immediately withstood them, by every possible means, both in public and private. I preached expressly upon the
divine life is their own coldness, negligence, and unbelief. And yet I here speak of believers. "May the Spirit of Christ give us a right judgment in all things, and `fill us with all the fulness of God;' that so we may be `perfect and entire, wanting nothing.'" 22. About the same time, five or six honest enthusiasts foretold the world was to end on the 28th of February. I immediately withstood them, by every possible means, both in public and private. I preached expressly upon the subject, both at West-Street and Spitalfields. I warned the society, again and again, and spoke severally to as many as I could; and I saw the fruit of my labour. They made exceeding few converts: I believe scarce thirty in our whole society. Nevertheless, they made abundance of noise, gave huge occasion of offence to those who took care to improve to the uttermost every occasion against me, and greatly increased both the number and courage of those who opposed Christian perfection. 23. Some questions, now published by one of these, induced a plain man to write the following -- "QUERIES, humbly proposed to those who deny perfection to be attainable in this life. "(1.) Has there not been a larger measure of the Holy Spirit given under the Gospel, than under the Jewish dispensation? If not, in what sense was the Spirit not given before Christ was glorified? (John 7:39.) "(2.) Was that `glory which followed the sufferings of Christ,' (1 Peter 1:11,) an external glory, or an internal, viz., the glory of holiness? "(3.) Has God anywhere in Scripture commanded us more than he has promised to us? "(4.) Are the promises of God respecting holiness to be fulfilled in this life, or only in the next? "(5.) Is a Christian under any other laws than those which God promises to `write in our hearts?' (Jer. 31:31, &c.; Heb. 8:10.) "(6.) In what sense is `the righteousness of the law fulfilled in those who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit?' (Rom. 8:4.) "(7.) Is it impossible for any one in this life to `love God with all his heart, and mind, and soul, and strength?' And is the Christian under any law which is not fulfilled in this love? "(8.) Does the soul's going out of the body effect its purification from indwelling sin? "(9.) If so, is it not something else, not `the blood of Christ which cleanseth' it `from all sin?' "(10.) If his blood cleanseth us from all sin, while the soul and body are united, is it not in this life? "(11.) If when that union ceases, is it not in the next? And is not this too late? "(12.) If in the article of death; what situation is the soul in, when it is neither in the body nor out of it? "(13.) Has Christ anywhere taught us to pray for what he never designs to give? "(14.) Has he not taught us to pray, 'Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven?' And is it not done perfectly in heaven? "(15.) If so, has he not taught us to pray for perfection on earth? Does he not then design to give it? "(16.) Did not St. Paul pray according to the will of God, when he prayed that the Thessalonians might be `sanctified wholly, and preserved' (in this world, not the next, unless he was praying for the dead) `blameless in body, soul, and spirit, unto the coming of Jesus Christ?' "(17.) Do you sincerely desire to be freed from indwelling sin in this life? "(18.) If you do, did not God give you that desire? "(19.) If so, did he not give it you to mock you, since it is impossible it should ever be fulfilled? "(20.) If you have not sincerity enough even to desire it, are you not disputing about matters too high for you? "(21.) Do you ever pray God to `cleanse the thoughts of your heart, that' you `may perfectly love him?' "(22.) If you neither desire what you ask, nor believe it attainable, pray you not as a fool prayeth? "God help thee to consider these questions calmly and impartially!" 24. In the latter end of this year, God called to himself that burning and shining light, Jane Cooper. As she was both a living and a dying witness of Christian perfection, it will not be at all foreign to the subject to add a short account of her death; with one of her own letters, containing a plain and artless relation of the manner wherein it pleased God to work that great change in her soul: -- "May 2, 1761. "I believe while memory remains in me, gratitude will continue. From the time you preached on Gal. 5:5, I saw clearly the true state of my soul. That sermon described my heart, and what it wanted to be; namely, truly happy. You read Mr. M---'s letter, and it described the religion which I desired. From that time the prize appeared in view, and I was enabled to follow hard after it. I was kept watching unto prayer, sometimes in much distress, at other times in patient expectation of the blessing. For some days before you left London, my soul was stayed on a promise I had applied to me in prayer: `The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple.' I believed he would, and that he would sit there as a refiner's fire. The Tuesday after you went, I thought I could not sleep, unless he fulfilled his word that night. I never knew as I did then the force of these words: `Be still, and know that I am God.' I became nothing before Him, and enjoyed perfect calmness in my soul. I knew not whether he had destroyed my sin; but I desired to know, that I might praise Him. Yet I soon found the return of unbelief, and groaned, being burdened. On Wednesday I went to London, and sought the Lord without ceasing. I promised, if he would save me from sin, I would praise him. I could part with all things, so I might win Christ. But I found all these pleas to be nothing worth; and that if He saved me, it must be freely, for his own name's sake. On Thursday I was so much tempted, that I thought of destroying myself, or never conversing more with the people of God: And yet I had no doubt of his pardoning love; but, -- 'Twas worse than death my God to love, And not my God alone.