To Mrs. Marston
—————
DLXXXVI. — To Mrs. Marston, of Worcester.
MY DEAR SISTER, BROAD-MARSTON, March 16, 1770.
I WANT to ask you several questions. At what time, and in what manner, was you justified? Did you from that time find a constant witness of it? When and how was you convinced of the necessity of sanctification? When did you receive it, and in what manner? Did you then find the witness of it? Has it been clear ever since? Have you not found any decay since that time? Do you now find as much life as ever you did? Can you give God your whole heart? In what sense do you “pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks?” Do you find a testimony in yourself, that all your words and actions please Him?
You have no need to be nice or curious in answering these questions. You have no occasion to set your words in order; but speak to me, just as you would do to one of your sisters. The language of love is the best of all. One truly says, —
“There is in love a sweetness ready penn’d:
Copy out only that, and save expense.”
You have love in your heart: Let that teach you words. Out of the abundance of the heart let your mouth speak. I shall know better how to advise you. I have a great concern for you, and a desire that you should never lose anything which God has wrought, but should receive a full reward. Stand fast in the name of the Lord, and in the power of his might! I am
Your affectionate brother.
You may direct to me, at the preaching-house in Manchester. DLXXXVII. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, CHESTER, April 1, 1770.
AS I had not time to converse with you as I would at Worcester, I was exceedingly glad to see you at Wednesbury. It was the very thing I desired. And surely our Lord will withhold from us no manner of thing that is good. I am glad that you can both speak and write to me freely: It may often be of service to you; especially if God should suffer you to be assaulted by strong and uncommon temptations. I should not wonder if this were to be the case: Though, perhaps, it never will; especially if you continue simple; if, when you are assaulted by that wicked one, you do not reason with him, but just look up for help, hanging upon Him that has washed you in his own blood. Do you now find power to “rejoice evermore?” Can you “pray without ceasing?” Is your heart to Him, though without a voice? And do you “in everything give thanks?” Is your whole desire to Him? And do you still find an inward witness that He has cleansed your heart? Stand fast, then, in that glorious liberty, wherewith Christ has made you free!
I am, dear Molly,
Your affectionate brother.
I expect to be in Glasgow about the 17th of this month.
DLXXXVIII. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, August 11, 1770.
I THOUGHT it long since I heard from you, and wanted to know how your soul prospered. Undoubtedly, as long as you are in the body, you will come short of what you would be; and you will see more and more of your numberless defects, and the imperfection of your best actions and tempers. Yet all this need not hinder your rejoicing evermore, and in everything giving thanks. Heaviness you may sometimes feel; but you never need come into darkness. Beware of supposing darkness, that is, unbelief, to be better than the light of faith. To suppose this is one of the gross errors of Popery. “He that followeth me,” says our Lord, “shall not walk in darkness.” That you are tempted a thousand ways will do you no hurt. In all these things you shall be more than conqueror. I hope the select society meets constantly, and that you speak freely to each other. Go on humbly and steadily, denying, yourselves, and taking up your cross daily. Walk in the light as He is in the light, in lowliness, in meekness, in resignation. Then He will purely sanctify you throughout, in spirit, soul, and body. To hear from you is always a pleasure to,
My dear sister,
Your affectionate brother.
I am going to Bristol.
DLXXXIX. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, ST. IVES, August 26, 1770.
YOUR last gave me a particular satisfaction; because I was jealous over you. I was afraid lest you, like some others, should have received that dangerous opinion, that we must sometimes be in darkness. Wherever you are, oppose this, and encourage all who now walk in the light to expect, not only the continuance, but the increase, of it, unto the perfect day. Certain it is, that unless we grieve the Holy Spirit, He will never take away what He has given. On the contrary, He will add to it continually, till we come to the measure of the full stature of Christ.
I am glad the select society meets constantly. See that you speak freely to each other. And do not speak of your joys and comforts only; this is well-pleasing to flesh and blood: But speak also of your sorrows, and weaknesses, and temptations; this is well-pleasing to God, and will, be a means of knitting you together by a bond that shall never be broken. I hope you lose no opportunity of speaking a word for God, either to them that know Him, or them that do not. Why should you lose any time? Time is short. Work your work betimes! Today receive more grace, and use it! Peace be with your spirit!
I am, my dear sister,
Your affectionate brother.
DXC. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, December 14, 1770.
IF I live till spring, and should have a clear, pressing call, I am as ready to embark for America, as for Ireland. All places are alike to me: I am attached to none in particular. Wherever the work of our Lord is to be carried on, that is my place for today. And we live only for today: It is not our part to take thought for tomorrow.
You expect to fight your way through. But I think the Preachers understand you, and can receive your report: And so do most of your sisters. What forces then can Satan raise up against you? You can speak to me without reserve; for you know I love you much.
Abundance of deficiencies must remain, as long as the soul remains in this house of clay. So long the corruptible body will more or less darken and press down the soul. But still your heart may be all love; and love is the fulfillling of our law. Still you may rejoice evermore; you may pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks. Peace be multiplied unto you!
I am, dear Molly,
Your affectionate brother.
DXCI. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, CORK, May 6, 1771.
I AM always pleased to hear from you, and expect to hear nothing but good. Conflicts and various exercises of soul are permitted: These also are for good. If Satan has desired to have you to sift you as wheat, this likewise is for your profit: You will be purified in the fire, not consumed, and strengthened unto all long-suffering with joyfulness. Does Mr. Clough, or any other of the Preachers, speak against perfection, or give occasion to them that trouble you? You would do well to speak to any one that does, that you may come to a better understanding. So far as in you lies, let not the good that is in you be evil spoken of. But beware, lest the unkind usage of your brethren betray you into any kind of guile or false prudence. Still let all your conversation be in simplicity and godly sincerity. Be plain, open, downright, without disguise. Do you always see God, and feel his love? Do you pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks? I hope you do not forget to pray for,
My dear Molly,
Your affectionate brother.
since that time? Do you now find as much life as ever you did? Can you give God your whole heart? In what sense do you “pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks?” Do you find a testimony in yourself, that all your words and actions please Him?
You have no need to be nice or curious in answering these questions. You have no occasion to set your words in order; but speak to me, just as you would do to one of your sisters. The language of love is the best of all. One truly says, —
“There is in love a sweetness ready penn’d:
Copy out only that, and save expense.”
You have love in your heart: Let that teach you words. Out of the abundance of the heart let your mouth speak. I shall know better how to advise you. I have a great concern for you, and a desire that you should never lose anything which God has wrought, but should receive a full reward. Stand fast in the name of the Lord, and in the power of his might! I am
Your affectionate brother.
You may direct to me, at the preaching-house in Manchester. DLXXXVII. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, CHESTER, April 1, 1770.
AS I had not time to converse with you as I would at Worcester, I was exceedingly glad to see you at Wednesbury. It was the very thing I desired. And surely our Lord will withhold from us no manner of thing that is good. I am glad that you can both speak and write to me freely: It may often be of service to you; especially if God should suffer you to be assaulted by strong and uncommon temptations. I should not wonder if this were to be the case: Though, perhaps, it never will; especially if you continue simple; if, when you are assaulted by that wicked one, you do not reason with him, but just look up for help, hanging upon Him that has
washed you in his own blood. Do you now find power to “rejoice evermore?” Can you “pray without ceasing?” Is your heart to Him, though without a voice? And do you “in everything give thanks?” Is your whole desire to Him? And do you still find an inward witness that He has cleansed your heart? Stand fast, then, in that glorious liberty, wherewith Christ has made you free!
I am, dear Molly,
Your affectionate brother.
I expect to be in Glasgow about the 17th of this month.
DLXXXVIII. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, August 11, 1770.
I THOUGHT it long since I heard from you, and wanted to know how your soul prospered. Undoubtedly, as long as you are in the body, you will come short of what you would be; and you will see more and more of your numberless defects, and the imperfection of your best actions and tempers. Yet all this need not hinder your rejoicing evermore, and in everything giving thanks. Heaviness you may sometimes feel; but you never need come into darkness. Beware of supposing darkness, that is, unbelief, to be better than the light of faith. To suppose this is one of the gross errors of Popery. “He that followeth me,” says our Lord, “shall not walk in darkness.” That you are tempted a thousand ways will do you no hurt. In all these things you shall be more than conqueror. I hope the select society meets constantly, and that you speak freely to each other. Go on humbly and steadily, denying, yourselves, and taking up your cross daily. Walk in the light as He is in the light, in lowliness, in meekness, in resignation. Then He will purely sanctify you throughout, in spirit, soul, and body. To hear from you is always a pleasure to,
My dear sister,
Your affectionate brother.
I am going to Bristol.
DLXXXIX. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, ST. IVES, August 26, 1770.
YOUR last gave me a particular satisfaction; because I was jealous over you. I was afraid lest you, like some others, should have received that dangerous opinion, that we must sometimes be in darkness. Wherever you are, oppose this, and encourage all who now walk in the light to expect, not only the continuance, but the increase, of it, unto the perfect day. Certain it is, that unless we grieve the Holy Spirit, He will never take away what He has given. On the contrary, He will add to it continually, till we come to the measure of the full stature of Christ.
I am glad the select society meets constantly. See that you speak freely to each other. And do not speak of your joys and comforts only; this is well-pleasing to flesh and blood: But speak also of your sorrows, and weaknesses, and temptations; this is well-pleasing to God, and will, be a means of knitting you together by a bond that shall never be broken. I hope you lose no opportunity of speaking a word for God, either to them that know Him, or them that do not. Why should you lose any time? Time is short. Work your work betimes! Today receive more grace, and use it! Peace be with your spirit!
I am, my dear sister,
Your affectionate brother.
DXC. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, December 14, 1770.
IF I live till spring, and should have a clear, pressing call, I am as ready to embark for America, as for Ireland. All places are alike to me: I am attached to none in particular. Wherever the work of our Lord is to be carried on,
that is my place for today. And we live only for today: It is not our part to take thought for tomorrow.
You expect to fight your way through. But I think the Preachers understand you, and can receive your report: And so do most of your sisters. What forces then can Satan raise up against you? You can speak to me without reserve; for you know I love you much.
Abundance of deficiencies must remain, as long as the soul remains in this house of clay. So long the corruptible body will more or less darken and press down the soul. But still your heart may be all love; and love is the fulfillling of our law. Still you may rejoice evermore; you may pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks. Peace be multiplied unto you!
I am, dear Molly,
Your affectionate brother.
DXCI. — To the Same.
MY DEAR SISTER, CORK, May 6, 1771.
I AM always pleased to hear from you, and expect to hear nothing but good. Conflicts and various exercises of soul are permitted: These also are for good. If Satan has desired to have you to sift you as wheat, this likewise is for your profit: You will be purified in the fire, not consumed, and strengthened unto all long-suffering with joyfulness. Does Mr. Clough, or any other of the Preachers, speak against perfection, or give occasion to them that trouble you? You would do well to speak to any one that does, that you may come to a better understanding. So far as in you lies, let not the good that is in you be evil spoken of. But beware, lest the unkind usage of your brethren betray you into any kind of guile or false prudence. Still let all your conversation be in simplicity and godly sincerity. Be plain, open, downright, without disguise. Do you always see God, and feel his love? Do you pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks? I hope you do not forget to pray for,
My dear Molly,
Your affectionate brother.