Wesley. Indeed, it would appear, Wesley could bear no competitor. He ruled his society most absolutely; appointed preachers, and removed them, according to his own will—changed them from one station to another, or dismissed them altogether, just as he pleased. One of the most extraordinary proceedings of his life, however, was his ordaining a bishop for the States of America. Both he and Whitfield planted Methodism in our Colonies in North America, and the people, always desirous of religion, ardently took up with it, since no better was provided for them. When the revolutionary war commenced, Wesley wrote a bitter tract against "the Rebels," and were it not suppressed in time, his name would be branded with infamy by the patriotic party. The fate of war, however, favoured the "Rebels," and our consistent preacher immediately veered round. He was now the apologist of insurrection, and besought them to stand fast by the liberty God gave them. What opinion can we hold of the principles of a man who acts thus? But to return to the ordination. Wesley always professed himself not only a member of the Anglican Church, but a faithful observer of its doctrines, articles, and homilies. His followers in America, however, called loudly for ministers or preachers, and then he became convinced that there was no distinction, in fact, between Presbyters and Bishops, and thus with the 23rd and 36th Articles of his Church staring him in the face, he not only ordained priests, as he called them, but actually consecrated Coke a Bishop for the North American congregations. "God," says Coke, "raised up Wesley as a light and guide in his Church; he appointed to all offices, and consequently, had the right of appointing bishops." We would wish, however, to have some proof of the Divine mission of Wesley, such as the apostles gave, when "they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working withal, and confirming the Word with the signs that followed" (Mark, xvi. 20). He travelled through England, Scotland, and Ireland, preaching in towns, hamlets, and villages, and, as usual, giving "Popery" a blow, whenever he had an opportunity. He married, when advanced in years, but soon separated from his wife, by whom he had no children. He appears, on the whole, to be a man of most unamiable character, and though God was constantly on his lips, self was always predominant. He died in London, in 1781, in the eighty-eighth year of his age.
6. It is rather difficult to give a precise account of the doctrines of Methodism. Wesley always professed himself a member of the Church of England, and maintained that his doctrine was that of the Anglican Church, but we see how far he deviated from it in the ordination affair. Whitfield was a Calvinist, and some of the first Methodists were Moravians. Salvation by Faith alone, and sudden justification, appear to be the distinguishing marks of the sect. Their doctrines open a wide door for the most dangerous
