the blinds close drawn round. We see the carriage, and the voice tells us that we have a friend within : but we shall know each other better, when death shall

open the coach-doors, and hand out the company successively, and lead them into the glorious apartments which the Lord has appointed to be the common residence of them that love him. What an assembly will there be! What a constellation of glory, when each individual shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father! No sins, sorrows, temptations; no veils, clouds, or prejudices, shall interrupt us then. All names of idle distinction, (the fruits of present remaining darkness, the channels of bigotry, and the stumbling-block of the world,) will be at an end.

The description you give of your present residence pleases me much, and chiefly because it describes and manifests to me something still more interesting; I mean the peaceable situation of your mind. Had he placed you in an Eden some months ago, it would hardly have awakened your descriptive talent. But he whom the winds and seas obey, has calmed your mind, and I trust will go on to fill you with all joy and peace in believing. It is no great matter where we are, provided we see that the Lord has placed us there, and that he is with us.

I am, &c.

LETTER IV.

1776.

I

you out, and that this letter will reach you in good time, to welVOL. II.

N

come you in our names to London.

We are ready to take it for granted that you will now most certainly make us a visit. Do come as soon, and stay as long, as you possibly can. Methinks

you

will be glad to get out of the smell and noise as soon as possible. If we did not go to London now and then, we should perhaps forget how people live there. Especially I pity professors; they are exposed to as many dangers as people who live in mines; chilling damps, scorching blasts, epidemical disorders, owing to the impure air. Such are the winds of false doctrines, the explosions of controversy, the blights of worldly conversation, the contagion of evil custom. In short, a person had need have a good constitution of grace, and likewise to be well supplied with antidotes, to preserve a tolerable share of spiritual health in such a situation.

And now, how shall I fill up the rest of the paper ? It is a shame for a Christian and a minister to

say

he has no subject at hand, when the inexhaustible theme of redeeming love is ever pressing upon our attention. I will tell you then, though you know it, that the Lord reigns. "Ile who once bore our sins, and carried our, sorrows, is seated upon a throne of glory, and exercises all power in heaven and on earth. Thrones, principalities, and powers, bow before him. Every event in the kingdoms of providence and of grace are under his rule. His providence pervades and manages the whole, and is as minutely attentive to every part as if there were only that single object in his view. From the tallest archangel to the meanest ant or fly, all depend on him for their being, their preservation, and their powers. He directs the sparrows where to build their nests, and to find their food. He over-rules the rise and fall of nations, and bends, with an invincible

and unerring wisdom, all events ; so that while many intend nothing less, in the issue their designs all concur and coincide in the accomplishment of his holy will. He restrains with a mighty hand the still more formidable efforts of the powers of darkness; and Satan with all his hosts cannot exert their malice a hair's-breadth beyond the limits of his permission. This is he who is the head and husband of his believing people. How happy are they whom it is his good pleasure to bless ! How safe are they whom he has engaged to protect ! How honoured and privileged are they to whom he is pleased to manifest himself, and whom he enables and warrants to claim him as their friend and their portion! Having redeemed them by his own blood, he sets a high value upon them; he esteems them bis treasure, his jewels, and keeps them as the pupil of his eyes. They shall not want; they need not fear: his eye is upon them in every situation, his ear is open to their his everlasting arms are under them for their sure support. On earth he guides their steps, controls their enemies, and directs all his dispensations for their good; while in heaven he is pleading their cause, preparing them a place ; and communicating down to them reviving foretastes of the glory that shall be shortly revealed. O how is this mystery hidden from an unbelieving world ? Who can believe it, till it is made known by experience, what an intercourse is maintained in this land of shadows between the Lord of glory and sinful worms! How should we praise him that he has visited us; for we were once blind to his beauty, and insensible to his love, and should have remained so to the last, had he not prevented us with his goodness, and been found of us when we sought him not.

morrow.

which I mentioned to you, has confined her to the house ever since; but I hope she will be able to go out to

We were for a while apprehensive of worse consequences; but the Lord is gracious : he shows us in a variety of instances what dependent creatures we are, how blind to events, and how easily the methods which we take to relieve ourselves from a small inconvenience may plunge us into a greater. Thus we learn, (happy indeed if we can effectually learn it,) that there is no safety but in his protection, and that nothing can do us good but by his blessing. As for myself I see so many reasons why he might contend with me, that I am amazed he affords me and mine so much peace, and appoints us so few trials. We live as upon a field of battle; many are hourly suffering and falling around us, and I can give no reason why we are preserved, but that he is God, and not man. What a mercy that we are only truly known to him who is alone able to bear us!

May the Lord bless you and yours; may he comfort you, guide you, and guard you. Come quickly to

Yours, &c.

SIX LETTERS

TO THE

Rev. MR. B****.

LETTER I.

Rev. and Dear Sir,

Sept. 14, 1765. WHEN I was at London in June last, your name first reached me, and from that time I have been desirous to wish you success in the name of the Lord. A few weeks ago I received a further account from Mrs. ****, with a volume of your sermons : she likewise gave me a direction where to write, and an encouragement that a letter would not be unacceptable. The latter, indeed, I do not much need when I have read your book. Though we have no acquaintance, we are already united in the strictest ties of friendship, partakers of the same hope, servants of the same Lord, and in the same part of his vineyard; I therefore hold all apologies needless. I rejoice in the Lord's goodness to you ; I pray for his abundant blessing upon your labours; I need an interest in your prayers ; I have an affectionate desire to know more concerning you; these are my motives for writing

Mrs. **** tells me that you have read my Narrative : I need not tell you, therefore, that I am one of the most astonishing instances of the forbearance and merсу of God, upon the face of the earth. In the close of it I mention a warm desire I had to the ministry: this the Lord was pleased to keep alive for several years, through