Susanna Wesley

66 SUSANNA WESLEY.
" The eternal, ever-blessed God, that at first created
all things by His almighty power, and that does whatever
pleases Him, as well among the inhabitants of
earth as in the armies of heaven, you know is the only
Disposer of events ; and, therefore, I would by
all means
persuade you solemnly to set apart some portion of time
(on the Sabbath if you can) to beg His more especial
direction and assistance upon a business on which a
great part of your future prosperity may depend. I
would have you, in the first place, humbly to acknowledge
and bewail all the errors of your past life, as
far as you can remember them and for
;
those that
have escaped your memory pray, as David did, that
God would cleanse you from your secret faults.
"Then proceed to praise Him for all the mercies
which you can remember you have received from His
divine goodness and
;
then go on to beg His favour
in this great affair, and do all this in the name and
through the mediation of the blessed Jesus.
" Sammy, do not deceive yourself. Man is not to
be depended on; God is all in all. Those whom He
blesses shall be blessed indeed. When you have done
this, entirely resign yourself and all
your fortunes to
the Almighty God ;
nor be too careful about your being
elected, nor troubled if disappointed.
" If you can possibly, set apart the hours of Sunday,
in the afternoon, from four to six, for this employment,
which time I have also determined to the same
work. May that Infinite Being, whose we are, and
whom I hope we endeavour to serve and love, accept
and bless us.
" SUSANNA WESLEY."
The lad was finally elected, and in some sort entered