BLESSED are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted! Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. These are the words of the God of truth: and can you then, my dear friend, be discouraged because you are now mourning after this God, who only hides himself from you, that you may more earnestly seek him?—Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. There certainly is no heaviness like this heaviness: when a soul has been sensible (though in the least degree) of the influences of the sun of righteousness, and finds his all-cheering beams withdrawn, how painful, how heavy is the darkness! This is indeed darkness that may be felt: but when the joy returns, what peace! What happiness! Look, my dear, on the material sun, observe how all the creation around you is brightened and gladdened when he shines; and be assured, that on your earnest seeking after Christ, he will in like manner shine again on your soul, and make it glad with the light of his countenance.
Your ever affectionate
****
Wednesday Night, April 1754.
July 19, 1754.
I AM very glad, my dear, that your mind is in so happy a state, and that you seem to have so true a sense of the littleness of all the world calls great and desirable. The love of God, and the love of the world are directly opposite to each other. And therefore St. John says, If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him: this is a sure rule to try ourselves by. We may talk well, and act well in some outward things; nay, perhaps be zealous for the genuine doctrines of the gospel: Yet all this while, if the love of the world remains in our hearts, we may be very certain we are no Christians.—I fear you have not much opportunity of being alone, but see from your letter you make good use of that you have. However God is both able and willing to preserve (either alone or in company) the soul which constantly looks towards him. I was afraid your being at **** might hurt you, but thank God, I had no cause for fear. You seem I think rather to advance than go back. Give God the glory! For whatever of good is in you, is all from his free and boundless mercy. And cease not constantly to fight, in the strength of your Redeemer, against every sin, and fear not but he will set you free, take off the heavy burden you complain of, and cloath you with his perfect righteousness. Adieu.
*YOU tell me, my dear, that your present dark state of mind is owing to your thoughts dwelling so much on worldly objects. But carry your sincerity yet a little further, and tell me if it is not some one particular object on which your thoughts are fixed, and which rivals your Creator in your heart? I much fear this is the case: and if so, you will find it very difficult to conquer, but let not any difficulty discourage you from striving to “pluck out this right eye, and cast it from you.” The grace of God is sufficient for you, his strength is made perfect in your weakness. And you may depend upon it, that as soon as ever you have given up your idol, the sun of righteousness will again arise in your soul with healing in his wings; the God of mercy will again be known by you, as your reconciled Father in Christ; and the blessed Spirit will lead, and guide, and fill you with that peace which passes all understanding; and you will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord rejoicing.
I am your ever affectionate and faithful friend,