respect?' Such questions, I acknowledge, are quite pertinent to this inquiry; and the answers which they call forth will very much elucidate the subject before us.

"It is very true, and be it ever remembered with unfeigned and universal gratitude, that Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. So far, every human creature that treads this globe may be said to have an important interest in the sufferings and death of Christ. Indeed, so very important is this truth, that it is the very first consideration that gives any good ground for hopes of pardon to a guilty sinner, and affords ease to his burdened soul. Here he fixes his foot; and though surrounded with fears and misgivings, with guilt and danger, still he may bid defiance to despair. 'Christ,' says he, died for all sinners, without a single exception. The gate is strait, I do believe; but no one shall tell me it is not open.' Such is the poor penitent's argument, and, God be praised! it is a perfectly sound argument—and his interest in Jesus Christ is, so far, effectually established. I say, so far, because we must here most carefully distinguish, and remember, that this is by no means that interest in Christ which enables the sinner, in the true spirit of adoption, to cry Abba Father; this is not that interest in Christ which a sanctified penitent servant of God has obtained.

"Once more; this general, or rather, universal interest in the Redeemer, of which I have been speaking, important as it is, is no more than what the greatest, and I may add, the most impenitent sinner alive may have. Nay, he actually has it, whether he ever makes use of it or not; and, on the dreadful supposition, that he dies impenitent, it will, at the last day, be his greatest condemnation, that he did not, while alive, make use of this interest.

*

*

may

"There is, therefore, something further to be acquired, beyond this general or universal interest in Christ Jesus; something to be done by which an appropriate interest be established; something on which may be grounded the relationship of Father and Son, between Almighty God as a Father, and the penitent sinner as one of his childrenbetween Christ Jesus, the elder Brother, and the penitent

sinner, as a brother and joint heir with Christ his Lord. In other words, that general interest which all mankind have in the salvation and redemption by Jesus must be carried into effect by every man for himself, in each particular case, in order that Christ may not have shed his blood in vain."

The above quotation cannot fail to be interesting to the readers of this memoir of Dean Milner, both as exhibiting a considerable accordance with the preceding thoughts on justification, and also as affording a fair sample of the usual style and manner of his addresses from the pulpit.

202

CHAPTER XII.

Animadversions upon Lord Grenville's Answer to Buonaparte's Letter to George III.-Correspondence.-Religious Experience.—William Hey, Esq.-Liberality of Dean Milner towards the poor of Leeds.-Letters to Rev. Wm. Richardson.-Distress of Mind.-Professor Carlyle.-Remarks on the Religious Experience of Dean Milner.-Letters.-Dr. Haweis' Impartial History of the Church.-Dean Milner's Life of his Brother.Subsequent additions to the Life respecting the change in Joseph Milner's Religious Views.-Dr. Milner's Feelings during the Writing of the Life.— Elasticity of Spirits.-Charge of Irregularity recently brought against the late Rev. Joseph Milner.-Dr. Hook.-Letter to the Rev. James Stillingfleet.-Dr. Haweis.-Letter to a Friend on the dangerous Illness of his Son.-Letters to Rev. Wm. Richardson.-Opinion of the present Bishop of Calcutta upon Dean Milner's Religious Publications.-Dean Milner's attachment to Cambridge.-His conscientious Employment of Time.

A.D. 1800. ÆTAT. 50.'

DEAN MILNER's political sentiments, his decided and strong attachment to the existing institutions of the country, being considered, it is impossible not to perceive and admire the sagacity which dictated the letter from which the following extract is taken, on the subject of Lord Grenville's answer to the letter then recently addressed to King George III., by Napoleon Buonaparte.

It is needless to say that numbers of persons belonging to the political party to which Dr. Milner conscientiously adhered, thought and advised differently; but in politics, as in all other matters, he invariably thought for himself.

"TO WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, ESQ.

"Queen's College, January 21, 1800. ** * "If I had had his* note to answer, I would have been a deal more civil in words, but equally firm in substance. They were, I think, perfectly right in not letting the King answer-but why could they not have said, 'We are glad to hear of the very name of peace, in any way or in any form;

but what signifies asking us whether the war is to be eternal? You propose nothing; we have formerly proposed, and have been sent back with contempt. You show no disposition to peace but in talk; and at the very same time, you tell your armies you are going to invade us, &c., &c.'

"It seems to me, that if Buonaparte were meditating some violent measure, either on us, or on the allies, or both; and wished to influence France, and make the people contribute freely, and the soldiers fight in earnest, we, by such an answer, should concur with him most effectually.

"In a word, conceive him at the head of his troops, with our answer in his hands, and commenting upon it.

"I cannot think, that any thing would have been lost, by shewing a disposition to hear.

"I would have stated the objection arising from the instability of their government; but still, I would not have considered it as an effectual bar to hearing what they have to say. It is ridiculous to talk of Buonaparte's government being a government only of a day or two; be it so. Suppose he offers to quit Belgium, and to put you and the allies in possession of everything they could wish; would you refuse the advantage because he is an upstart?

"There is no probability of any such thing, I believe, in the main; yet I declare I should be surprised at nothing; and I would never have exasperated him, nor shut his mouth. Hear him, I say, hear him; but don't give up a particle to him. I suppose it will be said, that he wanted his authority to be recognised by us-it may be so-but possibly, he wanted it to be rejected. I don't know enough of the interior of France, or of his particular views, to say well what he wants; but I am sure, there would have been great use in letting him go on, and in seeing what he is driving at. There would have been no harm in expressing the utmost doubts as to his stability, nor would I have expressed those doubts at all in friendly terms; but there is a deal of difference between friendship and civility. Nothing like a wish for his stability, should have come from me; and for similar reasons, I would have said nothing about the old line of princes. Alas! alas! only think-in a very

short time you may be on your knees to this very B., and begging him to admit you to negotiate! I hope our people will not ride the great horse; it is such a horrid measure. Not that, on the whole, I expect a successful negotiation; but I wish the argument to be on our side when it is broken off, and that we may say with truth, as the Americans did, 'We have exhausted the last drop of the cup of reconciliation.' Those that give our Ministers credit for more discretion and foresight than I do, may view this matter in a different light. They may suppose, that they know, that nine parts out of ten of France, are ripe for restoring monarchy; and that the allies, the three great powers, have solemnly coalesced, and sworn to set all matters on their old footing; and lastly, that they will keep their vows. If all this be absolutely foreknown, I grant it will make some difference in the reasoning; but really not a great deal, even then; still I would have given him civil words, however I had thought it necessary to guard against strengthening his authority.

"Every body that I see, thinks with me, except W― who has long been violent for the Duke of Portland, Wyndham, &c."

The following letter to Mr. Richardson of York, although somewhat similar in its character to one addressed a short time before to Mr. Wilberforce *, is, if possible, yet more touching and affecting. It cannot fail to be read with advantage and with deep interest by all religious persons; and to such of the religious friends of the late Dean Milner as may still survive, it will be in the highest degree satisfactory.

These considerations justify its publication.

"TO THE REV. WILLIAM RICHARDSON.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"Queen's College Lodge, 4th February, 1800.

"When we are upon a footing of ceremony with people, we seldom fail to answer their letters very punctually; and I assure

*Chap. x. p. 177.