Page images
PDF
EPUB

(32)

THE

APPENDIX

CONTAINING:

Some Specimens of the Blafphemous Doctrines, and Delufions of METHODISTS, and Methodiftical Writers, noted and cenfured in the foregoing SERMON.

NUMBER I.

Of Mock POSSESSIONS, and INSPIRATIONS.

THER

HERE have been Reports lately of strange Experiments tried by the Methodists upon Women in Hyfterick Fits, and young Perfons in Convulfions, under Pretence of exorcifing; or treating that Weakness, as the Poffeffion of a Devil, which is only a Bodily Disorder: But thefe Things being transacted in private, and fome of their Conventicles at certain unfeasonable Times of Mecting, being clofe fhut up, contrary to LAW, the World is only left to infer; that fomething is doing, which will not admit of publick Infpection, though they cannot tell the Particulars; but imagine the Bufinefs to be of this Sort as the common People among the Methodit's are full of fuch Notions, and their Teachers countenance the fame in Print, Mr. WHITFIELD fpeaking of a Child about feven Years old, gives us a Relation, which fhews he believed her Cafe to be a Poffeffion of one Sort or other, he calls it the Spirit, or Revelation of the Lord, but it is trangely worded, — "The next Sunday Night, the Lord revealed himfelf (fays he) to her in an amazing Manner, and for fome Hours fhe was fo wrapped up in his Spirit, that we knew not where he wasfinking to

nothing

nothing in the Difcovery of his Majesty, and Glory in Jefus Chrift, her eternal Portion and, by the uncommon Earneftness, the Spirit gave her to wrestle for the Churches, the thought that an uncommon Work will be wrought on the Earth. Many fuch Inftances of the Out-pouring of the Spirit have we among us.

See the late Bifhop of London's Obfervations on the Conduct, &c. of the Methodists, Pag. 19.

And P. 10. for Evidences of the Cooperation of the Holy Spirit, by fudden* Agonies, † Roarings and Screamings,t Tremblings, Droppings-down,§ Ravings and Madnefies; into which their Hearers have been caft; according to the Relations given of them in the Journals referr'd to?

*Mr. Whitfield's Journal VI. p. 36.-VII. p. 57, 69, 75. Mr. Wefley's Journal III. Pag. 26, 41, 45, 59, 64, 95. + Mr. Whitfield's Journal VII. pag. 74. Mr. Wefley's Journal III. pag. 40, 44, 50, 62, 79, 83, 92, 93, 94. + Pag. 41, 43, 50, 58, 61, 93. Mr. Whitfield's Journal VII. pag. 12, 60. Mr. Wesley's Journal III. pag. 41, 43, 46, 50, 58, 59, 61, 64, 65, 83. Pag. 44, 50, 88, 90, 92, 93.

NUMBER II.

HERE follows as an Inftance of direct REVELATION, the famous Letter, which was read in Sermon-time at St. Saviour's the biggest Church in Southwark, and then crouded with Methodists, by one Mr. Jones, who fince the Death of Dr. Slocock, has had Permillion to act as Chaplain there, it is taken from the printed Copy, publickly fold in the Borough, for the Edification of fuch of the Parishioners as were abfent, they being generally excluded their Seats by the lawlefs Rabble, who are his Followers.

From the Manfions above,

My dear Chriftian Friend and Brother, SUCH you was, when I was cloath'd with Mortality, and fuch you are yet, though I am now in an unembodied State. The Change there is made as to ine, makes no Alteration as to the Relation there is between us. We

[blocks in formation]

are both Member's of Chrift's myftical Body. We were both Members of the Church militant together, and we fhall both join the Church triumphant. I am only come hither a little before you, foon fhall I fee my dear Fido, and my other dear weeping Friends, and rejoice with them for ever. Don't be afraid. Jefus Chrift is a faithful Saviour. He will keep that which you have committed to him. You may truft him both in Life and Death. Death is the moft trying Seafon; but here the dear Mediator will not fail you. I am an Evidence of it. There is a Solemnity in Death which cannot be expreffed, yet the Paffage is fafe. Oh what a glorious Change! What new furprizing Scenes appear! No fooner was my Breath gone, but a Convoy of miniftring Spirits, who were attending, conducted me to the Manfions of Glory; where the ever adorable Jefus, with a Smile inconceivably transporting, invited me to take Poffeffion of that Happiness which he purchased at fo dear a Rate as his own Blood. And now, my Brother, think, yea think if you can, what I now feel, what I now enjoy! Did Paul fay it was better to be with Chrift than in the Body? I now know it, Did the diftant View of Glory, make Mofes refufe the Grandeur of Egypt? No Wonder, when it is fo great, fo great that none can tell it. Oh the Exchange I have made! Oh the Happiness that Grace has exalted me to! I am now no more watering my Couch with Tears, but filled with Fullness of Joys which will remain for evermore. I am now no more fipping at the Streams, but drinking a full Draught at the FountainHead. I am no more clogged with a Lump of Clay, or pining under Disorders and Pains of Body; I am fet at full and perfect Liberty, and am got where Sorrow never comes. I am now perfect in Holiness. I am no more fubject to Sin; every Faculty of my Soul is freed from the fad Contagion, and all find fweet Employment in the noble Services of Heaven. Now I fee clearly that myfterious, but glorious Scheme of Salvation through Jefus Chrift; its Beauties ravish my Soul, and fill me with Admiration. I now fee the various Beauties of Providence, and find the highest Entertainment in the Views of what once fo much puzzled and perplexed me. I now feel a divine Ardor filling my whole Soul, and running through

every

every Service, without that Slothfulness and Indolence which once attended me, and was but feebly complained of, I am no more that formal, indifferent, languishing Creature I was on Earth, but my Soul now feels the Fire of Divine Love, which burns with a perpetual and uninterrupted Flame, being fed with the conftant and glorious Manifeftations of the Love of him that fitteth upon the Throne and the Lamb. Here I have found your dear Parent, and many of my dear and valuable Friends. What a numerous Affembly, and all harmonious. Here's no Envy, no Jealoufy, no Shynefs or Coldness, but perfect Love, and a sweet Contention, who shall strike the loudeft String, and fing Grace! Grace! the loudeft. Here are no depreciating Speeches of Jefus Chrift, no Attempts to rob him of his Glory; but all as with one Voice cry out, Worthy is the Lamb to receive, &c. Oh where am I got! What is my Happiness! Beyond Expreffion! I was once a Warrior, now a Conqueror, yea more than a Conqueror. No more upon Mount Pijgah. I have got over Jordan. I am beholding the Glory of Chrift; and, in fine, my Veffel is as full as it will hold. My Pen cannot defcribe the Glories of Paradife. Oh my Friend, be trimming your Lamp. Haften the Time, fly away ye lingering Moments, and bring my dear Fido, and my other dear Friends, to the Arms of Jefus, to fee and enjoy what I enjoy.

And now what wait I for? To fee my dear Friends with me, to fee the Number of God's Elect compleated, and to hear the Trumpet found on the glorious Refur rection Morning. What is my Employment but to love, adore, and praife throughout Eternity? Farewel till I fee you here. Go on your Way rejoicing. Chrift has your Inheritance fafe in his Hands, and you fhall furely have it. Oh love him, love him more and more, and lay out yourself for him. My Love to your dear Companion; tell her to prefs forward, and she shall not be disappointed. Adieu, adieu.

Your eternally affectionate Friend,

And triumphant Brother,

SAMUEL HAYWARD.

REMARKS

REMARKS upon the LETTER.

As this Letter has thus undergone a double Publication, the FIRST from the Pulpit, the OTHER from the Prefs, we muft imagine, that the Publisher was heartily concerned, that the World fhould believe the Contents of it. But if fo, let us enquire whether he believed the Contents of it himself, to wit; that it came from the Place from whence it was dated, i. e. the Mansions above, that it was a true and real Defcription of Tranfactions in the other World, penned, and compofed and communicated by the Miniftry of the Spirit of a Perfon departed, as it is plainly, and in direct Terms afferted in the Letter itself.

If he did believe all this, he is a Madman, and a very dangerous Leader to fuch of his Followers as are in the fame Condition: But if he did not believe it, then his Character must appear much blacker; because, if he was not mad, the whole Affair was the Effect of fome Defign and that a very bad one, impious with Refpect to God, and villainous with Refpect to Men, as being no other than to try how far the common People might be impofed upon, and made fubfervient to evil Purposes:

But if it be a curfed Thing to lead thofe, who are deprived of their Bodily Sight from the fafe Way that is direct before them: How much more unpardonable muft it be to feduce a Number of poor blind Souls from the Paths of right Reafon ? and when they were expecting to hear, what they call the true Gospel of CHRIST, to make fuch a cruel Experiment upon their Credulity, by prefenting them a Revelation of another Sort, and in the pretended Character of their Paftar, and Guide, to afcend the Pulpit, and deliver that as an Oracle of God, which he knew in his Heart to be an abominable Lie.

With what HORROR must all honeft and fenfible Men behold this Hypocrite; in the very Act of Delufion, lifting up his his Eyes to Heaven, and thundring out Damnation to others, while he himself was offending against common Honesty.

Were there no Officers of the Parifh to take Notice of his Conduct, and report it to his Superiors?

No Superior to reftrain such an IMPOSTOR as this? who could thus abufe his Truft, and prostitute his Character as a Prieft of the Church of ENGLAND to ferve the vileft

Purpoies

« PreviousContinue »