spectators of them. We are deeply interested in them all. In that judgment we ourselves shall stand. Either on that right hand, in all the blessedness of anticipated glory for ever; or on that left hand, despairing, tortured already by a self-condemnation which echoes the sentence of the Judge, and tottering on the verge of the blackness of eternal perdition,— shall each one of us assuredly be placed. The Gospel sets before us life and death, blessing and cursing, good and evil; and one of these we must choose here, and inherit hereafter. This is our actual condition. Is it necessary to ask what our behaviour ought to be, that it may be in suitable correspondence with it? If rightly affected, we shall seek to the God of all grace, that through the blood of sprinkling, and the sanctification of the Spirit, he would make us fully meet to be partakers of the saints in light. We shall live, every moment, and in every action, not for time, but for eternity. Our eternal interests will appear to be our only true interests, and to them will all else be subordinated. Our hearts will not grovel on earth. We shall set our affections on things above, even there where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God; that so, when Christ our life shall appear, we also may appear with him in glory. A Christian wrapped up in the concerns of time, its pleasures or interests, is one of the most glaring contradictions imaginable. He is only a Christian in name. His faith is utterly dead. A true Christian, possessing a living faith, continually labours for this, that whether in the body or out of the body, he may be accepted of God. He lives looking for, and hasting to, the coming of the day of God. By faith he anticipates, with an anticipation governing his whole practice, the eternal realities of the future; and looking for them in the distinct and comprehensive language of Scripture, he makes this the business of his life, "giving all diligence to make his calling and election sure," even that when our Lord Jesus shall come, he may "be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." Such is the natural and designed effect of the solemn disclosures of the Gospel.

Enough has been said for the illustration of our all-important theme, the true character of evangelical practice. Every portion of the Gospel revelation has a practical design, and therefore, resulting as they all do from the most perfect wisdom, a practical tendency. And the Apostle thus calls us to give full effect to it: "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ."

Let us clearly apprehend our own duty in this respect. There is a sense in which it may be said, that just as seeds germinate necessarily, and produce their own appointed results, so do principles operate necessarily, and produce their own peculiar effects in conduct and character. But our Lord teaches us that as the germinating process may be so affected by circumstances as to become abortive and issueless, so, analogically, is it with principles. The seed of the kingdom, the word of God which by the Gospel is preached unto us, may fall by the way-side, on the stony ground with no depth of earth, among the thorns; and so, in the time of harvest, no fruit be found. The word must be received into honest and good hearts. The truth must be embraced with full consent, and with the resolute purpose of submitting the whole man to its influence. This is God's own design; for the Gospel is made known unto all nations for "the obedience of faith," that so it may "bring forth fruit in every creature." Take care, therefore, that the Gospel be understood. Receive it not blindly, formally, merely in name. Examine it. Perceive its designs. Trace its tendencies. Yield to its influences. Man is made not to be the slave of circumstances,

nor the sport of his own passions. He only lives up to the awful dignity of his nature when he "walks in truth," having "received it in the love thereof." The Gospel is truth. It confirms the truth we already know, and makes known much that otherwise we should not know. He, therefore, whose behaviour is suitable to the Gospel, walks in truth. It is the map of the country through which we are travelling, and marks the pathway to that in which we desire to dwell for ever. For our own sake, for securing our truest, highest interests, our conduct should be wholly guided by it. Nor less for the good of others. The Gospel has its enemies; and nothing confirms them in their enmity so much as the inconsistency of Christians. "You call us to believe," they say, "and yet your conduct shows, that whatever religious notions you hold, you do not really believe the Gospel you profess; for the conduct is always as the real belief of the heart; and your conduct is not that which a truly-believed Gospel would occasion." Silence all these objections. Strengthen your arguments, enforce your exhortations, by an undeniable consistency. And thus may you arouse to activity all those whose belief of the Gospel is a mere custom. Born elsewhere, their religion would have been that of their country; and therefore, by whatever name they call themselves, they only "walk as men." Show them that with you the Gospel is an entire reality; that you receive it, not in word only, but in power and in the Holy Ghost. Teach them, by its manifest developments in every part of your conduct, its true nature. It is the duty of Ministers to "preach the Gospel." It is that of all Christians to live the Gospel. You will thus save yourself from much difficulty and trial. Enlightened decision is the great secret of strength. Circumstances may arise in which, for want of some guiding principle, you will doubt as to what ought to be your practical judgment. One of sufficient light and power you have here. "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel." Ask not how your own feelings, your supposed interests, the counsels of others, require you to act. Act suitably to the Gospel. You are then sure that you are acting right. You may not see all your way clear. Heaven's own shadow may be resting upon it. But acting on this principle, you know that you are walking in that safe highway which leads in the right direction, and which shall assuredly bring you peace at the last. Your character will thus be formed on that divine model which God himself has given; and as this is constructed by his own holy and benevolent wisdom, by the character which it produces will “the virtues of God be shown forth" in the way best calculated to awaken admiration of their loveliness and excellence, and man will "glorify God for your" consistently "professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ." What stronger arguments than such as these can be addressed to conscience? Do you desire to secure your own eternal salvation? Do you wish for a rule of conduct capable of easy, constant, and always safe application? Do you desire not merely to silence, but to convince, the gainsayers? Do you desire to arouse the lukewarm and formal? Do you desire to show the true excellence of the Gospel, and in all things to honour and glorify God? Then-" Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ." E. T.

* Vide 1 Peter ii. 9 : Όπως τας αρετας εξαγγείλητε, κ. τ. λ.

637

WESLEY PAPERS.

No. XXXIII. ORIGINAL LETTERS FROM THE REV. CHARLES WESLEY TO MR. BLACKWELL AND OTHERS.

(COMMUNICATED BY THOMAS MARRIOTT, ESQ.)

Holyhead, August 13th, 1748.

MY DEAR FRIEND,-I send you a hasty line just as I am embarking for Dublin. You will follow me with your prayers. Our Lord often brings you to my remembrance, and I trust we shall both (with all that sail with us in the ship) at last escape safe to land.

Be pleased to keep Mrs. Sparrow's legacy till my return. If God should otherwise dispose of me, be so good as give it my brother. With most earnest wishes for yours, and your dearest friend's, and Mrs. Dewal's perfection, I remain your faithful and affectionate, C. WESLEY. A line from you would comfort me in a strange country. The Lord Jesus give you the victory which overcometh the world!

Kinsale, September 8th, 1748.

MY DEAR FRIENd and Brother, Rejoice with me, for I have found the sheep that was lost; and not one only, but a whole flock. The harvest truly is plenteous; and these fields are white unto the harvest. High and low, rich and poor, approve, and many taste, the good word of grace. The place was fallow ground. I preached yesterday for the first time, and cried again in the market-place: "Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters!" This morning God struck the rock, and the waters flowed. Follow us with your prayers, that in every place the word may have free course, and God may be glorified in the conversion of sinners.

I passed three days of this week at Bandon, a large town of all Protestants; and they all stretched out their hands unto the pardoning God. Cork is all on fire for and with the Gospel. Multitudes would there be added to the church, if we had but a place to preach in. The weather will quickly drive us out of the field; but we have no winter quarters. A friendly Quaker offers us ground to build on. Our well-wishers have begun a subscription. Your vote and interest is desired. And pray, pack up my brother also, and send him by the first ship. On Monday se'nnight, I propose to leave Cork, and travel through the country societies to Dublin; and thence through Wales to London. My heart is got thither before me: I don't know exactly where it is, because I don't know where Mrs. Blackwell and Mrs. Dewal are, and our other beloved friends in the Lord.

You will excuse Irish paper, &c. Remember us in all your prayers. May the great grace of God, justifying and sanctifying, be upon you all, and confirm your souls, and seal you to that joyful day! So prays your faithful brother, friend, and servant, C. WESLEY.*

To Mr. Blackwell, Banker in Change-Alley.

* Oct. 8th, 1748, Ms. letter to Mr. Lunell. See Whitehead, vol. i., pp. 331–333, or Jackson's Life of Charles Wesley, vol. i., pp. 510-512. He took his passage for England, and encountered a severe storm before reaching Holyhead, where he wrote the Thanksgiving Hymn for a Deliverance from Shipwreck :

Bristol, April 29th, 1749. DEAR SIR,-Just on the wing, I send you an hasty line of thanks for your last. A man of business (and, consequently, hurry) like you, can scarce believe me, or I would assure you I have not felt the least hurry or discomposure of mind for some time before, and ever since my marriage ; which I esteem as a signal favour from God, and a token of good to come. His grace (I am now persuaded) is alike sufficient for us in all conditions. Without that we must perish, in whatsoever estate; and with that we are safe in the lion's den, or in a fiery furnace. You should not expect that example in me, a novice, which I may justly look for in you, who have so long experienced the honourable estate. Let us pray for each other, that the Lord may make us such as we ought to be. My heart is always with you and your dear partner, and our friend Mrs. Dewal. Meet me in the name of the Lord at his altar to-morrow se'nnight. I earnestly commend you all to his peculiar care.

Farewell, your ever affectionate friend and brother,

To Mr. Blackwell, in Change-Alley, London.

C. WESLEY.

Bristol, September 4th, 1749. DEAR SIR,-My wife joins in cordial love to our friends at Lewisham; and would gladly accompany me to town a month hence, if her strength permitted. But she is now tied to her house and sisters. Two of them we have with us, in our convent. How the great world and we shall agree, I cannot say; but shall see by and by. If they pour in upon us, so as quite to swallow up our time, I shall run away outright, to London, Cornwall, Newcastle, Ireland, or America.

Your old housekeeper will smile at my fears; but you know how to pity me too. I wish you could come and put us in a way. Is it not possible for you to make a holiday by and by? We live in hopes of seeing you and dear Mrs. Blackwell, and Mrs. Dewal, under our roof. Think of it, and tell me when we may expect you.

That question is ever upon my heart, "What shall I do to make the most of a short life?" I see, I feel, the necessity and wisdom of redeeming the time; for "the night cometh, when no man can work." Help me, my friend, by your prayers; as I desire to help you. O that we may both secure that one thing needful, that when we fail on earth, we may be received into the everlasting habitations! Part of my first "Family Hymn" follows:

"God of faithful Abraham, hear

His feeble son, and Thine!
In thy glorious power appear,
And bless my just design:
Lo! I come to serve thy will,
All thy perfect will to prove,
Fired with patriarchal zeal,
And pure primeval love.

"Me and mine I fain would give
In sacrifice to Thee;

By the ancient model live,

The true simplicity;

Walk as in my Master's sight,

Free from worldly guile and care,

Praise my innocent delight,

And all my business prayer.

"Whom to me thy goodness lends
Till life's last gasp is o'er,
Servants, relatives, and friends,
I promise to restore :
All shall on thy side appear,
All shall in thy service join,
Principled with godly fear,
And worshippers divine.
"Them, as much as lies in me,

I will through grace persuade,
Seize, and turn their souls to Thee,
For whom their souls were made.
Point them to the' atoning blood,

(Blood that speaks a world forgiven,)
Make them serious, wise, and good,

And train them up for heaven."

I send you a letter now and then, under Mr. Belchier's cover.

Sheffield, Sunday Morning, October 8th, 1749. MY DEAR FRIEND,-I snatch a few moments before the people come, to tell you what you will rejoice to know,-That the Lord is reviving his work as at the beginning; that multitudes are daily added to his church; and that George Whitefield, my brother, and I, are one; a threefold cord, which shall no more be broken. The week before last I waited on our friend George to our house in Newcastle, and gave him full possession of our pulpit and people's hearts, as full as was in my power to give. The Lord united all our hearts. I attended his successful ministry for some days. He was never more blessed, or better satisfied. Whole troops of the Dissenters he mowed down. They also are so reconciled to us, as you cannot conceive. The world is confounded. The hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. At Leeds we met my brother, who gave honest George the right-hand of fellowship, and attended him everywhere to our societies. Some at London will be alarmed at the news; but it is the Lord's doing, as they, I doubt not, will by and by acknowledge.

My dear friends Mrs. Blackwell and Mrs. Dewal shall have the full account, not many days hence, if the Lord bless my coming in, as he has blessed my going out. On the next Lord's day, I shall rejoice to meet you at his table. Remember, at all times of access, your faithful and affectionate servant in the Gospel, C. WESLEY.

To Mr. Blackwell, Banker, in Change-Alley, London.

Bristol, Wednesday Evening, May 5th, 1752. DEAR SIR,-You will rejoice at our safe arrival here, for which you showed yourself so kindly anxious. We took a post-chaise at Salt-Hill, and so on to Bath. Thence I brought my wife behind me to this place. Once only she was extremely fatigued, and frightened at the thought of taking up her abode at an inn. But God, who heareth prayer, gave power to the faint, and blessed our coming in, as well as our going out.

We join in most cordial love to dear Mrs. Blackwell, Mrs. Dewal, and yourself, desiring your constant prayers for her, in her approaching trial, and me in my journey to the west. Farewell,

C. WESLEY.

Bristol, May 13th, 1752.

DEAR SIR,-I have often had it on my mind to tell you my friendly fears, lest your engagement with the gentlemen of your club should insen