40. - To the Rev. Mr. Sellon.
corn which fill their granaries. Now that I am on the spot, I do not see any one who makes it necessary for me to change my opinion:f23 your bailiff cannot come from this Nazareth.
Present my respects to your son, and tell him that last week I buried three young persons of a malignant fever who on the second day of their illness, were deprived of their speech and senses, and on the fifth, of their lives. Of what avail are youth and vigour when the Lord lifts his finger? And shall we sin against the eternal power, the infinite love, the inexorable justice, and the immense goodness of this God, who gives us, from moment to moment, the breath which is in our nostrils? No: we will employ the precious gift in praising and blessing this good God, who is our Father in Jesus Christ.
I hope that you learn, as well as I, and better than I, to know Jesus in the Spirit. I have known him after the flesh, and after the letter; I strive to know him in the power of his Spirit. Under the Divine character of a quickening Spirit he is every where. All that live, live in him; and they who are spiritually alive have a double life. The Lord give us this second life more abundantly! Yours,
J. FLETCHER.
40. - TO THE REV. MR. SELLON.
MADELEY, Oct. 7, 1769.
MY DEAR BROTHER, - I thank you for your letter and books; they came safe to hand, and I shall give you the amount at the first opportunity. I have inquired what the Calvinists think of them, but I do not hear much about it. They choose rather to be silent; a sign that they have not any great thing to object. Mr. R. looked at one here in my house, and objected to Elehsw on an elew, Romans 9:15. He says elew is, “I have mercy,” not, “I should have mercy.” I observed to Mr. Glascott, it is the subjunctive mood, and may take the sign, should, would, or could, according to the analogy of faith.
I long to see Cole answered: my request to you is, that you would answer him in the cool manner you have the synod; and my prayer to God is, that you may be assisted for that important work.
I know two strong Calvinist believers, who lately took their leave of this world with “I shall be damned!” O what did all their professions of perseverance do for them? They left them in the lurch. May we have the power of God in our souls, and we shall readily leave unknown decrees to others!
The Lord give you patience with your brethren. The best way to confound them is, to preach that kingdom of God, which they cast away, with real righteousness and present peace and joy in believing: that is poison to the synodical kingdom.
I despair of seeing you before I have seen Switzerland, which I design to visit next winter. Mr. Ireland takes me as far as Lyons in my way. There are some disputes in L. H.’s college; but when the power of God comes they drop them. The Calvinists are three to one. Your book I have sent them as a hard nut for them to crack.
May the Lord spare you, and make you a free, joyful soldier of the Lord Jesus; as tough against sin and unbelief as you are against Calvin and the synod. The Lord hath overruled your leaving S. for good. Let us trust him, and all will be well. Farewell.
J. FLETCHER.
41. - TO MR. - - - - - - ,
MY DEAR FRIEND, - My delay has, I hope, driven you to the Lord, who is our Urim and Thummim, whose answers are infallibly true and just. Not so those of men; nevertheless, the Lord generally helps us by each other: may he therefore help you by these lines.
You got safe out of Egypt with gladness, and now you seem entangled in the wilderness; but it may be needful for the trial of your faith, patience, self denial, &c, that you should be left, for awhile, to feel your own barrenness. Therefore, hold fast what you have till the Lord comes with more; equally avoiding discouraging thoughts, and slight indifference. Retire more inwardly, and quietly listen to what the Lord will say concerning you: refusing creature comforts, and acting faith in God your Creator, Christ your Redeemer, and the Spirit your Comforter.