Wesley Corpus

He never entrusted me with them. Therefore I could not “give them back.” But how melancholy is the exclamation that follows: “Alas! It was not so !” Was not how? Why, I did not give back what I never had received; but went straight on my way, taking the best care I could of those who entrusted themselves to me. III. So much for the second article. As to the third, your words are, “I heard Mr. Whitefield say, ‘O that division I that division what slaughter it has made l’” But who made that division? It was not I. It was not my brother. It was Mr. Whitefield himself; and that notwithstanding all admonitions, arguments, and entreaties. Mr. Whitefield first wrote a treatise against me by name. He sent it to my brother, who endorsed it with these words: “Put up again thy sword into its place.” It slept a while; but after a time he published it. I made no reply. Soon 482 LETTER. To TEE after Mr. Whitefield preached against my brother and me by name. This he did constantly, both in Moorfields, and in all other public places. We never returned railing for railing, but spoke honourably of him, at all times, and in all places. But is it any wonder, that those who loved us should no longer choose to hear him? Meantime, was it we that “turned their hearts against him?” Was it not himself? But you say, “It was doctrine that caused the difference;” (oddly enough expressed !) “at least, it was so pretended !” “It was so pretended !” What do you mean? that differ ence of doctrine was only pretended ? that we were agreed at the bottom, and only fought, like prize-fighters, to show our skill ? Nay, here was no pretence. The thing was as plain as the sun at noon-day. Did not Mr. Whitefield proclaim, upon the house-top, the difference between us and him? And yet it was not merely the difference of doctrine that caused the division. It was rather the manner wherein he maintained his doctrine, and treated us in every place. Otherwise difference of doctrine would not have created any difference of affection; but he might lovingly have held particular redemption, and we general, to our lives’ end.