To Miss Briggs

Chester, March 17, 1771. My Dear Betsy, — You have great reason to praise Him vvlio has done great things for you already. What you now want is, to come boldly to the throne of grace, that the hunger and thirst after his full image which God has given you may be satisfied. Full salvation is nigh, even at the door. Only believe, and it is yours. It is a great blessing, that, at your years, you are preserved from seeking happiness in any creature. You need not, seeing Christ is yours! O cleave to him with your whole heart!

CLXXXVI. — TO THE SAME.

Athlone, April 14, 1771. My Dear Betsy, — You may be assured that I am always well pleased to hear from you; and that I shall never think your letters too long. Always tell me whatever is in your heart; and the more freely the better. Otherwise it would be hardly possible to give you the advice you may want from time to time. As soon as you had your armour on, it was fit that it should be proved: so God prepared for you the occasions of fighting, that you might conquer, and might know both your own weakness and his strength. Each day will bring just temptation enough, and power enough to conquer it: and, as one says, “temptations, with distinct deliverances from them, avail much.” The unction of the Holy One is given to believers for this very end, — to enable them to distinguish (which otherwise would be impossible) between sin and temptation. And this you will do, not by any general rule, but by listening to him on all particular occasions, and by your consulting with those that have experience in the ways of God. Undoubtedly, both you, and Philothea, and my dear Miss Perronet, are now f more particularly called to speak for God. In so doing you must expect to meet with many things which are not pleasing to flesh and blood. But all is well. So much the more will you be conformed to the death of Christ. Go on in his name, and in the power of his might. Suffer and conquer all things.

CLXXXVII. — TO THE SAME.

Castlebar, May 31, 1771. My Dear Betsy, — You judge exceeding right: as yet you are but a little child, just a babe in the pure love of Christ. As a little child, hang upon him, and simply expect a supply of all your wants. In this respect reasoning profits you nothing: indeed, it is just opposite to believing, whereby you hearken to the inward voice, which says, “Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Undoubtedly it would be a cross to declare what God has done for your soul: nay, and afterward Satan would accuse you on tho account, telling you, “You did it out of pride.” Yea, and some of your sisters would blame you, and perhaps put the same construction upon it. Nevertheless, if you do it with a single eye, it will be well pleasing to God.