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76 THE HISTORY OF HERESIES,
missed them altogether, just as he pleased. One of the most
extraordinary proceedings of his life, however, was his ordaining
a Bishop for the States of America. Both he and Whitfield
planted Methodism in our Colonies in North America, and the
people, always desirous of religion, ardently took up with it,
since no better was provided for them. When the revolutionary
war commenced, Wesley wrote a bitter tract against
Rebels," and were it not suppressed in time, his name would be
branded with infamy by the patriotic party. The fate of war,
however, favoured the
"
"
the
Rebels," and our consistent preacher
immediately veered round. He was now the apologist
of insur
rection, and besought them to stand fast by the liberty God gave
them. What opinion can we hold of the principles of a man
who acts thus ? But to return to the Ordination. Wesley always
professed himself not only a member of the Anglican church but
a faithful observer of its doctrines, articles, and homilies. His
followers in America, however, called loudly for ministers or
preachers,
and then he became convinced that there was no
distinction in fact between Presbyters and Bishops, and thus with
the 23rd and 36th articles of his church staring him in the face,
he not alone ordained priests, as he called them, but actually
consecrated Coke a Bishop for the North American congrega
tions.
"
"
raised up Wesley as a light and
God," says Coke,
guide in his Church ; he appointed to all offices, and, conse
quently, had the right of appointing Bishops."
We would wish,
however, to have some proof of the Divine mission of Wesley,
such as the Apostles gave, when "
they went forth and preached
every where, the Lord working withal, and confirming the Word
with the signs that followed" (Mark, xvi, 20). He travelled
through England, Scotland, and Ireland, preaching in towns,
"
hamlets, and villages, and, as usual, giving Popery" a blow,
whenever he had an opportunity. He married, when advanced
in
years, but soon separated from his wife, by whom he had no
children. He appears, on the whole, to be a man of most un-
amiable character, and though God was constantly on his lips,
self was always predominant. He died in London in 1781, in the
eighty-eighth year of his age.
6. It is rather difficult to give a precise account of the doc
trines of Methodism. Wesley always professed himself a member