the assistance which it may please God to give you by, my lord, Your Lordship's ready Servant, J. WESLEY. TO THE REV. MR. H. DEAR SIR, March 27, 1764. YOUR book on the Millennium and the Mystic Writers, was lately put into my hands. I cannot but thank you for your strong and seasonable confirmation of that comfortable doctrine: of which I cannot entertain the least doubt, as long as I believe the Bible. I thank you likewise for your remarks on that bad performance of the Bishop of G-, which undoubtedly tears up by the roots, all real, internal religion. Yet at the same time I cannot but bewail, your vehement attachment to the Mystic Writers: with whom I conversed much for several years, and whom I then admired, perhaps more than you do now. But I found at length an absolute necessity, of giving up either them, or the Bible. So after some time, I fixed my choice, to which I hope to adhere to my life's end. It is only the extreme attachment to these, which can account for the following words. "Mr. W. does, in several parts of his Journals, lay down some marks of the new-birth, not only doubtful, but exceptionable: as particularly where persons appeared agitated or convulsed, under the ministry: which might be owing to other causes rather than any regenerating work of God's Spirit," p. 385. Is this true? In what one part of my Journals do I lay down any doubtful, much less exceptionable, marks of the new-birth? In no part do I lay down those agitations or convulsions as any marks of it at all. Nay, I expressly declare the contrary, in those very words which the Bishop himself cites from my Journal. I declare, "These are of a disputable nature: they may be from God; they may be from nature; they may be from the devil." How is it then that you tell all the world, "Mr. W. lays them down in his Journals, as marks of the new-birth?" Is it kind? Would it not have been far more kind, suppose I had spoken wrong, to tell me of it in a private manHow much more unkind was it, to accuse me to all the world, of a fault which I never committed? ner? Is it wise thus to put a sword into the hands of our common enemy? Are we not both fighting the battles of our Lord, against the world, as well as the flesh and the devil? And shall I furnish them with weapons against you, or you against me? Fine diversion for the children of the devil! And how much more would they be diverted, if I would furnish my quota of the entertainment; by falling upon you in return? But I bewail the change in your spirit: you have not gained more lowliness or meekness since I knew you! O beware! You did not use to despise any one. This you have gained from the authors you admire. They do not express anger toward their opponents, but contempt in the highest degree. And this, I am afraid, is far more antichristian, more diabolical, than the other. The God of love deliver you and me from this spirit, and fill us with the mind that was in Christ. So prays, Dear Sir, your still affectionate Brother, J. WESLEY. TO THE REV. MR. PLENDELEITH. REV. AND DEAR SIR, May 23, 1768. SOME years ago it was reported, that I recommended the use of a crucifix, to a man under sentence of death. I traced this up to its author, Dr. Stennet, an Anabaptist teacher. He was charged with it. He answered, "Why, I saw a crucifix in his cell, (a picture of Christ on the cross.) And I knew Mr. Wesley used to visit him. So 1 supposed he had brought it." This is the whole of the matter. Dr. Stennet himself I never yet saw. Nor did I ever see such a picture in the cell. And I believe the whole tale is pure invention.. I had for some time given up the thought of an interview with Mr. Erskine, when I fell into the company of Dr. Oswald. He said, "Sir, you do not know Mr. Erskine. I know him perfectly well. Send and desire an hour's conversation with him, and I am sure he will understand you better." I am glad I did send. I have done my part, and am now entirely satisfied. I am likewise glad, that Mr. E. has spoken his mind. I will answer with all simplicity, in full confidence of satisfying you, and all impartial men. He objects, First, That I attack Predestination as subversive of all religion, and yet suffer my followers in Scotland, to remain in that opinion. Much of this is true. I did attack Predestination eight and twenty years ago. And I do not believe now, any Predestination which implies irrespective Reprobation. But I do not believe, it is necessarily subversive of all religion. I think hot disputes are much more so. Therefore I never willingly dispute with any one about it. And I advise all my friends, not in Scotland only; but all over England and Ireland, to avoid all contention on the head, and let every man remain in his own opinion. Can any man of candour blame me for this? Is there any thing unfair or disingenuous in it ? He objects, Secondly, That I "assert the attainment of Sinless Perfection by all born of God." I am sorry Mr. E. should affirm this again. I need give no other answer, than I gave before, in the seventh page of the little tract I sent him two years ago. "I do not maintain this. I do not believe it. I believe Christian Perfection is not attained by any of the children of God, till they are what the Apostle John terms Fathers. And this I expressly declare in that sermon which Mr. E. so largely quotes." He objects, Thirdly, That I "deny the imputation of Christ's active obedience." Since I believed Justification by Faith, which I bave done upwards of thirty years, I have constantly maintained that we are pardoned and accepted wholly and solely for the sake of what Christ hath both done and suffered for us. Two or three years ago Mr. Madan's sister shewed him what she had written down of a sermon which I had preached on this subject. He entreated me, to write down the whole and print it, saying, It would satisfy all my opponents. I was not so sanguine as to expect this: I understood mankind too well. However, I complied with his request: a few were satisfied. The rest continued just as they were before. As long as Mr. E. continues of the mind expressed in his Theological Essays, there is no danger that he and I should agree, any more than light and darkness. I love and reverence him; but not his doctrine. I dread every approach to Antinomianism. I have seen the fruit of it, over the three kingdoms. I never said, that Mr. E. and I were agreed. I will make our disagreement as public as ever he pleases: only I must specify the particulars. If he will fight with me, it must be on this ground. And then let him do what he will, and what he can. Retaining a due sense of your friendly offices, and praying for a blessing on all your labours, I remain, Rev. and dear Sir, Your affectionate Brother and Servant, JOHN WESLEY. TO MR. S. AT ARMAGH. DEAR BROTHER, April 24, 1769. I SHALL now tell you the things which have been more or less upon my mind, ever since I have been in the North of Ireland. If you forget them, you will be a sufferer, and so will the people: if you observe them, it will be good for both. 1. To begin with little things. If you regard your health, Touch no supper, but a little milk, or water-gruel. This will entirely, by the blessing of God, secure you from nervous disorders; especially if you rise early every morning, whether you preach or not. 2. Be steadily serious. There is no country upon earth where this is more necessary than Ireland: as you are generally encompassed with those who, with a little encouragement, would laugh, or trifle from morning to night. I : 3. In every town visit all you can from house to house. say, all you can; for there will be some whom you cannot visit and if you examine, instruct, reprove, exhort, as need requires, you will have no time hanging on your hands. It is by this means that the Societies are increased wherever T. R. goes; he is preaching from morning to night. Warning every one, that he may present every one perfeet in Christ Jesus. 4. But on this, and every other occasion, avoid all familiarity with women. This is deadly poison both to them and you. You cannot be too wary in this respect. Therefore begin from this hour. 5. The chief matter of your conversation, as well as your preaching, should doubtless be, The weightier matters of the law. Yet there are several (comparatively) little things which you should earnestly inculcate from time to time, (for "He that despiseth small things, shall fall by little and little.") Such are, 1. Be active, be diligent: avoid all laziness, sloth, indolence. Flee from every degree, every appearance of it; else you will never be more than half a Christian. 2. Be cleanly. In this let the Methodists take pattern by the Quakers. Avoid all nastiness, dirt, slovenliness, both in your person, clothes, house, and all about you. Use all diligence to be clean, as one says, "Let thy mind's sweetness have its operation, Upon thy person, clothes, and habitation." 3. Whatever clothes you have, let them be whole: no rents, no tatters, no rags. These are a scandal to either |