who throw me into the ditch, and then beat me because my clothes are dirty?

Wishing you much of the love of God in your heart, and much of his presence in your labours, I remain, reverend sir,

Your affectionate brother.

CCV. To the Reverend Mr. D—.

LIVERPOOL, April 6, 1761.

DEAR SIR,-Let who will speak, if what is spoken be true, I am ready to subscribe it. If it be not, I accept no man's person. Magis amica veritas. [Truth is a greater friend.] I had an agreeable conversation with Mr. Venn, who, I suppose, is now near you. I think, he is exactly as regular as he ought to be. I would observe every punctilio of order, except where the salvation of souls is at stake. There I prefer the end before the means.

I think it great pity, that the few clergymen in England who preach the three grand Scriptural doctrines,-original sin, justification by faith, and holiness consequent thereon,—should have any jealousies or misunderstandings between them. What advantage must this give to the common enemy! What a hinderance is it to the great work wherein they are all engaged! How desirable is it, that there should be the most open, avowed intercourse between them! So far indeed as they judge it would be for the glory of God, they may openly declare wherein they disagree.

But surely if they are ashamed to own one another in the faces of all mankind, they are ashamed of Christ; they are ashamed of Him that sends, if they dare not avow whom he has sent. Excuses indeed will never be wanting. But will these avail before God? For many years I have been labouring after this; labouring to unite, not scatter, the messengers of God. Not that I want any thing from them. As God has enabled me to stand almost alone for these twenty years, I doubt not but he will enable me to stand, either with them or without them. But I want all to be helpful to each other; and all the world to know we are so. Let them know who is on the Lord's side. You, I trust, will always be of that number. O let us preach and live the whole Gospel! The grace of our Lord be with your spirit! I am, dear sir, Your ever affectionate brother and servant.

CCVI.-To Mrs. R

WHITEHAVEN, June 28, 1766. MY DEAR SISTER,-For some time I have been convinced it was my duty to tell you what was on my mind. I will do it with all plainYou may answer or not, as you judge best.

ness.

Many things I have observed in you which gave me pleasure; some which gave me concern: the former I need not mention; the latter I must, or I should not myself be clear before God.

The first of these is something which looks like pride. You some

times seem to think too highly of yourself, and (comparatively) to despise others. I will instance in two or three particulars :

1. You appear to be above instruction, I mean instruction from man. I do not doubt but you are taught of God. But that does not supersede your being taught by man also. I believe there is no saint upon earth whom God does not teach by man.

2. You appear to think, (I will not affirm you do,) that none understands the doctrine of sanctification like you. Nay, you sometimes speak as if none understood it besides you whereas (whether you experience more or less of it than some) I know several, both men and women, who both think and speak full as Scripturally of it as you do ; and perhaps more clearly; for there is often something dark and confused in your manner of speaking concerning it.

3. You appear to undervalue the experience of almost every one in comparison of your own. To this it seems to be owing, that you, some way or other, beat down almost all who believe they are saved from sin. And so some of them were, in the only sense wherein I either teach or believe it, unless they tell flat and wilful lies in giving an account of their experience.

A second thing which has given me concern is, I am afraid you are in danger of enthusiasm. We know there are divine dreams and impressions. But how easily may you be deceived herein! How easily, where something is from God, may we mix something which is from nature! especially if we have a lively imagination, and are not aware of any danger.

I will mention one thing more. It has frequently been said, and with some appearance of truth, that you endeavour to monopolize the affections of all that fall into your hands, that you destroy the nearest and dearest connection they had before, and make them quite cool and indifferent to their most intimate friends. I do not at all speak on my own account; I set myself out of the question. But if there be any thing of the kind with regard to other people, I should be sorry both for them and you.

I commend you all to God, and to the word of his grace. dear sister,

I am, my

Your affectionate brother.

CCVII.-To Mr.

BRISTOL, October 20, 1759.

SIR, Since I came to Bristol I heard many terrible accounts concerning the French prisoners at Knowle; as that "they were so wedged together, that they had no room to breathe;" that "the stench of the rooms where they lodged was intolerable;" that "their food was only fit for dogs;" that "their meat was carrion, their bread rotten and unwholesome ;" and that, "in consequence of this inhuman treatment, they died in whole shoals."

Desiring to know the truth, I went to Knowle on Monday, and was showed all the apartments there. But how was I disappointed! 1. I found they had large and convenient space to walk in, if they chose it, all the day. 2. There was no stench in any apartment which I was in,

either below or above. They were all sweeter and cleaner than any prison I have seen either in England or elsewhere. 3. Being permitted to go into the larder, I observed the meat hanging up, two large quarters of beef. It was fresh and fat, and I verily think as good as I ever desire to eat. 4. A large quantity of bread lay on one side. A gentleman took up and cut one of the loaves. It was made of good flour, was well baked, and perfectly well tasted. 5. Going thence to the hospital, I found that, even in this sickly season, there are not thirty persons dangerously ill, out of twelve or thirteen hundred. 6. The hospital was sweeter and cleaner throughout than any hospital I ever saw in London. I think it my duty to declare these things, for clearing the innocent, and the honour of the English nation.

Yet one thing I observed with concern. A great part of these men are almost naked; and winter is now coming upon them in a cold prison, and a colder climate than most of them have been accustomed to. But will not the humanity and generosity of the gentlemen of Bristol prevent or relieve this distress? Did they not make a notable precedent during the late war? And surely they are not weary of well doing. Tuesday night we did a little according to our power; but I shall rejoice if this be forgotten through the abundance administered by their liberality, in a manner which they judge most proper. Will it not be both for the honour of their city and country? for the credit of our religion, and for the glory of God, who knows how to return it seven fold into their bosom? I am

Your humble servant.

CCVIII. To the Society at Monyash, Derbyshire.

POOLE, March 25, 1752.

MY DEAR BRETHREN,-I should very willingly have spent a little time among you; but at present my time will not permit, I have so many places to visit, between Manchester, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and so on, to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Blessed be God, that you are not yet moved from the hope of the Gospel. He has permitted a fiery trial to fall upon you ;* but I trust the sharpest part of it is past. May God enable you to stand fast together, in one mind and in one judgment! Watch over one another in love; and let not that which is lame be turned out of the way. Do all things without murmurings and disputings, following peace with all men; and the God of peace be with you! I am, my dear brethren,

Your affectionate brother.

CCIX. To the Reverend Mr. Wanley, Dean of Ripon.

YARM, July 9, 1766. REVEREND SIR,-The regard which I owe to a fellow Christian, and much more to a clergyman and a magistrate, constrains me to trouble you with a few lines, though I have no personal acquaintance with you. Ralph Bell has just been giving me an account of the late affair at Ripon.

*Probably the conduct of John Bennet, who renounced his connection with Mr. Wesley about this period, and vehemently preached against him in that part of the country.--EDIT.

What he desires is, 1. To have the loss he has sustained repaired; and, 2. Liberty of conscience; that liberty which every man may claim as his right, by the law of God and nature; and to which every English man, in particular, has a right by the laws of his country. I well know the advantage these laws give us in the present case: I say us, because I make the case my own; as I think it my bounden duty to do. I have had many suits in the king's bench; and, blessed be God, I never lost one yet. But I would far rather put an amicable end to any dispute, where it can be done: not that I am afraid of being overborne by the expense; if I am not, I know them that are, able to bear it. But I love peace. I love my neighbour as myself; and would not willingly bring loss or trouble upon any man. Be so good as to impute to this motive my interfering in this matter. I am, reverend sir,

Your servant for Christ's sake.

CCX.-To Mary Yeoman, of Mousehole, Cornwall.

ST. IVES, September 2, 1769.

MY DEAR SISTER,-Your case is not peculiar. I have known many who are just as you are now: and the same God who delivered them is as ready to deliver you. I advise you to continue in the way, whether you find any benefit or not. Pray, as you can, though you are ever so cold or dead. Hear the preaching; keep to your class. The Lord is at hand he will abundantly pardon. I am

Your affectionate brother.

CCXI.-To Mr. Merryweather, of Yarm.

LONDON, January 16, 1758.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-If the work of God does so increase at Yarm, we must not let the opportunity slip. Therefore let the travelling preacher be there either every Sunday evening, or at least every other Sunday.

No person must be allowed to preach or exhort among our people, whose life is not holy and unblamable; nor any who asserts any thing contrary to the Gospel which we have received. And if he does not own his fault and amend it, he cannot be a leader any longer. Peace be with you all. I am

Your affectionate brother.

CCXII. To the Same.

BRENTFORD, January 24, 1760.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-I received yours, with the bill, a day or two ago. I wish you would every where recommend two books in particular, "The Christian Pattern," and the "Primitive Physic." It is a great pity that any Methodist should be without them.

I wonder brother Mather does not write to me. He should not forget his friends: I hope the gentleman with whom I breakfasted at Yarm has not forsaken you. Even the rich may enter into the kingdom: for with God all things are possible.

See that you stir up the gift of God that is in you. What is our Lord's word to you?" Let the dead bury their dead: but follow thou me!" I am Your affectionate brother.

CCXIII.-To the Same.

LONDON, October 5, 1763.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-Your letter was sent from hence to Bristol. But I had left Bristol before it came. I have no objection to Mr. Jaco's coming to Yarm to open the house: but I suppose he cannot stay long. He will soon be wanted again in his own circuit.

It is strange that the number of hearers should decrease, if you have regular preaching. I hope the morning preaching is never omitted. If it be, every thing will droop.

What relates to the account, I will give to Mr. Franks. Probably he will find where the mistake lies. O be in earnest! I am

Your affectionate brother.

CCXIV. To the Same.

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, May 7, 1764. MY DEAR BROTHER,-I thank you for the receipts. There is nothing more sure, than that God is able and willing to give always what he gives once. And it is most certainly his design, that whatever he has given you, should abide with you for ever. But this can only be by simple faith. In this, reasoning is good for nothing. See that both of you be as little children. Your help is all laid up above, in the hand of Him that loves you. Look unto him, and receive what you want! Believe yourselves to heaven! I am Your affectionate brother.

CCXV. To the Same.

FEBRUARY 8, 1766.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-Where Christian perfection is not strongly and explicitly preached, there is seldom any remarkable blessing from God; and, consequently, little addition to the society, and little life in the members of it. Therefere, if Jacob Rowell is grown faint, and says but little about it, do you supply his lack of service. Speak and spare Let not regard for any man induce you to betray the truth of God. Till you press the believers to expect full salvation now, you must not look for any revival.

not.

It is certain, God does at some times, without any cause known to us, shower down his grace in an extraordinary manner. And he does, in some instances, delay to give either justifying or sanctifying grace, for reasons which are not discovered to us. These are some of those secrets of his government which it hath pleased him to reserve in his own breast. I hope you and your wife keep all you have, and grasp Your affectionate brother.

for more.

I am

CCXVI. To the Same.

LEWISHAM, December 10, 1768.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-The matter is short: all things in divine worship must "be done decently and in order." Two must never pray at the same time, nor one interrupt another. Either Alice Brammah must take advice, or the society must be warned to keep away from her. These are the very things which were the beginning of poor George Bell's fall. I am, with love to sister Merryweather,

Your affectionate brother.