Correspondence

505.  EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd

An amended version of the text that appeared in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 137.

Sidmouth,

May 8th 1835.

You see I am troubling you with a letter very soon indeed after my last.

In the first place, I offer my repentance to my dear friend & to his dear friend of Nazianzum, if I did any wrong to either of them in the opinion which one of them asked me to give on the subject of the other.

In the next place, there is a thick hedge of controversial brambles planted just before me,—and I am invited very courteously to walk through it. Marcus Antoninus said—“if thorns are in thy path, turn aside”: and good counsel is it, where the thorns are sharp like those of controversy, & where a woman is the pilgrim. The Divine Shepherd does not lead his sheep among thorns, but along the green pastures, & by the waters of resting: and if the way is ever rough, let them consent to be carried in His arms & on His bosom, trusting at once to His power & His love.

“But why do you trust so” says my dear friend, who has planted this hedge of thorns just before me & asked me to walk through it—“there are no thorns at all—there is no difficulty at all. It is very wrong in you to call it a difficulty.”

But what if I have tried to walk thro’ the hedge, & found that it was a difficulty, and felt that the thorns were, by the thorns piercing.

Still, says my dear friend—“walk on! walk on! It is not difficult at all. You are very very wrong to say so.”

But what if “a great cloud of witnesses” gather around—& the voice of many declare “We have found it difficult—the thorns have pierced us.”

Still, says my dear friend! “Difficult—difficult! how very very very wrong of you to say so!”

Well!– It may be wrong in us to say so: but whether we say so or not, that there is a difficulty is to me as certain as certainty can be. And if the difficulty is, [1] its existence carries with it a consequence—that the Divine Inspirer of the book in which it is, intended it to remain a difficulty. Whether I am wrong or not in saying so, the words are said.

I believe the doctrine of election to be a dark mystery, which, until we behold the face of God, no shining is bright enough to dispel. I believe it to be so, not from speculation but from fact. Here is the church of God, holding the “elements of faith” with firm & clasped hands! But this doctrine severs the clasp, whenever it is tendered: and half the church abides by one interpretation, & half by another. And yet ‘there is no difficulty.’ Then why does the church disagree? And yet the difficulty is not by the will of God? Then why is it, at all?—or how can it be?

My belief is, that it is a difficult doctrine; & as difficult, not essential; & difficult because God’s will is, to try the faith of his people by mysteries in grace as well as by mysteries in Providence. And I believe that as, without the teaching of the Spirit of God, we cannot understand the simplest truths of God,—so à fortiori, we cannot receive as truth His mysteries, without that teaching. I believe therefore, that whatever portion of the church receives the true interpretation of election (one interpretation must be true) does so by the teaching of the Spirit of God. The words I have used are—receives the true interpretation—not understands. I believe that the understanding is reserved for those who behold & shall behold the face of God!–

You rightly observe that a great gulph is fixed between essential & non-essential points. Oh! let us bear this in mind—and love as between those who have the name of Christ written in their foreheads, without reproaching them for the fashion of their garments!– Why should dear Mr Boyd, speak so bitterly of Calvinists? Why should they not be his “beloved Calvinists” as well as mine? Are they not the beloved of one Father & one Saviour?– And why am I not to look at “the holy lives & devotedness of some Calvinists”? “Ye are my epistles” says the Apostle, “seen & read of all men.” Yes! I do believe that the spirits of regenerated men, whether calvinists or Arminians, are epistles, to be read together with the scriptures—and epistles, not uninspired!– Do not mistake me. There is no infallibility for man. The epistles written in the hearts of the holiest, are blotted & torn with sin, & that sorrow which is a modification of sin. Still they are ‘epistles’—‘living epistles’—‘to be seen & read of all men’!–

But there are two heavy charges–

Although I “overrate you as a classical scholar”—(that, begging your pardon, I never did nor do I—I estimate, not overrate)——

.. I “do not do you sufficient justice as an interpreter of Scripture”!–

And then you recall to me some Calvinists who are my friends, & ask me if they would as willingly & candidly yield to the opinions of the “learned & talented & highly gifted” as you would.

I have estimated your acquirements as a classical scholar—much, but not too much. I have estimated, & ever shall, the simplicity & candour & honesty of your mind; & am very certain that I cannot do so too much. But, you must forgive me for saying so– I might not dare to say so if you were not my friend,—your very reliance upon human testimony, upon the value of human learning & talents as applied to the Scripture, would prevent my deeply valuing your interpretations of Scripture; even if your studiousness & your meditations were more strictly devoted to Scripture than they are or need to be. If you were not candid I might not dare to speak to you so candidly. Forgive me for doing so.

And dear Mr. Boyd—forgive me, besides, for daring to ask you to consider, whether if you were to look rather to the testimony of Scripture to Scripture, than to the testimony of men—and if you were to lean more exclusively on the Spirit as a teacher, than on those learned of the earth that are ignorant in this Divine sight, your position would be safer & calmer & happier than it now is. Do—do—forgive me, for saying so much. Well do you know my respect for your talents, & the sincerity of my friendship for yourself. Write to me to say that you have not put me into the corner for ever, for being so impertinent.

My fond love to dear Annie,—& Arabel’s too. She means to write to her very soon.

Mr. Biscoe left Sidmouth for Bristol about a week ago; on account of the dangerous illness of his father, in the case of whose death he intends to go to London. And when he is in London, his further intention is to call upon you & Annie.

Believe me, dear Mr. Boyd,

Your affectionate friend E B Barrett.

1. I saw nothing irreverent in your application of Paul’s words.

2. I did not laugh at it.

Address, on integral page: H S Boyd Esqr / 3. Circus Road / St John’s Wood / Regent’s Park / London.

Publication: BC, 3, 137 (in part).

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Underscored three times.

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