“’There is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus’… It has long passed for a maxim that ‘women should be seen, not heard’ and accordingly many are brought up in such a manner as if they were only designed to be agreeable playthings! But is this doing honour to the sex? Or is it a real kindness to them? No, it is the deepest unkindness; it is horrid cruelty… And I know not how any woman of sense and spirit can submit to it. Let all you [women] that have it in your power assert the right which the God of nature has given you. Yield not to that vile bondage any longer! You, as well as men, are rational creatures. You, like them, were made in the image of God; you are equally candidates for immortality; you too are called of God.” John Wesley Sermon 98: On Visiting the Sick 1786

“Brethren in our Creator’s eyes, I dare not injure or despise the workmanship of God.” Charles Wesley, from Hymns for the use of families and on various occasions 1767