The author's impartial mind regarding all religious parties, and also the Separatists.

The Seventy-sixth Letter.

The author's impartial mind regarding all religious parties, and also the Separatists.

Beloved friend!

Your previous little letter I have not answered, and was at first minded to do the same with your latter one; by no means out of any masterful disdain, but because I do not see how the least profit and edification in grace could grow to your soul or mine from it. For do but consider it yourself, dear friend: whether you know or do not know my thoughts on Separatism, church-constitution, or, as you call it, sectarianism — that can help neither your soul nor mine; and whether we are of one mind or of differing minds therein, we are not a hair the holier or the more blessed for it. I must besides, for lack of time and by reason of bodily weakness, leave many a letter unanswered that treats of weightier matter. But since I see from your latter writing that you do not know me or my mind at all, and reproach me — without the least proof of when and where I have done so — that I take the sectaries' part and encourage them in their opinion, and so forth: I must then explain to my dear friend, in few words, how I am minded herein — though I have done so publicly already, in the Preface to the Lives of Holy Souls, §20 and following, as also in other places.

I believe that, properly, in the eyes of God there are only two parties on earth: namely, the children of the world, in whom the love of the world reigns; and then the children of God, into whom the love of God is poured out by the Holy Ghost. And that God, apart from this, regards no other distinction or name at all.

I believe (and would to God that my belief in this point were mistaken!) that among all and every religious party, by far the most — preachers as well as hearers — belong to the party of the world and of the Antichrist; although God will have His hidden ones among them all, whom I love, each and every one, from the heart. For —

I believe, and am certain of it, that both in the party of the Roman Catholics, and among the Lutherans, Reformed, Mennonites, and so forth, and amid all the special opinions and usages of these parties, souls attain no less than among the Separatists to the highest summit of holiness and union with God, and so also to the right of the firstborn.

Nonetheless I also believe that when one is convinced in his conscience that this or that church-usage is against God and a hindrance to the sanctification of his soul, he is then bound to abstain from such things, because it thereby becomes sin to him; for whatsoever is not of faith, that is sin.

As, on the other side likewise, one who believes in his conscience that God requires such things of him, or that he can be furthered in God through this or that church-usage or observance, is just as much bound to make use of such things, and in such pure intention; and that, when a Separatist judges one who stands in such a way within a party, and would have him separate himself, that man is then not impartial, but a self-willed sectary.

As concerns my own person and conduct: I cling to no religious party in a sectarian way, but I have also not formally separated from any party, nor am I yet minded to do so. It is true that I go to no outward church for the Lord's Supper, because before this I have had to abstain from it out of the impulse of my conscience, and have as yet no cause why I should turn again to the use of it. But were I to recognize with certainty that God could be more glorified by my going to the Supper than by my staying away, and that I or my neighbor could be truly edified thereby, then I should for the rest make little scruple of it.

When I have occasion to hear a pious Reformed, Lutheran, etc. preacher, I go into the church; and if I had occasion to know a pious Catholic preacher (as indeed I have known such), I would gladly hear his sermon with that same freedom of mind — unless it were that I refrained from using this freedom for the sake of others who are weak.

And just as, among all kinds of people, whoever fears God and does right is acceptable to Him, so is he acceptable to me too, whatever this or another religious little-coat he may otherwise wear; and so I actually keep company with all sorts of religious kindred. I speak to them (when God grants it) openly and especially of the grace of God in Christ, of self-denial, of prayer, of the love of God; and I leave standing, meanwhile, the whole edifice of their special church-constitution and opinions untouched, as long as God lets it stand.

With special opinions I occupy myself little or not at all — nor with the favorite and famous opinions of many Separatists: of the fall of the Antichrist, of the thousand-year kingdom, of the purification, of the restoration of all things, and the like. To die to myself and to every creature, that I may live to God in Christ Jesus — that is my whole mystery of faith. In other things I am a fool, and hope, in that mind, to become ever more of a fool.

In short! I am no stormer of the outward Babel, but seek only, by God's grace, how Babel may be destroyed in me and in other hearts, and God's kingdom set up — which is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

See, dear friend! now I have explained to you my thoughts on this matter clearly enough (as I think), and I shall be glad if you can now rest in my explanation. If your thoughts are not one with mine, then do not trouble yourself about it either. Our knowledge here is piecework; when we come home, we shall come to terms about it well enough; but I beg, in that case, not to write to me further on this matter, for I have neither time nor desire to distract myself by disputing. Let us only go on together, by one and the same rule, forgetting all that is behind, and pressing on toward the prize of our heavenly calling!

This one thing, my dear friend, I testify to you still, in conclusion, out of sincere love — and I know that I speak the truth: namely, that your zeal against Babel, or the so-called sectaries, is not from the Spirit of Jesus, but is mostly your own nature-fire, kindled at the sight of the decay — which will indeed burn yourself enough, but will not burn a single post off Babel; and that you, together with me, have need, through constant hungering after grace and turning inward into the gentle love of Jesus, to let your harsh nature-forces be softened, that you may also look upon your poor neighbor with a kinder eye, and bear and embrace him. Otherwise you will surely, my dear friend, come at last to regret that you did not spend your noble strength, earnestness, and time on something more useful. God give you and me, in this and in all else, wisdom and grace; wherein remains

Your

Mülheim, 9 March 1735. — sincerely affectionate friend.

German

Der 76te Brief.

Des Autoris unpartheiischer Sinn in Ansehung aller Religions-Partheien, wie auch der Separatisten.

Geliebter Freund!

Sein voriges Brieflein habe nicht beantwortet, und war Anfangs des Sinnes, es mit seinem letzteren eben so zu machen; keineswegs aus einiger meisterhaften Gering-Achtung, sondern weil ich nicht sehe, wie seiner oder meiner Seele der geringste Nutz und Auferbauung in der Gnade daraus erwachsen könne: Dann bedenke ers doch nur selbst …

— Opening lines of the original German. The complete transcription of all 605 letters appears in the forthcoming Encounter Press critical edition; Brief 1 is shown in full as a sample.

German text: public domain (1773–75 first edition / 1845 Gesammelte Schriften).