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nicate from himself as your occasions require. | months as I find it. Whether I write more O, it is a great thing to be strong in the frequently or more seldom, the love of my grace that is in Christ Jesus! but it is a hard heart to you is the same, and I shall believe lesson: it is not easy to understand it in the like of you; yet, if it can be helped, I theory, but when the Lord has taught us so hope the interval will not be so long again far, it is still more difficult to reduce our on either side. I am glad that the Lord's knowledge to practice. But this is one end work still flourishes in your parts, and that he has in view in permitting us to pass you have a more comfortable prospect at through such a variety of inward and outward home than formerly; and I was pleased with. exercises, that we may cease from trusting the acceptance you found at S- which in ourselves, or in any creature, or frame, or I hope will be an earnest of greater things. experiences, and be brought to a state of I think affairs in general, with respect to this submission and dependence upon him alone. land, have a dark appearance; but it is comI was once visited something in the same fortable to observe, that, amidst the aboundway, seized with a fit of the apoplectic kind, ings of iniquity, the Lord is spreading his which held me near an hour, and left a disor- gospel, and that though many oppose, yet in der in my head, which quite broke the scheme most places whither the word is sent, great of life I was then in, and was consequently numbers seem disposed to hear. I am going one of the means the Lord appointed to bring (if the Lord please) into Leicestershire on me into the ministry; but I soon perfectly Friday. This was lately such a dark place recovered. From the remembrance Mrs. as you describe your country to be, and much has of what she then suffered, she knows of it is so still; but the Lord has visited three how to sympathize with Mrs. B in her of the principal towns with gospel-light. I share of your trial. And I think dear Mr. have a desire of visiting these brethren in some years since had a sudden stroke the vineyard, to bear my poor testimony to on a Christmas day, which disabled him from the truths they preach, and to catch, if I may, duty for a time. To him and to me these a little fire and fervour among them. I do turns were only like the caution which Philip not often go abroad; but I have found a little of Macedon ordered to be repeated to him excursion now and then (when the way is every morning, "Remember thou art a man.' ." made plain) has its advantages, to quicken I hope it will be no more to you, but that you the spirits and enlarge the sphere of observashall live to praise him, and to give many tion. On these accounts the recollection of cause to praise him on your behalf. Blessed my N― journey gives me pleasure to this be God we are in safe hands: the Lord him- day; and very glad should I be to repeat it, self is our keeper; nothing befals us but but the distance is so great that I consider it what is adjusted by his wisdom and love. rather as desirable than practicable. Health is his gift, and sickness, when sanctified, is a token of love likewise. Here we may meet with many things which are not joyous but grievous to the flesh; but he will, in one way or other, sweeten every bitter cup, and ere long he will wipe away all tears from our eyes. O that joy, that crown, that glory which awaits the believer! Let us keep the prize of our high calling in view, and press forward in the name of Jesus the Redeemer, and he will not disappoint our hopes.

I am but just come off from a journey, am weary, and it grows late; I must therefore break off. When you have leisure and strength to write, oblige me with a confirmation of your recovery, for I shall be something anxious about you.-I am, &c.

LETTER V.

March 14, 1775. MY DEAR FRIEND,-I thought you long in writing, but am afraid I have been longer. A heavy family affliction called me from home in December, which put me out of my usual course, and threw me behind-hand in my correspondence; yet I did not suspect the date of your last letter was so old by two

My experiences vary as well as yours: but possibly your sensations, both of the sweet and of the bitter, may be stronger than mine. The enemy assaults me more by sap than storm, and I am ready to think I suffer more by languor than some of my friends do by the sharper conflicts to which they are called. So likewise in these seasons, which comparatively I call my best hours, my sensible comforts are far from lively. But I am in general enabled to hold fast my confidence, and to venture myself upon the power, faithfulness, and compassion of that adorable Saviour, to whom my soul has been directed and encouraged to flee for refuge. I am a poor, changeable, inconsistent creature; but he deals graciously with me; he does not leave me wholly to myself; but I have such daily proofs of the malignity and efficacy of the sin that dwelleth in me, as ought to cover me with shame and confusion of face, and make me thankful if I am permitted to rank with the meanest of those who sit at his feet. That I was ever called to the knowledge of his salvation, was a singular instance of his sovereign grace; and that I am still preserved in the way, in defiance of all that has arisen from within and from without to turn me aside, must be wholly ascribed to the same

sovereignty and if, as I trust, he shall be pleased to make me a conqueror at last, I shall have peculiar reason to say, Not unto me, not unto me, but unto thy name, O Lord, be the glory and the praise!

How oft have sin and Satan strove
To rend my soul from thee, my God!
But everlasting is thy love,

And Jesus seals it with his blood.

The Lord leads me in the course of my preaching to insist much on a life of communion with himself, and of the great design of the gospel to render us confor:nable to him in love; and as by his mercy nothing appears in my outward conduct remarkably to contradict what I say, many who only can judge by what they see, suppose I live a very happy life. But, alas! if they knew what passes in my heart, how dull my spirit is in secret, and how little I am myself affected by the glorious truths I propose to others, they would forin a different judgment. Could I be myself what I recommend to them, I should be happy indeed. Pray for me, my dear friend, that now the Lord is bringing forward the pleasing spring, he may favour me with a spring-season in my soul; for indeed I mourn under a long winter.—I am, &c.

LETTER VI.

April 16, 1772.

MY DEAR FRIEND,-I hope the Lord has contracted my desires and aims almost to the one point of study, the knowledge of his truth. All other acquisitions are transient and comparatively vain. And yet, alas! I am a slow scholar; nor can I see in what respect I get forward, unless that every day I am more confirmed in the conviction of my own emptiness and inability to all spiritual good. And as, notwithstanding this, I am still enabled to stand my ground, I would hope since no effect can be without an adequate cause, that I have made some advance, though in a manner imperceptible to myself, towards a more simple dependence upon Jesus as my all in all. It is given me to thirst and to taste, if it is not given me to drink abundantly; and I would be thankful for the desire. I see and approve the wisdom, grace, suitableness, and sufficiency of the gospelsalvation; and since it is for sinners, and I am a sinner, and the promises are open, I do not hesitate to call it mine. I am a weary, laden soul; Jesus has invited me to come, and has enabled me to put my trust in him. I seldom have an uneasy doubt, at least not of any continuance, respecting my pardon, acceptance, and interest in all the blessings of the New Testament. And, amidst a thousand infirmities and evils under wnich I groan, I have the testimony of my conscience when under the trial of his word,

that my desire is sincerely towards him, that choose no other portion, that I allowedly serve no other master. When I told our friend lately to this purpose, he wondered and asked, "How is it possible that if you can say these things, you should not be always rejoicing?" Undoubtedly I derive from the gospel a peace at bottom which is worth more than a thousand worlds; but so it is, I can only speak for myself, though I rest and live upon the truths of the gospel, they seldom impress me with a warm and lively joy. In public, indeed, I sometimes seem in earnest and much affected, but even then it appears to me rather as a part of the gift intrusted to me for the edification of others, than as a sensation which is properly my own. For when I am in private, I am usually dull and stupid to a strange degree, or the prey to a wild and ungoverned imagination; so that I may truly say, when I would do good, evil, horrid evil, is present with me. Ah, how different is this from sensible comfort! and if I was to compare myself with others, to make their experience my standard, and was not helped to retreat to the sure word of God as my refuge, how hard should I find it to maintain a hope that I had either part or lot in the matter. What I call my good times are, when I can find my attention in some little measure fixed to what I am about, which, indeed, is not always nor frequently my case in prayer, and still seldomer in reading the scriptures. judgment embraces these means as blessed privileges, and Satan has not prevailed to drive me from them; but in the performance, I too often find them tasks, feel a reluctance when the seasons return, and am glad when they are finished. O what a mystery is the heart of man! What a warfare is the life of faith, at least in the path the Lord is pleased to lead me! What reason have I to lie in the dust as the chief of sinners! and what cause for thankfulness that salvation is wholly of grace. Notwithstanding all my complaints, it is still true that Jesus died and rose again, that he ever liveth to make intercession, and is able to save to the uttermost. But, on the other hand, to think of that joy of heart in which some of his people live, and to compare it with that apparent deadness and want of spirituality which I feel, this makes me mourn. However, I think there is a scriptural distinction between faith and feeling, grace and comfort; they are not inseparable, and perhaps when together, the degree of the one is not often the just measure of the other. But though I pray that I may be ever longing and panting for the light of his countenance, yet I would be so far satisfied, as to believe the Lord has wise and merciful reasons for keeping me so short of the comforts which he has taught me to desire and value more than the light of the sun.-I am, &c.

My

LETTERS

ΤΟ

THE REVEREND MR. R.

LETTER I.

January 16, 1772. DEAR SIR,-It is true, I was apprehensive from your silence that I had offended you; but when your letter came, it made me full amends; and now I am glad I wrote as I did, though I am persuaded I shall never write to you again in the same strain. I am pleased with the spirit you discover; and your bearing so well to be told of the mistakes I pointed out to you, endears you more to me than if you had not made them. Henceforward I can converse freely with you, and shall be glad when I have the opportunity.

true when properly explained, they are very liable to be misunderstood. To say nothing of Mr. Hussey (in whose provisions I have frequently found more bones than meat, and seasoned with much of an angry and selfimportant spirit,) I have observed passages in other writers, for whom I have a higher esteem, which, to say the least, appear to me paradoxical, and hard to be understood; though, perhaps, I can give my consent to them, if I had such restrictions and limitations as the authors would not refuse. But plain people are easily puzzled. And though I know several in the Supra-lapsarian scheme, at whose feet I am willing to sit and learn, As to your view of justification, I did not and have found their preaching and converoppose it; I judge for myself, and I am wil-sation savoury and edifying; yet I must say, ling others should have the same liberty. If we hold the Head, and love the Lord, we agree in him, and I should think my time ill employed in disputing the point with you. I only meant to except against the positive manner in which you had expressed yourself. My end is answered, and I am satisfied. Indeed, I believe the difference between a judicious Supra-lapsarian, and a sound Sublapsarian, lies more in a different way of expressing their sentiments than is generally thought. At the close of Halyburton's Insufficiency of Natural Religion, he has an Inquiry into the Nature of Regeneration and Justification, wherein he promises a scheme, in which, if I mistake not, the moderate of both parties might safely unite. I have used the epithets judicious and sound, because, as I acknowledge, some of the one side are not quite sound, so I think some on the other side are not so judicious as I could wish; that is, I think they do not sufficiently advert to the present state of human nature, and the danger which may arise from leading those who are weak in faith and judgment, into inquiries and distinctions, evidently beyond the line of their experience, and which may be hurtful: because, admitting them to be

I have met with many, who have appeared to be rather wise than warm, rather positive than humble, rather captious than lively, and more disposed to talk of speculations than experience. However, let us give ourselves to the study of the word and to prayer: and may the great Teacher make every scriptural truth food to our souls. I desire to grow in knowledge, but I want nothing which bears that name, that has not a direct tendency to make sin more hateful, Jesus more precious to my soul; and at the same time to animate me to a diligent use of every appointed means, and an unreserved regard to every branch of duty. I think the Lord has shown me in a measure, there is a consistent sense running through the whole scriptures, and I desire to be governed and influenced by it all: doctrines, precepts, promises, warnings, all have their proper place and use; and I think many of the inconveniencies which obtain in the present day, spring from separating those things which God hath joined together, and insisting on some parts of the word of God, almost to the exclusion of the rest.

I have filled my paper with what I did not intend to say a word of when I began, and I

must leave other things which were more upon my mind for another season. I thank you for saying you pray for me. Continue that kindness; I both need it and prize it.-I am, &c.

LETTER II.

July 31, 1773.

DEAR SIR,—I received your sorrowful epistle yesterday, and in order to encourage you to write, I answer it to-day.

you (if you like it) may sing with us. Let us take courage; though it may seem marvellous in our eyes, it is not so in the Lord's He changes the desert into a fruitful field, and bids dry bones live. And if he prepare our hearts to pray, he will surely incline his ear to hear.

The miscarriages of professors are griev ous; yet such things must be; how else could the scriptures be fulfilled? But there is one who is able to keep us from falling. Some who have distressed us, perhaps never were truly changed; how then could they stand? We see only the outside. Others who are sincere are permitted to fall for our instruction, that we may not be high-minded, but fear. However, he that walketh humbly, walketh surely.-Believe me, &c.

LETTER III.

February 22, 1774. DEAR SIR,-Your letter by last post surprised and grieved me. We knew nothing of the subject, though Mrs. when

remembers,

was here, a hint or two were dropped which she did not understand, but no name was mentioned.

The ship was safe when Christ was in her, though he was really asleep. At present I can tell you good news, though you know it; he is wide awake, and his eyes are in every place. You and I, if we could be pounded together, might perhaps make two tolerable ones. You are too anxious, and I am too easy in some respects. Indeed, I cannot be too easy, when I have a right thought that all is safe in his hands; but if your anxiety makes you pray, and my composure makes me careless, you have certainly the best of it. However, the ark is fixed upon an immoveable foundation; and if we think we see it totter, it is owing to a swimming in our heads. Seriously, the times look dark and stormy, This instance shows the danger of leaning and call for much circumspection and prayer; to impressions. Texts of scripture, brought but let us not forget that we have an infallible powerfully to the heart, are very desirable pilot, and that the power, and wisdom, and and pleasant, if their tendency is to humble honour of God, are embarked with us. At us, to give us a more feeling sense of the Venice they have a fine vessel, called the preciousness of Christ, or of the doctrines of Bucentaur, in which, on a certain day of the grace, if they make sin more hateful, enliven year, the Doge and nobles embark, and go a our regard to the means, or increase our conlittle way to sea, to repeat the foolish cere-fidence in the power and faithfulness of God. mony of marriage between the Republic and the Adriatic (in consequence of some lying, antiquated Pope's bull, by which the banns of matrimony between Venice and the Gulf were published in the dark ages,) when, they say, a gold ring is very gravely thrown overboard. Upon this occasion, I have been told, when the honour and government of Venice are shipped on board the Bucentaur, the pilot is obliged by his office to take an oath, that he will bring the vessel safely back again, in defiance of wind and weather. Vain mortals! If this be true, what an instance of God's long-suffering is it, that they have never yet sunk as lead in the mighty waters! But my story will probably remind you, that Jesus has actually entered into such an engagement in behalf of his church. And well he may, for both wind and weather are at his command; and he can turn the storm into a calm in a inoment. We may therefore safely and confidently leave the government upon his shoulders. Duty is our part, the care is his.

A revival is wanted with us as well as with you, and I trust some of us are longing for it. We are praying and singing for one; and I send you, on the other side, a hymn, that

But if they are understood as intimating our
path of duty in particular circumstances, or
confirming us in purposes we may have al-
ready formed, not otherwise clearly warrant-
ed by the general strain of the word, or by the
leadings of Providence, they are for the most
part ensnaring, and always to be suspected.
Nor does their coming into the mind at the
time of prayer give them more authority in
this respect. When the mind is intent upon
any subject the imagination is often watchful
to catch at any thing which may seem to
countenance the favourite pursuit. It is too
common to ask counsel of the Lord when we
have already secretly determined for our
selves; and in this disposition we may easily
be deceived by the sound of a text of scrip-
ture, which detached from the passage in
which it stands, may seem remarkably to
tally with our wishes. Many have been de
ceived this way; and sometimes, when the
event has shown them they were mistaken,
it has opened a door for great distress, and
Satan has found occasion to make them doubt
even of their most solid experiences.
I have sometimes talked to
this subject, though without the least suspi-

upon

cion of any thing like what has happened. | them, if you were able to provide for a wife As to the present case, it may remind us all yourself, then I would say, Find a gracious of our weakness. I would recommend prayer, girl (if she be not found already,) whose perpatience, much tenderness towards her, join- son you like, whose temper you think will ed with faithful expostulation. Wait a little suit, and then, with your father and mother's while, and I trust the Lord who loves her consent (without which I think you would be will break the snare. I am persuaded, in her unwilling to move,) thank the Lord for her, better judgment, she would dread the thoughts marry her, and account her a valuable porof doing wrong; and I hope and believe the tion, though she should not have a shilling. good Shepherd, to whom she has often com- But, while you are without income or settlemitted her soul and her ways, will interpose ment, if you have thoughts of marriage, I to restore and set her to rights. hope they will be regulated by a due regard to consequences. They who set the least value upon money have in some respects the most need of it. A generous mind will feel a thousand pangs in straitening circumstances, which some unfeeling hearts would not be sensible of. You could perhaps endure hardships alone, yet it might pinch you to the very bone to see the person you love exposed to them. Besides, you might have a John, a Thomas, and a William, and perhaps half a dozen more to feed (for they must all eat;) and how this could be done without a competency on one side or the other, or so much on both sides as will make a competency when united, I see not. Besides, you would be grieved not to find an occasional shilling in your pocket to bestow upon one or other of the Lord's poor, though you should be able to make some sort of a shift for those of your own house.

I am sorry you think any of whom you have hoped well are going back; but be not discouraged. I say again, pray and wait, and hope the best. It is common for young professors to have a slack time; it is almost necessary, that they may be more sensible of the weakness and deceitfulness of their hearts, and be more humbled in future, when the Lord shall have healed their breaches, and restored their souls. We join in love to you and yours. Pray for us.-I am, &c.

LETTER IV.

February 3, 1775.

DEAR SIR, It would be wrong to make you wait long for an answer to the point you propose in your last. It is an important one. I am not a casuist by profession, but I will do my best. Suppose I imitate your laconic manner of stating the question and circum

stances.

But is it not written, "The Lord will provide?" It is; but it is written again, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Hastily to plunge ourselves into difficulties upon a persuasion that he will find some way to extricate us, seems to me a species of tempting him.

Therefore I judge, it is so far lawful for you to have a regard to money in looking out for a wife, that it would be wrong, that is, in other words, unlawful for you to omit it, supposing you have a purpose of marrying in your present situation.

I doubt not but it is very lawful at your age to think of marriage, and, in the situation you describe, to think of money likewise. I am glad you have no person, as you say, fixedly in view; in that case advice comes a post or two too late. But your expression seems to intimate that there is one transiently in view. If it be so, since you have no settlement, if she has no money, I cannot but Many serious young women have a prediwish she may pass on till she is out of sight lection in favour of a minister of the gospel; and out of mind. I see this will not do; I and I believe among such one or more may must get into my own grave way about this be found as spiritual, as amiable, as suitable grave business. I take it for granted that my to make you a good wife, with a tolerable forfriend is free from the love of filthy lucre, tune to boot, as another who has not a penny. and that money will never be the turning If you are not willing to trust your own judg point with you in the choice of a wife. Me- ment in the search, entreat the Lord to find thinks I hear you think, if I wanted money, her for you. He chose well for Isaac and I would either dig or beg for it; but to preach Jacob; and you, as a believer, have warrant or marry for money, that be far from me. I to commit your way to him, and many commend you. However, though the love more express promises than they had for of money be a great evil, money itself, ob- your encouragement. He knows your state, tained in a fair and honourable way, is de- your wants, what you are at present, and sirable upon many accounts, though not for what use he designs to make of you. its own sake. Meat, clothes, fire, and books, Trust in him, and wait for him; prayer cannot easily be had without it; therefore, and faith, and patience, are never disap if these be necessary, money, which pro- pointed. I commend you to his blessing cures them, must be a necessary likewise. and guidance. Remember us to all in your If things were otherwise than you represent house.—I am, &c.

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