2. Such experience can have no existence without inward feeling; that is a consciousness of it: 3. That we must judge of the reality of our experience by the word of God, to which it will answer as face answers to face in a glass, if it be of God; otherwise it is mere imagination, a creature of our own that will deceive us. The following queries concerning the Methodists, were sent from Holland or Germany to some person in England. The answer to each is in Mr. Wesley's hand-writing; and the date prefixed is 1741. But if this be the true date, from the answer to the fourth and fifth query, it must have been very early in this year, before Mr. Wesley and Mr. Whitefield separated on the doctrine of predestination. However, not being able to ascertain the date exactly, we have referred them to this place. Quest. 1. Whether the number of the Methodists is considerable, among the students and learned men ? Answ. The number of the Methodists is not considerable, among the students and learned men." 2. Whether at Oxford, where the Methodists first sprung up, there be still many of them among the scholars ? "There are very few of them now left, among the scholars at Oxford." 3. Whether they are all of one mind, and whether they have the same principles? Especially, 4. Whether those Methodists that are still at Oxford, approve of the sentiments and actions of Mr. Whitefield, and Messrs. Wesleys. They are all of the same principles with the church of England, as laid down in her Articles and Homilies and 4. Do accordingly approve of the : VOL. U. L sentiments sentiments of Mr. Whitefield, and Mr. Wesley, and of their publishing them elsewhere, since they have been shut out of the churches." 5. How they came to revive those doctrines, hitherto neglected by the clergy of the church of England, of predestination, the new birth, and justification by faith alone? And 6. Whether they have the same from the Moravian brethren? "Predestination is not a doctrine taught by the Methodists. But they do teach that men must be born again, and that we are saved through faith :" and 6. "The latter of these they learned from some of the Moravian brethren; the former by reading the New Testament. 7. Whether they be orthodox* in other doctrinal points; and whether they lead an unblameable Christian life? They openly challenge all that hear them to answer those questions, Which of you convinceth me of sin? Or, of teaching any doctrine contrary to the scripture? And the general accusation against them is that they are righteous overmuch. 8. Whether they strictly regulate themselves according to the rule and discipline of the Moravian brethren; except that they still keep and observe the outward worship according to the church of England? "They do not regulate themselves according to the discipline of the Moravians, but of the English church." 9. Whether Some persons have thought this word very equivocal, and difficult to be explained. A late celebrated public speaker among the Friends, once told his audience at Warrington, that he knew not how to explain the word orthodox, except by another little word of three syllables, uppermost ! In this sense the Methodists have never yet been orthodox; and it is generally supposed there are but few among them who earnestly desire to be so. 9. Whether they do any real good among the common people? "Very many of the common people among whom they preach, were profane swearers, and now fear an oath h; were gluttons, or drunkards, and are now temperate; were whoremongers and are now chaste; were servants of the Devil, and are now servants of God." 10. Why the Bishops do not effectually inhibit them, and hinder their field and street preaching? "The Bishops do not inhibit their field and street preaching; 1. Because there is no law in England against it 2. Because God does not yet suffer them to do it without law." : 11. Whether the Archbishop of Canterbury is satisfied with them; as we are told? "The Archbishop of Canterbury is not satisfied with them; especially since Mr. Molther, in the name of the Moravian church, told his grace their disapprobation of them; and in particular of their field preaching." 12. Whether their private assemblies, or societies are orderly and edifying? "Their private assemblies, and societies are orderly, and many say they find them edifying." 13. What opinion the Presbyterians, and particular, ly Dr. Watts, has of them? Most of the Presbyterians, and most of all other denominations, are of opinion, much religion hath made them mad." 14. Whether there are any Methodists among the episcopal clergy of the church of England? "Mr. Whitefield, Hutchins, Robson, and the two Messrs. Wesleys, and several others are priests of the Episcopal church of England." The modesty and openness with which Mr. Wesley answered the Queries, is striking and pleasing. His mind seems to have been wholly free from any desire to exaggerate or magnify the things of which he spake. The labourers as yet being few, Mr. Wesley staid but a short time in any one place, being almost continually travelling between London, Bristol, and H'ales; the last of which he visited twice in the autumn. In London, they had long been disturbed in their places of worship by a riotous mob; but on the last day of this year, Sir John Ganson called upon him, and said, Sir, you have no need to suffer these riotous mobs to molest you, as they have done long. I and all the other Middlesex magistrates have orders from you justice whenever you apply to us." above, to do Two or three weeks after they did apply. Justice was done, though not with rigour and from that time the Methodists had peace in London. : Feb. 15, 1742. Many met together at Bristol, to consult with Mr. Wesley concerning a proper method. of paying the public debt, contracted by building. Nearly three years before this period, a house had been built here, called the New Room; and notwithstanding the subscriptions and public collections made at the time to defray the expence, a large debt remained upon it. And it was now agreed, 1. That every member of the society who was able should contribute a penny a week. 2. That the whole society should be divided into little companies or Classes, about twelve in cach class and, 3. That one person in each class, should receive the contribution of the rest, and bring it to the stewards weekly. In March, the same thing was done in London, though for a different purpose. "I appointed, says Mr. Wesley, several earpest and sensible men to meet me, to whom I shewed the great difficulty I had long found, of knowing the people After much people who desired to be under my care. discourse, they all agreed, there could be no better way to come to a sure, thorough knowledge of each person, than to divide them into classes like those at Bristol, under the inspection of those in whom I could most confide. This was the origin of our classes in London, for which I can never sufficiently praise God: the unspeakable usefulness of the institution, having ever since been more and more mauifest." The person appointed to visit and watch over these little companies, or classes was called the leader of that class to which he received his appointment. Mr. Wesley called the leaders together, and desired that each would make a particular enquiry into the behaviour of those he saw weekly. They did so; and many disorderly walkers were detected, Some were turned from the evil of their ways, and some put away from the society. The rest saw it with fear, and rejoiced unto God with reverence.-At first the leaders visited each person at his own house but this was soon found inexpedient. It required more time than the leaders had to sparc; many persons lived with masters, mitresses, or relations, where they could not be so visited; and where misunderstandings had arisen between persons in the same class, it was more convenient to see them face to face. On these, and some other considerations, it was agreed, that each leader should meet his class altogether, once a week, at a time and place most convenient for the whole. He began and ended the meeting with singing and prayer; and spent about an hour in conversing with those present, one by one. By this means, a more full enquiry was made into the behaviour of every person; advice or reproof was given as need required; misunderstandings were removed, and brotherly love promoted. "It can scarcely |