To Miss A.

O for a heart to praise my God,

A heart from sin set free!

Dear Sally, adieu!

CCCLV. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, LONDON, November 7, 1784.

TO those who know the world, hardly anything that is wrong or foolish in it appears strange. Otherwise, we should have thought it strange, that so good a woman should take such a step. One would not have expected her to marry at; all; at least none but an eminent Christian. I am more and more inclined to think, that there are none living so established in grace, but that they may possibly fall.

The case of Hetty Rogers was widely different. I know more of it, beginning, middle, and ending, than most people in England. And I am clear, that, first to last, she acted in all good conscience toward God and man. As things stood, it was not a sin for her to marry, but a duty; and to marry when she did. And never was any one woman so owned of God in Dublin as she has been already.

T. Briscoe, I am persuaded, will do some good. But his wife will do much more, if you encourage her, and strengthen her hands. Peace be with all your spirits!

I am

Your affectionate brother.

CCCLVI. — To Miss A——-.

DEAR MISS A——, LONDON, August 21, 1766.

YOUR letters will always be agreeable to me; and the more largely and freely you write, the better. I am deeply concerned for your happiness;

and a measure of happiness you may enjoy, as long as you feel any love in your heart to God, though it be but in a small degree. Be thankful for what you have; and in peace and love wait for the whole promise. God has not only promised, but confirmed that promise by an oath, that, “being delivered from all your enemies, you shall serve Him in righteousness and holiness all the days of your life.” By what art can this be made to mean the last day, or the last moment, of your life? Look for it now! Today hear His voice. Do not reason against God, against yourself. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.” “The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”

I advise you,

1. Get all the opportunities you can of hearing the preaching, and conversing with the children of God.

2. Avoid disputing with your might.

3. Spend some time everyday in private prayer, in meditation, and in reading the Notes on the New Testament, the first volume of Sermons, and the Appeals.

4. When you may be free, use it rather. Peace be with your spirit. I am, etc.

CCCLVII. — To the Same.

DEAR MISS A——, LONDON, January 15, 1767.

TIME changes thought, especially in youth, and amidst variety of company. So that it would be nothing strange, if you should forget those for whom you once had a regard; but you need not. Every reasonable affection is intended to last to eternity. And the true affection for our friends is, as Milton says,

A scale

Whereby to heavenly love thou mayest ascend.

For the present, you seem to be in your place, the place which the wisdom of God has assigned you; and the crosses you now meet with, as they are

not of your own choosing, will surely work together for good. Your want of more public opportunities may, in a good measure, be supplied by private exercises. Let no day pass without more or less private prayer, reading, and meditation. And does not God see in secret? Does he not now read your heart, and see if it pants for His pure love? If so, are not all things ready? May you not now find what you never did before? Ask Him that loves you; whose nature and whose name is Love!

I am, etc.

CCCLVIII. — To the Same.

DEAR SISTER, LONDONDERRY, April 20, 1767.

CERTAINLY the point we should always have in view is, What is best for eternity? And I believe it would be best for you to change your condition, if a proper person offers. But I should scruple doing this without a parent’s consent. If your mother is willing, I see no objection to your marrying one that fears God, and is seeking salvation through Christ. Such a one is not an unbeliever, in the sense wherein that word is taken in 2 Corinthians 6:14.

I love to think of you and hear from you. I want you to be always holy and happy. And why not? You have a strong Helper; and shall not His strength be made perfect in your weakness? Why then should you stop short of His whole promise? — “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.” Hold Him to his word, and let not your hope be weakened by the subtle reasoning of men. Still let the language of your heart be, “Big with earnest expectation,

Let me sit — at thy feet,

Longing for salvation!”

As long as you are in this spirit you will not forget

Yours, etc.

CCCLIX. — To the Same.

DEAR SISTER, NEWCASTLE, August 8, 1767.

WE have many instances of this: Persons cold and dull, and scarce knowing how to believe their own words, have asserted, as they could, the truths of the Gospel, and enforced them upon others, and at that very time God has caused light and love to spring up in their own hearts. Therefore, however you feel it in your own breast, speak as well as you can for God. Many times you will see some fruit upon others: If not, you shall have a recompense in your own bosom. In one sense, you do believe, that God is both able and willing to cleanse you from all unrighteousness, and to do it now; but not in that sense, wherein all things are possible to him that believeth. But what, if He should give you this faith also? yea, while you have this paper in your hand! Today hear His voice! O listen! and heaven springs up in your heart.

Among the hearers of Mr. Madan and Mr. Romaine (much more among those of Mr. Whitefield) there are many gracious souls, and some who have deep experience of the ways of God. Yet, the hearing them would not profit you: It would be apt to lead you into unprofitable reasonings, which would probably end in your giving up all hope of a full salvation from sin in this life. Therefore, I advise you, check all curiosity of this kind, and keep quite out of the way of danger.

Hannah Harrison is a blessed woman. I am glad you had an opportunity of conversing with her. And why should not you enjoy the same blessing? The Lord is at hand.

I am, etc.

CCCLX. — To the Same.

DEAR SISTER, October 14, 1767.

AT length I get a little time (after having been some weeks almost in a perpetual motion) to write a few lines to one I sincerely love. Grow in

grace every hour; the more the better. Use now all the grace you have; this is certainly right; but also now expect all the grace you want! This is the secret of heart religion; at the present moment to work, and to believe. Here is Christ your Lord; the lover of your soul. Give yourself up to Him without delay; and, as you can, without reserve. And simply tell Him all you desire, and all you want. What situation is it that hurries you? Is it not determined whether you shall change your condition or no? Be it either way, God sitteth on the throne, and ruleth all things well. I am, etc.

CCCLXI. — To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER, NORWICH, November 2,

1767.

IN the way of life you are entering upon, you will have need of great resolution and steadiness. It will be your wisdom to set out with two rules, and invariably adhere to them.

1. “I will do everything I can to oblige you, except what I cannot do with a clear conscience.”

2. “I will refrain from everything I can, that would displease you, except what I cannot refrain from with a clear conscience.” Keep to this, on both sides, from the hour you meet, and your meeting will be a blessing. You will do well likewise, constantly to pray with, as well as for, one another. Now, Nancy, put on, by the grace of God, the armor of righteousness, on the right hand and on the left! Beware of foolish desires! Beware of inordinate affections! Beware of worldly cares! But, above all, I think, you should beware of wasting time in what is called innocent trifling. And watch against unprofitable conversation, particularly between yourselves. Then your union may be (as it ought) a type of the union between Christ and his church; and you may, in the end, present each other before Him, holy and unblamable at His coming.

I am, etc.

CCCLXII. — To the Same.

DEAR SISTER, LONDON, November 20,

1767.

YOUR letter was exceeding acceptable to me; and the more so, because I was almost afraid you had forgotten me. I am glad to find you have not forgotten the blessing which God gave you when at Newcastle, and the resolutions which you formed there; and I trust you never will, till God gives you the full enjoyment of the glorious liberty which you then tasted. Do not imagine that this is afar off; or, that you must do and suffer a great deal before you attain it; — I dare not affirm that. Has not Christ done and suffered enough for you? The purchase is made; the price is paid already; you have only to believe, and enter into rest; to take the purchased possession; all is ready; and today is the day of salvation! Why should you not now be all love? all devoted to Him that loves you? Is it not the language of your heart? —

“Henceforth may no profane delight

Divide this consecrated soul;

Possess it Thou, who hast the right,

As Lord and Master of the whole.”

You are to obey your parent in the Lord only, not in opposition to Him. If, therefore, any means should offer whereby you might enjoy that full liberty of conscience which every creature has a right to, I judge it would be not only lawful, but your bounden duty, to accept of such an offer. Mrs. Wilberforce’s charity is a good omen: What is it God will not do if we can trust Him? Only cast your whole care upon Him, and He will do all things well: He will withhold from you no manner of thing that is good. O let Him have all your heart!

I am, dear sister, etc.