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AND THEIR REFUTATION. 77
of the Church of England, and maintained that his doctrine was
that of the Anglican Church, but we see how far he deviated
from it in the Ordination affair. Whitfield was a Calvinist, and
some of the first Methodists were Moravians. Salvation by Faith
alone, and sudden justification, appear to be the distinguishing
marks of the sect. Their doctrines open a wide door for the most
dangerous enthusiasm; the poor people imagine, from the ardour
of their feelings, that they are justified, though every Christian
should be aware that he knows not whether he is worthy of love
or hatred, and this has been productive of the most serious con
sequences. If only the thousandth part of all we hear of the
scenes which take place at a
"
Revival" in America be true, it
should fill us with compassion to see rational beings committing
such extravagances in the holy name of Religion. I will not
sully the page with a description
of the
"
Penitents pen," the
groanings in spirit, the sighs, contortions, howlings, and faintings
which accompany the
" new birth" at these re-unions. It has
been partially attempted in these countries to get up a similar
demonstration, but we hope the sense of propriety and decorum
is too strongly fixed in the minds of our people ever to permit
themselves to be thus fooled.
7. The curse of all heresies, the want of cohesion, has fallen
also on the Methodist society. They are now divided into several
branches, Primitive Wesleyans, &c. They are governed by Con
ferences, and there are districts, and other minor divisions, down
to classes. The form of worship consists generally of extem
poraneous prayer and preaching. Wesley established bands, or
little companies for self-examination and confession, and it is
rather strange that sectaries who reject Sacramental confession,
where the penitent pours into the ear of the Priest his sins and
his sorrows, under the most inviolable secrecy, should encourage
promiscuous confession of sins, which can be productive of no good,
but must necessarily cause a great deal of harm. Hear Wesley s
own words on the subject :
are instituted,
"
Bands"
"
he says,
in order to confess our faults to one another, and pray for one
another ; we intend to meet once a week at least ; to come punc
tually at the hour appointed ; to begin with singing or prayer ;
to speak to each of us, in order, freely and plainly, the true
state of our soul, with the faults we have committed in thought,