Wesley Corpus

So where he says, “There is no gospel,” he means no predes tination. By the same figure of speech, some of his admirers used to say, “There is no honey in the book.” Here lies the core; this is the wrong, for which the bigots of this gospel will never forgive me. And all those are such, who “rank all election-doubters among Diabolonians.” Such is Mr. Hill, a bigot in grain, while he sets his hand to that gentle sentence. Nay, further, says he, “I cannot help informing my readers,” (no, if he did, he must burst,) “that in the life of Mr. Philip Henry, published in his ‘Christian Library,’ he has artfully left out Mr. Henry's Confession of Faith.” Artfully / No; honestly; according to the open profession in the preface cited before. 21. Yet Mr. Hill, this Mr. Hill, says to Mr. Fletcher, “Suf fer not bitter words and calumnious expressions to disguise themselves under the appearance of plainness.” (Page 147.) Bitter words! Can Mr. Hill imagine there is any harm in these? Mr. Hill that cites the judicious Mr. Toplady! that admires the famous “Eleven Letters,” which are bitterness double distilled ! which overflow with little else but calum nious expressions from the beginning to the end I Mr. Hill that himself wrote the “Review,” and the “Farrago!” And does he complain of Mr. Fletcher's bitterness? Why, he may be a little bitter; but not Mr. Fletcher. Altering the person alters the thing! “If it was your bull that gored mine,” says the judge in the fable, “that is another case !” 22. Two objections to my personal conduct, I have now briefly to consider: First, “Mr. Wesley embraced Mr. Shirley as a friend at the Conference, and then directly went out to give the signal for war.” (Page 150.) This is partly true. It is true, that, although I was not ignorant of his having deeply injured me, yet I freely forgave him at the Conference, and again “embraced him as a friend.” But it is not true, that I “directly went out to give the signal for war.” “Nay, why else did you consent to the publishing of Mr. Fletcher's Letters?” Because I judged it would be an effectual means of undoing the mischief which Mr.