Him, and walking as became the Gospel. Happy he was himself, in being kept, by the power of God, unblamable in his conversation: Happy, in being beloved in several of the last years of his life, by every one in his parish; who, whether they would be persuaded by him to forsake the evil of their ways, or no, had no doubt that Mr. Grimshaw was their cordial friend. Hence, at his departure, a general concern was visible through his parish. Hence, his body was interred with what is more ennobling than all the pomp of a royal funeral: For he was followed to the grave by a great multitude, with affectionate sighs, and many tears; who cannot still hear his much-loved name without weeping for the guide of their souls, to whom each of them was dear as children to their father.

"His behaviour, throughout his last sickness, was of a piece with the last twenty years of his life. From the very first attack of his fever, he welcomed its approach. His intimate knowledge of Christ abolished all the reluctance nature feels to a dissolution; and, triumphing in Him who is the Resurrection and the Life, he departed April 7th, 1762, in the 55th year of his age, and the twenty-first of his eminent usefulness."*

The cordial and intimate friendship, and union of ministerial labours, which for so many years subsisted between Mr. Wesley and Mr. Grimshaw, furnish high evidence of that catholic spirit, which Mr. Wesley so incessantly cultivated and preserved. Mr. Grimshaw did not agree in every point of doctrine with Mr. Wesley; but he had so much of the wisdom from above,' that he was easy to be convinced,' (EUTIONS,)

6

* The late Rev. Mr. Newton, several years after this, published a Life of Mr. Grimshaw, in which he gives him due honour; but, strange to say, he omits his connexion with Mr. Wesley! Must we account for this in the way that Mr. Wesley himself accounts for such conduct in other good men who had been, like Mr. Newton, his intimate friends and correspondents ?" He is fallen into the pit of the Decrees, and knows me no more!"

of any truth, and easy to be 'persuaded' in any good way. This excellent spirit appeared in him upon all occasions, and is manifest in a letter which he wrote to Mr. Wesley concerning those differences, which were indeed more in words than in judgment. The letter is dated July 23d, 1761. After apologizing for not attending the Conference then held at Leeds, he observes, "The disappointment is more my own loss than yours: For there are several things which have for some time been matter of so much uneasiness to me, that I thought, could they not at this time be some how accommodated, I should be obliged to recede from the Connexion; which to do, would have been one of the most disagreeable things in the world to me.—I would fain live and die in this happy relation I have for many years borne, and still bear to you.

"Two of the most material points were, concerning Imputed Righteousness, and Christian Perfection. But as to the former, what you declared to be your notion of it, at Heptonstal, is so near mine that I am well satisfied. And as to the other, your resolutions in Conference are such, if John Emmot informs me right, as seem to afford me sufficient satisfaction.

"There are other matters more, but to me not of equal importance; to which, notwithstanding, I cannot be reconciled. Such as, asserting a child of God to be again a child of 'the devil, if he give way to a temptation.-That he is a child of the devil who disbelieves the doctrine of sinless 'perfection. That he is no true Christian, who has not ' attained to it,' &c. &c.-These are assertions very common with some of our preachers, though, in my apprehension, too absurd and ridiculous to be regarded, and therefore by no means of equal importance with what is above said; and yet have a tendency, as the effect has already shewn,

* See the note in page 45.

+ Uttered, no doubt, by warm men, when disputing with Antinomians. . Such contentions were very common in that day.

to distract and divide our societies.-You will perhaps say,. Why did you not admonish them? Why did you not endea6 vour to convince them of the error of such absurd assertions?" -In some degree I have, though perhaps not so fully or freely as I ought, or could have wished to have done: For I feared to be charged by them, perhaps secretly to yourself, with opposing them or their doctrines. These things I mentioned to brother Lee, who declared, and I could not but believe him, that you did, and would utterly reject any such expressions. I am therefore, in these respects, more easy; and shall, if such occasions require [it], as I wish they never may, reprove and prevent them with plainness and freedom.

*

"Sinless Perfection is a grating term to many of our dear brethren; even to those who are as desirous and solicitous to be truly holy in heart and life, as any perhaps of them who affect to speak in this unscriptural way. Should we not discountenance the use of it, and advise its votaries to exchange it for terms less offensive, but sufficiently expressive of true Christian holiness? By this I mean, (and why may I not tell you what I mean?,) all that holiness of heart and life, which is literally, plainly, abundantly taught us all over the Bible; and without which no man, however justified through faith in the righteousness of Christ, can never expect to see the Lord. This is that holiness, that Christian Perfection, that sanctification, which, without affecting strange, fulsome, offensive, unscriptural expressions and representations, I, and, I dare say, every true and sincere-hearted member in our societies, and I hope in all others, ardently desire and strenuously labour to attain. This is attainable: For this therefore let us contend: To this let us diligently exhort and excite all our brethren daily; and this the more as we see the day, the happy, the glorious day approaching.

"I have only to add, that I am determined, through the

* Mr. Wesley himself never used that term. He looked upon it as almost, if not quite, equal to legal perfection.

216

LIFE OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY.

help of God, so far as I know or see at present, to continue in close connexion with you, even unto death; and to be as useful as I am able, or is consistent with my parochial, and other indispensable obligations; chiefly in this round,* and at times abroad; to strengthen your hands in the great and glorious work of our Lord, which you have evidently so much at heart, elaborately so much in hand, and in which He, (blessed for ever be his name!) has so extensively and wonderfully prospered you."

Immediately on the receipt of this letter, before the Conference quite broke up, Mr. Wesley took an opportunity of preaching from the words of St. James, In many things. we offend all. On this occasion, he observed, " (1.) As long as we live, our soul is connected with the body.-(2.) As long as it is thus connected, it cannot think but by the help of bodily organs.-(3.) As long as these organs are imperfect, we are liable to mistakes, both speculative and practical.(4.) Yea, and a mistake may occasion my loving a good man less than I ought; which is a defective, that is, a wrong temper. -(5.) For all these, we need the atoning blood, as indeed for every defect or omission.-Therefore, (6.) All men have need to say daily, Forgive us our trespasses. ”—We see here the solid reason why Mr. Wesley always objected to the phrase, sinless perfection.

* The Circuits were at that time called Rounds. Haworth, Mr. Grimshaw's parish, was afterwards printed in the Minutes "Haworth Circuit," and Mr. Grimshaw was appointed the Assistant, or the preacher who immediately assisted Mr. Wesley.

ANTINOMIANISM- -PROTEST BY THE REV. MR. SHIRLEY AND OTHERS-MR. FLETCHER'S WRITINGS.

WHOEVER seriously considers the foregoing pages, will readily conclude, that the work carried on by Mr. Wesley and his assistants was really of God. The great concern for religion, which was evident in many thousands, who were before careless or profane; the impression made on their minds, of the importance of eternal things; their being so deeply convinced of the number and heinousness of their own sins, from which conviction sprung fruits meet for repentance;' their being made happy partakers of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost,' and walking in all holiness, were demonstrable proofs of this. For is there any name given under heaven, whereby men can be thus saved, but the name of Christ alone?