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_.