A
LETTER
TO THE
Rev. Mr. John Wesley.
PREFACE.
I AM very well aware, what different effects the publishing this Letter against the dear Mr. Wesley’s Sermon will produce. Many of my friends, that are strenuous advocates for universal Redemption, will immediately be offended. Many that are zealous on the other side, will be much rejoiced. They that are luke-warm on both sides, and are carried away with carnal reasoning, will wish this matter had never been brought under debate. The reasons I have given at the beginning of the letter, I think are sufficient to satisfy all, of my conduct herein. I desire therefore, that they who hold Election would not triumph, or make a party on one hand; (for I detest any such thing) and that they who are prejudiced against that doctrine, be not too much concerned or offended on the other. Known unto God are all his ways from the beginning of the world. The great day will discover, why the Lord permits dear Mr. Wesley and me to be of a different way of thinking. At present, I shall make no enquiry into that matter, beyond the account which he has given of it himself in the following letter, which I lately received from his own dear hands.
London, August 9, 1740.
My dear Brother,
I THANK you for yours, May the 24th. The case is quite plain. There are bigots both for predestination and against it. God is sending a message to those on either side. But neither will receive it, unless from one who is of their own opinion. Therefore, for a time you are suffered to be of one opinion, and I of another. But when his time is come, God will do what man cannot, namely, make us both of one mind. Then persecution will flame out, and it will be seen whether we count our lives dear unto ourselves, so that we may finish our course with joy. I am, my dearest brother,
Ever yours,
J. Wesley.