I AM much obliged to you for your apostolical letter, and for the truly christian joy you express for my baby’s happiness. That I have felt all that the greatest sensibility of temper is capable of feeling on such an occasion, is certain: but here has been my great comfort, that, in every thing which concerned the child, I have had neither will nor wish of my own. He was peculiarly dedicated to God, even before he was born: and since, he has been daily, nay almost hourly offered up; and that not in word only, but in truth: and as it has pleased God to accept him as a sacrifice, rather than as a servant, I have nothing to say, but “thy will be done!” If I could have seen you, or any of my Christian friends at this time, when all the finest springs of human nature were on the rack, it would have been a great satisfaction; but it pleased God to with-hold all creature comfort from me; and though his own arm sustained me, it was in a manner not sensibly perceived by my soul: *so that I had the great blessing of bearing something of the cross. And this I look upon to be a particular blessing to me, because I have been so wholly led by love, that before this, I knew but very little of what it was to suffer the will of God. In short, every dispensation of my heavenly Father towards me, is nothing but mercy and unbounded goodness. I see and I adore.—The Lord Jesus bless and preserve you in body, soul, and spirit. Fail not to pray for,
Your obliged and affectionate,
****
Monday, December 22, 1755.
Dear Sir,
I SEE with delight, that you are set up as a mark, for every one of the devil’s tools to shoot at: and he certainly wounds the deepest by those, who, while they are working for him, imagine they are doing God service, and acting with Christian prudence. How often is that wisdom which comes from beneath, taken for that which comes from above! And fear of man, secret desire of preferment, and being ashamed of the cross of Christ, dignified with the title of true discretion, and caution not to give offence!—’Tis hard, indeed, to be wounded in the house of your friends; nothing, perhaps, is more painful to nature; but if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more those of his houshold!—Those servants of Christ who are designed by him for eminent usefulness, must of necessity have the largest share of tribulation; for the highest place of honour under our king, is that of the sharpest sufferings. I should not wonder if the tongues and pens of all your brethren (except two or three) were employed against you; and I am so far from being sorry (on your account) for Mr. L.’s preaching against you, that I look upon it as a precious and blessed mark, and a seal to the truth of your ministry.—Happy parting, indeed, with the world! And happy parting with every comfort in it, if nearer union with God is the consequence! Oh cease not to pray for me, that all things may thus work together for my good!—This poor dream of life will soon be at an end; and then, if those who have only given a cup of cold water for the sake of Christ, shall not lose their reward, what an exceeding and eternal weight of glory attends those happy souls who constantly labour, and patiently suffer for him!
I am, your obliged and faithful Friend and Servant,
****
The End of the Thirteenth Volume.