The _Arminian Magazine_ contains extracts from Dr. Whitby’s Discourses
on the Five Points, and from Maundrell’s Journey from Aleppo to
Jerusalem. There are biographical accounts of William McCormick,
Martha Rogers, Nancy Bissaker, James Creighton, Ann Roylands, John
Pritchard, and many others. There are more than thirty letters, and as
many poetic pieces. There is Wesley’s sermon on his favourite text, 1
Corinthians xiii. 1-3. Also his sermon on perfection, in which his
most matured views, on this momentous subject, are stated with his
wonted lucidity. The sermon on Hebrews xiii. 17 is remarkable. The
point he endeavours to establish is, that, “It is the _duty_ of every
private Christian to obey his spiritual pastor, by either doing or
leaving undone anything of an indifferent nature; anything that is in
no way determined in the word of God.” In applying the principle to
himself and the Methodists, he asks: “Do you take my advice with
regard to dress? I published that advice above thirty years ago; I
have repeated it a thousand times since. I have advised you to lay
aside all needless ornaments: to avoid all needless expense: to be
patterns of plainness to all that are round about you. Have you taken
this advice? Are you all exemplarily plain in your apparel? as plain
as quakers or Moravians? If not, you declare hereby to all the world,
that you will not obey them that are over you in the Lord.” Wesley’s
doctrine may be disputed; but the practical use to which he puts it
deserves attention. There are three more of his original sermons--on
John i. 47; Philippians ii. 12, 13; and Revelation xxi. 5--which are
well worth reading.