To Lady ——.

Providence should permit all these sufferings to work together for my good,”

I do not comprehend one line of this, and therefore cannot plead either Guilty or Not Guilty. — I presume, they are some that are dependent on me, “who,” you say, “keep not the commandments of God; who show a repugnance to serve and obey; who are as full of pride and arrogance, as of filth and nastiness; who do not pay lawful debts, nor comply with civil obligations; who make the waiting on the offices of religion a plea for sloth and idleness; who, after I had strongly recommended them, did not perform their moral duty, but increased the number of those incumbrances which they forced on you against your will.” To this, I can only say,

1. I know not whom you mean: I am not certain that I can so much as guess at one of them.

2. Whoever they are, had they followed my instructions, they would have acted in a quite different manner.

3. If you will tell me them by name, I will renounce all fellowship with them.

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DCCCXCV. — To Lady ——.

MY DEAR LADY, LONDON, September 20, 1788.

FOR many years a great person professed, and I believe had, a great regard for me. I therefore believed it my duty to speak with all freedom, which I did in a long letter. But she was so displeased, that she said to a friend, “I hate Mr. Wesley above all the creatures upon earth.”

I now believe it my duty to write freely to you: Will it have the same effect? Certainly I would not run the hazard, did I not regard your happiness more than your favor. Therefore, I will speak. May God enable you not only to pardon it, but to profit thereby! Indeed unless you profit by it, I do not expect you to forgive.

He pleased to observe, I do not affirm anything; I only beg you calmly to consider, Would it be right for me to propagate a doctrine which I believed to be false? particularly if it were not only false, but dangerous to the souls of men; frequently hindering their growth in grace; stopping their pursuit of holiness?

And is it right in you to do this? You believe the doctrine of absolute predestination is false. Is it then right for you to propagate this doctrine, in any kind or degree? particularly as it is not only false, but a very dangerous doctrine, as are have seen a thousand times? Does it not hinder the work of God in the soul? feed all evil? and weaken all good, tempers? turn many quite out of the way of life, and drive them back to perdition? Is not Calvinism the very antidote of Methodism? the most deadly and successful enemy which it ever had. “But my friend desired that I would propagate it, and lodged money with me for this very purpose.” What then? May I destroy souls because my friend desired it? Ought you not rather to throw that money into the sea? 0 let not any money, or any friend, move you to proyagate a lie! to strike at the root of Methodism! to grieve the holiest of your friends, and to endanger your own soul! Living or dying, I shall always be,

My dear Lady,

Your most affectionate servant.

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DCCCXCVI. — To Lord ——.

MY LORD, 1782.

IF I wrong your Lordship, I am sorry for it: But I really believe your Lordship fears God; and I hope your Lordship has no unfavorable opinion of the Christian revelation. This encourages me to trouble your Lordship with a few lines, which otherwise I should not take upon me to do. Above thirty years ago, a motion was made in Parliament, for raising and embodying the militia, and for exercising them, to save time, on Sunday. When the motion was like to pass, an old gentleman stood up, and said, “Mr. Speaker, I have one objection to this: I believe an old book, called the Bible.” The Members looked at one another, and the motion was dropped. Must not all others, who believe the Bible, have the very same objection? And, from what I have seen, I; cannot but think, these are still three-fourths of the nation. Now, setting religion out of the question, is it expedient to give such a shock to so many millions of people at once? And certainly it would shock them extremely: It would wound them in a very tender part. For would not they, would not all England, would not all Europe, consider this as a virtual repeal of the Bible? And would not all serious persons say, “We have little religion in the land now; but by this step, we shall have less still? For wherever this pretty show is to be seen, the people will flock together; and will lounge away so much time before and after it, that the churches will be emptier than they are already!” My Lord, I am concerned for this on a double account: First, because I have personal obligations to your Lordship and would fain, even for this reason, recommend your Lordship to the love and esteem of all over whom I have any influence. Secondly, because I now reverence your Lordship for our office’ sake; and believe it to be my bounden duty to do all that is in my little power, to advance your Lordship’s influence and reputation. Will your Lordship permit me to add a word in my old-fashioned way? I pray Him that has all power in heaven and earth, to prosper all your endeavors for the public good; and am,

My Lord,

Your Lordship’s willing servant.

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