To Elizabeth Hardy (May 1758)

https://wesleyworks.ecdsdev.org/letters/1758-05-ToElizabethHardy

To Elizabeth Hardy

1This may be JW's response to the 'second letter' mentioned in his earlier reply (Apr. 5) to Hardy. The manuscript is undated, but placed here because of the close connection in theme to the earlier letter.

May 1758

Without doubt it seems to you that yours is a peculiar case. You think there is none like you in the world. Indeed there are. It may be ten thousand persons are now in the same state of mind as you. I myself was so a few years ago. I felt the wrath of God abiding on me. I was afraid every hour of dropping into hell. I knew myself to be the chief of sinners .

2See 1 Tim. 1:15

Though I had been very innocent in the account of others, I saw my heart to be all sin and corruption. I was without the knowledge and the love of God, and therefore an abomination in his sight.

But I had an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous .

3See 1 John 2:1 .

And so have you. He died for your sins, and he is now pleading for you at the right hand of God. O look unto him and be saved! He loves you freely, without any merit of yours. He has atoned for all your sins.

See all your sins on Jesus laid!

4CW, 'For the Anniversary Day of One’s Conversion', st. 14, HSP (1740), 122

His blood has paid for all. Fear nothing; only believe. His mercy embraces you; it holds you in on every side. Surely you shall not depart hence till your eyes have seen his salvation.

I am, madam,

5The manuscript page ends at this point.

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Entry Title: To Elizabeth Hardy (May 1758)

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