he set out, recommended by us to the grace of God. "He left a blessing behind him. I desired to die with "him."

Soon after this, a Mr. Shaw, began to give some disturbance to their little Society, by insisting, that there is no Priesthood; that is, that there is no order of men in the Christian Ministry, who, properly speaking, exercise the functions of a Priest: that he himself had as good a right to baptize and administer the Sacrament, as any other man. It appears by his claiming a right to baptize, &c. that he was a Lay-man; and it must be acknowledged by all parties, that Christian Ministers, considered as an order in the Church, distin guished by their office from other believers, are no where in the New Testament called Priests. "I tried

❝in vain, (says Mr. Wesley,) to check Mr. Shaw in "his wild rambling talk against a Christian Priesthood. "At last I told him, I would oppose him to the ut

66

most, and either he or I, must quit the Society. In ex"pounding, I warned them strongly against Schism; into "which Mr. Shaw's notions must necessarily lead them, "The Society were all for my brother's immediate "return.-April 19th, I found Mr. Stonehouse exact. 66 ly right, (that is, in his notions on the Priesthood,) "warned Mrs. Vaughan and Brookmans, against Shaw's "pestilent errors. I spoke strongly at the Savoy Soci66 ety, in behalf of the Church of England.”

April 24th, Mr. Whitefield preached at Fetter Lane ; being returned from Bristol, where he first preached-in the open air, and in some sense opened the way to an Itinerant Ministry, which was sure to follow this step; but of which none of them hitherto, seem to have entertained the least conception. It seems that Howel Harris came to London with him; "A man (says Mr. Wesley, ) "after my own heart.-Mr. Whitefield related the dis

mal

"mal effects of Shaw's doctrine at Oxford. Both he "and Howel Harris insisted on Shaw's expulsion from "the Society. April 26th, Mr. Whitefield preached in "Islington Church-Yard: the numerous audience "could not have been more affected within the walls. "-Saturday the 28th, he preached out again. After "him, Mr. Bowers got up to speak. I conjured him "not but he beat me down, and followed his impulse. "I carried many away with me." This last circumstance is the more worthy of notice, as it is, so far as we can find, the first instance of a Lay-man attempting to preach among the Methodists. And it is probable, that about this time, several other Lay-men began to expound or preach; for on the 16th of May, a dispute arose at the Society in Fetter-Lane, about Lay-preaching; which certainly implies that some Lay-men had begun to preach, and that the practice was likely tò become more general.

May 25th, Mr. Clagget having invited Mr. Wesley to Broadoaks, he went thither, and preached to four or five hundred attentive hearers. May 29th, "A farmer, "(says he,) invited me to preach in his field. I did so, "to about five hundred; on Repent for the kingdom of "heaven is at hand. On the 31st, a Quaker sent me "a pressing invitation to preach at Thackstead. I scru"pled preaching in another's Parish, till I had been re"fused the Church. Many Quakers, and near seven "hundred others attended, while I declared in the highways, the Scripture hath concluded all under "sin."

June the 6th, Two or three, who had embraced the opinions of Shaw, declared themselves no longer members of the Church of England. "Now, (says Mr. Wesley,) am I clear of them: by renouncing the

66

"Church

"Church, they have discharged me."-About this time the French Prophets raised some disturbance in the Society, and gained several proselytes, who warmly defended them. June 12th, two of them were present at a meeting, and occasioned much disputing. At length Mr. Wesley asked, "Who is on God's side? Who for "the old Prophets, rather than the new? Let them fol"low me. They followed me into the preaching room. I expounded the Lesson; several gave an 66 account of their conversion; dear brother Bowers "confessed his errors; and we rejoiced and triumphed " in the name of the Lord our God."

66

June the 19th, Mr. Wesley was at Lambeth, with the Archbishop, who treated him with much severity. His Grace declared he would not dispute; nor would he, as YET, proceed to excommunication.-It does not appear that the Archbishop condemned the doctrines Mr. Wesley preached, but the manner of preaching them: it was irregular, and this was judged a cause sufficient for condemning him. Regularity (observes Dr. Whitehead,) is undoubtedly necessary, in the government both of Church and State. But when a system of Rules and Orders purely human, is so established for the government of the Church, as to be made perpetual, whatever changes may take place in the state of the people; it must, in many cases, become injurious rather than useful. And when conformity to such an establishment, is considered as comprehending almost all virtue, and made the only road to favour and preferment in the Church; and a deviation from it, is marked with disgrace; it becomes an idol, at whose altar many will be tempted to sacrifice their judgment, their conscience, and their usefulCivil government knows nothing of this perpetual sameness of its regulations and laws, in all circum

ness.

C

stances of the people. And why should the Church, in regulations which are purely human, and prudential ? The end of regularity, or conformity to a certain established order in the government of the Church, is, the propagation of christian knowledge, and the increase of true religion; but if a Minister be so circumstanced, that, regularity would obstruct, rather than promote his usefulness in these respects, irregularity becomes his duty, and ought not to be condemned by others, when no essential principle of religion is violated, nor any serious inconvenience follows from it. In this case, the end to be attained, is infinitely more important than any prudential rules to direct the means of attaining it: which should always admit of such alterations as circumstances require, to promote the end in

tended."

Mr. Wesley bore the Archbishop's reproof with great firmness, while in his presence; but after leaving him, he fell into great heaviness, and for several days suffered a severe inward conflict. He perceived that it arose from the fear of man. Mr. Whitefield urged him, tỏ preach in the fields the next Sunday by this step he would break down the bridge, render his retreat difficult or impossible, and be forced to fight his way forward in the work of the Ministry. This advice he fol lowed. June 24th, "I prayed, (says he,) and went "forth, in the Name of Jesus Christ. I found near a "thousand helpless sinners, waiting for the word in

66

Moorfields. I invited them in my Master's words, as "well as name; Come unto me, all ye that labour and "are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The "Lord was with me, even me, the meanest of his messengers, according to his promise. At St. Paul's, "the Psalms, Lessons, &c. for the day, put new life “into me and so did the sacrament. My load was (6 gone,

66

gone, and all my doubts and scruples. God shone on my path, and I knew this was his will concern"ing me. I walked to Kennington-Common, and "cried to multitudes upon multitudes, Repent ye and "believe the Gospel. The Lord was my strength, and my mouth, and my wisdom. O that all would there"fore praise the Lord for his goodness."

June 29th, He was at Wickham, in his way to Oxford. "Here, (says he,) I heard of much disturbance occa"sioned by Bowers' preaching in the streets." Thus early, it appears that Lay-preaching had commenced, even beyond the Societies in London, though not with the consent of any of the Clergymen.-The next day he reached Oxford and waited on the Dean, who spoke with unusual severity against Field-preaching, and Mr. Whitefield who was called the author or founder of Field. preaching; it is perhaps on this account, that he has so often been supposed to be the founder of Methodism, -July 1st, he preached a sermon on Justification, before the University, with great boldness. All were very attentive; one could not help weeping, July 2nd, Mr, Gambold came to him, who had been with the Vice. Chancellor, and well received. "I waited, (says Mr. "Wesley,) on the Vice-Chancellor, at his own desire, "I gave him a full account of the Methodists, which he approved, but objected to the irregularity of doing (6 good in other men's Parishes. He charged Mr. White-, field with breach of promise, appealed to the Dean, " and appointed a second meeting there. All were against my sermon, as liable to be misunderstood. July 3d, Mr. Bowers had been laid hold of, for preaching in Oxford. To-day the Beadle brought "him to me. I talked to him closely; he had nothing "to reply, but promised to do so no more, and there. by obtained his liberty.-At night I had another

66

66

"conference