w •^■""^ I J . / / %i'L M LIBEAEY OF THE Theol ogiea] [ Seminary, i PRINCETON, N. J. ..Secti .... | Book, .-i-l- v ?-l.. . a . ......a. r r ^ «P H i . N^ & I V, , »• -■4 iWininer, Examiml OR ' rf**~ GlLBERT TeNNENT, 1 : A R M N I U^i^ g\ ^BJ ^Vnfwer _o a Pamphlet* entitle^^^^r 1'he EXAMINER, G IL BE R Tngamft TENNENT' Being a Vindication of the Rev. Gilbert', TtNNENT and his Aflbciates, together -with - fix Rev. Minifters of &cf?on 3 from tb$ unjnft Re- flections caft upon them by the Auchor of" that Ano- nymous Pamphlet, together with ibme Remarks upon the QUERIST'S, the third Part, and other of thek "Performances. I The Whole being an EfTay to vindicate the late- Glorious Work of God's Power and Grace f in thefe Lands, from the unreafonable Cavils and Esceptions of faid Pamphlet, and others ct like Nature. The whole EfTay is fubmitted to the Decifion of Truth" and Common Senfe. »— ^— — „ f ., By GILBERT'TENKENT, A. M Prov. i S. i 7. He that is firfi in his own Craft feemetk Jaj}» but his Neighbour ccmcth ana fearcheth Urn. "Math. 7. 1. Judvenct, that ye be not Judged. Job 14. 5, 6. Zhou choofe/i the dengue of tfa Crafty ; thr.e own Mouth Condemneth thee, ?.st I; yea thine own Lips tejtijy. again ft the . ^ ^ Luke 19. 22. Out of thine own Month will I jfudg* P thee, thou wicked Servant. ^J^ Pfal. 120. 3. iVhatfoallbs given unto thee ? *r whtf frail be done unto thee, thort fatfe Itngue. PHILADELPHIA: Printed and Sold by Willi- am Bradford, at t);e Sign of the in StcevdoStrKt 1743. Candid Reader} The Reaibns of the Pro lixityjifthisPreformance ^namely tjjjyju- merdumefs of tnccnar- ges mention'd by the Ex- aminer, and the Necef- iity I was under to cite many Paragraphs o£ my other Writings, in order with the greater clear- nefs, to remove his pre- tended Objections, of Self-con tradiction. May the good God blefs this^ Eflay for the good of his Church. I remain thy Servant forChrifts fake. G. TennenL A Exateiner, , J^amined^ Gilbert Tennent, harmonious. IT is ftrange to think how the mod generous and noble Actions, thro' the Force of fome Craft and Artifice, aililted with Prejudice - and Falihood, may be reprefented in the darkeft Drefs, as if they were Vices of the mo ft fordid kind. Seeing I am called to fjpeak in my own Defence, I hope the Reader will excufc my faying as follows, l'iz Thar I never undertook any Thing with a. deeper Senfe of my own Weaknefs, and a Sincerer Intention, to God's Glory and his Kingdoms Good ; then my Journey to Ne-iv- England : And never un- - derwent luch hardfhips by Reafon of the intenfe- Cold, frequent Travel, and continual Labours as there. So that I am like to feel! t^Ii fleets thereof to my Death, having thereby contracted a hardnels of hearing, with other bodily Diforders. But that which Comforts me under thofe Infirmity* is this, that the Eternal God was vifibly with me in thac Journey, in fealing my Labours with furprizing and manifold SucceiTes, (Glor y to his Name) jn the Conviction and Converlhn ok many Sinners to God ; which fome of the molt eminent for Piety and Learning in New-Englatidy have already born ex- prefs Testimony to, and many Thouiands nioie wn. A 2 Btj? % The Examines, Examined. But behold the Reward our Anonymous Author U pleafed to confer unpon me, and that under the j'uife of Charity, is ridicule, jlander, and i?i- lecliie. What, could not his Charity extend to ipeak one favourable Word of that Journey, for -which fo many have with good Reafon praifed the bl efied God? It feems not ! However, it is my ^ffPIWIlifce under all that load of Calumny, that is cafi upon me by the Oppofers of God's Wo r x , that Faithfulnefs to God and Succefs in lus S?r\'ic~> v/ili appear in their own proper Light ano- ther Day". Il is no new Thing for tht Servants of God to be rradut'd and reprefented as the Off-fcouring of the Earth. Neither is it unufual for his Work to be cover M with Scandal and Contempt , and afcrib'd to a bad Caufe - And confidering the native Enmity of the Un regenerate againit God and Goodnefs, and the Muirkude of fuch that are in the World of e- very Order, we needn't be furpm'd at fuch Events,, If we will approve OUtfelves Difciples of Christ indeed, we muft expert to bear his Oofs : And truly, according to the common Courfe of Things, the more txtenfive Good we arc enabled to do, we muft expecr. to bear the more Reproach. What tho' we be found in Principle, Sincere inHeart, and La- borious in Life to promote Christ's Kingdom, yec with the ji'po files and other primitive Servants of God, we fnall be look'd upon as deceivers, d/Jlurbers of the Peace and disorderly Perfons. For as it was of old fo ic is now, He that ivas Born after the Fkjh y pre fee vied him that was Bom after the Spirit. Did not Cain hate his Brother jnhel % becaufe his own Deeds •were Evil and his Brothers Righteous 1 And has not our Lord told us, that We pall be hated, becanfe nuearenot of the World ? It is true ungodly Perfons in every Age, cover and colour their fordid Oppo- ir;^ on ro goodnefs and ufefulnefs, with artful and plauftble ApoHgy's, to prevent the Odium, that \vou\i olhcrwife juftly fail upon their Character. * * - I T-»l Thej The Examiner, Examined. 5 They pretend Diforders in Conduit, and Error in Principle, are the Grounds thereof; but if fo, why don't they exert their Zeal a&unft fuch Evils, as well as Impieties of fhe groffdt Kind, which are flagrant in the Practice of fome of their Brethren ? >io, fuch Things, becaufc of the Relation fubftfting between them, are pair over with filencc and negli- gence ' While the Vermes of good M^t^ttg^f^z in the Drefs of the mod crimfonlrppiccys, & their minu- ted Foibles agravatedby the Force of Sophiftry, into ma ffy Mountains ; as well as the moft Falfe and in- vidious Charges invented and propogated, to de- Jtroy their Characters and Ufefulnefs ac a Stroke ! But the true Caufe of all the mighty Buftle, which is rais'd in every period of Time, againit the Work and Servants of God, is induftrioufly concealed, and that is, the Native Enmity of natural Men, of every Tribe and Order againft God and Holinefs. Well, feeing the Cafe is {o, we muft therefore with Courage and Patience, follow our deareft Lord, thro' good Report and bad Report, and consider him nvho evditr'd the Coyitradittion of Sinners again (i himfe!f\ leaf we he weary and Faint in our kinds. Tne Com- munications of our Matter's Love to us, and the Con- icioufnefs of our own integrity, together with the believing Expectation of that exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory, which is fct before us, does and will fweeten ail the Sorrows of our Srate of Pil- grimage ! And therefore we may Anfwer the ca- lumnious Oppofersas Ckryfcjjom the threatning Mef- fage of the Emprefs Eudoxia, that lie fear nothing ijttf £:n. {nil niji peccaturn i:mco.) I am not diifurbed At the Author of this Pamphlet:, for examining my Sentiments and Conduct, if either of them upon an impartial Tryal, be found cenfur- nble, let them be condemned in the mod open Man- ner. But I truftit will appear by what follows, to every intelligent and impartial Reader, that the Method this Gentleman has us'd in the Compofure ojrfci* Ex ami tiei") *is exceptionable aiidpanial. I hope I 6 The Exi miner, Examined. I may fay to the Glory of God, "without the Im- putation of vain Boafling, that I am fo indifferent for the moft Part, refpecting the Opinion of the World, as to my Perfon and Performances, and fo fully convinced of the Vanity, both of the Praifes and Cenfures, of the moft of Mankind, that I fliould have given myfelf no Trouble to oppofe the nume- rous Falacies of this Performance, had I not been convinced that it was my Duty to appear now in the , juft Vindication of Gods Work and Servants, which are therein tradue'd. The Examiner offers fome Afperfions concerning my Journey to Isew-England, which I know in my Conscience to be Falfe, which being perfonal I tho't I was under a greater Advantage to detedt I am enga^'d in other Work for God, from which I am with fome degree of Reluctance di- verted by thorny Controveriy, but herein I muft deny my felf Candid Reader, I muft beg leave to obferve (enjxif- fent) that our Cafe of late and at prefent, (in this Country) refpecting the Promotion of vital Reli- gion, feems very much to referable* that of Fehenii- ah y and the other Builders of the Wall of Jeru- falerrt, in the Reign oi^rfaxerxef, who were much oppos'd and fomewhat interrupted in their Work, by the unreafonable Fury and low Arts of Sanbal- laty and his AiTociates, who feoff 'd at, and rag'd againd the Builders, as well as rais'd falfe Reports refpecting their Defign and Conduct. It is report- ed among the Heathen faid they, and Gajhmu fay- eth it, that thu and the Jews think to rebel ; for which cr.iffe tlou buitfeft the Hall: They likewiie endea- vour'd to enlnare them by Craft, and enter'd int© a deteftable Conspiracy to ftop the Progrefs of the Work! May we who are thro' pure Grace upon God's Side, be enabled to follow l\ehemiah's Ex- ample, in fupplicating Heaven in this Imraergen-. cy, and we may hope for the finifhing of the Wall, notwithftandirg all that the Oppofejs have done, Oi The E x a i\i l n e R * E x a m t n r. i> . f or can do, and feeing we are encompafs'd with Enemy's of various frorms, viz. The Prophane y Fcrmalijls, Etithujiafis, and Meretickst let us with thofe primitive Builders work in the Wall with one Hand, and hold a Weapon in the other. See }\eb. i. a. 4. & 6. chap. But to come nearer to the Subject of our pre- sent Enquirys, I can fafely declare, that I have read this Examiner's Performance, as well as o- thers of like nature fet out by my Opponents, with a willin^nefs to be convinced of Error in Princi- ple or Practice, if I was guilty of cither, and v. irh a Refolution to acknowledge them publickly, ifl found the Cafe fo. For I think that Maxim is mod juft viz. fas eft, et ah hfle doceri y It is lawful to be injlrutted even by an Emmy. And a Confeflk on of Errors in Judgment, or Evils in Practice, is certainly a Debt we owe to Truth and Piety. But after the molt calm and impartial Enquirys I am capable of making, I have not met with Con*- viction by. their Arguments, or rather Reflections, unlcfs ic bexfthe Falfehood and Injuftice of their- Charges, the badnefs of their Caufe, and the ma-' lignity of their Way of managing it. In particular I leave it to the Readers Judgment,- whether the Examiner has not acred a disingenuous Part in his labouring to expofe my Name to con»- tempt, while in the mean- Time he conceals his own. Let him ask his own Conference, whether he has done in this, as he would be done by ? Ts this the Charity y which he fays he put on in his hi ft Page, then truly it is a very felfiili Stamp, for it both begins and ends at home ? Here let me obferve, that I cannot but admi?c that a Perfon of our Authors Penetration, mould make fo grofs a Blunder in the Choice of his. Name, why mould he call himfelf Philalethes or a lover of Vrutby while he makes it his Buhnefs to confure his Name, by his Practice in this Performance, to which it is prefixed \ The repeated Falihoods with $ . . The Examiner, Examined, ' with which his labour'd Sheers are (turPd, fuit bet- ter, as I humbly conceive, a contrary Name and Character, namely Jkifalethes, or a hater of thefe, viz. " And becaafe it feems hard for a 44 High Priejt to confefs his Errors once a Year, « 4 tho' he may love to be Father Gotifeffor himfelf, 44 and bring others to the Stool." It feems by what ,has been faid, that the Cloak was not but- ton 'd very clofe upon him ; whether this Gentle- man be a Minifter or not, which he difiainfully terms High Prieff, perhaps not only to give vent to his Prejudice, bur, the better to conceal him- The Examiner Examined. £> f.if. I know not, but methinks he might have at preient vvav'd his ftrcaftical Fleer about bring- ing others to the Stool, while this very Thing is, at leall in Pretence, the Buiinefs of his prefenc Performance ; which is like to fail of Succefs, for the want of a juft Foundation. But whether, when our Author reads the juft Charges that are offer'd againft his Conduct, in the following Pages, he will like to be brought to the Stool himfclf and make publick Retractations with Aufiin] according to his own Advice to me, pag. 31. Time mull dis- cover ? . As to 'the reprinting of rtfy ■ Notirsgham Sermon at Bojion, I had no hand in it, but it I had, I fee no Reafon that I fliould have to repent of foth an Action. I have not feen that Sermon for a con- iiderable Time, before the other Day* but hearing fo many Outcries againft it ; I was indue'd to read it over and over; with calmhefs to fee if ther£ was a Foundation for the mighty Oppofition made againft it ; but upon . enquiry I could not but think that as to the Matter and Subftance of it , it was but the fiakedtfruth, and fuch as, if fairly reprefent- ed, all its Adverfaries will never be able to confute. -JBut why does this Author, bring in the Rev. Mr. fVhitefieldy upon this Occafion ; feeing that many Thoufands have appiov'd of the Sermon as well as he, doubtlefs it was to expole him to contempt among the Ungodly ; becaule that Ser- mon has much irruated natural Minifters and Peo- ple ? Since Mr. Whitefeld (fays he) has judged it an unanfwerable Piece. A. It appears to be Co yet, notwithstanding what has been faid againft it. The £>uerijls in their third Part, which is level'd againft this Ser- mon, exprefs as little regard to Truth, and Mo- defty, as to Religion and fair Reafoning ; they ap- pear to be Men of a wild and luxuriant Turn of Thought, who are difpofed to deride and burlefque ^ with •i'o The Esami ner,£xamine p. ■with prophage irreverence, what is molt facred and ferious ; and therefore what they offer in their Performance, hardly deferves any Notice from fuch as are inclined to Truth, Sobriety, and Re- ligion. And had not the aforefaid gloomy Ingre- dients been frequent and flagrant in their Writings, tlvy would have been long iince replied to. Bun at is an uncomfortable Task to deal with Men that will hardly flick at any Thing. In fhort the ^uerips Coimpofure upon which the Examiner lays fo great a Srrefs, in his pVefent Performance, is but a Voluminous Bundle of confident Imperti- nence, ana rude Billinofgate, wherein the true, State of the Queftion is perverted. To make this evident, I would obferve that the two Particulars in the Sermon againlt which their Reafonings would feem principally to turn, are thefe viz. I. what I have laid in the '.pag. concerning natu- ral Men, that they have no Call of God to the Iftinifterial Work, under the Gofpel Difcenfation. And z. What I have faid from pag: 18. to to. refpecting Per'fons going flatedly from hearing one Minifter to another, for greater good. What they have offer'd agamft me concerning thofe Par- ticulars, are the main Pillars of that Performance, which if they be overfet, the whole Fabrick falls. Here let the Reader obferve, that the Plan I went upon in the Sermon, and AfTertion aforefaid, was this viz. that there is a two fold Call to the Mini- stry, inward and outward the fir it con ftff in g princi- pally in, or rather evidenced by the pious Difpofiti- ons, and Aims c.f the Perfon, and the latter in his regular external Separation to the Mmifterial Work. It is evident from the Words of that Pa- ra!: raph, that I meant the inward Gill.— The Words are thefe, " Is it not a Principal Part, of «« the ordinary Call of God to the ministerial «« Work, to aim at the Glory of God, and in Sub- <« ordination thereto, the good of Souls ; as their <* chief Marks, in their Undertaking that Work/' I I C E X A M I N E H , E X A M I N E D . IT A cannot be reafonably fuppofed to mean the ex- rernal Call, by the aforcfaid Words, except I wag intirely void of common Senfe, and fo unable to i iftmguim between what is cutward and inward. But furely the ^ueyijls didi't tale me to be pon com- pos, oth erwiie they have reflected upon their own Underftandings, by writing fo much againft me ; and yet the ^uerijls, have diiingenuoufly apply'd them to the outward Call y and fo mifreprcienred my meaning, and the true Siare of the Queftion, pag. 44. in their 5. Queftion, they fignify, " what *' they take to be the Call of God to the Miniftry, st and fay that it is fome publick .and authoritative A Declaration, of Gods Will, &c." Which plaint ly fhews that they mean the externa] Or outward Call only. And in the follow ing Paragraph, they lay in anfwer to my Queftion in the Sermon, namely, Is it not a principal Part of the ordinary Call of God to iLe Mini ferial [fork, to aim at Gods Glory \ and in Subordination thereto the Good tj 'Souls ? They anfwer, -7/vtfj it is no Fart of Gods Call to the Miffiftry y much left a pri m ipal Part of it. A. It's true, it is no Part of the external Call; here they endeavour to reprefent me, as maintain- ing, that the aforefaid good Difpofition, gives Au- thority to exercife the Miniftry ; which was ever far from my Thought*, end which there- is not one Word of in that Sermon, which they fet them- selves to oppofe. What I have (aid refpc&ingthe inwardCaW they apply to ths outward and thus chey mifreprefent, and mifapply, what I have fpoken, and fo do not reafon againft my Opinion chiefly but their own Mifreprefentation. That my Kotingham Sermon was fram'd upon the Plan or Notion of a two fold Call, will ap- pear more clearly by comparing what has bee« already mentioned, from the 'pag. of that Ser- mon, with what is faid tag. 31. where I obfeve that u Pharifaicky or unconverted Minifte rs jfre no <* Shepherds, (ho faithful Ones-) in Ch rj^s t's A - B 2. M count. i% The Exjmini*, Exam ink ». *« count." There it is plainly in ci ma red, that I own'd them "to be Mimfters, true and lawful ones, in the h\ht of the Church, but not faithful oises^ an the Account of Cfrht. Yea the Cafe \s fo plain, that the Qutrtp t'herofcives dp acknow- ledge' it, tag. 55. in thefe Words, <« doth it not feem «« that the vulgar Dillin&ion, between the cut- 4t ward and 2n1vc.nl Call, tfie Cull of God and the M pair of Man to the Minl(b\', is the Foundaii- •< on of the above I.iifhkc in "Mr. r Here they own it to be vulgar, or ccm- fnonly received ; and indeed fo it is ; for this is the Opinion of the whole Church of Scotland, as appears from her Directory, which they and we have a- dopted, as the Standard of our Proceedings and Sentiments, refpefifcing the Affairs of Church Go- vernment. Under the Head of Ordination, are thefe Words, « Which being confidercd by the " Presbytery they fhall proceed to enquire touch- « ing the Grace of God in him, and whether he «' beoffuch holinefs of Life, as is require in a « Minifter of the Gofpel, and to -examine him, « touching his Learning and Sufficiency, and touch-*- " ing the Evidences of his calling to the Holy " Miniftry ; and in particular his fair and direft " calling to that Place." Here it is evident, chat they aflert a Call to the Miniftry, before Ordina- tion ; and^ therefore an inward Call. This is writ- ten as with a Sun Beam in thofe Words and therefore the gttwifs mew either little acquaint- ance with their own avowed Principles, or Hide regard to them, by denying it. And indeed here- by they offer much Realbn to fufpecr their Sin- cerity m the Miniftry. Alas what luperficial Mi- nifters muft they be, who deny the kmatd Call, is it becaufe they han't it tfiemfelves, or is it to Vf\ down with the Cry of &ror 2 Etm, fuch as think t6 The ExAMt N E R , £ X A M I N £ D ^ think it neceffary to hold the Presbyterian Prfnci- ples contain'd in our excellent 'Directory? If fa 'their Cafe or Courfe is miierable. And do not the Church of England in their Ordination Office, piopofe thefe Qiieftions to the Candidate, before Or- dination, viz. ** Do you truft that you are inwardly " moved by the Holy Ghofr to take upon you this " Office and Administration ? And are you called <* according to the Will of our Lord Jefus Chrift, u and the Laws of this Realm V* This is fo plain and pofitive to the Point in difpute, that there is no need of any Addition to explain it. The Reader may herefrom eafily perceive, what fort of a Spirit the ^nerijti are of, who labour to call Contempt upon the avowed Principles of the Body of the Proteftant Churches, refpecling this Poinc under debate. Now feeing I clid not afTert the Neafflity of an extraordinary Call, in the ordinary Times of the Gofpel ; coniifting in Virions, and Voices and the like, or that good Difpofitions and Aims, were fufficient to conftirute a Miniifer, or give a Right to exercife that Office, without a regular external Separation thereto, according to the Order of God, neither of which > I ever belie v'd or ex'prek'd ; what neceffity was there then for fo long and warm a Difpute, againft our and their excellent Directory, unlels it was. to amufe the Ignorant, and prejudice them againft thofe whom they hated, and wanted to pull down ? But the Truth of the Cafe is this, fome of rhefe Men hare been lefs efteemed, by fome of their Hearers, afer the Work of God fpread among tbem, than before ; and others whom they diflik'd, have been efteem'd above them; neither of which they could brook, they have therefore taken up Arms againft Gods Work and his Servants, whom he has u*'d in promoting it, and have endeavour "a by all Means, (per fas nefafy;) by Hook and Crook to flandtr and traduce both, in order to arrufl* The Examiner, Exam i ked. 17 the ignorant Populace, they have rai^'d the Hue and Cry or Error and Diforder, againft thofe whom they diluain, and have put their Wits upon the Tenters, to find out Matter to fupport the Charge, partly by invidious and ralfe GlqiTes, upon the Writings of their Opponents, and by artfully magnifying fmaU ler Jncjiicretions in Conduct, and partly by cither Inventing or Propagating notorious Falfhoods , concerning them. That God, whefe we are, and whom we fenre^ knows, that it was ourlncention in travelling to bring poor Sinners to Christ Jesus, as well as to buiid up Saints in him, and no: to divide Congrega- tions, as they do falliy Charge us, it is they that are the proper Caufes of ih^ Diviitons among us, by their pppofiug that blefled Work of Conviction and Converfion, that h;s not long fince been ipreading in their Borders ! Had they join'd with us as they ought to have done, in promoting that Work, and as they v. ili wifh one Day they had done, there would have been no Divifions among us : But inftead of this, they have us'd fly a;id fbphiftical Methods^ in abufing every feemiugly or really exceptionable Incident, to caft odious Colours upon the whole Work, they have like wife oppos'd Goa's Work; by their falfe and dangerous A'ofaoian Do&riue* about Conviction. Witnefs, Mr. Vkohiffiits de^ r .d- ble and inconfi'lent Performance, en:i:led, Trs Loci r me of' ConiiBtons fit in a clear Li'ht ; which divers Minilters of tha; lchiimatical Pany, have ex- prefled their Appobation ot : Hardly any thing can be invented, that has a more direct Tendency, to deftroy the common Operations of God's holy Spi- rit, and to keep Men from JesusChrist, than what Mr. ^homfon has exprefs \i in that Performance. . C. E. G. pag.zr t . He fays, " Firft, as to thefe pre- €t paratory ungracious Convictions, as I may call t hemj '* which are held to be fo neceiury, by way of Pte^ *.' paration for Converfion. I apprehend that if cneir ** Nature and Tendency be duly confideied, it will C &$$&& t S The Ex AMI NER, ExA»fINEl>; « appear, that all fuch Convictions, as are void of «« true Grace, are fo far from being neccilary Pre- '< paratives for Conveifion, thar they are rather an «« Impediment to it. Pag. 28. That theie common <« Convictions may be fometimes fiicceeded with true «* Conversion, I do not deny, but when it is fo, ** the Converfiou following cannot be juftly reckon 'd « the proper Effect of thefe Convictions, akho' it m may be occafion'd by them, as it may be by the « GommifTion of fome grofs Sfn, which deeply «« wounds the natural Conscience. Pag 33. 34. <* It is evident that whatever Convictions, may be •« rais'd in a Perfons Mind, which are void of «« the foregoing Marks of laving Conviction,- or « whatever Fear or Terrors may follow or accom- « pany fuch Convictions, can have no native Ten- «« dency, to lead or prepare Perfons for Converfi- «« on. What nearer to Conversion is a Perfon, or «« better prepar'd for it, by his being convinc'd of *< Sin and Guilt, while ftill his Heart,- Love and <« Affections are under the reigning Power of ir ? « Nor is he humbly affected, wich a Senfe of its ** Vilenefs, How much was Judas prepar'd for Con- <* verfion by his Conviction? and Terrors t Yea «< fuch ungracious Convictions tend rather to <« fcare a Perfon from Chrift, than draw him unto *« him: fag. ^9. From which it doth plainly ap- *< pear, that the Convictions which are neceflary «* to Converfion, are in Truth a Part of the Work *< it felf, ortofpeak more diftinctly, nothing elfe, «« but that very Principle of Grace,, implanted in and " bv Converfiou; putinji forth it felf in the Exercifc «< of Conviction, or Perfuafion of the Perfon's na- «* tural (infill and miserable State, according *'* to the Word. The Heart and Confcience «« bearing Witnefs thereto." For the Confutation of this nonfcnfical Moravian Notion, I would re- fer the Reader to my Sermons againft the Mo- tgvians pag J. 4. 5. and to the Rev. Mr. i)kkepfin9 ingenious The E X A M Vk E K > E X A M I N E D. ^ 1 9 ingenious Dialogues, wiierein thi* i J oint is more lagely difcuflcd. Our Oppofers, as I am credibly informed, have done .much Injury to Religion by indifKnct and unfea- fonable Difcourfcs upon this Point, viz. *fbat Per- form may have Grace and not know it. This was infixed upon at a Time, -when Multitudes were under Convictions, and the Conlequence -was, that many relapfed into their former Secu- rity. They have likewhe, as has been obfervM, rais'd the Cry of Order, and fet it in -fiich a Liafct, as has had a Tendency to blacken the Characters of fome of God's poor Servants, in the -Opinion of fome, and its probable that this was their De- fign ; this has likewife been a plaufib.le Mean, of cb^ ftructing God's Work in the Land. And indeed this is the Artifice and Tricfc which the Oppofers of Religion have ufed againfc God's faithful Servants ot old. lljah was charged by-jiihfib as a Tr.ubkr of Ifrtel, Paul reprcfented as a Mover of Sedition, and our Lord himfelf was faulted for not obfejving the Tradition of the Fathers, And thus whiie our Oppofers contend for what is comparatively but the ty thing of A.int, z^d^nnies, and Cummin^ they neglect the weightier flatters of the Law. But the 2d Particular, againfi: which the ^uenfls Reafbnings (if they may be fo called) are prh- cipally directed, is reflecting wha. I have faid in the 1 8 and 19 pag. of the Nottingham Sermon in thefe Words, viz. M Jf the Min^firy of natural «• Men be, as jt has been reprefemed, then ic is ** both lawful and expedient, to go from them :o «« hear Godly Perfons ; yea i: is \o far from b ing ft finful to do this, tha: ore who lives under a <* pious Mmifter of leffer Gif:s, after having ho- «« neftly endeavour'd to ^et Benefit by his Mini- « c (try, a"d rets little or none, but doth find real * 4 Benefit, and more Benefit elfew here, I fay he B 2 " nuy 2.0 The Ex A MI NE R , E X A Ml NED. f r 'nr»ay lawfully eo, and that frequently, "where «' he gets n oft Good to his precious Soul af.er 4i regular Applica.ion to the Pallor where he * 4 lives for his Co: fern, and propofing the Rea- " fbns thereof, when this is clone in the Spirit ** of Love and Mcekr.efs w ithcuc contempt of any, *' as alio without mill Anger or vain Curiofi;y." ■ ' The it will neccfTaiily follow, that every Time the. Minilter preaches to any befides his own People, he commks Adultery » and every Time the People hear ano:her, they like wife commit Adultery. At this Rate a Minifter would be no Minilter, but in his own Parifn, and every Time he Steps over the Line, his Right to exercile his mtnifteriaJ Office evanifhes. Befides, according to this Plan, the Presbyterian Churches, by maintaining the Lawfulnels of the tranlponing of Minifters from one Place to ano ther, in order to exercile their Psftoral Office there ftatedly, and that purely to- promote the greater Good of the Church; ami their acting ac- cordingly is a maintaining and practifing of Adul- tery ; and do not the gharifts protels this very poctrine, while they affuruc [tie Pmbfteriap name, D z6 The Examiner, Examiner. ard have they ro; a&ed accoraing to it, in a pub- lick apd fecial Manner nor Ion., fir.ce i Well then don't they accord jig 10 their ov by the Qaiu the Lyon is knomn t . So the Reader by thi . Inftance may guefs at the Temper of the <%uerijis t and their manner of trifling in De- putation. buL enough of this I return to our Lxamiriers Performance, and beg liis Pardon that I have inter ip ted by fo long a Digreflion, my remarks upon it ; and doing it the Jultice it deferves. But feeing it was only to pay ibme Complements, to a Work of his dear Friends, which he has in fo high Efteem ; I hope he will have me excus'd. The Examiner fays, pag, 4 * That Mr. 7's zealous il Advocates here, and clfewhere, have by Way of " Chari y, difpers'd about the Country, great Nun**- «' bers of the lafc Edition, (meaning of the Notingbam V Sermon) tending to corrupt the Minds ot People, ** from the Simplicity w hich is in C u r i s t , and to *' promote that Coufufion and feperatiug Spiiic, }'« which he himfelf has been inttrumental in railing <* ir. many Places.** Jnptv. What this Author Means, by the Simplici- ** ty which is inC h i s t , I cannot tell, butfure I a.n that inftead of corrupting Mens Minds, 6cc. it tends to prevent their being corruptee, to inform them of the Danger of an ungodly Miuiury ; and to direct M. ri:y> in thofe whom he calls my Advocates, to d\Q- perfe them. Bur on the Contrary to excite People to an Inriiffercncy in their Choice of Minifters, or to encourage unconverted Men to come into the Miniftry, or to be offended at the odious Characters, the Scriptures give them, or to befriend them in their fordid Opposition to Gods Work and Servants, Is a finful Simplicity, and horrid Cruelty ! And that the Examiner is Guilty of all tbefe Things, either exprcfly cr virtually, will appear I truft hy the fol- lowing Pages. The Sermon rightly under flood, has no tendency to promote Confufion and a feparating Spirit. If I had aiferted, that a certain Knowledge of the States of others was attainable, or thafuncoiiverteriMiniffers -were "never us'dasMeans of doing Good, or that it was a Sin to hear them, or that it was lawful to go (tatcdly from the hearing of thatMiniitcr whom we are under a delation to, at our Pleafure, there would be fome "Umbrage or Reafon for the Charge ; but feeing I "have laid neither of thele, but on the contrary ai\ .-fcrted the neceiTity of previous Application, &c. the Charge is without any real Foundation. This Author farther adds, « that I my felf have, €l been instrumental, of railing in many of their. ct Places, Confufion and a fepararing Spirit." Jnf. It is a notorious Fs^fliopd, ^fboufamtf in N. En-. rLvulcdu witnefs that J fpakc-feldom of theMiniflry at all; not one Word came out of my Lips, in Favour of Separating from them. But if this Author means by CpiifVifiafl and a feparating Spirit, a Scriprural and rational Diftrefs of Soul for Sin, and a Sepa- ration from it in Affection and Pra&ife, he in that Fcufc (peaks the Truth, thefe Things I confers J wa, ([Ijro' Grace) inftr urn ental in railing, in ma- jiv of their Places. But to confirm his awful Charge he adds this In- .yiw.ible Argument viz. " For many are fully per- << (waded, that Mr. 7\s Sermon, and practice upon << jr. have fyvvn the Seeds of all the Difcord, In- «« uufion,. The Examiner, Examined Z? 11 trufion, Confufion, Separaion, Hatred, Variance, «< Emulation Wrath, Strife, Seditions, Herefys, &c\ ••that have been bringing up, in Co many of the •• Towns and Churches thro* the Province for 41 two Years psir." Jvf. A dreadful Inditement indeed if true, con- fining of eleven Particulars, and yet behold and wonder there's fomething left behind unexprefVd, for there is an &> cetera at the Heels of it ' But it is my Comfort that his Libel is falfe and ridiculous. Mechinks if the Examiner has any remains of Con- ference left, it mud needs make him uneafy and afhamed, that he has utter 'd. eleven FaKhoods at a Breath ; but pray Sir, why didn't you favour us with the whole Catalogue of Crimes, was you aware that you had already meniioned more than you could prove, if To it was diibeet in you noc to proceed farther, but to make an Ei cetera fupply the Place of Particulars. Terrible, and have I fown the Seeds of Herefy and Trcafon too a- mong you. Alack and alas a-day? Why didn'c you charge me with Murder and Blafphemy alfo ? For you had as much Reafon for thefe as for the others, aye Treafon ! Is this your Chancy 1 do you want the civil Sword to be drawn againft me as a Rebel to the State for preaching Faith and Re- pentance fuccefsfqlly 1 wou'd you embrue your Hands in my Blood, that trave I'd thro' the Winter Cold to do yourCountry Good ? But pray Sir, where are the Proofs of the aforefaid Charge ? Why this % il That many are fully perfwaded, that my Ser- *< mon and Practice upon ic, have fown the Secds^ *• Sec. as aforefaid." Mf- And what if they be ? I i*s either thro* tbf Force of their prejudice, or by falfe Information. JMany more in Kpw-EvgLwd, know the unreafona-» Wenefs and ial/hood of tha. Perfuafjon, The Charge of my praftifmg upon the Sermon, fuppofes in my Apprehenfioti, thac that Sermon was generally known by the People of ##«p-£kigfe*^ either $o *Tlie Examiner Examinbij cirhcr before or when I was among them, which isfaile; unleis our Author rakes preaching Original $?#, Faith, Repentance* fjujiijicction by the Rigktfoufmft pfC H R i $ T ajom, the Conviction of Sin, t h s blew Birth, and tl>e necejpty cf a holy Life, to be fov,ing the Seeds of Difcord, I am not .•.uilty. Multitudes know that theie v. ere the Dcdtrines which I ptincipally preach'd upon in Kelp- England. I may add like wife, thati: is .veil known, that there was no fuch Divi- fionsin ff. England when I was in it, as have /ince happened. Biu fuppo C\ ng there had been, it would not have prov'd the Charge of Confulion, much lefs of Kerefy, except I had fpokef) Something that had a Tendency thereto, Would not it be unrea- sonable to charge the ApoftleP^/, with all the Tu- mults whieft jometimes attended his Preaching of which it was aot the Caufe, but innocent Occanon only. Would xhe Examiner Charge our Lord, with being the Author of Confuiion, becaufe he tells us that he came not to fend Peace, but fire and Divifion ? But our Authpr proceeds to repeat his Charge in the following mviduous Terms-, viz.. " Wno ■•* hath been lb Inftrumental to hatch the Cockatrice, '* a$ himfeif, tho* at the fame Time he could grave- ** ly Advife others, to crulli it in the Egg." Jnfa, This would be very inconiifteht if true, but in as much as it is Falfe, it mult be laid at his own Door. I befeech the Examiner to confider fe- rioully the following Lines, in the 14. pag. of that Sermon he fo much Dill ikes. " JUat. 23. 1%. IVo V* unto you, Scribes andPbarifccs, hypocrites , for ye put up 4t tpe Kingdom of Heazen again f Men) for ye neither g9 *' hi your flies , nor fuffcr i-.ofe that are entcing to go in. V Pharife Teachers will with the utmoft Hate, op- ?' pofe the very Work of Gods Spirit upon the Souls ? c of Men, and Labour by all Means to blacken it, 44 as well as the Inftruments, which the Almighty " improves to promote the fame, if it come near their €i Borders, and Interferes with their Credit or Inte- *< reft ; thus did the Pharifees with our Saviour. « May The Examiner, Examiked. 51 May Almighty God incline our Author, to exa- mine impartially 1 if this be not his Cafe and Prac- tice ? But the Examiner proceeds to fay, " Whoever " will take Pains to confider the main Scope of « Mr. ^'s Sermon at Kettitigham, will find the " Principles of it, fubveiiive of Gofpel Order* «* the publick Miniltry, and publick Means of E- •< ducacion; and what have we more ? What could •« touch the Apple of our Eye, like this fatal Blow ? •* It is a Blow at the Root 1 " jfttf. If the Charge was crue, that Sermon wou'd defer ve the molt fpeedy Condemnation. But where is the Proof? Why the Examiners AiTertion, or ipfe dixit : But will this fuffice the Impartial, no furely ! Whatcan*t the Danger of an unconverted Miniltry be reprefented, and private Seminaries of Learning be erected, efpecially where there are no pubiick ones, without endangering the publickMiniftry, ana publick Means of Education ? Strange ! V\ Iiat No -.ion then muft this Gentleman have of the Miniftry 1 Does he think they are all unconverted *: If fo, he is very uncharitable indeed ! I'm forry, it fhould touch hrm lb near as the Apple of his Eye, to have the Danger of an unconverted Mimitry fet forth as in my I otingham Sermon ; if he were not too nearly related to them, methinks it woudn't touch him in fo tender a Part, bat on the contrary it would make him gird, to fee their Picture Co juftly drawn, that fo they migh: fee their Faces in that Glafs, and be convine'd and afhamed. It the Sermon be a Blow at' the Root, as our Author obferves, it is at the Root, of an un-odly Mini- ftry, and is our Author forry, that that Root of BLcernefs mould be ftruck at I When I compos'd it, I expected it would be judged by that Tribe ic detected, as guilty ot Scandalum Magnatum, as wor- thy of Bonds and of Le«th. I fuppos'd, it would be like rouiing a Wafps Neft, and I have found in S^ceording to my Expectation. The Oppofers of God's % i The E x A m i s' i R , Examined. God's Work, have dip't their Tongues and Pens in Gall, and by their Malignant Invectives, have endeavour'd to bury us Author in Kuins ; but toeradvtffiiUJe it may have a Refurfeefion to their Terror and Shame. What's the matter tha: thcie Men, can find nothing agreeable in thai Sermon, that fo exactlv defciibes iU naked Iruthy the very Character Cafe and Pranks of the ungodly Clergy ': Suppofing fome Things in it were worded in too {trong Terms, what then* iliou'd they condemn all for this, and want to commit it to the Flames ? Indeed I think this Method of Proceeding, looks very fufpicious and Points out who they are? But the Examiner proceeds to produce the Sen- timents of a Schifmatlcal Party whom he calls the Synod, wherein they condemn my Sermon preach- ed at hctlngham, as a notable Initance of our lowing Seeds of Divifion* u And we charge him ** fey they > with perverting Scripture, uncharitable «* rain judging the Body of the Clergy of this Ge- «* neration, in the Lump, and encouraging Factions <« and Diforders therein !" jivf Perhaps this Gentleman thinks to grace and firengthen his fide of the QuelUon, by the Name of Synod But 1 would have him to confidcr, that adhucfitb judice lis ejl. The Point is in difpute, whe- ther the Party he (peaks of, be the Synod ofPki- delphia or not, I humbly conceive they will not be found fo in the IlYue, being but a minor Party to thofe whom they condemn. • As to the Charge of Perverting Scripture in that Sermon, I deny ir, I have better Interpreters, than them on my Side, that juitiry the t)t'n(c 1 have given of the Scriptures in that Sermon. The Scrip- tures produced anfwerthe Defign I bro'c them for. darnel v, to ihew the Danger of an uneonvert- co Miiiiitry. And that the Almighty does not approve of natural Mens taking upon them the Miniltry iii the ordinary Time of the Gofpel. It is they thai lwve peivcr;ed my Meaning, and io in ^ OI1 ~ iequciicc The E x a m i n i R , E x a m i K t p . 53 J cquence thereof, would Charge upon me a pervCrt- ng of the Scripture. . _ As to what they call, uncharitable judging of the Body of the Clergy of this Generation, I would ask them,, what they think thcmiclves; Do they Im- magine, that the greater P..rt of the Miniiiers of this Generation, are pious ? Let them fpeak out up- on this, Head. Are not the greateft part of the Cler°y of this Generation Papiils, and is it unchari- table to fay that fuch are unconverted ? And are not many of the Proteftant Clergy very unfound in Principle, and unholy in Life ? And is there not a i;reat Number of others, who have a Form bin: hate the Power of Godlinef.? Have not many thole Marks of Impiety that are mention'd in that Ser- mon which they oppofe ? Truly I mud confefs, that the more I have had to do with them* and perceiv'd the Malignant Op- pofition of fome of tham, againft God's Woric and Servants, the more my Opinion has been ftrength- ened respecting the greatnefs of the Number of gracelefs Minifters. As to their Charge of Towing Seeds of Divifion. I would anfwer them in thefe Words of the Not- inrham Sermon pag. 25 '« the proper Caufe of fin- " ful Divifions, is that Enmity againft God and «« Holinefs, which is in the Hearts of natu- " ral Men of every order, being ftirr'd up by the " Devil and their own proud and felfifh Lufts ; and <4 very often natural Men, who are the proper ** Caufes of the Divifions aforefaid, are wont to " deal with God's Servants, as Potiplars Wife did *« by Jofeph, they lay all the Blame of their own u Wickednefs at their Doors y and make a loud li Cry. tfbis is truly the prcfentdfe. It is a Fruit of our Authors irrong Prejudice, to reprefent me as holding in my Hotingham & Moravian Sermons, two Principles as oppofite as the Heathen Principles, of a good and evil God, as will ap- pear I \mk by the Sequel, ■ . h 34 The Exahinu, Eu.m5K!1, But to proceed, our Charitable Exaviir.er, is of- fended at the Rev. Ministers of Boftcn, for fpeaking honourably of my Per ion, and late ^Performance, refpecring the A.evavhns^ it feems, as if he grudg- ed that any ftiou'd think or fpeak well of me, where flow is our Authors Charity* which he faid he put on in his firft pAg. dosn't it feem as if he had drop't the Cloak quite ? Whatifthele Rev. Gentlemen, had feeh the Krt- higham Sermon, ashefuggefts; its like they woudn't have fo dreadful an Idea of it, as our Author (what their Opinion of the Sermon is- 1 know not.) But on the Suppofition, that one or more of them ■were of Opinion,- that there were ibme unguarded or exceptionable Expreflions in it, yet might they not confident with the Simplicity that is in Christ, forbear exprefling this, when they -were not call'd to it. They were not prefacing the Netingham Sermon, but others* which this Author himlelf does not object again ft ; had they cxprefsM a Commendation of thefe, together With aCenfure becaufe of fuppos'd Exceptions in a- nother, wou'd it not have tended to mar the life- fulnels of what they recommended, fliou'd not whata Perfbn does well, be commended, notwith- ftanding of his fuppos'd or real Defects ? It muft appear evident to every impartial Mipd, that the Rev. Minifters of Bofton, have acted ac- cording to the Simplicity that is in Christ, by recommending a Performance which was feafbn- able, and had ibme Tendency to prevent, the Spread of Aoravhmfm in this Land ; and by giving thcAuthor of it thatHonour, which they^ thought was juft, in order to make the Performace of moreService. But how to reconcile our Authors Conduct, in this Affair with the Simplicity that is in Christ, 3 profefs I am at a Lofs ? If Jie has any Love to the Trurhs of God, which are now ft much at- tacked in this Land, why does he come out with ftich Virulence againft me when I am appearing The Examiner, Examined. 55 tor them, and endeavouring as v.-] I as I can to de- fend them. Why is he utterly filent, about what I have faid in Defence of the main Truths of the Gofpel ? Doe>n't i; feem as if fome AoraUan or Jtfuit had hir'd his Pen, to attempt by Hook and Crook to render me Ridiculous, that thus the In- fluence .of my lare Performance again ft them might be fruitra:e ? This Author farther betrays the badnefs of his Caufe, and Spirit, by deriding thofe Rev. Gen- tlemen, who are above his Contempt, by infi r ;u- ■ that they believ'd, fome Perfon to be infallible in thefe Words. " If they think as Proteftants generally do, that fj Iafalibiiiry may be miftaken."— -But afterwards, in the lame Page, he grows more warm and con- ttdent, and fays, *' ic leems thai fuch a Prime Li- *' iirument of the Woik, that has been going on in k< the American Provinces, for the two lalt Years " muft be judged infallible, and fupported wi.h the 44 higheft Encomiums of fix mod Rev. Ministers." Jn{. Why has this Anchor cbarg'd fuch a noto- rious Falfhood, upon thefe worthy Gentlemen, namely, that they have judged roe infallible, for the which he has not the leaft Foundation ; can they not commend what they judge to be Praife Worthy in any, without fuppofiug him to be In- fallible ? To what Lengths will Men's Rage and Prejudice carry them ? And How fa!fe and ungenerous is it in our Au- thor, to charge thofe Gentlemen in the fame p. g. with having Men's Perfons in Admiration, becaufo of Advantage. With a Relation to me ; his Words are thefe, " But it feems no Man dar'd, or car'd to fay un- M to him, why doft thou fach Things, fuch is the « 4 Danger of having Mens Perfons in Aamiration " becaufe of Advantage." I anfwer, What Advantage could thefe Gentle - ascn propofe by a poor Stranger, wh9 was to be Z.6 The ExAMl N E R , E X A M I NED. among them but a few Weeks, and probably ne- ver like to fee their Faces any more in this World ? And v/iio as our Author tells the Story, pag. S. ct Game with a great Troop of 20 or 30 fiorie, <» cntring into other lien's Labours, and devour- f * ing their Livings."— J»f. !No, It was Love to Gods Work which this Man defpifes, that excited their Lfteem of an Inftrument, whom it pleated the SovcreignGod to improve, in promoting of it ! But if no Mans daring or caring to fay to me, fi{h c li.bi*s? would prove the Charge of having JMcn in Admiration,' becaufe of Advantage ; as our Author infmuates, then the prefent Oppofers of Gods Work in K England, wou'd be as guilty of it, as thofc v.hom they now unjuftly defpiie : For v. here is there one of them, that luggCRcd tome the leafl doubt of the Reality of it then f neither I meet with the leafl Opposition againft the Doctrines of Grace, which I preach 'd, except in one or two imall Towns. The Truth is, the Convic- tion»and Converfion of Sinners, was attended with' juch Majefty and Power, as aftoniflied and terrified thole ungodly Creatures, which were not convert- ed : So that for a Time hardly any of them durft move his Tongue, much lefs his Ben againft it; but i.fter a While the Influences of the Divine Spirit be- ing withdraw n, and fome Stumbling Blocks falling in the Way, obftinate Tranfgreflors grow profane- ly bold in oppofing God's Work ? and in traducing find contemning his Servants. Ohfcive Header, how this Author difcovers his Antipathy againft the Work of God, in the follow- ing Lines. u I heartily wifh (fays he) he was more * l worthy, for whom they have done this, and *« that they themfelves liad not in this Labour of ft< Love, to their dear and honouredBrother, betray \\ cv too great a Liking, of 'what is commonly cail'd kC this Work." jfnfi I joyn with this Author in the firft part of l\i* Pedijon, but have Reafon :o doubt fiopi l % is pr<*- fent The E X A M I N* E R , E X A M T N' E D . ,7 fent Performance, that if it was anfwercd, he wou'i like me lefs, if pollible than he doe* ! bnc as to the latrer part of it, I mult declare my diflent, akho* I queftion not his Sincerity therein. Buc on the contrary, I blefs God who has excited .thoie worthy & famous Minifters, to appear as Witneflcs to i-is Trurhs and Work, in a da/ of Degeneracy, Biaf- phemv, and Rebuke ; this is their Honour, and will be their unfpeakable Advantage in a future World ; whatever the Ignorant or Prejudiced m^y fay ro the contrary. The World may fee by this, what fort of a Perfon this Examiner is, who attemprs to wound my Character and Ufcfulinefs, namely, that he is one, who diilikes the late Revival of Re- ligion in this Land. But rue Examiner proceeds to obferve, UDon the PREFACE thus. " Thefe Rev. Gentlemen fay, 44 This our dear Brother vifired us at BcPcn —o 44 Years ago ; and in the Spirit of the Rev. Mr. 44 Whitiftliy entred into his Labours." Upon whicia he fays, 44 It's true Mr. Vetwetit vifited thefe Pares 41 about trjat Time, and the Villi was full ot Ex:ra- 44 ordinaries, his progrefs thro* the Province, la- 44 vour'd more of worldly Pomp and Grandeur, 44 than the Humilicy of the meek and lowlv Je s u ?, 44 he came eating and dringink, flopping over ths 44 Country wich his Con?regi,tio depropop.wda &c mag- 44 nacomitaMte catzrva, with a Troop of twenry or 44 thirty Horfe, cntring into other Men's Labours 44 and devouring their Livings, having all Things 44 in common." Jnf. What Envy appears in this Reprefentation ? It's true fome Perfons did of their own meerMotion, without any Invitation of mine, accompany me in my Travels, fome times more, and fomecimes lefs in Number ; and for what I could learn, wich a Defireto receive Benefit to their Souls by my Preach- ing ; and what wou'd our Author have me to do in \) a Cafe ? Would he haye me to drive them away $8 The ExAMlKEK,F,XAfl!KE »•. away? W>y does he lay that' dm favour *d mort, of worldly Pomp, than of the Humility of the meek and Jowly Jlsus? Didn't Multitudes follow Chi lit, to attend his itinerary Labours ? And didn't he come eating and drinking I Wou'd our Author have me live without Victuals and Drink ? Or wou'd he have me ftarv'd to Death ! But perhaps the Emphafis of the Charge, con fi its in galiopphg over the Coufitry. Really the Snow- was fo acep duiing a good Part of my Travels, that it was no proper Scafon for gallopping. I don't remember for my Part, that I gallqp't any, but if I had, I don't fee the Harm of it. Methinks our ■ Author's trifling in his Charges againit me for the Want of proper Materials, turns to my Commen- dation, and therefore his futile Reflections,* contra- ry to his Defign, are proper Panegyrick upon me, and a Satyre upon hlmicif. O ! but he fays that I cnter'd into other Men's Labours. str.f Its true I pieach'd in other Minitters Pul- pits, but not without their Confent, and where, was the Harm, of this ? But he adds devouring their L ; vin<.!;s. * 'jfnf. It's true, when I was invited by Minifters or others, to fray in their Houfes for a Night or fo in my Pafs, I generally comply *d, and partook of what .they fet before me, and fo did any that were pleafed to travel with me. I .defy this Ex- aminer to prove that I did either without Invita- tion ; and where was the Harm of complying as before ? dosn't the Examiner remember the old Pro- verb, volenti nulla fit injuria y to a iii{lwg Per/on tic inju- ry is dene. What does he mean by devouring then 1 Does he intend that I, or any of my Companions in Travel, eat or drank to excefs ? If he does let him prove it if he can ? But here I muft beg leave to obferve, with all due gratitude that much Kindnefs and Refpect, was Hiewn me by many in N. En- glands in hofpitable generous Entertainments ; and doss cur Author grudge &; grumble at this 1 1f ic were not The Examiner, Ex a minep. $<> not too rude and uncivil, I would remember him of a coveteous Perfon, thai lo-^g fince begrudged expenfive Refpect ihewn to our Lord. But ic ivas not to his Honour. But the Examiner adds another Article of Charge, in this Paragraph, namely, having ail Things in common . yl As before he had refembled me to the Papifts in thefe Words, with his Qngregatfo dt propaganda &c. I fuppofethe word left ou. is Eaith ; lb :ha: his Meaning is, that I went galloppin^ abour win my Companions, to propagate the Faith. W'~at Faith ? Does he in (innate the Roman Cacholkk, as his Form of Expefhon feems to point to ? This is exceeding invidious, doesn't this Author know in his Confer- ence that the Doctrines of Faith which I preach'd in JSeiv England, were no other than what is con- tain'd in the Weftminfter Confeiiion of Faith, and the Doctrinal Articles' of 'he Church of England ? I fay as before he refembled me to the Papitis 7 , fo here in the ialt Words of the Paragraph,' to the Le- vellers, by faying we had all Things in common. I will fay no more cOthis than th.it it is another no- torious Faifhood, either of this Examiners Invention or Publication. The Examiner farther obferves, in the next Pa- ragraph, p. 8. " He came in the Spirit of Mr. White- happen, we are Slaves indeed of the moft fordid kind, and rob'd of every Thing that's worth Keeping of a Religious Nature. Hereby a Ci urch Tyrany is erected, and the hateful RomifK Doctrines of impliciteFaith and blind Obedince, efta- zd. Goo forbid that we Ihould caft away the a herewith Chrifl has made us free, and Men to lo d it over our Confciences, and en- with their piaudble Pretext of Rule and Order ! Order, Order was the Cry of the Pafijls in the Beginning of the Reformation from ropery, with a, View to flop its Progrefs. The Text they trump'd up upon every Occafion, as Doctor fietius .-es was Jfat.z$. 3. JH therefore whatever they bid erve, that ohferve aud do, omnia, omnia, all, ajf, they mull cb.i'erve, all the holy Tradirions or the Roman Catholick Church, all the holy Cannons 4?2 The Ex aminer,Examik«1 and Orders, or be curs'd with Bell, Book ark? Candle Light as diforderly and contemptuous Ferfons, Schifmaticks, Hereticks, and what not? Bur. the blclTed Reformers better underftood the Scriptures and their Duty frorrt them, than to mind their felfifh ' imperunet Cant, or to be fcar'd from it by their invidious and groundlefs Anathemas And has not the Epifcopal Church excommunicated all that diilent from her, by her Cannons. Now alt that make them, (I mean the Cannons) will fay that they are agreeable to the Scriptures. And fo Scrip- ture Rules. In the mean Time it muff be obferv'd, that we fhould with equal Care avoid both Extr earns, vhf. Tyranny upon the one hand, and the abufe of Christian Liberty upon theother^ Truth and Duty lye between both, as we fhould abhor wich a perfect Hatred the enflaving Schemes of High Church Bigots y fo on the contrary, we ihould equally abhor and avoid, the Plea of Ex^ trwainaries, except the Cafe be evidently fo. But the Examiner proceeds to fay in the next Paragraph, pag. 8 " He came in the Spirit of « 4 Mr. WhittfieU, when he treated the Body of the * l Miniftry in this Province, with fo much Neglect <« and contempt as he did, not only in not fuffer- " ing himfeli to hear any ofthem, no not in Bopcv «* itfeif, except once or twice/" Jnf This Charge is likewife a notorious Falfhood? I never treated the Body of the Clergy in any Pro- viuce of ISew England, with ■ Neglect and Contempt. I have a Wicnefs in Heaven and in my own Bo- fpm that my not hearing rnnay of the Minifters of 2sew England, did not proceed front any Contempt of them. The Cafe was plainly this, I was ftirr'd up at that Time by the Almighty to uncommon Zeal and Love for the Salvation of Mankind, fa that unufual Labours became natural to me, daily- preaching was pleafant and deiirable like the re~ uuzisaf my ftatedMeals. I was therefore loath to n»~ The Examine r , Exami n e n. $$ «rJe<5t Opportunities of preachirg, efpeciaily con- liderine my full Perfwafion, thai God was remark- ably with me, and fealed my Labours. The worthy and Rev. Minifters of Bcjlon, perceiving that a di- vine Blefling attended my Miniftrations, did hum- bly and lovingly invite me to preach frequently in that Metropolis, being willing and glad that Gods Work fliou'd be carry'd on , by any one the -Lord vou'd pieafe to fend by ; their condefcending In- vitations I accepted with an affecting Senfe of my own Unfimefs and Unworthinefs, as the Searcher of all Hearts knows, as well as Admiration at the Humility, the Candor and Courefie of thefe Rev. Gentlemen, which I hope, I ftiall ever bear thankful Remembrance ot But the Examiner proceeds to fay, Separation , Ha- tred, Variancty Emulation, /> 'rath, Strife, Seditions, Here* jiv } &c. ice pa£ j . Aud hen he is food to bring in 4# The Exa m!kj!R,Exawi n e r» . in abruptly, a Paflage of Mr. H'bitef eld's Journal* about bodily Comulfions , "which was not furfi- ciently guarded, that he might offer fome matter of Reflection and Triumph. However if the Affair be examined, there will be found Utile Reafon for either. The Rev. Mr. Wl/ittfield has not laid that he believes, that all theft bodily Convulsions came frorm tie Devil, and if he had, neither the Rev. Minifters, of Bopm (ib far as I know) or my felf, have ever been of that Opinion. Theft: Thirds may be other ways accounted for, confident with the animal Oeco- nomv. What if that dear Servant of God, Mr. If'ijcfelri had been miftaken in a circumiiantial Point ? Shall his Spirit, his State and Temper of Mind, be condemned for this ? Or the Stare and Temper of others, becaufe they agree not with him herein ? Is this our Author's Charity, which he talks fo much of 1 But the Examiner proceeds to fay, " And feeing il nothing is more evident, than that Mr. Vennent. % * is the grand lnftrumcnt of promoting thole a:ii- ** mai Convulsions, into which many of our new " Converts have fallen, and upon which fo great " a Strefs is laid, by many in the Work /of Con- }* veriion." ,. Kothing is more evident, than that this is a notorious Falfhood, viz. Vhat 1 am the grand Inftru- •ment of promoting tlofe animal Convuljlons. This Ca- lumny is invented by the Father of Lies, the JLccu- feroftle Brethren, in order to caft odious Colours, upon the Work of God, and me his Servant. Ali my Congregation, and Multitudes more, can wit- nefs, that I never encouraged thofe Things, but on the contrary, that I have from the firtt Begin- nings of fuch Appearances, in this Part of the Coun- try (which was Jong fince) endeavour'd in the openeft Manner to difcourage and check them, yea fometimes to fuch Decree, as has griev'd feveral religious People. I have repeatedly done this before many thoufands ot Hearers* The E x a m i n e r , E x a m 1 m e i?. 47 But our Aurhor farther adds, " That great «« Strefs is laid upon thefe' animal ComuJfions, by ma- •« ny in the Work of Converfion." Anf. What does the Examiner mean by that Phrafe "tnt'e Ifork of Coirjerjion ? Does he think that Con- viction ltri<5tly conlidered is gradual, then he is an Jrmriian ; and its no wonder he diflikes my Difcourfes a^ainit the Auoravians y and indeed tiiis is the moft natural and eafie Stnfe of his Words. Or does he fpeak of Converfion in a larger Senfe as including the preparative of Order viz. Con- viction, as well as the Fruits thereof, and mean thus, that fome depend upon thofe bodily Convulfictrs as a Si^n of Converfion. In the firir. Senfe his Charge cannot be true, becaufe Converfion in that refpect is inltan:aneous;and tho'the latter may be true, yet I have great Reafon to believe i: to be faife : The Notion is abfurd and ridiculous, contrary to common Senfe, and therefore improbable to be true. Befides I never met with one Man in any Part of America, that was of that Opinion ; or that ac- quainted me that he or they knew any one to hold it. But if our Author only means by the aforefaid Phrafe, that many imagin'd thofe oucward Con- 'LuIjiojjSy or the excefs of Pa/lion that occafior.'d them, were in any refpect Helps to Converfion, I will not undertake to be tlie Patron of fuch : For I think it is an unreafonable and ridicuious Noti- on . Poflibly fome few ignoranc Perfons, have been of this Opinion, but if fo what then ? Shall their Folly be imputed to the whole Body 1 Or is it a-eafonable to reflect upon the wholeWork, becaufe of the Weaknefs of fome of the Subjects of it ? Some of the Oppofers in diverfe Parts of the World, have of late infifted much upon this Topick, thefe iodily Convulsions being fomewhat uncommon, and furprifing, they have harp'd much upon this plan- ftble String ; in order (as it leems) cO amufe and 3tf ejudics the people a^ainft the \Y°xk of God ! While 48 The £xAM!Xn,Ex'AfllNEB. While the Woman :he Uiurcii a* been m Travail among us, theDragon has fpeu'd out Floods, Multitudes of Slanders and Calumnies, in order to defhoy the Woman and her Child. This is truly the Cafe, notwkhftanding of ail the artful Colour- ings, and decekful Blinds that are put upon it by crafty Men. But the Examine? proceeds to fay, n Do they " not take the Devils Part, who ufe Methods to " farther fuch fad Appearances, and condemn thenv 11 for oppofers of Gods Work, who labour toun- pre-va- l:bity i. e. great is the froth and «?/i p'revs.:!. But in die mean Time let the Reader obferve, that the afore - faid conihained Teftimony, is contrary to what thefe Men have faid in other Parts of their Writ- ing, one Example of which, I {hall only mention at prefent for brevity's fake, expreiVd in their Ex- amination of my Remarks ^vr*. 107. 8. 9. thus " We «* fhall not be fo rafh as to pretend to judge Mat- « ters before the Time, i. e. whether there be Truth c< in the Account as to fome Instances: For thac iC is no Part of our Debate; for we know buc " our Part of what is manifeif . Secrets we leave to ** God> nor fliall we pretend to determine, wbi- ^G 2 '*' tiicr 52 The Examiner, Examined. thcr there be fuch a Eutopia as Mr. Vermont here: defcribes, fomewhere in diltant Parts ; for we live at Home : But yet if Men will allow us the Rights of private Judgment, we think it is butjuftwe mould be ailow'd to fufpend our Belief in the Point, till we hear fome valid Proofs, or elfe are invited to come and fee : For a Partyman's Sdk fo in one Ear,- when Experience contradicts it loudly in both, is too-feeble to beget Faith. For tho' we mould grant that in Times of yore, when Meti Were all that is good and defireable, fubjecl: to no Miftakes, and ipoke no Falfhoods in their own or their Friends Behalf, it ever there was fuch a Time; Men's own ver- bal Declarations for themfelves, might pafs for valid Proofs of their inward Graces ; and it might be counted a daring Piece of Prefuming Boldnefs, to opuofe an Argument which depended upon fuch [table Maxims, which like the koinai evoiai\> are never to be denied, fuch as are, ask bis fel- b'lVy whether he be a Vhiefy 6cc. But iince Pando- ra's, Box is opened, our Saviour has broke down this Claim, by faying, If I bear witnefs of my ise!f\ my Witnrfs is net true. And when Experience tells us, that Ml this Iron Age, a fluent Orator with his orient Colours, v. ill irftantly fill the Wrin- kles of the moft furrow 5 d Face, and again deform the moft beautiful Complexion, juft as Mr Pain- ter pleafes, or as good Will or' ill Will prompts him. Seeing therefore we have no: a large Stock enough of Time and Candles to run thro' the Woods to find out Mr. lerwent's EuLpia : For it is the Cry of many, and that in many different Places, that folid Religion feems to iooie Ground fafter, &Y ice and Debauchery feeffl to gain more Ground in one Year, fmce this new Commotion, than they gain'd before in Ten ; and that a- mong thole who appear debanch'd there are more than a few of thofe who were lately famous tor their being Crye*s ; and Failers, and Pretend- ers The E x a m i N" ii k , Ex a u i >? e p, 5; ♦ 4 crs to Convictions, &c. Wc hope therefore, 44 that Mf. Vennent will in his next tell us, where to w find this fine Reformation, ocherwife we defpair 44 of coming at it. For when we ask fome of Mr. 44 c Iennent\ Party where it is ? We are told, ic is in 44 Neiv Lwland ; and probably when enquir'd ot in 44 Nezv England it is here ; and we are much mlitaken, 44 if Mr. c lennent\ Ehfian Fields be not a meer .,'.i i N e d , * - But. to proceed, our Authors finifhing Stroke, in Relation to the Boflon Minifters (pa*. 9. 10) is as follows « We befeech our afcended Saviour* " the Head of the Church in particular, to ule 1« this faithful, judicious, and feafonjble Endeavour c< of his Servant, for a Guard and Defence abouc ** his facred Truths, and his glorious Work in " the Midftofus; which too mauy are ready to *' fpeak evil of, and oppofe." Upon which the£>- Witter obferves as follow s y viz. " I would charita- *' bly hope, that that thefe Rev. Divines don't pre- 4< tend by the laft Paragraph, to patronize all the **■ Extraordinaries, that they have pafs'd current for the " Work of God, in this Time of Strife of Tongues, •* and Confufion of Babel , or oppofe all with the ** black Character of Oppofers to his Work, who M are Enemy s to Enthuhafm and Deluiion." Jnf. Here's a little Charity, exercifed by the Ex- Amine* towards the Rev. Minifters oi Boflon ^ and in- deed but a little; for obferve, how he fpeaks, I would charitably hope, &c Aye poor Man ! He feerns to be put hard to it about them, to clear them, of what he calls Enihufiafm and Delufwn. He exercifes a little Charitjr towards them, and indeed but a little, he would willingly hope, but fcarce can ; his Chariry is bro't t juft to the laft Gafp as it were. But pray don't thefe Rev. Gentlemen, underfrand what is Enthufiafm and Delufion- as well as he 1 What magnus sippoLo is this Gentleman in his own Eyes ? Here you may lee, the extent of his Charity and Humility. The aforefaid Minifters have fhewn, what they take ;tu> be the Work of God, and what they mean to pa- tronize ; in their Preface to the Rev. Mr. Jonathan JUickenfins excellent DIALOGUES ; lately printed at Boflon ; which are a rational and nervous De- fence, of the late revival of Religion in this Land, Thefe Rev. Gentlemen fliew in the aforefaid Pre- face, that they are againft all real Enthufiafm and DiforderS) but for that fcnptmal and rational Convitiion of §fl t Mil Gnntrjhn frtm it } u Gid h Heart mi Life* and $5 The E 5c a m i ne'r, Ex a m i n e r>. and Communion tilth God ; wbick is falfely branded auiih the odkus ISame of Enthufiafm, by the ignorant prof ami and fome dead ary Ftrmc.lifls. From this it natural- ly follows who they judge to be Oppofers of it. But this Author proceeds to fay, " there are ma- in your juft Defence, Rev. Sirs, I hope you will ex- cufe, as a! Teftimony of my Refpect ; but I hope i not prevent your more elaborate Confutation of the Examiner s Reflections, if you judge them worthy of your Notice. But I return to confider our Authors next Para- graph ; which runs thus, vi$. " that the Reader may 44 be able no form a righ: Judgment, of the con- 44 tending Panics, let him rei'oive this plain Query ? 44 viz.. whether che Oppofers. of Enthuyafuck Pranks 44 fez up under the Name of Reformation, or Re- 44 iigion, or the warm Admirers of, and Contender-s 44 for iuch, deferVe the Name of Oppofers of God's 44 Work?" Jnf. It is evident to any, that considers the Mean- ing of this Paragraph; together with its Relation to the following one ; that our Author attempts to reprefent me to the World, as a Perfon, that fees up Enthujiajiick Pranks ; under the Isame of Reformation, or Religion ; and my Friends as warm Admirers and Contenders for fuch ; than which nothing can be more falfe and unjuft, what are the Enthufiajlick Pranks^ that I have been fitting up for Reformation \ Here our Author is filent, where he Ihould be molt particular. Pray have I tot been oppoiing real Em > l ptxibps) ac- H djrvg 5 S The Examined, Examined. cording to my Capacity} in this late Performance,' againit the Mravi r.s ; which our Author has la- bour'd to caft Difh'/nour upon, and render inef. 1, by rcprefenting it's Author as inconfiftent and .Hicui'ous ? Bm as for himfelf, and rhofe of his Sentiments,- they forforli are oppofei:, of enthufinflkk Pranks, Qpc. Here the Examine? muff excufc me, if I can't believe the Tr.mh of what he fays ; for while he is oppo- fing; as it were pro arts et foy, as I humbly conceive better fuiced to the Ioch, y But in the mean Time, muft beg leave to oftecj fome few Reflections upon the aforefaid Paragraph, Here then let us enquire, whether the Characters of a Tex, as reprefented by Mr. Helenbvook, do real/ belong to me, or to the Examiner} The V lft. Of which is, thai they have Holes, Mr. ** Helenbrctik adds, JFcxm i^at they may the better *' Conceal themfelves, fubfift not fo much above €l Ground, as in Holes and Caverns, under theEarth. «* — Hei cricks and Seducers always endeavour to " hide their Doctrines, and Opinions, and keep t£ them as fecret as they can, certain it is, that " they don't prefently and openly appear to the << World, but know how to hide themielves, under « P.y Shifts." Thus far he. Now I appeal to the World, whether I have not r.cted a very contrary Part ? J have appear'd open-^ Yy upon the Stage of the World, and declar'd the Truths of Chritt freely and plainly, and in fecret have I faid nothing. I have fairly and a u ove board, vcr.tur'd my Name and Character, in the Defence thereof, and of viral Religion ; who can wirh any juftife fay, that I have endeavour'd, to conceal my Opinions or Name ? But as for our. Examiner^ dees he not Sculk in a Hole, and Ca- vern as it were ; and fcrene his Name behind the Curtain; while he is labouring to deftroy mine?- and is he not very backward, as to the Difcovery of his Doctrines ? Ic may be likewife here obferv'd, that the Oppofers of Religion, while the bright Day cf the Power of Divine Grace fhin'd forth. in the )ate rivival of Piety, they like other noxious Animals of the Night, cautioufiy and craftily kept their Holes, for Fear of the Worft, fo that hardly, any of "rhem dars't appear to oppofe in o- yen Day ; but fo fo on as a, Night of Spiritual De- sertion came on, in refpect of God's withdrawing the Influences of his Spirit, ; as well as of the Fall* -offers : into crronious Opinions, im- prudent The E x a m i n r e , Examined, 6 l prudent Coadud, or bad PiaC-Vices. I fay, fo Toon ris the Darknefs came on, what Crouds of F»xes came out of their Holes, and fill'd the Neighbour- ing Air with their bold Barkings, as if it would be always Night \ But fray, may be a gracious God may caufe the Sun to break out with his falu:ary RaVs, and frighten the Foxes to their Holes again ; h may Gocj grant for Chrift's fake Amen, let all thrift's Sheep and Lambs, fay Amen. Another Character of faxes, mentioned by tht is, that they have many Ways and Para- ges :o come out at, &c. It depends upon cur or to prove, wherein I have us'd Reierves, . jors, and Equivocations; which I am con- scious he will never be able to do, and therefore is a ralfe Accufer : The harmonious Syitem of Truth?, which I have, and do Hill believe, has laid, me under no Tcmptationj to uie fuch mean Ar- tifices. But as to thtExaminery I will not undertake to clear him of thefe Things, feeing he favours a Party of , that are famous for them, and docs what has a direct Tendency, to obftrurjt the Ufefulnefs of a Book fram'd to hinder their corrupt Influence. It is an oldSaying that (Simile fimili '• gaudet)like rejoyces in like. Do riot Birds of a Feather dock together 1 The next Character of loxes, is Craft and De- ceit, which our Author gives no proof of as to me, and which I am fure he cannot, and is therefore a falie Accujer. I may with juftice apply to my Manner of Proceeding, what the Apftole Paul i ays mfelf, Phil. 3. 5, 6. Fkr cur Exhortation was net of Deceits nor in Guile, even fo tie /peak net as phajing Men, hut GOD, which tryeth our. Hearts: For neither at any (fime, nfed we flattering Words, as ye hiow, nor a Cloak yfCovetewfnefs, God is IVitmfs, net cf Men fought wi , My Kttingham Sermon, which the Examiner is fo much di'pleas'd with, is a Proof of this. If I had been a deceitful Flatterer, or Mcn.glegfer, 8 6t The E x a m i n r. n. , E x a m i n e d. I wou'd not have ufed fuch Plainefs and Acrimo- ny, in that Sermon, as I knew according to the common Courfe of Things, would expofe me to much ill will, and Reproach from the ungodly. But I fhall leave it to the Reader to judge, whether this Examiner has not us'd, much Graft and Leccit, in the falfe Charges I have already fpoke to, as well as in reprefenting the State of the Cafe, withre- fpect to the Friends and Oppofers of the late re- vival of Religion, while he endeavour'd to tear down the Life of it with all his Might, " and has « c not this a Tendency to cheat and decoy lefs " harmlefs Crea:ures, and make a Prey of them ? As " Mr. Helenbrook obierves, concerning the Foxes* " pag. 9." The next particular our Author mentions, pag. II. is this, *'* Foxes, that they may not be fo eafi- " ly enfnared, feldcm run right forward, &c." Jnf, I blefs God, that I have the Teitimony of my Confcience, that in Simplicity, and Godly Sincerity ; I have had my Converfation in the World, I truft it will appear, by my Anfwers to this Gen- tlemans Objections; that this Charge is without Foundation. But I believe it will be hard, if prac- ticable, to clear our Author of this Property of the Fox : For fometimes in this Pamphlet, he profcfTes Charity and blames me for the Want of it ; and vet betrays a feries of the moil: virulent Malignity, in publiOiing notorious Falflicods a- gainft me, feveral of which have been-ah-cady con- sidered : In one Place fag. o. he owns Mr. White- field's, and my great Succefs, and pag. 14. he denies that we had any Succefs at all, buc pag. 30. he owns that we had lome. As to the A'cr avians, pag. 11. he . ipeaks again ft them, in refpeel: of their wild and frightful Errors, pag. 20. he makes an Apology for them pag. 26 he acknowledges their unfair Dealings ; and yet the Tendency of his whole Performance, is to hinder the Influence of that oolc, which I vyrota The Examiner, Eiamikid. 65 wrote againft them ; from giving check to their peftilent Notions. As to the Work of God, gag. 8. he fliers his Regret, that the Boflm Minifiers betray'd too great a likeing to it, and yet pag. 10 and 50. he owns the Reality of it, in fome degree ; but in pa?. 10. he again denies it all together, un- der the Notion of Entbnjisftick Pranks. But I haiten to conhder, the next Character ; and that is a fly Way of creeping into other holes, and cf turning other Animals; out of thetr rightful 'Fcjkffinii ; this the Accufer himfelf, as confeious of his Guilt, flops as it were half way in the Application of, and no wonder, for the Charge is falfe and Canderom. I have not fly ly crept into the Congregations of orthodox Minilters, and turn d them out cf their P of- feffons by poifenous Errors, as heier.bmk Lxpiefles i:. f fiave been invited by them, to preach w here I have preach'd, and have never us'd fly Methods, to de- prive them of their Pofleffions. My late Letters that have been printed in New-England, as weii as thole Sermons, againft th« Moravians % will witnefs forme; that I have oppos'd irregular withdrawing from the Miniftry of Perfons, found in Principle* regular in Life, and approves ofGodsW T ork. What is this Authors Practice as to this, I know not f For I can't tell who he is, and am therefore under a Difad vantage, in drawing his Character. This Author asks my Excufe in a mannerly Way, while he turns the Key of the Fox upon me. I an- fwer, that his ufing this Method with me gives no uneafinefs, being confeious thro' pure Grace of my Integrity, I look upon his unjuft Reproaches, as an honour cioue to me, and expea they w ill be Pearls in my Crown at laft. As to the Ground of our Author's Expectation „ that I ihou'd ufe Fox like Shifts, to evade the Difco r very, pag. 11. namely, my fecond printed Letter in the Penfylvania Gazette, Sep. 2. 1742. I muft tell him, that it ferves only to manifeft the Strength of his prejudice. Thto* Diriiie Mercy, I am not afraid o£ the £4 The Exami n i. r , E x a m, i net. the bright cftLight, but that this may appear the more plainly, I mall take leave to infer: the Letter here Mr. Franklin, " pOEASMUCHfcs a Letter of mine to Mr. Lick- c< •*■ infon y thc laft of February, together wiihaPoft- 44 fcript, lately printed in the Button weekly News- 44 Paper, has occafioned various Reflections ■; I have 44 tho't it not improper (being thereunto excited by 44 fome Friends) to fhew my Intention in fome Paf- 41 fayes contained therein, which are .more liable to 44 Mifconirru&ion. Iprofefs that when I wrote the 44 aforefaid Letter and Po(tfciipt,I had not the lead 44 Thought of their Publication ; neither have I 44 at any Time confented thereto ; and truly, the 44 Poftfciipt was wrote in muchHafte. 44 As to my Confeflion cf Mifmanagment in the 44 Affair of Debate with the Synod, it refpected on- 44 ly the Defects which I conceived atcended my 44 Manner cf Performing, what I did then and do 44 ifill look upon to be Duty. I was not then, nor 44 have not been fince, convinced that the Matter 44 or Strbftance of what I contended for was Wrong, 44 and the Words of the Letter confidered in their 44 Connection, will eafily bear tl>is Senfe. 44 As to the Poftfcript, ahho" I queftibn not Mr. 41 Lavevpcrt's Piety and Integriry, and hope that he 44 has been an Inftrument of ipecial Good to di- 44 vers Perfons; yet I cannot approve of fome of 44 his Methods of Proceeding (according to the Re- 44 prefentation which many give of them) and, par- 44 ticularly, all the Infiances in the Poftfcripr, are 44 in my Opinion very exceptionable and of hurt- 44 ful Tendency. 44 It feems to me very unreafonable that any thing " fhould be made a Term of Communion which' ** cannot certainly be known by the Church ; and 44 fuch doubtlefs, are Men's gracious Experiences, 44 the fecret Recedes of the Heart, and Springs of " A&ior^ ajg only open. ;g the all penetrating fiy<| *' of The Examiner, Exam in e n. 6 % " of God: Yet feeing a probable Knowledge of 44 Men's Stares towards God, may lie attained by an 44 Examination of Men's Principles, Expe.-iences 44 and Practice, MiiiJftejs no doubt ought to en- •• quire into the Srare of their Flock, and deal 44 faithfully and difcreetly. wich Perfons in a pri- M vate Way according as Things appear to them. w As to the Practice ot jetting up feparate 44 Meetings, upon the fuppofed IJhreoeneracy ofrhc «* Paflors ot Places, it is,, in my Judgment, ofun- 4 « happy Confeq.uence to the Church's Peace and " Purity, when the Ministers, fuppofed to be un- " converted, are found in Principle, regular in *' Practice, and Favourers of the Work of God. . 44 But when Ministers confpire ro blacken and V oppofe habitually the late memorable Revival of 44 God's Work in this Land, and brand the Whole 44 of it with Terms of the utmoil Contempt and Ig- 44 nominy ; then,, I fee not how any that fear God " can lit contentedly under their miniftrations (if 41 they periift as aforefaid) without becoming accef- " fary to their crimfon Guilt. . " 4< Altho* there be no Probability of unconverted ** Minifters being near fo fei viceable to the Salvati- 4< on of Mankind, as Perfons of another Character ; ** y-et, .4oubtlefe, the fovereign God makes their ** Labours of fome Ufa at Times, for the Inftru<3tf- " on and Reformation of Mankind. *' As to the practice, of openly expoGng Mini- «' Hers, found in Dodtrine, hlamelefs in Life, * 4 and Favourers of God's Work (who arc fuppo- you muft excufe me, in turning «be Key of . the Fox in his Hole, I mean upon yourielf The Examiner, Examined. 6', yourfelf Sir, and that from a better Found t'oti ; it is you Sir, who is destroying the Vines and tender Grapes, who is artfully and cruelly afber.iug «Gods Work and Servants ; and in the mean Time excufing iHenttch^ Enihufafrs and n, rs'J.ch left Reality. . But that my Itfeanin^ in the Air/Mian Sermon, may be the berre* uhderft6<*d, let this Paragraph be added, which immediately follows, what was cited by the Examiner^, namely, [**' Our Lord allows,. 4< the Wheat and Tares to grow together, 'till, 4 > Harveft ; but Tome, raft Zealots, are for parting " them, or plucking them up dhec~b'y, a ltho' they «.' the uej he Safety df the Wheat." There- fore that which I opposed fn this Sermon, v,as fuch an uncharitable, and kregular Breach of Com-, munion, from the vifible Church, as the LabadiJIs were gu iky of formerly in Hoi land , who pretended to fojm a perfect Church, as to its Members, i.e. to admit none but fincere Perfons to Communion. And thi> they iho't they cou'd certainly know, and,tl?erefbre made their Knowledge as to the in- rernal State, a Term of Communion. They fo fe- parated- she'mfelves from the Church of Holland, as to make a new Sect. The aforefaid Paragraphs I wrote with a Defigii to give ("heck as far as I could, to a cenforious and divifive Temper, which I was inform'd was like to obtain, and do much Mifehief in Nezv Eriglwd, which gave me great UneaVmcfs, rqr a long Time. The Examine*, Examiner. 69 As to the Pafla^e cited from my Nottingham Ser- mon, which is in the i8ch par. of the firft Edition (for I have not Cecil the others) the following Words of the Paragraph, explain my Meaning fully, which ape thefe, " And alas is not this th^ Cafe of Mul- " ticudes, if they can get one, who has the Name «' of a Minifter, with a Band, and a black Coat or *' Gown, to carry on a 5abbaoth Day among them, M tho* never fo coldly abd infhccefsfully. L he is " free froro grofs Crimes in. Pra&ice, and takes «* good Care to keep at a due Diftance from their <* Conference;;, and is never troubled about his In- *' fucccfsfulnefs. O think the poor Fools ; that is a <* fine Man indeed^ our Minifter is a prudent cha- i* livable Man, he is not always harping upon Terror, 11 and founding Damnation in our Ears, like fome << ram. headed Preachers, who by their uncharita- < l hie Methods, are ready to put poor People out " of their Wits, or :o run them into Defpair : 0/ <* Kow lerrible a Thing is that Defpair ! Ay, «« our Minifter honeit Man, gives us good Caution «' againft ic." Well, and is not tliis a real Truth, as well as what is faid in the other Paragraph ? Does not our Author fhew, what fore of a Spirit he is of, by m utter inp; againft it ? The P~n r;es of thofe two Sermons, cited by our Examiner don't refpeffc the fame Tiling, and there- fore there cannot be a Contradiction in them. The one relates to an irregular uncharitable Separation, from a Church, becaufe of the fuppofed or real Un- regeneracy of fome of her Members. The other relates to VoriUntednefs uner a dead carnal carelefs Mi- niftry, who do not preach clofely to the Confci- ence, or endeavour to awake Sinners at all. And v/ou'd our Author have People to be contented under fuch a Miniftry ? O fhame ! If our Author fuc- ceeds no'better in his after Attempts, it will ceafe to be a Miracle to unite the Pcks, The ad, frifrance. ;o The Examinh,'Examined., 2d. Inftance, is borrow'd from pag. 63. of my laft Sermons, which for Diftin&ion's fake, I may call my Moravian Sermons, the Words are thefe, « They have a Sheeps Coat on, they feem to be 44 mighty mild, harmlefs, and innocent in their 44 Looks; but inwardly they hold dividing dange- «« rous Principles, like Wolves they cruelly fcatter 44 the poor Sheep of drift, by their damnable M Doftrines : Beware my dear Brethren, of the 44 Leaven of thefe Moravians^ who like the Pha- 44 rifees of old, make broad Pbilaih v ys y and cempafi il Sea and Land to make Prqfelytej." The fuppos'd oppofite Inftance, to what has been now mentioned is taken from the 19 pag. of the Nottingham Sermon. The Words are thefe, " If the 44 Miniftry of natural Men, be as it has been re- « 4 prelented, then it is both lawful and expedient 44 to go from them to hear godly Perfons, yea it is 44 fo far from being finful to do this, that one who 44 lives under a pious Minifter, of lefler Gifts, af- 44 ter having honeftly endeavour'd to get Benefit «* by his Miniftry and gets little or none, but 44 doth find real Benefit, and more Benefit elfewhcre, * 4 I fay he may lawfully go, and that frequently, <* where he gets moft Good to his precious Soul.--- «< let who will oppofe it." But before I proceed to fhew the Hafmony of thefe faflages, I muff more generally obferve ; that our Author ufes very unfair Methods, in order to make a Contradiction between them e. g. in the In- stance he produces, out of the Nottingham Sermon ; he leaves out of purpofe, thefe following Lines of the Paragraph, which fully clears up my Meaning, and free me from the falfe Charge of dividing Doc- trine, in which I fuppofe, our Author immagined, to fhew a Contradiction, between this and the other Sermon. The Words left out are thefe, " After « 4 regular Application to the Paftor where he lives, 44 for his Confent, propofing the Reafons thereof,. * when this is done, in the Spiri of Love and 44 Meekncfs, The EnAjNER r ExAM!NED. 7 L " Meeknefs,wkhout contempt of any, as alfo without <* ram Anger a^d vain Curiofity." Thefe Lines, our Author knew well enough wou'd fpoil hfe Boaft of a Contradiction, and therefore with more Art than Ho- nelly, he left them out. Another Piece of unfair Dealing, under this Ghargp ; is this, inflead of the foregoing Words, which concluded the Paragraph in the Sermon, he skips like a F»x from the 10 to the 30^. and takes a Scrap of a Sentence from thence, which he adds to the other, namely, thefe Words, let who will eppefe tt, In. order to reprefent me, as fpeaking directly contrary, both to my Intention and E-xpreffi- on. The Words-cited in the 30 pag. I never intend- ed, in any Senfe inconfiftent, with the Explication of my Opinion in the 19 pag. at this rate of proceed- ing, our Author might form Contradictions, in ail Writings under the Sun, yea in the very lacreri Scrip- tures themfelves ! It is like wife I think unfair in him, under this Charge, to put his own Words in in one of the Collumns, in Opposition to mine : His Words are thefe, " and it is the Language "■ of feveral Pages, under his 4th Inference, be ye. ** leparate." Well, where is the Contradiction, between the. Paflages aforefaid, ofthefe Sermons ? Becaufe I after r, the Lawfulnefs, of a Peacefull charitable and regular withdrawing from the Stated hearing of oneMinifter to anoiher,of the fame denomination, when greaterGood is got : Does this juftify an irregular uncharitable Separa- ration, from a true Church ? And the making of a different Sect ? How trifrling, and invidious is this Inftance ? And thus I truft the Reader perceives^ that the Poles again are united. We ihall not be puc to much Difficulty, if our Author does not bring more weighty Objections. A 5d. Inftance of pretended Contradiction, is bor- rowed pag. 48 of my Mor avian Sermon, where I fpeale ttow <♦ It is alfr an Inftance of Pr^e,. to defpifc J* and 7 ft The Exaninsr, Examined. «* and flight MiniRers or People, that are unocm- m ver[ed or fuprofed to be lb , it, it not the Lan 7 *« guageoffuch a Practice, as the Prophet ljaiab *' defcribes it, Jfowa' cjf for I am Iclier thanthou" The fuppos'a oppolitc Inifance, to what has been mentioned, is as follows, " alas how could Mi C I.-- " preach and print this, after printing his Sermon «• at -KctiKgham, without expreffing deep Repentance « c for the bard contemptuous Speeches he has there «' pour'd upon the Body of the Clergy of this'Ge- V neration ? . Doth not this favour, of Pride, and «« Uncharkablenefs? I Jhall. beg Leave here to « lay before my Readers., fome ci the rcproach- 11 ful Language, he has plentifully beftow'd upon «■' the Body of the Clergy, of this Generation ; as ** the Synod of Philadelphia, has lately collected it *« to my Hand, out of the feme.&jririoh'. UeeExamin^ M fag. 149) they are reprefented herein, as Hirelings, *' Caterpillars, letter learned Pharifees, Men that have the */ Craft of Tones, £c cruelty of: wolves', plaifter'd Hypo- «* crites, Varlets, the Seed of the Serpent, foolifh M Builders, whom the Devil drives info theMiniftry,. «« dryNurfes, deadDogs that cannotBarkjbimdMen, «« dead Men, Men poftefs'd with the Devil, Rebels,. m Enemies to God* Guides that are ftone-blind, and " ftonc dead, Children of Satan, that like their. «< Father, may do Good to Men's Souls by chance " medly, Daubers witli untemper'd Mortar, moral «* Negroes, Salt without favour, that ffink in the «« Moftrils of God and Men, Judafses, whufe chief «* Defire is to finger the Penny, and carry the Bag, «' Hirelings, murderous Hypocrites, that are to " take Care, lead we feel the Force of a Halter " in this World, or an aggravated Damnation in V the next, fubtil felfifh Hypocrites, that would not «« let an honeft Man come into the Miniftry, if they " could help it, Swarms ofLocufts crouds ofPha- « rifees, that have as covctoufly as cruelly crept " into the Miniftry, in this Adulterous Generation,. « who as nearly remfemblc the Character given of " « the The E x a m 1 n e R , E x a w I N t P. 7.5 «« the Pharifees,as one crowsEgg docs another, whofe »< Hearers are as blind as Moles, as dead as (tone*. «« Succeflbrs of Isicodemus ■, blind leaders of the blind « Formalifts, dead Drones, Sons of Sccra, with " a fine long firing of Prayers, falfeApoftels, deceit- " ful Workers, Minifters of Satan &c. The pi etended Contradiction, between the afore* iaid Pafiagcs, I conceive to be *//■«,. that in one the Sermons, I fav that it is an Inftance of Pride, t» Hight Minifters, or People, that, are unconverted., '&c. And in the o>:her I am (aid to hate given them fiich hard terms as have been exprciVd, and there- fore flight them. I Anfwer, by denying the Confe- rence. Ic is no evidence either of Pride, or Uncha- ritablenefs, to give unconverted Minifters their proper Titles, and Characters ; for if fo, our Lord himfelfmuft be gidky of the aforefaid Crimes; for he gave them hard Terms or Names aifo. See Mat, 2,2. tfoe unto yen Scribes and Pharifees, Hypdcrites, becaufe ye build the, tfomhs of the Prophets , and gxtyift the Se- pulchres of the RigltecnSyand fay if we had been in the Days ■if cur Fathers, we would net have been partakers with them in the Blood of the Prophets, ye Serpents, ye Generation •/* Vipers, how can ye efcape the Damnation of Hell 1 . Mat. 25 27. 28. Wee unto you, Scribes and Pharifees, Hyp&riUs* for ye are like wh'ted Sepulchres, which indeed appear beau- tiful ' ' ut are u 1 thin full of dead Bones , and of all Uncleanefs : Even Jo ye aifo appear righteous to J fen , hut ye are within h jud of Hypocrijie and Iniquity* Matt. 23: 16. 17. 19. lYeunto you ye blind Guides, )€ Fcols and Blind ; ye Fools and Blind \ ye Fools and Bird. Verier 2 r e blind Guides, wh'uh firain at a Gnatt, and (wallow a Camel. Have nor. falfe Teachers, the Charac- ters oiJVohes, Dogs and Foxes, given them by the Spi- rit 01 God, in the Word ? Acl 20. 29. Phil.y. Cant-. 2: 1 - Are they not likewife. call'd, Wefis whfeut H'a~ ter '( 2. Peter 2x7. Clouds without Rain, Jud. it. Leceizers. 2 John 1. 7. And are .nor many imcoriyeV- W Minifters falfe Teachers ? Are not. the habitual >ppofer; of Gods Work, ihch witfc a J w.hq 74 The Exami ner, Examined, 'I'czch that robe Enthufiam and Delufion, in which ingpr of God evident iy appears ? And who in- dicate new Doctrines refpedting a call ro the Mi- niftry, and the Conviction of Sin, &c. Pray why mayn't the fame ignominius Epithet* be given to unconverted Minifters, as to unconvert- ed Men of another Station ? docs their Station fancti- t fv their Hearts, no furely ! See then how the Spi- rit of God in the Scriptures ftigmatizes the wicked, they are termed Captives , If 61. I. Rebels, Rom. 8. 7, Bottdjlakes, Acts 8. 23. Slugards, Pro. 6. o. Blind Men* .Mat 23. 16. thou Blind Fharifee, Focls, Pf 14. I. Dead /Jen, Ephe. £. 1. Jhadmen* Ecelef. 9 3. Luke 15. 17. They are compar'd to Bulls, Pf. 22. 12. to Lyons* Pi* 57. 4. toifcej, Luke 12. 31. to Goats, Matt. 25. 33. to Dogs, Rev. 21. 15.. to iSta/m, Matt. 7- 6L to andfiivtkmbe tbrtjtvdity v°t The ExiNi m*r, Examinid. 77 many (fife, not many h'cble, are call'd, the^ Harwfi truly is Pkvthus, but the Labourers are few. Saint Cbrifoflom has cvprelVd his Tho'ts of the Paucity of fatihful' Minifters, in a much ftronger Light than I have done, for he tho't that Scarce any Minifters at all •wou'd be fav'd. Gracelefs Perfons have a general Superficial groundlefs Notion concerning others Goodnefs, be- fore they themfeives are awakned and made to feel the Difficulties of Religion : But then their way of thinking of Chriltianity, isalter'd in this Point, they neither weigh orhers nor themfeives in fuch* light Scales astray were wont to do before. But let ic be here obferv'd, that I do not pre- tend to a like certainty, as to both thele Points, namely; charging [he aforefaid Epithets upon un- converted Minifters, and the Knowledge of the greatnefsof their Number, the firft is of undoubted from the Word oFGod and right Reafon; but the other is only' highly probable. As tothis Point I fhould be glad to be miftaken in my O- pinion, but I am perfwaded i: f s too true. But, 4thly. Another unfair Mj hod of our Anchor and his Friends under this Head, is y their aifert- ing that I charge all the particular Epichets they ion upon the Body of the Clergy of this Ge- neration ; which is falfe, and cannot be prov'd from theSermon : Indeed I believe they are all applicable to fome of them ; bucthey are not applicable to all of them. In feveral Paragraphs of : he Sermon are li- mirtcd Words, which clear me from the aforefaid Charge. In pag. 12. are thefe Words, " many Mi- 44 n liters, pag:' 19. many PhAriice Teachers, have *' got a long String of Prayer." And in the fame pag. the Word generally is likewife ufed, namely, il take them firft and iafr, and they generally do ** more Hurt than Good." It would be contrary to common Senfe, to ap- ply that Character of Letter -learned to all, for fome are ignorant^. Or that of pUifw4 Hypocrites to all, 7 S The Examiner, Examined. for feme' 1 declare their Sin as Sodom, and refufed to be aihamed. Or that of falfe Jpojtks, deceitful Workers^ and Mnifiers of Satan to all, I have apply'd that Scripture, which contain thefe Epithets only to fuch of them, as rife up in Arms againft the Life of Piety, when it comes near their Borders, and con- fult, combine, and contrive againft it in their Con- claves, as a common Enemy ; and who with Art, Rhetorick, and Appearances of Piety, varnifh their Oppofition againft the Kingdom ot C h r i s t ; and who imitate the Apofties of Christ, as the Magicians did the Works of Jfojts. Neither are thefe following Characters univerfal in refpect of the ungodly Miniftry. Namely, the Craft of Foxes and cruelty of Wolves , for fome of them are doubtlefs as weak as their Neighbours, tho' di- vers of them it muft be confefled are wifer in their Generation, than the Children of Light ; and fome are good temper'd, and are not roufed to Arms by the near Approach of vital Religion. Nor are thefe Words following, to be apply'd univerfally to every gracclefs Minifter, namely, " that they would not let ** a faithful Man come into the Miniftry, if they «« coa'd help it !" No its chiefly 5hofe of them that have their natural Enmity rous'd, and whetted, by the fearching nearnefs of Gods Work to th~m, as well by the faithful Dealings, and holy Living of godly Minifters,by which they are detS&ed and condemn'd ;, that are fo cautous to keep pjdus Men out of the Miniftry, upon felfifli Accounts, namely, to pre- vent a Trouble to themfelves, and the Lois of their Credit among the People. But as to "the reft of the Characters, which our Examiner's Friends, have with fo much Care collect- ed, they belong to all unconverted Ministers, ei- ther abfolutely, or comparatively, properly or figura- tively, and for the Proof of this, I appeal to the Scriptures and common Senfe. I The Ex a m i n z R, Ex a ai i n e d. 79 I might add to what I have faid, were it ne- ceflary, that divers of theEpithets andCcnfurescharg- cd upon unconverted Minifters, in the Jsoitingham Sermon are borrow 'd, from the Writings of Ca&ini fo- cal Divines, famous for their Learning aud Pie- y, fuch as MefTrs. Hilderpam y Pool y Burgefs, Baxter* J2rackk y lenner. Befides what are expreisly fcriptu- xal, io that the Cenfure the S^uerifl's labours to caft upon me, rather falls directly -upon thofe Worthies of the Chriftian Church. Indeed I have heard People, of Piety and good Senfe obferve, upon this Popular Paragraph, that the Gentlemen who had put it together, in its prefent Form, had taken a pretty deal of Pains, to draw their own Picture : But whether the main Strokes, of this unhandfome Draft, do exadiy fuit thofe Mc^ I will not at prefent determine, buc leave to their farther Enquiry's. But in the mean Time, 1^ would ask them, whether a Confcioufnefs of Guilt, made them apply to therafelves in particular, what I only fpoke in general, without Application to any? Their Words are thefe murderous Hypocrites, that arc to take Care, lead Bjaminei. In that Paragraph, from whence this Scrap is rakcn 9 I there explain my felf, that it is fuch who content themfelves, with a cold, carelefs, general unawak- cning Miniftry ; who are blind, tec. One may per- ceive without the. help of Spectacles, that their Po- litick Dcfign, in bringing the afbrefaid Scrap Head iand Shoulders, was to alarm the angry Resentments "of the People againft me, and my Rev. Brethren thro* me who are cordial in God's Caufe. But X miiit here obferve in the mean Time, that I think it fomewhat odd, that thofe dear Brethren of the Examiner, fhould have left out one import- ant Branch, of the Characters of many graceiefs Minifters, which is mentioned ipqg. 6. of the Nct- ingham Sermon in thefe Words.*" It may befar- * i ther. obferved that the Pharifee Teachers in «« Christ's Time, were great Biggotsto fmall *' Matters in Religion, Mat. %% 23. ffce unto )%u, ** SeribtS, and Pharifees, Hypocrites , for ye pay Vyth of ** Mint, jinnis, and Cummin, and have §mitt°,d the weigh- M tier Matters cf the Law, judgment, Mercy and Faith'" Was it, becaufe it plainly difcovers the Vanity of their thread hart cant and cry, about Order, Crder, Order; while they are labouring with both Hands, to tear down Gods Work and Servant*. If fo, they are more cautious, than candid. Another particular, that I would juft mention here, is the altering of the Word faithful- Man to &*- vejl-Man. 1 If this Gentleman or his Friends have done this of Purpofe ; it is very bafe. The Paflage I referr'd to, Ispag. 17 of the Kittingham Sermon, where it is faid, in the firft Edition, «• That if they *< cou'd help it, they woudn't let a faithful Man «< come into the Miniftry." But in the Examiners Performance, I find the Word3 are, H$nejl Man, which a Pcrfon may be, and yet intirely grace- iefs. But tho* I hope by this Time, the Reader is Satis- fied, that there 11 no Conttadi&ion in my Writ- ing!, The E x a ai i n 2 ft, E x a m i N m p] St ings .under this third Infiance, yet I believe, k aviLL be difficult, to vindicate our Author from what he charges upon me therein, which is Uncha- rirablcneis e.g. is.it not uncharitable in our Au- thor : When he has no fufheient Foundation from my Words related by him, to charge me with the Evils before mentioned ? Dofn't this look like an aiTuming ' of the incommunicable Prerogative of God, who alone fs Kevaic^ncftos. For him to judge as aforefaid, wkhoutany Foundacion from my Words, yea contrary -to them ; (as appears from the Preface to the Nfftthtgham Sermon where I folemniy declare the Reafon, why I us'd i'uch Acrimony) isn't this rafh judging with a Witnete, and doth it not fa- vour of Uncharirableuefs ? Alas! How.couM our Author print this, after printing an Account of hi* Charity, in the ftrftpag. of his Performance ? Is it not like wife uncharitable in our Author, to appear fo much in Defence of ungodly Minifters a many of whom, do fo much harm to the Church, of God. Why is the Jpple of his £> and Separation in *' the Church of God." Hedofn't bring my Words only, -which he ought to have done, but refers to, and cites the Words of my Enemies; who oppofe the Work of God in this Part of the Country : What, does their differing from me ftiew a Difference be- tween me and myfelf? which our Author was to prove. Are then they myfelf ? if fo, our Author has proved his Point, other wife not. Alas / what lorry fhuffling is here ? The Examiner feems to be aware of this, and therefore he does not put their Words in the oppofite Collumn to mine, which •would be too bare Fac'd and too eafily difcovered ; 1 but fets an Jftevifm there, referring to them, and gives his reader a Hint to fee the note at the Jfte- vifm ; and thus he leaves a Blank in the Column, and cites their Words in the Margin. Whan Iheaking petty Sophiftry is this ? It would not only have look'd better to have fet them in the Collumn, but have fhewn a little more Honefty in our Au- thor. But enough of this. In Anfwer to what this Gentleman cites, from the Writings of my Opponents, in contradiction to another Declaration of mine, before related, (which is mention'd in my Remarks, on their Proteft ; which Declaration, harmonizes with that in the Moravian Sermon.) I fhall only fay at Prefenr, that I affirmed nothing therein but the very Truth ; liowever ft range they may pretend it is to them .- And / The Examiner, Examined. 87 And that I hope the Almighty will always give me Boldnefs to exprefs, whoever oppofe it, either to gratify their Spleen, or guard their Credit and ivorldly Intereit. • Neither does the Notingbtm Sermon oppofe the Declaration aforefaid, for it only aflerts a regular nithbaiiitig, from the fhted hearing of one Minifter to another (in ordinary Cafes) for greater Edifica- tion, in the General, without particular Applica- tion to any. The Kctingham Sermon as to the Subftar.ee of it, upon that Head they refer to (and others alfo) I had wrote as my Opinion and preach'd, a matter often Years before I ever was at Kotingham. . I am not accountable for any Senfe that Perfons may put upon my Words, for which they have no Foundation in them. The Sermon gave no more Encouragement to leave their Miniltry than my own, on Condition it was as it fhould be, and if it was not how could I help that ? It is true in- deed, divers Perfons after they wereawakned, de- clared that they could not find any Relift under; the Miniflry of fome of their Number, nor get any Benefit by it, and were therefore difpos'd to go elfe where, where they did get Good to all Appearance. And that which ftrengthued the A- verfion of many godly Perfons to their Miniftra- tions, was their flighting of Gods Work, together with the Inltruments Jehovah was pleas'd to ufe in promoting of it. And here give me Leave to propofe this Querie to Mr. Vkomfon and his Afociatesj, whether it was becaufe that fuch as were convinced of Sin, had generally a lefs Efteem of his Miniftra- tions, and of fome ofthereftof his Party, that hr and fome (at leaft) of them, have ib fiercely oppos'd the blelled Opperations of the Holy Ghoft, in a- larming and convincing a fecure World of Sin> Righteoufnefs and Judgment ? If fo is not it felfifh and fordid with a Witnefs, and a blow at the Root of Piety I For. rny own Part I mull fay, That % hnmblj 88 The Ex A'M I NE x',,£x A It X N B D. humbly conceive that to be the Secret or the Story of their Oppofnion, the Bottom of the "Miitcrvj the true Spring of their Malignant contending a- gainft vi;«TGodlinefs, theFaife and ungenerous Me- thods,^ well as long Continuance or their Oppo- sition to the Work ot*£. 1 5..inthefe Words. "Dear * c Sirs, we fhould moft earneftly pray for them, that €< the CompafTionatc Saviour may preferve them ** by his Mighty Power thro* Faith unto Salvation, " fupport their finking Spirits under the melan- «« choly Uneaiinc& of a dead Miniftry, ian&ify and * fweeten to them, the dry Morfels they get under «« fuch blind Men, when they have nonebetter to i< repair to.** No, it was their bitter Oppofi; ion to the Power of Religion, that gave Rife to feparate Meetings, together with their irregular and unjuft attempt, to caft us out of fywdkal Communion ; neither have I or any of my Brethren that I know of, ever preach 'd any Sermon of that kind they Mention. Their affirming that the whole Country knows, that it is (meaning my Declaration aforefaid) a no- torious Falfehcod : And that I have encouragM People from the Pulpit and Prefs, to forfake their Miniftry, is a dreadtull Inftance of effronted Impiety. O fhame ! What fort of Men are thefe ? Wrip riot only aflert an egregious Falfehood, but ap^ pc*i \Q Jhc whole Country to prove it. To confront thev K The Examine*. Examined. 89 their Charge, I do appeal to the numerous Mul.i- -tudes, where ever I have preach \i the Gofpei of •Christ, -if what they have alledged be not a groundlefs and crimfon Calumny, whicn thole £- nemies of the Power of Religion, do impute to me ? It is the Neceffity of their wretched Caufe, that ur- ges thole unhappy Men, to take fuch finful and fcandaluus Methods, in order to cloak their Hor- rible Wickednefs, in cppoftng G»ds IP$tk, which has been the real Caufe ot .lie Divisions fubfifting a- mong us; whkh they without Foundation a&rita to me ' Neither does what I have faid, pag. 29. of my RemarJcs, on thcr Prcteji, contradict uthac I have now alledged. The Words are thefe « No doubt " there is a Relation, between a Paftor and hii M People, but the Defon ot this being to promote -*' their Good, we thinK it urireafoni.b.e, that it '* fhould fubfiit to thePrejudice of that which t's dc- *' hgn'd to procure, however in ordinary Cafes, '* we think ic to b<* the Peoples Duty, to make '* regular Application to their Pallors to go ••' where they get the greatcft Benefit. 44 But when Minifters confpire to oppofe, the x * Work and faithful Servants ot God, in the molt u open and flagrant Manner, we fee no Harna fi in this Cafe, in ufmg an extraordinary Mc:hod. x Here obferve ; that the aforefaid Remarks, were CQmpos'd and pnbliih'd after Things were broujht to the utmoir crifis and Confufion among us ; by *their lfrange and unaccountable Conduct : And af- ter a Rupture was fore'd between them and us, by their Protelt ; and therefore nothing I have laid .therein cou'd poffibly be even the Occafion of either. As to that of extraordinarv Cafes, I have fpoken to it before, and therefore (hall not now add, ex- cepting this, that if Minifters confpiriug ro oppofe the Work and Servants of God, as aforefaid, be not an extrwdinary Caje, I know not what is, M ^ B«: ♦JO The EXAMINEK,EXAMINED. But to return from this digreifion, to chc 4/h In- fiance of fuppofed Contrancfion, in my Sermons, which I was difcourfing upon : I fhall. juft take leave to add, to what has been already obierved, thefe few particulars following, namely. I. That the Occafions upon which they were written, were different . The Paflages referr'd to in the Moravian Sermon were occafioned by reports of a feparating Diipofiuo:> obtaining in Kew- England ; I was inform'd that fome were feparating from the JMiniftry of fuch as were found in Piinciple, regular in Life, and approvers of God's Work; and that feme flay 'd at Home, rather than they would hear fuch, mecrly becaufe they judg*d them unconverted' This diftrcfTed me in Mind much ! and to this Cafe the fore-cited Paragraphs, in the 48 and 49 pages of my Moravian Sermon, directly refer. Ru: the hutin pham Sermon was occafioned by the Yictv I had of the Darger of unconverted Minifters in general, and the Mii'chief that I was credibly in- foim'd, f. me of them had done to the Souls of Men in particular, efpec tally of late! Again, let it further be obierved, that in both thofe Sermons, I acknowledge thefe Things following. 1 ft. That unconverted Minifters migit be inftru- mental in doing Good. And 2dly. That they fhould be heard, when we have no better. See bo ttingham Sermon, page 15. 3dly. I affert in both, That we fhould not leave their Miniftry in ordinary Cafes, without regular Application. Therefore the only appearance of Contradiction is this, that in the Moravian Sermon I feem'd to fpeak more favourably of unconverted Minifters doing Good ; then in the In fiances our Author alledge* or tlzcs from»the ^jSttwcham Sermon. Burt^remJ^this apparent Difficulty, let it be confidcred, that it is only of fuch of them as preach fund LcBrine y are rerular in Life, and favour God'f 7/ *<% that I have fpoken fo mildly of in the Mora- vian The Examiner, Examined^ 91 rain Sermon, and nor of all. And tha: in the Not- tingham Sern.on, in the Pages referred to by our Author, there are exceptions admitted, as may ap- pear by thefe Words. 4thly. Seme are quite Secure, unacquainted with Conviction, and the Sirriiliar Workings of the Spirit of God, now there is no Probability tnatfuch will do Good, in refpect of the Conviction and Converfion of Sinners, tho' they maybe means of InftructingPer- fens in the Knowledge of fome doctrinal Points of Religion,^ which is doubtlefs Good in its Place and iieceffary. Jfthly. Some are under- Conviction, and the Similiar Workings of the Spirit, found in Doctrine* and favourers of God's Work. There is indeed fonie Probability <, that fuch will be means of awaking and converting Sinners. Befides it may be farther obferv'd, that when in the Nottingham Sermon I have fpoke diminitively of the ufefulnefs of unconverted Minifters, it was chiefly in refpect of Ccniittion and Converfion. See p. 1 ; , Now altho* what I have offer 'd (Joes folly remove the Appearance of Contradiction, objected by our Author ; yet becaufe one of the Palliges he cites, from the 13th. p. of the h'ctwpram Sermon about Safaris Temptations , and Chance A edl), as before related > has been frequently ui,'d and much triumph'd in br ©fpofers this Way, I have though; it neceflary M z $i The Ex a m i n £ R,Ex a m i n e n. to fignify my meaning, more tally iu thofe Expreffi* ons. And, ift. I do not, nor never /lid intend by thefe Ex- preiTions, to put the temptations oj Satan in rei*pe6t of Tendency, to convince, upon a par with chePreach- ing ot an u-conver.ed Miuifter, when he preaches found Doctrine, according co the Scriptures ; No! God forbid, I abhor the thought ! But idTy. The Particulars therefore, that I there in-. fift upon, are thefe namely, that the Inihnces of Conviction, by the Miniflry of unconverted Men, are (tor the General) very rare and Extraordinary, 3f»d fo they are as appears from what has been faid before. And zdly I do not pofi ively aflert, that, as .many are convinced by Sat m lewpttfions , ss by the preaching of unconverted Minitters, I only fay lor what I know the Number may be equal. I have met wi h forne myfeif, that have been awakned, by the temptations ot the Enemy ; -which gave me fome Room iO Jay, what I have faid» But wi.i.her the Number be equal I will not aflert, however I may fafely fay, chat I don't know cer- tainly but it may ; if others do, let them declare it and prove their Aflertion if they can, but as for myfclf, I muft protein Ignorance in this Point. And, ^dly. As to chat of chance medly y between the Father and his Children, I mean no more but this, viz. *' That when Perfons happen to be con- " vinced by Sattn's Vevpu tions, he dofn't intend it ; «« and that it is fo alio, with many unconverted ♦* Miniflers." For lliufrrations* fake, I fhall beg leave to tell a Story or two. I remember to have heard of a graceleis Minifter, that was once preaching in Bri- tain, and it happned that a Gentlewomans Maid was convine'd by his ^eimon, (who underftood as little of the Nature and Necefficy of Convidtion as the Mtpiftex) and therefore fhe came to the Miuifter, and told him in a frett, that he hadfpoiYd her Amid by bis pntchtiig, for the Maid was fo aijlrefs'a thitjle The Examiner, Ehmihid. ?3 eeucTnt work He tOiu her, " that he was very fony «' for it, , and that he intended no fuch Thing." Now Sir, was not this chance medly ? The good na- tur'd Minilter intended no Harm to the Girle, (as he recon 'd k) but. ic tell out fomcthing un- luckily to him, poor Man ! Another fuch Initance, as I have been credibly inform'd, nas hapend lazely in Holand. A certain Minilter not long fince, was railing a^ainft fome pious Miniliersin Jie Neighbourhood ; becaufe they brought Peopie into diitrefs by their Preaching : And in the mean Time, one came and told him* '* That a particular Perfon was brought into diffrefs ** by his preachi'-g," which furpru'd him, (as weli it migh ) and Toon ftop'd his Mouth, poor Gen- tleman! How could he help it \ For Accidents will fomedmes happen, whatever care be taken to prevent them. I might come nearer home, and tell youafhort Story, that has happened not long agone, in this part of the Country, as I have been inform'd by divers Perfons ; which take as follows, A certain Preacher took up one of Mr. IVJjitefield's Sermons, and read it in a Family where he was well ac- quainted, (the Heads of which had a confiderabie Refpcdf, for him) by reading the Sermon aforefaidj, the Man and Woman were convinced; who had afterwards lefs regard for him, when their Minds were enlightened then before, the Preacher came afterwards to the Houfe, and exprefs'd his uneaii- nefs at what had happened, as to their being brought under Trouble by the Sermon. I mould be glad that Mr tfkomfon for his own fake, as well as on the Accoun: of che poor S uls, hedeludes wi:h his falle and dangerous Uoctri io about CmviSicn before rela:e«', might meet with fome fuch Inftances of chance medly j^i his Miniftra- tions. Perhaps it mi ,ht Hop his Mouth, and check bis Pen, from uttering iuch fophiitical and unjuft re- flections, 24 t ^Hjc Examined, Examined. ilecrjons, againft the Convincing Operations of God's hcly Spirit. I proceed to the, 5th, Inifance of fuppos'd contradiction, which is as follows, " Jl'oraiian Sermon, p. 53 in order to ** preferve our felvcs, and our Pofterity, from the «« Infection of Error, T think it is needful to ufe " (in oar proper Spheres) all fuitable Means, to *« obtain a godly learned and regular Miniftry ; when « ignorant Novices are admitted into the Minifte- «« rial order, they are apt to be puff'd up to the ■«« Churches great Prejudice, as well as their own, *' and to fpread Error when they know it not. " To fay that thefe Qualifications may be or- f* dinarily attaiu'd, without human Learning is *' notorioufly Enthufiaftical, and Foolifh. In fhort 41 human learning is neceiTary, or there muft be «' Infpiration to fupply the want thereof" The fuppos'd oppofite, is drawn from the 11 p. of the JSotingham Sermon; which runs thus, viz. « The moft likely Method to flock the Church, « with a faithful Miniftry, {not learned) in the pre- « fent Situation of Things, the pubiick Academy's •« being fo much corrupted and abus'd generally, «« is to encourage private Schools, or Seminarysof <« learning, which are under the Care of skilful and * l experienced Chriftians, in which thofe only fhould «< be admitted, who upon Ariel: Examination, have »< in the Judgment of a reafonable Charity, the « plain Evidences of experimental Religion. This " Method has in my Opinion a noble Tendency., «« to build up -he Church of God, don't think it «* much if "he Pnarifees be ofrended at fuch a pro- ■«* pofal, &c* To what has been mentioned, the Examiner anexes fome Lines of a Writing of the ^Oppofers m Penfyhama y which runs thus, «« Some of J&t.Vennrnts very good Friends have •« confclTco, that this Propofal has a friendly afpe£fc " on his Fathers Log-L'oufe : But it's generally tho't, •< if that lhould be built upon the ruin of our pub- « lick Aeademys, neither Religion nor learning « would THC E X A U I N B R , E X A M I N E D. J^ << would be gieatly ferv'd thereby, tec the Exami- «' tiox'pajt' i^- 5 2 - Here in will be only necefiary to remove, what our Author has added, and to add what he has lefc our, arid then the Contradiction evanifhes. And, i ft. The Examiner adds to what he cites from the YvUngbam Sermon thefe Words of his own, in a Parenthefis, in It ilii k Characters, namely (rtpt learned) fo that the Sentence runs thus, viz The molt likely *< Merhod to Stock the Church, with a faiihfui, Per, or elfc would not the main Part of the fo/w commended, for trying thofe N tfea: 5>8 The Exa mini*, Ehminid. fcha* faid they weris Apoliies, and were nor, and for finding or difcovering them to be Lyars Rev. 2. And is not the Shepherd more particularly bid to know the State of his Ttock. Prov. 27. 23. How Can we love the Brethren in particular, except we judge them to Ir fuch ? The Truth is, a Judgment of one kind or o her, concerning the States of thofe wirh whom we converfe, we cannot avoid; and therefore it is our Wifdom co ufe Caution in forming of ic: And one Thing, among^others, that helps a judicious Chriftian much in this Affair, is Perfons relating what the Lord hath done for their Souls, or their Experiences of a Work of the Law and Gcfpel upon their Hearts : If their Experiences be agreeable to the Holy Scrip- tures, and they be aifo Sound in the main Doctrines of Religion, and both be confirmed by a holy Gon- verfation,-then fhould we judge charitably of their State, otherwife we have not Reafon for it. What tho' fome Ihould be found in Principle, and regular in Life, yet if, according to their own Account, they are utterly Lnorafl* of the due influence of the Law and Qpfpel upon their Hearts, or of Conviction of Sin, Com'munion with God, and a heavenly ha- bicual JRyafs of Hearr, we have Reafon to think that their regular' Practice is but a dead Form. And doubtlefs great Caution fhould be ufed in exprefling our Opinion concerning others States towards God ; leaftbyraih judging, we ftrengrhen the Prefump- tuous and difcourage the Sincere- Hearted, hurt their Characters and hender their ufefuinefs in the Wo; Id [ Our Judgment of a Perfons bad State, mould not beexprefs'd, except there be fome fufficient Caufe for it, and fome valuable End can be anfwered by it. The contrary Practice tends to Confufion and Difcord. But in the mean Time may X crave leave to ask cur Author this Queftion, viz. Who made him a Judge *} myfccrit *Xhuohts ? Is it nor inconfiftent in the £&-' Amimr to firfd fault with my judging of the prcfent, States of Men towards God by outward Signs, while The ExAiitskR Examined 99 in the mean time he judges my Tho'ts or State with- out them, yea contrary to them? For dosn'c he in efrVct fay, I am of the Moravian Opinion, as to judging, tho' I fay the contrary, and conceal my Opinion under the guife of a near Guefs ? Dosn'c he herein alTume God's unalianable Prerogative ? But the Examiner proceeds to to cite a Pafl'age from the Writings of our Oppofers in Pennfylvania, pag. ,11$, 116. which runs thus, "Will Mr. Vennent •* tell us where God required it of Ordinary Mini- " iters, or People, to make positive Judgment of " the fecre: States of orderly ProfefTors, or to fee ** up a Court of Inquiftrioa to pry into one anothers •« fecret State, any farther than ft appears in theit " Profeflion and Practice 1 JnJ. Befides what has been already obferv'd upon the Point of Jading, for Brevity's fake, I fhall only add, that I have profeff'd no more than what our excellent Directory inculcates, under the Head of Ordination of Minifteis, in thefe Words, " which 11 being conlldered by the PrtSsbettery, they are to 41 proceed to enquire touching the Grace of God in " him, and whether he be of fuch Holinefs of Life u as is requiiite in a Minifter of the Gofpel." I think feeing thofe Gentlemen profefs (b great a regard to the Church of Scotland, and have adopted her Directory in this, as well as other Points, they mould have forbore comparing her with the Church of Rome, upon the Account of enquiring in- to Mens fecret States, or as our excellent Directory better exprefles it, touching the Grace of God that is in them, invidiouflv terming it Jetthig up aCourt offaqui- fttion, hereby alluding to theSpanifli Inquisition : It's a pitty that thefe Men don't endeavour to be better acquainted with their profefs'dPrinciples! Its ftrange. that they will neither act according to themfelves, or fuff'er us to do fo without Reproach ? Why arc they fo fond of appropriating the Presbyterian Name to themfelves, While they take fo much Pains to confute Presbyterian Principles ? They would ac~fc K % a mow ioo The Examiner. Examined. a more confident Part, if they either renounc'd then? Practice or Profeffion. Their oppoiing all enquiries into Mens fecret State, as they term it, gives Reafon to fufpecl: their want of experimental Religion, as well as unfaith- fulnefs in the minifteriai Work .! Thofe who have Chriitian Experience, are fo far from thinking that the relating thereof is like aSpanifh Engine of torture, that they take gaeat Pleafure, with the Pfalmiit of old, in telling to thofe that fear God, what the Lord has done for their Souls ; and in rendering a Reafon of the Hope that is within them, to every- one thatasketh a Queftion What a fuperfkial fort, of Minifters muft thofe be whooppofe all en- enquiries into the State of their Flock? for without this, how can they fpeak fuitably in a particular Manner, to the various Cafes of their Hearers ? For Minifters to try to convince or comfort Perfons in their privateDifcourfe, before anEnquiry into their State 9 is like a Phyiician's giving Doles of Phyficlc at random, without »j©nquiring into the Nature of the Difeafe that the Patient labours under. Whether fuch a Practice dosn't tend to kill rather than cure People, let the Reader judge. I mall only add at prefent, to what has been faid under this Head, this Sen:ece from my Nottingham Sermon, which I think is juft, tho' fome,. for their own Ends, defpife it, namely, " That Thieves flee " a Search, leaft their Helen Goods ihould be dis- covered. See John 5. 19, 20, 21. Jnd this is the Con- demnation, that Light is come into the If'orld and A. en hied- Darkmfs rather then Light, becaufe their Leeds were. Evil ; for every cm that doeth Evil, hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, leaft his Leeds Jlmild be reproved. But he that loveth Truth cometh to the Light, that his' 'Leeds may be made AJaniteJl that they are wrought in God. I haften to the 7th Inftance of pretended Contra- diction, p. 18. which is borrow'd from Moravian Sermon p. c. viz. " That Charity which thinketh no Evil : furelv then ** it w ill fpeak none. That Charily which inclines *< to Mildnefs, Candour and Courtefe in Speech and « 4 Behaviour, it behaveth it/elf not unfeemly. That «' Charity which prefers a publick Good to a private «* Intereft, it feekeih not her own things. And that < 4 Charity that inclines thofe that pofTefs it to Hu- « 4 mility, it vauxteth not itfelf, is not pt'jfed up. Torm'd Churches, when there is not a Word of this Tendency in all our writings ; God forbid, that we fhould entertain fuch an unreafonable and de- teftable Opinion of ourfelves ; no we delire, as we have great Reafon, to prefer others before our- felves in Love, and do judge of ourfelves, (and are willing to be tho'c fo of others) left then the le.ifi of 'all Saints. Neither will the Foundation our Author goes npon in the.Infmuation aforefaid, biar the Strcfthe lays upon it. What if we had faid, That the, gene- rality of Protejlants are but dead Formalifis at befi. Will not the Scripture, fupport fuch an AiTertion, while they inform us, That many are caWd and few cho- fen. That Strait is the Gate and narrow is the IVaJ that leads to Life, and that few find it, That many Jhall feek to enter in and Jhall not be able. And dons't the Para- ble of the Sower give farther Light and Force to this Argument? For therein; But one in four received the Word, aright. Dofn't the Examiners offering the aforefaid particular, as an Objection againft us, betray grofs Ignorance of the Scriptures, and look like an uiter unacquaintednefs with expe- rimental Religion \ Our Author adds another Paragraph of his own to this Effect. «« Where is Mr. Verinenfs Charity " to himfelf and his Party fhewn here 1 and this is " the Gentleman; that has" the Face to recomi- 41 mend Charity to others in his 5th Sermon." Jnf. I fee no uncharitableheis iih afterting that to be the Caufe of God, which we were then and arc ftill endeavouring to promote ; namely, experimental And practical Religion, and in a refolute oppofing of two Ads made by a Majority of the Synod, which we were and are ftill perfwaded had a Tendency to bbftrucr. the fame, tho* doubtlefs they appeared :<> others of our Brethren (fome of whom we believe are heartily engag'd in promoting experimental Pfo- ty) in another Light. Thcfe Acts which I havr Mentioned in my Remarks upon their protcti , gavr O rric i66 The EtfAMitfER, Examinej* rife to the uneafineffes which fubfift among us Our reafonings againft which, mention \i in the a- forefaid Remarks, our oppofers have not tho't propel/ yet to make any particular reply to. I (till approve of the Defcription of Charity, which" our Author cites from my Moravian Sermon : And am pcrfwaded that I have acted according to it, it\ fetting forth the Danger of an ungodly Mini- ftry ; but this I have fpoke upon before, and there- fore muft not inflft here. Only I muft beg leave to ask our Authtr, who' profefles fo much Charity, how he can reconcile therewith his manifold unjuft dealing with me, and his patronizing the ungodly Miniftry, his grum- bling and taking it ill that they fhould have their juft Characters ? while ill the mean Time he favours heretical A!oravians y and other Shifmaticks this way/ and adopts their invidious Character of me, viz. *« tfkat I appear in my Notingham Sermon, as Ifhmacl have the la(V Year in their Proteft, given their lbiemn fufferage to the reality of the late revival of Religion in this Land, and th;s v Year both our Presbyteries viz. of Xeiv-Bnmfiuick and Ne\ The reader may eafily fee, how partial and un~ juft his comparifon is, snr! Therefore Iuconciufive, whatever fuddain Conversions there be, attended with the a forefaid Characters ; we reject them and believe them to be bat forty A.'uforooms ; but we dare not reject Converficns meerly becaufe of their Suddain- nefs; if thefe Perfons have had humbling Prepa- ratives, have been enabled to receive CHRIST, and reft upon him for Salvation; have after conflicts, and a general free bene of Heart, and Practice Godward and Heavenward. And this we have the fulleft Evidence, that the Nature of fuch Things can admitt of, is the Cafe of many who have been, during the late glorious revival of Religion, brought from a State of Na- ture to a State of Grace in this Land. We dare not prefume to bound Omnipotence, or fet limits to the Operations of an infinitely fovereign God, in his bringing fallen Creatures to an intereft in iiis Love. His Spirit blows when and where hfc lifteth. And indeed I can't but think the Examiner \s pro* fanely bold in doing fo, in thofe Lines of his which I but juft now mentioned . At this rate of pro- ceeding the moft of the Converfions in the Apoftolick Times, muft be condemned as Mufi)r§oms, for was not the Converfon of the three Ihoufand as well as of Paul, Zachens and Lydia, fuddain ? And what tho* fuddain Converfions be followed with Raptures, if they have the Antecedents, Concom- mitants and Effects, before mentioned, they fliould not be rejected on the Account of them. For are we not told, That the Kingdom of God confifts in Righ- Uouftcfsj Place and Joy in the holy Ghofi ? And didn't iome in the primitive Times receive the Word with Joy, yea rejoice with Joy mfpeakalle and full 6f Glory, and what can be greater than this ? If Perfons after much forrow and uneafinefs, upon their meeting with fomc unexpected and im- portant temporal Good, have been fo overcome with tV Examiner, Exam I ned. U % Joy and Rapture, that they have fainted away ; is IE any wonder that, divine Things fhou'd affect as much, which are of infinitely greater Weight and ConfeojucKce, when they are beheld by that Faith which is the Snbftcmce of tfhiwti net feen, and the Lvi- dence of things hoped jvr. Certainly the greater Diftrefe Perfons are in before they receive Comfort, thro* a fight of Goo's juitice and riolinefs, as well as of their own Vilenefs, together with the Fears of impending Vengeance, the more in Proportion they arc wont to be affected with a Senfe of pardoning Mercy. I remember to have heard in the Famous Story of JMajftanelk the Neapolitan, that during his Re- gency, fome poor Man that had received certain valuable temporal Prefents, was fo tranfported there- with, that he cry\i out frequently in the open Street, before a great Concourfe of People, ait this is rnine p ail this is mine. And when fome Body prefent dcfi- red him to be (till, telling him that fuch behaviour was unfeemlyj he reply 'd, rfhat he needn't wonder that he cry'd out fo-, but rather that he didn't take up Irenes and throw at him He was fo mad for Joy. It Jrchimede's when he had found out fome Ma- thematical Demonit ration^ wasfo tranfported with it, that he ,Cr|'d outj Eurecaj Eurtca, J have found, I have found. Is it ftrange that fome of fofier and ftronger Paflions, who af er a view of their forlorn State, upon finding the Peart of great Price, Ihould be To tranfpor- ted wi:h aSenfe ofGod's imerited and immenfeGood- nefs, as that they coud'nE refran crying out wicla the Spoufc in the Song of Songs. I have found him whom my Soul loveth. I have heard of One who was condemn'd to be hang'd for fome notorious Crime, in confequence •f which after Imprifonment, he was carried to the. Gallows ; but behold a Pardon being brought to him, while he was within view bf the awful Inftru- ment of Execution, overcame him with fuch an coeeft of joy, as made him expire in Death* P What. 1 14 The Examiner Examined. What I have faid elfewhere concerning the Souls near union to the Body, and its consequent Influ- ence upon it, is applicable here. And now before I proreed farther, I muft juft obferve, that the Examiner has wrong'd me in the Application aforefaid, by insinuating that I fpoke againft fuddain Ccnverjions, or joyous Raptures altogether, whereas I only fpoke againft fuch, as had not fuita- ble Antecedents, Concommitants and Effects, as was before obferv'd. He has like wife offended againft the Generation of God's Children, by condemning all of them that have been converted fuddain ly. Let the Exami- ner ferioufly confider the following Place of Scrip- ture, Matt. iS. 6. He that offends one of thofe little ones who believe in me, it were better for him that a Mill- flone was hung about his Keck and he cafi into the midji of the Sea. Our Author in his next Paragraph mentions "what I fay p. 66. of my Moravian Sermon.-—" Thus u do any efteerrt this new upftart Moravian Seel:, " becaufe they fay they have Communion with " God, and in Confequence hereof Joy and Sweet- *« nefs. I anfwer when we confider the jlntinomiarz " Principles they hold concerning Faith and Jujti* fpiriiuat l'ride> and /g/f Confidence. Thefe very Sermons which the Exsmurm labours to caft dirt upon, (consequen- tially) evidence the Contrary, as well as all the Ser- mons I have publifn'd to the World, particularly that Book entitled the Prefumer detected, which was directly calculated to unhinge delufvue Hopes and Joys, Neither is there one of my Reverend Brethren that can bejuftly charg'd wich thofe Things, fome of them have prov'xl the Contrary by their printed Difcourfcs, and all that know the reft, know the Charges againft them to be falfe. What it fome be deceived under our Preaching, feeing that the Doc- trines we preach and our diftincl; manneF of handling them, has no Tendency that Way, but the very contrary; our Author can no morejuuiy charge us herewith then the Apofties, with all thtprefump<- tuous Hops of their Hearers. Why* does our Au- thor unjulUy charge upon us, the Crimes of. the Devil and the ungodly y who are under his Influence, while we deteft them in our Hearts, and endea- vour to detect and oppofe them by, our Speech and Practice. And now we are prepar'd to confider another part of the Examiners Performance, which he entitles thus, Mr, T's Refietiions on the Spirit of the Moravians, comparca f L 1 exll0rted th * Hearers to leave them My Abhorrence of this Practice I ,T^ ?r t d la * Letter » Mr. D . c , 1 n , o h , ReaHer A C ?!T a 1 e Pub ' ick ' W ">>ich I refer the valuable Books at M» LorAn in G m eS,cut,h like- *ife exceeding Scandalous and Ridiculous, and de- ^H e ,V°r be dC:cfted ** a " Ma»kind(bat I am n ' tc "™. upon a certain Foundation, Z dec™Iv ,e ,.n U fi b M IC,C '/ batM f •?«««*•* appears to be Affc) CnmWal C °" d " ft in thac C r\ I' 3? that Mr u D r E K * ° R * and Mr. h,lV "?' b y thelr ^prudent Conduct, ', r "^^y «o the creating and fomenting i much t^be" 1 r VeralPartS a° f th ' s Country, whul is much to be lamented : And while I am con- roT H by the A R /S ard I have to the Honour of ?eftimonv nter - ft ^ hisKi ^ dom * t0 bear a publick Min ftcr/hlf mft thC e!tce P tio »aW e Conduft ot thefe oecku \t T ment T ed > » the m can Time I believe rh af - a i lnO V bU , t - I . 0Ve their Perf ° n *. and believe that in the fimplicity of their Hearts thev havegoneaftray. I HkeWeVkhowledge $ o th£ fon?o Wi G0d * t° V l rei S n Grace - *« I have W of hem £ eXprCfly ^° S * d the Milcondua of one ot them, , n my prmted &rnions and Letterj borrowMfrl ^ the ■**« memloM, is i?Z< ! £P °K?y Mm «* a * S «™>n. "Well « FruLof^^' "P"? ^ difterent are thc fruits of theu coming into the Country from the S—-1 ** ^--h-v, L--y-r P—ne, &c. tending to bring •* the facred MrAJiry into Cbtiterrtft, and divide and cor- w y»^/ ffo Church of Godl I anfwer the Examiners Charge in the Negative. We have fent no Ignorant A>iJpnories to gather Jeparate Societies, where there Was a found Mini fry. The Cafe is truly thus all that We have Licensed or Ordain d for the Holy Aifyjlry, were furninVd with a competent Meafure of human Learning, agreeable to our Di- rectory. Indeed we have not ordain'd every one to afix'd Charge for this Reafon, becaufe the Congre- gations ihat depend upon us for Supplies, are fo nu- merous, and our Number of Candidate's To fmall, that we cannot fupply them all at prefent, with a fettled Miniftry, as we defire and intend (God willing) The People, in the mean time, urge us with almoft in- ceffant Importunities for fo,me Supplies, in refpe& of Preaching, and likewife want to huve Baptifm ad- minifrred to their Children; and if mould like- wife be obferv'd, that thofe Congregations are, many of them, far diftant from each other. Now we knew of no better Method to remedy the prelent diftref- : ling Exigence^ than that of Ordaining fome ad mi- niflerium vagum t or to preach about in divers Places for a while, and Baptize, until we cou'd get the Places fupply ed with a fettled Miniftry, or until, the Perfonsfo ordain'd wou'd themfelves incline to accept of a fix'd Charge, which Inclination we do not check or Difcourage. And I think this Practice of ordaining, as aforefaid, has not been without Ptefidents in the reformed Churches. But I z6 The Examinbr, Examined. But the Accufation of fending any into? laces where thive is a foundjhiniflry y to gather feperate Societies , is aCalumny. Some of ; our Opponents have difcover'd more unfound- fiefs in their Writings of Jate, then we tho'c for- merly they had been tainted with. VVe had fomc Charges againft fome of their Number, which we wanted 10 have examined, and judicially try'd, while a Union fubfifted between us, (and without a View to the judicial decision of which, we can nei- ther come into a State of Union with them, or con- tinue in it) which we have not broken. But after they in an unjuft Manner bad broken it, (as before related) and by their Qupoiuion to GOD's W o r k and Servants, grieved the Hearty of his People and ailien.zted their Affections from them, fo that they cou'd not Profit under their Miujftry, or with free- dom of Cpnfcience attend upon it, leaft they mould encourage them in their evil Courfe, and fo be par- takers in their Guilt, and be liable tp the penal iflues of it. I fay, when thofe poor opprefled People again and again Supplicated us for Relief, in the mod moving and pathetick Strains ! how cou'd we deny them, .-except we had Bowels, of JSrals and Adamant 1 The Examiners Charge in relation to Mr. Ro w- 1 a N d is unjuft. Mr. Ro w jl a n d was neither Licens'd or Ordain'd by us, in Qntempt of the Synod, but in compliance with the Dilates ot our own ConfcJences. And We x who have had him under Ex- amination, did and do look upon him to be fuffi- ciently Qualified for the Gcfpel Minifry, both in re- Iped: of Learning an d Gracious Accompiifiments, agree- able to our LireBovy. As to what is added, of his leeng thrujl into the. Bounds of a Neighbouring Presbytery , tvithut their Con- currence, and coniinud there in Opposition to, and in con- tempt of thjeir Determination. Anfw. It is a wrong Reprefentation of the Matter; he was Invited by a Body of Religious Peo- ple, who confeientiouily diflented from thofe Ac~b, or i i 7 The Examiner, Examined. or Laws, which were made by a Majority of the kynod, which occafion'd the Debate between ut and them, and he himfelf likewife fcrupl'd the Laws afbrefaid. In conference of which the Majority of the Synod had publickly warn'd all the People of their Bounds againit Hearing of Mr. Rowland* becaufe he had been licens'd by us, notwiihftanding of their Cannon. The People declin'd applying to that Presbytery in whofe Bounds they were, becaufe of the Cafe afore- faid, and other Objections they had againft their Conduct ; and not being able to get a Miniiier elfe- where, they importuned Mr. Ro w l a n » to fup- ply them, with which he, at laft, comply 'd, not out of Contempt , but Confcience towards God, in order to relieve a pious, oppos'd . and opprefs'd People ! which, thro' the divine bieffing, was to all appearance a Mean of fating Good to many precious Souls . there, in their Qn-viBion and Gnwrfon to God. As to what they fay tar .her under this Head, viz. ifhathts Practice hath been U this Day, a courfe of intru- jive Difor tiers. I anfwer to this Charge Ignoramus , we want Proof. To what has been faid, they add, that his Character has been under a lery dull Qcud as td immorality. Here I muft beg leave to obferve, that it is an aw- ful fignin our Oppofers to endeavour to caft Contempt upon the Character of one r whofe faithful Labours for God* has beeii CroSvn'd with remarkable and diftingijiln'd SucceiTes, and to join withthe Prophanc hi Persecuting of him. May God forgive their im- piety. But let them know to their> irume, that the dull Cloud iihich, they fay, covered, his Character, is now, by the kind Providence of God, cleared up, and that his Inccencs Jl;ines as tie Lighti aild his Judg- ment as the Keen-Lay ! We v, ifh with all our Hearts, that all their Candidates were Qualified like him, in refpect of Grace and Learning, and that they them- felves, tula are fo uife in their czl?i Eyes, underftood Divinity as well as him, whom they delpife, or thac all ii8 The ExAMiN.ik,ExA'MiNii. all of them together could fhew fo much Succcfs of their Labours. Who the Examiner means in his next Paragraph thit have, as he fays, admitted Novices into their Pulpits, I know not ; neither do I know the Names hs in«- tends by thofe letters of them which he fets down, and therefore I cannot anfwer particularly to that Charge ; but this I can fay in general, that we have been as careful as we could, to keep Novices out of cur Pulpits , lea ft contempt pould thereby come on the Mini- stry, and other injuries to the Ghruch of GOD. And now we are arriv'd at another head of our Authors Performance, p. i6. entitled,^-. T's Refietti^ ens on the Practice of the Moravians compar'd 'with lots own Practice and that of his Adherents. The firft PafTage he cites from my Writings, is appendix, p. 106. which is this* " Do not fome «' Moravians flight humanReafon and Learning? &c. 4% p. 97 .Mr. Spahginberg declaimM in my « c hearing,more than oncc,agairift human learning,^ In the oppofite Collumn to which he fays thus. « Hath not Mr. » to the Confciences and Affections of their b as to have a Tendency to alarm their Fear and incite their Love. I I o v hal is farther added againft me in par- ticular, \\l. *' That I am the Primum Mobile, a principal vuover and promoter of the Paiiionate- Re- ligion, now prevailing among fo many. Jnftv. Obferve Reader, the Examiner acknow- ledges than an affectionate Religion, now prevails among The Examiner, Examined. 151 among many ; well here is another Teftimony from his'own Pen in favour of the lare Reformation. In the mean Time I utterly difdaim what he af- cribes to me in thefe Words, Prirnum Akbik or firfi m;ter. This is an honour which belongs to no mcer.Man. lam fully perfwaded upon the mo ft certain Foundation, that it is the holy Spirit of God, who was the firfl Mgo&t of what he cajls the ptffijjfcat* Religion ; and this the Effects thereof, in r the Change that has been wrought upon the Govern- ing Tempers of the Minds and general Courfe of the Lives of Multitudes, do inconteffibly prove, to all that are not blinded with unaccountable pre'- judice. Can it with any fiiadow of Reafon be fup- pofed that Satan wou'd fo far fight againft his own Intereft, as to roufe Multitudes of Sinners out of the Sleep offmful Security, and exci.e them to im- portunate Enquiries, and incei]ant Importunities' af- ter Salvation by Jesus Chrjst ? Ana'thitlie would, if he could, change mens Minds and Practice^ as before obferv'd. No furely ! by the fame Method 1 * • of caviling, by which feme Labour to condemn the late revival of Religion in this Land, they may condemn that Work of God which was in the Apoftolick Age.—- But if our Author means no more, than that I have been a principal Promoter under God, of the fajponate Religion^ he does me much honour, tho' pro-t. bably not with defign. I have been indeed endea- vouring to promote a Religion which includes both Judgment^ PaJJion and PraBict in it. And bleTed be God he has given Succefs to my attempts. Paf- fon without Knowledge and Judgment in Religion, is certainly but vain Fancy, and Knowledge and %ide- fnent without fome degree of Paffion, is but dead dry Formality. My own Confcicnce and multitudes of Mankind can witnefs for me, that it has been always my endeavour in the Courfe of my Miniftry firft to inform Mens minds before I addrefs'd their Confciemes and Pafiiovs, which I cannot bat think is The Exa MINSK, Examined. 153, is tlic only proper Method of dealing with intel- ligent Creatures. Certainly Fajfon is of no farther ufe in Religion, then it is under the Guidance of a well inform'd Judgment, but thus far it is of ex- cellent ufc. It is abfur'd to fuppofe that God has given us Pajpom tobc only employ 'd about terrene trifles. Let us now proceed to the 27 p. where our Au- thor quotes the following Words from my Aloravian Sermon. " Do they not endeavour to infinuat« 41 themfelves into Peoples Affections firft, by Smiles 41 &c. And in p. 65. Do any eftecm^he Moravian ** Sect, becaufe they fmile generally and appear 41 loving ; but Brethren is not this Judas like to 4( betray us with a kifs ; for while they fhew fuch 41 Love, they draw pious People into Errors, and fo *« fet them a quarelling with one another, fhall we " fuflcr them to fmile us out of our Principles,, then 41 J'mfure we are poorly grounded in them. Ibid. '« Do not tney take fpecial care to apply to 4t young Perfpns, Females and Ignorant people «« who arc full of Affection ? f! Who dp they imitate in attacking the weaker 4t Part of Man, viz. the Paflion.s, and the weaker 4i Sex firft, but the Devil, the Father of Lies and Er- 4t rors ? Did not he deal thus with our firft Parents, 4t and by the weaker Sex feduced Jdam 1 Upon the oppofitc Column we have thefe Words ©four Examinery vh. " Who can help fmiljng at *' this, that considers what is paft and now is. f* Strange that Mr. < I. ihould complain of the Mora- «' via* Smiles in religious Matter ! When it is no- 4t toriousjthat he himfelf not only fmil'd but laughNi u heartily over his Converts, even while they wet e 41 under a preparatory Work of the Law, and his 4t followers nave practifed upon him, and not been 4i afham'd to exprefstheir Joy at, by loud .laugh- c< ing even in the Solemn Ailcmblies. Is not this H ludere cum Sacrh, ? an unjuftiftablc Practice in one *• as well as another. « And The Examine* Examine*. 135 « And is not this Pi acticr exactly correfpondenc f* with the Practice of Mr. <7. and other heady Itine- ** rants j which creep into Ecufes and have had mofi u Succefs among Temaks and young ignorant People. " The whole Paflage is fo very applicable to Iti- " nerants in general, That I mould have taken it for *' a Reprefentation, (not to fay Refutation of their " Conduct) i Mr. !T. had not taught me to apply it to " the A.oraviaps." Jnfvu. Here let the Reader qbferve, that the Ex- aminer mifreprefenrs my meaning, and has left out a pretty deal that ierves to explain it ; he lay s, I com- plain cf the Moravian Smiles in religious Matters: But this is a falfe Charge, it is only their abufe of them that I complain of, and not the mecr XJfc of them in religious Matters ; namely, their trying to infinuate thcmfclves into Peoples Affection by them, thro* fhews of Love, and fo to draw them into Error, while in the mean Time they conceal their Princi- ples, until the Affections are fixed. If the Heart is fill'd wkh Love and Joy, it will paturally make the face Serene. And have I fmil'd and laugh'd hcratily over my Converts, (or People wro't upon by my Mini(try) while under a prepa- ratory Work of che Law : Weil, and where is the Harm of it, it fhew*d that I was glad that poor fin- ders were in a likely way to come to Chrift : And wou'd our Author have me to be forry upon fuch an Occafjon f Qod forbid ! I wou'd rather immkate thi Example of our Lord, who tho a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with Grief, yet rejo'ye'd in Spirit at fuch an event, viz. When Satan fell as Lightning from heaven. And here let ic be noticed, by the by, that I am Honoured with another Teftimony from our Examiner, to the Succefs of my Miniftry, for it feems, even according to his own acknowledgment, that fame were kyough under a Work of tie Law by my Labours. As to laughing loud in Religious y.Jfemblies, if any have been guilty of it, I will not undertake to be their Patron., in that I think it is indecent and of bad Re- M 154- The Examiner Examined pprt. But to fhew the Examiners unfair dealing un- this Head of Charge, I will cite the whole Para- graph he refers to, See Moravian Sermon page 106. the Words are thefe, viz.. " Don't the Moravians be- M gin with the Affe&ions firft ? and is this fair Deal- " ing ? Do they not endeavour to infinuate thcmr *< ielves into Peoples Affections firft, by Smiles and " foft Difcouries about the Love of Christ, «* and by a feemingly innocent, fimple and loving ** Behaviour, while in the mean Time they care- " fully hide their Principles until the Affections are u catch*d, and then let them out by Degrees ? Should ff not they ftiow their Principles firft, before the and carried about with diverfe * l andjlrangi Voffrimsj feparating themjelves and having « Men's 1^6 TheExAMIMBR EXAMINBD. " Mens Perfons in Admiration ; without being able 4t to offer one f olid Reafon for their Change. Jnfw. How unjufl and unreafonable is the Examiners Application of the aforefaid Paragraph to me, and fuch as join with me, as it is evident he does, from the general Title of this Head of Charges before related. Wherein have I in particular been carried about with every Wind of DcBrine, or foarated myfelf\ having Mens Perfons in Admiration ? ills true indeed / cant give a [olid Reafon for my Change , becaufe I have fuffer'd none. Will this Author tell us how I have been fmil'd out of my Religion ? Pray does the Examiner mean by Strange Doclrines the Doctrines of Grace , namely of original Sin, Juftifi- cation by the righieoufnefs of Grift alone, the New-fiirth 9 the Perfeverance of the Saints, are thefe Strange to him? If fo Pm forry for it : But I'm fure they arc not fo to the rejtrm d Churches, as appears by the har- mony of their Confeflions of Faith. Now thefe are the Do&rines that ourfclves and hearers have been chiefly affected with, and influenced by. And is the Examiner forry for that, then he himfelf is an object of Pitty, and fo are thofe whom he calls judicious and ferious Chriftians, if they join with him therein. As to tne Accufation of having Mens Per fons in Ad- miration, I hope I may fay in behalf of my fclf and Brethren, that the chief Reafons why we admire Perfons arc their Goodnefs and Ufefulnefs to the Church of God, and that it is our defire and endea- vour in the general, to proportion Our efteem to the Degrees thereof. As to the Charge of Separation it has been before anfwercd. But our Examiner in the mean 'Time feems to be realy guilty of what he without Foundation char- ges upon us, in as much as by this Performance he teems to admire thofe, who oppofe the Power of Religion this Way, and who hold, fome of them, thefe Strange Doctrines, viz. Zhat ConviiBion ts not neceffary to Converfan. That there is no inward call to the Minijlryi and the Notion of the rigid Indebenaants and The Examiner, Examined. 137 and Brc reflecting the Peoples Relation 10 their Paftor, 'viz. that it is equal to that of a Marriage Con- trati : And who have feparated themlelves.--And thus our Author appears to be guilty of admiring of Perfons in the worft Senfe. The next Paflage our Au- thor quotes from Moravian Sermon, is p. $8. " Children are fond of new Things, that look bright " tho* ot little Value : Thus Novices in Chriftia- * c liny who are juft beginning the^Chriftian Courfe, " ignorant in a great Meafure, as to "Chriftian a Principles, but full of Affection and felf Con- 41 ceit, when a Moravian comes among them, fitts *' down a while, and look very Harmlefs, Innocent *•* and Sober, gives fome fmiles, and talks about the " Blood of Chrift, in their Myftical Way, and of • u Love, Love. O brave, O what a fincMan is this)" In the oppofite Column we have thefe Words of the Examiner, viz. " It is a moving Argument, ** and Proof that People are not fo well taught in " this Land as is pretended, but have now as-much *' need as ever to have their Minds inftrucfeed as well " as their Pafhons mov'd.— The Image is very Strong " and lively/ 9 Anjvi. The Examiners applying to us, the Mora- vians My (Heal Way of talking about the Blood of Chrift, is fo falfe and trifling that it deferves no An- fwer : Our Author was exceedingly ftraitned here, for the want of Matter, arid well he might if he has any remains of Conicience in him. But the Examiner proceeds to quote a Paragraph from my Moravian Sermon p. 107. which runs thus. ** Certainly we ihould adhere inviolably to the Prin- * c ciples we have been inftru&ed in, until we find " better, which we fhould be always ready to re- *< ceive upon proper Conviclion, which is not to be *' attain'd by a fight of the Grimaces of Strangers " or by immediate Revelations or Enthufiafms, but " by Scripture, Reafon and Argument." And p. 52. I direct to hold faftCH rist's precious Truth, thus. " It is needful to wave a pofitive Conclufion M refpe&ing the Good State of Strangers, when we £ « have i ;S The Exaiuner, Examiner-. " have not fuffieiem Evidences for it in rcfpeft " of cheir Principles, Experiences and Practice. ; R'fo )ud'j;ing either Way is cer ainly unreaionable «' and prejudicial, when Perfons do fpeedily wiih- " out fufficient Reafon, conclude Strangers who 4t come among them to be Pious and perhaps emi- €t nently fo, becaufe of their fair Appearances in " Behaviour, wi houi examining their Principles; <* by thi. rafli Method of proceeding their Affe&U « ons are ape to be unreafonc. W hich has been before conhdered. It's true indeed the Bear Skin he mentions is. added to the late IVirk, by rfrt and Man's Deiife. Let it be rtrip'd of thofe faife Co- loursy and then it will appear in its own native Beauty : And unlefs he deals with it as its ftory'd of the Tyrant Procrujles, who cut off Men's Legs to make them of an equal Length, he cannot bring the Succefsof Itinerants do&n to a Level, with that of. Oppofers. it the Oppofers had been Zealous to maintain the honours of the holy Spirit there wou'd be no Debate fubfifting among us refpe&ing the late Reformatio?.. But pray why does the Examiner put the Order of the Gofpel{{6 call'd) before thefacred Honours due to the holy Spirit. By this unreafonable Precedence it i'eems that our Author perferrs Externals before the Life of Piety, which is frnfui and Scandalous: Buc bec.tufc the Examiner and his Brethen talk of Order (ufyue ad- vavim) ib much, I will beg Leave to eke a PalTage upon this Head, from the Works of excellent and judicious Mr. Flave l , in his Husbandry fpiriiuliz\' Volum 2. p. 307. of the 4th Edition, upon an excel- lent but irregular ^Jne, " Seeing a Tree grow <« fomewhat Irregular in a very neat Orchard, I it told the Owner it was Pitty that Tree fhould " ftand there, and that if it were mine 1 would *« root it up, and thereby reduce .the Orchard to « exact uniformity. Ic was reply 'd to this purpofe* «< That he rather regarded the Fruit then the Form jf " and that this flight inconveniency Was abundantly (« preponderated by a more confiderable Advantage.. «« This Tree, faid he, which you wou'd root up " hath yielded me more Fruit then many of thofe « c Trees, which have nothing eife to commend them « but their regular Situation. I could not but yield ThcExAHINEK, ElAMlNlB. I45 M yie.d to die Kcafou ctthis Anfwer ; and could *< v-ifh i[ had been fpoken fo loud that all our unl- " ivnnty fan had beard it, who will np: flick to m root up many Hundred of [he beft bearers in «« :he Loir's Orchard, becaufe they ftand not in « c an exact order with other more conformable, " hue Ida beneficial Trees, who do perdere Subftan- «' tiam propter ^':ciae?Jtia, deftroy the Fruit to pre- j« ferve .he Form. t u:h unake fitch ftolifo Men are ihfe, *' c '<:.t Jinve for Shadows and their Subfiance loofe. ,e Examiners complifance to me, in pro- \z ufr of the Rajor, I would beg Leave to re, that I neirher have, or ever had, Juch a, mcnfirous Beard of Ey.traordtnaries y as he talks of. 1 /mill make bold to tell the Examiner^ that : a very long Beard, the Hairs of Falfhood (tick out fo long upon it, that ii is 1 I wou'd dvife him therefore to be lhaven as foon as may be for his own Credit and Comfort. As to that of turning the Edge cf my U eaten upon ?vy felfy the Lxamtner has try'd artfully and induitri- oully the Method he propofes, but I am no: fen- flble that the I rf.ct he men. ions has been the Iflue ; of it, viz. tfhat my tir°ncti i- gone from me. The h'ev.''hn:?.fiJik Ic.rty (as he calls them) have never pie. cticcd to infallibility,- and as to his Charge of Errors and y.tnfi.ns, Qr-c. it has been be- fore conudered. Bui wh.le- oar Author afTertsthat the heiu- Erur.f-J.uk Part) , are chargeable &Hh as ma- ny Errors, fattufcnSj Cintraditiionsy&c. as their Weigh" bcurs. b>ct\ g l a! i.e bciieves theaforefaid Accufa- tion5 are teaiy ap| iicableto us,ciofn't he declare by the fame Breath, hat his Bear Brethren the Oppo- fers here, re equally guilty of them in hit Opinion, if fo why noes he fo partially prefer them be- fore us i as appears from divers Paflages of his Per- formance, and particularly from the following Para* graph in which ihcExamimr calls as blind Party Zealots. Jn'iv. 144 T^ e Examiner, Examined. Jnfiv. We are obliged to our Author for his kind Compliments, but are humbly of Opinion, that it is proper for him to enquire whether there be not Reafon to apply them nearer home ? But methinks our Authors advice in refpect of proving us, Qpc. as before exprefs'd and frying you will find thefe crucified Gentlemen have as much Senfation and are as ready to cry out of Danger as any of their Neighbours, fomewhat reiembles Satans Pro- poial concerning-^. Job 1. 9. 16. 11. then Satan an- fwered the Lord and J aid , doth Job fear God for nought , haft thou not made a Hzdge about him but put forth thine Hand now and touch all that he hath, and he will cttrfe thee to thy Face. But the Examiner knows that after a moft formidable Tryal, when even Heaven it felf lowr'd, and Earth and Hell combin'd in a eruel Confederacy againft him ; when the mod dif- trefiing & gloomy Train of complicated Calamities of of various Forms, rold upon him in a thick and in- ceflant Succeflion, his gallant noble Soul preferv'd its integrity and flood firm as an impregnable Rock amidft'the boyfterous Billows, which with unfriend- ly Violence in vain effay'd to difturb its repofe and Security. In a Word, the IlTue prov'd, God himfelf being Judge, that the Accufer of the Brethren was not able to maintain his envious Charge. lean with integrity of Heart aflure our Author that I do not cry out of Danger, on the Account of any Treatment I have received of the Moravians, but becaufe of the Hurt they are doing to the Church of God. I am thro' Mercy fo far from fainting upon that Account that it dofn't create the leaft uneafi- nefs in me. O but the old Story comes over again, that I have treated the Body of the Clergy of this Generation in an un- charitable Manner, &c. Why didn't he fay unconverted Mnifiersy for fure that is the Cafe, O No / that woudn't Anfwer his and his Friends Purpofe, for then , the nakednefs and naughtinefs of their Caufe in defending the ungodly Miniftry, would be The ExAMlKEH,ExAMlNf.D, 14 V be open to every Eye, and therefore they give ic an artful turn, in order to hide its fihhy Face from the common People, and harp often upon [his plaufibly String, thar I treat uncharitably arid ccufo- rioufly the Bcdy of the Clergy, tie to>.y of the Clergy i>f this Generation : Why what's the Matter, do I fpeak a Word againft converted AJntflcrs in the Noting- ham Sermon, no not a Word. What need chey then take in fuch great Dudgeon what I fpeak againft un- godly Minifters in general. Except they be fuch themfelves they fhoudn't apply k, but if the Ca- racters mention'd in the Sermon foil their Caie and Courfe, in its main Stroaks pretty exactly, why then indeed they ought to apply it, but kindly, and humbly pray for converting Grace. To ufe our Authors Words, when the h'ottn^ham Sermon touches them why do they taint and cry out of Danger \ Indeed if they find themfelves gracelels and cry out of the Danger of- their own prefent State, I fhou'dn': find fault with them upon that Account ; but for them to cry out of Danger in Relation to the Church of God, becaufe the unonverted Clergy are plainly fpoke againft, is very prepofterous. What wou'd they have me do, fhould I fpeak well of gracelefs Minifters, when fome of them cfpecially, are the Bane of Religion, the Pert of the Church, and Burden of the Creation ? In this I muft beg to be excufed. Our Authors laft Paragraphs are fpent in cen- furing Mr. Davenport* Clamorous preach- ing in Bojlon^ againft unconverted Minifters, and ill an earneft Advice to me to retract the RctingJ ham Sermon. As to the Manner of Mr. Davenport's preaching in Boflon againft unconverted Minifters,; not having heard him there, nor having a full and certain Information on both Sides, I fhall fay no- thing to it. But in regard to our Authors Advice to retract thfc hotinqham Sermon, I, muft be^ to be exeus'd T ' until 14-6 The Examiner Examines until I fee fome Reafon for it. The Examine* calls that Sermon an Incendiary, and adjudges it to the fire , hard Words, hard Sentence indeed, ■why is rhere no good in it at all, or wou'd he burn the Good with what he calls bad, and is this equitable ? I humbly conceive pur Author is mis- taken when he fays, that the Notingham Sermon caufes Contentions : No, the true Caule is gracelefs Minifters oppofing of it. Me thinks it would be more to their Credit prudently to let it alone upon their own Account, for when they keep mut- tering, growling and fcolding at it, it does but give People Ground tofufpect they are of that unhap- py Tribe and Party themfelves, which is therein detected and cenfured. And to conclude Sir, I beg leave to return your Compliment, fo far as to advife you to confider, if your prefent Performance, which is fill'd with fo many unjuft Invectives againft God's Work and Servants, dofn't deferve a hard Fate, but I am not fo earned for your burning it, as your repenting over your Impiety in the Compofureof it, I am Sir, your real Friend, tho* unknown, G. TENNENT, Philadelphia, July the nth, 17A3. Pride goeth befove DeflruBion, and a haughty Spirit h fore a Fall. Prov. 16. 18. Nihil unquam tarn impar Jibi. Hon Isiteris tuepjfum Chrijli Submcrgere Navh?? Fluttuat at nun quam mergitur ilia rates P.S. That Paflage which is mention'dp. 121 of Mr Davenports mifcondu&at Re