Apology in Behalf of Mr Whitefield, Letter 1

Apology in Behalf of Mr Whitefield · Letter 1

AN APOLOGY In Behalf of The Rev^d Mr. WHITEFIELD:

Offering A fair SOLUTION of certain DIFFICULTIES, objected againſt ſome Parts of his publick Conduct, in point of moral HONESTY, and UNIFORMITY with his own Subſcriptions and Ordination-Vows: as the ſaid Exceptions are ſet forth in a late Pamphlet, Intitled, A LETTER to the Reverend Mr. George Whitefield, publickly calling upon him to vindicate his Conduct, or confeſs his Faults.—Signed, L. K.

By THOMAS FOXCROFT, A. M. One of the Paſtors of the Firſt Church in Boſton.

Being ſeveral Letters, written for the Satisfaction of a Friend, and publiſh'd by Deſire.

LAUDATUR AB HIS, CULPATUR AB ILLIS.

BOSTON: Printed and Sold by ROGERS and FOWLE in Queen-ſtreet, near the Priſon. 1745.

Several Apologetical LETTERS to a Friend, In Behalf of The Reverend Mr. WHITEFIELD, &c.

BOSTON, Dec. 31. 1744. DEAR SIR,

YOU will not tax me with proclaiming my own Goodneſs, if I declare to you that I think, in this Day of Controverſy and Heat among us, I have both in my publick and private Conduct (for the general Tenor of it… ſtudy'd to do my own Buſineſs, and made it my Care to follow th… Things that make for Peace, with Edification. As ſaith the Scripture, Therefore the Prudent ſhall keep Silence in that Time; for it is an evil Time. Yet ſaith the true Proverb, To every Thing there is a Seaſon, and a Time to every Purpoſe under the S…:—a Time to keep Silence, and a Time to ſpeak. And in the latter Seaſon, I think, none can juſtly be blamed for ſpeaking, tho' with Openneſs and Freedom, provided they ſpeak the Words of Truth and Soberneſs; neither turning aſide to vain Jangling and perverſe Diſputing, no… bringing a railing Accuſation, as the manner of ſome is, when two warmly engag'd, and over-eagerly purſuing their Point.—I am deeply affected, to ſee the Spirit of Envying and Strife …which brings Confuſion and every evil Work… riſen to ſuch a dreadful Height, as at this Juncture: Nor would I willingly be the Inſtrument or Occaſion of adding Fewel to this unhappy Fire of Contention, which has done us ſuch unſpeakable Miſchief already, has ſo retarded the ſucceſsful Progreſs of the glorious Goſpel of the bleſſed God, and given ſo much Occaſion to the Adverſary to ſpeak reproachfully. Behold, The Tongue of Man is a Fire, a World of Iniquity: a little Member, yet an … Evil: The Tongue can no Man tame. But with GOD all Things are poſſible; yea, He is able to ſubdue all Things to HIMSELF. And 'tis my Heart's Deſire and Prayer,—that the enthroned JESUS, the Prince of Peace, and the God of all Grace, the only wiſe God our Saviour, will be pleaſed to interpoſe by his almighty Spirit and Providence, to command Peace, and to revive his Work in the midſt of theſe declining Years!—O that the Children and Servants of God, who love Jeruſalem and pray for her Peace, may at ſuch a Time as this is more earneſtly watch and pray that they enter not into Temptation; and if any Brother is over taken with a Fault, be diſpoſed to reſtore ſuch an one with the Spirit of M…kneſs, conſidering Themſelves, p. 4le…t they alſo be tempted: and not being ignorant of Satan's Devices, l…t he get an Advantage againſt them, and leſt the Sun go down upon their Wrath!—It ſhould ſeem, it can't but ſtrike and wound every tender Heart, and may well make us bluſh and weep, to hear or read the keen Invectives, the bitter Reproaches, the almoſt cruel M…ings, that are ſometimes interchanged, even between wiſe and geed Men, in their angry Conteſts: which, it's to be fear'd, generally have little better Effects, than to ſtill further inflame their Animoſities, and widen their Diſtance from one another; and to expoſe both Parties to have their Soul exceedingly filled with the Contempt of them that are at Eaſe, the Ignorant and Profane. How natural is the Reflection, "If Men ſuffer themſelves to be carry'd away at this Rate by their Paſſions, then Farewel to all the Reaſon and Charity of Chriſtians!"

I muſt freely acknowledge, Sir, they were ſuch Conſiderations as theſe, which have reſtrain'd me from bearing any Part in the Paper-War among us, of ſo long Continuance. Nor am I for War, in my preſent Undertaking; but acted (as I truſt) by the Principles of Peace and brotherly Love, with a View in particular to the ſatisfying and ſettling your Mind in the Truth, as well as to the vindicating Mr. Whitefield's Name, in Relation to ſome Things ſuggeſted to his Prejudice, in the late anonymous LETTER to him; which, I perceiv'd by you, in our laſt Converſation, had made ſome Impreſſions on you to his Diſadvantage, and I ſuſpect, to your own Hurt.—You may remember, in what Manner you expreſſed your free Thoughts to me, concerning that Performance; viz. That the Author's Arguments are concluſive and unanſwerable, if his Facts might be depended on, and the Grounds of his Reaſoning have no Fallacy attending them.—This (Sir) has put me upon a freſh reading this Letter.—And I muſt confe…s, when I realiſe the high Nature of the Accuſations here inſinuated againſt Mr. W—d, and when I reflect on the popular Dreſs the Author appears in, together with the Effect his plauſible Piece has already had on you, and the repeated Challenges I've heard made upon it, ſince I ſaw you, as if it were the moſt nervous Performance quite deciſive, and not admitting of an Anſwer; I incline to think an Anſwer due to it …more perhaps than to any other in the like Kind, that I have ſeen) eſpecially to thoſe Parts of it, that contain Matters not ſo commonly objected, and which ſeem to be the principal Difficulties, that have given Riſe to your preſent Uneaſineſs, with regard to Mr. W—d.

For I obſerve, that all the more obvious Topicks of Objection and Invective againſt him, in former Uſe, being grown quite vulgar and trite, by ſuch frequent Repetition, the Author of the LETTER has ſtruck up certain New-Lights, and invented ſome ſingular Themes of Declamation, of a ſpecious Appearance … dwelling chiefly and firſt upon theſe, but more curſorily touching on the others in the Cloſe. For which Reaſon, and becauſe they are the former, that appear of the greateſt Weight to me, as well p. 5as what you want an Anſwer to, I propoſe therefore at preſent to confine my Reflections to theſe; waving all Remarks on the concluding Pages, and paſſing over what may be exceptionable in the Author's Introduction.

The main Scope of his Letter is the Trial of Mr. Whitefield's Spirit, in Point of Chriſtian Simplicity and moral Honeſty; which our Author ſeems to think not diſcoverable in ſome Parts of his publick Conduct.—If I know myſelf, Sir, I would not be a blind Bigot to any Man, the wiſeſt and beſt upon Earth; or have his Perſon in Admiration, becauſe of Advantage, in any Reſpect: And as for Mr. W—d, I think I feel in me a proper Temper to ſee Miſtakes and Failings in him as ſoon as in another.—Nor can I but highly approve every due Teſtimony againſt all Diſſimulation, eſpecially in ſacred Affairs; and juſtify the contending for Simplicity and godly Sincerity, as an Eſſential in the Character of a Chriſtian, and eminently of a Miniſter, who ought to be an Example to the Flock. And I muſt acknowledge, if our Author carries this Point againſt Mr. W—d, he will give the moſt thorow Stab to his Name; and muſt ſhake, if not demoliſh, his Intereſt with the unbias'd Part of Mankind.—But then the Uſe we ſhould make of this Reflection, is to treat a Point ſo delicate, and of ſuch Importance, with the utmoſt Caution to avoid evil Surmiſings, and to exemplify that Charity which thinketh no Evil, which believeth all Things, hopeth all Things, for the beſt.—The Conſequence being ſo vaſt, we ſhould well conſider what Premiſſes we draw it from, that they be good and ſound and clear, a ſufficient Foundation to ſupport the heavy Concluſion. And ſurely in a Caſe, of this critical Nature and of ſo much Moment, nothing ſhort of undoubted Law and Evidence, nothing ſhort of inconteſtible Rule and Fact, view'd in the faireſt comparative Light, without Partiality, and without Hypocriſy, can be valid and juſt Grounds to form our Judgment upon. How our Author has acquitted himſelf in his Trial of Mr. W—d's Caſe, you will know my Opinion by the Sequel of this Review.

The main Thing to be examin'd into, is the Buſineſs of the Clergy-Subſcriptions and Promiſes (made at entring into holy Orders) compar'd with ſome late Inſtances of Mr. Whitefield's Conduct; wherein our Author ſuſpects him guilty of the moſt culpable Inconſiſtence, ſuch as bewrays a wicked Inſincerity, and aggravated Prevarication, to ſay no worſe,—Theſe were high Charges indeed, if brought in Form, and need very full and poſitive Evidence to gain them Credit with reaſonable and impartial Judges. Againſt an Elder receive not an Accuſation, but before two or three Witneſſes.—Aware of this, our Author therefore deals little in formal and direct Accuſations, but proceeds generally by Way of Inquiry and Inſinuation: exhibiting his Grounds of Jealouſy, and calling upon Mr. W—d to clear up his Innocence, or elſe confeſs his Guilt; though, it appears plain upon the Face of his Performance, he thinks it's the latter only, that he has any Reaſon to expect. Whereas, I am perſwaded, the Gentleman would p. 6rather have ſeen Room for the f…rmer, had he on this Occaſion been ſufficiently diſpos'd to …, which always ſtudies a favourable Conſtruction of Things, and had be with a little cloſer Attention look'd into the Conſtitution of the Church of England, the Nature of her Clerical Subſcriptions and Declarations, and the true Extent of the Obligations, in Conſequence hereof, to Miniſterial Conformity. I have had ſome Occaſions formerly, as well as at this Time, to examine into theſe Matters, and after the beſt Inquiries I have been able to make, Things don't appear to me, in the ſame …ight as to our Author. It ſeems, either he or I muſt labour of ſome ſtrange Confuſion of Thought upon theſe Things; or we muſt have a different Idea of Contradiction and Inconſiſtency; or elſe we muſt, one or other, be under an unhappy Bias of Partiality▪—Judi… Lecter.

Our Author firſt ſingles out the 26th of the 39 Articles of the Church of England, as what …e ſhrewdly ſuſpects Mr. W—d guilty of having contradicted, by ſome Paſſages in one of his printed Journals, as recited in the Letter before us. And the Gentleman, "to give a clear View of the Difficulty which he wants to have ſolv'd," contrives two diſtinct Columns, for the Article and the Extract, ſetting the one over againſt the other. And fancying (I ſuppoſe) that he now had Mr. W—d faſt, to be unavoidably ground as between two … tho' without any Attempt to put them in Mot…on) he leaves him in this critical Situation, preſently paſſing over to a new Caſe. But indeed I much wonder how he ſhould dream, that meerly theſe collateral Tranſcripts …nothing … in themſelves, and profoundly at reſt) as he has left 'em, ſhould do any great Execution; or that, even with the help of diſtinguiſh'd Types, they ſhould ſo much as give a clear View of the Difficulty, without the further Aſſiſtance of ſome ſuperadded Gloſſes, Comments, or proper Notes of Illuſtration.—I muſt own, I can't ſee at preſent any other than a mee… … and … Contradiſtinction between our Author's two Columns, without any inward C…trariety, or contradictory Oppoſition. For I imagine, I ſee a good intrinſick Harmony ſubſiſting between the Article and the printed Words; and likely to ſubſiſt ſtill, if no ſtronger Efforts be made, to give it an Interruption.

I truly wiſh, that our Author would reviſe his two Columns, compare and ſcan them with his beſt Powers of Criticiſm, and try if he can fairly make out the leaſt real Contradiction between them, in any Part, Paragraph, Sentence, Lin…, or Word. For my ſelf, I have try'd all my Skill upon 'em, and am quite at a Loſs where the Inconſiſtency lies.—Among which of the various Types in the Extract (or printed Words of Mr. W—d) we muſt look to find a Contradiction to the Article, ſet in Oppoſition to it, the Author has not been ſo kind as particularly to direct us. And as for what is in the Roman …tter, I am ſenſible of no … or Diſcord there. We muſt look for it then in the …: it muſt be here, or no where. But I believe, it will p. 7puzzle a good Genius, to trace out any real Contradiction here. Our Author indeed ſeems to draw our Eyes to this Part of the Extract, and to indigitate a ſingle Paſſage, as the Capital one, by putting it in great Letters. 'Tis that noted Interrogatory,—FOR HOW CAN DEAD MEN …EG…T LIVING CHILDREN?—But at preſent I think this capable of an innocent Meaning, and well conſiſtent with Mr. W—d's Subſcription to the Article.

You are ſenſible, Sir, that Rhetorical Figures and Flouriſhes are allow'd a candid Conſtruction in all Authors, ſacred or prophane. And why ſhould this be made an Exception, and meet with ſuch hard Meaſures? Why ſhould this be ſo amplify'd upon in a Variety of Cenſure and unfavourable Deſcant? Some objecting, that it carries an abſurd or … Alluſion, and implies a falſe Hypotheſis in Divinity, as if for (ſpiritually) dead Miniſters to be inſtrumental of begetting Souls unto Newneſs of Life, through the Goſpel, were abſolutely a moral Impoſſibility, equal to the natural Impoſſibility there is of a (naturally) dead Man's begetting living Children; ſo making all Succeſs of the Goſpel, in the Nature of Thing…, eſſentially dependant on ſome inherent Principle or Virtue in the Adminiſtrator, and … the the Holy One of Iſrael, as if it were not in his Power and Prerogative to bleſs his own appointed Means by whomſoever diſpenſed.—But ſurely ſuch a Conſtruction of Mr. W—d's Word's muſt appear altogether … and captions, if we conſider how it directly … the whole Tenor of his Preaching and Praying, ſo full in the Acknowledgment of human Impotence, the Sovereignty of divine Grace, and irreſiſtible Energy of the Spirit of Holineſs. Nay, even in the very Extract it ſelf that our Author preſents us with, Mr. W—d to make the largeſt Conceſſion … could, ſays, That GOD may convert People by th… Devil, if He pleaſes, and … He may by unconverted Miniſters. But then it follows, I believe He ſeldom makes Uſe of either of them for this Purpoſe.—And here indeed we have a … to the true Meaning of the figurative Query above; which, in a candid View o… it, can only import, It's exceeding unlikely, that GOD ſhould otherwiſe than ſeldom make unconverted Miniſters the Inſtruments of converting Sinners. This, Sir, I do and muſt inſiſt on as a natural and unforc'd Gloſs upon the controverted Paſſage, and conveys (I believe) the very Idea of the Writer. And why ſhould his Words be put upon the Rack and …, to make them confeſs a different Senſe, inconſiſtent too with the Scope of the Context, and with his avow'd Principles, only to fix an Odium upon him, as either erroneous, or abſurd, or inconſiſtent!—I can't help obſerving here, it would be the moſt abuſive wreſting of his Words, to inſinuate, that he aſſerts the total Uſeleſneſs of unconverted Miniſters, and puts them on a Par with the Devil himſelf in Reſpect of Service to the Church of God. For his printed Words ſpeak of the Succeſs of ſuch Miniſters with Regard only to the converting People; and he may conſiſtently enough with denying p. 8that, own their Uſefulneſs in other Reſpects. Nevertheleſs, he has not deny'd even that univerſally and abſolutely. And although he ſpeaks of God's ſeldom making Uſe of unconverted Miniſters to the End of converting People, and at the ſame Time ſpeaks alſo of the Devil's being ſeldom made Uſe o… to that End, yet he may be far from deſigning to ſet them on a Level, in Regard of Uſefulneſs to that Purpoſe. The bleſſed God may overrule the Devil's Temptations ſometimes, tho' but ſeldom, to ſubſerve the Ends of Conviction and Converſion; and He may ſucceed the Miniſtrations of dead Preachers ſometimes, tho' alſo but ſeldom, to promote the ſame Ends; there may be indeed no great Frequency, or Commonneſs, in one Caſe, or t'other: And yet there may be a vaſt Diſproportion between them, as to the Degree of Rareneſs, in Favour of the latter. It muſt be acknowledg'd therefore a diſingenuous Turn given Mr. W—d's Expreſſions, to repreſent them either as comparing unconverted Miniſters to the Devil in Point of general Uſefulneſs, or as equalling the Devil to them in Point of Succeſsfulneſs to the great End of converting People, in particular.

Nor can I look on our Author as acting the generous Part in pretending a Contradiction between Mr▪ W—d's Words and an Article of the Church, with a View to faſten upon him the odious Imputation of falſifying his ſolemn Subſcription,—without ſo much as letting us know in what Light he took Things, and where he ſaw the Contradiction. For this, I confeſs, does not ſhew it ſelf to me, after all my Searches and Reſearches, to find it. An Appearance indeed there may be, to an unwary and ſuperficial, or prejudiced Reader, of an Inconſiſtence between the Article, and Mr. W—d's printed Words; but yet taking both in their real Scope, and allowing them a fair Compariſon, I'm of Opinion, even this Appearance of a Contradiction muſt immediately vaniſh.

But not contenting my ſelf to imitate our Author's Example, I am willing, in the moſt explicit Manner, to ſhew the Grounds of my Opinion, by deſcending to Particulars, and entring into the very Bowels of each Column with my Examination. For Inſtance, the Article ſpeaking of evil Men, aſſerts, "We MAY uſe their Miniſtry, both in hearing the Word, and in receiving the Sacraments." Nor does the Extract from Mr. W—d contradict this.—Again, The Article ſays, "Neither is the EFFECT OF CHRIST's ORDINANCE TAKEN AWAY BY THEIR WICKEDNESS."—And, looking on the Words in their original View and genuine Intendment, neither does the Extract advance any Thing, either explicitly or implicitly, contrary to this. Mr. W—d indeed has ſaid, he believes that GOD SELDOM makes Uſe of unconverted Miniſters for the Purpoſe of converting People. However, this includes an implicit Conceſſion, that that is ſometimes the Caſe in Fact. But, ſuppoſing he had ſhewed his Opinion in the moſt univerſal Terms, ſaying, that he believ'd GOD never makes Uſe of ſuch for the mentioned Purpoſe; yet in what Shape will our Author make this to contradict the Article? For you p. 9well know, Sir, that Contradictions are always ad idem, o… refer to one Thing, and this in the ſame Reſpect. Whereas, the Article and the printed Words are not ſpeaking ad idem, but in their direct Reference are concerning different Matters: which if the Gentleman had obſerv'd, I think he cou'd not have ſuſpected a Repugnancy in the Caſe. Mr. W—d, it's plain, has his Eye in the Words quoted from him, to Miniſters only under the Notion of Preachers, and ſpeaks of dead Men's Preaching being ſeldom (and exceeding unlikely to be commonly) made Uſe of to the End of converting People: nor is he in the Opinion of a Real baptiſmal Regeneration or ſacramental Converſion. Whereas now the Article, tho' it occaſionally mentions the Word, has in the whole of it its primary View to the Sacraments: and in that Part of it where the Emphaſis lies, and on which our Author ſeems to lay his chief Streſs, by placing his Capitals here, does evidently point to the Sacraments only; which the Church of England (…'m perſuaded) does not declare were inſtituted for converting Ordinances, but deſign'd for the perfecting of the Saints, the Heirs of Promiſe. To ſuch (ſays the Article) the Unworthineſs of the Adminiſtrator does not evacuate the Sacraments▪ or hinder their profiting. The Words run thus, "Neither is the Effect of Chriſt's Ordinance taken away by their Wickedneſs, or the Grace of God's Gift diminiſhed, FROM SUCH AS BY FAITH AND RIGHTLY DO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENTS miniſtred unto them, WHICH be effectual becauſe of CHRIST's Inſtitution and Promiſe, although they be miniſtred by evil Men."—You ſee, Sir, WHO they be, that the Article ſays, Chriſt's Ordinances do not become ineffectual to, thro' the Wickedneſs of evil Miniſters, namely, Such as by Faith and rightly do receive the ſame: and to ſuch they are effectual, not by any Virtue in him that doth adminiſter, but only becauſe of Chriſt's Inſtitution and Promiſe. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt will own his Inſtitutions, and fulfil his Promiſe to his faithful People. The Miniſter's Sins ſhall not hinder Chriſt's Graces, nor leſſen them, to his People. "For (as Bp. B…v…ri…ge ſays upon it, in his Expoſition of this Article) be the Miniſter worthy or unworthy, if I come with Faith to an Ordinance, I am ſure to go with Grace from it." Now if you extend this to the Word preached, the Article muſt ſuppoſe it preached orthodoxly; and Mr. W—d has never deny'd, that the Word, …oundly and orthodoxly preached, will profit, where it is mixed with Faith in them that …ear it, tho' it be an evil Man that preaches it.—However, you can't but perceive, Sir, that it is only the Sacraments are reſpected in this Part of the Article, which our Author has diſtinguiſh'd by Capitals, as what perhaps he lays the Weight of the Argument upon: And the true Scope of the Article here is plainly this, and nothing elſe, that the Sacraments are not invalidated to the worthy Partakers, by any perſonal Demerits or ſinful Defects and Faults in the Adminiſtrator; that the ſpiritual Benefit and internal Effect of the Sacraments, as no depending on the ſpiritual State, internal Diſpoſition or moral Character of the Adminiſtrator, is not by Means of his perſonal Faultineſs taken away, p. 10or at all diminiſhed▪ from ſuch as by Faith and Rightly do receive the ſame.

'Tis a known Maxim, Occaſio Legis indicat & mentem Legiſlatoris & ſenſum Legis. The Occaſion interpre… the Article, which (as Bp. Burnet obſerves) was the Heat of ſome in the Beginning of the Reformation; that being offended at the Vices of the Roman Clergy, revived the Conceit of the Donatiſts; who conſidered the Sacraments as the Anſwer of Prayers, and ſo ſince the Prayers of a wicked Man are an Abomination to God, they tho't the Virtue of theſe Actions depended wholly on him that officiated.

Further more, This is confirmed by the TITLE of this Article; which ſtands thus, Of the Unworthineſs of the Miniſters, which hinder not the Effects of the SACRAMENTS. The Title is wont to be appeal'd to in ſuch Caſes, for the true Purport and Deſign of what follows in the Body of any Law, Canon, Chapter, or Article. And I muſt obſerve, had our Author not left out the Title of this 26th Article, I'm prone to think, every common Reader muſt have been aware of the Fallacy of the two Columns, and would eaſily have ſeen thro' the thin Appearance.—I muſt add, Nor can I look upon our Author as acting ſo fair a Part, in ſecreting from our People (little acquainted with the Book of Articles) one whole Paragraph, when he ſpeaks of "ſetting down the Article," by which one would ſuppoſe he had done it at full Length. For by thus mutilating it, he has left out what is added in the laſt Paragraph very fitly and ſeaſonably, to preventany Abuſe of the former; and what, I muſt acknowledge, ſeems to countenance Mr. W—d's Zeal againſt evil and unworthy Miniſters. The Words therefore I think proper to have reſtored, and will inſert here. The Article concludes thus; "Nevertheleſs it appertaineth to the Diſcipline of the Church, that Enquiry be made of Evil Miniſters, and that they be accuſed by thoſe that have Knowledge of their Offences, and finally being found guilty by Judgment, be depoſed."—Upon which Biſhop Beveridge has the following Remark. It being determined in the former Part of the Article, that the Unworthineſs of the Miniſter doth not hinder the Effect of the Sacraments, it is very opportunely added in this, that ſuch unworthy Miniſters ought to be enquired out, yea, and proceeded againſt according to the Diſcipline of the Church.—And Biſhop Burnet (in his Expoſition of the 39 Articles, remarks upon it) that Timothy was required to receive an Accuſation of an Elder, when regularly tender'd to him, and to rebuke before all, thoſe that ſinned; and he was charged to withdraw himſelf from thoſe Teachers who conſented not to wholeſome Words, and that made a Gain of Godlineſs.—Certainly (he adds) there is nothing more incumbent on the whole Body of the Church, than that all poſſible Care be taken to diſcover the bad Practices that may be among the Clergy.—But after all, our Zeal muſt go along with Juſtice and Diſcretion: Fame may be a juſt Ground to enquire upon, but a Sentence cannot be founded on it.—Accordingly Mr. W—d is for having all prudent Steps taken in Purſuance of this laſt Paragraph of the Article, that evil Miniſters may be inquired out, detected p. 11and convicted, if poſſible, and then ſilenc'd.—I hope, our Author won't object, that Mr. Whitefield's unconverted Miniſters and the Article's Evil Miniſters are not the ſame, and that there may be a Claſh here. No▪ for as to the Article, this muſt be interpreted in a Conſiſtence with the Reſt, which every where uſe, as equivalent, theſe Terms in Deſcription of evil Men, viz. "Carnal Perſons, lacking the Spirit of Chriſt,—"The Wicked and ſuch as be void of a lively Faith, and the like. Now theſe Characters apply'd to Miniſters, do conſtitute Mr. W—d's dead Men, do deſcribe his unconverted Miniſters. I ſuppoſe, none will think him ſo void of Reaſon, as not to allow that ſome unconverted Miniſters may be ſuch very refin'd, conſummate Hypocrites, and make ſuch a fair Sh…w in the Fleſh, by Means of an orthodox Head and regular Practice, as to render a judicial Conviction of them impracticable; and where this is in Reality the Caſe with any, that ſuch muſt be reſign'd to the Judgment of God, who only trieth the Heart, and knoweth the Secrets of Men. However, whereas he declares himſelf verily perſwaded, that the Generality of Preachers talk of an unknown unfelt Chriſt, he has therefore on ſome Occaſions opened his Mouth boldly againſt unconverted Miniſters: giving it as his Opinion, that the Reaſon why Congregations have been ſo dead, is becauſe they have had dead Men preaching to them.—Now, As to the Grounds of his Conduct, or how far his Sentiment may be juſt and well-founded, I am not oblig'd in this Place to inquire: for the Argument we are upon, calls me only to conſider, whether the one or the other be inconſiſtent with his Subſcription, and contrary to the Article, which our Author has confronted him with. And for my Part, on a ſedate View of the Matter, according to all the Lights I have been capable of placing it in, I can't diſcern the pretended Inconſiſtence, nor believe Mr. Whitefield and his Subſcription to be at oppoſite Angles. For, as to his Conduct, in preaching after a general Manner againſt unconverted Miniſters, this ſurely is rather a Proof of his Adherence to his Subſcription, as it manifeſts his being in Earneſt to have the genuine Drift of the Article, in its laſt Paragraph, faithfully proſecuted, by all due Inquiry, and Diſcipline, in Relation to evil Miniſters.

And as for his Sentiment touching the immediate natural or moral Reaſon of Congregations having been ſo dead in Times paſt, namely, their having had dead Men to preach to them, neither do I at preſent ſee any Variance between this and the Article. If Mr. W—d's Opinion in the Caſe implies any Contradiction to the Article, I think it muſt be to one or other of the following Clauſes in it: where yet, for my own Part, I muſt confeſs, I am ſenſible of no Claſh. For Mr. W—d's aſſigning ſuch a Reaſon, as above ſaid, does by no Means imply but that in ſome Caſes, agreeable to the Article, "We MAY uſe the Miniſtry of evil Men:" And indeed conſonant to this is his own Practice, as well as avow'd Principle.—Nor yet do's his ſaid Reaſon imply, in Oppoſition to the Article, that "the Effect of Chriſt's Ordinances is taken away by their Wickedneſs, or the Grace of God's Gifts diminiſhed, FROM SUCH as by FAITH and RIGHTLY do receive the SACRAMENTS." So ſtands the Article: p. 12But yet, Sir, if you pleaſe, you have my Leave to ſubjoin alſo the Word preached; and Mr. W—d's Conſent too, I doubt not,—with this Proviſ… (which you muſt neceſſarily ſuppoſe imply'd in the Article) that the Preaching be adjuſted to the Standard of Scripture, and conformable to the Doctrine of the Church of England, particularly in her Articles. For as the Caſe of heterodox or falſe Teachers is juſtly to be ſuppoſed an Exception, under that general Clauſe in the Article, We may uſe the Miniſtry of evil Men: So when the Preachers Wickedneſs lies in their bringing in … Hereſies, be ſure it can't rationally be ſuppos'd but this muſt ſtand an excepted Caſe, when the Article ſays of evil Men,—Neither is the Effect of Chriſt's Ordinance taken away by their Wickedneſs.—Nevertheleſs, where the Word is rightly preached, tho' by evil Men. Mr. W—d has never, that I can find, aſſerted the Effect of Chriſt's Ordinance to be taken away by their Wickedneſs, totally and abſolutely, with Reference even to the Converſion of Sinners. His printed Words evidently point to a partial Succeſs of the Word, and ſuppoſe it actually exiſtent in the preſent Caſe. The Reaſon why Congregations have been SO dead, ſays he, is becauſe they have had dead Men preaching to them. You …, he ſpeaks but of a partial Deadneſs in Congregations, which implies a Conceſſion of ſome Inſtances of Life among them, and conſequently beſpeaks ſome Degree of Succeſs attending even dead Men's … them.—But ſtill, ſuppoſing he had aſſerted the univerſal … of ſuch Men's Preaching, in Regard of the Converſion of Sinners, what is that to the Article, which (as I obſerv'd before) refers only to the Edification of Saints?—Does Mr.W—d any where ſay, that the Effect of Chriſt's Ordinances is taken away by their Wickedneſs, or the Grace of God's Gifts diminiſhed, FROM SUCH as by FAITH and RIGHTLY do receive them! No; I believe, I may aſſert it in the ſtrongeſt Manner, that where the God of all Grace gives to any the hearing Ear and underſtanding Heart, working in them ſincere Faith, RIGHTLY TO RECEIVE the Word (rightly diſpenſed) Mr.W—d never has deny'd the Poſſibility of ſuch People's getting the full Effect of Chriſt's Ordinance, even under the deadeſt Preacher in the World

Upon the whole, Sir, it appears to me, and I hope does by this Time to you, in a very convincing Light, that our Author's two Columns don't in the leaſt contravene one another, but reſt together at full Agreement, in a State of intire Inaction, though put by him in a militant Poſture.—You muſt allow me to obſerve to you, It is therefore a va… Imagination in our Author, to ſuppoſe that Mr. W—d, while bearing a faithful Teſtimony againſt ſome of the Church-Clergy for contradicting the Articles they have ſubſcrib'd to, is at the ſame Time but laſhing himſelf for violating his own Subſcription.—And I may now ſeaſonably expreſs my Reſentmen… of it as a groſs Inconſiſtence in our Author, that when he had open'd his Letter with the Profeſſion only to "propoſe a few Things in the Spirit of LOVE and MEEKNESS," he ſhould preſently in the ſame Page breathe a different Spirit, and fall upon Mr. W—d with haſty and harſh Cenſures, applying to him with that View p. 13Texts of holy Scripture; and this too before he would "at the Trouble" to point out the Facts, and lay Matter of Conviction before him. Nay, in this Inſtance which we have been conſidering, he has not (tho' he had profeſſed to do it) ſo much as "taken the Trouble to ſhew him wherein" particularly he ſuſpects him not "clear of Blame," that he "might have a fair Occaſion to juſtify himſelf, and remove all Ground of Clamour againſt him upon this Head." You muſt acknowledge it, Sir, not ſo fair Management in our Author to inſinuate a Contradiction between the Article and the Extract he has made from Mr. W—d, and yet at the ſame Time to neglect doing his proper Office as an Opponent, i. e. firſt a Specification of the particular Expreſſions, in which he thinks the Contradiction lies, and then arguing it out in the beſt Manner he could. This would have been Scholar-…ike. But whether from an Affection not to verbaliſe, or whether from a Preſumption that the Caſe was too plain to make many Words about, or whatever was the Cauſe, ſo it has happen'd, there's a profound Silence here; the Gentleman having totally omitted both the proper ſtating of "the Difficulty he wanted to have ſolv'd," and of Conſequence all debating or deſcanting upon it. By which unaccountable Management he has impos'd an unreaſonable Task upon his Reſpondent: putting him to this complicated Labour; firſt to ſearch critically thro' the whole for the Place where it was poſſible any fanciful Brain might imagine ſomething adverſative between the two columns; then accurately to examine and compare every ſuſpectable Paſſage, Line, or Word; and finally to reaſon diſtinctly on the whole.—It's not unlikely, Sir, this has given Occaſion for the drawing out the preſent Vindication of Mr. W—d to a Length exceeding what might have been needful, had our Author (if I may be allow'd to borrow ſome of his own Words here) "dealt fairly and openly, letting the World know his real Sentiments upon this Matter," with the particular Grounds of them; which "I can't but think became him as and honeſt Man," in an Affair of ſo great Nicety, and equal Importance, whereon his Brother's Reputation, as a Miniſter and a Chriſtian, has even by his own Acknowledgement ſuch a Dependance.

You'l therefore excuſe me, Sir, that I have detained you thus long on our Author's firſt Head of Accuſation, or Suſpicion: and allow me to ſay, I think I have given all reaſonable Satisfaction to every Doubt on that Head.—After the two Columns have been thus ſcrutinis'd in their various Parts, and … conſider'd in a comparative View, it ſeems to me impoſſible but that you ſhould ſee, all Pretences of Mr. Whitefield's having violated his Subſcriptions, in our Author's firſt Inſtance, are utterly ſuperſeded.—Nay, I hope, this Gentleman himſelf is ready now, upon cool Reflection, to confeſs Mr. W—d "clear of Blame," and to acknowledge his own Miſtake, in ſuggeſting that there was any juſt "Ground of Clamour againſt him on this Head."—But I am more confident, that every indifferent Judge, free from Pre-engagements, will be ready to acquit p. 14Mr. W—d, as "an honeſt Man, and acting a conſiſtent Part," thus far.—May he never be found acting a leſs conſiſtent Part!—And may it be the common Care of us all, whether Miniſters or People, to approve our ſelves equally "conſiſtent upright Chriſtians"! Looking diligently leſt any Man fail of the Grace of God, whether as a dead Preacher, or a dead Profeſſor;—Characters, alas, too common every where!

Thus I take Leave of you, Sir, for the preſent; adjourning my Conſiderations on our Author's next Inſtance to another Opportunity. And in the mean Time believe me to be,

Dear Sir, Your ſincere Friend, and humble Servant ******