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' - ■ * • y \ * * ^OCOry RBOUITION TBT CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) :..;.■■ '.7-: ■^' !£■ ki liL IK III U ■tuu 2JB 3:2 3.6 |4wO I ■ jj ViP^LllfeD INMGE Inn ^^ 1^53 East l)4din Street ~~"^ ' nS ,,?oChe»t«''. New Yoj* 14609 USA ^S ' <7t6) 482/- 030qAPhone "" (716) 28fl- 59189 -Fax ■ t * ^:--^..* ■;*• jiS^*:':^;.. *^'--v*.. Toronto Public Library. Reference D^rtment, , ■■ :: ■ ■ ■■■:.. ■ >■.. ■ ■ ■ ":.'n ■ -•;■. THIS BOOK MUST NOT BETAKEN OUT OF THE ROOMJ .)*n':^ iO 191V ; .i. H 1 ■^1 ^r I f^ *S/- /.■■ THE EXPERIENCE 0.F MBS. HE STE R A NK R GE B S. ■ ■ ' ! , ■ -■■■ *■ ,. ■ -■ ■ i V •■' ^ ^-: '^ ■"■ -^ ' ■■ • ■ M^ ■ - * J 4 ; :;■ .:/ ■ •;:.; t - * ' ■: '•'■' *'.■."'" ■"■'■. • '~ . ■^^ .» fe» ■•«^ .< •\. .,-»» see tnB •'■■ • / "•■,.■■■ .^ . Jlliititnni fftttrs . / ■ .■ .■ ■ ■■• MRS. HESTER ANN BOGERS. WITH A SERMOM, 'rilEAGHEO ON THE OCCASION OP HEB DEATH. BY THE REV. THOMAS COKE, LL.D, ALSO AN ArrENDlXj WRITTEN BY HER HUSBAND. ► . . rK PUBLISHED BY G.«,;.S ANDERSON, WEBLETAN BC)OK**]|0OM i *.• • •: . jt' I •.■;■,■•-■,.-■ 18.5 7.. %!'■■ -' ^"' ■ ■ V ^ •;■». ■• > ^4 «• fe^'^ , •% ' ■ ■ ■••,•'.■■■:■■ » < -../. •- •-^' ■I .■1 m ••* • I WAS 1756, ( many j Englan far as trained and in i arc too suffered eoce; a such a 1 family J and, as irreproa Jar and! I was lieved C ness"; ar therefor God, in body, or for ease W^ r> i TUE EXPERIE^^CE y$.- v» MRS. 'lIESTER ANN ROGERS. I WAS born at Macclesfield, in Cheshire, Jan. 31, 1756, of which place my father was minister for many years; being a clergymanm the-^hurch of England. He was a man of st Jftmorals, and, as I far as he was enlightened, of^M piety, I was trained up in the observance of all outward duties, and in the fear of sins which, in these modern times! are too often deemed accomplishments. I was not' suffered to name God but with the deepest rever- ence; and oncd for telling a lie, 1 was corrected in fluch a manner as I never forgot. We had constant family prayer; the Sabbath was kept strictly sacred; and, as far as outward morality, my parents lived rreproachably, and, in all social duties, werercffu- lar and harmonious. V _ I was early drawn out to secret prayer. I be- lieved God was the author of all go»d, of all happi- ness; and sin the cause of all misery and pain. If therefore, 1 wished for any thing I had not, I asked tfOd, in secret, to grant it me ; and in any pain of body, or in any of ray childish griefs, I fled to Him for ease and comfort: and it would be incredible to AX ACCOUNT 6f Bomc how ©ftcii I have received mnnifcst answers to prayer, when not more than four years old, and how my tender mind has heen comforted. I was deeply nffeeted, and had very serious thoughts of death, f*or some time after seeing tho corpse of a little brother of mine, who died of tliQ small-po]^ when I was five years old. I took great delight in the Bible ; and could, at this time, rpad any part of tlie Old or New Testament, always asking ques- tions, BO as to obtain understanding of what 1 read. l^Iy parents required that I slwuld give an account every Sabbath'evcning of the sermons mid lessons I heard at church, and sny my Catechism to them, which they explained to ni^y understanding. They also required that I should giit off tho Collect for the day, and repeat it, with my other prayers, every night and morning. These Collects I often re- peated in secret, and with great sincerity, beforo the Lord. 1 never romemher going tc bed without having said my prayers, csicept once : I was then diverted by a girl, who told me many childish stories, and so took up my attention, that I forgot to pray till I was in bed; and then, being alone, I recollected what I had done, and conscience greatly accused me; so that I began to tremble, lest Satan Bhoul^ be permitted of God to fetch me away, body and soul, which I felt I deserved. I soon after thought I saw him coming to the side of my bed ; when 1 shrieked out in such a manner as brought my parents up stairs to see what was the matter. 1'his made a lasting impression : and I never after dared to neglect commending myself to the protec- tion of God before I slept. I was about this time six years old^ . ^ ing, •^ answers old, nnd I. I was ugfits uf 'psu of a mall-po]^ uliglit in y part of iig quc8- [t I read, i account I lessons to them, f. They ct for tho '8, every often re- r, beforo 1 without vas then chiiclibh I forgot alone^ I 3 greatly ist Satan ay, body >on after my bed ; brought I matter, vcr after e protec- bhis tiind MRH. H. A. KOUKR<). 7 When about eight years of ngc, I hoard my father wy ho had a very roniarkablo droani, in his re* covcry from a dangerous ilhiess: that he stood be- foi-o the throne of Uod, and saw his glory; but not • being able to gaze upon it, ho fell on his face in raptures of joy. My mother asked if ho could do- scrihe what ho saw ; but he answered, " No I It U impossible to convey any idea of it :" it seemed almost to deprive him of being. She asked if any thing was spoken to him ; but he desired her to ask no more respecting it ; nor would ho ever tell her any more. 1 have often thought he received some notice in that dream of his approaching dissolution. A material change was evident from that time in all his conduct and tempers. Anger was ever i»o. fore a besetting sin, but I never remember to have seen him overcome by it after this. Jle was tnore vigilant in public and private duties; mora humble aird patient under little difliculties and trials; more watchful over the morals of all around him; and took more pains than ever^to inform my infant mind m all^hings wliich led-to piety. He warned me agamst reading novels and romances ; would not suffer mo to learn to dance, nor to go on visits to play with those of my own age. He said it was the rum of youth to suppose they were onljt to spend their time in diversions. 1 believe I shall have reason to bless God for ever for several les- sons he then gave me, and to all of which I listed - with great delight. In Feb. 1765, when I was a few weeks more than nme years old, he took his last sickness ; a malig- nant fever, m which he lay three weeks; express- lug, through the whole of it, an entire submissiou ■•% / 8 AX ACCOnXT OP to the will of God, and an assurance of a happy eternity. He sung psalms, repeated various scrip- tures, andpfaise^ God aloud ; And was continually commending to his'icrare his dear wife and children* A few days before he died, he called aloud for me ; and when I came, he took my hand in his very aflTectionately, and said, *' My dear Hetty, you look dejected. You must not let your spirits be cast down; God hath ever cared for me, and he will lake care of mine. He will bless you^ my dear, when I am gone. I hope you will be a good child, and then you will be happy." -Then laying his ^ hand on my head, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and, with a solemnity I shall never forget, said, V Unto ^od's^cious mercy and protection I com- liiit thee : the Lord bless thee, and keep thee ; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, and make thee his child jind faithful servant to tiiy life's endl" I cannot find words to express what were the feelings of my heart on this occasion. Love for my valuable and afi^ectlonate parent, grief to reflect I was nowlosing him, and gratitude that his dying lips had pro- hotmced such a blessing on my head, quite over- pojvered me. I fell on my knees, gave vent to a flo6d of tears, and continued to weep till my eyeis wrire almost swelled up. He died April 10, 17i^ Myj^ief for isome time would not suffer me to take r^creations-of any kind ; but I would sit. and r^d to my mother, or weep with her. But after a season, I was invited to the houses of relations and friends ; and as I soon became a laughing-stock aniong them for my seriousness, and dislike to their manners and their plays^ I began to be ashamed of ,<< 1 MKS. II. A. ROOESS; o being 80 particular. My mother was also now pro- vailed on to let me learn to dance, in order to i-aiso my spirits and to improve my carria^ &C. This was a fatal stab to my seriousness ML divine im- pressions : it paved the way to lightness, trifling, love of pleasure, and various evils. As I soon made a proficiency, I delighted much In this en- snaring folly. My pnde was fed by being admired, and began to make itself manifest with all its fruits I now a;med to^xcel my companions, not in piety,* , but in fashionable dress ; and could not rest lone together without being engaged in parties of plea- fiure, and especially in this (what the world calls) innocent amusement. I also obtained all the novels and romances I possibly could, and spent som6 time every day in reading them ; though, at first! it^was unknown to my mother, whd would not then suffer It. After this, I attended plays also In short I fell into all the vain custom. Ind pZj^ of a _delusive world, as for as my situation in lifc that station God had placed me in. TLus was mv precious tfme misspent, and my foolish L7^r^^ dering far from happiness and God; yea, urrfn^ mi to end^ss-ruinl Yet, in all this,* | w^ Totlft without keen convictions, gentle drawings anS ma^short-lived good re^oLoi^.'S^^ fifteen years, of age. God often Wought stronc Iv upon my mind, and that various waysfof wS 1 come now to speak. But 1 how did I S and resist the Holy Ghost I How justly migShlhave l^^np; yea, and given moL/to^^^ .i.'*^"!!"*'" y**" oM-MmcIy, in the VMr 17fi<) fte B-^hoaof ^heste r be i ng U^U I L^^ 10 AN ACCOUNT OP at Macclesfield, I resolved to attend that ordinanco, though it was with mauj fears and much trembling : for I believed till persons were confirmed, they were not alike accountable to God for their own conduct; but when this solemn renewal of the baptismal covenant was made in their own per- sons, then whosoiBver did not keep' that covenant must perish everlastingly. I therefore endeavoured seriously to understand tlie import of it, and was deeply convinced I was neither inwardly nor out- wardly what it required. The knowledge of this wrought much sorrow, and I formed strong resolu tions to lead a new life. Yet sin had so blinded my eyes, that I could not, at this lime, believe,, or, at least, I would not, that dancing, Cards, or attending plays, was sinful. These, therefore, I did not even resolve against. But I resolved against anger, pride, disobedience to my parent; also the neglect of secret prayer and church-going; with all 'wander- ings of heart in those duties, and a variety of other eviL tempers, &c., which I knew myself guilty pF. Having humbled myself before God, fasted and prayed, and, as I vainly thought, fortified myself by these resolutions, of keeping all God's com- mands in future, I ventured to take upon toe the solemn vow. But such was my fear and trembling at the time, that when I approached the altar I was near feinting; and when I returned to the pew, burst into a flood of tears. This was on Whit-Sun- day ; and I intended to receive the holy sacrament the Sunday following. But before it came, I was conscious I had already broketi my solemn vows • and, on the reflection, my distress was great, and I had many doubts whether partaking of the Lord's supper would not be sealing my own damnation. .."^r rdinanen, embliog: ed, they lieir own 1 of the >wn per- covenant eavoured and was nor out- e of this g resolu nded my e, or, at ittending not even t anger, I neglect wander- of other juilty of. 3ted and 1 myself i's com- i me the embling iarlwas he pew, hit-Sun- crament J, I was n vows; it, and I ) Lord's nnatiou. MRS. II. A. UOaERS, 11 -■ -a However, one day, as I wait nfov:t.» •* Mivminri ThJaw ■ ^-^ W^yuig, it Came into my mmd, This holy sacrament is called a means of with renewed vows and renewed hopes ; but alaJl these also were as the "morning clo«d and thi early dew, whieh pass away." iC several months aw my resolutions; sinned, and rcDentprl io-«,-n t dared not to receive the LordV snSS' re s";re'rrmt?"= '^"^^''^-~^^ Ea^Rw w! " r?f ' «"^ "so'^'ed I would then oflnv. T^ A '"'■'**• ^ »«"«■" forbearing God ot love listened to my reduest ai„1 Hifl ■"'"'8 y<"» fl^tree down. One'^.n-Rr 'g tws" l^ss ' T an7rti"trthr:i T *'•"*•' »"'<>' 'he Sy 1, with three of my cousins* (w^h whom X and two Of hi, Sisters, toV «d 4^3"°?*^"*""'^' now asleep in JesuT ann *u- '^*^"^®8- -Ihese are all before Hi8 throne, tl.^^^^^^^^ spirits rejoicing were utterty SaSf "^ ^'^ ^""^ ^ ^^^ <^^eam U^ 12 AN ACCOUNT OP bad a clo/e intimacy, and who, I thought, had lel^ the body also,) were waiting in dreadful expectation of beiilg summoned to the bar of God ; aiid we all believed our doom would be everlasting darkness I My sins all appetured as in array against me in the Court of conscience, and my mouth was stopped : I had no plea whatsoever, ho hope; for it se6med that the justice of God must unavoidably sentence. m to endless misery, which I felt to be my real' iesert; and was bewailing my own folly with bitter (iriesand lamentations. Their employ, I thought, /was the same; each for ourselves dreading the worm that dieth not, and the fire which never shall be quenched I When 8uddei?ly there appeared a cloud of. uncommon brightness ; and soon after a glorious angel descended in the cloud, and stood before us, clothed in white, and of a majestic beauty not to be described. We beheld his approach with trembling awe, iind almost an agony of despair ; believing he was sent to summon us to appear and receive the deserved, but dreadful sentence, " De- part, ye cursed I" But to our inconceivable sur- /|)rise, he smiled on us Mrith heavenly sweetness, and said, "The Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven all your sins, and, washed you in his Own blood ; 'and I am come to bid you eiiter into tl^e joy of yotir -^ Lord, and to conduct you to his blissful presence !*' Being now suddenly transported from the depths of misery into joy unspeakable, love beyond compare, and extreme delight, I thought I sprang up, and clap- ped my hands, and leaped {t>r joy, and praised my God in ecstasies unknown before : 8o that it awoke me. Never didT feel any thing like what I felt in this dream, sleeping or waking, before or after, till the L a.i a spi wii arf for we die exp ally Ish ther dow rity I wa Were not a GOUU that whoji ever i fore h «uperi prayei time I and, ii tions, to an •home, days ft found ] Yet I keeping ■ '"^ - ■ • -■•'■■■■■■ -. . , •"ss. If. ■». nooBia. • (IB Utim truljr i^eafc mysins forgiven tL \. a deep impression on mv mt^At "*?' ""»*» a month or t«ro I Z Wv V • """' *™^- *"<>' «pect; ,nd read all thTJ-^ TT ""^ <^"><">^ with. OneXese I ™l^!|^v '""""*«<"'"«'««» are all to be JuS'Je^S*."' '"^"'««' «'>»« «a fore, if onrg^^^„ta^2r^rt'"" '^"^' *"«- we we in a fair imd sSrawTw ^° "'" "" »"«». die; butifoareWrw»ks!xLl°f '>*«^«" when we ^peot cond«m„a;i,r I tSght'JSir "??' ally examine myself bv ihix r,,iS ' '^''"™ "mparti I «»»»>d have-for 4 C^^l''"^ «* "hat bopi therefore made,. 11^X0^ taVh-l™?- I down every ffboii ftnii K«^- ?• ' "* ^^^^^h I pui' r waa in the wi.y to ^^Z'^no^'^Zt'' T »' were many tSiniM m h.fiv„\. """"hentbene not aceonn'i Sj^dtSn'".^'''..^'''''''^ *» eonuted good actionT \.!!^' ^"T *hmgs I a». that an impure S taT.* -".J^^'/ '«"•"«*» whosearchelhtheS «„^* "*■" »^ ""« «<^ ever splendid in theSlt^f'- <»«• actions, ho;, fore him. Eve^ aet o^^Ll-""*"' •'~°'»«We W- "perio™, lacS'd a ^"^S.vr ,""'"'' ^' prayer I offered Avor!, «^v ^" ' ^ «'so every and, in order to aweU tCntnl^ oTr^"^"^' lions, I would sometimes rShM^- "y good ac- ta an ent^tainmeunnd 1^ Z'"^ *" " ^'"4' ■home. NaT win. «k- • ^° '" niy mother /at days froS mo^tag^I rr„""l* *»'«'' ''^A - I - 14 AW ACCbuXT OP out my day-book with my pocket-hanlvercliief, and it was found and made the jest of the company. I was then so ashamed, that I resolved to follow this method no more; I met with another hook, which affirmed it was impossible to conquer all sins at once ; and if ever we could obtain vietory, it must be^y overcoming first one and then another. Pride and anger I fel t to be my -most besetting sins, and therefore set myself against these in particular. But I was foiled in eveiy attempt, and it seemed, as the poet says, *• The more I strove against its power, I stryji'd and stumbled but thennore." * So that this, trial only made a more clear discovery that pride was interwoven with my every thought* and word, and action. I was now quite discour- aged, and thought it was all in vain to strive for victory so impossible to gain, I then looked round and eonsidered the conduct of others ; and when I saw them more trifling, more wicked than myself, and some of them who passed for amiable charac- ters guilty of things which my soul shuddered* at, I, began to conclude I was very good compared with them; and surely all these would not be doomed to hell and damnation! that God was merciful, Christ died for sinners, and, therefore, if I lived a tolerably mgral life, He would pardohthi rest, and accept me through the merits of Christ in the hour of death; or, at least, I had as good a chance as others, and therefore would cast away fear, and live like the rest of my moral neighbours. I was some time, however, before I had so resisted the convictions of the Spirit of God as to remain at :\: silts, II. A. ROOERS. 15 *^?^i ^«*^o^« with me varioqs wavs till t a little more than fifteen TiT 7^ ' " ^ ^*» Pl»y». card,, and balb, took 2 fte mS; T*'*' J * time; ,0 that ™v mother began'^ to C .h« "^ sequences of inv1ivi„»..„„„T.° '^" '"« con- life. B„.I "SSwttator ''f ""'■" What increased my vanitv nxiii „..m " °^®* iras much beloved hJZy^Z^nthlVf'' *^** ^ considerable fortunHnd nft^ ' ^^'^^^o*' very summer months *nSHng^^^^;^<>«Jo^ the , wasjilwavs treated lu if XT' T , ■ ' ' *''<''■« I hand.o,.e^fort;„f„„"4 ^''« ,» «^^^^^^^ *° ■«**«" « the «,mpany of pelrin h gitfe and ""t'' me, by large prei,nts, to dreifn »„ ' *"?'"'"' to such company. Obow^!!!," •'»«'"•«'• suitable prospects toay«;„i'„?df''^'"«»«™l «e such vrisbed to pre^r"" a «Hri„ Jf ' '"*" "■"- I«'H . frequented churcb and M-Sf^""*- l8«H and morning ^SeTsr«"°"'''''i'P~y»''»^ I^t; and be»^s1VdTdl5 m^T^"' myself a far better Cbri,.i»!.!K "^'^^^wed Yea, w blind^s St I hST "Y "'"ehbours. various account of ,„r*^ •■*'>«•' I 'eard fi«M . .n d wh e^ yt.*?* ^^ «t Abodes- r 4-°^"™"' robe a Methodist. This J» .» / '/^■■ 10 AN ACCOIIKT OF conveyed to my mind as unpleasing an idea of him as if he had been called a Romish Priesti being fully persuaded that to be a Methodist was to be all that was vile under the^mask of piety. These preju- dices were owing to) the false stories, which from time to time I heardlrepeated to my father, when about seven or eigdt years old; and also many more which my mother heard after his death, and to the present time ; so I believed their teachers were the false prophets spoken of in Scripture; that they deceived the illiterate, and were little better than common pick-pockets ; that they filled Bpme of their hi^arers with presumption, and drove others to despair; that, with respect to their doc- trines, they enforced chiefly, that whosoever em- braced their tenets, which they called faith, might live as they pleased in all sin, and be sure of salva- tion, and that all the! world besides mu9t be damned "^-- therefore, whieh I Lnd In r'-f^"* Nothing, daneing in any meLTe "r^r^T <'»''»'ena>>ced the objeetions'nrg^ a^4""' ^OS""/" c«»^der that a8 it tends to levUy^L w?"*'' "T •""■ enervateslhemind.dSti"i"u*'''« »'"''■ «9 it if not stifles, seriorS^l ".'""•''"Shts, weak/n,, quite indispose,^Z"LS^irp™™f tT'M' •»y own heart, Is not this . ,S J' r„ ?'' * ^ answered in the affirmative «,«• ^»"»«'en«e fortlier, What good faT,™;, J^I" ®""'*'"' »'«»<'» gladly have ifrft to nr~ •, '^^^ ^ '™"" but many insZe^ of «.£' 't P«>°'<>'e» health j and even life SnJr*^" ^ Jost health tending thi^7ery*°"^ '""'^fge, through at-' ;J-4othena^ir^-i:5^^ in a few months O^t. Sallopmg consnmption.'and hepleads A^ *°J" »'»fi»l eternity. Again -'^'-"^^^^■SS^^f^feSr t" ■ ■ 18 'Af ACCOUNT OP tians I was conscioiui nope could be for having the mind dissipated, and unfitted for prayer. Some / husbands I knew were not made better; and some ;' wives, 1^, to support extravagant dress on sucl» / loccasionsTMd greatly injured their families.' For / my own part, I was conscious it had led me to dress and to expenses not suited to my present situation in life. Those thoughts brought powerful convic- tions to my mind, notwithstanding my desire *to resist them. I could not deny that truth in par- ' ticular, that those who habitually attend such pica- ■ sures, lose all relish for spiritual things. God is shut out of their thoughts and hearts ; prayer, if they use any, is full' of wanderings, or, perhaps wholly neglected J and death put a»-faras possible out of sight, lest the thought should spoil their pleasures. 1 was conscious, beyond a doubt, these ^ were the fruits this delusive pleasure had wrought oin my soul; and, comparing my present state of mind with what it was before 1 entered upon this diversion, so mistakenly called innocent, I found cause to be deeply ashamed. But th^n, if this be r really true, said I to myself, I ought dot to follow : this amusement any longer ; and can I give it up ? My vile heart replied, J cannot^ I wiU not I The Spirit / of God whispered, " Will you then indulge your- selfin what you know to besin? Would you wish / to be struck dead in the ball-room?" My conflict was great ; yet I was resolved to run all hazards rather tti^tt give up this pleasure. Therefore I stifled^ese convictions with all my might; and, after this, ran more eagerly than ever into all plea- surable follies. my patient, long-suffering God, - • ' tears of gratefu l l ove and pra i se overflow mine e y es , ; • • ' .'ci ■■■■ >;' ■ ■ ::■ ■ -.' ■ -•■■■ . / - ;; .■■ '" ,.'■';:■ "■' ■ ... -^ / WT'St ir, A. RUOERS. 10 jvhen^ consider my <4p rebellion, and thj sparing ^About this time I grew tired of novels, and took reat delight in reading history. 1 wont fWn!K ^veral English and LmiJu^liatoHe; tS An lent History, and Stackhouse's History o the Bible intending to go through the Univor^sal lIiV toryalso. And now I Relieved myself far W than any person of my age. IJpon^the whoTe | death, ,nd mercy to my rescue flew I" ^ ' oeingTeiy III a„d yg^y poor, I went to visit her li° ""'',*" '"'' 8teat surprise, joyful ytrf: nr l-Ad the";?;.e.^1J„rthTs 3 »M- mS" Tr ■J'"^'' '» ""'' """•eTee'^^'i"^ thlf I „ .J *^**' "" my obstinacy and follv «^t I would come out of the church weep"! « fd with he next person I met would ridicule tho ^r J»n. 1, 1774, I was deepl/wrou^t^ip^ a X, • '""% fiO AN ACCOUNT OP ^ % sermon preached on, '* What shall it profit a man, If he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ?" and soon after, under another, on the epistle to the church of Laodicea. Again, while Mr. Simpson preached on the now birth, from John iii. 3, I saw and felt, as I had never done before, that I must experience that divine change or perish. But I. had still one great hindd|j|llce, which I have not yet mentioned, namcly,vyoung person for whom I had a sincere afTectiOh. Ifb and two of his sisters, with whom also I had formed a strict intimacy from the death or my father, were my constant com- panions, and were more seriously disposed than any of the rest. However, I was sensible, if I re- nounced my pleasures, and became what God and my own conscience now required, I must, in the first place, give him up, and that fully, or he wq^d he the means of drawing me^ack, for he w awakened, though outwaMRjr moral. But I could not yet' make this sacrifice fQre I continued to go to assemblies, though con- ^igc^eiice bled ; and often, in the midst of the dance, I miserable as it creature could be with a and^fears of death and hell. Some- ordf^were applied^ *' It is hafd for agaii^Hl^e pricks.'- And, indeed, so ^et I would not acknowledge my un- happiness to any, but carried it o£f with the appear'^ mce of gaiety; and at the last assembly I ever attended, I never sat down the whole nij?ht, but danced till four o'clock in the morning. Soon after this, however, the Lord wrought a much deeper work upon my soul, ^InAprir, 1774, oirtiie Sunday before EasterylTrr -*ji& n / --^ ■I i .f I una. n. a. sooeiu. 21 asterj Mr. -M hQ&ftf HlmpBoh preacJiod from John vl. 44 • «« Vn ,„»« •.HmoofEusobiu., brouX UD ,. «^ !; """f,""' .t|c„,,.n. «„ ohurih .ndT.c"r^r„t.nd o„f*:i .aid many payers j yet when twcnty-lwoyc"™ old was deeply convincod ho h»l nover blon a Chri^ •re bom again when baptaed-" but Ztfj •) •! this wicked worM^r ' '* '^"'P' ""^ '■•nities of I o,K;"^t:Tuiu;'^^ii[r^^^^^^ nevertaken the name of o^H^ '^■- T ""'« y" fined his Sab^aT if °Li"'.f! I^X^"^^ ?'«- If ■ — ' II f nev e r set up "idols fa von, Ify«u have do.ie ih;;; flTln^""." C. t'? HS^k&'iW ^iy^|^S7" tKS AN ACCOUNT OP broken thd first four commandments of God.'* t pleaded guiltj here also: for thongh, with respect to the third, I could not accuse myself of profanely swearing, or even naming my Maker in conversation as many do ; yet thisprohibition also condemned me, in having taken the name of God in vain into my polluted lips in his house of worship, and appearing before men engaged in devotion while my heart was wandering to the ends of the earth. As he passed through the rest of the commandments^ I could still plead nothing but guilty. And when, in the application of his sermon, he asked, " Now, What think you of the state of your souls before God?" I felt myself, indeed, a lost, perishing, un- done sinner ; a rebel against repeated convictions and drawings; a rebel against light and knowr ledge, a condemned criminal by the liaw of God, who deserved to be sentenced to eternal pain ? I felt I had broken my baptismal vow, the confirma- tion vow, my sacramental vows ; and had no title to claim any mercy, any hope,^ any plea I I wept aloud, so that all around me were amazed ; nor was I any longer ashamed to owi^ the caustf. I went home, ran Up stairs, and fell on my knees, and , made a solemn vow to renounce and forsake all my sinful pleasures and trifling companions. I slept not that night; but arose early next morning, and, without telling my mother, took all my finery, high-dressed caps, &c?, &c., and ripped them all up ; so that I could wear them no more. I then cut my hair short, that it might hot be in my own power to have it dressed ; and, in the most solemn manner, vowed never to dance again ; I could do nothing now but be w ail my own sinful- MKS. H. A* nOQEBB, 23 ness, and cry for mercy. J could not eat or sleep, or take any comfort. The curses throughout the whole Bible seemed pointed all at me; and I could not claim » single promise. I saw my whole life had been nothing but sin and rebellion against my Creator, Kedeemer, and Sanctifier; and I feared it was now too late to seek mercy. Thus I continued till Good Friday., My molher thought I was losing my senses ; and all my friends endeavoured to comfort me in vain. After many conflicts and strong ^ars, 1 ventured, however, once more to approach the Lord's laDle, encouraged bythese words, "A broken and a contrite heart, O GodI thou wilt not despise." As Mr. Simpson was readmg that sentence in the Communion ser- vice, " If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous ; and he Is the propitiation for our sins," a ray of divine light and comfort was di i-ted on my soul, and I cried, "Lord Jesus, let me feel thou a^t the propitiation for my sins." I was enabled to believe there was mercy for mtc; and I, even I, should be savedl • I felt love to God spring uj? in my heart, and in a measure could rejoice in him ; so that I wouldhave given all the world to have died that moment* But, alas! this was only for a short season I In the evening one of my cousins calling on me, who had bden a witness of my late distress, I told her of the coinfort I bad received ; and added, I am now not afraid to die. She imiflediately exclaimed, it would^ be great presumption to say so; for even Mr. 3impson, whom she believed the best man on earth, said, he deserved to go to hell. My joy was damped immediately ; and Satan telling me I had •Vf'SWWilS*' SI i AN iCCODNT OF deceived myself, I gave up my confideLce, lostiny peace, and became again veiy uiihappi ' ^ M^5- I*^' u "^^ '^^ ™« ^^^ ^*^ *hi known the ;' ^e^diats; but I had none to instruct meri^t my distress was not the same as before. I had now l^^^'l!'^''^* *^** h« ^^ make me a Slavish fears of hell were removed. I felt mv ^« « V^'^y^'^' J?^ my soul Mlof^LZ and bruised by sin. Yea. and I abhorred myseli ^^ repenting before my God. and seekin^t with my whole heart, in eveiy means of grace. I had never yet heard the Methodists; nor had I / i^''^",*"y Prejudices against them: but a iieiffh- / hour who^had lately found peaceVith God. adv fed mestrongly^togo; and assured me they had been the means of great blessings to his soulf I would ^^WT' '"* ^'^^^ ^ privately. s^S know nf ii *?r?'' "^^^ *"y ^^^^^ P«'«^° should knowi)f It till afterwards. I soon after went at ^ ' Mrl'°' T^'"^'^^ •"'^ ^* '^ ^^ BC^t. Mr. Samuel Bardsley preached from. " Com- fort ye.^comfort ye my people, saith yoir God " I thought every word was for me. He spokrto ^y^rtasifMhad known ail the^iS^^^t Sed'r^'''''T''''''^'^^ Iwasmuchcom- torted: my prejudices were now fully removed and I received a full and clear convictiL.»^S kn^if Ti ^-t T^ ^<^^ to encounter; I SSTmJLnr— ^"^ j?^"»S the Methodists I must literally give up ag. My m other had already lIB8.*a. A. ROOEKS. 25 threatened, if ever She knew me to hear them she h^igie world I had reason to bdieve wouW do i^iP; i^ n« acquaintance then among the ^mf\ *o take me in ; nor knew any reftle to |fe# but my God I I used much pfayer^^anS entreated him to show me his will: when th^e iTOst in tlie Lord, and were confounded?" r J^^rered, "N,, j^^ and I will trtt"" in thee I" But ^ean suggested, « Thon hast no tihTL reoel. I fell on my knees, and cried, "Urd I am arepentmg sinner; and thou knowest I have M^own my weapons of rebellion. If I JrTt nere 1 am. It wasthen applied, " If anv m«n will come after me, let him deny himself ^dS« up h» cross and follow me." 'l eS ^Lor? | *hSJ ■ T ^ : °°^^ Sive me thyself P' From neSLTj^r."''""/"'"''*'"^ of it. a floodgate of OoT~-^ i^ T*°«^ "PO" °>e- In this time of need XSmv"" *,/"''"'• '"•"^ unci*, Boe,>h; Yrt wK^rTiL^I''*'" '""™e me out of doors. .„!i . ;! f '"ff^red, sometimes through her tea>, worm and Pn^w!^' ^»t he strengthened a feeble ' P ^^aa^eing Hini ^ho is^iWisible. For eight weeks, hoi^ever, I was closely ioXed. ft^^ 26 AN ACCOCN^OF mother came to talk with me; so did my mother^ brother, and my father's sister ; also a clergyman, and several others. But the Lord gave me a mouth and wisdom to plead my own cause with argumenfs from his word, so that they were, in some measure, all put to silence. / In August, my mother took me with her to Adlington, on our usual summer's Visit; though now quite contrary to my inclination : for I found it a great grief to be separated from the means of ^ace, and from the dear people of God. Tet I dared not to refuse her all obedience which I could render with a safe conscience. And though I be- lieve she hoped to wean me flom (what she called) my melancholy and enthusiasm hereby, yet the Lord kept me steadfast and immoveable. The deep sense I had of my own weakness and inability to resist evil, or follow that which is good, and the great fears I bad of ever again grieving the Holy Spirit, leist he should strive with me no more for ever, convinced me of the absolute nSed of using much and constant prayer. I therefore left all company many times in a day to retire in secret. I refused to conform in dress, or in any thing my conscience disapproved: and when called upon, gave reasons for my co;iduct as the Lord enabled me; but always with meekness, and often with tears of self-abasement ; so that, in a little time* finding all tbeir eflforts vain, they began ta let ine alone. Only I was made to understand I had now nothing to expect from my godmother, as to tem- poral things. This, however^ weighed nothmg with me; for all my language was, "None.but Christ to mebe jciven, ^ None but Clu-ist, in earth or hearcnt V, UBS. H. A^ BOGEMk 27 In October we retained hdme, and I now rea- soned with m^ mother, and entreated her nojt to confine me any more ; telling her, in humilitj, and yet plainness, " I must seek salvation to my j|^ul, whatever is the consequence; and, in order to ob- tain the end, I must use the ineahs. I am th^re-/ fore determined to leave you, and go to be a qei vant, rather than keep from the MethodistsX. Yet, if yon will consent to it, I should greatly prafer continuing in your house, though it should be\as your servant; and I am willing to undertake ai the work of the house, if you will only suflFer me to attend preaching." She listened to. my propo- sals; and a^ier consulting with her friends, con* sented to comply on this last condition : for , she and they were agreed, that I, who had never been accustomed to hard labour, would soon be weary and give it up. But they knew not the power and goodness of that God who strengthened ine in all mytribulation. ; ' . - November the 1st, I entered upon my new em- ployments joyfully ; undertaking my every labour for His sake, who bled for me on Calvary 1 And I began to feel at times much comfort, and reviv- ing hopes, that my redemption drew near, and that the happy hour when I should praise' a pardonmg God was at hand. Mr. Wesley's sermon on Justi- fication was a great encouragement to me from these words, *VTo him that wOrketh not, butbe- lieveth on him thaijus|ifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." This sermon I read many times over with prayer, and could sometimes almost embrace the promises. On Monday, November 10, 1 had strong conflicts n AN ACCOUNT me unto / UBS. H. A. ROOEBS. n tWng bnt love and pftiiae my God ; and could not refrain qontinually repeating, "Thou art my Pa- therl O God, thou art my Godl" while tears of joy ran down my cheeks. My mother was^ astonished at the change which appeared in myjcountenance and whole deport^ raent j lil^ I *opn told her the happy cause,— that I, a poor sinner, had received forgiveness, and dould call God my Father and my Friend. •' Now," said I, " I am/^epiiid a thousand times for all'l have suffered. One hour's experience of what I now fe^j^ in itself rich amends for all I But I see an eterhity of bliss before me;" and added, " O th^you knew what I feel I" My words and iowmg tears made her weep; but she said qittle, being all wonder. With what joy and giumude did I now undergo the most servile of all ky employments ; yea, and it seemed with double strength of body; though I could neither eat norNsleep much for many days and nights. The love ^ God shed abroad in my heart was now mj meat and drink: and the thoughts of thearaazmg/depths of grace which had plucked me as a brand/from the burning, quite overcame me I — me, theinost obstinate offender, who had so lone ?? .!? %^«*«^Jy "-eswied and grieved his Holy Spirit r This love of my God and Saviour, so un- merited and free, overttowed my soul ; nor had I for eight months any interruption to my bliss. * " Not a clou4 did arise, to darken the skies Or hide, for a moment, my Lord from my eyea" . Yet I bad daily crosses to take up and endure ; But I r ejoi c ed in be in g accounted w ort hy to bear a~ ^8s for Him, who died to purchase my peace. ^ AN ACCOUNT 07 The word of 6od was sweeter than honer. or the honeycomb. I generally read it on my knees; • ways receiving light, strength, wid comfort to my hungry soul hereby. ^ ^ About she* ta^hs after this, my cousin Robert ^ OxlT'i •''"' ?'*"^5««*«'» *o go to the college in ^^^\ *"'"^. ""*'"^«'^ ^^^ a clergyman. 'Phe great change m me was matter of much grief to " h,m But what most astonished him ,^^J| ^ me mstead of^being melancholy and mopi 2. iW ferings and labours, which, he well knew, I could not once have submitted to. He saw my ^ride laid m the^dust, ^nd my soul sunk into humility: In fore , and, comparing my preBent conduct with the Scriptures, he was constrained to own the power of changing grace. He was convinced by the Spirit he^« n'of T. ""^[J^^ '^ conseqLnceXa he was not what he ought to be, and what he must w Jwf T! '*''^^' ¥e soon became so un- happy that he had no rest, and at last wrote to me wSTj/''.^'' '""''? ^^^' '^^' I ^ould answer him the followmg questions :~" How did you ob- tain the liappinessyou speak of? Are you'ce^^ It IS real^ and fronrt^Jod ; and not a delusion or mi^inati^imily? Does it arise from an express decUrationJI^m God ; or a consciousness of h^ing P^med^our dutjr ? Is^t some visible m«^ ^station you enjoy, orsome hoped happiness? I l^ow I am a great sinner; I am miserable beyond ^^^''l.^^^^ hardly hope for any thing but miser/ n time or in etemiiy. I would give up all the world to o btain the favour of God ^ ^^k MM. n. A. ROOEnS. 88 If * ■ ^ -^^.f; tmt I know not which way to obtain it II ^^Tou can lead me into the heavenly path, yon wil and go to claM-meoting; in wMoh h^ Methodista, comfort, and, dvancedl^greXdtrW^^^^^ About seven months after 1 Lertook ?n h? "goroua fasting. The doctor who aS^'^L^ ^^i.^'^. ^° next day in her chSi "^ 81 All ACCOUNT 01? '■{.: 1' / was now frcoil from my happy toil, about clglit/"*-^ months after I uiidurtook it, namely, in AugiiHt, 1775. But it wan then nearly too late: my health had received such a wound as it did not recover for many years. . * 3Iy outward oppositfon now began to abate ; and many of my enemies were at peace with me. And now also the Lord began to reveal in my heart, thut sin was not all destroyed : for though I . had ' constant victory over it, yet I felt tlje remains of anger, pride, self-will. And unbelief often rising, which occasioned a degree of heaviness and sorrow. At first, 1 was much amazed to feel such things, and often tempted to think I hud lost a measure of grace ; yet when I looked to my Lord, or when- oyer I approached him in. secret, ho shed his pre- cious love abroad ; and bare witness also with my spirit that 1 was still his child. Yea, and at this time I received many remarkable answers to prayer, many proofs of hit undoiibted love and goodiness to my soul ; and I felt I would rather dinhan offend him : so that 1 was a mystery to myself. I re- Bolvedi however, to use more self denial of all kmds; and (whatever it cost me with respect to health or life) more fasting and prayer; for I hoped by these means to mortify and starve the evil • tem- pers and propensities of my nature, till they should exist no more; and if my body expired in the com- bat, I thought I was certain of endless life. I met Avith some also who told mo nothing but death would end this strife! that this is the Christian's warfare, which cannot end but with the life of the Jjody> After s ometime, I b e g an t o I b elieve thes e — miserable comforters, and of consequence longed una. H. A. RoaERS. M ... jf : for nothing 00 much as to die; yea, t was impa- tient to be gone, that I might be freed from sin : for I trulj felt, and more so every day,^ ' . Twai wbrse than death my God to love And not my Ood alone." - My body was rcdaced now to a very iveak state • and 1 waa pronounced far gone in consumption* which I esteemed blessed tidings. I looked on myself as one that had- done with earth ; and cried, " O that I had wings like a dove I for then would I flee away and be at rest." Yea, so desirous was I to quit the vale of sin (as I called it) here below, that I could not be prevailed on to take any thing which I believed would tend to restore my health and therefore continued to decline very swiftly! In the latter end of December, I was brought so ^ weak that I could not walkabout the room without lidp, and soon after took my bed, seeming appar- ently on the verge of eternity. One day, after Bitting up a little, I felt myself so weak, that I be- lieved I should rise no more till my soul took its flight to the bosom of Jesus. My joy on this occa- sion was inexpressible. I begged of the Lord strength to go on my knees once more ; and in holy triumph committed body and soul to him for eter- nity. I believed my work on earth quite finished : and was filled with assurance that the moment of death would be to me the beginning of endless glory; a taste of which I then felt,— a drop out of the ocean,— a beam darted from the unclouded Sun of Righteousness, which quite penetrated and over- whelmed my soul, and left me in speechless rapture at his f e et. Y e s, I faave e v e r believed that what I then felt wa» what those feel and experiencfl> on -f m AN ACCOmJT OF leaving the body, who are really dying in the Lord. But Infinite Wisdom saw good to lengthen out the thread of life; and I have often believed it waa in answer to the prayers of his children. . A few weeks after this I felt > degree of dis- appointment and soryow, on finding a measure of returning strength ; just like a mariner, who, got within sight of a desired port, is beaten back again into a tempestuous ocean. One of my cousins coming to see me, recommended a strengthening medicine, which I was unwilling to use ; and told liim I would rather die than live. He sharply re- buked me for this ; sayingj " You set up your own Will, while you pretend to submit to the will of God j and by not |akin^ proper medicines, you are a murderer!" I wept, and said, . " I think I am re- signed,'*' He asked, '*^ Are you willing to live forty years, if the Lord please ?" I found a shrink' ing at the thought, and ffelt I could not at the mo- ment say, I was willing. He left me, but his Words made a deep impression. I fell on my knees, as soon as leflralone, and cried, " Lord, perfectly subdue my will." That promise was applied with much sweetness, " Ask what ye will, ^nd it^haU bc| done unto 3^u." I felt assuredly, my Lord permitted me to ask life or death, and was brought to a stand. ^ I felt a thousand fears suggested, that if I lived, I might lose what I now enjoyed of the love of God ; and perhaps be one day a dishonour to his cause. But I said, "Lord, thy graee^isever suflSoient ; thou art as able to keep nie a thousand years as one day." Againjt was siiggested, " If thou livest it will be to siiflfer. " I cried, ** Lord, thou canst give me suffering grace ; and if by suf- ^T 1II» I. IL-1k. BOOERa. 87 fcring I can in any wise glorify thee, ' not as I' will, but as thou wilt.' I know to die now would be instant glory. But here I am, do with me what- ever thou wilt. Thou knowest all things, and seest, at one glance, past, present, and future. One request only, therefore, Willi make: if thou know- est my life would glorify thee, I serbmit to thy will • willing to suffer or to do. But if thou foreseest I should, in living, lose any measure of what thou hast bestowed, Lord, suffer me not to liye any longer. Or if hereafter, at any time, thotf seest a danger of my heart departing from thee, O^iiatch me away to thy bosom; and let me not lSv(|ft moment longer than I live wholly for thee. And now^ O Lord my God, 1 vow and promise unto- thee, I will hence- forth entirely renounce my own will, respecting life or death. I leave it fully in thy hands, and to thy pleasure, to take me now, or to spare me twenty, thirty, y^a, forty years ; or as long as thou seest my life will bring glory to thee, and profit to immortal souls; relying on thy faithful promise given me this day, that what I ask shall be done; and ac^ counting it a Solemn covenant betwixt thee and me, that whensoever thou seest me about to b« .overcome by trials, by temptations, or snares, k(S that I shall, in heart or life, depart from thee, or wound thy cause, that then thou wilt put in thy sickle, and gather me home ; yea, if even at that tnrte I should be so foolish as to desire life. Amen and Amen." What I felt of heaven, of God, of love, at that season, cinnot be expressed, t had communion with my Lord aa if face to face; and* could henceforth choose nothing but his will. Prom this day forth I speedily recovered strength, ■J S8 AS ACCOUNT OP and in a few weeks wo9 enabled to attend some of the means of grace. The Lord was please^ to make the preaching of Mr. D. Wright a great Wessing to me. He clearly explained the nature of salvation from inbred sin ; showed it to be as freely promised in Scripture, and as fully purchased by the blood of Jesus, as pardon ; also, that though sanctification in fceUevers is a gradual work, yet the death of sin is instantaneous, and to be obtained by taith alone, just in like manner as justification. He recom- mended ^r. Wesley's Plain Accent, and Fai-ther Thoughts on Christian Perfection ; and Mr. Flet- cher's Polemical Essay, especially hiff Adthress, in •.the end of it, to Imperfect Believers. These yet farther opened my eyes J'especting that groat sal- vation ; and for reading them I shall praise God to all eternity. J now was powerfully convinced, that whenever sin is totally destroyed, it is done in a moment. -From hence I could not rest, but cried to the Lord night and day to cast out ^he strong man and his ariiiowr of unbelief and sin ; assured that the power of flie liVing God, and not death, must be the executioner, the blood of Jesus the prociring cause, aind faith the. only instrument. I had a deeper sense of my impurity than ever; and though, by grace^I was restrained from giving way outwardly, yet I felt such inward impatl^ce, pride, fretfulness, and, in short, every evil temper, tjiat, at times, I could truly say, I was weary and heavy laden. ^ • ' I here transcribe a brWextract from my Journal, Kept at the time, as it will most clearly describe the language'of my heart. ,, ; January 18th, 1776.— I was much ccmforted by ZISS. n. A. ROQERS. 80' t a manifest answer to prayer. Afterwards, reading three of Mr. Fletcher's letters to his parishioners was a great blessing. Yet in the evening I found inany wanderings, and much deadness:^! felt un- satisfied with myself and all around me ; and knew not why. It might, in sonio measure, be owing to the indisposition of my body ; but I fear it is more owing to the evil of my corrupt heart. when shall I be holy I , • 19th.— I have been greatly tried inwardly and outwardly, though I have had some refreshing visits of love ; but I feel many evil tempers, much self-will that would not be ' contradicted? (thoiigli none saw it but the Lord;) peevishness, pridej^and unbelief greatly distressed me. My cry was this evening, " Create in me a clean heart, Godj and r6new a right spirit within me." And in private prayer I was blessed in a wonderful manner. I lay at the feet of my Lord as, clay in the hands of the potter ; only beseeching him to stamp me- with hia loyelylmage. /<* ; ^ - 25tb.— -The Lord shbws me, mbre than ever, that I must be holy before death. And this day I can ^ay> " As the hart panteth after the water-brook," so thirsteth my soul for the perfect love of God. O may I never rest tilll have received this blessing! Lord, I have in this respect beenatrifler; I have bcQl!n toO'Casy, too lukewarm, while thy enemies have had a lurking-place in my heart! O forgive me, and help me to be more in earnest! These words were applied, while engaged in wrestling prayer, »♦ All I have is thine!" , And is not this salvation from sin his gift? It is; and shall be ■s mine. ."■Sf a- ■r .':4p ■/;.■. jl^ AxxGxm: Gv "OJoyftilBonncI of Gospel pace! . ^ *, Christ jshaHlir me appear; A* ;'- If even I, shan see his'face; ^ . • i I sboll be holy herie," ♦ - T> 2J*^»-r*^^ ^^^^^y'^ P^a»n Account of Christian Perfection was this day a igreater blessing than he- fore. O how very ignorant, how stupid have I , been respecting this great salvation ! and even yet V I seem to know nothing. Lord, teach nje, and sav^ »M>"iuiiy. ,1 find, while pressing after entire purity. ■my communion with God increases and I have more power to do his will. ; \ .^I^ar7 2d.-I awoke several times in the night praying for sanctification. 6 the depth of ...:: .unbelief and of pridel and these seem only the roots of many other evil branches. Q my God I ' feel myjheart a^ a den of thieves : I loathe myself ; - hut p IfiUl a leper at thy feet. I believe "the blood of Jepus Christ cleanseth from all sin -"but / vrhen I would come to the fountain, -f^ seem^ all « Ignorance and helplessness. Lord, teach and > «trengthen me, for thy mer(gr*s sake ^ 3dv— I have had deep communion with my God and much power at the throne of grace. I have a ^^^^^i*^«»ce of his pardoning love, and want nothing but hw whole image stamped on my heart. 8thv-I was greatly comforted this morning in ■ , spreading open tl^ word of God on iby khees,^nd pn^ng for a conformity to it. 1 opened on 1 Thess. V. 16, ultimo. I see what is there required is the' veij salvation my soul needs, p how it: is sum^ mednp inthat prayer of the Apostle^ »^ Now the y veiy God of peace sarictify you wholly : and I pray OH|yoar wholfe spirit; and soul, and body be px^ / V HES. H. A. ROaEBa. it scrvqa blameless unto the coming of onr Urd Jesus Christ." And would St. Paul pray for what they could^ not obtain? Onol He believed they should be both sanctified and preserved blameless- for he says, "Faithful is he who hath called you* . who^so wilino it." Amen. Lordllet wie.'iliy worthless creature, prove this word, for Jesus' sake. On the morning of February^2d, laWoke poorly mbody, and felt a strange hardness on my heart, and a great backwardness to private prayer, batan told me if I prayed it would only be solemn /mockeiyj for my body woiild'so weigh down my soul that while niy words flew up, my thoughts wouldTemain brfow, and I should obtain no bless- ymg. But I criad, *JJ.ord, help mel'* and fell in- stantly on i»y |n«i^ : for a. few momenta my ideas were all distriictidn ; but the mighty God spoke to the troubled ocean, «Peac?, be still?" and there followed a great calm throughout my. soul, ky intercourse was now opened with my Beloved, and various promises presented to my believing view. Mthqught, Shall I now asfc.smail blessings only' of my God? Lord, cried I, make this the moment of iny full salvation r Baptize me now with the Holy Ghost and the fire of pure h)ve. Now *^ make me a clean heart, land renew a right spirit within rate." Now enter |thy temple, andcast out ' sm for ever. Now cleanse the thoiights, desires, and.propensitiea of my bleart, and let me perfectly ' love thee. But here S^tan raised all his force of temptations to oppose me; telling me I had not been long enough justified ; I had more to suffer first, <&c. ; and my ideni being not >et dear in the natureof this blessings gaveftbe enemy an advan. ^""C^.-T'^j ^•^"y-^ '*« V ■■■\. r'* ^ ■-V '$ 4^ AN ACCOUNT OF tage. Fori thaught. when fully saved from gin, I' - coulf suffer no more, feel ao more pain, make no ; more mistakes; my judgment and memory would be perfect, and I should feel temptation no morel Therefore, this suggestion, that I had to suffer much first, had the more plausibility. 6ut, in that moment, I l-eceivcd light from above, and cried, " Loi-d, till my heart is renewed, I cannot suffer, as I ought. Give me perfect love, and I can then bear all things I", "Buty" said Satan, '» if this • blesSmg were given, thou wouldst rioon lose it again, in suchandsuch trials which lie before thee • g6t those trials past, and then come for this bless- ing^» « But," I cried, "Lord, I cannot stand those tnals^Without it. O purify my heart, that I may beable to stand in the trying hbui» I If I fUce my sjibUe enemies \ow«* cleanse me from aU my fflthiness and fr^ I • I -■vir ■>» . 1 'M-ns. H. Ai hoaERB. 0: 43 nil my idols; takd away the heart of 6tone« and ' give me a heart of flesh. I come empty to be filled ; deny me not. If would be for thy own ^Ory ta jjjtve me now ; for how much better could I serve ,tliee! It Is true, I have no plea but .thy mercy, the bl^od of Jesus, thy promise, and my own grttit need, p save me fully by an act of free grace. 'J'hou hast said, ♦ He that belleveth shall be sayed.» 1 now take thee at thy word : 1 do,' by faith; cast' myself on thy promise : I venture my soul on thy "veracity: thou cans^otdenyl Being purchased "by thy blood, thy jMtice is ^engaged ; being pr6- mised without money and without price, thy truth • is bouod: thus every attribute of my God secures it to me.'' r Ah I why did, I ever doubt his i^illinghess when _-/he gave Jesus I gave him to " destroy the works ot , tlie devil,—to niake kn end of sini" ^ The hinder- ance.lay in me, not in him. He desu^d to make ' me holy, but unbelief hid it from my eyes. Ac- cursed sin I Bt^t now, . Lor^ I do beKeve V thii , moipent thou dost save. Tea, Lord, my soul is delivered of jier burden. X am en^tied of all ; I , .am at thy feet, a helpless, worthless wo]*m: but i ^ ^ke hold on thee, as my flilnesa I evety thing that I want thou art. ITiou art wisdom, strength, love^ ■holiness ; yes,Jind thou art minel I am conquered and subdued by love. Thy love sinks me into nothing ; it overflows my soul. O my Jestis, thoa art all in alll in thee I behold and feel all the ful^ ness of the Godhead mine. X am now one with God : the intercourse is open : sin, ' inbred sin, no londer hinders the-%]o8e commnnion,4«nd God is ■ all my own! ^ / ■ :l u' AN ACCdUNT OP h^^^ ;?^ ««"d peace my soul now f^ltf " The sacred awo which dares hot mom . ^ ' And all the silent heaven of love t^I ^ ' ^ , Tct when Irose from my knees Snfo« .^««« assaulted me with " T^„ o^f ' • ^ ^P*'® '"^''® •■ *« », .'ii. 2 Si's ssr.,'" Tnr^n;:;?? °^' ' <^» Msist r.othinff • but plied. "Bl^edf, i£e ttaf b;teTfh"^ «1>«1I be a lierfoniianoe of thL th.W -i5 v *''*" I now walked in'the onclandml lio-i,* -» i,- i ceaS'and^ievT^.r™"'^ P™y"8 without- «olvedftoweven?fl»t°*T^"'lf *"'''^-" I™" inmy countenanee, t^^e-^ed'^LX'l? " I dnrat not deny the wafers of h W loviT i ^ ' deCaring it. (,^. t? Se^'dtht'ULTthlV'r' • *«^ conatrained to »itoe» nnt?^ ^ t«l *.'■*•, ■ •• ■ • MEs. iri jk* RooEiuS. ••rtls Mood can.mako the foulest clean x His blood avail'd for me." 45 . I durst not live above a moment at a time- and that^momentJ,y faith in the Son of God., I never / felt till now tlie full meaning of those wor^s, "In lum wehve and move, and have our being j" and T^i T Vr"r ^" *^«™' ^"^'^-Ik i^ them, . and^be the.r G04 ; I will put my laws into their ' mmds, and write them on their hearts." Glorv be to my God, I felt it written there : it was I no ' longer that lived; but Christ that lived in me I ' "Christ was all In all to me; ^AndaU my heart was love." 23d.~dloiT, honour, and eternal praise be to the God of love for ever I His own arm hath brought ' salvation to rhy feeble, helpless soul. I am now wholly h,s I ^I do love the Lord my God with all ' my Ijeart, and Soul, and strength. I am nothing,' d ^ 'tL^'^^u'- ^^1 enemy is often suggejl ing, « Ihott wilt soon lose the blessing jihou canst not stand long." But my heart answersv-?I N will hang upon and trust my God as long as I have ^ any being; and I know he will supply a feeble - worm with power." I have also op^ on „^^^^ ^fi^ee promises^^.^. I find momentary pow^ y now to pray and believe ; yea, I Kve by feittir _ 24th.~LasMiight and this morning, I have had deepcommui^on withmy God. I feel I am indeed pne^i h Christ,andChristisonewittime. iS - inChnst and Christ in me. O blessed unionS hmi my soid love^ 1 and the more I feel of his great love, the more I sink at his feet in humbling views of my own flotfaingneBs; and here it is ! ; ■V. 46 AN ACCOUNT OP would ever lie ; this is my own place ; Jesus aloie is exalted; and I, a poor sinner, saved from sinl 25th.— Glory be to God for the best Sabbath I ever knew I My body was so very weak and poorly, I could not go to preaching ; but the Lord was willi me, and gave me fresh discoveries of my own emptiness and poverty, and of his abundant ful- ness. These words wei:e thus powerfully applied, MYe are clean through the words which I have spoken unto youj abide in me, and I in you: as the branch cannot tear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me." I also feel that gracious promise mine, ♦' If ye abide in lAe, and my words abide iii you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." O the condescension of God to a poor worm ! What a igtant is this I My soul draws near and humbly laskSjT- •' Enlm-ge my faith*8 capacity .1 Mder and yet wider still; , Then with all that is in tlieo ' v r.80ul for everflU." ; 29th.— I was so happy, thjit I could not sleep in the night. What a deep communion did my soul enjoy with God it was indeed a foretaste of heaven ;/■ itself. This niorning I prayed for a portion of Scripture to be impressecLon my heart, that should abide with comibrt, and direct me allthe day ; and I opened on, "Know ye not that jrour bodies are ; the temples of the Holy Ghost which is in you, and / yp are not youi own, for ye are bought with a price : therefore glorify God, both in your body and in your spirit, whieh are God's." ' Swe et portion I O ^' zny blessed Lorff, l rejoice that I am thy purchased^ irjtS. n. A. ROQERS. 47 property, and not mj own; att4 to thee I gladly yield body, soul, and spirit, March 5th,— For some days it has been a season of outward trials; but I have enjoyed fellowship with God, and great inward comforts. I have ever found when he gives peculiak grace, he permits it to be tried ; but I prove ** af my day is, so is my strength." Yes, glory to his name, I am more than conqueror ; and feel it the constant language of my heart, "No crosi, no sufferinf; 1 dflcllne. Only let all my heart be thlnOi'V m 10th.— Mr. Simpson preached from, " The king- dom of God is not meat and drink, but righteous- ness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." O the blessedness of this inward kingdom 1 With streaming eyes, and a heart overflowing with love, I could claim this portion mine; mine in posses- sion, jmd mine for ever I Lord, how shall I prais6 thee? ■ " Notfflng else wilt I know. In my Journey below * ' ■ But, singing thy grace, to thy paradfse go." 28th.— After a blessed reason of communion with God in secret prayer this morning, I went with my mother to spend th,e day at Adlington. Every thing I saw there, in the house or gardens, contributed to fill my happy soul with praise. In such and, such a spot, I would say to myself, have I poured out n^ soul in deep distress unto the Lord; and in sucn a place he darted a ray of comfort, and b|d^ > me go forward, O my Lord, what hast tho^^ne for a worthless worm since these sfeasons of creep- ing penitence I Then I sowed in tears ; but now I 'reapittjoy; ' ■ ' ^ AX ACCOUNT or * I.«lfi.'^i!f* ft" ^ render unto the Lord /br all hfs ••rooms It Is, -tU all my store { ^ *'o''«"'0'»»»'ouldst have, If Ihad more." ^ ^ Some time after thia, I called upon Sarah OM vj^d found her Just arrived oif^SeS^^^f " Gladly would r ileo aw«y J , _ **<>» from earth, no lonKer,"4e.- ' ' ' «wel I thank you." I m $ ''. MRS. H. A. BOOER8. M tenty ;with ►f the ► you Does K» he ly fill wish egree, 3 deep cinnoh li been^ as thf id my odists. ^appy Christ to this i^iU he away! watch. hing I ' itageof . eternal riiiany itnrned siippli- ) Lord 1 some Bhe has allsiii; to thiit now she is full of love and joy. Her cry is, **0 how I long to be with Jesus 1 Why are bis chariot- wheels so long in coming? O fo^ patience ill! my Jesus comes I" $he got hold of my hand after I had prayed with her, and said, "O what precious siglits do I see I Such glory I such glory, I caiknot utter it I" Soon after, her happy spirit fled to her eternal rest, - October 14th.— In the night (for I could not sleep) it was a covenanting season between God and my happy soul ; and I since find the bonds of divine union more strong than ever. This has been a blessed day I His work, his ways, his word, are my delight. ' I live by fajth:: and all hnrd things are become easy. I can praise him in cverr conflict: but! feel^ could bear nothing, could do nothing, without Jesus. AH my dependchoe is on him, who supplies the momentary, power 1 want: and 1 can truly say, % \,v "With ©very coming hour 1 prove, ^^ His nature and his name is Love.'* 15th. — I am still kept in various trials. This day the following letter wais as if sent of Qod to strengthen me>—^ 1 ; - " Mt DEAJi Si8tER,-^The trials which a, graci- ous Providence sends or permits, may be so inany means of growing in grace: aud particult^rly of in- creasmg in faith, patience, and resignation. And are tbeynot all chosen for us by infinite wisdom and goodni^ss ? So that we may well subscribe to those beautiful lines, * * With patient mind thy course of duty run ; • . . God notliing does, or suffers to be done. But thou wouldst do tliysel^ if thou coaldst See The end of all events as well as he.* \' 52 AH ACCOUNT OP Every thing we can do for a parent, we ought 5 that is, every tiling we can do without killing our- selves; hut this we have no right to do ; our lives are not at our own dbposaU Rememher this, and do not carry a good principle too far. Do you still find,' ,;, '. * Labour Is rest, and pain is sweet, If tliou, my God, art here?' I know pain or grief does not interrupt your hap- piaess; hut does it not lessen it? You often feel sorrow for your friends : -does that sorrow rather quicken than depress your soul? Does it sink you deeper into God? Go on in the .strength of the Lord. Be careful for nothing. Live to-day. So will YOU still he a comfort to yours, affectionately» • ■ ..■',.■ ;* • .* *■**,"-.; /Novert^ hody is very weak ; hut when my strength and my heart fail, I feel God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Reading a portion of Scripture with prayer every day, is, and has heen a great blessing to my soul. Often have I found, through this means, direction in difficulties, comforiin trials, and hiBavenly teach- ings in the way to glory. And the Scriptures I so read are impressed.with such divine unction on my heart, as raaJtes them lasting food and nourishment tomysouL ^ February 12th, 1777— Every day I experience more fully that God is love, and his service perfect freedom. What solid bliss it is to be delivered from all dependence on creatures, and to hang by foith on the immutable Godl To know this Qod is m ine; t ofpftlhedwelleth inmyheart: rul^th my will, my affections, my tempers, my d ' ^ ' 'f^'Wf'^fl^^i^'n^-^^'w'^*"^ MBS. H: a. B00ER8. fiS knpy^ he lovetU me ten thousand tunes better than I love him : it is unspeakable Salvation I • 22tta.--dne year, this day, I have been wholly the liord^ and hehas kept ^oU possession of my willing heart,^ Yes, thou liast been my strength, my jefuge,,4||L|uide, and my merciful Xlod; my portion, "lyj^^e, and my wJiole delight. One yeaijlhavePlpptijee with all my heart, and thou hast I reigiie^ without a rival. And now, my Father, Saviour, Comforter, I give myself'afresh to^0e. 1 "Take my soul and body's powers. ^ V '*^*«« ray ineinory,inInd,.Riid will, •A-U my goods, Mild »11 my horn's, All 1 know.^ind till I fcol: » ''^ TIjine 1 live, thrice hap]>y I! Happier still if thine I die." On September Uth, 1778, there was a very awful carthqqakQ. The new church in Macclesfield (where 1 then was) rocked like, a cradle; and nearly threw some of the i)eople, then kneeling, on their faces. And the noise, for a few moments, was like thunder. The scene that ensued, was truly an emblem of that day, " when all faces shalf gather paleness; and many.sl^all ciy to the rocks and mountains, FalJ on us," &c. Some believed the church was fallen at the steeple end ; and, there- fore, flew in crowds to the opposite doors, shrieking and crymg for mercy. Some fainted, and were trampled nearly to death; others bruised much: and some did not recover the fright. But, un- speakable grace I my soul was kept calm; for I ^^^^-feared not to die? That s cripture was broughi ^y muid. »♦ Yet once more, and I shake not the ■ ♦ 54 \ Air AGOOUNtO*, eartk only, but alsoJi^venr and.Iwa$.enaWedto exhort those aroui^a to be still, and look unto^tim. God of grace for/6alvation, which they had trovidencev.and never found rest afterwar^ till they found it in the manifested lov6 of a blessed Kedeemer. And some, ilbp may date their iconver- Bion from that day, will,,! believe, be^^ernal i^O-^ niimenta of gracp. 4 ' : ",.^ , v r^ Many are my^mptoms of mortality; but Go^ is love, and bears my kappy soul for above, * all iin, and testation, andpain." I long for hi^le^ft ' to deparl:, ^nd be ^ith Christ ; but wait in humble resignation at bis feet till.all his will be done. -^ ■ ^though much indisposed I went to church; and there, in partaking the. blessed sapramentv I had such union and intercourse with the Holy rnnity as is janspeakable I Blessed foretaste ordrmkwg 'the liew wine.inmyFather'svkingdonil Yes, these -" are thtt«treams, .but that is the-foUntain, v June 18th, 1780.T-I was closely triecT for » few days past, by near and dear relatives : but in God I havrdeep. peace, and can say all his will is wel- . come; all pain before his presence flies I Compared with his love, how trifling is alll sufferl Am I hot a brand plucked from eternal burnings; and >. the few moments of my existence here are all the mi)mentsof suflfering I shall ever know; yea^and , these light afflictions, even as I pass through them, are working out for me, "a for more exceeding ^ and eternal weight of glory." ; ^ December 18th.^I had a day of many blessings in visiting the dicjE. I called at John Barber s, and found his wife's.mother dangerously ill. This poor 'S uits^n; ▲. B09BIUU 55 ^1^. old pli^iaee, now i^pwardB of fourscore yearsrolc]^ Coiild never listen tp the calls of converUng gi^ce, or be persliaded th^t slie need be born 4igain. Biit noW the >Lord lias jai^ his hand upon her soul, as well as Wr body. / * * Siome time ait&f, I called again, and found she \ had' been Jncessantl J crying out lor mercy^ 'Whe^i I now ^ke with her, she cried out; ** TJie Lord will save me; but, pray I" I (did ^o ; 'and' th^ ; asking, "How do you now feel ?'* she; said,' witlu ' i|n,cominon eaf nestivBSs, "• I, shall soon rejoieo iu ; . Hinr r He will forgive my sins l"[ 'Soon ^fter she craed a^o^dv ** Lord, I ho^ thoujT^ilt sooti forgivQ- toe I- Lord, thoiT-art forgiviftrg me^I n jy; Loi^d,. thdii ^ hast forgiven m&jl'V After 'thKj, she d out of Christ i{j a consuming fire I" On Jbeing asked how he did, he said, " I am going to the heavenly :. Canaan^ that promised land for which I set put ^ong ago." While the doctor spoke to him of his J5ody» he regarded not, but told him, " I am not^ afraid to die ; and then, with lifted handp, prslyed that all around him, and especially hia.. ehildren, *^*6'^fim''jp' 'MnS» H. A. ROGBRSt W i mighi follow him to glory. When I asked him i Jittlu nfter this, " Do vou now fpniVi^j " '"f" a. iiPiir?" hr. ««ii lA 1 -^ ., ®®* ^"^^ gracious y . near/' he said, ooking with sdlemn steadfnstncM n Ii« CQuntenan^e. as if he saw someth^Sg; -^ spintua presence is here 1" and bursting iiS) tear^ cri^. -i am M of Godl his gl6vy fij^ ^^^^ Andther asked him, " ft^o you any doS L aaswered, - I ImVe not the W,i^^^„ ^ mind>tI^shallrefgnwitJf1,im^-i glory r^^^^ ' •!.• 1 ;.« ' -.""P ^e'lnoM just lefore, wHfen ona Mid, "Here UMiM Roe," he l.astfly pit"utZ ..^d. .«d said, ■' Mky God bies, X^"*^ TO,' ''" iipeetliless a?>d in a dying sWle; but auiln com SimpMB came in, *nd went«o prayer by hiS- bui he^if^red insensible to all belo*. theSer o S^« ^K^*^^ ^erwards-lyrex. , ■ S It L^""* "^T?* "'^ toother S.m4X , «jed «t Leek, qn his way home from Bristol joang man.. My eoagin WiUiart, and MargSil «Iso, arrived from Liverpool. 6 ftat this solemn Wonmay be«netmed to .II h^Veepinrretatr^ ' f^rf 'fw' ^"* >»»y ao" Sho pkrilok of th1~ jI™ i?.^ ^•'"A"?'; '""f ""^l-aintanee with Wni^fe whieh he felt so ln»eh th. need.of in ,; ■\' /. «.. --M, 69 AN ACCOUNT OF : A ■• / March 27, 1781.^Thi8 day at^my uncle Roe's, I saw Mr. Kogers for the first time. He and /Mr. Bardtiley are come over from Sheffield to see cousin Kobert, who respects Mr. Rogers much, having received good from his pi*eaching at Leeds. W^ had a blessed season in prayer together; and cousin Peggy Koe, in particular, ^eemed stirred up and comforted. Afterwards we called on that dyiijg saint, David Pickford, who witnerijsed a good con- fession of the love of Jtesus, which he has felt ex- perimentally for t|i68e thirty-six years, and proves liim yet faithfuli At night Mr. Rogers preached from, "You that are troubled, rest with us," &c. And at five o'clock next morning, Mr. Bardsley enforced that blessed portioni " Fear not, for I am with thee ; toe not dismayed,' for I am thy God,"&c. 1 felt both peculiar seasons of divine blessings; •uridthougn afterwards tried at home, it was a day of deepi consolation. >:^ . ' ^ ApHl 2jpith.— I wai much comforted by bearing 01 the happy death of Ann B., one I formerly loved . ni^ch, and dealt faithfhlly with. She lost much of Mr spiritualityyby a connexion with a carnal man, whom she married a year ago. But the Lord'loved her, and sent^ lingering affliction; slew the body, but saved t|ie soul. 27th.^ have lately proved more kindniete and aflfection from my mother than for sonae years. O how good is the Lordl Surely with him nothing jshall be impossible; My uncle Roe is seized dan- gerously ill. And two physicians are called in. .^ 7 May 2nd.— There is no hope of my uncle's reco^ veiy. Bujt he is reconciled to all; his children, and ca,ll8 much u pon God ; and begs of Mr. Simpso n '■^ /^W«: ■ ■ - . f ■ Ht HUB, n. A. SOOBBS. 0d and Others to pray for iiim. Yea, though acar^e ablii h^get upoivhis kneea in bed to'pray VSI^S^'^'^ 3rd.--A8 1 went to my uncle's this mominff Imet ^w/ l,.^^ Jayallnight quite compo^d: and !^*fi 'Lk"' "?''*^"« suddenly opened his W^- apd fixed them with seeming deligh?on soiJoS for^jal minutes ; soon afie Avhich h^iSS brja hed away the Immortal spirit, and, I hX greit hone, ;8 escaped to endless life I snent t^« >r^iS^with -y cousins ; ^df^u^dttSm: profitable season. Poor CousiA Joseph came a few hours^after his fatherV decease, having ^^^ . ^.-Jn the dusk of the evening, my uucle'i ^ • ^^^!^f^ carried in great pomp § hi/owri^!" S^K^^**"^^ *^ *^« "«^ Church r and accom. S^ih ^^ '»<>'«e^«naccu8tomedtQ be adorned S? • V"^'®^^- "« ^«« interred by Mr ' A!!' ">w much-feared and much-loved man is now c^ corruption^and worms! I'xc^S ^ - me of Dr. Young's, beautiful lines^r^' C T^^^f" "™ lodged iu"^::::::: - . "!ijf, J^, "*<"■'<• »' of Qod; but have had no sleep: tell me U'youhave %. MM, es 'I' :, liiy^ Tr^^^''^ ¥i^«^% I answered. " Ye« '• t^^i^ T' J'" *^^' ^^''^ Christ m Qo5! iL.n ■*!**'• '^**" *• «"«• "fo» «hall appear then •hall j% also appear with him ia irlorv '^L greatly comforted* From tliir*£./^K J '^'"' toward, hia eternal home * "*' ^' ^"***^°«*^ -.IrU was thJS^rnfe 1 He Lord heard and delivered/ H« r«ii • . * •weot sleep, and awoke reS- v^£L^' * in God. After this he enjoyef t^hrwijW tire sanctification ; and prSed J.rT ""^ '"" near him the love of his S^Tf i^ *" '"'^^ ^"^ ed to others IS no canningly/devi^ed fflhl« tT , long u I have ihUhX rL ". ' *" ^ know as / * •" «t the worst, (and none 7 >f the Lamb;" the hitter from, "iLk Ihl of that maq u peace;" I believe manV will ,. member the bleed .eaaon to their eS 5^" to theye^^foilowing, I had anolher™Kn« porw or xne circuit, I was very mucli with hJ and onr love for each^other dally increased II ^IJ^ymS'lT^ W-^b.nt5eJ^.it eitherfomvl^iuf ["".**• ™'"«« "specting ^VOny L ord, l e t m^ la tt e r end be litehera! *; ,J>i; ■■ y »• / 6d 4Tf ACCOUWr OF t now briefly obaerve, th$t After, many wmark- ftble proVWenow, (too tedious to dwell upon here,) on Angort 19, J:784, 1 wag married tp Mr. Rogers, in Wbom the liord gave me A help-mate for glory ; just such a partner as mj weakiielwi needed to strengthen me. Heihath made us one heart, and one soot ; for a*^ eight years he bath downed our union with mis 8 Work. , And, all glory to his njimp, wft saw a blessed fev^valt., In three years the society increased from about, '^ve hundred to eleven hundred and upwards ; and we had good cause, ta believe above hxa hundred were converted to God. In August, 1789, w^ came over from Dublin, to _6 my mother-trt Macclesfteld. Mi5. Wesley and several preachers with families also coming at the , same time to England, we took the whole ship. In this passage we were in imminent danger, by dash*- fng on a rock, called tlie West-Mouse. . But prayer was made : the Lord heard, and iftronderfully deli- vered. We landed at Parkgate^and travelled with Mr. Wesley to Macolfesfield,^ where my mother re- ceived us with great a£fection^ 4#f^^ ^^® Manches- ter conference we returned tO Ireland. "We spent about a week with'otir la£fiectionate friendd at Dub- lin, and then proceededto Cork. >_JIexk- a^ Jtbe Lord \reyivied a gracious work'. "i »na. n. a. roobiis. j. "iwe7nl.f ^''""■'^ »nd prevailed^ ni y,, .^ (apse to rejoice, not only over . &«, • j- ., "^ Irat levenU families who «.! jj ^* mdividnals God. We found ftreehnn^.f**^ '""'«'■<>" <)» In the last Tear »« fc.j '«"«« hnndred and fifty. balanced wtfl'^^LTn^f "*"'"'""«'«' ""^ wed more o^e L*rithe^' "^^ *^ ^ *'" *»- Cork! excepting thTamc o^Itf* ''^''«* """ « and then thtclfudwM°f'r"«/e^''«s fever, tl..t I believe Z mlrelv i«^.- f ^^7 ^"y'' ■»« Wture were touched*! fil"°!i."' "•« '^•''ings of «ig»ation,patieneeroi^ove° * '""•'a'y.tore. '"s '^blSr/C'^ f; my own recoyer, Jhrongh nvy iUne^- ^7 ("K-re^ed with grie'f mght«,d day) w„ Ve*y il7 jL ' ?''r ** "« fever J the maid confin^ with S^ * "*'™ ' little John, six week*oM I? !"*"«»! «nd my »T^ days I sZ]~t°'1'>"S '" «»nvBlsio„s for fiea Eis power inZn^i-**"* "•" ^'^ magnil Jionl-" After (his^son ^^ '''^ **" «' *>» abundant: and my faMf i" "^"""'olations we#e f"-.ving US fo5Z^„^\7^«'»»*a his intention^^ ItremblM atihetShfo^If'""*^ «»■'''«'«»'=«• , bit eommitted it to S "Jw^mportant a charge: »^ifl«,,di„g oS y^oi", e«°cisS"^«'- , ^"O. .*■ m .„/ eg AN AOCODKT Of divine love has mixed every cup, %nd ordered all things welK To be.witU that honoured and mucJh- loved servant of God for five months, and then to be witnesses of his glorious exit, was a favourj indeed. But O, how awful tlie scenel^how un- speakable the loss I I peculiarly felt it, being then in a weak state, AOt quite recovered from my lying-in. ' ! The solemnity pf the dying hour of that gteat good man, I believe, will be ever written on iny .heart. Well might Dn Young gay,-^ "The chamber where the good man mgets his fate Is privileged beyond the common walk of virtuious life, Quite on the verge of heaven." A cloiid of the divine presence rested on all; an4 while he could hardly be said to be an inhabitant of earth, being now speecliless, and his eyes fixed, victory and glory were written On his countenance, and quivering, as it were, on hSs^ying lipsl O, could he have then spik in, methinks it would have been nothing but, Victory;4 victory I— Grace I grace I-^Glory I glory ! No language can paint what appeared in that face! The mor€i,we gazed upon it, the more we saw of heaven unspeakabld I Not the least sign of pam, but a weight of bliss. Thus he continued, only his breath growing weaker and weaker, till, without a sti^u^gle or a groan, he left the cumbrous clay\behihd, and fled to eternal life in the bosom of his faithfiil Lord. When I look back on the trying scenes v^e h^ve passed through since this awful ev^t, and consider we are yet monuments of grace and saving power, I am lost in wonder and in love. Mr. Rogers, in particular, has been tried as in the fire, and exposed; V I 69 Uiirough hia office, as a im»ir to, .1.' . thH>ugli infinite mJrcy J St/L^^ '*» ^^^ of it all more fully p^tlj^^'^ ^^°^« out on pa^ficularB. but^shdlTtave Jhf i ^ f^^''^^ servants, as well as t}miJ^' ' ^'^^ faithful cent, and Unja^^'^jP^^he cause of th«.i^^^ ing hordjor tl«^ "S^'"«^V^"» o"^ suflfe^. -meinbers " FatW for^fve .f ^^^^^ '^^'^^ ^ '"*« not What^ey do!" *^'^'^^ *'»«'»? % theyknow I shall S^ noiv obsei-ve as it «.io* . i eicperience, that these toyi^^:^^ partner have been ke^m^^ ^ ""^ "^^ "^^ at Cork, has also great v Iff. !u^'"^^^^"« %^^^ which, like wave S^.?^^^^^^ these thinL ; other! To tSSS,:^ P heaviness has at «««.« " ^^^^eny that a.cloud^' in those til. 5^I^^S«^ ^ sugiST^ nations of shprt-coniings SS^«S-^'^"' **'^'»- - ritual joy. I do- not ^nSir "^'^^^^"^ ^P^r <^*ness.- No: since S S ^ "'^"'klS? ^» sense |5^ of ^ 1^ in ' Puhlim Cdrk,' and London I He llfeth giten ihe *»favou/ in the eyes of his childreii in every place ; fti)d helped me feehlv to serve theni. He hath given me spiritual children also ; (ftoj^ of wbpBfi are lodged safe inhls bosont, and othj to glory. I hate five lovely chi An^pides theke, my dear^ lefi^k me ip charge, ant in4Hbie tenderness of ps they ever been wanting in fine boy) my"" Lord hath bliss ; and for the rest, he assui - > •♦the children of thj^Ith inthe^ay n the! flesh.! Beiijamin,^ feel ui^ted ive; nor 'have etiii^. One (a la abodes .of eart, '^:.' ^Iiall aU to thee be given." »•>,"' ■■> ,■■ I'.'-)..' ■•■\ ■ >*(t- MB8. Hi A, BOOEB0. n mv^n?!^"? ^"^ ^^ P*'*""^* '^^« ^^fi' -fcone upon my /K>ul till, for aseason, in my nervous feverTut to ao f till at intervals in the two veara no.f t k- »o«,o co™,„tly enjoyed thuT'TTv^S about » moltiplicity of outward thines has to« much atol«^upon mej and lest, at „tl,« ^J^ i«^ It r ' "•' "y ^ l>«ye forfeited the blesa- ^^Iff-"' "^ "ny "eaaons of deep conac latioD, of dTOp^mmunion with my God • m3 •■l^.wmM^bll'tay deliveraaoes id rsw^'Z "'ItSalfeJliS^^""'"*,'^''"^ Chris', , ^^ ^ ""^' . o > —- .aiat I leav( desire o^ life, Jbi* wftti I^ «^«. sd with trials, and mj iMifff VK JjS*^ '» ' • .' I / / * tf - kVi ACCOUMT OP MRS, JU. A. ROOEIUI. " seems as if it would' i» a help and cmnfort to him ; or when a silent resigned wish arises to see fny children grown, and partakers of ^egfeneratuig grace. But I am kept from aniietyv . >< I feel grateful to my God that I am placed here, (jit Spitalfields,) though hut for a season, where I can enjoy more retirement, and less of husy hfe. My God is with me, and I trust hewilltdraw and unite more fully to himself his helple^, worthless creature. I hare power with him in prayer, and I know he will answer my enlarged requests, for my-^ self, wy other self, and our offspring. We 6hall be his : I will ho his alone I This day I consecrate t% him my soul and body's powers ; my life, my ^1. May his blessed Spirit come and seal j^ his abode; ratify the covenant; and, with thet^thcr and the Son, dwell for ever in my Worthless heart I Amen, (i my God, I sign myself over to th(5e : this solemn hour, ^ •' My Bonl and body I redgn ; With Joy 1 render thee My all,— no longer mine, but tUino, To aU eteroity l" \ UESTER ANN ROGERS. 1-** V u SPIRITOAL lETTPRSi ^% .tie' BY MRS. HESTER ANN ROaERS. ' ■• h ■■•;..•'•'■■•■'■■.;■■'■■ •■•LETTER t' • ' •"■■■ ■■ '"^*. • (Written In the nineteenth yc: v...*. ^■-■.■-^;' ■'i-'- "n- ■•;--■.'-. -^ '■'"^^^:' '. ; Maccles^ieu), Nov. 12, |77«. ._. * .■ .-. ■ ■ -' '■■■ ' ■ ■ ■ : . • ■ i .-, DBAB AVD B^KOURED MadAM, T ; i iBEclleave to return you imy most siheere and humble thanks for your kjlnd ijetter and adVice j and as you are so kind as to exprks a c^one^ on my account, 1 hope you will pardon the liberty, and allo^^ me to say wrhat is my opinion and^elief, and.onj^t alone I can build any hopes of htsavcn ; AndliMftss, / ; ■. ^ ;; :k-j ; . ■: ^■;,.\r^. ■■' ManJlThe came Oirtorthehan^s of his (Creator, was perfectly holy and happy. In him shone all those amiable aiid lovely .attributes of the Deity,— ?podn^ truth/justice, mercy, and love. But by disobe^g the divine comman|. he entailed upon Ji im s elf an d his whol oi pbst e rityy^e acted as the parent oir head of all mankind) « » M BPIBITOAL. LBTTEB81 ^ •in, which is cleath,~deaih temporal, vpiritaal, and eto'nal. The body of man became that day mortal, Ilia soul spiritually dead, and he was every moment liable to death eternal. The guilt of Adam, and^ the depravity of soul which he contracted by the fall, immediately devolved upon his unhappy off- spring. And we are told, when he begat a son, it was "in his own Ijlceness, after his image:** so thatP now man is bom in sin, and under tl|dbifrath of God ; and if he die in that state, will stima exposed % ^o tli^ sentence of eternal death. And what can Klit man do in this case? Atonement for himself, or offering meet, he hath none to bring; and to . patdon cAnneoiLwithout a satisfaction woul^ot be \^what is cciBim||ily called. ai^rcy, but it would be^ giving ui the Ibsaffptial ^ries of the Godhead. Wmmi5#be doiiilhen? ^ Why, God, of his free gra^and unlimited bounty, has provided a ran- i6m, a|^i-sufficient ransom, evftn hi& well beloved Son f^le who is M^, b)^igl#iBss ol his Father's glory, and the ezprM imi^e of his jyvrson). became man to dia.that maijg|ifl|j^ jiv«: ^* AH that v^^neceanury to* be done, to complete our salvation jBbi&j|d chfefly in these three things : 4 Firsll aiperfec^pbedilDce to the divine law ; second- ly, an infinitelp meritorious satisfaction to the law and government of God, for the dishonour brought * upon them by the sin of man j tliirdly, a restoration of the moral image of God to the soul, which fmage was lost by the fall of in^n. Thefirst of these was ^ ' completed by the life of our liedeemer ; the second, by liis death ; and the third is effected by the. Holy Ghost Thus provisioh, ample provision, is made for the salvation of man, so that God can preserve %. "M \^ -M ' .'■^1^ UT UBS. II. A. BOOKim. 75 nnUinted hb adorable perfections; or, as 8t. Paul declares, he can now be just, and yet justify and ^ve penitent, believH^ man. Tliat Christ suffergd in the plikce of sinners, is expressed hy St. Peter in these words, '* Who hii own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree." Also Isaiah saith, *' Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. Al| we lilce sheep have gone astray ; we have turned evffl-y one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid ori^him the iniquity of us all." St. Paul saith, »• He hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin^ we might be made the righteousness of Qod in And again, in the third chapter to the iitat^ he saith, ** There is none righteous, no, not one ; there is none that understandcth, there is n^ne that seeketh after Qod ; they are all gone out of the way, they are ^gether become unprof^^iile ; thereisnonethatdoethgood, no, notouo." ' fore," he adds, " by the deeds of the law th< no flesh be justified in his sight. But nWlhe righteousness which is without the law is manifest, ^tMMng witnessed by the law and the prophets ; even th^^ righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Chi^ist unto all and upon all them that believe ; for A| there is no diiOference y fbr all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Being justified /ree/y by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus ; whom God hath set forth to be a pro- pitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins th&t are past, throuyh the forbearance of CFSd ; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be • 9 ^ ;W . . > BPIBJTUAL LBTTBBfl, / ' Jntt, and the jiwlifler of him wliich fcclfeveth fn JOJIUS." • .. ,«?^ ®f ' ^*"^' *^®"' ^ ^<>"^'* ffo on «nd ask, Where is lonating then? It is excluded. JJy jrhat law? oru'orhsr Nay; but by the lawof faitli, ihcrcfore we conclude that a man is juatified by faith without the deeds of the law. For to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt; but to him that worketh not, but believeth on bill that justifieth the ungodly, bis faWt is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom ^^od imputeth righteousness without works; saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sms are covered. Blessed is the man to whoirt the Lord will not impute sin. Abraham be* ° lievcd God, and it was imputed to him for righteous- ness : now it was not written for his sake alone that It was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was de- livered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Now from all tbese, and many more texts of holy Scripture which might be named, I believe, and am sure, that works are not the meritorious cautse of our salvation ; yet I believe they are absolutely necessary, and will follow a« ■ the sure and inseparable fruits of a true faith If you will be kind enough to rmd the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth Articles t«xediQ the«oul. Novr this is £m in regencra- •' Bt MRS. II. A. R00EK8. n tlon. Our SavionrMsureauir" Except* man Iw born again, he cannot tee the kingdom of God " .. r»5^ ^\^' ^^''^^P* y® *** *'°»^«''*«^' «nd beco^^ as little children, ye shall not enter into the klnff- dom of hoayen." Nor indeed are we fit for it. till TC!^ V^J'.t^"''^^^''^- For.wereitposible to be admitted there, we could not enjoy the p«re and spiritual delights of the saints above. Their joy consists m an entire freedom from all sin and corruption J and in serving, adoring, and praisinir I .u^^I ?^.*" **'®'' ra^rcieB, the Son of his love! and the Spirit of holiness. An^^they are so fa^ from being weary of this, that they think eternity too short to utter all his praise I How irksome would be an eternity spent in this manner, to • person who never Jiad his affections spiritualized, and his will brought into a conformity to the will of UodI TTiis is a change which must be wrought in this world; for there is no repentance in the grove: a« death leaves us, judgment will find us. *i !"' 2*? **!? ' " ""J"** "^»" »>e unjust still ; he thais^thy shall be filthy still ; he that is righteous • hnll .nn?''Sfii>^^ ^^ "^** '' ^o\y shall bo holy sti 1 1'» .Thmii*host is the author of this conversion or n^Mk^fbr no. man hath quick- ened his own soul. It is He that must begin, carry oui and complete it. '^ ,vai*jr ^ *; Now, if any man have not ihe Spirit of Christ, he IS none of his." And the fruitof this Spiritis »loye, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, good- ^ ness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such !.!'[?r'?i"ft, T'_ .^?1 theyjhstt are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its: affections and lusts. If «ny man be in Christ, |ie .is a new creature; old r ♦ thing* aie ,»ssed away; b^old, all tWnifs are become new." And " Jeans Christ ia made of God unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctifiijatlon. and redemption; that according as it is writteni He w /?T' u' '^* '**" ^^'''y »° *»»« I'O'd. God for. ?nJ T ^^^^J^d^fiJOT* «ave in the cross of our liord Jesus Ghnst, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. ^' , This, dear Madam, is what I believe ; aiid this I think, is agreeable to the* word of God '^and to ih« A^icles «ftd Homilies of the GhSi^^B^ and no schism of the church of CArw^.^ Forfeiting your love and fnendship is a great trialj^D l>ehev^ine, when I think of seeking salvation to any other way, it seems as a sword pie^ngm? „ venr heart I And seeing my dear m6thJZ%7y unhappy on my account, gives me m^rd grief than l^^TT''^ ^.i^^ thought of b^g detri^ T^l tocher in worldly things, and that my con- du^t should make you less her friend, seems st^n^ and to me Is. very afflicting: but I think tee things ought not not to be urged too far,%ecS where the soul 18 concerned i y^^umy - ?ani afraid I have tired your:patience. so will ha^en to subscribe myself. honbuL Madam Your most obliged and dutiful god-d^tughter, fl* -A. Rob; tilH' * / * .N .% 1) ' .1' Br im. R. A. KQOBC4. LBTTER II. 70 I)»Aj^ Cousin, . ^^^^^^ilwiei^, Nov. 23, 177« we may .scribe ril glo^' vCS *SS, h ' As to your fidlingfrphiaoa, I donotK^i?!* . /'i: Mture bath braised ibe sernS h.^ i" ""^ union witK your liviB« S" .fr?*^-" *"*y»«'" help thee< Bjia riiMje, IoNl|\ith M. ' «m R«L »o^aWe.to ovejcjtftiie or hurt r . I* ' \.* *■, ',' 80 eniUTUAL tSTTlSRS, Ughteth not to see hit children mouniin|, cttt clown, and oppressed; but kindly gaith, " I will not leave yoii comfortless, I will come nnto you." And again, '»I wiU send you the Spirit of trut^^ ^hat he may abide yrith you for ever.?' The privi-- leges of a justified toul are very great ; for, " if a child, then an heur of God,"— of all his promises. Praise God that yon feel the necessity of heart- holiness ; and press after it, even after all the mind ' which was in Christ Jesus. He is already your wisdom and righteousness, and he will become your sanctification. look for it, seek it, expect itl Expect it as you are, expect it now, " Behold, (saith God,) I stand at the door and knock. " Open to your Beloved, and he will come in, and fill your happy soul. ^ « V Be dijigent in your studies. It may be a cross i but take it up for Christ's sake, and it will not hurt your soul. Above all, continue in prayer; often read the word of God upon your knees, and his Spirit will explain it to your heart. With respeqt to your situation, or any temporal thing, be not careful; live the present moment, and lay no schemes for to-morrow,--you may then be in eter- fiityl " Instead of busying our minds (saith Mr. Wesley) with dwelling on the grievous part of what is past or to come, we should remember that ' the Gospel does not permit us to dwell onanytiuno- but- the reprice and love of God who fills our souls." Howsoever you may be tempted, resolve you will not reason, ^cept with the Lord, at a throne of grace. Seek more union and Communion with yonr God : you may attain much of this, even before you are wholly sanctified. But, 01 never .,-\ ■f-'o % „ i" .A^ iy-r-- Br wi|fi|. n. A. R0OBK3. ' ^ 31 rest tni all your evir nature be destroyed and n^s iTl • "t"° *"" "f 'i« !-<>■•«'» good- nws. I find every Say an increAo of love in, my ricl^> kis love » I S'l"""" '' '"«!^'' ' »" mri,',h L ?^ ^""^ communion ^,h l,im as a man with his fricnd> Sometimes, in £e nisli (,! t hmk It will bnrst ib prison, and LgdZTLa ijW to m with angels, and conveyed by tjj a present heaven of love I feel? ■ , f \"0yfhat»t6 fill our mfTHrtngaUeT^\. " f _if, Lord, Mioii ctmnt us meet , /• * V ^ii'"*' enraptured host to appear, . / *_ -And worship flf thy feet 1" * • U cannot be long ere we lay these bodies dow.L ^r . "»;; «onfli«ts hero shall ,9oonJ>f, po^ .; -^ AndyouundlascendatlasT '^ : ^r- — Trianipiidnt wi«»i pur Head r- ' ' "Rejoice In Bitfriok hope, '^ ' . •'«8»8. the /rfd^i^ 8i,ou come, A" r>. • !> cW \A. 02 ■ BPraiTW^ i.iBTT15Il8, ,*^ And lake his senrantii np v\ To their, eternal home ; We soon shall hear the Archantrers yolcot ^ . The trumii ot God shall sound, R^oice^'* I rcmaifl your sincere fiiend in Jesus, H, A. Boa. LETTER HI. (To the same.) MACCLBsnRLD, Dcc'lO, 177C ' Mt DEAR Cousin, • I Aif thankful if my letter was anjMeoinfort to your mind : to God be all the glory I I hope you are now enalbled to rejoice, and are filled with that peace which from believing flows. I hope your heavenly intercourse is open,'aiid that day by day you open still wider the door of your heart j that you may more and more be IHled with God. \ V Ready dart, ,« "ore peace, and ne^er l*^""'/ •«»« more love blessedness of imS fT" '''* "J' God. Othh possessing .h.ttrm:i,f 7*''' ""'' ^''^ » «rop out of the ocean- ». l***yet itis onle P?redto«he«,„dsSe'sS«'l.r'" "^ ««»<' coa^ ™«eof an.eternity of^"'^?' »'"7«>e)begi„. ■ ^« «M but lisp hi, prafeJsh^^f «">»', na^e 1 «n nobler strain, aboTOt?. • 'i"" "« »l>«n join • Three in One. ' *" P"«« «» evermore U,™ • Weiord'-'^'"'^--'"™^ . - • •spooring fff iTsS-T' ''^'^'' '"^ofS * • uwn «ie house of Qod^: , V ' /" ' .. ? • - «*.■ .^ * .. .» n ' n J.» ,' . ,, ■ — '1- < ^iiE^ U eriniTUAL LETTSnfl, • this is the gate of heaven." Btferalvwho caihii " / "there weary and heavy-laden' wetit away, rejoichig: r :\ thi^e^ found a cleai* scnee of^iardon, and tFQC^ers. . - wer^j^sit^ liberfcjr ftom tl^ rei^jpfs of tein^ .■^•« /^h^ pvea^liers ful weptabundanlly't^iri^f joy, so 4^1* Were tiie^-^ledwitir God : fti!l4 indecdr I believo "^r ': '*;4ajere/'Vtf^^^^l<^ dry eye8.^„'s.-Mr. ;.J^ercivai. eays, V V /'thete Is Jtistt iMjeU another pwaring out of '^e Spirit ^ ^"'in-J^olton: ahti^e thirty joine4 the 80 7 :»t^|uday^ ■il;lqfe)w this will p^oice your heart. * «: idt i^ )p|^ irifch^ for a guilty world 1 f believe^; «/ \ ¥ V^jg^jji;:^ a;g|()rious year of the pow^r of Crpd. t '* % ■^^■teA<>t!f^^^^#!'fe'f# fbr you ; ai?*!' remain^^: : ;■■ j-^' >; ' * ' '^"^-**^"i0nate cousin and frioiidv";^";^^^^^^ < ;:|A--/. ^■■. v':>., :■ ',H. A,:.RpE^■':■M. V' ' s''^'.'"- -)- *■ '■•^'■t /: '■*■«., V 'v^:') ! ' ikrTER ly. - 1- :''t \/-r- ' (tl^vllKS. Salmon, of Nantwlcb.)- : . ilACCLESFIB^lii, Nov* l3,; ITIT. j ' . , ■»'ilp^^i||;i^ whiphfilWmy; 4rfK)tfl.witii|i|fip^ I rejoice to bear\ \- #^V. viS ybWiiiiieMjenrolledwithth followerajvl K ' '^ ^^'l:- ^^f/cnjepl Saviour. I ISfelieve I shall have rea^^ ^ / *■ J(«)|f^"M» ^od to all eternity that I ever joined V • th# ,]!^t||Mp;dists. way my yrorthless name iie,ver f j ' \ >e If diihbn(»tit to his deat caude and people. May 'vA !!^p:P^^*^nW. H, 4. KoOfiHS. ■-■-». A c hath called Oil out of darkness int, k- ' ^^' light." ' u«ricness mto hw marvellous \ . eternally saved, .JtL; ^\<'"''* •» »M be \. ■ vf'ow. God like S^c;""! p J; *"""*''! $, : ?i-e hi. meroieglkZ J "^ ^"^^ h«w- great ^ poet, "«i, nature »^dhT'^'^'"''''^W'«'*ter «Mir ionh praise ths ?'V» f"""* is love." o'l.t ': xxefe. but now we^ S^ ^'"* "« "«'« darlc- #)«ous libera rfZlTi ** f« eet free i„ 4,,^., •5 ».pn« the ^!^v:OnwM?™'^»*'' <»" ''' ' ^ •?•'"',"'« condena,.tionnowwfe ^.Oodv.and heirs of ever?ast.^tTr*''''J^'''"f«' fSre enemies to tlieefeSllTt"f ''*• Once we fnf tempera: norweS,^'?^ *'«''«' ''ork, bJpcfd of his Son, and he fa h^!!f *"°'' *""*'' "« «»■• Friend. Snihm^ 2m"""* ^*"'«' •''4 .^praises. 0.he1?^'a7'^",7'^,"'isden.«„u. ftatea, their It gh birtK and n^! «' fiches^ andf '. wtion ! We are pSd^^i'"/*'^ «^ «" sal- " »g. andwe will p'aistS""^' fr"" *''* ""* >» our KedeeniW and our sLS! °«'"'e'-<»' Jesua OM FriMd; andVe ^mMvlT' "" ^''•"'edahd hves, our all. ■ *"^' *"* «<"• hearts, whether I am in elrth „; • ^l' °^'^" ^ ^non^ ' 77 dear sister an^frS ^^T^ ^ ^^ "«* forg^ bahupn. ^ P^^>^ for me I dear Jtfrs. OVrlttenatatImewhen«h«»« "^ '^ Of truth Md Jove, who L J ■."'° "^ "^ tKat God "je. I commend yiu m!!'"'**" «» e^^ioft, „„ "f ^"a^le with the .amrf„X''d"'l"'''«^'^^ now do. "I ,„^^ fotKh.^""?""* ofioje I keneeforthttereiswSuXmf "■« fi«iih: «.d^ f^?« crown of righeeoZ^'"??«ak2 »«^«'- .■■..- ■■•..'-. '■.■■.' 11. ' ."»>; ■M•■^ *'^7^fWB • '■'f' ■;.*:..■ 4 m: fVIBtTUAL LETTEU.% tlio Spirit of holiness write them on your heart :-- Deny yourself wholly, take up your eross daily, and follow Christ fully. Wateh, ast pray. Avmd aU occasions of temptation resolutely; but if at any S you are overUe delay not to fall at «ie fee of Christ that moment for pardon and streugflvAhe - earth and heaven are upon you. OTHWr. your halting: more, I trust, wish you sub- :iie name of the Lord : I am sure / do ; and pre write without reserve. Take care of your owin^iderstanding: do not si^ffer yourself to thmk of it, but with deep abasement, that you have made ^ottt^r use of it. Do not adorn your body uow if you wish to be found adorned with Chnat m the day of eternity. I sit under the shadow of my lie- loved : while I write. I feel him sustaimng my soul. Jesus, great is thy gbodneas, great is thy merey . 1 feel my insuffieiifcy to speak of the goodness o^ mv God: it is more than I am able to express. 1 enjoy in him alf I want; but am daily inore sensi- ble how little I am. O how his grace is magniftcd in a poor worm! You also tavetasted of his love: may you follow him fully and steadfastly. While Tou do this, though storms should rise and winds blow, they will only settle and fix you more fully on the Kock which cannot he moved. Believe Bimply and constantly ; so shall you love steadfastly and entirely: then shall the Lord guide you eon- tinually, and satisfy your soul in drought ; and your soiil sM he as a watered gardexv, and as qpnngs of ivater which fail not. , . t. \^ -w Farewell,— I was going to 8ay,/or et>er,- but, ah not I shall see you again 1 May it be where we^ shall rejoice together in that joy which cannot Df Dir 11118. II. A. COOBIia. so art:— y, and old all lit any lie feet u The ffHmy. DU 8Ufc- o; and of your think e made [y now, tin the my Uc- iiysoul. mercy', inesa of iress. 1 . e scnsU agniftcd lis love : While id winds Ire fully Believe iadfastly irou tern- and your prings of • but, ah rhere we annot hi taWen away from lis ; then shall we parl'lio more, but live for ever \u the presence of our Jesus. : **Thcre» only there, wo Bhttll Fulfll his great dcsiijfl, Arid in his praly! with all | Our elder brotliren Join : , s, Arid'hymn in sohkb which never end, , Our heavenly, ev "' •■ * -),' ^ -'*'.'■ ^!L'mifK'''ms^ . * .■ . ■'•" .■ A •' - • / . * ■■■ r ■X ■iJ.- MKIOCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHAET . ' . • . (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) Z' ^V.; 1.0 i.r ta ■ 2.8 IS M^ !■■ U£ 1^ itt |4£ u ■iuta 4.4 I 1^ ■ 22 2.0 1.8 1.6 A y^PPLIEb ItVMBE I nc leu East Main iStreet RocRfester, New York 14609 (716) 482 - 0300 - Rhone (716) 288 -5989 -Fax . USA i ■ '!■■ 90 SPIRIT^AI. LBTTEB8, §1 '.:■*' in6nitj Wisdom protracts my stay a little loninr. and I bow my soul in resigimtion at his feet. I am not my own, but his: and O, mav my language ever be, "Not as I will, but as thoi wilt 1" I find I need iiot drop the body to enjoy the presence of my God: He dwells in my heart; in him 1 live- lie surrounds, supports, sustains me. Wrapped in Ins Being, I resound his praise I the heart-feft communion my soul enjoys with him,~the intimate converse, the sweet fellowship I ^ My spirit is fill^. ' and yet enlarged. It often seems as it mortality ' could bear no more j and yet my desires are insati- able ; 1 long to plunge deeper into God. I rejoice to find, by your l^t letter, you are cleaving to your Lord, and happy in his precioua love. O that every day and hour you breathe you may sink deeper into himj All, all you want is there, i^t not your trials be any discouragement : nay, "rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heatven." Kcmember, every cross IS a pledge of your crown; and all your sufferings will add to your eternal weight of glory. I hole you are in earnest for the precious pearl of perfect love: O loofe up toa present and faithful God! Ask, and you shall receive; all things in him are now ready: be not faithless, but believing. Hath he said, "I will circumcise thy heart," and will he not do it? Sooner shall' heaven and earth pass ftway than his promise fail, if you' only embrace it by believing. claim your privilege,~the inheri- tance of the land of promise, .the rest of holiness purchased for you by bloodl Go up and possess it : » *^r^ 2?"^'^ now, just as yo» are,~emphr, to be filled,~filthy, to be cleansed. ^ ■«? ■('"■'■ nr MBS. u: ▲. boobbb. ■«? 91 •• sink into the pnrple flood : Kise to all tho lile of God." Ub assured I qver remember you at the tUrono of gracei and remain .. . Your friend and sister in Jesus, H. A. Rob. N LETTER VII. , * (Tbthesame.) ■ ^ . . ■ ■ ■ * . , " . ' ■ • !_ MACCtESFiELD, March 10, 177a £>£AR Cousin, - x I BLESS God that you learn wisdom by the things that you have suflFerM; and that you feel every temptation from Satan, as well as your out- ward trials, do work together for your good. So it shall ever be to all who love God, as lam fully persuaded you do. I have of late been exercised with various and close trials, .bujt not one too many; for all are per- mitted by my God I He is my portion, and reign- eth in my heart alone. I have a happiness, th^e- fore, independent of any creature, of any thing - below the sun : God is all, and he is mine I *' All myrtreasure Is above ; All my riches Is his love." ^ Q prions portion, invaluable treasure! /^' . * Joys that, never, never past^ Through eternity shall last." - >\I think believers iii general do not meditate enough on their privileges, and tHe great things God hatk done for them, and promised t9theiii ; from what they are redeemed^ and the fulness they ^ ■V-' '4-. V'' '^-:*-a; • r 92 8PIRITDAL LETTEBfl, are called to possess. Let us dwell a little on ii>e blessed theme. Let us look to the rock from whenco we were hewn, that we may rejoice the more in what we now are. W^re we not once going on in the waj to eternal ruin? dead in trespasses ahA fiiiis; yea, slaves to Satan, and led by that grand adversary wheresoever he ^ould; yet sltSping • secure on the verg^ of destruction ? O mv friend. If God had than ention in your last ; and Jthongh I feel fo* you, 1 have no fears on your ac- count. I know ihe Lord wiy m(ike your, darkness light, your crooked paths straight, and your soul shall see the salvation of God. . rit is no marvel that the enemy of souls employs his every artifice to destroy your peace. And will ' he not the rather do this just at a critical season when your outward trials are great? ,;He sees you pursuing the things, and espousing* the glorious cause, which shall overturn his kingdoiii: marvel not then at his rage a^inst you. It proves to me, that you will be an ins^hiihent ih the hands of<}od of much good to precious souls; and that this dire enemy forsees it likely to be so, and therefore would retard, though he cannot hinder or stop your pro- gress. You say you »l cannot believe till these doubts ar^ cleared up." Here is another device of Satan. Your doubts cannot be rembVed till yt)u do believe: faith only is able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one; only believe, and V >■■ . BY MR8. H. A. ROOEIlB. V 95 you shall be saved from all your doubts ; meHdian evidence shall put them all to flighi Cast your souI|> your fears, your unbelief, youf inbred sin, your all at the fm of Christ; and iko the foun- tain of his blood, the depths of his lovt. Be deter- mined,— Lord, thou Shalt be my Teacher, Wisdom, Guide, Counsellor,— my atonement, ny King, my Portion. • ■ " Helpless Into thy hond I fall I V ,-^ Be thou my God, my all In ilL** Yes, my dear friend, leave Christ to i nswer etei^ tempfation that besets you: He hati said, "My grace is bttfficient for thee." This ia enough: be not faithless but believe. You ask nae if I am not in a delusion respecting my experience of perfect love^ Blessed be God, I, have not the shadow of a doubt ; even Satan him- self finds these suggestions vain and has left them off. He would rather lead me to doubt, or care for to-morrow; saying, " Such and such a thing is at hand, and will overcome thee: thou wilt fall in some of thy trials; or, whe'n death comes, thou wilt bq under a cloud." But, tljrough grace divine, I am enabled to discern from whence these sugges- tions come, and ithiey never distress me f^r a moment: for byionstfcitly looking to Jesus, I re- ceive fresh strenlfli- irt every time of need : I know I am now right, and I tnjst him for all that is to come: and though all Wetness, ignorance, help- lessness, and unworthinqj^, yet i have the testi- mony of ^y own conscience, and the witness of God'g Spirit, that I a^ wholly and unreservedly his,— his ui body, spirit, soul: nor does anything^ but love remain in my heart. But were I in jl •*.'fr*' :*•'#' .-.. «•■ 00 enhlTUAI' LETTK10, yXi Jk tv '4' delusion,— happy delusion! It brings salvation,--* it brings heaven below 1 Nay, witli what I this moment feel, I could be happy in the greatest of outward conflicts and distresses; for Christ is in my heart; I dwell in God, and God in me,--I dwell in love, and love dwelleth in me. God is loye, ami He is all I want. And is it possible wo should bo ignorant whether wo feel tempers contrary to love or not? whether ^o rejoice always, or arc burdened and bowed down with sorrow? whether we have a praying, or a dead, lifole|S spirit? whether we can praise God, and bo resigned in all trials, or feel murmuring, fretfulnes8,and impatience under them? Is it not easy to know, if wo feel anger at provoca- tions,— or whether we feel our tempers mild, gentle, peaceable, and easy to be entreated, or feel stub- bornness, self-will, and pride? whether we have slavish fears, or are possessed at that perfect love which casteth out all fear- that liAth torment? You ask how I obtained this great salvation? I answer, Ju^t as I obtained the pardon of my sin,— by simple faith. No sooner did the pride and re- ^ maining unbelief of my heart submit to bo taught, and to receive his precious full salvation, as a free ^ift of his grace, by faith alonev without any fiti\ess or worthiness, but I was instantly filled with such humbling depths of love to God, and union with him, with such discoveries of my own nothingness, as wholly swallowed up tny soul in gratitude and praise. I knew the faithfulness of my God, and ventured on the promise, in spite of reasoning and unbelief, and all the lying suggestion^ of the enemy, and believed against hope^ Qt wha;tever opposed; when I feU my soul sink into nottiing, and Jesus • •'•■.•/■• IIT lrR0. n. A. ROdBlU}. 97 l)ccamc my all. I cried, » Thus is what I wantod • I am emptied of self, and filled with God: I am now where I ought to bo,-a worm at Jcaus' fcet.aaved by grace." But a thousand snpgeationa were soon darted ; auch aa, " Thou wilt soon lose it : thou panst not stand ; when thou art tried, th6u wilt fall." I said, Lord, thou alone canst be my keeper — see (Aofi to that : I havejriven myself into thy hahda. and I will hang upon thee. Tho^ hast promised •My ^actf,^ sufficient for tl(ee,'" the precioual ness of these words ! I shall pntise God in eternity that they are written in his book, this and such other promise* have been proof for me against every opposition and trial I have met with ; /which you know are not few) and by thus trusting the promise and the Promiser, I have conquered : and glory be to God, through his strength I shall still lyevail.^ It IS by hanging on Jesus as an infant^n ita^mother 8 breast, 1 retain my pea^e, and love, •nd joy. By watching, prayer and praise: br pressing after deeper degrees of humble love, Com- munion with God, and active holiness. Never were the ways of God so sweet as now to my soul • I love the narrowest path his Spirit and his word pomt out rand all my delight is to do and suffer his will. may the same, God of love fully reveal his great salvation in your fceart, and be himself your rich portion for ever! prays Your affectionate cousin and friend, * ^\- > irmiTUAL LETTERS, LETTER IX. (To Um» ittme.) ■ •■ ■ -X GttMTix, Dec li), n7& Dba»Friend,\ ^v •I AM glad to be*'! by yo^r B'«ter, that you aro restored te lessons of his love. I trust you have learned many sweet and important truths in your late aflBic- tion, and are coming out of it as gold purified in the fire. You have no cause to fear all the legions of your spiritual enemies: tempt they may, and power- fully assault, but cannot harm. I am led to believe all the depressions of mind you sometimes feel, nre, in a great measure, owing to two things: first, not being deeply and clearly sensible what is tempta- tion, and what is sin V and, secondly, accounting the inseparable infirmities of the corruptible body to be sin; such as, errors in judgment, failures of memory, bodily weakness qr pain, and, at times, through various causes, a depression of animal spi- rits. This last mistake may arise from another, namely, looking upon elevating, transporting joy as inseparable from true grace. Now I think you must allow, that, as free agents, notliing but what our will chooses in opposition to the will of God, or, as Mr. Wesley expresses it, " nothing hut a wilful transgression of a known law is sin." Granting this then, and though ten thousand sinful objects or de- sires, in all the pleasing forms that Satan can in- r BY MRS. H. A. BOaBRfl. vent, may bo darted into oar inhidi, or dLsnlayad before the eyel of onr imagination, if our will and affection, do not embrace or choose them, but wo c7„que7' '**° *''" • " "^^- ^« "« '^ "«^ ""^ ^-^ ^ aocondly : when, through various IndlspoBlfions of thefriMl, tottering body, we feel a very .mall de' flZ^/^''^^ "*T' P^'^^P"' only a degree of hope and confidence, and at the wme time, the enemy, en- r^nr^r *1^V'^^ **« ^^ ^'' temptation, a the ^ o^God h"; • ^P' ^ r' •" * '""« '^ ^*^« '»»« advice fL I'^J i" ?^''^P^^'' " W'»« « «™on^ you that feareth the Lord, thatoboyeth the voice of hi. .er vant that walketh in darkne.., and hutl, no %ht? Let him U-ust in the name of the Lord, and .tay upon h,. God." Thi. text proves that C i.^^t n.eparable from grace. It is not accordfiko Z^ joy, (for this IS the fruit or effect of failRut aol cording to our faith, he blesses and save , ™ * •nd love. us. Our love to God, his cause,' hi. peo' pie h,. precepts, all springing from the rooH/ faith are so many acts of the soul, which our LorS and Master approves and accepts through the Be- ^ed; and are inseparable evidences of our^.^ *h?Hni Ai^T' ^^^^^» »°d comraunicationt of the Holy Ghost, are M many free gift. be.towBi on ^g, and dwelling m«8 J and are so many pledgL of hi. unmerited love. jf^ukpooi .J^'^y^^^^^^'^^Vermit bodily affliction, so that the animal spirits cannot receive the comlnu nca- bons; (I mean, cannot receive them without an which, indeed, we often .ee manifested in Fthi •r^C ioo •pmiTOAL lilTTKlUU \>*' jf^\n^ hours of thoHe who lovu God, »nd I myiclf have «»«" ^ t ourselves by faith on rr Tea m rSom, and, without givlnjc way *r; iolg^bellove he will -Ue every a^^^^^^^^^^^^ work lor good? Surely we ought to trust hmi at ri^-itisourpriv-n^^^^ ^^f "'^ff^ri T When we lie beset with varlou^ tempUtions, S\a^loussugg"st-^^^^ ^"^»^'^\''*^r"a"rtLt m sucl^a temptation will prove toe, hard tor thee ^ &c." My grace is sufficient for thee," saith the tid -lie tho knows all your trials. Now, when i:^fith we .lubrace and rely on this promise, ' know ng he who is faithful will perform his word te Ire strengthened by a sweet peace, and well- Lke us ashamed. And, whifu we continue to l^e < r^ ♦hi« faith we more than conquer, whether our ?L*I;l^u;L;^great. This is our shield; and God afUictions to fry and prove this faith, - * • *(tef, and be more conspi- cuous to all. noi urn. »^ is displeased with us for cuous to ail. ^ ffictions as a punishment; whom the Lord lovlh he chastenetli. I believe * not lo c«. away your confidence, which recompencU reward. And yet a little • Wl come, will come, tod wiil M lyscU ntglit ih on f way iction lim at e mo; eU: I oot of X you i," be- much itions, surely r thee, _ th the , when 'omisei ; word. i well- never to live • ler our ndGod is faith, conspi- h us for ihment r believe you by 6} which it a little tnd will BY IfRll. II. A. ROCIEIUI. 1 ^ Wltl?re«poct to innctlflctii^if, T mctn the Instan- tancous work, you liavo the word of Qod • »• I will Hnill ? o'""';;vntor upon you, and you i.hal| be i. 1 u7i "." ^^"^ ^^'^^'''''^ •"'^ ^^^ «" your id K w 1 I de«n,o you " Here Is a AiII. free pro- ^mi.so. Do you «(,ck this salvation by faith, or bv works? If by fnith. then you have no^need to tlrr^ for worthiness or fitness, but come now, fust as yoT »•. you must embrace the promise, believe it nZ\ "'"'"r ''' ?^"'°« *" ^' •^» y°"r o^n, trusting pod to perform it. Soon as you cast you^ soul oS h.m by faith he will seal the ble Jng on your . Spirit, and fill ypu with all his fulness, prays Your affectionate friend and cousin, H. A. Bob. . LETTER X, .■•"*.""■ . . ' ■ • (TV) th« Baipe.> : » Dear Cousin, " N^'''^'^"' ^P-^i W, 1771^ You are quite mistaken ;-you do not try my patience at a 1 : but you are made a means of hum- b mg my soul before God, when you think me cana- be of answering in a proper manner the questions y(m ask: and yet, as far as the Lord has taught me! I am willing to communicate. I believe your eyo tZ^ ^^?l r * "^i^ °^ <^^^» ««^ an heir of glory— a well-beloved of the €fternal Trinity. For vilS, * M^*'l!'' f "^^ ^" """"^y Son ; Jesus the Sa- InlrMl for j^ou; and the blessed Spirit hath apihed the blood of sprinkling to the pardon S . f'- #■ y t'. flft 'f «c . // l62 flFOOrn AL IiETTBI '^; M'' Your Sins- and the comfort of your soul »« ^^^ yj»|J ^ j:;roustrtals. I account it no strange ^^f^^^*^ vou should be assaulted, lilte your lieaven^y Mas- rr with that suggestion, "If thou be Ir son of G^" Surely you will not give way to reasompg. S^elL/a^eosts 7- - ^^^t1^^Srf Ood ■ No: rather toke oomfert; for he that HM ^l^wM toSipted W this very point UlieMy.- ^JLhyvJit» may bo«theU nevertOTipted ; S« no STor tJo; but a child of God (some :^e^, excepted) i. .eldom ^or>e^f^^:^^ ■anlted by onr vig hint adversary, who t^kes even^ rss We method and opportunity to attack «urco^- SSence in ther-)rd, and to work upon all that «- , Lins of the carnal mind, or of unbelief: but he ™. only tempt; he cannot force «s to give way eKh^^tosnoVinbelief. Neither think .t strange twyon are not inwardly «. holy as you o-^t^ be: every child of God feels the same^l f««y re newed iilove by the power of the Ho'y 6J»»' ; till then he has faith, but it U often miiedwith un- beliSe baslove, but, though he loves God above an K yet the love of self, and of feature com forSotonste*!' !»!»»»«"' '••r'* T'Zf. humility, and yet he is constrained to acknowledge ftequeSly, with tears, as Jane Coo^ "J^^i""^ pride, th(t busy sin, spoiU »11 th«t 1 1«rfo™-. »» patieioe «>d re^nation are not perfect: bisinU STnot fully subdnld to God^tt aU tunes, ^ a^ h« affeotionsanddesires whoUy spiritual.^ •n.eSp.rU of God doesviait, butddes not dwell; doesatt mes «vish the soul with delight; thereby wooing rt M ■ cast away unbelief, and open the doorto rece.ve^U , be preoiou. mind of Jesas,-.ll the stamp, of love :iittaA»«t tV-C ^' BY MHCIt. B. A. R0OEII8. 109 ./;■■ divine. Now, when a soul is obedient to the yoice of God, when it doea open the door, and grasp the promiges of holiness in the hand of faith, He will come into that doul, and plant his own nature there; then, when perfect in love, faith becomes constant and unmixed with unbelief. Love talces full pos- s^ion of the soul, and httnaility, unmixed with pride, lays him at the Saviour's feet. His constant faith and perfect love now bring forth perfect pati- ence and resignation. His deep-rooted humility having laid all self at the Saviour's ifeet, his will is now quite subject, and all his language isj /* Aliyaiike to me, 80 1 In nhy Lord niiqr live and die.** But even this state is consistent with many ignor- ances, weaknesses, and infirmities; with many temp- tations, trials, crosses^ and bodily afflictions ; and, onaccount of these, our joy may, at times, be small: yet our faith may be perfect, and our peace undis- turbed. I believe our faith is often made manifest by following God hUndJold; |ii I may be allowed the expression ;)— I mean, when our ignorance and bhndness cannot account for his providentiaT dis- pensations ; when we are beset with trials, and see no way to escape. In this case, faith jsays, ** It is the Loi^ let him do what seemeth him good.' Being confident of this one thing, "what I know not now I shall know hereafter," I will trust in my God, and be not afraid, for he is my all. I have not time, room, or expression, to tell a ttiousandth part of the goodness of God to my soul. He is ever with me, and assures my heart, " All that J have is thine." All my desires are satisfied in him ; I live in him, and walk in him, and he is ^ :i\ ■ 104 BPIEITPAIi LBTTBBSi my God. He is with me in Bickness and in heaUh, "Vhome and abroad,-in puj,lie and in private. In reading or writing I feel hia presence: and O. when I am bowed before his throne, helets down a h^ven of eommunieated blissl La»g«»«« J^;* Xn I speak of his love. O may my every breath speak his praise I . . Your unworthy friend, but happy sister, ^ JI. A. Rob. J LETTER Xt Cro^lie same. Upon the nattii^of fiiUh.«ia in what sense ■ fiathistheactof man.) : Macci.esfikli)» Aug. 12, lt79. Dear Cousin, . I CAN still see all yourdoubts and scruples m no other light than as tem^aaons ?jd «"g^;^ from an enemy, who is, and ever will H jateh^"g and endeavouring to ^reak your peace. . And Soii^ I believe you will be brought tl^ou^. all to the haven of bliss ; yet you permit him to ro^^ you of much comfort, which 3^ou might enjoy and L would rather employyou.iu answering his ying ^ggestions, than that you should ^e mon^ loofing up to, and depending on, Jesus for all you W^^Xmyowniart, rourqueries,Isho«ld never enter intothe niced.s^ tinctionsyoJdo. 1 have much more to learn myself, and am convinced many would solve your scrap es much better than I can. Indeed, Jo spea^ W^^^ no one can do it : it is the work ofGod. Yet I am ready to impart what himself hath freely given.- BT IfRS, fl. A. BOOER8. 105 lealtti, rivate. Hid OV Lown a e fails breath Rob. vat sense ,lt79. nplesin jestions atehing . And gii th^Hi ntorol) oy ; and tiis lying lentarily r all you > answ€r nicedis' unyself, scraplcs properly, yet I am given. — Btit I beseech yon to read my letters with prayer^ find beg of Qod tbat he will attend every observa- tion with the light and blessing of his Spirit." You say,- " The work of justification is greatly obscured by many, and you do not Exclude me— that I tell you, sometimes it is by faith, sometimes by works." 80 do Saint Paul and Saint James; yet they are strictly consistent with themselves and each other. But '* I sometimes think you under- stand by works a meritorious condition." I liever mean any such thing.' When I speak of the works God requires in a seeker, or believer, I only mean a co-operation with, or using the grace given to us. I believe God the Father lovfed all mankind in their sins, freely and unconditionally, or he had never given his only begotten Son. And it was an unconditional promise. "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head."— God the Son also loved us freely and unconditionally when he left his Father's glory, and became man; liyed, died) and rose again for usT I believe, too, God the Holy Ghost unconditionally (with respect to anything we can do) " enlighteneth every man that Cometh into the world." But then^ these things being done for us, by and through the free grace of the eternal Trinity, we are required to use the light given.^ -■■■■'■.> :; If the Spirit of God convinces of sin, which ia his work, we are required to forsake it; and there is always power communicated to do it. This for- saking of sin is an act of man, and a condition; for, "Put away the evil of your doings," saith God, ** from among yon, and cease to do evil:" y^ this is not a meritorious work. Again: if the Spirit / loe CfPIBITUAIi LiSTTKlfiS, \ points the gailty, heavy-laden einher to the Lamb of God ; shows the all-sufBciency of his atonement, and that the pfomisei^ ace made to such lost sinners as he iSf who are w&uryot the harden of sin ; t)iat he has a right to come, because all are invited; and that ** flow is the accepted time with God| and now is the day of salvation ;" that no. price or worthi- neas is required, /Diit he may come without money, and be forgiven fiseely: when these things are reveal6d by (lod, which is his work, then it is that we are commanded to act faith. We are to believe the record true,— embrace it,—- rely upon it,<— and Venture our guilty souls on the promises made througn a bleeding Saviour. It is after this act of faith, (not before iti) God ^ves the witness of the Spirit. Doyoufinderstand ine? The witness or seal of the Spirit is God's gift, not our act; given to all who dp act faith on Jesus, and the pro- mise made thrpngh him. But it is not given till faith is acted. If we, as penitents, had no power thus to act faith, how would God' be just in declar- ing, <* He that believeth not shall be damned?*' With respect "to works after justification,— can any one retail his cpnMence in God wi&out them? bas he any foundation in the 3cripture to do so? God ahsblujtely requires that we should da, c2t>, (2b, (as yon say,) and 6e, he, be; not in a meritorious sense, but as fruits of the law of love written in our hearts, acceptable and well-pleasing through Jesus Christ; and with''every ii^ unction he gives power to perform it. The power is given of grace, and the use Pf that power is the act of man. Again : when the Lord, iSy his Spirit, reveals our inbred Mn, and points us to the all-cleansing blood, and to J.- BT MB8. H. A. ItOOIBS. 107 the promises of circmncising our heart, fee., it is his worlc wrought in us freely. But, whSi this light is given, we are to embrace the promise^, and to act feith up#H them. God hath said, ♦» I will do it," Let me ask,' Do you believe he will doit in you ? Hold fast that faith then, for the promise is sure ? it cannot fail : and God's time is now. Only believe. God at this moment requires an act of faith in you: he holds out the promise, aiid bids you believe. But you will say, I do not feel the blessing. Poor^ Thomas I because thou hast not seen, thou wilt not believe, '* Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed." But you asfc^ »*. What must i believe?" I answer,-, that God is faithful ;— that he can and will, in a moment, give you what now you do not feel : nay, you will not feel it till after yon have believed. If I had given you an apple, it yrould not be faith to believe I had given it ; but if I had promised to give you one, and to give it you instantly on your requesting it ; if you then believed my promise, and took me at my word, though you did not yet see or handle the apple, this would be your act of Within m6. But how much more immutable is the pro- mise of God I You cannot believe Him in vain. Even suppose (which is seldom the case) you thus act faith a day ortwo,or longer, before you receive ' tiie witness, shall yon be the worse for it? Nay, but far better for having believed : this faith will bring power into your soul, and you will seiisibly feel what you never felt before ; and soon you will . prove the Spirit*^ inward testimony, that it is done ^ unto you according to your faith. But you will say, "How ia the work instantaneous, if I must -/X'' ♦ ' 10ft BPXRIT0M. LETTEnS, wait a day or two ?" I answer,— the work Is done the moment you believe, though the witness of the Spirit (which is not your faith, but the gift of God) be not fully given till afterwards. ** He that Ifo- lieveth (the promise saith) shall be saved" fr.om guilt, from inbriBd sin, and into glory. It appears to me, you labour under another mis- take: yon expect, in being saved from sin, to be also delivered from temptation, short-comings, weaknesses, and infirmities ; but these are in- separable from humanity. .We shall never have a perfect body till the resurrection ; of consequence, shall be liable to a thousand intirmities. We shall never have a perfect knowledge in this life ; and shall^ therefore, ever be liable to errors in judg- ment, &C. The perfect law of Adam would con- demn these things ; but we are under tlie covenant of grace, or, in other words, under the law of love to Cbrist, whose blood every moment pleads for these things. May the God of peace and love teach and guide you into his perfect willj prays Your affectionate cousin, ^ H. A. KoB. LETTER XIL -;/■';■;.:• (TotheMune.)' v »■ "; - MAOCttosFiBLD, Jan. 14, 1780. I AM willing to answer any questipn, or write in anV^anner that will give your soul satisfac- tion, break any snare of the en6my, or, in any way .7 \ BY 1IR8. H. A. BOGEBS. 109 whatsoe^r, glorify God. Bat I am often led to' ^liok you do not want information in your judg- ment respecting these* things; and/therefore, that your aim is to see how &r I iun, or am not, consis- tent with myself in my different letters. Were many people to peruse what I write to you, they would think it very presuming in me to argue points of doctrine or experience with you, who are in* tended to he a teacher in Israel j yet, you so draw me in, that I dare not refuse, I rejoice to hear tliat your soul is more happy in God than when you wrote before. Olive near to him, and press forward, and all is yours I I would again repeat, trample upon all that is past, and come this mo- ment to Jesus by faith alone, for present, instan- taneous, perfect love. , / 'Heady are you to receive? Readier is your God to give.** But I must hasten to consider your objections :— You ask, "If I, previous to justification, forsake > all sm, and have power to keep myself from evil, by the grace I receive from the con vincing Spirit of God; what need of his free justifying or sanc- tifying grace? On the other hand, if 1 offend," say you, "in one point, not being faithful t6 the grace of conviction, am I never afterwards to be accepted, even by the Gospel-charter? How agrees this " you go on to ask, " with trampling, as you often bid me, on my worthiness and unworthiness, and coming by faith alone?" I would here put a few questions to you, and I beseech you answer them to the Lord:— Can your iorsaking all sin now, (though It be pleasing to God, and what he requirea V ■ <- ■^\ -'^^-■'' ' :■ . . :>-. 110 flriBITUAL LBTTBK8, aud commands,) cancel your old 8in0, or obtain ftft- givcncss for what is past? Have you no need then uf the free justifying grace of Qod, to be received by faith alone V On the other hand, if yon resist the convincing Spirit Of Qod, and continue in sin, contrary to his strivings and drawings, will he con- tinue his operations, and, in spite of you, work that faith in you which alone justifies the ungodly? Vet, consistent with these things, you may, through the power of temptation, and your evil unregener- ate nature, have been overcome, and given way, not being faithful to the grace of light and convic- tion; and yet you may still come, hating the sin you have committed, and burdened with your past unfaithfulness, trampling on your present worthi- ness or un worthiness, come just as you are,— a poor prodigal, a condemned malefactor, — to Jesus, and receive freely, by faith alone, the mercy and the pardon you no ways deserve. Again : you are now a believer, but feel the re- mains Of a carnal nature. It isyibr happy privi- lege, though the Spirit, to mortify the deeds of the body, o!r the motions of the body of sin, that still \works in your members: this is pleasing unto God, ai^d what he requires, as fruits of that faith whereby he luts promised you shall be able to quench every fiery dart of the devil. But, supposing you do this without once being unfaithful to the grace of justi- fication, (and alas! very few, if any, can truly plead they have been so,) will this cleanse your heart frotn the root of inbred sin? Ah no I And have you no need then of the free sanctifying grace of God. tp be received by faith alone? If, on the other hand, ^on are willingly, wilfully or faabitu- m BT MBS. H. A, BOOEB8* lit and ally, unfuithftil to grace given, are led captive, and overcome by your inbred ain, or outward tempta- tions; ,f you resist the teachings 9!' the Spiril J)f S^d -^7^"^ ^'"* ^^" *« ti;^ all-cleanshrg Wo^and do not earnestly seek to go on unto pei^ / S^^ ?f ^' ^^"^ *^*^""^«*» ^"» he come fixrci-^ »lL! 1 !L® possession of your heart, and dwell l^t^whlfl f'^'" ""^ r ""*^ ^«*» consistent' with what I have urged, though you may be deeply conscious you have not been strictly faithful to justifymg grace; nay, through surprise or icmpta^ ^: ^'*" have been vanquished, and foiled, a,id overcome j,y inbred colruption, yet, coming sj^ condemned and humbled in Jhe dust to Jesus. ' "^^'^'.^^^^ ^ f^e\^i^^^^ and (ifyoJ earnestly desire It, and come by faith alone to receive it) to cleanse you from "allunrightcU You ask, « How am I to learn the ^flferiftce " between sin and temptation ?" lown there is some difficulty here : I mean, in discerning between the motions of mbred sin, while it yet rem^rus, and the^p^ations of Satan. Nothing but the W of God, 1^ his inward teaching, can make it dear to you. But this yre know, whether our tempta^ tions are from our evU hearts when unrenewed, or from the enemy, if our will stands firm for God - and oppo^sall that would riseor is offered contran; ' to hia^wiH, he IS so far from accounting us guiltyjf sm, that he approves, and will reward the victiy. But, prest^not without inward purity-; and when rr. fTi' «^«*°^d fi'^*^ all sin, you will see more fully the nature of temptation. Pray let us know if yon are likely soon to get or- ■-;».. H: y ■%. 41t ■PIRITIIAL Limitf, ■'♦■■' dained ; and if you are, whether you will accept the curacy now offered you. I hope you had a profit- able time with Mr. Wealey. I had a precious season when he was here ; and I think I^eyer saw him so full of the Spirit of his ,Ma8ter,--Bo^full of God. May the Lord fill your earthen vessel with all his fulness, and keep you to redemption's day, i^rays Your affectionatis cousin and friend. * H. A.E01. LETTER Xin. (1V> the same.) .*'■■■ • ■ ■ ■ . H ACGLBsrfEtD, Nor. 2, 1780L , MV DEAR FUlEtD, I REJOICE to find, by the contents of your last, that you are pressing on to the attainment of that fulness which God calls you to enjoy; and I trust you will soon experience that blessed rest,^— ** from self and sin set free." The suggestion, that this blessing will be more than you can bear, is appa- rently from Uie enemy : ah, no I but it will enable you to bear all things. If you expect to be over- whelmed with exceeding great joy when you re- ceive this, I think you are not expecting it in the way it is generally given. I look upon joy as an effect, or a fruit, and not the blessing itself. With me it was thus :— I was humbled and self- emptied, and Jesus became pay all in all.. I felt myself all weakness, (yea, as I never did before,) and He all nriy strength ;— I all nothingness, He all fulness ;— I all helplessness, He omnipotence. X flew from myself) and escaped to Jesus: He received ■ ■■< ■■'V' \:r: BT MBS. B. A. R00ER8. Its mepclonsly, freely, without money, without pHcd, without worthinew or faithminess, and became all my salvation, and all my desire: humbled in lowest abasement at his boundless condescension, and filled with love, I felt that I was one with God. If the enemy were to suggest, " Though rou were to feel this, you could not retain it:" remem- ber, you^xeceive this blessing that it may keep you. You have only to hang momentarily dependent on Jesus, and he will be your keeper. Faith is the bond of union: and in your union with him lies your strength. Ho will water you every moment ; yea, he will be in you as a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life. Jesus himself is all you want : he is hoUness,-he is heaven,-he is yours. bri^ng your polluted heart, then, just as it is, and he^will taksD fuU -possession. come by simple ••Faith, mighty faith, the promise: sees, ; / And looks to that alone ; ''■-■■■■^•. ^^,/ Laughs at ImposaiblUtlcs, v / And cries, It shall be done.* (fjr.. My state of health is better than it has been for some years ; but, glory be to God, not half so well as njy befter part l no I So plentiful^ ncU Jg my Redeemer's love, that thought cannot fSbgrn itr :t seems but now beginning an eternity of bliss I how sweet the service of such a Master, such a God I— how reasonable, how delightful all his paths ! what solid,present'peaceJ what, antepasts of hea- venly joys, when we walk in CQiiimuuion with him I If we have any sorrow, any abiding doubts or fears, surely it is because we know not, as fully as we may know, the nature of the God of love. Wliwi m- • \ \u eriRlTUAL LBTTBR«| %ve lufTer hun to reveal to us what he is, the lovely disoovery tvansforms iis into bis image, and dispels 9vory tlioMgiit but love. Beholding him, we are 2haiigod ikito the same image, from glory to glory, «)vou by the Spirit of the Lord. Afy thirsty soul earnestly longs to know him • nioro ; but his love is unfathomable : yet every day „ ^iM^li^s me fresh discoveries ; and yet I believe wha|^ Sv^&r;6 capable of receiving, he will reveal to mi who love him. Open then your heart. Permit * him, and he will give such endearing views of his beauty as you never had before; such views as will dissolve your heart in humble love, and fill your eyes with joyful tears. You will see and ••ais every rfwiture blesslnjf iBj His path unsullied light." filuy what I now feel be communicated to you|^, spiritj and Ood Jbe your eternal portion, praya '" Your affectioiifte sifter and friend, II. A. Roe, LETTEl^Wpr^' i «bl„od,-,he new-Lde ore.";;; tPmn«jiH-/^n »i Tr •'^ . " ^ ^"*» M *0 that na JUKI. ■ ^"If . "»'«'»''y «o hi" Messed less soul. *« But 4fc ia ««♦ i« ' f ' ^ "^'P" *«oj„,tme.,?"'««^ s^dtifs^'z^r set ,ny li„Ued time? No„eM"„~ „f ^0™! the present He s.ith. Now. ?• To^^if ^.TwU J^w rLdy » H„T"' *^'^*' '"' "" "'»'8» «■% now reaaj. He has commanded. " 'l'li,.n <,i..u ove the I" look to him ; behold the glory of God I See the God of aneeb look at^his precioM bleeding sideAiswfnda' his head, his feet 1 Behold him gaspjU sroaS' dy.ng, that you might be madefied l^'STj?' cry, "It is finished." How finished, if hrblo^d elean^th not from .11 sin ? " Without holine^, n„ man shall see the Lord." BuVglory to his name whoever stetsinto that fountain, thich is expSy said to be for sm and uncleanness, shall bo mada perf^itly whole. Oletyourfiuthyenturoinl W^b tndbeolean: :. "usii . "Sink Into the,pnrple flood,— , *'™ '" ""l "le life of Ood." m f 118 gPIBITUAL LETTEBS, Open, my dear sister, open your willing, longing heart, and the King of Glory will come in. And then he assured, " all evil before his presence shall fly»»» Bin cannot remain where Jesus fully dwells ; «r Ije is holiness, and when he fills the soul, he ayes no room for any other guest. Whenever you can say, ** Jesus, thou art my all, and I love my God the present moment with all my loving " '^ heart ;" you that moment possess the blessing of sanctification, and never need to lose it more. It is retained, as well as received, by simple faith. We can have no stock of grace in hand, but live moment by moment; hanging and depending on thft / lovely Jesus. In him there is.afull supply of all ^ we want or can want. , This, blessed be God, I prove, and that contin- uallyi Every hour, every moment, brings me fre-sli delight in God. Heis an inexhaustible fountjun of love:-. " Insatiate to this spring I fly ; I drink, and yet am ever dry.'* I cannot express the ftweet union I feel with God at this inoment. " My Jesus to know, and feel his blood flow, Tis life everiasting,— 'tis heaven below." I am much blessed when I remember my dear friend at the throne of grace : and often do I be- seech my Lord to "^^ •♦ Fill her with all the life of love,— • in mystic union Join Her to Wmsel^ and let her prove , ' Tlie fellowship divine." Jesus is unspeakably precious while I write? may you catch the flame I feel ; and BT MRS. H. A. ROOEUS. US ••When your cup with love TOPS o'eiv may sin ne'er enter more r* - 3o prays, my dear sister, ^' * Y<^«Bn divine bonds, LETTERXVL CIV> 3i^ R. hefore she received sanctiflcnOOT^^ , -^ *f AcCLESFiiuv Nov. 21, 1778, I^ST Thursday evening I was pleasingly surprised %L f^l^TTJ ^'*^ ^^^ ^» ^H I some- times feared, had forgotten all her purposes and promise ; and also all the blessings she so often ' received when i^ met in our Lord's name. I was g ad to find my fears groundless ; but much more pleased and thankful was I to find by the contents ot your last, that your precious soulxvaa still labour- njg up the Jiill^of holiness. Go on, and prosper. Many are the trials we meet with in the wav; y^, ~-iii 1^ • ■■ ■ ■'\- 122 BPIBITUAL LBTTER8, piiiise him in nobler strains above. ^Were he to give t|»e summons now, and call from earth away, O hcfVr gladlj could I wing my (light tliis hour ! Loose from creature and created good, T oiily wait . the joyful words, *^ Come up hither.** Then would I, exulting, ' "Clap the glad wlnft and soar joway, ** And mingle with the t)Iaze of day/* In thiat blessed kingdom, dear sir, 1 hope to meet ^n, though perhaps onL earth we may meet no ,more. In the meantime^ may you be filled with all the fulpess of Father, Son, and Spirit; rejoic- ing herein with increasing joy, and made very use- ful in your Lord*s vineyard, prays jsincerely V Tour real well-wisher, for Christ*8 sakV, / H. A. Ri)B* / LETTER XVIII. «! ihat fill me with w^der wd If •''? <"^•"^ »n«i me to exclaim. wTth T,i ^"'*'""«9'' ">* "-eLord W and , maze of bliM lie v« K ; •" *'''^'™» P"- ., "d height., ,«thongL^^„.'^^'''H and depth.: , of man conceive, if faS^^ • ^'""' ~ «"' «"»<> the IViune God, in whfn'h"^ "*"*•*''* ""toe^ of ' f JoatandawSCrdlninr'^ '»*''■•''«> .ink, i»l Shatt ^e over XhZjf /"'"«"»' Owhati. ■ thooMoith part ? A I. /^ '"^ *"«■• know a ten -C7 ■■•/' ■■■■■■■• ■■■■■■■ ■' 128 ariRlTUAL LETTERS, revolving agea of eternity, I am persuaded we shall only leem b^inning to know hia ftilnew of love. W hat thoughU are iheae I When I enter into them, as into a labyrinth, they almost ovdrcome my na- Sy Sn this earthen vessel contain But a time f» hLSening on, (and I eagerly wait for its ap- proa^h,! when, no longer Imprisoned in elay our eyc8 shall be strengthened to see Him as he is ; s^e him It ourselves, and bask for ever m his smile. yZ we shall be with Jesus, and behold his glory. He will reveal to us fllso, as much as we can bwr, of the fulness of his Father's glory ; and we shall Si with Father. Son, and Spirit, filled to ^1 eter, dtyl But I have been led further than I intended: * PefmU m?to ask my dear friend, what are your ideas what is your opini/ ■ 'W •./* '^ ) " • / •» SS^- V •■. V LTV,; 130 BrmlTUAL LETTERS, ridedbysome, and exploded by manyj perhaps yon may have conversed with some of these^ and not have met with many who have dared to i^peak for V God in this respect : some of my expressions may therefore appear odd, or unusual ; hut compare them with Scripture, arid mention.- with freedom any of them you may wish me to explain. As I know your situation, you will excuse the liberty I take in ' advising you not to meddle with opinions: these . insensibly eat out of the soul the prec|,ous life of God. Dispute not with any ; or if they seek hurt- Vful disputations, it is a good way to pTropose prayer.' But it maybewqll, as much as laay be, to avoid /the company of those who-love vain controversy. Endeavour after a ci^m, recollected spirit, — a heart- •felt union with a holy God. Sweet truth, ♦» God iu love ;" and love is the Christianas all I Love in "us is his nature imparted ; itis the fulfilling of the law, the perfect law of liberty. Whosoever loveth his brother, hath fulfilled theJaw to his neighbour ; and he who loveth the Lord his God with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength, hath fulfilled the law to him also. To such ^* his commandments'- |are not grievous, ^-^hot a task, a wearisome bur- f den, but a' delight : ** they are ways of pleasantness, "^they are paths of peace." And ajs we are under a I* l&w of love to God, so God, our God in Christ, is *^^ under a covenant of love ; in which he has made ^ ov;er to US all he is, and all he has to give ; his evi^ry attnbnte : his wisdom to guide and teach; his power to protect^ help, and strengthen : his faithfulness, his trnth^ his mercy, &c./ all sealed overand secured by covenant promise, and covenant blood. ^ - * f WMJW. H. A. ROQEltS. 1 131 : ■ . ^ "'^ ®^®'' y<»»rs in Mm, '.•■■ J*' "'■•■';. ;:;" , ; ;. '. ■■; H.- A. Rob, " I-ETTIJR XXI. (Tbtbeaame.) f *tT*v^ Macclesfield. Aug; 4, l77a ^It. ^'*"' "^ dear sister, for your w o ^ would have written sooner, bu avLfenTri«l ."^ pain in my head prevented mp t fi i "**'® y;>ur experience i^de^gcj,he ^^^ j? He is preparing your heart for his^D^^^^ In l^* is empty ni? vou of «pif ,*>.«* pertect love; ho you may Mre to lum%„f i"".^*?*"^^. «>«' c«vm w you the beiuto ,;jf„',T„l'''^-.^e *»- soul and all its Dower* ma,, K "0"ness, that your waits to give It ■« «„ «. . V '"' goodness .0 prevent t^^ ^^f^^^tZ^''-'^^ ever Will. vThis Drepinm. «7i ^^^^^^^^d^d, and he w™ his kingd^ij'inK^^fctrt t r i- »0 more place, no more power^ L ""ard temptatiois" HbeyZZff '""''"* "with his. sighted love d"rve^,^i.? T "'^^'^ ' '"i*- with the .trenXoro'i'^'! ™*^' «°d. ««>ed eonquer. ** 0«>n'potenoe, we more than r. •* 133 BPIBItUAL LETTERS, .■'•* The temptations yon find are the same I was fol- lowed with when the fountains of the great deep of inbred corruption were discovered to my view: yes, I experienced them all, and ten times more. Mr. Fletcher's Polemical Essay, especially his. Ad- dress to imperfect believers seeking Cbristian per- fection, was made a great blessing to me. This, with Mr. Wesley's Plain Account, answered every objection, every doubt; and I earnestly recommend them to your serious perusal. These will lead ypu to see we are sanctified, as well as justified, by faith alone, and not for our merits, fitness, or deseryings; but faith lays hold oh the blood of Christ, as the procuring cause of our holiness, and which alone cleanseth from all sin. This blood is all-sufficient; OS prevailing now as it ever will be. What then -does the believer (hungering aCnd thirsting after righteousnesa, or inward purity) wait for? The promiseis, *»They shall be filled.". Why delay? We may come just as we are; and if 'so, we may come this moment- It is said, (Acts xxvi« 18^) We are ** sanctified by faith in Jesus ;" and the work in that verse is plainly diptingiiished from justifipa- Uion, or the forgiveness of sins, both being there • clearly pr/Dmised. If then it is by faith alone, it :must be also instantaneous, .in the same manner as our pardon was. Did we not receive the one in a^ moment, by and in the act of believing ? and why ' should we stumble at coming the same^ay for the other? "By grace are ye saved, thittigh faith," in all the different degi^es of that salvation which we can receive in the body. " If by grace, then it is no more of works ; but if not by works, we need wait for none : we may come justas we are ; ye^, just now. BT IfBS. FT. A. ROOEIW, 133 , ^May «,e Lord, while yt)u read these lines, open the windows^ heaven, and fill your spirit w ith^S pure W Do you thirst ? Behold risers of S ^f^i'^fy'''" Bedeemer'^ wounds,-! wa^er that will wash your inbred sin away. Isiot Si^f S r*^ '''^*'V? *^>PP^y *^« efficacious Wood, md make you white as snow? Havers ho ^^oundyou? Knocks he not even now at the dporof your heartr O let your inmost spirit cry, /* Gome in, come In, thon heavenly GuestL Nor hence agafai remove; '-• But sup with me, and let the feast ' Be everlasting love." .^^^^y h^'^^^^^s, answer the prayer of thy iT i' ^'Vi^l*^ ^^ *« ^^^ «««* desireth,-fill h^ heart, and fill it now. 1 feel for the trials of your present situation; but the sweet love of Jesus shall bear you aboye all. Take no thought for the mor- '^^^"^^^y^^^^^^^^ for God, ToUra, in the best of bonds, H. A. EoB. < LETTER XXIL : (To the Rev. Mb. Fletchkb.) * . DuBLiK. Dea 14, 1784. KEV. AND DEAB SiR, -. I BELIEVE it Will not be unacceptable to you to be informed how the God of love is blessing his people in ^this city. You have a peculiar right to expect thte, because you were made, throug h m^r- ld4 BTin^TUAL. ^BTTEfiSi cyj Ae instrument of kindliiig a graolons 6aine fn ^ many hearts, and of prepariilgotliers to receiyetlio message of salvation ; a jttesent salvationf eveA , from ail sin. Had no^ you and ^our dear partner , ' beep he(^e before us, it is probable #e should not h^ve been received as we noware. . i^ut the sound of your Masteir's feet .was behind you, andagraclpus savour was left upon the minds of the people in general; so that, When w^ came, we found them eager to embrace the WKole ^ospet^ I had the clearest assurance, before we left England, that our appointment for Dublin was of thie L6rd ; and every , day brings me fresh probf^ of it. It was also a ^ kind Pr43yidence which brought us here oil the very clay that blessed woman, Mrs. Zing, (now Hts. Johnson,) was mah'ried, and, in consequelQce : of which,.went to reside' at Lisbum. Hadwe ar- rived before the society suffered 80 great a loss, my powservid^^ might not hate been so acceptabl^^ and, had ii bee^Jaterf the minds of tlie people had been grieved t^ excess. But the novelty of stran- gers first en^ed their attention, and Ihe word of the Lord tbeii soon became a sin-killing and sotil- ' saving wor4? so that now every one's oares and fears terminate in a determination to secure their ' Qwn salvadon, •. Another greJat blessing is, Mr^ Rogers and Mr. Blair (hi^' fellow-labourer) are united as the heart of one n^n : Mrs. Blair also is a sister indeed to me, in s|)irit and real affection ; so that w^ are a . family 0f love, and one smalls bouse serves us all; . i4,nd dot >€hGi pr^chers onl^, but -the stewards, , ^lea^ersiaislf^eopliv ftRnnite, and have only one 8trj|i8|^^h6y/|the7 may i^ promote each pther^s ll-i ■r Wfins. H. A. Rooaiis. i85 liapplness, and Jhe cause ^f . God. And dorr '• glonr, glory, b^ever ascribed to Father, Son and Hoiy Ghost, itls promoted! Sinners a^snatehed -^ Snf ^V5*^ trkds from the burning, ^nd the king- .; "Lo, the promise ofa shower - ^ / , I^rops already from above ; * , / But the Lord shall shortly pour r ' All the spirit of his love." In six weeks from the 'time of oitf first arr^al many were awakened, and nine tlceived a clear . W«e^ of pardon: these returned public thanks, /^iiich greatty^coKraged ^e |6ek^:s, and rai^ : ^eexpectationsofall. As iii w&s^nifestly a S of refreshing from the presence bf the Lord" it w^ thoughMxpedient at x>ur love-feast, October 13 fa give notes of admittance Cn that ocfcasion, to manv who were not as yet member^ of society, but ai pea^d desirous of salvation ; so that near sev^ Jiundredsouls wer& present ; Tind a feast of I6ve it wMsucJTM I believe many^w^^^^^^^^ all ctemMy I After several, who j^poke with greS freedomand simp icity, a poor penitent be8<^ht lis with. tears to i)ray for. her! The kindlings of love, which had been felt before, now IJeeame a flamejn every believing soul; and whenlallen on ' ^ tour knees, the powerof God descended of a truth • eT^.comer• to hLVe„K >"«6 your petitions were aniwered. Once ninfi. Xour wiling servant, ' H. A. BOQEBS. , * LETTER XXIII. (To Mb. IfATTHIAS JOTCB.) DbarBbother, I>»^m». May 1, 1785. My soul greatly r^oicesip your joy. I do ;>„r Jna • ?^*^*'^ loved us^and wasliedis from ^s«sm his owi, blood, A^^^ A -^^"^ Preciousj.is that life of simple faith ♦?• '*5® ¥''^» *''^ ^«^^^M show you greater ^ than these. I do not mean th«S f^ thing greater or higher than love • but S, ^i. <>e;^,:^haihei ghtsrw hat l e n | ^ What HprneasurahlTd^^^L'^^^ . ♦ '-^'-I %,^ w ,«..: 140 HPIBITUAL LET rER0, ttmnion witii tli6 Triane God, wliich it Is onr privilege to prove ! I know you feel something of wliat I mean, even of equal love of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This we cannot properly feel till freed from inbred sin ; where sin remains, there cannot be that close union with the Father I now speak of; but sin being destroyed, we knowjtho meaning of these words, ^^Th'e Father himself loveth you l** and again, '* I and my Father will come and make our abode with him." Yea, the Whole Deity flows in upon U8,-^we are one with God. Consider that blessed scripture, ** Know yei not that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost which is in you ; and ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price?" By whom ? By Jesus : therefore glorify God the Father ; even thei Triune God,— Father, Son, and Spirit,— with your bodies and your spirits, which are his. ° y ♦♦Drawn, and redeem'd, and seaFd, „. / y We*U praise the One and Tliree, , ■ Witli Father^ Son, and Spirit flll*d / I hope the Lord will carry on a gracious work III Drogheda: I am glad to hear you see so good a beginning. I never heard of so universal a revival as, I am'iold by many,' is now spreading through "England,^ Ireland, and 'America; and yet I think it iabut th6 beginning of what the X(Mrd will shortly t^' liet us not be weak in faith, and we shall see showers of blessihgs^ The promise shall surely be acc^mpliBhed : and perhaps hastened spee'dily by th^^ universal cry of God's dear children: ** The ^^^h fib^^ll liA^lliMi with th^ knnwlftflgfl »f thfl glnn of God, as the waters coyer the, pea." ; £7 Hits. H. A, BOQBWI. 141 I a^btnot but you have had a prodous BeAson withMr. Wesley : I think I never saw him more truly filled with his Master-spirit. We have hoard of tWo souls convinced of sin, and eight justified un^er him while at Dublin: and blessed be God, tWo more, since he loft us, can praise a reciiciled (lod, and one is set at perfect liberty ; besides three ^lore of the cliildren, who have received remission if sins. I find, blessed be God, my own soul is as ^a watered garden; and I have access to a spring / whose waters fail not, from which I ever drink fresh supplies.— what wells of salvation! What an unfathomable ocean of love I A trifling affliction of body has, I think, sunk me deeper into God. Such heart-felt, solid peace, such inward nearness to, and fellowship with him, I haye proved the last fortnight, as is better |blt than de- scribed. It has been much of '•That sacred awe which dares not moveb And all the silent jieaven o£4ove. ' for an enlarged heart 1 Ofdrt^thousand tongnea to praise my God I As it is saidL *V In that day ye sMl know that I am in the FathW, you in me, and Ifln you;" so it is,— the blessed day is come; I do l0ow it, 1 do feel itl I know what it is to dwell in ^he Father, -through the Son,^and by the uniting J)0wer of the Holy. Ghos|,atid ever worship an un- divided Peity. These words have often been ^poken to my heart, and I feel them now applied, , ••All that I have is thine :" yes, my Lord,— and I possess a drop out ofthe ocean : if I had much more at present, it w^d Jay me dead at thy feet: bat all is mi n e i n j i ^py reversion, and what my w eak- ness can bear, thou wilt impart. make Biyself / 142 •PIRITUAL LETTERS, ■■■»* room, And more of heaven bestow ! Tlion wilt, tliou dost enlarge my heart; I grasp the God I seek, the God I love, the God I enjoy to all eter- nity. Eternity ! O what a word is that I A Triune God to all eternity I Yes, yes, he is ! Wonder hfjavons 1 and be astonished, O earth ! Be humbled, my soul, and help me to praise him, all ye hosts above I that all the world knew the riches of divine love 1 that all believers would give him all their heart. • ■ My brother, let yon and I covenant afresh with God, to spread the savour of his grace with all our most enlarged powers ; especially his full salvation, that rest from all sin, that rest of perfect love ; re-^ ceived by simple faith, and by faith alonel I think 1 never read any thing wherein that blesiing is more clearly described, than Mr. "Wesley's sermon in the March and April Magazines for this year, which, I believe, will do much good; for how many have been discouraged by not knowing and consi- dering that one point, "Sin is a wilftil transgres- sion of a known law!" If this were the coiistant rule by which we judge of what we feel, how many vain reasonings would be answered; how many subtle suggestions of the enemy I A mistake through ignorance, or through an imperfect memory, toge- ther with various hateful injections fi-om an enemy; a dulness of spirit occasioned bjr the body ; or a fluttering of spirit occasioned by surprise, &c. ; none of these, I say, nor all of them put together, would then appear a sufficient reason why a soul should oast away its confidence respecting what the liord h as wrought ; se e ing th e se are consistent wi th pure IDve, they are not wilfbl transgressions of a 'W^^l^l^^^ ■■■'K BT iflUI. U. A. ROGEWU 148 known llaw.— Majl the tbtd bless you In your sodi ■ and labours still Imore abundantly, pray^, dear brother,/.:- ■ .; JTour ifriend and slater in Jesus, ; H. A. KoauBs. LETkl'EK XXiy. ^ (To the i|kv. Mr. Wbblet.) -, 1 CoHK, Jon. 24, MT jmMSt AND HOVOUbKD filR, NfivEBhad one, b6 every way undeserving?—! ranch reason to praisb a God of lov^. Day after day,— nay, every houi^ I breathe, he loadeth me with his multiplied meikjies ; yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head. If I did not love hinv with all my cclnsecrated powers, and mo- mentarily offer up my little all,— if I were not re- solved to embrace ever^ opportunity to spend and be spent in service so divine, I should of all nior- tab be the most inexciksable : for, 0, his love to me is boundless I I p^ove it an oc^m without a bottona or a shore I TWb sweet communion I have with the Father, Son, ^d Spirit, is unspeakable; and whatsoever I ask /of God in faith, it is done. In God I live; in him/ 1 move; by him I act and speak ; and it is In him klqne I enjoy all my mercies. Since I wrote last, #e have fresh cause for praise. The Lord is doing wbnders amongst us here* it seemsjrery likely, 4 present, we shall see as gi^eat ^^■^^^ ¥-^^ y . *^ ^^^' At the visitation of thu dasses this Christtoas, we found the society in- creased from threVhumlred and ninety-seven iem- :r: A' .: la BPIBITUAL LETTBRSy: bars^ (the number it contaihedf last Conference,) to five hundred andfour ; and the numher of classes is increased from twenty-four io thirty^; and fifty^ six souls have tound peace with Gal since Septena- ' ' lier last. The Christmas festival wffaiiiost blessed season. On Chrifitmas mornings at four o^clock, the preaching-bouse was well filled, and God was truly present to bless; mahy were awakened, and some don verted. Many more were awakened, and four ; Justified, at the watch-night on the new year's eve. SeveraTalso found pardon at the love-feast, and many witnessed a good coufessioti ; but the time of renewing our covenant exceeded all : fourteen souls ; were ti^t day born of Go<^; some at their classes, and the rest at\ that Sweet, solemn season of the 'covenant The house v^as ti'uly shaken (I mean, every soul therein) by the power of God. 1 believe : none present, preachers or people, will ever forget it. I ti'ustl neverehall. It was none other than the ante-diamber of glory to my soul I— the house of God !— the. gate of heaven I— O how was I filled with hii^ presence 1 How did I bask in the beams \ of Iiis love! How was I made to feel his immea^ p surable fulness jEUlimy own, through covenant blood divine! Several were perfected in love, andseve- '-■ /* ral backsliders restored. iSince this, between thirty and forty^^ve joined the society; severe of whom date theirllrap awakenings from the covenant- night. Mr. B^gera saw it expedient, on that occa- sion, to give notes df admission to sOme who were haltmg between two opinion^ ; and most of them -: were then, and are ^w, determined to be the My class being now divided,, t meet twenty on a ■-i ♦* ■ ■ ,\ BrifBa.ii;A,RboBBii m Tuesday, and eighteen on a Fridav ilf^i..\i • ■ng, th»I„«ivi„g notes we™Unulfo«^^^"- for a ,ense of pardon received tot wS ."^"^ n«nt with him, Md^l™^ '"'» »«»"»'' «»ve- tm they ^-^^^L'^^t:^:':,^!^^^^ since reoeited the bl^Ling, Jd,een^ if ^T^ a new creature indeed. """ *''"*» We Jiave got another new place for Dr«».Wn» • were admitted on trial • and ZZ„ ™«">»e'W and ~ that there is a new cl^'S^t^SIOr'"" have now five preachlng-honsTa? dij^; n.^! and proper distances, md;r be ieTewe^*,r^ aglorions harvest of precionsloX Th fn^-^* rtepinto^the pool of redeeming mercy. ."""" . r '^ w« SPIKITOAL LETTEIlSf We hear good newa respecting the work of God In Dublin, and in other parts of the kingdom. may the Lord ride on in the glorious and triumph- ant chariot of grace and salvation, till all he sub- dued I My dear Mr. Rogers begs me to send his duty and love to you, and joins me in daily intM>^ cession at the throne of grace, that you maybe « fflled with the ftihaess of every ^ew eoveuMit bless- I am, my very dea* Sir, your yer^obliged and truly affectionate, though unworthy friend and ^^^^^^^ j H;a.Roobbs, XETTERXXY. rrocne^hohad eet out fair for the kingdom of heaven, but at this time was grpwii languid and fiiint In spiritual tlllng^ and likely tQ return to tlie spirit and customs of the world.) CoBX, Jan. 16, 1789. My DEAR Fbibkd, I SAYB long desired, in Ae bowels of love, to see your soul advance in spiritual life ; and having consideredi your state in secret, and in solemn prayer before God, I think duty calls me to try, if, by freely and ftilly expostulatmg with you, I may, through graces be an instrument of stirring you up to seek the Lord afreish, in that manner which alone will avail your salvation ; even so as experimen- tally to feel him your God reconciled in Christ Jesus. Short of this you Cannot be happy, ynu are not safe^ An unpardoned sinner is un^er all the curses of a brolten law; especiiJly thai sentence, s : Jf^ BT lUlB. H. A. SOGERS. 147 TT ; /«* Cursed is every one who continneth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them ;" which stands in ftill force against that soul M?ho has never taken reftige in the one and on^ propitiation for fliti ; even Jesus Christ the righteoi|^: for no Oian^can come unto the Father but b^H||| nei- ther is there salvation in any other, 'fH^seU assures us, *♦ If ye die in your sins, whe^f^ye cannot come;" and, ** Except a man be ]born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Bear with one #ho loves you then, while I ask a few serious ques- tions, as in the presence of that God before whom f6 must shortly both appear, and in whotTe sight all things are naked and open. Are you now as earnest in seeking the pardon of all your sins, as you were, when two years ago, you came, with deep penitential ''sorrow and floods df tearsj to join the society of God's people? O that you cn to-rejoice oyer , I r ^l^'^T^Ec'*^ * ""^f^^, sV > 148- •«PJ«ITOAI-LBtTBM, ' , . -• . arcirtiitingiinner.- But «Iii where are ftw &ore th^4X» longings wW<* »»*!»« *»"^''^'"'*' ' ' ejS^o^S-tisfyl Where ta^l^t rest- Mftpirit of player, thrt lov, .t?B*ery ordmance toGod'. honse-theu empty! ffhere •» ««« ^»' L%ftoa.i»«wWchthen,eva|»tonyo«oo^^^^ , . 'Snce, Ml* accompanied «M 7^ eonyersatipn? . Zt;deidneB8 to Y0ri% «<>»PW' **'>^y*»?; ■hOTt, that whole deportment lyhjoh loudly spolte toali^ thatthelanguigeofc^oursoul wa»i ;y - ' M^oneWChristtoniebeglifen, 7 ^ N^ Chri8t,-ln pleasure in? pleasing yourself with* the hope that • . this Agag might be spared ? whereas the' Spirit' of Truth hath said, « The companion^fftfbls shall be destroyed;" and you are expressly commanded, " Gome you out from among them, and be ' ye separate, saith the Lord:" on this condition only^ saithbe, " 1 will receive yon, and'will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons And daughters, saith the Lortf Ahnighty." • While you obeyed the Toice of dod^ you could iKrt go to balls, plays, or cards ; for his Spirit laught you^ *LShe that liveth in-^>leasure is^tead, '^ , ^ 's •• •- •Iff *^ is6 BPIKITUAL LBTTBllfli while flhe iivetH." But, hAve you not ^en PJ^ ^vailed upon ?-or if not, have you not, m what «e -calledjttle things, conformed to the world^; «uch a» ^hionable adorning of the body, even m immodest .aaw^laacosUy array? whereas, the command ui plain and positive and easy to be understood, ♦» That women adorn themselves m ffiodd8t4pi«rel, with,8lia^eft«H*ie8S and sobriety ; not with Inr^ dered hair, or gold, or costly array :" and again,^B6 not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind :" that IS, if ye wc^ld »4rove the acceptable will of God." Now, con- sider a inoment; after (contrary to ?l»f «»» ^^ <^"- science) indulging yourself in any of these things, could you pray as before? Nay, were even your desirei after God and spiritual things as hvely and yi^oro^? Ah, no I The Spirit of God was grieved, and he moved not upon your spirit; he left you to yourself, and you neglected duty more ^and more; till now, I fear, you can at times plead with the world youhad forsaken, against singularity, against ' Bhutting yourself up from carnal company, and su^ f iecting yourself to the sneers and disdain of those, who see no beauty in Christ and salvittion. Alas I how changed I How trifling did you once account the 8cofl& and ilrowns of such I yea, not worth a thought, when you^rst felt your state as a lost sinner] then you would cry,— "Let earth and all its trifles K® •"" i Giveine,OLoi3a, thyself to know#^ ^ Give me thy precious love." And are you happier poW? Are you in a safer state,— more fit for heaven ? It is true, you may ~ bav * less fear of hel l; but this is no good sign, fur ■1 70a haye m^re oaase to fear. Ton were then Vre* penting sinner, and had you persevered to seekj'yoa' >ould, before now, have been a child of God, and / an heir of glory I But yon are now a trifling sin- ner. An^, O think, a moment ! What isdt you are trifling with? With Qpd, |hat made? you; With Jesus,' who shed his precious blood for you ; with the Holy Ghost, who awakened, mid hath been long striving with you. Tou are trifling with eternal - ' pain, and with your own immortal soul I This is an important subject, and deniands your immedia;! attention : in a little time it will be tooTlate to t^ fleet or repent, then, as you value eternal/life, stop 1 Ogo not a step flirther from your €todf but 't return with weeping and supplication, to thelfeet otl him you have pierced,— Him who yet praya^or y€(V^ or you had been in hell ; to Him who is^pjlSrilling to wash you in his own blodd, and, by tnepower of that Spirit you have grieved^ save you from all, even your most besetting rin. But4ela3^ot,.or'he, may swearj "You shall never enter into.'my rest.** Speedily cui off the right hand, pluck out the right eye, take up your cross, and give up all. ^Youainr not serve God and mammon. You cannot' be a ' friend of the world, and not the enemy of God. You cannot indulge the spirit of the world, wif bout' , losing ?your own soul. And be not deceived : i? you follow the fashions and vain cnstoms thereof, you have the spirit of it, and love it more than God. *• If as the w6rld you live,' You as the world will die." God forbid t^^ should be the case. flee for re- fuge to the hope set before you I and let me haye joy over yon i n t im e, and in the day of et e rnity. A ' • - IV-.- \.. m AMEITUAL LETTBBa, I bftve, liowever- warned you; and perh^ It may be you^ last warning, your last call, if you should uiw neglect. God will ^ot always strive. He may before you are aware, lay the axe to the root of the tree, and cut it down. that you in^y henceforward bring forth the fruits he requires: first, the fruits of repentance ; then, the genuine fruits of faith. iJWien shall I meet you with joy, among the sheep it the right hand of yonder daz- fclingtitironel-whenth^ Ancient of Days shall sit, and the hook shall he opened, when the rigliteous shall shine as tlie sUn in the kingdom of their •Father, and be as pillars in the house above, to go 0u^ no moMil Amen, Lord Jesu?, prays ^ • Yoursv in real afljeotion, H. A..liOOBB8. (to one ■ /iEtTBB xxyr. , ^ lately emer^^d out of Aifan darkness.) CoftK, Nov: 6, 1789. I BECCTHH^Ittvour* of yours, and rejoice that you knS^W^ yo^ hav« believed, and that your foee is now Sionward, Go on, my de^^ sister: it is a blessed path: the goodly land w be- fore, the land x>f sacred liberty, and glorious rest from all Shu O that you may soon proye l)y, happy , experience, *^ perffect love casteth out »" (^lavish) fearl'^ iftid that the deepest humiliation -before Aiod, on accbiint of our ignorance, helplessness, arid un- WArth|«M«,> not onl y consistent with, but insepat-^ able from'reJTicing evermore j tor the ground or ♦- J^T 1IB8. U. A» SOaCBS. 168 that rejoicing is, thtt he who hath loved me' and washed me from my sins in his own blood, hath uH th^ honour and glory, arid is all in all for ever- while I sink a poor worm at his feet, overwhelmed at IMS free, unn^erited grace,-grace that plucked me from the gulf beneath, reconciled ji poor guilty rebel to her God, changed the leopard's spot*, and made the Ethiop white. Thus, the more dee^ our sense of unworthiness, tlie more precious is Jesus, our interceding^ Advocate with the Father, who/ m his exalted hutiaan nature, ever liveth to inter- cede for us, until that day when he shall deliver up . the kingdom (that is, his mediatorial office) toGod ?7!? *^« ^**^®''' *"^ *^« «lo"0"s Godhead of rather, Son,,and Holy Ghost,shall. Be all in allfor ever, O the preciousness of such an High Priest ^ch a Saviour.such a Counsellor, such a Kinir! ; for more heart-felt union with Him, more of the power^f his transforming^ loye ! Blessed promise I »' He that hungereth and thi*steth after righteous- ness shall be filled." - ^ V You have heard, I doubt not, of Mr. PletchcrV death, and^how he proclaimed with his latest breath ; Chd tahwr that we may be filled, as hi was„ with his heftvenly Master's Spiritr There wa^a witness of the power of gracel— a living and a dying witness that Jesus can save to the utter- most 1 Let me exhort my friend to come, just as you are, to the open fountain of his precious blood ; and how soon may you feet the merit of Him you ' werQ once taught to despise, made of God vmtbjou, not only wisdomafld^hteousness, but als<^ tification an*-feae^tion; 7^ You see how freely 1 write, as if I had known yoo V 1 v^ m j>jnmiTlIAL LETTKBfli «iten jkMXB. I liope yW will foHow my wimple in thii and let me know the particulars of;Four spirltnal state, that I may rejoice yet more in youi ior My love and my dear partner's attend yon. iriy He that liveth and was dead, who is the first and the last*-the bright and the morning SUr, be the portion of your happy soul, prayi ,^, "^OBT invariabi® friend, V '■ -'lETTEE XXVII. .'. ■^n;';- - ■ ■ ..'■ ':;.' ■ .■■"■'■■ ■/■■ ' '" .['f . '(to Mrs. Cokdb.): ' v '\;. :.■. . Cork, Oct. 11, 178«. to DEAR Friend AND SiBTEB, I BEUEVEyou are well able to answer your own questions. However, as you desire it, I will freely tell you my thoughts on what we call Chris^ tian perfection. We ^o not mean hereby the per- fection of God, of angels, of disembodied spirits, or of Adam while innocent. But we mean thatjer- fection of which our nature is capable, through the grace of our lx>rd Jesus Christ, the second Adam. We are under the law toChrist; that is, the law of love,--the law of liberty ; or, in other words, , the covenant of grace. Whosoever loveth the l4)rd his God with all his heart and mind and Boul and strength, and his neighbour as himself, fulfiUeth this law. The lowest degree of this salvation is, to have all contrarieties to this love cast out of the soul. We may be said tiius to love him with a -pure heart, w hen proud self and great / are slam, and we feel only humUity : when anger, fretfulness. BT MB8, B. A, BOOna. 105 or Impatience are no more ; but we ever feel a meek and qaiet spirit: when Imii; and / wiUnot, are all trought kito subjection to thewill of our heavenly Father; andi)ur will is that he should reign ovef us: when He really does regulate an4 govern our' passions, affections, anddesires I inoi^inate desires, andinordmate creature-love being no more ; and lastly, unbelief (and consequently all tormentinir fear and painful anxiety) is wholly cast out. But after all this, it remains that we ffo forward ; that we grow m grace, till we be not only emptied of sm, but filled with all the^ftilness of God. » The moment a soul is justified, it is freed front ^ the power or dominion of outward and of inwarA silk; and many hold fast that blessed freedom ta the end. , But, supposing a person doe-« this, such 8 one 1^11 feel a mixture of evil propensities, tem- pers, affections, and desires ; which defilement is so rooted in our nature, that none but Jehovah Jesus can cast out " the strong man armed, and spoil all ' his armour wherein l,e trusted." It is true we may mortify resist, and keep under those evUsr.but Jesns alone can pluck up and destroy every plant and root which his Father planted not. We may gradually grow in grace and holiness, and hereby increase m victoriously subjecting the enemy with- "*5^J5'»* Jesus alone can slay the man of sin. AH salvation, too, is by faith alone, as the instrn- ment. If, then, we must be saved by faith, it is in a moment, and the present moment, if not our own fairft J for wh^at wait we for, who are the children ^ andheirs of God? and, therefore, heirs of the pro- m wes, w hich a r e all to us ** veaa n d amen in Christ \ Jesuft If we wait for more worthiness, to suffer / \ ■. ■ K .<'"■'-•• 154 iPltmjAL LKTTEB9, " more; to do more, to be more fit, then wo are seeking lU^ be sanctified by these things, tliat is, by works. B«H if we believe that we can only obtain the bltMing by grace through faith, and that this salva- tion Irthe free gift of God, then let ns be consistent with onrtelves ; let us ejtpectit by faith, expect it lin a momeht, and expect jt now ; which are one and the same tliihg, and are inseparable. To be dying, and to be, indited, dead unto sin* ftre two things. Be not you, iny\sister, content with 'the former. *♦ A man may be dying for some time," says Mr. Wesley, ** yet, properly speaking, he does not die till the moment tlie soiil is separated from the body, snd in that instant he begins to live the life of eter- nity ; in like manner, a man may be dying unto sin for some time; yet he is not dead indeed unto sin till sin be separated firom the soul ; and m that in- stant he begins to live the life of pure lova" O be you "dead indeed unto sin, and aUve unto God^^^^ through Jesus Christ your Lord." It is the blood of Jesus alone fliat cleanseth from all sin; not penal sufferings, riot mortifications of any kind, not any thing we have, not grace already j received, not any thing we are or can be ; not death, nor purgatory; no, not the purgatory of all our doings, and sufferings, and strivings, put together. No, no I Christ is the procuring, meritorious cause of All our salvation. He alone forgive^ sins, and he alone cleanseth from all unrighteousness. Faith is the only condition, and it shares in the omnipo- tence it dares to iS-ust " All things are now ready," is the Gospel message! an4 Je»tt9 saveth all them unto the nttermpst thit come u n t o God by him> " I. will, be thou clean," is his language to evcr^ I liT MR8. II. A, HOOBBfl. I ■*' •I oli^sfir ^•P*'<>"» ■ouri-.to yoii,' If 0ot already Joy in the Holy Qhmt U a bleMed fruit of this sanation. But divine Joy is not always tapiuroun : we may be sorrowful, yet always r^oicing; and there is suffering love, it well as exulting lovi A person saved as above, may experience a degree of heaviness or dulness, for H season, through bodily infirmities, close triahi, or sundry temptations ; but such a one cannot walk in darkness. Likewise, many mistokes are consistent with this state- I mean errors in judgment, and failures in memorV i yet, the will stands firm for God, and the intention u7u^' fi^^^^' Involuntary sins, (as some will call thetn,) or sins of Ignorance (except the ignor- anoe be wilful,) are not broaches of the law of love • p'.K r *^'"?;. "^^ ^'^''^' «« Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is our pro- pitiation, and washes our holiest duties in his own blood: to whom we will ever give honour and glory,- ■:■■.■;.,■■..-:;■: - ^ *'^» »"y tlear Sister, ; Yours in the bonds of pure love, ,m it* • ; LETTEliXXVia / (ToMb.il, of Sheffield.)' ^ Dear Sir, ^ ^**"^ ^^^ ^^ 1790. asnametttownteataU. I can only say, I am more folly angaged than you can easily imagiaa; atfd i- f- ■»*•» ^■' ^ ♦«** 15^ i^: moijB so every day. As ta fti^Aer ^J«[;;^^ really have not time to make them, apd^ustrely on vbnr good nitture to excuse me. It gave me real pleasure to hear of the prosperity of your soul. ^ I cannot doubt/from the description yon give, but the Lord hath put you in possession of what yoii so long desired, and you cain now love him with all yow heart, or, in other wo^, *^o°» ^^"* .^ mortient, with all your present pqwew. What, with all your strivings, you could not do before, that is, keep your mind from sinful wanderings, and the rising' of evil temper8,^fix your eye on things above, fix your affections there,~this you nowfind is done by the power of God through faith. It is ^t you ihat 1^ live, but Christ liveth m you ; and your tempers, will, aflfections, PW8»«;«» "»^ desires, move in the will of God.; sweetly attracted and governed by divine love. Yod fe«^^you we helpless ; but Jesus is almighty, and faith makes aU his omnipotence yonr own. lou are tempted,; but sin, though offered with a pleasing bait.rcan find, do entrance; for, lol the Lord your keeper sunds omiiipotently near, and till our wiU give way we haVe not sinned. What some called invo- luntary sins, or sins of ignorance, we know would be breaches of that perfect Jaw, adapted and suitable to the perfect body j^nd perfect soul of Adam, while innocent: his perfect knowledge gave him, at one glance, to see how he ought to act in all things J and if he acted; contrary to this perfect knowledge, he sinned. - ^ But we, even when sanctified, are not perfect m knbwledge ; and therefore an aH-wise and grocious — Qod^balh put u s under A^law or ooven a gt, a4apted 9X intg. B, A. X00SB8. / 150 y. capablejof J jven the law of love, love to God, and eyery 8^1 6f man To keep this is Christian per sts rifa''^";"' «i^ Bins of ignorance, are not sins, m tl^e Gospel sense ; but to him that believeth «ti7 thingjto be ttn, (though otherwise unessential,) tohimitijs,^. Thisyouknow;^ '^^IVi^^"^' *he law of love, you feel you? S^ L -Sf °n ■'' *"* shortcomings are all atoned for by the all-prevailing, ever-pleading blood of Jesus rand in this sense it is * "We every moment need The merit of bis death. ^sl^ ^^ * ^"^ *^^ ^^^"^ «»^ "ore throat, der^ hath the Lor^ sweetened all my pain, by the ^;;^ 7:?!*t;o«^of Jiis love an/cLt;uS^ I have IS thine ;" so that eveiy moment I was S^^J^ ^7' "^^'*'^®' """^^ ^®"^« meTdear Yom sincere sister and friend in Jesus, 'H. Ab BOQEBfl. LETTER XXIX. (To a Friend.) , Mr DEAR SiSTEB, - l^»i>OK, Dea 5,1792. i.H«^^!Sf^;^^'^ KM again restored to me ahtqeitreiigth, Ifeel renewed desires to^devoti 0^ ^:MMS' #; gPIRITlUii liBTTKBS* 160.- ■;^.-:-.i'-- — — :.. alt ta him. Wishing to be of *^^\^}^ *^^ , ^amoiig his d^ir saints in third Swse of my visits yesterday morning I called on SnaLLlapoorivoman, only thr|e doors from ^r^agire me a pleasing, a«fectin^c. "#'.'• - ^ BY MKS. p, A, R0GEI18, JCl ,y: ftiends prayed with Wtn, and for^him; yet the P^oud remmned until the Monday erenin/befbre «Sf n^i ^T^, PUV *^Lo«l. save thy servant tliw Dighir O visit tte with salvatiop urider the prayer of tlys thy Servant 1 Pardon my s n^anS healmy soul l'*^ The L,rdlH«ird,and^^^^ mend rose up from pi^^^ he^edalou^, HNpwIam hap^ Kowlknow Jesus haa Wiven me all; |^la I shall h^^^^ ' 71fe' *"* ^*PPy ^ I *m happy !'• Thus he w^ntolp^sometimev To hisVife he said, "Trust theJLprd, and be resigned, and seek hislbrgiveness witti 2^ your heart-Are you resigned ?» She f ! J , ^ cannot give you up,^ " Not resigned ?" said he,^ with gre^t concern : " You must be re- «gned, ^ I shair be taken from you. Ishall die this night ; therefbiiB resign me quickly!" After ^g composed a little, he bade them pray again. Hyes, I am; but you have yet need to pray: the to bis v?ife, " Bo you pray." She said, "Lord, Ju% me to j,Kr^" And ?he earnestly entreated the Lord to finish his work ; and that if a^ S regained to Jje done, to speedily make an^nd oi suu^ This satisfied him; and he said, " That is xjl^t^anklhee. The Lord ii 1iere,'and I sha^ 8ooiil»ehapp^r ever ["tPurther adding, "I have ^uch to say ti. thee, and the Vime is ^ry sh^. Are^u resigned^- Jf'^T^-V^^^^^^^^^ I shall soon g(^ Trust God, and hewlll take care of thee." After iyinga httle with Ms e ^es closed, h^ r.r{e d, " Sii ^ w #■ 102 BPrarruAL lettbr8, Ac siBg I^I am just going I" They c?«!^f^?J»« Jjjj Lxa He seemed grieved, and ened, Will none ^ou S«?" They could not answer him; and Sl^t'lL wife, -What! will not you sing? Youought notto weep,hut to sing, ^^-^7^^'^^ iT^ing to Ck>d»'^ And then he gavM>ut and Bung with a loud voice, i^. .»• Salvation I O the Joyftd sonftoL^ What pleasure to our ears^ * /^ After which ho lay 8 little r then startea np, and ™w^ "There i. the Lord JesusI Betsy.^there .s SiLordJesMl" And to jnother he Mid, See ftert^eiBl-theLord Je»Jl-I m $o«gl" and Immediately fell asleep. ^ . • ... «_ A Mt soul was comforted by theahove "tation. O wi.fi. dl^low compared with a death like th.8 1 Wh»t«e trial., whi*-"«> b»t for ? n"""*"*' T,"*" the ioy which iB .et before us i. «o exceedingly IbunSntl The poor widow now desire, to meet ' ?^cl«^withmei\ndlbade her come. May she U jetoed to the Lord in bond, never to be brolten 1 I am, my dear friend, ' Yours in our common Lora, • u. A.BoaEiiS. *• nT #1 i> U A SERMOU * ?' IP the remains of pur departed sister, in memorV of whom the present discourse is deHver^^ 90w.before your eyes, with all the pomp and s^!n m^ are «63te whose minds would be affected with a«>lemj, but superstitious awij,^^^^ vhas neither power nor^inclinatidn to raise; I^W . con8cv>us that those who had the privS of M.^ recol ection or t%t amiable womap, under th'e blessing of God, td infuse into them hat spWto^^^ true splemnity which alone becomes the cStian on theseoccasius^mmyi^,that^^ ^Ii. ^'« appointed unto men once to die;»» i«^ u J"® »°?P«>ve«»ent of this weightl^ sub^ je^ weshall, under the blessing of the M^tflSh^^ First, Give an explication of the text : " ' Secondly, Consider the grand point held forth ^ our Yiew,^tho9ertain tjr of death; >: ^^ ^ii #' A ■■ J ar of lleatbA^^P n ■ ( V i/:j 'ii^' I* './•* ?«'?■,"*„ not;iU'i0» took Wmv %!»'*, j ^^^aJMsto, When hs to? fcr. »;. •J, ■ ■ . 1 imn Mm tacli ^ . T ^ tK©. >the bret if th ^ayi t^roi laiei gwv fblld foith] ;Byei ^preae Jastn aecon That |hd e templi . ofCh] 80^1 a ^f the they a , this bo] / ^ie' knots, shall i &\>' w It K 4'" * .'!■■'■ ■* ^ijaittt, ;.^;, ereiful 1 ile and' as and . Elijafii ho had to call yrafifer- \ Wola- ^ Kllrsoul to the aOMW9 not all nentj in : JFor ttlJB i > A llu-^"" ?v ^§ayioui^ tro( tVoug$the «^lii« . if ?K* J **>"'•" J»" "•""■eh wt* tE whence we came. And troly mv i.retl«in,X^p.„„t whether i,ho«Id n^tK *re«iven to me, to tread t»e steps mr * % T'V^ •*> P*" •f'e' himV latoA te .l,i ai "'"If?"'. *««> to beat once transi ^^tXS^'f^^-' «« »■»" «»ctiaedTht Swathe Si '•'■ 1"^ *^*'7 l««h in -which we-^ Bv^ tl,ii*t,r- l?*^' °'5« "' •"•■ '*«»*- .»"» Bweei Dan( shall the (sanctified and together, imortal spirit burst * %. ' 1P^^*^5^ m fUNEftAL SBRVOfT 'i*-' through ite tenement of clay, and take posfiMrfon of its everlasting home. On such the second death hath no power. To them death is only a sleep, . a happy passage out of the prison of the body, into a state of perfect freedom ; out of an earthly house^ %here the hetter part groans, " into a building of ? God, a house not made with hands, eternal m the heavens." But, /' rr™.. iA 3. We must undergo the first death* This is the irrevocable decree of heaven ; not from the neces- sity of nature, but as the punishment of sin. Man was made immortal ; sin alone brought death mto the world and all our woe. "By sin,»Vsays^8t. . Paul, "death entered into the world." And shall we nourish and indulge our greatest enemy? Shall we harbour, yea, shall we serve, the murderers of \ Christ ? ShaUwe not exert ourselves to the utter- most againstlfe greatest foe of God and man? Shall a little temporary joy or profit induce us to sacrifice everlastin^happiness, and to embrace ever- lasting burnings? May the awful decree; * It is appointed unto men once to die," have such an in- fluence on t)ur minds, and be accompanied by the operations of his grace upon pur hearts, that we may - always be enabled to say, with holy .triumph, "^U 'death! where is thy sting? grave 1 where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, who giveth us the /Victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ." II. We now proceedto consider the second point, ^the unavbidableness and certainty of death. It needs no proof; Every tlung else on this Eide ' of the grave is attended with probability or possi bJHty nnly; this alone With certaintj^. If itbiBin- quired, Will such a child be rich or poor?— be '. I ' .' . '■ ■ ■.•. ) -■• . ■-' ■ '•- i ■ v.. , ■■ 1.- \ . ■ ^ ; • ■■ ■ / ■■ ■ rfdn ./ .»^<' ' i^^''*^"**'*i'?^ honourkWe or contempt Biitif It be inquired, Shall hedie? theVnswercon^ 4ain8 no pe^aps: it iB simple, He certainly shall. " 1 shall, therefore, only consider the present head ' I,- r^ ""^ application. For it is the heart alone Which wants to be awakened on the present subject. Such lathe sott^hnessof men in general, that they • wiU not duly consider the transitoriness of all sub- lunaiy things, the mortality ^f our bodies, and the intnitely momentous cbncerns of eternity. Let us, therefore, examine intb thf grand reasons of thS stupidity of man. Weihdl find itperhaps proceed from the folloy^partiljulars:-^ ,1. Immense mullitudeW are so immerged in the ^le^ures, honours, or liches of this world, that cveiy thought of the certiinty or approach of^eath w if ^xation of spirit can give you content ; if you can gather grapes of t^prns, or figs of thistles^ j^n go an^j^ote upoi . the creatures. • •■ .>:-^ ... k'-' %ir-'*' 4 2. Men In general are contfimally vtewinlf death as at a distance, and thereby entirely lose sight M the awful certainty and unavoidableness of it. When they are young, the heat of blood, the incessant flow > "1 of the animal spirits, a vicious education, ^|^1>^^ constant company of 'the dissipated and theTma- wakened, drive away ei^ry thought of death, as if the solemn moment were at |]be, utmost distij^il^l from them. Those who are grown up to manhood, and are strong and healthy, tiiink it quite sufficient to provide for death when' Bl^kness gives the suiji- mons. Those who $jre ^ckl^^and diseased buoy up. themselves in their false conQ^encj^ by the l)pp^ of recovery ; and even theAeed, (strange as it aeems) regard their few remain|Kf days as if they werw years. Such is thestat€N»f theunregenerater such is the dreadful consequenSe of a heart hardened |o divift^ihings ,by original and actual sinl What, it God were to summon you away, sinners, in an hour or a moment I how de^dful would be the |ilarm! And should we not be 6 very moment prepared, by living in tKiifevou* of God, and in^ the light of his Countenance? For'^who c a n a ssure himself for a k u moment to*come? For aught yoii know, the film, ^ tl in ■■■ sr •f ■ W( sii mi de th nil wc atl mi sip th( we yel wh wil sou mei mo but affo app sou whi ^ ki to e I disc aerai I beli r, 8s "ough isures 11 be- all is, on of on of ;rapc8 upoi V^hen it flow , as if ^<#^ thood, ficient 5 suiji- ' loy up. lectms) ' vera r such ned |o hat, it a hour ilarm! 3d, by of his for a ^HHflMMt 1%. ^• «r •» , ' /#'• ^, Olf MRS. IK 4. ROdK •f the bubble, Mrhlch holds your lives, la now a breiilt ingf O did we but seriously consider, by wimt small pins this frame of man is tiwkcd together, it »....M a miracle thA we live for a to us )f # "! 4 i § efiliBt .. would appear single hour* 3. The apprehension8,"the terrors arising In tho minds of the un|cgenerate ffp|L^reflections opon death, keep thdnrfrom any due«)nbiderattei8 dta the certainty and unavoJdableneAf it. TJ^ago- nies of death, the senseless corpsef^e gAiwing worms, the stench of rottenness, &i^mi the other attendants of that grim king of terror8^r|tt|ir too miserable ft subject for the>vial world, oMe dis- sipile4 throng, to reflect upon for a moment But though the consideration of these things is very un- welcome, yea, very dismal to the minds of sinners, yet there is far worse behind; and that is the sin it. ,^*»**^*^e've8 death, and the hell which follows it* * ^^ ^%*»® '«r evwjshul up in utter darkness; to be the ^piport of devffS; m for as devils can sport themselves ♦ WwiiTi ftny thing < to be banished for ever from the X source of happiness ; to have the soul etenwUf tor- • mented by the worm which dieth not, and tl»e im- mortalized body by a fire suited to its ever-^ng but never annihilated substance,--these subjects aflford ideas, which, if thoroughly attended to, and applied by the grace of God, would soon stir up the soul to enter into that state of favour with tlie Lord which would make dissolution a privilege, and death ^ kind messenger without a sting, to open the eato to everlasting joys. ^ III. But this leads me to the third head of my discourse ; namely , tala y down s omeoon s ider a tions against the fear of death, for the use and comfort of believers. •L «> *i ♦ 170 tlTMKEAL 8ERM0V 1. If the sMil be ImmorUl, if It were created and redeemed for the eternal enjoyment of Qod, and, consequently, enter after death on an inffnitel/ better life than this, the believer may cerUinly be well contented, yea, glad to die. T^ glorious view which faith opens to the spiritual eye far over- balances all the frightAil objects with which death is surrounded. The scenes of pure, perennial bliw, where saints eternally bask themselves in the brigit beams of the countenance of their Gpd, and bathe themselves in the rivers of pleasure which flow at his right hand for evermore, are sufficient, though > only viewed in prospect, to ^leyate the soul above every terrifying thought which can possibly assail it. An old heathen philosopher, Tulliue Cicero, in his dream of Scipio, beautifully observes* "If I were now disengaged from my cumbrous body, and on the wing for Elysium," (the place where the an- cient Roman supposed the virtuous would dwell after death,) " and some superi^Ueing should meet me in my flight, and make m^MxKmer of returning and reaiumating my body, I should, without hesi- tation, reject his ofler: so much rather would I go to ElyHium, to reside with SocratMLand Plato, and all the ancient worthies, and spend my^tingie in con- versing with them." But could a heat^^n thu«( triumph in the thought of en joying his p^i^r miser- able paradise, and prefer it even to life,^ow much . more may a Christian triumph in tile exulting thought, that he shall spend an etermty with the wisest, the holiest, the happiest of beings that ever came out pf the creative hand of God ; yea, that he ^_8hall spend an eternity wi th Jesus, the Mediat or of the new covenant, the joy of his heart, and the de- >*, t>^ OH UBS. If. A, KOOnt. m Mghk of his eyes ; wher^ he shall fix his ever- waking uyos on the infinite beauty of his adorable Lord ; yea, if it were possible, would think eternity itself too short for the beholding and admiring such tran- •oendent ejccellencies, and (or the solemnizing those heavenly espousals between Christ and his most be- loved spouse, when all the powers of heaven shall triumph fOr jo/, and a concert of seraphims forever sing the weddipg-song ! i. 2. The whole life of a^ Christian is founded on a hope, which cannot be accomplished but by dying. How exceedingly mistaken must he be, who fears that which alone can gratify his highest wishes t and is the great end of all his pursuits? What does the Christian chiefly hope for? Is it not the full enjoyment of his God in the realms of bliss^ Is it not .the restoration of his whole nature to the image of God, in which it was first created f-and the recovery of that paradise which he has lost hj the fall,^a paradise, the glorfes of which shiiU be i^ .conciBivably heightened by the union of the divine and human natures in the person of the second Adam, the Son of God? Is it not to live for ever with his adorable and most beloved Saviour, to be with him where he is, and to behold the glory which * the Father hath given him? Is it not to sit with . Christ on his throne, according to his most gracious promise, tyen as Christ ^its yrlth his Father on his throne? Is it not to joiii the redeemed and the in- numerable hosts of angels, ih singing continually hallelujahs, salvation and glory and honourlin* power to God and the Lamb? In short, is it not to see God f a ce to f a c e , to enjoy the beatific vision, to experience an inconceivably closer union and D 4% » 172 FUNERAZ, SEKHOir ■*4 f- communion with Gad, thate we posslby can during^ the present scene of things, to be for ever blest in the dose embraces of the Sovereign Good? But cAn w^e possessors of tl\0Se mighty joys without passing throjagh the valley of the shadow of death? Jknd shall ft Christian be afraid of that which alone can enable him to realize the glorious hope which is the.very support of his life ? Should it not rather be tlie language of hid souil, "I desire to be dis- solved, and to be with Christ, which is far better?" 3, Death is no more than ft quiet sleep. Thus it IS frequently* represented in the oracles of God: **^ehold/tho^«halt sleep with thy fathers." »* Many that sleep in thb dust shall awake." ** Our friend Lazarus sleepeth." "Stephen fell asleep." I'l 'would not have yon to be ignorantj brethren* con- cerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrcJH^ not, as others which have no hope." "For if we be- lieve that Jesus died and rose again; even so them also which sleep in^Je^us will God bring witli him.*^ "For we which are alive, and. remam unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent theuj which arc asleep." *> Some are fallen asleep." "They are fallen asleep in ghrist." -^ The fathers fell ib^eep." The inspired writers* seem to delight in >jSe metaphor, when applied, to thie death of the faithful > ftnd what cAii be more expressive ? The weary labourer lays himself down to sleep^untii the morning, and the Cliristikn takes his sleep in the gi-ave" until the morning of the resurrection, only with, this essential diflference; the common sleep of nature deprives us. of the naturaliight, but the sleep .of death brings the believer to 4*ie vision bf the true, and otherwise inaccessible lijght. l^hy then, '■ )"■ / 'K' OK UR8. H. A. RCkOlin&l. 173 •hould the Christian be afraid of death ? Surely he may take the serpent into bis bosoi^ ; for iie has not only lost hisMng,' but is reconciled to the b^. liever, and become one 6f His party. " Therefore " says St. Paul, " whether life or death, all is yours'" and apm, « To me to live is Qlirist, and ti die is f"!^ ^"^- 7^" ""^^ the Christian rejoice in Aiath, and welcome tlie pleasing messenger ; for it IS the hand of deatli^which draws the curtain, and lete him m to see Ood face to face in heaven that palace of inestHnable pleasure ^nd delight, 4here the strongestl>eams ofglqry ^alj beat JuMy upon our faces, and weshairbe made «ng en^g|^ Ijearthem^ Neither does d«&th do any reali^ury to our bodies, since tliey shall be iiew:mouldfed It the resurrectloh ; whCri " this mortal sh^l put on immortality, and this corruptible put on incorrup- tion ; ' when these dull lumps .shall become as im- passible as the angelic nature, subtle, as a ray of ligJjt, bright as tlicsun, nimble as lightning. Who IS there that is tr% armed with this helmet of sal- vation, this hope of heaven, who would, for a mo- ment, d^ire to have the law of death reversed? Surely a holy goul may frequently be breathing forth djsires (tfiough with due resignation) after the kind officajof death, to deUver it into so great and lucompreHijeible a glory. : IV.^ 1 now proc^d, in the fourthplacc, to draw some infer|nees from ^hat has been advanced V u-^^^t^.^^^^ *nd iviavoidkble, and it thing hejT^ be, when' .^Wjopi|ffectioils to cleave to any ivtl Hotir painful must the parting drawii fr<9HourdearestJdols, from ^ A ^ -»t. t. f I *• . ;•" A' .:' " '#' A 'tf ,•■■ :. ir I' , M^ FPNERAt SERMON ow Chief joyl How^ diflfeHnt i6 tha (^Jndudih? scene lof the pious, aad the unrefwnerato I ."Angela are waiting to receive ^fce former, and to acoompwy . them tolieir beloved Bridegroom, their. adoraWe "Lard s Srhiie devils a*e leadyJg^Beijre upon the let- ter, and to bring them to iK€ir place of torment. Bomeof the voluptuous hiathens we^e accustomed to bring in tha resembl'an% * " < 2. As we must all shortlv die, let «is lalwurto be always in readiness and pfeparatipn for the awful hour. On this head of my discourse, I shall only lay doiVn a few short directions, and then"^proceed to the more immediate subject of our meeting. (1.) Weanyoiirhearts from the love of the world. Death must and will pluck you from it. Why, then, sliould you toil and waste your lives pn so precari- 1^'; ,^ V ' V ON MRS. H. A. ROGERS. 175 onSf so transitory an object ? Every thing below is' &ding; but your precious souls are immortal. Be ( not, therefore, unequally yoked; join not your ever- living souls to dyin^ comforts : this would be a tyranny worsothan that which was exercised by , those of old, who tied living bodies to de^id car-C casses. When you take your eternal farewell of/ all earthly enjoyments, what lingering looks wilt you cast on those dear nothings, those miserab^ follies, which you clasped round your heart, unless almighty grace has wrenched your aff^tioiis from them ! wiiilst the soul which is crucffied to the world, and the world to it,^ — ^which stts loose to every thing below,— spreads its wings, and takes its glad flight to realms where Iftiss and lo^ ii^. mortal reigp. Soon will the films fell off Ji-oi^the eyes of worldlings. When they stand beforelhe awful bar of God, with what astonishment will they behold the men whom th«y once despis^ed, shining as th« stars of the^mament at the ri^ht hand of the Judge I " They shall be troubled with terrible- fear, and shall be amazed at the strangeness of thet^r salvation of the righteous, so far beyond all whicli they looked for ; and repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit, they shall say within themselves, These are tJbey whom we have had sometiiun in derision, and a proverb of reproach. We fools ao- counted their life madnessj< and'their end to be without honour. Now ai^ ihey numbered among the children of God, and their. lot is amon^ the saints!** And then will tJie final separation take place : those who were |ier^ dead-to the worlds an4o walked with God, shaU ascend up to the marriage- ■ sqj^per of the Lamb; W*be ever with their Lot^i . ^ , „ . . . . , v ,,.... .... .*» -■ -v' . ■..,■■:■■■■ ■'- . ':■■ », ■'" ■ . ^'"-^ ■ ■V ..-.- .,.' . ■ . . ^ .... '■ .-'■' -. i.' ■■■:■ ••'. ., .."':: ■.■,■■'■ .... ' • ■ : . ."■• . .-■. ■ ' :, „ V-- ■.'_»/;."•». v. '":\i K %.■ 'i .►;*»>■< , ■ • u ■ [)lEItAI< BEnilOH ^hil8t the ^thSWnk 4ovra into the place pr for tiie devil ind his angels. ^ . , • (2 ) W^uld you hQ prepared for death, then delay noli your conversion (if you he unregenerate) for 4.«nother day. Get ah interest in Christ as soOn as possihle. By earnest prayer, and wtlve fomi, p^^^ into the liherty of the children of G^d. Re- Lmher him who has said, *>Many shall seek to enter in, hut shall not be able." It is not an empty wish or languishing endeavour, which will ^ serv/the turn. He that is but almost a Christian, shall but almost be. saved. You must "stoive to ;i enter in at the strait gate." Ta those who Aus knock, it shall certainly b^ opened. God delights to bless the earnestly-seeking soul. • , ^ ^ (3) Live every day as if it were your last and the next were allotted for eternity. It maybe so : and when we consider the importance of eternal things, of the everlasting happiness of the bTessed, and the everlasting misery of the impenitent, it should lead us to leave nothing tothe haTzwrd; for tliereis no end of procrastination. There will be the same tempting devil, and the ^ame treach- erous hbart to-morrow as to-day, only made jnore ' treacherous by delay. Therefore, "now is the ac ..^"tJfepted time, now is the 4^y ^f Bal^^ion^ v|o>S[^ )- " wMle it is called to^ay harden nOt^??^!^ h^B. myoiltfiinkyoucanbe^h^^ S you^hink that, God will ^%t tlie-Ai^^ WJ. ^ ,, rftfW,:Whett you lyi^ Str«pg«^ f rt^; ''>-'^'^^{*i^^3^"who/.l«'e^W^i^(^%:^ :«■' !^;J <'«^l # ) ■.,-:'■ v. ':W.^'' ' .•x "a. "* kVl ■- '."in " f! ' I ■» ■\ ■' ■■i '1-- ■■' \ ON MRS; II. A.. ROQERfl.: t77 with the Father, and* wi^h the $ar^dise;| itwill enable you to triumph ¥^th the poetj-i "Sliould [Providence] coniinand|neto the ferthe^ ve^ Oftlie green earth, td distant, harli'rouicUriiies, ' .....;> . ... !!4'is nought to me ; V ^ v vS^e<3od is jBVier present,: ev6r feitf " % * • ; In tl»e Yoidi^tc^Min tliei%4uli, .. ^^ - ^ :' M ^;>;■-^*^Jyhe'e:he^y|M ^hretfthes.'ttoere^iQ^; b^' Joy;»!>' '.'v ;. :. ■■■ } • : Ab()ve all^ $t ih^jfio^ flf des^thiVhat'caii^iith.! .^ertig^w^t:;^ jnpty Jle^iftj^li^ it Sri»^^ « Prl^ ^Itev*^' -^Fof whom « to • thiiA that v4i^ >^itt ^^jgc^ his tetll |pfl^ ^ •„(t ■,!■',♦>, J it',; > t r^v ^,v/i ■♦»' ■1 178 res ui. tuvcllAi:. BEimo:i 4: l,atho ouwelv^. an infinite oc^nof Set^ lying at ''and 8w cannot b^ yrith cont( is struggling luntain of lUQ of an infinite 'Whoever has «i ibme aeitth ; embracing it Aot only but- delight ; andyhile theNpouIy is struggling «ia^8triving to unclasp \ itself, and to^ g^^^^^^^^^ liody, it cannot V say w.Ui \ boly longings .and pantings, ^* Come,^ord Jeeus, ^^ t! fproceed, U the fifth and last iace.tq pre- sent you witk an epitome of ^ e^e^e^^ and character of out deceased friend, Mfefl. HEBTtn "^ Shf ^"born at Maccl^ in cieshire, on January M, 1756, of which place hc^^^^^^f minister for tnany years. She ^^.^f^^.^ the observance t)f all. outward duties,-|ifd m the fear of thosM sins which, in these modeirn times, ar^ too often deemed accomplishments, ^be ^a« followed by divine impressions from ^^r cmidhw^d, and was early drawn out to secret prayer^ Fiom four years old she never remembered gom^ to bed ■ withmit saying her prayers, excep^;#cM^he« she wanted aby thing, or was in . Wf^^*^*^^ aed ^o God in secret v and ^t wc^i^e ij^^« ^ 3ome how often she received n^ifeslU^sw^rs to prayer in the early period of her life, ^ In the hintb year of her .agaN ber pious fether dtingtlier mother was prevailed on tplet^r learn to dwe, in order to raise fe §pitits,,andin^ovc her carriage. Thi» was a iat^l stab to hcr^^^";^ ^, 1 impressions ;it paved tho way t9 li^tnps,trifflngP ' lo4 ^f t>lea9ur^, and various ^vils. ^^ fihe^s^n .mad^ a proficiency^ she delighte^jmiich vn„tjiis ^n fe^ m ■U ttar MRS. H. A. ftOQEiUI. h m lS^« t"^' y«*'.^'\ *^^ ^'^^^^ ^^« not left ^^s.f/#ithout keen convictions, gentle drawjnirs . and many short liv^good reaJlmions. "'*''^"^» ^""^ . Lowl vfeited her with affliotron. • During this ilk 417^'^ Y ^ *'*""'"8' ^'«*°^' JvUichftogSh^ J w^th the dagger attending her disorde;, JSde^ ' fi!.? «"P'f ?^? on her mind for some time. But, alas, her health and stfrength^ere no soorier re- Mj^rcd han (being solicited by her companions in ^L \^u T"* '^**'''^^^ ^^ h^' **o''°'er folJies, ' «»ch as balls,plays, dress, assemblies, ^c, the love ^w^udi conUnnjd tj,gi:ow upon her more and ^n« '/'ft "Pr?^« of *«^0 years, and nearly en. grossed the whole of her time. , . v *: ^ .o^'''' this,^slfc'>va8 deeply^ wrojtghi upon U a ' S.M "^"^ ^'h^ch the liev. Mr. Simpson, of Maccie^ field,preached.on^"What8hall irprofita man if lie gaiQ the whole world, and lose' liiii own soul?" •; 4^ Mt further convictions under another, mJicI^ pj^ea^jhed on m new birth, front uonn in. »* .She now saw and ft^t, as she had never done tef^,- that sh^:iil«Bt e^cperikce tliat divine chartge^r perish. „ ^ . ^ ' - ai^ %»^^1774, <^ the Sund^befbre Easter, Mr ^^ Simpson preached from JTohn vi. 44, "Noinin can • ^««*o^e, except. the Father, whieh bafh sent me^ draw Mm»» U«der this sermon she felt her- , seH' indeed ff lost, pferiahing sinner, a rebel iig^inst' routed convictions, and a crnidedbedc/imirialbv* ■ the law of God, who deserved tolfesentencfed.to^ eternal paml She felt she hadbrokeii her baptist , mal vow, h0r sacramental vows, and li^no-titfttS - ».^iiy mercybr any hope. . She we|lt aloud^so'ihiit - ^ . ■■■" '■\:^ ^. ■^ '^^ ■«.<" 1 -r m^^^ s*-/ \y 180 rONERAt BEftMO* / all arou^ l^r were amazed; nor was she^ longer ashamed to own the cause. She went home, , ; ranup Btairs, and fell on her knees, and made a aSenm vow ^ renounce and forsake ali her^sinful pleasures and triHing companiims. / « o ^ Shecould noteat,nor sleepV nor take any com-. - fort, the curses throughout the whole BiWe seemed pointed all at her, and she could not da^ a single promise. Thus she continued until XSood- Friday. After many conflicts, she ventured once more to approach the Lord's table. As the miius- ; L was reading that sentence in the communion serviee, " If any man sin, we have an Advocate, &c a ray of divine light was darted into her soul, and shewas enabled to believe there was mer^ " for her ; she folt a degree of love to God sprin^up in her heart, and in a measure could rejoice in hrni. But, alas 1 this was only for a short seasen-^bhe • had never yet heard the Methodists, nor had she lost all her pr^udices aqinst ^^em ; but a neig^ tor, who h^ lately founi|eace with God, advised her Wrongly to hear them. She resolved to go pri- vately, aid went acyjordingly at five o'clodc^one morning. The teit was, " Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your (^ca." She thought every word the preacher said was for her. He spoke fo her heart as if he bad known all the secret work- in^ there. She was much comforted, her preju- dices were now fully removed, and she received a full and clear conviction.'-These are thr people of She met with a little pamphlet, entitled, "The ' ^ great Duty of Believing on the Son of God. She . > was much encouraged on reading this, and would A ell mt Sh at wr In see the on Shi wo "C Id ttp( upc app wei Iov< rcjc she B that conj ang( whh row, thin the] sing salv: freel bytl •e-r jm'^f 02r IttW. H. A. ROdERS. 181 elA% have spent the night in prayer; but her . mother Mh whom she slept) w^uld not suffer it. She therefore went to bed, but co5d not sleep; and !IJ«m! *".*^« "»«••"»"« rose agMin, that she might * rtJi^ "If i^' ^''^' ^^^ P^*y«^' »>"* »* «e«'nevhole salvation _wpon thee as GodI I put my guilty soul into thy «hands;thy^ blood is sufficient! I cast my sou^ ' upon thee for time and eternity." Then did he a^r to her salvation; in that moment her bands " we^^^^edVliM' joul was set ^t liberty, and the love of^Goi^so sM^ abroad in her heart, that shd rejoiced witli joy |inspeikable ;.and for eight months she experienced no interruption to her bliss " But no^ the Lord beian to reveal in her heart, that sin was not all dest%ed ; for though she had constant victory over it, Vet she felt the remains of anger, pnde, self-willv ajd unbelief, often rising, which occasioned a degree of heaviness and so^! raw.^At first she was lAuch >ma2ed ^o feel sue^ _ About this time, the ijord was pleased to make sing to her. He clearly Explained the mture of sdvation fronr inbred sinf ^d sh^ed iHoW^ tS'^fV? ScriptiA?e, and as fully purchased by the blood 01 Jesps, as p^rdoi^. Henceforth she ^r—^ ■ "S^F^' \^-" >'*i 4f ' . could not rWt, bulfcrlca to tibe toBl, night and day, to c" t o«t th; .trong man. and .11 b» armoa. »', "t!'t m^ng Of February ^^ITTo' whenat prayer, ier interoouw w«iope.. with her Beloved, SXan^u, promise, were preaented to her view. Xthought, •• Shall I now a,k .mall WeMing. only, o my Ood? ^--'•'."••kothi. the moment of my . full AWation: bapti» '^','"""'^^'^1,^^^ and the. fire of pure '"^^ j|H|„ff!'",' .ova thoughte of my heart and laWB crfectly lova ■thee.".: . V ' - -.V, . .■ •» Tliua fhe continued agomiine, ; . plied that promise, "I will e.rcumc.»e thy heart and thou Shalt love the Lord thy God w «v aU tl^ heart." Sho said, "Lord, thou art faithful, and thi" a thy word: I c«»t my whole soul upon thy ™omsl. Now; Lord, I ^o believe : this moment • thou dost save. Yea, Lord, «'?••'''" "^'f^^f her burden. I am emptied of all i Ijim "V^f Z* a helpless, worthless worm: but 1 take hold ottheo ImySesst Every thing that I want thou art. Thou art ^-isdom, strength, love, holiness yea/ aiid thou art minel Love sinks me into nolhrng: iiovCTflowS my soul. O my Jesus, thou art all in^ In - In thee I behold and feel all that fulness of «he Godhead mine. lam now one with God :/the Tte^ourse is open: sin. Inbred sin no longer hm- ' dcrs the close communion, and God la all my ■*•' ""she now walked In the 'uncloud|d light of his countenance; and yet she did nf/«l «> . . u : rapturous joy as she had been led to exp|^rt! but was rather, as it were, overwhelmed with that » ■ - » - »..k ON lIRfl. IT. A. ROQBRfll. |flo ^ "Sacr^awt which dawi not move. And all the silent heaven of love." , She resolved, at firit, not to declar^ openly what the Lord had wrought; but it wal seen in her countenance;, and whea asked respoctinir it she durst not deny the wonders of his love • and s le ' h™"^''' "P'*i'"* ""'' «ood«rconfilt her own fSHh more and more. From thi8>ime we may clearly perceive the ih- JTfblhJIIi^"' '^"-''' ^^^'y-^J'^'^ -he writes ■f^'On Trinity-Sunday, June, 1776, I met llhe jolect sodety at six in th« morning • and U waf • blessed season to my soul. * ..^"^'^^^^^^^^^onihfi equal love of !^th^?T'V^° adorable Trinity, in a manner which I found^ truly profitable. Afterwards he preached from Eph.ii. 18: » Through him wJ^have Jjccess by one Spirit unto th^ Father.' He showid ' -V the distmct relative ofTces of Father, Son, and ^■ Spmt, m man's salvation, aiid that the love of^he rather was ever equal, aa alsd that of the Son, afid U.atof the Holy Ghost; that ail the desig^of^e ^ ' J^jr^ the designa of the Father also,1nd of the iiS^ !r'*- ^^ ''^'^ ^^^^ """^^h of the near ' . union and commumon with God which believers might enjoy ; especially: those perfected in lov" My 8ou|wa8 led into depths unspeakable, and saw n«;L tt i"'"'" felt seemed only as a drop com! , # p«ed^ the oiifean. As I came into the 4apei: ?^^{ J m P^"!'"'' nnion with the adorable Jesus • ^ in all his offices ofrjdeeming lOve; and that verse ■ ■ I if gfide ir' i V' \W- v-^ '■•'■ " "I F^< ^ >■ ^r i If 1 V ' ' ■• ,•■ • >.v r \'y ^,i. 41 'J ■ ■^;: *'> . > / ■ -'':■ ; - ji -■. '■■■' ■■> " ■'•■■/'■ ^- ■■■ ■ ^■" t t * '* . .-• . ifl ' ■\\. ■.■;;;.■■.■ :.■ ■ - ' '■ ■ ' ' , ' ;.•■ ' '■■;■ ' p , ■. " '•" '■ > ■ - ../•; ' . • ■• '•■'■'■ ■ .; . 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A 181 FUMRRAL 8RRM0:f of a hymn waa so powerfully aweot aa TnOTcr hftd fellUbefore,— ■ ^^ • - "^ V *The opening heavens aronnd mc slilnoi With beams of aacrM bllw, . « V^hile Jo8U9 shown His morcy.mina^ And whlspom I am Uia* •♦I waa deeply penetrated with his preaence, nnd Btood as if unable to move, and was insensible to all around me. While thus lost in communion with my Saviour he spoke'theso words to my heart, *All that I have is thine I I am Jesus, in whom dwells ^ all the fulness of the-Godhead bodily. I am thinel my Spirit is thine ; my Father is thine : they lovo thee as I love thee : the whole Deity is thine 1 All God is, and all ho has, is thinel lie even now overshadows thee : He now covers thee with tho cloud of his presence.' All this was so realized to my soul, in a manner I cannot explain, that I. sunk down motionless, being unable to sustain the weight of his glorious presence and fulness of love. At tho altar this was renewed to me but not in so larg,e a measure. I believe, indeed, if this had continued ta I felt it before but for one hour, the soul must have been dislodged from its teriement of day. ** Friday, 21st.— I prove, through boundless mercy and free grace, an increasing intercourse and communion with my God every day. I live and in&v6 in him aloneV .Wherever 1 go, whatever I do, I feel the presence of the great Three-One: * Yea, he dwelleth with me, and shall be in me :' this is his promise' to my soul. I feel I am nnder his loving eye, and the continual guidance oif his Spirit. I do indeed dwell in God,. and God In mel .0 love unsearchable to such a worm! {■' ON MBS. n. A.BOOBRt, w •I loathe myself when Ood i iWL • And into nothing (all!* "Sunday, 23d.-I, mooting with the .olcct w*.e^y.ga,„ I h.d «n.pe«k«l,le communion wU, Irfm, nJ^. ?'"="»'• '«« «■•«. '0 God, thou «rt my God.' A tenao of the (Kvino presence at fcrter At .^ 7""'/'"'*'"' «"'»"■•• «»d Com- . WnR 'I _k„ow thnt my Redeemer livetlu'&c I ««.o overwhelmed with the power of God tnd ■ 'htfd"t"J'"'^'r ^' '"' e'ory. that I thougl^ ? •nould have died. , O the doptlis of his indutom condescending love t He knows my Wal. ,"d "ho need I have of such consolations to strengthen an5 support my weakness. I live bv feith -fl u 1 • Se r;? "-'""•'''•"='' C'h'^JwinOm i^^ want' Mv O.T »,°"""«'"«'y supply for every want, My God is always near. He is mv one ^l^'STilrr'"'""*"'^''^''"-'^''-''- «« w^ marrieWo Mr. Rogers, in wS the S'gat %l.e needed to strengthen her. He made thcni Tf 1 ""T v"?'' ""• """"• «»«> fi* above ten y^a™ erowned their union with hU constant smile? Sn .fter^heir marriage, they went to Dublin^ „5we ,S Mr Rogers was appointed to labour. In that oitv they were gladly recived, and the Lord gave the n fte hearts of the people. There they «,wTb,Z3 y-i • \ IfiO FUNERAL SEMCOJI revival of the work of God, ind in three years tlie nambcr m society was increased more than double. From thence they removed to Cork, where also the Lord graciously revived his work. His word greatly prospered and prevailed ; nnd many in that city still remember, with gratitude, the happy sca- sona whlcK they enjoyed together. A nd it appears from what our dear friend wrote of herself when theret that she never before was more happy in her own soul, nor enjoyed deeper communion with her God, than during -her stay in that cit> After spending three years in Cork, they rcJmoved to London; and tor two years resided ia Mr. Wesley s house at the new chapel, wher^ they al8<|B|the happiness of seeing . the work of God^p»)cr. Many souls were brought into Christian libterty ; and, in two years, not less than five hundred were added to the society in the city akid subarbs. Here, Indeed, it might be said, " The*#all8 of Jerusalem were built in troublesome times.'*^ The awful event of Mr. Wesley's death, which happened during the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Rogers at the City-road, rendere4 th^r situation, exceedingly critical and trying, as many of you well know. In August, 1702, the Conference stationed Mr. Rogers here, (at Spitalfields), in order to put this chapel, and the adjoining dwelling-houde, into a statS of good repair; in which labour of love he was truly indefatigable. You now reap the benefit, and are thankful that you can here retire, and wor- ship God in peace. Notwithstanding the work ne- cessary to be done upon the premises was great, yet before the end of October Mrsi Rogers and the chil- dren were comfortably placed in her new habita- .X / y j^j^. :■■/.. 0!f iini!. n. A. RoaEns. m tioii ; nud a few dt^ys afterward* alio wrote in Uer diary as follows^— " I feel Krat<»ful to my God that I ain placed here, though but for a season, where I can enjoy more retirement, and leas of busy life. My God io with mo, and I trust ho will draw and unite more fully to him«elf his hclplesH creature. I have power with Jiim in prayer, and I kn6w he will answer my enlarged requests, for myself, my other self, and our offspring. I long for a yet larger measure of the mind of Christ ; more of every grapo^- and a deeper communion with tnf God. All temptations respeoting conflicts with Satan in death are vanish- ed. I know my Joshua will be with mo in Jordan, and see me safe through. Sometinu's I have thouglit I «hall have to pass that river ^fcforo it be long ; but that I leave to him. I feel no desire of life, but when I see my dear husband oppressed with trials, and my living seems, as if it would be a ludp aftd comfort to him; orwh«n a silent wish arises to sqe my children grown, and partakers of regeue. rating grace ; but I am kept from aiixioty." During her state oP pregnancy she had much bodily affliction, and was reduced very low. The state of her soul will best appear from her own words ; as also the narrow escape from death which she then had, at the time of her deli^'ery, " January 1, 1793, I had not much sleep, yet I arose re freshcdy and resolved to live for God alone: I feel him mine ; and that I am offered to him with- out reserve. I know various bodily oppressions, iiatural to my present state, hinder my reijoicing an much in him as at other times; but my trust is fixed on his almighty love, and 1 feci I cannot trust \ 188 PUNEKAI. 8C1tirO!f ■ X. \ In va(n. lie is mjr itroiig Helper; and my ivilnful feelings do work for my good ; for they lead mo to ^ cast my bolplessuoss upon hi« fulnoaa, and to seek my all from him alono. Vea, I triuit to prove tho uttermost of these awcet lines :— ., , » I sliall snffcr and fulfil , All my Fathcr'n Kiacloui wlUj / , Bo In »iU allko refti(?nc(lt ''.'. Jesus' is a patient mind.* " On April 20th I suffered much in lingering labour pains, and at night saw it needful to send for the doctor. Ho came, and hoped I should soon bo delivered: but at midnight my pains left mo. I was tolerably easy all tho next day, and enabled in patience to wait tho Lord's leisure. I slept better at nighf than 1 hadxlune for ♦some weeks, and was greatly refreshed. In the mjorning lingering labour camo on again; rind thftj i)ain was so excruciating and constairt, (though unavailing), that I thought 1 must have expired. Having continuo^in this stato about six hours, my labour camo on i^ith violence and rapidity, so that in »,few minutes I was merci- fully delivered of a lovely girl. But, 01 it was nature's agony indeed I— For a little time gratitude ' unspeakablyvoverflowed my heart; and body and soul experienced a heaven. But this was soon past ; and I was thrown back on the verge of eter- nity. Mr. Jones laboured to save me, till the sweat ran down his tottiples, for three hours; and for twelve hotrs I was between life and death. I felt. however, no featr of iying: all within me waS peace. When capable of thought, I could view a blessed eternity witlf delight. I recovered very slowly, and at times suffered much; but the, Lord con tho "• fho * 'aoc( frit '•I pari my woa tigu ho 1 was had in p I re the delii Bign deat cries pit la faith ^i H The V into ofde nails fo4r had ] appei hand Aftei was I and ( ncr. \ ON iriW. n. A, ROORRS. a ISO eont?nued to comfort my soul; and though diw thought I should bo r^Mtorcd, yo| i believed I - fhould. ^[Y dear husband suff.rcd much on my Vjocount. and I^bcllovo his tenderness greatly coa- ■ Kibuted to my recovery, ** The Leeds Coi.fcr^idfe drawing near, my dear partner loft mo on July 2Ist; arid in the night aft.r. my Hester was soifcd with a nmlignant fever. Tho woathor was uncommonly hot ; and What my fa- tigue and weakness were, God only knows! But ho held me up, that I did not sink; and my soul' was happy in his love. In this tiu»o of aflliction I had peculiar mtcrcourso and communion with (Jod in prayer, both with the family and «n flcci ct • and I recdived maiiifest answers. On the seventh day ^ the fever came to a crisis ;-my child was quite delirious, and very ill indeed : but I felt fully re- signed to the wiU of God, respecting her lifb or death. About hine in the evening, her piercing cries, through agonizing pain in her head, were very pitiable, and I entreated tho Lord, In the prayer of laith, to give her ease, lie hcard,-he answered I J he pam was instantaneously removed, and slid fell into a slumber ; but it soon appeared to be the sleep of death ! Iler feet, legs, and hands were cold, her nails blue, and she was motionless till a little past foi^r m the moAiing. Just then, a blister, which I had put on her back, began to rise, and signs of life appeared ; by d/grecs warpith returned to her arms, hands, and feet; then motion, and, lastly, speech. Atler this, a mighty change appeared; her fever was gone, an^ the next day she sat up some hours, and contmued to recover in a most wonde^il man- ner. What cannot the Lord do i I /' N>" :£• ■\: Vfi 100 rONBRAL 8EU»tO:f ' •» Upon the wh()lo» when I look back, T can onl/ wondur and adore! repeating with the I'oet,— ...•I •tanrt ami aamlre thy outitretchod arm : lUvlitg w«lk*d through th9 flf«, and •uffcr'd no harm.* . " Out of wcakne».i, surely I have been inado strong, both aa respects body and aoiil. What a feeble frame 1 Yet how am I strcnglhonod of the Lord to bear fatigue* loss of rest, and painfnt^icn- •atlonsl IIow helpless and unworthy; yet com- forted in my God; strengthened to do his will; to offer up my child, and with entire resignation to say, ♦ It is the Lord, lei him do what neemetli him good!' How sweet also my prospects into a glorious eternity I And when weakest, no gloomy fears of entering those abodes ; but the blessed testimony, that where Jesus Is, (♦ my Lord and my God,*) there shall his servant be, and shall see his face *, his Gpdhead, without a veil, wrapped up in Father, 8on, and Spirit for evermore !" Upon leaving London^ she writes as follows :— •♦ Sunday, September 7th.— I heard Mr. Rogers at the now cliapel in the morning, and had a blessed «ea8on. He also preached at Spitalfields in the evening, from, * Finally, brethren, farewell.' The singers at both places took leave by hymns adapte where we nupi^d. O thou Uod of love, prfw-rvo these until we meet them all aKaIn, wheVe pain and parting are no more I On Wednesday wo dined at *lr. Halls, and then hastened in a coaoh, with our children, to Mr. T. Shakespear's, in Hniithficld. It was Bartholomew fair; and such a scene, or rather tnanifold scenes, of foil/ my eyes never beheld, as %ero exhibited whore once dying martyrs for Jesus offered up their latest breath ! With difficulty, but, thank Oad, with safety, wo got through. I found my body very poorly, and expected to faint ; but 1 had not been long in the coach before I was better. . Through much mercy wo arrived next day at liir- nimglmm, where our friends received us kindly Oil the ensuing Sabbath, Mr. KogCrg preached from, 1 determmed not to know any thing among you Mve Jesus Christ, and him crucified.* The word "f^iJ'^^ P®^«''» *n•▼• ^«n peculiarly drawn out In pmyor for the convwuloil • r S iOilU: and, notwUliiUndlng the cnomy ha* la- - bourod by varloua mean, to hliHU.r thla, yet iho ' Ix)rd hath given mo to n-jolce aUo heroin. I feci wy toul animated to praiao my 8r«»\ tto^c^ *\^ hL. May all I have, and all I am, be t''" <««;««*». •aorWce for ever I I feel It ja good to live by faith . it bring! deep pcmce, and proMont p«wcr. 1 never can watch ao well aa when I thua momentarily h^ Hove; I have of late felt very poorljr in body, and have had a degree of dulncaa »»«"Klng on my aplr t : but I ace to the Lord ; I wrestle with him for ita removal, and I ever find ho ia a preaont God when 1 aall upon him. And Ot how ho oiH3n« hia heaven of love afrcah in my aoul, by giving me unspeak- able views of what my Jcaua aurifored i'\tN »>«J>;. for mo; and the love and aympatKy he ati 1 foe a to every Buffering member I I have felt of lato a deep- cning of the graces of faith, resignation, and entire clcpendence on my God. And O I »^o^ B^^^i^^^ Lord, that he should thus prepare mo for what he knew would touch me in tbc tcnderest parti . " After a very restless night, my dcAr Fatty broke out very full of the small-pox, and for a fort- ,.ight Ihad much exercise for faith and patience. But this was very little to what I felt on the return of my dearest husband from IJath, where, on May 19. 1794, he had a kind of kpoplcctio fit. lie fell down suddenly as if he had ^een shot, and still con- tinues very unwell. Yet iij secret prayer the Lord assurecfmc he should not die, but live. 01 what . ..^ , -^ _ a: i:i,» » .:> !r T had not a conr should I lo at a time like t •t-ftut intenxHirse with- tnj lis, if I had not a con: God I But, blessed bo en MM. II. A. MOl ioi / Ml AiikT f%ikmti, T hi¥« ac^^mii toliim. fte taiii health, who haa not y«t rt!covero<| his lafe •wfiil attack. I waa in atiii|>en8t!, howoiirer, until thia day, whether I could go or not ; but/now 1 ace an oponin^t in FrovidiutCe; and. althou|[h there ia A huzard with ri'^pvct lo myaelt' in talking auch • journey in my prcHunt statu, yet tho liord aasurra ■■ tnu ho will preserve my going out, nnd my coming in, and greatly comforts my soul. On Tuesday, 22d, we set otTat four o'clock in tho morning, with Mr. I'awson, and oa many more of th^u^achera aa th« coaoh could contain. We hnd a iPpibrtable jour> ney. I felt tho Lord truly with mo, and my iH)dy was in a wonderful manner strengthened; ao thut " 1 was astonished to feel no more fatigued when, , about ten o'clock, wo arrived at our kind friend'^*, Mr. llartland's. Wo also had a refreshing aleep, and arose, both of us, in better health than when • we left^ome. May I deeply feel my many merciea lis so many various pledges of my Father's love. We found our three sweet boys, thank Ood, all in health, and overjoyed at setting us. Joseph ia iimking swift progress m the printing businefls, and likely to make an excellent workman. Benjamin is approved by his master, beloved by his school- ftdlows, and, above all, J trust he truly fean Ood. My James is very childish, (he is but eight yenn IM FimtBAI. tKRHA^ / \ old,) r«» I tWnk I •«• »" »»*'»» *•'• ^J^'^^^^^f. ®^ » I106U tpirit; which, IffOvemiKl hy grw!*. wUlon© day give ui comfort in bira abo, and i"*»i« him ft ♦• Aft«r «liff«r«nl nccnei, and manifold conaoi*- tiona during the lime of Conf«r«nc«, on August 10, we aroae before three o'clock In the morning, and Mt off at four, on our Jourtifly home. Our ftrlendi were very aff«5Clionate, and our d««r children aliio got up to ace ua off; and we loft thoin all, woll, though aorrowful to part. I claimed my I-K)rd'i proroiae to prcaorve mo in coming In, aa In going OOlrand I provwl him faithful. He did wondorj rtilly atnmgthen my |M»or hotly, and Huntiln my aoal tcith hla h«art-ftlt prcaenco. , We arrived safe in our own habitation by nine in the evening, and found the three children we had left all well. And though I felt inexproaalbly weary, yet to be brought •afe In 00 critical a situation, (not two month* from the time of my exjxicted confinement,) filled my soul with unapeakabid gratitude." v , . During the few remaining weeks of her life, the continued to breathe the following sweet languagiJ' of * saint truly ripe for God :— ^ ♦* Monday, Heptember 1st, I had a good d»ys my liitorcourse with hoaven is truly-open, and my soul stayed upon my God. Tuesday, M, Was a blessed day of nearness to God. His word was precious food ; and 1 found roy heart enlarged in praise and love. •* Wednesday, 8d, was also a day of inward com- fort, though of bodily weakness. I had a very precious time in meeting my class. And although the poor jdnners were baiting a bull by the window. AW MVl. a. A* IttKtllllb JOI I b«li«v« all, •• Will ■• myuXt, to (bit lh« (ltvlii« |)r«iMinc<) M not to bo dUturlMul by lb« rabltlt.. Thur»Uy» 4th, I had much cnnnp, and iltt1« ida«p in (hf) night, %hich, In aotitfl ddgn'fi, ha« wtakcnod the anitiial framo i but 1 fcol poace iu ui/ God. . -■ ■ ■ •♦ fMdaj, 5th, I bellova, In tnawer to prty«r, 1 had rpfriwhlnj? iilfli^p, and waa b«tt«r in body ihia day, and my soul comforted In my (lod." Thua ihfl Ko4i« on from day to day, exprcaning the MUne unihaken confidmco and comfort in hor iimi, •ven until «ho could write and tpoak no more. Th« ^ laat wonU »hc waa able to writn in \wr Journal are theae : ** My bwly ii very |MM»rly, and liaa \wm\ no moat of the week : Ot what a clog to th« immortal •pWit Y«t I am kept In a praying, de|>flndinff, reaigncd fVamo ; determined to truat my (Jod witW inyall." On the lOlh of October, 1794, the expected time of her travail being como, »he wan In great pain uioet of the day ; and about eight o'clock in the evening nhe was dollvcre got to itself a victory indeed in thi^miablo > woman. ^^^ Her filial dutyishardly to be exceeded.— Whilst V she indulged herself in those pleasures which tho ji world calls innocent, but which the children of God in all ages have known to be inconsistent with vital religion, she enjoyed the smiles of her mother, and of a'fiattering World. But no sooner did she become a professor of Christ, than the clouds of per- secution loured, and afterwai-ds fell down upon her with great severity. Her mother not only confined her for a considerable time, but at last gave her tho j alternative of leaving her house, or of becoming her pipper servant. She preferred the latter , and though brought up in the most delicate manner, and of a very respectable family, she submitted to the I degradation, and for several months went througli I all the most menial offices with a piatience and meekness not to be shaken. Her mother, finding her incorrigibly pious and steady to her God, (en- thusiastic, as her mother wjould have termed it,) for the sake of her honour, raised her again from the ashes to the state of a child. But fill this time Miss Roe discovered nothing but the height of filial affection, and continued so to do in every instanco till her mothor'is death, Hei: conjugal affection was equally great and steady ; and, indeed, (as may be observed from what has been ahready said,) Mr. Rogers stood in need of , 108 FITNEIIAL BBrWON powerful enemie.^ag.m.thm.H.».«ffe™^^ paired thereby: though «' '^ "^'^'Su.nks «» L observed, tt>at au JJ'^^Xnce. for hi, exertionsandliu«nmo»"»" r _ . „„ tomy in defemof Method^. M"-R^«^J»^'^;, ^^^ l<„owledge, during ">?? J*"!/^"! 1»« <»»1'» ''^'.TffSf^S^y a wiflto her bus- sed ^^ by her. both ;*J-\^^^. of her ^^:^;^:^'XX^ little after death. ^ Those 6«>^»»S ^ ^ ^^^^ i^^n^Se^»^-«- lines, that I transcribe the wholei- ^^ « My hour Is come, and angels round jne wait v TO take me to tluir Rlorious happy state; . ^JlS^ J^m sickness, death, and eT^ P^^^^ fSwith God In endless pleasures reign^^^, ; J^^ Thou dearest man, ^len. T fpel no sorrow but in leavlngyou. . Otl!ou^w"omfort, thought, and only care. In truth, in constancy, in faithful love, ^ ' Few could you equal, none superior prove. Sli^Jyfrequentsickne^U^ Yott^e to lessen and assuage my pain. ->s aijoned jady at* ipWny ach im^ it must ^nkswas I, for his fortUudiB 18, to my ere trial, ►ve could her hu8- e, and, I ems pro- thnationa ir Which eai which papers, a [IS, Which of a most sd in these lit rypairt,! I.' r re, . " ■ *'" ■ }.. ■;./ in. i- ON MRS. H. ▲. ROGERS. 199 /A tender care you never ftAVA to nhoir, A constant sharer in my present woe. More I would say, my gratitude to own, But breath forsakes me, and my pulse Is gona Adieu, dear man ■ u ... spare Thy flood of grifci; and of thy health take care. My blessing to my babes; though wilt be kind . To the dear infants whom I leave Inshind, Train them to virtue, piety, and truth. And form their manners early in their youtli. Farewell to aU who now on me attend, Tlie fatthAil servant, and the weeping flrlend. The time is short till we shall meet again. With Christ, to share the glories of his reign !'• Her maternal care and affection shone eqnnDy bright. Thougb she devoted much of her time to religious duties in publie and private, yet nothing * seemed to be left undone Which could make her children comfortable and happy. She even prp- vei^ted all their wants; and was equally, nay, if it were possible, more attentive to Mr. Rogers*s chil- dren by his former wife than to her own. To the whole of them she delighted to give " precept upon : precept, precept upon precept, line upon Hne, lino upon line; here a little, and there a little ;" water- ing the whole of her labours upon them with many tears and daily fervent prayers. As a friend, she was faithful and immoveable in her attachments ; nothing but her friend^ forsaking God could induce her to abate her love for them. She Was formed for society, and possessed the most delicate feelings which could arise from the social principle. And when some of her dearest intimates treated her with neglect^ on account of some dis- «} '200 f UNERAL BBBMOM ':T,ifrltt;.nd perb.p, .Uo by s«>»o dev.a. ''T rr, ttTter* X'tcl^xtnonce, consisted i„ t.:^ etToySt ofZa"-"- A very considc«bla , ;»/ufc e;;^;^ «ti:;;;'dS^t\:.:^^ " reTrb^n and her .offering, on *«.o Cstons were very exqaisHe. ««;»»'i;*'Sw -^^Ki::t^etSy^5 !n5?.ta She was ever cheerful, never I'ght? aiu fipirits. one y**" „^ *h« hands of her husbaml S. St. J-Thn, in the fourth c''«P'r »' J'^. «'^' SrJ53iKr.ftsr£-i Of Grtations; y fur she possessed a peculiar gift in bringing a pre- sent salvation homo to the soul. The profit rceeived in Macclesfield from her holy conversation, for years before she married, induced pious and mourn- ing souls to visit her ; and a very considerable part •> of her time was daily spent \n answering cases of Conscience, spreading forth the loveliness and ox- cellencies of Christ to penitents, find In building up believers on their most holy faith. She then was a leader of classes and bands, and a mother in Israel to the young believers intrusted to her care. After her marriage, she became still more extensively useful. Mr. Rogers, on his entering into a Circuit, would only gWe a very few to her care, desiring her to complete the class out of the world: and- ' soon, by her conversation and prayers, and atten- tion to every soul withhi her reach, would the num- ber spring up to thirty or, forty; and then her almost cruel husband in this respect, for the glory of God, would transplant all the believers to other classes, and keep her thus continually working at the mine. In the eity of Dublin only, Mr. Rogers himself confesses, some hundreds of those whom he received into the society w6re brought to Christ, or wore awakened, by her gentle but incessant labours' of love. In Cork also, and in London, a similar success attended her pious exertions. Thus did the liOrd mould this blessed woman into his image, as ^tli^ potter does his clay, and use for his glory, as the ready writer does his pen, until she had served him in her generation, and he Said to her,, It in enough, coma up higher. ^ QQf AND DO THOU LIKEWIbE. ■\ > « ■ -^1 t A SUPPLEMENT TO THE APPENDIKV ootrsisTiNO or MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS ■, ■- FKOUTUa " ''*■ / WORKS OF MRS. H. A. BOdERS. r/ DuBLW, N'ov. 7lh, 1786.— This day my soul hath felt much of the pow^r of God, and a sweet solem- nity which I can. but faintly describe. In calling to visit a friend who is dangerously ill of a pleurisy^ I was led to bring very near the time when"! shan bid adieu to all beneath the sun ! I saw it an, awful thing to die: yet I rejoice to. feel the sting of death entirely gone ; and a witness, that if I was called, like her, to gasp for another and another breath, to offer up my spirit, it would surely be into the arms of Jesus. But how was the importance of improv- ing my present mercies impressed on my mind I the necessity of now employing every talent for God I In, a state like hers, I should be very unfit to call upon God even for my own soul ; much less would it be in my power tq^ persuade, warn, reprove, or exhort others. My God has at present entrusted me with precious tiine and opportunities. let me improve and not betray my trust I *' Bat only for thy glory live, Aud to thy glory die." / -* APPENDIX TO TOR llf B, ETC. 203 / Iter feeling sympathy, and faithful love, were, I believe, seldom equalled, and never exceeded I With lir my soul still feels, as it were, entwined and interwoven. She was (under God) the centre and constant spring of all my domestic happiness. In her I have *lbt only lost one of the most valuable and most faithful wives; but my dear children, at the same time, are bereft of a most tender, aflfec- tionate parent, who always had their intisrest and happiness at heart. — But what is incomparably more afflictive still to me, I have lost in her my best helpmate in spiritual things. She always gave me uncommon assistance in my labours; and greatly soothed all my cares and anxieties for the church's welfare. She was ever my comforter in the time of sorrow. The evenness of her temper, and tlio cheerfulness of her disposition, both in sickness and health, were won- derful. I never saw, for one moment, anything like gloom in her countenance ; neither do I rev member one triflipg word ever to have dropped from her lips ; but, on the contrary, she was alwaye ready for spiritual conversation; and no compan;^ pained her mind equal to that where religious sub- jects were unpleasing or impracticable. Witnesd her own words, soon after our arrival in Dublin ^— *>Mrs. invited us to dinner, where we met with much gay company. Dr. - — - took up tha attention of the whole with his trifling, ridiculous conversation, so that it was a very unprofitable sea- son: and I cried to the Lord in my spirit, that we miglit have no more such visits as these!" And thank God, we had no more such, while we con- tinued in that city; but,, on the contrary, our visiU, Am.. 201 Ari'IS.fDIX TO THE LIFR {ii general, were serious, spiritual, and profitabUil ■o that some time aftorwards slio i%marks,— "We dined with Mr. 8 , and Mr. Henry Drook was with us. He appears a man of- deep piety, and the conversation was profitable. Blessed be God, all our visits, since the tirst, have been more to his glory. My soul feels much nearness to the people, and a sweet assurance we shall be bles- sed among them, and made a blessing. O for a heart-reviving shower of grace, and pentecostul blessings I The Lord, I know, sent us here, and surely it Is for the good of souls I My Qod, let this be promoted, and tUou shalt have the endless praise 1" Such was our union of sottl and sentiment, that the secrets of our hearts were always open to eacli other. And it was no small consolation to me that I had one upon earth, so dear to God, who both knew and approved of all the motives from which I acted, in public as well as rn private life. Hence it was, that from a conviction of her duty to God, she was ever ready to resist the unkindness of my op- ponents, and warn me against th« craftineafl of my pretended friends : and her penetration herein was astonishing; so that I do not remember I ever re- lied upon her judgment, or acted by her advice, but I founil it good. As to her literary abilities, they were rather out of the common way. She had a critical knowledge of the English tongue ; and her application to read- ing from her infancy made her capable of conversing upon almost any subject, whetherof an historical, philosophical, or theological nature^ With respect to the labours of her pen, she was OF MRS. n. A. ROGEnS* ::05 of nil I all I ever knew among hor Bex, the wngt wwl- duoun. Writing seemed to bo her peculiar talent •nd she took great delight therein, even from her |hiI(niohH My dear partner nevwr conaidore*! huriiclf a.«i a poetosa, and raroly attempted any tliindf of the kind: nevortholoaa, these Hnea will abow aho woa not entirely without that talent also. Some of her letters, with a few other prodaotiona In prose, haT^C^p? : X. 'V «# ©^Miw. H. A. nooKim. "t 'nu/irj't'-ri^. •-•'-■ '- Img to luffer or do for ,*, i ?»'«"?''- *i'- ■HHly down to feel "hrpi^oL I iV^ T '"J' ""» -r l.o.rt. «d ....It for'^rdwell ""..V"""'™' '" preaching thi, mor„i„„ i J"*" ""^ *""•""• * t 'he love, and pre»enc« InJ ««. overcome with Triune Ood, thiu rn't ^ "ceoding gl„ry „f „y Jt wa. long befJeT^M™. .""'.'''" '"'"PI"'''*' •We. At /:« lovtli?' V"w'a:''''''°''»^« »"""«'- :^^ «"""<«•"' ~"? "iTSri^ •WUIitfihlsdrcIInflrnrmillia ilMetoneveryaldel'" Ml SMne time after thia .he write.,.: were, into the Tmedt oT ' '"'' ""?""'«'• " " K'ory. Vetleannot exlfnTtT ."^ "^ ^"'''' "er of .imilitude ■ and »«. ? '.^ . "* "" "«'"- before him. lu' XnY" '""»"'«J ""• the du.t Wd ia prep„iigll" ,"•'«»»'«• «»»y»'ind,tl,e whole «,£ c?io. o*t. . tIv Jr^^""" y'?!- "' % grace be .uffldent for m*! "** ^"'^ '«• Unmrtaln'dbyth«erf«IL !iend the help for which I caUi / / 4 \' ■\ • " \r.'' '■ . ' X ■• I. >% :w- ■% 208 ArnsKDIX TO THE Lin * WflAkfir iliAn B bnilMsd rff<>ae The life of piety." And, although (as ahe observes) her ecstatic iov was sometimes checked by various trials, yet tho «ame ground of rejoicing continued, namdyfr^th and a pure conscience. And besides the tesLony of her own papers, 1 ^m v^itueM tliat many times I y*^ M' 4 '^ ' . ». I, ,\,i |.iro >.,' ,,1*i /;/.4' *"*'■'']( '( *-^' #; 'Hi ?2( t4 T i \ I 210 i ^ttSNDUt TO THE UFB iiaveieenherashappymGodasshft couW wellbj and exist below ; so that I have been even afraid it would prove too much for the earthen vessel to SW had a singular taste itor 'eading from her; vouthl In her unawakened state, her delight was in the perusal of entertaining novels and romances; and #h«iwelKwritten history fell in her way.she thoughtlittleof readingthree or fourhundred octavo pages in a day, till she got through it, which she did with this advantage, that she generally made the substance of it her own. But smce her ac- quaintance with vital religion, Bollin's Ancient History was her chief fovourite; as she.said she Lnd^ost of God in it, af ^«f"«« ^* ^^^ illustrated the prophecies, and confirmed the truth :-B^S; years, (though she still read^ifferent auSvatcoiTvenieiAopportunities,) theBible^ her chief study, and in it she took uncommon de. liaht. Our usual rule was to read one chapter every \ Suing as a part of family wo^hip ; but for some time before the Lord took my dearest partner, we ^e^^ oneouioftheOldTestam^ iftiie morning, one out of the G««P«1^«* ^T^ one at night out of the Acts, or some of the Epw Ju^. Ai^, besdes these, when unaWe to attend Sn^he savant to read byher, when even sujkness S Ufort>adeber doing it herself: A^d at 1^^^^^^ ^h when her strength wou\d allow it, she often madi remarks, and drew practical infferences as they went on* * r Tn our course of reading to the famUy one morn,^ OF lill9. II. A. B0QER8, 211 Ing, about three weeks before the time of her de- livery, when we came to these words, in Gen. xxxv. 17-20, 1 perceived.a silent tear stealing down her cheek. The passage referred to reads thus: '* And it came to pass, when she was iii hard labour, that the midwife said unto her. Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. And it came to pass, as her soul waa in departing, (for she died,) that she called his name BenouiV but his father called him Benja- min. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave; that is the pillar of Rachers grave unto this day/' Some time after this, in my absence, she desir(^ the mai4ft||y read to her again the same chapter, which considerably affected her. Yet I could ndt then learn that she had the least presentiment of her death, any more than what is common to women in similar circumstances. But indeed it was a subject which neither of us could bear to enter into the spirit of ; and, therefore,, if at any time it was impressed upon our minds, we en- deavoured to put it away. -^ When alone, she often read the Bible kneelihg, on which occasions we frequently find her breaking forth in language of this sort :—" Reading tlie word of God in private this day was an unspeakable bless- ing. 0> how precious are the promises! What a depth in these words,r~*,For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him ameh, i^nto the glory of God 1' Yes, my soul, they are so to thee! The Father delights to fulfil, and the Spirit to seal them to my heart. that invaluable truth,— *Eeady art thou to receive? -—v-— —--—-- Readier is thy God to givel* ' 212 ArnSSDlXTOTHBtlFB proclaiming, ' 0event me from go.ng on "J^^"'^^'^^* ,„„ ^ell ^''r/'i;^CTwn us ^ln"2 in thechurch to do that. As to her own u . of G0d,ltwilltot7»;j^,*"^^blin. Cork, „ity discovers It. ^» ™*^ wprecious-to her nu- andl^ndon, her name wUb^^^^^^ merous and kmd *"«"''''j'" ,„?,:,. memory lasts ; . aren of her faith, and praye«,) wh^e "^ y ^ J .„ .,anaibeUeve,j«»»be«•«» ! »* v J,"^, _^ ^^ing with them, '"any, very man^^^^^ ^ enabled to witness a clear sense^of Qod » forS^^*"^ Ze; and others, at the ««^^ *i°^?»^^^^ ?^^Wch ^ivation from inbred sin; a do^nnc^8»^^ sbehad the clearest views; and ta to truth ne own conduct bore a constant testimony. , •• ThronRh all her words the soul within, . The honest, artless soul was seen, . , . ingenuous, pure, Snd free ; . ^ Candour and love were sweetly join d ^. With easy nobleness of mind, And true simplicity/' ; 'i.^'"^-- And alftc^gh *« ''^"■^y I«'r r1^'."to"!r^^ StiW^'~ canst beUeve,aU thtags^^^^^^ ^*:« ttantanlSusly aeliv^red^nn^ ™.i„,'.f the carnal '"^l^Z^i^^^ more, pray without ceasing, and in .every nung. ^' A^^anmtter as staining «,isW^^W « the following circumstanee had «."f *S1_ ^ on ae mind of my dea r compani on, ^h e n m jV.Jl> OF UR8. H. k* ROa dcCs* StS wafl cotnparatively a babe in tbia grace, greatly tending to establish her therein, I will, for the sake of others, t]?anscribe the following account, just as she wrote it at the time. And but few events did I ever hear her mention with greater pleasure than ^it,\- ,—■■-■■•-•-.■/ ♦» Leeds, August 24th, 1781. That dear man of God, Mr. Fletcher, came with Miss Bosanquet^ (now Mrs. Fletcher,) to dine at Mr. Smith's, in Park Kow, and also to meet the select society. After dinner I took an opportunity to beg he would explain an expression he once used to Miss Loxdale, namely, * that on all who are renewed in ^ove, God bestows the gift of prophecy.* He called for the Bible; then read, and sweetly explained, the second chapter of the Acts; observing, to prophesy in the sense he meant, was, to magnify God with the new heart of love, and the new tongue of praise, as they did who on the day of Pentecost were filled with the Holy Ghost. And he insisted that believers are now called to make the same confession ; seeing we may all prove the same baptismal fire ; showing that the day of Pentecost was only the opening of the dispensation of the Holy Ghost— the great promise of the Father : and that the * latter day glory,V which he believed was near at hand, should far exceed the first effusion of the Spirit. And, therefore, seeing they then bor« witness to the grace of our Lord, so should we ; and like them spread the flame of love. Then, after singing a hymn, he cried,— * to be filled with the Holy Ghost 1 I want to be filled I O my friends,let us wrestle for a more abundant out- pouring of the Spirit V To me he said, « Come, my sister, w:iH you covenant with me this day to pray I 2t« , APrENDlX TO TlIE MPB ^/: for the fulness ofChe Spirit? Will yon te a wit- ness for Jesus?' I answered, with flowing tears, » In the strength of Jesus I will.' He cried, * Glory, glory, glory be to God I Lord, strengthen tliino handmaid to keep this covenant even unto death.^ He then said, * My dear brethren and sisters, God is here I I feel him in this place! But I would hide my face in the dust, because I have' been asl\amed to declare what he hath done for me ^o_ For many years I have grieved his Spirit ; but I. am deeply humbled; and he has again restored my soul I Last Wednesday evening he spoke to me by those words, -Recion ^oursehea therefore to be dead indeed unto sin, hut alive unto God throitgfy, Jem) Christ our Lard. I obeyed the voice of God; I nOwobeyit; and tell you all, to the praise of his love, I am freed from sin. Yes, I rejoice todeclaj:e- ity and to bear witness to the glory of his grace, that I am dpnd unto sin, and alivei unto God, througk Jesus Christ, who ismyUord and King ! I received this blesbing four or five times before ; but 1 1( st it .by not observing the order of God, who has told us. With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and viith the mouth cmifeasionds made unto salvation. But the enemy offered his bait under various colours, to keep me from a public declaration of what my Lord had wrought. • ;. ^ , "* When I -first received this grace, Satan bade .me wait awhile, till 1 saw more of the fruits. I re- solved to do so ; but I soon began to doubt of the witness, which before I had felt in my heart ; and was in a littlQ time sensible I had lost both. A second time, after receiving this salvation, (with' Bhame I confess it,)"T^ kept from beirig^ S|wit^ OF MRS. H. A. ROGERS. 217 ness for the Lord, by the suggestion, Thou art ft public character ; the eyes of all are upon thee; and If, as before, by any means thou lose the blessing, it will be a dishonour to the doctrine of heart-holi- iiess, &c. I held my! peace, and again forfeited the gift of G^d. At anotlier time, 1 was prevailed upon to hide it, by reasoning. How few, oven of the children of God, will receive this testimony I many of them supposing everf transgression of the Adamic law is sin; and therefore, if I profess myself to be free from sin, all these will give my profession the lie: because I am not free in their sense ; I am not free from ignorance, mistakes, and various infirmities. I will therefore enjoy what God has wrought jn me; but I will not say, I am perfect in love.— Alas I I soon found again, he that hidatJChis Lord's talent^ and improveth it not, from that u^projitable servant shall be takm away even that he hath, / - _ " * Now, my brethren, you see my folly I 1 have confessed it in your presence, and now I resolve, before you all, to confess my Master I I will con- fess him to all the world I And 1 declare unto you, in the presence of God, the Holy Trinity, I am now dead indeed unto sin. I do not say, / am crvcijied with Christy because sonie of our well-meanmg brethren say. By this can only be meant a gradual dying ; but I profess unto you, I am dead unto ^sin, and alive unto God; ^d remember, all this ia through Jesus Christ our Lord. He is my Prophet, Priest, and King ; my indwelling holiness ; my all in all. • I wait for the fulfilment of that prayerr That they ail may he one, as thou, Father, art in w, and lin tlieeithat they also may be one in usj wtH ■4''r, ■f'\ fits APPENDIX TO THE LTPBi that they may be one, even as toe are one. O for that pure, baptismal flame ! O for the fulness of the dis- pensation of the Holy Ghost! Pray, pray, pray for this I This shall make us all of one heart and of one soul I Pray for gifts ; for the gift of utterance ; and confess your royal Master. A man without gifts is like the king in disguise; he appears as a subject only. You afe kings and priests unto God. Put on, therefore, your robei^, and wear on your garter, Holiness TO THE Lord.' "A few days after this, I heard Mr. Fletcher preach from the same subject; which greatly en- couraged and strengthened me. Inviting all who felt their need of full redemption, to believe now ' for this great salvation, he observed, 'As when y oil reckon with your creditor, or with your host; and, as when you have paid all, you reckon yourselves free ; so now reckon with God. Jesus hath paid all ; and he hath paid for thee 1 hath purchased thy pardon and holiness. Therefore, it is now Ood's ~ command, Reckon thyself dead indeed unto sin ; and thou art alive unto God from this hour! ,0 begin, begin to reckon now I Fear noti Believe, believe, believe I And continue to believe every moment; so shalt thou continue freia; for it is re- t^ined^ as it is received by faith alone. And whoso- ever thou art, that perseveringly believest, it will be as a fire in thy^bospm, and constrain thee to con- fess with thy mouth thy Lord, and King, Jesu^I And iif spreading the sacred flame of loyeiy^hovi shalt still be saved to the uttermost. '_ ^ ** He also dwelt largely 6n those words,— * Where ain abounded, grace did much more abound.^ He ^sked^ * How did sin ab^ound?^ H«d itnot avQf^~ * ■ t' * ""T-?^ \ fP^ / OP ifiis. n. A. nooERs. 219 spread your wKole soul ? Were not all your pas- . Bions, tempers, propensities, and affections, inordi^ nate and evil? Did not pride, anger, self-will, and unbelief, all reign in you? And when the Spirit of God strove with you, did you not repel all his con- victions, and put him fur from you? Well, my brethren, ye were then the servants of sin, and were free from righteousness : but now, being made free from sin, ye are become servants to 0od; and holiness shall overspread your whole souT ; so that ail your tempers and passions shall be henceforth regulated and governed by Him, who now sitteth upon the throne Of your heart, making all tilings new; they shall, therefore, be all holy. Andl as you onee resisted the Holy Spirit, so now you shall have power as easily to resist all the sub- tle frauds or fierce attacks of Satan ; yea, his sug- gestions to evil shall be like a ball thrown against a wall of brass ; it shall rebound back again; and you shall know what that meaneth, TVee prince df this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.'' "He then, with lifted hands, cried, • Who will thus be saved ? Who will believe the report ? You are only in an improper sense called believers who reject this. Who is a believer?— one that believes a few things which his God hath^oken? Nay, but one who believes all that ever proceeded out of his mouth I Here then is the word of the Lord, As sin abounded, grace shall much more abound! As no good thing was in you by nature, so now no evil thing shall remain. Do you believe this ? or arc you a half-believer only? Come, Jesus is offered to thee a, perfect Saviour; take him, and he will make thee a perfect saint, ye half- believers, will "psw^f^- 820 \ArrENDIX TO THE LIFB you still plead for the murderers of yourfLorJ? Which of these will you hide as a serpent iii your bosom ? Shall it be anger, pride, self-will, or ac- cursed unbelief ?^0 be no longer befooled I Bring these enemioa of the Lord, and let him slav tliem.»r>.-, •.;■■..■•■ !•. -^ *' Some days after this, being in Mr. Fletcher's company, he took me by the hand, anromise, *Tho prayer of faith shall save the sick.' And when, in half an hoUi^ I looked again at the •wound, all the bad symptoms were gone ; .and the same Doctor, standing astonished, S&id, no danger now appeared I I could not forbear weeping aloud for joy and gratitude, praising the God of my life." "November 29th, 1785.— A lady of genteel ap- pearance, whom I had not seen before, requested to speak with me. I found she had come secretly to hear preaching for some months, and was under awakenings. Her husband is a man of fortune, but a professed infidel ; believes in neither God, devil, heaven, nor belli mocks at the Scriptures, especially the New Testament ; and will neither attend any place of worship himself, nor suffer her to do so. And, what added to her affliction, his bad state of health determined him to go and live in France. She cried, * What will become of me Mfiiere? No means jof grace, no friisnd to flee to; — in a country of idolaters abroad and infidels at homo, my sinful heart, and the temptations of Satan to "fitruggle with : I shall lose all my good desires, and my poor soul will be ruined!' - "I asked, 'Is there no way to prevent this?' She answered, 'No.' I said, * But the Lord can prevent it: and if it be not for his glory, he will* * Ah r said she, * I fear nothing can prevent it.; tho carriage is preparing, and the time is fixed.' I re- 2» APPENDU TO TUB LIl E plied, •Only put the whole into the Lord'«/lmhd, and you are safe. Trust in God, ^ind make it • matter of prayer: and if tliejouil%be not for your good, though it came to the last hour, he will prevent it. Nay,' if you sot out, he can by a thousand means turn you back 1 And he will. Did he not suffer the three Hebrew children to be cast into the furnace? Yet the fire had no power to consume them I— Daniel was cast into the den ; but the God you are called to trust, shut the lions' jaw8l--St. John was put into the caldron of boiling oil, yet he received no harm! This God, who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, will pre- vent this journey, if you trust in him, or he will make it a blessing to your soul.'- I then went to prayer, and at parting bade her pray much for her husband, and believe all things are possible with ■ God. ■,-;.. .^."■■^ ■i.'-''- ■■ *^ Some time after, she called on me, and told me she had taken my adyice, and ^ocayed for her hus- band, who, a few nights ago, liad a remarkable dream, which much affected and astonished him. He thought he was giving orders to his coach- maker about his new carriage, and more especiallj^ about one olf the wheels; when the man turned about atid said, in a very solemn manner, * Sir, you need not trouble yourself about that wheel, for the Lord Jesus Christ has the whole management of it.* He was filled with surprise, and awoke. I again commended her to God in prayer, and slip returned home not a little comforted'. "A few days afterwards a note was sent to return * public thanks to Almighty God for_ his power and _ love manifested in behalf of a person whose name i ■ OP miB. Jl. A. ROOISRS. ':^\ 29.3 la unknown.' The mc8«cngcr, calling on mo at tho •arae time, said, 'Thank God, this journey la pro- ircnted at lastT I auked, 'But hovr wns thia brought to pa«s?' She said, 'Only two days ago all was fixed for the journey ; and on this day tliey were to set oflf. But the Lord afflicted the phy. •ieianiWho advised them to go ; and Mr.~ — , fiud^ ing himself very poorly, called in another Doctor, who assured him he could not undergo the journey^ nnd that Franco was not a proper place for his con- stitution. And thjtfefore all thoughu of going are at an end.' i| "O how my soul was filled with wonder, love, and praise I Who that considers the above will npt see omnipotence, love, and faithfulness, exited in answer to prayer? Who would not wish for such a Friend? Who would not love, serve, and con- fide in such a God? Who would not own, 'He heareth prayer, and to him should all flesh come?' And how wonderful is such a dream' of the Lord Jesus Christ, by a man of such principles? Surely St was all of God; and to him alone is due all the glory." ■.-■'. "March 5th, 1790.— In private I had peculiar liberty in praying for my dear husband; that he might experience all the depths of Jesus' love more abundantly than ever, and blB the happy means of lead- ing me also into farther degrees of inward sal vatiqn ; that our union might ever tend to a yet closer union with our God, and all our outward mercies lead to this. While I prayed I felt assured my Lord was well pleased, and would send an answer to my largest desures. Next morning Mr. Rogers awoke very happy, having had a precious vieW of the ii^j ( '^ fim»' V .'•* ■ a: m APFEKDIZ TO THE LlFIl deep thinga of (^od: he dreamed that he felt the iilear witness of sanctification, and his soul seemed full of gratitude and love/ In taking a ride out to- gether, and laving open/ our whole hearts to each other, (as we fiequeatljr/ did,) I found my soul un- epeakahly "happy, while we resolved to be more spiritual, more devoted to God, and more zealous in saving souls than ever. This was made a great blessing to me ; and /doubly so, as I believe it ya*^ an answer to my prsi^^er." The last ipstanc^ J shall cite took place oiiljr » litfle before her de^th >— ( V "June 10th, 1794.-^-1 had a peculiar season in ■ wrestling pray^^ithmy God this night on account of my dear little Mary: The great weakness of her limbs for three months past, and her seeming total inability to walk, has caused much pain to my dear husband, as well as myself. It appeared to me I had used every possible means in vain. But this night 1 had power to cry out unto my God and tell him,^'hou art the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Thou art my God 1 Thou hast said, Gall unto me in the day of thy trouble, and I will hear thee. Thou hast healed cripples, mada the lame to •wialk, yeaj raised even the dead, in answer to pray- ing faith. Lord, hear me now ; stoop to my re- quest Let the child's feet and ankle-bones receive strength ; give her power to walkY and let me sopn know Ihou hast heard my prayer.' I had power to believe it should be done, and my soul was fillid with the divine presence. "Tliursday, 12th.— I already see an answer to my prayer in my child : she is greatly stengthened In her limbs. How good, how faithful, how coude- OP MRS. H. A. KOGERS. 225 scending h the Lord I We may— I may, like .Abra- i/am, like Moses, like Elijah, ask and obtain. Such were the habits of intimacy which my dear partner enjoyed with her beloved Saviour, that even when her outward senses were locked up by sleep, he would frequently speak. to her heart; and in dreams and visions of the night appeared to strength- en jier in times of trial, warn her of danger, or pre- pare her for trouble before it came. One instance out of many I w ill here mention. It happened about four years after our marriage, and was at- tonded with much comfort to her mind ever after when she recurred to it. "Having been exercised with an uncommon sense of yarious short-comings and daily infirmities for some days past, I awoke this morning over- whelmed and swallowed up in love, joy, and praise, occasioned by the following dream. I thought I w^s in an elegant house, and was desired by one to go into that room, (pointing the way,) and I should see the late Mrs. Rogers. I wondered, but obeyed. 1 thought I entered the room, which was hung all round with clean white linen; and, upon a bed, I saw the beautiful corpse of my departed sister and friend I I looked, and loved the precious remains, when, to my great astonishment, her eyes opened I She smiled on me, and raised herself up. I exclaim- ed in a rapture of joyful surprise, ♦Is it possible! 'Has the Lord permitted you to revive, so as to speak to me?' She replied with unutterable. sweet- ness, VAll things, my dear, are possible with God. lie has permitted it for your comfort.' * Of said I, ' what would I have often giveu to converse one hour with you since yvu were taken I* She said 226 APPENDIX TO THE tlPB ♦There is no need, mV dear: God hits been with you.' I answered VyeJ, he» has ; hut, teW me, have I acted my part aright in your place? Does God in this approve «f mel* She smiled again, and said, * He does ; And in all things he is well pleased. And he will strengthen axjd bless you to the end. He loves wu, and he will save you in every time of troublel especially in your approach- ing trials You havefiiothing to fear ; for you will be happy in life, in dfeath, and for ever I You are dear to God ; and itjis to comfort you he permits , me to appear, and tell you this !* »* This was but a . few weeks before my Hester was burn. And what I felt was unutterable in- deed! Love unspeatkable, and ravishing dielight, filled my whole soul. I was quite overpowered I 1 thought, in my dream, she said much more ; but this is all I can distinctly recollect. And it so overcame me with transport, that 1 awoke. But my body was bathed in sweat, and my soul, as in a dream, filled with G6d,fvith heaven and with un- speakable bliss, so that I could not refrain awaking my dear husband to tell him ; and I could sleep no more^but continued praising jSod until the morn- ing. The more I consider his condescending good- ness herein, the more I am Ibst in love-, selfabasc- , ment, and speechless gratitude !" | . This dream was made a blessing to us both, and it is attended with no small consolation to me, espe- cially under my pifesMit circumstances, to conceive^ that the inhabitants Hheaven know well the trans- actions; of earth I And (to waive the almost in- numerable and well-authenticated instances of re- cent date) that they do so, is beyond a doubt ; or, ' ' * ' \ • - \ OP MRS. n. A. noGi:$9 ' ■' 227 t how Qould they be said to " rcjt)ice over a sinner that repenteth?" And when Moses and Elijah conversed with our Lord, it was on the bitter cup he was to drink in Jerusalem ; of coBsequence, they remembered that place, as well as those prophecies which were to be fulfilled upon that occasion. And if the pious poor retain so lively a sefisation in the other world of the favours conferred on them in this, as to wait for the arrival of their kind bene- factors, m order to "receive them into everlasting habitations," (Luke atvi. 9,) what kind offices may we hot expect from those who, for maay years^ were our faithful companions in the kingdom, and pa-^ tience of Jesus I " Are they not all" (as well as ^le angels) "ministering spirits, sent forth to mi- nister for them who shall be heirs of salvation !" And what angel (except the Angel of the Covenant; who took upon him our nature, aiid was touched with a feeling of our infirmities) is sO well qualified for this office and guardianship as they ? And it is even probable a part of their, heaven consists in the pleasure of iittending those who are yet probation- ers in this world of woe ; especially when they see us attentive to the will of Him thiat sent them. ^ Hard as it was to part, mydearoomipanion would have found it harder still, but for the same persua- sion which constantly rested with her, as appears from her own words ; saying, " I feel myself very poorly in body, and several symptoms threaten •my dissolution; but my soul is kept in perfect ■peace. 1 know, * for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.* It seems as if the Lord had been of late preparing me 'for himselK And yet, when 1 think of leaving the dearest of earthly comforts, it 228 APPEKPIX TO THE LIFE * '^ y is like rending of self from self,.— of. nature fi;om nature,— and of the flesh from the hone. Never- theless, yfhan I reflect the separation is Only for a moment compared with eternity, and 'Jhat death' itsijlf cannot disunite our spirits^' it helps me to~ say, * Lord, not as I wilt, but as thou wilt. ' " It seems easy to le^rn, from this and other touches in the preceding pages, that, be our attain- jnents in piety what th^y may, they have not the, least . tendency to dissolye the endearing ties of natural affiiction. On the contrary, that religion, bysrefining, tends to increase both the fervour and tjonstancy of our love; But what are all other ties, of which the human heart is capable, compared with thatholy and spiritual union ever subsisting between tboso whom God in every. sense hath made one! lam assured the tenderest of maternal ties pos- sessed the heart of my .dearest companion; yet, these, when it cam6 to a point, were dissolved with comparative ease, as were also all hfit other friendly attachments, with this onl^ exception ,— of myself. •'Not even in death her friendship dies! ' With grateful jrtty and surprise -:; I asli; How can it 1)6? ^ ^ 1. . Loosen'd from all she leaves l)elitild, . - Yet stHt— unutterably kind,— ;/- Yet still,— slie cleaves to^roe. "On me%he rests her dying head, . ,% . ' And, catcliinp, grasps a broken reed, - ^ "' - r '• But will not let mfe part: * '-, ;^ •. Till Jesus ^slt her again, ^^ ,. : By nobler love dissolve the chain, ; " . ;^: " And free her struggling hieail." - " alone can tell what,! felt in jthat dread mo^ mei was Som acc( horj tof »'?S *- : *. last! Or our] come yalili iContj so an ■whei] Th mys< altho ■■■ f . ftf BiHS, 11. Af. lioGEJlSi 229 /•- ment, when her Lord gave % dismission, and 1 was called to return the last Wing kiss I For some time I could onl> breathe, .48 it were, in silent accents, » Ormy God, let my iker.end be like hors,I Come,~o cori^^ to follow her !^It is stilimie language of my bleed- ing heart,— ^ "^ .\ "^ ■■ ' '- .«■■■.■■ ' . • *' let me on her imngc dwell, - The soul-trflnsportliig spectacle* . > • On whom even angels gazo 1 • , A pious sAint matured for God, And slralcing off her earthly clod ' ?o see his open face. " ? se^^he (Bfcnevous friend sincere ; -llcrvofce still vibrates in my car, ' . V ., Tfie voice oftruthdnd love f , It calls me to put pif my clay. And bids me soar with her away. . I >, To ftiirer world's above V* S 1^^" *^*^^^^ ^^^' » pontferit cannot 'always - i *' And Jie who set my partner fiee, Shall .quickly send forjou and me! . Only let «s take carfthat our loins are girt, and our hglits burning as l|-ight as hers when our Lord Cometh and all shall be well. All who knew my valuable companioh fill allow that these pa-es .contain but a small p^t of what miglit be said u^n 80 amiable a character. But there is a day coming >r*jen her real value «hall be made manifest. The honour of beii% united to such a woman fills my soul with unfeigned gratitude before God. And .although I am left to feer my loss, I am supported. * ■ I f ^/. APPENDIX TO TDB T.TFE 230 '. ■ • ■ ' ■ ' ■ ■, • ■ .» frwn above in a manner that exceeds all description. The heartfelt presence of God, V^hich, from tlie time he took my all of earthly treasure, I have not wanted /or one moment, more than compensates for the absence of all created good ; if 'I can suppose her absent, who, under God, was the centre of all earthly treasure, to me. And now unto Him who had a prior right, I freely resign this all, because his. right is infinitely superior to mine. In the act of; offering a sacrifice so- pleasing to' my God, I feck that our union in him i^ of eternal duration: and that, as sure as my beloved partner now sleeps in Jesus, even so surely will God bring her with him, and' present her to me again : " For the Lord Jesus himself shaU descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and then we shall be caught up together in the cJouds to meet the l^ord in the air ; 'and so shall we be ever with the LordV Thus comforted, and laiowpg tiie time is short, I shall here t^e > leave of my beloved wife, leaving her to rest in Hia arms; whei^e, ■ ^.■.; '■"■;. •y; vy'\-' ^ '■■.':' ■''/^f "-;■"* "Supremely bless'd, with perfect peace, She'loves me now without excesis. Or passiionate alloy, Serene, she Waits my spirit's flight, To range with hers tlie plain of liglit/ ' And' clitnb tlie mount of joy y _ ^ «» reposed in those Elysian seats, "Where Jonathan his David meets, * Oiirsot^lssliall soon embrace}. The utmost power of friendsJiJp prove, Commenced on earth, matured above, - — Inecatade s of; ' »■■ A, "X ':::;:.:^/. ]y.f'^r: .J ■■"■•■' ■■-* ' ^^ .OP »qR8. n. A. ROGERy^;- •• Iloyr shall we slngand triumph thtei^ Our dangers and (^scapes eompare, V V ' ^Ourdaysofflesh and woci v ^ > fTow comprehend the plan divine, And sweetly in his praises Join, Tl}r6ugh whom we meet below I "Through whom in paradise we meet, f Great Author of our joy complete, . Tliee,*Jesu8,w6 proclaim I 'While all the saints stand listening round,- And all the realms^f bliss resound, • l^vatlon to the Lamb/ •* The Lamb hath brought na through the fire; The Lamb shall raise our raptures higher, When all from cvrth are driven t Our glorious Head shall cleave the skies, And bid h|s church trfnmphaht rise From paradise to heaven.*' ., ' • • . " JAMES BOGERS. BiBUiNQHAic, March 29, 1 790.' #, :rf(' / J ,. .+;. AN APPENDIX TO THE FDKEHAL SERMON.- 1 i' WRLTTKK BY HER HUSOAND. \^ As this tremeimlous stroke of divine Providence has wounded rae in tlie tenderest nerve, I hope any irregularity of thoughtf or impropriety of expres- sion, however censurable on other occai^ions, will be pardoned by tfie candid reader in the present in- stance; espebially as he will perceive in the pre* ceding seAnon that mine is mure than a common loss. The valuable pamphlet, lately published by my, dear companion, which contains a clear accdunt of her experience from her chil^ood, supersedes many remarkable occurrences which should otheirwise have followed in this supplement : and as that little* performance either is, or may be, in the possession of any friend who desires it, Lam unwilling to say the same things which are ranged there in a better manner thaiirl feel adequate to, under my present circumstances. If what follows be inade useful to any of my friends,' the return 1 desire is, A constant interest in their s;^Bl^^athetio prayers, that I may be supported under my nrreparable loss, and enabled to conduct myself in all things, during this most aWfully trying scene, not like a stoic, but as a Chris- tian.;. ■ /■ . '^. '.■:■... In my deaf companlonXhafe certainly lost one of the best helpm|iter1man was ever united to. APrENOlX to THE LirlS, ETC. 2^ ■.■_■■-. ■I ■ .\y.'.: Itt the evening my dear hiisband preached with J peculiar freedom from, "All are, yours." In .the course of his sermon, ho went thropgh *' Paul, pr Apollos, or Cephas^or the world, or life, 09 death," &c. ; and, in the Jast instance, observed, ** We are immortal till our work be done : till then men and devils combined cannot kilj I'l He likewise men- tioned that memorable saying of King William, who, at the battle of the Boyne, when in the most imminent danger, ex ilfhimed, (to encourage his men,) "Every bullet hath' its billot I" showing our life is in the hand of God alone :^when, on a sudden, |he congregation were all alarmed by a man wij;j^ a large loaded pistol being seized at the door. I wasjn the gallery, and thereforjB ignorant of ivhat caused the uproar; and my employment was to^ quiet the ij'omen, who were all for rushing down stairs, many of them ready to fall into fits. I had no fear whatever : the sermon had been a ble^^sing to my soul, ^nd I was kept in perfect peace. When I came into the yard, and heard the particulars, I found this villain came into the preacbing-housct and sat opposite the pulpit for half an hour, while Mr. Rogers was preacshing; then, on receiving a watch-word from his comrades, went out. And our maidj who, at^he same time came into the yard unperceived, in the dark, heard them plotting to- gether,/lind resolving to , fire tliC pistol at Mr. Kogers} and make off. Another friend who was nearer than, they imagined, also heard them mutter- ing and cursing, one of them bidding him with the pistol " aim at the cushion." In that moment the door-keeper, and two other friends, desired them to quit the yard; when this fellow msbed toyrards the 234 APPENDIX TO THE LIFB : ■■'■:t door with violence, and af tempted to knock down brother Ransford with the butt-end of his large pistol ; but he avoided the l?low, and only received a slight hurt on the side of his head. The ruffian was then seized by a number of our friends, and , taken to the watch-house. When examined, he denied he had any pistol, and cursed Mr. Rogers and all the Methodists bitterly. He was ordered to Newgate and there confined. The constable came next morning, and told us, Sir Robert Smith (Justice of the Peace) had examined the pistol, and found it loaded with six leaden balls, (or slugs,) which he showed me; they were ragged and sharp ; and a large charge of the best gunpowder. All these things put together, I was now much more affected than before : as it appeared plain that a deep-laid plot had been concerted; and I had every i-eason to believe the intention was to have shot my dear husband while he was preaching. The wonderful prevention filled me with awful grati- tude and humble praise. While Mr. R. and several friends went to Newgate, to interrogate the ruffian, I spent a precious hotir of intercourse with my God • and in sweetly committing to htm the whole affarr' I had some liberty to intercede for ihe p«)or wretch but more in praying for my dear partner; when the Lord graciously applied these words,— «* Not an hair of his head shall perish ; wherefore in pati- ence possess ye your souls!" I blessed him for the promise and the precept, and waa filled with divine consohition. ' : - The night after this hapfwie^m Peacock '"'i^vfi'*''? great liberty from, "Fear not them wHich kiD the body, and afte r that have n o more - J f V ' >. OP linS. II. A. ROQEIia. E .J" 238 that they can do.'* His word was a blussing to mo mid many; especially his qi^oting that text, '*ToucU not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." Two persons returned thanks this evening : one for pardon, the other for being renewed in love ; both under the sermon last ni^t. Well may Satan rage nt a work like this, now going forward in this city. As several Koman Catholics have been lately awakened, and joined to the society, and a very rich man, of great note among the priests, has be- come a constant hearer at our chapel, it is conjec- tured where this horrid plot most likely originated. And the more clearly doth this appear from the nuifnber of friends who vibited the villain while in prison ; and by whose means his escape was eifected;, before lie Was brought to trial. Cor4 August 20th, 1789.-1 found that texl much Jblessed to me this morniiig (Isai. Ix. 8,) " Whqf arc these that fly as a cloud, and as doves to their -^vindows ?" How heavy is the dense cloud! yet it|hangs in air without any visible hand to up- holdlK^ Buch am I; loaden with ten thousand in» iinnities, various temptations frdm Satan, and calumnies from malicious men, under which 1 must . sink ; yea, and'that even after my soul has been at tracted from the earth by the Sun of Righteousness : were i£ not that I am held, up, like a cluud in the air, by the mighty power of God. I also feel as >ne of those silly helpless doves ; and, as such, I fl} to hide in my Saviour's breast ! There, n^^iord, I would for ever dwell. - * ,f^:\ ■ '.■■• ., ^'■■"'■^'' *VHow blest are they who still abide Close 8lielter*d in thy bleeding a^de !" /■ j^r- We had a good season at ^ily prayer; aifcer 230 Arr£NOIX TO. TUB UFE IC' . which we went upon the water with some friends, and, sailin;^ down to Cove, we went on board of Mr, Sholdham's new and beautiful yacht. Tliis yetisel is built, it seems, for pleasure ; and he intends to sail in it round tlie world. Every thing in it is elegant, even to extravagance : much plate, superb furniture in the cabin, and a French cook on board. But can this make the owner happy? Alas, no I it cannot be, unless his soul were first adorned with Christ, and made meet for Qod. In the evening Mr. Rogers preached in Cove, to a large company of attentive hearers, from " Ye must be born again." The room was also well filled the next evening; and the day after wo returned home in an open boat. W© had a high, wind and heavy showers of rain the whole passage, and the tide meeting the wind ; when we came to Lough- Maon (a very dangerous place) it was i:ough indeed. But the Lord sweetly prepared mo for it. That verse was so powerfully impressed on my mind, that I could not forbear repeating it >*• "A "O'er the raging billows sallfnjf, - With my all-protecting Guide; By thy mercy never failing, I shall all the storms out-i ide I *• Join'd to thee by closest union, * And to my companions dear ; By tWs happy, sweet communion^ ^, . Tlwm wilt banish every fear." Just then came a squall of wind, and the swelt was so very tigh, that all the passengers shrieked aloud; and some now crie^ to God for mercy! Even the boatmen turned pale, and our friends clasped round iis in a most a&ctihg manner. Yet — . . '■y . OF MRS; II. A. ROtiERfl. m •'.v-'l .9-- though I was sensible of our danger my soul w;uB kept I'rom fear. I lecoUcctod Peter on th^ waves, and saidf '' Lord what are these when in the hol- low of thy hand? 1 commit liiy nil to theol Pro- serve mo from fear, and help me to praise thoe." Aly soul was Indeed filled with his goodness. 'J'lio boatmen, sensibtb.of thd danger, turned out of tho channel into shallow water, and then the swell was not so great: but wo were still in jeopardy, expect- ing every moment to bo stranded in ^MSmud ; and, if 6Q, all must have perUicd, fts we were near a mile from shore : but lhe^j||d preserved us front all evil ; and we landed. sa^^Cork before night came on. - ma3rl never forget his lovo to me this day! How fatal might have been the con- sequences in my present situation, had fear been permitted to take place! Instead of wluCh I was kept composed and happy ; and returned in better health than when I went. "Praise the Lo^d, O my soul ; and all that is within me, bless his holy name." Extract from a letter, received. Jan. 14, 178&: " The Kev. Mr. E- — -, calling to visit one of his hearers, saw a young lady m the parlour, who had come fur the use of the water, on aeeount of l^er health. Observing her unusually pensive, Mr. E. took the liberty to inquire the reason. She dn- ftwered, * Sir, I will think no more of it, it was on'lya dream; and I will not be so childish as to be alarmed at a dream I But, Sir,'%iid she, * I wiU tell you my dream, and then I will think of it no more.* She then repeated as follows:-—^! dreamed I was at a ball, where I intend e d to go ^to-n ight rl t^n after 1 was in the room, I was taken very ill, Mi I /••" 238 APPENDIX TO THE LIFB \.r- and they give me i smelling-bottle, and then iy&B brought home into tliisroom; and I was put iuto that elbow chair,* (pointing to it,) *and fainted, and died ! I then thought I was carried to a place where there were angels and holy people in abundance, . singing hymns and praises to God;— that I found myself very unhappy there, and desired to go from thence. My conductor said if I did, I should never come there again I He then violently whirled me about, and I fell down, down, down I through black- ness, and flames, and sulphur; the dread of which; awoke me r . "The minister endeavoured, by every possible^ argument, to dissuade the young lady from going to the ballthatnight; but in vain! She answered, I will go,.; I will mot be so foolish as to mind a dream I" She did go : and soon after she came into the ball- room she was taken ill ; and (as she dreamed) a smel- ling-bottle was given her. She was carried home into the room, and put into that very elbow-chair represented in the dream,— she fainted, and died I|'. , Awful warning I and awful event ! p that it may deeply p>enetrate the hearts of all who arc "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God!" She wa§ warned by a dream ; but such are now warned by a reality,— even her fatel She is gone into a world of spirits, into eternity I But was she unhappy? Very unhappy in the presence of a holy God, and his holy worshippers. how does this correspond with that solemn declaration from the lips of Truth, »* Without holiness no man shall see flie Lord I" O how unmeet is one who liveth ii( these delusive pleasures on earth, for ihespirit- ual^njoyment of God in glory I which is the in- OP MIl». U. A. ROGERS. 230 now jlteritaiice and the bliss of ' the saints in light. Header, ask thy own heart! Couldst thou be more happy than she, in the eternal employ of those who ^^rround the throne, and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb ? Be isissured thou couldest not, ex- cept on earth thou hast learned their song, ''Unto Him that loved- us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, and his Fatljer ; to him be glory and dominion for erer and ever." Thou must be born ■■again.. ■-■ • ' ■■-'• :' - What a striking contrast between the young per- son alluded to above, and -an intimate friend of mine, in the city of Cork, who died nearly about tbe same time! Her name ^as Mary Mahony. When very young, her carnal relations forced her to marry a man for whom she had no affection. He proved a very wicked and bad husband ; but 4^0 God of 'wisdom and love, even out of this evil, brought forth good. The trials she daily endured ; led her to seek rest and happiness in the Source of . bliss I Beginning frequently, -though privately, to hearj;be Methodists, her mind was drawn out in strong desires after God ; but her husband as pften followed her, and dragged her out of the preaohing- house^ the hair of her head. After some time, he left bet entirely, and she saw him no more. She joined our society about eight years ago, and soon found[ peace with God, which she never lost; and about three years after she obtained a dear witness that her soul was cleansed from all sin. ^ In this salvation she walked irreprovably to the day of her death. And though^ at some seasons, she Wiks buf- feted with various temptations, yet she always '■■ ■ , ^ . ■■ ■■■ '' - ■ /- ■■■ ■■ ■ ■■' :.iJi '■- ■> . '■ '■ L^_ uri, 240 APPENDIX TO THE LIFE ^ emerged out of them more fully purified. She was called outwardly to follow her heavenly Lord in the way of the cross ; but she joyfully took it up. and bore it with the meekness of her lamb-like Saviour ; like him, her langjiage was, " Not as I. willy but aS; thou wilt," Her love to Jesus, and her zeal for the glory of God, and for promoting the good of precious soulSj was very peculiar. This induced Mr. Rogers to request her to take the charge of a class of young women ; over Mfhich she watched faithfully and diligently with tears, fastings, and much prayer. In her last sickness, (thought to be a rheumatic fever,) her agony of pain in 6very limb was ex- treme ; but she told me and" others, "When these hands an^d feet are tortured with, pain, yea, such anguish as is almost insupportable, I look to my precious Saviour,.and see, by faith, his dear hands and feet pierced, and bleeding, and nailed to the accursed tree for my sins I And the view of that mangled body, and precious head torn with thorns, and that precious blood streaming for my soul, sweetens all my pain, and makes me willing to bear air he pleases to inflict.'' After she had thus buffered ^for nine days, and constantly witnessed to all the goodness of !&odtoJier soul, she became de- lirious; but a few hours before her departure, the Lord restored her reason. She was, however, speechless, till, atlast, after struggling some time in agony, to say something^ she cried aloud, *• Jesus is precious! Jesus is precious 1" and sweetly fell asleep, on the 10th of February, 1789, in the twenty-fifth year of her age. *r ^ Oct. 14th, 1790.— I heard Mr. Wesley preach b "7T~ 'J ^» OF MRS. H. A. BOOBRS. 241 anacconnt of age great warrior, who his hand towards h Flpitalfields chapel, with great lihertj, from Ephos. vi; 11,. "Pat on the whole armoar of God." I never heard the Christian armour so described be> fore. In the course Q.f his sermon He introduced very wicked man, but a y^laze of battle* lifted up . wi swore by his Maker, he would never qiii^ the field while there was an Englishman alive in it: He was hame^ed with steel ; but while pronouncing the oath, with his iirm extended, a musket-baU entered the joints of his harness, shot him in the arm- pit, and down he fell I— Mr. Wesley showed, in the beautiftil con- trast, that the Christian being armed with4lie, pan- oply of (iod, tliat Is, hid whole armour, no part is left expos^ed, but the whole soul is covered and de- fended against every fiery dart of our common enemy,^he devil. ^ , j ' I awoke veiy happy this morning, wi^h these sweetwords,— ; , "God, the Almighty God, IS thine ; , Sec him to thy help CQine down^ The exeellenco divine.*' And 01 how was I blessed,.while musing on that precious scripture, ** Momt we see through a glass darkly r* It was indeed a blessed sei^on to my soul; especially for a few minutes, when I felt what I cannot i^xpress : such a manifestjtttion of God as a Spirit unitinkhimself to myspiri|; ;-^such a real enjoyment of Goo^as love, as holiness, as heaven : --that fulness wBiljh thought cannot fathom I And all this to me,>-my all in all I united inexplicably to my spirit,-^more than filling all toy powers with his effuTgence, so that I wa? wrapt in ^Qod I my *" >^ 24? /^ APi'mfDnNro tub ufb vf * * liord and shall I prove for efver this fruition of thy fulness? I know I shall. Thou llast given my soul a taste i and thoa wilt give the abiding reality, when tiihe is no more. O thou thr»ce4ioly God of love, my 86nl is lost !' Wonder and love overpower ine I I a^ atosed before thee, while I feel the sacred blesSininpine. - ^ \ Nov. 4tli; JL79%-My closet was tiuly i Bethel, whil^ my soul was eifeaged in prayer, an4 holy , m%dita<4on on those -deep words, (Col. Ui. 3, 4^) "Our life is bid with Christ in God," &c. I was led tb inquire lis follows :-:-But'how is ioay life hid? My animal life being the breath of God,* he con- tinues or withholds it at his pleasure. But who can teU how he animates the cky body? or how we continue in that state of aniipation?- When be takes away our bteath,,we die, tfnd are turned again tP our dust JHow'isU that we now feel, hear, smell, taste, and sep? How is it yrathink, judge, fear, love, desire^ and enjoy? Tosiy we are maaecapable of 'all these, is to say nothing. From what airises that ca^abili^? ^he soul actuates the body ; but h|ow ? and who informs and actuates the soul? All is hid with Christ in God. li& is the source, but we can- not search ont hiii ways. „ ^ur spiritual lifeTs hid also; By nature we are dead. F,rOin him we received the first seed of ipiritiial life. " Kot of blood,".from bur natural parents; " not by the wUl" or power, " of man; but of Gocl," And how hid frcpoa the Wisdom of a natural man are all the workings of divine ^cel We are told he cannot know them. , Not can a,sonl, possessed of this spiritual life, impart what lie feels to- another; it is that' ^* new oam^ Jrhich none *» » r* OF .MBQ. H.'li. ROQEBfl. 243 B- *» > knoifiiithbat heUJiatrepeiTeth it." WliatamyiBteiy, —-■Christ in us I And what '« piiystory also is that faith which justifies and savW, to carnal minds I How frequently U thislifddo hid that our actions, _ words, and motive^ are mistaken by men! And often is the saint condemned^fl^ough this, when approved of God! But sq^will this hidden life 'he rteiyealed in opeii dayt when all shall see and ad- •mire the unaffected iiitjegrit^ of him^ who wa»^de- apised and rejected, by thi^ wicked, mistaken eVeii by hia' friend^ (and. perhaps- grieved sore tl^ongh • such mistakes ;) when, his innooehee shall ^iine ' forth as thei lightt^iidhisjtdst dealing as the nooi$-^ day';. wluli§ many «hallb'(fliniazed at his salvatibii, so far beyond all they looked for on earthk; Pet'-: haps « weli'painted hypocrite ^ighi be' tnpughi' more holy than tiie Israelite without gttile^ fiiit then the mask * is >nfe ihore ! - God wiU'^ own Ws. jewels, and ^thegr shall. Ahiiio -in his prfi^encei'fGr ever.; And if jsorrow or tears could possibly, be in . heaven, surely tfiosewlK) have been (through mis- take) t]ie. pause of grief to these! on earth will sor- > row then, and love jthem itiore ^perhaps ; on that^ account* '. ^ .,: , ■;■,;■■;•■■:;'>:■: ;^:,, "■ - ■ ■: ' -■;;, ■-;■;. ■^■- ^ ; ' . ; Again : much is^id even iBrom the sourpossess-^ ing this life. The humility Of the true saint, aris- ing from asense of many in'firmities which he feiSls, hides his grace from his own sight, so that at certain times he is even discouraged; while Satacui the accuser^ Jails not td magnify utito him various short-cpming8,-^Iiis extreme wea^ess; his fulure^ ; in judgpmeht, mem^ory^^ or zeal ; his ignorance x>k 'many^ things: or some constitutional infirmity^ though not yielded to, may often beset, and be a rw' ^ . ■ ■ , ■■.:■; -^ ^ ■ . « ■ ■ * ■ ' / •■ ." >>f 244 API* bKdix to thb Ilife ^-s-. bnrdfSn to liis mind. These, and «uch like, may for a time damp the joy of one whose ** life is hM with Christ in God." But when sach feel th^ir utter Blplessnessf the Sun of Righteousness shall break yibrth ; and, by a word, a single look of love, dissi- pate all the gloom, and display his graces antl him- self, and fill with unknown peace I But when these come to pass through the valley, there they shall, find Jesus their life indeed, with whom they shall then appear in glory I Yes, yea^ he will then be ^re- . vealed to their ravished eyes, when they shall fearless •* Pass the watery flood, Hanging on the arm of God.*' . ' For he will stand in Jordan to see them saiPe through, and landed all in Canaan ; where he will display before them his bleeding wounds, their only title to eternal bliss I And, 01 what then shall be re- vealed to the disembodied saint 1 Divine amaze^ ment, and glory all I— But, 01 to prove theblissful reality minel This, this is alll and while m^oul exults in the sweet assurance, t deeply feel the im- portance of that question, »» Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?'*. And I can tell my Lord, as Peter did, •* Thou kno^^est all things, thou know- est that I love thee " tea, with all nay heart, I have communion with my God as a man with his frieni, I feel an Intimate union with Jesus ; and through him with the EJathBr ; and sucK overflowing emanations from the Holy Ghost, as I hj^vei rarely felt before. I think a iittle more would burst the earthen prison, and set any longing spirit free. I have found it very profitable to read Hora SoiitarisB on the names\nd titles of Christ; espe- cmiy^ tha t of Jehovah Adonai. The author*! r^ O ^A «ri OP Mm. H.,A. ItOGBBfl. 245 marks are sweet and spiritual ;• onry Kfs' Calvinism I pass over. Yet, I ca^ allovr and join in all that gives glory to Christ, and tends to humble the sin- ner; ascribing also^ with liim, my whole salvation to grac^unmerited and free. I belie^ve, He who hath loved me, died for all; that they who are aead might henceforth live, "^ot unto themselves, but unto Him, who died for them^ and rose'again." Feb. 19th, 1794.- Having heard much of late respecting public matters, and-aboiit an expected mvasion, with all its consequences, I have been lea, much to secret prayer^ and feel I can say to my God, " Naked came I intft the world, and thou hast „ cared for me; nurtured me inmy m&rtcy, preserved me m youth, provided for t^ie w^, yea, even for the comforts, of my rip||||^rs j and now I am still thin^, and I commit myself, my dear husband and children,— my all, unto thee." I received for an- swer, "There shall no ^il befdtnee, neither shall any plague come near thy dwelling." The day after, I had some subtle temptations from the 6ne- my ; but the Lord assured my heart he would not suffernie to be tempted above what 1 am able to bear. Whenever I^appiroach the Lord in secret,. Satan vanishes, and Jesus tells mlB,.** All that I have is thine." Yea, he truly leads me into greea pastures, and by the still waters of comfort! ** to grace how fifreat a debtor V Didly I'm constrahied to be l" \ My mind has been led, of late, to meditate on the latter-day glory; and the Lord's presence rested npon me in a peculiar manner, while attending to those beautiful ideas of Mr. Fletcher on the mil- liun^-es p e ei al ly where he obser v csy r* * That a s" \- f * i ■■.?fc m iPPBHDIX to THR tlFB now the world ia overaprwd with iniquity, Boshalj it then be with holiness; insomuch that a wicked ^ man shall then ha as great a wonder upon earth as > a father in Christ is now I That the curse shall be taken away from uniirersal creation, vegetable, ani- mal, and elementary! The bodies of men no longer 'subject to pMU and weakness ; no sorrow m child- bearmg; no temptation: the lion wiU then be^as inoffensive as the lamb, and the leopard will lie downMththekidi » For they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain,Vsaith our Lord I • for the earth shaU be full of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord» as the waters cover the sea. '^: THE DTiNG BED OF iL SAra^^^ SINNER COKTItASTED. we jare, and unto (Just we shall return. ' ^ bte rolling' years; a few more months or nay, perhaps a few more setting ftuns or moments, and we are gone. Gone! I 01 that awful, dreadful, blissful, I Awful to all; dreadful^o the unholy-r to Sinners; and blissful to the salnis^of God. See amanapproaching to the verge of eternity: how are all his views changed I How trifl\ng to such a one appears all below >he. sun 1 How important the things of Ood, andihe salvation of his never- dying soiill I*t us consider one ignwrant of God through pi ii^nersed in pleasure, lost «ijMe, cAreless, Wiire, JBurroundea and beloved by his camaliriends, and possessed of a moderate share of wealth,— such a one in the bloom of Ufe. Some -,'*.• M' OF MBS. n. A. aOOBRB. 247 fatal distemper ieizeshis brittle frame, he Is racked r vrith toriuring pain, surrouudod by w,eei)ing friends, wlioise help is all in vain: the physician gi^es no hope of his recovery; and he 'perceives he is ere ' long to launch into a boundless eternity! What are his- views in such a itate? Such a scene have / my eyes beheld, and therefore with great certainty I m^y ^tocribe it. >* Wretched man that I am!" me thinks I Still hear hmi cry : ' where are mf plea- sures now ? What hotn qiy pride profited mo? or ^ what good have riches, with all my vaunting, done me ? These are passed' i^way as tur cloud s and ndw, Ohorror to think!— • ' / ; V ■ ■■ .,,•■■■..■" '■ >■; ........ •- ' * Now,.leaving all I love below* . j To God's tribunal linttst go; ■^ ' Must hear the Judge prononnceniy fatei» .. ". /- Andfixmy'everlaatipjirBtat&V ' * Bnt can I hope to dwellwith Qod? Ah! nO} it oannoi; be^ He is holy,—! am vile : He ft just, and will puiiisb the guilty. He culled, and I re- fused : He stretched forth his hand, and I would ' not regard i and now he laugheth at my calamity, ' and shutteth his ear to my cry ; then I would not, now I cannot pray I He often kpOcke^atHhe door *^f my heart^ saying, by an inward whisper,.* Thou art wrong ; repent and turn to God^ seek the Lord while he may be found, call upcn htm while he is near: turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die? But I 'w6nld none of his counsel, land turned away mine ^ ear from hia reproofii : I refused the yoke of Jesus, j^ despised his ministers, and neglected that salvation which was long offered to me by their means. Bnt now I feel the dire effects! * Afe, miserable! Which — way shall I flee infinite wratht and ingnit e d^spidr?* :M 248 APPBKDIX TO THK I.IPI! O eternity I eternity I eternity J—Pall, fall» yo rocks, and liido my gnilty head I Hide me from him that sittctli npon the throne, and from the wratli ' of the Lamb! But, 01 oven this cannot be I I mast endure his indignation, I must suffer tlic ven- geance of etenial fire! My damnation is sealedl "Who can dwell with devouring fire? Who can en- dure everlasting burning? Take warning, O my careless firiends ; a gaping hell awaits me ; my soul is going; fiends are waiting to receive it ; they en- eircle me round— O horror and eternity r* The person described above was afterwards re- prieved for a short season ft-om the jaws of death ; but he did not manifest any genuine repentance; and in about six months after, died in racking despair. ' liet 418 next see the child of Ood; the heir of gidry. iPleasing contrast I How different his pro- f spect I He longs to reach his Father*s house, and kisses the kind rod of his afflicting hand. The wel- come news that he shall soon be there, elevates his soul with rapturous joy : he lias a foretaste of those pleasures which are at God^ righ^ hand for ever- more^ and the language of his heart is,— •*Ha8te,myBetoved, fetch my soul Up to thy blest abode; • Fly, lot my ^Irit longs to see ^ ' My Saviour and jny God.' Tea, blessed Saviour, and this thou knbwest is also tlie language of my heart, while I now bid adieu to earthj and all terrestrial scenes I Farewell, ttiy dearly beloved, my Christian friends^ with wbom I have taken sweet counsel in the way to glory. I now leave you for sweeter , converse, above* On earth we have been one iu^ .^R' J K-,. OF MIU. II. A. ROOKKS. 249 Ilim we lov^; in hMVon we shall meet to part no more* His love wbb tlie centre of our union here ; and this shallstill unite us in those hlessed realms above. How often have we sweetly joined to praise him in the bod^V And one small glimpse of JesUs' love hath ni^de our cup run o'er:— * •* Andi If our felluwrtiip b«low •'.■•'. .,;v v;\ IjP Jesus be SOHWUtitt' '''\"'' ■ " Wliftt liolffht of raptiii-e shall we, know, When round his throne we mectl" Farewell, my deai'ly beloved ohildren ! I leave you; but your parent God hath promised to care for yoik Choose him for your portion^ and then, if we botli leave you (exposed to the waves of a dan- gerous world, the faithfulness of an unchanging Jbhovah is engaged to pilot you safe into that liaveu where wo shall meet you all again, being bound up togethei' lu the bundle of life, with tlie LordourObd. ^ ' Farewell, in particular, iny ever-dear husband. How was our friendship ripened, almost to the ma- turity of heaven I bow tenderly and closely are our hearts still knit together I nor shall the sweet union be dissolved by deathy but, being one ui Christ, we shall be one for over.^ Muum not that I go tb him first: he saw it besf for my weakness j my feeble frame miglit not have supported yonr absence. A very little while, and yo^ will follow me ; and O witJi what joy shall I welcome your arrival on the eternal shore, and conduct you to Him whom our souls lovei Till then, adieul— Bjiy dearest com- panion in hea,Yen's road, whom God in the greatest mercy gave to me. 1 leave thee with the'mo^t -gratefal-tensatto&srl!wMdl-(he4Eind tokens of aff e o^ .#.. 250 ^^PBRDiZ TO TUB Lira tion which I have ever had from thee. For all tliy care, thy love, thy prayera, I blesa my Qod, and thank thee : but I now go to Jesiu, who ia yet in- finitely dearer to me : with him I leave thee; nor doubt his care, who hath loved and given himself for thee. It ia but a short separation : our apirita ahall aoon jreunite, ai^d then never, never know jo- paration more 1 T^ Farewell to all my dear relational Weep not for me, but love my God. ' make your peace with him, and yon ahall follow me to glory. He ia worthy of your hearts, and only He. O give them wholly to him. I have not aerved my God for nought. I have lived a heaven below, in Jeaua' love ; and now eternally ahall praiae the glories of hia grace. And you who know my God, love him more, and never, never leave him; ad will he be to you what he ia now to me. Continue "atead- fiiat and immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord;" for, I can testify to hia glory, «»your labour ahall not be in vahi." Be faithful unto death, and he wiir give you a crown of life, which I am now hastenihg to receive. " The chariota of Israel, and the horsemen thereof," are lUl waiting to carry me home I "See, the guardian adgelanl^h, 1 Walt to waft TOy soul on liigh i - ■ See tlie golden gates displayed; « See the crown to giaee my head! See a flood of sacred ligh^ - ^' Which shall yield no more to nightl ^ Transitory world, fiirewell I Jesus calls with him to dwell r '\ ■%> ftwaj •*Ev wing hold that off ra mo a ingl -woig incoi and 1 God. tluroi Ai come Hast faith think heavi boug] And 4 I Ipp ii-ry^irTO * * OPIfBA, n. A. i6r>»««i.* Itfray." "Amen," |i»ftli my willing, joyful ^ •* Even 80, como, Lord Jesus I" My soul is on' wing! x^uTBt asunder, ye bonds of cl^y^ #hi^h hold me from my , Love 1 How welcome the stroke that duiU break down those separating walls, knock off my fetters, throw open my 'prison doors, and set mo at liberty ! This corruptible body, this totter- ing house of clay, which now cannot sustain his* -weight of love, shall soon be made a glorious body incorrttptiblo ;— MJk •'Shall the stars and sun outshine, ^ «K Shout among the sons of ffloryt . \ 'v ^" All Immortal, all dtvine;" "^^ . and be able then to enjoy the full fruition of my ^ God. Yes, I shall soon see him as he. .is; not through a glass darkly, buk^face to face. ' V " The btetiflc sight - '^\' Shall All the heavenly conrtS with praise, Aod wide diflhse the golden blaze , Of eyerlasting Mght." ^^^^^ . r ^ .- \. ^^^^^ : ; L^ , -f ^ ^ Sliows the purchase ofhls merit; Reaches out the crown of Io\«.'* J Angels Surround my bed to carry me away/ I come, X come, blessed messengers of my Godl Haste and convey me to his loved embrace I My. faith already beholds the crucified Redeemer |/ Me- thinks I see him smile, while round Kim stahd the heavenly host, exulting. O glorious train of blood- bought souls I 'What an innumerable cbmpanyl And I. shall join the choir, — .** Shall ahon t by tarns the bursting Joi '■ / \ And all eternity employ ' In songs around the throne.** 1fl?!p^P^ 953 •^*«NDIX TO TIM LIFB ^ -ii Hovr delightful the themek It hath flet mj sonl on fire ; yel I cannot exprew a th(m«andth part of 'lAy ideas of the prospect that lies before m«. But I shall prove the unntterahle. bliss. The inherit, ance is mine I A foretaste now I feej I Nay, so am I filled with glory and with God, that more t.coul^ not bear and live I-— •* O may I feci the sacred flame, And thrbngh otemity proclaim The depths of Jesus* fovo ! ■ < Amen, and amen I ^ ' i . HESTER ANN KOGERa ^•^ l/v ■■:-: ,'i*. < 1 1 ^ ' ■ ■ '■ '-"■.-■' 'Z' ' ".^ >'' V , ./ ^ f \ * . 1* , ■ Hi • ''■■■'■■'. ■■w-^:-.-^ "^ * % > f * « OF 1IR8. H. A. R0OER8. 253 # • -; I'. .' EPITAPH Inscribed to lier Memory In 3t, Mary'a ChapelYard, ,• ' Birmingham. HESTER ANN,. ' WIFE --1, * ^ » • ' >f I ""Vl^at Bays the liat>py dead? She bids me bcfttr'my load, With silent steps proceed, And follow her to God: ^ Till life's uneasy dream ^ , • In rapture shall depart, She bids rtie give, lilte her, 1* To Christ my bleeding heart*" * ' l< 254 AFPENDIZ TQFTHJB LIFK Underneath the 9ame stone lie also the remains qC Martha, mj second daiighter. She was a lovelj child, the darling of her mother, and seesned to par- take much .of her sweet^^ open temper; which of course endeared her so much the more to m^* Sbei died of a consumption, the foundation of which waa 'laid by the small-pox, whidh she took in |he natural way about ten months before. During her tedious affliction, she suffered much ; and although resign- ed in a good degfee, jet she was considerably af- fected at the thoughts of death. She would often repeat her little hymns and prayers, particularly these words, — • '* Gentle Jesus, meek and mild. Look upon a little diild, , ^ ?ity my simplicity, - Suffer me to com§ to thee.**' The manner of her repeating these linea con- vinced me that she felt, ihtm ; and I was led tp re- quest ihat the Lo^d would^g^ifest to her infant mind, in a way he knew, such a degree of that glory to which I saw my child hastening, as would at once pomfort hef 'in her pain, and encourage my poor heart, the wounds of which werei ready /on this occasion to Ueedafiresh. The Lord graciously condescended; Abput two hours before her spirit' got the signal for disinission, she was nnconmionly restless, and jrould^ot be left for a moment. She was perfectly sensible to the last; talked about various things Witha'loud voice, distinct and clear. She then suddenly stopped ; and, after a short pause, cried idoud, MIt is me hd means; Sally, (calling the maid,) it is me he ineads: 1 say he calla^for me* Come, Sally, be quick, and bring me my white ,<*■ s ■ ■ ■• -' t ' ■ t things. Sail J lookidc) minute breathe '■ ' / \- ■ > '':''0 wb "herdar - /"' .; ingtoT / adorabi both b ^ jjS\ they w -^ ^ Itwa , to para three d ing lin 1 1, t 1, • . 1 1 ^ * / 1 ■ : t OT MBS. II. A.ttOOElbS* 255 tilings. There they ire : I must have them all on I Sally, I am fine. How dear and beautiful I look,clon»tH I am dressed all in white 1" In one minute after this, she turned on her right side, and breathe4"no more 1 / ' O what a joyfuj reception would she meet from her darling mother, who would, no doubt be wait- ing to receive her happy spirit, and present it to her adorable Lord I and with what joy do they now both behold His face who purchased th& crowns they wear. ' - -. . It was on March 23, 1795, my child took her flight to paradiiie, aged fourj^ears, one month, and twenty- three days. Upon her grave stone are the follow* ing lines :— ^. •* Angelsi, rejoice,-* chlld.18 borne, . Into your happy world above ; , . . 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