Thoughts Upon Methodism, Rev. John Wesley
Thoughts Upon Methodism, Rev. John Wesley
1. I am not afraid that the people called Methodists
should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid,
lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without
the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless they hold fast
both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.
2. What was their fundamental doctrine? That the
Bible is the whole and sole rule both of Christian faith and practice.
Hence they learned,
(1) That religion is an inward principle; that
it is no other than the mind that was in Christ; or, in other words, the
renewal of the soul after the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness.
(2) That this can never be wrought in us, but by
the power of the Holy Ghost.
(3) That we receive this, and every other
blessing, merely for the sake of Christ: And,
(4) That whosoever hath the mind that was in
Christ, the same is our brother, and sister, and mother.
4. From the beginning the men and women sat apart, as
they always did in the primitive church; and none were suffered to call any
place their own, but the first comers sat down first. They had no pews;
and all the benches for rich and poor were of the same construction. Mr.
Wesley began the service with a short prayer; then sung a hymn and preached,
(usually about half an hour,) then sang a few verses of another hymn, and
concluded with prayer. His constant doctrine was, salvation by faith,
preceded by repentance, and followed by holiness.
5. But when a large number of people was joined, the
great difficulty was, to keep them together. For they were continually
scattering hither and thither, and we knew no way to help it. But God
provided for this also, when we thought not of it. A year or two after,
Mr. Wesley met the chief of the society in Bristol, and inquired, “How shall we
pay the debt upon the preaching-house?” Captain Foy stood up and said, “Let
every one in the society give a penny a week, and it will easily be done.”
“But many of them,” said one, “have not a penny to give.” “True,” said
the Captain; “then put ten or twelve of them to me. Let each of these
give what they can weekly, and I will supply what is wanting.” Many
others made the same offer. So Mr. Wesley divided the societies among
them; assigning a class of about twelve persons to each of these, who were
termed Leaders.
6. Not long after, one of these informed Mr. Wesley
that, calling on such a one in his house, he found his quarreling with his
wife. Another was found in drink. It immediately struck into Mr.
Wesley’s mind, “This is the very thing we wanted. The Leaders are the
persons who may not only receive the contributions, but also watch over the
souls of their brethren.” The society in London, being informed of this,
willingly followed the example of that; in Bristol; as did every society from
that time, whether in Europe or America. By this means, it was easily
found if any grew weary or faint, and help was speedily administered. And
if any walked disorderly, they were quickly discovered, and either amended or
dismissed.
7. For those who knew in whom they had believed, there
was another help provided. Five or six, either married or single men, met
together at such an hour as was convenient, according to the direction of St.
James, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, and ye
shall be healed.” And five or six of the married or single women met
together for the same purpose. Innumerable blessings have attended this
institution, especially in those who were going on to perfection. When
any seemed to have attained this, they were allowed to meet with a select
number, who appeared, so far as man could judge, to be partakers of the same “great
salvation.”
8. From this short sketch of Methodism, (so called,)
any man of understanding may easily discern, that it is only plain, scriptural
religion, guarded by a few prudential regulations. The essence of it is
holiness of heart and life; the circumstantials all point to this. And as
long as they are joined together in the people called Methodists, no weapon
formed against them shall prosper. But if even the circumstantial parts
are despised, the essential will soon be lost. And if ever the essential
parts should evaporate, what remains will be dung and dross.
9. It nearly concerns us to understand how the case
stands with us at present. I fear, wherever riches have increased,
(exceeding few are the exceptions,) the essence of religion, the mind that was
in Christ, has decreased in the same proportion. Therefore do I not see
how it is possible, in the nature of things, for any revival of true religion
to continue long. For religion must necessarily produce both industry and
frugality; and these cannot but produce riches. But as riches increase,
so will pride, anger, and love of the world in all its branches.
10. How, then, is it possible that Methodism, that is,
the religion of the heart, though it flourishes now as a green bay-tree, should
continue in this state? For the Methodists in every place grow diligent
and frugal; consequently, they increase in goods. Hence they
proportionably increase in pride, in anger, in the desire of the flesh, the
desire of the eyes, and the pride of life. So, although the form of
religion remains, the spirit is swiftly vanishing away.
11. Is there no way to prevent this? this continual
declension of pure religion? We ought not to forbid people to be diligent
and frugal: We must exhort all Christians to gain all they can, and to save all
they can; that is, in effect, to grow rich! What way, then, (I ask
again,) can we take, that our money may not sin; us to the nethermost
hell? There is one way, and there is no other under heaven. If
those who “gain all they can,” and “save all they can,” will likewise “give all
they can;” then, the more they gain, the more they will grow in grace, and the
more treasure they will lay up in heaven.
LONDON, August 4, 1786
Sources:
Thoughts Upon Methodism - Works Vol 13 - Thomas Jackson
"Thoughts Upon Methodism" Works of John Wesley, Vol 13 - Thomas Jackson (Ages Software Edition, Version 2, 1996, 1997). pp 320-323
See Also:
The Sermons of John Wesley - Sermon 2, The Almost Christian
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