Thorough instruction for a soul beginning in the Christian life.

The Hundred and Fifth Letter.

Thorough instruction for a soul beginning in the Christian life.

Dear brother!

Your welcome little letter I have received, and it gladdens me from the heart that the Lord, in your quarter, still finds a hearing with one soul and another through His knocking grace, when otherwise, everywhere in the world, things look so very dark. I thank the Lord especially that He goes on working at the N. farm, and will fetch back from ruin P.'s sister too. You yourself well know what serves for her instruction. For the strengthening of what you have doubtless already told her, I will add the following by way of simple counsel, which you may also read aloud to her.

First of all, the friend must remember, and firmly believe, that no one can give himself a single truly good thought, much less a good will or a desire after God and godliness. All good comes from God, who alone is good. It is neither Satan nor nature that makes us anxious in our condition and presses upon us a fear of God's holiness and judgment; rather it is the appearing, saving grace of God that chastens us, and His heartfelt mercy, which grieves over our wretched souls and would draw us to itself through a holy terror.

Now if God's whole aim is to draw the soul to Himself out of ruin — who would then not come with all his miseries, since God Himself calls? And who would still doubt that God will accept us when we come, since He Himself draws us and would have us? Only our sins He will not have; those must out of the way when we are to come to Him: and if we cannot so soon be rid of them, still we must hate them with a perfect hatred.

May God press it deep into the friend's heart that she is worthy to be cast off from Him forever! May He press it upon her that she is a great sinner, as indeed is the truth! May He let it grieve her truly, that she has so grievously offended so loving a God, and has not sought Him sooner!

Nonetheless she must simply come, just as she is, and just as she can. Whether God will indeed accept her? Or whether she will indeed come through? With that she must not long torment herself; she only spoils the time thereby. If she cannot believe that God will accept her, still she must make the attempt. Only let her come, and she will see what manner of Jesus Jesus is (John 1:46). If she imagines that God will not have her, because she was formerly unfaithful to His grace — then I can assure her that I, alas, did the very same, and yet God accepted me; only let her strive henceforth to keep His grace more carefully.

The enemy will surely not let her go so easily. Anxious, terrifying, yea even wicked things he knows how to cast in, and often so suddenly and forcibly that the poor soul thinks nothing other than that she has given her will to them — that she has deliberately thought and spoken this or that against God; which then stirs up great unrest, terror, dejection, and sorrow, so that she might often despair; and that is just what Satan likes to see, that he may frighten her off and get her back into his net. Now if it goes so with the friend too, then let her, on the contrary, take it for a good sign — namely, that it will go well with her — since the enemy is already growing afraid that he will lose her out of his claws. The best is that she leave the enemy his filthy wares without looking at them of set purpose, and that she not disquiet herself too much over it, but gently turn her thoughts to something else, be it even something outward. When the evil suggestions frighten one, that is a sign that one does not love them, but that one would heartily gladly be rid of them; and therefore God does not hate such souls as hate the evil, but He will keep them and help them out in His time — for which one must pray, and upon which one must wait.

A contrite and penitent heart, too, she must ask of God, who has promised both repentance and forgiveness of sins. (See the Prayer of Manasseh, v. 7.) That whole Prayer of Manasseh is serviceable to her. Upon sensibility and outward weeping it does not so much depend. A true hatred against all sin, and an earnest will to better oneself, is more pleasing to God than a sea full of tears.

It is further well to note that, if she would find right rest in the conscience, and forgiveness of her sins, she must hold no committed sin upon her heart, but must humbly confess to God all that presses her, with or without words: yea, if this or that sin torments her especially, then it is good to confess it also, openheartedly, to a trusted friend of God, and to seek his intercession — which can at times free one from heavy burdens.

O what an honor and great happiness it is, to humble oneself before God and all men, and to lie as a poor sinner at God's feet! The more wretched we account ourselves, the more pleasing we are to the Lord. A penitent woman-sinner is a joy of the angels, who are not far from troubled and praying souls.

May God Himself mightily strengthen the friend, awaken her, and help her out! Let her only take heart to hunger and thirst after the deep well-spring of the love of God, in the name of Jesus, who turns all anguish, in due time, into pure joy. I greet her heartily, as also her brother P. — may God make something upright of him too! I greet also your brother, your parents, and the rest who seek God, remaining

Your affectionate brother in the Lord.

Mülheim, 1 May 1730.

German

Der hundertundfünfte Brief.

Gründlicher Unterricht für eine im Christenthum anfangende Seele.

Lieber Bruder!

Dein angenehmes Brieflein habe erhalten, und es freuet mich von Herzen, daß der HErr an eurem Ort bei ein und andern Gemüthern mit Seiner anklopfenden Gnade noch Gehör findet, da es sonst in der Welt aller Orten so gar Dunkel aussiehet.

— Opening lines of the original German. The complete transcription of all 605 letters appears in the forthcoming Encounter Press critical edition; Brief 1 is shown in full as a sample.

German text: public domain (1773–75 first edition / 1845 Gesammelte Schriften).