To Mr. John Valton

1. To our inward holiness, our likeness to God:

2. To our works: And,

3. To our sufferings.

Therefore, whatever you suffer in time, you will be an unspeakable gainer in eternity. Many of your sufferings, perhaps the greatest part, are now past. But your joy is to come! Look up, my dear friend, look up! and see your crown before you! A little longer, and you shall drink of the rivers of pleasure that flow at God’s right hand for evermore.

Adieu!

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DLXXII. — To Mr. John Valton.

LONDON, June 30, 1764.

IT is certainly right, with all possible care, to abstain from all outward occasions of evil. But this profits only a little: The inward change is the one thing needful for you. You must be born again, or you will never gain a uniform and lasting liberty.

Your whole soul is diseased, or rather dead, — dead to God, — dead in sin. Awake then, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. To seek for a particular deliverance from one sin only is mere lost labor. If it could be attained, it would be of little worth; for another would rise in its place; — but indeed it cannot, before there is a general deliverance from the guilt and power of all sin. This is the thing which you want, and which you should be continually seeking for. You want to be freely justified from all things, through the redemption that is in Jesus. It might be of use if you would read over the first volume of Sermons, seriously, and with prayer. Indeed nothing will avail without prayer. Pray, whether you can or not: When you are cheerful, when you are heavy, pray; with many or few words, or none at all. You will surely find an answer of peace. And why not now?

I am

Your servant for Christ’s sake.

DLXXIII. — To the Same.

DUBLIN, March 23, 1769.

CERTAINLY the Lord is preparing you for a more extensive work, and showing, that he can and will give you a mouth. Take care you do not cleave to any person or thing! God is a jealous God. And stay where you are as long as you can stay; but do not resist, when he thrusts you out into his harvest. That God has called you to a more extensive work, I cannot doubt in the least. He has given you an earnest of it at Stroud; and your weakness of soul or body is no bar to Him. Leave Him to remove that, when and as it pleases Him. But I doubt concerning the time: It does not seem to be fully come. At present you are to do all you can where you are, and to be always hearkening to his voice, and waiting till he makes plain the way before your face.

I am

Your affectionate brother.

DLXXIV. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, November 21, 1769.

IT is a great thing to be open to the call of God. It really seems as if he were now calling you. When I wrote last, you was not willing to go out; and, probably, he is now thrusting you out into his harvest. If so, take care you be not disobedient to the heavenly calling. Otherwise, you may be permitted to fall lower than you imagine.

I am

Your affectionate brother.

DLXXV. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, December 2, 1769.

CERTAINLY you are not called to go out now. I believe you will be by and by. Your inabilities are no bar; for, when you are sent, you will not be sent a warfare at your own cost. Now improve the present hour where you are. I am

Your affectionate brother.

DLXXVI. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, October 29, 1786.

DO not cast water upon a drowning man: And take care of receiving anything upon Joseph ——’s testimony. Speaking is not the thing, but revealing what is spoken in band, had it been true. Unless Sy—— be convinced of this sin, I will expel her the society, the first time I come to Bath. I must do justice, if the sky falls. I am the last resort. A word to the wise! I am sure Michael Griffith is good enough for the place, if he is not too good. I hope Mr. Jones is set out for Brecon. See that Michael have fair play.

DLXXVII. — To the Same.

MY DEAR BROTHER, LONDON, December 29, 1786.

I CANNOT hope for the recovery of your health and strength, unless you intermit preaching. I therefore positively require you, for a month from the date of this, not to preach more than twice in a week; and if you preach less, I will not blame you. But you should, at all hazards, ride an hour everyday; only wrapping yourself up very close. Take care not to lodge in too close a room, and not to draw your curtains close. As we are just entering upon the affair of the poor in London, I want to know what has been done at Bristol. A particular account of the steps which have been taken there may both animate and instruct our friends here.