The Conduct of the Protestant Methodists: In Leaving the Old Connexion, Brought to the Test of Their Own Professions; In a Second Letter Addressed to ... Members of That Community (Classic Reprint) - Tapa dura

Sinopsis

Excerpt from The Conduct of the Protestant Methodists: In Leaving the Old Connexion, Brought to the Test of Their Own Professions; In a Second Letter Addressed to the Private Members of That Community

The design of my first Letter was to shew that our ministry, and the more important parts of our discipline, have Scripture authority for their support; and that in departing from us you have departed from the word of God. If my arguments cannot be overturned, and of that I am under'no apprehension, the sinfulness of your secession cannot be denied; and your plain path of duty is to repent of your rashness, to flee from your. Seducers, and to return to the fold of Christ which you have deserted. I know you will feel some reluctance to retrace your steps; shame, and other kindredeelings, will Operate powerfully to prevent aretreat; but since conscience, if you will allow it to speak, must condemn your late conduct, you can only enjoy peace of mind in humbling yourselves, confessing your fault, and availing yourselves of this invitation to return. All sects are agreed, I believe, that unity among Christians, as far as it can be maintained upon scripture principles, is desirable; and that separation, when these principles do not require it, is sinful. Nothing certainly is plainer in the Bible than are the exhortations to christians, to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and to avoid divisions. But since the best Christians have their in firmities and failings, if every fault we could find in a church would justify a breach of its unity, divisions must be perpetual and innumerable. What is more strongly inculcated in Scripture than charity? If we have not this, our noisy profession is only as souding brass, or a tinkling cymbal; and if we are living under its influence, it will cover a multitude of sins, and thus, in most cases, prevent all occasion of strife and schism. What will justify a division, is a question little understood, though of infinite importance. Let us examine it.

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