Chapter II: Front Matter (2)

You see, my brethren, this is a topic which I love to dwell upon. A divine fire kindles in my heart, whilst I am musing on, and writing to you about it: and I should here enlarge, but I must hasten to recommend to you another thing of unspeakable importance to the well-being of christian society, a _spirit of universal love_. Let not bigotry or party-zeal be so much as once named amongst you; for it becometh not saints. Our LORD was a stranger to it. Whosoever did the will of his father, the same was his brother, his sister, his mother. Wherever he saw the marks of true faith, though in a centurion or a _Syrophenician_, who were aliens to the commonwealth of _Israel_, and strangers to the covenant of promise, how did he publish and commend it? Be followers then of him, my brethren, as dear children; and love all who love our LORD JESUS in sincerity and truth, although they should not in all things follow with us. Pharisees and Sadducees, the self-righteous and free-thinkers of this generation, all the children of the devil, whether rich or poor, high or low, however they may differ in other respects, yet agree in one thing, even to conspire against the LORD and against his CHRIST. Why should not the children of GOD, notwithstanding their little differences, unite in one common interest against spiritual wickednesses in high places? O that all who call themselves christians, were thus minded! How should we see the kingdom of CHRIST come with power, and Satan like lightning fall from heaven! From the beginning, it hath been his policy to divide christians into sects and parties, hoping not only to weaken their interest, but to make them thereby believe, that religion wholly consists in being of this or that particular communion: and this subtilty of that old serpent hath so prevailed, that though we all profess to hold one LORD, one faith, one baptism; yet numbers look upon those who differ from them, and that only in externals, almost as creatures of another species, and forbid us with such even to eat. This was once the state of the _Jewish_, as it is now of the christian church;――but GOD shewed his dislike of such a temper, by convincing _Peter_ in a miraculous manner, that he was henceforward to call nothing common or unclean, but freely to converse with all who feared him and worked righteousness, for that all such were accepted of him. My brethren, be not you disobedient to this heavenly vision: for our sakes no doubt it was written, and for as many as the LORD our GOD shall call. The self-righteous, and perhaps some who are weak in faith, will censure and condemn your conduct (as the brethren did _Peter_) when they behold your free conversation in CHRIST: but _Peter_ has furnished you with an answer, “Forasmuch as GOD hath given to them the like gift as to us, who believed on JESUS, what are we, that we should withstand GOD?” How dare we make a difference, when GOD has made none? How dare we not freely converse with those who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we?

Further, my brethren, content not yourselves with reading, singing and praying together; but set some time apart to confess your faults and communicate your experiences one to another. For want of this (which I take to be one chief design of private meetings) most of the old ♦societies in _London_, I fear, are sunk into a dead formality, and have only a name to live. They meet on a sabbath evening, read a chapter, and sing a psalm; but seldom, if ever, acquaint each other with the operations of GOD’s spirit upon their souls; notwithstanding this was the great end and intention of those who first began these societies. Hence it is that they have only the form of godliness left amongst them, and continue utter strangers to the state of one another’s hearts. How love, or the power of religion can subsist in such a lukewarm and superficial way of proceeding, is very hard to conceive. My brethren, let not your coming together be thus altogether in vain, but plainly and freely tell one another what GOD has done for your souls. To this end, you would do well, as others have done, to form yourselves into little companies of four or five each, and meet once a week to tell each other what is in your hearts; that you may then also pray for and comfort each other, as need shall require. None but those that have experienced it can tell the unspeakable advantages of such a union and communion of souls. By this means, brotherly love will be excited and increased amongst you, and you will learn to watch over one another for good. This will teach you the better how to pray, and to give thanks for each other in your private retirement, and happily prevent and deliver you from many snares of the devil: for Satan loves that we should keep his temptations to ourselves, but cares not so much to meddle with those, who he knows will discover his devices to their brethren. Besides, this is a most effectual means for each to try the sincerity of his own heart, as well as another’s. No one, I think, that truly loves his own soul, and his brethren as himself, will be shy of opening his heart, in order to have their advice, reproof, admonition, and prayers, as occasions require. A sincere person will esteem it one of the greatest blessings; nor do I know a better means in the world to keep hypocrisy out from amongst you. Pharisees and unbelievers will pray, read, and sing psalms; but none, save an Israelite indeed, will endure to have his heart searched out. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

♦ “societes” replaced with “societies”

Finally, my brethren, expect a large share of contempt; for CHRIST’s servants were always the world’s fools. “As for this sect or heresy, (said the _Jews_ to _Paul_,) we know it is every where spoken against.” And _Paul_ himself, before converted, had authority from the chief priests, to bring as many as he found of this way before them. Thus were the disciples of the LORD treated in the infancy of the church; and as it was formerly, so it is and will be now. In our days, to be a true christian, is really to become a scandal. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but if you are not of the world, and CHRIST has chosen you out of the world, for this very cause the world most assuredly will hate you. However it may seem strange to the natural man, yet there never was a true saint, who was not, like his Saviour, accounted beside himself. And they that will live godly in CHRIST JESUS, must to the end of time suffer persecution for his name’s sake.

But, GOD forbid, my brethren, that a little, nay, that all the contempt in the world, should anywise move you away from the stedfast profession of the hope of the gospel. Our LORD was despised before us; and you know the servant must not presume to be above his master. No; it is sufficient if he be as his master, “Made perfect through sufferings.” Be stedfast therefore, my brethren, quit yourselves like men, be strong; yea, “Be strong in the LORD, and in the power of his might.” Be not ashamed of the gospel of CHRIST, but follow your master without the camp, bearing his sacred reproach. When you are reviled, revile not again. Bless, my brethren, and curse not. Be subject to the higher power in all lawful things, and beware of all who would turn religion into faction. Remember again and again, that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal; and that it is our glory, when called to it, patiently to suffer for the truth’s sake.

Thus, my brethren, out of the fulness of my heart have I written unto you. Many of you I never yet saw, and perhaps never may see in the flesh; however, I love you in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST, and heartily beseech GOD to bless what I trust his spirit has now enabled me to write unto you.

You see, my brethren, I have confined myself to such particulars as relate to the improving your societies, and making them truly christian. I hope you will in like manner take heed to your ways in common life, and never give the adversary room justly, to speak reproachfully of your conduct. My brethren, the eyes of all men are upon you. Indeed it highly concerns you to walk exceedingly circumspect towards those that are without. I am sure you will not be offended, if, out of love, I remind you to perform all relative duties with the utmost cheerfulness, and with a single eye to the glory of GOD. Let your obedience be constant, universal and uniform, founded on a living faith in CHRIST JESUS, that by well-doing you may put to silence the slanders of foolish and evil men. Let your speech, and all your actions, manifest whose disciples you are. Confess your LORD publicly before men, and be not afraid to tell those that have ears to hear, what GOD has done for your souls. It is good to keep close the secrets of a king, but it is honourable to reveal the works of the Almighty. Above all things, my brethren, have fervent charity among yourselves. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of CHRIST. Be pitiful, be courteous, be tender-hearted; and let it be said of you as of the primitive saints, See how these christians love one another. Fulfil all righteousness, by constantly attending on every ordinance of GOD. Use, but not abuse the means of grace, by resting on them; knowing that “The kingdom of GOD is not meats and drinks, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Think that day lost, wherein you do not make an advance in some of these. The work of regeneration, though instantaneous at first, is progressive afterwards. The seed sown in the heart must be continually watered, otherwise it will not grow into a great tree. I pray GOD therefore to sanctify you throughout, in spirit, soul and body, and preserve you blameless till the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST with all his saints. Then all tears shall be wiped away from your eyes, and we shall spend an endless eternity in singing praises to him that sitteth upon the throne, even unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to preserve you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise GOD our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. _Amen!_

A
LETTER
TO THE
INHABITANTS
OF
MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, NORTH and SOUTH-CAROLINA.

A
LETTER, &c.

_Savannah, January 23, 1740._

AS I lately passed through your provinces, in my way hither, I was sensibly touched with a fellow-feeling of the miseries of the poor negroes. Could I have preached more frequently among you, I should have delivered my thoughts to you in my public discourses: but, as business here required me to stop as little as possible on the road, I have no other way to discharge the concern which at present lies upon my heart, than by sending you this letter. How you will receive it, I know not; whether you will accept it in love, or be offended with me, as the master of the damsel was with _Paul_ for calling the evil spirit out of her, when he saw the hope of his gain was gone, is uncertain: but whatever be the event, I must inform you, in the meekness and gentleness of CHRIST, that I think GOD has a quarrel with you, for your abuse of and cruelty to the poor negroes. Whether it be lawful for christians to buy slaves, and thereby encourage the nations from whence they are brought to be at perpetual war with each other, I shall not take upon me to determine; but sure I am it is sinful, when bought, to use them as bad as, nay worse than brutes: and whatever particular exceptions there may be, (as I would charitably hope there are some) I fear the generality of you that own negroes, are liable to such a charge; for your slaves, I believe, work as hard, if not harder, than the horses whereon you ride.

These, after they have done their work, are fed and taken proper care of; but many negroes, when wearied with labour in your plantations, have been obliged to grind their own corn after they return home.

Your dogs are caressed and fondled at your tables; but your slaves, who are frequently stiled dogs or beasts, have not an equal privilege: they are scarce permitted to pick up the crumbs which fall from their masters tables; nay, some, as I have been informed by an eye-witness, have been, upon the most trifling provocation, cut with knives, and have had forks thrown into their flesh: not to mention what numbers have been given up to the inhuman usage of cruel task-masters, who by their unrelenting scourges have ploughed upon their backs, and made long furrows, and at length brought them even to death itself.

’Tis true, I hope, there are but few such monsters of barbarity suffered to subsist amongst you: some, I hear, have been lately executed in _Virginia_ for killing slaves; and the laws are very severe against such who at any time murder them.

And perhaps it might be better for the poor creatures themselves, to be hurried out of life, than to be made so miserable as they generally are in it. And indeed, considering what usage they commonly meet with, I have wondered, that we have not more instances of self-murder among the negroes, or that they have not more frequently risen up in arms against their owners. _Virginia_ has been once, and _Charles-Town_ more than once, threatned in this way.

And though I heartily pray GOD, they may never be permitted to get the upper hand; yet, should such a thing be permitted by providence, all good men must acknowledge the judgment would be just. For is it not the highest ingratitude, as well as cruelty, not to let your poor slaves enjoy some fruits of their labour?

When passing along, whilst I have viewed your plantations cleared and cultivated, many spacious houses built, and the owners of them faring sumptuously every day, my blood has frequently almost run cold within me, to consider how many of your slaves had neither convenient food to eat, nor proper raiment to put on, notwithstanding most of the comforts you enjoy, were solely owing to their indefatigable labours. The scripture says, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.” Does GOD take care of oxen? And will he not take care of the negroes also? Undoubtedly he will. “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.” Behold the provision of the poor negroes which have reaped down your fields, which is by you denied them, crieth, and the cries of them who reaped, are entered into the ears of the LORD of Sabaoth. We have a remarkable instance of GOD’s taking cognisance, and avenging the quarrel, of poor slaves, _2 Samuel_ xxi. 1. “Then there was a famine in the days of _David_, three years, year after year; and _David_ enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for _Saul_ and his bloody house, because he slew the _Gibeonites_.” Two things are here very remarkable; first, that these _Gibeonites_ were only hewers of wood and drawers of water, or, in other words, slaves like yours. Secondly, that this plague was sent by GOD, many years after the injury, the cause of the plague, was committed. And for what end was this and such like examples recorded in holy scripture? Without doubt for our learning, upon whom the ends of the world are come: for GOD is the same to-day, as he was yesterday, and will continue the same for ever. He does not reject the prayer of the poor and destitute, nor disregard the cry of the meanest negroes: their blood which has been spilt, for these many years in your respective provinces, will ascend up to heaven against you; I wish I could say, it would speak better things than the blood of _Abel_. But this is not all. Enslaving or misusing their bodies, comparatively speaking, would be an inconsiderable evil, was proper care taken of their souls: but I have great reason to believe, that most of you on purpose keep your negroes ignorant of christianity; or otherwise, why are they permitted through your provinces openly to profane the LORD’s day, by their dancing, piping, and such like? I know the general pretence for this neglect of their souls, is, that teaching them christianity would make them proud, and consequently unwilling to submit to slavery. But what a dreadful reflection is this upon your holy religion? What blasphemous notions must those have, that make such an objection, of the precepts of christianity! Do you find any one command in the gospel, that has the least tendency to make people forget their relative duties? Do you not read, that servants, and as many as are under the yoke of bondage, are required to be subject in all lawful things to their masters, and that not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward? Nay, may not I appeal to your own hearts, whether deviating from the laws of JESUS CHRIST, is not the cause of all the evils and miseries mankind now universally groan under, and of all the vices we find both in ourselves and others? Certainly it is. And therefore the reason why servants generally prove so bad is, because so little care is taken to breed them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. But some will be so bold perhaps as to reply, “That a few of the negroes have been taught christianity, and notwithstanding have been remarkably worse than others.” But what christianity were they taught? They were baptized, and taught to read and write: and this they may do, and much more, and yet be far from the kingdom of GOD; for there is a vast difference between civilizing and christianizing a negroe. A black as well as a white man, may be civilized by outward restraints, and afterwards break through those restraints again; but I challenge the world to produce a single instance of a negroe’s being made a thorough christian, and thereby made a worse servant; it cannot be. But further, if the teaching slaves christianity has such a bad influence upon their lives, why are you generally desirous of having your children taught? Think you, they are any way better by nature, than the poor negroes? No, in nowise. Blacks are just as much, and no more, conceived and born in sin, as white men are: both, if born and bred up here, I am persuaded are naturally capable of the same improvement. And as for the grown negroes, I am apt to think, whenever the gospel is preached with power amongst them, that many will be brought effectually home to GOD. Your present and past bad usage of them, however ill-designed, may thus far do them good, as to break their wills, increase the sense of their natural misery, and consequently better dispose their minds to accept the redemption wrought out for them by the death and obedience of JESUS CHRIST. Not long since, GOD hath been pleased to make some of the negroes in _New-England_, vessels of mercy; and some, I hear, have been brought to cry out “What shall we do to be saved?” in the province of _Pensylvania_. Doubtless there is a time, when the fulness of the Gentiles will come in and then, I believe, if not before, these despised slaves will find the gospel of CHRIST to be the power of GOD to their salvation, as well as we. But I know, all arguments to prove the necessity of taking care of your negroes souls, though never so conclusive, will prove ineffectual, till you are convinced of the necessity of securing the salvation of your own. That you yourselves are not effectually convinced of this, I think is too notorious to want evidence. A general deadness as to divine things, and not to say a general profaneness, is discernible both in pastors and people.

Most of you are without any teaching priest. And whatever quantity of rum there may be, yet I fear but very few bibles are annually imported into your different provinces. GOD has already begun to visit for this, as well as for other wicked things. For near two years last past, he has been in a remarkable manner contending with the people of _South-Carolina_: their houses have been depopulated with the small pox and fever, and their own slaves have risen up in arms against them. These judgments are undoubtedly sent abroad, not only that the inhabitants of that, but of other provinces, should learn righteousness: and unless you all repent, you all must in like manner expect to perish. GOD first generally corrects us with whips: if that will not do, he must chastise us with scorpions. A foreign enemy is now threatning to invade you; and nothing will more provoke GOD, to give you up as a prey into their teeth, than impenitence and unbelief. Let these be removed, and the sons of violence shall not be able to hurt you: no; your oxen shall be strong to labour; there shall be no decay of your people by epidemical sickness; no leading away into captivity from abroad; and no complaining in your streets at home. Your sons shall grow up as young plants, and your daughters be as the polished corners of the temple: and, to sum up all blessings in one, “Then shall the LORD be your GOD.” That you may be the people who are in such a happy case, is the earnest prayer of,

Your sincere well-wisher and servant in CHRIST,

_G. W._

A
LETTER
TO SOME
CHURCH-MEMBERS
OF THE
PRESBYTERIAN Persuasion,
IN ANSWER TO
Certain SCRUPLES lately proposed, in proper
QUERIES raised on each REMARK.

A
LETTER, &c.

_New-York, November 1, 1740._

_My dear Friends_,

LAST night and this morning I read your queries and scruples. Whether they were compiled by church-members, or ministers of the presbyterian persuasion, I shall not take upon me to determine. I think I may say with _David_, though on another occasion, “_Joab_’s hand is in this.” If your ministers were really the authors, and you only their representatives, they have not acted simply. They had better have spoken out. I should as readily have answered them as you. _Solomon_ says, “He that hateth reproof, is brutish.” And if I know any thing of my own heart, I should think myself obliged to any one that convinces me of an error, either in principle or practice. I therefore assure you, that I do not find the least resentment stirring in my soul against those (whoever they be) that proposed the queries, or against the reverend presbytery that advised you to send them to me in a public manner: no, I rejoice in it; because it gives me an opportunity of doing what my friends know I have for some time proposed, the correcting some passages in my printed sermons. I think it no dishonour, to retract some expressions that formerly dropped from my pen, before GOD was pleased to give me a more clear knowledge of the doctrines of grace. St. _Austin_, I think, did so before me. The LORD’s dealing with me was somewhat out of the common way. I can say, to the honour of rich free distinguishing grace, that I received the Spirit of adoption before I had conversed with one man, or read a single book, on the doctrine of “Free justification by the imputed righteousness of JESUS CHRIST.” No wonder then, that I was not so clear in some points at my first setting out in the ministry. Our LORD was pleased to enlighten me by degrees; and I desire your prayers, that his grace may shine more and more in my heart, till it breaks forth into perfect day.

But to come to the exceptionable passages in my sermons. You blame me for saying,

Volume II. page 17. “That _Adam_ was adorned with all the perfections of the Deity.” It is a wrong expression: I would correct it thus: “All the _moral communicable_ perfections of the Deity.” Again, “Man was the perfection of the _moral_ and _material_ world: let it stand thus: “The perfection of all the _visible_ world.”

Volume II. page 22 and 23. “Washes the guilt of sin away by the tears of a sincere repentance, joined with faith in the blood of JESUS CHRIST.” This is false divinity: I would now alter it thus: “Recovers his former peace, by renewing his acts of faith on the perfect righteousness of JESUS CHRIST.”

Volume I. page 79. “And which alone can render any of our actions acceptable in GOD’s sight.” It should be, “And without which, any of our actions cannot be acceptable in GOD’s sight.”

Volume I. page 16. “Who vainly depend on their own righteousness, and not on the righteousness of JESUS CHRIST, imputed to, and inherent in them, as necessary for their eternal salvation.” To avoid all mistakes, I would express myself in this manner, “Who have neither CHRIST’s righteousness imputed to them, for their justification in the fight, nor holiness wrought in their souls as the consequence of that, in order to make them meet for the enjoyment of GOD.”

Volume I. page 7. For, “To qualify us for _being savingly in_ CHRIST,” read, “To qualify us for _living eternally with_ CHRIST.”

The seeming contradiction in my sermon, Volume II. page 128. compared with page 137. I think may be reconciled by that passage of the Apostle, “After you believed, you were sealed by the Spirit of promise.” Your arguing on this head, page 21. section vii. I think is not so clear. Might you not as reasonably have blamed JESUS CHRIST for saying to a dead man, “_Lazarus_, come forth?” However, instead of _quickening Spirit_, volume II. page 137. let it be read, “sanctifying Spirit.”

Volume II. page 33. “The man CHRIST JESUS is spiritually formed in your hearts.” I would alter it thus, “That CHRIST is formed within you.”

Volume I. page 53. “The many souls that are nourished weekly by the spiritual body and blood of JESUS CHRIST by your means.” Let it be altered for these words, “Nourished weekly at the LORD’s supper by your means.”

I see no reason to alter my explanation of the words, “Baptizing them into the nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;” and, “CHRIST spiritually conceived in the heart of _Eve_:” I mean no more by these expressions than the Apostle, when he says, “Know ye not that CHRIST is in you, unless you be reprobates?” And again, “No one can call CHRIST, Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” And again, “We are made partakers of a divine nature.” Volume II. page 128. these words [in the Lord’s prayer] may be left out: though, if the word _name_ signifies GOD’s attributes, according to your own confession, why may it not signify his essence? What are GOD’s attributes but GOD himself?

Volume I. page 14. After, “essential ones too,” insert, “if persons are capable of performing them.”

These, if I mistake not, are all the passages in my sermons, which you object against. And now to convince you, that I am not ashamed to own my faults, I can inform you of other passages as justly exceptionable. In my sermon on _justification_, I seem to assert _universal redemption_, which I now absolutely deny. In my _almost christian_, I talk of works _procuring_ us so high a crown. In my sermon on the _marks of the new-birth_, I say, “We shall endure to the end, _if we continue so_”. These, and perhaps some other passages, though capable of a candid interpretation, I now dislike; and in the next edition of my sermons, GOD willing, I propose to alter them. In the mean while, I shall be thankful to any that will point out my errors; and I promise, by divine assistance, they shall have no reason to say, “That I am one who hates to be reformed.” “Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me, and it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.”

As for your insinuating, that I countenance Mr. _Wesley_ in his errors, it is no such thing. I prefaced _Halyburton_’s Memoirs before I saw what Mr. _Wesley_ had written; and since I have seen it, have more than once said, “If I had known what Mr. _Wesley_ had written, I would not have prefaced _Halyburton_ at all. I do not understand Mr. _Wesley_ in his interpretation of these words, “He that is born again of GOD, sinneth not;” and therefore have torn off that part of his preface, out of several of those books which I have given away lately, and have acquainted him in what I think in this particular he errs, by sundry letters.

You wrong me, if you think I am an _Antinomian_. For when I say, “GOD made no second covenant with _Adam_,” I mean no more than this: “GOD made no second covenant with _Adam_ in his own person in behalf of his posterity; nor did man’s acceptance in the sight of GOD, after the fall, depend, either wholly or in part, on his works, as before the fall.” Whoever reads the author of _The Whole Duty of Man_, will find he thinks otherwise; and I believe your friends in _Scotland_ will not thank you for defending that book, as you seemingly have done in your late queries.

Your objections, concerning my favourable opinion of some particular quakers that I have conversed with; and also about some particular promises, which I think have been made me, you may find satisfied in my “Answer to the Bishop of _London_’s last Pastoral Letter,” and in a “Letter to the Bishop of _Gloucester_.”

I am no friend to casting lots; but I believe, on extraordinary occasions, when things can be determined no other way, GOD, if appealed to, and waited on by prayer and fasting, will answer by lot now, as well as formerly.

Do not condemn me for preaching _extempore_, and for saying, I am helped often _immediately_ in that exercise; when thousands can prove, as well as myself, that it has been so. Neither should you censure me as one that would lay aside reading. I am of Bishop _Sanderson_’s mind: “Study without prayer, is atheism; prayer without study, presumption.” Blame not me, for the warmth of some of my adherents, as you call them. One of your ministers knows, how sharply I rebuked one of them for his warmth, at _Forks-Manor_. I am for loving as brethren, and wish all would copy after the lowly JESUS. But then I cannot discommend those (supposing they do it in the spirit of meekness) who exclaim against dry, sapless, unconverted ministers. Such surely are the bane of the christian 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 sake, I shall not mention. I hope I can say with more sincerity than _Hazael_, “Is your servant a dog, that he should do” what you suggest! But I pray GOD to forgive you. He knows my heart. My one design is to bring poor souls to JESUS CHRIST. I desire to avoid extremes, so as not to be a bigot on the one hand, or confound order and decency on the other. And I could heartily wish the reverend presbytery, when they advised you to publish your queries, had also cautioned you against dipping your pen in so much gall. Surely your insinuations 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 since you heard the constant tenor of my preaching in _America_ has been _calvinistical_, to censure me as a _Papist_ or _Arminian_, because a few unguarded expressions dropped from my pen, just as I came from the university of _Oxford_. Could Archbishop _Tillotson_, 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 creature. And as such I beseech you to pray for

Your affectionate friend and servant,

GEORGE WHITEFIELD.

A
LETTER
To the REVEREND
MR. JOHN WESLEY:
In ANSWER to his
SERMON,
ENTITULED
_FREE-GRACE_.

_But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the Face,
because he was to be blamed._
GALATIANS ii. 11.

A
LETTER
TO THE
Rev. Mr. JOHN WESLEY.