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 ^6'A"d'Vaa|}iX^-'
 
 FJMILUR RELIGIOUS 
 
 COMVERSATIOMc 
 
 IN VERSE. 
 
 BY THOMAS WRIGHT. 
 
 LEEDS: 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE EDITOR, AND SOLD BY LEAK AND 
 
 NICHOLS ; AND BY CRAOOCK AND JOY, 
 
 LONDON. 
 
 1812.
 
 ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL. 
 
 Printed by Leak and Nichols, 
 
 No, 38, Briggate, Leeds,
 
 u3 v6>r / 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ^ I c <: c>^ 
 
 nPHE following work, with a different title, and in 
 another form, was given to the world in the year 
 1778. It is now printed from a copy which Avas cor- 
 rected and amended by the author. The Editor has 
 considered it to be his duty to alter some of the phrases 
 that were too elliptical, to add a few verses where the 
 sense seemed to require them, and to leave out some 
 which had been repeated before. After all, perhaps 
 it will be discovered that much repetition remains ; for 
 this the apology of the Author must also be the excuse 
 of the Editor, which is, that the same subject being 
 canvassed in different parts of the book, the same, or 
 nearly similar arguments must be used by both parties. 
 When this work was written, the religious world 
 was in a great ferment. Arminianism, which had by 
 its enemies been stigmatized, and confounded with 
 Socinianism, &.c. began to rise from the dust of the 
 earth. It no longer confined itself to the Church of 
 England, which was always favourable to the doctrine 
 .of C niversal Redemption. It diffused itself among a 
 lively people, whom Ood had raised up as the sons of 
 faithful Abraham. Its liberal principles no sooner 
 began to spread than the friends of Calvin sounded 
 the alarm ; and the harmless believers in the good-zcUl 
 of heaven to all the human race, were attacked with- 
 out mercy from the press and from the pulpit. No , 
 a 2 

 
 ly PREFACE. 
 
 quarter was granted them. This behaviour of any 
 of the professuig disciples of Christ Jesus, cannot 
 be accounted for, unless it be supposed^to spring from 
 the tenets of those who assert that 
 
 From buts and ifs th' Elect arc freed, 
 Salvation's sure to all the seed ; 
 Their souls from favour nought can move, 
 Secure in God's electing love. 
 
 The Author for himself says, among other things, 
 "I put down some of the first paragraphs of the foHow- 
 ing Essay, without any farther design than to write a 
 short copy of verses for my own amusement ; but the 
 subject growing upon me as I proceeded, the conse- 
 quence was, 1 have drawn it out to the present length. 
 1 have endeavoured to be as plain and familiar as 1 
 could, always supposing my speakers to be plain 
 country people, who therefore ic^uiitd u plain coun- 
 try manner and language to make them talk in 
 character." 
 
 " If the reader should imagine that any of the persons 
 introduced, speak with too nuich aspeiity, or make 
 use of too indecent or abusive language, matter of 
 fact must be answerable for that, and not the xYuthor." 
 
 Let us thank God that we live in days, when almost 
 all sincere professors esteem it their interest to hold 
 Uie unity of the Spirit in the bouds of peace.
 
 THE 
 
 LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 nrHOMAS WRIGHT, the Author of ".4 
 Familiar Religious Conversation,'^ was born at 
 !MouIter-Hall, m Hahfax, Yorkshhe. Both his pa- 
 rents dying while he was in a state of infancy, a kind 
 Aunt, who resided at Birkenshaw, took him to her 
 house, and brought him up with as much tenderness 
 as if he had been her own offspring. The orphan 
 experienced the good effectsof her constant exertions 
 for his welfare. Not content with the instruction 
 M hich is usually given in a Village School, she sent him, 
 when properly qualified, to the Free-School, at Brad- 
 ford. At that respectable seminary he received the 
 rudiments of a classical education ; so that he was 
 able, as his couplet expresses it, 
 
 To quote some Latin in his eholer, 
 That folks might know he was a soholar. 
 
 He was accounted very clever while at school ; and 
 vhen he went home, it was with the reputation of being 
 a youth of facetious diiiposition, and of the most ready 
 \\\i and invention. 
 
 When he arrived at manhood, he enjoyed rural 
 retirement, and learned ease, living on the income of 
 a small estate, which he inheiited from his ancestors. 
 Tt was fuHy equal to his circumscribed wants, and 
 afforded some overplus for indulging him^lf in literary *
 
 VI THE LITE OF 
 
 pleasures. Tims passed his days along, till at the age 
 of thirty years, he was united in marriage to Miss 
 jl>ydia Birkhead, of Brookhouse, near Cleckheaton. 
 There was a great disparity in their ages, she being 
 only sixteen ; but so enamoured was she of her plea- 
 sant suitor as to disregard all minor considerations. 
 She therefore eloped with him, and they were marhed 
 in Scotland. They lived comfortably together many 
 years, till she had brought him three boys and two 
 girls; she then died. xVfter manifesting much real 
 sorrow at her decease, at length he attempted to 
 alleviate his affliction by taking to himself another wife. 
 However, before he proceeded far in this second im- 
 dertaking, he discovered that the small quantity of 
 hair on his head betraved too much of the ravages of 
 tmie, and gave hmi the appearance of an old man. 
 That he iniglit hide tins defect, and have some resem- 
 blance to a youthful lover, he gavQ orders for a hand- 
 some new wig to be made for him, by a barber in 
 Bradford, whose name was Joshua Craven. Some 
 time having elapsed after giving his order, before he 
 received his wig ; and feeling within himself all the 
 impatience of a young admirer, he sent a copy of 
 verses, written extempore, to this tardy peruke-maker. 
 The hrst and last verses run thus : 
 
 .loshua Craven, 
 
 I \^ish thy head shaven, 
 And over thy shoulders a twig ; 
 
 I go bare and bald, 
 
 And am apt to get eold, 
 And all for the want of a wig. 
 
 I vow and protest, 
 
 If you dont do your best. 
 And send it by Saturday night, 
 
 I'll surely resent it, 
 
 And make you repent it. 
 As sure as my name's Thomas ^rRiciiT. 
 
 This poetical epistle, full of genuine humour, 
 was inserted in all the provincial newspapers soon
 
 THE AUTHOR. VU 
 
 after his death. He met with a person that was going 
 to Bradford market, and dt sired him to wait a httle 
 time till he addressed a few hues to his barber. The 
 man waited, as he was requeste<l lo do. Mr. Wright 
 in a few mmutes wrote the whole. The messenger 
 knew nothing of his being intrusted with any higher 
 commission than the conveyance of a mere prosaic' 
 epistle, till he arriytd at Bradford, when the exces- 
 sive pleasantry of the barber, on the perusal of this 
 witty composition, made him belter acquainted with 
 tlie nature of the communication. 
 
 It appears that the formation of his wig was not 
 long delayed, fpr soon after this he obtained he object 
 of his attections. Her name was Miss Pindar, of 
 Blacup, near Cleckheaton. She was very young. 
 When comparing ages, there appears a greater intqua- 
 ^lity between them, than existed m his first matrimonial 
 engagement. She was made the happy mother of 
 three boys and three girls. 
 
 About this time, having an increasing family, and 
 no profession or employment to which he might look 
 up for maintenance, his friends procured him the ap- 
 pointment of Inspector of woollen cloths for that part 
 of the West-Riding. The salary derived from this, 
 with the income from his small estate, made his cir- 
 cumstances more easy ; yet they \\ ent little beyond 
 providing the common necessaries of life for himself 
 and family. 
 
 At this period too he composed the following Poem. 
 Possessing.an excellent memory, he often entertained 
 his friends by repeating to them a great part ot this 
 poem. They generally expressed themselves highly 
 dehghted with it. 'I'hc high seasoning of Ilndihras- 
 tic composUion which the author had imparted to it 
 excited their risible muscles to a high degree ; and 
 they frequently dv clared it to be a performance which 
 contained much matter in a small compass.
 
 Vlii THE LITE OP 
 
 After mature consideration he resolved on publish- 
 ing it. The demand tor it was much beyond his 
 expectations. In a very short tune there was not a 
 copy of it to be procured. It operated hke an electric 
 shock on liie Calvmistic poetasters and pamphleteers 
 of that day. Not one of them found it convenient to 
 give a reply to what they termed " a worthless pro- 
 duction." It sealed up their mouths in silence, and 
 by the neighbouring rustics it was thought to be un- 
 answerable. 
 
 He was not a man destitute of religion. He was 
 favoured in his youth, with thedravvuigs of the Spirit 
 of God. When lie arrived at riper age he felt the same 
 striv ui^- s w ilhin him. He long saw it to be his duty and 
 priviltge to join himself to some piofessing body of 
 Ciuistians ; but tlie hesitation expressed by Richard 
 at the commencement of this work, w as written from 
 his own painful experience. At length, in the latter 
 part of his life, he joined himself to the Methodists, 
 who were then almost universally spok-en against. 
 He continued a respectable member of their society 
 many years ; yet not without having grievously to 
 lameiit his frequent wanderings from God. His 
 popidarity and his great vivacity were sources of great 
 teiiip ration and danger to him. To his painful feel- 
 ings before the Lord, from these causes, he seems to 
 reter in the beginning of tiie 79th page of this work. 
 
 On the Fiflii day of February, 1801, by a Tifpltus 
 fever, he was suddenly summoned from this vaie of 
 tears at an advanced age ; but not without having a 
 comfortable assurance of his interest in the Redeemer, 
 and a confident hope of a glorious resurrection, a\ ith 
 all the chosen of the Lord, to life eternal ,
 
 A 
 
 Familiar Religiouii 
 
 CONVERSATION, 
 
 DIALOGUE L 
 
 RICHARD AND MA^rTHEW. 
 
 Introduction. Ruhirrd, an rnqnirer aftir iviiiJi, fefls grcu'. 
 pcrple.ritii on rivrim^ ire dicersHi/ <ifri''j^uu:s mcts. lie 
 siiitcs his (l.ouhfiiti) 3talii:ni'y who is adis.upLe ofCulriii. 
 BIdithi'ic firires: at full length, his Kiticits of befit:/. 
 fiichard'* <:/; i:^-tivi.s tq su.w of Matthnc .: i-rrposfiions. 
 'I'lieir ri ) ;;?." on the s>ibjiL-t of r:yro'jatl};i. 
 
 CDnE day, as Richnm walk'd abroad 
 
 Along tini lifkls, in thougUtl'ul ]!iyod, 
 
 Rt volving ill unceil-iiiu tlujjghi, . 
 
 'J !ic (iirttu nt sclienics by pi.-acljors tau^'it ; 
 
 'i he difftrcnt methods of saivaLon 
 
 Rjiss t' attain and slum daiimation ; 
 
 And very wislit'ul in his mind 
 
 i li.- safest way to heavcii to iind ; - 
 
 But nuich j)(ii)lex'<.l w.vA puzzled quite, 
 
 At which was wrou.^ er which wars rt;^ht; 
 
 WInlelhis aflirms, arid t:;al den;, s, 
 
 What lh;s caib tratb, tlsal ^avsi^ lies.
 
 A FAMILIAL 
 
 Yt^t both their proofs brmg from tiie bible, 
 'J^o shew their sclicme is justifia])le, 
 Kach \vondring iiow the scri})tures can 
 Be twisted so by any niiui. 
 
 As Richard slowly walk'd the plain, 
 /uid various thoughts disturb'd his bniin, 
 lie Matthew meets, a nei<2;hb'ring mun ; 
 And thus their conference began. 
 
 Matt. How fares my friend r Vt hat thought.' 
 employ 
 Your mind, or thouglits of grief or jov ' 
 Vou seem indeed in thought profound, 
 Aiid studious meditation drown'd. 
 
 Rich. I think it very stranie, \r,y friend. 
 To hear religious folks contend 
 W ith such a tierce ar.d bitter zeal. 
 About what doctiine's good or ill ; 
 'J'o argue, v, rite, and preacl> so long, 
 Conc(i"ning whicli is right or wrong. 
 Vv'hile each, and ev'ry one pretend 
 '^I'o be t') sacred trutli aiViend, 
 Ti'iicy make that book* their only ml', 
 ^Vhich Christians own infallible, 
 
 For guiding through life's duliious maze 
 
 \ et tliey explain it fifty m ays I 
 
 Churchmen, Presbyterians, Quakers 
 
 New-Lights, Independents, Shakei- 
 
 Anabaptists, Antinomians, 
 
 jNIetliodists, and Sandimonians ; 
 
 Supralapsarians, and ^i oi avians, 
 
 Subiapsarians, and Baxteiians; 
 
 * Tlie IJiljlo
 
 BELlCIOl S CONVEr.SAT10>f.. 
 
 lianters, Mystics, Puritan", 
 Inghaiiiites and l^utlieians; 
 Many besides of old renown, 
 TSot easy to be noted do\\n, 
 Calvinists, Arians, and Socinian?!, 
 J-*clagians, Papists, and Arminians ; 
 Churclies Greek, and liatin too, i 
 
 A\'illi many more, both old. and new, ' 
 nimi you would tliink, or 1 can shew, y 
 
 Now, my dear friend, were you to sound 
 These diftrent sects in order round, 
 They'd ev'ry one in turn, you'd find, 
 Be riglit ; and ev'ry other blind ! 
 And from the lible clearly shew, 
 That all w hich they profess is true ; 
 And be quite positive and sure 
 Tlieir doctrines are both just and purr, 
 That they expouiui the scripture right, 
 And set it in its genuine light ; 
 As if their sect, abo\-e the rest, 
 Infallibility pos^icst ; 
 As tiiey alone deserv'd esteem, 
 And wisdom liv'd and dy'd with them ! 
 *' Now which are wise, and which arc fool r 
 " 'Hie reader's tost among those tools ; 
 " The more he reads, the more perplex'd, 
 " T.1ie comment ruining the text:"* 
 ^Vhile all these parties to deiive 
 llieir system from the bible. strive. 
 Most leave the genuine sense behind, 
 A seiVsc more siulub/e to find ; 
 And Mliile their learning they display 
 Explain the meaning fjuite awiiy.(' 
 
 * Prior, t Paroily on I'ope, 
 JJ 2
 
 A TA.\iii.i A :; 
 
 Wliat sUall a poor enquirer ^lo, 
 To Ivuow what's false, and w liut Is true : 
 A\ hile diit'rent })arties so nuuli vary, 
 /v.id give tboir judgments so contrarv. 
 Surely 'tis pos.sihJe to know 
 71ie trutJi of wliat tlic scripturo: yliew;. 
 Tlio:-ie i'unduraer.tal truths at ii;a.st 
 AVhich all must knov.', or can't be blest : 
 i'>;So V, ere \ve a most vretched race ! 
 \\ hat thinks my iVieud upon the case ? 
 
 . Malt, liichard, completely to expl.-iu 
 The various points all these mamiuin. 
 Would be an endless task indcod ! 
 SiuTLr m(> iIk refore to proceed, 
 (Wi-v.ing tl;e wl'iins si) tlij^se eonreivi) 
 To tcli you, tiieud, what I believe. 
 
 D'j.s Jxli^id CahluhiCi Creed. 
 
 First, then, bef^ire ihe \;o;ld bej;:nj, 
 Or (i./d had forra'd hi-; croiiLuie ^ilun,. 
 By UT<;v<)e:!'ole decree | 
 (iou o: iei'd whatsoe'er sjoe' ,' be ; 
 ^^ hat bnues [jeriarhi, or irieu tr.m-ael, 
 ^Vhat angels thnsk, v^luil de-.^- act, '| 
 All, ail is }i\ d, bolh s;n-Ui a.id great, 
 By an uhuiteraijle tale. % 
 
 Next With direct regard t'^ ir,"n, 
 This is hea\en's uiit rriiii; jjlin : 
 
 ^ 8fc liic .\-:-oi>;!)!v's Ciiterle'^ii;, Ci;). :'!. !' C;ilv. T;i-litii;-, . 
 B. 1; c. Hi, s. !!. Ilsid. 8. :';. t i<i!-o>!': .rx two hiscs ia a IVcit?
 
 K ELI G I or S CON V ERG AT lO N . 
 
 God, long before the world's foundation, * 
 J)ecieed to full anu sure salvation, 
 'lliat part of men he did respect, 
 In holy sen})ture tenn'd elect ,'f 
 ^\ hose souls, tho' fallen and depvuvV], 
 Shall ii'rcsistibly be sav'd. 
 I'he rest, the j;reater part ])y (zr, 
 Not having in his love a share*, 
 Uy^niercy utterly disclaim'd, 
 Shall irresistibly be danni'd. 
 -Sow the Ahuiglity God of truth, 
 Made this decree concerning both, 
 Merely his sov'reign pow'r to shew, 
 On passive mortals here below, 
 )' ilhoiit respect to sin or faith, 
 
 In those he dooms to life or death. 
 For, both llie end is fore-ordaiu'd, 
 And weans:, by which that end's attain'd ; 
 So that of pure necessity, ^ 
 
 One //iifsl repent, believe, and be S- 
 Fitted for heaven's felicity ; ) 
 
 ilVuc f;i::) is ivo condition, Dick, 
 .\> sfn;;e \mU ;:r;ioruntly speak ; 
 'iiiit tiios;' wiio have it in po'-:st>suig, 
 Iiccciv'd It as a co,';;;.!:Vr>}ess;ng ; 
 And as s'.;rh, fiii-nd., if fliall be giv'n, 
 'i'o r\'ry chvse:i neir of heav'ii.) 
 H;e rest, as necessai'ly nvu.st, 
 l>u vi'.i (i (y ev'ry wicke-.! I'.sr, 
 J)er:;,\l tiie aid of grace disine, 
 And left to Mallow with the swine, 
 Pass'd l)y, rejected Vvith disdain. 
 And .'entenc'd to eternal pain. 
 
 * f!j|/;;t5. i. 4. i l IVtcr, i.
 
 A PAMILIAR 
 
 " '..' I ,1 . . .. .^ 
 
 Why God acts thus, if any should 
 A reason ask because fie zcoidd. 
 He thus dispenses good or ill, 
 To glorify liis sov'reign will. 
 This system, Richard, 1 am told. 
 The saints of yore did firmly hold ; 
 Thus: Saint Augustine and Calvin, 
 *' And fifty other learned men, 
 " Attest that if their comments find 
 " The traces of their master's mind," * 
 ''Hiis must the gospel-doctrine be, 
 All else is heteredoxy. 
 
 Rich. Matthew, I think upon my word. 
 Your system's monstrously absurd. 
 Though with much sense I am not blest, 
 Your horrid scheme I can't digest : 
 What, man ! are mortals doom'd to be. 
 Ijv irresistible decree, " 
 
 "^A icked, deprav'd and sinful first, 
 Then, but for being so, be curst ? 
 Does God to wickedness conjpel, 
 'I'hat he niay plunge their souls in hell ." 
 
 Matt. Friend Richard, lay aside thy wonderj 
 And on these doctrines humbly ponder : 
 I'll shew thee that th" xVimighty must 
 In all these things be strictly just; 
 i'or in tlie scriptures you will find 
 . Fhis system perfectly defin'd. 
 So God, you know, does Moses tell 
 j le'il mercy shew on whom he will ; 
 And whom he will, again he says. 
 He hardens, and refuses grace ; i' 
 
 * Piior. Exod. xxxiii. 19. Rom. ix. 15. t Roju. ix, 1\
 
 llELIOrOLS CONVERSATION, 
 
 So Isaac's sons, we understand, 
 
 llliKstrate nuuh tlic point in hand ; 
 
 J'or ere they'd done or good or evil, 
 
 E^au was sentencd to the devil ; * 
 
 Pharaoh was rais'd on purpose too f- 
 
 To be consign'd to endless woe ; 
 
 .And lest such mc n as you should cavil, 
 
 Because these things you can't unravel, 
 
 lie tells you, (for he never flatters) 
 
 lie gi\es to none, account of matters, j] 
 
 And cliccks your vain desire to know, 
 
 With, " Nay, O man ! but Mho art thou r" % 
 
 Shall men to ask their Maker dare 
 
 Why he has made them v\hat they are ? 
 
 And with presumptuous tongue reply, 
 
 'Gainst him \\ho made both earth and sky ; 
 
 And boldly ask of God th' occasion, 
 
 \N hy he has made them for danuiation ? 
 
 Has not the potter power to make 
 
 One pot to keep and one to break r 
 
 And shall not God as freely shew 
 
 His sov'reign might oe'r all below ? 
 
 ~Ii/ih. Your notion, ^latt. seems mighty odd, 
 Of justice, sov'rcignty and God ; 
 'HwM: texts with your absurd addition, 
 Set mortals in a sad condition ; 
 liut, by your leave, I'\e seen it noted 
 Oi the same texts which ycvu have quoted, 
 liv pious men, and men of learning, 
 Of noble parts, and great discerning ; 
 'i'he words in connnon acceptation. 
 Can ne'er prove abslute reprobation ; 
 
 * ?I;i!. i. r,. Rom/ix. 11, <S.c. t Exod. ix. 16. Rom. ix. 17. 
 Job r.h.\iii. i'J. } Ron;, ix. '^0.
 
 A FAMILIAR 
 
 The first, ihcv say, is w roiig translated, * 
 
 In all the rest the sense wrong stated ; 
 
 a Ul, shoidd be render'd should or ovsjit, 
 
 To give the true orig'nal thouglit ; 
 
 And wliat you tidk of good and evil, 
 
 Antl sending Esau to the devil ; 
 
 And Pharaoh doom'd to sure damnation, 
 
 Is all your oviu iniagination ; 
 
 For ail this talk of love and hate 
 
 ivcs]iccts not th( ir eternal state ; 
 
 As you vi'ih half an e} e may see, 
 
 ]f you Aviil read impailially. 
 
 A\ hat next you say is also wrong : 
 
 Those ehidnig words do not belong 
 
 'io men, whoui your eonceit would {lace 
 
 Among the vilest of their race. 
 
 God only tliere reproves the man 
 
 Who dares to blame that fixed plan, 
 
 By which he constantly delivers 
 
 From death, arid hell, all true believers ; 
 
 And dooms to eveilasting desit!). 
 
 All that are void of living faith ; 
 
 I'y this wive plan Godg/ves' his grace 
 
 To him v.ho zciUiuglij obeys ; 
 
 To him alone who leeis v. ithin 
 
 The sruilt and bondage of his sin. 
 
 Jbut when 'tis ofter'd to the res', 
 
 Jts tevnis tliL'ir haughty hearts detest. 
 
 Vv hoever then is lost, must blame 
 
 His own pervcrseness for the same. 
 
 'Jhese truths St. Paul himself rehiearsej* 
 
 In the same chapter's two last verses : || 
 
 In which there is no inlhnation 
 
 Of your dread abs'lute reprobation. 
 
 * Sro ]\jr. SeUon's A ri-'.iments araiiist Universal Kedcniptiwit 
 Considered, p. Qc". i', Ivoiju ix. '^^. i>6-
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION, 
 
 Tlicn tliat your system may not totter, 
 \ ou bring tli' example of the potter. 
 ^ on'cl tlunk that potter not o'er wise, 
 \\ ho made a vessel tigiit and nice, 
 Onlv to take a strange deliuht 
 In breaking it, to shew his might ! 
 So imwi?c you make God appear, 
 And still more cruel and seveie; '[ 
 J3^ the hard jiassage now in view, 
 And most of this epistle too, jj 
 Partie lar men are not intended, 
 But all iVom Israels loins descended, 
 And all the Gentile tribes, tliat own 
 No Gods, but gold, or wood, or stone, 
 r\om covenant blessings once rejected, 
 But now with Jews themselves elected. 
 To be partakers of that grace, 
 W hich would the universe embrace. 
 The blessing too, which here is meant 
 Is grace divine, to all men sent; 
 But first unto the Jewish nation : 
 "^ihey straight rejected this salvation, 
 'j'heir looks, their words, their deeds bespoke 
 C(;!itempt against the Saviour's yoke. 
 At last then- rage was gratilled, ' 
 When C])risttl;e Lord in anguish died. 
 7'hey j-.idg'd themselves, in doing this, 
 l^iworthy of eternal bliss. 
 Twas thereiorejustin God, and right. 
 To take from them the .gospel-light ; 
 And pour on them his sore displeasure, 
 \\ ho now had iill'd their sinful n\eaiuri'. 
 
 * See a Poem, cnlitlcd Tiioiisrht^ on tiio Divhic Dcrito. 
 T. Kiii :l:*, i). \7. 11' tc \. il To fiu' Ko),r.'.:s
 
 10 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Had thry but priz'd their gracious day, * 
 llicy nf3\er had been cast away. 
 lo grace they mu*it have been invited, 
 l',lse nicrcy'a gifts could not be slighted. 
 
 ^Matthew at this appeal 'd alaini'd, 
 W ith rising iuiligntition wurni'd,- 
 He sharply thus his friend addrest : - 
 
 Matt. Silence on this ^vould suit you best. 
 Your ^^hole thscourse is out of season, 
 J IS nought, my 'Viead, but carnal reason. 
 1 di^upprove tliis sclteme of yours, 
 Wiih all your tiuk of free-will pow'rs. 
 1 hate to hear yourioohsh ^^hilf"s, 
 Your train cAbut'.'s and aiuCs and if's. 
 Vou t^^ci rn to niake, by yoi.r conceiving, 
 Sul.aiif'n hang upon behcving ; 
 iiut this is no ligbt detiniiion, 
 1 te'l you, Dick, there's lio condition : 
 IVom biit^s and //"'s the elect are freed, 
 Salvation's sure to all the seed, 
 lortlum, .and only tliein, lie gave 
 \ f is S(in : Who died their souls to save, 
 i'heir soids from favour nought can move. 
 Secure in God's electing lo\e ; 
 sV hi!e all the sons of re})robaUon, 
 Siiali underiTO a sure danniation. 
 These Irulhs our God has deign'd to sliow, 
 And v.ho siiail ask, ^Vhat doest thou .' 
 
 Hull. Thatth<!se are truths, is doubted nuicii, 
 Much mor^ that God has shewn them such ; 
 Your j)Ositive and haughty strain, 
 'i\v^ question begs, and begs again. 
 
 * Lvk'j xix. \'i.
 
 KELIGIOUS CONAERSATIOX. 11 
 
 T'm sure, for arbitrary work, 
 
 \ ou'd niuke a grand tyrannic Turk ; 
 
 That stern imperious licart of yours, 
 
 A\ ou!d make your subjects tlread your poT\''r.s ; 
 
 Nor durst they make the least objection, 
 
 \\ hile bowing down in mute subjection. 
 
 But this, my liicnd, is not the case 
 
 ' I'wixt Ciod and our auiiappy race ; 
 
 For tho'-'tis readily allowM, 
 
 'r\mt the All-wise, Alinigiity Gv)J, 
 
 Wliat seemeth good to him may d..-, 
 
 \n iieaven abo\e or earth btlow; 
 
 Yet nought is j)leasing to his will, 
 
 W'liith is in its own nature ill ; * 
 
 And tiierefore whatsoe'er he doth. 
 
 Consists with Justice, Mercy, Truth. 
 
 I lis will is not a tyrant's spite, 
 
 In cruelty that takes df liglit ; 
 
 That casts ten million souls away, 
 
 In right of arbitrary sway. 
 
 No, no; God takes (the scripture saith) 
 
 Ko pleasure in the sinner's death, f 
 
 But rather would (himself hath sworn) 'l 
 
 'i1ie wand'ring shnier should return. 
 
 Nor longer his good spirit grieve, 
 
 But quit his wickedness ana live. 
 
 Nor has oiu" God, regarding man, ^ 
 
 Kejsons which mortals may not scan ; 
 
 ! le never dooms a soul to die, 
 
 But shev\s a cans.? sufficient why ; 
 
 A more substantial reason quite, 
 
 My friei.d, than merely ov'reign right : 
 
 * And iji. particular " hv <J.)i:, ?>cl alSict trilih.oh/. nor <rrit\c 
 tlic <-ii!iiin n ofiiuii." Set' Lain. lii. ^J. t Ilitk. x\iii. 3.. 
 ' r.ak. xwiii. 11.
 
 1*2 A FAMILIAR 
 
 If you'll the grounds of this receive, 
 Tbej're these, they won't in Chii.st believe ; * 
 Because God calls, and they refuse ; X 
 Bo:cau3e his goodness they abuse ; i 
 'j'o his good spirit do despite, i' 
 And shut their eyes against his light ; j| 
 J3eny the Lord who bought their peace, '^t 
 And set at nought his love and grace. ^ 
 These are the causes, ^latthew, why 
 Their precious souls for ever die ; 
 U hich causes you may plainly see, 
 Spring from themselves, not God's decree : 
 For if this latter w ere the case, 
 Twould cast on God no small disgrace, 
 l>y making him the proper cause, 
 Of mortais bieaking his own laws ; 
 ^N hich nuist this consiquiuce brisig in, 
 That God's the author o) all tm. 
 In short your scheme appears to nie, 
 1" include so.nuich absurdity, 
 I thhik whoe'er is ri<rht amony; 
 The various sects, i/ou must l)e wrong ; 
 _ And therefore while these thhigs I view, 
 In such a diff'reiit light from you, 
 i'm sure, my friend, I nev<a- Ciii 
 Subscribe your re!robating plan. 
 
 V> hen Matthew foimd ids effortj vaiu^ 
 Tiis friend by arguments U) gain ; 
 His patience lien.g likewise spent, 
 iiis smotiier'd feelings thus found vent : 
 
 ]\If(it. Well Dick, undoubtedly ; ou air 
 Blind as a beetle, I declare ; 
 
 * John viii. 'il- Mark xv). If-, i*v;c. i Prov. i. ',.'!. (^ Ru):). 
 
 ii. J. t Kt !). x.'i'.. pJoliii iii. 19. ft 'jP(U), ii. L. 
 
 ;;: i'rov. i,, !^5.
 
 RELIGIOUT CONVERSATION. IS 
 
 Your reas'p.ing pride prevents, I see, 
 Your rev'rcnce to the great det:ree ; 
 But reason long as e'er you will, 
 Ci(ji\, you shall find, is sov'reign still; 
 Mis word shall stand, and he w ill do, 
 ^ \\ liatever suits his pleasure too ; 
 
 Rich. IIow strangely with your shreds and 
 tatters 
 YoFi try to jumble obvious matters. 
 The question is not, whether God 
 !l HI do \\ hate'er he thiuketh good ; 
 'riiis point, you know, before I granted ; 
 Init tliis falls short of what you wanted : 
 . I'or we must take another measure. 
 And ask if 'tis his sov'reign pleasure ; 
 Or is 't among his noblest aims 
 To doom his creatures to the flames, 
 Without regard to aught thereby, 
 Cut his own will to gratify ? 
 It is indeed his gracious pleasure. 
 Rules to prescribe and seta measure, 
 ^\ hich he declares he'll act by, when, 
 lie saves or damns the sons of men ;*^ 
 And this he has a light to do, 
 And none mi.y ask What doest thou ? 
 He cannot err, for he's all-wise ; 
 He's good ; v>e need not llien surmise 
 Thcres cruelty in him, whaie'cr 
 ( )ur narrow-hearted saints aver. 
 " No esil cafifVom him proceed, i' 
 " 'Tis only sufVer'd, not decreed ; 
 " As darkness is not from the sun, 
 " Nor mount the shad( s til! he is gone." 
 
 .S<.e E/fk. xviii. aiKl .Mark wi. 16, <S.c. t WcsIoy'sTi.ius- 
 latioQ ef EupoliV Hymn to the i'l tutor.
 
 14 A F.A MILIAR 
 
 I 
 
 Accordingly he tells xis ib.jit, 
 (I pray observe it, ]S1 aster Matt.) 
 liy our ov.ti wickedness and sin, 
 W e lia\ e oin- ov, n destruction been ; ;[, 
 'I ho' now we're fallen ajid accurst, 
 ] Ir' made us upright at the first. |j 
 1 must the question ask again, 
 Does great Jehovah fore-ordain 
 Vyy sov'reign will, a man to be 
 .-\ inner of necessity ; 
 'i'h':n plunge him into etuliess woe, 
 I'or doing whtit he needs miisc do .' 
 
 As rigid Matthew now began 
 To be quite tired of his man, 
 ^ et fully bent, before liieir parting, 
 ( )n giving Dick a proper smarting ; 
 He thus address'd him wilh a sneer, 
 
 Mutt. Friend Dick, you do most sadly ei r 
 I It xts could quote as well as you, 
 To shew things in a diif rent view : 
 But I can now no longer stay, 
 ^ly bus'ness calls ; 1 must away. 
 1 hope in time youli prove discreeter, 
 And learn the gospel doctrines better. 
 
 I Hcs. xiii. 9. Ij Eccies. vii. V'J.
 
 RELKilOUS CONVERSATION. 
 
 DIALOGUE IL 
 
 RICHARD AND JAMES. 
 
 Jennet, a moderate Culvinist, di$ou-ns Matthetr's hl^li ideas 
 of the Decrees of Goil. Having other things, he givc^ 
 Richard a stateimnt of his temperate belief in the Divine 
 Dtcrees. Riclutrd oppose.'' each article sendtini.Tluir 
 diicHssions on God's Soveieignft/.On Christ's Righteous- 
 mss. James reviles Wesley, Sellon, and the Modern 
 Artninians. He represaits tlicir J'reachcrs as rank 
 Enthusiasts. Rickurd riiuliates, bi/ shewing u'hat Spiri- 
 tiutlitij it is, lehich Cairinistic People and t^reaclwrs seem 
 to claim as their exclusive property. Remarks on the 
 imperfect Church Gorcrnrneni of the Methotlistfi. On 
 the Doctrine of Peifection. Richard's commendation of 
 Fletcher, Selion, and H ealey. 
 
 7 y HEN Matthew ceas'd and homeward Iiicd, 
 liis place was very 80on i-upplied . 
 I'or w hen they first began to talk, 
 I'oth of tliem had agreed to walk 
 To a eoiitiguoiis mossy bed, 
 noneHlh a lofty hedge-row's shade ; 
 It being hot, they tliere could shun, 
 The scorchmg of the mid-day sun. 
 
 It clianc'd Dick's neighbour, James, ju.-st stoo<i 
 r)> hind this range of bushy wood ; 
 And during the leligious chat, 
 ' Twixt Richard and his neighbour Matt, 
 iiidid Jemmy, from his private station, 
 Had over-heard their conversation ; 
 Aiid seeing Matthew gone, stepj>(l nut, 
 \\ iih Dick to have auothtr bout ;
 
 / 
 
 ]6 A FAMILIAR 
 
 So after mutual salutation, 
 Between these two, James took occasioyi 
 "^Jliese thoughts before his friend to lay, 
 On what he over-heard them say. 
 
 James. Richard, my friend, indeed "t;s true, 
 T think with neither Matt, nor you ; 
 i'or neither of you has much light 
 To state these weiglity matters right ; 
 .Matt.'s sentiments too rigid are. 
 He carries tilings too high by far ; 
 And by your arguing, Dick, you seem 
 Jnclin'd unto t'ne free-will scheme ; 
 Your notions seem absurd to me, 
 .1 can with neither side agree. 
 
 Rich. Pray then, dear Jemmy, w,]! \{)!i .he\Y 
 U hat doctrine seems the best to you ; 
 if my ow n heart do j)Ot deceive me, 
 in this I think you v.ill believe me ; 
 iNiy mind is under no r( striction, 
 Jjutfair and open to coiiviclion ; 
 If what as truth you nray propose, 
 Sciipture and reason don't oppose, 
 But botli co}n))ine to lix the serise, 
 l>y undeniable evidence ; 
 if \\liatyou tliink, appears to mo 
 Upheld by tlus autliority, 
 I shall with joy as truth wc<.n\e, 
 And readily llie same beheve. 
 J3ut yet, before my friend replies, 
 It may be needful to preniise, 
 I sliall ojuct your explicaiiou 
 ( )f ar.y j)a! t of revei'itioii, 
 In si'.(;'i a manner lie ^ .\|mcsI 
 A:-, i.i coniisti ut y:\\\\ li.e vi-'; :.
 
 V. V. iAC\ o i: S Ct) N V V. V. f \. T 1 ; . . 
 
 Ijkev^iso tiKit it c<>nsi^le!-t hi^. 
 V\ it'i attributes of Dt-ity. 
 So Mnx-e wo now ;i!t in tlic vein . ) 
 < -1 .soarcLInu" i?uii.oi\s, |)ray rxpla.n 
 '[hf ))oini.s oluVtrine yon i.r.!int::i!% ) 
 l)i-.|l;;y your sclume from tud to Liit ; 
 [\i most assiiU--)".! .ly aUaad. 
 
 Jiu)>e<. \\\iithe]>, ; roparo tliysrli'to iK;i:r, 
 Anil I wiil noiir in!) tiiy ear 
 'i'ir^doclrin^-) ;vi;ivh I reeoinnieud 
 To every iliouulitful, siri:ius iVieuJ, 
 Tiie go.-Mfi (i )eti!riei o\\ recortl, 
 The marrow of the "'.vii'ltea word. - 
 I Low ever, Diek, I think 't\\ ill be 
 A needless superfluity 
 To dwell upon those points, which both 
 i^ly friend and I receive as truth : 
 Such as a God his Lnity 
 The doctrine of the '1 ririity 
 And that the scriptures do revepl * 
 God's holy, just anU gracious wiil 
 And that sufficient rcles they shew 
 I'or ciiristian failh and practice too 
 The fall of man oriii'na] sin " 
 The desp'rate slate we ail are in 
 Our iv^ix\ of Jesus Christ while under 
 Tile terror of God's venaeful thunder-^- ' . 
 'i'he truth of Christ's duinity i 
 (Witli God tlic I'itther equal he, V 
 And no infenor deiiy.) > 
 
 Th' atonement whirji he made to God, 
 i*y pourinsj; out his precious blood 
 'i liat grace alone salvation brinu,s 
 ISIan's merit bars and sucii like things. 
 I therefore shall myself C(nfme, 
 'lliose points of doclrhic to deline,
 
 IS A r A ^11 LIAR 
 
 Tn Avbicli, as it appears to me, 
 "lis likely we. shall disagree. 
 Attend then, Dick, while I repeat 
 "^i'he jjeniiinc truths of sacred writ. 
 
 THE CREED 
 
 (]l'lhosc zcJio call i/iemsehes Moderate Cahuiit:!' 
 
 First I believe Jehovah has 
 Decreed whatever comes to pass ; 
 ^ et in such wise as not to be 
 The author of iniquity. 
 
 Next, with regard to Adam, Dick, 
 \\ ho play'd that sad unhappy trick 
 In Paradise, and by his fall. 
 To sin and ruin brought us all. 
 And spoilVl us of prhneval bliss ; 
 Ihe case, my friend, is clearly this : 
 /dam our sire and nat'ral head 
 At first, the Great Creator made 
 ^^ ith j)ow'rs sufficient to have stood, 
 Tiio' free to fall, just as he would. 
 He fell ; and as I said above, 
 His fall did our destruction prove ; 
 I'or by this first, this mortal sin, 
 Our souls are render'd all unclean^ 
 Our hearts deprav'd, to folly prone, 
 I'o evil free, and that alone. 
 
 The wlorious God of sov'reign grace. 
 (I ore seeing this would be the case, 
 '1 lio' all the race of those that fell, 
 i 'c might have justly dooni'd to i;ell ; )
 
 RLLIGIOIS CONVERSATION. If) 
 
 From all eternity decreed 
 
 To choose ill Chi ist a lioly seed, 
 
 Out of the uhole conuplcd mass ; ^ 
 
 Not that he found them pure ; but 'twas J- 
 
 'riiat grace might bring that end to pass, y 
 
 All else lie justly passes by, 
 
 And leaves tl.tm in their sins to die. 
 
 Tvlaturely w eiglr the gospel-scheme ; 
 "I'wa^ not for any good in them, 
 I'or what they were, for what they'd been, 
 I'^or works perform'd, or faith foreseen ; 
 Fur none of tiiese God made them his, 
 And chose them to eternal bliss ; 
 "I'was nwrelif of his sov'reign pleasure, 
 He chose to take this gracious measure ; 
 The oitly reason was, he would. 
 Because to him it seemed good. 
 Likewise, in order to fulfil 
 'lliis purpose of his sov'reign will, 
 God made a cov'nant with his Son, 
 To see this bus'ness surely done ; 
 'I'he purport of which cov'nant was, 
 That when the time should come to pass, 
 \\ hich God, his people's steady friend, 
 Did, from eternity, intend. 
 The Son should take upon hhn then, 
 Tlie nature of these sinful men ; 
 Be bom, and live, and die for them. 
 And so complete salvation's scheme. 
 All this is past, the work is done, 
 The plan's acc<miplish'd by the Son ; 
 He ail }>erform'd, ('ris qi'.itenotoriou') 
 Couih'ional or m< ritoricus ; 
 I'inisli'i! ihe work f...a (Uil to cud ; 
 And '-li'-U did up lu hcju\'n ascend.
 
 CO A FAMILIAR 
 
 Y; ".'- ic lie rtiiKiuis with God to pk:;d, 
 Ai!(i tV>r 1 IS own to intercede. / 
 'i'hc! .tcae, in conscciiitiice of this, 
 Ali llice dc.Ni;:u'd i'oi ( ndless luits, 
 At e\'iv tiine, i; ( v'iy place, 
 A\c caliM ; nud i.y ^J/'eii mu' g:^Y:\ce, 
 Hill puicL.io'd pc ;ple, cue and uil, 
 i'liui')i( d lo ohuv the eidi. 
 ( 'jd s:en;ls u..- .iO-pci to th;>ir ear; 
 J [j? s r\ai:ts pi.::.;-i\, his pei^ple i-ear ; 
 /!i<l .-i i^!& viciy, \ta, i:i the liour, 
 <>i"h;,r; AiK:!;jhiy, gracious pow'r, i' 
 lie Lidh..::, ti:viii winiiig to obey, 
 Aiiid v.wii his ji^\Uii, sov'ieign sway. 
 
 Nor f.;i:;l] thv v cmv lo^e his giaec. 
 Or {;i;ai]Yfoi-;Lf :a> \v;:ys, 
 But ijy tJiO j)ovv r ci Guii thro' i'.uth 
 A>;?i!rcdiy, (the .^cnj.ivue saidi) 
 'iley sliuli be s.;feiy k. pf, .luiil 
 They stand .sct..ie on Zion'shill. 
 
 Th;>, n'i.:li';<our I'l- hav^], seems to inr, 
 T: e i; '*:];, the very iiatii to be : 
 I sledi\;.st!y believe th. t tlsis 
 1 lie real gospel-doctriaj i--, 
 And there foic warnHy recoinniend 
 ''] his \rho'es;omc d<;etr:i;e to luy fiieiid. 
 
 jliehard wlio all this time ];iid paid 
 At1ei!(ion c'o: e, to ^^';ut^^as said, 
 IJephed, 
 
 Rich. ]My iViend, 1 think that we 
 Are likely now to disauitc ; 
 
 t riahi. c\. .. i I l^Ur. i, ^.
 
 UF.LIGIOIS CONVERSATION. CI 
 
 J'or, neighbour, tho' at thst you seem 
 
 To disapprove Malt.'s rigid schenie ; 
 
 And speak in terms more mod'rale, than 
 
 'J hat positive ami rigid man ; 
 
 B\ wliieli 1 think some dread appears 
 
 Oi your disgusting tentler ears ; 
 
 1 Itjar you dilt'er but hi name, 
 
 And oil the whole, are much the same. 
 
 Ilmvever, neighbour, that I may 
 Afford your seiUimenLs fair phiy ; " 
 ril take them one by oiv, and see 
 If they will bear a scraluiy. 
 
 Your first point, tlien, a^ipears to me 
 Absurd and contradictory ; 
 Ox, Jemmy, at the very best, 
 Tis ratht.M- doubtfully exp.rest ; 
 ]t, as you say, 'tis true God has 
 J^ecreed v.hatever comes to pa:- ; 
 If this decree is active too 
 To bring about \\ hate'er we do ; 
 And if its paramoiuit intent 
 No pow 'r can possibly prevent ; 
 Hiat sin of ev'ry kiiid falls out 
 'Mongst oilier things, is past a doubt ; 
 By this you make vfiur LtoCi to be 
 The author of iui.p'.ity. 
 
 But, Jemmy, if you uiuh^vstand 
 Tills same decree we have in hand, 
 As it respects both good and ill, . 
 in actings of the human will, 
 No dire itecesh-ilj^ to bri.ig, 
 But only to permit the diing ; 
 Then you and I are here agreed, 
 So for this time v e'il drop liiis head ;
 
 o 
 
 A lAMILlAK 
 
 Only rii w (iisper in your ear, 
 Your nieuniug should be .stated dear, 
 ISor should we have been left in doubt 
 "^j^o juake tli' mterpretatiou out. 
 
 ^\ hat next you sav of iXdiui), Jainrs, 
 Sonic iitlle observatioJi claims ; 
 1 think you said he niigiit have stood, 
 Tiio' free to fall, just as he would. 
 It appears evident to me^ 
 That if the said divine decree 
 In Calvin's sense be absolute, 
 Fie 7nusi have tasted of tlie fruit, 
 Th.erefoie, respectin;^' good and ill, 
 (^Quld not be left to his ozc/i will. 
 If you suppose things order'd so, 
 JJespccting what free agents do ; 
 i\nd judge herein this same decree ) 
 "^rhe cause of ev'ry act to be ; ' 
 
 You hold an iuconsistency. ) 
 
 You next obscMve, that Adam's fall 
 Brought sin and ruin on us all, 
 And sunk us in dej)ravity ; 
 In this we cordially agree. 
 But then, my friend, you know St. Paul i 
 Observes, " asjiidgmeiH came on all [ 
 
 The race of man, by Jdariis fall ; S 
 
 So the free gi/t of par/Ion came j| 
 On all maiik'u-rJ, thro' Christ lite J. ami) : 
 Are we tliro' Adam doom'd to die ? 
 Jcous came down to justify. 
 And if all fell in Adam's fMl, 
 Our Second Adiuii dy'd for all. % 
 
 (! /-^om. V. 13. + Hi'-b. ji. 9. 1 Cor. v. 11. l Tim. ii. C.-'v
 
 RLLIGIOLS CONVERSATION. 2r? 
 
 In what conies next, you may foresee, 
 That we by no means can agree. 
 That God might justly liave ieft all "f- 
 Mankmd to perish in iheir fall, 
 As genuine truth you take lor granted ; , 
 But, Jemmy, proof for this is wanted. 
 Are you right sure of what you say t 
 ^^'here do you find it written, pray 't 
 ' A\ hai book, what page, what chapter, friend f 
 Not m God's word fiom end to end ; 
 Till in that book it finds support, 
 1 would not give one fartinng for 't, 
 But view it as uncerlam rant, 
 And idle Calvinistic cant. 
 Say you ; Ood might, if on knozv 'tis true, 
 J'jtcniaf/i/ have pa^t by you, 
 And Icii you in your sins to die? 
 No that assertion [ deny. 
 That God for my unraitidulness, 
 An.l niisimproveniint of Lis grace, 
 Mi"ht have wi hdrawn it lo.iu a<io, 
 And left me to etcviv.d woe 
 I grant ; but this supposes I 
 liave had tiiat grace, Mhich you deny 
 A reprobate upon yoisr [)lan 
 Has eitlier hud, or e\er cati. 
 
 ^ ou sav tliat God bv sov'rtign doom. 
 And that aloat', has chosen some 
 < )f Adam's fallen rniij'd race," 
 /\s cbjccts of j)ecuii u- grace ; 
 'J he re.4 lie justly pusses by. 
 And leaves tliem in tbeir sins to die ; 
 
 + .S<'e tiiis p'):nt settled hy Ilicl-arc!, upon a rational ujhI 
 S'.T!ptiiral lais, in the la<ti;r part cttli-s r^suy. { Set- We.sl<y V 
 1-n- Icitlnutiun ciUnily coi:.;i(ivro;J, ^(c. 'SJ,
 
 ^i A FA.MIMAR 
 
 .4' 
 
 For Adam's sin, it set nis, to wralli 
 Condeinn'd, and j)angs of endless death 
 Although most clearly it is known 
 They have transgressions of their own; 
 Yet from tlieir sire, that fallen creatuic, 
 As they recciv'd their corrupt nature, 
 \V inch prompts tliesn on to sin and die, 
 IZxcept ihe i^ord his gtace supply; 
 (And God, you say, has hrin decreed, 
 Kever to give the giace tlsey need,) 
 '^^llicy ma\ \\ilh gi eat propriety, 
 I lliiuk, my ft send, be siiid to be 
 Condeinn'd fur Ins, nnnuitv. 
 
 } 
 
 Now, if your case l>c rightly stated, 
 The Re [no bates, by -God created, 
 Aie more severely dealt with, than 
 Arch Satan, and his hellish clan. 
 This consequ' nee is certain, seenig 
 Tluv're dumn'd before thev have a being 
 Sentelic'd to wrath, and slate forlorn. 
 And endh'ss vv'oe, before tliey're born. 
 V> herea^ the iicnds were happy made, 
 And each a j^eifect nature had, 
 And in t!ieir prt-per persons, ail 
 Had pow'r to sland, tho' free to fall. . 
 But this, you say, is not the case 
 With most of Adam's, wretched race ; 
 So that in this inspect they're worse, 
 And laid beneath a heavier curse * 
 Than i'eelz'^bub himself, wiio fell, 
 l^encath Jehovah's \\rath, to hell. 
 'lliis reprobating gospel-scheme 
 Krrontous a)id ab'-cird I deem ; 
 
 *Sce rietchcr's Sciipturc Scaler, p. 3,51.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 25 
 
 Tor tho' I readily agree, ^ 
 
 No merit*, can in smuers be, J> 
 
 Anil that the Saviour's grace is free ; j 
 "^ 1 1 grantnig this, it won't infer 
 f he uoctriiies trne, vhica yon aver; 
 Nor can you leave (your schome maintained) 
 tirad's moral atlnbates ansiam'u; 
 ^ our doctrines held, I think you must 
 T'lakeGod imnierciful, unjust, 
 'i yr:':!uical and cruel too, ^ 
 
 Cvirideniaing souls to endless woe, J~ 
 lor d.tinjx wiiut they needa /nust di> ! } 
 Pur'iial, unequal in his ways, 
 lit sj)ccling persons, llio' Ise says 
 Ifjuiseir, in his own sacred -.voi.', 
 "^i hat he's a just, impartial Lord, -Y 
 JLoiig-suiV'riiig, merciful and kiad, % 
 Ivor are t'lcse a'ltiibutesconlin'd 
 Uiito the ftw you calihi friends ; 
 From ii^ze to age ho yet exiiuds 
 His pity, tender lovC; and grace 
 L'jitu the Vilest of our lace : 
 J^Not Willi. 1!^ any soiil slioiild c'i , 5? 
 lie asks *A iiy will ye perish, why ? IJ 
 
 \\'hcreas the Loul, as you relate, 
 Ila-i a/jiotidei:/ i\\\\ l!ic fate 
 Df Adam's ru'v, the mo ;t hy far, 
 Ltciii;.] ptiUishiiKat I'j share; 
 'I'o j;r<)ai! bene.ith Lis {ie.y wiulli; 
 Aiid that lie wiils the sin ler's d -jth ! 
 Nf-\v s!:.,!l i G )d, or yo i, hthvve? 
 Ill- \'. .'<!, or yo'.rs fj; li\.di . veav-:- ? 
 
 It 
 of <::).. I'.i'j;:' t:. i C'-ti.. \k' i. :';< \. 31. lK.-i.od. .va.vlv. 6. 
 
 . , 
 
 f" 
 
 C" 
 
 fU..!', 
 
 ;. <). , u 
 
 . ;;i< 
 
 r^ '?.'. 
 
 
 1 C/ 
 
 ti.. \> 
 
 .' i. I' 
 
 ;^ V 
 
 vviir, 
 
 . 3.' 
 
 1! 
 
 Vl'.'A . 
 
 
 11.
 
 A r AM I 1.1. Mi 
 
 To ibis 'tis c:isy to I'opiv, 
 
 ]^et God be true, tho ail men lie. '-' 
 
 'J'hat some are cliosen 1 allow, 
 
 FiT.n:; ail eternitv.; but liow r 
 
 'J'hey are not chose:), it should seem, 
 
 Accoiding lo your fhie-spun sclicnie ; 
 
 IVjr God chose them as he fore-knew : 
 
 Tliis u nth the sacred scnptuves shew ; t 
 
 ' l"is thus some shmcrs are elected, 
 
 -As other sinners are rejected ; 
 
 Iho^-e Ciod deterniin'd to receive, 
 
 j\s lie forekncNV tliey would ))e]ieve ; 
 
 \\ hilo liiese he doom'd to endhss grief, 
 
 On foresight of iLtir unbehcf. i' 
 
 Nor do 1 think, my friend, that f.iiiii 
 
 /;//;;)..-!.' proper merit hatli ; 
 
 y^v,Y is the cause we're lixd upoi), 
 
 I'xccpt it he sine qua nan : %^ 
 
 fn this you may most plainly see 
 
 There's no-hing of e[^iric>!Ci/ ; 
 
 But 'twas Jthova'.i.s gracious pkusur? 
 
 "^fo tix tills trnv, or rule, or meiisme, 
 
 V\ here])y l.e would bo pleas'd to shew 
 
 i^lercv to ;;:nr;crs l;ere below. 
 
 ' Horn. iii. 4. 1; 1 F',*ter, i. 9. t ^o? y\'c<]cy's Pi-o^f^nativr, 
 p. 1 P-O. Tliat is, a carse u-'ihout u;'t!ch tin y are ;wf li\c d iipi/ii. 
 Tlif vipaniiiK of I he author is the sanio as that of ?.;. Fit tr!;'^r. 
 viz. That ti;'<*i:_'ii (rod (iccrced ctrrnaily to save cv* "v <";v-i'^\ 
 cbf.iiciit i)'lir r( r ; yet hi< fbrc-kiio-.-.Ietii-i^ of thoir laili', \, ,;< 
 not tin- luoviri?; cause f.f *!iciy .'alvation, loc t.at v. a- his owa 
 nirv."y, norv.a; it t'-.e ; ^f vitoritars eaiisr. tor ti;al \' as the 
 si:ticviri.s of C'inist, .loitlicr v.as it the o'iicie.it eaa,-e, fi-r tliat 
 v,i\^ the po" er of \hc >;iiiit-, Irat it v/as t'aeir own voiuntary. 
 uaiie; essitnted cra-api'ajiee \vi;;i the terms of tlie I'O pt!, ?r/7.';- 
 o-it irhidi. (tO(< v,oi'?f| iiaf <( tow i):^o-! ^]ic:',\ ti'O i.e^i 'lis of 
 salvati on ; ard for the eapaeity to ('o " ';> ',, ^ t!ioy were like wise 
 i>n!i.;)'cJ to iVce, iait'.;!, ui)coiuiitio?2al ;:vi'.;( .
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSAYIOV. 
 
 1 judge (is not mv judc'.'.icnt ii<:int.") 
 
 C^hI's kno\\li'<ige inu^l Ix^ iiiiimk' ; 
 
 1 .*ht)iilil be li vinjy to ('ciiaso 
 
 I lis wisdom and his luaiarss, 
 
 ! i" 1 prosi'n.d lie could not well 
 
 j'oresee free actions, and foretel, 
 
 \V itliout compelling men to be, ^ 
 
 Jn consequence of his decree, > 
 
 \ ile sinners of nece'-sitv. * S 
 
 Nor does our God, wilh all your pleading, 
 
 Act tyrant-like in this proceeding ; 
 
 Ahho" what Caivinists aver 
 
 Of sov'reignty, must needs infer 
 
 Tiiat this divme perfection may 
 
 (If things be truly as they say) 
 
 Act in tin unconnecte;! line 
 
 A\ ith other attriljutes divine. 
 
 His sov'rciiiiity nius<: coalesce 
 
 With mercy a'.id with holiness : 
 
 Disunion never can take [>Iace 
 
 JJt t\vc( n his wisdom, }ov 'r aisd ^^::cc. 
 
 All the iKiier liens of ins iniud 
 
 In complete concord aie coraLnn'd : 
 
 Arid th(>Lefore the Ahiiial'-y's phn;, 
 
 A< it repirds f.(.or wreli IivhI man, 
 
 is wisely suicrd, ii! its nature, 
 
 To t!ie condiiion ot hts c!( aUirc 
 
 ' oiu' cov'n".nt-scl,o;ne con-es !)"n!, mv frieu- 
 ^\ iiich I think v. rt^'in- {Vein; < nrl to end ; 
 Ajid th<:l y' u really m ver caJi 
 I ro;)i sucix-tl vr;t s;!!. ;-:);': \:)v,r j>i-n. 
 
 .Si'c ricf c'ler'sA'iii;!!; '.'.] or. v'.' vVi ,;<-- >-, rvli.;at; t;, p. .u>. 
 C'2
 
 A TAMILlAPv 
 
 Tlio' there the rot'naut olt occurs, 
 'Tis no such covenant as yoi.is ; 
 Tiil 1 a fiiller stattinent make, 
 This for the gospel cov'nant t'^ke : 
 
 He lliat believes, ^vhoe'ei he be, 
 
 And doth unto the ^nA endure, 
 He shall be sav'd eternally, 
 
 Tlie gospel coventiutis sure. 
 Th' eteriuii nxountains s-iali give place, 
 
 The firmer cov'iiaDt cannot move, 
 The cov'naut of God's jj;eu;:!ui grace, 
 
 And of his ail-ro!^^cmiug love ; 
 "IVhoe'er in Jesus Ciuist believes, 
 
 Aiy.1 faithful unto death remain,-, 
 He everlasting life receives, 
 
 For so the will of God ordaiu3 ; "**' 
 This is the rirni unchang'd decree, 
 
 '^Ihe word of God's supreme comnr^nd, 
 Fast as the suu and moon we see 
 
 It doth, and shall for ever stand. ^ 
 
 Thh coveuoiit of gospel-kind 
 I can widiin ll-.e gesj>ei find, 
 liut liot a trace, i llinil;, of yours, 
 in all the book of God occurs, " 
 Tlio' many texts you tuin and wind 
 In tins rerjpect, to speak your nund. 
 it seems \ou take tor granted too, 
 That Jesus Ciur-;t while hni-^ be^jvr. 
 As to saivalion'.;. schen;c, did all 
 Tiiat may be terrn'd comblioiiai ; 
 
 * Sec RTark xvi. lo. and Miitt. y>;^/. 1." iJcc. 6 Sec Ilyria^-j 
 rjTi <'i'.Hl's Everiuiti):; Love, iid '"ari, Jr]. .'. V..ir>, and 11-, hy 
 i.:. Wc.irv,
 
 RELIGIOVS CONVERSATION. 29 
 
 But tlio' you're positive enough, 
 'i lus wou't be thought sutiieitiit proof. 
 And thtielore, iVitud, 1 must deny 
 '* Wilh iosc dixit to comply." * 
 
 Salvaliou's terms, the scripture saith. 
 Are pemtencfe and living fai'.h ; 
 Ilt'jieiit or perish, says the word,.]: 
 .Believe or die, says Christ th.e Lord, -\- 
 Sow R;i ;ue one plain question ask, 
 lias ChriSi. for you pertouu'd this task ? 
 if not, liow has he. then done all 
 That may be tt^rm'd conditional ? 
 Pejlujps you'll say, (Jod'y blessed Son 
 Innnensely more than this has done. 
 So It may be, but yet 'tis true 
 He jieicr did- ihcic llii/^gsjor ijoa ; j] 
 1 he very nauue of the tacts 
 Ilvquuo ihey should be your own acts ; 
 And tho' v.e grant the pow'r to do 
 Those acts, ironi God alor.e dues liow j 
 Kevevlheless you may depend 
 God ne'er will do them ior you, friend ; 
 Our heart';, accustom'd to reb^l, i 
 
 lie never will peilx)rce couipel V 
 
 'I o t.ike the road to heav'n ui hell. j 
 I'or ho'.v should God, weie tins the case, 
 K'er judge the woiid in riji^hteouimess ? 
 
 "^Ilie doctrine wliieh you next have fiam'd, 
 That's tinal perseverance nam'd, 
 ^\ ith your foregoing system nutst 
 t*!.and faiit, or fall mlo the dust ; 
 
 * O:!0 f f Prior's lines, jLukcxiii, ;;. a. t John viii. '.-
 
 30 A PA MILIAR 
 
 Let but the truth of one be prov'd, 
 The other cannot then Ijc niov'd ; 
 1 "hey 're so connected, they must either 
 Stand lirndy both, or iali togellier. 
 
 Upon the Avhole, I think, tho' James 
 His brother iSiatthew's scJieme disclaim^,, 
 And lain >vould soften here and there 
 A point he thiiilis is too severe, 
 '1 liough harsh expressions he displaces 
 By substituting smoother phrases ; 
 (Which yet when all your glossiug's past, 
 Come to the self-same tilings at last,) 
 Yet rigid JVlatt. as ihings 1 view, 
 Seems more consistent far than you ; 
 Sliil both your scliemes 1 disbelieve, 
 !Noi his, nor yours, for truth receive. 
 
 Fiientl James impatiently haf- stay'd 
 Till Diek las long reply had mude ; 
 At length his anger, like a blaze, 
 IJ.irut; ui each niuscle of his face ; 
 And thus^ ill self-important strain, 
 He gave his answer with disdain ; 
 
 James. "tV hat strange, confounded stuilyou 
 speak ! 
 Your arguments are veiy we; k ! 
 iMy Hiniost pity you excite 
 AVhile viewing you so void of lihi ! 
 Y(ni're (juite absorb'd in Wesky's plan ; 
 That blind and nuKid\ -headed miui! 
 If some kind friends would take the pain's 
 '^^I'o shave your head, and wash your brains, 
 The gentle washe^r.and ilie shaver , 
 You well might ihunk for such a fuwur.
 
 KELICIOLS CONVERSATION. 31 
 
 Ami thanks you'll give, in proper season, 
 W hen you have once rcgaiuVl your reason : 
 Till then, no pleasure \ou will iind 
 ]>ut ill the^e ravings ot" your miud. 
 A hou-^st heart you may possess, 
 Jiut it is tlird Willi i'oolishness ; 
 You're blind ; by error held in thrall ; 
 Or, if you can perceive at all, 
 "lis dimly ; like the man who se- s 
 Men \Valk about as moving trees. 
 \ our system is corrupt 1 see ; 
 ' i'is rank Arminian heresy. 
 
 Rir/t. AvA thus you let your nonsense fail I 
 Rank lieiTsy my words you call. 
 (,'aii i>ny heretics be sav'd, 
 \\ lioic notions arc so much depra\'d ? 
 
 James. I will not now p;retend to say 
 \\ liethcr 'tis possible they may ; 
 But if tliey are, it v. ill require 
 'Ihat they be saved as by lire, * 
 Just thrown beyond the tiery gap, 
 Or snatched from t'le devil's lap. 
 
 Rich. Poor mortals, what despair they feel 
 \\ hen brought within the view of hell ! 
 It makes ine tremble when I think, 
 How heedless they've approach'd its brink. 
 Is not your judgment loo severe : 
 
 James. No, friend; be silent; thou shalt hear. 
 These folks God's righteousness deny. 
 And in its place their own supply ; 
 'I'he glory of God's grace remove, 
 And in its stead set up self-love ; 
 
 1 Cer. iii. lii.
 
 32 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Piale of cciiditions to perform ; 
 At gospel doctrines rave aad storm ; 
 Exait tlieir free-will pow'rs on higii ; 
 M;ike Chiist liuii-saviour ; and deny 
 God's sov'reignty, ul ieh if yoi i uumc, 
 'I'litn- carnal hearts are m a tiame ; 
 It hurts llitir pride, it grates then- ear, 
 The humbling theme they cannot bear. 
 
 Rich. Do spare yourself; take tia^e to breath 
 For such invectives are beneath 
 A man's .egard ; yet your dispraise 
 I3rnigs to my mmd what Jesus says ; 
 " How say'st thou Brot/ier, let me try 
 " To ]ull the mote out of thine eije ; 
 " V. ticii lo ! a beam of monstrous size 
 " Obstructs the sight of ll-ine own eyes! 
 '' Thou hypGCii'.e ! first learn to free 
 '' TliyyeU from that v.hich.blindetli thee; 
 " TIku sLiiil ihy vif'ion clear espy 
 " The mote that dims thy biotlii r's eye."* 
 I ihiiik, n'jy ft lend, as thuigs i view, 
 These words are v.eil apply'd to you ; 
 For while you i-lander, scold and rail 
 At ihose who tell a diU'rent tale 
 i'lom you ; and judge, and sneer and chide, 
 At tlien- cainality and pride; 
 Impartial men may see yov teem 
 V idi the snme spnit you condemn ; 
 While thi'lr proud tempers you deride, 
 Your own swoln heart Lbils o'er with pildt. 
 
 The Methodists, you sny, deny 
 What vou have call'd Gvui's sov'itric-nlv. 
 
 -p- 
 
 Jlatt. vii. 4. fc.
 
 KELIGIOUS CONVETcSATION. 35 
 
 Goer.- sov'rcignty, my friend ! piay \vhat 
 
 May \\v presume you meim by that? 
 
 Tlie sacred volume won't aiford 
 
 One snigie sanijjle of the word, 
 
 Alean you a pow'r, jom'd to his will. 
 
 To scud ten uiiliicn souls to hell ? 
 
 Or if you chuse a softer phrase, 
 
 To puss them by, dijiry tliem grace, 
 
 -f\ncUetlheni sink to endless v.oe. 
 
 Oil f if because he'll have it so r 
 
 ^^ liile to a lillie chosen few, 
 
 He sovVeign mercy deigns to shew, 
 
 And by his grace, that's freely giv'n, 
 
 Drixv i them all forcibly to heav'n, 
 
 7"hat he may manifest the more 
 
 The glory of his sov'reigii pow'r ; 
 
 _And demonstrate unto ail nature. 
 
 Ills independence on the crcatuie r" 
 
 Tliis liorrid system 1 deny 
 
 As an absurd blasphemous lie; 
 
 Such tov'reignty as this may suit 
 
 A wicked spnit, or a brute; 
 
 Bat never make such imputation 
 
 To him, who governs ail creation : 
 
 It is oj)poscd to the tide 
 
 Of all his attributes beside ; 
 
 If ti)!s jnust stand, the rest nuist fall ; 
 
 "Tis mcoasistent with theui alL f 
 
 Your own Calvmian head hrst frames 
 
 A sov'reiu.nly God never claiuLs, 
 
 Then iii l);e r.^^e of your re:>i;''k'-;, 
 
 /iu,-:ii.>t these poor ji.rii;ii!.:'a ^c^.ii^s, 
 
 t St'c >'r. .'-.ii'.n's Ari uri.c.it- ;;:.:iin' t lUi-.f r.ii i<v lioir.p'.iitu 
 Co
 
 34 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Who insolcully dare refuse 
 
 To form their judgment by your \iews, 
 
 You ceiLstire theni as ov r bold, * 
 
 As using reason uncontroll'd, 
 
 As full of self, with folly fraught, 
 
 As carani, proud, and all that's naught. 
 
 But by your leave, sir, may uot we 
 
 Vv ith quite as much sincerity 
 
 As you, or any other friend, 
 
 VVarifily and earnestly contend, 
 
 I'^or what appears to us to be 
 
 The genuiixe gospel verily ? 
 
 And if the viev^^s which i retain 
 
 Xiiffe)- from you and other men, 
 
 J\iust it needs be that you see ngiit, 
 
 .And 1 am blind, and short of sight ? 
 
 is it not possible that 'you 
 
 T'ilay have a false, erroneous view P 
 
 A.nd while your systesn you defend 
 
 Trom those who 'gaii^st its pints contend ; 
 
 And I attempt to do tlie san>.e, 
 
 l''i";,,m those Vvlio censure nniie and bl:ui-e 
 
 'Is it a clear undoubted fact. 
 
 That I from carnal motives act ? 
 
 Tiiat vou as suielv f}'r<u'e inherit, 
 
 And speak from dictates of the r,pirit V 
 
 A conduct ne'er pursue agani 
 
 So disingesiuous and vain ! 
 
 lu,-;Uad of iisin;;: PiuniVoiis arts, 
 
 'io censure us, and Judge our hearts, 
 
 Ji;'.!;;e yr-u tins ralher, not to lay 
 
 A stumblr:'.g bi(H'k atlnvait our v.ay ; ^ 
 
 * .See TIr. Selion's Vindication tif the Church of England 
 
 ff;;in thf ChiiTj^" of-.*-.L.-oli'.ie Pu'destiKa,lItii, p. 5. ^ Ko.Hi.
 
 REHolOUS CONVEUSATION. 35 
 
 Paul liop'd to see tliis conduct shine 
 In all proftssiug grace divine. 
 
 However, James, 'tis false that we 
 /\t ajl deny God's so\'reignty ; 
 ' I is the y^/^e vietc ol" it you give 
 That we oppose and disbtlieve ; 
 \\ e do not tliis because our pride 
 Would set Jehovr.u's pow'r aside; 
 Nor think we thus IVom lack of light, 
 Nor from a carnal appetite : 
 'Ihe cause is this, we ihink it Mould 
 IJeHect dishonour upon God ; 
 And nu st disgraceful would it prove 
 Lnto his goodness, truth and love. 
 God's sovereignty I lake to be 
 An amiable quality ; 
 From hini receiving its direction ; 
 It is a qualify d perfection, f 
 And ti!o', by any pow'r without 
 'Tis uncontrollable, no doubt ; 
 Yet is it regulated by 
 His other attributes most high. 
 Nor can you prove, as I suppose, 
 That God, from wiiom all mercy Hows, 
 At any period did, or will 
 Condemn a single soui to hell. 
 Merely hecause his sov'reign pleasure. 
 Adopted such a rig'rous nieasure. 
 No, ill this a-'\;ul veik, my hicuu, 
 Mis otlicr attiiinitts atlt ur!, * 
 ( !: ju^^tlv<% neicy, truth and grace ; 
 yiud none exceed") ;ts }. roper piace ; 
 
 t .Si f liii^ii K''Cx's J.c'.ter to Ja:'ol) Clrtcn, p. i3.
 
 i6 A FAMILIAR 
 
 In strict coasi ;tency M'illi these, 
 He plans his sov'ieign, h;:^h derreea. 
 V iew wot our God as moved by 
 Self-love or paiiiiililY, 
 V* ho either wilieih or desires, 
 Or %vhose o'.\ n sacred law requires 
 riiat he, the source of goodness, ir.ust 
 At his poor helpless creatures' cost, 
 Disp]:iy liis glovy yet the more, 
 By exercise of sov'reign pow'r. 
 [ tivmble to conceive of God, 
 As of a ci uci, partial, proud, 
 (.'upricious tyriint ; bat your scheme 
 E>.cites these humbling thoughts of him. 
 
 TI.eir crimes you afterwards pourtray, 
 /u;i u) -jCWY accusations say, 
 riiat t^iey deny God's nghltousness, 
 Alii] steui ihe glory of bis grace ; 
 'i htir frce-vi iii pow'rs aloud proclaim ; 
 Give Jesiis scaicely ht^li Lis tame ; 
 TpJk of conditions in lhc:r pian, 
 And somelhing to be done by man ; 
 V/ith other charges which you bring. 
 Of this, and that, and t'other dii.ig.. 
 Hov.ev;:)-, James, that ihey deny 
 Ghris't's righieousness, is sure a lie ; 
 They bui endeavour to defend > 
 
 I'olks from the dangers that attend ^ 
 E/roitcoiis vieK's of it, my friend ; ) 
 Whate'er the wc'rd of God affiinis 
 Of fiee-will, and of gospel terms 
 'r!;at ^}j-y e^i^'^\ce; tl en with fresh zeal 
 I nto .' (. L:L;!e they appeal. 
 's'fr^Sfc tf:n.\s poor niu idy-hci-'' d Jo!. a 
 (I'o use your pl:r;;?e) halli lal^^ly si:^ un ;
 
 RRLIGIOL'S CONVERSATION. 37 
 
 StUon, and oilier mt n recite 
 llic same great truths in ail lliey write. 
 Have you o'er read their wriliiigs, neighbour ? 
 
 James. Not I ; nor is it wortli niv lubour j 
 They are not woith a single puti". 
 Poor, legal, inconsistent stuti" ! 
 I v.oudcr much that you siiould lay 
 Such stress on w liat tiiese people say ; 
 'Ti? owing, I perceive, to them, 
 'riiat you've imbib'd tliis wild-goose scherae. 
 'i here is ?. pamphlet neatly done, 
 {p.tilled *'.\Ves}_ey against John," 
 Or "John 'gainst Wesley," one o'th' iwo, 
 But, Richard, either way w ill do ; 
 This curious book at large recites 
 \\ hat inconsistent sluii he writes. 
 And shews the reader clear and fair. 
 What bungling work his doctrines aie ! 
 Son<e gospel doc'uuies he respects, 
 Othcij lie partiuliy rejects; 
 Yet ave they jumbled, mix'd and joJii'd, 
 ^Vit'fi e/rors ot so gross a kind, 
 1 know not, were ail else iuigiv'n, 
 Whether lie e'er could get to heav'n. 
 W ho undertakes to iix liis creed \ 
 \\ ill iind a tedious task indeed ; 
 He's been for tifty years almost, *" 
 
 From systein unlo sysUiii tost ; 
 
 1 St-e tilt' E'evcn Letters commonly as-cri Led to ?.Ir. Htrvfv, 
 ar.i Mr. To J) lad vN Lofcr to Mr. M"^ >Ic y, wItIi o'iic-r lato lub- 
 'L-'-jiV.Q'^ii -^ wile-re t!;C aij!i>>'.e k.mus iov\ s.';.' iil :a^ Ltv.i;K' :<- 
 w'li.; ii James i:ak!S li^e oC oa tiii"- (;".u io.., u^y !)C t'i.).Mi :, 
 cit!.<i (VTectty or in lueetiv, i.i a pi;:-itiv<' or Ci);-.';!.: aCive sc! ;, 
 a;:!!;i( i l;j A't. We 'ey ; i/i -i'!is H! r.'rit v;uifty-/t';0i:Wiij5f>;;ute 
 i.ui.iia 4- li'ii itl'y iy!-lo'.';- ! i!;.(;i! Irr.; I'l vii! ti.i;e Jj 'J-.w.c, by a 
 lircut i.:i.r ..cr (ii'oliai- Ctlvinistij v.r.l;:r:>.
 
 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Yet all this \\ hile, tlie Avav'ring man, 
 Could ne'er i\\ one consistent plan; 
 His sentiments for ever jar, 
 His doctrnies with each other are 
 For ever at intestine war ; 
 Sure, contradiction ne'er did see 
 So true a friend and devotee. 
 IVIany there are who will gainsay 
 What other men for truth display ; 
 15ut to this man all one it seems, 
 Whether his own, or others' schemes 
 Of being faulty he convict, 
 So that he may but contradict ! 
 He dictates to his purblind troop. 
 As if he was their haughty Pope. 
 He's labour'd many years togetlier, 
 To shew himself as the bell-wether 
 Among his weak bewilder'd throng, 
 And leads deluded thousands wrong. 
 I've known lam, Dick, of late behave 
 No better tiian a commoji knave ; 
 Yes truly, I have know n him be 
 Guilty of downright forgery j 
 "A foiw;ery so vile and base. 
 In almost any other case. 
 At least w ould banish him the nation. 
 By casting him for transportation : 
 If lieavier doom he dul not iind. 
 And swiiig at Tybuni, in the wind. 
 His tvar^C H'.e^vise, as a d:v;n-, 
 \Vi;h iK>u\r,,-\i \i-2ht hut fom^ly shine ; 
 S() [':;; fr.) Ill ariV ii;;iig vficomnioii, 
 He';i hi'ul: bt;i<:;!*,h Vui o}s;ei-\vouKin ; 
 Xongh! Ls^od^^Ul where i'ir: dochuics 1; 
 lle'li tos-i a .-.Mliir.g for his creed :
 
 r.ELlGlOLS CONVr.RSATlO?-;. ?9 
 
 li(!'s a jioor, mean, religious quack ; 
 
 I'd slii\e as soo'.i witii chimncv-jack, 
 
 In lii;; (laik gaib and sooty tri:n, 
 
 As canvas arguments w it\\ tii.-t. 
 
 V> hate'er might be his former state, 
 
 Apostate iie has turn'dof late ; 
 
 I've also h.eard it said, that h.e 
 
 1 'as broach'd a dreadful lieresy ; 
 
 A lying sophister ; a man 
 
 V. hose tott'ring, weak religious plan 
 
 And pruicipies, too roitcti are 
 
 Cell popish schemes of failh to bear. 
 
 A common pest the man must be ! 
 
 A nuisance to society ! 
 
 Seiion is ako undcr-tood 
 To be h man not over good; 
 'llie Methodists of forner days 
 \\ ithheld from him tlit ir f:jlsonie p^al.^tf. 
 Ilis temjKr, far as 1 can learn. 
 Is sour, immauncrly and stern ; 
 And if fair faiJie has iiot belied Jiim, 
 'file very maids could not abide iuui ; 
 He never yet profess'd to be 
 i^JSsest of gospel liberty ; 
 Never in his coid heart abode 
 A sin 'e spark of love to God ; 
 'isbnren, weak, abusive writing 
 ^ )i! no account is woitii inciting ; 
 'i lie works he has produc'd, are all 
 Most sadiy diabolical ; 
 Against tlu; truth he draws his sword ; 
 A \ile perverter of God's word ! 
 I lis wrilings wtll deserve the lire, 
 Or trea<iinu in the dirt and mire.
 
 40 A ! A Ml LIAR 
 
 Ricli. Know you the man, except by nrane ? 
 Or have yoa rcu.l the woiks you biame ? 
 
 Jitmes. The inaii 1 know not, nor have read 
 Much of \\\i Vvorks ; but iiear it said 
 That tilings are tlius ; by Hiis 1 go; 
 And leave the rest lor you to know. 
 
 Richard arose, and left his phicc, 
 Vvith kiiidhno; unticr in his face, 
 And thus ^viil! gcn'rous warmth resented 
 The vile abuje \\hieh James i^ad vented; 
 
 7ii't'/7. O ;-hockint^, James! of all the cresv 
 Of sland'riiig folks 1 ever knew, 
 Of ail who have tlieir neiglsbours curst, 
 You are undoubtedly the worst ! 
 " Knave, wild-goose, oy3t:r--woman, quack. 
 " 7\posiatc, idiot, chinniey-jack ; 
 " A lying sophister ! a Pope, 
 *' ijellwelher of a piAihiind tioop ! 
 " A pest and nuisance to the nation ; 
 " Forgery Tyburn transportation !** 
 Witi! niany other terms as vile. 
 Appear to be your fav'rite stile ! 
 Selion's ili-u?.tur'd, stern and proud, 
 Perverter of the word of God ; 
 His works abusive, w eak, and ail 
 Vile', dreadful, diabohcai ; 
 Deserving to be burnt, and he 
 Devoid of gospel liberty ! 
 \\ l;;:t circumslunces c- u cxck.'c 
 'i :;is sLuid'jo;is torrc;)! of abuse r 
 Or cianj )ou i:i ;:AC^;:.i\e ri-ht 
 To uu at other i-iei;, aud !.h c ; 
 Alii], till your s;>!:Lfal an^cr c;.:ise:;, 
 To t:i:i] tLe.r i;..Me and c]v:d iu |:!e(:( , r
 
 * 
 
 RKLICIOrS CONAERSATIO.V. 41 
 
 ' " 
 
 In the app'.ouihir.g <oh;um riiiy, 
 V hoa ev'iy idle \\oid v. e say, 
 ^V all rv'jy liaish, ii'iitiious thought, 
 Bt'fore the jiidguienl-r!t:it is brought; 
 In that great day, by conscience s:nitten, 
 1 htse \^oIds will on your heart he uritttn ; 
 \\ hen, .sili-condemu'd, in dire disgrace, 
 J'icHig d(.>i;ous you must lind a place- 
 But tlio' }xr:\ make so gi-cat a inock 
 or Wesley, and his puibinid tlock, 
 \ et cv'ry person must confess, 
 '{ hat he has luboiu'd wiih Success 
 Chitfiv auicug liic lowtr lanks, 
 For which he l.ai my hcaiiy tlunk?. 
 Gitat nuuibers you, my h:cnd, hitve kno\v 
 Vf ho signs of penitence have shewn ; 
 It is wcii known, that ihcy beixire 
 AV'ouId drink; and rant, and sw car, and whore ; 
 liut now tliey're sober, chaste and i-'ii.i, 
 Their mouths no more with curses ii:i vi ; 
 And arc, as uny oiic mny stc, 
 -M jic useful to society; 
 Since they have chang'd iheir former lives. 
 They're better falltei.-, husbands, wive? ; 
 into tliC. duties of tiicir stations, 
 And all the chiims of their relatiouK - 
 I !iey conscicntiou;.ly alUnJ ; 
 In this I neither compr-hend 
 Kxeijiption from eternal \r,dv., 
 Nor endless glory which t!:ey gain. 
 Putting those consequences by, 
 jso man will venture to deny 
 (However some may think it ?:trunge) 
 'i'i-at there's a mighty moral change, 
 Among these public dregs and staiu,^, 
 iitfected by John Wesky's means.
 
 42 A lAMlLlAai, 
 
 y ~ 
 
 Por tUi.s he well deserves, 1 deeiii, 
 
 Al Iciist some measure of esteem ; 
 
 I tliiiik these mca were never made 
 
 '^Vo quit their suis by Sauai's aid; 
 
 1 therefore must conclude liis to:i 
 
 Is Hgliten'd bv his Father's smile. 
 
 If so, h.ow careful shoaid you be 
 
 ^>ot to obsuuct his miiusii}, 
 
 Lest in tile end, my friend, }ou shtruld 
 
 l>e found, in this, <)}>})o-ing God I 
 
 V\e oft obser.v'd, my friend, beside, 
 \\ hen Wesley's Ibiks a:e multiply'd, 
 It never huis to uiid the more 
 To those dial foiiow Calvin's lore. 
 For manv of these men, ^\ho hate 
 A\ <^re roused j^-om then" carnal shite 
 By means of V. esley, or or those 
 \\ ho labour with hm; in the cause j 
 'j'hinkinj:; they have a clearer sight, 
 Aud <;etiino; into iireattr liiiht, 
 F^'en uito broad Calviuian day, 
 ]-*erceive much better (as they say) 
 B\ scaimi!;"- thinjjs hi Calvm's view, 
 Aud come by hundreds o'er to you. 
 
 A\ herever \VeSiCy once appears 
 }\v brings liis troop of Pioneers, 
 \\ ho all net^Iected parts explore 
 l>y paths but seldom trod before. 
 I've often made the observation 
 How in each long peregrination,) 
 Tliey visit many wicked places. 
 Where Caivinists ne'er shew 'd their face* ; 
 Ao men of God tliere to invite theui, 
 But rather Belials sons to smite them j 
 No discontented party giving 
 I'uir proffers of a handsome ii\inj ;
 
 I.F, I.IGIOls CONN ERS \i lOV. 4' 
 
 No, not so niiicli as cVii that }>ooi- 
 
 EiicourageiiK'ut, an open door : 
 
 'I'lius liave they vim v oittu 'j,oui', 
 
 O.-jd-rn, ti;i-u(iL;r.s, and alc-ue, 
 
 L-\j.o.s"d to all tjie lage and spile 
 
 ( t tiirioiis uiobs, tliOSi- sons ot iiigiit ! 
 
 \< iicrever siiiiieis tliey uui^Lt iuert, 
 
 in licld, or markct-piice, or street, 
 
 And nnacli'd tlie word ; w liile ciiils and kick"-^ 
 
 Abusive language, stciU's aad Itricks, 
 
 Blows, threat'uiugs, street-dirt, cliatmel divg^', 
 
 Potatoes, turnips, rotten eggs, 
 
 ^\ ilh oaJis and e.!r>:es ail aa iu\d, 
 
 lla\c been liie wi Ic'on.e t;K\ have found. 
 
 "^ et oi'ten has llieir gracious Lorct 
 
 Been pleas'd to own aiul bless th'. i:' word^ 
 
 And in sucli })lices i;er before ' 
 
 '1 hem, to their jt>y, an open door, 
 
 \N hile manv of the n'O^t stout hearted 
 
 Have \eryoftei; been converted. 
 
 Most frcquc-itly in ev'ry place, 
 M here this has been the happy ea^e, 
 No soovitr hav(^ their nicetjfjgs b'-ea 
 Join'd by a set of serious men. 
 When preaelitrs might r.brood be seen 
 And were pennitteil to be eie.i.i ; 
 \\ hen ihv-y might preaeh without u riot. 
 Alii! things wt're toh rably quiet ; 
 Av henlhmg^ hcivc thus fur s'.noolhly gone, 
 ^'our ]>arty, Jmne?, coni' s pouring on 
 'l"o pub' and tear with:ii ih.Qiv might, 
 .\nd te!l tl:eir tales of greats r liglit ; " 
 ^^ it!i their big hearts replete witii hot ze;il, 
 And their niouth.s f(dl of <josp/el i ^^ospel !
 
 44 A FAMILIAR 
 
 To gospel doctrine?, gospel liglit, 
 1 litse sucking babes ihey sti aii^lit invite, 
 As iho' aiiioug tl.eir Loiy baud, 
 They shai'd the go^^^pti ot the land ; 
 \ et IS this famous gospel stile, ^ 
 
 ^\ herewith they tinipie soiiis beguile, > 
 But Calvin's gospti ail the while i } 
 liowe'er, they vtry otten raise 
 A cluucli from W esiey's runaways. 
 
 Now since the inference is plain, 
 'J^hat their increase sliU proves your gain 
 E'en p(ne sclf-rni'rtst should engage 
 \ our feet to mitigate the rage 
 Concciv'd by tlieni, and by their teachers 
 i\gauiol Joliii Wesley and Ins preachers. 
 
 James, f Ic and his preachers are well met{ 
 A pitiful and w retched set ! 
 Do Lul exunnne theiii, you'll find 
 They're mostly iguoi ant and bhud, 
 liiiieuite, weak, unknowing men, 
 And rank enlhasiasts, who when 
 They're weary of then sev'ral trades, 
 (As cobleis, tailors, and such blades,) 
 Kenounce the \\oild, its toil and strife, 
 1o lead an idle, sauut'img life ; 
 And tho' scarce haviiig comnion sense, 
 Religious liolders-foi ih commence, 
 And pour, in {)hrase uncouth and rough, 
 A flood of incoherent stuff. 
 
 Indeed 'tis true, rvniong lliis kind, 
 \ o : soiiie of Lcile:' parts may uimJ. ; 
 ( H" these -jreat nuaibers, wlven the Lord 
 
 (l.^es ihiTu liiiht kiiowledoo of his w.ud.
 
 lini.IGlOUS CONVERSATK)>'. 45 
 
 ^^ lu n he the gospel doctrine shews, 
 And t'avours them witli clearer views, 
 Renounce John Wesley ujkI his teachers, 
 And join ih' enlighten'd gospel-preachers ; 
 ^\ here presently each ot" them shines 
 Among the be.t ot!our divnies, 
 'I iiey tlien with zeal oppose the more 
 Those errors which ihey taught Lcf'ore. 
 
 Y5ii see, tlic men of greatest sense 
 CaKinians soon or iatc coaiuu nee ; 
 A circuiustance of.no small weig!;t 
 'j'< prove their scheme of doctrines right, 
 As liii'V must 'leeds more kuownig be 
 Than i'len of lcs3 capacity. 
 
 Ji/V/?. If doctrines must acceptance claim, 
 Because men of dtslmguish'd fame 
 K>pou?e them, tiscu, i dnnk it titie, 
 V es'ry will bi'ing as good a you. 
 But this remink is vciy trite, 
 For ev'ry sect woaid t'len be rigid, 
 If It couid reckon in its classes 
 A man wl\o common mt-n suipa-ses ; 
 And nu n of sense, in ev'iy roiUid 
 Of sect or party may be foam!. 
 It seems that you would take for granted, 
 'i'he reason v.liy these iiui! recaiik<l 
 'i heir I'oiuier scheme, was greats v l-.ght, 
 Ai;d uiulersiandnig doctrmes right. 
 iJuf, sone..' demur niuy \\cll be m-.'.de, 
 I ti.mk, my fi:eiv.i, to what you fraid, - 
 And o\'>:. r >::.;Livi s l.e a-5-i',o'd 
 For li.is ilea- sudJtU cb.:ui;^e of mind. 
 )'eih:p'i ii.ey diong'd it woidi attention 
 'i'iiut iliey miiht gel a bete r y- iismn ;
 
 Oil tl'c look-oi^t foriieedi'ul pcif, 
 
 (jcuteeily to provide for self, 
 
 They g;-i:',M tisut sclieme, -where they niiglit. find 
 
 '. liMr nii'reil, ease, iiud lioiiour joiii'd. 
 
 /iri'J vow I wiYi appeal to you, 
 it'yja (loii't ll-.uik \\ iial iollow s true ; 
 'I'bere nteds no great de;4ree of light, 
 ^'o migl.ty clcaiiug of the sight. 
 To see, my friend, as clear as day, 
 I'liat certain, settled, handsome pay 
 A comfortable hoine beside, 
 With ev'ry needful thing f^i'pplv'd, 
 is nio&t alluring to tiie wretch, 
 \V hose appetite is on the stretrli 
 Of coaiUioii fr;od to get enough : 
 I'^or clothaig, any rugted stiiii 
 Vv ill .suit these men, until iiiev've got 
 1 his goodly heritage and l<,>i. 
 
 The m?>v h in a blinded state, 
 \\ ho ca"vi')t (iii'v estimate 
 The v.- or lb of fo^iv-eove pov.nds a year, 
 ^Viih liou^e, ajid tire, and taxes clear ; 
 A\ ith cori'plcine);! oinantt and drink. 
 Little to '>, and Itss to think ; 
 For if \vit]i pure election fare 
 l^e stiu'l' his flock, there ends iris care.; 
 I'henhe h;;-? no '^leat need Lo stir; 
 is tKinonr'd v, ilu \ oi;r ltcv"i-ei;rr, Sir ; 
 ('/i\ Siiiida^ s pveachi s ; if iie pli ,;,<e 
 ioulher ii) inter; !:';i l\:., ( :ise, 
 A Sinnon now and tht n he^ide, 
 -For which }'ii::i w'il:- a treat .snjji'v'.j ; 
 Soraetnucs a cc/aeli o) trike ih,e ;dr'; 
 A geiitei 1 dress, an ect^y cii^dr,
 
 R r L I G 1 V S C O N '. i: I^ S A r ! ( ) N . 
 
 ^^ luTt^n to sit, and break a joke, 
 And laiip;li at Wesley's i'oolish iolk, 
 W 1h) triuluc about, and sor.uuhues lack 
 A decent eoviing for thiir back. 
 
 All this is mucli, much better than 
 Jo be a rambling- \\ esleyan, 
 ^\ 1m> always is content to share 
 A thread-bare coat and simple Tare ; 
 To loflge (instead on bed ot" down) 
 ^^ ith some poor simple coltage-clown ; 
 To be remov d from place to place, 
 And scarce allow d to shew his face ; 
 In danger too from mobbing-scrife 
 Of losing either limb or life ; 
 \\ hile preaching once at least a-day 
 Jle talks his very lungs away ; 
 
 Jatncs:. Hold, Richard ! not so very fast ! 
 The bounds of prudence you have past. 
 Wesley's poor men would all be glad, 
 If opportunity they had, 
 liie footsteps of their friends to trace, 
 And eacii to get a better place ; 
 'I Iny only swim in \V esley's water, 
 Because they cannot mend the matter. 
 
 Rich. Your vahi assertions, friend, I mujifc 
 Inform you plainly, are unjust: 
 ^\niong tin; persons plac'd by you 
 In such a mean and ,seliish view, 
 I kniAv soiTie very worthy men, 
 \N ho such low motives would disdain. 
 But tliis egregious objection 
 Is made by you without reflection ; 
 For maiiy l)y I/our pnrh/ sent. 
 Are in tlie saiu<' predicament;
 
 4S A FAMILIAR 
 
 Ste Tommy, Billy, George, and Jemmy, 
 
 J Jist ste})p'd out oi tiie academy ! 
 
 They're glad at tirst a place to take, 
 
 Wliicli thirty pounds a year may make. 
 
 Then tlu ir dear flock, O ! t/iet^'d not leave 'cm, 
 
 Foy e\'y so much, if you'll believe 'em ; 
 
 .Hut if a greater living fail<:, 
 
 Why thfcu, 'iispyutidence that c:;-l.^- ; 
 
 Ti'ici/ Jtced not monet/, no, not tlici/ ; 
 
 'lU piocidence points out their icai/ ; 
 
 "^i'liesfc faultless cl.ianL^tlmjis ;iivM-ys liiul, 
 
 '1 hat providence is vtry kmd ! 
 
 It ne'er disturbs it.-eif bv iiiviiij? 
 
 lis favourites a poorer Jivmg ; 
 
 I\o, no ; it shew s more love and g^acc, 
 
 And always finds a better place. 
 
 7'//?.y zcon't their present pock aLtise, 
 
 But theif can i,e of -^lealer use ; 
 
 How can tl:(y r e>:Ay, the nionLer there 
 
 Of precious souls, is nioie than here ; 
 
 Their courage pionipts t/iem on to face 
 
 tSu/ne reigjting error oj the place ; 
 
 To comLat schism in zealous pght, 
 
 Jlud set the iiei'htrii;<<i tjlochheads rinht ; 
 
 Vr jading hc/e, at least t expose 
 
 111 erroneous doctrines of their foes ; 
 
 Their zciong conceits to kich and cujf, 
 
 And give tlient genuine gospel stuij'. 
 
 Thus having steer'd their passage wide 
 From rocks oi avarice ;.i:d pric^e ; 
 (L'ncbnstuvn vices, 'us well known 
 Which no good Par'ioa cares to own ;) 
 And gi'. iiig aruni!!ei;t:i to prove, 
 Tlicir^iows motives for renio\e,
 
 RELIGIOUS C0NVlRSAT10N. 4Q 
 
 With tears they peach fare\wll discourses. 
 And go elsewhere to raise fresh forces. 
 
 James. What anp;ry words your heart dcvisrs, 
 When once your spitt hil cliokr rises ! 
 Now I ;au sure 'us very needful 
 Our youthful parsons sliould be heedful 
 To seek out for some lx?tter places, 
 \^ heu their small projreny increases. 
 ^ hat jTittance would iht uisclves sustain 
 Caiuiot their wives and babes maintain. 
 So tliat, in sucli a case as this, 
 I ihuik the lads act not amiss, 
 Tho' they should earnestly be striving 
 To ":et themselves a bettM- livin<j: : 
 J>ark prejudice obstructs your sight, 
 Displaying things in a bad light 
 Kespecting Calvinists, for here 
 \ ou're most ill-naturdly severe, 
 
 Rich. Not more so than my reprimander ; 
 And " Sauce for goose is sauce for gander^" 
 (Jur homely proverb says ; and truly, 
 ^ on must beheve, reHect but duly, 
 You well deser\e, as things appear, 
 'llie application of it here : 
 For, but a little while ago, 
 ^c)U did on \\ esley's men bestow 
 '^I'he very motives I repeat ; 
 liut no excuse would you admit. 
 \ el soon as I remark the same 
 Mean conduct in your priests, and blame 
 Tlieir !)igh, ambitious Views, why then 
 I m prejudic'd, and full of spleen. 
 Hut surely you have jud I'd annss 
 Iii ( hit'gintr me with prejudice ;
 
 50 A FAMtMAH 
 
 For you can soon for your own kind 
 
 A mitigating salvo Hnd ; 
 
 Not once retlecting that your pleas 
 
 Are just as good apologies 
 
 For thangf^s made by Wesley's teacliers, 
 
 As those of your fine gospel preachers. 
 
 For if the pleas your parsons use, 1 
 
 AV ill justify their selfish views, v 
 
 The same will W esley's men excuse, y 
 
 James, The warmth you shew in their defence^ 
 Is most decisive evidence 
 I'hat you would now appear to be 
 One of their rare society : 
 Altho' from what at first you said, 
 One n^iight conclude you had not made 
 A cljoice of any system yet, 
 J3ut only were in search of it ; 
 'i'hat you were of unsettled mind. 
 And had your principles to find ; 
 ]3ut now you seem, in my opinion^ 
 To be a thorough-bred Arminiau. 
 
 llkh. I own ingenuously to yon, 
 I think their doctrines nearly true ; 
 Altho' I am not of their sect, 
 Yet I their ministers respect. 
 Wish well to what they chiefly teach, 
 And often go to hear them preach : 
 j3ut bigot I am not so heaity, 
 To people, principles or party. 
 But that if any one can shew 
 My tenets are not just and true, 
 I'll all that's v.Tong to him resign 
 M hose views are more correct thon miae.
 
 RV,l.Tt;iOfS rON'Vr.TRSATlO-V. 5? 
 
 James. While at their preachings you attend, 
 I never hope to si'e yon mend. 
 AN'hen mongrel churches once begin 
 To manage w ithout discipline, 
 Is umbers of stragglers Hock around 
 \\ here'er such latitude is found ; 
 And thus are rais'dyour chosen sect, 
 \\ ho all chuich-govcrur.ient ueglecl- 
 So tli^jt if this confused breed, 
 i.U cither (trdnauce* stand in treed. 
 0:ie must run here, anntiier. there, 
 To church, or meeting-, anywhere. 
 Tiiey'vc no church otticers of w orth, 
 As ciders, deacons, and s;) forth ; 
 Their very prea<hei s are such poor 
 \\ cak men, as hardly ever bore 
 That name among a sect before ; 
 An unordaiu'dmeclianic clan, 
 Commission'd nor by iiod, nor man! 
 Such an unuieldy, nuitiey throng 
 Did ne'er to any chiuch belong. 
 
 Jlic/i. By your big words I am not under 
 Any the least surprise, or wonder; 
 I'or by my bible I am told, 
 This w as the lot in time of old, 
 C)f Matthew, Andrew, Peter, Paul, 
 And otiu'r christian nuMi, who nil 
 Were held in uudeserv'd disgrace, 
 Jiy the whole pharisaic race. 
 
 Nevertheless, 1 ilo in part 
 Agree with you with all my heart,' 
 
 ' liaptinni, or the Loid'* Supptt. 
 I) 2 
 
 }
 
 A FAMILIAR 
 
 As to the last remarks you made, 
 
 And what you of church-order said. 
 
 V^'^ere they a full dissent to make, 
 
 And the establishment forsake, 
 
 They might dispense, besides the word, 
 
 The holy supper of our Lord ; 
 
 Might rprinkle all their proselytes 
 
 According to baptismal rites ; 
 
 And thus among themsehes embrace 
 
 Every ordinance of grace ; 
 
 Which would be more convenient far 
 
 I own, than being as they are. 
 
 This great defect of system draws 
 
 Thousands of persons from their cause. 
 
 Iliis thing they should no more neglect, ' 
 
 But wise, decisive means project 
 
 For changing the!*" excluding plan, 
 
 As soon as possibly they can. 
 
 Not that I take the case to be 
 
 Of absolute nt cessity ; 
 
 For here 1 tliink their situation i 
 
 Is not of such consideration, ^' 
 
 As to endanger their salvation ; y 
 
 'Tis only needful, as it bn;igs 
 
 Conveiiiv^nces in these few things. 
 
 What you say of them as a clan, 
 That's neither sent by God nor man, 
 Shews you right willing to degrade ; 
 Yet 'tis not prot'd, but merely said ; 
 And only seivts, I tliink, to prove 
 Your want of candour and of love. 
 
 The Lor J declar'd to those that went 
 Of old to pi each, but were not sent ; f 
 
 t S' J<'r, y.siu. 3-1.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVEUSATION. Oo 
 
 That their bold, unrequired call 
 Should do men's souls no good at all. 
 From these strong words they doubtless might 
 Know their commission \\jis not right. 
 
 Again tlie Lord Jehovah savf, * 
 " Who turn men ftom their wicked wav, 
 " And cause the sinners to repent, 
 " Are surely by my Spirit sent."' 
 Nowthis, I think, with justice I 
 To Wesley's preachers may apply ; 
 For by their word, which you despise, 
 If you will credit your own eyes, 
 Thousands have been to God converted; 
 Their evil ways have quite deserted ; 
 Are drawn from fallen nature's night, 
 And out of darkness into light ; 
 These facts without a doubt will prove 
 Their mission to be from above. 
 
 James. Far as you can, I find you will 
 At any rate defend them still. 
 But Fve another great objection ; 
 What think you, friend, of their perfection ? 
 Tliey make of this renown'dafikir 
 Consummate nonsense I declare ! 
 As weak a doctrine 1 maintain, 
 As e'er was fos-g'd by muddled brain ! 
 'llie men who dream themselves perfected 
 Are far from what I first expected : 
 I thought to see them holy, pure. 
 In knowledge and in faith mature ; 
 Instead of which I can behold 
 None but the most deceivhig, bold, 
 
 * S"c Jer^ Kxiii, i'}.
 
 54 A yAMiriAR 
 
 Entliu.-^iastic, foolish nicu, 
 
 '^riiat make of godlauiss a gaiu, 
 
 \\ ho neve r kutw ihemst i\ es ai ight, 
 
 Or \ie\\ VI tl'.eir hearts b^ gospel hglit : 
 
 To them these terms are well apply'cl, 
 
 A mass of bn .rauce ami pride 1 
 
 Rich. In tliis if they have errM and dr^jamt^ - 
 They claim yoiu- pity, i;ut coiUempt. 
 But I my neij^iibour James can tell, 
 it would become Liui w ouJrous well, 
 "If, speaking of iLetse i> 'alters, he 
 Would ttdiv N\ itU greater modesty ; 
 For all the pretty .iiiiiies you cali 
 In argument meau nought :U all, 
 I am indeed surpns'd to iind 
 You thus dogmatically blii.U ; 
 You seem to thii.k the very word 
 To be unscrij^tiiivl, abbuui ; 
 Whereas in scripture may be seen 
 Acouuts of many perfect men ; * " 
 " Be ye as perfect, Jesus says, 
 " E'en as yoiiv God inhohness;'" t 
 And Paul in many parts you know, 
 ExJiorts unto perfection loo ; \\ 
 John likewise mentions some, who prove 
 7^iemselves possest of perieci love ; ';, 
 And God has promis'd iroin a.'i siii ^ 
 To raake his fuitljfiil chiidvtu deuio 
 And is not sin that moiisiei f )ui 
 A\ hich desolates tiji uumMU sonU 
 'Gainst which God s t.n-er ae'ei L;batth," 
 And which, he sa}s, hi-> Spiiit iialeta r ijtj 
 
 * Gen. vi. 9. Joh i. 1. 8. am! ii. :>. t Matt. v. 4n. \\ H^b. 
 \ri. 1. Phil. ii. 13. 14, .Vc. t Joiin iv, 17. 1. i Ezrk. xx\"i. 
 ;;,V C'b. '-'9. ' I'll .Ttr. xiiv, -i.
 
 KI^LIGIOIS rONVEnSATlOiN. 55 
 
 Now do you think, my friend, tltat God 
 Wants pow'r to make his j>ro;nise good ? 
 Or do you thu)k he wants the will 
 'To rid us of this fatal ill ? 
 Why then make any base reflection 
 Ou that plain scripture phrase- Perfection'^ 
 
 James. I don't dislike the simple phrasr_, 
 Since it is what the bible yays ; 
 Hiit oTily as those folks and you, 
 Place it in an improper view. 
 Bii)!e-pcifection, a? I take it, 
 And as I think the scripture.^ make it, 
 Is Oilly plain sincerity : 
 In this description you'll agree ; 
 For man, while in the body, must 
 Witli his vile spirit cleave to d'.Jst. 
 The be st of men will ne'er begin 
 To say that they're exempt fiom sin. 
 Nor is it possible to do 
 The Lord's commandments hero below ; 
 Neither by nature's strength, 'tis clear. 
 Nor any grace received licrt. * 
 The goodliest deeds that e'er were &e ft 
 Are vile, polluted, and unclean. 
 J\ov can d:e greatest saint you see 
 Keep God's commiiiidmeJits perfectly ; 
 But daily, spite of all hi? heed. 
 He breaks them in thought, word, and deed. 
 
 J? ich . ITien w h at becomes of sin, my friend, 
 If we nmst keep it to the end ? 
 \\'e must a separation prove 
 I'lom sui, or cannot dwell above ; 
 
 * Sfc Jhe Assoiiil)l>* larger Cateckisiu.
 
 ^i6 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Nothing unclean, the scriptures states. 
 
 Can enter that pure city's gates ; * 
 
 Wherever on the woody plains 
 
 A tree may fall, it there remains ; -f* 
 
 'Tis thus with us, we also have 
 
 No work or knowledge in the grave. % 
 
 Then, what, my friend, becomes of sin ' 
 And when, or where, are we made clean ? 
 Do you believe the Popish story 
 Of a refining purgatory ? 
 Or think you we may enter in 
 To heav'n^ with some degree of sin ? 
 
 James. Ev'ry good Calvinist allows. 
 As taking down the leprous house. 
 Was a sufficient means to free 
 That dwelling from its leprosy ; jj 
 That 'tis with sin the very same, 
 In taking down this mortal frame ; 
 And when we die, we then shall be 
 Cleansed from our iniquity. 
 
 Rick. Is this the case that we are in ? 
 And must the hellish monster sin 
 E'en to the last within us lurk. 
 And death perform the mighty work ? 
 
 James. The work belongs to God alone 
 But then he does it here for none, 
 Until that awful hour when death 
 Deprives them of their latest breath. 
 
 Rich. Your proposition wants a. leg, 
 You here again the question beg ; 
 
 * Rev. xxi. 27. t liccles. xi. 3. J Ecclrs. ix. 10. iLfT. 
 xiv. 45.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 67 
 
 " Tliat none are cleansed till they die/' 
 This you affirm, and they deny. 
 Where can you from the bible shew 
 What you've asserted to be true ? 
 For I see nought whereon to fix it 
 As yet, but your own ipse dixit. 
 
 James. Pray do restrain your foolish tongue ! 
 Constant experience proves i/ou wrong ; 
 Where, neighbour, did you ever see 
 A saint freed from iniquity ? 
 
 Rick. I said before that we are told 
 Of several perfect men. of old ; 
 Among these Methodists, you know, 
 Some few profess perfection too. 
 Perfection though you make to be 
 No more than true sincerity, 
 You've proved nought ; but what you wantet 
 You still have boldly ta'en for grajnte'd, 
 And some things said, which I shall name, 
 Wherein I think you're much to blame. 
 
 By nature's might, you first affirm, 
 We never can God's will perform ; 
 This axiom all men must allow 
 Who human iinpotency know. 
 But then you say in the next place. 
 We cainiot do it e'en by grace ! 
 And the best deeds of the best men, 
 You said, were filthy and unckaii. 
 Now granting you that no one can, 
 Consider'd as a nat'ral man. 
 Do one religious action riglit ; 
 Yet surely by God's grace he might 1 
 Do
 
 53 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Are all those works dcfil'd with sin, 
 AMiicIi God's owu Spirit works within r* 
 And if such works were lilthv, woidd 
 The Lord himself pronounce them good l^ 
 Tiiat mortal little sense lias got 
 A\ho casts ou good works such a blot. 
 
 This subject of gqod works has b.^eu 
 Set in the fairest light i'\e seen 
 By Fletcher, in the books he names 
 Checks against Antinomiau claims, 'l' 
 
 James. By Fletcher, Wesley's shnple tool? 
 He's little better than a fool ! 
 
 Rich. Do you know aught of him, my lad, 
 That's either foolish, \\eak, or bad r 
 
 James. Were I of him inclind to f^pcak, 
 I know enough that'fi bad aid Mcak. 
 Yes, lie has brought as many new 
 Erroneous doctrines out to view, 
 As Wesley, v.irh his drowsy whim, 
 Would ne'er have thought of but for him j 
 A poor, apostate, wicked man! 
 Aissociute of that paltry clan [ 
 
 Rich. Well may you blush at }(>vn" ill-nature. 
 You slandering, back-biting croaiure ! 
 1 long have known the niari to be 
 Kemarkablc for j uty ; 
 
 But be tJicy wb.o or v; hat they wilf 
 i( J approve, you f-l'uuler slil! ; 
 A lid whatcriu be ii}xagiud wo:se 
 'iiiiuj thii,-- yuur brethien to aspcise : 
 
 * T";;!!-!!! \> vi. I'J. t M:i:k "vtv. G liT;'. m.-jiv othM- p.ui* 
 i S'vf ;U Uh *''li<.cK to Auti\i<i'ux--''.i-jr;i. L- tt<r U.^' iii'a.
 
 RELIGIOtS CONVKRSATION'. 59 
 
 Well may these seryants of the Lord, 
 Take solid conifort from his word, 
 *' When all men vilify your names, 
 (Wen good men not excepted, Jame ;) 
 *' And cast them out as vd^ and bad, 
 " Rejoice >ind be exceeding glad ! 
 * I'or so, we're l)y the scriptures told, 
 " They stigmati^'d the saints of old."* 
 
 Jfihics. Unto your reas'nins; I object, 
 Vour consequence is iiot correct ; 
 We n^'ver would a man oppose 
 For any real good he does : 
 But \\ h( !i he monstrous on ors broach**'*, 
 {\l\ si;bjt ct to !;ou;i ujcn's i;cpjoaches. 
 
 /{/.7/. Th'_' very tale wliicli once wus t'-is. 
 To Clni>t, by Piiarisees ol olil ! 
 '' We stone thee not lor xvtikina; good, 
 t S lid t)ie% ) but lor uiiispheiinu'^ (lod. " i 
 rhiil, Wesh'yl I'lcicher ! ' Selion ! hail! 
 Still mav tlie trut'is you lea< li prevail ! 
 And tho' yon siill in Calvin s schools 
 iSIay pass for knaves, as well as fuols .. , 
 ^ld\ htav'n enable you to bear 
 The haughty look, tlic scorui'ul sneer , 
 'J'he proud disihiin, the noisy peal ; . 
 'J "he tierce contempt, the biuer zeal : 
 Sarcastic joke, Suluic song ; ^ 
 
 The laughing wit, tiie slaud'rous tongut ; 
 'the pious gibe, th' iiupoituut hufl ; 
 The public taunt, tlie piivate scpiV; 
 By many so profusely giv'u 
 'I'o you, till all impartial hcav'u 
 
 M<Ut. T. n. Luke \i. iJV. va. t Jolia x. as
 
 60 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Your patient sufF'rings shall regard, 
 And crown you with a full reward ! 
 
 Still against rampaut error fight ^ 
 Drag out the fiend to open fight ; 
 Whatever plea the monster make, 
 No respite grant, no pity take ; 
 Pursue him close thro' ev'ry maze 
 Of doubling shifts, and winding wars. 
 Nor ever be induced by 
 llie loud but falsely pious cry, 
 And clamours of mistaken m<:n, 
 To skreen black error in his den, 
 By any boon the monster claims, 
 From learned or from pious riamcs ; 
 By any plea which may arise. 
 From sacred friendf.hip's stronger tics. 
 Ne'er dread the issue of the fight, 
 For truth can bear the keenest light ; 
 Nor yet be frighted witli the roar 
 Of baleful error's adverse povv'r. 
 'llio' I'-pl-dy the war commence, 
 That first-born son of impudence i 
 And in the monster's cause engage. 
 And bully, bluster, foam and rage ; 
 Tho' high-born, self-important 11 11, 
 tn height oi Caiii inistic zeul, 
 lor want of better weapons, fight 
 With scorn, contempt, reproach aiid tpite 
 And compass you on ev'ry side, . 
 With laughter, or disdainful pride ; 
 With this and that poor story rail, 
 Of bathing tub, or comet tail ; 
 Altiio' young it-v,l-mi jcm the baud, 
 
 yel sv>v {iug luuulj
 
 RKLIGIOVS CONVEBSATION. 6l 
 
 To try, the scripture scales "f begin 
 By casting pennysveigh'^s therein ; 
 Thongh he avow Itis proper right 
 To throw a gauntlet down for tight; 
 Their weapons you need never fear, 
 Harmless tliey'Hdrop, like Priam's spear. 1{. 
 
 Too long has error roam'd our strand, 
 And pour'd a torrent thro' the land ; 
 Poof simple souls deceiv'd too long, 
 With self-election's syren song ; 
 Has screen'd itself from condign shame, 
 Behind the gospel's sacred name ; 
 Too long Augustine's foolish dream, 
 And Calvin's still more straiten'd scheme 
 Have been as gospel truths display 'd, 
 And in such flatt'ring robes array'd 
 As might deceive the Lord's elect, 
 Did ) ou not all their frauds ^detcct- 
 
 Then nobly dare the adverse bands. 
 And still from your experienc'd hands, 
 May the keen shafts of truth be sped, 
 And strike prevailing error dead. 
 Nor mind th' obstructions in yoiu* way. 
 Or what detracting people say ; 
 " For let your foes discharge their tongues 
 " In venom, till they burst their lungs ; 
 " Their utmost malice cannot make 
 " Your head, or tooth, or finger ache ; 
 
 t Alluding to Mr. Fletcher's " Scripture Scules." 
 4 This said, his feeble hand a javcliu tlirew, 
 Which flutt'rini^, seem'd to loiter as it flew : 
 Just, and hut barely, to the mark it held, 
 And faintly tinkled on the brazen sliield. 
 
 DUYUEA'S VlRCH.
 
 62 A lAMlLIAH 
 
 *' Or spoil your shape, distort your face, 
 
 " Or put one feature out of place ; 
 
 " Nor will you ifind your credit sink;, * 
 
 " By what they say, of wh;it they tliink ; 
 
 " Nor can ten hundred thousand lies, 
 
 " Make you less pious, learn'd, or wise ; 
 
 ^' 'The most effectual way to balk 
 
 '* Their malice is to let them talk." -f 
 
 But this, my friend, is all digression, 
 About these folks and their profession ; 
 t.'omc, tince th.ese Methodists must all 
 To their own master stand or fall ; 
 Of them v.ell drop our long debate ; 
 l.t ave it to hiui to judsje their state, 
 \V I'o ri;j,l(riy prnises, ri;:ht!y < hide-, 
 Arid nio.si ijiiprirtiaiiy decidt.'s. 
 
 Jn//ics. W ilii all my lieart, cumc lc( us u;il 
 _An>i )!> mo)o <;f liiesc })cVSons talk. 
 Bat :?<.e the skii s bo;in to low'r. 
 And se(iu to bring a heavy show'r; 
 What think you r shoidd we not retire. 
 Atu! sj't aroMud my parlour fire f 
 
 Ri<'h;!;il d;!e( liv f'live assint, 
 And to the iuuise oi James thev wtui. 
 
 ' l*rfrVia!'\ it ir.;n . but v.vt v.u'.yt i--\.u'.\. Sv\ii't.
 
 Rr.MGIOLS CONVTiKSATION. 
 
 DIALOGUE III. 
 
 RICHARD AND JAMES. 
 
 Richard mien:* the crtitroiersy, bif jindin; fnult uith aelf- 
 election.IIe blames Culcin'^ system thi. mur: on account of 
 reftrohvtion, which JIuws from the former doctrine s veccs- 
 
 nui y conse'iiience,- James iltfatds Iwih tlusc dnrtrincs. He 
 
 isisinnales that Richard and his party quote the. xcripturr.t 
 partialiif. Richard rope's the chitrs^e. Their dispute ahont 
 the meiiiiin^ of the irurd ALi-.Tfie custom ridiculed of ^m: 
 party assuming iufuUihiUty to itsel/', and charging others with 
 ^ridc and ignorance. 
 
 f y IJEN our two combatants had come 
 'I'ogctlieijnlo James's room, 
 - When by tlie tiresidc b;>lh were seated, 
 .femmy his zealous iViend uitreatcd 
 l o take a diink ot" houschoid aie, . 
 Then to pursue their Ibrmer tale. 
 Nearly as soon 'twas done as said, "^ 
 The ale is broiighl by Jennny's maid, ^ 
 For talking is a ihlrsly trade. > 
 
 Now, reader, b. fore we proceed, 
 t>l this remark iheie will be need, 
 'I hat sev'ral neighbours, staunch and hearty, 
 i'ur as ihcy knew, to Jennny's party.
 
 64 A FAMILIAR 
 
 (As William, Robert, George and Joe, 
 Besides a plain old wife or two,) 
 Having had some slight intimation 
 Of Dick and Jemmy's conversation, 
 Had nearly unperceived come, 
 into a corner of the room. 
 Where James and Richard sat, that they ^ 
 Might see the issue of the fray, \ 
 
 And hear what Richard had to say. } 
 
 Richard and James enjoy'd their cheer. 
 And quaff 'd off all vheir pleasant beer ; 
 And when their other talk was done. 
 They thus their arguments begun : 
 
 Rich. Come, James, as in your house 
 togetlier 
 We're nicely shclter'd from the weather y 
 1 hope you'll think it no offence 
 If I hostilities commence. 
 
 I hate your absolute election, 
 As much as you dislike perfection ; 
 Not only since I cannot lind 
 Aught in my bible of the kind, 
 According to the view ol thing?, 
 Which my best understanding brings ;. 
 But too from this consideraU.;n, 
 It must imply like re.piolation, 
 That dreadful v.eiglit, v.!u;h presses oa 
 Your system, like u block of -lone 1 
 
 Jai/tef. A fig for your dijanprolialioiv 
 Against yovu bugbear rejMobatiou ' 
 \ our busy wit c:>(i ncvei rest, 
 li.(ecUon is your constant jt st ;
 
 KEI.IGIOIS ( ONVKRSA riON. (jO 
 
 Tliat doctrine iiever linds respect 
 From carnal hearts anionj; your sect ; 
 Your legal aims that soar so iiigh, 
 Would put a hand into the pie ; 
 And well may churlish nature chide, 
 \\ hen thus it mortilies her pride. 
 The doctrine of predestination, 
 (lives the zcliole glory of salvation, 
 To free, discriminating grace ; 
 Puts sinners in their proper place ; 
 To merit gives a mortal blow, 
 And lays all free-w ill glory low ; 
 Gives man his indesert to see. 
 And makes him cry, why me ? why me I 
 And wonder that electing grace 
 Such sinful wretches should embrace. 
 Keason but in a right direction, 
 \ ou ne'er v. ill fight against election ; 
 Election nmst be the foundation, * 
 l^ie very ground-work of sahation ; 
 And those that in it take delight 
 To endless glory have a right. 
 
 Rich. Friend, pause a little now, I pray ; 
 Do you consider what you say ? 
 Your words 1 deem of small avail, 
 The scriptures tell another talc ; 
 If we may credit these, they say 
 Other foundation none can lay, 
 Nor other ground-work can be made, 
 7^han that which Ls already laid ; 
 Election capnnot make this claim. 
 Since it is Christ the Savio.ur's name. 
 
 See Elisha Coles on God's Soverei<;>ty, p. 39. And Mr. 1^ 
 Hill's Friendly Rsmarks, p. 19. l Cor. iii. xi.
 
 60 A FAMILIAK 
 
 Besides if your prcdestiniiticn 
 Gives the ic/to/c ghrt/ <>f salvation 
 Unto tlie Lord, as \(>ii suppose ; 
 (.)ij Jiini too, loicMuy it thro'>vs, 
 I'pon your plan of reprobation, 
 'lYu; U'ko/c dishonour of danmation ! 
 And while the dinner sinks, to be 1 
 
 Tormented tlirough eternity, > 
 
 He too may ery, \V hv ine r why me ? j 
 A dreadful, shocking f'Uii/ me, this ! 
 Which quite as much ollensive is 
 To (jiod's iijipartiality, 
 Jlis justjee, love, verati'y; 
 As your distinguishing l\ hy me 
 [s to his well-known equity. 
 ] never hear without a smile, 
 A man use this f-j^a'd, lowly tyie, 
 But strait, iriethinks, i hear aud/iee 
 The self-elected phiarisee ; 
 He in his temple God invokes, 
 Thanks hhn he's not as other folks ;i^ 
 No, not as that poor publican, 
 'Jliat pass'd by, repiobated man ! 
 
 ! .lames^ while thus you seek a plac^^ 
 For bringing in your false free-grace f 
 You father ev'ry sinner's death. 
 
 On Gqd's umiu^rcifid free-rcrath / 
 
 1 can supply you with directions, 
 llovy all your common-place objections 
 May be remov'd, and you be broup;ht 
 '^I'o have a more considVate thought ; 
 Read Fletcher's checks ; he plainly shews 
 W hat foolish doctrines you espouse. 
 
 $ Luke xviii. 11. A-c.
 
 RELl;lOL'S CONVERSATION. C? 
 
 Jarfies. Alas ! alas I how vei v blind 
 Are you, and otliei s vt yoiu miud ! 
 'I'lie sonplures scrap Wv scrap you Meal, 
 And what \ou like net, >ou conceal ; 
 I wonder Low such folks as you. 
 Such pride and vanity can shew,; 
 T' instruct your belters you jiretend 
 In things you caiuiot couipreltcnd ; 
 First^understand, then you may teach 
 Doctruies now far bi-^ond your reach. 
 Peruse llie word ol God, and pray ; 1 
 And then the lioly Spuit may S 
 
 Shew you the proper gospel-way. j 
 A person t!\al"s so very weak 
 W uh greater modesty should s{>eak. 
 Klection, Riclund, I ) salvation 
 Is caird m scripture, (ii li's fouiidation^ 
 And men, we're also told in brief, 
 Are damn'd tor s.n and unbtiiet' ; 
 So that if our objectors would- 
 Take with them the whole word of God, 
 They'd cease opposing this gooi way, 
 And own the truth of all we say. 
 Nothing can be conceived worse 
 Than to pick up a stragghng teise ; 
 And make it say vvhate'er you chuse, 
 By thrustit^ in your partial views ; 
 This folly all free-willers learn, 
 I'hey love it, suice ii ser\c-s their turn. 
 
 Rich. Tliose people read the bible llu'<')Ugh;. 
 And dig as deeply there as you ; 
 lliey think it ])leads without exemption, 
 In favour of that free redemption 
 Provided, by Jehovah's plan, 
 For ev'rv falJen totd of mm.
 
 68 A lA MILIAR 
 
 Where is election to salvation 
 Call'd in the scriptures Gotrs foundation ? 
 \ our far-sought meaning none can see 
 In -what Paul writes to Timothy ; * 
 That text has just as much connexion 
 With your particular electiou, 
 As uith the choice by any nation, 
 ( )f persons to tiie highest station. 
 Election if it niean at all, 
 'Tis that which is conditional ; 
 As from the Avords which follow there> -f 
 Will plaiato any one a])pear. 
 
 You say too, men for unbelief 
 Are sentenc'd to eternal grief, 
 Which is a truth enlarged on 
 By the Apostles Mark and John ; 
 It follows, there was something then 
 W hich these same reprobated men 
 Ought, while in life, to have receiv'd, 
 And as a saving truth believd : 
 What truth was that ? The truth and grace 
 Peculiar to their stt'te and case : 
 For ev'ry soul, since Adam's fall, 
 Receives from God a gracious call 
 To come to him and be forgiv'n, 
 To turn from sin and hell to heav'n. "^ 
 All under CJirist's blest dispensatioB 
 Ought to possess this firm persuasion, 
 That Jesus Christ, the Saviour, came 
 From heav'n, and liv'd, and died for ^hrm. 
 
 * 2 Tim. ii. 19. + Let rvery one tliat namrth the name of 
 Ciiiist depart from iniquity, and V. SI. Jf a man therefore 
 
 purge liimself from these, ho siiall l)e a vessel unto lionour. 
 
 ^ John iii. 18. Mark xvi. 1(5. j Actsxiv. 17. Horn. i. 19. W.
 
 Rr.LlGlOlTS CONVERSATION. 6f) 
 
 But is this tnie ? Did Jesus give 
 
 Himself for ^^em, that lliey niight live ? 
 
 If not, they tlnni are dooni'd to die 
 
 For not believing in a lie. 
 
 But this can never be, since Paul 
 
 Assures us Jesus died for all; 't" 
 
 If so, it cannot be deny'd 
 
 That Christ for tlmm was crucify'd. 
 
 Jarhes. If for afl men that e'er drew breath 
 The Saviour gave himself to death, 
 ^V hy from Jehovah's glorious face 
 Are b'dinsWd any of our race ? 
 
 Rich. Hear Christ himself the reason give ; 
 " Ye zciil not come to me and live ; 
 '* E'en as the hen with kindness biings 
 " Her tender brood beneath her wings, 
 (And mark her kind concern, and see ^ 
 With what a dear affection, she ^ 
 
 Collects her wand'ring progeny ! j 
 
 " So, wand'ring souls I I often would 
 ** Have gather'd in your souls to God, 
 " That you might life and heav'n obtain, 
 " But ye would not ; my call was vain !" | 
 God operates, my friend, on none 
 As if he were a stock or stone ; 
 He treats us not as mere machines ; 
 But so adapts die ways and means 
 Of saving all the fallen race, 
 Unto the nature of our case, 
 Jls makes us certainly conclude 
 We're with free-agency endu'd, 
 And not in fate's strong fetters held ; 
 We're reason'd with, and not compell'd. 
 
 t John xii. .ii. Kom. v. 18. Hb. ii. 9. 2 Cor. v. 14 
 t Tiin. ii, 6. &e. $ John v. 40. t L"ke xiii 34.
 
 70 A FA Ml LI iR 
 
 For Jesus Christ was never giv'n 
 
 M^o drag some iieck-and-heels to heav'n ; 
 
 And take tlu; rest of those that fell, 
 
 y\)id cast tiieni neck-and-heels to hell 
 
 No, my dear friend, you j>lainly p:ec 
 
 Our will is unconntraiu'd and tVee ; 
 
 tjod tells us so himself; his voif' 
 
 J Agaves good and evil t*) our choice, 
 
 lie lovingly invites us still 
 
 To chuse the g<wd, and leave the ill. * 
 
 Janres. You keep a most coufcuuded noise 
 Ahoat fret^-agency and choice ; 
 I never can your scheme endure. 
 Not !, indeed; of this I'm sure, 
 si e\(r gi-ace save n^e from heli. 
 It must be iiiesislil)ie ; 
 This truth 1 can most clearly see ; 
 JSone else will e'er avail for me. 
 
 Rich. I think, respecting this assertion 
 Of irresistible conversion, 
 When your choice reasons are display'd. 
 You give no proofs for what you said. 
 
 James. My fiiend ! you are most strangely 
 blind, 
 To think that all means all mankind ; 
 The greatest writers of our sect 
 Assert it means all the elect ; 
 And sometimes all of worldly mind ; 
 But that it ne'er means all mankind, 
 In any part of revelation 
 Where 'tis connected with salvation. 
 
 . .. > I ^ ^ 1. t 
 
 * Dmt ^%Ti. 1,') l?>.
 
 R F. Lie 1 OUS CO NT .\ K US ATI O K . 
 
 R/i/?. You need not tio%v bewhi to tell 
 Tlieir conunents, for 1 kiicvv tiieia well; 
 I find your party " can with ease * 
 ** Twist words and meanings as they|>lease ;*' 
 I know that they are all intent 
 To lind wit meanings never meant. 
 \\ here'er in scripture all you tind, 
 It means in gen'ral ail mankind ; 
 In-sivles all persons ev'ry rt'/iere^^ 
 It does another meaning bear. 
 And that is, a// meu to expre.s.-* ^ 
 Involvd in '<in and nicked/tes^. 
 But yo can never think it true 
 'i'hat a/t means but that lit lie Jew, 
 'iliat elect Company of saints 
 \\ Inch your inventive fancy paint*. 
 If your poor wretched scheme ref^uire 
 That all mnst pass the torturing tire, 
 'I'o this conclu-sioti we shall come 
 'lluit sojtte means all, and all means sonif-^ 
 You cannot, by whatc'er you say, 
 Drive ail liie genuine sense away, 
 All surely never can express 
 Of numbers great and small, the leas ; 
 ^' My logic sure lias lost its aim," 
 If all and fhc be just the same I 
 1 did not formt;rly suspect 
 'llie undesigiiing, pure elect 
 Of forcing meanings on a word, 
 So fr.dse, so palpably absurd ! 
 
 James. V ou are so very blind and dark, 
 lliat you again mistake the mark. 
 
 Gay. t Rom. v. 1. And tnuuj othvr jiaccs. (j 1 John 
 Vk \9. Ac.
 
 Your honest heart, nnd simple head 
 
 By carnal reason are misled : 
 
 1 wish you better understood 
 
 The pov'reign truths and grace of God. 
 
 Rich. I thank you, Jamc8, so far as you 
 Have my best interests in view ; 
 But I must still, with your good leave, 
 Unto my carnal reas'nings cleave, 
 Spiritual reasons you commend, 
 But none of them 1 comprelioud. 
 Truly, my friend, 1 ^hink uideed, 
 Nought in existence can exceed 
 The vanity of most Calvinian?, 
 While speaking of their own opinions. 
 Observe the consequential air, 
 With which their doctrines they declare: 
 Blest with infallibility 
 ^lore clearly they pre Lend to see : 
 In this strong hold they each confide, 
 AVhile with contemptuous, sneering pri({c 
 The self-important, vain Calvinian 
 Pretends to pity the Arminian, 
 As one of dark, beclouded mind. 
 As carnal, full of pride, and blind. 
 ' And when good counsel tliey bestow, 
 Their bitter hearts with gall o'erllow : 
 ioure blind, say they, and none can riglf! 1 
 Jour errin<r mind, or char your sight 
 Bui he that sits e/tthron'd in /i<yht ; S 
 
 And therefore yoxir best rcaij rcill he, 
 To read the word attentiteltj ; 
 Pray earitestly, and zcho can- .s//y, 
 But God may make your darkness day 'i 
 
 Now if you turn the tables here, 
 And tell them, " It does not appear
 
 HELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 73 
 
 " To me, my system is untrue ; 
 
 " I read the word as well as you ; 
 
 " 1 often pray, and yet am quite 
 
 " Convinc'd you're wrong, and I am right ; 
 
 " But I can witli your weakness bear ; 
 
 " For you my pity is sincere. 
 
 " Since God's good Spirit only can 
 
 " Instruct benighted, erring man, 
 
 ** I recommend it to your care, 
 
 " To read the word with fervent pray'r ; 
 
 " Who knows but then the King of Kings 
 
 " May let you see the truth of things r" 
 
 I say if thus of them you speak, 
 
 As dark, erroneous, blind, and weak. 
 
 And in their own dogmatic strain. 
 
 Return their counsel back again ; 
 
 Tliey stand amaz'd and think you're grown 
 
 The proudest mortal ever known ! 
 
 What ! you some fault begin to find 
 
 W ith men of their great turn of mind ! 
 
 To speak in terms that must infer 
 
 A knowing Calvinist may err ! 
 
 And represent the num'rous throng 
 
 Of orthodox professors wrong ! 
 
 'Tis arrogance beyond compare ! 
 
 'Tis hisolence too great to bear ! 
 
 Yet why, my friend ? 1 think we could 
 
 Produce as pious, wise and good 
 
 Professing men among Arminians, 
 
 As e'en the best among Calvinians ; 
 
 ^^len, eminent for parts and place. 
 
 And every real Christian grace; 
 
 Men who have known the word of truth. 
 
 Like Timothy,* from early youth ; 
 
 2 Tim. iii. 15.
 
 74 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Who read it still, who watch and pray. 
 And closely walk in wisdom's way. 
 And is our God so partial grown 
 As to bestow the truth on none, 
 And to save none from false opinions 
 But those call'd orthodox Calvinians i 
 If so I pity and deride 
 Your folly, vanity, and pride. 
 
 Here, reader, I'll- again suggest 
 That James and Richard take some rest, 
 While we upon the people wait 
 Whom we had left in list'ning state.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATIOxV. 
 
 , DIALOGUE IV. 
 
 MARY, WILLIAM, JOSEPH, & OTHERS. 
 
 EacA of these interlocutors reprehends Richard's heretical opinions^ 
 in the preceding conreisution, at lohich they had been present. 
 fVilliam and Ann, milder than the rest, are desirous of palli- 
 ating Richard's conduct and errors. Aftei' other conversation, 
 Joseph, one of the most severe in the company, gives a humour- 
 ous account qf Mr. IVesley's manner of preaching. He 
 informs them that he wrote a letter to Mr. Wesley on the 
 subject. To this he received an answer from the Author of 
 this Poem. The substance of that answer Joseph, rather 
 unwillingly, recites to the company^ 
 
 OOME parts of Richard's conversation. 
 
 Had put these friends in agitation ; 
 
 Joe shook his head, look'd grave and sigh'd, ^ 
 
 Billy a sacred text apply 'd, > 
 
 And poor old Nanny almost cry'd, y 
 
 On seeing Dick so blind, as they 
 
 AVere, in their wisdom, pleas'd to say. 
 
 Well, being all quite full of matter. 
 But thinking that incessant chatter 
 'Ilieir wrangling friends might discompose,. 
 'I'liev from their corner straight arose. 
 ' E2
 
 76 A FAMILIAR 
 
 And to a neighb'ring room withdrew, 
 Richard's base doctrines to review. 
 
 After a cursory address 
 Their joint abhorrence to express, 
 'Twixt George, Joe, Will, Bob, Mary, Nan, 
 The following dialogue began : 
 
 Mary. Indeed, my friends, with deep amaze 
 I've heard the things this Richard says ! 
 No Christian certainly can bear 
 Such daring blasphemy to hear ! 
 With what contempt, and scorn, and hate, 
 Of gospel doctrines he does prate ! 
 How happy for him, if the Lord 
 Of his great mercy would afford 
 Unto this empty, forward youth, 
 A clearer notion of the truth. 
 
 Will. Having such notions of the word, 
 His state is much to be deplor'd ; 
 Yet, for all that, 1 think he may 
 Not altogether miss the way ; 
 I've heard a man for error plead. 
 Whose heart was better than his head. 
 
 Ann. Billy, what you have said is right ; 
 Dick only wants a clearer light ; 
 I've known some men of the opinion. 
 Which our good brethren call Arminian, 
 Who, ev'ry one might plainly see. 
 Were notable for piety ; 
 Before the Judge, I doubt not, they 
 Will stand absolv'd at the last day. 
 
 Robert. I know not' that; for what they steal 
 From God, they give their own free-will ;
 
 RELIGIOUS CONAERSATION. 
 
 The glory of their full salvation 
 Ascribing to this false foundation ; 
 They slander too, in ev'ry place, 
 llie doctrines of God's sov'reign grace ; 
 1 think if ^uch from wrath be freed, 
 It must be as by lire indeed. \- 
 
 Joseph. Richard against our doctrines rails. 
 The truth in ev'ry fonn assails ; 
 He'll Be from hopes of bliss shut out 
 For acting thus, I've little doubt. 
 I think, like Nicodemus, he 
 Full of head-knowledge seems to be ; 
 However high he may profess, 
 But little grace can he possess ; 
 Serious tho' he be, and thoughtful, 
 1 think his case is very doubtful. 
 
 George. Your doubts to this will not apply ; 
 For should poor Richard live and die 
 in tliis erroneous persuasion, 
 He may expect a sure damnation. 
 His sins all hopes of bliss debar, 
 They fundamental errors are ; 
 His queer religion is all spread 
 In tritling portions through his head ; 
 The scriptures he knows part by rote, 
 ^Vhich sometimes he pretends to quote, 
 Yet in such wise as shews that he 
 JV wild expositor must be. 
 He's full of idle, empty chat, 
 iVnd talks about he knows not what. 
 
 Mart/. Dick talks as if he something knew, 
 But all, I fear, is glitt'ring show : 
 
 t 1 Cor. iii. 15.
 
 78 A FAMILIAR 
 
 His speeches often seem so fair 
 That even saints they might ensnare. 
 
 Will. We ought not thus to interfere 
 With things ihat he beyond our sphere ; 
 We cannot see the inzcardpart, 
 Tis God alone who knows the heart. 
 I hope he's what he seems to be, 
 Truly possest of piety ; 
 From all the short accounts I hear^ 
 He's sober, pious, and sincere. 
 
 Mary. Yes^ that may be ; yet he's been foun-i 
 Dancing upon the Devil's ground, 
 At fairs and wakes ; nor thought it wrong 
 To be the foremost in the throng : 
 This was when he had first begun 
 After the Methodists to run. 
 
 Will. What follows then ? 'tis very plain 
 A man may rise and fall again. 
 Judge as severely as you can, 
 Confirmed habits shew the man. 
 Has this Dick's practice always been. 
 To dance upon the village green ? 
 Perhaps when all the truth appears, 
 'Twas only once in fourteen years. 
 Were you but searched to the quick. 
 As narrowly as you search Dick ; 
 You never would again be known 
 To cast at him another stone. * 
 He had not much experience then, 
 But, tempted, fell like migiitier men. 
 Could you have heard him, when retir'd, 
 How earnestly his soul desir'd 
 
 * John vjii. 7. 9.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 79 
 
 To be again allow 'd to prove 
 
 The Lord Jehovah's pard'ning love ; 
 
 You would have heard heard him inly mourn, 
 
 I-rike Peter, when he'd curs'd and sworn ; 
 
 While tears like his, perhaps, he shed, 
 
 And scarcely dar'd to lift his head. 
 
 George. What signifies it, tho' there be 
 Some,scraps of poor morality ? 
 Dick's moral conduct doth proceed 
 From what I call a damning creed ; 
 And rotten if the root be found, 
 Can you expect the branches sound ? 
 As soon will apple-bloom adorn 
 The prickly thistle, or the thorn, 
 As real good works find a place 
 In him that's destitute of grace. 
 This is exactly Dick's estate, 
 A poor, half-suckled reprobate ! 
 The man reads much, talks w ell, and states 
 His meaning slily in debates ; 
 Perhaps his mind will take a turn, 
 And Calvin's doctrines wish to learn. 
 And I'm not going to assert 
 That God will not the man convert ; 
 Nor give this muddy-headed youth 
 Before he dies, to see the truth. 
 Should he these errors still retain. 
 His lot will be eternal pain. 
 
 j4nn. It shocks my feelings, when I hear 
 You pass a sentence so severe 
 Upon a man, who seems to pay 
 Regard to what the scriptures say : 
 
 Matt. xxvi. 74.
 
 A FAMILIAR 
 
 If he those vouchers keep in sight. 
 He cannot fail of being right. 
 Our pure essentials are the same, 
 I tliink they differ but in name. 
 
 Whoever boasteth of his light, 
 Yet venteth forth ill-will and spite 
 On those, who walk not in his path, 
 No light w itliin his spirit hath. 
 Who shews to man a true good-will, 
 Doth all the law of God fulfil : 
 No longer therefore let a brother 
 Unkindly speak against another. 
 
 Searching for what the scriptures say, 
 Christ's elect flock I there survev, 
 And think, according to my view, 
 Their number will be very few : 
 Still few er will that number tell. 
 If all the men be doom'd to hell, 
 Who cannot this our creed digest, 
 Nor think that good which we call best. 
 
 George. Nanny, you do not understand 
 The nature of the point in hand ; 
 Your charity out-runs your w it ; 
 Nor judges w hat is right and tit. 
 Dick quite subverts upon his plan 
 The mode by which God saveth man ; 
 On this act omit I cannot see 
 How he can shun his destiny. 
 
 Ann. You cannot see ! I wonder whv. 
 Since you have such a piercing eye. 
 "Tis possible that we may be 
 Wrong in some things as w ell as he ;
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVEBSATION. 81 
 
 But let these things be as they may, 
 1 must persist to think and say, 
 That long as Richard doth possess 
 The sterling marks of righteousness, 
 Death will not find him off his guard, 
 i3ut standing for the shock prepar'd. 
 As you choose to imagine yet, 
 That my great love out-steps my wit. 
 As plainly it appears to me, 
 Your wit out-runs yoifr charity, 
 ^lost sadly too, when to damnation 
 You doom a man for his persuasion. 
 
 Win. Truly, I feeUnyself inclin'd 
 To be of our friend Nnnny's mind ; 
 I think, George, you and ]Mary art 
 Too rigid and austere by far ; 
 You notice ev'ry sliglit demerit, 
 With an unkind, forbidding spirit ; 
 You're too much prejudic'd to sec. 
 Or judge with strict propriety; 
 Of Richard's deeds, or lo allow 
 1 he candour which you ought to shew . 
 
 And now my keen rcmarkcrs, come. 
 Let us be more severe at liome ; 
 Look each impartially williin, 
 And trace our own beselling sin ; 
 Tho' any one of us may be 
 Clear of the failings which we see 
 In Richard ; yet our conduct may 
 Be twice as bad another way. 
 
 AVeie this but done, we soon should see. 
 
 Tlie church of Christ at unity. 
 Oh ! would but all with this comply, 
 '^I'o do as they would be done by, * 
 
 Matt. vii. 1^'. 
 }i .3
 
 B2 A lAxMlLIAK 
 
 Surmises, censures, wratli and pride 
 
 No more would Christian flocks divide. 
 
 My friends, let us be cautious then, 
 
 In speaking about other men ; 
 
 Rememb'ring always what the Lord 
 
 Himself informs us in his word, 
 
 That from our judge we shall receive, * 
 
 Such measure as to men we give. 
 
 If Richard would consent to hear 
 
 A clever gospel-minister ; 
 
 And would he constantly attend, 
 
 We soon should find his doctrines mend. 
 
 When this shall be the case, the youth 
 
 Will learn to prize the gospel truth. 
 
 Robert,, I wonder Dick will look so low 
 As after Methodists to go ; 
 Unto their scheme it still appears 
 He pertinaciously adheres ; 
 Of freeing him 1 now despair. 
 He's so entangled in the snare. 
 
 Joseph. To you, my friends, I now will shew 
 What happen'd near three years ago ; 
 One afternoon I chanc'd to be 
 Where Wesley was to preach at three ; 
 Certainly, thought 1, if I can, 
 I will remain and hear this man. 
 Well, so I did : but had you been 
 Upon the spot yourself, and seen, 
 Whtit sv.'arms of simple folks there came, 
 ^Fo hear this man of mighty fame ; 
 To see iheni throng and crowd, and strive, 
 W^ould have disousted au>ht rdive 1 
 
 Matt. v;i.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 83 
 
 They come, and run, and sweat, and blow ; 
 Press near ; squat on their knees they bow ; 
 Peep in their hats ; then gape and stare, . 
 As if some Uttle God was there ! 
 
 Robert. It is great matter of surprise, 
 That any men will idoHze, 
 And render homage to a fellow. 
 Who can do little else but bellow. 
 Wheif they have been awhile asunder, 
 } le is again a mighty wonder : 
 Tho' frequently the man they've heard, 
 His silly sermons are preferr'd ; 
 And fresh entimsiasts are found. 
 For him, whenever he comes round I 
 They run, and he's a wonder still ; 
 Just like the man on Beacon-hill ! 'j- 
 Where numbers throng and make ado, 
 As if there was a puppet-show. 
 
 Joseph. Tho' your comparison be rough. 
 Yet I confess 'tis apt enough ; 
 I think there's little choice between them, 
 For any gain they get wlio've seen them ; 
 They may be nominated brothers, 
 For any good they do to others. 
 
 George. Poor, shabby folks ! they lay great 
 sirens 
 Upon simpli( ity in dross. 
 
 t This retVrs to tho man wlio was hung in chains for niuidi r 
 on Kcatcu-hill, near Halifax. As i<rcat niinibcis of pcojtlc 
 ran to >fc Iiim, a Calvinist minister, Avell known to tl;eaiiilior,, 
 mafic t!iis kind ar.;l df s^mt compari-on, between them aiul l.'.i 
 siy.tj people v.iic rai: to hear ^li. Wi^Wy.
 
 84 A FAMILIAR 
 
 When one in ten perhaps at most, 
 A common suit of clotlies can boast. . 
 Their preachers too are such a crew 
 As ne'er expos'd themselves to view ; 
 They hold that sacred office cheap. 
 They'll choose to it a chimney-sweep ; 
 A barber's claims they will acknowledge, 
 AVho never spent a day at college, 
 Who having stammer'd out his text, 
 Can scarcely spell may come next. 
 They talk such nonsense in their tcacliinjr 
 As ill deserves the name of preaching ; 
 They are a despicable breed ! 
 My ears burn often on my head. 
 While thinking of them, or m hen seen 
 Near any place ^vhc^e they have been. 
 No creditable men belong 
 To such an unenlighten'd throng. 
 
 But, neighbour Joseph, did you stay V 
 
 And hear John Wesley preach and pray? ^ 
 
 " 'Twould be amusing 1 dare say. 3 
 
 Joseph. *Ycs, George, I stay'd among the rest 
 To hear their celebrated priest ; 
 So from the house he comes at last ; ^ 
 'JL'he people crowd \\ ith eager liaste, > 
 And seem t' adore him as lie past. y 
 'Well; lie ascends the pidpit stairs, * 
 Peeps in his hat, ami says his pray'rs ; 
 And then instead of taking care 
 To make a good, long, solemn pray'r, 
 
 * Tiiis whole atcouut wjiich Joseph gives of Mr. Wesley and. 
 his sernicn, is eopied verbdtim from an original letter written 
 
 by the Rev. T s B- ke, a Calvinist minister at Stockport, 
 
 in Cheshire. The exact sense and ineaniKg arc retained, a< 
 nearly as the verse would admit.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVLR5ATION. 
 
 Repeats before the simple throng, 
 A simple form two minutes long ; 
 Gives out a hymn ; and seems to shew 
 Far more concern tliat they sing true, 
 Than for aught else ; a text he takes, 
 Of Avhich he two divisions makes ; 
 But seems to heed them, George, no more 
 llian if he'd never preach'd before ; 
 Tells an old tale, and then another ; 
 Something about his great-grapdmother. 
 This done, he then proceeds to tell 
 How that the sounding of a bell 
 May cause so great a consternation, 
 As shall secure a man's salvation ! 
 This tale is linish'd pretty well, 
 The next tale (horrible to tell ! 
 - O tell it not in Gath that e'er" 
 One call'd a gospel-minister, 
 Should such a shocking tale repeat. 
 Or ever have believed it,) 
 Was of an angel in his wrath, 
 Tlnottling a harmless child to death. * 
 He then proceeds in his oration. 
 Says something of justification ; 
 And represents God hov'rhig o'er 
 Their heads, and sending down a show'r ; 
 As waiting to perform with care 
 Some operation on them there ; 
 Tells them a comet's tail might fall 
 Quickly to earth and burn them all; 
 He then absurdly says that they 
 (Tlio' dead in trespasses ihey lay) 
 
 Mr. Wesley in his sermon had quoted Parncli's Hermit, for 
 which Mr. B ke reproved him. See Mr. Wesley's sermon 
 (.uUed the " Great Assize/'
 
 86 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Could mourn for sin, could deprecate . 
 God's anger, see their lost estate, 
 Bemoan their sinful, sad condition, 
 x\nd to God's favour seek admission ; 
 Desire an int'rest in the Lord, 
 And feel his power, and hear his word ! 
 
 Well, now he ceases to exhort, 
 (For all he said was very short. 
 And 1 have heard folks say, he's done 
 In general, ere he'j well begun ;) 
 He sings a hymn, a form repeats 
 As usual, George, and down he gets. 
 
 To hear the simple things he said. 
 And what sad bungling work he made ; 
 To hear such stuff- one scarce could bear him 
 Yet seeing people come to hear him, 
 From all sides, round, both far and nigh. 
 My indignation rose so high, 
 1 was resolv'd to write a letter. 
 And teach, the fumbling fellow better. 
 Accordingly when I got home, 
 I walk'd into my little room. 
 Took pen and ink, and wrote him word, 
 His whole proceeding w as absurd ; 
 Insinuated that, in hope. 
 He wish'd to be another Pope ; 
 Told him I did expect to hear 
 An able Gospel-minister, 
 Who well hadkuov.n, before this time, 
 To teach us trutlis the most sublime. 
 But O 1 \\ ith his poor, w eak disjointed 
 Talk, how I was disappointed ! 
 I told him, " Sir, it nought avails 
 " 'I'o tcil so many old- wives' tales ;
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION". 87 
 
 " Such things can do no farther good, 
 
 " Than to amuse tlie multitude, 
 
 " And serve their notice to beguile, 
 
 " From what is better worth their while ; 
 
 *' Had you not better, if you could, 
 
 " (,'Twould be more for the people's good, 
 
 " At least if in your pow'r it lies ;) 
 
 " Tell them how Jesus justifies , 
 
 " A sinner in the gospel way ? 
 
 " For this I dare be bold to say, 
 
 " If somethiiig more substantial you 
 
 " Display'd before the people's view, 
 
 " It might be better for your teachers : 
 
 " For some whom you set up for preachers, 
 
 " Have not all knowledge, Sir, I know." 
 
 Tlius, George, did I attempt to shew 
 
 This man the faults of his proceeding. 
 
 Would he but give my words a reading. 
 
 Nor did I fail,, my friends, to tell 
 
 This gentleman about the bell, 
 
 And other foolish observations. 
 
 Which he had made in his orations ; 
 
 Upon the whole I wrote with fury. 
 
 And trimm'd him rarely I assure ye ; 
 
 I quoted Latin in my choler. 
 
 To let him see I w as a scholar ; 
 
 I thought perhaps it w ould displease him. 
 
 That such a lad as I should tease him ; 
 And lest m.y youth the man siiould shock, 
 Compar'd myself to Peter's Cock ; 
 For God, thought I, for ought 1 know. 
 May bless 2l young Cock's doodle-doo. 
 And let this serve him as a mirror. 
 In which he may belwld hi. error.
 
 8S A FAMILIAR 
 
 That I might be provided better, 
 1 took a copy of the letter, 
 Of which I likew ise sent him m ord, 
 And left the issue with the Lord. 
 
 George. What answer did tlie fellow send 
 I'o what you had so fitly penn'd ? 
 
 Joseph. At first I thought the man remiss 
 But nearly six months after this 
 Some fellow, whom I cannot name, 
 I'o whom it seems my letter came ; 
 A sr-ucv, spiteful answer sent ; ^ 
 Said' 1 was weak, and impudent ; 
 And then he kept a mighty clamour 
 About wrong spelling, and bad grammar ; 
 And would a quarrel needs be picking, 
 Because I called myseU cock-chicken ; 
 Of this, George, he a horse-laugh made ; 
 And ridicul'd, and sneering said 
 I crew not like a barn-door foM 1, 
 But hooted like a stutt'ring ow I. 
 I ne'er expect to see again 
 A letter pennd in such a strain. 
 
 Mill. It was a most facetious joke 
 To make you eat the words you spoke ; 
 How' much more pleasant 'twould ha\ e beeu 
 Had you suppress'd your cliildisli spleen. 
 And when you went the man to hear, 
 You needed not seem so se\(-je ; 
 
 t Mr. B ke's letter haj)pening to come, by 'Aw kiiidiKiss of 
 the late Mr. Mather, iuto the hands of the author of this ;)oeiii, 
 
 he wrote Mr. E ke an answer to it, to which Josepjli in this 
 
 placi refers.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 89 
 
 Twas easy for you to receive 
 \V hat you had lik'd the rest to leave. 
 Or, if your brains would not be quiet, 
 Till in you they had bred a riot, 
 Yours was an awkward, silly plan 
 Of writing to an aged man ; 
 You might have found a better way 
 For telling what you had to say. 
 And J have heard you oft declare, 
 That Wesley's character is fair ; 
 In such case, then, there ought to be 
 Good manners and civility ; 
 Respect, you know is due to age, 
 Jsot sauciness, contempt, and rage- 
 George. I hope you made his heart to burn. 
 By iasluug him again in turn. 
 
 Joseph. Not I ; he wrote in such a style, 
 I did not think it w orth my while. 
 
 IV'dl. If I must my opinion tell, 
 I think you now have acted well. 
 In judging to indite no njore 
 Such letters as you dirt before. 
 No man can possibly approve 
 Of thi'' contempt, this want of love ; 
 i think those Christians much to blame 
 Who nourish this ill-natur'd frame ; 
 Who laugh at Wesley, call him fool, 
 Cover his men w ith ridicule, 
 Compare them to the folks who ran 
 In crowds, to see the hanged man. 
 All -such invidious remarks, 
 Serve but to fan the sleeping sparks
 
 90 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Of wrath, resentment, spite, and strife, 
 Those baneful passions, into life ! 
 All these are fed, and well supply'd 
 By our bad hearts, our inward pride. 
 Wish we their errors to remove ? 
 Tliis can be done by nought but love. 
 When men begin. to scold and rail, 
 They're never likely to prevail. 
 
 Ann. Yours is the proper mode to deal 
 With those who manifest such zeal, 
 As Wesley's people always do 
 In ev'ry plan which they pursue. 
 Display, my friends, some better blood, 
 Since they have caused so much good. 
 
 George. Much good ! I wonder in what place 
 Their goodness any one can trace. 
 As for myself I never knew 
 These people any scheme pursue, 
 But what was fitting to mislead, 
 And scatter discord's deadly seed. 
 Their rotten doctrines I detest, 
 P<.laglan heretics at best ! 
 Base characters I always thought 'em 
 And shall not spend my breath about 'cm. 
 
 Take my advice, my neighbours, comCj 
 Lot us be marching towards home. 
 Leave undisturb'd friend Jajnes and Dick, 
 Disputing till they both be sick. 
 
 And now, their conversation spent, 
 Each to his lowly cottage went. 
 
 Before we further progress make, 
 I here v.ould some s]it?;ht notice take,
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 9^ 
 
 How very closely all the sects 
 Examine other men's defects. 
 Tliey all believe their party best. 
 And harshly censure all the rest. 
 They would have all men to conclude 
 That they're alone with grace endu'd ; 
 Yet this we scarcely can believe 
 From the poor specimens they give. 
 Thu^ Wesley and his men have borne 
 Their adverse rage, their cruel scorn : 
 And if it was but in their pow'r 
 To sentence at the final hour, 
 Poor Wesley and his men would be 
 Condemn'd to endless misery. 
 So that, 1 think, both he and they 
 May with the greatest reason, say 
 'Tis well for them, amidst old grudges. 
 That these men will not be their judges.
 
 92 A FAMILIAR 
 
 DIALOGUE F. 
 
 KICHAl^D AND JAMES. 
 
 Michard's remarks on the propensity natural to some men personalhj 
 to enjoy the blessings of heactn, while they wish to exclude 
 others, that think not with them, from the enjoyment of the 
 same. James briefly answers it by refen-inf to the sofereis:n 
 will of God, in the choice of particular people to death or life 
 eternal. Richard relates the complaint of a person condemned 
 to reprobation, according to Calvin's opinion. They then 
 reason closely on the nature of Adam's sin, </s it affects his 
 posterity. 
 
 ^y HEN they some little time had spent 
 In abstinence from argument, 
 Our partizans began again 
 Their clashing tenets to maintain ; 
 This task first Richard undertook, 
 W hile thus to James he gently spoke ; . 
 
 Rich. Believe me, with attentive mind, 
 I've gainVl some knowledge of mankind ; 
 The dift'rent sects and parties, 1 ' 
 Have noted with observant eye ; 
 I've mark'd the doctrines well, which earU 
 Docs in its turn for gospel preach ;
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 93 
 
 Have well consider'd too the spirit 
 
 Wliich men of dift 'rent sects inherit. 
 
 These things have oft eniploy'd my thought, 
 
 And this conclusion thev have brousjht, 
 
 That fallen, corrupt, sniful man 
 
 Acts on a most contracted plan. 
 
 His nature is in such a state 
 
 His love so circumscrib'd and strait, 
 
 Potest of such a selfish heart. 
 
 He grudges e'en the smallest part, 
 
 To others, of the goods or pelf, 
 
 He craves so eagerly himself. 
 
 Yea, was it in his pow'r he'd dare 
 
 To hedge around the vital air ; 
 
 To Sol claim an exclusive right, 
 
 And make a property of light. * 
 
 Of all the saintly multitude 
 Which most minutely I have view'd, 
 Your party sheweth an excess 
 Of self-conceit, and littleness. 
 For Calvin's strait-lac'd saints we find, 
 Would fain engross the blisS design'd 
 For ev'ry sinner of mankind ; 
 They w ould that influence restrain 
 Which Jesus did for all obtain. 
 Such men, as far as in them lies. 
 The Savifeur would monopolize ; 
 Would shut him up within their church, 
 And leave all others in the lurch ; 
 And say to God with shameless brow, 
 " Thus far, nor farther shalt thou go." 
 
 The author is obliged for sevrral hints here, and in the 
 following verse?, to Mrs. Rowe, and to tUe Author of th Fool 
 f Quality.
 
 94 A FAMILIAR 
 
 .] 
 
 Meanly they labour to confine 
 TKe sun but on a part to shine, 
 Which, as the scriptures clearly sliew, 
 Enlightens ev'ry man below. * 
 
 But why should bold, presumptuous man, 
 Tlius straighten the Almighty's plan ? 
 Or dare, when impotently blind. 
 To point out those for bliss design'd ? 
 To mark with his poor scanty line, 
 Tlie bounds of clemency divine ? 
 What tongue such words as these, shall dare 
 With impious rashness to declare ; 
 *' Here thy exulting waves shall rove, 
 '* O thou abyss of sacred love ! 
 " Thus far, nor farther, shall they move. 
 " To this, and that elected soul, 
 *' Shall thy triumphant billows roll, 
 " And then retire ; nor shall the flood 
 " Of Christ's most precious, streaming blood, 
 " Reach one of this condemned brood." 
 It may be reckon'd well for us 
 Unloving mortals cannot thus 
 Confine the love and grace of God, 
 Or limit the atoning blood. 
 God's Spirit never was design'd 
 
 "In any wise to be confin'd ; 
 ** Tlie wind (the Saviour says, you know) i' 
 ' Doth where and when it listeth blow, 
 " But lists to blow or more or less, 
 " O'er all the earth, m ev'ry place ; 
 " And ev'ry person hears the sound 
 
 *' Or feels its impulses around ; 
 So blows the wind of heav'nly grace. 
 On ev'ry soul of Adam's race ; 
 
 "^ John i. 9. t John iii. 8,
 
 RtHGlOUS CONVERSATION. O-J 
 
 It bring to all salvation nigh, 
 Nor does it pass one sinner by. 
 
 James. What cause have you to disapprove 
 Our scheme so much, for want of love ? 
 " May not the sov'reign Lord on high 
 
 " Dispense his favours as he will, 
 *' Choose some to life, while others die, 
 
 " And yet be just and gracious still r" * 
 
 Rich. Yes, on Christ's gospel scheme he can ; 
 But not upon John Calvin's plan. 
 The Saviour never yet was known 
 To reap, where he had never sown ; , 
 Nor does he oats or barley sow. 
 And then expect that wheat should grow ; 
 Nor have we any cause to fear 
 That Christ will be to us austere ; 
 He'll ne'er expect us to repay 
 (Whatever Calvinists may say) 
 Those talents which we ne'er possess'd, 
 Much less the sum with interest ; 
 Nor punish us at any time 
 For an imaginary crime. 
 No, no ; " the sov'reign Lord on high'* 
 Aceepteth us accordingly 
 To those abilities we've got, f 
 And not to those which we have not. 
 Where much is given, then of such 
 He certainly requireth much ; 
 Where not so much, he then will press 
 On them to render back tlie less ; 
 But never tells us, he will have 
 Account of what he never gave. 
 
 * D. Watts, t Viz by his grace. Luke xii. 47. 48,
 
 9(i A FAMILIAR 
 
 Could I, my friend, believe like you 
 Calvinian reprobation true, 
 That most are left by heav'nly grace ; 
 I think, my friend, in such a case, 
 Whoe'er upon this shocking plan 
 Believes himself th' unhappy man ; 
 (As most men may most justly do, 
 If Calvin's hopeless scheme be true;) 
 In mournful, black, despairing strain, 
 With show of justice might complain ; 
 And, in a most heart-rending tone, 
 He thus miglit utter forth his moan ; 
 
 COMPLAINT OF A REPROBATE, 
 
 According to Calvin's doctrine. 
 
 AH ! woe is me ! wretch that I am ; 
 Condemned to endless pain and shame ; 
 Unhappy creature ! am not I 
 Ordain'd a living death to die ; 
 In Tophet doom'd my lot to share. 
 To roll in ti'ry vengeance there r 
 And must I in that prison be 
 Immur'd to all eternity ? 
 
 Eternity ! that dreadful sound ! 
 
 What never ends, nor e'er began ; 
 Enough to frigiit , distract, confound, 
 
 The most unthinking soul of man ! 
 ** Eternity ! that boimdless race, 
 
 *' Which time himself can never run.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVIiRSATION. 97 
 
 " Swift as he flies with speedy pace, 
 
 " Which when ten milUoii years are gone ; 
 " Is still the same, and still to be begun !" * 
 
 Since my first wretched breath I drew, 
 No happiness I ever knew, 
 Nor ever could, upon the plan 
 By which my Maker form'd me man ; 
 Nay, it appears my angry God 
 Design d 1 never, never should. 
 He from eternity enjoins, 
 At least from Adam's fatal loins, 
 Compell'd thereto by his decree, 
 Tliat here I must :a sinner be, 
 llien sink to endless misery. 
 Health, worldly substance, friends and food, 
 An understanding sound and good ; 
 Extensive knowledge, manly sense. 
 Amusing wit and eloquence, 
 To me, unhappy w retch, are giv'n 
 By partial and designing heav'n ; 
 Like rtow'rs, of old profusely shed 
 On some devoted victim's head ! 
 Not given to increase my gain. 
 Promote my joy, or ease my pain ; 
 But widi the cruel, dire intent, 
 Mv deep damnation to augment ; 
 To sharpen ev'ry pang I feel, 
 And sink me to a deeper hell ! ^ 
 Lfss favour 1, a wretch, can find 
 Than is indulg'd the brutal kind ; 
 
 Prior. For there is no peace to the wicked, saitli my 
 God. Isa. xlviii. 2V. and Ivii. 21. t See Mr. Wesley's Pre- 
 destimition taliuly considered, sec. 44.
 
 08 A FAMILIAU 
 
 Nay, I less mercy ever knew, , 
 
 Tlsan Satan and Ins rebel crew ; 
 For ibese at lirst were happy made, 
 And each a perfect nature had ; 
 And in their proper persons, all 
 Had pow'r to stand, tho' free to fall ; 
 'But 1 must absolutely rove, 
 An outcast from my Maker's love; 
 " Who fix'dmy horrid lot to dwell 
 
 " With fiends, and share the devil's doom ; 
 " Consign'd my unborn soul to hell, 
 
 " And danm'd me from my mother's womb ! 
 *' I hasten where the deepest hell 
 
 ^' Is mov'd to meet me from beneath ; 
 '* Where danm'd apostate spirits yell, 
 
 " And gnaw their tongues, and gnash their teeth.- 
 *' Dives, and /, and Judas there, 
 
 " With galling chains of darkness bound, 
 " Musthow;l in blasphemous despair, 
 
 " And fiends return the doleful sound. 
 " A real, h'ry, sulph'rous hell, 
 
 " Must prey upon our outward frame ; 
 '^ But sorer pangs our souls must feel, 
 
 " T(rmented m a fiercer flame. 
 " The dreadfid soul-consuming tire, 
 
 " God will into our spirits breatl'e ; 
 " A brimstone stream of vengeful ire, 
 
 " And slay them with a living death. 
 " No ray of light, no gleam of hope, 
 
 *' The disma! regions can allow ; 
 " 'Tis here 1 must my eyes lift up, 
 
 " The pains of hell surround me now. 
 *' Beneath yonboihng ocean chaui'd, 
 
 " Oppiess'd, destroyed, tormented, griev'd;"' 
 '^ For ever lost, for ever paind, 
 
 *' Forgot; unpitied, unreliev'd ;
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 9? 
 
 " To pour out unavailing moans, 
 
 " And there, a mad distracted fiend, 
 " Converse with everlasting groans, 
 
 " Ages of hopeless grief to spend. 
 " O death, this is thy sling ! O grave ' 
 
 " Of souls, this is thy victory ! 
 " The Saviour will not, \\ ill not save, 
 
 " No spark of mercy shines for me , 
 " IJopeless my damn'd estate I mourn, 
 
 ** God's wrath is droptintomy soul; 
 " His ti'ry wrath in me nmst burn, 
 
 " Long as eternal ages roll. 
 
 /' Hear sinners, hear a human fiend, 
 
 " And shudder at my horrid tale ; 
 " Consignd to woes that never end, 
 
 " Before my time 1 weep and wail. 
 " The dreadful worm that never dies, 
 
 " Must gnaw and tear me day and nigltt j 
 " For e\ er banish'd from the skies, 
 
 " And cast out of the Saviour's sight. 
 ** Back to the presence of the Lord, 
 
 " O'er the vast gulph I camiot pass ; 
 *' I must not, must not be restor'd 
 
 " To see the glories of his face. 
 " Horror of horrors ! hell of hell ! 
 
 " This makes the cup of wrath run o'er ; 
 " Far from my Lord, with fiends to dwell, 
 
 " And never, never see him more.'' * 
 
 Ye beasts that range the flo%\ 'ry plain ; 
 Ye fish that " lide alono; the mahi ; 
 Ye cheerful songsters of the vale ; 
 Ye insects fiutt'ring on the gale ; 
 
 Sii- Mr. Ciiarlcs Wesley's hymn cutitled, The Cry ol" 
 ^prolnUf. 
 
 F2
 
 100 A 1AM I LIAR 
 
 Ye creeping reptiles of the eartli, 
 Of smallest, meanest, vilest birth ; 
 On you what rays of favoiu" shine ! 
 How blest your lot, compar'd with mine I 
 O ! might I share your case and be ^ 
 
 From that dread, double ciir.'; set free, ^ 
 Reason and immortality ! y 
 
 With joy would I receive the meed, 
 And bless the hand that did the deed. 
 Still must I, Lord, of thee complaiii ? 
 And still deplore my case in vain ? 
 Still must I view thee as a foe, * 
 Obtruding life, dispensing woe; 
 Conferring strong desires of bliss, 
 And yet withholding happiness ? 
 From the full rivers round thy throne, 
 Of peace and joy, not pouring dow n 
 One drop on me, a wretch of eaith. 
 That 1 might cease to curse my birth ; 
 Might give my sad complainings o'er, 
 Nor envy brutes or reptiles more ? 
 
 Thrice happy brutes ! on earth they kee p 
 Short watch, and then lie down to sleep ^ 
 Thro' ev'ry scene of sense they are 
 To wretched man superior far : 
 In life they range the tlow'ry field ; 
 They graze the fruitful turf untill'd ; 
 They drink the silver streams that fl()w 
 Unbrew'd, and unenibittcr'd too ; 
 No fruitless hopes, regrets, despairs, 
 No doubts, noi fears their bosom sliares ; 
 
 * The author has taken a hint or t-.vo in this c;oniplaintfrom 
 Milton, and much fiom several parts of Dr. Young's works, 
 withcu!: any oihcr alteiation than what was nccessarj fox hi? 
 verse and subject.
 
 ttELlGlOUS CONVERSATION. 101 
 
 Tliese only must the portion be 
 Of hell-devotcd souls like me. 
 \\'itiiout their care, by grh'ioiis heav'n 
 Their food and robes are kindly giv'n ; 
 No toil they know, no anxious care ; 
 No bodings dire their bosonis tear. 
 Their good is good unmixt, entire, 
 Full suited to their hearts' desire ; 
 If sfckness, pain, or death commence, 
 Their ill no more than strikes the sense ; 
 No previous dread their peace can shake ; 
 No nmrm'rings afterwards they make ; 
 \\ hen the worst comes, it comes unfear'd, 
 Alike unknown, unseen, unheard ; 
 No painful fear of death they know, 
 One stroke begins and ends their woe ; 
 They die but once, then cease to be 
 Blest animals, how happy ye ! 
 Too happy to complain like me. 
 Yours is that pleasure, comfort, ease, 
 Freedom from care, content and peace, 
 For which poor reprobated man 
 Wishes, and pra} s, and sighs in vain. 
 
 Father of mercies ! God of love ! 
 Enthron'd in perfect bliss above ! 
 AVhy from my silcuL mother earlh, 
 AVhy didst thou curse me into birth ; 
 Push into being wretched me, 
 Unhappy, the reverse of thee ? 
 Why tear me from my quiet dust, 
 Wliy out of non-existence thrust ; 
 And make, \\};cn torn from pciceful night, 
 A thankless present of thy light ? 
 \\ iiy animate a wretch like me, 
 A clod of earth, with misery r 

 
 ''OS A FAMIMAR 
 
 O ! had my dust in peace rcmain'd, 
 
 Nor e'er the human form obtain'd! 
 
 O ! had my reprobating God 
 
 But made me the most loathsome toad, 
 
 Or e'en the vilest worm on earth, 
 
 Ratl.'er than giv'n me ijuman birth, 
 
 Ordain'd me rational to be, 
 
 And curst with immortahty ! 
 
 ['m plac'd in such a dreadful state, 
 
 As by necessitating fate 
 
 T must, I must sin on, and be 
 
 Condemn'd to all eternity 1 
 
 Eternity ! O ! who can bear ' 
 That doubly dreadful sound to hear ; 
 What ! must there no reprieve be giv'n ; 
 No hope from any point of heav'n ! 
 Ah ! mercy ! mercy ! love divine ! 
 Do you for ever cease to shine ; 
 Ah mercy ! art thou dead above, 
 Extmguish'd in the source of love ? 
 Did 1 request thee, Maker, say. 
 To mould me from my native clay ? 
 Did I solicit thee to plan 
 And make me miserable man ? 
 O ! why, my Maker, didst thou fonn 
 A wretched, vile, unhappy w orm ; 
 And in such circumsttuices place, 
 Without one chance of happiness ? 
 Does vengeance reicn in thee alone ? 
 V\ here are thy love and pity gone r 
 Must nought but pow "r, grhn pow'r appear 
 AVhere are thy tender mercies, w here ? 
 And snicemy will had not concurr'd 
 fnha\in'j life on n\o conferr'd :
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 103 
 
 ' T would but be equal, fair and just, 
 To speak me to my uative dust. 
 
 And canst thou, Lord, look down from bliss, 
 And see me in the dark abyss ; 
 Calling thee by that tender name, 
 Mt/ father ! in a sea of tiame ; 
 O'erwhelm'd beneath thy vengeful ire, 
 And plung'd in floods of raging lire ! 
 O ! canst thou see my hopeless soul, 
 Bound fast within the burning pool ! 
 C) ! canst thou listen to my moans, 
 Or hear me pour eternal groans ; 
 Enclos'd with woe, translix'd will) })ain, 
 And struoi>;ling with mv burning chain ; 
 Talking to fiery tempests there. 
 And sunk in gulphs of black despair ; 
 The raging tiame in vain implore 
 To give its furious burnings oer ; 
 Toss, pant and writhe tliy wrath beneath. 
 And sink in waves of endless death ! 
 \Vilt thou, my Maker, raise thy name, 
 And by my pangs thy pow'r proclaim ; 
 i\ worm whom yesterday gave birth, 
 A short-liv'd reptile of the earth ? 
 Shall sov'reignty preside alone ? 
 In my poor perst)n must not one 
 Of all thy attributes, beside 
 Thy sov'reign power, be glorify 'd r 
 Must 1 for ever bear the load, 
 The vengeance of an angry God .'' 
 
 Forbid it. Lord, and grant at least, 
 Tliis slender, almost no request ; 
 Wj)en banish'd from the light of day, ^ 
 I've wept a thousand lives away, > 
 
 And wearied torment of its prey ; y
 
 104 A FAMILIAR 
 
 )} vengeful ire, ^ 
 And rav'd ten thousand years in fire, J> 
 
 When I have borne th^ 
 
 And rav'd ten thousanu ,^^.^ ..^ x^.^., , 
 
 O let me, let me then expire. ) 
 
 Oh! what deep anguisli ! this must find 
 Compassion in the hardest mind. 
 The humane breast M'itli horror till, 
 And make one's very blood run chill 5 
 If any man will but acquaint 
 Himself with all this black complaint^, 
 lie w ill assert that in his view 
 It is not false, but strictly true. 
 'J'jjis most disastrous, cruel case 
 Comprises nearly all our race : 
 It has a tendency to prove 
 That God's blest nature is not love. 
 A shocking scheme ! I sooner could 
 Believe there never was a God, 
 "^rhan ever a believer be 
 In such a horrible* decree ! 
 
 * So Calvin himself is hoiRst enough to call it. See his In- 
 ^titutes, book 3. chap 23. sec. 7. But some casuists liave 
 endeavoured to soften the harshness of this epithet hanibile, 
 which Calvin uses, and have wislied it to be Englished by 
 nu'fiil, venerable, Hole.mn, mcred, i^c. in short, by any word but 
 horrible. One of these writers refers us to Ainsworth's Latin 
 Dictionary for the proper nieaniuf? of the word. He forjjets 
 that he is sendini; us to look into a work, which only shews how 
 the pure Roman writers used tl;e word, several centuries be- 
 fore Calvin lived. If they, in describing the dreadful rites of 
 their infernal jrods, somr times termed them horrihiles, we will 
 permit the Ca'vinists, if they choose, to translate it into sacred, 
 solemn, S)-c. but not in the n;od( n acceptation of these T'li'.siisli 
 words. But die cast is widely diKeren!: when a person, i!i modern 
 times, attempts to translate his I-njlish intoT/atin. He ;houId 
 he informed that ^iiis said Mr. Ain.sworth and Dr. IMorel!, who 
 edited several editions of h's Latin dictionary, were the great 
 propa2;ators and defenders of a r rae to t'ur efi'ect; " that in 
 rendering' a sentence into Latin, :,uch Vvords n;nst be chosen as 
 approach nearest in signification and in sound to the English :
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 105 
 
 And should a man at once deuy 
 Tlje being of the Lord most High, 
 His most consummate impudunce 
 Would give my mind far hfss oifence, 
 Tlian if he couhl behove your creed, 
 And make our God a Turk indeed. * 
 
 James. Say what you \viS, but once for all 
 I'il try to give your^schcme a fall ; 
 1 will before your view present ' 
 
 This unconfuted argument. 
 
 When Adam, by his first offence, 
 Disrol)'d himself of innocence, 
 Might not the Lord unto his seed 
 Have then imputed that foul deed ? 
 He also niigiit v.hen Adam ft^ll, 
 Have doom'd his progeny to hell ; 
 
 and sufh os|)ociaIly avo to be selected, iis a>>;>ear to be the roots 
 tioiii whioli the r^iij;li.s)i \\ ovds were derive d." Thus aeeordinj^ 
 to tlieir rule, ^vh'n an Englishman is desirous of transliitiiijjf 
 liis venerahle and sacrfif, or a Frenehnian his r/n^'ahleam] sacre 
 into Latin, both cf them ontflit to choose the Latin words 
 rnurahilis and sacer to express tlie proper nieanins; ol" tJiose 
 Eiitrlish and French words. 
 
 This method has receive*! almost universal adoption amonjj 
 polite scholars (and Calvin is to be reckoned of tlieir nnndjer} 
 for the last thirteen centuries : so nsnch so, that if a blockhead, 
 ill one of the lower forms of a public school, had translated 
 rcniridile or sacird into the word horrihilf, Mr. Ains worth and 
 Dr. Morell would have been the first ineii, had they had the 
 pupil within tlieir reach, to give him a sound flogging for his 
 careless observance of sucli any easy rule. 
 
 When such hypercritical niceties as this writer ostentatiously 
 displays, pa'^s in a j)eriodical work without being disowned, 
 ciassical l< arning must appear to be at a very lou ebb among 
 the avowed conductors of that publication. 
 
 See Mr. Wesley's Pixse.vative against unsettled uptions in 
 religion, page v;'3;>. . 
 
 V ')
 
 106 A FAMILIAR 
 
 lie might have passed by the zchole, 
 Nor found a ransom for one soul. 
 Except you both these points receive, 
 And all their consequents beheve, 
 Orig'nal sin is seen by you 
 In the most dim, beclouded view. 
 But if to both you give assent, 
 We here may end our argument ; 
 For now your well instructed mind 
 Without uncertainty will find 
 That Reprobation absolute, 
 One of the doctrines in dispute, 
 And absolute Election are 
 Both highly rational and fair ; 
 For if God justly might leave ali 
 ^lankiud to perish in the fall, 
 Without bestowing his dear Son 
 To live or die for any one ; 
 He justly might have some pass'd by. 
 And left them in their sins to die. ^\- 
 
 Rich. This argument your friends esteem, 
 As the main pillar of their scheme; 
 I therefore will attempt at large 
 h'ntirely to re])el this charge. 
 When Adam fdl, his sons unborn 
 In him v, ere of their glory sliorn ; 
 For they, in him, the law forsook, 
 And of forbidden fruit partook ; 
 "Twas thercfoie right that they should know 
 The stings which fiom transgression flow : 
 l'h;'.t they should suffer as a !Seed 
 U hat Adam as a Person did. 
 Of these resulis 1 have no" doubt, 
 'Jbey are self-evident throughout ; 
 
 t ,Sc<' Mr. V/ldtficU'.:,- vosky, vol. 1. p. C7,
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 107 
 
 Therefore Oiig'nal sin must be 
 The fruitful i-ource of misery. 
 
 Having premis'd these matters, here 
 Your leading bhuuicr uill appear; 
 For you confound iu this debate, 
 Our Seminal with Pers'nal state. 
 
 The wages to that sin befitted, 
 ^Vhioh persoJis consrious/j/ committed, 
 L-; iiitiering on that ocea.'-iou 
 A coiisrious, pcrsoval damnation. 
 When Atlim that foul deer! had (ione, 
 God's ju>lice \vc:ild have brightly shone, 
 II lid he the culpri; tiien convicted, 
 Co/isciotis/jf, pers>aUij a.iucted, 
 Encompassed \vith fi'j-)" chains, 
 And doom'd him to eternal pains. 
 
 Our .seminal and unkno^vn ciime 
 Ct)mmitted in our father's lime, 
 \\ hile yet within his loins we. lav, 
 And !)ad not seen the light of day, 
 DcmanJtd Goo's uu>st prompt e.\})ressiou 
 Of his just liatu:dlo transgression; 
 And lie might jusliy tlu Ji have said, 
 " On ihy d<_v()iKl guilty head 
 '^ Be my. eternal fiuy shea i 
 " And fiuther, n/>y diy helpless race 
 '^ L>uo)tsi ions of the foul disgrace, 
 * Parluk; Uiiii'H thy horrid doom, 
 '' For endie>5S ages yet to come ! 
 *' My loundiesj visaomhalh decret d 
 " That all diy iincoiiceived need, 
 "^ W lach yet within ihy loins r<;inain, 
 ' biiail feel m ihee eternal [>ai:j."
 
 iOS A TAMILIAR 
 
 Most clearly then we might have seen 
 What jusi proportion tliere had been, 
 In ev'ry right and fair intent, 
 Betwixt the crime and punishment. 
 The buds witiiin the parent stock 
 AVould never have perceiv'd the shock ; 
 Tliey would have tasted his distress 
 Without the slightest co/iscioustiess. 
 Let me demand, w idiout evasion, 
 \S liat is John Calvin's reprobation? 
 It is a horrible decree, 
 Fast binding Adam's progeny, 
 
 Compelling them to wallow in 
 
 Conscious and necessary sin.; 
 Which draws behind it the event 
 
 Of coiisrioHs, endless punishment. 
 
 And are they to ciulure its snia) t 
 
 For crimes in which they bore no })irt ; 
 
 Uut if to this you should reply, 
 
 " I'or their own sins they're th)om'd to die, 
 
 " As well as for that worst of crimes 
 
 " Their father did in former times/' 
 
 This represents our God to be 
 
 So full of Vi rath and cruelty. 
 
 That he these unfonn'd crealiues haled, 
 
 And all their persons re()robated ; 
 
 'that thus their souls might be destroj'd. 
 
 For si:\s whicli they could ne'er avoict ! 
 
 To illustrate the matter further. 
 Suppose I had connnitted murther ; 
 'Ganu-.tme the law-j enforce tiieir claims. 
 Condemning me unto the ilames ; 
 '^l hat sentence is most just, since I 
 Have siiuid m person consciously ; 
 No soje couipulsion did 1 need 
 To perpetrate the honid {[etA.
 
 FELIGTOTS CONVERSATION. lOQ 
 
 The judge may justly tlien condemn 
 My person in root, branch and stem, 
 Before my little buds put forth, 
 Or children from my loins have birtli. 
 The flames in me they'd justly sliare, 
 Because they in and uit/i me were, 
 At that disastrous pohit of time, 
 W lien 1 committed the sad crime. 
 And* yet "tis easy to believe, 
 Just so much pahi v\ quid they perceive 
 As they possesrt'd unconscious sense, 
 \\ hen 1 was planning my oliencc. 
 
 Suppose ajrain that I receive 
 From this good judge a kmd reprieve; 
 And that it is his high design 
 I should raise up a mun'rous line ; 
 Should dandle on my friendl} knee 
 ^ly healthful, ha])py progeny. 
 
 Imagine all this biisiness done, 
 AH these to men and women grown ; 
 Pray, Mould it in my judge be fair, 
 Should he to most of them declare ? 
 " \c all were guilty as a seed 
 " Of the abominable deed 
 ** \\ liicli that vile, wicked man achiev'd, 
 " W hom 1 some years ago r( priev'd ; 
 " 1 ve every one of you extracted 
 " From his base loins since tliis was acted. 
 *' Your souls my mercy passes by, 
 " And leaves you in your sins to die ; 
 " And next, my justice seizes on 
 '* And absolutely cliaiiis you down, 
 " liy my decree of reprobation, 
 * To certain, personal danmati<.ui.
 
 110 A FAMILIAR 
 
 " I force you therefore to inherit, 
 
 " A vile, depraved, Avicked spirit ; 
 
 " And in such cucumstances place, 
 
 " As to exclude all Iiopes of grace ; 
 
 "^ On this account it is my will 
 
 " That all of you shall try to kill, 
 
 " When } ou've pcrforni'd your killing part, 
 
 " It then \\ ill be my turn to start ; 
 
 " And 1 Mill recompence to you 
 
 " Something beyond your former due ; 
 
 " For I sat as your father's judge, 
 
 " And owe you on his score a grudge. 
 
 " For your own bloody, murd'rous deeds 
 
 " III pour my vengeance on your heads, 
 
 " Altiiough it. was my wise intent 
 
 " Those deeds you never should prevent ! ' 
 
 Of such a speecli, who does not see 
 
 The dreadful impropriety ! 
 
 Well may such blusiu\s cio\\d your face 
 
 "\^'hen calling these noctiiiNr,s of grace 1 
 
 And yet you all pretend to teach 
 
 This w r.s a kind, a gracious speech. 
 
 I wonder d to hear you declare 
 
 This bast! proceeding just and fair. 
 
 Jinnies. Qk>d might most justly have passd hr 
 Adam's deprav'd posleiiLy, 
 Without providing his dear son 
 To suffer ueatli for any one. 
 
 Ilich. 1 answer. God forbid ihat we 
 So simj)Ie aiid ibsurd should be. 
 As this fcad fuiicv to retain, 
 That Ciod \\as bound to ran.-.'>m man. 
 Sucii doctrints v.e do not p;- pound ; 
 For God the Lord was no more l)outul
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION". Ill 
 
 To execute redemption's plan, 
 'riian to create the first-torm'd man ; 
 '^riiey botli appear alike to me 
 1 avours unmerited and free. 
 
 James. You yield the point in question here ; 
 In these no medium. can appear 
 Bet\\ een the Lord's mysterious will 
 Chnst's mission never to fuitil 
 To those from \\ honi he hides his face, 
 And reprobating them from grace. 
 Now if God justly might deny, 
 To give his only Son to die 
 For part of Adam's race, lie then 
 flight justly reprobate those men ; 
 llieir souls he might predestinate 
 To sin's incurable estate, 
 And so of consequence occasion 
 Their unavoidable damnation. 
 To this vou'll give your full assent 
 As a conclusive argument, 
 Until some medium can be shewn, 
 Which I believe can ne'er be done. 
 
 Rich. Yes, I a medium can find, 
 M'hich will perhaps eo;ivince your mind; 
 Yo\u- curious sopliism circumvent, 
 And overtiirn your argument ; 
 If God the Lord had not desigji'd 
 To siivc his grace to (til /ntmkind ; 
 Hud he been absolutely bent, 
 UpOn vindictive punishment; 
 Had he design'd to gloiify 
 Nought but liis rigid Sov'reignty ; 
 And had he loftily decreed 
 'I'o punish sinful Adam'd seed^
 
 112 A FAMILIAR 
 
 To toiture almost ev'ry son 
 For what was seminally done ; 
 These unborn children justly miiLilit 
 Have been dcny'd the genial light, 
 Have found within their mother's womb 
 A })eaceful, ncver-op'ning tomb. 
 Further, he might have been severe 
 In slieM ing vengeance on them there ; 
 , As tlieir's was an unconscious sin, 
 1 hat utmost vengeance would have been 
 bncoiisciouslij to suffer death 
 Before they, as a seed, drew breath. 
 For when correction he bestows 
 Tlie greatest e(]uity he shews. 
 He would have crushed guilty .Adam, 
 Since he wiihin his person had 'em, 
 \^ hen he committed the otfence 
 Which brought on this sad consequence. 
 
 AVhrn Cod had punish'd this foul crimo, 
 lie might, in his own chosen time. 
 Have order'd Abel's birth, and Seth, 
 And all endii'd with saving faith. 
 Yet none of these of life possest 
 With personal existence blest, 
 liut such as had a personal share 
 iii iiis redeemhig love and care. 
 
 I'hen If, in exercise of tci/I, 
 They chose C! oil's precepts to fullil, _ 
 Their own w ould be the bliss design'd, 
 liV our good Ciod, for all mankind. 
 This was procur'd wlien Christ became 
 Our great proj;itialing J^anib ; * 
 
 * \ John ii. 1,
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 110 
 
 When he stoopM down a xcorkl to save, * 
 Himself for all a ransom gave, ^ 
 \\ hen, though God's well beloved Son, 
 He tasted death for every one. "t 
 
 But if, by their 'spontaneous choice, 
 They stopp'd their ears against his voice, 
 And zc'ould not hearken to his call ; 
 Then on their stubborn necks should fall 
 God s .sore displeasure, bitter woe, 
 AV hich should no termination know ; 
 While they their pain should shew by cries, 
 Gnaw'd by the w orm that never dies ! 
 
 Now this, in each case, is (lod's plan, 
 By w Inch he acteth towards man. 
 
 James. Neighbour, you alv.ays chatter much, 
 Yet seldom on my reas'ning louih ; 
 You talk of w orks unconscious done 
 Ere our existence was begun ; 
 AVith these crude thoughts your fancy joins 
 Tlie babes laid up in Adam's loins ; 
 And, rather zealous when you've grown, 
 Your notions ramble up and dow n ; 
 They are in short not more nor less. 
 Than Fletcher's thoughts in your fond dress j 
 So that one cannot understand 
 The subject you have got in hand ; 
 \\ hen once or twice you've travell'd round it. 
 Yqu leave it where at first you found it. 
 
 Now this my simile regard : 
 You saw my ducklings in the yard, 
 A j)retty brood ! but I've another, 
 Which now are hatching by their mother. 
 
 Joha iii. ir. and xji. 47. ^ I Tim. ii.(. t Hel>. ii. ','-
 
 114 A FAMILIAR 
 
 I have near thirty eggs beside, 
 Which must be either boii'd or fry'd ; 
 To these did I some honour pay 
 Because I left lliem where thev lav r 
 No ; in my choice I pass'd them by 
 As only lit to boil or iiy ; 
 And for my future ducklings those 
 That seem'd the best, 1 wisely chose. 
 And have Idone them any wroxig ? 
 Did not the wl.ole to me beloii^ t 
 I might apportion any part, 
 By the sole wislies of my heart. 
 
 We'll go from these to them that keep 
 Within their sliells, fast lock'd in sleep ; 
 To-morrow night, if all be well, 
 Each duckling will break thro' its shell. 
 Now since their mother bit my leg, 
 Were 1 to take each single egg, 
 And dash it hardly on the earth, 
 Preventing thus the duckling's birth ; 
 I should be doing then what }ou 
 Pretend Jehovah ought to do 
 With Adam's sinful progeny. 
 Destroying them seniinalli/ ; 
 Because their mother in a pet 
 Most furiously my leg beset. 
 
 This mode's more cruel than the first, 
 Of all bad schemes it is the worst. 
 For saw you not those in the yard 
 How cleanliness they disregard ? 
 They seem to know no higher good 
 "^rhan constant dabbling iu the mud ; 
 Their long, broad biii> with joy insert 
 In pools of water full of dirt ;
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 1 1^ 
 
 Tliese things with pleasure they pursue, 
 Their nature prompts them so to do. 
 Should I the duckhngs just alive 
 Of tlieir commencing life deprive, 
 I should their happiness impair, 
 Before they've breath'd the vital air. 
 No dabbling in the mud and mire, 
 Their greatest objects of desire ! 
 No dirty work could they enjoy. 
 When thus their behig 1 destroy. 
 The height of cruelty 'twould be 
 So soon to cause their misery. 
 
 Need I an explanation give 
 Of this my simple narrative? 
 Both duckling8, those alive and well, 
 And those just bursting from the shell, 
 The eggs which I had deein'd unfit 
 For any duck alive to sit, 
 All these preshadow forth the state 
 Of ev'ry human reprobate. 
 
 The thirty eggs reserv'd for use, 
 Which 1 for hatching did not choose. 
 Resemble any lifeless mass 
 Which into shaj)es of men might pass ; 
 Are likti so many senseless stones. 
 Which God might clothe with llesh and bones ; 
 Might into fresh existence bring 
 And make them into any thing. 
 We'll therefore leave them, and proceed 
 Unto the rest of this sad breed. 
 
 May not the ducklings nearly hatched, 
 And which 1 tliouglit should be dispatched,
 
 il6 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Most aptly those men represent, 
 
 Whose case I very much lament r 
 
 \ ou said that Ciod had better slay 
 
 1'he sons of Adam, than repay 
 
 Upon their heads the horrid crime, 
 
 Which he had done before their lime. 
 
 But this 1 never can allou ; 
 
 For does not Gotl Onmiscient know, 
 
 That sinners feel the Uiost delight 
 
 In doing that which is not right ? 
 
 (As ducklings place their whole desire 
 
 In constant dabbling hi the n;ire) 
 
 And since Gcd wisely has design'd 
 
 To benefit and bless mankind, 
 
 He doth to these permission give 
 
 In constant wickedness to live; 
 
 Because to ?in he wisely sees,: 
 
 Tend all their vile propensities. 
 
 And yet his word abounds witli threats 
 
 Against the ir.an whose heart forgets 
 
 His choicest gifts and stores to bring 
 
 To Christ, his prophet, priest and king. 
 
 But threats give zest to liis desires, 
 
 lliey add fresh fuel to his fires ; 
 
 Impatient these restraints he breaks, 
 
 His own enjoyment only seeks, 
 
 He relishes forbidden food, 
 
 And calls these stolen \\ aters good. 
 
 Look at my ducks ; in them you see 
 The same supreme propensity. 
 Stand but between them and a ditch. 
 Menace in either hand a switcli, 
 Affnght them as you will, they'll strive 
 In their lov'd element to dive;
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 117 
 
 The palm of valour they awiud ' 
 To him that first evades your guard. 
 
 Fiom these short pleasures you exclude 
 An almost countless multitude, 
 Which were in Adam, as a seed, 
 When he perform'd the wicked deed. 
 Their embryos } ou would destroy 
 Before they taste of any joy ; 
 While tfieir propensities of mind 
 Make them to higher pleasures blind. 
 And they can only sin w liile here ; 
 Their lot is therefore most severe. 
 
 Rich. Well, what a parable is yours ! 
 'Tis stated so that it obscures 
 The doctrines which your folks maintain ; 
 For which you will no credit gain. 
 They seldom speak so plainly out, 
 But mostly shift and w ind about ; 
 And always take the greatest heed 
 What points of doctrine they concede. 
 
 But you have shewn yourself more bold, 
 And now ^ve are most plainly told, 
 It is a kind benignant measure. 
 The greatest proof of God's good pleasure, 
 When he ordains a man to be 
 A sinner from eternity. 
 In short you foolishly bring in 
 The Lord, as author of all sin. 
 It seems men's spirits lie constrains 
 To perpetrate what he ordains. 
 You say he threatens what he'll do, 
 If they their wickedness })ursue ; 
 And makes a rant a!jo;it hi-' pow'r. 
 That they niuy reli;h sin the more'
 
 118 A TAMILIAR 
 
 What strange ideas must arise, 
 If we are to receive these lies 
 As solemn truths by God made knoAvn, 
 By which he has liis niercy shewn ! 
 Mercy ! no rrrore let that be nam'd, 
 If God act by the scheme you've fram'd ! 
 No more of grace or goouness tell, 
 If souls are thiK condcum'd to hell ! 
 
 If I bfclieve wliat you have stated, > 
 I must conclude that God has hated > 
 The sinners whom his liands created ; } 
 His obvious meanins; has disouis'd ; 
 Has with his creatures tantaliz'd ; 
 And never meant that they should gain 
 Exemption fiom eternal pain. 
 But I thank him, that his blest word 
 Describes him not as such a Lord. 
 
 But laying all my warmth aside, 
 Your simile 1 must deride, 
 The system which it tries to frame 
 in all its parts is very lame. 
 
 The eggs, which yet remain on hand, 
 No fool would ever understand 
 To mean the persons God rejected 
 From that choice number, call'd " ih' elected :"* 
 For when their meaning you display 
 You count these eggs as mijonad clay. 
 \\h< reas the creatures Goil pass'd by 
 And doomed in their sins 1o die. 
 Are beirsgs wliich himself endu'd 
 A\ ith Ofe and ev'ry needful good. 
 The likeness therefore meant by you 
 Appears in this respect untrue.
 
 IIELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. llQ 
 
 Your systeiivalso wauls a joint 
 In a slill more essential point : 
 You've made it wholly lo mclude 
 A reprobated muliilude ; 
 For not a n\ ord do you express 
 Of God's elected witnesses. 
 Which of your eggs do you respect 
 As your far-famed, sweet elect '^ 
 Not ojie of those your wits invent 
 These chosen ones can represent. 
 I hold that bliss in detestation, 
 Which your disturb'd imagination 
 lias been so wishful to ascribe 
 Unto the repn)bated tribe. 
 You think God's genial love is shewn 
 By giving bliss to ev'ry one ; 
 Cut short-liv'd joy you've, made it seem^ 
 Which God has given unto them ; 
 It cannot any longer last 
 Than till this mortal life is past ; 
 And sinners' pleasures here are join'd 
 To an unhappy state of mind : , . 
 
 For God declares " there is no peace 
 ** To those who practice wickedness." 
 
 I've study'd to appear concise, 
 And clos(; my vvords with this advice ; 
 When you v.ould make your doctrines known. 
 Let these neic parables alone. 
 
 Tlius having view'd your famous charge, 
 And answer'd ev'ry point at large, 
 I feel my spirit prompted now 
 To venture to retort the blow. 
 I'll shew to an impartial man, 
 That on the Calvmistic plan
 
 ^10 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Of boundless wrath, and narrow grace, 
 Unto the hapless human race, 
 The attributes of Deity, 
 Cannot among themselves agree. 
 
 What of God's goodness must becom<^. 
 If all the signs he gives to some, 
 Of this sweet attribute divine, 
 Be given with the base design 
 More to enhance their souls' undoing, 
 And deeper plunge them into ruin r 
 
 What of his mercij, ^^ hich displays 
 Itself o'er all his works, he says, * 
 If millions of his creatures are 
 Excluded from the smallest share, 
 By his own absolute decree, 
 And that from all eternity ? 
 
 What o{\m justice will become, 
 If he, ^\ ith unrelenting doom, 
 ^lust sentence, horrible to tell ! 
 Myriads on myriadsdown to hell, 
 To groan beneatli his heavy ire. 
 And dwell with everlasting fire ; 
 Because they've not believed on 
 The name of his beloved Son ? 
 And yet your system makes it plain 
 Their trying to do this was vain ; 
 For God decreed it from the womb, 
 Believers they should ne'er become. 
 
 What of his nisdom muaX, become, 
 If he address himself to sou'.e, 
 
 Psalm cxlv. 9.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION". l'2l 
 
 And seriously expostulate 
 With them upon their lost estate ; 
 And if he gravely on them press 
 "i'heir need of inward holiness ; 
 When in the mean time, they're as dead 
 As bodies when the souls are fled ; . 
 When they can no more do tliis thing 
 TlTian fishes can speak out or sing ? 
 
 Where too on Calvin's scheme would be 
 God's attribute oi equity ; 
 If Adam and his consort Eve, 
 Forgiving mercy could receive, 
 W ho wantonly, at one bold stroke, 
 Their duty personal/^ broke ; 
 Were driven in severe distress 
 Into this hOi^vling wilderness ? 
 And yet no mercy is decreed 
 For millions of their hapless seed, 
 Who wretched, destitute, forlorn, 
 In sin and misery were born, 
 Never had power to refuse 
 The evil, or the good to choose. 
 They cannot then, of consequence. 
 Have given personal offence. 
 
 Where is the Lord's omniscience gone. 
 If actions cannot be foreknown, 
 Unless he issue his decree 
 To bring about their certainty ? 
 Or otherwise, he must, in fact, 
 Himself perform the foretold act. 
 Now was not Nero, in effect. 
 As wise himself in this respect ? 
 Might he not easily foretel 
 C K I s p I s should fall into a well, 
 G
 
 122 A FAMILIAR 
 
 If he was forc'd to run a race, 
 At midnight hour, along a place 
 Wliere wells so close and frequent lay, 
 As made it dang'rous e'en by day ? 
 Pray \that old woman do you know, 
 AVho could not most precisely shew 
 When any shnple tale would come 
 To be repeated in a room, 
 If she resolv'd at any rate. 
 That she the story woidd relate ; 
 Or make some child supply her need, 
 And tell the story in her stead ? 
 
 ; How^ can the Lord to us express 
 Invariable faithfulness, 
 If his close, secret rciil appear 
 Mysteriously to interfere 
 With what his jyiilfdc declaration 
 Proclaims concerning man's salvation f 
 His leaving us in this condition, 
 Willi his decree of pretention, t 
 Must raise within us many doubts, 
 Alaiy surmising anxious tlioughts ; 
 Instead of prompting us to say, 
 "With David, in his })ious lay, 
 " For ever and for ever. Lord, 
 " Thy holy, pure, and sacred word 
 " Is settled lirm in heav'n above ; 
 " Thy faith fuhiess shall never move, 
 " But stedfast, certain, fixed, sure, 
 " Through endless ages shall endure. || 
 
 Here James and Richard seem'd inclin'd 
 To be unanimous in mind ; 
 The ev'ning hours liad fled ; 'twas late ; 
 They therefore clos'd their long debate. 
 
 \ A passing by. || Psalm cxix. 89. SO.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 123 
 
 DIALOGUE VL 
 
 'RICHARD AND JAMES. 
 
 Richard at the request of Jumes, repeats some of the principles of 
 an Arminiai!, He further shercs what he conceives to be, the 
 superiority of Anniniayiism abore Calvinism. They express 
 
 their mutual forfjeurance and charity towards each other. 
 
 They part amicably. The author's conciliatory reflections, 
 and conclusion. 
 
 \v RIEND James had much attention paid 
 To the defence which Richard made; 
 Its strength he could not well forget ; 
 For when again these comrades met, . 
 James press'd his friend to give in brief. 
 The articles of his belief. 
 He knew that Richard's head was cool. 
 And that his heart was so far full 
 As no reluctance to create, 
 And that he would not hesitate 
 To give a reason for the hope. 
 Which rais'd his cheerful spirit up. 
 
 Their late prolonged conversation 
 Produc'd in James a reformation ; 
 More favourably of Dick, he thought, 
 Sinc<." such strong reasons he hud brought; 
 G2
 
 124 A FAMILIAR 
 
 It seem'd to him, tho' very strange, 
 That Richard's was a real change ; 
 That his mistakes were only those 
 Which from wrong principles arose : 
 In short he was an alter'd man ; 
 And thus again their talk began ; 
 
 James. I wonder, since our combat's pasl^ 
 What system suits your curious taste ; 
 Will you be pleased now to give 
 An abstract of what you believe ? 
 And to my view impartial spread 
 The frame of your religious creed ? 
 Your thoughts to me seem pretty clear, 
 I therefore should be glad to hear 
 The ^yhole condensed scheme, which you 
 Believe most orthodox and true. 
 
 Rich. About this thing I'm never shy, 
 But always willing to comply, 
 I certainly will do my best, 
 To satisfy my friend's request. 
 And yet allow me to premise. 
 That this account will not comprise 
 Much of what I have said before ; 
 For I dislike repeatmg o'er 
 The truths which seem self evident. 
 And scarcely need an argument. 
 
 THE CREED 
 
 Of the People generally denominated Arminiam. 
 
 First then, I do believe there is 
 One God, possest of perfect bliss ; 
 A holy and a happy being, 
 All-M'ise; all-pow'rful and all-seeing ;
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 125 
 
 In faithfulness and truth complete, 
 Supremely good, supremely great, 
 Eternal, onniipresent, pure, 
 Pow'rful his word, his promise sure ; 
 Immutable and just is he, 
 Ilia ways are ways of equity ; 
 Of pitiful and gracious mind, 
 Long-sufF'ring, merciful and kind, 
 ^^ hake'er is wisest, holiest, best, 
 Of evVy perfect good possest.- 
 
 Firmly I do believe that he 
 Made ev'ry being which we see, 
 lliat He, the Father of all nature, 
 Produc'd from nothing ev'r}' creature ; 
 O'er all his Providence presides 
 And still supports, preserves and guides ; 
 That every good his creatures share, 
 The blessings of his bounty are ; 
 W iiile all his willing children own 
 lliat He is God, and He alone. 
 
 I next believe, constrain'd by love, 
 Quitting the realms of bliss above. 
 That Jesus Christ, God's blessed Son, 
 Equal, and with his Father one, 
 Assum'd our nature, liv'd in pain, 
 For ev'ry soul of man was slain ; * 
 1'liat when he had rcsign'd his breath. 
 He rose, and triumph'd over death, 
 Again ascended up on higli, 
 Assum'd l)is throne above the sky ; 
 \V here w ith our God he ever pleads. 
 And for poor siimers intercedes. 
 
 Htb. ii. 9.
 
 126 
 
 A FAMILIAR 
 
 I in the Holy Ghost believe, 
 And Him as comforter receive. 
 Who is with Father and with Son, 
 In heaven three, and yet but one ; 
 That God thro' Jesus can bestow 
 On penitents forgiveness now ; 
 That when this fleeting world is past. 
 He'll raise our bodies up at last, 
 When we, if good, as says his word * 
 Shall live for ever with the Lord. 
 
 Wlien I God's nature wish to shew, 
 I always ask, " what canst thou do r" 
 And yet these sentiments are mine, 
 Respecting attributes divine ; 
 They ail invariably agree. 
 And act in perfect harmony. 
 His goodness never can oppose 
 The gentle sovreignti/ he shews ; 
 Wis, justice never can invade 
 Those schemes his love and mercy laid \ 
 And so, my friend, must all the rest, 
 Of which the Godhead is possest. 
 For if a God all mercy must i* , 
 
 Of consequence be deem'd unjust. 
 In follows then, without distortion. 
 By the same rule of just proportion. 
 That if he is all justice, he 
 A God unmerciful must be ; 
 If sov'reignty preside alone, 
 His love and goodness must be gone : 
 If only boundless pow'r preside, 
 His M isdom must be laid aside. 
 But if one attribute divaie 
 Can with superior lustre shine, 
 
 * 1. Tlies. iv. 17. t See Young's Nisilit-Tlioiiglits, nij,'ht 4.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVEUSATION. 127 
 
 'Tis goodness, which above the rest, 
 
 L'nrivaird glows withhihis breast; 
 
 Yea, it a/one appears to be 
 
 The darUng of the Deity, 
 
 His first, his chief, supreme delight, 
 
 " And almost more than infinite!" 
 
 Without it he could never prove 
 
 The object of our praise or love ; 
 
 Wertihe not good, he would not deign 
 
 To listen when his sons complain; 
 
 AVould nc't-r regard afHiction's cry, 
 
 Nor notice when the guiltless die : 
 
 " Eternal justice then would be 
 
 " But everlasting cruelty ;" 
 
 Wisdom divine, but craft immense; 
 
 His power, Almighty violence. 
 
 Goodness ! delightful sound ! 'tis this 
 
 Which adds, if aught can add, to bliss ; 
 
 The men w ho venture to deny 
 
 His goodness infmitely high, 
 
 Unwittingly, or by design, ' ^ 
 
 His very Godhead undermine. '^ 
 
 The sacred pages clearly shew 
 Tliis brief account of goodness true. 
 Full proof for my assertion bring, 
 And sweetly teach the truth I sing. 
 
 " Shew me thy glory," Moses cry'd ; f 
 His gracious Maker thus reply 'd, 
 " I'll make my goodness pass before thee ;" 
 (Observe, his goodness is his glory ;) 
 Tlien Moses said, " O Lord proclaim 
 " 'ITiy kind, unutterable name !" 
 
 * .S'c Mr. Pomfrct on the Divine Attribute of Goodness. 
 t Exod. x.xxiii. 18. 19. ^ Exod. iii. 13.
 
 128 A FAMILIAR 
 
 He waited for a further word ; 
 
 At length this glorious name he heard, 
 
 Which well may all despair control, 
 
 And raise the most desponding soul ; 
 
 " The Lord most piteously inclin'd, 
 
 " Long-sutT'ring, merciful and kind ; 
 
 " W ilh goodness and ^\ ith truth o'erflowing 
 
 " !Mercy on thousands still bestowing ; 
 
 " Forgiving us, our souls to win, 
 
 " Jniqaity, transgression, sin." * 
 
 W !th what affectionate concern 
 
 Do his paternal bow els yearn, 
 
 O'er us, the cj eatures of his care, 
 
 Whom still his mercy deigns to spare ! 
 
 A^ ho, v^'hen he waits our souls to bless, 
 
 Refuse his boon, our happiness. 
 
 While thus in most pathetic strains 
 
 Of cur perverseness he complain^ ; 
 
 " O sinners turn;, Avhy \viii ye die r f 
 
 " He that made you asks you why. 
 
 " 1 rather w ould your sins forgive, 
 
 " I'viuLhraiher tliat your souls should live ; 
 
 " B} my ON\ n life I swear, that I 
 
 " Ta o })ieasure have in those that die ; 
 
 " I never willingly am seen 
 
 " Afihciuig the poor sons of men ! "^ 
 
 " r.lercy is charming in my sight, 
 
 " My pieasunt Mork, my dear delight ; \\ 
 
 '^ But wrath and punishment severe, 
 
 " My strange unpleasing acts appear. 5j 
 
 " O ! would the sons of men be vise. It 
 
 " And hearken to mv kind advice ! 
 
 * Exod. xxxiv. 6. 7. t Ezek. xviii. 2S. 31. 3'2. i Ezek. 
 xxxlii.ll. :): Lain. iii. 3,1. |j Mic. vii. 18. Jer. ix. :<; 1. {$ Isai. 
 xxviii. 21. ii Dent, xxxii. 29. Psal.'lxxxi, 13.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 129 
 
 " O ! was tliere in them such a heart, * 
 
 " From sin and folly to depart ; 
 
 " To serve me w ith a holy fear ; 
 
 " Attentively my words to hear ; 
 
 " Love me the Lord their God, and still 
 
 *'' Perform the dictates of my will ; 
 
 " That it might well and happy be 
 
 " With them and their posterity. 
 
 " Ho^w can I give the sinners up, 
 
 " Or utterly deprive of hope! 
 
 " ^ly heart is turri'd withm my breast "t* 
 
 " On seeing sinners so distrest ; 
 
 * ISIy mercy's bowels sound again, 
 
 " And yearn o'er poor unhappy men ; 
 
 " I view them lost in sin and shame, 
 
 " And pity kindle? to a tlamc ; 
 
 " I will not therefore exercise 
 
 '' My wrath, or let my anger rise ; 
 
 " My fury I will not employ, 
 
 " Nor sinners suddenly destroy. 
 
 " For 1, who thus my wrath restrain, 
 
 " Am God, and not revengeful man : 
 
 " I therefore will suspend their fate, 
 
 " And with un\^e:uieil patience wait ; j| 
 
 " If tliey repent, I \\ ill forgive ; 
 
 " If they return, 1 will receive ; % 
 
 " If they but know their gracious day, 'f'+ 
 
 " They never shall be cast aM-ay ; !|j| 
 
 " They shall my grace and goodness prove, 
 
 " And sweetly taste that God is Love." I^X 
 
 Dent. V. 29. Isai. xlviH. 18. t Hos. xi, 8. 9. |1 2 Pet. iii. 
 9. i Ezck. xviii. M. t Isai. Iv. 7. ft Luke xix. 4^. |!ll John 
 >i. 37, U John iv. 8. 16. 
 
 G5
 
 >3t> A FAMILIAR 
 
 James. With my rude interruption bear, 
 For I must frankly now declare, 
 Your words are but a definition 
 Of God, in his abstract condition ; 
 No mortal man but will approve 
 Of what you say concerning love, 
 And oth( r things which you relate 
 Of God in his eternal state. 
 But these, my friend, have nought to do 
 With God as it respecteth you, 
 Or any of our sinful seed ; 
 For God has certainly decreed 
 Such measures, as he thinks most just, 
 To put in force against his dust ; 
 Of these some seem to be severe, 
 And w ith his goodness interfere ; 
 But wlicn they all afe brought to light. 
 No doubt our judge will have done right. 
 
 Rich. W hat foolish censures you've convey'd 
 Against the statements m hich I made ! 
 Yet your distinctions fanciful 
 My docli incs cannot disannul. 
 Are you so simple as to try 
 To make our God his truth deny r 
 Prai', does he not his cieatures tell, 
 lie is the Lord unchangeable ? 
 Seeni liis perfections here on earth 
 To differ from wluit gave them birth I 
 Do they in gion/ unit/ shine 
 As emanations Uiost divine ? 
 Wliat arc they when they come to us ? 
 Is justice much more rigoious ? 
 Is his complacency above 
 Ti e source of joy, the foimt of love ; 
 And is it, think you, his good will 
 Qur souls its fi.luess should not fill ''
 
 REI.lGIOrS CONVERSATION. 131 
 
 Does mercy languish, love decrease, 
 
 ^^!len first iVom lieav'n they gain release ? 
 
 Are they not rather all the same, 
 
 W iiate'er on earth may be their name ? 
 
 1 1 ere their effects alone we see ; 
 
 JJy these we know their entity. 
 
 \N hatever adjuncts they comprise, 
 
 \N ithin themselves they harmonize. 
 
 Al your request, I now proceed 
 I'lirlher to state my iiomely creed ; 
 And though of it I cannot boast 
 As one in which you may be lost, 
 ^^ hih^ trying to make out its mazes ; 
 ^ et it no doctrines ever raises, 
 Bui: what njay be, gs God nitcnded, 
 By us, his creatures, comprehended. 
 
 I not believe, what (31 od decrees 
 Or acts, he does, by what /le is ; 
 And no one thing does he allot 
 To ha}>j)Ln by what lie is not. ^ 
 
 )!e therefore never could decree 
 Cj eatures in such capacity. 
 As our progenitors were found, 
 W hen they trod on angelic gn)uud, 
 I'or any end Lut to possess 
 Both holiness and happhiess. 
 Amt since th- y did from liini derive 
 The pow'r which form'd and kept alive, 
 He had rigl.l to exercise 
 O'er them his high authorities ; 
 To issue forth iiis blest commands 
 To thorn, the ciealures of i)is hands ; 
 And might rcrpun- to these, that they 
 A. strict obedience should p;iy.
 
 132 A FAMILIAR 
 
 While they did this, pray, might not he 
 
 Reward such acts witii equity, 
 
 And towards them such favour shew 
 
 As is to such obedience due ? * 
 
 It hkew ise must be understood, 
 
 As God is wise, and jnst, and good. 
 
 That moitals, in this situation, 
 
 Should stand in covenant-relation 
 
 To him, Avho forni'd them lirst from earth 
 
 And gave their upright spirits birth ; 
 
 Should both, that conduct testify 
 
 AVhich such relation doth imply. 
 
 This conduct on the part of men. 
 
 By the word duties we explain ; 
 
 1'hese are conditions, we contend, 
 
 On which its benefits depend. 
 
 Now if these favour'd creatures should 
 Behave unworthy of tliis good. 
 To do those deeds should not aspire, 
 Which such relation dolh require, 
 j\nd lose by acts, or by neglect, 
 Their Cov'nant-maker's kind respect, 
 God's mercy then, and love combin'd 
 Hequire that he some means should lind. 
 
 All past offences to forgive, 
 
 z\nd such offenders to retrieve, 
 
 Bnng them again into probation, 
 
 By a new covenant-relation. 
 But this great mercy, we suppose. 
 The Lord Jehovfih never she^s, 
 
 fn raising man from such a state, 
 
 If by it he should violate 
 
 * Tliat is, due, not on avcoiir. of m\\ proper, hwtimpnyper 
 nirrit. in coii^tuiiicnce of God's UiO.^t grucious promise j sve 
 Kcv, iii, -1, o
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 1 S3 
 
 That truth and justice m hich appear 
 
 To hun, uitli mercy ever dear. 
 
 I must request to notice uow, 
 
 That tliis requirement does not flow 
 
 From any Covenant-rehition, 
 
 A compact, or a stipulation, 
 
 \S hich might be written, sign'd, and seal'd 
 
 And to both parties then reveal'd. 
 
 It springs fiom that relation rather, 
 
 \\ hich is'between a Child and I'atlier. 
 
 Yea, James, when our first parents fell, ~ 
 
 And might have been condenm'd to hell ; 
 
 E'en then a Fathers bowels mov'd, 
 
 Their souls the good Creator lov'd, 
 
 In wisdom intinite he chose 
 
 To let his mercy interpose 
 
 His justice and his wrath betwixt. 
 
 And kindly love with judgment mixt. 
 
 \\ hile all the attributes divine 
 
 Concurred in this great design, 
 
 They did not one another thwart, 
 
 Nor did their forces act apart ; 
 
 Not one among them lost its place, 
 
 But rather shone with brighter grace. 
 
 A\ hen man was as a culprit view'd, 
 Their old relation God rene'.v'd ; 
 He a nexc cosenant ordain'd, 
 Since man the former one profan'd. 
 Now the iiezc cor^/^///^ requir'd, 
 'iliat ail tiie bliss, \\hi h m;tn desir'd, 
 Should be suspended on the ground 
 That all his deeds were rig! teous found ; 
 And yet, that God should uoitgUt expect, 
 But what man's powers could etttct ;
 
 134 A FAMILIAR 
 
 And pow'rs quite compcteni were giv'n 
 To erring man, by gracious heav'n. 
 This cov'nant, tirni on either side, 
 ^lost rigliteously did then provide 
 That each conditioji, du.y, term, 
 ^Vhich it requires man should perform, 
 In tliis new covenani-rclulion, 
 Be such as in his situation, 
 May, ^^ith bestow d abilities. 
 Enable him to do with ease. * 
 
 Bat to be more partic'iar still, 
 Respecting all the good and ill, 
 W])u:h God is seen to manifest 
 To those \\ lio are widi being blest, 
 I next believe, Th' Almighty made 
 Adam our sire and nat'ral head. 
 Perfect according to his nature, 
 A holy and a happy creature ; 
 With power sufficiently cndow'd, 
 W hereby he might have hi nily stood ; 
 And m this equitable case. 
 Assisted by creating grace, 
 Left him to choose, or good or ill. 
 According to his own Free-will. 
 He fell, and by this fail of his, 
 Depriv'd hnnst.lfof that prniie bliss. 
 From being deatnkss, sinless, pure, 
 He was subjected to endure 
 The t)rinents whicii transgression bring?, 
 And felt condemned nature's stings ; 
 Then sin, mortaii;} and pain 
 KushV on him v.ith tlieir deadly train. 
 
 * Sec i/Ir. Oliver's answer to Mr. HilJ; entitled a Scourge 
 io Cuhininy, paj,^- 145. 14d.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION 
 
 At that time, all his seed, in fact, 
 
 AVere made j)arlakers of the act ; 
 
 They sinned in him as a seed 
 
 Existing in their nat'ial head ; 
 
 And so of consequence we see, 
 
 Sinful became as well as he, 
 
 And subject to mortality. 
 
 God might, in wrathful dispensation, 
 
 Havejw^//j/doom'd him to damnation ; 
 
 Ana all his unhegoUen sons, 
 
 Existing then witlim his loins, 
 
 Have punish'd with him as a seed 
 
 Existing in their sniful head. 
 
 I tliink this nrnst have been the case, 
 
 W ith Adam and his unborn race, 
 
 If God had not in love design'd 
 
 To give his grace to all mankind ; 
 
 AffV)rding them a better station 
 
 ^\'hich we cdW persona/ probation ; 
 
 (iod'sjustice claim'd it as a right. 
 
 This .in when g<iing to rcq\iite. 
 
 If he did punish, it should be 
 
 A punishment Avilh equity. 
 
 Eor God would never have permitted 
 
 That Adam, who this sin committed, 
 
 A sinful seed should propagate, 
 
 PlacM in their father's fallen state ; 
 
 Nor hei)ig personal bestow'd 
 
 For evil, not for any good ; 
 
 By this they only would have been' 
 
 Subject to necessary sin, 
 
 Eix'd in a cursed situation. 
 
 Daily increasing their damnation, 
 
 A nuisance to the sons of earth. 
 
 And to the God who ga\ e them birth !
 
 136 A FAMILIAR 
 
 I give to God immortal praise, 
 That such are not his gracious ways ; 
 Compassion vast within him dwelt, 
 Most tenderly for mnn he felt ; 
 
 " When man was lost, Love look'd about, 
 *' To see what help in earth or sky, 
 
 " In vain; for none appear'd without, 
 " The help did in his bosom lie ; 
 
 Accordingly, his love, thus great, 
 To man in his condenmed state. 
 Indued his v> isdom to devise 
 A plan which fully satisiies 
 The claims of justice, and obtains 
 Freedom for nmn from endless pains. 
 He gave his cnh Son we tmd, * 
 To taste of tliath, for all mankind, t 
 Atoning for die sin of ail, % 
 And warding off their future fall. 
 
 I next believe th: t Christ in love, 
 Came not his Fatlu-rs giuce to move 
 To the unhappy lumvau race ; 
 Ko, this ah tad Y w^s the case ; 
 It was the Fjilher's boundless love, j} 
 That sent the Saviour frcvi i.bove ; 
 His wisdom hnd found out the plan: 
 His love supply'd the lueuns to man ; 
 He gave his Sou who liv'd and died, 
 That justice might be satisfy'd, 
 And that he iniglit to man display 
 A royal, and an open w ay 
 To save his soul consi.-:iently 
 With Gii-d's unmov'd veracity ; 
 
 - Johu iij. 16. t Keb. ii. 9. + i John ii. 2. Ij John iii. iti.
 
 RELIGIOrS CONVEBSATION. 137 
 
 AW other attributes divine 
 Agreeing in the blest design. 
 
 In this case how your folks have try'd 
 To lay free-agency aside ! 
 But God, his people's constant friend, 
 Did no such circumstance intend. 
 He never could on such a scheme. 
 Have punish'd or rewarded them 
 M liQ slighted or obey'd his word, 
 \A'ho own'd or else disdaiii'd their Lord. 
 Besides he never could display 
 Strict justice in the judgment-day. 
 You neetl not any more surmise 
 71iat n^.an's free-agency implies 
 One thing subversive of the honour 
 Of iiim, who is its bounteous donor. 
 Since God has this irreat sift bcstow'd 
 Let us receive and call it good. * 
 
 I therefore next believe, the aim 
 With vv hich the blessed Saviour came, 
 Was not most forcibly to press 
 To misery or happiness,* 
 The souls he graciously endu'd 
 \\ ilh choice of evil or of good. 
 But o!ie grand aim seems to have been, 
 To put away orig'nal sin ; 
 Again renew onr lapsed pow'rs. 
 Anil make a day of mercy ours ; 
 'I'o raise us to a better station, 
 A state of personal probation, 
 
 * The anchor docs not understand wiiat some call Natural 
 Frce-v. ill. He belit ve that a!! the Free-will to)>;oml, whieli any 
 of the hnmaii race enjoys, has leen restored to them. since the 
 Ja!l, for the Bake of jesus Chist.
 
 138 A lAMlLIAR 
 
 Under far better proiriises, . 
 Tlian Adain did at Ai'st possess. 
 Christ died that ev'ry one might here 
 A temporal* redemption share, 
 Might each be favoMi'd with vocation 
 To free, initial -] Salvation. 
 And tluis doth Jesti's blood atone 
 For that orig'nal sin of one, 
 Which sin on all Ids hapless race 
 Had brought botli ruin and disgrace. 
 Yet for his crime his sons will feel 
 Not one of all the pangs of hell. 
 Since for it Ciirist atonement made, 
 A precious, pleasing ransom paid. 
 If condemnation they receive, 
 It is that they will not believe ; 
 That they will not their sins forsake. 
 Nor bend Christ's easy yoke to take. 
 Tho' from this bitter root I know, 
 All present temporal evils flow, 
 A\ hich ev'ry mortal man must have, 
 " Betwixt the cradle and the grave." 
 
 James. You m ill perhaps account it rude 
 I.i me so often 'to intrude. 
 On many trivial occasions. 
 By vveak and feeble observations. 
 But I would now beg leave to know 
 If you will your (j])ini()n shew, 
 Concerning what will be the state 
 Of ev'r) heathen reprobate. 
 
 RicJi. No great persuasion do I need 
 To state this portion of my creed ; 
 
 * Or tcruporanj, duiinq the acci'pfed thrw. i That is, Salva- 
 tion beicun, %
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 139 
 
 Nor do I think it an offence 
 
 Tlvdt I so often must commence 
 
 With topics fresh, at your request, 
 
 Kre I've done justice to the rest. 
 
 Whatever my opinion be, 
 
 Yours any simpleton may see. 
 
 Improperly you designate 
 
 The Ileatiien world as Reprobate. 
 
 I an* inclined to suppose 
 
 What the word speaks, it speaks to tliose 
 
 To w horn it comes, but is not found 
 
 'Mongst those that never heard its sound. 
 
 Surely these myriads w ill not dwell 
 
 For ever in the pit of hell, 
 
 Because they've not believed in 
 
 A Christ they've neither heard nor seen : 
 
 Cruel it v.oidd appear indeed 
 
 Did God, their Maker, thus proceed. 
 
 But this our God and gracious friend. 
 
 Nor does, nor ever did intend ; 
 
 Tho' well 1 know some chosen folk, 
 
 Give them to Satan at a stroke ; 
 
 And without doubt or hesitation. 
 
 Doom all the heathens to damnation I 
 
 For them however it is well. 
 
 Amidst this sending down to hell. 
 
 That eveiy self-elected minion, 
 
 Can only damn them m opmion ; 
 
 While one who better knew die mind, 
 
 Which God hath shewn to all mankind, 
 
 Thus openly his will declares, f 
 
 " In ev'ry nation, he that fears 
 
 " His God, and doth that fea;- express 
 
 " By works of truth and righteousness, 
 
 t Acts X. j.V.
 
 140 A FAMILIAR 
 
 " Shall surely find, in sucli a case, 
 
 " Acceptance with the God of grace." 
 
 We see to wiiat a monstrous size 
 Peter's keen prejudice could rise ; 
 lie would not his opinion bend, 
 Till God himself did condescend 
 ^lo let him see the thing was true ; 
 And then he own'd lie better knew, -f 
 Had you good Peter's lesson ply'd 
 You'd lay these judgings all aside ; 
 That is, you'd call no person mean, 
 Reprobate, conmion, or unclean. 
 
 Paul, in a place I lately saw, jj 
 Declares that men v.iihout the law 
 Such ju4gnicnt shall at last receive, 
 As by their works themselves they give ; 
 Their co//science also servinj; them 
 Or to excuse, or to condemn : 
 And those whom God deigns to excuse 
 Satan himself dare not abuse. 
 
 More sci iptures might be broj?ght by far. 
 But these I think suflicient are 
 To shew a caud'ul fair Calvlnion, 
 The solid truth of this opinion. 
 
 Thus then I have presented vou, 
 As full, clear, and distinct a view, 
 Of my religious creed and p'an, 
 As with my choicest words 1 can. 
 1 humbly hope it will be fo ii;d 
 Consistent, open, clear, and sound. 
 Agreeing well in ev'ry view, 
 \^ ith script'ue a^d witli reason too, 
 
 t Acts X. 28. 11 Koai.ii, 12. 14. 15. 26. 27.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION'. I4t 
 
 A true God-glorifying plan, 
 And most consoling unto man. 
 
 James. Weil, you have done, and ev'ry word 
 With great avidity I've heard. 
 What in your creed 1 greatly'blame 
 Is that contempt which will disclaim 
 The awful, sov'reign pow'r of God, 
 And thus refuse his ruling rod. 
 
 Rich. You say that one main reason why 
 We will not M'ith your scheme comply, 
 A leading cause of our rejection 
 Of your sweet doctrine of election 
 Is, we will not submit to be 
 Rul'd by our Maker's sov'reignti/. 
 This you consider here, we see. 
 As singly and abstractedh/y 
 Of men's eternal states disposing ; 
 Some men rejecting, others choosing ; 
 And this too by no other measure, 
 Tiian that of his mere Sov'reign pleasure. 
 Thus, James, you charge our opposition, 
 To a proud, carnal dispositiou. 
 Which to be damn'd will not submit. 
 As yoiu" grim sov'reignty thinks fit. 
 I often too iiuve heard it said. 
 By many a turn-coat renegade, 
 Wiiose volatile, unsettled mind 
 Was veer'd about with any wind. 
 Who in the right could never rest. 
 But wheel'd about from cast to west. 
 To this, or that, as suited best ; 
 Whose wits were ever on the stretch 
 Some imposition smooth to fetch. 
 Some plausible pretence to find 
 To hide the weakness of their mind 
 
 '}
 
 142 A FAMILIAR 
 
 I say, I oft have heard it said 
 
 By these, that they have often had 
 
 Strong struggles o'er and o'er again, * 
 
 That they have fought with might and main, 
 
 -And entertain'd great disaffection 
 
 Against this doctrine of election. 
 
 But that at last it so befel 
 
 Something from heav'n (perhaps from hell !) 
 
 Quite overcame and mortify'd 
 
 This their carnality and pride ; 
 
 Some " furnace"^ taught tliern to approve, 
 
 And " peep" at sweet electing-love ; 
 
 And, strange as it may seem to be, 
 
 Gave them this soothing truth to see 
 
 (Through Calvin's light which on them shone,) 
 
 Some are elect, and 1 am one. 
 
 For ere they'll " y>eep" or will embrace 
 
 This doctrine of Caiviiiian grace, 
 
 * S.;e Mr. Bvrridge's Christian World Unmasked, where he 
 TIjoasts and vanoviis at a great rate, th.at no Calvinist cYcr alters 
 his sentiment', hut always dies at tne foot of his colours. He rails 
 asrainst the Arminians for a contrary practice. However, Mr. 
 ISerridge must eitlier have hecn iittle a.cjuainted witli men and 
 books, extremely inattciitive, or L'Ailty of pnhlishinir a wilful 
 falshood. For w hilst tiic na)v.( s and conduc t of John Goodwin, 
 x\rc}iljishop Usher, .Richard lia?vter, Dr. Watts, and others 
 that might be mentioned, are remembered, it will be easy to 
 prove the falsity of his a.-sertion. Yet we allow very readily 
 the case is far mere rare with tl-t Calvioists than the Amiinians ; 
 and think it by no means wonderfui fir many obvious reasons ; 
 In particular, we strongly su-pect that too many who have pre- 
 sumed themselves to be the elect, make the peculiarities of 
 their opinion th<" foundation of trit ir i-^lijiionj so that he that 
 touches these, touches t!ie apple of their eye. They are then 
 ready to cry out with poor j\iicah. You have taken away (or 
 are attemptinsito taive away) my (iovi% and what have I mere ? . 
 ^ See Mr. Berridge's Christian World Lnmasked, where he 
 says, a furnace, tli.ii is, I suppose, some severe affliction in 
 dutcd him to receive it.
 
 RLLIGIOUS CONVr.nSATION. 14^ 
 
 They will take care you may depend, 
 To '' peep" out from the proper end ; 
 That is, ere they embrace .tliis plan, 
 lliey A\ ill take all the pains they can, 
 A strong presumption to eft'ect. 
 That they themselves are the elect. 
 This having done, 1 can assure ye, 
 Those may expect to feel their fury, 
 Whose pride and insolence exclaim, 
 Against their great Diana's name. 
 And grim Apollyon her brotlier ; 
 I mean by botii the one and t' other. 
 Those twins so deep in llieir aft'ection, 
 Cali'd reprobalio?! and election. 
 Thev then pretenfi iheir fixed hate 
 To these things in their former state^ 
 Arose from their bei loaded, blind. 
 Proud, ignorant, ai.d carnal mind. 
 But now upon a close m nection, 
 Their eyelids clcar'd by t.'f-eU'ctiony 
 Tho" they before were diu-iy sighted, 
 Yet when by Calvin's caii.ijt lighted, 
 They most surprising sl^hto wx see, 
 They soar above legality ; 
 All their salvation-work is douc, 
 'Tis tinish'd ere it be begun ! 
 And Sin, when riijiitly understO' d. 
 Shall w ork together for their good, 
 Their covenant is sure ; and they 
 Shall never, never fall away": 
 True ; but unhappily we find. 
 It is a league of lleshly mind. 
 Which this self-pit asing scheme we see, 
 Suits to the greatest nicety ; 
 And Satan who is far too wise, 
 To break their peace, or ope their eyes.
 
 144 A FAMILIAR 
 
 Leaves them in their dehisive dream, 
 
 Enjoying this their darling scheme. 
 
 Tliey'll talk of reprobates you'll learn, . - 
 
 With as much ease and unconcern, 
 
 As if to be condemn'd to dwell, 
 
 Amidst the dneful pangs of hell 
 
 Were little more than to retire. 
 
 Arid sit by some back-kitchen fire, f' 
 
 One might expect from the parade, 
 
 By tongue-abas'd professors made. 
 
 They ev'i'y one at least would strive 
 
 To be the humblest souls alive ; 
 
 As meek as th' inoffensive dove. 
 
 And full of gentleness and love : 
 
 But where, alas ! where shall we fmd 
 
 A Calvinist of such a mind .'' 
 
 You knov.' that this is strictly true ; 
 No Calvinist you ever knew. 
 Who thought himself ordain'd by fate 
 A cursed, hopeless reprobate, 
 "^riiis a most dreadful blow would be 
 To their high thoughts of sov'reignty ; 
 Nor would they choose, as now, to prate 
 Of sov'reign Vi'rath at such a rate. 
 Tliey think .no name too mean or vile. 
 To irnament their shmd'rous style ; 
 For vile Anninians they conclude 
 No base expression is too rude ; 
 They call poor Wesley cmftt/ mcni,^ 
 A i^liatter-hraiiul old gentleman, i| 
 A libeller, X a liar rude, 
 Of moat gigantic magnitude ; l'||| 
 
 t See Mr. Sellon's Vindication of the Ciiurch of England 
 from the charge of al>.solute predestination, p. 81. $ See Mr. 
 K. Hill's Imposture Detected^ p. 40. |1 Ibid. p. 35. t H^*^- P- 
 6, Iji! Ibid. p. iiO.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 145 
 
 Blind guide, * desigtiiiig woff is he, 
 
 u4 lump of inconsistency ; 
 
 An impudent audacious liar ; || 
 
 A)i idiot rolling in the mire '; % 
 
 And next we come to preachi;ig Jaytnen, 
 
 Barbers, coblers, tinkers, draymen, i* 
 
 James. Such people if you ever knew , 
 To tbem you've render'd back their due j 
 Be you content to let them feel 
 Within themselves their foolish zeal. 
 
 Rich. If any feelings they possess, 
 They may perhaps l"eel some distress 
 For breach of love ; but they are fed 
 With such unwholesome leaven'd bread. 
 As makes them other folks discard 
 As quite unwoi thy God's regard. 
 Their system brings this vile detraction, 
 By its self choosing, into action. 
 An arrant tyrant they have view'd 
 That God who is supremely good ; 
 And since he's shewn an inclination, 
 They think, to human reprobation, 
 His method they will not neglect; 
 'J'hey'll act like him in this respect. 
 Nor for a moment hesitate 
 Thousands of men to reprobate. 
 
 Behold how bright m\/ prospects shine ! 
 How gloomy, dark, and dreadful M///e / 
 
 See Mr. HUl's Imposture Detected, p. 3. 'Jt. 3(). || >iee, 
 llie Keviow ot" Mr. Wesley's tri>it Joiinial, in' tiu; Ciospel Masa- 
 ziiie ior Mi.y, XHT. \ See Mr. Toplady's letter to Mr. Wesley, 
 
 H
 
 146 A FAMILIAK 
 
 A trembling world beneath the rod,* 
 
 The curse of a devouring God ! 
 
 Jilarth but a slaughter-house immense, 
 
 The shambles of Omnipotence ! 
 
 Millions of creatures boi n to yell 
 
 And gnash their teeth and roll in hell, 
 
 To suiFer pangs and tortures there, 
 
 Most inconceivably severe ; 
 
 And, dreadful thought ! those pangs to be 
 
 Endur'd to all eternity ! 
 
 And can your scheme, my friend, be true ' 
 
 1 start with horror at the view. 
 
 it bids me dread this mortal strife. 
 
 To shudder at the thought of /i/'e. 
 
 Poor man, a spark, by wrath divine 
 
 From non-existence struck, to shine 
 A moment, and that moment too. 
 Replete with sorrow , grief, and woe ! 
 M ho would be born to such distress, 
 
 To nought but grief and wretchedness ; 
 \V here nought substantial we can find, 
 But pain and anguish of the n)iud ; 
 Where joy to 7nosf, if joy it be, 
 But lieightens future misery r 
 Can you^ in your imagination. 
 Believe the absolute danmation 
 Of such great numbers passed by, 
 And then v.ith cold indilf 'rence cry, 
 H'fii/ should zee hsed their pain and shame '^ 
 No cause hove zee to vity the/a ; 
 " IjCf all hut as in Tophet dzcell, 
 " A'ca'j zrlth reprobates to hell!" '\' 
 
 * 1 havo here taken fif ely from Dr. Young's Nisrkt Thoujihts, 
 ;is the rnan of reading will easily ncrceive. T Ste a Hvnui by 
 "Yir. C. We^jloy.
 
 RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. 147 
 
 James. My, friewd, I never yet could see, 
 How God could make a dire decree 
 Producing sin and wickedness, 
 And ni\iitiplying man's distress. 
 1 much dislike these schemes to name 
 ^Vhich many of our party frame, 
 That they may help, in time of need. 
 Our good but yet imperfect creed ; 
 Nowdo 1 like what many tell 
 Of Heathens being doom'd to hell. 
 But still 1 think, we always ought, 
 As by the scriptures we are taught. 
 To give to God, on each occasion. 
 The glory of man's K'Ao/e sahatiou. 
 
 Poor, erring man by reason tries 
 God's deeds and words to methodize ; 
 But weakness dolh itself attach 
 To him who would Omniscience mat<;h. 
 God knows, and only he, what best 
 His gracious pow'r will manilest. 
 I think his glory you intend, 
 While thas your system you defend ; 
 Believe the same of me, and then, 
 We both shall act as Christian men. 
 
 Rich. I'm glad you have such candour shewn, 
 As reprobation to disown ; 
 Yet you and I cannot agree 
 Concerning man's free-agency ; 
 Your censures would as errors brand 
 The points you cannot nndcrstand. 
 Christ's blessed words for ever will 
 Say to man's wisdom, " Peace, be still." 
 He did not say the .Jews con/d not, 
 But this, " 1 would and ye tto?^^ not." * 
 
 Luke 13. 31.
 
 I4S A FAMILIAK 
 
 And now, I think, I fairly can 
 Ascribe to God, upon my plan, 
 AVitliout the smallest reservation, 
 The glory of my zohole salvation ; 
 I only do on God depend 
 As the Jbst leading cause and end ; 
 My trust alone on Jesus leans, 
 As ihe Jirst great and leading means. 
 
 Give me your hand, we're one in heart. 
 And thus like Christians let us part. / 
 
 Like brethren they did separate, 
 And often have they met of late ; 
 -Nor have they said a wranghng word ; 
 Nor hath a breath of })assion stirr'd ; 
 Each by his own choice system steers. 
 Nor with his neighbour's interferes ; 
 A mutual kindness they display. 
 And cheerfully hold on their way. 
 I doubt not but at last they'll meet 
 With saints around the Saviour's feet. 
 Perhaps the Lord of alJ thinks fit 
 'J'hese dift 'rent systems to permit, 
 That men at length may (>od's love prize, 
 And true forbearance exercise. 
 Oh ! quickly luay that time anive 
 When men in Charity shall live, 
 When all shall know Jeiiovah'sname, 
 And kindly thhik and speak \\\<4 same. , *; 
 
 FINIS. "%^-^''. . 
 
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