Letter 370

ask a strange question: Is your soul as much alive to God as it was once? Have you not suffered loss from your relations or acquaintance, that are sensible and agreeable men, but not encumbered with religion? Some of them, perhaps, as free from the very form, as from the power, of it. O Sir, if you lose any of the things which you have wrought, who can make you amends for that loss? If you do not receive a full reward, what equivalent can you gain? I was pained, even at your hospitable table, in the midst of those I loved so well. We did not begin and close the meal in the same manner you did ten years ago! You was then, contrary to almost universal custom, unfashionably serious in asking a blessing and returning thanks. I know many would blame you for it: But surely the Lord said, “Servant of God, well done!” Wishing you and your lovely family every blessing, I am, Rev. and dear Sir,

Your obliged and affectionate brother and servant.

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CCCLXX. — To Lady ——.

MY DEAR LADY, LONDON, June 19, 1771.

MANY years since I saw that “without holiness no man shall see the Lord.” I began following after it, and inciting all with whom I had any intercourse to do the same. Ten years after, God gave me a clearer view than I had before of the way how to attain this; namely, by faith in the Son of God. And immediately I declared to all, “We are saved from sin, we are made holy, by faith.” This I testified in private, in public, in print; and God confirmed it by a thousand witnesses. I have continued to declare this for above thirty years; and God hath continued to confirm the word of his grace. But during this time well-nigh all the religious world hath set themselves in array against me, and, among the rest, many of my own children, following the example of one of my eldest sons, Mr. W. Their general cry has been, “He is unsound in the faith; he preaches another Gospel!” I answer, Whether it be the same which they preach or not, it is the same which I have preached for above thirty years. This may easily appear from what I have published during that whole term. I instance only in three sermons: That on Salvation by Faith, printed in the year 1738; that on the Lord our Righteousness, printed a few years since; and that on Mr. Whitefield’s funeral, printed only some months ago. But it is said, “O but you printed ten lines in August last, which contradict all your other writings!” Be not so sure of this. It is probable, at least, that I understand my own meaning as well as you do; and that meaning I have yet again declared in the sermon last referred to. By that interpret those ten lines, and you will understand them better: Although I should think that any one might see, even without this help, that the lines in question do not refer to the condition of obtaining, but of continuing in, the favor of God. But whether the sentiment contained in those lines be right or wrong, and whether it be well or ill expressed, the Gospel which I now preach, God does still confirm by new witnesses in every place; perhaps never so much in this kingdom as within these last three months. Now, I argue from glaring, undeniable fact; God cannot bear witness to a lie. The Gospel therefore which he confirms, must be true in substance. There may be opinions maintained at the same time which are not exactly true; and who can be secure from these? Perhaps I thought myself so once: When I was much younger than I am now, I thought myself almost infallible; but, I bless God, I know myself better now.

To be short: Such as I am, I love you well. You have one of the first places in my esteem and affection. And you once had some regard for me. But it cannot continue, if it depends upon my seeing with your eyes, or on my being in no mistake. What, if I was in as many as Mr. Law himself? If you were, I should love you still, provided your heart was still right with God. My dear friend, you seem not to have well learned yet the meaning of those words, which I desire to have continually written on my heart, “Whosoever doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

I am, my dear Lady,

Your affectionate.