fingle point of duty; but to take in the
) 4« You are fenfible what figures thofe make, who flay in the univerfity till they are fuperannuated. I cannot think drowfmefs promotes holinefs.
How commonly do they drone away their life, either in a college or a country parfonage, where they can only give God the ftmffs of them; having nothing of life or vigour left, to make them ufeful in the world.
5. We are not to fix out eye on one fingle point of duty; but to take in the complicated view of all the circumftances in every ftate of life that offers.
Thus, in the cafe before us, put all the circumftances together. If you are not indifferent whether the labours of an aged father for above forty years, in God's vineyard, be loft, and the fence of it trodden down and deftroycd; if you confider that Mr M mud in all https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press
C probability fucceed me, if you do not ;• and that the profpeft of that mighty Nimlod's coming hither, fhocks my foul, and is in a fair way of bringing down my grey hairs with fonfo"» to the gravd; if you have any care for OUT family, whichmu(V be difrnally Shattered, as foon as I am dr6pt; if you reflect on the dear lovt and longing of this poor people for you, whereby you will be enabled to do God fhe more fervice, and the pknteoufnefs of the harveft, confiding of near two thoufand fouls, whereas you have notmany more fcholars in the univerfity, you may perhaps alter your will, and bend your mind to him, who has promifed, " if in all our ways we acknowledge him, he will direct our paths."
This pathetic letter was followed by another from his fon Samuel. His brohttps://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press
( 1*5 ) ther's chief objection was, as we have feen already, th?«t he could not leave Oxford, upon ths principle of doing good, becaufe he was convinced, that where ibe could reap the moft benefit himfelf, he could more eiFe&ually promote the good of others. But, fays he^
" I am equally aflured there is no place under heaven, fo fit for my improvement as Oxford."
A paflage in Samuel's letter, where he contrafts his own obedience to his father's injunctions, with the inflexible behaviour of his brother, gives a finking view of the opinion he had of his refoiute and determined fpirk.
The expreffions are very remarkable. " After this declaration, I believe no one can move your mind, but him that made it: much Iefs do I think myfelf qualified for that purpofe. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press
"You may fay, I have been too paffivc 1 left Oxford, with all the opportunity of doing gbodj on a worldly account, at my father's defire. I left my laft fettlement, by the fame determination; and I mould have thought I finned both times, if I had not followed it.
" You are not at liberty to refolve againfl: undertaking a cure of fouls. You are folemnly engaged to do it, before God, and his high prieft, and his church.
Are you not ordained ? Did you not deliberately and openly promife to inftruft, to admonifh, to exhort thofe committed to your charge ? Did you equivocate then, with fo vile a refervation, as to propofe in your heart, that you would never have any fo committed ?
5Tis not an univerfity; 'tis not a college.; 'tis the order of the church according to which you were called. Let Charles, if https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press
he is filly enough, vow never to leave Oxford, and therefore avoid orders. Your faith is already plighted to the contrary.
You have put your hand to the plough; to that plough!
" I mention no lefs confiderations, but reftrain myfelf; though not a little furprifed, that you feetn to hint what never before entered the head of a Chriftian, that a parifh prieft cannot attain to the highefl: poflible perfection on this fide heaven."
Mr Wefley s reply to thefe letters is addrefled to his father", and contains fo extenfive a view of the fubjecT:, and fo clear a detail of fome of the mod fingular of his opinions, that it is with regret we omit it's infertion.
But as it would take up too much room in thefe memoirs, we mud endeavour to extraft the fubilance of the arguments.; referring the https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139644792.006 Published online by Cambridge University Press