****
December 22, 1753.
January 7, 1754.
I RETURN my dearest **** thanks for his last letter; the satisfaction which it and the conversation we had together on Saturday gave me, is inexpressible. Oh may you, by the assisting grace of God, continue in the happy way you are now in, and still press forward to higher degrees of faith and love. But, my dear, you must not think too highly of me; I am one of the most unworthy objects of the free mercy of God. I stand more, perhaps, in need of your prayers than you of mine; you must too pray for me, and we must both strive to strengthen each other. I should be glad to know whether you, last night, notwithstanding the disagreeable manner of the preacher, received any comfort and satisfaction from what he said: I own I did; his words (under all these disadvantages) raised and strengthened me in a remarkable manner. I wish it had been the same with you all; but your expectations were so highly raised by the name of ****, that an angel would hardly have satisfied them: and thus shall we be always disappointed, if we look more at man than God. The most famous preacher, let his eloquence, his manner, his doctrine, be ever so near perfection, can never make the soul taste the words of salvation, unless the Spirit of God accompanies and inforces his preaching. And the same blessed Spirit can make the words of the meanest, the most despicable preacher of the gospel, effectual to awaken, to convince, and to comfort. But in order to our reaping these benefits, we must hear with singleness of intention; not seeking to have our outward ears and eyes delighted, but desiring the sincere milk of the word, to nourish and strengthen our souls. Would it not be the highest madness to throw away the water of life, because it was brought to us in an earthen vessel? Solomon says, “To the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.” So to the soul which really hungers and thirsts after Christ, the sound of the gospel of peace, (let the voice which proclaims it be harsh or soft) will be sweet indeed. Oh may you and I, my dear ****, always find it so to us! May that blessed Redeemer in whom we have peace, be dearer to us than light, than life, than any thing we can form to our imagination either here or hereafter! In dangers, in difficulties, in temptations, may we still look to him as our defence, our deliverer, our strength. He is all in all throughout the oracles of God, both in the Old and New Testament: may he be all in all to our souls; may we walk by his light, conquer by his strength, and in the end be joyful partakers of that everlasting felicity which he has prepared for those that love him. This is the constant wish and prayer of,
Your affectionate
****
Saturday the 17th.
I RECEIVED my dearest ****’s long letter, and have more and more reason to be thankful to God on your account. Oh how my soul exults in your happiness, in your increase in faith, and love to Christ!—Your conversation with the captain delights me; no doubt but he rejoiced over you—there you see the true christian spirit. The advice he gave you is excellent: Oh may we be both enabled to follow it! Those who forsake all for Christ, will certainly find all in Christ.—As to ****, I would advise you to try first, to raise in him a desire to receive the sacrament, before you persuade him to receive it; and be earnest at the throne of grace on his behalf. All probable means are to be made use of, but it is the Spirit of God alone can convince of sin.—I have been lately a good deal affected with the death of a lady in this neighbourhood, who led what is called an innocent life. Mr. **** attended her, and all his endeavours to convince her were in vain: her answers were, “Though she had not made such a shew of religion as some others, yet she had done her duty.” This is the most fatal delusion of all; this blindness is the most dreadful state in which a soul can launch into eternity! Can you and I be ever enough thankful to that God who has opened our eyes, to see the things which make for our peace? Was our whole life to be one continued act of praise, it would be nothing in comparison to the blessings we have received; nay, even the eternity, which we shall spend in continual praise, is not enough fully to express all we owe to our redeeming God—Redemption, how much is comprehended in this word! And how sweet does it sound to a soul sensible of its wants! May that pathetic prayer my dear **** has made for me be heard; then shall I experience that fulness of redemption for which I long! Then shall I indeed be intirely dead to the world and sin, and live only to Christ. All this unspeakable happiness, I as sincerely wish to the brother of my soul as to myself;