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THE

WHOLE WORKS

OF THE

REV. JOHN FLETCHER,

Vicar of Madeley, Shropshire.

VOL. I.

DEVON:

PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY S. THORNE,

PROSPECT-PLACE, SHEBBEAR, NEAR HATHERLEIGH; ALSO BY ALL THE ITINERANT

PREACHERS IN THE BIBLE CHRISTIAN CONNEXION; AND IN

LONDON,

BY J. STEPHENS, 153, FLEET STREET, AND A. Northcroft, 96,,

CHANCERY LANE.

1835..

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OR A

VINDICATION

OF THE

REV. MR. WESLEY'S LAST MINUTES:

OCCASIONED BY

A CIRCULAR LETTER,

INVITING PRINCIPAL PERSONS,

BOTH CLERGY AND LAITY,

AS WELL OF THE

DISSENTERS AS OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH,

WHO DISAPPROVED OF THOSE MINUTES,

TO OPPOSE THEM IN A BODY, AS A DREADFUL HERESY:

AND DESIGNED

TO REMOVE PREJUDICE, CHECK RASHNESS, PROMOTE FORBEARANCE, DEFEND THE CHARACTER OF AN EMINENT MINISTER OF CHRIST, AND PREVENT SOME IMPORTANT SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS FROM BEING HASTILY BRANDED

AS HERETICAL.

IN FIVE LETTERS,

TO THE HON. AND REV. AUTHOR OF THE CIRCULAR

LETTER.

BY A LOVER OF QUIETNESS AND LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE,

DEVON:

PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY S. THORNE,
PROSPECT-PLACE, SHEBBEAR, NEAR HATHERLEIGH

1834

A Copy of the Circular Letter, which has given occasion to this
Vindication; to which is annexed a Copy of the

Rev. Mr. Wesley's Minutes.

SIR, Whereas Mr. Wesley's Conference is to be held at Bristol, on Tuesday the 6th of August next, it is proposed by Lady Huntingdon and many other Christian Friends (real Protestants) to have a meeting at Bristol, at the same time, of such principal PerSons both Clergy and Laity who disapprove of the underwritten Minutes; and as the same are thought injurious to the very Fundamental Principles of Christianity, it is further proposed, that they go in a body to the said Conference, and insist upon a formal Recantation, of the said Minutes; and in case of a refusal, that they sign and publish their protest against them. Your presence. Sir, on this occasion is particularly requested but if it should not suit your convenience to be there, it is desired that you will transmit your sentiments on the subject to such person as you think proper to produce them. It is submitted to you, whether it would not be right, in the opposition to be made to such a dreadful heresy, to recommend it to as s many of your Christian Friends, as well of the Dissenters as of the established Church, as you can prevail on to be there, cause being of so public a nature. I am, Sir,

the

"

Your obedient Servant,

WALTER SHIRLEY. P. S. Your answer is desired, directed to the Countess of Huntingdon, or the Rev. Mr. Shirley, or John Lloyd, Esqr, in BATH; or Mr. James Ireland, Merchant, BRISTOL, or to Thomas Powis, Esq. at Berwick, near SHREWSBURY; or to Richard Hill, Esq. at Hawkstone, near Whitchurch, Shropshire. Lodgings will be provided. Enquire at Mr. Ireland's, Bristol.

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EXTRACT from the MINUTES of some late CONVERSATIONS between the Rev. Mr. Wesley, and others, at a public Conference, held in London, August 7, 1770, and printed by W. PINE, BRISTOL.

Take heed to your
We said in 1744.

"

trine.

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2. With regard to working for life. This also our Lord has expressly commanded us. Labour, Egyɑlɛo0ɛ, literally, work for the meat that endureth to everlasting life. And in fact every Believer, till he comes to glory, works for, as well as from life.

3. We have received it as a maxim, that "A man is to do nothing, in order to justification." Nothing can be more false. Whoever desires to find favour with God, should cease from evil, and learn to do well. Whoever repents, should do works meet for repentance. And if this is not in order to find favour, what does he do them for? Review the whole affair.

1.

Who of us is now accepted of God? He that now believes in Christ, with a lo ving, obedient heart.

2. But who among those that never heard of Christ?'

He that feareth God, and worketh righteous. ness according to the light he has.

3. Is this the same with, "He that is sincere?" Nearly, if not quite.

4. Is not this "Salvation by works?" Not by the Merit of works, but by works, as a Condition.

5. What have we then been disputing about for these thirty years?

I am afraid about words.

6. As to merit itself, of which we have been so dreadfully afraid we are rewarded, according to our works, yea because of our works. How does this differ from, for the sake of our works? And how differs this from secundum merita operum? As our works deserve? Can you split this hair? I doubt,

I cannot.

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7. The grand objection to one of the preceding propositions, is drawn from niatter of fact. God does in fact justify those, who by their own confession, neither feared God nor wrought righteousness. Is this an exception to the general rule? have leaned too ***It is a doubt, if God makes any exception at much toward Calvinism." Wherein? all. But how are we sure, that the person 1. With regard to man's faithfulness: in question never did fear God and work Our Lord himself taught us to use the ex-righteousness? His own saying so is not pression. And w we ought never to be asha- proof: for we know, how all that are conmed of it. We ought steadily to assert, on vinced of sin, undervalue themselves in every his authority, that if a man is not faithful in respect.

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