BLESSED _are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted! Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled._ These are the words of the God of truth: and can you then, my dear friend, be discouraged because you are now mourning after this God, who only hides himself from you, that you may _more earnestly_ seek him?――Heaviness may endure for a night, but _joy_ cometh in the _morning_. There certainly is no heaviness like this heaviness: when a soul has been sensible (though in the _least_ degree) of the influences of the sun of righteousness, and finds his all-cheering beams withdrawn, how _painful_, how _heavy_ is the darkness! This is indeed _darkness_ that may be _felt_: but when the joy returns, what peace! What happiness! Look, my dear, on the material sun, observe how all the creation around you is _brightened_ and _gladdened_ when he shines; and be assured, that on your earnest seeking after Christ, he will in like manner shine again on _your_ soul, and make it _glad_ with the _light_ of his countenance.
_Your ever affectionate_
****
_Wednesday Night, April 1754._
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_July 19, 1754._
I AM very glad, my dear, that your mind is in so happy a state, and that you seem to have so true a sense of the _littleness_ of _all_ the world calls _great_ and desirable. The love of _God_, and the love of the _world_ are directly opposite to each other. And therefore St. _John_ says, _If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him_: this is a sure rule to try ourselves by. We may talk well, and act well in some outward things; nay, perhaps be zealous for the genuine doctrines of the gospel: Yet all this while, if the love of the world remains in our hearts, we may be very certain we are no Christians.――I fear you have not much opportunity of being alone, but see from your letter you make good use of that you have. However God is both able and willing to preserve (either alone or in company) the soul which constantly looks towards him. I was afraid your being at **** might hurt you, but thank God, I had no cause for fear. You seem I think rather to advance than go back. Give God the glory! For whatever of good is in you, is all from his free and boundless mercy. And cease not constantly to fight, in the strength of your Redeemer, against every sin, and fear not but he will set you free, take off the heavy burden you complain of, and cloath you with _his perfect righteousness_. _Adieu._
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*YOU tell me, my dear, that your present dark state of mind is owing to your thoughts dwelling so much on worldly objects. But carry your sincerity yet a little further, and tell me if it is not some _one particular object_ on which your thoughts are fixed, and which rivals your Creator in your heart? I much fear this is the case: and if so, you will find it very difficult to conquer, but let not any difficulty discourage you from striving to “pluck out this right eye, and cast it from you.” The grace of God is sufficient for you, his strength is made perfect in your weakness. And you may depend upon it, that as soon as ever you have given up your idol, the sun of righteousness will again arise in your soul with healing in his wings; the God of mercy will again be known by you, as your reconciled Father in Christ; and the blessed Spirit will lead, and guide, and fill you with that peace which passes all understanding; and you will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord rejoicing.
_I am your ever affectionate and faithful friend_,
****
Tuesday Morning, _August 12, 1754_.
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_My dear friend_,
YOUR last letter gave me great pleasure: I sincerely rejoice in the happiness of your soul, as in that of my own, and I hope God will strengthen you more and more by his grace, so that you may forsake every thing for him. Above all, sacrifice your own will: let this constantly be the language of your heart, “Lord, not my will, but thine be done.” Strive not only to be content, but to rejoice in every thing that mortifies your corrupt nature. Hourly reflect, that you are a fallen creature, sent into this world for no other end than to be restored to that nature which our first father lost, and so be made fit for the kingdom of heaven. Remember, that Christ died for you, that you might live wholly to him; and the more you do this, the more you will certainly have of that peace which passeth all understanding.
_I am your ever affectionate friend_,
****
_September 16, 1755._
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_My dear friend_,