utterly fainted. But I am afraid the poor tenement of clay has received such a shock as will not easily be repaired. The wonderful behaviour of Mrs. was more than it was well able to bear. But the comfort is, He with whom we have to do, is the Physician. I doubt, whether any embodied spirit can feel such entire selfabasement, as is felt by those spirits that see the face of our Father which is in heaven. And, undoubtedly, the nearer they approach the throne, the more abased they will be. The plerophery (or full assurance) of faith, is such a divine testimony, that we are reconciled to God, as excludes all doubt and fear concerning it. This refers only to what is present. The plerophery (or full assurance) of hope, is a divine testimony, that we shall endure to the end; or more directly, that we shall enjoy God in glory. This is by no means essential to, or inseparable from, perfeet love. It is sometimes given to those that are not perfected in love, as it was to Mr. Grimshaw. And it is not given, (at least not for some time,) to many that are perfected in love. I do not say, you ought to pray for it, but I think you may; only with absolute resignation. In this as in all things, "His manner and his time are best." I rejoice to hear of the continuance of your health. But you will still need constant exercise; to which should be added, as often as may be, change of air. That you may enjoy more and more health, both of soul and body, is the prayer of, MY DEAR BETSY, Your's, affectionately, LETTER XVII. J. WESLEY. February 12, 1779. THE remark of Luther, "That a revival of religion seldom continues above thirty years," has been verified many times in several countries. But it will not always hold. The present revival of religion in England, has already continued fifty years. And, blessed be God, it is at least as likely to continue, as it was twenty or thirty years ago. Indeed it is far more likely; as it not only spreads wider, but sinks deeper, than ever. More and more persons being able to testify, that the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin. We have therefore reason to hope, that this revival of religion will continue, and continually increase, till the time when all Israel shall be saved, and the fulness of the Gentiles shall come. I have heard that Mr. is in London, but have not heard where he is, or what he does. As far as I can learn, he lives in the utmost privacy, and does not preach at all. He seems to think that his present calling is to be a hermit in London. Surely it is your wisdom to stand fast even in the outward liberty wherewith Christ has made you free. You are now happily disengaged from caring for the things of this world, and need only care for the things of the Lord: how you may be holy in body and spirit, and how you may promote his kingdom upon earth. I have abundant proof that Baron Swedenburg's fever, which he had thirty years before he died, much affected his understanding. Yet his tract is "majestic, though in ruins." He has strong and beautiful thoughts, and may be read with profit by a serious and cautious reader. Some weeks since I began another Journal, and am going on with it, when I have any scraps of time; probably it will be finished next month. I expect to visit Yorkshire this spring, when I hope to see you. I am, your's, affectionately, J. WESLEY. LETTER XVIII. . MY DEAR BETSY, London, Jan. 19, 1782. IT seemed a little strange to me, my dear Betsy, that I did not hear from you for so long a time. But I imputed your silence to your bodily weakness, of which several of our friends sent me word. From our brethren in various parts of England and Ireland, I have very pleasing accounts of the uncommon blessings, which many received at the time of renewing their covenant with God. I am glad to hear, that you at Otley had your share. That point, entire salvation from inbred sin, can hardly ever be insisted upon, either in preaching or prayer, without a particular blessing. Honest Isaac Brown firmly believes this doctrine, that we are to be saved from all sin in this life. But I wish, when opportunity serves, you would encourage him, 1. To preach Christian Perfection, constantly, strongly, and explicitly. 2. Explicitly to assert and prove, that it may be received now. And, 3. (which indeed is implied therein,) that it is to be received by simple faith. In every state of mind, in that of conviction, or justification, or sanctification, I believe every person may either go sensibly backward, or seem to stand still, or go forward. I incline to think, all the persons you mention were fully sanctified. But some of them, watching unto prayer, went on from faith to faith; while the others, being less watchful, seemed to stand still, but were indeed imperceptibly backsliding. Wishing you all may increase with all the increase of God, I am, ever your's, J. WESLEY. LETTER XIX. MY DEAR BETSY, Bristol, July 20, 1783. IT seemed a long time since I heard from you, but I believe your not writing, was owing to your not knowing how to direct to me while I was abroad. The prayers of many were productive of many blessings, and in particular of the amazing friendship and good will which were shown us in every place. We always looked upon the Dutch as a heavy, dull, stoical people. But truly most, nay, I may say all, with whom we conversed familiarly, were as tender hearted, and as earnestly affectionate as the Irish themselves. Two of our sisters, when we left the Hague, came twelve miles with us on our way. And one of our brethren of Amsterdam, came to take leave of us to Utrecht, above thirty miles. There are indeed many precious souls in Utrecht full of faith and love, as also at Haerlem, the Hague, and Amsterdam. And one and all (without any human teaching) dress as plainly as you do. I believe, if my life be prolonged, I shall pay them a visit at least every other year. Had I had a little more time, I would have visited our brethren in Friesland and Westphalia likewise; for a glorious work of God is lately broken out in both these provinces. Miss L is an Israelite indeed: she is a pattern to all that are round about her. One would scarcely have expected to see the daughter of the head burgomaster, dressed on a Sunday in a plain linen gown. She appears to have but one desire, That Christ may reign alone in her heart. I do not remember any storm which travelled so far as that on the tenth. It has been in almost all parts of England, but especially at Witney, near Oxford. The next night they had a far greater, which ⚫ seemed to cover the whole town for four hours, with almost one uninterrupted blaze, and it has made such an impression on high and low, rich and poor, as had not been known in the memory of man. I expect a good deal of difficulty at this Conference, and shall stand in need of the prayers of you and your friends. Peace be with your spirits. I am, your's, most affectionately, J. WESLEY. LETTER XX: MY DEAR BETSY, Traceen, Pembrokeshire, Aug. 19, 1784. I WAS a little surprised at a letter from sister D—————, in which she seems to approve of all that Mrs. C. has done, and speaks as if it were just and right, and done in obedience to the order of Providence! I could not help saying, "There is but one advice which I can give her upon the present occasion: Remember from whence thou art fallen. Repent, and do thy first works."" Some years ago, I committed a little company of lovely children to the care of one of our sisters at Haverford. I was concerned yesterday to find she was weary of well doing, and had totally given up her charge. I hope, my dear Betsy, this will never be your case! You will never leave off your labour of love; though you should not always (not immediately at least) see the fruit of your labours. You may not immediately see Mrs. Hso established in grace, as you desire and hope. But in this, as well as many other instances, in due time, "you shall reap if you faint not.” I have been often musing upon this, Why the generality of Christians, even those that really are such, are less zealous and less active for God, when they are middle aged, than they were when they were young? May we not draw an answer to this question, from that declaration of our Lord, (no less than eight times repeated by the evangelists,) To him that hath, uses what he hath, shall be given; A mea but from him that hath not, shall be taken away that he hath. sure of zeal and activity is given to every one, when he finds peace with God. If he earnestly and diligently uses this talent, it will surely be increased. But if he ceases (yea, or intermits) to do good, he insensibly loses both the will and the power. So there is no possible way to retain those talents, but to use them to the uttermost. Let this never be the case of my dear friend! Never abate any thing of your diligence in doing good. Sometimes indeed the feeble body sinks under you: but when you do all you can, you do enough. Remember, in all your prayers, Your's, most affectionately, J. WESLEY. LETTER XXI. MY DEAR BETSY, Dublin, June 26, 1785. OUR Lord has indeed poured out abundance of blessings, almost in every part of this kingdom. I have now gone through every province, and visited all the chief societies, and I have found far the greater part of them increasing both in number and strength. Many are convinced of sin: many justified; and not a few perfected in love. One means of which is, that several of our young preachers, of whom we made little account, appear to be (contrary to all expectation) men full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost: and they are pushing out, to the right hand and the left: and wherever they go, God prospers their labour. I know not whether Thomas Walsh will not revive, in two, if not three of them. Many years ago I was saying, "I cannot imagine, how Mr. Whitefield can keep his soul alive, as he is not now going through honour and dishonour, evil report and good report: having nothing but honour and good report attending him wherever he goes." It is now my own case: I am just in the condition now that he was then in. I am become, I know not how, an honourable man. The scandal of the cross is ceased: and all the kingdom, rich and poor, Papists and Protestants, behave with courtesy, nay, and seeming good will! It seems as if I had well nigh finished my course, and our Lord was giving me an honourable discharge. My dear B. have you not something to do in Dublin? If so, the sooner you visit our friends the better. Peace be with your spirit! J. WESLEY, MY DEAR BETSY, Adieu ! LETTER XXII. London, Feb. 24, 1786. IT is doubtless the will of our Lord, we should be guided by our reason, so far as it can go. But in many cases, it gives us very little light, and in others, none at all. In all cases, it cannot guide us right, but in subordination to the unction of the Holy One. that in all our ways, we are to acknowledge him, and he will direct our paths. I do not remember to have heard or read any thing like my own experience. Almost ever since I can remember, I have been led in a peculiar way. I go on in an even line, being very little raised at one time, or depressed at another. Count Zinzendorf observes there are three different ways wherein it pleases God to lead his people. Some are guided almost in every instance by apposite texts of Scripture. Others see a clear and plain reason, for every thing they are to do. And yet others are led not so much by Scripture or reason, as by particular impressions. I am very rarely led by impressions, but generally by reason and by Scripture. I see abundantly more than I feel. I want to feel more love and zeal for God. My very dear friend, adieu! J. WESLEY. LETTERS TO MISS H. A. ROE. LETTER I. Whitehaven, May 3, 1776. WITH pleasure I sit down to write to my dear Miss Roe, who has been much upon my mind since I left Macclesfield. Once I saw my dear friend, Miss Beresford; when I came again, she was in Abraham's bosom. Once I have seen her living picture, drawn by the same hand, and breathing the same spirit, and I am afraid I shall hardly see you again, till we meet in the garden of God. But if you should gradually decay, if you be sensible of the hour approaching, when your spirit is to return to God; I should be glad to have notice of it, wherever I am, that if possible I might see you once more before you "Clap your glad wing and soar away. Perhaps in such a circumstance, I might be of some little comfort to your dear mamma, who would stand in much need of comfort: and it may be, our blessed Master would enable me to teach you at once, and learn of you, to die! In the meantime, see that you neglect no probable means of restoring your health, and send me, from time to time, a particular account of the state wherein you are. Do you feel your own will quite given up to God, so that you have no repugnance to his will in any thing? Do you find no strivings of pride? no remains of vanity? no desire of praise, or fear of dispraise? Do you enjoy an uninterrupted sense of the loving presence of God? How far does the corruptible and decaying body press down the soul? Your disorder naturally sinks the spirits, and occasions heaviness and dejection. Can you, notwithstanding this, rejoice evermore, and in every thing give thanks? Certainly before the root of sin is taken away, believers may live above the power of it. Yet what a difference between the first love, and the pure love. You can explain this to Mr. Roe by your own experience. Let him follow on, and how soon may he attain it! |