LETTER S. LETTER CCCXC. [From Mrs. P. N. to the Rev. J. Wesley.] Rev. and dear Sir, Cheltenham, Feb. 21, 1773 FOR OR two months paft, though my fufferings have been extream, my foul hath not only been kept in perfect peace, but I can even triumph in Chrift, who hath counted me worthy to fuffer for his fake. Soon after I came from Bristol, I could not be fatisfied with doing fo little for God. This caufed me to intreat him day and night to point out fomething more for me to do for his glory. Soon after, two persons whom I used to meet in Class, asked me to meet them again. Then a girl about twelve years old, defired me to inftru&t her in the things of God. Soon after, two more defired the Preacher to let them meet in my Class: thefe four were backfliders. Ever fince they met with me, the Lord has enabled me to ufe great plainnefs, with much love towards them, who appear very attentive. I have alfo thirteen in the other Clafs, who all feem more established than ever. I alfo prayed for a Select Band, and now a few of us meet conftantly, and can bear teftimony that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, and our neighbour as ourselves. About three weeks ago, God gave me fuch a spirit of prayer for the world in general, and for believers in particular, that I was forced to retire frequently, and pour out my foul with fuch fervency, as I had seldom ever used before. Laft evening a few of us met together to call upon God in behalf of ourselves and others, when he fo poured his fpirit on us, that we could hardly part. My union with the every thing, whether This has been a bleffed day to me. Triune God is beyond expreffion, and profperous or adverse, seem to increase it. The fouls of finners were never fo precious to me as at prefent; and therefore I can truly fay, "No crofs, no fuffering I decline." I could go from house to houfe all day, to teftify the love of God in fending his Son to die for the world; but I see it my duty to be diligent in business, as well as fervent in fpirit, ferving the Lord. In all I do I have a conftant teftimony that I am doing his pleasure. I remain, dear Sir, Your affectionate and obliged Servant, LETTER CCCXCI. P. N. I [From Mifs A. B. to the Rev. J. Wesley.] Rev. and dear Sir, Witney, Feb. 22, 1773 Praise my gracious God that he ftill fupports and holds my foul in fecond life. I find his grace fufficient to bear me conqueror through every trial and temptation; yet at times my faith and patience, and indeed every grace, seem to be tried to the very utmoft. O how good it is at fuch feafons to find God a place of refuge, whereunto we may run and be saved! I praise him for the confolation I find in and from him; and for the truft I have to fee his face without a veil between! What I now feel my want of, is more establishment of foul: to be more deeply rooted and grounded in Chrift. I find it requires much inward vigour, and intense labour, to keep my heart free from the world, while much engaged therein, But 173 But hitherto hath the Lord helped me. I find the truth of these words, "To him that believeth all things are poffible." I have still good news to relate respecting the work of God in this place. The faith of God's children appears to be increased; mourners alfo are comforted; and others begin to enquire the way to Zion with their faces thitherward. Mr. S. Wells's father has paid us a visit, and God gave him to know affuredly that he had destroyed his inbred fin, which caufed him to rejoice with joy unfpeakable. I am, dear Sir, Your much obliged Servant, and unworthy Friend, POE TR Y. A. B. On the DEATH of an INFANT. I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me, 2 Sam, xii. 23. LOOMING innocence adieu! BLOOMING Quickly ended is thy race! Thee caught up to heaven we view, Lovely innocent farewel! All our pleafing hopes are o'er: Formed in person to excel, Thee we call our own no more: Death hath snatched thee from our arms, Tranfient fojourner thou wast, Born to travel to the sky; Then Then thy fpirit took its flight, Soaring to the plains of light. Ended is thy fhort-lived hour, Lodged within the mouldering tomb→→ But the fair Elysian flower, Rifes to perpetual bloom, Youth's engaging beauties now, Smile eternal on thy brow. Angels bear thee on the wing, Ranked with the celeflial bands, Thou canst never fuffer more, Thou in rapturous blifs doft live, Blifs, that never fhall be o'er, O my happy infant-friend! Shall I thee again behold? A PARA APARAPHRASE on the last Words of DAVID, 2 Sam. xxiii. 1—7. HUS hath the fon of Jeffe faid, THU When Ifrael's God had raiféd his head To high imperial fway, Struck with his laft poetic fire, He tuned his own harmoniqus lyre Through inspiration from above, Be God's eternal name adoréd, Thus hath the God of Ifrael spoke, And make the Lord his fear. Thus fhall my co-eternal Son, Who fits collateral on the throne, And who in future days Will from the heaven of heavens defcend, With juftice rule, and wide extend The fceptre of his grace. His light on barbarous lands fhall rife, Difpel their mifts, and on their eyes Pour fweet celestial day; As when thick glooms have wrapt the night And paints Creation gay. |