I am sorry though not surprised, to see and hear the rage
and ill-will with which you persecute even to strange, or at least
distant places, those whom
it is reasonable to think came on a
laudable design, even their enemies being judges: that it might
not be well applied, was a
base insinuation; how much like a
stab in the Dark, I leave you to judge, as alas how
near the term
"money hunters" suits
Mr. M. the heavy taxes do not I suppose
hurt you, neither are you
among the starving ministers: how much
you contribute to the Support of the
destitute, you best know,
but for my part,
excuse freedom I believe but little, though I hope none
will repent as you fear, of having given to this cause. Envy and Pride
seem to be the dictators, and that too plainly, I am Sorry to See it; and
now you complain of abuse pray who began? consider your letter
to
Mr. Peirce, which you desired might be showed; was it not with
an invidious intent? what ridicule did it contain! how
was
it calculated to raise prejudices in sincere minds and degrade persons
may I not Say of better qualifications than
Mr. M? Remember He that
exalts himself shall be abased, who think you has more reason
to fear it than
Mr. M, I Can't help thinking on
the illiterate
and unapproved brethren pray who made you literate? and
with what face
can you talk so? If Charity had been so cold you never would have
"
talked so, to be mean or educated on
charity is no disgrace;
but for such to be proud and overbearing to their betters what is it,? or what
is it not? It is too common but not always the case of
upstarts, a
character which I never Remember to have heard
Mr. Whitaker give
Mr. M. it was sent indeed in a letter from a Gentleman at
London but no news to people in
Plymouth, you have accused Mr.
[illegible: [guess: Me]]nds of
Slandering
you, being a stranger; if a Stranger, pray why did
Mr
M Slander him so many Years ago at
Crumble Passage
and others; one
indeed who you Said was your Spiritual Father,
I wish it may be so,
how did you endeavour to blacken the character of persons of Piety
and
usefulness, and in every respect so much
superior to
Mr. M that
he is not worthy to be named with them, and that to me, who you might
Suppose might spread it abroad, and not be known from whence it came
how did you revile even to
Mr. Gibbs
and me; how tauntingly did you
behave, have not even I heard
obscenity indeed
and you meant no harm
did you? is this the character of a Minister! let the Name be erased or
or better used, I would desire the latter. Who pray when a friend was
willing to hear
Mr.
Whitefield
bantered
and got him to an Inn on a Sunday over
to drink punch? who pray told a Young gentleman that a Minister should
be conversant with Bad houses and experimentally know the smart of it
to be able to well to Preach against
it! and there was no harm meant by it
May it be so: but how well those things
become the character of a
Minister let an impartial person
Judge. I wish the bad may mend and the
Proud and
overbearing become humble; but if not they shall be humbled
you know I hate dissimulation
and flattery, I would speak plainly and you
know, I 'Speak truly. Go no farther act not the part of Job
and Complain
of others smiting secretly and
maliciously, Justice at last found out even
the General of
Israels Army; therefore be wise, lay your hand on your
mouth and charge not the innocent and worthy. I really wish you well in every
right way
and
should be glad of your mending what is wrong. what I have
omitted you may add, and not think me your enemy for telling you
the truth, which I hope always will be done by