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attached to a system which comprehends many errors, without seeing the consequences which flow from their creed; but, whatever difference there may be in their phraseology, I cannot conceive that any who have experienced the saving influences of the Blessed Spirit, who is the Spirit of truth, and received the Lord Jesus, as he is offered in his word, can heartily oppose the doctrines of grace as professed by our Reformed Church, or be at real enmity against those truths, which not only singly vindicate the sovereignty and glory of God, but are so connected and mutually support each other, that if one is taken away, the whole chain is broken, and the plan of redemption, which is worthy of God, and illustriously displays all the divine perfections, becomes obscured, if not essentially changed. * * * It is said the knowing and learned among them, of which there is no doubt a considerable number, avowedly adopt the whole system of the Arminian doctrines: if so, their opposition to the confession of faith of the Reformed Church is easily accounted for."

"There was, sometime ago, a considerable rumour throughout the city, respecting the religious exercises of many in the Methodist Church. — Whether there was any foundation for the favourable report you heard concerning it, I do not know.

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I wish it may be true; my soul would rejoice if hundreds of sinners were savingly converted by whatever instruments the Lord might choose. Instead of gainsaying the work, I would most willingly unite my thanksgiving to the great Redeemer. But it certainly is premature to pretend to ascertain with precision, the numbers which are converted upon no other evidence than the impressions received, or affections expressed, in one hour. It argues an ignorance of the human heart, or the pride of party ostentation, to come forward with such accounts so soon and so positively."

Two of his particular clerical friends, and most able coadjutors in ecclesiastical matters, about this time rested from their labours; and he was deeply affected with the loss which the Church and himself had sustained in their death. Divine Providence, in the removal, within a short space, of such men, eminent for their wisdom, piety, and zeal, seemed to him to wear a very frowning aspect, and to indicate that God had a controversy with the Church.

He thus feelingly expresses liimself upon the subject, in a letter to Dr. Romeyn, of Nov. 1791: "When I returned home, I was greatly afflicted to find a letter, which announced the death of our