No. V.

ON THE WRITER UNDER THE SIGNATURE OF THEODOSIUS, (See supra, pp. 296, 300.)

In addition to my vindication from the malicious defamation of the author of Theodosius, furnished me by the narrative of Dr. Bancroft, it is now in my power to add the following testimony voluntarily offered to me by Mr. Dexter, a Baptist Minister, who was on board with Mr. Deane when he died. It will appear as follows in the next Gentleman's Magazine:

"MR. URBAN,

Canterbury, July 18.

"Seeing the extract from Theodosius in your Magazine for May last, relative to the death-bed conversation of Silas Deane, I have to observe, that, on the 22d of September last, about nine o'clock in the morning, Silas Deane came on board the Boston packet, with the captain, the ship lying off Gravesend, which sailed immediately. In about an hour's time, Silas Deane was taken ill, and in a few minutes quite speechless, and continued so near four hours, and then died. I was the only cabin-passenger then on board, and the only person perfectly at liberty to attend Silas Deane, and was much with him from the time of his going on board till his death. I am confident no such clergyman as mentioned by Theodosius was with Silas Deane during his illness, and that the relation of Theodosius is a palpable imposition on the public.

"Yours, &c.

"MATTHEW DEXTER."

In my Letter relating to this subject I intimated a suspicion that the author of Theodosius was "a clergyman of the Church of England, who formerly wrote me a confidential letter." Lest any person should suffer unjustly in consequence of this hint, I shall now say that I meant Dr. Withers, who lately died in Newgate. I am of opinion that he was the writer, because the author of Alfred and Cassandra was not incapable of it, and the hand-writing of the note I received signed Theodosius sufficiently resembles that of the letter I had from Dr. Withers.

As this letter cannot now do him any injury, (which I was apprehensive it might have done while he was alive, and for that reason forebore to publish it,) as it is a curiosity in itself, and as the spirit and manner of its composition will be an additional evidence of its having the same author with Theodosius, I shall subjoin it. That the sentiments of this letter and those of Theodosius are different will not be thought an unanswerable objection to their having the same author. I have no note of the answer I returned; but I be

Inserted in the Preface to Familiar Letters, 1790.

"July 24, 1790. The Rev. Dr. Withers, confined in Newgate, for a libel against Mrs. Fitzherbert, died in that prison of a putrid fever." New Ann. Reg. XI. p. 30. Dr. W. had been sentenced, November 1789, "to be imprisoned twelve months." See ibid, X. pp. (25) (39).

lieve it was such as did not encourage a continuance of the correspondence. Whether that circumstance contributed to his change of conduct with respect to me, I leave others to conjecture. If the author of Theodosius was not Dr. Withers, and he have any remains of moral principle, he will avow himself, and save the memory of the dead. To myself it is a matter of perfect indifference who he is.

"SIR,

"Though a perfect stranger to your person, I offer no apology for addressing you on a subject so interesting to the rights of mankind.

"I am by birth and profession a Churchman; but when civil and religious freedom are in question, I drop all distinctions of sect and party. And, without reserve, I declare that wewe Protestants--we Protestant Dissenters, have too long degraded ourselves by abject unavailing entreaties. Vile indignity, that men, that Englishmen, should solicit permission to enjoy the first privileges of human life! Should be denied access to every office of honour and emolument, unless they previously insult their reason and wound their conscience! Should be menaced with a dungeon, if they presume to utter their native conceptions of the Deity!

"But if Dissenters will be faithful to themselves, will form a committee to defray the necessary expenses, and will act with a dignity and resolution suitable to the great occasion, I promise to emanicipate them from their cruel captivity. And here I must inform you, (in the fullest confidence of perpetual secresy,) that I am the author of a pamphlet entitled CASSANDRA.* Its object was to carry Mr. Bastard's Ecclesiastical Bill through the Upper House- -it succeeded; I wrote it without the aid or concurrence of any man living, and at the hazard of prosecution. I sent a copy to the Bishop of London, and one to Lord Thurlow, solemnly declaring, if they threw out the bill I would instantly exhibit articles against the Chancellor for fornication, at the same time intimating what I should expect on the next application to parliament, concerning the Test and other absurd and oppressive acts of power. Now mark what God does, in his own time, and in his own way; how he uses the simple to confound the wise, and with the foot of a leprous man puts the Syrian armies to flight--that VERY BILL which the Chancellor and the Bishops had lately treated with contempt, as ridiculous, unscriptural, and totally unnecessary, was now suffered to pass without the slightest censure!!! In fact, such is the situation of Lord Thurlow and some other leading men, that we may do what we please. They are obviously destitute of those noble, liberal, and enlightened sentiments which characterise great and good minds. But if the Chancellor will not grant freedom to others, neither shall he enjoy it himself.

"In Cassandra you will read my heart. We differ in many points, and we will agree to differ. As to Christ, I depart from

Published by Ridgway, Piccadilly. I would send you a copy if I knew the conveyance. Shall I leave one at Johuson's?" (W.)

↑ "Mr. Beaufoy's Motion was lost before I came from the press." (W.)

you toto cœlo. In civil and religious liberty, I am confident we have but one wish.

"As the mode of swearing in courts, and the marriage of Dissenters by their own pastors, form a part of my plan, the Scotch Seceders will be strenuous in the cause. Our measures, at present, ought to be secret. I shall be happy to be favoured with your thoughts on the business, as early as possible. Meanwhile, I remain,

"Dear Sir, your obedient Servant,
"PHILIP WITHERS."

"(Address,)

"Dr. Withers, Sloan Square, Chelsea."

N. B. The Letter is without a date, but the post-mark is August 4, 1787.

No. VI.

OF THE AUTHOR's INTERCOURSE WITH THE LATE MR. BADCOCK.

(See supra, pp. 4, 275.)

As the name of Mr. Badcock, who has engaged much of the public attention, in consequence of his writing against me, has been mentioned in these Letters, and they are sufficiently miscellaneous to admit of it, I shall take this opportunity of gratifying the curiosity of some of my readers by the following brief account of my intercourse with him.

My knowledge of Mr. Badcock began by his being a writer in the Theological Repository, when I was at Leeds. This leading to a various correspondence, no person ever shewed a stronger attachment to another than he did to me for several years; and on my removal to Calne, in Wiltshire, he made a journey of near one hundred miles on purpose to see me. I was then printing my answer to the Scotch writers, on the subject of their principle of Common Sense; and into all my views on this, and every question of a metaphysical or theological nature, he entered with great spirit. He made no pretensions to philosophy, or what is usually called learning, but in conversation, and ready, animated composition, he excelled greatly. One of his letters to me I had occasion to publish in a late Gentleman's Magazine, as a proof of his attachment to me, and of his concurrence with me in theological sentiments, and Í shall insert it here.

"DEAR SIR,

Barnstable, Dec. 23, 1774.

"I received your letter with peculiar pleasure; but was concerned to hear of your illness. May God preserve your valuable life, and make it still a blessing to the world! Your being so shocked‡ at the

"A Bill to this effect had passed both Houses, when the former Parliament was dissolved." (W.)

+ See Vol. III. pp. 1-166.

Referring to some remarks on his tour. See Vol. I. Memoirs, 116.

abject superstition of the Papists was what might be expected from one whose contempt for folly had not totally swallowed up zeal for truth, and pity for the deluded. A man of mere wit would have given an outlet to his indignation by ridicule, which, in some cases, is an excellent medicine to carry off the humours which nonsense and absurdity breed round the heart. But the pious and compas sionate mind finds exercise for other passions, when the object is of such infinite importance as religion. The bare disguise of it might of itself excite laughter. But, when we reflect on what is disguised, and how serious the consequences are, the tear of pity is justly demanded; and it is a tribute the true Christian ought not to deny to his poor benighted fellow-creatures. We have the best example to recommend it; even that of the benevolent Jesus, who wept for a city wedded to error, and devoted to destruction, as the awful consequence of its obstinacy and blindness. You remind me of St. Paul at Athens, whose spirit was moved when he beheld that in all things it was too superstitious.'

"You very affectionately inquire into my situation with my people. Some give me uneasiness, and, I believe, would do every thing in their power to distress me, or injure me. I never preach upon any subject of a disputable nature. But this, with many, is a bare negative qualification. He that is not for us is against us,' is their constant language. I am obliged to avoid their company, as I always meet with something or other which gives me pain. One or two have begun to withdraw their subscriptions: and I am threatened by others with a separation. The malcontents have not number or power to support a divided interest. I have desired those who are discontented to withdraw, and leave me with my friends in quiet. But their aim is, to infuse jealousies into others of greater consequence, and thus weary me out by complaints, or drive me out by mere force.

"I saw their design most plainly this very week. I was desired to use the Doxologies, as my predecessor used to do, both in prayer and singing. I told them, I would keep to the words of Scripture, knowing that would be most acceptable to God, and safest for man. They then insisted on my teaching the Assembly's Catechism. This at once, without hesitation, I positively refused. They asked me the reason. I told them, I had not only objections to many of its principles, but thought it absurd to teach children a system of religion that contains in it many points of abstruse, speculative, and disputable theology. This positive and explicit refusal hath, I believe, totally confirmed their suspicions of my heterodoxy.

"What the consequences will be, I know not. This is my consolation, that nothing can eventually harm me if I am a follower of that which is good. I will maintain my independency, and hope never to violate my honesty. It distresses me beyond measure to think that I cannot wholly and unreservedly speak out the sentiments of my mind. I would mingle prudence with innocence, and keep peace with man and conscience; but if a sacrifice is demanded, I hope I shall not hesitate which to make the victim. I wish to be settled among a people of more uniformity of sentiment and more liberal-mindedness. It is odious to walk about in fetters.

I should grieve to see the congregation lessened by my means. If they could be united in one more universally liked, I would willingly resign, though I should have no place in view. Yet there are numbers who would grieve to lose me. I thank God that I have been enabled to maintain a consistency of character, and that I have not forfeited the esteem of one person through a defect in duty, moral or religious. With this thought I bear up, and hope boldly to meet the worst.

"I have not been able to recover any more of Mr. Wesley's letters. The lady in whose possession they were, died soon after my return from Calne. Her husband fled to Ireland for some misdemeanour, and hath not appeared since. I hear the goods are to be sold soon. If I can meet with any more of the letters, you may depend upon their being sent. As the lady before her death made me a present of what papers she had, I lay claim to those letters as my own. She said, I was welcome to any.-I beg you will not give yourself the trouble of transcribing the letters on the apparition. Take the original. You are welcome to it. Did I leave a sermon or two behind me? I wish you would inquire, and send them to me as soon as possible. I want them much.

"I communicated some account of the Wesley family to the Westminster Magazine. I intended to have continued it, but desisted from my design. I have sent it you. The Analysis upon Bonds is mine too. It was an academical maggot.

"I asked you for that amiable lady Mrs. Jones. Do not fail to let me know in your next.-Mrs. Davy begs her compliments to Mrs. Priestley. We often talk of her with great pleasure; and I am glad there is one in this county that knows her, for I am very fond of talking of those whom I esteem and love. Please to remember me to Mrs. P. and family, and always think of me in the amiable light of a sincere and affectionate friend.

"S. BADCOCK.

My respects to Mr. Williams. I hope he is well. "P.S. I have lent your Institutes to a sensible and religious Rabbi, bred at the University of Halle. He hath read them with great care, and taken curious extracts from them. The clergyman of the parish warned him of the danger of your works, and abused me for lending them to a Jew. The latter had sense enough to despise him, and told him that, as long as Christianity was thought contradictory to the first law of Judaism, the conversion of his brethren would be impossible. The parson wants to baptize him. The Rabbi said, that religion was a serious matter, and that he would be a convert in reality before he would be one in profession. He hath been much with me. I hope to be able to send you a pleasing account of him."†

A poem in praise of me, (in imitation of Horace's, Integer vitæ

"Letters concerning some supernatural disturbances at my Father's house at Epworth, in Lincolnshire," [1716-17,] from "the MS. in the hand-writing of Mr. S. Wesley." See "Letters relating to the Rev. John Wesley," edited by Dr. Priestley, 1791, pp. 119-166. See also Southey's Life of Wesley, 1820. + See Vol. XVII. pp. 224, 225.