Ordination of the Assistants: Is it Separation from the Church of England?

John Wesley spent the large proportion of his life claiming loyalty to the Church of England, and avoiding separation from it. He knew that to ordain Methodist Assistants and preachers was tantamount to declaring himself, and his Connexion, separated. Despite this, John Wesley was, at times, tempted to ordain his people and take that step beyond the boundaries of the established church. Charles Wesley worried that his brother was, on occasion, too enthusiastic on the question of ordination and separation.