needs be directed, from time to time, by the unction of the Holy Evil spirits have undoubtedly abundance of work to do in an evil world: frequently in concurrence with wicked men, and frequently without them.

LETTER XXXV.

"

Feb. 26, 1776.

WHAT I advise you to, is, not to contract a friendship, or even acquaintance, with poor, inelegant, uneducated persons; but frequently, nay, constantly, to visit the poor, the widow, the sick, the fatherless, in their affliction: and this, although they should have nothing to recommend them, but that they are bought with the blood of Christ. It is true, this is not pleasing to flesh and blood. There are a thousand circumstances usually attending it, which shock the delicacy of our nature, or rather of our education. But yet the blessing which follows this labour of love, will more than balance the cross.

"To be uneasy under obligations which we cannot repay," is certainly a fruit of diabolical generosity; and therefore Milton, with great propriety, ascribes it to the Devil, and makes him speak quite in character, when he says, concerning his obligations to God himself,

"So burdensome still paying, still to owe."

I am quite of another mind I entirely agree with you, that the more sensible we are of such obligations, the more happy we are Surely this yoke is easy, and this burden is light!

Perhaps, if you give another reading to "Thoughts upon Dress," you will clearly see that both reason and religion are more deeply concerned than we are apt to imagine, even in the trifling article of dress: trifling if compared with the weightier matters of the law: yet in itself of no small importance: and that, whether you consider yourself as an individual, or as a member of a Christian society. Certainly, Dr. Young can only mean, "None is happy, unless he thinks himself so ;"-and truly this is no great discovery. Is it any more than "None is happy unless he is so ?" If he means more than this, he means wrong: For we know the best man is the happiest; but if I thought myself the best man in the world, I should be very proud, and consequently not happy at all. J. W.

LETTER XXXVI.

April 26, 1777. TO begin at the end: I did not preach any sermon for you in particular, though by accident; I know what sermon you mean, and both you and I have need of it.

I have some fine remains of Charles Perronet's, wherein he describes his own experience. It exactly agrees with your's. He too was led at first to Jesus the Mediator, and seemed in a manner to have no concern with the Father and the Holy Ghost. Afterwards he had communion with the Father, next with the Spirit, and then VOL. 10.-C c

with the whole Trinity; you therefore are afraid where no fear is Our Lord is not displeased at your following his Spirit.

I do not remember the making mention of covetousness; but it is likely I might; for I am exceedingly afraid of it, lest it should steal unawares, (as it always comes in disguise,) either upon myself or my friends. I know no way to escape it, but (haying saved all we can) to give all we can. I think this is at present your rule as well as mine and I trust it always will be.

We cannot impute too much to divine Providence, unless we make it interfere with our free-agency. I suppose that young woman, by saying she did not believe God had any thing to do with it, only meant, that the passion itself was not a all from God, but altogether from evil nature: She could not mean, that God does not, in a thousand instances, draw good out of evil, yea, that he may not sometimes permit us to be overtaken in a fault, to preserve us from a greater.

General rules are easily laid down. But it is not possible to ap-. ply them accurately in particular cases, without the anointing of the Holy One-This alone, abiding with us, can teach us of all things. Thus our general rule is, "Thou shalt do no murder:" which plainly forbids every thing that tends to impair health; and implies that we use every probable means of preserving, or restoring it. But when we come to apply this to particular instances, we are presently in a labyrinth, and want that anointing which alone can make plain the way before our face, and direct us to do in every minute circumstance, what is acceptable to God.

You have abundant reason to praise God, both for spiritual and temporal blessings. Beware of indulging gloomy thoughts; they are the bane of thankfulness. You are encompassed with ten thousand mercies; let these sink you into humble thankfulness.

LETTER XXXVII.

J. W.

Dec. 10, 1777.

YOU do not at all understand my manner of life. Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry; because I never undertake any more work than I can go through with perfect calmness of spirit. It is true, I travel four or five thousand miles in a year. But I generally travel alone in my carriage: and consequently, am as retired ten hours in the day, as if I were in a wilderness. On other days, I never spend less than three hours (frequently ten or twelve) in the day alone. So there are few persons in the kingdom who spend so many hours secluded from all company. Yet I find time to visit the sick and the poor; and I must do it, if I believe the Bible, if I believe these are the marks whereby the Shepherd of Israel will know and judge his sheep at the great day, therefore when there is time and opportunity for it, who can doubt, but this is matter of absolute duty? When I was at Oxford, and lived almost like a hermit, I saw not how any busy man could be saved. I scarcely thought it possible for a man to retain the Christian spirit, amidst the noise and

bustle of the world. God taught me better by my own experience. I had ten times more business in America (that is at intervals) than ever I had in my life. But it was no hinderance to silence of spirit.

Mr. Boehm was Chaplain to Prince George of Denmark, Secretary to him and Queen Anne; principal Manager of almost all the public charities in the kingdom, and employed in numberless private charities. An intimate friend, knowing this, said to him when they were alone, "Sir, are you not hurt by that amazing hurry of business? I have seen you in your office, surrounded with people, listening to one, dictating to another, and at the same time writing to a third:-Could you then retain a sense of the presence of God?” He answered, "All that company, and all that business, no more hindered or lessened my communion with God, than if I had been all alone in a church kneeling before the communion-table." Was it not the same case with him, to whom Gregory Lopez said, "Go and be a hermit in Mexico?" I am concerned for you: I am sorry you should be content with lower degrees of usefulness and holiness. than you are called to! But I cannot help it; so I submit ;-and am still, my dear Miss M- yours in sincere affection. JOHN WESLEY.

TO THE REV. MR. L

Oct. 15, 1786.

LAST night I had a long conversation with a few sensible men, concerning going to church. I asked them what objection they had to the hearing of Mr. L. They answered, "They could not hear him he generally spoke so low, that they lost a good part of what he said and that what they could hear, was spoken in a dead, cold, languid manner, as if he did not feel any thing which he spoke." This would naturally disgust them the more, because Dr. CJeaned to the other extreme. I doubt there is some ground for their objection. But I should think, you might easily remove it. I asked again, “Have you any objection to any thing in his behaviour?" They answered, "One thing we cannot approve of; his being ashamed of the Methodists. His never recommending or defending them at all, we think, is a full proof of this: for every one knows his near relation and his many obligations to you. They know how you have loved and cherished him from a child." They might have added, "You owe your whole education to him and therefore, in effect, your ordination,-your curacy,-your school,-yea, and your wife none of which you would in all likelihood, have had, had it not been for him."

I would add a word upon this head myself. I do not think you act wisely. Not one of your genteel friends can be depended on: they are mere summer-flies. Whereas had you condescended to

make the Methodists your friends, they would have adhered to you one and all: and they are already no inconsiderable body of people : beside that, they are increasing more and more.

Suffer me now to speak a word between you and me. Is not the reason of your preaching so languidly and coldly, that you do not feel what you say? And why not? Because your soul is not alive to God! Do you know that your sins are forgiven? I fear not. Can you say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth?" I doubt, if you did know it once, whether you know it now! Have you fellowship with the Father and the Son? Alas! it is well if you know what it means! And are you content to have your portion in this world? Do you savour only earthly things? Then I do not wonder, that you are shy to the Methodists; for they are not to your taste! O think and pray to-day! For I do not promise you, that you shall live another year! I now give you a full proof that I am,

Your truly affectionate,

JOHN WESLEY,

TO MR. C

66

Dundee, May 2, 1786.

I DOUBT not but both and you are in trouble, because **** has changed his religion." Nay, he has changed his opinions, and mode of worship: but that is not religion: it is quite another thing. "Has he then," you may ask, "sustained no loss by the change?" Yes, unspeakable loss: because his new opinion, and mode of worship, are so unfavourable to religion, that they make it, if not impossible to one that once knew better, yet extremely difficult."

"What then is religion?" It is happiness in God, or in the knowledge and love of God. It is "faith working by love." Producing "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." In other words, it is a heart and life devoted to God: or, communion with God the Father and the Son: or, the mind which was in Christ Jesus, enabling us to walk as he walked. Now, either he has this religion, or he has not: if he has, he will not finally perish, notwithstanding the absurd, unscriptural opinions he has embraced, and the superstitious and idolatrous modes of worship. But these are so many shackles, which will greatly retard him in running the race that is set before him. If he has not this religion, if he has not given God his heart, the case is unspeakably worse. I doubt if he ever will; for his new friends will continually endeavour to hinder him, by putting something else in its place, by encouraging him to rest in the form, notions, or externals, without being born again, without having Christ in him, the hope of glory, without being renewed in the image of him that created him. This is the deadly evil. I have often lamented, that he had not this holiness, without which no man can see the Lord. But though he had it not, yet in his hours of cool

reflection, he did not hope to go to heaven without it; but now, he is, or will be taught, that let him only have a right faith, (that is, such and such notions,) and add thereunto such and such externals, and he is quite safe. He may indeed roll a few years in purging fire, but he will surely go to heaven at last!

Therefore, you and my dear ***, have great need to weep over him but have you not also need to weep for yourselves? For have you given God your hearts? Are you holy in heart? Have you the kingdom of God within you? Righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost? The only true religion under heaven! O cry unto Him that is mighty to save, for this one thing needful: earnestly and diligently use all the means which God hath put plentifully into your hands! Otherwise, I should not at all wonder, if God permit you also to be given up to a strong delusion: but whether you were, or were not;-whether you are Protestants or Papists, neither you nor he can ever enter into glory, unless you are now cleansed from all pollution of flesh and spirit, and perfect holiness in the fear of God! I am, your affectionate, JOHN. WESLEY

TO MISS FULLER.

MY DEAR SISTER,

YOU did well in giving me a plain and circumstantial account of the manner wherein God has dealt with your soul. Your part is now to stand fast in the glorious liberty wherewith Christ has made you free. There is no need that you should ever be entangled again in the bondage of pride, or anger, or desire. God is willing to give always what he grants once. Temptations, indeed, you are to expect. But you may tread them all under your feet: his grace is sufficient for you. And the God of all grace, after you have suffered awhile, shall establish, strengthen, and settle you.

I am, my dear Sister, yours, affectionately,
JOHN WESLEY,

TO MISS B

DEAR MISS B

WE have had a society in Bath for about thirty years, sometimes larger, and sometimes smaller. It was very small this autumn, consisting only of eleven or twelve persons, of whom Michael Hemmings was leader. I spoke to these one by one, added nine or terr more, divided them into two classes, and appointed half of them to meet with Joseph Harris. But if you are willing to cast in your lot with us, I had rather that the single women in both classes who desire it, should meet with you, and any others who are not afraid