LETTER XIV. To her Mother. 1795. I HOPE you will inform me of your health, and the state of your soul, which I doubt not is soaring on the wings of love, and every day getting nearer and nearer in sweet.communion with the Friend of sinners; those are the most delightful moments of one's life: by Lucy's and Judith's letters they seem indeed on the road, as they desire those evidences which, if they persevere, they will certainly receive; from experience I know they will have the inward witness, they are the children of God, and of course, all things will work together for good both here and hereafter.Blessed indeed are the heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ! how different from the world in pursuit of happiness, who try many different ways for present enjoyment and recreations, and still are dissatisfied, finding only disappointment; while Christians have all one motive, one joy, one Saviour, and I would wish, one mind! all pressing towards the same mark, our dear Lord going all the way with them. O may we continue steadfast in the faith, and never be discouraged by the insinuations of the enemy, who would work with our poor weak hearts: but we have this delightful promise, "Resist the devil and he will flee." LETTER XV. To her Mother. 1795, WHEN I think of what darkness and unbelief there is over the world, it fills me with horror. I tremble to think of who do not see their want of a Saviour, and the wicked one will keep them blind as long as he can. O my dear mother, what reason have you and I to be thankful that we see we cannot save ourselves; that our righteousness is but as filthy rags; what a blessing to see the vileness of our hearts, that they are deceitful above all things, when we know the returning sinner will be accepted and pardoned for Christ's sake. I often think, if those that are in the midst of pleasure and dissipation, did but for a moment feel the joy of a believer, with what astonishment would they look back on their past choice! I do firmly believe they would go and sell all that they had, and purchase that pearl of great price. LETTER XVI. To her Mother and Sister Lucy. 1795. THANKS to my dear Mother and Lucy for their joint letter: indeed I want words to express the true delight I felt on reading it. Is it not some of that love which the members of Jesus must feel for each other? He is all love, and the sap which belongs to the Vine, suffuces through all the branches: as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God, and sweet teaching it is; we love what he loves, and hate what he hates, so that we know the meaning of those words, He that is joined to the Lord in one spirit, he has, though in a lesser degree, the mind of Christ.-This month reminds me of the happy moments when I began to live: when we reflect what creatures we are by nature, divested of all good, and prone to evil continually, every moment adding sin to sin, until there is a list against us, which nothing but the blood of Jesus himself could do away, that he not only freely pardons us, but takes and carries us in his bosom, and gives us all things in himself; clothes us in white, and gives us to live upon himself, food convenient for us, and living waters, so that we do not thirst for perishing things: when we consider that our hearts are drawn above, where we shall be in a few years, it is enough to sink us into nothing but love before him.—I have been much afflicted for months with pains in my jaw, but was much supported, as you are, by the presence of him our souls love, and we shall have this peace while our minds are stayed upon him. What poor bodies we have: O may our souls get more life, then we shall think less of the body's death. My dear Lucy's letter quite warmed my heart, and truly filled me with joy; nothing indeed but the power of God could change our hearts: may he enable us to persevere, until we receive the end of our faith, which is the salvation of our souls. Meditating on future enjoyments greatly alleviates present distress: though per |