^ X ft 1 7 LJ> S //(/< fj 2 tj ? 10 J tt ft e A? 7i estv le. .^^ o v? / XX / ^ (^^Y^^r^^ MINUTES OF SEVEEAL CONVERSATIONS, BETWEEN THE REV. JOHN WESLEY, A.M., AND THE PREACHERS IN CONNEXION WITH HIM. CONTAINING THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE ESTABLISHED AMONG THE PREACHERS AND PEOPLE IX THE METHODIST SOCIETIES. LONDON : PRINTED FOR GEORGE WHITFIELD, CITY-ROAD; AND SOLD AT AH, THE METHODIST PREACHING-HOUSES IN TOWN AND COUNTRY. 1797. [REPRINTED FOR THE METHODIST BOOK-EOOM, ton DON : PRINTED BY JAMKS NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE. ADVERTISEMENT. IN the printed Minutes of the Conference for the year 1797 (see the authorized edition, Vol. I., p. 360) there is the following announce- ment : " Whereas, we, the undersigned, have, on this and the preceding day, carefully revised the Rules drawn up and left us by our late venerable Father in the Gospel, the Rev. Mr. Wesley, which were published by him in our large Minutes, to which we consented when we were admitted, and by which we were regulated through his life ; and whereas we have collected together those Rules which we believe to be essential to the existence of Method- ism, as well as others, to which we have no objection, we do now VOLUNTARILY and in GOOD FAITH sign our names, as approving of, and engaging to comply with, the aforesaid Collection of Rules, or Code of Laws, God being our helper." (Signed,) "THOMAS COKE, President, SAMUEL BRADBURN, Secretary," and by WILLIAM THOMP- SON, ALEXANDER MATHER, JOHN PAWSON, JOSEPH BENSON, THOMAS TAYLOR, JOSEPH BRAD- FORD, JOHN BARBER, JAMES WOOD, HENRY MOORE, JOSEPH TAYLOR, WALTER GRIFFITH, JOHN GAULTER, JOSEPH ENTWISLE, JONATHAN CROWTHER, JONATHAN EDMONDSON, CHARLES A 2 ATMORJE, RICHARD REECE, and other Preachers present at that Conference. In the Minutes of the same year (Vol. I., p. 374) there is an Address to the Methodist Socie- ties, dated Leeds, August 7, 1797, and officially signed, "in behalf and by order of the Con- ference/' by "Thomas Coke, President," and " Samuel Bradburn, Secretary." That Address contains seven distinct heads or articles ; the fifth of which (see Vol. I., p. 376) is as follows, and refers to the " Collection of Rules or Code of Laws " above-mentioned, as having been then made and signed by the Preachers present : "V. We have selected all our ancient Rules, which were made before the death of our late venerable Father in the Gospel, the Rev. Mr. Wesley, which are essential Rules, or prudential at this present time ; and have solemnly signed them, declaring our approbation of them, and de- termination to comply with them ; one single Preacher excepted, who, in consequence, withdrew from us." The "Collection of Rules," thus "selected," " revised," and " signed," and brought down to the year 1797, inclusive, was, by order of the Con- ference, published in that year, in a pamphlet, under the following title : " Minutes of several Conversations between the Rev. John Wesley, A.M., and the Preachers in Connexion with him : containing the Form of Discipline established among the Preachers and People in the Methodist Societies. London : Printed for Q. Whitfield, City-Road, and sold at all the Methodist Preach- ing-Houses in Town and Country. 1779." The date of 1779, thus given to the pamphlet, is manifestly and indisputably a mis-print, and ought to have been, according to the undoubted fact, 1797. This pamphlet, legally verified by affidavit on oath, was produced during certain recent proceed- ings in Chancery, and recognised as a " Code," both by the Vice- Chancellor, and subsequently by the Lord Chancellor, in their very important "judgments" upon the case then under adjudica- tion. The latter observed, "They (the Confer- ence) published what they considered to be the Code of the Laws of Methodism, in the year 1797, and they sign that Code with their names. That very Code has been given in evidence ; it is the document described by the letter F." Of the original pamphlet, whose history and authority have been thus stated, the present pub- lication is an exact and faithful re-print. The only known variation is the insertion of the trua date, instead of the one which a typographical error had introduced in the title-page of the first editiou. THOMAS JACKSON, Editor. London, July 13th, 1835. IT should be recollected by the reader, that this pamphlet professes to contain those Rules and Regulations only which were in existence and operation up to the year 1797. Many of these have undergone important modifications, or been wholly superseded, since that time ; and various others have been adopted by successive Confer- ences. The authentic sources of information on all these particulars are the printed " Minutes " of the Annual Conferences, signed by the President and Secretary for the time being. A collection of these Annual Minutes, extending from the year 1744 to 1847, has been published in ten volumes, 8vo., and may be had of Mr. Mason, 14, City-road, and 66, Paternoster-row, London. In a few instances the alterations since 1797, above- mentioned, have been intimated, in this edition of the " Code," by a note at the foot of the page ; but in many cases this could not be conveniently accomplished at present. CONTENTS. Section. Page. I. THE Design of God in sending the Method- ist Preachers , 9 II. Rise of Methodism 9 III. Method of trying Candidates for the Minis- try 10 IV. Office and Duty of a Methodist Preacher ... 12 V. The peculiar Business of a Superintendent . 14 VI. Method of admitting Persons into Society. . 18 VII. Admission of Local Preachers, and their Duty 19 VIII. Method of holding a Conference 20 IX. Business of a Helper 20 X. Directions for obtaining higher Degrees of Holiness 21 XI. For obtaining a closer Union among the Preachers 22 XII. On preaching where we can form no So- ciety ; and on Field-Preaching 22 XIII. On the Decrease of the Work, and the pro- per Means of promoting a Revival 23 XIV. Against Antinomianism 25 XV. The most useful Way of preaching 27 XVI. How to guard against Formality in Public Worship, especially in Singing 28 XVII. On visiting and instructing the People from House to House 29 XVIII. On instructing the Children 35 XIX. On Conformity to the World, Bribery, and Sabbath-Breaking 35 XX. On marrying with Unbelievers 37 XXI. On Bankruptcies, Strangers staying at the Society Meetings, Love Feasts, Funeral Sermons, and talking in the Chapels 37 XXII. On Strangers being entertained at the Preachers' Houses; and on Cleanliness... 33 8 Section. Page. XXIII. In what Cases we allow Service in Church- Hours 39 XXIV. How to prevent Nervous Disorders 89 XXV. The Order of the Districts, and what Busi- ness is to be done there 39 XXVl! Plan of General Pacification 44 XXVII. Agreement with the Trustees at Bristol, in 1794 '. 49 XXVIII. Mr. Wesley's Letter to the Conference in 1791 ; and their Determination in conse- quence of it 51 XXIX. Certain Rules agreed to by the Conference at different Times 52 XXX. The Rules of the Preachers' Fund 56 XXXI. Account of Kingswood School 60 XXXII. Of the Yearly Collection 62 XXXIII. How to preserve the Chapels 63 XXXIV. Regulations made at Leeds Conference in 1797 66 XXXV. Sundry Advices to the Preachers 72 MINUTES, IT is desired, that all things be considered as in the immediate presence of God. That every person speak freely whatever is in his mind. While we are conversing, let ns have an especial care, to set God always before us. In the interme- diate hours, let us redeem all the time we can for pri- vate exercises, and let us give ourselves to prayer for one another, and for a blessing on this our labour. SECTION I. THE DESIGN OF GOD IN SENDING THE METHODIST PREACHERS. Q. 1. IN what view may the Methodist Preachers be considered ? A. As messengers sent by the Lord, out of the common way, to provoke the regular Clergy to jea- lousy, and to supply their lack of service towards those who are perishing for want of knowledge ; and, above all, to reform the nation, by spreading scriptural holiness over the land. if. II. THE RISE OF METHODISM. Q. 2. WHAT was the rise of Methodism, so called ? A. In 1/29 the late Mr. Wesley and his brother, 10 upon reading the Bible, saw they could not be saved without holiness ; they followed after it, and incited others to do the same. In 1737 they saw holiness comes by faith. They saw likewise, that men are justified before they are sanctified : but still holiness was their point. God then thrust them out, utterly against their will, to raise a holy people. When Satan could no other- wise hinder this, he threw Antinomianism in the way, which strikes directly at the root of all holiness. III. THE METHOD OF TRYING CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY. Q. 3. How shall we try those who think they are moved by the Holy Ghost to preach the Gospel? A. Inquire, Do they know God as a pardoning God ? Have they the love of God abiding in them ? Do they desire and seek nothing but God ? And are they holy in all manner of conversation ? Have they gifts as well as grace for the work ? Have they a clear, sound understanding ? Have they a right judg- ment in the things of God? Have they a just concep- tion of salvation by faith? And has God given them an acceptable way of speaking ? Do they speak justly, readily, and clearly? Have they had any fruit of their labour? Have any been truly convinced of sin, and converted to God, by their preaching ? As long as the above marks concur in any one, we believe he is called of God to preach. These we receive as sufficient proof that he is moved thereto by the Holy Ghost. But before any one can be received even upon trial among us, it is necessary, that he should have been a member of the Society for some considerable time ; that he should have acted as a Local Preacher ; that he should be recommended by the Quarterly Meeting to the District-Meeting, and by that to the Confer- 11 ence ; and at the Conference in 1797 it was agreed, that, before any Superintendent propose any Preacher to the Conference as proper to be admitted on trial, such Preacher must not only be approved of at the March Quarterly Meeting, but must have read and signed the General Minutes, as fully approving of them ; nor must any one suppose, or pretend to think, that the conversations which have been on any of these Minutes were intended to qualify them, as in the least to affect the spirit and design of them ; that he should then travel four years upon trial, daring which time he must not marry ; and being well recom- mended by the people where he has laboured, and by the Preachers who have laboured with him, he shall then be received into full connexion. The proper time for doing this is at a Conference. After serious, solemn prayer, the following questions shall be pro- posed to each candidate, which he shall be required to answer as in the presence of God : " Have you a lively faith in Christ ? Do you enjoy a clear manifestation of the love of God to your soul ? Have you constant power over all sin ? Do you expect to be perfected in love in this life ? Do you really desire and earnestly seek it ? Are you resolved to devote yourself wholly to God, and to his work? Do you know the Methodist plan of doctrine and discipline? Have you read the Plain Account of the Methodists? the Appeals to Men of Reason and Reli- gion ? Do you know the Rules of the Society, and of the Bands ? Are you determined by the help of God to keep them? Do you take no snuff, tobacco, or drams? Have you read and seriously considered the Minutes of the Conference? Especially have you considered the Rules of a Helper? and, above all, the first, tenth, and twelfth ? and will you keep them for conscience sake ? Are you determined to employ all your time in the work of God ? Will you preach every morning and evening when opportunity serves, endea- vouring not to speak too long or too loud? Will you diligently instruct the children where you can ? Will 12 you visit from house to house where it may be done ? Will you recommend fasting and prayer, both by precept and example? Are you in debt?" Having answered the above questions to our satis- faction, we then give him the Minutes of the Conference inscribed thus : " To A. B. " You think it your duty to call sinners to repent- ance. Make full proof hereof, and we shall rejoice to receive you as a fellow-labourer." * IV. THE OFFICE AND DUTY OF A METHODIST PREACHER. Q. 4. WHAT is the office of a Christian Minister? A. To watch over souls as he that must give account ; to feed and guide the flock. Q. 5. How shall he be fully qualified for this great work? A. By walking closely with God, and having His work greatly at heart ; by understanding and loving every branch of our discipline ; and by carefully and constantly observing the twelve rules of an Helper ; viz., 1 . Be diligent. Never be unemployed. Never be triflingly employed. Never while away time, nor spend more time at any place than is strictly necessary. 2. Be serious. Let your motto be, " Holiness to the Lord." Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking. * It was Mr. Wesley's practice to give a copy of the Minutes thus inscribed to each Preacher, when he was admitted on trial. When he had passed acceptably through the period of his proba- tion, and was admitted into full connexion with the Conference, the Minutes were presented to him with the following inscrip- tion : " As long as you freely consent to, and earnestly endea- vour to walk by, these Rules, we shall rejoice to acknowledge you as a fellow-labourer." See Mr. Wesley's Works, Vol. VIII., p. 326. EDITOR. 13 3. Converse sparingly and cautiously with women, particularly with young women. 4. Take no step towards marriage without solemn prayer to God, and consulting with your brethren. 5. Believe evil of no one, unless fully proved ; take heed how you credit it. Put the best construction you can on everything. You know the Judge is always supposed to be on the prisoner's side. 6. Speak evil of no one ; else your word, espe- cially, would eat as doth a canker : keep your thoughts within your own breast, till you come to the person concerned. 7. Tell every one what you think wrong in him, lovingly and plainly, and as soon as may be, else it will fester in your own heart. Make all haste to cast the fire out of your bosom. 8. Do not affect the gentleman. A Preacher of the Gospel is the servant of all. 9. Be ashamed of nothing but sin ; no, not of cleaning your own shoes, when necessary. 10. Be punctual. Do every thing exactly at the time. And do not mend our Rules, but keep them, and that for conscience sake. 1 1 . You have nothing to do but to save souls. Therefore spend and be spent in this work. And go always, not only to those who want you, but to those who want you most. 12. Act in all things, not according to your own will, but as a son in the Gospel, and in union with your brethren. As such, it is your part to employ your time as our Rules direct ; partly in preaching and visiting from house to house, partly in reading, medi- tation, and prayer. Above all, if you labour with us in our Lord's vineyard, it is needful that you should do that part of the work which the Conference shall advise, at those times and places which they shall judge most for His glory. Observe : It is not your business to preach so many times, and to take care merely of this or that Society ; but to save as many souls as you can ; to bring as 14 many sinners as you possibly can to repentance, and, with all your power, to build them up in that holiness without which they cannot see the Lord. Aud remem- ber, a Methodist Preacher is to mind every point, great and small, in the Methodist discipline. There- fore you will need all the grace and all the sense you have ; and to have all your wits about you. V. THE PECULIAR BUSINESS OF A SUPERINTENDENT. Q. 6. WHAT is the business of a Superintendent f A. To see that the other Preachers in his Circuit behave well, and want nothing. He should consider these (especially if they are young men) as his pupils ; into whose behaviour and studies he should frequently inquire ; and, at proper times, should ask, Do you walk closely with God? Have you now fellowship with the Father and the Son ? At what hour do you rise ? Do you punctually observe the morning and evening hour of retirement ? Do you spend your time profitably ? Do you converse seriously, usefully, and closely? Do you use all the means of grace yourself, and enforce the use of them on all other persons ? These are either instituted or prudential : 1. THE INSTITUTED are these: 1. Prayer: In private, in the family, and in public ; consisting of deprecation, petition, intercession, and thanksgiving. Do you use each of these ? Do you use private prayer every morning and even- ing at least ; if you can, at six in the evening, and the hour before or after morning preaching ? Do you forecast daily, wherever you are, how to secure these hours ? Do you avow it everywhere ? Do you ask everywhere, Have you family prayer ? Do you retire at six o'clock ? 2. Searching the Scriptures, by reading constantly, some part every day, all the Bible, in order, carefully, seriously, and with earnest prayer before and after; 15 and do this fruitfully, immediately practising what you learn there. (2.) Meditating, at set times, by a fixed rule. (3.) Hearing the word preached at all oppor- tunities, carefully, with earnest prayer to God for a blessing upon His word. Have you a New Testament always about you? 3. The Lord's supper. Do you use this at every opportunity? with solemn prayer, and with earnest and deliberate self-devotion ? 4. Fasting. Do you fast every Friday ? The neg- lect of this is sufficient to account for our feebleness and faintness of spirit. We are continually grieving the Holy Spirit by the habitual neglect of a plain duty ! Let us amend from this hour. There are several degrees of fasting, which cannot hurt your health. Begin next Friday, and avow this duty wherever you go. Touch no tea, coffee, or chocolate in the morning ; but, if you want it, a little milk or water-gruel. Dine on potatoes ; and, if you want it, eat three or four ounces of flesh in the evening. But at other times eat no flesh-suppers. These exceedingly tend to breed nervous disorders. 5. Christian conference. Are you convinced how important, and how difficult, it is to order your con- versation aright ? Is it always in grace, seasoned with salt, meet to minister grace to the hearers ? Do not you converse too long at a time ? Is not an hour commonly enough ? Would it not be well always to have a determinate end in view ? and always to con- clude with prayer ? II. PRUDENTIAL MEANS we may use, either as common Christians, or as Preachers of the Gospel. 1. As common Christians. What particular rules have you in order to grow in grace ? what arts of holy living ? 2. As Preachers. Do you meet every Society, also the Leaders, and the bands, if there are any ? Do you live in holy watchfulness ; denying yourself ; taking up your cross ; and in the exercise of the presence of God ? Do you steadily watch against the 16 world, the devil, yourself, and your besetting sin ? Do you deny yourself every useless pleasure of sense, imagination, and honour ? Are you temperate in all things ? Instance in food : Do you use only that kind, and that degree, -which is best both for your body and soul ? Do you see the necessity of this ? Do you eat no more at each meal than is necessary? Do you eat no flesh suppers, and no late suppers? Do you use only that kind and degree of drink which is best both for your body and soul ? Do you drink water, or wine, or ale ? Do you want these ? Wherein do you take up your cross daily ? Do you cheerfully bear your cross (whatever is grievous to nature) as a gift of God, and labour to profit thereby ? Do you endeavour to set God always before you ? to see his eye continually fixed upon you ? Never can you use these means but a blessing must ensue. And the more you use them, the more you will grow in grace. A Superintendent ought also to visit the classes quarterly, to regulate the bands, and to deliver tickets ; to take in or to put out of the Society, or the bands: At the Conference in 1797 it was agreed, that the Leaders' Meeting shall have a right to declare any person on trial improper to be received into the Society ; and after such declaration the Superintendent shall not admit such person into the Society. And no person shall be expelled from the Society for immorality, till such immorality be proved at a Lead- ers' Meeting : To keep watch-nights and lovefeasts ; to hold Quarterly Meetings, and there diligently to inquire both into the temporal and spiritual state of the Societies ; to take care that every Society be supplied with books ; to send to London a circum- stantial account of every remarkable conversion, and of every remarkable death ; to take an exact list of all the Societies in his Circuit once a year ; to meet the married men and women, and the single men and women, in the large Societies, once a year ; and to overlook the accounts of the Stewards. 17 The following advices are recommended to all the Superintendents. Leave your successor a regular catalogue of all the Societies in the Circuit. See that every Band-Leader has the Band-Rules. Calmly and vigorously enforce the rules concerning needless ornaments, drams, snuff, and tobacco : give no band-ticket to any person who does not promise to leave them off. As soon as there are four men or women believers in any place, put them into a band. Suffer no lovefeast to last more than an hour and half ; and instantly stop all from breaking the cake with one another. Warn all from time to time, that none are to remove from one Society to another, without a certificate from the Superintend- ent in these words : " A. B., the bearer, is a member of our Society in C. I believe he has a sufficient reason for removing." Everywhere recommend de- cency and cleanliness. Cleanliness is next to godli- ness. Read the Thoughts upon Dress once a year in every large Society. In visiting the classes be very mild, but very strict. Give no ticket to any who follow the foolish fashions of the world. Meet the bands once a week ; and keep a lovefeast for them only, once a quarter. Exhort every believer to em- brace the advantage. Give a band-ticket to none, till they have met a quarter on trial. As we always wish to act by united counsels, and as we desire that every person in any office in our Societies should fulfil the duties of his station, it is the duty of the Superintendent to take care, that the Leaders be not only men of sound judgment, but men truly devoted to God : let each of them be diligently examined concerning his method of meeting a class. Let this be done at the quarterly visitation of the classes. And, in order to this, allow sufficient time for the visiting of each Society. Let each Leader carefully inquire how every soul in his class prospers ; not only how each person observes the outward Rules, but how he grows in the know- ledge and love of God. Endeavour to make the 18 meeting of the classes lively and profitable. Therefore change improper Leaders. But, in doing this, or in appointing a new Leader, great care and tenderness must be used ; and it is highly necessary to consult the rest of the Leaders on such occasions. It was agreed at the Conference in 1797, that no person shall be appointed a Leader, or Steward, or be removed from his office, but in conjunction with the Leaders' Meeting j the nomination to be in the Superintendent, and the approbation or disapprobation in the Leaders' Meeting. Let the Leaders frequently meet each other's classes. Let us observe which of the Leaders are the most useful ; and let these meet the other classes as often as possible. VI. THE METHOD OF ADMITTING PERSONS INTO SOCIETY. Q. 7. How shall we prevent improper persons from insinuating themselves into the Society ? A. 1. Give notes to none but those who are recom- mended by a person you know ; or till they have met three or four times in a class, and are recommended by the Leader. 2. Give tickets to none till they are recommended by a Leader with whom they have met two months on trial. Give them the Rules of the Society the first time they meet. 3. In large towns, admit persons into the Society on the Sunday following the visitation of the classes, by reading their names over ; then read also the names of those who are excluded. And admit persons into the bands at the quarterly lovefeast after the visitation. 4. As to the exclusion of members from the Society, the far greater number exclude themselves, by utterly forsaking us ; but with respect to others, let the Rules of the Society be carefully attended to, and the Lead- 19 ers be consulted on such occasions, and the crime proved to their satisfaction. 5. Let one or more of the Stewards be changed once a year. The proper time for doing this is at a Quarterly Meeting, when the Superintendent shall con- sult all who are present respecting who may be the most proper persons to act in that capacity. VII. RESPECTING THE ADMISSION OF LOCAL PREACHERS, AND THEIR DUTY. 6. RESPECTING the admission of persons to be Local Preachers : Let the Superintendent regularly meet the Local Preachers once a quarter ; and let none be admitted but those who are proposed and approved at that meeting ; and if in any Circuit this cannot be done, then let them be proposed and approved in the general Quarterly Meeting. 7. Every Local Preacher shall meet in class, and conform to all our Rules of Discipline. Let none be excused in this respect. Let no Local Preacher be permitted to preach in any other Circuit, without producing a recommenda- tion from the Superintendent of that Circuit in which he lives ; nor suffer any invitation to be admitted as a plea, but from men in office, with the consent of the Superintendent of that Circuit. The design of this Rule is to prevent any under the character of a Local Preacher from burdening the people, either by collect- ing money, or by living upon them ; and to prevent improper persons, who bear no part of the expense, from inviting Local Preachers to visit them. But it never was intended to reflect the least disrespect on any of our worthy brethren the Local Preachers ; who, considered as a body, we greatly respect. 8. Let no Local Preacher keep lovefeasts without the consent of the Superintendent, nor in any wise interfere with his business. Let every one keep in his own place, and attend to the duties of his station. 20 VIII. THE REGULAR METHOD OF HOLDING A CONFERENCE. Q. 8. WHAT is the method wherein we usually proceed in our Conferences ? A. 1. Elect a President and Secretary. 2. Inquire what Preachers have died the preceding year. 3. What Preachers have desisted from travelling. 4. What Preachers are to be admitted. 5. Who remain on trial : and who are to be admitted on trial. 6. Inquire into the objections which may be pro- duced against any of the Preachers, who are to be examined one by one. 7. Appoint the Preachers to their respective stations for the ensuing year. 8. What numbers are in the Societies. 9. What is the Kingswood Collection. 10. What boys are to be received into the school, and what girls to be assisted. 1 1 . What is the Yearly Collection ; and how this is expended. 12. What is contributed to the Preachers' Fund; and who are to be relieved out of it. 13. How many Preachers' wives are to be provided for, and by what Societies. 14. Where and when may the next Conference be.* IX. THE PROPER BUSINESS OF A HELPER. Q. 9. WHAT is the particular business of those Preachers who do not act as Superintendents ? * In consequence of the growing extent of the Connexion, the business of the Conference has of late years been greatly increased beyond the subjects here specified. But much of the business which formerly occupied the time of the Conference is now transacted in preparatory Committees, consisting partly of laymen, and partly of Travelling Preachers. EDIT. 21 A. To feed the flock, by constantly preaching morning and evening ; to meet the Society and the bands weekly ; to meet the Leaders weekly ; to preach every morning where he can have twenty hearers, but where he cannot, then to sing and pray with them ; and to do any other part of the work which the Superintendent may desire him to do. Q. 10. Should any of our Preachers follow trades? A. The question is not, whether they may not occa- sionally work with their hands, as St. Paul did ; but whether it be proper for them to buy or sell any kind of merchandise. It is fully determined that this shall not be done by any Preacher ; no, not the selling of pills, drops, or balsams. X. DIRECTIONS FOR OBTAINING HIGHER DEGREES OF HOLINESS. Q. 11. WHY are not we ourselves more holy ? Why do we not live in eternity ? Why do we not walk with God all the day long ? Why are we not wholly devoted to God, breathing the whole spirit of Missionaries ? A. Because we are idle. We forget our first Rule : " Be diligent ; never be unemployed." Do we spend as many hours in a day in God's work, as we did formerly in man's work ? Do not some of us spend too much time in talking, or in reading history, news- papers, or other books, which have no tendency either to make us more holy or more useful ? That this may no longer be the case, as often as possible, rise at four o'clock. From four to five in the morning, and from six to seven in the evening, meditate, pray, and read, partly the holy Scriptures, and partly the most close and practical parts of what Mr. Wesley has published. From six in the morning till twelve (allowing an hour for breakfast) read in order, with much prayer, the Christian Library, and all our other books, whether in prose or in verse, and especially all Mr. Wesley's Sermons. 22 If any one will say, " I read only the Bible ;" then he ought to teach others to read only the Bible, and, by the same rule, to hear only the Bible. If you need no other book but the Bible, you are got above St. Paul. He wanted others too : " Bring the books," says he, "but especially the parchments." If any say, "I have no taste for reading;" then you must contract a taste for it by use, or return home again. In the afternoon visit as many of the sick, and those who want your help, as you can ; and you will have work enough for all your time. Then no Preacher will stay with us who is as salt that hath lost its savour ; for to such this employment would be mere drudgery. And in order to it, you will have need of all the useful knowledge you can procure. XI. DIRECTIONS FOR OBTAINING A CLOSER UNION AMONG THE PREACHERS. Q. 12. WHAT can be done in order to a closer union of our Preachers with each other? A. Let them be deeply convinced of the absolute necessity of it. Let them pray for a desire of union. Let them speak freely and lovingly to each other. When they meet, let them never part without prayer. Let them beware how they despise each other's gifts. Let them never speak slightingly of each other in any kind. Let them defend each other's characters in everything as far as they can with a good conscience. And let them labour in honour to prefer the other before himself. XII. ON PREACHING WHERE WE CAN FORM NO SOCIETY; AND ON FIELD-PREACHING. Q. 13. Is it advisable to continue preaching in those places where we find that we can form no Society ? 23 A. By no means ; we have made the trial in various places. But the seed has fallen by the highway side ; there is scarce any fruit remaining. Q. 14. Where shall we endeavour to preach the most? A. Where there is the greatest number of quiet and willing hearers ; and where the Lord is in a peculiar manner reviving his work. Q. 15. Have we not used field-preaching too spar- ingly ? A. We have. Because our call is to save that which is lost. Now we cannot expect them to seek us. Therefore we should go and seek them ; because we are peculiarly called to go into the highways and hedges, to compel them to come in ; because that rea- son against it is not good, " The house will hold all that come :" the house may hold all that come to the house, but not all that would come to the field. The greatest hinderance to this you may expect from the rich, or cowardly, or lazy Methodists. But regard them not, neither Stewards, Leaders, nor peo- ple. Whenever the weather will permit, go out in the name of the Lord into the most public places, and call upon all to repent and believe the Gospel ; every Sunday in particular; especially where there are old Societies, lest they should settle upon their lees. The Stewards will frequently oppose this lest they lose their usual collections. But this is not a sufficient reason against it. Shall we barter souls for money ? XIII. ON THE DECREASE OF THE WORK, AND THE PROPER MEANS OF PROMOTING A REVIVAL. Q. 16. How can we account for the decrease of the work of God in any Circuit ? A. It may be owing to the want of zeal and exact- ness in the Superintendent, occasioning the want of discipline throughout ; or to the want of life and diligence in the Preachers ; or to the people's losing 24 Hie life of God, and sinking into the spirit of the world. It may be owing to the want of more field- preaching ; or of visiting more new places. Q. 17. What can be done in order to revive the work of God where it is decayed? A. Let every Preacher read carefully over the Life and Journals of the late Mr. Wesley, the Life of Mr. Fletcher, the Life of David Brainerd ; and let us be followers of them as they were of Christ, in absolute self-denial, in total deadness to the world, and in fer- vent love to God and man. Let us only secure this point, and the world and the devil must fall under our feet. Let all the Preachers be conscientiously exact in the whole Methodist discipline ; and take care that no Circuit be at any time without Preachers. Strongly and explicitly exhort all believers to go on to perfection. We all agree to defend this doctrine ; meaning thereby, salvation from all sin, by the love of God and man filling the heart. We say, " That this may be attained in this life." The substance then is settled. And as to the circumstance, " Is this change gradual or instantaneous ?" it is both the one and the other. From the time we are justified, there ought to be a gradual sanctification, a growing in grace, a daily advance in the knowledge and love of God. And if sin cease before death, there must, in the nature of the thing, be an instantaneous change. There must be a last moment wherein it does exist, and a first moment wherein it does not. But should we, in preaching, insist both upon the one and the other? Certainly, we must insist on the gradual work, and that earnestly and constantly. And are there not rea- sons why we should insist on the instantaneous work also ? If there be such a blessed change before death, should we not encourage all believers to expect it ? and the rather, because constant experience shows, that the more earnestly they expect this, the more swiftly and steadily does the gradual work of God go on in their souls; the more watchful they are against all sin, 25 the more careful to grow in grace, the more zealous of good works, and the more punctual in their attend- ance upon all the ordinances of God. Whereas, just the contrary effects are observed whenever this expect- ation ceases. They are saved by hope ; by this hope of a total change with a gradually increasing ^Ivation. Destroy this hope, and that salvation standHstill, or rather decreases daily. Therefore, whosoever would advance the gradual change in believers should strongly insist on the instantaneous. XIV. AGAINST ANTINOMIANISM. Q. 1 8. WHAT is most destructive of Methodism, or the doctrine of inward holiness ? A. Calvinism, that is, the doctrine of unconditional predestination. All the devices of Satan have done far less towards stopping this work of God than that single doctrine. It strikes at the root of salvation from sin, previous to glory ; it puts the matter quite upon another footing. This doctrine seems to magnify Christ ; although in reality it supposes him to have died in vain. For the absolutely elect must have been saved without him, and the non-elect cannot be saved by him. It is highly pleasing to flesh and blood ; unconditional perseverance in particular. Let all our Preachers carefully read over Mr. Wesley's and Mr. Fletcher's tracts. Let them frequently and explicitly preach the whole truth, though not in a controversial way. Let them take care to do it in love and gentleness. Lay hold upon any that you find newly convinced of the truth, and warn them against predestination. Answer all their objections as occasion offers, both in public and in private. But do this with all possible sweetness both of look and accent. Frequently warn our people against hearing that doctrine. And pray much, that the Lord may prevent the evil. 26 We said in 1744, " We have leaned too much toward Calvinism." Wherein ? With regard to man's faithfulness. Our Lord him- self taught us to use the expression, and therefore we ought never to be ashamed of it. We ought steadily to assett, upon his authority, that if a man is not faithfulRi the unrighteous mammon, God will not give him the'true riches. With regard to working for life, which our Lord expressly commands us to do : " Labour," py?