[596] Wesley’s Works, vol. x., pp. 29, 30.
[597] Methodist Magazine, 1827, p. 392.
[598] Hartley’s “Paradise Restored,” p. 221.
[599] See pp. 261, 262, of this volume.
[600] The following is an extract from the last letter Wesley wrote to Hervey. “London, November 29, 1758. Dear Sir,—Every one is welcome to write what he pleases concerning me. But would it not be well for you to remember, that, before I published anything concerning you, I sent it to you in a private letter: that I waited for an answer for several months, but was not favoured with one line; that, when at length I published part of what I had sent to you, I did it in the most inoffensive manner possible, in the latter end of a larger work, purely designed to preserve those in connection with me from being tossed to and fro by various doctrines. What therefore I may fairly expect from my friend, is to mete to me with the same measure: to send to me first, in a private manner, any complaint he has against me: to wait as many months as I did; and if I give you none, or no satisfactory answer, then to lay the matter before the world, if you judge it will be to the glory of God. But whatever you do in this respect, one thing I request of you,—Give no countenance to that insolent, scurrilous, virulent libel, which bears the name of William Cudworth. Indeed, how you can converse with a man of his spirit, I cannot comprehend. O leave not your old well tried friends! The new is not comparable with them. I speak not this because I am afraid of what any one can say or do to me; but I am really concerned for you. An evil man has gained the ascendant over you, and has persuaded a dying man, who had shunned it all his life, to enter into controversy as he is stepping into eternity! Put off your armour, my brother! You and I have no moments to spare. Let us employ them all in promoting peace and goodwill among men. And may the peace of God keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus! So prays your affectionate brother and servant, John Wesley.” (Methodist Magazine, 1778, p. 136.)
[601] Works of Hervey, folio edition, 1789, p. 444.
[602] Preface to the Eleven Letters to Wesley.
[603] Ibid. p. 83.
[604] Ibid. p. 192.
[605] Ibid. p. 255.