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He never fails to give us strength according to our day; and that we know these "light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

I am

Your affectionate brother.

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CCCLXXXVI.-To the Stewards of the Foundery.

MY DEAR BRETHREN,

Pembroke, August 6, 1768.

THE thing you mention is of no small concern, and ought not to be determined hastily. Indeed, it would be easy to answer, if we considered only how to save money: But we are to consider also how to save souls. Now, I doubt whether we should act wisely in this respect were we to give up the chapel in Spitalfields. We have no other preaching place in or near that populous quarter of the town; and a quarter which, upon one account, I prefer before almost any other; namely, that the people in general are more simple, and less confused by any other Preachers. I think, therefore, it would not be well to give up this, if we could gain a thousand pounds thereby. I should look upon it as selling the souls of men for money; which God will give us in due time without this. That many who live near the Foundery would be glad of it, I allow, because it would save them trouble. But neither can I put the saving of trouble in competition with the saving of souls.

I am, my dear brethren,

Your affectionate brother.

CCCLXXXVII.-To Mrs. Elizabeth Bennis, of Limerick.

MY DEAR SISTER,

Pembroke, August 23, 1763.

You did well to write; this is one of the means which God generally uses to convey either light or comfort: Even while you are writing you will often find relief; frequently, while we propose a doubt, it is removed.

There is no doubt but what you at first experienced was a real foretaste of the blessing, although you were not properly

possessed of it till the Whitsunday following; but it is very possible to cast away the gift of God, or to lose it by little and little; though I trust this is not the case with you; and yet you may frequently be in heaviness, and may find your love to God not near so warm at some times as it is at others. Many wanderings, likewise, and many deficiencies, are consistent with pure love; but the thing you mean is, the abiding witness of the Spirit touching this very thing. And this you may boldly claim, on the warrant of that word, "We have received the Spirit that is of God; that we may know the things which are freely given to us of God."

I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

CCCLXXXVIII.-To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER,

Manchester, March 29, 1766.

ONE of our Preachers has lately advanced a new position among us, that there is no direct or immediate witness of sanctification, but only a perception or consciousness that we are changed, filled with love, and cleansed from sin. But, if I understand you right, you find a direct testimony that you are a child of God.

Now, certainly, if God has given you this light, he did not intend that you should hide it under a bushel. "It is good to conceal the secrets of a king, but it is good to tell the lovingkindness of the Lord." Every one ought to declare what God has done for his soul, and that with all simplicity: Only care is to be taken to declare to several persons that part of our experience which they are severally able to bear; and some parts of it, to such alone as are upright and simple of heart.

One reason why those who are saved from sin should freely declare it to believers is, because nothing is a stronger incitement to them to seek after the same blessing. And we ought, by every possible means, to press every serious believer to forget the things which are behind, and with all earnestness go on to perfection. Indeed, if they are not thirsting after this, it is scarce possible to keep what they have: They can hardly retain any power of faith, if they are not panting after holiness.

A thousand infirmities are consistent even with the highest degree of holiness; which is no other than pure love, an heart VOL. XII.

BB

devoted to God; one design and one desire. Then, whatever is done, either in word or deed, may be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Press after all the residue of the promises.

I am, my dear sister,

Your affectionate brother.

CCCLXXXIX.-To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER,

Leeds, August 14, 1766.

ALTHOUGH I am at present exceedingly hurried with various business, yet love constrains me to write a few lines. Your letters are always welcome to me, as the picture of an honest and affectionate heart.

What you say concerning the witness of the Spirit is agreeable to all sound experience. We may, in some measure, be satisfied without it, in the time of broad sunshine; but it is absolutely necessary in the time of clouds, and heaviness, and temptation; otherwise it would be hardly possible to hold fast your confidence.

Beware of voluntary humility: Even this may create a snare. In the "Thoughts on Christian Perfection," and in the "Farther Thoughts," you have the genuine experience of the adult children of God. Oppose that authority to the authority of any that contradict, (if reason and Scripture are disregarded,) and look daily for a deeper and fuller communion with God. O what is it to walk in the light, as He is in the light!

Do not cease to pray for

Your truly affectionate brother.

CCCXC.-To the Same.

DEAR SISTER BENNIS,

Dublin, July 25, 1767. WHEN you write to me, you have only to "think aloud,” just to open the window in your breast: When we love one another, there is no need of either disguise or reserve: I love you, and I verily believe you love me; so you have only to write just what you feel.

The essential part of Christian holiness is giving the heart wholly to God; and certainly we need not lose any degree of that light and love which at first attend this: It is our own infirmity

if we do; it is not the will of the Lord concerning us. Your present business is, not to reason whether you should call your experience thus or thus; but to go straight to Him that loves you, with all your wants, how great or how many soever they are. Then all things are ready; help, while you ask, is given. You have only to receive it by simple faith. Nevertheless, you will still be encompassed with numberless infirmities; for you live in a house of clay, and therefore this corruptible body will, more or less, press down the soul, yet not so as to prevent your rejoicing evermore, and having a witness that your heart is all His. You may claim this: It is yours; for Christ is yours. Believe, and feel him near.

My dear sister, adieu.

Yours affectionately.

CCCXCI.-To the Same.

DEAR SISTER,

Cork, May 30, 1769.

SOME years since, I was inclined to think that none who had once enjoyed and then lost the pure love of God must ever look to enjoy it again till they were just stepping into eternity. But experience has taught us better things: We have at present numerous instances of those who had cast away that unspeakable blessing, and now enjoy it in a larger measure than ever. And why should not this be your case? Because you are unworthy? So were they. Because you have been an unfaithful steward? So had they been also; yet God healed them freely; and so he will you, only do not reason against him. Look for nothing in yourself but sin and unworthiness. Forget yourself. Worthy is the Lamb, and he has prevailed for you. You shall not die, but live; live all the life of heaven on earth. You need nothing in order to this but faith; and who gives this? He that standeth at the door.

I hope to see you at Limerick on Monday next; and I pray, let there never more be any reserve between you and

Your truly affectionate, &c.

DEAR SISTER,

CCCXCII.-To the Same.

Dublin, July 24, 1769.

Ir the reading over your papers has no other effect, this it certainly has, it makes me love you abundantly better than I did

before I have now a more intimate knowledge of you; I enter more into your spirit, your tempers, and hopes, and fears, and desires; all which tends to endear you to me. It is plain, one of your constant enemies, and the most dangerous of all, is evil reasoning. Accordingly, the thing which you chiefly want is Christian simplicity. Brother Bourke and you should carefully watch over each other in that respect, and let each deal faithfully with the other; let there be no reserve between you; encourage one another also, to pray for and expect the continual and direct witness of the Spirit. My dear friend,

remember

Yours affectionately, &c.

CCCXCIII.-To the Same.

MY DEAR SISTER,

Bristol, September 18, 1769.

I WROTE a longer letter to you than I usually do, before I set out from Dublin: Where or how it stopped, I cannot imagine. I think of you every day; indeed, I do not know that I ever loved you so well as since I was at Limerick last. The more we are acquainted with each other, the more we ought to love one another.

I hope Brother Bourke and you faithfully endeavour to help each other on. Is your own soul all alive; all devoted to God? Do you find again what you found once? And are you active for God? Remember, you have work to do in your Lord's vineyard; and the more you help others, the more your soul will prosper.

DEAR SISTER,

I am, my dear sister,

Yours affectionately, &c.

CCCXCIV.-To the Same.

Whitehaven, April 12, 1770.

IF two or three letters have miscarried, all will not; so I am determined to write again. How does the work of God go on at Limerick? Does the select society meet constantly? And do you speak freely to each other? What Preachers are with you now? Do you converse frankly and openly with them, without any shyness or reserve? Do you find your own soul prosper? Do you hold fast what God has given you? Do you

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