LETTER XXIV.

LAMBETH, Jan. 24, 1767.

I

MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,

HAVE waited till I am quite wearied out. Many a look and prayer have I sent ward, but all in vain. No tidings could I get, till Mr.

told me of your state. And, on his information, I am encouraged to enquire after you and yours, and after a very long letter, which I wrote upon my coming home from Bath. Pray give me some account, for indeed I long to know about these matters. The letter was upon a subject that I scarcely ever mentioned, before, to any body. it was my own experience. And I would not have it lost for a great deal. I have been trying it by scripture, and I could give you infal lible proofs of its being agreeable to the word of God. And perhaps may, when I hear from you next. It will be some satisfaction to me, (as I never take copies of any thing,) to read my own history at -. Before that time I may have

got a little lower, and have drunk deeper into the knowledge of Jesus. That seems to be the end of living, to have self abased, and Jesus exalted, and these two are inseparable. As self sinks in esteem, Jésus rises. When self is nothing but sin, then Jesus is a glorified Saviour. When self is nothing but misery, then Jesus is all heaven. I have been led to take particular notice of this, lately, from these views:

First, the person of Jesus; he was Jehovah. All the glory of the Godhead was in the man Jesus. And what was his appearance? mean, to the last degree. A worn, and no man; the very scorn of men, and the outcast of the people. What was his form? a servant, a poor servant. What were his tempers? meek and lowly, yea, meekness and lowliness itself: a perfect original, of whom all his disciples may learn to be meek and lowly. His way to glory was humility, so is ours. His glory indeed was his humility, so is He that humbleth himself shall be exalted, was true of the head, as well as of the members; ✪ that you and I may be in this conformed to him! because herein:

ours.

Secondly, our fellowship with him consists. Whatever à man sees in himself, great or good, is an absolute hinderance to the enjoyment of Je

sus.

Whatever he sees vile and wicked; therein (if he have faith,) he will enjoy the Saviour. The more he sees, the more enjoyment: for that which humbles the sinner, brings him nearer to the Saviour. The humblest sinner is capable of the closest communion, and is thereby fitted for the largest communications of Jesus's love. The emptiest hold the most, and the emptiest receive the most. O for daily emptying.. This self, this full self; what reasonings, what legality, what self-righteousness has it, and all to keep us from being filled with the fulness of Christ; this is your grand enemy, that idol SELF. The Lord crucify it by his own Almighty grace! and to induce you to apply to him for this power, I would recommend it to you,

Thirdly, in reading the bible, take notice of the persons to whom the promises are made. Their character is always one, and the same! the poor in spirit; the contrite and broken in heart; the hungry, the thirsty, the meek and lowly, Take this general promise as an instance: God giveth grace to the humble, and with grace he gives all things. See how I get writing on, with out intending it; I only sat down to enquire about you, and all our dear friends: Miss - at the head of them. Lo here is a long scroll started

up. In love remember me to all friends, and, if you please, with my hearty prayers for their welfare at My eyes have tears for them. Dear Jesus reveal himself so to you, in his glory, as to eclipse all created good, and yourself espe cially. So prays a poor sinner.

LETTER XXV.

W. R.

March 21, 1767.

I

MY DEAR FRIEND,

WOULD not have let your long and kind epistle be so carelessly passed by, but that I am, at present, left to myself without a curate. All my time is taken up with parish duty, a great deal of it very unprofitably spent. But I am called to it, and I must, and do submit. I have sat down, and I will write on, till I am interrupted. And I begin with telling you how your last refreshed me.

It was a seasonable feast; for I was in a sad taking about the account which I had sent you of myself, having never found any freedom to do it to any body living, before; and I feared either it should be lost, or fall into any other person's hand. I am glad it is in yours. Now you know whereabouts I am, and what my present state is, it may be of some use to you to be informed, how I was brought unto it. God's dealings with me have been wonderful, not only for the royal sovereignty of his richest grace, but also for the manner of his teaching, on which I cannot look back without adoring my meek and lowly prophet. He would have all the honour (and he well deserves it) of working out, and also of applying his glorious salvation. When I was in trouble and soulconcern, he would not let me learn of man. I went every where to hear, but no body was suffered to speak to my case. The reason of this, I could not tell then, but I know it now. The Arminian methodists flocked about me, and courted my acquaintance, which became a great snare unto me. By their means, I was brought into a difficulty, which distressed me several years. "I "was made to believe that part of my title to sal"vation was to be inherent-something called "holiness in myself, which the grace of God was