SOME REMARKS Upon a late CHARGE against ENTHUSIASM,
Delivered by
The Right Reverend Father in GOD, RICHARD, Lord Bishop of _Litchfield_ and _Coventry_, to the Reverend the CLERGY in the several parts of the Diocess of _Litchfield_ and _Coventry_, in a _Triennial Visitation_ of the same in 1741; and published at their request in the present Year 1744.
In a LETTER to the Rev. the CLERGY of that Diocess.
Matthew xi. 25, 26. _At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight._
TO The Reverend the CLERGY Of the Diocess of LITCHFIELD and COVENTRY.
On Board the _Wilmington_, Captain _Darling_, _September 20, 1744_.
_Reverend Brethren_,
AS you profess to know the scriptures, I need not inform you, that the character of _young Elihu_ shines in the 32d chapter of the book of _Job_ with a superior lustre, above that of his other three friends who came to converse with him. The humility and modesty wherewith he first addresses himself to them is peculiarly amiable. “I am young, says he, and ye are very old, wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you my opinion. I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.” But knowing by experience, that “great men are not always wise, neither do the aged understand judgment, he said, Hearken unto me, and I also will shew my opinion.” And that they might not censure him for rashness in speaking, he assures them, verses 11, and 12. that he had well weighed the matter before he broke silence. “Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst you searched out what to say. Yea, I attended unto you; and behold there was none of you that convinced _Job_, or that answered his words.” And that they might not be offended at his plain speaking, or expect that he would be over-awed from delivering his soul, by their superiority in age, learning, or circumstances of life, in the two last verses of the chapter, he boldly, but honestly tells them what they were to expect from him. “Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man, for I know not to give flattering titles: In so doing my Maker would soon take me away.” And it is very remarkable, that though we are told this young man’s wrath was kindled against _Job_ and his three friends, verses 2 and 3. and though (as it appears from the ensuing chapters) he spoke very close and cutting things, yet at the end of the book, we find no blame laid on him by the great heart-searching GOD; whereas the other three are severely reproved, and commanded to apply to _Job_ for the benefit of his prayers.
Animated by, and willing to copy after so bright an example, I now sit down to write you this letter; in which I would beg leave to make some remarks on your Right Reverend Diocesan’s late _charge against enthusiasm_. Had I continued in my native country, I should have taken the freedom to have written to his Lordship himself; but as I heard that he was very aged, and probably before this could reach _England_, might be called to give up his account to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, I thought it most advisable to direct this letter to you, at whose request, as appears by the title-page, this charge was printed.
It is not my design to enter upon a critical examination of every paragraph. I would observe in general, that his Lordship’s main design, from the beginning to the end of it, is, to prove “that the indwelling and inward witnessing of the Spirit in believers hearts (if there were ever any such things at all) as also praying and preaching by the Spirit, are all the _extraordinary gifts_ and operations of the Holy Ghost, belonging only to the apostolical and primitive times, and consequently all pretensions to such favours in these last days are vain and enthusiastical.” In order to evince this, his Lordship selects several passages of holy writ, which, in his opinion, are misapplied by those whom his Lordship is pleased to stile _modern enthusiasts_, and undertakes to shew, page 11th, “that they are to be interpreted chiefly, if not only, of the state of the apostolical and primitive church, and that they very little, if at all, relate to the present state of christians.” Whether or not his Lordship hath succeeded in his undertaking, will best appear by a candid and impartial review thereof.