Authority and Order : John Wesley and His Preachers.
- 1st ed.
- 1 online resource (124 pages)
Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Prologue: 'I am a Church of England Man' -- 1 Wesley's Initial Position: Authority of Rubric and Canon -- 2 After Aldersgate: Authority of a Warm-Hearted Evangelist -- 3 Wesley's Assistants: 'Sons of the Gospel' -- 4 Wesley' s Expression of Authority: 'I am a Scriptural Episcopos' -- 5 Ordination of the Assistants: Is it Separation from the Church of England? -- 6 Wesley Reflects upon his Actions: 'Prophets and Priests' - Ireland 1789 -- 7 The Liturgy: Prayer Book Ordinal Adapted -- 8 The Text: Wesley's Adaptation of the Prayer Book Ordinal -- Epilogue: 'Be Church of England Men Still' -- Bibliography -- Index.
Authority and Order explores the origins of the Methodist order and identifies the nature of authority exercised by John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. Adrian Burdon charts the journey of John Wesley and his people towards the ordination of preachers, which became such a major issue among the first Methodist Societies. Particular attention is paid to the covenant for unity between English Methodists and the Church of England.