_To the Rev. Mr. J. W._
_Boston, Sept. 25, 1740._
_Honoured Sir_,
THIS is sent in answer to your letter dated _March 25_.――I think,
I have for some time known what it is to have righteousness, peace,
and joy in the Holy Ghost. These, I believe, are the privileges of
the sons of GOD: But I cannot say I am free from indwelling sin; no,
I find a law in my members warring against the law of my mind: This
makes me to cry out, even now, “Who shall deliver me from the body
of this death?” I thank GOD, our LORD JESUS CHRIST will. I cannot
see wherein the heterodoxy of the article of our church doth consist,
which says, “That this corruption remains even in the regenerate;”
and if that after conversion we cannot sin in thought, word or deed,
I do not know why our LORD taught us to pray to our heavenly Father,
“Forgive us our trespasses.” I am sorry, honoured Sir, to hear by
many letters, that you seem to own a _sinless perfection_ in this life
attainable. I think I cannot answer you better, than a venerable old
minister in these parts answered a Quaker. “Bring me a man that hath
really arrived to this, and I will pay his expences, let him come
from where he will.” I know not what you may think, I do not expect
to say indwelling sin is finished and destroyed in me, till I bow down
my head and give up the ghost. There must be some _Amalekites_ left
in the _Israelites_ land, to keep his soul in action, to keep him
humble, and to drive him continually to JESUS CHRIST for pardon and
forgiveness. I know many abuse this doctrine, and perhaps wilfully
indulge sin, or do not aspire after holiness, because no man is
perfect in this life. But what of that? must I therefore assert
doctrines contrary to the gospel? GOD forbid. Whether the seventh
to the _Romans_, is applicable to a converted person (as many very
eminent saints have thought) is not at all to the purpose: There
are other passages of scripture, which plainly shew that sinless
perfection is not attainable here below. Such as these, “There is no
man that liveth and sinneth not.” “In many things we offend all.” And
I know no sin except the sin against the Holy Ghost, of which a child
of GOD may not be guilty, if GOD should withdraw his grace.
Whatever you may think of _David_, the scripture says, “He was a
man after GOD’s own heart;” yet how did he fall? And if you will not
permit _Peter_ to have been converted when he denied his Master; what
will you say to St. _Paul_? Did not he sin, do you think, (at least
were not his passions irregular, and what is that but sin) when he
spoke to the High Priest, and called him whited wall? Besides, dear
Sir, what a fond conceit is it to cry up _perfection_, and yet cry
down the doctrine of _final perseverance_? But this, and many other
absurdities you will run into, because you will not own _Election_:
And you will not own Election, because you cannot own it without
believing the doctrine of _Reprobation_. What then is there in
reprobation so horrid? I see no blasphemy in holding that doctrine,
if rightly explained. If GOD might have passed by all, he may pass by
some. Judge whether it is not a greater blasphemy to say, “CHRIST died
for souls now in hell.” Surely, dear Sir, you do not believe there
will be a general _gaol delivery_ of damned souls hereafter. O that
you would study the covenant of grace! O that you were truly convinced
of sin, and brought to the foot of sovereign grace! _Elisha Cole on
GOD’s sovereignty_, and _Veritas Redux_, written by Doctor _Edwards_,
are well worth your reading. But I have done; if you think so meanly
of _Bunyan_, and the Puritan writers, I do not wonder that you think
me wrong. I find your sermon has had its expected success; it hath
set the nation a disputing; you will have enough to do now to answer
pamphlets; two I have already seen. O that you would be more cautious
in casting lots! O that you would not be too rash and precipitant!
If you go on thus, _honoured Sir_, how can I concur with you? It is
impossible; I must speak what I know.――Thus I write out of the fulness
of my heart: I feel myself to be a vile sinner.――I look to CHRIST; I
mourn because I have pierced him. Honoured Sir, pray for me. The LORD
be with your dear soul. About Spring you may expect to see,
Ever, ever yours in CHRIST,
_G. W._