f my head troubled me, and for a feafon, deep departed from me. - < ; *9 1 feund myfelf deceived, and the church impeded on, becaufe the people, and local preachers were not • even xonfulted on the bnfinefs. 1 ' . - io I wrote, to Francis after-this mannert Brother, you know our infant Fate, g r anl us t >? 3 'one year to confider the matter coming be¬ fore us. , 11 Or if you refufe this, take away your ne¬ gative. And if you refufe, “ I fnall, as a duty 1 owe to the church, ufe mine influence,” &c. . 12 Francis received my letter by the hand of the mcffenger, but he utterly refufed to comply with my requeft. , • ■ 13 He anfwered me after this manner;— ** Thy letter greatly alarmed me ! but pray, Tt who boldly demands my negative? My ne~ “ gative is my own, I never have received ff (uch a check from any preacher in Ameri- ct ca,” &c. . 14 I now began to difeover the rapid five- years growth of “ A moderate Epifcopacy.'* Whereunto lhall I liken it; It is like unto a'- dwarf, whole head grows too fail for its body. , ■ QHAP. VIlL - The proceedings 0/ Francis in gaining profelytes i& his Eeclefiajiical Monarchy, B Y information I underflood, that he (Fran* f cis) in his way towards the fouth, ordain- 1 ed feveral novices to the office of Elders which was a violation of the refolvesof coun¬ ted. v c . 2 But, perhaps he gained profelytes by that means. As one obferved in a letter, “ Rail;; them one flep higher, and all is well." 3 Francis arrived at Charidlown, and i yp Conference propofed the new government . ; but it Mas rejected. [ « '• J “4 Then Francis (with the name of confer-* I cnee) ventured to alter what the grand couiv- 1 crl had done. 5 By what authority did Francis (and a. petty conference) alter, amend, extend, or a-* bridge the refclves of an Eccleliaftical Con'* ^refs ? 6 And it was fo, that in Somh-Carolini- the new form of government was received, with thofe illegal alterations. ' 7 In North-Carolina, there were heavy" debates in conference refpecting the newcoh- ftrtution, and they. refufed'to adopt it, even with the amendments. ' - . * 8 Then Francis propofe’d“another confut'd- : I tion u (though the fame nearly in fubfKnce)! r \l : hich he, himfelfhad formed ; this he called, " My mature thoughts.’-’ _ The fame was a-^ dopted in North-Carolina. y The reader will no longer be at a lofs to find- out the (f.uje of our ragged lepafatjonp - when he beholds how the different diftricts ; : adopted different conftitutions ! * : i o t This is the fruit of a human head, fixed \ fb a fphitual-body of chrillians!- ' i j V! \ f-Arid it came to pals in thofe days, even' l! an fhe year 1790, that Francis came according' A 5 T.pp01 fitment' to cur'conference held in Pe- iir? (CKirgFp •*-* • > ! ' ' • ! p. 1 2 He ivas rhet with a' wlrm rebeptionj and bA^Fafici'ng each other of our welfare, he de- ’•a’r.krtfutG 4s''what-hc hhddone in the fouth ? (?.ow the plan had been altered,' 3 nd in -what : r « -] . manner the preachers (not the church) had jreceivcd it.j * 13 He then'prefented us with a‘copy of his “ Mature thoughts.” I eafiiy dilc'overed that, in every alteration, he took care to fecuria Jais power. . ; . 14 To me it appears, that all thefe things arc according to the counfcl of'his own wili* created by him, and for him; and through th? medium of conference, eftablilhed: Seeing he remaineth a Hjgh-Prieft over the Metjaod-j ift Epifcopal Church. f 1 5 A man in his ftation ought to be pur£ like an angel,- .for-heis a perpetual prefi- dent, and fuperintends all the concerns of th$ church, both Ipiritual and temporal. f 16 All, Francis was born and nurtured in the land of kings and bifhops, and that which* is bred in the bone, is hard to begot out of the fieih, . • / 5; ; . ‘ ; 17 But after fome time elapfed in confer-^ "ence, Francis addreffed us in the following manner: ■ . .. v / ^ iB To-morrow I fhall lay before you tha new form of government; ..and. you may Re¬ ceive it as formed in council, 1 or.with the? Charleftown amendments, or receive.. “ M.j^ mature thoughts/’ offer year amendments*. ~ n or rejed it altogether.’* . -. 0 0 - {% C« -v... *. .Vi' it. 'if 4 {£ L 22 j CHAP. I 5 C. . The new plan of government reje&ed — The preach-* , ers expelled, idc. 7 N the evening, the preachers defired my •jl advice on the matter which was to be laid before them on the morrow. 2 I anfwere'd them after this manner; Bre~ thren, you know my mind on thefubjed, and my forrows have I not hid from you. I judge it bed; that you aHemble you riel ves together this night, and connder the fubjedt among yourielves, with prayer: hut 1 will not be with you. 3 Confider it as the caufe of your God; dived yourfelves of the fear of man; give your voice in the fear of i Hod, to the belt of your judgment. J O . 4 And it was fo, they followed my court. fei, and we all met the next morning before the president, in number about twenty-one* if I remember right. 5 1 . he p re tide lit: p repo fed it as above ob¬ served, and we all (except two) with one voice rejeded it altogether. ' 5 Then anfwered Francis and faid, ■' y<3 : all fpoken out cf one mouth.” Hence- . :r':h, “ ye are all out of the union.” fhen, • : »e in diftrefs, he gathered up his papers5 io ended conference without prayer! . 7 Thus it was, the thing that I fc red came upon me, for the union was broken, 2nd not rv 'Wc The you ng mi ni Be rs .we pt . ftrud; vTH ailcn:fh‘T?,::t to C-d ■ • l n ') ^ that we were all expelled the union, by the arbitrary voice of one man; for no offence, but voting according s« our own. matured judg*. m.ent i , 9 We could have appealed to the people of our care, and produced our md-'y oh a racier but ah ! no; the people have not power to help themfcIves! Now I. began to fee ! , 10 Had we appealed to England, Wefley himfelf was cut off before. Truly did reding 1 Call out of union, charged with rebellion, fee. by one arbitrary man ! , ft We then ddired Fmncis to fuffer a con¬ vention to meet on theoccafion, if only two from a diltridt,'and not to call us off without a hearing. He refufed. . ' w ; 12 It was then propofed that I ihonld be allowed to attend the northern conferences, and give my light on the fubjefc of govern¬ ment, and cur proceedings, &c. .•- 33 For we had allowed Elders fro in far, to tpeak in our conference: who were friends to the 'neiv'conliitution. But Ftancis'wbu 5 d-nog agree that we ihould have the like privilege. 14 The interpretation, is this; Nineteen, m millers, i believe called and approved ol by Too, and beloved by the people, were expel ted £hc union >of a church, containing fixey of Seventy’ thou land fouls, by the voice of Francisi 1 15 Should it be laid, that our expulsion .was s. natural con I dquenee, or refuit of our rejects j*"»g the goyerhmeuc which others h ad adopted^ Ji.~t qty.tv.-obierve,. ’:brw only minority C 54 i eeived it at the time. 16 Is the like or this to be found in the an-* Xials of'hiftory ? 17 Then fpake the young minifters unto Francis , before His departure, faying, f< what fhall v.e do, and what will become of this diftridt?” 1 3 He anfwered them after this manner; If you will agree that I (hall be your bifhop, I will (lation you in this diflrid. on the old plan.” . . 19 They accepted his offer, and the difirid: was committed to their care: but no regard was paid to O’KELLY. . 20 This is the interpretation. As they a~ greed that he was their bifhop, they thereby •iubjeclcd themfelv.es. And fecondly, as they .were put in care of every circuit, this it me out. And as touching the old plan, this could loon be altered again. f‘ ‘ ‘ •' . ' ‘ i . * . - CHAP. X. • v ■ Circular Idlers zvrole , read, and defpjed, 13 c. . ND it came To pafs after thefe things* and Francis had gone on his way to the difirid: conferences towards the north, 1 wrote jeveral lo rs to the different conferences* ht • Hum. of the pj 1-dersj ’and broth-.:: Jcfje, helped n e. i, 2 I wrote afrer this manner ; Brethren, and A low labourers, you are the only court v,£ •ve to lay our grievances before. 3..Wears net.pc w * IOjnlIi :■ 1. ^ • 1 ro ’ 5 £ *$ 3. v/c have done no evil; but we demand of yOa- jrhe'crdinance ofjuftice. We are not allowed to be pro lent. We are cut off, 2 ec. 4 Report fay, our letters were read, and treated very unfriendly, through the power and influence of F> unsis : ide was jufti h cd, an4 •vve condemned, as the authors of evil. 5 And it was fo, that the new conllitutiog, was received and a fecond council called-. .. 6 But previous to the fettingof the fecond coumil, Francis wrote letters to the Virginia preachers, after this mariner; 7 I advii'e that you all meet in conference; among you riel ves, and if you will fubrpit tp the. new plan of government, “ fend your de¬ legate to the council.” 8 “ The council (bat! concern only with the temporalities of the church; y off have, my 1a ft. v/ill and tefiament.” 9 We immediately collected ourfelves top geilicr in conference, in the county of Meck¬ lenburg, to consider the matter. to After feme debating, I fpafce after this ; manner,-. Brethren, .we have hitherto been mocked, let us wait to lee thefe promifejs.ful¬ fil led. Can Francis allure us what the con- clufion of the next council filed), be? i i And. that is net all, the Dr. is interefieq- in the re mporalities, and .can. wc act handily in enta iugxhc.'whp’e. o.n J 0 ,&r\d f < hcil*. in his absence? ~, l 2 ’ My advice,is, that we write an.afiedlmn- ate.letter, but'lepd. pp dogate,.., The fi'.yiug L 3 plea’fcd the brethren general!/.' ‘ 13 I then read the contents of a long letter, fint to us by Mr. T. a teacher of the Latin. /\nd thus it was written ; ■■ 14 Brother preachers, the people confide in you,give away your privileges with caution! This matter is pregnant with great confer ■ quences. , 15 By affecting to the grand council, a plan is laid for Kpifcopal dignity and foyercignty ! You mull unavoidably be guilty of Subverting, joining, and fanner or later totally destroying the glorious Gofpcl-Methodift fa brick in A- merica. - 16 By reje&ing it, you will fettle and Strengthen the well ereded tower, on the walls bf Zion, for the bullwaik defence of the city oi God. . , 1 7 May that city ever flourifli, rnay you • be her tender guardians. - 18 Watchmen, The church requires no grandeur in the adminifhaticn of her affairs $ Simplicity of government fuits her. i o 9 When we view the church in her pri-* | mi live Hate, her government was extremely - and natural: • 2 o N o 5 ff • in i u g a ft erpre-e m i n e n ce t no itch- fter abfolut po r. !e the church remained in go (pel fimj !i ty, I ’ ; .v the : . >m of J piead, till hell to the center! . ■ 2i Look back on hide; y, and -behold the ... fu ii ; ha i$ b ht» IJ yo i.h . r 27 j fees? the fata! errors (in aggrandizingbifhops) avoid them yourfeives, 2a If Mr. Aibury fhould be faved, and oii« ly one century hence could return, and.fee the ruin he had brought upon us, 23 Thoufands damned, which otherwife might have been fitting with him in Paradife, 24 O, how his heart would bleed, and his eyes run down with tea;a! May wifdorn and grace guide you j fo prays your friend, Thoinpfors, - CHAP. XL RefeR ions on the Council, &c. f\ KD it was fo, about this time Francis cut J. X off part of my diftridt, and fixed a man to prefide therein, who was after his own heart. 2. And it came to pafs on the twelfth month’, on the firfl day of the month, in the yea? 1790, that the Council afTembled the fecond Cine at Baltimore. 3 In the firfic place, they proclaimed the eibiblifhnient cf the new government. ( 4 In the fecond place, they confidered the author ity they v/ere inverted with.. in all tem¬ poral matters .to adt decifively ; and to re-p com mend new cannons to the d'irtridt confer¬ ences, u oy alterations to be made in old ones." .Did F. forget his ie laft will? 5 1 he red of the cannons, d;c. are they not ’verb rep, in the Council book? 6 When 1 looted over the resolutions of the fecond council, (which I have by mej coa- f:.. 7 . :.r thh?! e wl I 23 j 'eonltfted cfbook-felling; funds, fubfcriptionS, the credit of Cokeibtiry, with arbitrary re- irridtions on the people, in diftritts. • 7 1 coniidered that a& the name of God, was not mentioned in the book, that the Lord was /lot in the council! and as the whole fchume appeared to be money, money, &c. 8 I coniidered thole preachers who had gone to merchandising, were in the bed hi:fi¬ nds, with refped to monies: bccaufe whre they. received henenly, would be for value received, and their own families would re¬ ceive the profits ariling. 9 I intreat the church to read the cannons ;Of that council, Lee. i, 179.0. ... 10 I kno*w the people are taught to believe that ail thole heavy, and repeated collodions ds, and college's,'; are ads of charity: >’ 11 And the pbjeds,a.re faid to be worn out preachers, di Hr died widows, and ** charity- . 0.” • '• 12 Let the whole be examiued, and a fair dtimation be ihevrn, then on the other hand, let thepo r relieved \vi lews, poor local p each . ers, and charity-boys come forth : 13 And ictus fee how it will tally. I be- : th< y he ch : V/ifh matters brought to this illue. 9 : i-v Did not Francis meek us, when he font petitions through all his provinces', urging Every memb r, male ; ale to 1 n :i him relief. *. J 5 IT: teld his preachers, .th jfti r I C 2 9 - 33 not exert themfelvcs in " firing up the pacr; pie,” that likely, they, would hear of his he-*'’ ingin jail. , • ■ X . 16 Then left us, and went flraight way UP a certain Mr. Davis, and agreed to raife (ifthei Methodifts can tell true) yf.3000, to a Hi ft the- laid Davis in erecting'a new college. 17 1 believe thatCed fen font the Methods y- ill' preachers, not to build colleges, but ten n build up a holy, fun pie- hearted people- And! ai felect meeting is a better fchool for that purpofe, than a college. a .> - 1 3 I have no defign. to xeflefl.on learning;* only, let- gentlemen- fee to that. . • ‘ CHAP. XII -■ 3 f '■* f'btjiicndly conduct of * 7 'bomas-—--A g?neral-mee$£ big called , ode. ■ ■ i A- FTER thefe things, I prepared a letter* i A of information for Thomas, who was> expeifted at the Charleflrown conference.- > ■ 2- He came according to expectation, herc«i ceived ray letter, and pleaded my caule in the coiifernce; v/ithflood • Francis to the face;'- condemned his ccnducl; and (he) being the; fenicr, had a general meeting ippointe'd ac^ cording to our requeft;. : 3 At which.meeting, of the preachers, the ; new form of government fhouid'be fairly in ‘ ] v-c ft i gated, and the isiftitb'rion fraud or fall-by t h e deci fi 6 n o f t h a icon v e n t i on-. •f 4- How have matters been reprcfcn.ted, j fair, and cruel.. I -dc-.fi re- to be weighed in the. :• i £ 3° :i equal Scales. ' * - • . 5 If my letter to Thomas was not fair and generous, if! overcharged the one fide, and covered my own failings, let the letter tefiify egair.fi; me. 6 And ir came ro pafs after thefe things, ghat Thomas and Francis came to the confer- crice in Petcrfburg, where the preachers were ofiernbled, where I attended alfo; for all this £ime I had laboured in the word and dodtrine.: 7 Thomas informed us, that the general. Conference was appointed, in order to over¬ look the whole proceedings of the council, and that it fhould {land or fall by the dccifi-. i of that meeting. 3 Francis was fore difpleafed. But Tho- teas highly approved of my condudl j and that the treatment I had met with, in his abfence, ilieuld not pafs in filence, but be laid over for- conference. 9 Moreover, Thomsr, fpakeunto me again, after this manner; “ Methodifm is gone,” &c. i o Out remember, when we meet together, 1 ove ro 1 r e new infti , e ; v: .(hail; r< if Mr. .*, is m t fati i ? with the government ns it flood before, we will contend fora republican government! *i Give me thy hand. Fear net. i am a friend to America.’ ’ a i And it cat : to \ fs in the la year - ;9:, in die eleventh month, the gene-, ml conference met according to app c intment, .hi the city of Baltimore. , V T it J 1 2 Jn fc at the eve ©f hufinds, the ippeared. His prefence revived me, fori thought my belt friend had come to town. 13 3 perceived by the countenance of Frank cis, that he rejoiced to fee Thomas • and.afT. ter the falutation, fixed him in the chair. 14 I remembered the letters l had received from F. a while before, which fpake on this wife; Let all pa ft condufi between thee and Hie be buried. it tee,. &o. 8 Moi y," ' tinued his'fj d : * : ibersof this “ are the reprefentfitiyes of the people j 9 ‘‘ / we . ' ■ ft Is V of the Methodift Epifcopal Church: andthe i 'Ovei »t is . Irijl r ■ ci[. Y > i / {( rt me a i er-c ck.” eo This Ibeech elTcdibcd many minds, !] : ■ r L . 33 ' ] caufe they juftly expedfed. the affairs of die council to have come before them; that be inn;, the bull fiefs for which they were called toge¬ ther. e i [ Some,of the members at fundry times would -interrogate the prefide'rit, - after this m .inner; , ii . But where'is the council affairs, &c? That being the caufe of this meeting;. 13 .Thomas w.oujdarife and warrnly opppfe, and demand lilencc on the fubjecl: And h* lenqe.it was. 14 In our. debates, if at any time we were led to fpeak of the conduct of Francis, hp would leave the houfe. ... 15 The debates of the Synod turned- chief¬ ly oil epifcbpal dignity. • 1 5 The Virginians, for a while did diftiri- guifh themfclves in defending their ecclefiaf- ticai liberties t . but they fainted in. the druggie, 17 .Richard Ivey, exceeded himfclf,. be. Spake with tears, and in the fear of God, and much to the purpofe; crying 'popery, dec. 1 8 If at any time a minMler would.move to -abridge (in any degree) the bilhop’s pcwer ? ; 19 The defenders .of that faith, would not only opp ole tfo| . tot ion, but would charge the member with fometh’iug like treafpn, . t were. .- ao We ft ill o npiained heavily of fuch if~ legal ' cal ttiohs. Tf ' cry. wasi “ livery; general conference is pofieffed of'a 1 to form'tl r own prelirnin rics.T C [ 34 1 21 Thus we Ice, the government is fubjeft } to perperual innovations. j. CHAP. XIV. J • \ The fame continued. .*■ ij I T would have been an unfpeakableblefllng" t to the Methodic church, if we had been f allowed to have done thebufinels for which ‘ v we inetj , v - • • 2 Bccaufe it would have neccflarily led us into the very merit of the caufe, or a full in- vcftigation of church-government. 3 I began to fee that equity and gofpel fim- , plicity would be obliged to retreat* for power and policy would overcome the minority. *■* 4 I feared the minifters were carried away by an adventurous leader. $ I then arofe, and flood before the aflem- “b 3 y;with the New Teftament of our Lord Je- ’fu«, ift my hand, 6 And fpake after this manner; Brethren, "hearken unto me, put away all other books, j, and'forms, and let this be the only criterion , ! v and ,c that will fatisfy me." , - . 1 > ' . 7 I thought the miniflers of Chrift, would j ‘unanimoufiy agree to fuch a propofal. But j, ' alas, they oppofed the motion i - JJ 8 A terrain member whole name was John* withftood me, and fjpake after this manner; The feripture is by no means a fufiacient form of government.' Compare page 4* j- EL- ' ; " 9 I he Lord has left that buflnefs for hi miuificrsto do, Suitablero times and place?/* j [ 35 3 See. I withftood him for a leafon,but in vain; the motion was loft. 10 I now faw, that moderate Epifcopacy was riling to its wanted and intended dignity, 1 difeovered alfo, that diftridts had loft their fuffrage. • 11 1 confidered that the ftatiens of the Lord’s minifters refted entirely with Francisj fo, that Unlefs that abfolute power could be abridged, the beft of men might ever be in» jured, and run out of the connexion. 12 1 now moved again, after this manner? Let a preacher who thinks himfelf injured in' his appointment, have an appeal to thedtf- trick conference. * 13 The motion was feconded, and warmly : debated. William M’Kendre, with feverai more, did, with holy zeal ftrive with me for 14 Conference adjourned till the feconddaf of the next week: at which time they reawim* ed the debate with double vigour* " . 15, Some profeffed fears, .that if an appeal Was allowed, it would refleX on the wifdom, and goodnefs of the bilhop, &c. •< x ~ c 16 Others faw, or thought they faw, that ; fuch liberty would be injurious to the church* becaule preachers would ever be appealing ! 17 And they would take each others parts fo that eafy and wealthy circuits, would -be crowded with preachers, while poor circuits Would be left delolatc. 1 2S Heavy reflexions on the conference* ■ :-j -.v-jf.,; •. ; . : T. ' U*. .y,., .. • - .JX. e * * if',' ' ■* v* '' ' • ■/ ■ S* ' ■ r> C 36 J had any'ofhcr people faid as much, it would have been though: hard perfection. Was this ignorance, or policy? _ ig It was urged by feveral, that thebifhop always appointed well - ,'as far'aj they knew. I prayed them not to arrogate infalibility td the.bilhop ’ .. 20 . For in ir.y judgment, he made'many very injudicious appointments. . chap; xv. • b: -. ..Sme fabjcft'continued. arole an. h Icier and lpakc after this X manner; “ Where is the man that will iay, the hiihop ever injured a'preacher? ik 2 The interrogative was repeated,' and at Jaft.a .young,man wbofc napae \yas Ricb. af- lured tne*conference that Me had known two wireayhcrS' who-were injured by him: as he thdt!ghr ; . 1 : 3 Theh.rqenibers arofc, out of due order, a s n 1 e n. a ] a rm e c 4 ! A s r h o u g h r re a fo nha d bee 11 heard;(Jbedv'ery cry' was, “ He has im¬ peached the bifliop.” , , 7). .The.worthy minifter .’arofe, and afked pardon,,(fop/peaking the truth?) in a!much .sus he did nppintend ltVs/ah impeachment. i b came to pafs oh the morrow,; co;f- Terencc met purfuarit’ to adjournment,' 1 and . revived the.former'difpute. ' , 6 * The appellants appeared to difplay id- ,vincible courage; .and, in .a Ch'riftiab fpivit- (they)* 'ftill op poled the' opprdfive* YfteafhrcS, r C 37 ' l whereby thebifhop, or his deputy might ba-- nifh a minifter, or expel him.iron* concbtion. 7 For, if a m mill cr fhould re fu fe to take a’ Ration, cyci\ in the Brin In iflands, he in u [ 1 * be neglected. having ho fiati-on; and hand'as a cypher, with a wounded charader. 8 One arofe and held forth after this man-' ncr; This may fatisfy thofc who 1 d elf re an ap- ' peal, that is, “ they may appe.il to the genera}'* conference." - - ’* 9 My anfwer to this illogical proportion,' was after this manner;. Shall a-preacher whr? is injured thus year, then, alter palling through Iris did re fs, ('i f not death) 10 At the expiration of four years appeal ? For w,hat? "for Vengeance? The mifchief is done. * 11 Moreover, what happened the lafieven-i ing has not efcaped my memory ; a worthy character had to nfk pardon for declaring tht? truth when allied! 1 J " i 2' However, to come tothe point at once* if you defire any farther teftimony relative td the bilhop's injuring any one,' ?n have ?.n appeal? ho!” C 39 3 CHAP. xvr. Some left conference , and. no mere returned—Their dijlrefs of Soul—A committee fill, &c. i T was furely a very fatal hour of papal dark- nefs, in which a law palled, that an injured brother and minificr in the church of Chinfc, fhould have no redrefsl 2 Men may make a thoufartd turns, yet the declaration remains a folemn truth; which gave birtji a feperation! . • 3 After conference adjourned, I difeo -ered my worthy iriend and loving brother Woods, t , v Handing at my fide, waiting to conduct me, p I' and my few true brethren, through the dark to his houfe. ~ , 4 There were we tenderly received; and j refrefhed. The Lord remember him in mer¬ cy; and his worthy Chrijlian Lidy t whofe name is Mary: whom i dearly love in tnff. L Lord. * 5 Sould they, hereafter rejedt and difpif^ ; me, I hope forever to love and efleern them ; both. ■ v ' I \ 6 1 fpertt great part of that night in groans, and tears! On the morrow I impinged ihb -1 Cod of heaven to give me underffrnding. .L confuked my friends, and in the fear of God^ rcfolvcd nor to return to conference. 0 Dorr, Dorr." . .. 7 Future events were hid from me, I had c-nly to look to God, and walk by faith, ‘ ‘ . 'i I wrote to the fyr.od a meurnful farewell, "• v , . •' . faying,\'ou. now have the overflowing of a fell heart.” Adieu. 9 I was informed my letter wa? read in conference, againfl the will of the little p;e- ^ fident: "many tears were fhed, &c. 10 Several preachers were in that aflembly who had been brought home by my miniflryg - under God. They kpew I had been a father, I and teacher to them. i ill ft ill Hayed at my lodging, and it came ] to pafs, they, lent a committed to treat with me. v . . I * 12 I took them into my room, and we con¬ verged freely, and lovingiy. Although they could nor defend the government, nor the ^onduft of the prefident, yet they thought it hdvifableto fubmit. 13 We kneeled down and prayed, and our prayers ’were immediatiely anfwered. We parted in love and tears. 14 . They reported in conference (if I was - rightly informed) that they bedieved God was with me, and that I was aiming at his glory.' i 5 Thomas was much difpleafed, arofe and' fpake after the following manner ; . / 16 I am (faid he) I am obliged to extend' charity towards O’Kelly and others:‘,,They have done'violence to their public ftithy be-* caufc they-prom:fed to* abide by „the dccifioif of this conference! . h * ' 1 17' One arcle and declared that thektiTcr- tion was entirely wrong. • Then arofe TlrornW in ■great*. vVarnirh, amd'bound 'it whit zn'ejjir- [ 4i i nation, in the following manner: He lift ud his hand—I fuppofe to heaven, j S And offered to flake his falvation, o'n\ pain of damnation, to the truth of his afler-1 tion : Cr nearly fo. CHAP. XVII. Thomas is called upon to sn ve faiisfaction to his in*. j jurat Brethren—A meeting is appointed on the- eccafion—Thomas afks par dm, "A MEMBER of the conference came to niy 4 \ lodging, and gave account of the con- dijifl of ‘i homas and that my character, and others were thereby injured. : 1 I wrote to 1 homas, after this mannerly O fir, reverfe the cafe: It was thyfelf tha& a fled thus. ’Tis you that "betrayed thy truft. to me and others. 2 You know this conference whs called tot invefligate the new infliturioh, and to' exa¬ mine into paft condufl: and our caufe at this court of appeal, is not fuffered to come for¬ ward. • • :■ U y : 4 The flander is fo public, I ear.neftly dew. Are Chrifiian fatisfaftion. . s ’ 5 The anfwer I received was after this manner; If you and the Virginia preachers' •will only ;neet me this night about the light- mg c-fa •c andle, i vvilhgive you farisfaflioh* 6 We ific-t him at the time and place, teeft a VoTht id oi:r:tivesyrand ’there v.c vvithflood him to the face. "• '• • ■> ■7 I rcdiurrll'd h:r fbrtr.er cr.gahcrntnts with r 42 3 4 tie, and others; and I confidered fuch treat-' P ment, exceeding cruel. Stephen D. not only- charged him ot being guilty of fah'eafTertiens, but “ vulgar fwearing/* I was grieved at the hard fpeech. The Dr. appeared very calm. 3 The little man confeiled his fins, charg- ing himfelf with “ falfe zealand in a very, gentle manner, alkcd pardon ten thoufand time*/'. . V 9 After thele things, it was afked (in pri¬ vate) on what terms I would return. I an¬ swered after this manner; / /(„ 10 In my diffrefs—for peace fake, only let an injured man have an appeal, .and I will re¬ turn. He anfwered and faid unto me, “ That cannot be granted." II On farther confideration I condemned my conduct, in that I offered to return on fuch flender terms: For I knew the govern¬ ment to be deftitute of feripture authority. i 12 But fuch was my weaknefs, not know¬ ing at that time what to,do. r , 13 I then left the place with a few friends;- viz. JohnR. Rice H. 8cc. f / S .14 John afked me what I thought of doing:. My anfvvcr was; I muff preach the geipei, wherever a door is opened, &c. “ But"! have cq intention of a lepararc party/* ' ■ • - 15 My brother anfwered and faid, fuppo.fc, fouls arc converted to God,, through your-in. 11 i\ ficttmentjlity, and they alkyour advice, what ' Count'd will vou give? ' /•'? - Cou ; I a;::., aresi him agairt, aftcrihis ‘zszz- . [ 3 r.er; perhaps, I fiiould advife to join the Me- thodifts, rather than live out of iociety. ' 17 Alas faid he, will you advife others to fubfcribe to a government that you believe ift quite deftiture of Divine Authority? I knevr not what to anfwer. V " ; \ - ‘ CH\P. XVIII. f O'Kelly returns batne—Meffetigers are fetU after* bim t &c. • '.* I NDULGENT Heaven protefled me home, 1 and the teftimony of a good conference iupported my troubled mind. J fet my heart to leek God, and to live one day at a time, as if never to lee another. ~ ‘ * “ 2 In the courle a few days, thefe came mellengers from Francis to me, to let me un¬ derhand his forrow, in the ** lofs of his right eye, right hand, and righrfooc:” r: **:* 3 Moreover, .1 was to have free accefs to . their pulpits, and the fum of 40 annually ; feecaufe I had fuffered io much lor thecaufe of truth and liberty.” > / \. , 4 I accepred the former, but not the lattetv* ! went out again preaching the everlaltrhg/i: gofpeL'c . , : 5 Here wedifeover the unfcripturaldt^qe|^ of power ever the'people If Francis giant to any mmilfcr to preach, and admlXrr. juliler among them, their dobrsmaft be opehi’ 6 Then, if Francis fends his authority to Thut the -uoors agairdi 1! Lu f 1 . rp.-j T1 is farhe mimfteH ; ‘ * t h * btrr, t r the ‘ [ 44 - ]| 3 . 7 And it came to pals in thofc days, (in my travel) L met with a present of.^. io v fept me front Francis. - ' 8 With the advice of friends I receivedjhy and gave it in part pay, the fame day, 'forja; faddle horfe: It I remember right. 9 Bat behold the preacher who paid me the money, according to order, and took my re¬ ceipt, took the advantage of me, and pub- lilted abroad, that I received Tupport from them. D. S—J., ‘j ‘ ' 10 Alter thefe things I by ppe of their Elders, who blamed me for leading the ' people into the nature of church government; whereas, they had no bufinefs with fuch knowledge; -r i i He added the money received alfo. I . knew if I had my due, 1 ought to have had ten times as much. However, J[ was willing do replace it. I - ■ 12 Surely, continued t, you did not in¬ tend it as hufli money.’'. ’Thepeople will afk, and 1 (hall teach, &c./ % . ^ 7 I i 3 I was quickly {hut out ofdoors; none,to publiih my appointments, the people warned againft hearing me preach the gofpeh , / . ✓ . 14 - Tnis acl of, cruelty did not fatisfy die yage of, falfe zeal, but they fell uponmy cha- ^a^ter.even to cruel reproaches.' They picked . £13 and retailed, things they cannot prove. • 125 The aggrieved members in Charlotte county, .-had i\vp ''meetings'‘oh the bceafion*; . they llrovc for union,*" with fome ahjcr.dnvcritJ; ~ i .. *• -- ' C..4f .ft-—. .I. mill <1.1.■ . • t 1 45 ] and although -they Sent two "men over the great mountains, to petition Francis, ye tall their'efforts were in-vain. Witnefs John Chap^eband'E. Almonds. ■ 16 Myfelf, and others drew up a very hum¬ ble petition, pointing out a few of the evil* we law in the government, and prayed cfor union. But the people weie forbid to fign r on pain of expulfion. t m ' ; r 17 It was inged by tome, that there was ntr law in the%dok of discipline again!! the figoi- "ing a petition.. . ' . • - k 1 . ; *, 18 ButthelfW was produced in the We Book of discipline, page 58. Becaufe it-ao faounted to the fowing of difeord. &c. Thus our petitions fell though. - The preachersidfifc fired all who were d] Satisfied with rtheirago-,. 'vernmentp to w go out.” Such furprifing'naea-* fures ” their own-deliberate judgments condemn.” * \ $ kM ?■ , * wive 2* *. 3 sifcr- . ^ CHAP/ fTk ^aggrieved party ft ill ftryve for unicn- . ence at Piney-Grove — Conference at 'Majiakift fozvn; &c. - - . •; . K;: A ND it is came to pafs after thefe things. We appoihtcd a-cpMprence at Pipey-. 4 Grove, in Chefterheid county / to confer ’*p' Theprefehf diftfefs. ?i > 1 ' - v |c -d ’• 2 We met according to appointment,-anjl- converted on the fubjeiff of churchgovera- : thchtv -AYcki'naniracufty condemned the E-. C 4«- ] pifcopal government; but defired union with the people. • , 3 Aad the method we purfued for the pur^- ii pole, was, we propofed'an addrefs to the bi*. j: -fhop, individually, for him to confider our diftrefs, and give us to meet with them, on the occafion. ” ,«• . 4 We told him, we only requeued that the prefent form ot government might be exa- 'mined, and tried by the fcriptures, and a-* mended according to the holy word. 5 By fo doing, we heped that " a pctma- went plan for union might be eflablilhed: As for the time, we would cheerfully wait.” We j 1 ■elefted men to carry in our addrefs, and then ? adjourned until December. j 6 And it came to pafs in thofe days, that -Francis came on to conference in Petcrfburg, where he met with our addrefs. 7 But Francis being (as he calls it) a "long beaded Englifltmah,.” and feeing the requell fo generous, that to refufe would difgrace him; and to comply would undo hirr\. 8 He threw it into chancery: 1 fay into conference; and the refult was, " He has no power to call a meeting.” Then denied he our requefli r ' 9 It was very cruel in the preachers, fup- - i: poling Francis had not power, for them not to ! fuffer it to be. The reader will need no inter- ;! preter to tell the meaning of fuch conduct/ J it can fpeak—for itfelf. r 47 ] about the 15th day of the month, we met, purluant to adjournment, at Manakin town, to receive the anfwerfrom Francis. ' 11 Our friends made report that his anfwef to us was, “ 1 have no power to call fuch a meeting as you wilh, therefore, if five hun¬ dred preachers would come on their knees be-. ; - fore me, I would not do it.” * j 2 The anlwer founded incur ears like the voice of Rehoboam. Therefore all hope of union was funk. Nothing remained but " Ti> thy unts O Ifrael.” The door to the negoti¬ ation was (hut. * “ • V ' '-v 13 Therefore, a feparation, or flavifh futu -j je&ion was unavoidable. And we unani- ^ moufiy chofe the former. * * - - ;«• . 14 We formed our mini fters on an equality; f gave the lay-members a balance of power in -A the legiflature; and left the executive bufineft j in the church colle&ively. v 7 . ^ 15 But fearing we fliould err again, as WC i were young hands in thebufinefs, we refolved , ' j to eflablifh nothing we had done before an 3 - pA ther general meeting. So adjourned confer- 1, . cnce. ■ : f •• : .» - i 16 And as we had received letters front ■ below, that we fbouldalfo confider their cafe,. 5 for they were * f as fiieep having no Ibepherdr" "|j| 17 Two minifiers were appointed to vilit , ^ ; thofe brethren below, to give light on the. g fubjedl, either by way of public dcbar&s,:v»r, in private conycrlation,* then to take the fenfe; | sf the people. - ?; - ' j *- ^| ; f >*8 ] , :8 This was.done according to order, an 4 ,about one thoufand fouls departed from the ! iRKORsof the Methpdift l£pilcopacy, in a few j "days. -CHAP. XX. j ■ T.ke Republicans meet in Conference, in the county ' i - .. cf Surry, j Virginia. N OW itcatre topafs in the eighth month, ‘ • on the fourth day of the month, in the year of Jefys ChnftCij^^ the Republicans niet in conference, in Surry county... ■ 2 We held conference with open doors, that all might hear, and learn. Ap.d after much dif- Routing, and feyeral refelutions haying palled, - 3 We dilcovered plainly, the minority were : much diffatisfied; ajjd therefore I moved that :the.whole ihouId be reconfidered, that all .might he.agreed, if ppluble- ’ «• 2 d i ; . 4 And it was fo, that a committee oifeven men were appointed to form apian of govern¬ ment, and jay it, before conference the next May. . | , * c ; j - The committee met, and drove hard Jbr -union of leutjment^ and although we fought itearneftly with tears, yet to no purpofe.- ^ , i r 6 At length it was propofed.that \ve Ihould .Jay afide every manufeript, and take the word v ’ -pf God, as.recorded in the leriptures. , r ; 3 : * b' 7 And it was right; becaufe the primitive «; -V -church had no government behde the feri'p- • tures,-as wrote by the Apoft les. > | t . 8 3ut in qrdertplcad the minds, of the re- I'gious to the law and the tcRimony, hayigg' , * . i , ; ... * . •> r ' . ' f 49 ] never been taught to fearch the fcriptures for chuich dilcipline; •' 9 We drew up a imall fketch, as a guide, .and a light to the conneftton, nearly on this jyife,v _ jo We learn from the book of God, that the church ,in general, includes all the real Chriftian^ in the world. Eph. v. 23. 1 . Cor. 3 ui. 13,14. r j , s ? * 11 Any number ofchriftians united inJove, having Chrift for their head, and center of union, conffitutes a church. . , -t^,. > t ■ 12 In the primitive church, were twelve chofen minifteis whom Chrilt called Apoftles: Luke vr. 13. ,The fame w ere jcholeq witp* riefles.* Adts x. 41.. ; .. f - ? r A 3 Thofe men were ambafiadors, and pof«. /died the keys of the kingdom, even the Tjph- rjt 6f truth, which ppened to them the ries of 'the kingdom of God. . T ,.. C ,14. Thercfpje,. Chrift fpakejh.them, -shd "by 'them^ ^bus were they fully qualified, an|l authoril-cdio write the Iaft will and tellameint of ohr Eord and Saviour Jefus ChriS. v/ * ^ 15 Xherewere Elders in the church Jbefide the Apoftjes,'who laboured in.the "word and dodrinpV Somebfthofecould prophefy,fpeak ■with tongues,'interpret,"' dec.' * h% i£k But after thofe extraordinary 'mHItonsu 'ries ha| run their race, only pne orderofmi- .nifters exifled iii the church.' ^.dsxx. i % n [ 5° 1 CHAP. XXI. The Committee make Report to Conference—The faying pleafe the Multitude, &c. A NL) it came to pafs on the morrow, when conference had met, and the brethren all prefent, the committee made report; and the faying pleafed the multitude. 2 Indeed, the people rejoiced at the confo- lation, and gave glory to God foi the light received. 3 Thus, the blefTcd Jefus was proclaimed King, and Head ol the people; without one dif- fentirg voice. 4 Cordially renouncing all human infiitu- tion in the church, as being a fpecies of Po¬ pery, and not fit to govern fouls. > 5 Then as free citizens in the land of Co¬ lumbia, and fervants of the great King, we proceeded according to divine order, to or- da : 14 The cruel afiertion above written, is as deftitute of truth, as love. We took it into * confideration in our laft conference, and it was unanimoufly anfwered thus: -..-l;. an: •' 1 J 5 “ It is the unanimous opinion of this ** conference, that the charge is unjuft, and “cruel; and fo far as it applies to us— - - “ falfe.” ■ % . , . . , -' 16 The following is the fubfiance of a let¬ ter, which, I think, fully anfwers the cruel • flandcr* - 1;. ■ vf , Y f.'C * C 5? ] CHAP. XXII. • ‘ Ju.Lfiar.cc of a letter , from a Republican Mi - nifier, to an Epfcopalian Mtr.ijter. 1)f.a!< Sir, following lines are addreffed to you, JL forthe purpoic of inveftigating a lubjeft, important in its nature, and painfui to me in its effeft; ' - ’ t 'a - ■ * - 2 1 hat there has bren a division in the * -Mtthcdift Church, and this divilion waspro-^. winced by the defpotic principles of govern- « ment, exifting and increafingin that church; * -are tad* not to he denied. ’< y ' o :*• i 1 1 ~ 3 T-hat pacific mea fares were ufed ihy rhe aggrieved party, to obtain a re-union, is a Taft, -which - theiV petitions, and addrelfes— doth-* abundantly prove. V 4 When thefe fafts came fTrft to my view, 3 rifed all thecaridour, nod difeernment I pof- ^effed. an theinveftigation ofthe fubjeft. .T* ’ . Y.o* And truth obliged me to believe that the complaints were juft Arid that the caufe pf ^Tie'efavTfon'was lufticienf to juftify the tfteft.- r >\ 9 ‘’i^iis fehtimenral idivifion, naturally led into 3be‘drvifkm. >' For the doftrine theft exhibited to us, tvas, ** Ifyou are di{fati.V)Uft , h'Therefore,tmconditional fubhniffton, for depart ion, 'were the'on ty alternatives. *>' ' ■ —Oricivcujd have thought, as we could not agree together, parting might have ended the " -twit alas, we'h&ve found it quite o- t rA * y. For no Teener had we turned our .backs. T. 53: I I than a flood of ahufe, calumny, any cr.:rV j flander came pouring forth afler us as:?/urr-> i ous flood 1 . . . . .f r •, i. ! 9 From the groundlefs reports that fooar ! fpread, and increafed, one could haidly for- J bear thinking that a lying fpirlt had got a- ij inong the prophets. 0..! 1 . io But I long reflfied the thought, ami j drove to bJieve that thefe reports driginatpl /' in miftake, an.d not in wilful jnifreprefenjta. r I tion. /'■ : "•:• * .v \;*t 11 But the moment I call mine eyes ij that vile affertiondn ttie minutes of :y.< 5 «r jkfr J general conference, faying, " A few indeeslj ! ( who were as great enemies io the civil govern*! - i|. ment under which they lived, as to -ourfdsk j ciplihe, have left us, &c.' ykir-s ad t' * | ; 12 1 was {hocked at the faying, *, j po(ed, I had entertained a better ctpioiosi of ; the members of. your conference.ithaa jL&ctt ' were defending of> t *3 And you fir,' being n ^mttpfosfa of riaaf, confetence, 1 view you* as having a isaad[ia . that infamous flancldriy fed'' d'>'dv? fd chisel _/ 14 And .now .you are pleaflid-t < d;339 - v . 15 On which I would remaTk^^hat; perfidious irtiinuarion it;falies tihe nap, ks feu lam pie a fed to call it, do ce amp iic; afoai -tiefctipk . tive ofour characteisf bui.ms-.anmceqimvetwai ' - dejigti toflander us.': r. mb&'iil o 16 -And. as .you are p.ldhfed;i:b,imi&cf. ■ - j -'I I, [ 54 . ] vil government under which we live, a part of the controverfy be tween us, 1 will herepre- fent you with a few oblervations on that fub- • - i 1 CHAP. XXIIT. 7 be Letter continued. 1 1 I WOULD in the firft place, afk if you know what kind of government we live un- | dei? and how it was obtained ? 2 Wtfley, in his circular letter obferves, it that we are partly governed by Congrefs and , partly by the Provincial Aflcmblies. | 1 3 This is a trmh, w hich naturally leads the |jj mind to inquire how thefe legiflative bodies I are raifed, and from what fource their autho¬ rity is derived, 4 The anfwer to thefe interrogatives is ea- fy: They are railed by delegation, and derive their legiflative authority from the lovereign- ty of the people: Tow'hom they are confhtu- tionally bound, i 5 Such a government by reprefentation, is a government out of fociety $ and the confti- tution by which the legiflators are bound to the people—fpeaketh on this wife; 6 The legiflative, the judicial, and the ex- | ecutive departments of the government fhall be feparate and diftind. ; > , ,■ 7 With this view of our civil government, I demand of you, to point out that part of our i condudlto which you alluded, when you pub- Jifhed us enemies to civil government. ! •: v - S One might be led to think from reading r js ] that fcntence in your minutes that your dilci- pline was fo like our civil government, rhat . whoever oppolce the former, mu ft be an ene¬ my to the latter, „ '. k 9 Let us therefore proceed to the bufinefs of comparing them together. - , - , 10 1 have already oblerved that the civit government is by reprefentation; this Is grant¬ ed by your general conference. . > 11 Our rulers there mentioned, are not on¬ ly elected, but re-eledted; and all, from the higheft to the loweft are amenable xo the peo* pie. • • . 7.2 Let us now take a view of your church government, as formed, and repeatedly rc- _ vifed by conference. , , • r , j 1 i ■ , J3 Here we find, that the bi Chops, pre- fident-eldcrs, elders, deacons, and common preachers, are none of them properly the de¬ legates of the people; but they are the rulers,; ©1 the church. j - 14 You w ill allow, fir, that the general cpn-. ference is not raifed by election in the church! i 5 Neither do they conftderthemfelvcsac¬ countable to the people, becaufe they pot derive their legiflative.authority therefrom.' 3 16 indeed, your people are not allowed to complain, nor point out to each other whaf k they believe :o be defects in the governmerrtri-1 17 For this brings rhem under the c2sara<;~ ter of being diforderly members, who ar4,.v, fowing difeord* - 1 • - • ■- k - - L - > ~ —• H .... * 1 ^ .5 i ■ r 56 ] CHAP. XXIV. - ' ' T’he Letter continued. *. • ‘ ’ . HAVE often afked who the preachers 1 were accountable to for their conduct, the j anlwer was, I o God." 2 from thi' I infer, that they (as a 1 "gif— j lature) are accountable to no human power: |j and if fo, no human creature ought to truft ji!j them- ' • • 3 i here does indeed appear a kind of e!ec- |j tion, and refponfibility in the conference, but , what is that to the people? .c. ... I 4 Wc find the general conference compofed j 1 only of travelling preachers. Therefore, the ; J members of the church, and the fettled mi- ’|'{ nillers are out of the bufinefs.' > — /' : \ : •' 5 The election that appears in conference, is a thing in lliew, and not in reality. ? -6 An election refpeds two things,; firft.thQ choofing of members intoche bod)v and fe-i t condlv, the choofing officers Out of that body:* ' 7 ’Tis abfurd to fuppofc that an elepted body have a right to elect members intoatfelf: , And this is rhe only fhew of election tp be i found, in receiving members into the confers -encc. . t -, f .. ^ 'j./i i».; «v- - i a <•8 And even in this, election,-, the ibifiiop ■ holds his negative. Which negative iieaifo ) hath in the choice of all rhe officers-:. - 9 Therefore, there is 3io proper dedietj* in 5 the church; .nor the appearance ofii buCadia-tJ the biftiop hath his negative upon.. jd£ptia :*5 under fuch reftridons, deferve not the name. r i 10 Hie GiVtrnors of the Methodift Fpifeoi i • pal Church, noc only come into office without being elected by the fuffrage ol the people, • i t But continue in office, fo long as they pleafe to walk by the rules themlelves have made; and whenever they pleafe to change their.conduit, they can change their laws. * 1 1 2 Thefe, fir, are the principles of your con-; ffitution: and are as cffcntially different from the principies-of your civil government, t 13 As agovernment over fociety, is differ¬ ent from a government out of fociety. More¬ over, there appears another important differ* encc between our civil government and yours? r 1 4 For your laws of difeipline, are not only made by a body of men who are accountable to no body, but are judged and executed bj£ the lame hands. * ^ 5 1 he legiftative, judicial, and executive departmental o'ur civil government^ are fe >4 pa rate, and diffind.- - 0 6 Whereas your government .is fully -coiW" • folodaied, becaufc every part is infeparably united 1 n the fame bandsi' . r £ ’-u- *. tr ST' 1-}. From thefe remarks, it muff appear? that, your difeipline-is. as incompatible- with our 'civil government, as a government by ■affiimpiion, compared to that by reprefenta-J ' ftOjIi , .', r 'AL ?■.. • i. V ‘ .C. .'l l -MA-TK: \’4: il i iiiS.'. ir J v CHAP. -XXVwdT&fe \ The. ■ Letter tonljdutlk-'J v>i Iff* H FR \l is Smother fubj cct. li ill? .thafcde- JL.'.fer-ves .ferjous-thought?-jcery? t s*. V thought, creates fenlarion in mybreaH: 2 1 hat is to fay, We have purchased this liberty government by reprefcnration, at no lefs price than the blood, and lives of thou- fands ! •». - ' • 3 Some of whom died in the hofpital, o- thers on the road,—and numbers fell in the field of battle with the Hnglifh! 4 What lufferings ol body apd mind they palled through before the awful hour,—who can defcn.be? ; . 5 There is one thing of importance they have done,for us, “ They have ficed us from jj defpotic negatives, and Bnnfh tyranny:” And have left us lealed with iheirowa | blood, the valuable legacy of civil, and reli¬ gious liberty. A libert) guarded, and pre- lerved by reprefentation. ' 7 And this is the government the general conference are pleafed to charge us with being enemies to. Groundlefs charge; cruel flan- der—the very offspring of your ipurious epif- copacy. ‘ * 8 The leading characters in this grand fy* nod, are Thomas and Francis. The one from the north of England, fince'the American re¬ volution. • ' - 9 The other (Francis) came over from the land of Monarchy, before the revoluion. And 1 believe are both Britifh lubjcds (in their hearts) to this day.- - 10 What excellency is there to be found in thole ii)cn, beyond^ others, that conference [ 59 3 jnuft bend to their caprice? 11 Is it the country from whence they have emigrated? Oris it the government under which they were educated? Or what is it, that renders them fo iilufirious in the eye* of the conference? 12 Can it be the principles of defpotifm they have brought with them? Or the aibi* trary manner in w hich they have been known tocondutfl the bufinefs of government in the church ? • r v f , r?~ 13 As to their literature, if we may judge from their publications, there appears no great difplay of wifdom therein. ; .p ; , \ 14 Their journals are, for the moft part infipid. They are partly filled wi^h violent attack^on perlonal, and public characters.— Thefe are no marks of learning. * . i , v :*v. 15 Their kind of dif.ipiine, may (perhaps) anlwer better to the north, of this, where thef*de.~ V . -f -w V . 13 It not our luperior wifdcrn, nor igp. [ 6c ] norance, that renders us foungovernable; hutt our invariable determination to dand fail in our civil and religious liberties <( Wherein God hath drangely made us-frcc.” J' 1 * * ? .... ", . • • 44« i'" V • . » ■*' CHAP. XXVI. ,:t-: .. ■f The Conclufion of the Letter. , . W HATEVER you may think of me, my fpirit, or manner of writing, is a mat¬ ter of indifference with me. * ^ ■ f .. 2 You are not fituated as I am, and cannot feel 1 do. Only put yourfclf where I Hand, chargeji with a crime of the deeped die. 3 A crime of the mod enormous magni ? - tede; which if believed; is calculated to en- - tail infamy, and dilgraceon poflerity ! — 4 Bur, why am 1 thus treated? Is it be- caufe 1 oppofe a government not only arhi— irar\ in irs piinciples, but vindicative and cru¬ el in its operation. . : : * 5 Which cruelty we Ihould feel* were we - 1 not fheltered under the wing of that govern* • went which you fay, we are enemies to. r : 6 Oar European brethren know, as the Jews did, that it is not lawful for them to inflict punifh-mcm; ‘ '• > •.* •* i -•- k r * 7 Therefore, hope to influence rhe etvil rulers againd us But heaven be thanked, your influence with them is but weak. - < i 8 The miniders of your conference may- flatter themfelves, and like the 0;hrk;hi fup- • pole they are fufliciently hid from publievaewj *£hen onjy. their own-eye’s are covered* [ 61 3 ^ But our judicious men can fee that fel£* 1 created dignities, fuch your biffiops boaft of, i mu ft have originated in pride and vain glory] 10 And if they cannot Iree themfelves front 1 the principles of their education (as fome no-* t ble Englilh brethren have) they had better return to the land of their nativity, where kings and bilhops reign. - 3 11 Ah no, the fecret is, .they have left a land of cruelty, where they were governed* and not the governors. 'They had to feel the tyranny there, they wifh to inflid here. * ■ ; ‘ 12 I fhall now take my leave of you, an T4 Were they to offer to exererfe cpSTco^al authority there, the HolySea would overflow) fend they would be retieded on as impoft^rs. This they ib **' * - -: v : v.-;- U3 :*•> f:;-jCHAP.XXVil^ The Method!ft E. Canons examined-—A difeovery 'made that they are not founded enftcf-iptxr-e, i£c:* T HERE is fome good to be found in that? book of laws; but the canons,tor lawS| are what'Thave at this time to confider. 1 ii b 2,1am. told, jihat. the-preac^ers fuve*frc 11 Paul was writing to the churches when he faid, “ Be yc followers together of me, and t 63 ] , mark them that walk fo, as ye have us for an example.” • 12 And the election in conference is nuga- I tory / becaufe the hifhop can negative the ordination of him who is elected by confer¬ ence. . - 13 If the hifliOp pleafe toofdain the preach¬ er thus eledted,—the perlon to be ordained, mud firft folemnly promife that he ever Will be ready to obey the godly mandates of his fit- periors. 14 Thus it is, that the minifies of that or¬ der, ad in a (late of (ubordination.* See the place of ordination in the Methodift prayc* ' book, papc 292. 15 I fhould not have been clear of this mine oath, in difobeying Francis, only as I promifed to follow his *' Godly directions.” And I did verily behve his directions were not Godly. . -/.T tSwik&t 16 Each minifter previous to his ordina¬ tion, proftfreth to be called of God to take upon him this office; ^ ? ; r ' 17 Nevcrthelels, if an Eider ceafeth to tra¬ vel, without con(ent,heis forbid to act in the church as a minifter—although God called 3 him.''", •• - •' v. A -'■ " * ' -fC’cw 18 Then follows a barefaced error: Dea¬ cons appear to be choten by the iuffrage of the conference, whereas they ought to becho- fen by the lay members.’ V . “ v ‘ • 19 Moreover, deacons in the primitive church were no inferior order of the rniniflry, _ ' ♦ , ' \ #4 [ % ] but fet apart for temporal bufinefs. Ads vt. 20 “The Prophets prophecy error, by which .means the prieft bear rule; and my people will have it fo.” T CHAP. XXVIII. Setme Continued. H E feventh fedion I pafs over, (as it treats of temporalities) and part of the eighth, till we come to the place of power in the fixth quellion. 2 The power fpeaketh on this wife; If -members be abfent from their meeting three times, they mult be tplked to on the occafion,* 3 And if no amendment, the rn.iru. 0 er (nor .the church) fhall expel luch, in the fociety. Then the rninillerihail report, that fuch were mot expelled (or immoral conduct, “ But breach of our rules. You may with propriety fay “ourrules,” aey are not rules of .God’s giving. 4 /or they arenot rules ot Lrods giving. . j; I pafs over Lhofe fedisns which treat op \ Tands, &c. till**We come to the place.of the .great College, difuoguiflied by the name of Cokefbury. V . . - p 6 There the two celebrated names were (as it were) to be immortalized. This"was held forth to the people as “.Q.ne-of the greateft: •^charities in the world,.”. 9 ’ 7 The fons of minifters were to be_edu r bated gratis: this would greatly relieve their .widows., JBciidc, filming minifters were cx- ^prded to come forth of her. f «£ J ' 18 Great care was to be taken of the ftudents with regard ro their morals & literature. Andt ; in order to give full fatisfadion to the parents, ij frauds promifed to examine into their //»- povcments in learning from time to time. 19 While he himjelf -vas an utter ftranger to a tlalical education j being like me—born of j, poor parentage. I 20 However, the few chariry-boys were turned out of lchool, as we were informed. Young gentlemen left the college, for, as they j fay, inflead of “ Pies-and Puddings,” they tnet with poverty and oppreffion. CHAP. XXIX 'I Reflexions on ihe College , W E were ever taught to believe tha£ Cokefbury was the property of the lj people.* But I afk if the people >vere eyercon* Suited \yith regard tp its corporation? ; *• 2 I never did approve the ftep, becaufe i thought it did not belong to our prpyjnce* . . 3 Moreover, I feared it originated in yam- glory, and lucrative motives. 1 fay, I leare^jl -fod ; ' : th ‘ •• - ' ! . if 4 . ‘ .j •; 4 When the religious feelings of the pep* v i pie were from time to ; time, cogently addrelT? ' ! ed, both in ppblic and private, ._ • l-f ! 5 Todifplay their charity, I was^bachwajd, _ V. becaufe of unbelief., But ;; , / .• . N 6 Francis informed us that he was itl dgn* > 1? * • . y » .viiVi- i,.;» 4. * -. V j ,.. *S ^ gcr of imprilonment; therefore we exerted ourfevies! 7 But did he not mock us, or would he have left us and gone up to Mr. Davis, in Bedford, and engaged £. 3000 towards ano¬ ther college ? 8 \\ hether he did or not, I am nor certain, But I had caule to believe it, feeing his friends told it: however, that fell through. 9 Let the witnelfes, biefled with Cokefbu- ry charity. Hand forth, and tally with thofe repeated large fums of money ? 10 Then let the flaming minifler appear* that we may fee how the connexion is bene¬ fited by the operation. 11 But alas, the glory of Cokefbury is con- fumed by the devouring fire, and in one hour ruined! ■■■■- ■ 12 Thofe devouring flames purfued the like project at Baltimore, where the fecond college, the bifbop’s houfe, with the houfe of God (report fay) were confumed ! 13 Whether thofe lolTes arc occafioned by the malice of the enemy, or directed by Di¬ vine Providence, I dare not conjectures 14 In the fiftieth, and few following fec- tions, we fee the abfolute power invelted in' the itinerant preachers, where they are di¬ rected to expel members; Firft, 15 For w hat they may judge immoral; and fecondly for breach of the bifliop’s rules* ' --Whoever obferves the facred writings, find divine inftruCtion&in Matt. 18. 1 . Ccr. 5, r 6r 3 I. Pet. 5, &c. mud fee that none of thofe fee- tions are founded on the fcripture-gofpel or¬ der. Far from it. « 17 The fifty-feventh fe&ion is worthy of attention, but it does not confifl of laws, but Hands forth as a wunefs for God, and juftly condemns the book of difciplinc. 18 It is an old original fedtion, notefpifeo- pal. It fhall fpeak for itfelf; and when that is done, what farther witnefs do 1 need? 19 Thus it is writen, “ The feripture con¬ tains all things neceflary to falvation ; 20 “ So that whatfoever is not read therein, or may be proved thereby, is not to be re¬ quired of any man.” -tv 21 The impartial eye mult fee, that the< form of government which I have refifted, is defpodic, not free,- human, not divine y changeable, and not perminenr. )• • . 22 The diftind body is abfolutc; the pre¬ late exercifcs authority as fuperintending bi- foop over all the concerns of. the church* CH AP. XXX. An impartial inquiry with rcfpefl to thtfe laws in their Difcipltne ., whereby the Bijhpp may be re» i .ftrifled—or expelled , &c. ■-< -- ->• . A S all the laws generally originate in Fran¬ cis, and the preachers being men under authority, therefore, as one juftly obferves, ** the conference is not free.” ■ . vr '2 Yet they form an abfolutc body* being reftrifted by r.o. body* ; ^ , v [ 68 J 3 'And Francis, by power, policy, and in¬ fluence, has fo far gained the afcendant over conference, that they appear thus, i oo, but remove the firft figure and fee what remains. 4 Should the preachers lop off fome of the branches', the root remains. Should the preachers refufe to fubferibe to his meafures, 5 And he fhould refufe to fubferibe to their refolufiorts, fhould they then fend forth to the church a Ruh Mcok, nor fi'gned by the bifhop, 6 What authority could fuch laws bear in the epifcdpul chttieh? It mufl be condemned by the ihleridr part of the church, as a book of rcbellionj elfd, epifeOpacy fiiuft be diflblved. 7 ’Tis written that the bifttop is amenable to fh'C general eohlefence for improper con- dfiff. Biit' let it be remembered, that the general conference ir.veft him with power to act (as bifhop) in all things over the connec- rioft, as he thinks beft- - : ~ 8 Now I afk in the name of Common fenfe,, how that body cart, In any legal way, punifh a bifhop for acting with the authority which “* that body invefled him with? : 9 Marty Wordis may darken counfel, and blind the eyes.of the Ample* but the truth remains ftill. O that God may open the eyes of tlife people; id The extraordinary method they have of bringing a bifhop to trial for wickednefs, i. e. immoral, conduit, is impracticable; and I think ridiculous;- * 11 In the firft place, three travelling eiders [ h ] jmp ,f verify believe him guilty.’-' ■ ' r > 12 They then proceed in the fol!rav¬ ing manner; call for, fend fof, or bring fix minifters. of .the Tift andjecond oder, from other diftriefts. 13 This forms a court of nine itinerant mimfters. But, by what authority thofe men ,are to be brought fo far from their bu finds, ,&c. I cannot tell. * * • j 4 I underhand not the place of judgment, nor how the joiiliop is to be Topped from t his circuit, until this called court can be cal-. Tefted,"' ry '•. * : ij5 Or will they purfue him till overtaken? "Then they have power to fulpend, or releafe him; notwithftanding the church fimay be grieved,'and injured. 1 - 16 To what fhall I liken it ; ? Tt isdfke unto a high~:{heriff, and although .the public.anay 2be greatLy injured by t him, he (hould not,*bc -heki to lecurity; jnor be called to trial by any court but his own deputies: And iheyTvfltyy -that he is their bread 1 : ^ .hskV > ‘ 17 How can fuch impofitions be contem ¬ plated without ferious. emotionsinrthe bfeaft of every member who holds a fingere regard 'for Zion’s welfare, and the liberty,of the faints. - When we contemplate the.d'4ys paft, ^e read of Zion’s woe, .and find the,overthrew thereof, generally to originate in.;,the. ambi¬ tion, and policy of bifiiops, affifted by, thair -creatures, 1 e. ptidls.r. .19 And on the other handjTufi&red^.by-tfjje r 7° ] , i j tsrpid filence of the people of God. As I | fhall fpeakof more particularly hereafter. j CHAP. XXXI. Further Rcfleflions on the Laft Form of Difci - !| pline, | I N the third page of the form of difcipline |j it is thus written, ** We think we have been as cautious as the nature of our cafe will | admit, to prevent hafty innovations &c.. . 2 Thofc gradual innovations, have as gradu- jll ally made reparations. Whoever is the au^ I thor of thofe innovations , mark him, as the caufc of our dtvifions. , - 3 See page fourth, " But we are very falli- . ble creatures, liable continually to err." 4 How can any man on earth, with judg¬ ment and good faith, juftify the conduct of fetting up fuch a lcgiflature for Chrift’s church N 5 Then, each one of thofe ** fallible crea- - tures," ex cording to the faints. 6 In page the ninth, there appears the form of a new deed, for the purpole ©f con¬ veying meeting-houfes and lands.. .' v 7 Head, mark well the content?, and I be- leive the reader will find that thofe houles, Jands, &c, may be reduced to public laic, as 1 private property. * •. ecute thole changeable law'?, ac- hisjugdment, in the expulfion of i 71 3 , 8 But I would fuppofe, fev?, very few ./a* deed will ever build houfes on fuch terms, or convey lands by inch a form. 9 Something very extraordinary appears in page the tenth, preventing all, and every minifter of God, however holy in dodtrine, life, or converfation, • ./ 10 However ufeful to rhe fouls of the peo¬ ple,- even to preach or expound (to the peo¬ ple) Gods holy word, in any. of thofe cha¬ pels, except he be authonfedby their order, j Alas 1 > ■ . 11 No books nor trafts of any kind with-- .out the confent of the bilhop, dare be print¬ ed. This an attack on civil as well as religi¬ ous liberty. « • . XV. 12 However, it does this much for the bi¬ ihop, it lecures him from every publication, which might in anv degree refled on his cbn- dud. x \ 13 In the twenty-ninth page, appears the bilhop’s chartered fund. Which fund (lun* derfland) is like to be eftabliflied by civil law, , . .. « r ' v ' •W, v - V . \ 14 It appears, that their fangume expec¬ tations are fuch, that the principle will (well fo large, as for the intereft to anfvver the prefent necefhtiesi - : V 15 ' The truflees, whofe bufinefs is'to take care of the preachers’ propeity, are only, fuch .as (hall be called the Philadelphia Committee ,: And, • :\t 16 In page twenty fecond, we read, ui$i' *72 fecurmes and deputies, in each flate, where the money is TOllc&ed, are to be thofe ap¬ proved of by the ttuliees in Philadelphia \Vhat is that tor ? * i 7 The objects which, this great charity have prefented to the ideal views of the peo¬ ple, are travelling, and worn out preachers, "widows, &c. i 8 Thofe deflolate widows—I know not. The circuits ought .to fupport their own preachers; and as for worn out preachers—> they generally marry well; being men of good 'characters. 19 Thofe objefts muft dwell in a province "that I am unacquainted with. I know the preachers are fometimes in want: and fo art '‘many of the poor members, their widows, and fatherlefs children alio." 20 But the fecret is, what is, hath been, and there is no new thing upon earth.— Epifeopal dignity neceflarfly calls for money,; .and in order that this may be carried into "execution, the feelings of the poor members are cogently addreffed, chanty fermonsl” - 2t Look back on hiftory, and fee what bi- fhops have done, aflifted by their creatures; aid on the other hand, luffered by the torpid fil nee, and flaviih tr.eannefs of the innocent *m:mSers. ; . - xi All this carried on "by the doftrine of '‘ peace, peace. Batvire'of fchifms -and ci¬ vilians/’ &c. ._ . - ! * - r - X - 73 '] ; CHAP.XXXlt. ' ■ An Epifcopal Elder in a Letter , gives the Reafm- iv by the Republicans are charged ' with being Enemies to Civil Government , isJe. E LDER S - W- - s in a letter to a cer-' respondent, obferves, that the general conference had caufe to believe the Repub- cans to be tones, becauie he believed O’K. 1 to begone; •' - 2 And his party were deputies to him, and he a dupe to Patrick Henry, &c. * 3 I am in duty bound to anfwer thofe hard, and falfe afiertions; and firft, with regard to the worthy character he points out, who never concerned with our bufincls. , ~st ;••*>.* 4 I wifh S. W-^-s would learn to give ^"ho¬ nor to whomhonor is due.” The very per-foti ■whom our delegates judged beft qualified to Jill the governor’s chair. ’ -T : ,-r ; . *■ -5 Mr. "Henry, a proved friend to his eoun^ try. Whofe .Eagle eye firtl ditcovered otrr ^ftate of bondage in Virginia. ■ j r:ct b He boldly defended our rights;-condemn- *ed -thc'proccedings of!Britain -. and men e.-rhan thirty years ag-o, was he called a frailor t t&t - displaying In a m a fieri y manner-live rights of .American's. v - .-g -'vu n; ; it *1 13 Then 1 was difpiftd, and very near fa- mi fhed for bread. At which time, I refolved through grace, to hold my integrity till death. My honor, my oath—my foul was at Bake! 20 Till at laft, Providence offered me art opportunity, which I gladly embraced; and narrowly efcaped their hands. 1 ! 21 After thefe things, I went (notasapri- foner) into general Kutherford's camps, and There, by the teffimony of two worthy gentle-, men, viz; colonel Robertfonand colonel Ow¬ ens, of Bladen, did I eftablifh my political and civil chara&er. * - • 22 I flood my draught as other men. Once my fubflitute faithfully ferved a tour. Once 1 marched on foot, as far as I was able* < . 23 Which of my accufers have done more? , Let us now proceed to fliew our receipts.— Which of the itinerant men have paid more to fupport government, than I have done? * , 24 Alas, why do my brethren thus Bander me, feeing the root of the matter is in me ? All men muff fee the caufe, they mufl fink me, to fupport their error. ?■ ' CHAP. XXXIII. Remark's on a Jew paffega in a BoJ. extraSied Ij '[ & 3 Francis, ref peeling Heart , and Church T)ivt~ | -fOrtS, &C. ■ - I 'M the beginning of this book, heavy refiec- | tions are caff on the feparates. Thecaufes | he attributes to pride, revenge, intereft, felf— ‘and the devil. • . ! 2 In page ioo, he faith, " the power of baptiling is the power of the keys for reception into the church/’ What can we think of this? . ' 3 “ The private members have not the power of baptifing, therefore have not the power of the keys for admifiion.” He quotes •feripture texts, which promifed to the Apof- tles, the key of Knowledge, 8cc, Is Francis Tan ApofUe? " -4 Page ior, Francis undertakes the expla¬ nation or our Lord’s words, as recorded in 'Matt, xviii. 15. If a brother trepafs againft thee,” Sec “ tell it to the church.” The in¬ terpretation is, according to Francis his theo- Tcgy, “ Tell it to the Pallor.” 5 Page 102, he addrefleth the members -thus, you are not all bound to know what the fpiritual-{fate-of any man ic, as he is to join ^in church communion with you, but upon yourpaftOr’s truil and word.” < • . , » '• -6--What can ihe honefl reader make ofTuch lubjeff ion as this ?• He adds, It he have ad¬ mitted them, you are to red in his judgment, unlefs you would undcFtakeThe office your- IcH/-' , ' • r 77 r ‘‘ repentance be ferious arid credible, you are- «* not called to try and judge: but if yourpaf-> “ tor have admitted them, he hath numbered “ them with the vifible church: 8 “ And it is the credibility of the pad or “ that you have to conlider. Who are perfons “ that you fhal! meet at a facrament or in pub-i - “ lie communion, you are no: at all retired ' “ to try; 9 “If you never faw them before or heard “ them ipeakv Reft in the knowledge of them r “ to whom the keys are committed." 10 Thole keys have a very grating gtngle in my ears. Such keys,, when the bifhop of? Rome had them in pofiefhan, have locked up good men in prifon. h t ?>■ : t 11 But the key of Chrifl’s kingdom, is the: ' fpirit of truth, which led the ApofUes into the myfleries of the gofpel: Thus it is, that their words bind and fhut heaven againfJ men* * 12 Little did I oneexhink,; that Francis would ever offer to exercife the Popes ieysi He, in the time of his humility couM lay, “ God never called, me to be, s priefL’* . u He that would be a bifhop, would be king.* . a 13 ^ a g € I0 1 ' “ If-you knovr fuck to be •‘wicked, it is no more your fin to commune *' with fuch men, than it is to live andeon- V verfe with fellow- fervants that are wkked; ' when it is not you, but your mailer that' * hath the choice.of them.V « <• a- V % T4 See page 11 8. “ The feripture is writtea ** in. iuch-wordsuu men. ufe, of purpele that [ 7* ] " they may undetftand it ; and it is to be fuf-' ficiently undeiftood by all men that hear it, " though they have no revelation. 15 “ God hath fet Paftors in his church to- ,f teach it.” Hard fayings, and dangerous doctrine, in my judgment. It needs expla-' nation, or chriHian refentment. “ Be ye an¬ gry, and fin not.” * ' 16 Had F. been a philofopher or politician, I fhould have thought that he wrote with in- digrarion: and all his epithets and good words were only intended to Totten intuits. 17 It he were a man of education, I might have taid with Ftfius, “ Much learning hath made thee mad.” Such policy and dignity in the chriflian church, gives great advantage to the enemy. ’ 18 This caufes carnal men to cry out, ■/* Prieft cralt.” This confirms the Deift in his no faith: So, they become abominable: and favorable profpetfts vanifhaway as morn-‘ ing dew. \ • ‘ 19 It is this that rivits the oppreffive chains, and promotes tyranny w hile we write, and preach againll flavery. " Doft thou preach agaift flealing? And dofl thou fteal?’\ : CHAP. XXXIV. . ' . ’ Elethodiji Epi/copacy Spurious, I N the year 1787, we read thus, “ Who are the Supcrintendants of-our church ?”. In the year 1788, .w v cj:cad in the Book o/.difei- 1 t *9 ] pline, “ Who arc the biffiops of our church/' &c. Page 3. < ^ 2 I refer now to the minutes for the year 1789, “ Who are the perfons that exerdfe the Epiicopal Office in the Mcthodift church in Europe, and America?” 3 The anfwer is, “ John Wefley, Thomas Coke, Francis Afbury, by regular order and lucceffion.” . v 4 Verily, Wefley was a Methodift preacher fnot a biffiop) and lived by profeffion, as an tlderof the Epifcopal church. “ Nihil dat quod non habet.” 5 Let the reader reflect on the rife aad pro- grefs of the Methodift Epifcopal dignity, and alk if any man who regards his charader, will ever again—undertake to defend it? 6 However, the preachers fay that they can abridge the bifhop’s power whenever they pleafe. But, 1 would afk tnofe mindlers by what authority they can demand the biffiop to lay down the power that God gave him ? * < 7 Or do they believe the power the biffiop now exerciles to be of God ? If ir be of God, they dare not meddle with it: and if it be of man, it is wickednefs. - ■ ■ 8 If the chriftian religion, and the govern¬ ment of the church be of man, then, 1 power of regulating, or altering the government is* 1 pofTefted of man ; fo that man may endi laws, abridge, extend, revife and repeal at ht would any other political project. / • : ? \ 9. But.in this point of view, i: would-be [so 3 difpifed on account of its fpurims birth. 13 But, if it be of God, it is great pre^, Jumprion in minillers to fet as legiflators, and cnad laws tor Chr:ft’s church: 11 And to enforce thofe very laws in the excommunication of the Lord’s people; and that often againfl the will of the church. 12 All thofe who are acquainted with the New Teflamenr, muft alfo know that this is not gofpel order. 13 Strange indeed, that thouf-nds of g& d people fbould calmly. part with their golpel liberties, and like Ef.ru {til their birth right. , 14 For, there is hut one way that people can give power toothers which they have not to give, that is, by depreciating rhcmfelvcs. 15 But to pretend to juftity themielves in giving away other people’s liberty, there is Scarcely a precedent lor fuch congudi, 16 Thofe h'pifcopal minifters are plealed to fay, that whoever oppofes, and condemns their government, oppofes God, and divin$ authority. - - 17 I would afk then, if they can prove their cpifcopacy by fucceiTion from the Apoflles? Their genealogy can refied back no farther than to a man of yellerday; who was an infe¬ rior of the epilcopal church. > 8 That good man never profelTed to be 3 bifhop, neither could he fend letters of epif- copal authority to America; Bccaufe he had no fuch power. . - 19 Thcrelore,. tbc.Methodift .Eplfcopacy % ’ * , j * # -■ . * ' . f ^ cannot be divided : nor according to the mo¬ dern acceptation of the term, can it be cpif- copacy at all. . ' . CHAP. XXXV. A View of Epifcopdcy in its Bfl EJiate, iAe. E PI^COPaCY, or Epifcopal government^ is that form of church difeipline wherethc fuperior order of the clergy is head, and go¬ vernor over minifters and people: and fuch bifhnps are not ameanable to the church. ‘ - 2 Our epifcopal tranflators make mentiotf ofthe wordbilhop, Tim. lii. 1,2! Compare Phil. i. 1. But the nice critics can allure us* that the interpretation is elder. - Lord King convinced John Wefiey of this truth. ' | 3 We read in Adts i. 20 of an Apoftle fall¬ ing form his epifcopal dignity bv tranfgrelh- on, according to a prophecy in' Pfalm cix. S.‘ In the original there is no hint of epifcopacy* but a nvinifteriai office. 1 J '. , "T 4 In the original Greek, from whence oar bible is tranflated, I believe there is no fudi word, nor root. Can an inferior root (towit,the prefbyter) bear the fuperior order thebifnop? Let us never facrihce our common fenfe. 5 1 will appeal to the unprejudiced learned men, vyho know better than James or Franck, that the very Apoftles called themfelves Ei¬ ders, and Prefbyters ; or overfeers. 6 Pet. i„ 2, 3, All the Pallors or Mini&ers [ 32 ] are called by •' e Holy Apoftles, Elders. Yea, and he calls himfelf Elder, alfo. 7 Compare Ads xiv. 23. Elders were or¬ dained in ihc churches: Not a’ fentcnce of fuperior orders called Bilhops., 8 Letthe conference at Jerufalem witnefs this hibfe-truth, Ads xv. The ApofUes arrd E lders, and people competed that great con¬ ference. 9 And except Elders arc bilhops, there was no Eifhop among them And if Sifhops arc jj Elders, there can "be no foperior order of the 1 Clergy, {hat is of divine authority. 10 See A(fts xx. 28. Paul gave a farewell j folemn charge to the Elders, but not a word * to bifhops. The Elder is a Steward, to admN nifter ipiritual food to the houihoid, (Luke , xii. 42) and the Deacons were Stewards of the j temporalities. 11 The minifters mentioned in the Revela- ! fidns, are though: by feme, to be feven biihops. ! But,, only let the ma n of underftanding be guided by reafhjvand the following feriptures. 12 Reafcn dictates to us, that the Lord had many minifters, and churches, befides thofe feven; and that the fame letter equally concern all the churches of Chrift, now cxifl- ing.. '• ... . : *13 Thofe feven minifters given under the fimiliiude of the “ feven Bars,” plainly prove that thofe leading characters were all in the Saviours powerful hand movingtogerher as he, the Head directed, anTthcy workers together f S3 3 Vith him, on a perfedi: equality. Which til the leven liar's is ruler over the fix? 14 The term Angst, iignines minifter,atone fent on a meftage Tne number jcven 3 infcrip- ture, is a number of many, or perfection, or all. 15 “ Seven fpirits.” “Seven pillars/’ “Se¬ ven eyes.” " Seven pipes.” “ Seven akarsT “ Seven Weeks.” “ Seven locks of hair.*’ “ Seven withs.” “ Seven thunders.” “ Seven trumpets.” “Seven ftreams.” 16 Seven vials.” “ Seven women.” "Se¬ ven beads.” Seven troubles, and I havepaffi- through feven hundred already. 17 There is one difficulty more, at width, fnyfelf, and others have daggered; which is ■plated as a paragraph in the book of God; ‘ f 18 It is added to the lad letter to ; Timo¬ thy, and alfo the Apoftle’s letter to-Titus. ■'** Timotheus ordained the firft bHhop of the church of the Ephcfians.” “ i itus ordained the firft bilhop of the church of the CrcmnsT f If any man will prove that thofe-^ara 1 - graphs were wrote by the Apoftle, then wiHl 'acknowledge the cpifcopa'l dignity, where the fuctejfion can be rhade appear: but Will peotell againft the rpijcopncy born ib America, la the year17S7. ... * %q I knbW th£r£ are many who could have done this bufinefs better than F, tot ah. ho, fome-able pens for fear of offending, when the king defends the epifcopal faith. Whilft others live by the gown; . ' . } cli AU the bloodshed, and confuflon which t *4 3 the epifcopal religion have produced in the world, hath been owing to the prefumption of kings and bifhops; by forcing laws, and creeds on the people of God. v 22 The m.fcties thence derived muft be aferibed to this fource, and not the bleffed religion of the holy jefus. Read the bloody hiftories, for its ufelefs to print them again, \\ CHAP. XXXVI. r | 'The writings of Epifropal Authors fhew, that “ Epifcopacy bulb no foundation in Scirpture, &cS j r '|^'HE Reverend Mr. Warren fays, bifhops j ^ JL fucceeded the Apoflle, as he believed, j ** and without a line of fucceffion nothing di- I .vine can be pleaded.” v ; | 2 Bifhop Hoadley in his difpure with Dr. Calamy, gives up the. point. Mr. Warren J fays’ that he will not deny but in the Greek, l the Apollle John calls himlelf Prefbyter, or ! .Elder: But he fuppofed he wrote it through | fear. Fie, Mr. Warren. * - *’ ji 3 Erafmus, who was counted an excellent Grecian, honellly confeffcth (as hidory fay) f that the word, bifhop, is not found in the ori- | ginal Gicek. ; -. . . . 4 The celebrated Titrler afhrms/thatepif- copacy is not of divine authority.; , 5 Dr. Whitbcy, an Epifcopalian, faith that the name bifhop was nor known in the church for two or three centuries after the ;Apoft!c3.; Thus he proves that no /uch title r tf j exiflcd among thgApoftles; nor for a long time after ' > 6 But he proceeds to fhew the caufe wffiv tl e Apoflles iiad ho billiops in their days, O fays he, it was a defedt in the Apoftles go-i vernment. , 7 The reader may fee how hard run th.c greateft wits have ever been, in trying to de¬ fend epifcopacy. ' 8 Mr. Wttley, in his hiftory 2ffures me, that bi(hop, is a borrowed name. Yet he v/ould fpeak in favor of epifcopacy. 9 I believe the title originated in the civil’ world, and is of a majeftcrial feature, com¬ manding obedience and refpedt. • > 3 - io Calvin difputed this point, in the refor¬ mation; pleading for the feripture order-if* rhe Prefbytery; and that no order above a* Prelbyter, could be divine. i 11 Mr. Law’informs the public* that he feparated from the epifcopal government,"as - ? a debt he owed to God ; and an adt of allegi—' ance to Chrift, as the only law-givei for the-; church. Matt, xxiii. 8, 9, &c. r I 12 ^iHiops were a kind of officers (as and* thors fay) and infpeclcrs among the Atheni.l ans; and alfo among the Romans, and Jews;'* at length it was borrowed for the church: -and I would that the borrowed word were returned J from whence it came. ' - " * 1 :* ? ’• 13 Biffiop, as foi Saxon word bifcop: me think, comes from the but the epifeopaiians dxi\v% f 85 J it from the Greek word overfeer, or ©bferver, or elder J4 Bifhop, is papas, from the term father. Papa, bpifeopas, or Jh'pifcopacus, dignity. Pontifcx, Homsnus, or Pope. ; i 5 1 here is a pamphlet fent out to the E-. pifcopal Church, bv John D. according to order, in the year 179.5 intitlcd the cxcrcife, or y ay of ancient chrifiians. That trail is fit 11 of popery. See page 11.7, &c. <16 E-pihf^pas, i. e. pontiff, pricll or high- prieft; papa, i. e. popo, father, pope. Thus fahh the lord, “Cal! no man fatheron earth.” Let none call me father in the church, who call themiclves my friends. 17 Thus vc clearly fee, that in rigid epif- Oopacy, popery fkulks in all its native defor^ mity. They difpife the name, but delight in the dignity. ‘ 18 In matters of religion, I regard no wri- tings but the infpired. Wefley. In every point I appeal to the law and the teftimony, and value no authority but this. . W. - 19 That according ro truth, bifhop is elder , elder is bifhop—overfeer, fee. And as for a fucceffion of epifcopacy from the Apoftlcs, it cannot be proved, and therefore is not divine. 20 The truth of what I fay, I call on the teflimony of Thomas Coke , Francis Ajhu.ry > w ith. the General Conference fo- the year . 784: They; havt declared from the pre/s, v hat I now write. ■. ■ ; . ./I 21 Kow, according to common fenfe, if t '*7 ] their publications be true, as I believe they are, minifters were all on a perfect equality in feripture times. 22 Therefore the luperior order of bifhops.* mull have originated in pride, and church policy: What is by fome called “Pricffc- Crafti” 23 And if fo, every good man who is- a friend to ChriH, ought to explode itand by no means be brought into Inch fubjet^ionl! CHAP. XXXVII. • ' Eplfcopacy operated to the dt'.vvfall of the Prvdi 1 - troe Church' iSc. - / ' C lAN any man on earth {Itew any form of * difcipline by which the primitive'church Was governed, befides the A potties writings, as they Hood recorded, and were■'receive d^by,, the people of God ? Where is it to‘be Fourtd? > 2' Yet, the great conference are bbl&tp fert, that government is left for rh.e rninilVeri of thefe days, to form; although, they are tf ooor fallible creatures, liable continually t’6 err. * > 3 Pious John Wefiey, with ether hi fibril ans lay, that about fifty years after the Apof- ties, this evil arofc in the church : ’ . { ; 4. - The Elders began to grow wife abevii what was writen, and to began to change the face of a divine government. ; - 1 * 5 Prefbyters began to form councils in thofb days: nor does there appear a trace of this, .in the firtl .century.- Weflevi- It-began ii f ■ ] V- .Greece, and To prevailed. * ' - - * 'j 6 In propels of time, in thofe councils they diftinguifhed one man, to uhem they gavij place by v av ol lubjedtion, as their prelident; and aided as deputies under him- 7 Such men fuperincend certain cities, or provinces, and were afterward diftmguilhed by Senior ; then Apojlolic-Father ; Metropolis t.in , &c. Bifhop was introduced foon af:er. 8 Thofe leadingcharaders appeared at firft as humble as holy men ; and called themlelves the delegates of the brethren : and fet to give eounldlA*. . 9 Their humility declined, they began to a ' . : 6 In thofe days, great numbers feparatcdr from the tyranny of Fpifcbpacy,. to the vexa¬ tion of the bifheps. , * 7 And it came to pals in thofe days, that: Oliver ufurped authority over the people, as | Lord protetftor *' About this time. Chariest , loft his head: I have not the hiftory by me-’ 8 The other royal Charles, fled to Scotland,? become a Prcfbyterian. But when he waal ■ ^called to the Engl:fit throne, he became am E- pifcopalian, and renounced his fclemn league.! e cc.nfulrcd the bifhnps, md fent his.? army to force. Epiicopaxy inScodnodU * 9 H bloody r 9^ J Bk'fiecT mhTfters we re Ti !chced,‘ numbers of-' the people and mimfters did they maflacre/ Others tied to America May America ever be an afylum tor thofe who fly from tyranny. * - I o He died, and went to bis own place,* and James, who reigned in his dead, being moved with' humanity; granted liberty of conscience. ; it Then had the innocent Quakers, as alfo- the religions Bapnjls , a little reft: and in thole days, Bun> an axvokc from his dream, and faw^ that light was good. ; 12 The biihops difeovered that James was j too favorable to the Catholics, this notion prevailed among the fcpifcopalians, till the jjj heart of the king did tremble, on account of jy his head ; and he fled to France! 3 * i| 13 He died, and Ann reigned in his Bead. j| Jn thofe days d-i (Tenters were difpifed; and i| jkilons were crowded with them. 14 Bur kind Providence removed her from jj; the bloody kingdom, ro-1 know not were! ji . The latter kings have been more mer- j ciful; but the eflabliftiment (lands, and the - ’ government is dangerous, 16 The great miftake in Epifcopacy lies in • the words, office, minifler, “ rule over,” &c. The limilitudc of cvcrfeer, ruler, &c. when applied to civil matters mud bear autho- j nty ; . _ . -? '! 17 As minifler of (late, entrufled by the*.- prince with the adrninifl ration of the govern-; ment; as agent, &c. But rhe kingdom of our Sj' Lord is r.ot of this world: therefore the cver^l !'■ t 93 3 Jeefs of his church arc fpiritual guides ;;Leh>. ders, &c. : lt CHAP. XXXIX.'- N efiay on the Me r hodifh conftitution. IK carefully extracted from the form ofdif- ';cipline. - •. » Article i The government of the Methodr iff Epilcopal Church, is no longer regulated bv the fuilrage of difbict conferences; but i» fully confolidated under one arch- bifhop, pre*- Jate, or head. . . r Art. i .The center of union is general conference—or bifhop. THe interval of ge¬ neral conference is four years, ’and no law .can be ena&ed, repealed, or altered but there-, and then. • \i ; Art. 3 No fettled minifler, ft c ward, lead¬ er, nor lay-member, fhall have a voice i.A .conference—in forming rules - Arts 4 Preachers may be received qn tfiaj by the bifhop, n his deputy, as well as af conference; but riot by the people. , y \ v , . Art. 5 The governors of the people.ar? chofen out of the preachers, and that by the preachers, and not by the church: but.rhc bifhop holds a negative rejpedting their ordi T nation. ■ • r ; . Art. 6 The prefident elders are men of the bifhop’s choice; and their {land in that de¬ partment, is during his pleafure. * Art. 7 If any minder fhall ceafe to travel, without obtaining the approbation of confer- t $4 J -dfe’the facred function of a minifter in the church. Art 8 Local preachers, iftheyxan bring g. good recommendation, as directed by law, they may be ordained deacons, if the bilhop plcafe: bur none are accounted worthy of the elderihip. Art.y Local preachers muftobtain licenfe of the travelling minifters, in order that they may preach in the circuits of fuch minifters.* Art , to Local preachers have not the fame right to the pulpits, as the travelling mini- 11 ers have. Art. 11 The conference has a perpetual prefident, till removed by deaih, or expuiv lion. is • Art. 12 Whenever there is a vacancy in the holy fea, there fhall be a brad elected for the people, (but not by the voice of the people, nor local preachers) by the itinerant mini- fters. a > - Art. 13 When the general conference meet, the bifhop is allowed to choole for himfelf out of that body, a committee, or privy council; which council prepares bufineff for confer¬ ence; what, they know not till it comes be¬ fore them. •' Art. 14 Motions carried by a majority, need the hand of the btfhop to fign rhe work be¬ fore it can be publifhed; becaufe be holds bis negative on the^preis. > ' Art. 15 The general conference when mer, is a body abfolutc—dcfpoticj becaufe it is not 1 i * ill | I 95 3 to be reftridled by thepeople, nOr the limits of any former conftitution. Whereas they are not eledled by the people, they cannot be relponflble to the people. Art. 16 Canons proceeding from the Ecdt-* jjaJUeal Leptj}iUure i figncd by the bifhop, are then binding on the whole church: fo that the people arc not allowed rhe liberty of re-i monftrating again ft any given law. Art 17 The prelate has power to form the diftritfts and Ration the prdident elders. He alfo appoints every preacher wherever he wilt, in fo abfolute a manner, that the.minifter cao^ I not appeal to his diftribl, though injured \ This act paffed, though is not printed.: Art. 1 8 The executive buftnels refts, wholly ■with the itenerant preachers: only an expel-* led member may appeal at a quarterly meetings Art 19 Quarterly meeting conference is corn-* ' pofed of men, who are in fubjeflion to this ! v travelling elder,—who is thejudge of that con-* i ference; before whom the'ea flout muft appear. ' Art. 20 The gradation .of their .ra: rollers ! are the local preacher; the helping travelling j preacher; the afliftant;. the elder; the pre- lading elder, and. the bifhnp over all. . . Art. 21 The bifhop is amenable to none but the general conference for his conduct # except in cafe, of wickedsjffs; then nine tra«r ! veiling elders, may try 'him, and fufpend him—if they will, - ; t. - 1 .• •. o .. Art. 22 Liberty of the prefs is not granted to individuals.'bus.; - * Art. 23 It is written in the book of difci- pline, that the bifhcp has the prelkiemfhip of the college, &t» Art. 24 l'he bifhop can withdraw the preachers from any diftrict. Art. 25 The legtflative, judicial, and exe¬ cutive depaitfncnrs, are mltparably fixed in famehand 3 . • CHAP. XL. ‘ A Sketch en Scripture Giverrment; Or, The Roy - I etl Standard. 1 | i COU LD call forth a cloud ofwitnefles from j the Old and New Tcftaments, to prove the authority, and fufficl ncy of the fciipture; Hierarchy , but a few will be fufheient. » - ' 2 Thus fa h the Lord by the pen ofMofes, in the j 8th of Deuteronomy, “ 1 he Lord {hall raife up a prophet, (Chrift) him lhall ye hear in all things." - > . 3 The word of the l ord came unto the prophet Ifaiah, “ To the law and to the tefti- , mony; if they fpeak not according to this zccrct, it is becauie there is no light in them. Chap. viii. 20. 4 The law and tcftlmony, mud include the' dedrines and government of Chrift’s church. 05-1 will now call for the tcftimorJy of Da¬ niel, ix 9, 10. “ Neither have we obeyed the voice oi the Lord^ to walk in his laws, fet before us by the pii/pheu.."' ' 6 lfaiah li. 3. “ For out of Zion fliall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerufalem.” Compare viii. 16. “ Di.id up the' t 97 3 teftimony, feal the law among my dHciples.-' See xi. 12. . • . T.’ * 7 Jerufalem was the placewherethepure gofpel church was eflablifhed; from whence the dortrine and difeipline wen: out into all the world. • • 8 Matt, xxviii. 20. Teaching them* to obr ferve all things whatfoever I have command¬ ed. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn M of me. II. Thef, iii 6 Now we command you brethren, in the name of our Lord, Sic. 9 Chap. iii. 14. If any man obey not bur word by this epiftle, note that man, andKaSre no company with him. t . , ; , 10 The foundation of the true church Is* found in Eph. ii. 20. The Apoftles and pro¬ phets, Jelus Chrift the corner done./ Com¬ pare lfaiah ix, 7. , (t ; . i% . a - ?. ; 7 11 That Chriil is the only headofhis church, can be plainly proved by feripture andrea|bii. Iiaiah ix. 6. The government {hall;Be upon his fhouldei-. . . Ud .. . M' .j'f.i, 12 Eph. iv. 15. Crow up into him an all things which is the head,;&c. And Cof. i. ,18. And he is the head of the body, the church. Compare Eph. v. Chrift the head .of tile church, as the huifband is the head of th^ iyife. 13 Shall the.church have two heads, or the woman two hulbands ? Who will not fear to fet himjelf/wtf' with the Lord? \ ~ 14 Jefus is the only law- giver, is evident from what hath been faidL, and what 1 will at * ... ; • 1 .- U i ytii [ 9 * 3 .* ' i II James, theApoftle faith, ** Be ye doers of the •word.” " Fulfil the royal law.” " Look into the perfed law of liberty.” “ We have one law-giver.” 15 Let Paul fpeak, “ Do we make void the law through faith ? No, we eftablifh the law.” *' We are under the law to Chrift.” What more do we wifh. 16 As Chrifi is the only head of the true church, ! then are his miniflers on a perfect equality, t Superiority is exprcfsly forbidden. Matt. xx. j 25,28.—xxiii. 8, 10. Be not called Rabbi. : 17 To a : ,5 Adis xv. 36- Paul& Barnabas ard found vifiting all the churches, to lee how they flood. Adis xvi. 4^ They deli ver the divine : decrees (which were given by the Holy Ghofi) to every church, for them to obferye. .,.1 6 Befides thofe travelling minifiers, -they “ ordained, elders in every city,” And as.ifjs written in the holy bibje, in the year. i6.jp. “ They ordained elders by ihe eledlion of tjae churches.” Why did the latter trahfiators leave.thofc words^out ... ,:.u f.-r. f ICO ] 7 Adis xvii. 14. Paul and Silas, with Ti. ^nothy, are found in the church at Berea : Paul is removed, but the other two remain, xviii. 1. Paul is found in Corinth, ! S Adtsxviii. 5, &c. Silas and Timothy com- cth to Paul from Macedonia. Ver. 1 9. Paul, moves ro the church of Ephelus, then in ano¬ ther church, Paul laboured 1 8 months. 9 Adis xviii. 27. An account that Aquilla and Prifcilla gave a letter of recommendation to a certain minifter who was difpofed to tra¬ vel, and his name was A polios: 10 And from their letter of reccommendation, he was received by the church of Achaia. 11 Adis xix. 22. Timothy and Eraflus are found going to the church of Macedonia, &c. Chap. xx. 4. We find Paul and /even more travelling miniflers together. Chap. xx. 27, &c. The elders of the church in Ephefus re¬ ceive the counfel of God, from Paul. V \i Chap. xxi. 18. Paul is found in Jeru- ; falem, at the houfeof James, and all the el— ; ders prefent: the number I cannot afeer- j tain. : 13 See I. Cor. iii. 8, &c. He that plantelh, and he that t vdteretb are owe: 1 planted, ApoU los watered', but God gave the increafe. 1 14 Cap. iii. 22. Let no man glory in then; whether Paul or Apollos—all are yours. Chap, iv. 17. Timothy is fent to remind them of Paul’s way, as he taught in every church. * 15 Chap. xii. treats on the unity of theil' body, and the mutual care one fhould have of [ 101 ] another; that if one member fufFer, all fhould fuffer with it. 16 Chap. xvi. 10. “If Timothy come, fee that he may be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of God, as I alio do.” 17 V. 12. " As touching our brother Apol- los, I greatly defired him to come unto you,.” —“ but his will was not at all to come at this j time.” There was no bifhip to compel him. 18 II. Cor. vi. 1. “ We then as workersto- gether with him, befeech you.” Chap, vii. 6, 7. Titus from the church of Corinth, com- forteth the preachers in Macedonia. And again; “ If any do enquire of Titus, he isrny partner, ' , 19 And fellow-helper concerning yout” " They are the meffengers of the churches, and the glory of ChrifL” Lord, who would try to block up the way of a hqly travelling miniller? ' ■ 20 In Paul’s letter to Ephcfus, we read in the beginning that the body is one, and Chrifl: is her head. Chap. iv. One body, one (pfirit, one faith; one hope, one Lord, &c. Chap. v. 11 Chrift is head, and faviour of the body.”. CHAP. XLII. The fame Subjedl continued. •. I N chap. vi. we read of a travelling, miniftcr, namely, Tychicus. fent to the church of Corinth. Phil. ii. 19. “ I truft in the Lord Jefus, to fend Timothy fliortly. See ver. 25. 2 In Paul’s letter to the church of Colofle, r 102 j chap. i. t S. we read, that Chrift is head of the church. “ I fuppofed it ncceflary to fend un¬ to you Epaphroditus.” 3 Tychicus is fent to ColofTe. Read the fourth chapter, and you will find two travel¬ ling minifters fent by the Apcftle to the church there: aifo an account of five minif- ters with Paul. 4 Paul to the chuichof the ThefTalonians wrote, and lent “ Timothy our brother, and 'minifter of God, and our fellow-labourer in thegofpe! of Chrift.” I. Ep. iii. 2 and 5, “ I fent to know your faith.” 5 Paul wrote thus to Timothy, Demas .hath forfaken me; Crefcens is gone to Galla- tia ; Titus (is gone) to Dalmatia : only Luke is with me.” 6 If. Tim.iv. 9, &c. ver 12, 20. " Tychi- ,f cus have I fent to Ephcfus, &c. Eraftus a- "bode at Corinth , but Trophimus have I “ left at Miletum fick. • 7 Paul to Titus, “ 1 left thee in Crete, that "thou fhouldft fet things in order that arc "wanting, and oidain elders in every city, “ as I had appointed.” 8 Titus iii. 12. " VVhen I (hall fend Arte- " mas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to u come unto me. Ver. 13 Bring Zenas the lawyer, and A polios on rheir journey.” Phil. ! li. 29. 30. C6l.1v. 10 Il.Cor.vni. i8,8rt. - : 9 If what I have col'eded from the (acred I 1 writing will not fufttcc, to (hew the accuracy C !©3 3 of travelling and fettled minitters being on a perfect equality, and workers together in all the churches, in fcripture-times, it would be I of no ufe to draw more vouchers CHAP. XLIII. I The Hierarchy, or D.vine Government , or Go/pcl Order , the Royal Standard or Enfgn for the i “ Chriflian Church i 1 ( » L ET us now enquire for the author and re¬ former of the “ Chrittian Church,” or the New-Jerufalem that came down from God, outofheav.cn* ‘ ' i 2 We find in Heb. ix to, that the Lord Jetus is the reformer. " He taketh away the I-! firft, that he might ettablith the feco'nd.” i Heb. x 9. ' 1 ! : I ,3 He is the minitter of the fanefuary, 'and j of the true Tabernacle, which Jehovah pitch¬ ed, and not man. viii 2. He is the eternal fon, over his own houfe: and a high prisft 1 over the church forever., Heb. 4 He is our only Lord and Matter, and all | we are brethren, “ He that exalteth himfelf i (above his brethren) fhall be abated. See the j Pope now. " Be ye not called Rabbi; and call no man yojjr lather.” Matt, xxiii. 8, 9, 10, r r. / ;' ;i ,A 5 Jefus Jehovah is the only head of the u Chrittian Church,” This will plainly ap¬ pear from the following texts; I. Cor. xi. 3. Ephef. i. 22. iv. 15. Col. i. 18. ii. 19; Two heads to one body would produce a montter i [ I0 4 ] 6 In the divine bonk of difeipline, we find; that females are under certain reft ridtions with repaid to ipeaking in the church. And 7 1 he interpretation of this, will fully, and cleaily fliew Chrift the only head of the body —or church. 8 In I. Cor.xi. 5, &c. we find that women were allowed to pray, and prophecy, with co¬ vered heads. “ Male and female are all one in ( hrift.” Luke i. 41, &c. Elizabeth and Mary fhouted and praiftd God aloud. Com¬ pare Luke xi. 27. . 9 I. Cor. xiv. 34, &c. Let your women keep! filence in the churches; for it is not permit-! ted unto them to fpeak; but they arc commanded to be under obedience, as alfo faith the law.! 10 By reading the foregoing part of the: chapter, and then comparing the conclulive verfe, where the Appftle directed decent or¬ der ; we fhall find, that thofe were loolifh , contentious women; who defired the pre- 1 eminence I. Tim. ii. 12. 11 The intcrepretation appears to be this, .** The head of the woman is the man;’’ there¬ fore, when the woman raketh upon herfelf man’s authority, either in her own houfe, or in the houfe of God, " , -iz She fiteth where fire ought not: fhe I difgraceth her hufband, interrupteth her mi- fliiier<, and bringeih fhame to herfelf; be- caufe fhe hath taken authority over her head : '■zr.d (He jhaU be called a bold ufurper.' , 1 13 But a. helper ftie is, and for that pur- r ro 5 i pofe was file created. And the man is com¬ manded to love, honor, and highly refpetft her. “A virtuous woman is far above ru - bies.” “ A woman that feareth the Lord, file {hall be praifed.” 14 Jefus the Lord, is head of every, man, (and woman) in the church. See I. Cor. xi. 3. “ The head of every man is Chrift; the head of the woman is the man,- the head of Chrift is God,” i. e. his own eternal God- Head. 15 Women ought to appear in the holy afiembly with heads covered, either natural¬ ly or artificially, by keeping on, what the man taketli off. Let her cover her lace when fhe fpeaketh or prayeth in the church. j 6 But for a man to wear his hat in wor- fiiip, or to wear longhair at any time, is a. ftiame: and not the cuftom of feripture times. 1. Cor. xi. 14, &c.' • T *A ; j. r< - L • f ■ CHAP. XIIV. •' ; V: The fire foundation of the “ Cbrifiian Church f T HL houfe of God is fituate on a fpjri- tual eminence, known by the name of “Mount Zion.” The true church is built on the eternal rock, on which are feven pillars, according to infinire wifidom and order; with mighty corner ftones. 2 This foundation God laid by his Prophet and Apoftlcs. Sec Eph. ii, 20, The trus - C ] government was ever divine. The Hierarchy by which the old Jerufalcm church was go¬ verned, was a true theocracy. Compare Dan. ix. 9, i.o, . ■ • • 3 The Lord appointed men in thofe days, ;who were infpired Prophets, called Judges,- fornethirjg referubling Apo'lllcs. They tra* veiled in their circuits, and they taught and explained the divine difeipline. 4 The people at length were corrupted by t. the example ot infidels, and in order to be like them, they earnefily defired a king; as a human vifible head to.go before them. Sa- , muel mourned,- but God faid, “ They have rejected me.’,' I. Sam. viij. 7, 5 And it came to pafs after thofe days, that , Rehoboam, by his oppreflive meafures, caufed a reparation. -One party was called Judah, and the other part was called Ephraim. See Hofeaonthis. . 6 W hile Ephraim was humble, God loved him. The Lord propofed to reform the church of Ephraim, and put them back on the .divineorder; faying, (Hofea xiii. 9, to, 11.) “ 1 will be thy king.” i. e. Thy head. T -' • < 7 They refufed. “ Ephraim envied Judah, ! and Judah vexed Ephraim.” Ephraim turn- j ,ed to idolatry. Judah was arrogant and am- 1 bitious, through bigotry and raging preju- ,j d ee,, whereby,, many finned againfl light and | knowledge, even unto death. And, crucified , their great Reformer.’ ft John P.cxt appears; he was not I I f C I0 7 ] one of the gofpel minifters, but a great pro¬ phet, and forerunner of Chrift, and his king¬ dom. ... 9 He flood as the link of a chain between the Old and New Jerufalem. As Chrift Je- fus was appoired to be our High- Prieft t it be¬ hoved him to fulfil every divine order: to Therefore, at 30 years of age (according to the flefn) he was baptifed, and received the holy anointing, in the form of a Dover and thus he fulfilled that righteounefs. Mart, fit- > .> 14, 15. See the Levitical laws. . n The firft Chriflian church was planted in old literal Jerufalem. From that church went forth the dodrine and difeipline of our Lord, in’o all the world. 12 “ The government fhail be on his {houl- der,” Ifaiah ix. 6 “Bind up the teflrmony, feal the law among my difciples,” Ifaiah viii. 16. Compare :d and 3d, “ Out of Zion fhall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerufalem.” 13 Truth isas-a nail in a hire place. "Teach them all things whatfoever I have command¬ ed you.” Not teaching for (pradical) "doc¬ trine, the commandments of men.” • 14 This is the faith once delivered tG the faints, for which I contend. Holy dodrine , begets holy faith, and that produceth a holy life. To know God in Chrift, and to ferve him with a perfed heart, and willing mind— is pure religion. ' : s . . • ; .1 C ] CHAP. XLV. . u The Chrijlian (ihurcb ” is one , &>c. M Y undefiled is one; the only one of her (heavenly) Mother, Cant. vi. 9. The different fcattere.d churches belong to the lame Head and organised body . Thofe churches are ele&ed fitters: See John’s fecond letter and fall verle. 2 I he uniting plan is found in the epittle toEphefus, iv 4, &c. “ One body ? one fpirif; one calling; one hope ; one Lord; one faith ; one baptifm ; one God and Father.” Oneway to heaven. 3 Who is on the Lord's fide? ^ . Now let names and parties fall, “ The Chrifiian Church,'’ be one and all. There is but one door into this body, I. Cor. xii 13. And there is but one way out; that is-fin. Ilaiahlix. 2. 4 The church is the Lord’s court, Pfalm Ixv. 4. At this court ought minitters, (who are only leading characters, and gifted mem¬ bers) to be tried for diforder. 5 Was it ever heard, was it ever read be¬ tween the lids of the New Telfament, where particular Jaws were laid down for the billiop, the elder, ? •--- 6 The title minittfrs, or tntnijlri, fignify fervants; to attend and wait, not as matters to be miniftered unto, but fervants for Jefus fake: and therefore to minitter, 7 See Jefus of glory, in the days of his hu¬ mility, wattling the difciples feet! Bow ye f I0 9 ] haughty prelates, and fall before the Lord thv God! . 8 “ My kingdom is not ol this /political) world/’' John xvtii 36. William, whofe fir- name is M'Kendree, was, quite out of the fe- crct, when he fpake at Lanes’ chapel'(1797) after this manner ••/' ■ , .w • • * 9 That O’K. had led him aftray for a long time; but by reading “ church policy,” he found himfelf in an error; and now was rea¬ dy to defend the Methodift E. Government. 10 l et no man who believe the lcriprures, and will oblcrve (Rev. xxii 18, 19.) ever again venture to deny the fufficicncy of the fcrip- tures in governing the “ Chriflian church/' See the rules. - - * 11 Art thou a Chriftian, and civil citizen f See Rom. xiii 1,2,&c. “ Let every foul be lisb- je< 5 l/’ &c. Art thouaneighbour? "Lovethy neighbour (in ju fiice,^ equity. Truth, mercy,-and kindnefs) as thyfelf/’ “Do by all as you would be dene by.” - 12'. In giving, lending, borrowing, &c. let this be thy rule in all things; treat others as you would reafonably delire them to treat you. 13 Art thou honeftly feeking the neceiTa- ries of life? “ Provide lor thy hoolhold,” Yet, “ Beware of covetoufnefs,” Lukexiirj, Seek not to be rich. “ If riches intreafe, let not your heart upon diem.” e 14 " Be rich in good works ; ready to dis¬ tribute.” “ Having food and raiment be con¬ tent.” _ -- [ 110 3 ’15 " Hujbands , love your wives, and be not bitter againft them.” Let the wife fee that Hie obey, and reverence herhulbai.d. Parents, provoke not your children; but bring them up in Gcdly difeipline. Paul. 16 “ Children, obey your parents." Servants, obey your mafiers. “ Maflcrs, give unto your Jervants that which is juft and equal( Col. iv i) knowing that you have a mailer in heaven.” •'.* Forbear threatening?” 17 Art thou a ChriJlian-Jlav* ? Learn pati¬ ence, be as content as polliole; ufe no pro¬ voking nor hojlile meafures for thy deliverance; but if Providence opens a legal way, embrace 'it. ■■ -■e-iv J • • 18 The feelings of the godly are thus ad- drelTed by the Apoftle, Heb. xiii 3. Remem¬ ber them that are in bonds, as bound with them; being yourfelves alio in the body.” “Let the opprejfed go free.” llaiah. ••-1 'V ~ . CHAP. XLVL Rules and Regulations Divine. S members of one body, Chrift is the l\. center of union, as alio the head, from whom all receive nourifhment. Love to Him is the term of communion: “ If any man love not Jehovah Jefus Chrift, let him be expell¬ ed. I. Cor. laft chap. 22d verle. 2 Marks of our love to Jefus Chrift muft be judged by our willing obedience to his commands. “If ye love me keep my com¬ mandments.” ■ , C “I i! * 3 If any man that is failed a brother, be a for¬ nicator , or covetous, or a railer, 'or a drunkard, or an extortioner-; zvilb Jnch an one, no r.ot to eat. i. Cor.- v. ii . • <' '• ! 4 If any man obey not our \vord by this epillle, note that man, and have no company with him. II. Thel. iii. 14. If a man lin, '(publicly) rebuke him before all. Pr- 5 If a brother (walk difordcrly in thy fight,) or trefpafs againfl thee, followkhe divine rule laid down. Matt, xvjji 1 5, Sec. 'But‘ifthy bro¬ ther repent, “ thou fnak.forgi ve him.” . Luke xvii 3, 4. 11. Cor. ii. 6, &c. / , . , 6 If difputes arife among brethren refpedt- ing temporal matters, 2nd they cannot fettle it themfelves to fatisfa&ion, .they have a plain rule I. Cor. vi. 1. You need be, at nolofs’for divine rules of difeipline. v % ; y 7 See the equality in the " Chriftian church./* Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted; but the rich in that he is made low. - James i. 9, 10. ,0 V.- ^ ; .. 8 With regard to cloarhing; I read that gold, rings, gaudy raimept, things very rich, - and coflly, things naughty and fuperftuous, with a falhionable conformity to a vain world, are expresfly forbidden. Moderation-is right. 9 A little wine is lawful, and neceflary In leveral cafes. Paul. Strong drink in cafes of * necefliry, faid Solomon. But the general rule L; “ Whether you eat or drink, &C. ,do all to the glory of God ” ~ • [ 1*2 3 10 Again, Whatfoever things are true, ho- nefl, juft, pure, lovely, good; thinkonthefc things. Phil, iv 8. 11 Marriage is honorable, Heb xiii^.. But chriftians ought to marry in the Lord, and not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. 12 God’s houic is the houfe of prayer for all nations, lairh the prophet. Yet the church have rules to know minillers by. See Matt, vii l6. II. John. Ifaiah viii 20. 13 With regard to the equality and unity of minifters, travelling and fettled, as work¬ ers in all the churches, in the days of truth ; I am able to draw forth a cloud of witnefles: but feeing they are to be found in A< 5 ls, and the Epiftles of the Apofties, why ftiould I write them ? “ Search the feriprures.” 14 The churches are directed toefteem and fupport their minifters, (who need) and'efpc- , cially thofe who labour (as the ox) and rule I well, giving their whole time to the bufinefs. | 15 The way of partial chofen paftors, one ! •for Paul, and one for Apollos, is the way to j exalt fome miniflers, and debafe others. It ; ■ appears fo unequal, that I cannor think it is divine. All are yours—whether Paul or Apol¬ los, &c. 16 To conclude, Let us who fear the Lord, forfake not our fcleit meetings, whilft the following texts rcmain in the Bible; Malachi iii 16. James v 16. Heb. x 25. *5 Be rea-| dy to give anaulwerof the reafon of your j , hope.” I. Cor. xiv. I I [ ”3 ] 17 Exhort one another; edifying one ano¬ ther. Come ye that fear God, and 1 will tell what he hath done for my foul. David. See I. Cor. xiv. Occalionally, an unbeliever might • be let into thofe meetings, and be convinced of all, and report that God is there. : iS " Know the hate of thy flock.” Sol. That leading men were in the church, be- fides minfters, read Adts xv 22. That the church is the free woman, read Gal. v. I: Cor. v. Mat. xviii, Adis xv. "Stand faff in the liberty wherein Chrift hath made thee free. Amen. CHAP. XLVII. Letter of Addrefs to the Methodift Chrijlians . J AMES the leafl, and elder brother, by the mercy of God, and not of man ; unto the members of the Methodift.E. Church, greet¬ ing: - \ ; 2 Grace, mercy and love be multiplied un¬ to you all, in and through our Lord Jefus Chrift* . 1 3 After you have read and confldered the contents of my writing, I hope you will do me juftice to the beft of your judgment. 4 You will find that the preachers are ftirv-y ing to fupport their government and power, at theexpenle of my charadler! It would be' needlels to repeat the trifling reports, refpedt- ; ing my obftinacy, felf-will, <■&<:. . 5 But they have gone as far as to chatg£ H a C ”4 ] me with difhonefty; faying, He wronged perfon in the purchaie of land, and a mill,— : O cruel Hander! 6 I foltmnly declare, I gave the man his afking for the land, and paid him gold to o_ blige him, when paper money was a lawful tender- This 1 did before afked : and a word of difpute never pafTed. 7 The old mill w'as valued, at bis requeH, and I paid the valuation before the money was due; and took in my lajl bond. All this I am ajile to prove. 8 I expert thefe things have been founded in your ears. They fay 1 am a man of a devi~ five fpirit, and a party was what 1 had in view from the fir(\. 9 In this I am wronged alfo ; as my letters can teilify, if they were brought forth Yes, my former letters canwitnefs, that I was ever warmly oppofed to a divifion. 10 Some fay, that I declared I had rather loofe an arm. I have been provoked tofpeak, but 1 dare not fay that I ever fpake that: but if I did, I fpake as I thought—no doubt. n l think I have no need of former letters nor the teftimony of thole who have heard me fpeak againft a feparation, but my con- du$: will prove this. 12 I continued among you, in love amd. friendfhip, as long as I poHibly could, after leaving conference. But you fhut your doors.. againft me t and drove me frpm yopr union>' what more could I do? [ 1 *5 I 13 This is net all ; I am read/ now to be with you in love and church communion, as ever: Think and let think. Is thy heart aT 7 nine} Give me thy hand. 14 If love is denied, I call for the ordinance of juffice. Never condemn a perfun before you have heard both ; for he that is firftin his own caufe, feemeth right, but his neighbour corr.eth in, and fearcheth him out. i'5 If your prejudice is too ft rang for your judgment, then 1 had rather appeal to Caefar. You are raught to mark them that caule divi- (Ions. Bur let your teachers ftate matters' . fairly, and finifli the text, " Mark them that caufe divisions and offences, contrary to the dodtrine which ye have learned,” &c..' 16 I am not the caufe of the fchifvvin th£ body, which word fignifies, cut, or cleft; nei-, ther do I teach falfe dodtrine; nor do I wi-fh to be divided from you; only give me liber¬ ty of confeience. 17 When Paul wrote, he had no view ofthe Methodift E. government, nor doth his words' condemn thoferhat forfake it; but the fcrip-\ ture government and doctrine was his Hand-- ard. 18 The cry is, ct He has no bufinefs among> our people.” What, have no bufinefs among mine own children in the Lord; and my Mailer’s family, where I have fpent the prime of my’life? CHAP. XLVIII. , The Tetter continued. — Dr. Coke's Letter infert - cd, &c. j 1 I N the beginning of our diftrefs, I was not only comforted and encouraged by Tho¬ mas, but awfully warned to ftand againft'the proceedings of Francis—at my peril! 2 See the letter, “ Wilmington, Del. May 4, 1791. u To Brother O’Keily, 0 Dear Friend, “ I HAVE written a letter of a fbeet and a half to you : but on confideration I believe 1 fhall not fend it to you till 1 reach Europe, 3 And then I probably fhall write as much again to you- By this time you probably have been informed of our great lofs, in the death of Mr. Wefley. ’ / ' 4 I am haftening to Europe at this impor- . tant crifis. You may depend on my being with you, God willing, at the general con¬ ference. 5 I think no flep will be taken; during mv . ablence to prevent the general conference, it wmuld be fo grofs an inlult on truth, jufticc, mercy and peace, that it will not be, 1 think, attempted. If it be, and (uccefsfully, we will call a congrefs. • • . / 7 6 I expect you to be faithful. But as Mo**- decai faid to Efter, “ think not with thyfelf " that thou (halt efcape more than others: " For if thou altogether holdeft thy peace at " this time, v- . ’ -* [ x, 7 ] 7 " Then fhall there enlargement and deli— “ verance arife to the Jews from another , “ place; but thou and thy father’s houfe fhall “ be deftroyed.” 8 O be firm.Te very firm, and very cauti* ous, and very wife, &c- And depend upon a faithful friend in Thomas Coke. 9 As there is no evil in the letter 1 have inlerted, let no evil be thought of it. 1 write i in felf defence, not to hurt the character of Thomas; neither can it hurt him. 10 1 have other letters which might give fome light, but God forbid I ever fhould dif- ' cover fuch meannefs or wickednefs, as to do things through flrife or vain glory. 11 Some time pall I faw. a letter wrote by a learned perfon, (not in the’church) to an epifcopal elder. 1 'obferved the following fentences, viz. * i 2 “If Mr. Coke and \fbury are bilhops (as they fay) “ by regular order and fuccef- ; lion;” I afk who did they fucceed ? You will 1 fay " they fucceeded Wtfley.” Was he a bi- fhop? No. How then can they be bifhops ! by fucceflion? • - - ; " ■- . 13 But how about regular order? Regular ' ■ order is foniething done according to law\ Bifliop in England is a title of honor and no- 1' bility, feting they have a feat in the houfe of 1 lords. A bi fliop nominated in England by I regular order, needs the king in perfon. Was \ this the order of your two bifhops? • ’14 The learned Dr. by deriving, or rather [ II* ] driving the word cverfecr, up ro the Greek, by a ilrange kind of backward! dimofogy, he hath found one word that he thinks may ap¬ pear to favor epifcopacy. 15 The word is from Eri fttper and fceptn- maty or the Larin video r which being inter¬ preted, is fitpcr 1 idea : To look over, as elder,' prefbyter, overfeel’. No fuperior order is found there. 16 Finally brethren, I am drawing' to a clofe, to the bell of my judgment, I have given' you (as to the fubdance) a faithful account. To-which, if you requefl? it, I can affirm, and produce the refdmony of others, who believe as I do,- and will affirm ro the bed of their judgment, as to the fubdance of thofe fadts. 17' My character is now fully tried, and powerfully drained, but nor grazed; for they cannot prove one evil again d me. God hath fnewed me v.bat is gooJ; and I have drove to-do jrifely, love mercy, and walk humbly. i 8 t hus, my character will appear with double ludre; and be efiablifhed forever. He that diggeth a pit for his brother, will be in' danger of falling in ! As t’nc cafe of Hannan- and’Mordccai will fhew. 1 19 lam thinkingin wlrat manner my exalt¬ ed brethren will anfwer what I have'written, when cordcience mud fpeak in them. Per¬ haps they may judge that filcnt contempt will be bed policy; or pick at particular words, and fneer: or darken' counfel with many words of theirs. C *19 J 20 If my opponents write at all bn the fub- je