“London, March 1, 1764.
“Dear Brother,—You ‘have no thoughts of venturing to London before May!’ Then I must indeed ‘do the best I can.’ So I must comply with the advice of the stewards, as well as my own judgment, and insist upon John Jones’s assisting me on Sunday. I have delayed all this time purely out of tenderness to you. Adieu!
“John Wesley.”[586]
This was bringing the matter to an issue; and Charles Wesley must have felt that, if John Jones, ordained by the dubious Erasmus, was really employed in giving the sacrament to the London Methodists, he had no one to blame except himself. Mr. Jones was so annoyed by Charles Wesley’s opposition, that he left the Methodist connexion, procured reordination from the Bishop of London, and was presented to the living of Harwich.
A fortnight after writing thus to Charles, Wesley went to Bristol, where his brother was residing. “Here,” he says, “I met several serious clergymen. I have long desired, that there might be an open, avowed union between all who preach those fundamental truths—original sin, and justification by faith, producing inward and outward holiness; but all my endeavours have been hitherto ineffectual. God’s time is not fully come.“
Some further explanation of this is necessary. In the spring of the present year, Wesley had a correspondence with the Countess of Huntingdon, and with the Rev. Mr. Hart, of Bristol, respecting the desirability of promoting union among gospel preachers. The following letter has not been previously published; it was addressed to the countess.
“Newcastle, May 16, 1764.
“My dear Lady,—I am much obliged to your ladyship for your encouraging answer, which plainly speaks a heart devoted to God, and longing for the furtherance of His kingdom. I have likewise received an exceeding friendly letter from Mr. Hart, testifying a great desire of union among the preachers of the gospel; only he carries the point considerably farther than I do, proposing a free debate concerning our several opinions. Now this, I fear, we are not yet able to bear: I fear it might occasion some sharpness of expression, if not of spirit too, which might tear open the wounds before they are fully closed. I am far from being assured, that I could bear it myself; and perhaps others might be as weak as I. To me, therefore, it still seems most expedient to avoid disputing of every kind: at least, for a season, till we have tasted each other’s spirit, and confirmed our love to each other. I own freely, I am sick of disputing: I am weary to bear it; my whole soul cries out, ‘Peace! Peace!’ at least with the children of God, that we may all unite our strength, to carry on the war against the ‘rulers of the darkness of this world.’ Still I ask but one thing, ‘Is thy heart right, as my heart is with thine?’ If it be, give me thine hand. Let us take ‘sweet counsel together, and strengthen each other in the Lord.’
“And the advantage in the proposal I make is this: if it should be (which God forbid!) that I should find none to join me therein, I will, by God’s help, comply with it myself. None can hinder this; and, I think, my brother will be likeminded, yea, and all who act in connection with us.
“Probably it might contribute much to this end, if those of our brethren who have opportunity would be at Bristol, on Thursday, the 9th of August. We might then spend a few hours in free conversation, either apart from, or in conjunction with, the other preachers. I apprehend, if your ladyship could then be near, it might be of excellent service in confirming any kind and friendly disposition, which our Lord might plant in the hearts of His servants. Surely if this can be effectually done, we shall again see Satan, as lightning, fall from heaven.