The Life of Mrs. Mary Fletcher Consort and Relict of the Rev. John Fletcher, Vicar of Madeley, Salop. Compiled from her Journal and other Authentic Documents. By Henry Moore.

PREFACE

A short time after I was appointed to the Birmingham district, the papers of the late Mrs. Fletcher were put into my hands. I was informed at the same time, that the venerable person whose life was recorded in them had mentioned me as one that she wished should prepare and publish her papers; and that an application to that effect would have been made to me before that time, but that the distance of my former appointment had prevented it, Mrs. Fletcher having laid an injunction on her friend, to whom, by will, she had committed them, not to give them absolutely into the hands of any person whatsoever.

I examined those papers with no common interest. They gave an account not only of the writer’s own life, but involved, in some respects, that of her admirable husband. I was certain that those records were desired, and would be received, by the most pious in these kingdoms, not as a common religious biography, but as the record of an uncommon work of God; and that they would not be expected to fall short of any account which has come forth in that great revival of scriptural Christianity in our day, concerning which we have so often been constrained to say, What hath God wrought

I have often wished to see such a display of that work as would show its genuine nature and fruits, free from the coloring of those writers who were not directly concerned in it; or of those who might be so anxious about its public reputation as to forget that the circumcision of the heart is justified only by those children of the 1ight and of the day who prove its power, and cry, Abba, Father, by the Spirit of adoption; and whose praise is not of men, but of God. It is much to be desired also to see such an account made living and powerfully being personified;—to see an individual thus walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

A general history of this work, including all the important circumstances, has been already published, especially in the journals of the Rev. Mr. John Wesley, the father of Methodism, so called. In these we see, as in the Gospel, the grain of mustard seed increasing and becoming a great tree, to the astonishment of those who witness its small beginning,—who saw the cloud arise little as a human hand. The display given us in that account is distinguished by the same simplicity, purity, and classical beauty, which are observable in all the writings of that eminent instrument of God. This large survey is highly satisfactory; but the aid of living testimony is necessary to bring it home to the hearts of those whose inquiry is, What shall I do to be saved How shall I walk with God

Religion is nothing less than the life of God in the soul of man. It is the offspring of God through faith, and is not, and cannot be attached to Churches or religious communities, though they are so highly necessary to its propagation and increase. It never was so attached; though while the covenant of God was established with the nation of the Jews, it had that appearance. But even then, all were not Israel who were of Israel. The children of the promise, and not the children of the flesh, were counted for the seed. The Gospel, however, to the stumbling of the greatest part of that people, put an end to that appearance. The national covenant answered the design of Him who gave it. It foretold, typified, and prepared the way of the only begotten Son of God. But who could abide the day of his coming Who would stand when he appeared It is true he was meek and lowly in heart, and his very word and action, toward even the greatest transgressors, demonstrated that he came not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. But he exposed and resisted all those who walked in the deceivableness of unrighteousness, and who boasted, like their fathers, saying, The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, are we! He looked for personal religion; and all who attached it to names, ordinances, or communities, he answered with, Ye worship ye know not what. He enforced poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, mercifulness, and purity of heart; showing thus the beginning and progress of religion, as given to guilty, sinful, helpless creatures, in whom dwells no good thing; and who are thus to be made rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven: and who thus alone can be made new creatures, and meet for the inheritance among the saints in light; whose robes are washed and mode white in the blood of the Lamb.

These pure and high principles of holy writ, so agreeable to the exalted character of Jehovah, and to the fallen and wretched condition of man, were sought out and adopted by the band of brothers in the university of Oxford, nearly ninety years ago. One great truth involved the whole as necessary to salvation,—Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. They immediately followed after this, making every sacrifice, and ordering their whole life that they might attain it. Some time after, the Lord showed them that his way of conferring holiness was by faith; and that he justifies men, as being ungodly, through the redemption that is in Jesus, before he sanctifies them. They now knew the whole truth, and the Lord thrust them forth from their beloved retirement, to raise a holy people. This was the one design of these chosen instruments, and every thing short of it they counted, to use the language of St. Paul, wood, hay, or stubble.

But did they spend their strength for naught Were they disappointed of their hope Were not a holy people raised up Let the Life of Mrs. Fletcher speak. Let the pious reader say, if she be not introduced, in these memoirs, among the excellent of the earth ;-all of whom with one voice would testify,

Blind we were, but now we see;

Deaf, we hearken, Lord! to thee;

Dumb, for thee our tongues employ,

Lame, and lo! we leap for joy.

Some who have separated from other communities, says Mr. Wesley, laid the foundation of that work in judging and condemning others: we, on the contrary, in judging and condemning ourselves.

I cannot therefore but greatly rejoice that these memoirs are given to the public, and especially to that community of which the writer was so long a highly honored and useful member. I cannot but think they will be a great blessing .to the people of God of every denomination; and especially to all who desire to walk even as Christ also walked, and who are conscious of an evil nature, opposing that will of God which is their sanctification. In this point of view especially these memoirs will be considered, I think, as very precious to all who fight this good fight of faith. The reader will find in them no paint; nothing to set the writer off; no extravagance; but plain life, raised and sanctified by constant attention to the duties and sacrifices of the Gospel; and issuing in a constant pleading of the great and precious promises, by which we are made partakers of the Divine nature: with unremitting efforts to walk by that rule, Whether ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Luther observed that there never was a work of God in the earth that lasted longer, in any community, than the common life of man; that is, upon an average, about thirty years. Generally about that period the vineyard which the Lord planted with his own right hand has been let out to husbandmen, who, yielding to their natural propensities, and accommodating the work of the Lord to the course of this world, have not been careful to render to Him the required fruit. Hence the visible state of decay, or of death, in those communities which once manifested the Divine hand of him who formed them. But this work has lasted nearly thrice that time! There are none alive who witnessed its beginning, and but very few who knew its early days. If any such meet with this work, they will call to mind the very glorious time when it was altogether the work of God; when it was unsupported by any worldly power or wisdom, and had all that is earthly, sensual, and devilish, combined against it. They will see also a consistency in the design, and in the mode of execution, which is truly edifying, and not of this world. The instruments employed in this work, and especially that one so eminently called thereto, were not careful for such prosperity as worldly men desire. They knew, like their blessed Master, that all whom their Father gave them would come unto them, and they did not desire to bring the world into his fold. The world is called, and redeemed; but to add to the family of God all who obeyed that call, was their only ambition, and the object of their incessant labors.

The great superintendent of this work, under God, looked not for what the world calls great talents in his helpers. In this respect also he gladly used those whom the Father gave him; who were witnesses of the truths which they were called to teach: men who knew God (in the only way in which he can be truly and powerfully known) as being merciful to their unrighteousness, and remembering their sins no more. He was careful also to see that the true fruit accompanied their ministry, the justification of the ungodly, and the sanctification of the unholy. He used to say, The best physician is not he who writes the best recipes, but he who makes the most cures. When men of learning united with him in this Divine work, he greatly rejoiced, and gladly received them. The late Mr. Fletcher was an eminent instance of that kind. His learning was deep, extensive, clear, and various; but, like his venerable friend, whom he always called father, he counted even all these estimable advantages as dung and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord. So abased was this great man in his own eyes, and so entirely did he take the Divine mould of the Gospel, that there was not one of those helpers in the work whom he did not rejoice to call his brother in Christ, and whom he did not in honor prefer to himself, even in his own parish.

The private members also were men and women of God; and among these Miss Bosanquet always held, in general estimation, the chief place. Her superiority in natural and providential gifts,—her well known entire devotedness, —her constancy and perseverance in the Divine life,—her doing and suffering the whole will of her Master, all fitted her, as by a general consent, to be the consort of that great man, whose praise is in all the Churches; whose admirable writings will live while piety and learning are honored in the earth; and which have forced even those who did not know his piety, or affected to lament that such talents should be so connected, to acknowledge his great superiority.

That the highest principles of the Christian religion should be brought into common life, is the greatest display of the power of Divine truth that is possible, and the most glorious victory over the world. It is thus that righteousness shall cover the earth, and bring glory to Him that sitteth upon the throne. How poor, how questionable, are all the refinements of the closet, the study, or the cloister, when compared with the love of God and our neighbor, brought into act, and exhibited on right principles, amid the common concerns and labors of life, and attended with its usual trials, afflictions, and mortifications! To persevere thus is indeed the perseverance of the saints, and realizes that old saying, too often quoted by pride and apathy: It is a sight worthy of God, when he looks down from heaven, to see a virtuous mind unswervingly struggle with adversity. Such a sight, I trust, the pious reader will behold in the life of Mrs. Fletcher. Her one support in all her trials was, in substance, that of Job: He knoweth the way that I take, and when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

What indeed can be so interesting to a mind well informed and disposed, as to behold the daily walk of one, who from a very early age, had devoted her whole life to God Not living in seclusion, but walking in what Jeremiah calls the highway, the way of holiness, in which the wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err To see our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount brought into daily and hourly practice, according to the evident design of its Divine Author To see the house thus built upon the rock, the truth and love of God; and then to behold the rains descend, and the floods come, and the winds blow and beat upon it! Surely they who contemplate the scene, and behold its stability, will exultingly exclaim: It falls not; for it is founded upon a rock!

That such a person should be judged by men in the flesh, while living to God in the spirit, will not be surprising to any who learn what religion is, by the word and Spirit of God, and who know the real character of man. Mrs. Fletcher was thus judged. The common imputations she outlived, or lived down. One perhaps may remain. It may still perhaps be said, she was an enthusiast. To many who use this word no answer need be returned. Any thing above the dead form of godliness is with them enthusiasm. A love to Him who first loved us, and who gave himself for us, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God, which would at all equal in its attachment the love that is of earth and sense, is with them all madness, folly, or hypocrisy; wisdom is justified only by her children.

But more sober minds may object that she too much minded impressions, dreams, and those inward feelings which religious persons are supposed to be particularly exposed to. That such things should be condemned, toto genere, is hardly consistent with any true religion, seeing the oracles of God so frequently mention them; and not as attached to the prophetic or ministerial character, but as given to those who walk with God in the humblest path of life. The wisest and best of men have not only spoken of such things with respect, but have made them a part of the religion which they have held forth to ages and generations, to communities and kingdoms. Concerning religious feelings and impressions, the liturgy of the Church of England, and her established institutes, bear the fullest and most honorable testimony; setting the highest value on that mode of Divine teaching, and of bestowing encouragement and consolation. We know the worship of our Church is so constituted, as, if possible, to impress the whole nation; but there are parts of it that can only be considered as describing and edifying the children of God. How striking are those passages in the communion service, where those who spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood, are said, agreeably to the Holy Scriptures, to dwell in Christ, and Christ in them; to be one with Christ, and Christ with them! And in the seventeenth article, where there is the strongest description of those adopted children of God (so strong indeed in some of the terms, that not a few have mistaken this Scriptural account of them as descriptive of Mr. Calvin’s system) who, by the counsel of God, are delivered from the curse and damnation due to sin, and brought through Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honor. Wherefore they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God, be called according to God’s purpose by his Spirit working in due season: they through grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like unto the image of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length, by God’s mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity. And as this godly consideration of their I election in Christ is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort.—to such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things; so it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation, and fervently kindle their love to God.

Now with all this life, union, and holy fellowship, are there no corresponding feelings and enjoyments No tasting the powers of the world to come No lively impressions of their heavenly inheritance No consciousness of his love to them, or their love to him, in whom they dwell No peace or joy in believing If this were indeed so, then I am afraid, the life, the union, of which those feelings and impressions have been considered as the gracious marks, have no real existence; and the system which boasts of a peace of which the possessor has no consciousness, a joy which raiseth not the mind to high and heavenly things, and a hope which is not full of immortality, may triumphantly take its place in the congregation of the dead!

But it will be asked, Did she not lay an undue stress upon these things I believe not. I have not perceived it. On the contrary, I have seen, even when she believed herself led by the Spirit of God to do that good which was the settled purpose of her whole life, she manifested the greatest care to walk according to St. John’s direction, Beloved, believe not every spirit; but try the spirits whether they be of God. In obedience to this, she considered and pondered all her ways, and brought every purpose and act to the only sure touchstone, the unerring word of God. The same charge was often brought against Mr. Wesley, and for precisely the same reasons. Answering the most respectable of those who thus laid to his charge things that he knew not, viz., Dr. Gibson, the venerable bishop of London, he replies, In the whole compass of language, there is not a proposition which belongs less to me than tins. I have declared again and again, that I make the word of God the rule of all my actions; and that I no more follow any secret impulse instead thereof, than I follow Mohammed or Confucius.

Let Mrs. Fletcher be weighed in this balance, and I believe she will not be found wanting. She, like Mr. Wesley, and her excellent husband, served God in newness of the spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. Hence her life was hid with Christ in God, and she had impressions, and consolations, which are the fruits and evidences of that life. But she well knew that the Spirit of truth never contradicts, never is inconsistent with himself. His written oracles, and his lively, and life-giving teaching, agree together. She humbly and earnestly attended to that direction, To the law, and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. A writer of the present day has strangely said that he knew of no witness, no influence, no teaching, but the written word of God. Perhaps he does not know any other. But there are many who walk with God who do. But if that writer only means that he knows, or acknowledges, no witness, no influence, no teaching, that is contrary to that holy word, or that is inconsistent with its one design, to save us from all sin into all holiness, every true Christian will applaud the sentiment. Mrs. Fletcher was watchful in this respect, being aware of the danger. Hence, though she might err, she never deviated from the path. She might mistake; but she was always preserved from any departure from her God.

The pious reader will be glad to be assured that the whole of these memoirs are from Mrs. Fletcher’s pen. In compiling her Life, I have left out much valuable matter, which was either contained, in substance, in other parts of these memoirs, or was not of sufficient interest to appear in the publication. I have also compressed what I thought was redundant, that the work might not be needlessly swelled. I have also thought it right to press her sentences into more conciseness. She wrote in the fullness of her heart, and with admirable sense; but her style was rather too copious, and sometimes too diffuse, for narrative or history. But I have taken care, at the same time, to give the admirable issues of her enlightened mind, with all the force and simplicity with which she recorded them.

Those who have read the lives of those truly pious women, Madame Guion, Chantel, Bourignon, and others of the same class, which so abundantly prove that even the cloud of Romish superstition does not preclude the rays of the Sun of righteousness, and that involuntary ignorance God still winceth at, will be glad to see a life, in the Protestant Church, superior to any of them. Especially they will see that all in her may be safely imitated, being all according to the faith once delivered to the saints. They will see, also, not the fair picture only, but how it came to bear the stamp Divine. They may trace its progress, and be encouraged to believe that the Lord, who in ever the same, will thus work in them to will and to do, notwithstanding opposing corruptions; and they will thus be encouraged to give themselves up to that grace of God which teaches us to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in his present world; looking ‘for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

-H. MOORE.

Birmingham, April 14, 1817.

The Life Of Mrs. Mary Fletcher - Part The First

Chapter One