DEAR JOSEPH, LETTER XXXIV. London, Feb. 22, 1782. WHO Mr. Tyndall is, I know not; but he is just as sound a divine as Mr. Madan. I regard no authorities but those of the AntiNicene Fathers: nor any of them in opposition to Scripture. And I totally deny that (supposed) matter of fact, That polygamy was allowed among the primitive Christians: Or, that the converts "who had many wives, were not required to put any of them away." I have not yet time to read over the MSS.; when I do, I must read it all in a breath. Having talked with my friends, I judge it will be expedient to visit the North this year. I expect to be at Manchester on Wednesday, the 10th of April; and in Yorkshire in the beginning of May. I have no objection to your printing a few copies of those two sermons, to oblige your friends in the neighbourhood. I doubt, we are not explicit enough, in speaking on full sanctification, either in public or private. I am, with kind love to sister Benson, Dear Joseph, Your affectionate Friend and Brother, DEAR JOSEPH, LETTER XXXV. J. WESLEY Near London, Aug. 3, 1782. Do not you know, that all the Preachers cannot leave a circuit at once? Therefore, if you left it, brother Hopper could not. Perhaps, likewise, I can depend upon your judgment, more than that of another man. Two or three years ago, when the kingdom was in imminent danger, I made an offer to the Government of raising some men. The Secretary of War, (by the King's order) wrote me word, "That it was not necessary: but if ever it should be necessary, His Majesty would let me know." I never renewed the offer, and never intended it. But Captain Webb, without my knowing any thing of the matter, went to Col. B. the new Secretary of War, and renewed that offer. The Colonel (I verily believe to avoid his importunity) asked him, "How many men we could raise ?" But the Colonel is out of place. So the thing is at end. I read over both the sermons, but I did not see any thing materially wrong in either. I am, with love to sister Benson, Your affectionate Brother, We will consider what you propose. J. WESLEY, LETTER XXXVI. DEAR JOSEPH, ters. Bristol, Sept. 17, 1788. I AM glad you have determined to correct Mr. Fletcher's LetYou will observe, that it is "dangerous on such subjects to depart from Scripture, either as to language or sentiment;" and I believe, that "most of the controversies which have disturbed the church, have arisen from people's wanting to be wise above what is written, not contented with what God has plainly revealed there." What have you or I to do with that "difficulty?" I dare not, will not reason about it for a moment. I believe just what is revealed, and no more: but I do not pretend to account for it, or to solve the difficulties that may attend it. Let angels do this, if they can: but I think they cannot. I think even these "Would find no end, in wand'ring mazes lost." Some years since, I read about fifty pages of Dr. Watts's ingenious treatise upon the Glorified Humanity of Christ. But it so confounded my intellects, and plunged me into such unprofitable reasonings, yea, dangerous ones, that I would not have read it through for five hundred pounds. It led him into Arianism. Take care that similar tracts, (all of which I abhor,) have not the same effect upon you. I like your thoughts upon Materialism, as I doubt not I should those on the separate existence of the soul. It will be best to print at Hull or York, if you can print almost as cheap, and have as good paper. Should there not be a thousand copies? Then you will reserve a hundred of them for yourself. I am, with love to sister Benson, Your affectionate Friend and Brother, J. WESLEY. LETTERS TO MISS COOKE, Now Mrs. Clarke. LETTER I. London, Oct. 30, 1785. MY dear Miss Cooke leans to the right-hand error. It is saferto think too little, than too much of yourself. I blame none for not believing he is in the favour of God, till he is in a manner constrained to believe it. But laying all circumstances together, I can make no doubt of your having a nieasure of faith. Many years ago, when one was describing the glorious privilege of a believer, I cried out, "If this be so, I have no faith."He replied, "Habes fidem sed exiguam; you have faith, but it is weak." The very same thing I say to you, my dear friend. You have faith, but it is only as a grain of mustard-seed. Hold fast what you have, and ask for what you want. There is an irreconcilable variability in the operations of the Holy Spirit on the souls of men; more especially as to the manner of justification. Many find Him rushing upon them like a torrent, while they experience "The overwhelming power of saving grace." This has been the experience of many; perhaps of more, in this late visitation, than in any other age since the times of the Apostles. But in others he works in a very different way. "He deigns his influence to infuse, Sweet, refreshing, as the violet dews." It has pleased him to work the latter way in you, from the beginning: and, it is not improbable, he will continue (as he has begun) to work in a gentle and almost imperceptible manner. Let him take his own way. He is wiser than you. He will do all things well. Do not reason against him, but let the prayer of your heart be, "Mould as thou wilt thy passive clay." MY DEAR SISTER, LETTER II. J. WESLEY. Bristol, Sept. 24, 1785. IT is highly probable, my letter to you was intercepted, by some person of the same name; who, having opened it, (likely by a mistake,) was afterwards ashamed to send it you. However, as you have now favoured me with better information, I hope there will be no such mistake for the time to come. But I beg, when you write to me hereafter, do not write as to a stranger, but a friend. Be not afraid of me, because I have lived so much longer than you. I assume nothing upon that account, but wish to stand upon even ground with you: and to converse without either disguise or reserve. I love you all three, and not a little; especially since your sisters spoke so freely to me: yet I do not say in the same degree. There is a mildness and sweetness in your spirit, such as I wish to find in one, that is more to me than a common friend. Not that I impute this to nature; whatever is truly amiable, is not of nature, but from a higher principle. Cultivate this, my dear friend, to the uttermost. Still learn of him, who was meek and lowly in heart. O what a blessing it is to be little, and mean, and vile in our own eyes. You are an amiable woman, it is true, but still you are a sinner, born to die! You are an immortal spirit come forth from God, and speedily returning to him. You know well that one thing, and one thing only, is needful for you upon earth: To ensure a better portion-to recover the favour and image of God. The former, by his grace, you have recovered: you have tasted of the love of God. See that you do not cast it away. See that you hold fast the beginning of your confidence steadfast unto the end! And how soon may you be made a partaker of sanctification! And not only by a slow and insensible growth in grace, but by the power of the Highest overshadowing you in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, so as utterly to abolish sin, and to renew you in his whole image! If you are simple of heart, if you are willing to receive the heavenly gift, as a little child, without reasoning, why may you not receive it now? He is nigh that sanctifieth, he is with you, he is knocking at the door of your heart! "Come in, my Lord, come in, My dear Friend, 'This is the wish of, LETTER III. J. WESLEY. London, Dec. 14, 1785. I LOVE to see the handwriting of my dear Miss Cooke, even before I open the letter. The thinking of you gives me very sensible pleasure, ever since you spoke so freely to me. There is a remedy for the evil of which you complain; unprofitable reasonings; and I do not know whether there is any other. It is the peace of God. This will not only keep your heart, your affections, and passions, as a garrison keeps a city; but your mind likewise; all the workings and all the wanderings of your imagination. And this is promised; "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find." Though it seem to tarry long, A small measure of it you have frequently found; which may encourage you to look for the fulness. But if you were to give scope to your reasonings, there would be no end: the farther you went, the more you would be entangled; so true it is, that to our weak apprehension "The ways of heaven are dark and intricate, Puzzled with mazes, and perplex'd with error." But that peace will silence all our hard thoughts of God, and give us in patience to possess our souls. I believe at the time that any first receive the peace of God, a degree of holy boldness is connected with it and that all persons, when they are newly justified, are called to bear witness to the truth. Those who use the grace, which is then freely given to them of God, will not only have the continuance of it, but a large increase; for "unto him that hath," (that is, useth what he hath,)" shall be given, and he shall have more abundantly." We shall grow in boldness the more, the more we use it; and it is by the same method, added to prayer, that we are to recover any thing we have lost. Do what in you lies, and he will do the rest. My best service attends Mr. L. who I hope will be holier and happier by means of his late union. He certainly will, if Mrs. L. and he provoke one another to love and to good works. I do not despair of having the pleasure to wait on them at the Devizes. My best wishes wait likewise on Miss S. I hope you two are one, Indeed I am, My dear Miss Cooke, your's, in tender affection, J. WESLEY, VOL. 10.-M m LETTER IV. Bath, Sept. 9, 1786. IT gives me much satisfaction, my dear friend, to observe you are happier than when you wrote last. I do not doubt, but you have, at some times, a rich foretaste of the state which your soul pants after. And even "These wand'ring gleams of light, And gentle ardours from above, Some moments on a throne of love." But you know you are not to rest here; this is but a drop out of the ocean. Only this has been known again and again, that one of those happy moments has been the prelude of pure love. It has opened into the full liberty of the children of God. Who knows but this may be your happy experience! But the next time your soul is so caught up, he that loves you may touch your nature clean, and so take you into the holiest, that "You may never leave the skies, I am now intent upon my own work, finishing the life of Mr. Fletcher; this requires all the time I have to spare: so that as far as it is possible, I must, for two or three months, shut myself up. Two weeks I give to Bristol: after that time, I return to London. I cannot therefore have the happiness of seeing Trowbridge this autumn. But might I not see you, or your sisters at Bristol? If I am invisible to others, I would not be so to you. You may always command every thing that is in the power of, My very dear Friend, your's, in life and in death, LETTER V. MY DEAR SISTER and FRIEND, J. WESLEY. London, Dec. 12, 1786. ONCE or twice I have been a little out of order this autumn; but it was only for a day or two at a time. In general, my health has been better for these last ten years, than it ever was for ten years together since I was born. Ever since that good lever which I had in the north of Ireland, I have had, as it were, a new constitution. All my pains and aches have forsaken me, and I am a stranger even to weariness of any kind. This is the Lord's doing, and it may well be marvellous in all our eyes. You oblige me much, (and so do your very dear sisters,) by being so solicitous about my health; I take it as a mark of your sincere affection. Meantime I wonder at you! I am almost ashamed that you should love me so well. It is plain how little you know me. I am glad to find that the hunger and thirst after righteousness, which God has given you, does not abate. His providence cannot fail. You shall be filled, yea, satisfied therewith. But when you express it, not many will understand you, except Mrs. B. and our dear Betsy Johnson. However, do not fail to encourage all the |