To Miss Jane Hilton, Afterward Mrs. Barton
CXXVI. — TO MISS JANE HILTON, AFTERWARD
MRS. BARTON, OF BEVERLEY.
Yorky June 25, 1768. My Dear Sister, — Your conversation gave me much satisfaction. I rejoiced to find that you were sensible of your loss, and determined, by the grace of God, never to rest till you had recovered all which you once enjoyed. Nay, and you will recover it with increase; you will find a deeper communion with God, and a more full self-devotion than ever. An earnest of this was given you the other day. Hold that fast, and continually expect the rest. How did you find yourself on Thursday morning? Had you not again a taste of the great salvation? And how have you
been since? Are you still happy in God; and resolved not to rest till you are all devoted to him? See that you do not fall again into evil reasonings! Be simple before God. Continue instant in prayer; and watch against whatever you know, by experience, to be a weight upon your mind. How soon may you then have your whole desire! How soon may your heart be all love! Why not now? All things are ready: only believe!
CXXVIL — TO THE SAME.
Guiseley, July 1, 1768.
My Dear Sister, — You must now expect temptations. Perhaps they will assault you on every side; for all the powers of hell are enraged at you, and will use every art to move you from your steadfastness. But He that is for you is greater than all that are against you: only beware of evil reasoning! Hang simply on Him that loves you, and whom you love; just as a little helpless child. Christ is yours, all yours: that is enough. Lean your whole soul upon him! Do you find a witness in yourself that he has cleansed your heart? Do you feel this always? And have you a constant sense of the loving presence of God? You never need lose any thing that God has given, so you keep close to him. Be little and mean in your own eyes, glorying only in the Lord. And do not cease to pray for
Your affectionate brother.
It is a pity but you should now read the “Plain Account of Christian Perfection,” (I suppose you may get it at Hull,) and the First Epistle of St. John.
CXXVni. — TO THE SAME.
Bristol, August 20, 1768. My Dear Sister, — I write often, because I know you are yet weak and tender, and in need of every help. I am not sorry that you have trials: they are intended to show you your own helplessness; and to give you a fuller confidence in Him who has all power in heaven and earth. You have reason to cast all your care upon him; for he has dealt bountifully with you. When any trial comes, see that you do not look to the thing itself; but immediately look unto Jesus. Reason not upon it, but believe. See the hand of God in Shimei’s tongue. If you want advice in any point, write to me without delay. And, meantime, stay your whole soul upon Him who will never leave you nor forsake you. Tell him simply all you fear, all you feel, all you want. Pour out your soul into his bosom. Do you feel no pride, no anger, no desire? You will feel temptations to all: and the old deceiver will tell you again and again, “That is pride; that is anger!” But regard him not. And cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
CXXIX. — TO THE SAME.
Bristol, October 8, 1768.
My Dear Sister, — You need never be afraid of “wearying my patience,” unless it be by your silence. There is no danger of your -writing too often. I can easily believe the description you give is just: therefore there are only two particulars remaining, — First, Have you both the consent of your parents? Without this there is seldom a blessing. Secondly, Is he able to keep you? I mean, in such a manner as you have lived hitherto. Otherwise remember, “When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out at the window.”
Do you find as much as ever of the spirit of prayer and of continual watchfulness? Are you always sensible of the presence of God? in the greatest huny of business? Have you power over wandering thoughts?
CXXX. — TO THE SAME.
Lisburn, April 9, 1769. My Dear Sister, — I thank brother Barton for his letter. Both of you have now more need than ever continually to watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation. There will be a great danger of so cleaving to each other as to forget God; or of being so taken up with a creature as to abate your huiiiger and thirst after righteousness. There will be a danger likewise of whiling away time; of not improving it to the uttermost; of spending more of it than needs in good sort of talk with each other, which yet does not quicken your souls. If you should once get into a habit of this, it will be exceedingly hard to break it off. Therefore you should now attend to every step you take, that you may begin as you hope to hold on to the end. And beware you are not entangled with worldly care, any more than worldly desire. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing make your request known to God, with thanksgiving.
CXXXL — TO THE SAME.
Tewkesbury, March 15, 1770. My Dear Sister, — I rejoice to hear that you stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free; and the more, because, although many taste of that heavenly gift, deliverance from inbred sin, yet so few, so exceeding lew, retain it one year; hardly one in ten; nay, one in thirty. Many hundreds in London were made partakers of it within sixteen or eighteen months: but I doubt whether twenty of them are now as holy and as happy as they were. And hence others had doubted whether God intended that salvation to be enjoyed long. That many have it for a season, that they allow; but are not satisfied that any retain it always. Shall not you, for one? You will, if you watch and pray, and continue hanging upon him. Then you will always give matter of rejoicing to
Your affectionate brother.
CXXXII. — TO THE SAME.
May 8, 1770. My Dear Sister, — Two things are certain: the one, that it is possible to lose even the pure love of God; the other, that it is not necessary, it is not unavoidable; it may be lost, but it may be kept. Accordingly we have some in every part of the kingdom who have never been moved from their steadfastness. And from this moment you need never be moved: his grace is sufficient for you. But you must continue to grow, if you continue to stand; for no one can stand still. And is it not your Lord’s will concerning you, that you should daily receive a fresh increase of love? And see that you labour so much the more to comfort the feeble-minded, to support the weak, to confirm the wavering, and recover them that are out of the way. In June T hope to see you. Peace be with your spirits!
CXXXIli. — TO THE SAME.
Norwich, November 5, 1770.
My Dear Sister, — For many years I had a kind of
scruple with regard to praying for temporal things. But
three or four years ago I was thoroughly persuaded that
scruple was unnecessary. Being then straitened much, I
made it matter of prayer; and I had an immediate answer.
I It is tnie, we can only ask outward blessings with reserve:
I “If this is best; if it be thy will:” and in this manner we
i may certainly plead the promise,” All these things shall
be added unto you.”
I hope the little debates which were some time since in
the society at Beverley are at an end; and that you all
now continue in love, and bear one another’s burdens.
You had, for a long time, a hard part to act between the contending parties; but as God preserved you from anger and from a party spirit, you suffered no loss thereby. Beware of suffering loss from another quarter, — from worldly care. This is a dangerous enemy. You had need steadily to cast your care on Him that careth for you. To him I commit you and yours; and am
Your affectionate brother.
CXXXIV. — TO THE SAME. -
January 21, 1773. My Dear Sister, — Consult with some experienced and sensible person upon every step you take. Concerning removing to Hull, you would do well to consult Thomas Snowdon, or some one that lives there. It would be expedient, too, to take good advice before you enter upon any new business. Every thing now is full of uncertainty and danger, during the amazing dearness of provisions. Hence most people have just money to buy food, and have nothing more to lay out. Yet the promise stands sure: “Seek the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and these things shall be added unto you.” Yea, surely, the Lord will sooner make windows in heaven than suffer his truth to fail. Peace be with your spirits!
CXXXV. — TO THE SAME
Bristol, October 8, 1774- My Dear Sister, — It is exceeding certain that God did give you the second blessing, properly so called. He delivered you from the root of bitterness, from inbred as well as actual sin. And at that time you were enabled to give him all your heart; to rejoice evermore, and to pray without ceasing. Afterward he permitted his work to be tried; and sometimes as by fire. For a while you were not moved; but could say in all things, “Good is the will of the Lord.” But it seems you gave way, by little and little, till you were in some measure shorn of your strength. What have brother Barton and you to do, but to arise at once, and shake yourselves from the dust? Stir up the gift of God that is in you! Look unto Him that is mighty to save! Is he not able, in every sense, to turn your captivity? He has not forgotten to be gracious; neither will he shut up his loving kindness in displeasure. He is a God nigh at hand. Only believe; and help, while yet you ask, is given! Trust in him, and conquer all.
CXXXVL — TO THE SAME.
London, December 30, 1774. My Dear Sister, — One observes well that, in order to judge of the grace which God has given us, we must likewise consider what our temptations are; because a little grace will balance little temptations; but to conquer great temptations much grace is requisite. Formerly you had comparatively little temptation; and, through his grace, you could rejoice with joy unspeakable. At present you do not find that joy. No; for you have the temptations which you had not then. You have little children; you have worldly care; and, frequently, a weak body. Therefore you may have far more grace than you had before, though you have not so much joy; nay, though you should for a time have no joy at all, but sorrow and heaviness; yea, though you should say, with your Master, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” O what a gainer are you by this, when you are enabled to say in the midst of all, “The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it!” See how he loveth whom he chasteneth! And what is at the end? An eternal weight of glory! It is laid up for you both: taste of it now!
CXXXVIL — TO THE SAME.
London, November 6, l’. 81. My Dear Sister, — I am always well pleased to hear from you, especially when you tell me that God has dealt well with you. I trust he has yet greater blessings in store for you, and for the little flock at Beverley. I was glad of the little time we had together, and hoped it would not be in vain. I found love to your two little maidens. There is good seed sown in their hearts, which, if it be carefully watered, will probably bring forth fruit to your comfort and the glory of God. Let your husband and you go on hand in hand, stirring up the gift of God that is in you, and running with resignation and patience the race that is set before you. You have met, and undoubtedly will meet, with manifold temptations: but you have had full proof that God is faithful, who will never suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. 0 tarry, then, the Lord’s leisure! Be strong, and he shall comfort thy heart. And put thou thy trust in the Lord.