Queries Respecting the Methodists.

QUERIES RESPECTING THE METHODISTS. 58

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QUESTION 1. Whether the number of the Methodists is considerable among the students and learned men.

ANSWER. The number of the Methodists is not considerable among the students and learned men.

Q. 2. Whether at Oxford, where the Methodists first sprung up, there be still many of them among the scholars.

A. There are very few of them now left among the scholars at Oxford. Q. 3. Whether they are all of one mind, and whether they have the same principles. Especially,

Q. 4. Whether those Methodists that are still at Oxford approve of the sentiments and actions of Mr. Whitefield and Messrs. Wesley. A. 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 sentiments of Mr. Whitefield and Mr. Wesley, and of their publishing them elsewhere, since they have been shut out of the churches. Q. 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,

Q. 6. Whether they have had the same from the Moravian Brethren. A. 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.

Q. 7. Whether they be orthodox in other doctrinal points, and whether they lead an unblamable Christian life.

A. 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.”

Q. 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. A. They do not regulate themselves according to the discipline of the Moravians, but of the English Church.

Q. 9. Whether they do any real good among the common people. A. Very many of the common people among whom they preach were profane swearers, and now fear an oath; 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.

Q. 10. Why the Bishops do not effectually inhibit them, and hinder their field and street preaching.

A. 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. Q. 11. Whether the Archbishop of Canterbury is satisfied with them, as we are told.

A. 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. Q. 12. Whether their private Assemblies or societies are orderly and edifying.

A. Their private assemblies and societies are orderly, and many say they find them edifying.

Q. 13. What opinion the Presbyterians, and particularly Dr. Watts, has of them.

A. Most of the Presbyterians, and most of all other denominations, are of opinion, much religion hath made them mad.

Q. 14. Whether there are any Methodists among the Episcopal Clergy of the Church of England.

A. Mr. Whitefield, Hutchins, Robson, and the two Messrs. Wesley, and several others, are Priests of the Episcopal Church of England.