Letters and papers; with occasional observations

Preface

In presenting this volume to the public, I cannot but acknowledge with lively gratitude the manner in which the account that I was enabled to give of the Author's life has been received. This has been such as to inspire the hope that that work may prove extensively useful, both directly in itself, and indirectly by exciting a fresh, and, in many instances, a more unprejudiced attention to his numerous writings.

At the same time I am sensible that the success of my former volume may not unnaturally produce some feelings of distrust with regard to the present. An apprehension may arise, that I have been induced to collect and print, without sufficient discrimination, whatever had fallen from the pen of one to whom the religious public has shewn so marked a regard. Such an apprehension, if it exist, can be removed only by the work itself. I feel, however, a considerable degree of confidence, that the present publication will be not only excused but approved. I do not take upon me to affirm that every letter and every paper, here printed, might, when taken alone, have merited such a distinction ; but I do trust that, viewed altogether, the contents of the volume will be found both interesting and useful, and in many parts Irighly valuable.

Before I close these prefator3^ remarks I would advert to a subject of somewhat greater importance. I am aware of one and only one use, or rather pcrvcr-*- sion, which has been made of my Father's Life, thai gives me any concern. It has been adduced, by writers not very correct, indeed, or careful in what they advance, as furnishing proof positive of the immoral tendency of evangelical or Calvinistic doctrines, (for r the terms seem now to be used promiscuously,) and of the antinomian character, generally, of those who are called professors of evangelical religion. *' We have here," it has been said, " the testimony of the greatest saint in their calendar against themselves." And it may be the more proper briefly to notice the subject in this place, because the present work may perhaps be considered as adding to that testimony.

That my Father was of opinion that much antinomian practice, in a sense which was with some care explained in his Life,^ and many sentiments tending to antinomianism, were found among the evangelical body, is readily admitted and openly avowed. But, to avail for the purpose desired, this charge, thus professedly brought on his authority, ought to mean, that this description of persons is mare antinomian than other classes of professed Christians ; and in fact that their antinomianism arises from the legitimate use, and not from the abuse, of what are called evangelical doctrines, properh^ stated. But neither of these positions is supported by his evidence. That the latter of them is directly contrary to the truth, it was the employment of his life to demonstrate. And that the former was by no means his intention, was sufficiently pointed out in the Life itself, for the satisfaction of the candid and

PREFACE. V

careful reader. *' His complaint," it was there expressly observed, "was not that persons embracing these doctrines were worse than others, but that many of them were found by no means so much better than others, as he was convinced their principles ought to have made them."'^

In short it may be justly said that he had respect to the rule implied in the interrogato ies of the Apostle, What have I to do to judge them that are ivithout? Do not ye judge them that are ivithin ? He spoke openly and honestly of the faults of those with whom he was more immediately connected, in Christian charity seeking their improvement: and in this particular view he concerned not himself with others. If, therefore, we would ascertain the comparative character of that class of persons, and the tendency and effect of their principles upon the whole, according to his judgment, we should inquire, in connexion with what he has written concerning them. How would such a man — one of so high and holy views^ and of such keen discernment of error — of its causes and its consequences— -have spoken, had he been called to report on the state of the «?i^i-evangelical world ? — that part of it, I especially mean, which brings such charges as we are considering^ And I cannot hesitate to answer, that he would have said, '' Ye have utterly taken away the key of knowledge — of the just knowledge of God's holiness — of man's real condition— -and of what is required of him. Ye have made the law of God of none effect through your relaxed interpretations. Ye have removed the true standard of duty, and substituted for it k

VI PREFACE,

an infinitely lower and looser rule. Ye are to be numbered therefore among the abbettors of the most wide-spread, though least suspected, of all species of antinomianism." That these would have corresponded with his actual sentiments will appear from a few extracts which I shall subjoin, in which he declares what he really thought of the evangelical body as compared with other professed Christians : whereas^ in the passages of which advantage has been taken, he was speaking of them as compared with the purity of genuine Christianity in principle and practice.

In a quotation, inserted in the Life,* from probably the most studied of all his printed sermons, he says, " Perhaps speculating antinomians abound most among professed Calvinists, but antinomians whose sentiments influence their practice, are innumerable among Arminians. Does the reader doubt this ? Let hira ask any of those multitudes who trample on God's commandments, what they think of Calvinistic doctrines, " and he will find that this is undeniably true : for all these, in various ways, take occasion from the mercy of God to encourage themselves in impenitent wickedness" — which is the very essence of antinomianism.

The following passages are from his answer to the " Refutation of Calvinism."

*' In populous places, where In this land, preachers of ever}^ kind are at present found, there will, no doubt, be men who adopt the wildest notions, and disgrace the truths which they profess, with the vilest condoct. They who pay sufficient attention to the subject will find that this is the grief and distress of numbers, and

PREFACE* ni especially of ministers, who, agreeing in some points of doctrine with these entlmsiasts and antinomians, (for we cannot give up the truth, because professed and perverted by wicked men,) are by superficial observers, and such as only behold the company from a distance, classed with the very persons whom they mourn over, and protest against, and oppose by every scriptural method in their power. But, after every deduction, it may confidently be averred, that the stated congregations, and especially the communicants, at those churches or chapels in which the evangelical clergy officiate, ^re by far the most strictly moral part of the established church, in respect of exemption from gross vices ; and, further, that they exert themselves in endeavoring to relieve the distresses of the poor, to instruct their children, and to forward every good work, with more decided diligence, earnestness, and liberality, than are generally manifested among their opponents. And I appeal to every candid observer, who differs from me in religious sentiments, but who has carefully compared our parishes and congregations with other parishes and congregations, whether this be not true and indisputable!"

Again : *' What a lamentable thing is it, that in every age there should be great numbers to whom this description^ in some sense may be applied ! They assent to the truth of Christianity in general, and to many of its doctrines : thej'' are not infidels ; they have a notional faith, but they are wicked men ; that is, they live in the habitual practice of sin, and neglect of their duty to God and man, and are worldly, ungodly, and

* The wicked who have faith : fiddium i*mguoru?n." Augustine.

Vlll PREFACE.

selfish, in their whole conduct. There are, no doubt, many of this description among Calvinists ; but there is at least as large a proportion among Anticalvinists ; and especiall}^ among those who oppose the doctrine of justification by faith, and salvation by grace alone. They profess to depend on good works^ yet neglect to practise them ; as if the very scarcity of them w^ould enhance their value ! Yet they encourage themselves in this strange inconsistent course of life, by a presumptuous reliance on the mercy of God ; and soothe their consciences by the idea, that, as professed Christians, they shall not be judged by the strict and holy law of God, but by some milder and more pliable rule ! What millions of these antinomian professors of Christianity are there at this day in the visible church."

These, be it observed, are antinomians not upon an evangelical foundation. He shortly after adds, on the words, '' Presume not on the mercy of God to sin" &c. : '* I may be bold to say, that Great-Britain produces no set of men who more decidedly, particularly, and constantly testify against this perversion of the gospel, and every variety of it, by sermons, and publications of various kinds, than the evangelical clergy. It would be easy to prove this by quotations : but the appeal is made to onr printed w^orks in general,"

Contents

Page.

1. Early Letters: 1773—1776, — On tb6 choice of a husband, 13 London, - - - - - - -18

On. expensive habits, - _ - - - - 22