heart, but in some exempt cases, it is not plain: there we want the unction of the Holy One. Voluntary humility, calling every defect a sin, is not well pleasing to God. Sin properly speaking, is neither more nor less than “a voluntary transgression of a known law of God."

There are a thousand instances, wherein it is not possible literally to make restitution. All that we can advise in the case you mention is, 1. Let him that stole, steal no more, let him be from this hour rigorously just. 2. Let him be a faithful steward of the mammon of unrighteousness, restoring all he can to God, in the poor. J. WESLEY.

LETTER XVI.

August 20, 1773.

I often heard my own mother make the same complaint with you. She did not feel near so much as my father did. But she did, ten times more than he did. You must labour to do so much the more, and pray that God would supply whatever is wanting. One degree of forgiveness is due to every one, though impenitent; still I love him as I love all men. But the other degree whereby I should again receive him as a friend, is only due to one who says, "I repent," that is, convinces me that he does really repent, and is entirely changed.

It is certain God has given you a talent, and I still think it ought to be used. I grant indeed to be hid, and to be still, is more agreeable to flesh and blood; but is it more agreeable to him who hath left us an example that we might tread in his steps.

One cannot be saved from evil tempers, without being devoted to God, neither can a soul be all devoted to God, without being saved from sin; but it is often exceeding hard to judge of others, whether they are saved from all evil tempers, and whether they are all devoted to God or not; yea it is hard to judge of ourselves, nay we cannot do it,

without the anointing of the Holy One given for that very purpose. Out of darkness, God will command light to shine. Be plain and open to all; then, whether they are sincere or insincere, you will have a conscience void of offence. You find all things work together for good. They must, while the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Your's, affectionately, J. WESLEY.

LETTER XVII.

Bristol, September 8, 1773.

WE have the clearest proof, when we have to do with children, that the help which is done upon earth, God doth it himself. All our wisdom will not even make them understand, much less feel the things of God. The "Instructions for Children" contain the best matter that we can possibly teach them. But nothing less than the finger of God, can write it on their hearts. On Saturday night, he sent another shower of grace upon our children at Kingswood. Sixteen of them were deeply affected; and, I think, thirteen found peace with God; four or five of them were some of the smallest we had, not above seven or eight years old.

Although there may be some use in teaching very young children to "say their prayers daily," yet I judge it to be utterly impossible to teach any to "practise prayer," till they are awakened. For, what is prayer, but the desire of the soul expressed in words to God, either inwardly or outwardly? How then will you teach them to express a desire who feel no desire at all? When therefore Madame Guion talks in that manner, it often makes me afraid, that both she and her teacher, Archbishop Fenelon, talked by rote, of the things they knew not. Both of them had an amazing genius, but I doubt, full little experience. It is exceeding certain, neither his nor her writings are likely to do us any solid service. We have all the gold that is in them, without

the dross, which is often not only useless, but dangerous. Let you and I keep the good old way:

"In doing and bearing The will of our Lord,

We still are preparing To meet our reward."

Go on steadily in this path, there is none better. By patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality. You shall reap, if you faint not. J. WESLEY.

LETTER XVIII.

Bristol, September 29, 1773.

YOUR own experience may give an answer to your question. You did yourself enjoy a foretaste of that constant communion with God, though it did not continue long. And you know it was given you in a moment. It was the same case with all those whom I have known, that are now enabled to pray without ceasing. To every one of them that blessing was given in an instant. So it will be given to you again: although probably you will find a strong hope first, which will incite you to cry out,

Grace in one sense will make all things new. And I have sometimes known this done to such a degree, that there has been no trace of the natural temper remaining. But generally the innocent natural temper does remain: only refined, softened, and cast into the mould of love. J. WESLEY.

LETTER XIX.

Levisham, Dec. 3, 1773.

YOU are yourself a living witness of this religion. But it is only in a low degree. I grant you are only just

beginning to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is an unspeakable blessing, that he shews you this, in so clear and strong a light. And undoubtedly he is able to make you completely serious; and yet this is consistent with much cheerfulness. You shall have more or less of reproach, as he chooses. Your post is to leave all in his hands, who orders all things well. Go straight forward, and you shall be all a Christian! I expect that you will be more and more a comfort to, my dear, your's affectionately,

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 Foundry 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,

JOHN WESLEY.

TO CERTAIN PERSONS IN DUBLIN.

Whitefriar-Street, Dublin, March 31, 1789.

MY DEAR BRETHREN,

I MUCH approve of the manner and spirit wherein you write concerning these tender points. I explained myself upon them in some measure on Sunday: I will do it more fully now.

At present, I have nothing to do with Dr. Coke: but I answer for myself. I do not separate from the church, nor have any intention so to do. Neither do they that meet on Sunday-noon separate from the church, any more than they did before: nay, less, for they attend the church and sacrament oftener now than they did two years ago.

"But this occasions much strife." True, but they make the strife who do not attend the service. Let them quietly either come or stay away, and there will be no strife at all.

"But those that attend say, those that do not, are fallen from grace." No, they do not give them a bad word. But they surely will fall from grace, if they do not let them alone who follow their own consciences.

But "you fear this will make way for a total separation from the church." You have no ground for this fear. There can be no such separation while I live. Leave to God what may come after.

But, to speak plainly, do not you separate from the church? Yea, much more than those you blame? Pray how often have you been at church since Christmas? twelve times in twelve weeks? And how long have you been so fond of the church? Are you fond of it at all? Do not you go oftener to a Dissenting meeting, than either to St. Patrick's or your parish church? My dear brethren, you and I have but a short time to stay together. "My race of glory is run, and race of shame; and I shall shortly be with those that rest." Therefore, as one that loves you well, and has loved you long, I advise you, in