91. - To the Rev. Mr. Greaves.
Two of my parishioners came to convey me safe home, and had persuaded me to go with them in a post chaise; but I had so bad a night before the day I was to set out, that I gave it up. My prospects and ways are shut up, so that I have nothing to look at but Jesus and the grave. May I so look at them, as to live in him, my resurrection and life; and die in all the meekness and holiness of any Lord and my all! I humbly request a continued interest in your fervent prayers, that I may be found completely ready when my Lord’s messenger shall come for my soul. Adieu, my dear friend. God bless and reward you. I am your most affectionate friend and brother, J. FLETCHER.
91. - TO THE REV. MR. GREAVES.
NYON, Sept. 15, 1780.
MY DEAR FELLOW LABOURER, - I had fixed the time of my departure for this month; but now two hinderances stand in my way. When I came to collect the parts of my manuscript, I found the most considerable part wanting; and after a thousand searches, I was obliged to write it over again. This accident obliged me to put off my journey; and now the change of weather has brought back some symptoms of my disorder. I speak, or rather whisper with difficulty; but I hope the quantity of grapes I begin to eat will have as good an effect upon me, as in the last two autumns. Have patience then a little while. If things are not as you could wish, you can do but as I have done for many years - learn patience by the things which you suffer. Crossing our will, get ting the better of our own inclinations and growing in experience, are no mean advantages; and they may all be yours. Mr. Ireland writes me word, that if I return to England now, the winter will undo all I have been doing for my health for many years. However, I have not quite laid by the design of spending the winter with you; but do not expect me till you see me. I am, nevertheless, firmly purposed, that if I do not set out this autumn, I shall do so next spring, as early as I can. Till I had this relapse I was able, thank God, to exhort in a private room three times a week: but the Lord Lieutenant will not allow me to get into a pulpit, though they permit the school masters, who are laymen, to put on a band and read the Church prayers: so high runs the prejudice. The clergy, however, tell me that if I will renounce my ordination, and get Presbyterian orders among them, they will allow me to preach: and, on these terms, one of the ministers of this town offers me his curacy. A young clergyman of Geneva, tutor to my nephew, appears to me a truly converted man; and he is so pleased when I tell him there are converted souls in England, that he will go over with me to learn English, and converse with the British Christians. He wrote last summer with such force to some of the clergy, who were stirring up the fire of persecution, that he made them ashamed, and we have since had peace from that quarter.
There is little genuine piety in these parts; nevertheless, there is yet some of the form of it; so far as to go to the Lord’s table regularly four times a year There meet the adulterers, the drunkards, the swearers, the infidels, and even the materialists. They have no idea of the double damnation that awaits hypocrites. They look upon partaking that sacrament as a ceremony enjoined by the magistrate. At Zurich, the first town of this country, they have lately beheaded a clergyman, who wanted to betray his country to the emperor, to whom it chiefly belonged. It is the town of the great reformer Zuinglius; yet there they poisoned the sacramental wine a few years ago. Tell it not in Gath! I mention this to show you there is occasion and great need to bear a testimony against the faults of the clergy here; and if I cannot do it from the pulpit, I must try to do it from the press. Their canons, which were composed by two hundred and thirty pastors, at the time of the reformation, are so spiritual and apostolic, that I design to translate them into English if I am spared.
Farewell, my dear brother. Take care, good, constant care of the flock committed to your charge; especially the sick and the young. Salute all our dear parishioners. Let me still have a part in your prayers, public and private; and rejoice in the Lord, as, through grace, I am enabled to do in all my little tribulations. I am your affectionate friend and fellow labourer, J. FLETCHER.
92. - TO THE SOCIETIES IN AND ABOUT MADELEY.
NYON, Sept. 15, 1780.
GRACE and peace, truth and love be multiplied unto you all. Stand fast in the Lord my dear brethren, stand fast to Jesus; stand fast to one another; stand fast to the vow we have so often renewed together upon our knees, and at the Lord’s table. Resolve to save yourselves altogether. Do not be so unloving, so cowardly, as to let one of your little company fall into the