LETTER CXCVII.

Weston-Favell, June 23. 1758.

MY DEAR FRIEND,-I LITTLE thought, when I put Mr Wesley's manuscript into your hand, that I should see it in print so soon. I took very little notice of it, and let it lie by me several months, without giving it an attentive consideration. It seemed to me so palpably weak, dealing only in positive assertions and positive denials, that I could not imagine he would adventure it into the world without very great alterations. But it is now come abroad, just as you received it, in a two shillings pamphlet, entitled, A Preservative from Unsettled Notions in Religion. Of this pamphlet, what he has wrote against me makes only a small part. Now then the question is, Whether I shall attempt to answer it? Give me your opinion, as you have given me your assistance; and may the Father of mercies give you an increase of knowledge and utterance, of peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Ill I have been, and ill I am; torn almost to pieces by a cough in the night, which admits of no remedy; whatever is taken to assuage, exasperates it. Of all men living, that are not absolutely confined, surely I am the weakest. If by such weakness the Lord Jesus will vouchsafe to glorify his name, how transparent, how effulgent will be the glory of his power! I have not seen Mr P———— this many a day, no, nor this many a month; how I fear lest the world has beguiled him! Blessed be the Lord, for setting our affections on a happier state; blessed be his grace, for giving us some knowledge of Jesus, as the way to immortal mansions! There we may be citizens, here only sojourners. I am, with true gratitude, and sincere affection, yours in Christ Jesus.

LETTER CXCVIII.

Weston-Favell, Feb. 22. 1758. MADAM, I RECEIVED the favour of your letter, and found no small pleasure in perusing its contents. It gave me a singular satisfaction to see a lady of such fine sense, and in the very bloom of life, mindful of the things which belong to her eternal peace. May this happy disposition increase with your increasing years! and it will be the greatest blessing that you can enjoy, or your correspondent wish.

If my writings have afforded you any entertainment, or been the means of administering the least improvement, I desire to adore and bless the all-gracious God: For he, madam, teaches to profit; his Spirit commands success; and all our good comes wholly from his heavenly benediction.

I am pleased to find this, among your other valuable expressions: "I want to have all those heavenly consolations." You consider religion in a right view. It is not a vexatious burden, or an irksome task; but it is intended to be the comfort of our lives, and the joy of our hearts. God is the God of all comfort, Christ is styled " the Consolation of Israel," and the Holy Ghost is called "the Comforter." The gospel is the most comfortable report imaginable: It is glad tidings, and the joyful sound: It assures poor sinners, that God has laid all their iniquities, both great and small, on his beloved Son; that Jesus Christ has brought in a most perfect and everlasting righteousness, whereby they may be justified; and that our first, our great, our leading duty is, to believe all this in our own behalf, for our own benefit.

By the comfort and peace resulting from these blessings, it would win our hearts to love the God who is so immensely amiable and gracious to us; to be studious of doing his pleasure, who has made such unspeakably rich provision for our happiness. The

apostle prays for his Thessalonian converts, that the Father of everlasting compassions would first comfort their hearts, and then, and thereby, establish them in every good word and work.

I should make no scruple to send my fast sermon for your perusal, if I had one. But it has pleased the divine Providence to visit me with a violent fever, which has confined me for many weeks. I am still the prisoner of this disease, so that I was incapable of going abroad on the fast-day. And indeed, if it had been otherwise, I should scarcely have been able to gratify my own inclination, by complying with your hints; because I never write my sermons, having accustomed myself to preach without notes ; and it was owing to a particular incident, that those three discourses which I published were committed to writing.

Permit me, madam, to wish, that you may be steadfast and immoveable in your present turn of mind, which is so truly wise and noble; that by him who sitteth in heaven, and beholds all the children of men, it may be said of Miss as it was formerly said of another excellent person, Mary has chosen that good part which shall not be taken from her."

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To these wishes, allow me the additional pleasure of being, madam, your most obedient humble servant, &c.

LETTER CXCIX.

Weston-Favell, March 4. 1758. DEAR MR ——, I HAVE a long letter, containing two or three sheets, from Mr Wesley. It consists of animadversions on my Dialogues and Letters, which I should be glad if you would peruse, and favour me with your opinion. He wrote me one before, more stinging and sarcastic than this. I have taken no notice of either, being very unwilling to embark in controversy; but for your judgment on the last, which is written with candour and temper,

I should be much obliged, and have an additional reason to be, dear sir, your affectionate friend, &c.

LETTER CC.

Weston-Favell, March 11. 1758. MADAM, I AM much obliged for your benevolent wishes relating to my health. By way of return, permit me to wish, that your soul may prosper, may flourish, may blossom as a rose; that you may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

From this passage we may observe, that the way to advance in true holiness of heart and life, is to advance in the knowledge of Christ. It is for want of knowing Christ, that the generality of mankind are so captivated by trifles, and enslaved to transient gratifications: It is for want of knowing Christ more thoroughly, that many Christians have so little peace and joy, and many go mournfully in their way to eternity.

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By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many." By giving them the knowledge of himself, of his divine dignity and inestimably precious work-of that grand price which he paid for the redemption of sinners, which delivers them from the wrath to come, and entitles them to "the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away."

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"The divine power," says St Peter, "has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness." How? Through the knowledge of him who has called us to glory and virtue;" through the knowledge of Christ, as calling us to the enjoyment of eternal glory, which he has procured for us by his blood; and thereby most sweetly leading and engaging us to the exercise of every virtue.

I hope Marshall on Sanctification will be blessed to your consolation and edification. If it is not at the first reading, it may at the second, or it may at the third. I would say to the reader of this excel

lent treatise, as the prophet Elijah said to his servant, who went to the sea in order to make observation, but found nothing worthy of notice, "Go again, seven times."

I have seen Dr Glynn's poem, entitled, The Day of Judgment. It is not without elegance and beauty, but it wants that energy and pathos, which, on so grand and interesting an occasion, should alarm, transport, and awe our souls; but its chief deficiency, in my opinion, is, that it neglects to ascribe proper honour unto Christ. He is indeed very slightly hinted at in one chosen line, but he should have made the most distinguished figure throughout the whole piece. All judgment is committed to him. It is Christ who will come in the clouds of heaven; we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. This to the believer is a most comfortable and delightful consideration; "My Redeemer is my Judge. He who died for me passes the final sentence. Look how great is his majesty and glory! So great is my atonement and propitiation."

Should I ever come to London, I will be sure to do myself the pleasure of waiting upon Miss --. In the mean time, what she mentions by way of caution, shall be observed with all punctuality due to a command, by her most obedient humble servant.

LETTER CCI.

Weston-Favell, May 13. 1758. MADAM, I HAVE too long delayed to acknowledge the favour of your last. The reflection gives me uneasiness, but the occasion gives you an opportunity of exercising indulgence. If you please to ascribe my silence to much business, and little health, you will do justice to my proceeding and to your own candour.

You inquire after the best week's preparation for the sacrament. I cannot say that I much admire any of those books. They are, I think, loose,