That the outer and inner sufferings should serve us unto purification and humiliation.

What this letter is. An October letter of the 25th, 1758, from Mülheim to Peter Büngers at Gruiten. His agreeable of the 14th of this the writer has rightly received. They had still hoped he would come over once more; his writing poorly consoles them. The Lord Jesus strengthen him in his bodily weaknesses, that they (as a fellowship of His sufferings) may cooperate unto the great grace-work in the inward. The Saviour concluded His life not on Tabor but on Calvary; perhaps they must make themselves ready for the same lot. Dust settles in the clothes of those occupied in many things, also in the service of other souls; one does not notice it until the beating-out. Our corruption is deeper than one should suppose; we need a thorough purification and humiliation, whereunto also the inward sufferings serve. The Lord takes us up; He leads in; He will also be Helper. Better here than after this time. Mülheim, the 25th of October, 1758.

The weaknesses, Tabor and Calvary. He was desirous of news of him and of his circumstances; the more welcome that it came through his own hand. They had still always made themselves the hope that he would this time have come over once more; to which his writing poorly consoles. The Lord Jesus strengthen him, dear brother, also in his bodily weaknesses, according to His blameless good-pleasure, and bless them to him that they (as a fellowship of His sufferings) may powerfully cooperate unto the carrying-out of His great grace-work in the inward. Our blessed Saviour has concluded His life not on Tabor, but on Calvary: in many ways it goes so also with His own; and perhaps you and I must make ourselves ready for the same lot.

Dust in the clothes, and a thorough purification. Whoever has been occupied in many kinds of things, also in the service of other souls, as they both, in him there often settles some dust in the clothes — oh God, were it not to come deeper — which one does not notice until one comes to the beating-out. Besides, our corruption and own life is deeper and more general than one should suppose, so that we indeed have need of a thorough purification and humiliation; whereunto also the inward sufferings of many kinds must serve. It is yet indeed grace, that the Lord takes us up: He leads in; He will also be Helper. Better here, than after this time. With His grace we can let ourselves be content. He greets and embraces him in the spirit of love; pray for me, dear brother; greet the household also all. Mülheim, the 25th of October, 1758.

A few words and echoes.

• outer and inner sufferings. Äußere und Innere Leiden — not persons, but the bodily and inward sufferings that should purify.
• your agreeable of the 14th of this. the welcome letter, of this October.
• fellowship of His sufferings. the bodily weaknesses as a sharing in Christ's. (Phil. 3:10)
• not on Tabor, but on Calvary. the Saviour concluded His life on Calvary. (Matt. 17:1–2; 27:33)
• the same lot. you and I may have to make ourselves ready for it.
• dust in the clothes. which one does not notice until the beating-out; oh God, were it not to come deeper.
• thorough purification and humiliation. our corruption and own life is deeper than one should suppose.
• the Lord takes us up. He leads in; He will also be Helper. (Ps. 8:4)
• Better here, than after this time. better to be purified now.
• with His grace we can let ourselves be content. (2 Cor. 12:9)
• Pray for me, dear brother. I find myself also obliged thereto.
• Your / Mülheim, obliged weak brother. the 25th of October, 1758.