DCXXXIV.

July 9, 1799.

Dear Sister in Christ Jesus our Lord, grace

be multiplied.

and peace

YOUR kind letter came safe to hand, and was gladly received, as I wished much to know how the conflict went on, and whether this matter had terminated, as to all the bad conclusions you draw, and all the bitter things you write against yourself; to which I pay no regard, having walked Zion's hospitals too long, and attended the labour of the daughters of Zion too often, to be beaten out of my confidence by the gainsayings of unbelief, carnal reason, and the lying suggestions of Satan. Hezekiah said that he should see man no more, nor God, in the land of the living. The Psalmist said, "All men (prophets and all) are liars." And the woman of Shunem told the man of God not to lie unto her. All their unbelief, however, could not make the faith of God without effect, no more shall yours.

Pray, who wants an advocate with the

with the accusations of law, conscience, and Satan. And who wants a Saviour? None but those that are lost. Who needeth repentance? None but poor sinners, who feel the hardness of their own hearts. Nor do any want the great Physician, but those who are sick; sick of sin and of self; of their own way, their own religion, the world, the plague of their own heart, and sick of love; hearing of the fame and believing the report of Jesus; seeing a suitableness in, and feeling their need of him, and knowing that none but himself can save them. And this lovesickness can never be cured but by the object loved, a view of our interest in him, and a sense of his love to us. And here thou art, let Satan say what he will. Nor will the Lord leave thee here.

As to your being at enmity against all that is sacred; this is nothing new or uncommon: "The carnal mind is enmity against God." Nor did Christ reconcile, by the blood of his cross, any but enemies: and the gospel is called, the word of reconciliation, which is to be preached to enemies. This enmity will remain in thee till the Spirit of promise renew thee in the spirit of thy mind, and then friendship will take place. I am not

of being given up to a reprobate mind. God would never have planted his fear in thy heart, if he never intended to accept thee in his dearly beloved Son. That fear followed me, and is a most sure token for good; and time shall make it manifest whether I lie or not.

As to enemies without or within, and all reports about a mad-house; these too fell to my share; the devil stirred up all these to help forward the calamity, and they helped to crucify me to this world, and to all who are in it.

Notwithstanding a report for the last five years that poor Mr. Jenkins was insane, God has struck five of his enemies with madness, and keeps poor Jenkins still at his feet, clothed and in his right mind.

The keenness of Satan's darts will lose their edge in time, and the Shield of thine help will guard thine heart against all his assaults. Stand your ground, therefore; stand firm, my dear sister. One single glimpse of the face of Christ through the lattice will make the devil sculk off; and you will both see and feel him go off abashed and confounded. So I write, and so it will come to pass: then light shall break in, and

with the accusations of law, conscience, and Satan. And who wants a Saviour? None but those that are lost. Who needeth repentance? None but poor sinners, who feel the hardness of their own hearts. Nor do any want the great Physician, but those who are sick; sick of sin and of self; of their own way, their own religion, the world, the plague of their own heart, and sick of love; hearing of the fame and believing the report of Jesus; seeing a suitableness in, and feeling their need of him, and knowing that none but himself can save them. And this lovesickness can never be cured but by the object loved, a view of our interest in him, and a sense of his love to us. And here thou art, let Satan say what he will. Nor will the Lord leave thee here.

As to your being at enmity against all that is sacred; this is nothing new or uncommon: "The carnal mind is enmity against God." Nor did Christ reconcile, by the blood of his cross, any but enemies: and the gospel is called, the word of reconciliation, which is to be preached to enemies. This enmity will remain in thee till the Spirit of promise renew thee in the spirit of thy mind, and then friendship will take place. I am not

of being given up to a reprobate mind. God would never have planted his fear in thy heart, if he never intended to accept thee in his dearly beloved Son. That fear followed me, and is a most sure token for good; and time shall make it manifest whether I lie or not.

As to enemies without or within, and all reports about a mad-house; these too fell to my share; the devil stirred up all these to help forward the calamity, and they helped to crucify me to this world, and to all who are in it.

Notwithstanding a report for the last five years that poor Mr. Jenkins was insane, God has struck five of his enemies with madness, and keeps poor Jenkins still at his feet, clothed and in his right mind.

The keenness of Satan's darts will lose their edge in time, and the Shield of thine help will guard thine heart against all his assaults. Stand your ground, therefore; stand firm, my dear sister. One single glimpse of the face of Christ through the lattice will make the devil sculk off; and you will both see and feel him go off abashed and confounded. So I write, and so it will come to pass: then light shall break in, and