London,
March 7, 1767.
LETTER I.
To his wife concerning his acceptance of Taunton.
My dear heart,
BY this time I hope thou hast received mine, touching Taunton. I find my heart much inclining that way. I will tell thee the principles upon which I go.
First, I lay this for a foundation, That a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth. It was accounted a wise prayer that Agur put up, to be fed with food convenient for him. And certain it is, that where men have least of the world, they esteem it least, and live more by faith in God, casting their care and burden upon him. O the sweet breathing of David’s soul! The strong actings of his faith when his condition was low and mean! How fully doth he rely upon God. And certainly could we that are unexperienced, but feel the thorns of those cares and troubles, that there are in gathering and keeping much, and the danger when riches increase of setting our hearts upon them, we should prize the happiness of a middle condition. Doubtless, godliness with contentment is great gain. Seekest thou great things for thyself (said the prophet to Baruch) seek them not. Certainly a good conscience is a continual feast, and enough for a happy life.
*Secondly, I take this for an undoubted truth, that a dram of grace is better than a talent of wealth; and therefore such a place where we have little to do with the world to take off our thoughts from the things of eternity, and have the advantage of abundance of means, and the daily opportunities of warming our hearts with the blessed society of Christians, is (if we pass a true spiritual judgment) without comparison before another place, void of those spiritual advantages. Let us think, what though our purses may thrive better in a place of large maintenance; yet where are our souls like to thrive any way answerable to what they are in this? We should have but little in the world, but what is this, if it be made up to us, in communion with God and his people? If we thrive in faith, and love, humility, and heavenly-mindedness, what matter is it, though we do not raise ourselves in the world? Oh! Who would leave so much grace, and so much comfort in communion with Christ and his saints, for the probabilities of living a little more handsomely. ’Tis a strange thing to see how Christians generally judge. What is it worth a year? Is the maintenance certain? What charges are there like to be? These are the questions we commonly ask first, when we speak of settling. But alas, though those things are to be considered too, yet what good am I like to do? What good am I like to get? These should be the chief things we should judge by. What if we have but a little in the world? Why then we must keep but a short table, and give the meaner entertainment to our friends. O, but will not this be abundantly made up, if we have more outward and inward peace? Let others hug themselves in their corn, and wine, and oil, in their fat livings, and their large tables, if we have more of the light of God’s countenance, who would change with them?
Thirdly, That the surest way to have any outward mercy, is to be content to want it. When men’s desires are over-eager after the world, they must have thus much a year, and a house well furnished, and wife, and children, thus and thus qualified, God doth usually, break their wills by denying them, as one would cross a froward child of his stubborn humour: or else puts a sting into them, that a man had been as well without them. The best way to get riches, is out of doubt to set them lowest in one’s desires. Solomon found it so: he did not ask riches, but wisdom, but God was so pleased, that he threw in them into the bargain. Nothing sets God’s mercies farther off than the want of free submission to want them. Certainly, God will never be behind hand with us. Let our care be to build his house, and let him alone to build ours.
*Fourthly, That none ever was, or ever shall be, a loser by Jesus Christ. Many have lost much for him, but never did, never shall any lose by him. Take this for a certainty, whatsoever outward comforts we leave, or outward advantages, that we may glorify him in our services, and enjoy him in all his ordinances more than other-where we could, we shall receive an hundred fold in this life. ’Tis a sad thing to see how little Christ is trusted; men will trust him no farther than they can see him. Alas, hath he not a thousand ways, both outward and inward, to make up a little outward advantage to us? Have any ventured themselves upon him in his way, but he made good every promise to them? Let us therefore exercise our faith, and stay ourselves on the promise, and see if ever we are ashamed of our hope.