I was a good deal refreshed with the company of you and your dear sisters, when we last met. The more so, because I trust you are all going forward in the good way. Peace be multiplied unto you. My dear Friend, adieu! J. WESLEY. LETTER VII. MY DEAR SISTER, London, Dec. 21, 1787. YOU have unspeakable reason to praise God for his late manifestations to you. And you will generally observe, that large consolations are preceded by deep exercises of soul. And we all have reason to praise him, for the many tokens we see of his approaching kingdom. It is plain Satan, the murderer and the deceiver of mankind, is in a great measure bound already: he is not now permitted to deceive the nations, as in the past ages. And even in the Romish countries scarce any are now called to resist unto blood. If two or three of you continue instant in prayer, the work will revive at Trowbridge also. When you are met together, boldly lay hold on the promise: His word will speak, and will not lie! Peace be with all your spirits. I am, my dear Sister, your's, most affectionately, J. WESLEY. LETTER VIII. MY DEAR SISTER, Dumfries, June 1, 1790. THE great question is, What can be done for Adam Clarke? Now will you save his life? Look round; consider if there be any circuit where he can have much rest, and little work? Or shall he and you spend September in my rooms at Kingswood, on condition that he shall preach but twice a week, and ride to the Hot Wells every day? I think he must do this, or die. And I do not want him (neither do you) to run away from us in haste. You need not be told, that this will be attended with some expense : if it be, we can make it easy. I am apt to think this will be the best way. In the mean time, let him do as much as he can, and no more. It is probable I shall stay with you a little longer, as my strength does not much decline. I travelled yesterday nearly eighty miles, and preached in the evening, without any pain. The Lord does what pleases him. Peace be with all your spirits. I am, my dear Sister, your's, most affectionately, LETTERS TO MR. A. CLARKE. LETTER I. MY DEAR BROTHER, London, Feb. 3, 1786. YOU do well in insisting upon full and present salvation, whether men will hear or forbear. As also in preaching abroad, (when the weather permits,) and recommending fasting, both by precept and example. But you need not wonder that all these are opposed, not only by formalists, but by half-Methodists. You should not forget French, or any thing you have learned. I do not know whether I have read the book you speak of: you may send your translation at your leisure. Be all in earnest, and you shall see greater things than these. I am, my dear Adam, your affectionate Brother, J. WESLEY. LETTER II. MY DEAR BROTHER, London, Feb. 21, 1786. I LIKE the extract from Mr. Brittaine's well. Probably it may have a place in the Magazine. It is well you have broken into Stonehouse. Now enlarge your borders, while I am with you: probably you will have rougher weather when I am gone. You may come to the Conference : you and your fellow-labourers should spend some time in consulting together, how you may enlarge your borders. This mild weather is almost as good as summer: I preached abroad last Monday. O let us snatch every means of redeeming the time! Eternity is at hand! I am, dear Adam, your affectionate Brother, In a few days I shall set out for Bristol. J. WESLEY. LETTER III. DEAR ADAM, Near London, Jan. 3, 1787. YOU see none that trust in him, are confounded. When God is for us, who can be against us? Discipline is the great want in Guernsey; without which, the work of God cannot prosper. You did well to set upon it without delay, and to be as exact as possible. It is a true saying, "the soul and the body make the man, and the spirit and discipline make a Christian." We heard of a remarkable awakening in some part of the island. I hope those who were then awakened, are not all fallen asleep again. Preaching in the morning, is one excellent means of keeping their souls awake. If you desire to have any health, you must never pass one day without walking, at least, an hour and take care not to speak too loud, or too long. Never exceed an hour at a time. Grace be with all your spirits. I am, dear Adam, your's, affectionately, J. WESLEY. : LETTER IV. DEAR ADAM, Plymouth-Dock, March 3, 1787. AFTER staying a few days in Bristol, I am engaged to visit the intermediate Societies between Stroud and Chester. I must then hasten to Dublin, or I shall not have VOL. XVI. X time to go through the four provinces of Ireland. I shall not, therefore, have a day to spare before the Conference. Possibly, after the Conference, I may be able to stay two or three weeks. And if so, I shall pass away to Southampton, in order to spend two or three days at Guernsey, and as many in Jersey. This will we do, if God permit. I am glad you are minded to make a trial at Alderney. If God send you, he will make a way for you. The hearts of all men are in his hands. To his care I commend you, and I am, My dear Adam, your affectionate Brother, J. WESLEY. DEAR ADAM, LETTER V. Birmingham, March 26, 1787. YOU have reason to praise God for giving you such favour in the eyes of the poor people of Alderney. And I am in hopes, our brother de Queteville will meet with a blessing in watering the seed which is already sown. But I observe, in the map, the name of another island, not very far from Alderney. Are there none that understand English in the Isle of Sark? If there are, I cannot tell whether you are not a debtor to those poor souls also. If confinement hurts you, do not submit to it. Spread yourself abroad through all the four islands. But I doubt, speaking loud hurts you more, if not speaking long too! Beware of this for conscience' sake. Do not offer murder for sacrifice! But before it be too late, take the advice of, Dear Adam, your affectionate Brother, J. WESLEY. DEAR ADAM, LETTER VI. Near London, Nov. 9, 1787. I AM glad to hear that there is a prospect of a good work in the Isle of Alderney, as well as in the Isles of Jersey and Guernsey. I do not despair of seeing our Jersey and Guernsey friends once more, if it should please God to prolong my life. I love them dearly; particularly the family at Mount Plaisir, in Guernsey; and I. B. in Jersey. I would take some pains, and undergo some fatigue, were it only to spend two or three days with them. One would wonder, that the prince of this world was so slow, and that he did not sooner fight, lest his kingdom should be delivered up. He will at length do what he can. But if you continue instant in prayer, God will put the bridle in his mouth. It is well we should be convinced that we have need of him. Our safety will we ascribe to him alone. As the case of sister H. is too singular to be credited without the fullest evidence, I think you would do well to write the account fair, and have it formally attested by Mrs. J. Mr. A. and three or four more who were eye-witnesses of the whole. You must not believe all you hear, concerning the circumstances of Mr. L.'s marriage. Indeed, you should believe nothing about them, till you have told it to themselves. Envy will invent a thousand things, and with the most plausible circumstances. (Love them, if it be possible, which can never be done by harshness; but love will "break the bone.") The bailiff was talking of building you a house at St. Peter's: I think it may be done by and by. Be exact in every point of discipline. Keep our rules, and they will keep you. I am, dear Adam, Your affectionate Friend and Brother, J. WESLEY. LETTER VII. DEAR ADAM, Bristol, March 9, 1789. IF I should live to see you another Conference, I should be glad to have sister Clarke and you here, rather than at most other places; because I spend more time here myself, than at any other place, except London. I am glad to hear that God has raised up so able a preacher from |