perfection, and their regard for what they call church order and regularity, would make them fly from you; for which last the Presbyterians would not be so offended with you and your urging so strict holiness in practice, would recommend you to the Presbyterians, but I am afraid not to the Episcopalians. And your doctrine of man's utter ruin by the fall, and utter inability to do any thing for his own recovery; and the necessity of regeneration, and an interest in Christ by faith alone that works by love, and produces holiness in heart and life, &c. would be

sweet

the blood of their opponents. He happily eluded the vigilance of his guards, and escaped to England; from thence he went to France, and afterwards with his friend Govea, to Portugal. His friend died within the year, and left Buchanan exposed to his inveterate enemies, the monks. He was confined to a monastery, till he should learn what these men fancied to be religion. Here they enjoined him to translate the Psalms of David into Latin verse; a task which every man of taste knows with what admirable skill and genius he performed.

Having obtained his liberty, he had the offer of a speedy promotion from the King of Portugal; of which however, his aversion to the clergy would not allow him to wait the issue. He spent much of his time in France, which seems to have been more agreeable to his taste, than his native country. Queen Mary, having determined that he should have the charge of educating her son James, the sixth of Scotland, and the first of England, he was recalled, and provided for, till the young prince should arrive at a proper age. His success as James's preceptor is well known. When he was reproached with having made his Majesty a pedant, "It is a wonder (said he) that I have made so much of him."

On the misfortunes which befell Queen Mary, he went over to the party of the Earl of Murray; at whose earnest request he was prevailed upon to write his "Detection," a work which his greatest admirers have read with regret. After having vied with almost all the more eminent of the Latin poets, he contested with Livy and Sallust, the palm of political eloquence and sagacity. But it is to be lamented, that, like the former of these historians, he was not always careful to preserve himself

from the charge of partiality. He died at Edinburgh, in 1582. His works were various. An edition of them collected together, was printed at Edin

burgh in 1704, in 2 vols. folio. See Encyclop. Brit.

sweet to the Presbyterians, but not to many of the Episcopalians.

"Mr. Whitefield, in fewer months than one would have thought could have been done in as many years, overcame the prejudices of the far greatest part of the Presbyterians, especially the most religious, only by preaching that faith and holiness you preach; by meddling with no debates, and by the power of the Lord, signally accompanying his administrations; awakening, converting, and building up almost whereever he went, in places remote from one another. The same evangelical doctrine, of faith, holiness, regeneration, and divine influence, &c. and such blessed divine power on your administrations, managed with Christian prudence and simplicity, and that wisdom from above which is profitable to direct, would likewise overcome the strong prejudices against you and your brother.

"But Mr. Whitefield had one other advantage which you would not have at present. The sermons and other things he had printed, were earnestly read by the Presbyterians, and were to their taste; as well as the sermons, conversations, and prayers among them. And there is hardly any thing printed by your brother and you, in which I fear they would not find some thought or expression that would stumble and offend them." Mr. Wesley did not go to Scotland, till some years after this period.

It was in this year also, that Mr. Wesley began a private correspondence with a clergyman of considerable abilities, and probably of high station, if not the highest in the church. He concealed his real name, and only said, as he lived at a considerable distance from London, a letter would find him, directed to John Smith, at Mr. Richard Mead's, the Golden-cross,

Cheapside.

Cheapside. He introduced himself to Mr. Wesley, in a very candid and liberal manner; and preserved candour and good temper through the greatest part of their controversy. He introduces himself thus.

"REVEREND SIR,

"The labouring to bring all the world to solid inward vital religion, is a work so truly christian and Jaudable, that I shall ever highly esteem those who attempt this great work, even though they should appear to me to be under some errors in doctrine, some mistakes in their conduct, and some excess in their zcal. You may therefore, expect in me a candid adversary; a contender for truth, and not for victory: one who would be glad to convince you of any error which he apprehends himself to have discovered in you; but who would be abundantly more glad to be convinced of errors in himself. Now, the best way to enable you to set me right wherever I may be wrong, will be by pointing out to you, what I have to object to those works of your's which have fallen into my hands and for order sake I shall reduce my objections to matter of doctrine, to matter of phraseology, and to matter of fact."-He then mentions several particulars under the different heads, which he discusses with an open manly freedom, and a good degree of ingenuity and ability. He concludes his first letter thus, "Having now freely told you what I take to be wrong in you, I shall readily and thankfully attend to whatever you shall point out amiss in me. I am desirous to retract and amend whatever is wrong. To your general design of promoting true religion, I am a hearty friend nay to your particular scheme and singularities, I am no enemy.-If I come not fully into your scheme, it is not for want of good will,

but

but for want of evidence and conviction that it is true. I pray God to grant me all needful illumination: and and I pray you to tell me what is lacking on my part."

Mr. Wesley received this letter with the same friendliness, and answered it with the same openness and candour with which it was written. I was determined, says be, in his reply, from the time I received your's, to answer it as soon as I should have opportunity. But it was the longer delayed because I could not persuade myself to write at all, till I had leisure to write fully. And this I hope to do now; though I know you not, not so much as your name. But I take it for granted, that you are a person that fears God, and that speaks the real sentiments of his heart. And on this supposition I shall speak without any suspicion or reserve.

"I am exceedingly obliged by the pains you have taken to point out to me, what you think to be mistakes. It is a truly christian attempt, an act of brotherly-love, which I pray God to repay sevenfold into your bosom. Methinks I can scarce look upon such a person, on One who is a contender for truth, and not for victory, whatever opinion he may entertain of me, as an adversary at all. For what is friendship if I am to account him mine enemy who endeavours to open my eyes or to mend my heart." And in the conclusion of his letter he says, "Smite me friendly and reprove me. It shall be a precious balm; It shall not break my head. I am deeply convinced that I know nothing yet, as I ought to know. Fourteen years

ago, I said with Mr. Norris,* I want heat more than

light:

John Norris, the person here mentioned, was born in 1657, at Colling borne-Kington, in Wiltshire, where his father was then minister. He was a learned divine, and Platonic philosopher. He was educated first at Winchester-School, and in 1676, sent to Oxford. In 1680, he was

elected

light but now I know not which I want most. Perhaps God will enlighten me by your words. O speak and spare not. At least you will have the thanks and prayers of your obliged and affectionate servant.

JOHN WESLEY."

John Smith, for so we must call him for the sake of distinction, prefaces his second letter in the following manner; "I heartily thank you for your very kind and very handsome letter. I have yielded it that attention which I think it justly deserves; and am now sat down to give you my thoughts upon it. I shall first most readily take notice of those things wherein I stand corrected, and am gone over to you: and next I shall, with some reluctance, proceed to those in which we seem unfortunately to differ.". -But though he yielded up several things to Mr. Weley, in whole or in part, yet he pressed him very hard in one or two points of doctrine; and it is be

lieved

elected Fellow of All-souls, soon after he had taken his degree of bachelor of arts. In 1684, he commenced master of arts; and the same year opened a correspondence with that learned mystic divine Dr. Henry More, of Christ's-College in Cambridge. He had also a correspondence with the learned Lady Masham, Dr. Cudworth's daughter, and the ingenious Mrs. Astel. In 1691, his distinguished merit procured him the rectory of Bemerton, near Sarum. This living, upwards of two hundred pounds ayear, was a comfortable provision for his family, and the easiness of the parochial duty gave him leisure to pursue his favourite studies. He died in 1711. Mr. Norris published two octavo volumes on, "The Theory of the Ideal World." In this work he opposed Locke, and adorned Malebranche's opinion, of seeing all things in God, with all the advantages of style and perspicuity of expression, His philosophical errors may easily be pardoned on account of the general excellence of his writings, especially on subjects of practical divinity, which are universally esteemed. Mr. Wesley published extracts from two of his works, "A Treatise on Christian Prudence," and "Reflections on the Conduct of Human Life.” No person can read these without reaping advantage; and young persons ught to study them with diligence and attention.