[The life of the Rev. John de la Flechere, compiled from the narratives of the Rev. Mr. Wesley]

Front matter

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E PRESENTED BY I B »d MRS. ISAAC R. HIT,

Preface

TO

THE SECOND EDITION.

— —

The Editor is aware that he must chiefly ascribe it to the high esteem entertained by the public in general, and by the members of the Methodist Societies in particular, for the character of the late Rev. Mr. Fletcher, and the great veneration in which his memory is held by them, that the former impression of this work has had so rapid a sale, and that a second edition is so soon called for. He is, however, happy to find, by the testimonies he has received from different quarters, that the manner in which he has been enabled to execute his office of compiler, has been highly satisfactory to Mr. Fletcher's friends, and to the readers of the publication in general.

It is true, the Editors of a periodical work, termed the " Christian Observer," have represented it as an imperfection in his mode of compilation, that he did not " weave the whole of his materials into a completely new work." But this, he must observe, was not the task assigned him ; nor would he, if desired, have consented to undertake it, well knowing, both that it would require more time than he could have spared from his other, not less important employ-

VI PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

merits, and that the work would gain nothing thereby in point of real usefulness. For he was well persuaded, that he could not express the same things in his own words, so well as the Rev. Mess. Wesley and Gilpin had expressed them, nor clothe the materials furnished by these truly pious and learned writers in more pure, elegant, and forcible language, than they had used. He knew therefore, that to have pursued the plan the conductors of that Miscellany have suggested, would not have rendered the work more interesting, or more instructive to the reader, or in any respect better calculated to answer the great and important ends of religious biography, which are not to gain honour and applause to the writer; but rather to excite and animate the reader to greater zeal and diligence in pursuit of whatever excellence might be described or exemplified in the subject of it. Add to this, he was sensible it was not the wish of any of the parties by whom he was pressed into this service, that the narratives of Mess. Wesley and Gilpin should be superseded and lost sight of. He knew it was rather their desire, that these well written, though incomplete accounts, should be brought forward afresh into public view, preserved and perpetuated, by being incorporated in one volume, with such other materials as might be collected ; thereby furnishing the public with such a clear and full history of that incomparable man, as might be of lasting use to the Church of Christ, and a mean of edification to thousands yet unborn.

But " the natural consequence of this mode of compilation," say they, " is, that the work is defective in

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. vii

clearness and uniformity, and that it is occasionally prolix and redundant." As to prolixity and redundance, the Editor is under no concern. The persons for whose use chiefly he undertook to compile this volume, have such veneration for the memory of Mr, Fletcher, that any information concerning him that is authentic, and at all instructive, or calculated to cast light upon his character, is peculiarly welcome ; although, to readers less apprized of his worth, it might appear unnecessary, or even superfluous. Under a persuasion of this, at the same time that the Editor has corrected two or three unimportant mistakes, inadvertently made in the former impression, he has enlarged the narrative still more in the present publication, by inserting several anecdotes, original letters, and other communications which had not come to hand when his manuscript for the first edition was sent to the press.

But as to this point of prolixity, the Christian Observers themselves have formed his apology. " It is but fair to observe (say they) as to this volume, that, as it was evidently intended chiefly for the perusal of the followers of Mr. Wesley, who are almost universally great admirers of Mr. Fletcher, the Editor might not think it necessary to pay so much regard, in the construction of his work, to perspicuity of arrangement and elegance of manner as to the minuteness of his details, and the abundance of his matter." This statement, bating the unmerited insinuation contained in it against the followers of Mr. W. as persons who have less taste than their neighbours for order and elegance in composition, the

VIII PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

Editor acknowledges to be pretty near the truth. He owns he did pay, and thought it his duty to pay, much more attention to the matter than to the form and manner of his work. He paid, however, considerable attention to the latter also, and ventures to say, while it has all the elegance which the fine pens of Mess. Gilpin, Wesley, and Fletcher could give it, the greatest part of its contents being expressed in their words, it has all the perspicuity and clearness which " an arrangement according to the date of the events" could bestow, — an arrangement which these Observers themselves acknowledge to have been attended to.

As to uniformity, it has what is quite sufficient for a work of the kind ; an uniformity, not indeed of language, the simple and laconic style of Mr. Wesley differing very materially from the diffuse and florid manner of Mr. Gilpin, and the copiousness of Mr. Fletcher; but what is infinitely more important, an uniformity of testimony, respecting the amiable and excellent subject of the narrative, and that blessed Gospel which he preached, which he lived, and which his most eminent gifts and graces highly adorned. It is also uniform as to its design, and it is hoped, that all its parts co-operate to produce the important effect intended, and that is, to induce every reader to follow Mr. Fletcher, as he followed Christ.

In short, the Editor believes that he has pursued the best plan which he could have chosen, in order to trace, exhibit, and attest, from the mouths of different witnesses, Mr. Fletcher's character and con-

Preface To The Second Edition

duct through every period of his life ; and to give the reader at once a clear and full view of his progressive wisdom, piety, and usefulness, and especially of that heavenly and divine mind, whereby he was prepared for the great and glorious reward awaiting him in the kingdom of his Father.

Referring the reader to the Appendix annexed to this edition, for an answer to some, he thinks, unkind and illiberal remarks, contained in the fore-mentioned publication, on these two most eminently useful men, the Rev. Mess. Wesley and Fletcher, and on the Methodists in general ; — as a proper contrast to their critique, and a confirmation of the observations just made, the Editor will now take the liberty of laying before the reader the judgment passed upon this work, by the conductors of two other periodical publications. Although no followers of Mr. Wesley, but persons of very different sentiments, as to some important points of Christian doctrine, nevertheless they could not close their eyes to the uncommon piety, and other excellencies of the subject of this narrative.

" Whatever difference of opinion," say the Editors of the Theological and Biblical Magazine, (see their Number for April, 1 805,) " may be entertained respecting some important points of doctrine, which the late Mr. Fletcher publicly maintained, we believe that there is but one opinion as to the exalted piety of this eminent Christian. We have perused these memoirs with deep interest, and we hope also not without profit. His humility, disinterestedness, affection, zeal, and heavenly-mindedness have, perhaps, been seldom equalled; and few, we believe, will rise

X

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION, from the perusal of the volume before us, without being ashamed of their own unprofitableness, and adoring the riches of divine grace, which were so extraordinarily manifested to this man of God. While reading this account of Mr. Fletcher, we frequently called to mind the late most amiable Mr. Pearce, of Birmingham, whose Life has been written by Mr. Fuller. There seems, indeed, to have been a very great resemblance in these two characters, both in the ardency of their Christian love, their entire devoted ness to God, and the constant communion they held with the Father of spirits. We have not room for quotations, yet we feel strongly inclined to give a few expressions of his, which indicate great candour towards those who thought differently from him in some less important particulars of doctrine." After producing a passage to this purpose, which the reader will find in page 338, " God forbid, &c." they add, " We, amongst many others, differ widely from Mr. F. in some points of doctrine, but we cannot withhold our admiration of a character so truly lovely and exalted. Mr. Benson has performed his part, in collecting the materials for this Life of Mr, F. in a very respectable manner."

The following; sentences are transcribed from the Eclectic Review for June, 1805, in which this work is considered at large- — "There have been some, in most ages of Christianity, and in most countries where it is professed, who have emulated its primitive and genuine excellence. Amongst these exalted few, the subject of the biography before us is unquestionably to be ranked. In whatever period he had lived, to whatever department of Christians he had belonged,

Preface To The Second Edition. XI

he would have shone in the religious hemisphere, as a star of the first magnitude." After giving, from the volume, a general outline of his history, they add, " We must refer to the narrative of his short illness, given by Mrs. Fletcher, and to an ample character of him previously introduced, for a more adequate idea of this excellent man than we can attempt to impart. It was deemed preferable to give the preceding outline, rather than extracts of the work, as those (parts) which describe the more striking scenes of Mr. F.'s life have formerly been printed. Mr. B. has very judiciously connected and completed, either from his own knowledge, or authentic documents, the detached accounts which had appeared in various publications." After mentioning a few passages, by the omission of which, and by the accession of Mr. F.'s character, as a tutor and as a writer, the Authors of the Eclectic Review think the volume might be amended, they add, " We can cordially recommend it, in its present state, to serious and candid Christians, of every variety of form and sentiment: and it would greatly surprise us, should any person of this description rise up from the perusal of it, and assert that it had not afforded him pleasure and improvement."

The Editor,

THE

REV. MR. WESLEY'S PREFACE

TO

THE READER*

man in England has had so long an acquaintance with Mr. Fletcher as myself. Our acquaintance began almost as soon as his arrival in London, about the year 1752, before he entered into Holy Orders, or (I believe) had any such intention. And it continued uninterrupted between thirty and forty years, even till it pleased God to take him to himself. Nor was ours a slight or ordinary acquaintance ; but we were of one heart and of one soul. We had no secrets between us for many years ; we did not purposely hide any thing from each other. From time to time he consulted me, and I him, on the most important occasions. And he constantly professed, not only much esteem, but (what I valued far more) much affection. He told me, in one of his letters, (I doubt not from his heart,)

<c Tecum vivere amem ; tecum obeam lubens .* With thee I gladly would both live and die '

xiv mr. Wesley's preface.

I therefore think myself obliged, by the strongest ties, to pay this small tribute to his memory. But you may easily observe, that in doing this, I am little more than a Compiler. For I owe a great, if not the greatest part of the ensuing Tract to a few friends, who have been at no small pains in furnishing me with materials : and, above all, to my dear friend, (such she has been almost from her childhood,) Mrs, Fletcher. I could easily have altered both her's and their language, while I retained their sentiments. But I was conscious I could not alter it for the better : and I would not alter for altering's sake : but judged it fairest to give you most of their accounts very nearly in their own words.

Amsterdam, September 12, 1786

Contents

CHAP. PAGE,

L Of his Parentage and Youth . . . . » . 17

II. His Conversion . . . 28

CHAPTER II. Of his Conversion

*. Notwithstanding the early appearance of piety in Mr. Fletcher, it is evident that he continued, for a long time, a perfect stranger to the true nature of Christianity. He was naturally of a high and ambitious turn, though his ambition was sufficiently refined for religious as well as scientific pursuits. He aspired after rectitude, and was anxious to possess every moral perfection. He counted much upon the dignity of human nature, and was ambitious to act in a manner becoming his exalted ideas of that dignity. And here he outstripped the multitude in an uncommon degree. He was rigidly just in his dealings, and inflexibly true to his word ; he was a strict observer of his several duties in every relation of life ; his sentiments were liberal, and his charity profuse ; he was prudent in his conduct, and courteous in his deportment ; he was a diligent inquirer after truth, and a strenuous advocate for virtue ; he was frequent in sacred meditations, and was a regular attendant at public worship. Possessed of so many moral accomplishments, while he was admired by his friends, it is no wonder that he should cast a look of self-complacency upon his character, and consider himself, with respect to his attainments in virtue, abundantly superior to the common herd of mankind. But while he was taken up in congratulating himself upon his own fancied eminence in piety, he was an absolute stranger to that unfeigned sorrow for sin, which is the first step towards the kingdom of God. It was not till after he had resided some time in England, that he became experimentally acquainted with the

I !

THE REV. JOHN FLETCHER.

nature of true repentance. This, according to Mrs. Fletcher's account, was in the following manner.

2. Meeting with a person who asked him to go and hear the Methodists ; he readily consented, and from that time became more and more conscious that a change of heart was necessary to make him happy. He now began to strive with the utmost diligence, according to the light he had, hoping, by doing muchj to render himself acceptable to God. But one day hearing a sermon preached by a clergymen whose name was Green, he was convinced he did not understand the nature of saving faith. This conviction caused many reflections to arise in his mind. " Is it possible," thought he, " that I, who have always been accounted so religious, who have made Divinity my study, and received the premium of piety, (so called) from the university for my writings on divine subjects, — is it possible, that I should yet be so ignorant as not to know what faith is W But the more he examined himself, and considered the subject, the more he was convinced of the momentous truth. And beginning also to see his sinfulness and guilt, and the entire corruption and depravity of his whole nature, his hope of being able to reconcile himself to God by his own works began to die away. He sought, however, by the most rigorous austerities to conquer this evil nature, and bring into his soul a heaven-born peace. But alas ! the more he strove, the more he saw and felt that all his soul was sin. And now he was entirely at a loss what to do, being conscious of his danger, and seeing no way to escape, till at last he discovered that nothing, except a revelation of the Lord Jesus to his heart, could make him a true believer.

3. But a few pages transcribed from a diary, written by his own hand, when he was about twenty-five years of age, will give the reader the best information on this subject.

" The 12th of January, 1755, I received the sacrament, though my heart was as hard as a flint. The following day, I felt the tyranny of sin more than ever, and an uncommon coldness in all religious duties. I felt the burden of my corruptions heavier than ever; there was no rest in my flesh. I called upon the. Lord, but with such heaviness as made me fear

THE LIFL 01 it was lost labour. The more I prayed for victory over sin, the more I was conquered. Many a time did I take up the Bible to seek comfort, but not being able to read, I shut it again. The thoughts which engrossed my mind were generally these. I am undone. I have wandered from God more than ever. I have trampled under foot the frequent convictions which God was pleased to work in my heart. Instead of going straight to Christ, I have wasted my time in fighting against sin with the dim light of my reason, and the mere use of the means of grace ; as if the means would do me good without the blessing and power of God. I fear my knowledge of Christ is only speculative, and does not reach my heart. I never had faith; and without faith it is impossible to please God. Therefore, all my thoughts, words, and works, however specious before men,, are utterly sinful before God. And if I am not washed and renewed before I go hence, I am lost to all eternity.

4. W When I saw that all my endeavours availed nothing towards conquering sin, I almost gave up all hope, and resolved to sin on, and go to hell. But I remember, there was a sort of sweetness even in the midst of these abominable thoughts. If I go to hell, said I, I will serve God there : and since I cannot l>e an instance of his mercy in heaven, I will be a monument of his justice in hell : and if I show forth his glory one way or the other, I am content. But I soon recovered my ground. I thought Christ died fur all, therefore he died for me. He died to pluck such sinners as I am as brands out of the burning. And as I sincerely desire to be his, he will surely take me to himself: — he will surely let me know, before I die, that he hath died for me. and will break asunder these chains wherewith I am bound. If he leave me for a little while in this dreadful state, it is only to show me the depth of the misery he will draw me out of. I must then humble myself under his mighty hand, and he will lift me up in his appointed time. But then I thought, this, perhaps, may not be till my dying hour — and must I sin on till then? How can I endure this? But I thought igain, my Saviour was above thirty-three years working out my salvation : let me wait for him as long, and then I may have

THE REV. JOHN FLETCHER.

some excuse for my impatience. Does God owe me any thing ? Is he bound to time and place ? Do I deserve any thing at his hands but damnation ? I would here observe, that anger in particular seemed to be one of the sins I could never overcome. So I went on, sinning and repenting, and sinning again ; but still calling on God's mercy through Christ.

5. " I was now beat out of all my strong holds. I felt my helplessness, and lay at the feet of Christ. I cried, though coldly, yet I believe sincerely, 6 Save me, Lord, as a brand snatched out of the fire ; give me justifying faith in thy blood j cleanse me from my sins ; for the devil will surely reign over me, until thou shalt take me into thy hand. I shall only be an instrument in his hand to work wickedness, until thou shalt stretch forth thine almighty arm, and save thy lost creature by free unmerited grace.' I seldom went to private prayer, but this thought came into my mind. — This may be the happy hour when thou wilt prevail with God ; but still I was disappointed. I cried to God ; but my heart was so hard, that I feared it did not go with my lips. 1 strove, but it was so coldly, that often I had fits of drowsiness even in my prayers. When overcome with heaviness, I went to bed, beseeching God to spare me till next day, that I might renew my wrestling with him till I should prevail.

6. " On Sunday the 19th, in the evening, I heard an excellent sermon on these words, — 6 Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.' I heard it attentively, but my heart was not moved in the least ; T was only still more convinced, that I was an unbeliever, that I was not justified by faith, and that till I was, I should never have peace with God. The hymn after the sermon suited the subject ; but I could not join in singing it. So I sat mourning, whilst others rejoiced in God their Saviour. I went home, still resolving to wrestle with the Lord like Jacob, till I should be come a prevailing Israel.

" I begged of God, the following day, to show me the wicked ness of my heart, and to fit me for his pardoning mercy. I besought him to increase my convictions, for I was afraid I did o2

JUL LIFE OF not mourn enough for my sins. But I found relief in Mr. Wesley's Journal, where I learned that we should not build on what we feel ; but go to Christ with all our sins, and all our hardness of heart. On the 21st, I began to write part of what rilled my heart, namely, a confession of my sins, misery, and helplessness, together with a resolution to seek Christ, even unto death. But my business calling me away, I had no heart to resume the subject. In the evening I read the Scriptures, and found a sort of pleasure in seeing a picture of my wickedness so exactly drawn in the third chapter of the epistle to the Romans, and that of my condition in the seventh. And now I felt some hope, that God would carry on in me the work he had begun.

" 1 often wished to be acquainted with some one who had been just in my state, and resolved to seek for one to whom I might unbosom my whole soul and apply for advice. As I had heard that mourners sometimes found comfort in reading over any particular text of scripture they opened upon, I opened the Bible once, for that purpose ; but 1 found nothing that gave me comfort, and so I did it no more, for fear of tempting God.

7. u Thursday, my fast-day, Satan beset me hard; I sinned, and grievously too. And now I almost gave up all hope. I mourned deeply, but with a heart as hard as ever. I was on the brink of despair, and continued nevertheless to fall into sin. as often as I was assaulted with temptation. But I must observe, that all this while, though I had a clear sense of my wickedness ; and of what I deserved ; and though I often thought that hell would be my portion, if God did not 60on pity me. yet I never was much afraid of it. Whether this was owing to a secret hope lodged in my mind, or to hardness of heart, I know not; but I was continually crying out, 6 What stupidity ! I see myself hanging as by a thread over hell ! and yet I am not afraid — but sin on ! O what is man without the grace of God ! a very devil in wickedness, though inferior to him in experience and power.' In the evening I went to a friend, and told him something of my present state; he endeavoured to administer comfort, but it did not suit my case: there is no peace to a sinner

THE REV. JOHN FLETCHER.

unless it come from above. When we parted, he gave me some advice which suited my condition better, ' God (said he) is merciful ; God loves you ; and if he deny you any thing, it is for your good ; you deserve nothing at his hands, wait then patiently for him, and never give up your hope." 1 I went home resolved to follow his advice, though I should stay till death.

8. " I had purposed to receive the Lord's supper the following Sunday, I therefore returned to my room, and looked out a sacramental hymn. I learned it by heart, and prayed it over many times, sometimes with heaviness enough, at others with some devotion, intending to repeat it at the table. I then went to bed, commending myself to God with rather more hope and peace than I had felt for some time. But Satan waked, while I slept. I dreamed I had committed grievous and abominable sins ; I awoke amazed and confounded, and rising with a detestation of the corruption of my senses and imagination, I fell upon my knees, and prayed with more faith and less wanderings than usual ; and afterward went about my business with an uncommon cheerfulness. It was not long before I was tempted by my besetting sin, but found myself a new creature. My soul was not even ruffled. I took not much notice of it at first ; but having withstood two or three temptations, and feeling peace in my soul, through the whole of them, I began to think it was the Lord's doing. Afterward it was suggested to me, that it was great presumption for such a sinner to hope for so great a mercy. However, I prayed I might not be permitted to fall into a delusion ; but the more I prayed, the more I saw it was real. For though sin stirred all the day long, I always overcame it in the name of the Lord.

9. " In the evening I read the experiences of some of God's children, and found my case agreed with theirs, and suited the sermon I had heard on justifying faith; so that my hope increased. I entreated the Lord to do to his servant according to his mercy, and take all the glory to himself. I prayed earnestly and with an humble assurance, though without great emotions of joy, that I might have dominion over sin, and peace with God ; not doubting but that joy and a full assurance of faith would be imparted to me in God's good time. I continued calling upon the Lord for an increase of faith ; for still 1 felt some fear of being in a delusion : and having continued my my supplication till near one in the morning, I then opened my Bible on these words, Psa. lv. 22. " Cast thy burden on the Lord, and he shall sustain thee ; he will not suffer the righteous to be moved. " Filled with joy, I fell again on my knees to beg of God that I might always cast my burden upon him. I took up my Bible again, and opened it on these words, Deut. xxxi. " I will be with thee, I will not fail thee, neither forsake thee : fear not, neither be dismayed." My hope was now greatly increased, I thought I saw myself conqueror over sin, hell, and all manner of affliction.

" With this comfortable promise I shut up my Bible, being now perfectly satisfied. As I shut it, I cast my eye on that word, " Whatsoever you shall ask in my name, I will do it.' : So having asked grace of God to serve him till death, I went cheerfully to take my rest."

10. So far we have Mr. Fletcher's account, written with his own hand. To this I add what Mrs. Fletcher says she heard him speak concerning his experience at this time, viz. that he still continued to plead with the Lord to take more full possession of his heart, and sought with unwearied assiduity to receive a brighter manifestation of God's love to his soul : till one day, as he was in earnest prayer, lying prostrate on his face before the Lord, he had a view, by faith, of our Saviour hanging and bleeding on the cross, and at the same time, these words were applied with power to his heart :

" Seized by the rage of sinful men, I see Christ bound, and bruis'd, and slain :

'Tis done, the martyr dies I His life to ransom our's, is given, And lo ! the fiercest fire of heaven