In Wesley: Apostolic Man, Edgar Thompson distinguishes four elements in the spiritual composition and churchmanship of John Wesley: (1) Acceptance of the Holy Scriptures as the Rule of Faith and Practice (2) Reverence for the usages of the Primitive Church (3) A warm and unquenchable love for the Church of England (4) A constant and unshakable conviction that God had commanded him to proclaim the Good News of Salvation to all whom he could reach, and had appointed him to care for the souls of those who were converted under the preaching of himself and his
Helpers.
Thompson discusses the validity of these principles and their application to Wesley’s consecration of Dr. Coke and his ordination of others. This book is of special interest to Methodists and Anglicans, but its presentation of facts and discussion of general principles make it important to those of all denominations who are concerned about the unity of the church and the doctrine of episcopacy.