Chapter XI: Preface (9)

The doctrines which they chiefly insist upon, are the great doctrines of the reformation: “That man is very far gone from original righteousness. That he cannot turn and prepare himself by his own natural strength and good works to faith and calling upon GOD. That we are accounted righteous before GOD, only for the merit of our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. That albeit good works, which are fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of GOD’s judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to GOD in CHRIST, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith; insomuch that by them a lively faith may be evidently known, as a tree is discerned by its fruits.” These are doctrines as diametrically opposite to the church of _Rome_, as light to darkness. They are the very doctrines, for which _Ridley_, _Latimer_, _Cranmer_, and so many of our first reformers were burned at the stake. And I will venture to say, are doctrines which, when attended with a divine energy, and preached with power, “without taking to their assistance the several arts of management and craft,” always have, and always will, maugre all opposition, make their way through the world, however weak the instruments that deliver them may be, and whatever offences and divisions about some _non-essentials_ may arise among themselves.

These are things which always did, and always will happen in the purest ages of the church. _Paul_ and _Barnabas_ were permitted not only to fall out, but to separate from each other, merely on account of a dispute that arose about taking with them one _John_, whose surname was _Mark_. And yet this was over-ruled for the furtherance of the gospel. There was an incestuous person in the church of _Corinth_, when under even a truly apostolical inspection. And to what heights the contentions arose between _Luther_, _Calvin_, and _Zwinglius_, at the first dawnings of the reformation, about predestination and the sacrament; and that of Bishop _Cranmer_, _Ridley_, and _Hooper_, many years after, about the vestments, is too notorious to be mentioned. It must needs be, that such offences come, whilst good men carry about with them the remainders of indwelling sin, prejudices of education, blindness in their understandings, and have an artful enemy always near at hand, and always ready to blow up the coals of contention, in order to raise a smoke, whereby he may blacken or blemish the work of GOD. The blessed JESUS wisely permits such things, to cure us of spiritual pride, to remind us of the necessity of looking to himself, to teach us to cease from man, by convincing us, that the best of men are but men at the best, to inure us to long-suffering and forbearance one towards another, to excite in us a more eager desire after heaven, where these disorders will be at an end, and for a more glorious display of his infinite wisdom and power at the day of judgment; when he will convince the wondering world, that in spite of all the subtlety, malice, and rage of his enemies, together with the weaknesses, blindnesses, and jarrings of his friends, he has fully accomplished that glorious work, for which he came to shed his blood; I mean the renewal of a multitude of souls, which no man can number, out of every nation, language, and tongue, by making them partakers of his righteousness, and, through the powerful operations of his blessed Spirit, bringing them back to, and re-instamping upon them that divine image, in which they were originally created.

To awaken a drowsy world to a sense of this, to rouse them out of their formality, as well as profaneness, and put them upon seeking after a present and great salvation, to point out to them a glorious rest, which not only remains for the people of GOD hereafter, but which by a living faith the very chief of sinners may enter into even here, and without which the most blazing profession is nothing worth; is, as far as I know, the _one thing_, the grand and common point, in which all the Methodists endeavours do center.

This is what some of all denominations want to be reminded of; and to stir them up to seek after the life and power of godliness, that they may be christians not only in word and profession, but in spirit and in truth, is, and, through JESUS CHRIST strengthening me, shall be the one sole business of my life. “As for all those (as one expresses it) who are for clipping the wings of the mystic dove, and for confining the power and Spirit of GOD within the bounds of _human establishments_, I am well aware of what opposition I must continue to meet with from that quarter. But blessed be GOD, there are some few amongst us that are men of greater latitude, who can think, and dare speak, more worthily of GOD’s sovereignty, and acknowledge a work to be his, though it be not according to the exact measure of _canonical fitness_.” Amongst these, I shall be sure to find hearty friends and well-wishers. And if by others of more confined principles, I am for this accounted an enthusiast, papist, or any thing else, they or you are very welcome to confer that, or any other title, upon, Sir,

Your very humble servant,

_G. W._

AN
Expostulatory Letter,
ADDRESSED TO
NICHOLAS LEWIS,
COUNT ZINZENDORFF,
AND
Lord Advocate of the UNITAS FRATRUM.

_O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?_
Galatians iii. 1.

AN
Expostulatory Letter, &c.

_London, April 24, 1753._

_My Lord_,

ALTHOUGH I am persuaded, that nothing hath a greater tendency to strengthen the hands of infidels, than too frequent altercations between the professors of christianity; yet there are certain occasions, wherein the necessary defence of the principles of our holy religion, as well as the practice of it, renders public remonstrances of the greatest use and importance. The sacred pages afford us many examples of this nature. When _Aaron_ was prevailed on by the _Israelites_, to make a golden calf, and offer sacrifice to it, what an holy indignation did _Moses_ express against him and them? When _Peter_ and _Barnabas_ were carried away with the dissimulation of the _Jews_, how openly did the Apostle _Paul_ withstand them to the face, and reprove them before all, “Because they were to be blamed?” And when this same Apostle saw the churches of _Corinth_ and _Galatia_ in danger of being drawn away from the simplicity of the gospel, what a fervent testimony did he bear against the authors and abettors of such a destructive scheme?

I mention these instances, my Lord, because I hope they will serve as a sufficient apology for my troubling your Lordship with this letter. For these many years past, have I been a silent, and I trust I can say, an impartial observer of the progress and effects of _Moravianism_, both in _England_ and _America_; but such shocking things have been lately brought to our ears, and offences have swelled to such an enormous bulk, that a real regard for my king and my country, and, if I am not greatly mistaken, a disinterested love for the ever-blessed JESUS, that King of kings, and the church which he hath purchased with his own blood, will not suffer me to be silent any longer.

Pardon me, therefore, my Lord, if at length, though with great regret, as the Searcher of hearts knows, I am constrained to inform your Lordship, that _you_, together with some of your _leading brethren_, have been unhappily instrumental in _misguiding_ many real, simple, honest-hearted christians; of _distressing_, if not _totally ruining_ numerous families, and introducing a whole _farrago_ of superstitious, not to say _idolatrous fopperies_, into the _English_ nation.

For my own part, my Lord, notwithstanding the folio that was published (I presume under your Lordship’s direction) about three years ago, I am as much at a loss as ever, to know what were the principles and usages of the ancient _Moravian_ church; but if she was originally attired in the same garb, in which she hath appeared of late amongst many true-hearted though deluded protestants, she is not that simple, apostolical church the _English_ brethren were made to believe about twelve years ago. Sure I am, that we can find no traces of many of her present practices in the yet more ancient, I mean the primitive churches, and which we all know were really under an immediate and truly apostolical inspection.

Will your Lordship be pleased to give me leave to descend to a few particulars? Pray, my Lord, what instances have we of the first christians walking round the graves of their deceased friends on _Easter-day_, attended with hautboys, trumpets, french-horns, violins, and other kinds of musical instruments? Or where have we the least mention made of pictures of particular persons being brought into the first christian assemblies, and of candles being placed behind them, in order to give a transparent view of the figures? Where was it ever known, that the picture of the Apostle _Paul_, representing him handing a gentleman and lady up to the side of JESUS CHRIST, was ever introduced into the primitive love-feasts? Or do we ever hear, my Lord, of _incense_, or something like it, being burnt for him, in order to perfume the room before he made his entrance among the brethren? Or can it be supposed that he, who, together with _Barnabas_, so eagerly repelled the _Lycaonians_, when they brought oxen and garlands in order to sacrifice unto them, would ever have suffered such things to be done for him, without expressing his abhorrence and detestation of them? And yet your Lordship knows both these have been done for you, and suffered by you, without your having shewn, as far as I can hear, the least dislike¹.

¹ I might here take notice of the married women’s being ordered
to wear blue knots, the single women pink, and those that
are just marriageable, pink and white; the widows that are
past child-bearing, to wear white, and those that are not
so, blue and white knots; and also of the _episcopal knot_ of
Mrs. _Hannah Nitschman_, (who is, I am informed, the present
general Eldress of the congregation) which is sometimes of
a purple, and sometimes of a rose colour. These, with many
other fanciful things, might be considered; but my mind at
present is too full of concern to dwell upon any thing but
what more immediately strikes at the welfare of society, and
what hath a still more fatal tendency to draw away unwary
souls from the simplicity of the gospel. Would to GOD I
could with a safe conscience be excused even from this!

Again, my Lord, I beg leave to enquire, whether we hear any thing in scripture of eldresses or deaconesses of the apostolical churches seating themselves before a table, covered with artificial flowers, and against that, a little altar surrounded with wax tapers, on which stood a cross, composed either of mock or real diamonds, or other glittering stones? And yet your Lordship must be sensible this was done in _Fetter-lane_ chapel, for Mrs. _Hannah Nitschman_, the present general eldress of your congregation, with this addition, that all the sisters were seated, cloathed in white, and with _German_ caps; the organ also illuminated with three pyramids of wax tapers, each of which was tied with a red ribbon; and over the head of the general Eldress, was placed her own picture, and over that (_horresco referens_) the picture of the Son of GOD. A goodly sight this, my Lord, for a company of _English_ protestants to behold! Alas! to what a long series of childish and superstitious devotions, and unscriptural impositions, must they have been habituated, before they could sit silent and tame spectators of such an antichristian scene. Surely, had _Gideon_, though but an Old Testament saint, been present, he would have risen and pulled down this, as he formerly did his father’s altar. Or had even that meek man _Moses_ been there, I cannot help thinking, but he would have addressed your Lordship, partly at least, in the words with which he addressed his brother _Aaron_, “What did this people unto thee, that thou hast introduced such superstitious customs among them¹?”

¹ A like scene to this was exhibited by the single brethren,
in a room of their house at _Hatton Garden_. One of them,
who helped to furnish it, gave me the following account. The
floor was covered with sand and moss, and in the middle of
it, was paved a star of different coloured pebbles, upon
that was placed a gilded dove, which spouted water out of
its mouth into a vessel prepared for its reception, which
was curiously decked with artificial leaves and flags; the
room was hung with moss and shells; the Count, his son,
and son-in-law, in honour of whom all this was done, with
Mrs. _Hannah Nitschman_, and Mr. _Peter Boehler_, and some
other labourers, were present. These were seated under an
alcove, supported by columns made of pasteboard, and over
their heads was painted an oval, in imitation of marble,
containing the cyphers of Count _Zinzendorff_’s family. Upon
a side-table, was a little altar covered with shells, and
on each side of the altar was a bloody heart, out of, or
near which proceeded flames. The room was illuminated with
wax tapers, and musicians placed in an adjacent apartment,
while the company performed their devotions, and regaled
themselves with sweet-meats, coffee, tea, and wine. After
this the labourers departed, and the single brethren were
admitted in. I am told, that most, if not all of these
leading persons were present also at the celebration of Mrs.
_Hannah Nitschman_’s birth-day.

But this is not all: I have another question to propose to your Lordship. Pray, my Lord, did any of the _Apostles_ or leaders of the primitive churches, ever usurp an authority, not only over people’s consciences, but their properties also? Or draw in the members of their respective congregations to dispose of whole patrimonies at once, or to be bound for thousands of pounds more than they well knew they were worth? And yet your Lordship knows this has been done again and again, in order to serve the purposes of the brethren for several years last past; and that too, at, or very near the time, when, in order to procure an act in their favour to go abroad, (which now appears to be rather a scheme to settle at home) they boasted to an _English_ parliament, how immensely rich they were¹.

¹ M. _Rimius_, aulic counsellor to the late King of _Prussia_,
in a treatise he lately published, I think makes it plainly
appear, that the agents for the _Moravian_ affairs, have
misinformed the parliament in several respects, and upon
the whole, treated that august body little better than
the _Gibeonitish_ ambassadors once treated _Joshua_, the
captain of the LORD’s host. To this I refer the reader. It is
written with great candour, and contains such incontestable
proofs of the many dangerous principles and practices of the
_leading brethren_, that must, I think, constrain all that
read it to say, “My soul, come not thou into their secret,
and to their assembly, mine honour be not thou united.”

I suppose it was a consciousness of this, that induced
Mr. _Cossart_, one of the Count’s chief agents, to suggest
to Mr. _Linde_ some time before its publication, that it
would be as good as three hundred pounds in his way, if Mr.
_Rimius_’s book could be suppressed. This looks bad; but I
think it was still worse in another of the brethren roundly
to affirm, in order to quiet some who were dissatisfied by
reading this book, “that the author of the above-mentioned
treatise, was one that personated Mr. _Rimius_, and that
the whole was lies.” Now they cannot but know, that this
gentleman resides in _Oxenden-street_, and addressed his
book to his Grace the Lord Archbishop of _Canterbury_,
by permission, and that he proves almost every word he
says, from the brethren’s own writings. The above-mentioned
brother was pleased to add, “that the real M. _Rimius_ was
a friend, and therefore would not write against them.” I
answer, that I verily believe he therefore wrote, as GOD
knows I do, because he is a _friend_; or to use his own
words, “from a strict regard to truth, justice, and the
public good.” And I think, if instead of adding sin to sin,
by continuing still to misguide, enslave, and put out the
eyes of many of GOD’s dear children, who, I am persuaded,
know no more of their secret mysteries and intended purposes,
than those who never heard of them at all, it would shew a
much better spirit in the leading brethren, either publicly
to refute, or ingenuously confess, and amend the things laid
to their charge. This is what GOD and the world may justly
require at their hands, and without this, I cannot see how
they can expect any future blessing from above; since the
wisest of men hath told us, “He that covereth his sins shall
not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall
have mercy.” Grant us all this mercy, heavenly Father, for
thy dear Son’s sake!

As I am not personally acquainted with Mr. _Rimius_, I take
this opportunity of informing him, that it is the desire of
many, the Latin appendices may be translated into _English_,
and the whole printed in a small edition, in order to make
it more extensively useful.

Your Lordship cannot but be sensible, that at this present time you stand indebted to sundry persons to the value of forty thousand pounds sterling; and unless some of your brethren had agreed to stay six years for about twenty thousand pounds, due to them; (though after the expiration of that term, as they have no security, in all probability they will be just where they are now) and if the other creditors also, upon consideration of some bonds given, and mortgages made¹ for principal and interest, had not agreed to stay four years, for twenty one thousand pounds more, many of the _English_ brethren, who, out of I know not what kind of infatuation, have not only given their all, but have been bound for thousands more than they are able to pay, must either have immediately become bankrupts, and thereby the creditors perhaps, not have had a shilling in the pound, or have been obliged to shut up their shops, go to prison, or be turned out into the wide world, to the utter ruin of themselves and families.

¹ The buildings in _Yorkshire_, _Bedfordshire_, &c. Besides
this, there are some thousands due to others upon bond,
and many thousands to a particular gentleman, for which the
Count has mortgaged one of the _German_ settlements; I think
it is _Marienburg_.

The distress and anguish of mind that hundreds have been involved in upon this very account, is, I believe, unspeakable¹. And the bare reflection upon it, whilst I am writing, makes my heart almost to bleed within me. Who, who, but themselves, my Lord, can tell the late perplexity of their minds, who have been already arrested, or obliged to break off their respective partnerships? Or what words can express the great concern, which Mr. _Freeman_ and Mr. _Thomas Grace_ must have been necessarily under, when they found that bills had been drawn in their name, unknown to them, to the value of forty-eight thousand pounds?² And how pitiable, my Lord, must the present circumstances of young Mr. _Rhodes_ be, who, to stop a little of the above-mentioned gap, was prevailed on, (your Lordship knows by whom,) about eighteen months ago, to sell his estate of above four hundred pounds a year, and went or was sent off very lately, as I am assured, to _France_, (leaving a destitute mother behind him) and only with twenty-five pounds, for the payment of which he left his watch, bureau, horse and saddle?³

¹ Since my writing this, I have been told of a very singular
expedient made use of by Mr. _Peter Boehler_, one of the
brethren’s bishops, in order to strengthen the faith, and to
raise the drooping spirits of Mr. _William Bell_, who hath
been unhappily drawn in (with several others) to be one of
their agents. It was this: It being Mr. _Bell_’s birth-day,
he was sent for from his house in _Nevil’s-alley_,
_Fetter-lane_; but for a while, having had some words with
Mr. _Boehler_, he refused to come; at length he complied,
and was introduced into a hall, in the same alley, where
was placed an artificial mountain, which, upon singing a
particular verse, was made to fall down, and then behind
it was discovered an illumination, representing JESUS
CHRIST and Mr. _Bell_, sitting very near, or embracing each
other; and out of the clouds was also represented plenty of
money falling round Mr. _Bell_ and the Saviour. This story
appeared to me so incredible at the first hearing, that,
though I could not doubt the veracity of the relator, yet
hearing he might be misinformed, I sent for him again, and
he assured me, that Mr. _Bell_ told this story himself some
time ago in company, and a person of good reputation of that
company related it to an acquaintance of mine. May GOD grant
him and all others who have been undesignedly concerned, a
more sure and stable prop for their faith, even his own word,
in which he causes his people to trust! then, and not till
then, even upon the greatest emergency, they may without
any fanciful representations, boldly say, “Who art thou,
O great mountain? before the LORD JESUS, our all conquering
_Zerubbabel_, thou shalt become a plain.”

² This Mr. _Grace_ told me himself in public company; he and
Mr. _Freeman_ do live in _Throgmorton-street_.

³ The case of this Mr. _Rhodes_ is very singular. He was of
mean birth and occupation, but upon the unexpected falling
of many lives, became suddenly possessed of an estate of
above four hundred pounds a year; and to serve the brethren,
after many importunities, he was induced to dispose of it.
Mr. _Lee_ the banker purchased it, and Messrs. _Freeman_
and _Grace_ received six thousand pounds of the money
towards what was due to them: besides this, Mr. _Rhodes_ was
bound for many thousands more. This made him very uneasy,
and fearing the consequence, he one afternoon, about ten
weeks ago, stole an interview with two single brethren,
and beseeched them, for CHRIST’s sake, to let him have
twenty-five pounds, for the payment of which he left them
his watch, bureau, horse and saddle. He then took his leave,
saying, in all probability he should never see them any more,
and having nothing to spare to leave behind for his poor
mother, (who I hear is since dead) was content to send her a
few parting lines: since he has been gone, the horse, watch,
bureau and saddle were sold for twenty-seven pounds three
shillings; so that the young man has the balance in bank.
GOD grant, that this may prove the last person that may be
imposed on in this way!

These are but a few instances, my Lord, amongst many; indeed too too many, that might be given. The brethren’s agents, and those concerned with them, can best tell what horrid equivocations, untruths and low artifices have been used, to procure money, at high interest, wherever it was to be had, in order to keep up the brethren’s credit; and in that poor lame manner, it hath been kept up for a considerable time. Was the whole scene to be opened, I believe every one would be of opinion, that such an ecclesiastical project, never was heard of before, in any part of his Majesty’s dominions.

Of this, my Lord, the _Royal-Exchange_ hath long since rung; and if the same part hath been acted abroad,¹ how many families must have been ruined there, and how many more may be yet ruined, in order to fill up the present _English_ chasm; and consequently, what loads of guilt must needs lie at the door of somebody? Surely, the LORD of all Lords, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and who requires truth in the inward parts, will one day or other visit for these things, by bringing to light the hidden things of darkness, and thereby making manifest the counsels of the heart.

¹ It appears too plain from Mr. _Rimius_ that this hath been
the case. And no wonder, since he quotes this assertion of
the Count’s from his own writings, “The œconomists of the
society may say to a young rich man, either give us all thou
hast, or get thee gone.”

I need not inform your Lordship, that _Babels_ are generally suffered to be built pretty high, before GOD comes down to confound the language of the builders. If knaves are employed (as commonly they are) GOD’s honour is concerned to discover them. And if any of his own children are undesignedly drawn in, (which is frequently the case) he, who hath promised not to suffer them to be tempted above what they are able to bear, will in mercy, some way or other, rebuke the tempter, and make a way for them to escape. It is true, this, in public concerns, may sometimes expose them to a little worldly contempt, and for a while they may seemingly be crushed under the rubbish of the fallen fabric, but even this shall work together for their good; and happy will it be for them, if after all, they at length learn this important lesson, “That it is dangerous, upon any pretence whatsoever, to go from the written word, or give up their consciences to the guidance of any man, or body of men under heaven.” This, your Lordship well knows, is what weak and unstable souls are too apt to do; and artful and designing men, who are fond of power, especially if naturally they are of an ambitious turn of mind, easily catch at the pleasing bait. But honesty, my Lord, will be found to be the best policy after all; and therefore, GOD forbid that any who call themselves the followers of the Lamb, should glory in any thing save the cross of CHRIST.

At present, I shall add no more, but earnestly say _amen_, to that part of the brethren’s litany, however exceptionable in other respects, “From untimely projects, and from unhappily becoming great, keep us our good LORD and GOD!” And I as heartily pray, that the glorious JESUS may prosper all that is right, and give grace to correct and amend all that is wrong, among all his people of all denominations. I subscribe myself, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WHITEFIELD.

A SHORT
ADDRESS
TO
Persons of all Denominations,
OCCASIONED BY THE
Alarm of an Intended INVASION, in the Year 1756.

_I also will shew my Opinion._
Job xxxii. 10.

A SHORT
ADDRESS, &c.

_Men, Brethren, and Fathers_,

THOUGH so many alarming warnings, pathetic exhortations, and suitable directions, have already been given both from the press and pulpit, by way of preparatives to our late public day of humiliation; yet should one, who is less than the least of all his brethren, now that solemnity is over, presume to trouble his dear countrymen with a _short address_, by way of supplement to what hath already been offered; it is to be hoped, none will be so unkind as to look upon it as altogether superfluous and needless, much less, be so ungenerous as to censure it as proceeding from the pride and naughtiness of his heart. But should this be the case, I shall make no other apology (as I think there needs no other) than that which _David_ the youngest of the sons of _Jesse_ made long ago upon a like occasion, “Is there not a cause?”

An insulting, enraged, and perfidious enemy is now advancing nearer and nearer to the _British_ borders. Not content with invading and ravaging our rightful Sovereign King _George_’s dominions in _America_, our popish adversaries have now the ambition to attempt, at least to threaten, an invasion of _England_ itself; hoping, no doubt, thereby, not only to throw us into confusion at home, but also to divert us from more effectually defeating their malicious designs abroad. That such a design (however chimerical it may seem) is now actually on foot, the _royal proclamation_ lately issued forth, renders indisputable. Which proclamation, as it plainly bespeaks his Majesty’s paternal care, doth at the same time loudly call upon all his faithful and loving subjects, not only to stand upon their guard, but also to exert their utmost efforts, in dependance on divine protection, to prevent and render abortive such an unjust and daring enterprize.

Blessed be GOD! as a professing, though sinful people, we have lately taken one effectual step towards bringing about such a salutary end.

In obedience to a call from the throne, we have been humbling ourselves in the most public and solemn manner before the most high GOD. And it is to be hoped, that the many tears which were that day shed, and the thousands and thousands of prayers that were then offered up, have long since been regarded by, and entered into the ears of the LORD of ♦Sabaoth. Infidels may perhaps laugh, and make themselves merry with such an insinuation; but serious people (and to such in a more peculiar manner is this address directed) will account it no ways enthusiastic to affirm, that solemn humiliations, whether performed by public communities in general, or individuals in particular, have always met with such a divine acceptance, as to obtain at least a reprieve from, if not a total removal of, the threatened evil. The deferring of an impending judgment, only upon the hypocritical, but public humiliation of a wicked _Ahab_; The mature and providential deliverance of the _Jewish_ people from the cruel plot of an ambitious _Haman_, for which queen _Esther_, _Mordecai_, and the other distressed _Jews_ sought so earnestly by public fasting and prayer: And what is yet more, the total and entire suspension of the destruction of _Nineveh_, that exceeding great city, (though so peremptorily denounced) upon the fasting, praying, and repenting of the king, nobles and commons, at the preaching of _Jonah_. These, not to mention many more that might be adduced from sacred story, are most pregnant, and, at the same time, very encouraging proofs, that they that humble themselves, shall in GOD’s due time be exalted; and therefore, as a nation, we may boldly infer, that the righteous LORD, who delights to shew himself strong in behalf of those who are of an upright heart, will favour, plead, and vindicate our righteous cause.

♦ “Sabbaoth” replaced with “Sabaoth”

I am very sensible, that artful insinuations have been industriously published, in order to lay all the blame of this war upon us. But bold assertions and solid proofs are two different things; for it is plain, beyond all contradiction, that the _French_, fond of rivalling us both at home and abroad, have most unjustly invaded his Majesty’s dominions in _America_; and have also, by the most vile artifices and lies, been endeavouring to draw the six nations of _Indians_ from our interest; in short, almost all their proceedings ever since the late treaty of _Aix la Chapelle_, have been little else than preparations for, or a tacit declaration of war. But he that sitteth in heaven, as we may humbly hope, laughs them to scorn; and, as he once defeated the counsel of _Achitophel_, and came down to confound the language of those aspiring projectors who would fain have built a tower, the top of which should reach even to heaven; so we trust (whatever dark providences may intervene) that he will in the end frustrate the devices of our adversary’s most subtle politicians, and speak confusion to all their projects; who, by aiming at universal monarchy, are more than attempting to erect a second _Babel_.

I have heard, or read somewhere of a _Turkish_ General, who, being called to engage with a christian army that had broken through the most solemn ties, stood up at the head of his troops, and then drawing the treaty which they had broken, out of his bosom, and holding it up in the air, thus addressed the throne of heaven: “O almighty Being, if thou art, as they say, thou art, these christians GOD, thou lovest what is right, and hateth perfidy; look down therefore and behold this treaty which they have broken; and, as thou canst not favour what is wrong, render their arms, O GOD, successless, and make mine victorious.” He ended; immediately the sword was drawn. The two parties vigorously engaged, and the perfidious christians were beaten off the field. Thus may our protestant Generals, or at least their Chaplains, deal with our enemy’s forces, in respect to the treaty of _Aix la Chapelle_. They, not we, have broken it. They, not we, have been the aggressors: and therefore, notwithstanding we are looked upon as _heretics_, and they fight under the banner of one who stiles himself _His most Christian Majesty_; a righteous GOD, we trust, in answer to prayer, will humble _France_, and make the _British_ arms both by sea and land, more than conquerors through his love. It is true (and GOD knows with grief of heart I speak it) praying is become too unfashionable amongst our people in general, and among our military men in particular; but wherein the piety, and consequently the true policy, of such a ♦procedure consists, I believe will be very difficult to determine. If we have recourse to _Rollin_’s ancient history, I believe we shall find, that neither _Darius_, _Cyrus_, _Alexander_, nor indeed scarce any of the _Egyptian_, _Grecian_, _Persian_, or _Roman_ Generals, ever undertook any hazardous enterprize, without making some public acknowledgment of a deity. And if we consult that _history of histories_, that too much neglected book (as Sir _Richard Steel_ expresses himself) emphatically called the SCRIPTURES, we may always remark, that those heroic worthies, who by faith subdued kingdoms, and put to flight the armies of the aliens, were _men of prayer_ as well as men of _valour_. And if our researches descend down to our own annals, we shall soon be satisfied, that the _British_ arms were never more formidable, than when our soldiers went forth in the strength of the LORD; and with a bible in one hand, and a sword in the other, chearfully fought under his banner who hath condescended to stile himself “a man of war.”

♦ “proceedure” replaced with “procedure”

Such an appellation as this, methinks, may sufficiently justify the lawfulness of bearing arms, and drawing the sword in defence of our civil and religious liberties. For if GOD himself is pleased to stile himself a man of war, surely in a just and righteous cause (such as the _British_ war at present is) we may as lawfully draw our swords, in order to defend ourselves against our common and public enemy, as a civil magistrate may sit on a bench, and condemn a public robber to death. Our excellent reformers, sensible of this, in the thirty-second article of our church, after having declared “that the laws of the realm may punish christian men with death for heinous offences;” immediately subjoins, “that it is lawful for christian men, at the commandment of the magistrate, to wear weapons and serve in the wars.” And therefore, what Bishop ♦_Sanderson_ says of study, may be likewise said of fighting: “fighting without prayer is atheism, and prayer without fighting is presumption.” And I would be the more particular on this point, because through a _fatal scrupulosity_ against bearing arms, even in a defensive war, his Majesty hath been, and is not yet out of danger of losing that large, extensive, and but lately most flourishing province of _Pensylvania_, the very centre and garden of all _North America_. But whilst I see such very scrupulous persons grasping at every degree of worldly power, and by all the arts of worldly policy labouring to monopolize, and retain in their own hands all parts both of the legislative and executive branches of civil government; to speak in the mildest terms, we may honestly affirm, that they certainly act a most inconsistent, and if not prevented here at home, to thousands of their neighbours, I fear a very fatal part. For, say what we will to the contrary, if we search to the bottom of things, we may soon be convinced, that civil magistracy and defensive war must stand or fall together. Both are built upon the same basis; and there cannot be so much as one single argument urged to establish the one, which doth not at the same time corroborate and confirm the other.

♦ “Saunderson” replaced with “Sanderson”

Far be it from me, who profess myself a disciple and minister of the Prince of peace, to sound a trumpet for war: but when the trumpet is already sounded by a perfidious enemy, and our king, our country, our civil and religious liberties, are all, as it were, lying at stake, did we not at such a season lend our purses, our tongues, our arms, as well as our prayers, in defence of them, should we not justly incur that curse which an inspired _Deborah_, when under the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit, once uttered, “Curse ye _Meroz_, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty?” Known unto GOD, and GOD alone, are all our hearts. Daily and repeated experience convinceth us, that the greatest talkers are not always the greatest doers. How therefore any of us may behave when put to the trial, the trial itself can only prove. But, for my own part, whatever my future conduct may be, (and I know it will be downright cowardly, if left to myself) yet, upon the maturest deliberation, I am at present so fully convinced of the justice of the _British_ cause, that supposing it should be said of me, as it is of _Zwinglius_, “_Cecidit in prœlio_, He fell in battle;” I hope, if whilst the silver cords of life were loosing, and I should be attended by any who may be bewailing mine, as the friends of _Zwinglius_ did his misfortune, I should like him cry out, “_Ecquid hoc infortunii?_ Is this a misfortune?” And not only so, but with my expiring breath add, as he did, “_O faustum infortunium!_ O happy misfortune!” For, surely, it is far more preferable to die, though by a popish sword, and be carried from the din and noise of war by angels into _Abraham_’s bosom, than to be suffered to survive, only to drag on a wearisome life, and to be a mournful spectator, and daily bewailer of one’s country’s ruin.

Awful and tremendous are the judgments that have lately been abroad. Twice hath the earth on which this great metropolis stands, unable, as it were, any longer to sustain the weight of its inhabitants sins, been made to tremble and totter under us. Since that, how amazingly hath the shock been extended! _Africa_, (nor hath _America_ itself been exempted) hath in a most destructive manner felt its dire effects. And what a dreadful consumption it hath made in various parts of _Spain_, and, in a more especial manner, at _Lisbon_, the metropolis of _Portugal_, is beyond conception, and beyond the power of the most masterly pen to describe. It is to be questioned, whether the like hath ever been heard of since the deluge. Surely nothing was wanting to figure out, and realize to that distressed people the horror of the last day, but the sound of the trump, and the actual appearance of the great Judge of quick and dead. But awful and tremendous as such phænomenas of nature may be; yet, if we consider the consequences of things, was even the like judgment to befal us, (which may GOD avert!) it would be but a small one, in comparison of our hearing that a _French_ army, accompanied with a popish Pretender, and thousands of _Romish_ priests, was suffered to invade, subdue, and destroy the bodies and substance, and, as the necessary consequences of both these, to blind, deceive, and tyrannize over the souls and consciences of the people belonging to this happy isle.

GOD forbid, that I should give flattering titles to any; for in so doing, I should provoke him to take away my soul. But surely we must have eyes that see not, and ears that hear not, as well as hearts that do not understand, if we do not know, and see, and feel, that in respect to our civil and religious liberties, we are undoubtedly the freest people under heaven. And I dare appeal to the most ungrateful and malicious malecontent, to produce any æra in the _British_ annals, wherein we have enjoyed such a continued series of civil and religious liberty, as we have been favoured with for these twenty-eight years last past, under the mild and gentle administration of our dread and rightful Sovereign King _George_. Surely he hath been a nursing father to people of all denominations; and however he may be denied it, yet he may, without a compliment, justly claim from the present, as well as future ages, the deserved title of GEORGE THE GREAT. But notwithstanding this, such is the degeneracy of human nature, it must necessarily be expected, that, in a nation grown wanton with liberty like ours, there are a great multitude of unhappy persons, who being men of lax principles, loose lives, and broken fortunes, will be so abandoned, as to break through all restraints of gratitude, loyalty and religion; and, like _Cataline_ and his wicked confederates, be fond of joining in any change of government, whereby they may entertain the most distant prospect of bettering their fortunes, and gratifying their ambition, though it be at the expence of their country’s blood. This hath been, and no doubt still continues to be, the fate of all civil governments in the world, and consequently is no more than what we may expect, in times of tumult and danger, will be acted over again in our own land by men of such corrupt minds. But how any serious and judicious, much less religious and devout person, can be so stupid to all principles of self-interest, and so dead even to all maxims of common sense, as to prefer a _French_ to an _English_ government; or a _popish_ Pretender, born, nursed, and bred up in all the arbitrary and destructive principles of the court and church of _Rome_, to the present _protestant succession_ settled in the illustrious line of _Hanover_, must be imputed to nothing else but an awful infatuation.

Hear ye, (if there be any into whose hands this address may fall, that are desirous of such a change) not to dwell entirely upon the many innumerable civil or temporal losses we should sustain: hear ye, I say, the mild and gentle language of one or his Most Christian Majesty’s late declarations concerning religion.

“Being informed, that there have sprung up, and still are springing up, daily in our realm, a great number of preachers, whose sole business is to stir up the people to rebellion, and to dissuade them from the practice of the _Roman_ catholic and apostolic religion; we do command that all preachers, who shall call assemblies, preach in them, or discharge any other function, be put to death; the punishment appointed by the declaration in _July 1686_, for the minister of the pretended reformed religion, which we would not, for the future, have any one esteem a mere threatening, which will not be put in execution. We do likewise forbid our subjects to receive the said ministers or preachers, to conceal, aid, or assist them, or have, directly or indirectly, any intercourse or correspondence with them. We farther enjoin all those, who shall know any of the said preachers, to inform against them to the officers of the respective places; the whole under pain, in case of trespass, of being condemned to the gallies for life, if men; and, if women, of being shorn, and shut up the remainder of their days in such places as our judges shall think expedient; and whether they be men or women, under pain of confiscation.”

After perusing this, read, read also, I beseech you, the shocking accounts of the horrid butcheries, and cruel murders committed on the bodies of many of our fellow-subjects in _America_, by the hands of _savage Indians_, instigated thereto by more than _savage popish priests_.¹ And if this be the beginning, what may we suppose the end will be, should a _French_ power, or popish Pretender, be permitted to subdue either us or them? Speak, _Smithfield_, speak, and by thy dumb, but very persuasive oratory, declare to all that pass by and over thee, how many _English_ protestant martyrs thou hast seen burnt to death in the reign of a cruel popish Queen, to whom the present Pretender to the _British_ throne at least claims a kind of a distant kindred? Speak _Ireland_, speak, and tell if thou canst, how many thousands, and tens of thousands of innocent unprovoking protestants were massacred in cold blood by the hands of cruel papists within thy borders, about a century ago? Nay, speak _Paris_, speak, (for though popish, on this occasion we will admit thy evidence) and say, how many thousands of protestants were once slaughtered, on purpose, as it were, to serve up as a bloody dessert, to grace the solemnity of a marriage-feast. But why go we back to such distant æras? Speak, _Languedoc_, speak, and tell if thou canst, how many protestant ministers have been lately executed; how many more of their hearers have been dragooned and sent to the gallies; and how many hundreds are now, in consequence of the above-mentioned edict, lying in prisons, and fast bound in misery and iron, for no other crime than that unpardonable one in the _Romish_ church, “hearing and preaching the pure gospel of the meek and lowly JESUS.”

¹ See a pamphlet, intitled, _A brief View of the Conduct of
|Pensylvania|, for the Year 1755_.

And think you, my dear countrymen, that _Rome_, glutted as it were with protestant blood, will now rest satisfied, and say, “I have enough!” No, on the contrary, having, through the good hand of GOD upon us, been kept so long fasting, we may reasonably suppose, that the popish priests are only grown more voracious, and (like so many hungry and ravenous wolves pursuing the harmless and innocent flocks of sheep) will with double eagerness pursue after, seize upon, and devour their wished-for protestant prey; and, attended with their bloody red-coats, those gallic instruments of reformation, who know they must either fight or die, will necessarily breathe out nothing but threatening and slaughter, and carry along with them desolation and destruction in all its various shapes and tortures, go where they will.

But I humbly hope, vile as we are, a gracious, long-suffering and merciful GOD, will not suffer us to fall into their blood-thirsty and cruel hands. He hath formerly most remarkably interposed in _England_’s favour; and why should we in the least doubt, but that he will again reveal his omnipotent arm, and make our extremity to be his opportunity, to help and defend us, against such threatening and unjust invaders? Invincible as the _Spanish_ armada was supposed to be, and all-powerful as the Pope, under whose broad seal they acted, might boast he was in heaven or hell, it is plain he had no power over the water. “For thou didst blow, O LORD, with thy wind, and the enemy was scattered.” And is not this GOD the same now as he was yesterday? And will he not continue the same for ever? Of whom then should the inhabitants of _Great Britain_ be afraid? Blessed be GOD, if we look to second causes, we have a glorious fleet, brave admirals, a well-disciplined army, experienced officers, and, if occasion should require, thousands and thousands of hearty voluntiers, with a _Royal Hero_, who hath once been made happily instrumental to save his country from impending ruin, if not Majesty itself prepared to head them. And if by fasting from as well as for sin, and by flying, through a living faith, to the merits of a dying, risen, ascended and interceding Mediator, we can but make GOD our friend, we need not fear what _France_ and _Rome_, and _Hell_, with all their united force, can do unto, or plot against us. The way of duty is the way of safety, And if we are but found in the due use of proper means, we may confidently leave the issue and event of things with GOD. Be that event what it will (and I trust it will be a prosperous one) we have a divine authority to say unto the righteous, it shall be well with them. GOD’s own people, amidst all the wars and rumours of wars, may rest secure; for they not only dwell under the shadow of the most High, but have his own royal word for it, that all things shall work together for their good. And not only so, but they may be fully assured, that all the malicious efforts and designs of men and devils shall be so far from obstructing, that, on the contrary, through the sure, though secret hand of an ever-watchful, over-ruling, and omnipotent providence, they shall at present, (howbeit they think not so) be made not only to subserve the present further enlargement of his interests, who, in spight of all the strivings of the potsherds of the earth, will hold the balance of UNIVERSAL MONARCHY in his own hands; but at last shall terminate in the full and compleat establishment and perfection of that blessed kingdom, whose law is truth, whose king is love, and whose duration is eternity. _Fiat! Fiat!_ Amen and Amen.

A
PREFACE
TO THE
SERIOUS READER,
On Behalf of
The Rev. SAMUEL CLARKE’s Edition of the BIBLE.

A
PREFACE, &c.

WHEN _Philip_ the Evangelist was commanded by the Holy Spirit, to go near and join himself to the chariot of a _man of Ethiopia_, and found him reading _Esaias_ the prophet, we are told, _Acts_ viii. verse 30. that he introduced himself with this question, “Understandest thou what thou readest?” The _Ethiopian_, though an eunuch, a person of great authority under Queen _Candace_, instead of being offended at this seeming impertinence, mildly answered, verse 31. “How can I, except some man guide me?” And as a proof of his willingness to be guided, he desires _Philip_ that he would come up and sit with him. Upon which, as we are further informed, verse 35. “_Philip_ opened his mouth and began at the same scripture,” which the eunuch was then providentially reading, “and preached unto him JESUS.” An instructive passage this! Not merely as it shews us, that the greatest personages ought not to think themselves above perusing GOD’s lively oracles; but also as it points out to us that teachable and child-like disposition, with which all ought to come to the reading of them; as well as the care which the Holy Spirit of GOD takes, to furnish such as have a mind to do his will, with proper instructors, that they may know it. “The meek will he guide in his way.”