To Mrs. A. F.

VC — TO MRS, A. F.

October 12, 1764.

My Dear Sister, — That great truth, “that we are saved by faith,” will never be worn out; and that sanctifying as well as justifying faith is the free gift of God. Now with God one day is as a thousand years. It plainly follows that the quantity of time is nothing to him: centuries, years, months, days, hours, and moments are exactly the same. Consequently he can as well sanctify in a day after we are justified as a hundred years. There is no difference at all, unless we suppose him to be such a one as ourselves. Accordingly we see, in fact, that some of the most unquestionable witnesses of sanctifying grace were sanctified within a few days after they were justified.

I have seldom known so devoted a soul as S H,

at Macclesfield, who was sanctified within nine days after she was convinced of sin. She was then twelve years old, and I believe was never afterward heard to speak an improper word, or known to do an improper thing. Her look struck an awe into all that saw her. She is now in Abraham’s bosom.

Although, therefore, it usually pleases God to interpose some time between justification and sanctification, yet, as it is expressly observed in the “Farther Thoughts,” we must not fancy this to be an invariable rule. All who think this, must think we are sanctified by works, or, which comes to the same, by sufferings: for, otherwise, what is time necessary for? It must be either to do or to suffer. Whereas if nothing be required but simple faith, a moment is as good as an age.

The truth is, we are continually forming general rules

from our own particular experience. Thus S K,

having gone about and about herself, which took up a considerable time, might very naturally suppose all who are sanctified must stay for it near as long a time as she did

A k Again: if God has so rooted and grounded her in lore (which I neither affirm nor deny) that she cannot now fall from him, she very naturally thinks this is the case with

all that are sanctified. Formerly S C drew the

same inference from her own experience, and was as positive that she could not fall from that state, or sin, as S

R can be now.

But “none can be sanctified without a deep knowledge of themselves and of the devices of Satan.” They may, without the latter; which God will give them in due time. And the former he can give in a moment; and frequently does, of which we have fresh instances almost every day.

In the “Thoughts on Perfection,” it is observed that, before any can be assured they are saved from sin, they must not only feel no sin, but “have a direct witness” of that salvation. And this several have had as clear as

S R- has, who afterward fell from that salvation;

although S R, to be consistent with her scheme,

must deny they ever had it; yea, and must affirm that witness was either from nature or from the devil. If it was really from God, is he well pleased with this?

I know not how to reconcile speaking sharply or roughly, or even a seeming want of meekness, with perfection. And yet I am fearful of condemning whom God has not condemned. What I cannot understand I leave to him.

How is it that you make me write longer letters to you than I do almost to any one else? I know not how I find a greater concern for your welfare. I want you to be exactly right. This occasions my not thinking much of any pains that may give you help or satisfaction. The Lord touch your heart now, that all your tempers, thoughts, words, and works may be holiness unto oiu: God!