Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ...yet I fear he is not clear of blame in this. He is too warm and impatient of contradiction, otherwise he must be lost to all commonsense, to preach against final perseverance in Scotland. From the first hour that I entered the kingdom, it was a sacred rule with me never to preach on any controverted'point--at least, not in a controversial way. Any one may see that this is only to put a sword into our enemies' hands. It is the direct way to increase all their prejudices, and to make all our labours fruitless.... John Wesley.2 February 26, 1771. My Dear Lady, --I cannot but think the chief reason of the little good done by our preachers in Edinburgh is the opposition which has been made by the ministers of Edinburgh, as well as by the false brethren from England. These steeled the hearts of the people against all the good impressions which might otherwise have been made; so that the same preachers, by whom God has constantly wrought, not only in various parts of England, but likewise in the northern parts of Scot 1 One of his preachers. Minutes, p. 103. 2 Lady Maxwell's Life, p. 72. SCOTTISH CALVINISM. 167 land, were in Edinburgh only useless. They felt a damp upon their spirits: they had not their usual liberty of speech; and the word they spoke seemed to rebound upon them, and not to sink into the hearts of the hearers. At my first coming I usually find something of this myself; but at the second or third time of preaching it is gone. I think it will not be easy for any one to show us either that Christ did not die for all, or that He is not willing as well as able to cleanse from all sin, even in this present world. If your steady adherence to these great truths be termed bigotry, you have no need to be ashamed. You are reproached for..
