LETTERS TO MISS BRIGGS. LETTER I. Chester, March 17, 1771. MY DEAR BETSY, YOU have great reason to praise him, who has done great things for you already. What you now want is, To come boldly to the throne of grace, that the hunger and thirst after his full image, which God has given you, may be satisfied. Full salvation is nigh, even at the door. Only believe, and it is your's. It is a great blessing, that, at your years, you are preserved from seeking happiness in any creature. You need not, seeing Christ is your's! O cleave to him with your whole heart! I am, my dear Betsy, your's, affectionately, J. WESLEY. LETTER II. MY DEAR BETSY, Al Athlone, April 14, 1771. YOU may be assured, that I am always well pleased to hear from you and that I shall never think your letters too long. ways tell me whatever is in your heart: and the more freely the better. Otherwise it would be hardly possible, to give you the advice you may want from time to time. As soon as you had your armour on, it was fit that it should be proved. So God prepared for you the occasions of fighting, that you might conquer, and might know both your own weakness, and his strength. Each day will bring just temptation enough, and power enough to conquer it. And, (as one says,) Temptations, with distinct deliverances from them, avail much." The unction of the Holy One is given to believers for this very end, To enable them to distinguish (which otherwise would be impossible) between sin and temptation. And this you will do, not by any general rule, but by listening to him on all particular occasions, and by your consulting with those that have experience in the ways of God. Undoubtedly both you, and Philothea, and my dear Miss Perronet, are now more particularly called to speak for God. In so doing you must expect to meet with many things which are not pleasing to flesh and blood. But all is well. So much the more will you be conformed to the death of Christ. Go on, in his name, and in the power of his might! Suffer and conquer all things. I am, my dear Betsy, your's, affectionately, MY DEAR BETSY, LETTER III. YOU judge exceeding right: as just a babe in the pure love of Christ. him, and simply expect a supply of all J. WESLEY Castlebar, May 31, 1771. yet you are but a little child, As a little child, hang upon your wants. In this respect, reasoning profits you nothing: indeed it is just opposite to believing ; whereby you hearken to the inward voice, which says, “Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." Undoubtedly it would be a cross to declare what God has done for your soul. Nay, and afterwards Satan would accuse on the account, telling you, "You did it out of pride." Yea, and some of your sisters would blame you, and perhaps put the same construction upon it. Nevertheless if you do it with a single eye, it will be well pleasing to God. Your letters will be always agreeable to, J. WESLEY. LETTER IV. MY DEAR BETSY, Dec. 28, 1774. YOU have done what you could in this matter: and "angels can do no more." I am glad you tried; by and by she may see more clearly. I am always glad to hear from you, whether you have time to write accurately or not. And I love that you should tell me both what you feel, and what you do: for I take part in all. I doubted not but you would find a blessing at this solem season: see that you strengthen each other's hands in God. I should be glad to see both, or either of you, when it is convenient. 1 am, my dear Betsy, J. WESLEY. MY DEAR SISTER, TO MISS PERRONET. Near Leeds, Aug. 6, 1775. I BELIEVE my late illness has already answered many wise ends of Providence. It has been a blessing to me, and to many others, a fresh proof, that God doth all things well. I doubt not, but brother Wood and his fellow-labourer will be still zealous and active for God. And if so, his work will surely increase, at Seven-Oaks and the Wells, as well as other places. Nay, I do not despair of poor Canterbury: it is not out of God's reach. I dreamed last night, that the Spaniards were come, and were searching all houses, and putting men to the torture. But on a sudden they were vanished out of the land, I could not tell how. My Betsy should not think that I am ever so busy, as not to have leisure to read and answer her letters. I think Philothea too, since I am alive again, should have written to me, either in verse or prose. I am, my dear sister, your affectionate brother, J. WESLEY. TO MR. CHARLES PERRONET. DEAR CHARLES, London, Dec. 28, 1774. CERTAINLY there is nothing amiss in the desire, to do something for a good Master: only still adding, (in this, as in all things else,) "Yet not as I will, but as thou wilt." If we could once bring all our preachers, itinerant and local, uniformly and steadily to insist on those two points, Christ dying for us, and Christ reigning in us, we should shake the trembling gates of hell. I think most of them are now exceeding clear herein: and the rest come nearer and nearer, especially since they have read Mr. Fletcher's Checks, which have removed many difficulties out of the way. I expect more good from Mrs. B.'s medicine than from a heap of others. Remember Hezekiah's figs. I am, dear Charles, ever your's, J. WESLEY. LETTERS TO THE REV. MR. DICKINSON. DEAR SIR, LETTER I. Cork, May 6, 1767. I AM now come to my second station in Ireland; for here we expect to stay seven days: only with a digression of two out of the seven, to Bandon and Kinsale. I know not that I shall spend two whole days in any other place before I return to Dublin. I am glad you are fairly discharged from Oxford; although there is a little seed left there still. When we were there, we profited much by watching continually against "The lust of finishing :" to mortify which we frequently broke off writing, in the middle of a sentence, if not in the middle of a word: especially the moment we heard the chapel bell ring, or a knock at our door. If nature reclaimed, we remembered the word of the heathen, "Ejicienda est hæc mollities animi!"* I am glad there is so good an understanding among the preachers: a great deal depends upon it. But I hope you do not forget gentle T. O. May not you venture to give him a hint, that your hints were incorrectly printed? If he says, "They were written. so, I could hardly read them," you can tell him, "I hope to write the next better." Miss Briggs' spending so much of her time at Shoreham, answers an excellent design. It, in a great measure, supplies the want both of Miss Perronet and of her father, whom I remember with sincere affection. I am, dear Sir, Your affectionate friend and brother, J. WESLEY. *This softness of mind must be cast away. DEAR SIR, LETTER II. Londonderry, June 5, 1787. THE Irish posts are not the quickest in the world; though I have known one travel full two miles in an hour. And they are not the most certain. Letters fail here more frequently than they do in England. Mr. Heath has need of abundance of faith and patience. He is in a very unpleasing situation. But this I am determined on; he shall not want as long as I have either money or credit. He is a truly pious, and a very amiable man: his wife and children are cast in the same mould. I am glad you all showed him, while he was in London, the respect which he well deserves. As the work of God increases in so many parts both of England and Ireland, it would be strange if there were no increase of it in London: especially while all the preachers are of one mind, and speak the same thing. Only do not forget strongly and explicitly to urge the believers, "To go on to perfection." When this is constantly and earnestly done, the word is always clothed with power. Truly I claim no thanks for loving and esteeming Betsey Briggs; for I cannot help it. And I shall be in danger of quarrelling with you, if you ever love her less than you do now. Peace be with all your spirits! I am, your affectionate Friend and Brother, J. WESLEY. LETTERS TO MR. THOMAS RANKIN. DEAR TOMMY, LETTER I. London, March 1, 1775. I THINK the March packet will do as well as the April packet: so I answer you without delay. As soon as possible, you must come to a full and clear explanation, both with brother Asbury (if he is recovered) and with Jemmy Dempster. But I advise brother Asbury to return to England the first opportunity. There is now a probability, that God will hear the prayer, and turn the counsels of Ahithophel into foolishness. It is not unlikely, that peace will be re-established between England and the Colonies. But certainly the present doubtful situation of affairs, may be improved to the benefit of many. They may be strongly incited, Now to break off their sins by repentance, if it may be a lengthening of their tranquillity." I am, dear Tommy, Your affectionate friend and Brother, P. S. To-morrow I intend to set out for Ireland. J. WESLEY. I add a line to all the preachers: MY DEAR BRETHREN, London, March 1, 1775. YOU were never in your lives in so critical a situation as you are at this time. It is your part, to be peace-makers; to be loving and tender to all; but to addict yourselves to no party. In spite of all solicitations, of rough or smooth words, say not one word against one or the other side. Keep yourselves pure: do all you can, to help and soften all, but "Beware how you adopt another's jar." See that you act in full union with each other: this is of the utmost consequence. Not only let there be no bitterness, or anger, but no shyness or coldness between you. Mark all those that would set one of you against the other! Some such will never be wanting. But give them no countenance; rather ferret them out, and drag them into open day. The conduct of T. Rankin has been suitable to the Methodist plan. I hope all of you tread in his steps. Let your eye be single! Be in peace with each other, and the God of peace will be with you! I am, my dear Brethren, your affectionate Brother, J. WESLEY. We add the following few lines from the Rev. Charles Wesley to Mr. Rankin. MY DEAR BROTHER, March 1, 1775. TO spare you the expense, I delayed answering your letter; but I bear you always on my heart, and rejoice when the Lord blesses you with success. He giveth grace, more grace, to the humble: therefore wrestle with him for deep humility. As to the public affairs, I wish you to be like minded with me. am of neither side, and yet of both: on the side of New-England, and of Old. Private Christians are excused, exempted, privileged, to take no part in civil troubles. We love all and pray for all, with a sincere and impartial love. Faults there may be on both sides: but such as neither you nor I can remedy: therefore let us, and all our children, give ourselves unto prayer, and so stand still and see the salvation of God. My love to Capt. Webb, when you see him, and to Mr. Bowden, to whom I owe letters, and much love. Show your's for me, by praying more for me and mine. Your's, in the old love, C. W. LETTER II. DEAR TOMMY, Portarlington, April 21, 1775. I AM glad there is so good an understanding between Jemmy Dempster and you. He is an upright man, and unless I am much mistaken, a friend both to the Methodist doctrine and discipline. I am sorry for poor T. R. It is certain, God did lift up his head: and I hoped that his besetting sin would no more gain dominion over VOL. 10.-G g |