lieved by Dr. Whitehead that his objections had afterwards some influence on Mr. Wesley's mind." I am obliged, observes Dr. Whitehead, to a friend for the copies of these letters, with liberty to make any use of them I might think proper. There are six on each side, written with ability and spirit. I think Mr. Wesley's opinions will admit of more illustration, and clearer evidence, than he has given them in this controversy. He himself afterwards, stated some points to much greater advantage. I should therefore be sorry to see these letters published without occasional remarks, by some person who thoroughly understands the subjects therein discussed. They are too long to be inserted here, as they would fill, at least, one fourth part of the volume."

Mr. Wesley, continued his labours with the same zeal and diligence, through the most distant parts of the kingdom during the year 1746. Methodism spread rapidly on every side: the societies flourished, and the people encreased in number, and in knowledge and love of the truth. At this period the Lay-Preachers were not of that class of men who have been blessed with opportunities of improving their minds by an early education, or much reading. In general their knowledge extended not beyond the first principles of religion, and the practical consequences deducible from them; Repentance towards God, Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ; and the fruits that follow, Righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. These were the subjects of their daily discourses, in which there was little variety. But such was the low state of religious knowledge among the people, that they were not prepared for any thing higher. It was absolutely necessary to make them well acquainted with first principles, and to give these principles a practical influ

ence

ence on the heart and life, before they were led any further. In these circumstances the limited knowledge of the preachers, was so far from being an inconvenience, that it was an unspeakable advantage; as it necessarily confined them to those fundamental points of experimental and practical religion, which were best adapted to the state of the people. Preachers of education, and diversified knowledge, seldom dwell sufficiently in their sermons on these important points; and hence the Lay-Preachers were far more successful in awakening sinners to a sense of their dangerous state and of bringing them to a saving knowledge of Christ, than other Preachers of much more cultivated minds. To enforce the necessity of repentance, and of seeking salvation by grace alone through a Redeemer, the Preacher would often draw a picture of human nature in such strong and natural colours, that every one who heard him saw his own likeness in it, and was ready to say, "he hath shewn me all that was in my heart." The effect was surprising. The people found themselves under every discourse, emerging out of the thickest darkness into a region of light; the blaze of which being suddenly poured in upon them, gave exquisite pain at first, but soon shewed them the way to peace and consolation. Mr. Wesley foresaw, that as knowledge was encreased among the people, it ought to be increased in the same or even in a greater proportion among the Preachers; otherwise they would become less useful, and in the end might be despised. He therefore began to think of a collection of such books in the English language, as might forward their improvement in treating of the various branches of practical divinity. He seemed conscious, that the plan of his own education, and the prejudices he had oarly imbibed against the non-con

formists

formists of the last century, had shut him out from the knowledge of many writings which possibly might be very useful on this occasion. This induced him to request Dr. Doddridge, with whom he had a friendly correspondence, to give him a list of such books as he might think proper for the improvement of young preachers. March 15, the Doctor wrote to him, apologising for the delay in complying with his request. "I am quite grieved, says he, and ashamed, that any hurry, public or private, should have prevented my answering your very obliging letter from Newcastle; especially as it has a face of disrespect, where I am sure I ought to express the very reverse, if I would do justice either to you, or my own heart. But you have been used to forgive greater injuries.

"I have been reading (I will not pretend to tell you with what strong emotion) the fourth edition of your Further Appeals: concerning which, I shall only say, That I have written upon the Title Page, How forcible are RIGHT WORDS.' I am daily hurried by my Printer, to finish the third volume of my Family Expositor. And I have unwillingly, a secular affair on my hands, in consequence of a guardianship, which calls me away from my usual business for some days next week on which account I must beg your patience for a little while longer, as to the list of books you desire me to send you. But if God permit, you shall be sure to have it in a few weeks.

"I lately published a Thanksgiving Sermon, for the retreat of the rebels, which if you think worth calling for, at Mr. Waugh's, at the Turk's-Head in Gracechurch-Street, I shall desire you to accept. I was willing to greet the first openings of mercy; and so much the rather, as I think with Lord Somerville, who first made the reflection in one of his letters;

that,

that, had the blow at Falkirk been pursued, our whole army had been destroyed.-The wisest and best of men, I know, agree to fear: oh! that they could also agree in the efforts to save! I trust I can call God to record on my soul, that to bring sinners to believe in Christ, and universally to obey him from a principle of grateful love, is the reigning desire of my heart, and has been the main business of my life. But alas, that it is so unsuccessful a labour! Yet, God knows, that could I have foreseen only the tenth part of that little success I seem to have had, I would have preferred the ministry, with ten times the labours and sorrows I have gone through in it, to any other employment or situation in life. I shall not forget Colonel Gardiner's words, speaking of a much despised and persecuted, but very useful Minister, I had rather be that man, than Emperor of the world!'

"But I must conclude. May God, even your own God, continue to pour down his blessings on your head, heart, and labours; and may he sometimes lead you to remember in your prayers,

"Revered and dear Sir,

"Your affectionate Brother and Servant, "P. DODDRIDGE.

P. S. "I presume the list you require is chiefly Theological. Perhaps my desire of making it too particular, has hindered me from setting about it, till I had a leisure time, which I have not yet found. But under the impression your book made upon me, I could not delay writing one post longer. Let me know in one word, how you do, what your success is, and what your apprehensions are. I fear we must have some hot flame to melt us."

The

The reader will recollect, that this letter was written in the time of the last rebellion, when the nation was thrown into the greatest consternation. June 18, Dr. Doddridge sent the list of books, which Mr Wesley had requested,* and the next day wrote to him as follows: "I send this by way of Postscript, to thank you for the entertaining account you gave me of that very extraordinary turn which affairs took at the battle of Falkirk.-I perceive our rebel enemies were as confident of victory as possible, just before the action at Culloden, which proved so fatal to them. A friend of mine from thence, brings word, that just as the armies joined, an officer was sent back to make proclamation at the Market-Cross, at Inverness, that every householder should bake a bushel of bread, that it might be ready to refresh the prince's victorious army on its return; which was required on pain of Military execution. The consequence of this was, that our army found much better provision for their refreshment after the fatigue of that glorious day, than they could otherwise have done. I have also reason to believe, that a day or two before this action, Lord Kilmarnock, having quartered himself and some of his chief officers, at a minister's house of the Scotch established church, in those parts, obliged the master of the house and his eldest son, to wait upon them at table, and in a profane manner undertook to say grace himself; which was, 'May God d-n and confound all Presbyterian parsons, their wives, and children and families, henceforth and for evermore. Amen.'+-It is not to be wondered,

VOL. IL

P

The letter is too long to be inserted here; it is printed in the first volume of the Arminian Magazine.

† After the rebels were dispersed, Lord Kilmarnock was apprehended, deprived of all his honours, and executed on the scaffold; but not before he had well deserved it. His son who served in the King's army, afterwards succeeded to the earldom of Errol, a title much more ancient and honourable than that of Kilmarnock.