1. WHEN abundance of persons have for several years laid to my charge things that I knew not, I have generally thought it my duty to pass it over in silence, to be _as one that heard not_. But the case is different, when a person of your lordship’s character calls me forth to answer for myself. Silence now might be interpreted contempt. It might appear like a sullen disregard, a with-holding honour from him to whom honour is due, were it only on account of his high office in the church. More especially, when I apprehend so eminent a person as this, to be under considerable mistakes concerning me. Were I now to be silent, were I not to do what was in my power for the removal of those mistakes, I could not have a conscience void of offence, either towards God or towards man.
2. But I am sensible, how difficult it is to speak in such a manner as I ought, and as I desire to do. When your lordship published those queries, under the title of _observations_, I did not lie under the same difficulty; because, as your name was not inscribed, I had “the liberty to stand, as it were, on even ground.” But I must now always ♦remember to whom I speak. And may the God _whom I serve in the gospel of his Son_, enable me to do it with deep seriousness of spirit, with modesty and humility; and at the same time, with the utmost plainness of speech; seeing we must both stand before the judgment seat of _Christ_.
♦ “rememember” replaced with “remember”
3. In this then I intreat your lordship to bear with me: and in particular, when I speak of myself, (how tender a point!) just as freely as I would of another man. Let not this be termed boasting. Is there not a cause? Can I refrain from speaking, and be guiltless? And if I speak at all, ought I not to speak (what appears to me to be) the whole truth? Does not your lordship desire, that I should do this? I will then, God being my helper. And you will bear with me in my folly (if such it is) with my speaking in the simplicity of my heart.
4. Your lordship begins, _There is another species of enemies, who――――give shameful disturbance to the parochial clergy, and use very unwarrantable methods, to prejudice their people against them, and to seduce their flocks from them――――the_ Methodists _and_ Moravians, _who――――agree in annoying the established ministry; and in drawing over to themselves the lowest and most ignorant of the people, by pretences to greater sanctity_――――page 4.
But have no endeavours been used to shew them their error? Yes: your lordship remarks, _Endeavours have not been wanting――――But though these endeavours have caused some abatement in the_ pomp _and_ grandeur _with which these people for some time acted_ (truly, one would not have expected it from them!) _yet they do not seem――――to have made an impression upon their leaders_. page 6.
Your lordship adds, _Their innovations in points of discipline, I do not intend to enter into at present_――――But _to enquire what the doctrines are which they spread_, page 7.――――_Doctrines big with pernicious influences upon practice_, page 8.
Six of these your lordship mentions, after having premised, _It is not at all needful, to the end of guarding against them, to charge the particular tenets upon the particular persons among them_, page 7. Indeed, my lord, it is needful in the highest degree. For if the minister who is to guard his people, either against _Peter Bohler_, Mr. _Whitefield_, or me, does not know what our particular tenets are, he must needs _run, as uncertainly, and fight, as one that beateth the air_.
I will fairly own, which of these belong to me. The _indirect practices_ which your lordship charges upon me, may then be considered; together with the _consequences_ of these doctrines, and your lordship’s instructions to the clergy.
5. _The first that I shall take notice of_ (says your lordship) _is the_ antinomian _doctrine_. page 8. The second, _That Christ has done all, and left nothing for_ us _to do, but to believe_. page 9. These belong not to me. I am unconcerned therein. I have earnestly opposed, but did never teach or embrace them.
_There is another notion_ (your lordship says) _which we find propagated throughout the writings of those people, and that is, the making_ inward, secret _and sudden_ impulses _the_ guides _of their actions, resolutions and designs._ page 14. Mr. _Church_ urged the same objection before. _Instead of making the word of_ God _the rule of his actions, he follows only his_ secret impulse――――I beg leave to return the same answer. “In the whole compass of language there is not a proposition which less belongs to me than this. I have declared again and again, that I make the word of God _the rule_ of all my actions; and that I no more follow any _secret impulse_ instead thereof, than I follow _Mahomet_ or _Confucius_.” _Answer to Mr._ Church, _page 38_.