You must not expect a long letter this morning; we are just going to court, in hopes of seeing the King, for he has promised to meet us. We can say he is mindful of his promises; and yet is it not strange, that though we are all in the same place, and the King in the midst of us, it is but here and there one (even of those who love him) can see him at once! However, in our turns, we are all favoured with a glimpse of him, and have had cause to say, How great is his goodness! How great is his beauty! We have the advantage of the queen of Sheba, a more glorious object to behold, and not so far to go for the sight of it. If a transient glance exceeds all that the world can afford for a long continuance, what must it be to dwell with him! If a day in his courts be better than a thousand, what will eternity be in his presence! I hope the more you see, the more you love; the more you drink, the more you thirst; the more you do for him, the more you are ashamed you can do so little; and that the nearer you approach to your journey's end, the more your pace is quickened. Surely the power of spiritual attraction should increase as the distance lessens. O that heavenly load-stone! may it so draw us, that we may not creep, but run. In common travelling, the strongest become weary, if the journey be very long; but in the spiritual journey, we are encouraged with a hope of going on from strength to strength. Instaurabit iter vires, as Johnson expresses it. No road but the road to heaven can thus communicate refreshment to those who walk in it, and make them more fresh and lively when they are just finishing their course, than when they first set out.-I am, &c. LETTER VI. April 18, 1776. DEAR SIR,-Are you sick, or lame of your right hand, or are you busy in preparing a folio for the press, that I hear nothing from you? You see, by the excuses I would contrive, I am not willing to suppose you have forgotten me, but that your silence is rather owing to a cannot than a will not. I hope your soul prospers. I do not ask you, if you are always filled with sensible comfort: but do you find your spirit more bowed down to the feet and will of Jesus, so as to be willing to serve him for the sake of serving him, and to follow him, as we say, through thick and thin; to be willing to be any thing or nothing, so that he may be glorified! I could give you plenty of good ad vice upon this head; but I am ashamed to do it, because I so poorly follow it myself. 1 want to live with him by the day, to do all for him, to receive all from him, to possess all in him, to live all to him, to make him my hiding-place and my resting-place. I want to deliver up that rebel self to him in chains; but the rogue, like Proteus, puts on so many forms, that he slips through my fingers: but I think I know what I would do, if I could fairly catch him. My soul is like a besieged city; a legion of enemies without the gates, and a nest of restless traitors within, that hold a correspondence with them without; so that I am deceived and counteracted continually. It is a mercy that I have not been surprised and overwhelmed long ago; without help from on high, it would soon be over with me. How often have I been forced to cry out, O God, the heathen are got into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled, and defaced all thy work! Indeed, it is a miracle that I still hold out. I trust, however, I shall be supported to the end, and that my Lord will at length raise the siege, and cause me to shout deliverance and victory. Pray for me, that my walls may be strengthened, and wounds healed. We are all pretty well as to the outward man, and join in love to all friends.--I am, &c. LETTER VII. July 6, 1776. DEAR SIR,—I was abroad when your letter came, but employ the first post to thank you for your confidence. My prayers (when I can pray) you may be sure of. As to advice, I see not that the case requires much. Only be a quiet child, and lie patiently at the Lord's feet. He is the best friend and manager in these matters, for he has a key to open every heart Zdid. I should not have taken Mr -'s letter for a denial, as it seems you Considering the years of the parties, and other circumstances, a prudent parent could hardly say more, if he were inclined to favour your views. To me you seem to be in a tolerable fair way; but I know, in affairs of this kind, Mr. Self does not like suspense, but would willingly come to the point at once; but Mr. Faith, when he gets liberty to hold up his head, will own, that in order to make our temporal mercies wear well, and to give us a clearer sense of the hand that bestows them, a waiting and a praying time are very seasonable. Worldly people expect their schemes to run upon all-fours, as we say, and the objects of their wishes to drop into their mouths without difficulty; and if they succeed, they of course burn incense to their own drag, and say, This was my doing; but believers meet with rubs and disappointments, which convince them, that if they obtain any thing, it is the Lord must do it for them. For this reason, I observe, that he usually brings a death upon our prospects, even when it is his purpose to give us success in the issue. Thus we become more assured that we did not act in our own spirits, and have a more satisfactory view, that his providence has been concerned in filling up the rivers and removing the mountains that were in our way. Then, when he has given us our desire, how pleasant is it to look at it, and say, This I got not by my own sword, and my own bow, but I wrestled for it in prayer, I waited for it in faith, I put it into the Lord's hand, and from his hand I received it? put us to shame! Presently there is an out. cry raised in the soul against his management; this is wrong, that unnecessary, the other has spoiled the whole plan: in short, all these things are against us. And then we go into the pulpit, and gravely tell the people how wise and how good he is; and preach submission to his will, not only as a duty, but a privilege. Alas! how deceitful is the heart! Yet, since it is, and will be so, it is necessary we should know it by experience. We have reason, however, to say, He is good and wise; for he bears with our perverseness, and in the event shows us, that if he had listened to our murmurings, and taken the methods we would have prescribed to him, we should have been ruined indeed, and that he has been all the while doing us good in spite of ourselves. I have been much abroad, which of course puts things at sixes and sevens at home. If I did not love you well, I could not have spared so much of the only day I have had to myself for this fortnight past. But I was willing you should know that I think of you, and feel for you, if I cannot help you. -'s book. You have met with the story of one of our If I judge right, you will find your way kings (if I mistake not,) who wanted to send providentially opened more and more; and a nobleman abroad as his ambassador, and he yet it is possible, that when you begin to desired to be excused on account of some af- think yourself sure, something may happen fairs which required his presence at home: to put you in a panic again. But a believer, the king answered, "Do you take care of like a sailor, is not to be surprised if the my business, and I will take care of yours." wind changes, but to learn the art of suiting I would have you think the Lord says thus himself to all winds for the time; and though to you. You were sent into the world for a many a poor sailor is shipwrecked, the poor nobler end than to be pinned to a girl's apron-believer shall gain his port. O, it is good string; and yet, if the Lord sees it not good sailing with an infallible pilot at the helm, for you to be alone, he will provide you a who has the wind and weather at his comhelp-mate. I say, if he sees the marriage- mand! state best for you, he has the proper person already in his eye, and though she were in Peru or Nova Zembla, he knows how to bring you together. In the mean time, go thou and preach the gospel. Watch in all things; endure afflictions: do the work of an evangelist; make full proof of your ministry: and when other thoughts rise in your mind (for you have no door to shut them quite out,) run with them to the throne of grace, and commit them to the Lord. Satan will perhaps try to force them upon you unseasonably and inordinately; but if he sees they drive you to prayer, he will probably desist, rather than be the occasion of doing you so much good. Believe, likewise, that as the Lord has the appointment of the person, so he fixes the time. His time is like the time of the tide; all the art and power of man can neither hasten nor retard it a moment: it must be waited for; nothing can be done without it, and when it comes, nothing can resist it. It is unbelief that talks of delays: faith knows that properly there can be no such thing. The only reason why the Lord seems to delay what he afterwards grants, is, that the best hour is not yet come. I know you have been enabled to commit and resign your all to his disposal. You did well. May he help you to stand to the surrender. Sometimes he will put us to the trial, whether we mean what we say. He takes his course in a way we did not ex I have read Mr. Some things I think strongly argued; in some he has laid himself open to a blow, and I doubt not but he will have it. I expect answers, replies, rejoinders, &c. &c. and say, with Leah, Gad, a troop cometh. How the wolf will grin to see the sheep and the shepherds biting and worrying one another! And well he may. He knows that contentions are a surer way to weaken the spirit of love, and stop the progress of the gospel, than his old stale method of fire and sword. Well, I trust we shall be of one heart and one mind when we get to heaven at last. Let who will fight, I trust neither water nor fire shall set you and me at variance. We unite in love to you. The Lord is gra cious to us, &c.-I am, &c. LETTER VIII. 1776. DEAR SIR,-I do not often serve your letters pect; and then, alas! how often does the trial so, but this last I burnt, believing you would like to have it out of danger of falling into | prettiest creature upon earth, than of the light improper hands. When I saw how eagerly of a candle on midsummer noon. the flames devoured the paper, how quickly and entirely every trace of the writing was consuined, I wished that the fire of the love of Jesus might as completely obliterate from your heart every uneasy impression which your disappointment has given you Surely when he crosses our wishes, it is always in mercy, and because we short-sighted creatures often know not what we ask nor what would be the consequences if our desires were granted. Your pride, it seems, has received a fall, by meeting a repulse. I know self does not like to be mortified in these affairs; but if you are made successful in wooing souls for Christ, I hope that will console you for meeting a rebuff when only wooing for yourself. Besides, I would have you pluck up your spirits. I have two good old proverbs at your service: "There is as good fish in the sea as any that are brought out of it:" and, "If one won't, another will, or wherefore serves the market?" Perhaps all your difficulties have arisen from this, that you have not yet seen the right person; if so, you have reason to be thankful that the Lord would not let you take the wrong, though you unwittingly would have done it if you could. Where the right one lies hid I know not; but upon a supposition that it will be good for you to marry, I may venture to say, Ubi ubi est, diu celari non potest. The Lord in his providence will disclose her, put her in your way, and give you to understand, This is she. Then you will find your business go forward with wheels and wings, and have cause to say, His choice and time were better than your own. Did not tell you formerly, that if you would take care of his business, he will take care of yours? I am of the same mind still. He will not suffer them who fear him and depend upon him to want any thing that is truly good for them. In the mean while, I advise you to take a lodging as near as you can to Gethsemane, and to walk daily to mount Golgotha, and borrow (which may be had for asking) that telescope which gives a prospect into the unseen world. A view of what is passing within the vail has a marvellous effect to compose our spirits, with regard to the little things that are daily passing here. Praise the Lord, who has enabled you to fix your supreme affection upon him, who is alone the proper and suitable object of it, and from whom you cannot meet a denial, or fear a change. He loved you first, and he will love you for ever; and if he be pleased to arise and smile upon you, you are in no more necessity of begging for happiness to the Upon the whole, I pray and hope the Lord will sweeten your cross, and either in kind or in kindness make you good amends. Wait, pray, and believe, and all shall be well. A cross we must have somewhere; and they who are favoured with health, plenty, peace, and a conscience sprinkled with the blood of Jesus, must have more causes for thankfulness than grief. Look round you, and take notice of the very severe afflictions which many of the Lord's own people are groaning under, and your trials will appear comparatively light. Our love to all friends.-I am, &c. LETTER IX. June 3, 1777. DEAR SIR,-It seems I must write something about the small-pox, but I know not well what; having had it myself, I cannot judge how I should feel if I were actually exposed to it. I am not a professed advocate for inoculation; but if a person who fears the Lord should tell me, “I think I can do it in faith, looking upon it as a salutary expedient, which he in his providence has discovered, and which, therefore, appears my duty to have recourse to, so that my mind does not hesitate with respect to the lawfulness, nor am I anxious about the event; being satisfied, that whether I live or die, I am in that path in which I can cheerfully expect his blessing," I do not know that I could offer a word by way of dissuasion. If another person should say, "My times are in the Lord's hands; I am now in health, and am not willing to bring upon myself a disorder, the consequences of which I cannot possibly foresee: if I am to have the smallpox, I believe he is the best judge of the season and manner in which I shall be visited, so as may be most for his glory and my own good: and therefore I choose to wait his appointment, and not to rush upon even the possibility of danger without a call. If the very hairs of my head are numbered, I have no reason to fear, that, supposing I receive the small-pox in a natural way, I shall have a single pimple more than he sees expedient; and why should I wish to have one less? Nay, admitting, which, however, is not always the case, that inoculation might exempt me from some pain and inconvenience, and lessen the apparent danger, might it not likewise, upon that very account, prevent my receiving some of those sweet consolations, which I humbly hope my gracious Lord would afford me, if it were his pleasure to call me to a sharp trial. Perhaps the chief design of this trying hour if it comes, may be to show me more of his wisdom, power, and love, than I have ever yet experienced. If I could devise a mean to avoid the trouble, I know not how great a loser I may be in point of grace and comfort. Nor am I afraid of my face; it is now as the Lord has made it, and it will be so after the small-pox. If it pleases him, I hope it will please me. In short, though I do not censure others, yet, as to myself, inoculation is what I dare not venture upon. If I did venture, and the issue should not be favourable, I should blame myself for having attempted to take the management out of the Lord's hand into my own, which I never did yet in other matters, without finding I am no more able than I am worthy to choose for myself. Besides, at the best, inoculation would only secure me from one of the innumerable natural evils the flesh is heir to; I should still be as liable as I am at present to a putrid fever, a bilious colic, an inflammation in the bowels or in the brain, and a thousand formidable diseases which are hovering round me, and only wait his permission to cut me off in a few days or hours: and therefore I am determined, by his grace, to resign myself to his disposal. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord (for his mercies are great,) and not into the hands of men." If a person should talk to me in this strain, most certainly I could not say, Notwithstanding all this, your safest way is to be inoculated. We preach and hear, and I hope we know something of faith, as enabling us to intrust the Lord with our souls: I wish we had all more faith to intrust him with our bodies, our health, our provision, and our temporal comforts likewise. The former should seem to require the strongest faith of the two. How strange is it, that when we think we can do the greater, we should be so awkward and unskilful when we aim at the less! Give my love to your friend. I dare not advise but if she can quietly return at the usual time, and neither run intentionally into the way of the small-pox, nor run out of the way, but leave it simply with the Lord, I shall not blame her. And if you will mind your praying and preaching, and believe that the Lord can take care of her without any of your contrivances, I shall not blame you: nay, I shall praise him for you both. My prescription is, to read Dr. Watts' cxxi.st Psalm every morning before breakfast, and pray it over till the cure is effected. Probatum est. Hast thou not given thy word, Nor fear to die, Adieu. Pray for your's. LETTERS TO MISS TH LETTER I. texts as Isa. xxii. 12—14, iìi. 12, Amos vi. 3, 6, James iv. 4. I wish you, therefore, not to plead for any of them, but use all your influence to make them shunned as pest-houses, and dangerous nuisances to precious souls; especially, if you know any who, you hope, in the main are seriously disposed, who yet venture themselves in those purlieus of Satan, endeavour earnestly and faithfully to undeceive them. MY DEAR MADAM,-Let what has been said on the subject of acquaintance, &c. suffice. It was well meant on my side and well taken on yours. You may, perhaps, see that my hints were not wholly unnecessary, and I ought to be satisfied with your apology, and am so. The circumstance of your being seen at the play house has nothing at all mysterious in it: as you say you have not The time is short, eternity at the door: and been there this six or seven years, it was was there no other evil in these vain amuseneither more nor less than a mistake. I ments than the loss of precious time (but, heard you had been there within these two alas! their name is legion,) we have not leiyears: I am glad to find I was misinformed. sure, in our circumstances, to regard them. I think there is no harm in your supposing, But, blessed be God! we need them not. that of the many thousands who frequent The gospel opens a source of purer, sweeter, public diversions some may in other respects and more substantial pleasures: we are inbe better than yourself; but I hope your vited to communion with God; we are called humble and charitable construction of their to share in the theme of angels; the songs of mistake will not lead you to extenuate the heaven, and the wonders of redeeming love evil of those diversions in themselves. For though I am persuaded, that a few, who know better what to do with themselves, are for want of consideration, drawn in to expose themselves in such places; yet I am well satisfied that, if there is any practice in this land sinful, attendance on the playhouse is properly and eminently so. The theatres are fountains and means of vice; I had almost said, in the same manner and degree as the ordinances of the gospel are the means of grace: and I can hardly think there is a christian upon earth who would dare to be seen there, if the nature and effects of the theatre were properly set before them. Dr. Witherspoon of Scotland, has written an excellent piece upon the stage, or rather against it, which I wish every person who makes the least pretence to fear God had an opportunity of perusing. I cannot judge much more favourably of Ranelagh, Vauxhall, and all the innumerable train of dissipations by which the god of this world blinds the eyes of multitudes, lest the light of the glorious gospel should shine in upon them. What an awful aspect upon the present times have such are laid open to our view. The Lord himself is waiting to be gracious, waiting with promises and pardons in his hands. Well, then, may we bid adieu to the perishing pleasures of sin; well may we pity those who can find pleasure in those places and parties where he is shut out; where his name is only mentioned to be profaned; where his commandments are not only broken but insulted; where sinners proclaim their shame as in Sodom, and attempt not to hide it; where at best wickedness is wrapt up in a disguise of delicacy, to make it more insinuating, and nothing is offensive that is not grossly and unpolitely indecent. I sympathize with all your complaints; but if the Lord is pleased to make them subservient to the increase of your sanctification, to wean you more and more from this world, and to draw you nearer to himself, you will one day see cause to be thankful for them, and to number them amongst your choicest mercies. A hundred years hence it will signify little to you whether you were sick or well the day I wrote this letter. 340 |