don, on account of the nearer approach of the rebels. But how easy are all these things to them who can commit both soul and body to a merciful and faithful Creator!

About this time I received some farther accounts from the army: the substance of which was as follows

"REV. SIR,

"OCTOBER 10, 1745.

"I shall acquaint you with the Lord's dealings with us, since April last. We marched from Ghent to Allost on the 14th, where I met with two or three of our brethren in the fields, and we sung and prayed together, and were comforted. On the 15th, I met a small company about three miles from the town, and the Lord filled our hearts with love and peace. On the 17th, we marched to camp near Brussels. On the 18th, I met a small congregation on the side of a hill, and I spoke from those words, Let us go forth therefore to Him without the camp, bearing his reproach. On the 28th, I spoke from those words of Isaiah, Thus saith the Lord concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. On the 29th, we marched close to the enemy, and when I saw them in their camp, my bowels moved toward them, in love and pity for their souls. We lay on our arms all night. In the morning, April 30, the cannon began to play, at half an hour after four and the Lord took away all fear from me, so that I went into the field with joy. The balls flew on either hand, and men fell in abundance; but nothing touched me until about two o'clock. Then I received a ball through my left arm, and rejoiced so much the more. Soon after I received another into my right, which obliged me to quit the field. But I scarce knew, whether I was on earth or in heaven. It was one of the sweetest days I ever enjoyed. « W. C.".

(6 LEAR, NEAR ANTWERP, OCT. 21, 1745. "Since I wrote to you last, I have gone through great trials. It was not the least, that I have lost my dear brother Clements for a season, being shot through both the arms.

To try me farther, C. Evans and Bishop were both killed in the battle, as was C. Greenwood soon after. Two more who did speak boldly in the name of Jesus, are fallen into the world again. So I am left alone. So I am left alone. But I know it is for my good. Seeing iniquity so much abound, and the love of many wax cold, adds wings to my devotion, and my faith grows daily as a plant by the water-side.

"April 30, The Lord was pleased to try our little flock; and to shew them his mighty power. Some days before, one of them standing at his tent door, broke out into raptures of joy, knowing his departure was at hand, and was so filled with the love of God, that he danced before his comrades. In the battle, before he died, he openly declared, I am going to rest from my labours in the bosom of Jesus.' I believe nothing like this was ever heard of before, in the midst of so wicked an army as ours. Some were crying out in their wounds, "I am going to my Beloved; 'others, 'Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly;' and many that were not wounded, crying to their Lord, to take them to himself. There was such boldness in the battle among the little despised flock, that it made the officers, as well as common soldiers, amazed. And they acknowledge it to this day. As to my own part, I stood the fire of the enemy for above seven hours. Then my horse was shot under me, and I was exposed both to the enemy and our own horse. But that did not discourage me at all; for I knew the God of Jacob was with me. I had a long way to go, the balls flying on every side; and thousands lay bleeding, groaning, dying, and dead on each hand. Surely I was as in the fiery furnace, but it never singed one hair of my head. The hotter it grew, the more strength was given me. I was full of joy and love, as much as I could well bear. Going on, I met one of our brethren, with a little dish in his hand, seeking for water. He smiled, and said, he had got a sore wound in his leg:' I asked, 'Have you gotten Christ in your heart?' He answered, I have, and I have had him all the day. Blessed be God that I ever saw your face.' Lord,

what am I, that I should be counted worthy to set my hand to the Gospel-plough? Lord, humble me, and lay me in the dust! "J. H."

Sunday 7, I took my leave of poor J. C., just embarking for Germany. I admire the justice of God! He who would never long be advised by any who treated him as a reasonable creature, is at length fallen among those, who will make him as passive a tool, as ever moved upon wire.

Wednesday 18, Being the day of the National fast, we met at four in the morning. I preached on Joel ii. 12, &c. At nine our service in West-street began. At five I preached at the Foundery again, on The Lord sitteth above the waterfloods. Abundance of people were at West-street chapel, and at the Foundery both morning and evening; as also, (we understood) at every place of public worship, throughout London and Westminster. And such a solemnity and seriousness every where appeared, as had not lately been seen in England.

We had within a short time given away some thousands of little tracts among the common people. And it pleased God hereby to provoke others to jealousy; insomuch that the Lord Mayor had ordered a large quantity of papers, dissuading from cursing and swearing, to be printed, and distributed to the train-bands. And this day, an Earnest Exhortation to Serious Repentance, was given at every Church door in or near London, to every person who came out, and one left at the house of every householder who was absent from Church. I doubt not but God gave a blessing therewith. And perhaps then the sentence of desolation was recalled.

It was on this very day, that the Duke's army was so remarkably preserved, in the midst of the ambuscades at Clifton-moor. The rebels fired many vollies upon the King's troops, from the hedges and walls, behind which they lay. And yet, from first to last, only ten or twelve men fell, the shot flying over their heads,

Wednesday 25, I talked with a young man, who seem

ed to be under strong convictions. But I fear, only seemed. I am surprised, that in so many years, this is the first hypocrite of the kind I have met with; the first, who appeared to have deliberately put on the mask of religion, purely to serve a secular end.

Friday 27, Having received a long letter from Mr. Hall, earnestly pressing my brother and me to renounce the Church of England (for not complying with which advice he soon renounced us) I wrote to him as follows:

"DEAR BROTHER,

"Now you act the part of a friend. It has been long our desire, that you would speak freely. And we will do the the same. What we know not yet, may God reveal to us!

"You think, First, That we undertake to defend some things, which are not defensible by the Word of God. You instance in three on each of which we will explain ourselves as clearly as we can.

:

"1. That the validity of our Ministry depends on a succession supposed to be from the Apostles, and a commission derived from the Pope of Rome, and his successors or dependents.

"We believe, it would not be right for us to administer, either baptism or the Lord's supper, unless we had a commission so to do from those Bishops, whom we apprehend to be in a succession from the Apostles. And yet we allow, these Bishops are the successors of those, who are dependent on the Bishop of Rome.

"But we would be glad to know, 'On what reasons you believe this, to be inconsistent with the Word of God?'

"2, That there is an outward priesthood, and consequently an outward sacrifice, ordained and offered by the Bishop of Rome, and his successors or dependents, in the Church of England, as Vicars and Vicegerents of Christ ? '

"We believe there is, and always was, in every Christian Church, (whether dependent on the Bishop of Rome or not) an outward priesthood ordained by Jesus Christ, and an outward sacrifice offered therein, by men authorized to

act, as ambassadors of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

"On what grounds do you believe, that Christ has abolished that priesthood or sacrifice?

❝ 3, That this Papal Hierarchy and Prelacy which still continues in the Church of England, is of Apostolical institution; and authorized thereby; though not by the written word.'

"We believe that the threefold order of Ministers (which you seem to mean by Papal Hierarchy and Prelacy) is not only authorized by its Apostolical institution, but also by the written word.

"Yet we are willing to hear and weigh whatever reasons induce you to believe to the contrary.

"You think, Secondly, That we ourselves give up some things as indefensible, which are defended by the same law and authority that establishes the things above-mentioned: such as are many of the laws, customs, and practices of the Ecclesiastical Courts.'

"We allow, 1, That those laws, customs, and practices are really indefensible:

"2, That there are Acts of Parliament, in defence of them and also of the Threefold Order.

:

"But will you shew us, how it follows, either, 1, That those things and these stand or fall together? Or, 2, That we cannot sincerely plead for the one, though we give up

the other?

"Do you not here, quite overlook one circumstance, which might be a key to our whole behaviour? Namely, that we no more look upon these filthy abuses which adhere to our Church, as part of the building; than we look upon any filth which may adhere to the walls of Westminster Abbey, as a part of that structure.

"You think, Thirdly, That there are other things which we defend and practise, in open contradiction to the orders of the Church of England. And this you judge to be a just exception against the sincerity of our professions to adhere to it.