Friendly.—But can you form any idea who were the ringleaders of so much infamy?
Investigator.—I have heard say they were persons who are perpetually pleading for the moral law, as the rule of their lives, although that holy law strictly forbids such conduct, because it is a violation of these two prohibitions: “Thou shalt do no murder;” “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour;” and its language is, owe no man any thing, but love for love is the fulfilling of the law. But I think I could give you an intimation of some of the persons; one was the Rev. Dr. Diotrephes. (2 John)—another was Alexander, the coppersmith, who is always currying favour with the above doctor: these, I know, were very industrious, in writing, publishing, and running about from house to house, or rather, like hawking pedlars, with their bad ware, which conduct is strictly forbidden. Lev. xix. 26.
Friendly.—But as it was zeal for holiness, I pardon it; they were mistaken men, and though they have done me much injury, I believe God has resented their conduct, by mortifying their pride. All public characters that God has blessed, must expect evil surmising, ill-grounded jealousies, awful insinuations, vile aspersions, whisperings, and back-bitings; and why should I escape? In whatever I have offended, I am willing to acknowledge it: but surely, I have no just right to acknowledge their lies.
Investigator.—My heart has been grieved to read the vile publications which have been circulated under the title of, the life of J. C. I have thought, at times, none could know so much of his history as himself; and have frequently wished to know something, in reality, of your eventful story.—In this wish, I believe, many hundreds concur; therefore, to oblige your friends, and to confound your foes on that subject, it would be gratifying their desires to make your life public.
Friendly.—Why, it might, in some sense, be so to them; and especially, as I trust it would be magnifying the grace of that great God, who has done so much for me, which I hope will be my principal motive; but it will expose me to the contempt of fools, and perhaps add additional persecution to my friends.
Investigator.—Suppose it does; your enemies cannot say worse of you than they have said; they have gone to the very utmost in scandal, and no further than the infamous name given to your Master, who was holy, harmless, and undefiled. They said he had a devil; yea, that he was the prince of devils. There is another advantage in your compliance with the request of your friends; it will confute the falsehoods which have been fabricated about your history, and prevent your enemies from adding sin to sin, by any further false statements of the matter: therefore, like the memoirs of most gospel preachers, it must expect all sorts of mis-statement. Some will rejoice in what God has done for you; others will say it is lies; some, more candid, will wish you had omitted many parts, and others will wish you had not mentioned many circumstances; but write TRUTH, and leave the consequences.
Friendly.—Well, I promise, through mercy, so to do. I will write the bad as well as the good, as far as prudence dictates.
Investigator.—The Lord be thy helper, and kind remembrancer, and give his approbation to the work, by blessing it to his own people.—Farewell.
And though pretended friends have aim’d to wound thy heart,
And household friends in that have borne a part;
Yet, each appointment came to thee for good,
To make thee joyful in thy Saviour God.
Friendly.—I thank you; I will send a few particulars of my history in letters to my friends.—