iii.. iv.. V... vi... vii... 463-472 473-483 484-493 494-502 502-506 XII. Six Essays illustrative of the Faith and Hope of the Gospel: i. On the most important of all Subjects ii. The Apostolic Preaching exemplified.. AN EXPOSTULATORY ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE METHODIST SOCIETY IN IRELAND. Bring all things to the test.-1. Thess. v. 11. [First Published Aug. 1802.] THE insertion of the two first articles in this collection, the Address to the Methodists and the Letters to Mr. Knox, renders a few preliminary observations necessary. Both these pieces were published while Mr. Walker retained the situation of Clergyman in the Establishment; and both contain some sentiments which he publicly condemned and retracted, when, soon after their publication, he was led to see the unlawfulness of his religious connexion. To give a renewed circulation to these exceptionable passages had an appearance of inconsistency; but to exclude the entire articles would have been to suppress two productions highly valuable for the perspicuity and strength of reasoning with which the essential principles of the Gospel are vindicated, and the errors of false doctrine exposed. They were well known in Ireland and Scotland, where they had an extensive circulation; the omission of them would have proved a great disappointment to many expectants of the present edition in both countries; and it could not have been satisfactorily accounted for to several, who knew that the subject, on which the author's mind had undergone a change, though of the highest importance, occupied but a very small portion of either work; and that this change did not affect his arguments on the great principles, to the discussion of which nearly the entire of both was devoted. To publish the Address and Letters, with the omission of the comparatively few objectionable passages, presented a plausible and apparently easy method of avoiding the imputed inconsistence. But it is at all times a task of no small difficulty to perform such an operation on the works of another; aud the editor who undertakes it will seldom afford satisfaction to his readers or to himself. It would also have required a long explanatory statement, not likely itself to escape censure; and would have exposed the whole work to the charge of disingenuous mutilation, and to consequent suspicion and distrust. The plan now adopted is to give both articles in the same form in which they originally appeared; but to annex, in extracts from his subsequent writings, the author's castigatory observations on the exceptionable passages. This plan, besides its candour and simplicity of execution, possesses the recommendation of approaching nearer than any other to what the author would have adopted, had circumstances favoured his republication of these works. It is much to be lamented that he did not, according to his expressed intention supply observations for a new edition of these early works; or if he did, that no search has yet discovered them. Under his hand the most objectionable passages would have been made subservient to the vindication of truth; and an effectual antidote would have accompanied whatever was calculated to mislead. But it is confidently hoped that the subjoined extracts will prove sufficient, not only to warn the reader of the acknowledged spuriousness of that charity which prompted Mr. Walker to apply the term "brethren" to those whom the Scriptures did not warrant him to consider as such, and consequently to address them in language which that spiritual relation alone could justify; but also to direct his attention to the after pieces, in which he will find the doctrines of Christian Charity, of Christian Union, and the laws of Christ's Kingdom, treated at length and with progressive clearness. The controversy in which the Expostulatory Address involved the author, became an instrument in dispelling his obscurity on these subjects; and it may be expected without presumption, that the opportunity now afforded of tracing this gradual advance from its dawn to clearer light, instead of being injurious, may prove a gracious means in the hand of God for leading one or another disciple, who is similarly bewildered by the specious artifices of the man of sin, and who yet lingers in some one of the numerous anti-christian camps with which the land is overspread, like him to hearken to the word of the Lord, to follow his course, and to experience the same blessed deliverance. The Address to the Methodists was first published in August, 1802; it underwent three editions from that period to 1804, and was subsequently reprinted in Edinburgh in 1807, but without having been subjected to the author's revision.-ED. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FIRST EDITION. THE ADDRESS Contained in the following pages has been meditated for many years; and has remained by me for many months nearly in its present form. I delayed the publication, in the intention of rendering what I had written less imperfect, and of treating some of the topics (particularly towards the conclusion) more at large. But finding that it becomes increasingly uncertain, when that intention might be realized, I now send the piece out without further delay; convinced that something of the kind is much needed, and not without hope that it may be made of some use. To myself, I am aware, it is likely to produce only an increase of various trials, from which nature would desire to shrink; but the prospect of which must not deter the servant of Christ from the onward path of duty. The body to whom this Address is immediately directed, is numerous, active, and jealous of its interests. I can truly say, that I have endeavoured to avoid giving them any needless offence; but I know that much offence will be taken. I am sensible also, that other professors of religion, besides the Methodists, and differing from them, are likely to be offended by various passages in the following address. To some it will appear too liberal; to others, too uncharitable; to many, too little accommodated (in certain parts) to the systematic forms of expression long current in the religious world. In short, the writer who takes the sacred Scriptures alone for the standard of his faith, and takes the whole of them, must expect opposition and dislike, more or less, from all sects and parties. As to the openly careless and carnal, if any such read these pages, while they may perhaps agree with me in condemning some of the practical errors which I mark, yet I am persuaded that to them the views of the Gospel which I propose are much less congenial, than the system of theology maintained by Mr. Wesley and Mr. Fletcher. In every religious system which has self for its fundamental principle, the world can find something to approve, and something which it understands. But the Gospel, which proposes a foundation for the sinner's hope, altogether out of himself, and calls him to a life which he is to "live, not by himself, but by the faith of the Son of God," is on this account peculiarly offensive to the world, and peculiarly unintelligible. The Gospel, however, is to be declared, and to be maintained; and will continue to be "to them which are called, the power of GOD and the wisdom of GOD." To his blessing I commend this little piece; hoping that, if it receive an answer from any of those to whom it is addressed, it may be answered in the same spirit in which I have endeavoured to write. August 9th, 1802. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. WITHIN these few days, I have read with serious attention a pamphlet containing "Remarks" on this Address, by ALEXANDER KNOX, Esq. M. R. I. A. The remarks extend to a very small part indeed of the address; and even as far as they extend, are very little apposite. They certainly afford me no reason for withholding from the public this second edition of my little piece; which (after all Mr. Knox has said) I believe contains no more than salutary admonition to the body, whom he thinks I unwarrantably attack. Any verbal alterations that I make as it goes through the press, I shall acknowledge at the end. The ingenious writer of the Remarks appears to be very solicitous about the reputation of the Methodists, which I can assure him I am as little solicitous to invade, as I am to defend my own. Persuaded as I am that the more clearly we maintain and exhibit the simplicity of the real Gospel of Christ, the more we shall be disliked and despised by the world,-I consider the reputation of any man or men as too unimportant to be contended for or against. And if, in the writer's zeal about that question (to which I believe he was prompted, in some measure, by very amiable feelings of personal friendship) he had not involved some more important matters, I should not think myself called on to take any further notice of his remarks. But there are points of divine truth at issue between him and me, which will oblige me (if life be spared) to reply to his pamphlet. These are matters from the discussion of which I dare not shrink; though the more I vindicate them, the lower, I am sure, my reputation in the world will sink. But God forbid that Christians should wish to have a higher reputation in the world than their divine Lord and Master! Both the state of my health, and the multiplicity of my engagements, may prevent my remarks on Mr. Knox's pamphlet appearing as soon as some might expect. Perhaps they may appear in about two months. I can very seldom take up my pen at all; and then I cannot write hastily, and dare not upon these subjects. Meanwhile I hope some of the Methodists will be led to attend to the voice of serious admonition in the following pages, in spite of the more grateful sound of panegyric which their advocate pours into their ears. They will yet know that the monitor is their more real friend than the panegyrist. November 22d, 1802. |