But then I cannot discommend thofe (fuppofing they do it in the spirit of meeknef:) who exclaim against dry, fapless, unconverted minifters. Such furely are the bane of the chriftian church. But my other affairs will not permit me to enlarge. Some of the latter part of your queries, for your own, and not my own fake, I shall not mention. I hope I can fay with more fincerity than Hazael, "Is your fervant a dog, that he should do" what you fuggeft! But I pray God to forgive you. He knows my heart. My one defign is to bring poor fouls to JESUS CHRIST. I defire to avoid extremes, fo as not to be a bigot on the one hand, or confound order and decency on the other. And I could heartily wifh the reverend prefbytery, when they advised you to publish your queries, had also cautioned you against dipping your pen in so much gall. Surely your infinuations are contrary to that charity, which hopeth and believeth all things for the best. And I appeal to your own hearts, whether it was right, especially fince heard the conftant tenor of my preaching in America has been calviniftical, to cenfure me as a Papift or Arminian, because a few unguarded expreffions dropped from my pen, just as I came from the univerfity of Oxford. Could Archbishop Tillotfon, or the Author of The Whole Duty of Man, say so? But I have done. The LORD be with you! I am a poor frail And as fuch I beseech you to pray for creature. you Your affectionate friend and fervant, VOL. IV. D A LET But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the Face, because he was to be blamed. GAL. ii. II. A LETTER TO THE Rev. Mr. JOHN WESLEY. PREFACE. I Am very well aware, what different effects the publishing this Letter against the dear Mr. Wesley's Sermon will produce. Many of my friends, that are ftrenuous advocates for universal Redemption, will immediately be offended. Many that are zealous on the other fide, will be much rejoiced. They that are luke-warm on both fides, and are carried away with carnal reasoning, will wish this matter had never been brought under debate. The reasons I have given at the beginning of the letter, I think are fufficient tö fatisfy all, of my conduct herein. I defire therefore, that they who hold Election would not triumph, or make a party on one hand; (for I deteft any fuch thing) and that they who are prejudiced againft that doctrine, be not too much concerned or offended on the other. Known unto God are all his ways from the beginning of the world. The great day will discover, why the Lord permits dear Mr. Wefley and me to be of a different way of thinking. At present, I shall make no enquiry into that matter, beyond the account which he has given of it himself in the following letter, which I lately received from his own dear hands. |