And he will perplex you more than enough, if you listen to his sallies of imagination. "Every one has some pursuit: Therefore a man cannot be always in communion with God." I deny the consequence. While Mr. De Renty was serving the poor, he was in constant communion with God. So was Gregory Lopez, while he was writing books. "At first indeed, as Lopez observed, large manifestations from God were apt to suspend the exercise of his senses, as well as of his understanding. But, after some time, they made no difference at all, but left him the full exercise of his understanding and senses." I remember a much later instance of the same kind. An old clergyman told me some years since, "I asked Mr. Boehm, (Chaplain to Prince George, of Denmark) 'Sir, when you are in such a hurry of business, surrounded with a crowd of people, hearing one, and dictating to another, at the same time, does it not interrupt your mental prayer? He answered immediately, "All that hurry no more hinders my communion with God, than if I was all the time sitting alone in my study, or kneeling at the altar." No business, therefore, of any kind, no conversation, need hinder one that is strong in faith, from rejoicing evermore, praying without ceasing, and in every thing giving thanks. Follow after this, and you will surely attain it. J. WESLEY.

LETTER XIV.

March 23, 1773.

IF useless words or thoughts spring from evil tempers, they are properly evil, otherwise not, but still they are contrary to the Adamic Law: yet not to the law of love: therefore there is no condemnation for them, but they are matter of humiliation before God. So are those (seemingly) unbelieving thoughts, although they are not your own, and you may boldly say, "Go, go, thou unclean spirit, thou shalt answer for these, and not 1."

Your affections were apt to be too impetuous, and sometimes uneven too, but nature yields to healing grace, which I trust has made you both more calm and more steady: and what will it not make you if you persevere ? All that is amiable, holy, and happy! Already he that loves you, gives you a taste of what he has prepared for you. Let patience have its perfect work, and you shall be perfect and enfire, lacking nothing. See that you make the best of life! The time is short!

LETTER XV.

AT many times our advances in the race that is clear and perceptible, at other times they are no (at least to ourselves) than the growth of a tree. may pray,

"Strength and comfort from thy word,
Imperceptibly supply."

J. WESLEY.

July 23, 1773. set before us, are more perceptible At any time you

And when you perceive nothing, it does not follow that the work of

God stands still in your soul; especially while your desire is unto him, and while you choose him for your portion. He does not leave you to yourself, though it may seem so to your apprehension. The difference between temptation and sin, is generally plain enough to all that are simple of heart, but in some exempt cases, it is not plain : there we want the unction of the Holy One. Voluntary humility, calling every defect a sin, is not well pleasing to God. Sin properly speaking, is neither more nor less than "a voluntary transgression of a known law of God."

There are a thousand instances, wherein it is not possible literally to make restitution. All that we can advise in the case you mention is, 1. Let him that stole, steal no more, let him be from this hour rigorously just. 2. Let him be a faithful steward of the mammon of unrighteousness, restoring all he can to God, in the poor. J. WESLEY..

LETTER XVI.

August 20, 1773:

But she did,

I OFTEN heard my own mother make the same complaint with you. She did not feel near so much as my father did. ten times more than he did. You must labour to do so much the more, and pray that God would supply whatever is wanting. One degree of forgiveness is due to every one, though impenitent; still I love him as I love all men. But the other degree whereby I should again receive him as a friend, is only due to one who says, "I repent," that is, convinces me that he does really repent, and is entirely changed.

It is certain God has given you a talent, and I still think it ought to be used. I grant indeed to be hid, and to be still, is more agreeable to flesh and blood; but is it more agreeable to him who hath left us an example that we might tread in his steps.

One cannot be saved from evil tempers, without being devoted to God, neither can a soul be all devoted to God, without being saved from sin; but it is often exceeding hard to judge of others, whether they are saved from all evil tempers, and whether they are all devoted to God or not: yea it is hard to judge of ourselves, nay we cannot do it, without the anointing of the Holy One given for that very purpose. Out of darkness, God will command light to shine. Be plain and open to all; then, whether they are sincere or insincere, you will have a conscience void of offence. You find all things work together for good. They must, while the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Your's, affectionately,

J. WESLEY.

LETTER XVII.

Bristol, September 8, 1773.

We have the clearest proof, when we have to do with children, that the help which is done upon earth, God doth it himself. All our wisdom will not even make them understand, much less feel the

things of God. The "Instructions for Children" contain the best matter that we can possibly teach them. But nothing less than the finger of God, can write it on their hearts. On Saturday night, he sent another shower of grace upon our children at Kingswood. Sixteen of them were deeply affected; and, I think, thirteen found peace with God; four or five of them were some of the smallest we had, not above seven or eight years old.

Although there may be some use in teaching very young children to "say their prayers daily," yet I judge it to be utterly impossible to teach any to" practise prayer," till they are awakened. For, what is prayer, but the desire of the soul expressed in words to God, either inwardly or outwardly? How then will you teach them to express a desire who feel no desire at all? When therefore Madame Guion talks in that manner, it often makes me afraid, that both she and her teacher, Archbishop Fenelon, talked by rote of the things they knew not. Both of them had an amazing genius, but I doubt, full little experience. It is exceeding certain, neither his nor her writings are likely to do us any solid service. We have all the gold that is in them, without the dross, which is often not only useless, but dangerous. Let you and I keep the good old way:

"In doing and bearing The will of our Lord,

We still are preparing To meet our reward."

Go on steadily in this path, there is none better. By patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality. You shall reap, if you faint not. J. WESLEY.

LETTER XVIII.

Bristol, September 29, 1773. YOUR own experience may give an answer to your question. You did yourself enjoy a foretaste of that constant communion with God, though it did not continue long. And you know it was given you in a moment. It was the same case with all those whom I have known, that are now enabled to pray without ceasing. To every one of them that blessing was given in an instant. So it will be given to you again: although probably you will find a strong hope first, which will incite you to cry out,

"Big with earnest expectation,

See me sit At thy feet,
Longing for salvation."

Grace in one sense will make all things new.

And I have some

times known this done to such a degree, that there has been no trace of the natural temper remaining. But generally the innocent natural temper does remain: only refined, softened, and cast into the mould of love. J. WESLEY.

LETTER XIX.

Levisham, Dec. 3, 1773.

YOU are yourself a living witness of this religion. But it is only

in a low degree. I grant you are only just beginning to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is an unspeakable blessing, that he shows you this, in so clear and strong a light. And undoubtedly he is able to make you completely serious; and yet this is consistent with much cheerfulness. You shall have more or less of reproach, as he chooses. Your post is to leave all in his hands, who orders all things well. Go straight forward, and you shall be all a Christian! expect that you will be more and more a comfort to, my dear, your's affectionately, J. WESLEY.

TO THE STEWARDS OF THE FOUNDRY.

MY DEAR BRETHREN, Pembroke, Aug. 6, 1768. THE thing you mention is of no small concern, and ought not to be determined hastily. Indeed it would be easy to answer, if we considered only how to save money but we are to consider also, How to save souls? Now I doubt whether we should act wisely in this respect, were we to give up the chapel in Spitalfields. We have no other preaching place in or near that populous quarter of the town and a quarter which, upon one account, I prefer, before almost any other; namely, that the people, in general, are more simple, and less confused by any other preachers. I think, therefore, it would not be well to give up this, if we could gain a thousand pounds thereby. I should look upon it as selling the souls of men for money, which God will give us, in due time, without this. That many who live near the Foundry would be glad of it, I allow, because it would save them trouble. But neither can I put the saving of trouble in competition with the saving of souls.

I am, my dear Brethren, your affectionate brother,
JOHN WESLEY.

TO CERTAIN PERSONS IN DUBLIN.

MY DEAR BRETHREN,

Whitefriar-street, Dublin, March 31, 1789.

I MUCH approve of the manner and spirit wherein you write concerning these tender points. I explained myself upon them in some measure on Sunday: I will do it more fully now.

At present, I have nothing to do with Dr. Coke: but I answer for myself. I do not separate from the Church, nor have any intention so to do. Neither do they that meet on Sunday-noon separate from the Church, any more than they did before: nay, less, for they attend the church and sacrament oftener now than they did two years ago.

"But this occasions much strife." True, but they make the strife

who do not attend the service. Let them quietly either come or stay away, and there will be no strife at all.

"But those that attend say, those that do not are fallen from grace." No, they do not give them a bad word. But they surely will fall from grace, if they do not let them alone who follow their own consciences.

But "you fear this will make way for a total separation from the church." You have no ground for this fear. There can be no such separation while I live. Leave to God what may come after. But, to speak plainly, do not you separate from the church? Yea, much more than those you blame? Pray, how often have you been at church since Christmas? Twelve times in twelve weeks? And how long have you been so fond of the church? Are you fond of it at all? Do not you go oftener to a Dissenting meeting, than either to St. Patrick's, or your parish church. My dear brethren, you and I have but a short time to stay together. "My race of glory is run, and race of shame; and I shall shortly be with those that rest." Therefore, as one that loves you well, and has loved you long, I advise you, in the presence and in the fear of God, 1. Either quietly attend the Sunday service, or quietly refrain from it; then there will be no strife at all. Now you make the strife of which you complain. 2. Make not this a pretence for being weary of well doing. Do not, for so poor a reason, withdraw your subscription from the school or the preachers. What a miserable revenge would this be ! Never let it be said, that my friend A— K—, that brother D— or Bwere capable of this! From this hour, let this idle strife be buried in eternal oblivion. Talk not of it any more! If it be possible, think not of it any more! Rather think, the Judge standeth at the door, let us prepare to meet our God! JOHN WESLEY.

TO THE PRINTER OF THE DUBLIN CHRONICLE.

SIR,

Londonderry, June 2, 1789.

1. AS soon as I was gone from Dublin, the Observer came forth, only with his face covered. Afterwards he came out, under another name, and made a silly defence for me, that he might have the honour of answering it. His words are smoother than oil, and flow (who can doubt it?) from mere love both to me and the people.

2. But what does this smooth, candid writer endeavour to prove, with all the softness and good humour imaginable! Only this point, (to express it in plain English,) that I am a double-tongued knave, an old crafty hypocrite, who have used religion merely for a cloak, and have worn a mask for these fifty years, saying one thing and meaning another.

A bold charge this, only it happens that matter of fact contradicts it from the beginning to the end.

3. In my youth I was not only a member of the Church of Eng