[600]. Swedenborg died in 1772.
[601]. The titles were:—1. “A Rational Vindication of the Catholic Faith: being the First Part of a Vindication of Christ’s Divinity; inscribed to the Rev. Dr. Priestley, by J. Fletcher, Vicar of Madeley, Salop. Left imperfect by the Author, and now revised and finished, at Mrs. Fletcher’s request, by Joseph Benson, Hull.” 12mo, 223 pp. No date, but published in 1788 or 1789. The work consists of fourteen chapters, only four of which were written by Fletcher. The remaining ten were Mr. Benson’s productions.
2. “Socinianism Unscriptural; or, the Prophets and Apostles vindicated from the Charge of holding the Doctrine of Christ’s mere Humanity: being the Second Part of a Vindication of His Divinity: inscribed to the Rev. Dr. Priestley, by the late Rev. John Fletcher, Vicar of Madeley, Salop. To which is added, a Demonstration of the want of Common Sense in the New Testament Writers, etc., etc., in a Series of Letters to the Rev. Mr. Wesley, by Joseph Benson. Birmingham: 1791.” 12mo, 239 pp. Fletcher’s part of the volume occupies 118 pages.
[602]. “Thirteen Original Letters of the Rev. John Fletcher.” Bath, 1791, p. 36.
[603]. Letters, 1791, p. 300.
[604]. Before attending the Conference, Fletcher visited Miss Ritchie, who wrote: “1784, July 16. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher visited Otley. I was truly blessed and edified by their society. Our house was full of company.” (“Memoir of Mrs. Mortimer,” by Agnes Bulmer, p. 97.)
[605]. Wesleyan Methodist Magazine, 1845, p. 12.
[606]. Respecting this sermon, John Beaumont, father of the celebrated Rev. Dr. Joseph Beaumont, wrote: “Mr. Fletcher dwelt much on the context, which speaks of the faith and works of the ancient worthies, and strongly enforced what he termed a working faith. I was blessed beyond description, and thought him certainly the most angelic man I had ever heard.” (“The Experience and Travels of John Beaumont.”)
[607]. “Life of Henry Moore,” by Mrs. Smith, p. 321.