long as I believe the Bible. I thank you likewife for your Remarks on that bad performance of the Bishop of G-, which undoubtedly tears up by the roots, all real, internal Religion. Yet at the fame time I cannot but bewail, your vehement attachment to the Myftic Writers: with whom I converfed much for feveral years, and whom I then admired, perhaps more than you do now. But I found at length an absolute neceffity, of giving up either them, or the Bible. So after fometime, I fixt my choice, to which I hope to adhere to my life's end. 'Tis only the extreme attachment to thefe, which can account for the following words. "Mr. IV. does in feveral parts of his Journals, lay down fome marks of the NewBirth, not only doubtful, but exceptionable: as particularly where perfons appeared agitated or convulfed, under the miniftry which might be owing to other caufes rather than any regenerating work of God's Spirit." p. 385.

Is this true? In what one part of my Journals do I lay down any doubtful, much lefs, exceptionable marks of the New-Birth? In no part do I lay down thofe agitations or con. vulfions as any marks of it at all. Nay, I expressly declare the contrary, in thofe very words which the Bishop himself cites from my Journal. I declare, "Thefe are of a difputable na ture: they may be from God; they may be from Nature; they may be from the Devil." How is it then that you tell all the world, "Mr. W. lays them down in his Journals, as marks of the New-Birth ?"

Is it kind? Would it not have been far more kind, fuppofe I had spoken wrong, to tell me of it in a private manner? How much more unkind was it, to accufe me to all the world, of a fault which I never committed?

Is it wife thus to put a sword into the hands of our common Enemy? Are we not both fighting the battle of our Lord, against the World, as well as the Flesh and the Devil? And fhall I furnish them with weapons against you, or you against me? Fine diverfion for the children of the Devil! And how

much more would they be diverted, if I would furnish my quota of the entertainment; by falling upon you in return? But I bewail the change in your fpirit: you have not gained more lowliness or meeknefs fince I knew you! O beware! You did not use to defpife any one. This you have gained, from the Authors you admire. They do not express Anger toward their opponents, but Contempt in the highest degree. And this I am afraid is far more antichriftian, more diabolical than the other. The God of love deliver you and me from this fpirit, and fill us with the mind that was in Christ. So prays,

Dear Sir, your fill affectionate Brother,

LETTER

J. WESLEY.

CCCXIII.

[From Mr. Cornelias Baftable, to the Rev. Mr. Wesley.] February 10, 1767,

I

Rev. and dear Sir,

Still grow worfe and worse in body; but glory be to God!

I feel it is all in love: therefore my foul delights in him all the day long. I ufe all the means I can; finding it of ufe to retain the little ftrength I have. I read the Scriptures as constantly, and as long at a time, as my voice and fpirits will permit. If I could defire life, it fhould be, that I might the refidue thereof, live and preach more to the glory of God than I have done: for though I have aimed at his glory and the good of fouls, yet I ftill long to be more perfe&t therein. I now live by faith, but I want to live more fo.

I feel a pleafing fear left I fhould offend either God or man; and I lie at the feet of all the faints, as the leaft of

them all.

I am, Rev. Sir, your Son in the Gofpel,

C. BASTABLE.

LETTER

LETTER

CCCXIV.

[From the fame.]

Rev. and dear Sir,

June 20, 1767.

ALAS! to what a poor end have I lived to this day? I am

afhamed both before God and man. And yet, with aftonishment I live and wonder before him, who does not fuffer me to live one moment without a ravishing and increasing sense of his glorious prefence. By this I live: by this I am fupported. O pray for me that I may be ever before him, as one in whom he delighteth.

I am, yours, &c.

C. B.

LETTER CCCXV.

[An Extract from one of Admiral T-l's Letters, to Nathaniel Gilbert, Efq;]

July 1, 1765.

INCE Wednesday the 19th ult. I have had ftrong im

SINCE

pressions that my fins were forgiven. I pray God it may not be a delufion. Yesterday I fweetly converfed with my Beloved, who drew me out into folitude and spoke peace to my foul. This morning I am under grievous temptations, but find my Beloved has not entirely hid himself from me. Truly I find a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me, and I find myself fo weak that I am ready to fall. I cry unto the Lord, and have confidence that he will relieve. me. I hunger and thirst after righteousness, and my heart panteth after the living God. I would rather chufe to be a poor defpifed Lazarus; tormented with all the afflictions of Job; contemned and defpifed by men and devils; fitting upon a dunghil to be trod under-foot by the meanest creatures; than fall into fin, and fit in the throne of the Sun, giving laws to

the

the folar Syftem. And yet, O my God! if thou fhouldeft withdraw thyself from me but one moment, there is no bafenefs but what my corrupt heart would be guilty of. O that the Lord would purify me, and take me out of this wretched world! But I must have patience, and wait the Lord's own time, and with humble refignation bear my crofs. The cup is very bitter, and the inward martyrdom moft fharp. But, O my Saviour, I remember thy agonizing pains in the garden, and I call to mind thy cruel torments on the cross: when thou didst cry out, Eli, Eli, lamafabachthani, to fave wretched me from the pains of eternal death. O Lamb of God, fave me in the hour of temptation, trial, tribulation and forrow!

O ye congregation of the righteous, offer up your prayers in behalf of a poor, weak brother, combating with the powers of darkness, that he may come off victorious. A flood of tears offered up, has through divine mercy, this inftant found grace for me. Blefs the Lord, O my foul, and all that is within me blefs his holy name!

HE

POETRY.

On the Death of Dr. MIDDLETON.

PART II.

E's come, he's come, in peace and power!
The agony (he cries) is past;

Called at my life's eleventh hour,
But called I furely am at last!
I now in Chrift Redemption have;
I feel it, through his fprinkled blood;
And teftify his will to fave,

And claim him for my Lord and God.

My

To-day, while it is called to-day,
Ye all my happiness may prove;
Difcharged when I had nought to pay,
I go to thank my Lord above:

Through the dark vale of death I go,
Whom Jefus to himself doth bring;-

And triumph o'er my vanquished foe---A feeble foe! without a fling!

'Twas thus the dying Christian spoke,
Conqueror of death, and hell, and fin,
While every accent, every look,
Confefféd the heavenly change within:

How patient now, and meek, and mild,
That fpirit, which could never tame;
As loving as a little child,

As gentle as a harmless lamb.

That