cepted a title from him, some months after-to dispose of me, and that he both can and wards, and solicited ordination from the late will do what is best. To him I commend myarchbishop of York. I need not tell you I self: I trust that his will and my true interest met a refusal, nor what steps I took after- are inseparable. To his name be glory for wards to succeed elsewhere. At present I ever. And thus I conclude my story, and desist from any applications. My desire to presume you will acknowledge I have been serve the Lord is not weakened; but I am particular enough. I have room for no more, not so hasty to push myself forward as I was but to repeat that I am, sir, your's, &c. formerly It is sufficient that he knows how February 2, 1764.

FORTY-ONE LETTERS

ON

RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS.

ORIGINALLY

PUBLISHED UNDER THE SIGNATURES

OF

OMICRON AND VIGIL.

LETTER I.

than such a trust in God as to temporals, and such a sense of the honour of being permit

On Trust in the Providence of God, and ted to relieve the necessities of his people,

Benevolence to his Poor.

as might dispose them to a more liberal disMY DEAR FRIEND,-The more I think of tribution of what they have at present in the point you proposed to me, the more I am their power, and to a reliance on him for a confirmed to renew the advice I then gave. sufficient supply in future. Some excepThere is doubtless such a thing as christian tions there are. Some persons I have the prudence; but, my friend, beware of coun- happiness to know, whose chief pleasure it terfeits. Self-love, and the evil heart of un- seems to be, to devise liberal things. For belief, will endeavour to obtrude upon us a the most part, we take care, first, to be well prudence so called, which is as opposite to supplied, if possible, with all the necessaries, the former as darkness to light. I do not conveniences, and not a few of the elegan say that, now you have a wife, and the pros- cies of life; then to have a snug fund laid sent of a family, you are strictly bound to com-up against a rainy day, as the phrase is (if municate with the poor in the same proportion as formerly. I say, you are not bound; for every thing of this sort should proceed from a willing mind. But if you should tell me, the Lord has given you such a zeal for his glory, such a concern for the honour of the gospel, such a love to his members, such a grateful sense of his mercies (especially by granting you, in this late instance of your marriage, the desire of your heart,) and such an affiance in his providence and promises, that you find yourself very unwilling to be one sixpence in the year less useful than you was before, I could not blame you, or dissuade you from it. But I do not absolutely advise it; because I know not the state of your mind, or what measure of faith the Lord has given you. Only this I believe, that when the Lord gives such a confidence, he will not disappoint it.

When I look among the professors, yea, among the ministers of the gospel, there are few things I see a more general want of,

this is in an increasing way, so much the better,) that when we look at children and near relatives, we may say to our hearts, "Now they are well provided for." And when we have gotten all this, and more, we are, perhaps, content, for the love of Christ, to bestow a pittance of our superfluities, a tenth or a twentieth part of what we spend or hoard up for ourselves, upon the poor. But, alas! what do we here in more than others! Multitudes, who know nothing of the love of Christ, will do thus much, yea, perhaps, greatly exceed us, from the mere feelings of humanity.

But it may be asked, Would you show no regard to the possibility of leaving your wife or children unprovided for? Quite the reverse. I would have you attend to it very much, and behold the scriptures show you the more excellent way. If you had a little money to spare, would you not lend it to me, if I assured you it should be repaid when wanted? I can point out to you better interest

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and better security than I could possibly | state of humiliation, and he, and the best give you: Prov. xix. 17, "He that hath pity friend you have, standing at your door, and upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and your provision so strait that you could not that which he hath given, will he pay him receive both, which would you entertain? again." What think you of this text! Is it Now, he says of the poor, "Inasmuch as you the word of God or not! Is he worthy of be- did it to the least of these my brethren, you lief, or not? Is he able to make good his did it unto me." Your friends have houses word, or is he not! I dare stake all my in- of their own, and money to pay at an inn, if terest in your friendship (which I should be you do not take them in; but the poor need very loath to forfeit,) that if you act upon relief. One would almost think that pasthis maxim, in a spirit of prayer and faith, sage, Luke xiv. 12, 13, 14, was not conand with a single eye to his glory, you shall sidered as a part of God's word; at least I not be disappointed. Read over Matt. vi. believe there is no one passage so generally 25-34. Shall we confine that reasoning neglected by his own people. I do not think and those promises to the primitive times! it unlawful to entertain our friends; but if Say not, "if the Lord would make windows these words do not teach us, that it is in some in heaven, this thing might be." He has respects our duty to give a preference to the more ways to bless and prosper those who poor, I am at a loss to understand them. trust in him, than we are able to point out to him. But I tell you, my friend, he will sooner make windows in heaven, turn stones into bread, yea, stop the sun in his course, than he will suffer those who conscientiously serve him, and depend upon him, to be des

titute.

Some instances we have had of ministers, who have seemed to transgress the bounds of strict prudence in their attention to the poor. But if they have been men of faith, prayer, and zeal; if they did it, not from a caprice of humour, or a spirit of indolence, bat from such motives as the scripture suggests and recommends, I believe their famihes have seldom sudered for it. I wish you to consult, upon this head, what Mrs. Alleine says, in the affecting account she has given of that honoured and faithful servant of God, her husband, Joseph Alleine. Besides, you know not what you may actually save in a course of years by this method. The apostle, speaking of some abuses that obtained in the church of Corinth, says, " For this cause many are sick among you." If prudence should shut up the bowels of your compassion (which I trust it never will,) the Lord might quarter an apothecary upon your family, which would, perhaps, cost you twice the money that would have sufficed to refresh his people, and to commend your ministry and character.

But if, after all, prudence will be heard, I counsel you to do these two things. First, De very certain that you allow yourselves in nothing superfluous. You cannot, I trust, in conscience think of laying out one penny more than is barely decent, unless you have another penny to help the poor. Then, secondly, Let your friends, who are in good circumstances, be plainly told, that, though you love them, prudence and the necessary charge of a family, will not permit you to entertain them; no, not for a night. What say you! shut my door against my friends? Yes, by all means, rather than against Christ. If the Lord Jesus was again upon earth in a

P

I was enabled to set out upon the plan I recommend to you, at a time when my certain income was much too scanty for my own provision, and before I had the expectation or promise of assistance from any person upon earth. Only I knew that the Lord could provide me with whatever he saw needful; and I trusted, that if he kept me dependant upon himself, and desirous to live for his service only, he assuredly would do so. 1 have as yet seen no cause to repent it. I live upon his promise; for as to any present ways or means, every thing here below is so uncertain, that I consider myself in the same situation with the birds of the air, who have neither store-house nor barn. To-day I have enough for myself, and something to impart to them that need; as to futurity, the Lord must provide; and for the most part I can believe he will. I can tell you, however, that now and then my heart is pinched; unbelief creeps in, and self would much rather choose a strong box, or what the world calls a certainty, than a life of absolute dependence upon the providence of God. However, in my composed hours I am well satisfied. Hitherto he has graciously taken care of me; therefore may my heart trust in him, and not be afraid.

Consider, my friend, the Lord has done well for you likewise. He has settled you peaceably in a good and honourable interest; he has now answered your prayers, in giving you a partner, with whom you may take sweet counsel, one that will help and strengthen you in your best desires. Beware, therefore, of that reasoning which might lead you to distrust the Lord your God, or to act as if you did. You complain that there is too much of an expensive taste among some persons in your congregation. If you set yourself to discountenance this, and should at the same time too closely shut up your hand, they will be ready to charge you with being governed by the same worldly spirit, though in another form. If you have been hitherto tender and bountiful to the

the false maxims of the world. I have been ready to address them with that line of Milton:

"If thou art he-But ah! how fall'n!" I do not mention this as the necessary fault of the institution, but as the frequent effect of notions too hastily picked up, when not sanctified by grace, nor balanced by a proportionable depth of spiritual experience. I am therefore glad to hear, that notwithstanding the advantages you have had in the pursuit of your studies, you feel an inward conviction, that you still need something which you cannot receive from men, or

poor, and should make too great and too sudden an alteration in this respect, if the blame should not fall upon you, it probably would upon your wife, who, I believe, would be far from deserving it. If the house which had been open to the poor in former times, should be shut against them, now you live in it, would it not lead the people's thoughts back? Would it not open the mouths of those who do not love your ministry, to say, That, notwithstanding all your zeal about doctrines, you know how to take care of your own interest, as well as those whom you have thought indifferent and lukewarm in the cause of the gospel? Would it not? But 1 forbear. I know you need no such argu-books, in order to complete your fitness for ments. Yet consider how many eyes are upon you, watching for your halting. Now, at your first setting out, is the proper time seriously to seek the Lord's direction, that you may, from the beginning, adopt such a It seems to me a point of more curiosity plan as may be most for your own comfort, the than use, to inquire too nicely into the modus honour of your character as a minister, the of the Holy Spirit's assistance in the comglory of him who has called you, and the edi-posure and delivery of sermons. If we canfication of your people. It is easier to begin well, than to make alterations afterwards. I trust the Lord will guide and bless you in your deliberations. And, for my own part, I am not in the least afraid, that you will ever have cause to blame me for the advice I have given, if you should be disposed to follow it.

I have given you my opinion freely, and, perhaps, with an appearance of more strictness than is necessary. But I would apply our Lord's words in another case to this: "All men cannot receive this saying; he that is able to receive it, let him receive it." If the Lord has given you this confidence in his word, you are happy. It is better than the possession of thousands by the year.-I am, &c.

LETTER II.

Extract of a Letter to a Student in Divinity. DEAR SIR,—The subject of your last is important. I can sympathise with your anxiety, having known much of it myself, and therefore willingly devote my first leisure to your service. But shall I indeed condole with you? or shall I rather congratulate you on the perplexity you complain of! I know it is not pleasing; but I hope it will be sanctified and profitable to you.

Though I am no enemy to the acquisition of useful knowledge, I have seen many instances of young men who have been much hurt by what they expected to reap advantage from. They have gone to the academy humble, peaceable, spiritual, and lively; but have come out self-wise, dogmatical, censorious, and full of a prudence founded upon

the ministry; that you may be "a workman that needs not to be ashamed," and enabled rightly to divide (to distinguish and distribute) the word of truth.

not exactly state the boundaries between what we may deem the result of our own thoughts, and the needful influence of the Holy Spirit, it seems a safe way to give him the honour of the whole, and to attribute nothing to our selves but our infirmities. If we have a capacity, means for improvement, diligence to make use of those means, and if that diligence is attended with any degree of success, may we not acknowledge, that the former links of this chain are the effects of his goodness and favour, no less than the latter?

To the question, How far is it lawful to expect this assistance? I answer, It is lawful very far, even to lay the whole stress upon it, so as to be firmly persuaded that we can neither meditate nor speak to purpose without it; that if we have not this assistance, whatever else we have, or may think we have, we shall but "darken counsel by words without knowledge." For this, I think, I have warrant in John xv. 5. If any person supposes he has so far mastered a system of divinity, that though he can indeed do better with the Spirit's assistance, yet he can make a tolerable shift without it, I envy him not this attainment.

But if the question intends, How far a dependence upon the Holy Spirit may lawfully supersede the use of means? I answer, Not in the least. The blessing and the means are so closely united, that they cannot be separated. The blessing may be surely expected, if diligently sought in the use of proper means; and we have no just reason to expect it without them. But to clear up the whole, let it be considered. What may deserve the name of diligence in this matter? and what are the proper means!

By diligence, I understand spiritual dili

gence; such an active, improving, indus- | more ingenious than edifying, and rather set trious habit, as is peculiar to a heart im- off the man, than commend the gospel of pressed with some real abiding sense of the Christ. love of God, the worth of souls, the shortness of time, and the importance of eternity. Without this turn of mind, though a man should spend sixteen hours every day in his study, he may be a mere trifler. The greatest part of his application will be spent on what is least necessary, and his knowledge will chiefly prove of that sort which puffeth up, without communicating any real benefit. Gen. xli. 21. Psal. cxxvii. 2.