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LETTERS.

LETTER

CCCXXII.

[From the Rev. Mr. Wefley, to the Rev. Mr. Plendelieth.]

Rev. and dear Sir,

May 23, 1768.

SOME years ago it was reported, that I recommended the

ufe a Crucifix, to a man under fentence of death. I traced this up to its author, Dr. Stennet, an Anabaptist Teacher. He was charged with it. He anfwered, "Why, I faw a Crucifix in his cell, (a picture of Chrift on the cross.) And I knew Mr. Wefley used to vifit him. So I fuppofed he had brought it." This is the whole of the matter. Dr. Stennet himself I never yet faw. Nor did I ever see such a picture in the cell. And I believe the whole tale is pure invention.

I had for fome time given up the thought of an interview with Mr. Erskine, when I fell into the company of Dr. Ofwald. He faid, "Sir, you do not know Mr. Erfkine. I know him perfectly well. Send and defire an hour's converfation with him, and I am fure, he will underftand you better." I am glad I did fend. I have done my part, and am now entirely fatisfied.

I am likewise glad, that Mr. E. has spoke his mind. I will anfwer with all fimplicity, in full confidence of fatisfying you, and all impartial men.

He objects, First, That I attack Predestination as fubverfive of all Religion, and yet fuffer my followers in Scotland, to remain in that opinion. Much of this is true. I did attack Predeftination eight and twenty years ago. And I do not believe now, any Predeftination which implies irrefpective Reprobation. But I do not believe, it is neceffarily fubverfive VOL. VI. 4 0

of

of all Religion. I think hot difputes are much more fo. Therefore I never willingly difpute with any one about it. And I advife 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 candor blame me for this? Is there any thing unfair or difingenuous in it?

He objects, Secondly, That I "affert the attainment of Sinless Perfection by all born of God." I am forry Mr. E. fhould affirm this again. I need give no other answer, than I gave before, in the feventh page of the little tract I fent 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 Apoftle John terms Fathers. And this I exprefsly declare in that fermon which Mr. E. fo largely quotes."

He objects, Thirdly, That I “ deny the imputation of Chrift's active obedience." Since I believed Juftification by Faith, which I have done upwards of thirty years. I have conflantly maintained that we are pardoned and accepted wholly and folely for the fake of what Chrift hath both done and fuffered for us.

Two or three years ago Mr. Madan's fifter fhewed him what fhe had wrote down of a fermon which I had preached on this fubject. He intreated me, to write down the whole and print, it, faying, It would fatisfy all my opponents. I was not fo fanguine as to expect this: I understood mankind. too well. However I complied with his request: a few were fatisfied. The reft continued juft as they were before.

As long as Mr. E. continues of the mind, expreft in his Thealogical Effays, there is no danger that he and I fhould agree, any more than light and darkness. I love and reverence him; but not his doctrine. I dread every approach to Antinomianifm. I have feen the fruit of it, over the three kingdoms.

I never

I never said that Mr. E. and I were agreed. I will make our disagreement as public as ever he pleases: only I must withal fpecify 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 bleffing on all your labours,

I remain, Rev. and dear Sir,

Your affectionate Brother and Servant,

LETTER

J. WESLEY.

CCCXXIII.

I

[From Mrs. J. H. to the Rev. Mr. Wesley.]

Rev. and dear Sir,

Beverley, June 26, 1768.

Have reason above all creatures to praife God. I have been much given up to Him fince you left us. I have a deeper manifestation of his love, fo that I am enabled to rejoice in all things! I cannot exprefs the joy I felt in hearing you fet forth the glorious privileges of the children of God. I-truft I fhall be enabled always to rejoice. I have trials, but what are they? My confidence in God is beyond all that can come against me. O that I may never lose my hold, but that. I may look fimply unto God at all times, that my heart may be more and more filled with the fulness of God! O how is my heart enlarged towards God: I feel what my pen cannot exprefs!

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I

Have lately received a larger measure of the grace of God. O, how can I explain it! I cannot! I am loft! Ón reading your letter over again, I became more defirous

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of a ftill clofer union and communion with God. O, never had I fuch a depth of divine enjoyment before! I am full to the brim! I have, at prefent, as it were, loft my body! I am loaded with love. O, could I not die for Chrift! Yes I could! I long to fuffer fomething for his fake. When, when will my happy change come! But, if for me to continue in the flesh is the Lord's will, I fuller heaven could I defire than this? O, that I could but perfuade my poor brethren to wrefle more ftrongly for this! How would it rejoice my heart! O, Sir, I doubt not but you will help me to praise God.

gladly fubmit. What

I am, Rev. Sir, yours affectionately,

LETTER

J. H.

CCCXXV.

[From the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, to the Rev. Mr. Wesley.]

Rev. and very dear Sir,

Tabernacle, Dec. 28, 1768.

PRAY have you or I committed the unpardonable fin, be

caufe we differ in particular cafes, and act according to our confciences? I imagine the common falvation is not promoted by keeping at fuch a diflance. Enemies rejoice. Half-way friends especially are pleased.

You will be glad to hear that the time for compleating the Orphan-house affair feems to be come. Do you know of a good, judicious, fpiritual Tutor? Will you without delay make the first prefent of your Works to the Library? I hope we fhall have a Nursery for true Chriftian Minifters. I know you will fay, Amen. Yefterday, fifty-four years old. God be merciful to me a finner! Though you are older, I truft you will not get the start of me, by going to heaven before, Rev. and very dear Sir, lefs than the least of all.

G. WHITEFIELD.

POETRY.

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An ELEGY on leaving the River of Plate, after the unsuccessful attack of Nova Colina de Sacramento, by the Lord Clive, the Ambufcade, and the Gloria: the former of which was loft with most of her crew.

[By the Rev. Mr. Penrofe.]

WHILE

HILE the torn veffel ftems her labouring way,
Ere yon blue hills fink ever from my view;'

Let me to forrow raise the tribute lay;

And take of them my long, my last adieu.

Adieu! ye walls; you fatal ftreams farewel;
By wars fad chance, beneath whofe muddy wave,
Full many a gallant youth untimely fell,

Full many a Briton found an early grave.

Beneath thy tide, ah! filent now they roll,

Or ftrew with mangléd limbs thy fandy fhore,
The trumpet's call no more awakes their foul!
The battle's voice they now fhall hear no more.
In vain the conftant wife and feeble fire

Expectant with their loved return to see;
In vain their infant's lifping tongue enquire,
And wait the story on their father's knee.

Ah! nought avails their anxious, bufy care;
Far off they lie; on hoftile feas they fell;
The joy of Relatives no more to share,

The tale of glorious deeds no more to tell.

Learn then, ye Fair, for others woes to feel,

Let the foft tear bedew the fparkling eye; When the brave perish for their Country's weal, 'Tis pity's debt to heave the heartfelt figh.

Ah!

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