18 BAXTER-WHITEFIELD. [Whitefield to Count Zinzendorff.] "PRAY, my Lord," said WHITEFIELD in a letter to Count Zinzendorff, "what instances have we of the first Christians walking round the graves of their deceased friends on Easter day, attended with hautboys, trumpets, French horns, violins, and other kinds of musical instruments? OTM where have we the least mention made of pictures of particular persons being brought into the Christian assemblies, and of candles being placed behind them in order to give a transparent view of the figures? where was it ever known that the picture of the apostle Paul, representing him handing a gentleman and lady up to the side of Jesus Christ, was ever introduced into the primitive love-feasts? Or do we ever hear, my Lord, of incense, or something like it, being burnt for him, in order to perfume the room before he made his entrance among the brethren? Or can it be supposed that he, who, together with Barna now therefore more apprehensive than heretofore, of the necessity of well grounding men in their religion, and especially of the witness of the indwelling Spirit; for I more sensibly perceive that the Spirit is the great witness of Christ and Christianity to the world. And though the folly of fanatics tempted me long to overlook the strength of this testimony of the Spirit, while they placed it in a certain internal affection, or enthusiastic inspiration, yet now I see that the Holy Ghost in another manner is the witness of Christ and his agent in the world. The Spirit in the prophets was his first witness, and the Spirit by miracles was the second; and the Spirit by renovation, sanctification, illumination, and consolation, assimilating the soul to Christ and heaven, is the continued witness to all true believers, and if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, the same is none of his (Rom. viii. 9). Even as the rational soul in the child is the inherent witness of evidence, that he is the child of rational parents. And therefore ungodly persons have a great disad-bas, so eagerly repelled the Lycaonians, vantage in their resisting temptations to unbelief, and it is no wonder if Christ be a stumbling block to the Jews, and to the Gentiles foolishness. There is many a one that hideth his temptations to infidelity, because he thinketh it a shame to open them, and because it may generate doubts in others; but I doubt the imperfections of most men's care of their salvation, and of "Again, my Lord, I beg leave to inquire their diligence and resolution in a holy life, whether we hear any thing in Scripture of doth come from the imperfection of their eldresses or deaconesses of the apostolical belief of Christianity and the life to come. churches seating themselves before a table For my part I must profess, that when my covered with artificial flowers, and against belief of things eternal and of the Scripture, that a little altar surrounded with wax tais most clear and firm, all goeth accordingly pers, on which stood a cross, composed in my soul, and all temptations to sinful either of mock or real diamonds, or other compliances, worldliness, or flesh pleasing, glittering stones? And yet your Lordship do signify worse to me, than an invitation must be sensible this was done in Fetterto the stocks or Bedlam. And no petition lane chapel, for Mrs. Hannah Nitschman, seemeth more necessary to me than Lord, the present general eldress of your congreincrease our faith: I believe, help my un-gation, with this addition, that all the sisbelief." when they brought oxen and garlands in order to sacrifice unto them, would ever have suffered such things to be done for him, without expressing his abhorrence and detestation of them? and yet your Lordship knows both those have been done for you, without your having shown, as far as I can hear, the least dislike. ters were seated, clothed in white, and with German caps; the organ also illuminated with three pyramids of wax tapers, each of which was tied with a red ribbon; and devotions, and regaled themselves with After sweet-meats, coffee, tea, and wine. over the head of the general eldress was placed her own picture, and over that (horresco referens?) the picture of the Son of God. A goodly sight this, my Lord, for a company of English protestants to behold! Alas! to what a long series of childish and superstitious devotions, and unscriptural "Since my writing this, I have been told impositions, must they have been habituated, of a very singular expedient made use of before they could sit silent and tame spec- by Mr. Peter Boeblen, one of the brethren's tators of such an antichristian scene. Surely bishops, in order to strengthen the faith, had Gideon, though but an old Testament and to raise the drooping spirits of Mr. saint, been present, he would have risen William Bell, (who hath been unhappily and pulled down this, as he formerly did drawn in with several others) to be one of his father's altar. Or had even that meek their agents. It was this: it being Mr. man Moses been there, I cannot help think- Bell's birthday, he was sent for from his ing, but he would have addressed your house in Nevil's-alley, Fetter-lane; but for Lordship, partly at least, in the words with a while, having had some words with Mr. which he addressed his brother Aaron, Boeblen, he refused to come; at length he What did this people unto thee, that thou complied, and was introduced into a hall, hast introduced such superstitious customs in the same alley, where was placed an aramong them?' tificial mountain, which, upon singing a "A like scene to this was exhibited by particular verse, was made to fall down, the single brethren in a room of their house and then behind it was discovered an illuat Hatton Garden. One of them who helped mination, representing Jesus Christ and to furnish it, gave me the following account. Mr. Bell, sitting very near, or embracing The floor was covered with sand and moss, each other; and out of the clouds was also and in the middle of it was paved a star of represented plenty of money falling round different coloured pebbles; upon that was Mr. Bell and the Saviour. This story applaced a gilded dove, which spouted water peared to me so incredible at the first hearout of its mouth into a vessel prepared for ing, that, though I could not doubt the its reception, which was curiously decked veracity of the relator, yet fearing he might with artificial leaves and flags; the room be misinformed, I sent for him again, and was hung with moss and shells; the Count, he assured me that Mr. Bell told this story his son, and son in law, in honour of whom himself some time ago in company, and a all this was done, with Mrs. Hannah Nitsch-person of good reputation of that company man, and Mr. Peter Boeblen and some related it to an acquaintance of mine." other labourers, were present. These were seated under an alcove, supported by columns made of pasteboard, and over their heads was painted an oval, in imitation of [The entailed Curse cut off.] marble, containing cyphers of Count Zin- "I PREACHED at Crowle, and afterwards zendorff's family. Upon a side table was searched the church-yard, to find the tomb a little altar covered with shells, and on of Mr. Ashbourn. We could find nothing each side of the altar was a bloody heart, of it there. At length we found a large flat out of, or near which, proceeded flames. stone in the church. But the inscription The room was illuminated with wax tapers, was utterly illegible, the letters being filled and musicians placed in an adjacent apart-up with dust. However, we made a shift to ment, while the company performed their pick it out, and then read as follows: 20 20 WESLEY-GONZALO DE BERCEO-PAYNE. 'Here lieth the body of Mr. Solomon Ashbourn. He died in 1711, and solemnly bequeathed the following verses to his parishioners. 'Yestiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost. As your fathers did, so do ye. Acts vii. 54. 'I have laboured in vain. I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain. Yet surely my judgement is with the Lord; and my work with my God.' Isaiah xlix. 4. "But that generation which was abandoned to all wickedness, is gone: so are most of their children. And there is reason to hope, that the curse intailed on them and their children is gone also. For there is now a more lively work of God here, than in any of the neighbouring places."-WES LEY'S Journal, vol. 18, p. 118. [Steps in advance.] shake exceedingly: that they were greatly surprised, and carefully searched every room: but to no purpose: that not long after, there was a second shaking as violent as the former. That a while after, the house shook a third time; and just then Mrs. M- died.' "My companions and I were greatly strengthened by an uncommon trial that befel us soon after. We frequently went out at night, to pray by the side of the mountain. One night, as we were walking together, and talking of the things of God, I heard a noise, and saw something in the form of a large bear pursuing me closely. My hair stood on end, and as we were walking arm in arm, I suddenly pulled both my companions round with me. They both saw him, and one of them fainted away. It then reared itself upon its hind legs into the air. I said, Satan we are come hither to serve God and we will do it, in spite of thee, and all the devils in hell. Instantly it sunk into the earth: we then prayed upon the very spot; and soon found ourselves strong in the Lord, and in the power "TAL era como plata, mozo casto gradero, [Delusions of Satan.] "My seriousness was increased by an extraordinary occurrence, which I simply relate just as it was. 'One night, as I was standing sentinel at Mr. M-'s door, I heard a dreadful rattling, as if the house was all shaken to pieces, and tumbling down about my ears. Looking towards it, I saw an appearance about the size of a six-weeks' calf, lying at the door. It rose, came towards me, looked me in the face, passed by, returned again, and went to the door. The house shook as before, and it disappeared. A few days after, our head Inn-keeper, Mr. M-, told the officer of the guard, that the same night Mrs. M— died, he with eight persons more sitting up, observed the house [Curse of Duelling.] LAST Summer I received a letter from a friend, wherein he writes these words. "I think it would be worth your while to take a view of those wonderful marks of the Lord's hatred to duelling, called The Brothers' Steps. "They are in the fields, about a third of a mile northward from Montague House. And the awful tradition concerning them is, That two brothers quarrelled about a worthless woman, and according to the fashion of those days fought with sword and pistol. The prints of their feet are about the depth of three inches, and nothing will vegetate so much as to disfigure them. The number is only eighty-three: but probably some are at present up. For I think, there were formerly more in the centre BURNET. where each unhappy combatant wounded the other to death. And a bank on which the first who fell, died, retains the form of his agonizing couch, by the curse of barrenness, while grass flourishes all about it. Mr. George Hall, who was the Librarian of Lincoln's-Inn, first shewed me these steps, twenty-eight years ago, when, I think, they were not quite so deep as now. He remembered them about thirty years, and the man who first showed them him, about thirty more; which goes back to the year 1692: but I suppose they originated in king Charles II.'s reign. My mother well remembered their being ploughed up, and corn sown to deface them about fifty years ago. But all was labour in vain; for the prints returned in a while to their pristine form; as probably will those that are now filled up. Indeed I think an account of them in your magazine, would be a pious memorial of their lasting reality. "These hints are only offered as a small token of my goodwill to yourself, and the work by your Son and Brother in the Gospel, JOHN WALSH." This account appeared to me so very extraordinary, that I knew not what to think of it. I knew Mr. Walsh to be a person of good understanding and real piety; and he testified what he had seen with his own eyes: but still I wanted more witnesses; till awhile ago, being at Mr. Cary's, in Copthall Buildings, I occasionally mentioned The Brothers' Footsteps, and asked the company if they had heard anything of them? "Sir," said Mr. Cary, "sixteen years ago, I saw and counted them myself." Another added, "And I saw them four years ago." I could then no longer doubt but they had been. And a week or two after, I went with Mr. Cary and another person to seek them. 21 work, directed us to the next ground, adjoining to a pond. There we found what we sought for, about three quarters of a mile of Montague House, and about five hundred yards east of Tottenham Court Road. The steps answer Mr. Walsh's description. They are of the size of a large human foot, about three inches deep, and lie nearly from north-east to south-west. We counted only seventy-six: but we were not exact in counting. The place where one or both the brothers are supposed to have fallen, is still bare of grass. The labourer showed us also the bank, where (the tradition is) the wretched woman sat to see the combat. What shall we say to these things? Why to Atheists or Infidels of any kind, I would not say one word about them. For if they hear not Moses and the Prophets, they will not regard any thing of this kind. But to men of candour, who believe the Bible to be of God, I would say, is not this an astonishing instance, held forth to all the inhabitants of London, of the justice and power of God? Does not the curse he has denounced upon this ground bear some resemblance to that of our Lord on the barren fig tree, Henceforth let no fruit grow upon thee for ever! I see no reason or pretence for any rational man to doubt of the truth of the story; since it has been confirmed by these tokens for more than an hundred years successively. [Effects of Latimer's Preaching.] "Two entries made in the Council Books show the good effects of Latimer's zealous preaching. On the 10th of March he brought in £104 recovered of one who had concealed it from the king: and a little after £368 of the king's money."-BUR We sought for near half an hour in vain.NET, vol. 3, p. 196. We could find no steps at all, within a quarter of a mile, no nor half a mile north of Montague House. We were almost out of hope, when an honest man who was at―R. S. To appreciate the power of his homely, but home preaching, the relative value of money at that time should be remembered. 22 CHARLES PERRONET. given up all besides. I was so engaged Charles Perronet in Communion with the with Christ, that the thought how he had Father and the Son. "WHEN I first sought the Lord, I found no intercourse open with him, though his Spirit daily changed my heart, and drew me from all outward things, to seek my all in Uncreated Good. "The first six months I was refreshed by various influences of grace, which drew me after heavenly things, but discovered nothing of him from whom they came. I was all desire, all fervour, and on the stretch for divine communications, as one dead to all below. Outward things could not allure me, because I had renounced them, and devoted myself to the love of Christ. But it was not till after much joy and sorrow, that I knew the mighty All, for whose sake all was and is, the first eternal spring of all things, in whom they begin and end. "After this, I was three months in deep distress, through the loss of those meltings of heart, of that light and joy, and power to approach God in prayer. Then Christ restored the graces I had possessed with double increase, and the revelation of himself. The grace I received came now with Jesus Christ himself, in so clear a manifestation, that from what I daily experienced, I could have preached him to all the world. If I had never heard the name of Christ, I I could have declared him to be God and man, and the Mediator between both. Now I sought grace; but Jesus above grace, and all that could be imparted. Whatever help or strength I obtained, it seemed a small thing if he came not with what he bestowed. The Son of God was now my refuge from every storm: my friend, my hiding-place on all occasions. I talked with him, he seemed to look upon me with precious smiles; became my delightful abode; gave me promises, and made all my existence glory in himself, fixing all my desires upon his love and the glorious display of his own person. I could relish only Jesus: to have been a moment with him I would have been despised while on earth, drowned my eyes with tears; and the thought, that now he possessed all fulness, so satisfied my largest desires, that I had no choice whether to exist or not: whatever was myself, was no more. It seemed to make no part of my happiness. All centered in Jesus and him alone. "Before I experienced this, I had never known that prayer was offered up to Christ, but only in his name. But now all my cry was to him, as he was the only person of Godhead I beheld. At first he discovered himself as the Holy Lord and Ruler over his Redeemed: then as a Father of his adopted Children, a Friend, an intimate and condescending Companion: last of all, as the Spouse of his Church, of all believers; which character exceeded every other. Every manifestation more abundantly knit my heart to himself, his word, and commandments. I could truly say, How dear are thy counsels to me, O God! All my study is in thy commandments. "The Scripture displays the relation God stands in to his people, in a multitude of sacred characters. Some of these relate to this world, some to the other: but all prove diversity of experience; and that one star differeth from another both in grace and glory. "Just after my uniting with the Methodists, the Father was revealed to me; and soon after, the whole Trinity: I beheld the distinct Persons of the Godhead; and worshipped one undivided Jehovah, and each person separately. After this, I often had intercourse with Christ and with the Father: afterward, with the Spirit also. But after four years, my usual communion was with Christ only: though at times with the Father likewise; and not wholly without the Spirit. Of late I have found the same access to the Triune God. When I approach Jesus, the Father and Spirit commune with me, but not in the degree as before. Whatever I receive now, centres |