YOUR character for candour and piety takes from me all fear that you should be offended at the address of a person unknown, _even_ though this address is designed to point out something amiss in you; which it is absolutely necessary (for the good of your own soul, and for the eternal welfare of those who hear you) that you should amend.――――You _believe_!――You _feel_ the power, and live the _life_ of _faith_!――Oh why will you not strive that others may be partakers of like happiness with you?――I know your general manner of preaching: I myself have heard you; and while my ear has been delighted with your affecting delivery, your elegant language, and well-turned periods, my heart has _bled_ to think that _such talents_ should be so miserably perverted: _bled_ for _you_, and for those _poor souls_, whom this way of preaching lulls into a fatal _security_. Pardon my freedom of speech; pardon my boldness towards you; but you yourself will acknowledge, that where the foundation is unsound, the building must fall; and no true foundation can be laid except Jesus Christ. Your own experience must tell you, that a divine power can alone change the heart; that all outward regularity of behaviour, all rounds and forms of devotion, and all moral duties, without this change are, utterly unavailing, and only like beautifying the outside of a sepulchre, which within is full of dead mens bones and of all uncleanness. _You_ are sensible _too_, that faith in a dying Redeemer is the only means given us by which this change of heart can be effected. To what purpose then is it to tell _poor, lost, undone_ man, of the _dignity_ of his _rational_ nature, and the beauty of _virtue_?――Dear sir, for the sake of that God whom you love and _adore_, _away_ with these _shadows_, and substitute in their place realities. How would it delight the heart of several of your friends (who greatly love and esteem you, and who wish well to the gospel of Christ) to see you, with all the force of eloquence, labouring to convince your hearers of the _sin_ of their _nature_, their condemnation in the sight of God, and their utter incapacity to help _themselves_; and then proclaiming to them, “Behold the _Lamb_ of _God_, who taketh away the _sins_ of the world!”
I am sensible of the difficulties you will have to encounter, in thus changing your manner of preaching: but though the battle be hard to fight, great will be the glory of the victory. ’Tis true, your enemies are strong and powerful; the devil, the world, all the wicked, and all the self righteous will be joined together against you: but look up with an eye of faith, and see how many more are for you. Think of the holy angels rejoicing over every sinner converted by your means; think that the Captain of your salvation, your God and Redeemer, will be ever near to help, to strengthen and comfort you! And consider what unutterable joy your soul will feel, when at that period of time which is the most delightful to the true Christian, you can with firm confidence cry out with St. _Paul_, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.”
_I am, (though your unknown and unworthy) Your truly affectionate friend._
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To Mr. G****.
I AM much obliged to you for your letter to me; and if it will increase your joy to know that I love my Saviour more than _health_, or _light_, or _life_, be assured that I do; and that I should think myself the most ungrateful and vile of all creatures if I did not. It is my constant and earnest desire every day, nay every hour, to increase in the knowledge and love of God, and to be saved not only from the guilt, but also from the power of sin. I know that the grace of God through Christ is sufficient for me; I know that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin; and I know (blessed be God for giving me that knowledge) that I _have_ redemption through his blood, even the _forgiveness_ of my sins. Think now, what a wretch I should be, if I did not love this Redeemer, and if I did not wish above all things to be conformed to his image?――And in consequence of my thus loving God because he first loved me, I love every creature which God has made, and every soul of man, without any regard had to sects, names, or parties. The _Moravian_ church, though I am certain at this time it is over-run with _dreadful errors_, I love, pity, and pray for. Oh may the God of love and unbounded mercy, convince and restore it!――I thank you for the glorious advice you give me, of “living very near the cross:” _there_ is life indeed! Life freely given, to every soul that seeks it. And that you and I may ever partake of this life, is the hearty wish of, your
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To the Rev. Mr. ****.
_November 30, 1755._
_Dear Sir_,