* Give me leave, my lord, to say, you have mistook and misrepresented this whole affair from the top to the bottom. And I am the more concerned to take notice of this, because so many have fallen into the same mistake. It is indeed, and has been from the beginning, the πρῶτον ψεῦδος, the capital blunder of our bitterest adversaries: though how they can advance it, I see not, without _loving_, if not _making a lie_. It is not our care, endeavour, or desire, to _proselyte_ any from one man to another, or from one church (so called) from one congregation, or society to another: (we would not move a finger to do this; to make ten thousand such proselytes) but from darkness to light, from Belial to Christ; from the power of Satan to God. Our one aim is, to proselyte sinners to repentance, the servants of the devil to serve the living and true God. If this be not done in fact, we will stand condemned; not as well-meaning fools, but as devils incarnate. But if it be, if the instances glare in the face of the sun, if they increase daily, maugre all the power of earth and hell: then, my lord, neither you nor any man beside (let me use great plainness of speech) can _oppose_ and _fortify people against us_, without being found _even to fight against_ God.
20. I would fain set this point in a clearer light. Here are, in and near _Moorfields_, ten thousand poor souls for whom Christ died, rushing headlong into hell. Is Dr. _Bulkely_, the parochial minister, both willing and able to stop them? If so, let it be done, and I have no place in these parts. I go and call other sinners to repentance. But if after all he has done, and all he can do, they are still in the broad way to destruction, let me see if God will put a word, even in my mouth. True, I am a poor worm that of myself can do nothing. But if God sends, by whomsoever he will send, his word shall not return empty. All the messenger of God asks, is Δὸς ποῦ στῶ; (no help of man!) καὶ γῆν κινήσω· The arm of the Lord is revealed. The lion roars, having the prey plucked out of his teeth. And _there is joy in the presence of the angels of_ God, _over_ more than _one sinner that repenteth_.
21. Is this any _annoyance_ to the parochial minister? Then what manner of spirit is he of? Does he look on this part of his flock as lost, because they are found of the great Shepherd?――――My lord, great is my boldness toward you. You speak of the _consequences_ of our doctrines. You seem well pleased with the success of your _endeavours_ against them, because (you say) they _have pernicious consequences, are big with pernicious influences upon practice,――――dangerous to religion and the souls of men_, pages 8, 22. In answer to all this, I appeal to plain fact. I say once more, “What have been the _consequences_ (I would not speak, but I dare not refrain) of the doctrines I have preached for nine years last past? By the fruits shall ye know those of whom I speak: even the cloud of witnesses, who at this hour experience the gospel which I preach, to be the power of God unto salvation. The habitual drunkard, that was, is now temperate in all things. The whoremonger now flees fornication. He that stole steals no more, but works with his hands. He that cursed or swore, perhaps at every sentence, has now learned to serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice unto him with reverence. Those formerly inslaved to various habits of sin, are now brought to uniform habits of holiness. These are demonstrable facts. I can name the men, with their places of abode. One of them was an avowed _♦Atheist_ for many years; some were _Jews_; a considerable number _Papists_: the greatest part of them as much strangers to the form, as to the power of godliness.”
♦ “Athiest” replaced with “Atheist”
My lord, can you deny these facts? I will make whatever proof of them you shall require. But if the facts be allowed, who can deny the doctrines to be (in substance) the gospel of Christ? _For is there any other name under heaven given to men, whereby they may_ thus _be saved_? Or is there any other word that thus _commendeth itself to every man’s conscience in the sight of_ God?