affair, and then I doubt not, but God, if we ask in sincerity, will
direct us both to agree in our sentiments, as to what will be most
conducive to your eternal welfare. However thus much I can say, be
not unequally yoked with an unbeliever. To marry a man in hopes of
making him a Christian, will be leading yourself into temptation. The
advantages you speak of may doubtless be great blessings to you, if
you are very certain you can enjoy them. You ought to be very explicit
with the person, whoever he is, both with regard to your sentiments and
his own heart. You cannot imagine the continual snares you will walk
in, if you are joined to one, who is not joined to Christ; especially
if you have any fondness for him. As in a married state there are more
allurements to draw the mind from God than in a single one, so (if
the companion be a Christian) there are also advantages in it, which
perhaps may almost make the balance even. But how dreadful will it be,
if he who should be your help, prove to you an occasion of falling?
Above all things, my dear, try the sincerity of your own heart. Examine
well whether you can accept this offer with a single eye to the glory
of God, and the good of your own soul; and fear not, if you ask counsel
of God in faith nothing wavering, that he will give you freedom of mind,
either to accept or refuse as will be most profitable for you.
I do not wonder that your soul is at present distracted with
worldly thoughts. An affair of this kind always occasions a thousand
distractions, especially where it is in suspense. I fear your increase
of company does not at all add to your spiritual happiness. The Lord
Jesus bless you: I pity you. What need have we of continual assistance
from above? How do we walk as on burning coals? O let us strive for
that state of mind, in which we can say, nothing gives me pain but what
is contrary to the will of God, and tends to draw my soul from him;
and nothing gives me pleasure, but as it is agreeable to his will, and
tends to draw my soul nearer to him. _Amen._
* * * * *
_My dear Soul_,
I AM glad to write to you once more under the name of ****, and I hope
God will give me strength to say all I wish at this important juncture.
Important it is indeed to you; and the nearer the time approaches,
the more I feel for you. Alas, you are now plunging into difficulties,
which you can have no notion of until you experience them. You will
have need of more than double watchfulness. Oh cry earnestly to God for
grace and strength to keep your soul from sinking under the delusive
arguments, which your three grand enemies, the world, the flesh, and
the devil will be continually attacking you with in your new state of
life. You know, my love, in all our intercourse, I have not failed to
set before you the disadvantages and distractions you must necessarily
meet with in a married life. This I thought it my duty to do, though
your intentions in regard to marriage were always founded upon
Christian motives. Had I found you inclined to dedicate yourself
more particularly to God in a single state, I should doubtless have
encouraged that inclination; but as this was not the case, and I did
not dare absolutely to dissuade any one from marrying, I have therefore
only strove to guard you against the evils attending that condition,
and pray God grant you may find them overbalanced by the good. The
first evil, which people are apt to fall into when they marry, is an
extreme selfishness: this I have seen most flagrant instances of, but
then the people were not Christians. Oh my friend, remember you have
taken upon you the sacred name of Christian. The next thing which our
sex in particular is very subject to, is a pretty indolence of soul,
and a kind of hugging themselves as though they were become people of
vast consequence; and then all they say or do, and every thing which
belongs to them, is of importance. You will think perhaps there is
no danger of your falling into any thing so low and silly as this;
but do not think so, for without extreme watchfulness it will steal
imperceptibly upon you, and if you once grow important, the flood-gates
of worldly-mindedness will be set open, and your faith, your love,
and peace, will be borne away by the impetuous torrent. The Lord Jesus
bless you and keep you, and grant that in all the changes of this
mortal life, your heart may there be fixed where true joys are to be
found.
_Your ever-affectionate_
****
* * * * *
_My dear Friend_,
I KNOW not how to assume to myself the character you mention, and yet
I dare not neglect to do any thing, which you tell me may be of benefit
to your soul. I know God can convey blessings by the meanest instrument,
and relying wholly on his power and goodness, I enter again into this
correspondence. You complain that I have not lately been so watchful
over you as usual: In writing I certainly have not, and you know the
reason; but as to speaking, if I have there failed, it is entirely
owing to my being so apt to think highly of you. I fear in this I may
have dealt with you as with my own heart――judged too favourably of
both. May God give me a clearer insight both into you and into myself.
*I doubt not but your present condition contributes greatly to your
being more in earnest, and you have need to lay up all the strength
you can against what may be a time of trial indeed. I am glad you
found such a blessing on Sunday. I doubt not but the greater degree of
light and joy you have, the more you will be assaulted by temptations,
and these perhaps not only of a strange, but also of an impertinent
and ridiculous kind. The devil will sometimes play the buffoon: but I
have found the best way of dealing with these temptations was not to
combat them, but to let them pass through the mind, as you would let a
troublesome croud of people pass by your door without regarding them.
*The speaking evil of your neighbour before you are aware, though it
has not all the blackness of premeditated evil speaking, yet it is a
sure sign, that you have not that spirit of love, without which the
highest attainments are but as sounding brass, and as a tinkling cymbal.
I often am sorry to see how much this divine temper is wanting amongst
religious people. For my own part, I stand self-condemned in this,
though it is a sin, which I have even a natural aversion to; and I
fear there are but few hearts in which this root of bitterness does not
grow almost imperceptibly. However, the Captain of our salvation can
give us to tread even this enemy under our feet. Let us therefore go
on, nothing discouraged, trusting in his help, and following his steps,
until we apprehend, that for which we are apprehended of this divine
leader.
_Your ever affectionate and faithful_, &c.
* * * * *
_My dear Friend_,
*MR. _V._ has desired me to meet Dr. **** at his house; but though
I honour the character of that worthy man, yet I rather _fear_, than
_desire_ to do this. I really now dread the being set up as something
to be thought well of. I see such a depth of pride and self-love in
my own heart, that I dread any thing, which can give the least food
to these hellish tempers. I am well satisfied, that there can be no
perfect peace, no perfect love, till these be done away. Was not the
blessed Jesus _meek_ and _lowly_ of heart? Was not he despised and
rejected? And we? Oh, my dear love, tremble for yourself and for me.
We are esteemed, admired, and sought after. Do we not, think you, tread
upon burning coals? How dangerous, how difficult to act for the glory
of God, without sacrificing something to self? And this self is all
that separates from God――this self is all that keeps the blessings
both of time and eternity from our souls. Oh let us learn, and know and
feel, that we are nothing, and that God is all in all. Certain it is
that unless we die with Christ, we cannot rise to his life. Unless we
are crucified with him here, we cannot reign with him hereafter. Let
us then nail our corrupt nature to his cross, and continually mortify
every temper that is contrary to his perfect will. Suffer we must;
but the love of God will make all sufferings sweet, and his grace will
enable us to conquer all difficulties. I rejoice at the victory, which
you tell me has been given you over (I suppose) some reigning sin. Is
not this encouragement to press forward? If you would preserve constant
peace and recollection, look more into your own heart, and lay not out
yourself too much upon others. I have seen so much of the ill effects
of this, that I dread it both for you and myself. Watch continually.
_Your ever affectionate_, &c.
****
* * * * *
YOUR letter, my dear life, has given me great pleasure. This is indeed,
as it ought to be. And Oh by no means suffer this anxious desire after
God, this thirst after holiness to abate; only let it be mixed with
that kind of resignation, which implies a willingness to suffer, so you
may be kept from sin. The pain you speak of I rejoice in. Oh my love,
this is right; and may you more and more be conformed to Jesus Christ,
and him crucified. A soul thus pained, thus longing, thus struggling
for salvation, and at the same time lying low at the foot of the
cross, and crying, “Lord thy will be done,” is an object in which the
holy angels rejoice, nay on which God himself looks down well pleased.
To such a soul every gospel blessing is near at hand. The Sun of
Righteousness is on the point of rising in it with healing in his wings;
the eternal Comforter is ready to witness with it, that it is born of
God, and to fill it with that peace, which passeth all understanding.
The blessed and adorable Trinity is ready to raise it from its fallen
state, and to perfect the new creation. What encouraging prospects!
Only let not this happy pain be taken from you by any comfort the world
can give, but hold it dear to your heart, as light to your eyes, till
God himself change it to joy unspeakable.
*I have long thought that to wish for any thing, but the salvation of
our own souls and that of others is wrong: because in nothing else can
we be sure that our wishes are agreeable to the will of God. I do not
know how to believe, that you could wish for more riches; and if the
being pleased with the thoughts of gain proceeded only from this motive,
that you thought God was putting it more in your power to relieve the
necessities of others, I would not dare to condemn you: but it is so
difficult to take any satisfaction of this kind without some mixture of
worldly-mindedness, that we cannot be too careful in this respect; nay
we ought rather to fear lest we should not be found faithful stewards
of the talents put into our hands, as knowing, that both in spiritual
and temporal blessings, “To whom much is given, of them shall much be
required.”
* * * * *
_My dear Friend_,
IF it should please God to make any thing I write of benefit to your
soul, I should greatly rejoice, but without that my words will avail
nothing. And really the account you give of yourself at present is so
strange, that I know not how to speak to you, or whether harshness or
love is most necessary. This I know, that my own soul is greatly pained
for you, but I dare not flatter you, “If any man hath not the Spirit
of Christ, he is none of his;” and doubtless to take a pleasure in
exposing the faults of others is a temper as distant from the Spirit of
Christ, as hell is from heaven. *Believe me, my dear life, if the love
of God reigned in your heart, you would rather cover than expose the
faults even of the vilest of men. And when obliged for their own good,
or the warning of others, to speak to the disadvantage of any one,
you would do it with _fear_ and _caution_, at the same time looking
up to God, lest any bitterness should mix, either with your thoughts
or words. _God is love_, and infinite streams of love are perpetually
flowing from him through all created nature. His acts of judgment as
well as mercy are only acts of love, and designed either to remove
or to lessen the evils occasioned by the fall of angels and of man;
and the soul which is born of God will as necessarily partake of this
divine principle of universal love, as the child you now carry within
you partakes of your corrupt nature. You have great reason then to
tremble, while this temper has any footing in your soul. Don’t sit
down contented, because you have intervals of recollection, but wrestle
mightily with God in fervent prayer, until he speak peace to your
soul, and his love be shed abroad in your heart, before which this
evil disposition will fly as a mist before the morning sun. You greatly
affect me by what you say in regard to the expected hour of danger;
but fear not. No creature on earth can be more unworthy than I am; and
the God of mercy protected me, and gave me strength, and courage, and
calmness; and I doubt not but he will shew the same mercy to you: nay
I have a strong confidence he will in your hour of extremity give you
a clearer sense of his pardoning love, than you have yet experienced.
Fear not, only believe, “All things are possible to him that believeth.”
It has pleased God within these few days to give me a severe trial, and
eternal glory be to his name, I have stood it, crying only, _Lord, thy
will be done_. My little boy was taken on Saturday evening with strong
convulsions, and between that time and Sunday evening, had I believe,
full forty fits. He is now much better. God is ever merciful: he brings
to the borders of the grave, and raises up again. O how good it is to
suffer? How glorious to have grace triumph over nature? How sweet to
lay low at the foot of the cross, and bless God for every thing which
more conforms us to the suffering Jesus? Be watchful, and earnest.
_Adieu._
* * * * *
_My dear Friend_,
*WHERE the consideration of the prophecies is a means of stirring any
one up to greater diligence, or making them sit looser to the things
of this world, and seek more earnestly after the things of God, they
cannot consider them too attentively. Every soul should carefully
observe that way, in which God particularly leads it, and punctually
follow every means which it finds by experience brings it nearer to God.
Some are awakened and brought low by meditating on the severe judgments
of God; others are melted down by reflecting on his mercies. Some are
employed usefully to themselves, and it may be to others, by accurately
considering the several amazing dispensations of God in the whole
scheme of our redemption. Others by a more simple and general view of
God, as infinite wisdom and infinite love, rest calmly on his will,
and though in a lower and less shining way, pursue the same end, viz.
salvation by the blood of the Lamb from the power as well as from the
guilt of sin, and union with the pure fountain of all happiness. All
these ways are good in themselves, and are made so to every soul, which
in _them_ follows the leadings of the Spirit of God. But I may make
that, which is good in itself, evil to me, by using it _only because_
another thinks it right, and not because I find it the means which most
unites my soul to Christ; and therefore we ought never to blame any one
for not being affected by that which affects us.
’Tis very certain that the judgments of God are now abroad in the earth,
and that some of the signs of the last times plainly appear; this
(whether the calculation in the letter be right or wrong) is obvious
to every one, and calls aloud for seriousness and watchfulness. Happy
are those who shall stand unmoved in the time of temptation. Happy are
those who when all nature is agonizing around them can fly to the only
rock of refuge, and there find shelter from the storm, and shadow from
the heat. But above all happy are those, who shall have the glory of
suffering for their Redeemer, of sealing their testimony with their
blood, or in the midst of the fire shouting for joy, and blessing God
for a martyr’s crown. These, these are glorious prospects, and weak as
we are, should God honour us with a trial like this, he would also give
us strength to be more than conquerors. In the mean time let us not be
weary or faint in our minds, but manfully fight till we obtain complete
victory over our evil hearts; and then shall we stand with humble
confidence even before our judge, and though all nature was dissolved,
we should remain unshaken, and be wholly swallowed up in joy full of
glory. Amen, Lord Jesus.
* * * * *
_My dear Friend_,
*I THANK you for your last letter, and I bless God, that you was
not offended at mine. This bearing of plain-dealing is a comfortable
proof to me of your sincerity. If temptations increase, God will
give a proportionable increase of strength. There wants nothing but
faithfulness on your part to the grace already given. I know not the
particulars of your sufferings, but I know it is good to suffer. It
is a discipline all must go through, who make any tolerable advance
in the school of Christ. I could wish you to seek more after religion,
than comfort. Constant and heart-felt resignation is a bulwark against
every trial, and a foundation for solid peace, and joy transcendently
pure. The whole state of a soul made perfect in love stands in that one
petition, _Thy will be done_: and if we could but preserve that temper
which these words describe, I know not what could hurt us. Suppose
now when I first wake in a morning I should lift up my heart, “Lord
I bless thee for this new day which thou hast given me. In this day I
shall have fresh manifestations of thy will concerning me, either in
comforts or in sufferings. Lord, I am thy creature, deal with me as it
shall please thee: only leave me not to myself, but let thy grace be
sufficient for me, and thy strength be made perfect in my weakness.”
When settled in this frame of mind, suppose my trials to begin. I
am tempted by the perverseness and evil tempers of my own family to
impatience, to anger; but I immediately recollect myself, “Lord it is
thy will I should bear this; pardon their perverseness, and give me
to be thankful for every opportunity of self-denial and forbearance.”
Well! now another, and more difficult trial appears. I am to behave
to people, whom I know to be my bitter enemies, whom I know to be
continually seeking occasions of evil against me, as if they were my
dear friends. Here every faculty of the soul is alarmed, and nature
shrinks back affrighted. But what does grace say? “Lord I thank thee
for this glorious trial! What a blessing is it I should be permitted to
drink of the same cup my Saviour drank of! Oh bless these mine enemies;
fill their hearts with thy love; let thy will be perfected both in them
and me.” This temptation is conquered, but another and a more trying
one immediately succeeds. I am treated unkindly by people I love, and
who are really my friends. Here my heart is wounded, it sinks, it is
ready to faint; but recovering itself it rests upon God, and says,
“Lord, even in this, thy will be done, and let the sufferings of Christ
be perfected in me, that I may be also a partaker of his glory.” In
this manner one might instance in all kinds of affliction, and find
comfort and strength in each.
I know not how to think so meanly of you, as to imagine your heart in
danger of being drawn away by the world. But I know I am always apt
to set you in too high a light, and it may be so, in this case; this
one thing however I am sure of, that we are fighting for eternity, and
this against innumerable enemies, dangerous ones without, but far more
dangerous ones within. If the Lord himself was not on our side, how
could we maintain our ground one moment. To his almighty protection I
commend you and yours, and am
_Your ever-affectionate_, &c.
* * * * *
To the Rev. Mr. ****.
_Dear Sir_,
I AM much obliged to you for your kind concern on my account. My
illness I believe is rather troublesome than dangerous, a disorder in
my stomach, which has been attended with a slight fever. I was ill,
when you and Mr. **** were to see me though I did not complain, and
I looked upon it as a particular blessing: for had my spirits been in
their full flow, an event so much wished, would have too much elated
me: but my disorder served to keep the balance of my mind even. I see
the goodness of God to me in every thing, and therefore sickness or
health, life or death are equally welcome to me, as coming from the
same gracious hand. Nature, its true, shrinks at suffering, but grace
triumphs in resignation, and is thankful for the dispensation of the
present moment, without wishing or willing in regard to the future. But
I hope to learn some lessons of this kind from you next Sunday. Till
then farewell, and may the fulness of every gospel blessing rest upon
your soul.
_Your’s_, &c.
****
* * * * *
_Dear Sir_,
THE judgments of God upon _Lisbon_ are dreadful indeed. I know not what
heart can be hard enough to hear of them without concern. What but the
amazing mercy of a long-suffering God can prevent _London_ from feeling
the same dreadful blow! And if God should arise to shake terribly our
land, what great reason will those persons have to be thankful, whom
God has drawn from all worldly schemes of happiness, and fixed their
hearts on a basis, which can never be shaken, though the earth be moved,
and the mountains cast into the midst of the sea? I have been much
comforted in respect of the miseries of others by this scripture――_When
the judgments of God are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants thereof
will learn righteousness_. If such a blessed end is produced by these
severe acts of justice, have we not reason even in the midst of terror
to admire and adore? The whole universe appears to me to be in the
hand of God, as a grain of dust in the balance; and I, a creature more
insignificant, more worthless, and sinful than can be conceived, am
among the rest in this almighty hand, and _all is safe_. My heart is
by nature painfully tender, and yet in the midst of feeling, either
for myself or others, there is a secret satisfaction in my inmost
soul, that God is glorified in every act of his providence, whether of
judgment or mercy; and I hardly know how to form any other prayer than
_Thy will be done_.
I fear I shall not see you on Thursday;――――but wherever you are, may
the God of all consolation be your light and your shield, and bring you
safe to that city, which has eternal foundations.
_I am your ever-obliged friend and servant_, &c.
* * * * *
*BY what you said to Mr. **** when he had the pleasure of hearing you,
I imagine you think my illness is owing to a cause of which I am by no
means certain; however the bare probability of such a charge would not
be without my immediately reflecting on the dangers and temptations
that would attend it. A soul, that is really desirous of attaining
the _pure_ love of God, is exceedingly jealous of any thing that has
a possibility of drawing it from its centre of happiness, and looks
upon any event which has this possible tendency (let the world term
it blessing or misfortune) with a tender, anxious fear, which none
can understand but those who have felt it. This was my case, and my
imagination would sometimes paint a thousand instances which _might_
draw my soul down to earth. And this fear (though it never made me
wish any thing but what was the will of God) would bring the tears to
my eyes, and cause an uneasiness, which doubtless proceeded from want
of faith. But that God whose mercies are renewed every morning, soon
delivered me from those fears, and calm peace, perfect resignation and
watchfulness succeeded. And for this fortnight past, though I have been
in continual uncertainty, whether I should continue in the condition I
am thought to be in or not, my mind by the all-sufficient grace of God
has been so equally kept, that I have not had the least wish or choice
of my own, but have been equally pleased with whatever seemed to be the
leadings of Providence concerning me. And you cannot think, what a work
of annihilation this uncertainty has been the means of carrying on in
my soul, which I see plainly in the nature of things could not so well
have been effected by any other. I never can be enough thankful for
the unspeakable mercies of God to so unworthy a creature. My will has
been brought into deadness, which I, even a _few months_ ago, should
have thought almost impossible; and I see, and have some foretastes of
that state which is called the pure and disinterested love of God, in
a manner I cannot express.