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How admirably pardon and holiness are comprised in that one word, grace! Mercy and strength! So are our justification and sanctification woven together.

I hope your sermons will do good. But why do not you publish your poems? I think you can make verses as fast as John Murlin; yea, indeed, if need were, stans pede in uno.* I commend sister Benson for her care of her mother. One can never do too much for a parent.

I am, dear Joseph,

Your affectionate brother.

DEAR JOSEPH,

CCCCLXV.-To the Same.

Warrington, May 21, 1781.

As I have not leisure myself, I am exceeding glad that you have entered into the lists with Mr. A-. And I am in hopes you will "reply at large," to all his cavils and objections. If he cites anything from me, you should answer simply, "I never undertook to defend every sentiment of Mr. W-'s. He does not expect or desire it. He wishes me and every man to

think for himself."

If you remember, I do not insist on the term impression. I say again, I will thank any one that will find a better; be it discovery, manifestation, deep sense, or whatever it may. That some consciousness of our being in favour with God, is joined with Christian faith, I cannot doubt; but it is not the essence of it. A consciousness of pardon cannot be the condition of pardon.

But I am still more glad, that you have some thoughts of answering that pernicious book of poor Mr. Madan. Analyze it first with the postscript; then overturn it thoroughly, from the beginning to the end. You may steer between the extremes of too much roughness, and too much smoothness. And see that you are plain enough for women and pretty gentlemen. I allow you a hundred pages.

I am, dear Joseph,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

This quotation from Horace, and part of the sentence with which it is connected, are thus translated by Smart: "He would often, as a great feat, dictate two hundred verses in an hour, standing in the same position.”—EDIT.

DEAR JOSEPH,

CCCCLXVI.-To the Same.

London, February 22, 1782. WHO Mr. Tyndall is, I know not; but he is just as sound a Divine as Mr. Madan. I regard no authorities but those of the ante-Nicene Fathers; nor any of them, in opposition to Scripture. And I totally deny that (supposed) matter of fact, that polygamy was allowed among the primitive Christians; or, that the converts "who had many wives were not required to put any of them away." I have not yet time to read over the MS.: When I do, I must read it all in a breath.

Having talked with my friends, I judge it will be expedient to visit the north this year. I expect to be at Manchester on Wednesday, the 10th of April; and in Yorkshire in the beginning of May.

I have no objection to your printing a few copies of those two sermons, to oblige your friends in the neighbourhood. I doubt we are not explicit enough, in speaking on full sanctification, either in public or private. I am, with kind love to sister Benson, Dear Joseph,

DEAR JOSEPH,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

CCCCLXVII.-To the Same.

Near London, August 3, 1782.

Do not you know that all the Preachers cannot leave a circuit at once? Therefore, if you left it, brother Hopper could not. Perhaps, likewise, I can depend upon your judgment, more than that of another man.

men.

Two or three years ago, when the kingdom was in imminent danger, I made an offer to the Government of raising some The Secretary of War (by the King's order) wrote me word, that "it was not necessary; but if it ever should be necessary, His Majesty would let me know." I never renewed the offer, and never intended it. But Captain Webb, without my knowing anything of the matter, went to Colonel B―, the new Secretary of War, and renewed that offer. The Colonel (I verily believe, to avoid his importunity) asked him, how many men we could raise. But the Colonel is out of place.

So the thing is at an end.

I read over both the sermons; but I did not see anything materially wrong in either.

I am, with love to sister Benson,

Your affectionate brother.

We will consider what you propose.

CCCCLXVIII.-To the Same.

DEAR JOSEPH,

Bristol, September 17, 1788.

I AM glad you have determined to correct Mr. Fletcher's Letters. You will observe, that it is "dangerous, on such subjects, to depart from Scripture, either as to language or sentiment;" and I believe, that "most of the controversies which have disturbed the Church, have arisen from people's wanting to be wise above what is written, not contented with what God has plainly revealed there." What have you or I to do with that "difficulty?" I dare not, will not, reason about it for a moment. I believe just what is revealed, and no more; but I do not pretend to account for it, or to solve the difficulties that may attend it. Let angels do this, if they can; but I think they cannot. I think even these

Would find no end, in wandering mazes lost.

Some years since, I read about fifty pages of Dr. Watts's ingenious treatise upon the "Glorified Humanity of Christ." But it so confounded my intellects, and plunged me into such unprofitable reasonings, yea, dangerous ones, that I would not have read it through for five hundred pounds. It led him into Arianism. Take care that similar tracts (all of which I abhor) have not the same effect upon you.

I like your thoughts upon Materialism; as I doubt not I should, those on the separate existence of the soul. It will be best to print at Hull or York, if you can print almost as cheap, and have as good paper. Should there not be a thousand copies? Then you will reserve a hundred of them for yourself. I am, with love to sister Benson,

Your affectionate friend and brother.

CCCCLXIX.-To Mrs. Benson.

MY DEAR SISTER,

can.

Warrington, May 21, 1781. As you are now one of my family, and indeed by a nearer tie than when you were only a member of the society, I rejoice in doing you any service, or giving you any satisfaction that I I therefore take the first opportunity of acquainting you, that I will appoint Mr. Benson for Leeds the ensuing year. I trust he will be more useful there than ever, and I doubt not but you will strengthen his hands in God. If you desire any thing of me that is in my power, you may be assured it will not be refused by,

My dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

P. S. I am now going to Whitehaven.

CCCCLXX.-To Mr. Walter Churchey, of Brecon.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

London, February 21, 1771. I AM glad Mr. Benson and you had an opportunity of conversing freely with Mr. Fletcher, and that he has dealt so faithfully with my Lady. Perhaps it may have a good effect. At least, he has delivered his own soul, whether she will hear, or whether she will forbear.

Entire sanctification, or Christian perfection, is neither more nor less than pure love; love expelling sin, and governing both the heart and life of a child of God. The Refiner's fire purges out all that is contrary to love, and that many times by a pleasing smart. Leave all this to Him that does all things well, and that loves you better than you do yourself.

I am, with love to brother Thomas,

Your affectionate brother.

CCCCLXXI.-To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

London, December 23, 1773.

You and I love one another; therefore, we speak freely. 1. "They have thrown themselves on Providence." Not at all.

From a very low state, most of them had thrown themselves into plenty and honour. 2. "It is possible they may do good." True; but it is probable they may do harm. They have every where done our societies all the harm they could. 3. "The place they now have is a cold place." I see no good of their having any at Hay. The land is wide enough. 4. They have no inclination to peace. 5. "Our neighbours will see our professions true." I do not profess any coalition with Calvinism. I see the mischievousness of it more and more. 6. "Their preaching would not lessen the number of our hearers." Indeed it would, if the people minded what they say. And besides, it would puzzle and perplex those that still hear us; and probably set many a one's sword against his brother. 7. "They do not intend Antinomianism." But they preach it continually. 8. "And our people will not hear Calvinists." Indeed they will, if they play with the fire. You forget my brother's verses :

What my soul does as hell-fire reject,

A Pope, a Count, a Leader of a sect.

I am of no sect, but the Church of England.

If James Barry or Stephen Proctor is faulty in the article you mention, tell them of it, and, I am persuaded, they will mend. You will do well to remind them, in particular, of teaching the children, and visiting the sick. I believe they will take it kindly. I am

Your affectionate brother.

CCCCLXXII-To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

Near London, February 25, 1774.

THE deliverance of our two fellow-travellers should certainly be matter of thankfulness, to grace prevailing over nature. And should it not be a means of stirring up those that remain to greater zeal and diligence in serving Him who will be our Guide even unto death? Should not you labour to convince and stir up others, that they may supply the place of those that are called away? And let us lose no time. Work while it is day: The night cometh wherein no man can work.

I

VOL. XII.

am

Your affectionate brother.

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