i '"\'

,. " , u

.-k^^',

• V J J

" <¦ I }

A IS^
/ 4 1 ^* )
J V :
V-" " #
-^^. y
r ^ .-tta .. ii>.,
:jqoT

LETTERS

REV. JAMES HERVEY, A. M.

AI.SO,

A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT

LIFE, CHARACTER, AND WRITINGS

AUTHOR.

BOSTON :
mlKTSD Am fWaSBEB BI TH01IA9 BASQEB, 7H,

LIFE

OF THE

REV. JAMES HERVKY, A. M.

A REGARD'to eminent writings, which display gonius, learn
ing, orthodoxy, and piet3', naturally excites a desire to be
acquainted with the writer; and this desire is the stronger,
when these writings are not only truly excellent in them
selves, but are universally admired, eagerly read by good
people of all denominations, and calculated to promote the
best interests of mankind. Hence one is fond to know the
author in private life, how he spent his time, how he sus
tained his character as a public teacher of religion, what
influence the doctrines of grace, which he so warmly incul
cated on others, had on his own heart and conversation ;
ELd, finally, how he closed the last scene., Abundant satis
faction as to all those particulars will be obtained from the
following account.
Mr. James HERVEy was born on Friday the 26th of Feb
ruary, 1713 — 14, at Hardingstone, a country village, one
mile from Northampton, his father being then minister of
the parish of Collingtree, within two miles of Hardingstone.
His first instruction was from his mother, who taught him
his letters, and to read. Under her tuition he continued
till he was seven years of age, when he was sent, as a day
scholar, to the free grammar-school at Northampton, of
which the Eev. Mr. Clarke, vicar of St. Sepulchre's, in the
said town, was at that time master.
At this sch9ol he remained till he was seventeen years

4 LIFE OF
old, ai^d learned the Latin and Greek languages ; in which
his genius and memory would have enabled him to have
made a much earlier progress, if it had not been prevented
by his school-master, who would not suffer him, or any other
of his scholars to learn faster than his own son. Whilst Mr.
Hervey was at school, though he shewed a remarkable dex
terity at all the innocent games usual amonggcbildren, yet
he had a perfect indifference for the acquisitions he made
by his skill in these games, which he practiced only for ex
ercise and amusement.
In the year 1731, at the 3ge of seventeen, he was sent by
his father to the university of Oxford, and entered of Lin
coln college there, under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. Hutch
ins, now doctor, and rector of that college. He resided in
the university seven years, and took the degree of bachel
or of arts. The first two or three years were spent by him
with some degree of indolence, or rather Jess application to
his studies than he afterwards used. But in 1733, about
his nineteenth year, becoming acquainted with some per
sons, who began to distinguish themselves by their serious
impressions of religion, and their zeal for the promotion of
it, he was engaged by their influence, in a stricter attach
ment both to piety and learning. He made himself master
of Dr. James Keill's Anatomy, Dr. Derham's Physico-theol-
ogy and Astro-Theology, the Spectacle de la Nature (Nature
Displayed) as translated by Mr. Humphreys; which last
work he read with a peculiar satisfaction. - Nor was he less
delighted by the Essay on Pope''s Odyssey, written by the
Rev. Mr. Spence, now prebendary of Durham ; to which -
elegant and judicious discourse, Mr. Hervey often acknowl
edged that he owed more of his improvement in style and
composition, than to any other which he had ever read.
In 1734, at the persuasion of a much valued friend, he
began to learn the Hebrew language without any teacher,
by the Westminster grammar itself; but soon found that
grammar too concise and diflicult for the instruction of a
learner; and therefore then despaired of ever attaining a
competent knowledge in the Hebrew, though he afterwards
made himself so thorough a master of that sacred language.
It appear? from his letters to his sister in 1733 and 1734,
that though he then shewed a pious and serious turn, yet
these letters either speak a language different from free
grace, for which we find he was afterwards so' powerful an

, MR. HERVEY. 5
advocate, or at least they treat very confusedly of it. The
truth is, he was then a stranger to, and had strong prepos
sessions against the doctrine of justification by faith in impu
ted righteousness : and he acknowledges, in a note on his
Descant upon Creation, that Mr. Jenks' excellent treatise^
entitled, Submission to the Righteousness of God was the in
strument of removing his prejudices, and reducing him to »
better judgment.
He entered into holy orders, as soon as his age and
the canons of the church would allow. And though the
precise time of his.^aking orders cannot be ascertained, yet
it appears to have been in the end of the year, 1736, or be
ginning of 1737 ; at least it appears from one of his letters,
that he had a curacy in the beginning of the latter year.
Whilst he was at Oxford, he had a small exhibition of about
£20 a year ; and when he was ordained, his father pressed
him very much to take some curacy in or near Oxford, and
to hold his exhibition : but this he would by no means com
ply with, thinking it an injustice to detain it,'after he was
in orders, from another person, who might more want the
benefit of that provision. On his leaving Oxford in 17.S6-,.
he went to his father and became his curate. He afterward^'
went to London ; and, after staying some time there, be£ame
curate at Duinmer; Here he continued about twelve
months ; and, upon, his leaving that curacy, in the year
1738, he was invited and went to Stoke Abbey, in Devon
shire, the, seat of his worthy friend, the late Paul Orchard,
Esq. Here he lived upwards of two ySars, in great esteem
and friendship with that worthy gentleman, who valued him
very much for his piety. A remarkable proof of the great
regard he had for him on that account, he shewed on the
following occasion. When his eldest son,, the present Pa6j/
Orchard, Esq. to whom the second volume of his Medita
tions is dedicated, was to be bap'ized, he insisted- that Mr.
Hervey should be one of his god-fathers, that he might have
an eye to his Christian education ; and this he did in pref
erence to many gentlemen of large estates in ihat neigh
borhood, who would have thought themselves honoured-
to have slood sponsors for Mr. Orchard's sod.
In the year 1740, he undertook the curacy of Biddeford.
fourteen miles from Stoke-Abbey, where he lived greatly
beloved by his people.. His congregation was large, though
bis stipend was small: his friends, therefore, made a coUec-
tioayearly for him, which raised his income to £60 per an>-

6 LIFE OF
num, so highly did they esteem him. At Biddeford, he was
curates about two years and a half, and remained so until
there was a new rector of that church, who dismissed Mr.
Hervey from his curacy, against the united request of his
parishioners, who offered to maintain him at their own ex
pense. During the time that Mr. Hervey lived in the West,
viz. from 1738, till the latter end of 1743, his family heard
very little of him, by reason of the great distance he was
from them ; though he laboured diligently in the service of
his master. Here it was that he planned his Meditations,
and probably wrote some part of them. He says, in his first
volume of Meditations, that it was on a ride to Kilhampton,
in Cornwall, that he went into the church, where he lays the
scene of his Meditations among ihe tombs.
In August 1743, or thereabouts, he returned from Bidde
ford to Weston-Favel, leaving behind him many disconsolate
friends, and ofiicialed as curate to his father. Here he paid
the greatest attention to his duty, and faithfully preached
tlie gospel of Christ.
The first of his writings, which raised the attention of the
public, was his Meditations among the Tombs, Reflections on
a Flower-garden, and A Descant on Creation, published ih
February 1745 — 6. Of this kind of writing, we had before
an example from no less a man than the greaf philosopher,
Mr. Boyle,* in his Occasional Reflections on, several Subjects,
written in his younger years.
Mr. Hervey's performance was so well received by the
public, that it has already passed -through about twenty
editions in London, besides many surreptitious ones in Scot
land and Ireland. A second volume, containing Contempla
tion^ on the Night and Starry Heavens, and A Winter-Piece,
w« published fn December, 1747.t
¦* See Boyle's Life, by the late Dr. Birch.
¦f- There are few books in the EngUsh language, whichin so short a time,
have passed through such numerous and very large editions, as Mr. Hervey's
Meditations, which not only please but improve us ; and were written with a
view of familiarizing to oi'r minds those sublime objects, whitih will be the
Sivdy and Dehght of a glorious Etemiti/i How many have they tran-
gportingly entertained in their retirements and lonely walks ;and how often
elevated them to those lofty heights, from whence they could look down on
all things below (the delights ^f good men's friendship excepted,) with an
easy indiference I A strain of the most serious piety and ardent devotion runs
ijirbugh them, and they tend to inculcate some of the most distinguishing doc
trines of the gospel, such as the necessity of regeneration, the utter impoten-
cy of fallen man to help himself, the efficacy of the grace of God for that pur
pose, and the jusiification of a guilty sinner through faith in the blood of
Christ.

MR. HERVEY. 7
In June, 1760, his health being much impaired by his great
attention to duty, and his family and friends judging that the
change of air might be of benefit to him, they formed a design
which they executed of conveying him to London undera pre
tence of his riding a few miles in a friend's post chaise, vvho
was going thither, and of which he pleasantly complains in
a letter, dated June 28, 1 750, to a friend upon his arrival
there. He staid in London until April or May, 1752; during
which time he was visited with a severe sickness, which
had well nigh put a period to his painful life. But he re
covered ; and, upon his father's death in 1^52, he return
ed to Weston, where he constantly resided till his death.
Mr. Hervey took his degree of Master of Arts, at Cam
bridge, m 1 752, when he entered at Clare-hall ; and as he
was of suflBcient standing at Oxford, he staid'only the few
days required by the statutes to perform the university
exercise. It may be thought strange, that he who had refused to
hold his exhibition at Oxford, along with a curacy, should,
upon his father's death, accept of the two livings of Weston-
.Favel and Collingtree, and hold them during his life. It
was very far from being his choice, and it was what he had
for a long time refused to do. He was determined against
being a pluralist; and nothwithstanding his father kept him
at Oxford, with a design that he should take his degree of
Master of Arts, and constantly urged him to do it, yet he
could not be persuaded to yield to such a request, though
he was of a sufficient standing to have taken the same, look
ing upon that step as a qualification intended for his future
holding both his father's livings. When his father died, he
remained determined to have Weston-Favel only ; and this
he frequently declared to his family and friends, and refused
to accept of Collingtree, or t" qualify himself for the same ;
insomuch that it was in danger of lapsing to the bishop. But
at length, through the earnest and constant entreaties of his '
family, and of his friends, who, unknown to him, had sent
to, and procured from Oxford, the necessary certificates of
his being a Bachelor of Arts, in order to his taking his Mas
ter's degree, at Cambridge, he was, after much importunity,
prevailed on to comply with their requests, hoping that he
might be thereby enabled to do so much the more g-ood. And,
•when he waited upon Dr. Thomas, the then bihhop of Peter
borough, for institution to Collingtree, w'hich was near six

8 LIFE OF
months after he had been inducted into Weston-Favel, he
said to him, " I suppose your lordship will be surprised to
see James Hervey come to desire your lordship lo permit
me to be a pluralist ; but I assure you, I do it to satisfy the
repeated solicitations of my mother and my sister,/ and not
to please myself."
In November, 1752, he published hie Remarks on lord
Bolingbroke''s Letters on the Study and use of History, so far
as they relate to the History of the Old-Testament, and espec
ially to the case of Noah denouncing a curse upon Canaan :
in a letter to a lady of quality.*
The year following, having been called upon to preach
on the 10th of May, the Sermon at the visitation of the Rev.
Dr. John Browne, archdeacon of Northampton, at All-Saints
church in that town, he permitted it, the same year, for the
benefit of a poor diseased child, to be printed under the
title of The Cross of Christ the Christian's Glory. He had
preached before this another sermon at the same church,
he had been solicted to print ; but could not then be prevail
ed upon to do it ; but since his death, it has been published
under the title of The Ministry of Reconciliation, &c.
The same year he wrote a recommendatory preface to
Burnham''s Pious Memorials ; or, the Power of Religion on
the Mind in Sickness and in Death^; exemplified by the expe
rience of many eminent persons at those important seasons.
His Theron and Aspasio, published in January, 1755, in
three volumes octavo, met with the same approbation from
the public as his Meditations ; and the demand for this work
likewise was very upcommon ; it having passed through;
three editions in one year.t
* The Rev. Mr. Peter Whalley, vicar of St. Sepulchre's in Northampton,
has pubUshed, by way of .sup'plement to this piece of Mr. Hervey's, a vindica
tion of the evidences and authenticity of the gospel from the objections of
the late Lord Bolingbroke.
t This is the most valuable book written in^ any language, on that grand'
and distinguishing doctrine of Christianity, the justification of a sinner be
fore God by the righteousness of Christ imputed to him ; which spreads it
self through the whole system of divinity ; and which Luther justly calls atri^
culuj stanHs vel cadeniis ecclesia. In Mr. Hervey's own words, ' The beauty-
and excellency of the scriptures — -the ruin and depravity of human nattlre — its-
happy recovery, founded on the , atonement, and effected by the Spirit of
Christ — aire some of the chief points vindicated, illustrated, ahd appUed in
this work, — But the grand article, that which makes the principle figure, is
the imputed righteousness of our divine Lord ; from whence arises our justi
fication before God, and our title to every heavenly blessing ; an article which
though eminent for its importance, seems to be little understood, aad less re
garded, if not much mistaken, ^uid ahnost forgotten.

' MR. HERVEY. 9
ta 1756, Mr. Hervey being informed of the design of re
printing Tfte Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, by the Rev.
Mr, Walter Marshall, and of ]irefixing to it, by way of rec
ommendation, what he hadjsaid in its favour in Theron and
Aspasio, he wrote a letter, dated Nov. 5, 1756, to his book
seller, giving his consent, and enlarging on that recommen
dation. This he did the more readily, as Mr. Marshall's
book might (for so he has declared) be looked upon as no
improper supplement to the dialogues and letters contained
in Theron and Aspasio.
His Theron and Aspasio was attacked by several writers,
particularly by Mr Robert Sandeman, a congregational
preacher at Edinburgh, in a book, entitled. Letters on The
ron and Aspasio ; wherein the doctrine of the gospel, under
the title of the popular doctrine, is most abominably mis
represented, and its tendency aspersed. The Arminians,
too, objected to that Work ; and Mr. John Wesly in par
ticular wrote against it. Mr. Cud worth wrote a defence of
Theron and Aspasio ; and Mr. David Wilson, minister of the
Scots congregation in Bow-lane, London, published a boob,
entitled Palcemon's Creed reviewed, &c. in which he vindi
cates Mr. Hervey's doctrine, and-exposes that of Mr. San-
dejnan. Mr. Hervey's own defence of Theron and Aspasio, against
the objections of Mr. John Wesley, was transcribed fair for
the press from his short-hand copy within a few pages ; and
would have been published in a volume of the same size with
Theron and Aspasio, had he lived a few weeks longer. The
manuscript was left in the possession of his brother, Mr.
Willialm Heryey, wine-merchant in Miles'lane, London ; who
published it in 1 766, for the reasons given by him in a pre
face prefixed to it.*
In August, 1757, Mr. Hervey obliged the public with
three sermons preached by him on the late public fast-days ;
to which, in the third edition, in 1759, were added his visi
tation sermon, preached in 1753; his posthumous sermon,
on the ministry of reconciliation ; and his considerations on
the prevailing custom of visiting on Sundays. In a posterior -
edition of these were given his remarks on lord Boling-
* This treatise contains the best, the most evangelical, and the most elab-
- orate account of that righteousness, which is imputed to a sinner for his justi
fication ; and will be read with the highest delight by every one that adores
the Son of God as the turd our Righteousness.

10 ' LIFE OF
broke's letters, and'a treatise on the religious education of
daughters.* ,
In the same year likewise, he published a new edition ot
his favourite author, Mr. Jenks' Meditations, in two vol
umes octavo ; to which he wrote a very strong recommen
datory preface, shewing the use of those meditations, and
the reasons for such re -publication.
He intended to have wrote a treatise on gospel holiness,
as a supplement to Theron and Aspasio ; and actually wrote
a very excellent and judicious plan of it, which he commu
nicated in letters to some of his correspondents ; but he did
not live to finish it, to the very great loss of the public.
His labours, both in his ministerial oflfice and in his study,
were pursued by him as long as possible, under the disad
vantage of a very weak constitution of body ; which, togeth
er with the severity of his last illness, he supported not only
with incredible patience, but without a single expression of
peevishness. That illness had long been coming on him,
but greatly increased in the beginning of October, 1758, and
grew very formidable in the December following : for, on
Sabbath the 3d of that month, in the evening, after prayer
in his family, he seemed tp'he arrested by the messenger of
death ; so that the united assistance of his sister and servant,
with difficulty, enabled him to get up stairs into his room,
from' whence he never came down. His illness gaining
ground every day, he soon became sensible that his end was
approaching. He had frequent and violent returns of the
cramp, which gave him most acute pain. He had likewise
a heetic cough, which afflicted him so grievously iu the
night, that he could seldom lie in bed till fourf in the morn
ing ; "and was often obliged lo rise at two, especially as opi
um (how much soever guarded by other medicines) would
not agree with him. On the 15lh of that month, he com
plained of a pain in his side ; for which, at his own desire
he was bled, though his physician, Dr. Stonhouse, in whom
he placed the greatest confidence had objected to it, ap-'
* These sermons arid tracts are so valuable and, excellent, that every one
who reads them will lament that he did not enrich the library of Christianity
with more of those precious treasures ; which shew the accomplished gentle
man, the learned scholar, the orthodox divine, the pious Christian ; the cham
pion for the distinguishing doctrines of Chritianity , and the foe to self-de
pendence, and every species of vice and infidelity.
f When Mr. Hervey was in tolerable health, he rarely lay in bed after six
even in the winter : and ross stilj earlier in the summer.

MR. HERVEY. 11
prehending him too weak to bear any evacuation of tliat
kind. When the surgeon came, he could scarcely perceive
any pulsation, and therefore took away no more than four
ounces of blood ; intimating to his relations and friends, that
the case was desperate, and that he had blooded him very
unwillingly, and merely to satisfy Mr: Hervey's desire, who
had some hope that the pain might possibly be relieved by
it. His curate, the Rev. Mr. Abraham Maddock, being
much with him in the afternoon of that day, Mr. Hervey
spoke to him in strong and pathetic terms of his assurance
of faith, and of the_great love of God in Christ. " Oh !"
said he, " what has CFrisT, how much has Christ done for
me ; and how little have I done for so loving a Saviour ! If
1 preached even ence a week, it was at last a burden to me.
I have not visited the people of my parish as I ought to have
done ; and thus have preached as it were from hou.se to house.
I have not taken every opportunity of speaking for Christ."
These expressions being accompanied with tears, which
were too visible not to be observed, and lest his tears should
be misinterpreted, as they had been conversing about his
expected end, and of his assurance of happiness, he proceed
ed thus — " Do not think that I am afraid to die. I assure you
I am not. I know what my Saviour hath done for me, and
I want to be gone. But I wonder and lament to think of
the love of Christ in doing so much for me ; and how little
I have done for him." — And, in another conversation, dis
coursing likewise of his approaching dissolution, which he
did with the utmost calmness and serenity, and of the little
which we know of God's word, he said,--" How inany pre
cious texts are there big with the most rich truth* of Christ,
which we cannot comprehend, which we know nothing of;
and of those we do know, how few do we remember ! Bo
nus textuarius est bonus theologus. " A good textuary is a
good divine ;" and that is the armour ; the word of God is
the sword. Those texts are the weapons which 1 must use
when that subtle spirit, that arch adversary of mankind
comes to tempt and sift me in my last conflict. Surely I
had need be well provided with these weapons ; I had need
have my quiver full of them, to aaswer Satan with texts
out of the word of God, when he assaults me. Thus did
Christ when he was tempted in the wilderness."
On the 19th the pains of his body abated, and he grew
drowsy and lethargic ; but, in the night following, his im
mediate death was apprehended.

12 ^ LIFE OF
The next day, the 20th, he was visited by Dr. Stonhouse,
who declared, that, in his opinion, Mr. Hervey could not
live above_ three or four days ; and happening to speak of
the many consolations through^ Christ, which a good man
enjoys in" the prospect of death, and discoursing on the
emptiness of worldly honour to an immortal, and on the
unprofitableness of riches to the irreligious, Mr. Hervey
replied, — ^" True doctor, true ; the only valuable treasures
are in heaven. What would it avail me now to be arch
bishop of Canterbury ? Disease would show no respect to
my mitre. That prelate* is not only very great, but, I am
told, he has religion really at heartr Yet it is gpdliness,
and not grandeur, that will avail -him hereafter. The gos
pel is offered to me, a poor country parson, the same as to
his grace. Christ makes no difference between us. Oh !¦
why then do ministers thus neglect the charge of so kind a
Saviour ; iiawn upon the great, and hunt after worldly pre
ferments with 50 much eagerness, to the disgrace of our
•order ? These, these are the things, doctor, and not our
poverty, or obscurity, which render the clergy so justly
contemptible to the worldlings. No wonder the service of
our church, grieved I am to say it, is become such a formal
lifeless thing, since it is, alas ! too' generally executed by
persons dead to godliness in all their conversation ; whose
indifference to religion, and worldly -minded^behaviour, pro
claim the little regard they pay to the doctrine of the Lord,
¦who bought them."
When the Doctor was going away, Mr. Hervey with
great tenderness observed to him, that as not long ago he
had a dangerous fall from his horse, by which he~was much
bruised ; and as he had been lately ill and then looked very
pale, he hoped he would think on- these narrow escapes, so
often fatal to others, as a kind of warning from God to him,
and remember them as such — adding, " How careful ought
we to be to improve those years which remain, at a time
Of life when but few can remain for us !"* ^
¦ .The day before his death, Mr. Hervey went a few steps
across -his room, but immediately finding his strength fail
ing him, he sun"k, rather than fell down ; his fall being bro
ken by his sister, who observing his weakness, ran and
» The late Dr. Thomas Seeker, who died August 3, 1768.
t Dr. Stonhouse and Mr. Jiervey being then between 40 and 50 years old.
The doctor lately entered into holy of ders In |he church of England, and
has got a good living in the country.

MR. HERVEY. IS
caught him •, but he fainted away, and was in all appearance
dead, it being a considerable time before any pulse could
be perceived. When he came to himself, his brother,
Mr. William Hervey, who was come from London to vi.sit
him, said, " we were afraid you was gone :" he answered,
I wish had." And well he might wish so, for his strength
was quite exhausted, his body extremely emaciated, and
his bones so sore, that he could not bear any one to touch
him, when it was necessary to move him about. Yet under
all this calamity he was ever praising God for his mercies,*
and for enduing him with patience.!
On the 25th (Christmas day,) on which he died, Mr. Mad
dock paying him his morning visit, Mr. Hervey lifted up
his head, and opened hisieyes, as he sat in his easy chair,
(for he could not lie in bed) to see who it was, and said, —
" Sir, I cannot . talk with you," He complained much all
this day of a great inward conflict which he had, laying his
hand upon his breast, and saying, " Oh you know not how
great a conflict I have." During this time, he almost con
stantly lifted up his eyes towards heaven, with his hands
clasped together in a praying form, and said, two or three
times, — " When this great conflict is over, then — " but said
no more ; though it was understood, he meant that then —
he should go to rest.
Dr. Stonhouse came to him about three hours before he
expired ; Mr. Hervey urged strongly and affectionately to
the doctor the importance and care of his everlasting con
cerns, as here is no abiding place, and intreated him not to
be overcharged with the cares of this life ;]: but to attend
amidst the multiplicity of his business, to the "one thing
needful."§ * He never received a bit of lemon to moisten his mouth, without thank
ing God for his bounty and goodness, in creating so many helps and refresh
ments to a sick and decaying body.
f A few years ago, Mr. Hervey had a terrible fever at his brother 'William's
house, in which he had several blisters. On this occasion, Mr. "William Her
vey wrote as follows to one of his intimate friends. — * My brother is indeed
an example of patience,  Hehas not spoke (duringthe whole of his severe
illness) one single word of peevishness.  1 am persuaded he prays for
you, and remembers you, now he lies sick upon his bed. J hope this will
find you and yours well, walking in the fear of the Lord, and the comforts of
his Holy Spirit." i See Luke xxi. 34. ^ Luke x, 42.

14 LIFE OF
Which done the poorest can no wants endure,
And which not done, the richest must be poor.* Poyjc.
The doctor seeing the great difficulty and pwin with which
he spoke (for he was almost suffocated with phlegm and
frequent vomitings,) and finding by his pulse, that the pangs
of death were then coming on, desired that he would spare
himself. " No," said he, " doctor, no ; you tell nia, 1 have
but a few moments to live. Oh ! let me spend them in ador
ing our great Redeemer." He then repeated the 26th
verse of Psalm Ixxiii. " Though my flesh and my heart fail
•me, yet God is the strength of my heart, and my portion
for ever ;" and he expatiated in a most striking manner on
these words of Paul, 1 Cor. iii. 22, 23, " All things are
yours ; life and death ; for ye are Christ's."! " Here, says
he, is the treasure of a Christian. Death is reckoned
among this inventory ; and a noble treasure it is. How
thankful am I for death, as it is the passage through which
1 pass to the Lord and Giver of eternal life ; and as it frees
me from all this misery you now see me endure, and which
I am willing to endure, as long as God think.s fit ! for I know
he will by and by, in his own good time, disi;iiss me from
the body. These light afflictions are but for n moment.
and then comes an eternal -weight of glory ! O ! welcome,
welcome death ! Thou maj'Cist well be reckoned among
the treasures of the Christian. " To live is Christ, but to
die is gain." After which, as the doctor was taking his final
leave of him, Mr^ Hervey expressed great gratitude for
his visits, though it bad been long out of the power of med
icines to cure him. He then paused a little, and with great
serenity and sweetness in his countenance, though the pangs
of death were upon him, being raised a little in his chair,
repeated those words. Lord, now leltest thou thy servant de
part in peace, according to thy most holy and comfortable
word, for mine eyes have seen thy precious salvation. " Here,
doctor, is my cordial ! What are all the cordials given to
support the dying, in comparison of that which arises from
the promises of salvation by Christ ? This, this supports
me," About three o'clock, he said, — " the great conflict
is over. Now all is done" After which he scarce spoke
* Mr. Hervey used frequently to repeat these lines with such an emphasis
and significant look, as conveyed their important meaning in a manner not
jsasily to be forgot.
+ This passage is illustrated in a very instructive manner by Dr. Doddridge,
in his Family-Expositor, and contains the substance of what Mr. HerveV
said, and to which he referred.

MR. HEU\^EV. ig,
any other words intelligibly, except now and then— „,.:.
cioils salvation. '
During the lust hour he said nothing:, buUei^iied hishcad
ng'ainst tho side of an easy chair, and without a sigh, groa'tj,
strug2:ls, or the least emotion in the world, he shut his eyes,
Rnd died, between four and five in the afternoon, on Christ
mas-day, 1758, in the forty-lifth yearof his age. God grant
that we may all live the life, and die the death of the righ
teous, and that our last end may be like his.
When his body was conveyed to church, it was covered,
by his express desire, with the poor'spall, and he was bur
ied under the middle of the communion-table in the chancel
of Weston-Favel church, on Friday, December 28th, in the
presence of a numerous cong-regatioii', full of regret for the
loss of so excellent a pastor. His funeral was indeed a
most awful and \ery affecting sight. Mr. Maddock, his cu
rate, who buried him, was himself in tears. Some were
wringing their hands, others sobbing, many were silenllj'
weepinj, but all were inwardly and sincerely grieved, as
their looks sufficiently testified ; and his attendants then'
bore a visible witness, that be had not been altogether un
serviceable in his generation. The poor thankfully ac
knowledged it ; and, as they looked into his grave, seemed
to say within themselves, — " There lies the man whose
unwearied kindness was the constant relief of my various
distresses ; who tenderlj' visited my languishing bed, and
readily supplied my indigent circumstances." Others,
once ignorant and ungodly, looked at his grave, and seem
ed bv their expressive sighs to say, — " Here are the last
remains of that sincere friend who watched for my soul. 1
tremble lo think into what irretrievable ruin I might quick
ly have been plunged, had not his faithful admonitions and
repeated exhortations arrested me in the wild career. I
was then unacquainted with the gospel of peace ; but now
enlightened by his instructions I see the all-sufficiency of
my riaviour. His discourses are still warm on my heart,
and I trust will be more and more operative on my life.*
It may be truly said of Mr. Hervey, that few lives have
ever been more heavenly, and few deaths more triumphant.
He died in thp Lord, and is now at rest ; where even the
wicked cease from troubling. His name is recorded in the
annals of eternity ; and the honors conferred on him by
Christ will for ever continue blooming and incorruptible in
the world of glory. ' See Meditations among the tombs.-

T5 LIFE OF
. His character, both in his public and private capacity,
was of the most exemplary kind. , , ^ ip
As a minister^Tie performed all the duties of that ottice
— — :^ iii<- gujdie&i-sifictness. In the pulpit he was earnest
and fervent, and shewed that he felt the efficacy of what he
preached. Nor did he think it sufficient to preach on the
Lord's day only, but set up a weekly lecture every Wed
nesday evening,* at Weston-Favel church, which was very
well attended. His zeal for the performance of his duty
was, however, for some time before he died, much inter
rupted by the ill state of his health, which would not per
mit him personally to take due care of even of the parish
of Weston, where he resided — a circumstance that gave him
inexpressible concern. The last two or three years of his
life he could scarce do any thing more than preach once on
the Lord's-day, when people for many miles'around flocked
to hear him. His Wednesday evening lecture at seven he
discontinued for the last year. He had not been able for
some time to preach at Collingtree,! or to visit his parish
ioners at their own houses, as his custom had been ; but he
encouraged them to come to him, and to converse freely on
the subjects relating lo their eternal interests ; and on such
occasions he would speak with a force and propriety pecul
iar to himself He would frequently latlient his inability to
serve his people, comparing himself to a bleeding disabled
soldier, and only not slain.
He always preached without notes, except on some very
particular occasions ; but his method was judicious, clear,
and not encumbered with two many subdivisions. His weak
ness having rendered him for several months before his
death incapable of speaking to his congregation as usual, he
shortened his discourses, and took a most useful method of
inculcating his instructions ; for, after he had expounded his
text, and divided his sermon into two heads, (rarelj' into
more, and never exceeding three) he would speak briefly,
and at the conclusion of each head enforce what he had
said by a pertinent text of scripture, desiring his congrega
tion (which wa-s generally very numerous) to turn to their Bi-
* This lecture was held during the winter half-year at seven, as it did not
(hen interfere with the work of the Uibouring people ; and he illimiinatcd the
church out of his own pocket, not choosing to put the parish to any addition
al expense.
t "Weston-Favel and Collingtree, the two family-livings, are within five
¦measured miles of each other ; which Mr. Hervey and his curate used to
attend alternately, till his ill health confined him entirely to "Weston-Favel.

MR. HERVEY. It
bles and double down that text. " Now," added he, " my
dear brethren, if you forget my sermon, you cannot forget
God's word in this text, unless you wilfully throw your Bi
bles aside. Shew these to your children, or the absent part
of your family, when you return home." Then he gave a
striking exhortation, and at the end of it another text for
them to double down; so that they had always three texts ;
in order to their finding of which, he paused in the pulpit
two or three minutes. This method was attended with
another good effect ; it obliged the generality of his hear
ers to bring their Bibles along with them; for those vvho
were without a Bible lost the benefit of the texts, and were
unemployed ; while the majority who had one were busy
in looking for the passages referred to in his sermon.
Fie endeavoured as much as possible to_ divest himself, in
his public discourses, of his usual elegancy ofslyle, and to
adopt his language to the lowest capacity. In this he fol
lowed the example of Luther, who, in his Table-talk, says,
"If in my preaching I were to pay a regard toPhilip Me-
lancthon, and other learned divines, then I should do little
good. I preach in the plainest manner to the illiterate, and
that gives content to all. Hebrew, Greek, -and Latin, 1
spare, till we learned ones come together." Mr. He,rvey
thought perspicuous language and evangelical doctrine of
much more importance to his parishioners, than elaborate-
or ornamented discourses ; though few men living, perhaps,
were more capable of satisfying a polite or learned audience.
His method of catechising children in church, - and of
speaking to them in private, was very engaging and useful.
He would put little questions to them, after they had re
peated the words of the catechism ; as for instance, — " Well,
mv little maid, let me hear if you understand what you said.
If you do understand the meaning of these words, you will
then be able to answer the questions I shall put to you."*
He would at these times ask not only such questions as were
suitable to the words of the catechism, but also such as
would strike at the capital vices of his parishioners, yet
without giving personal offence.!
*' See a further account of his manner of catechising, in one of his letters.
f Some of his parishioners having lain in bed on a Sunday morning long
er than he approved  and others having been bu.sy in foddering their cat.
tie when he was coming to church, and several having frequented the ale
house, he thus catechised one of his children before the congregation.
Repeat me the fourth commandment  ^Now, little man, do you under-
2*

18 LIFE OF
He did not forget that he was a minister in his house ;
for he worshipped God with his family twice a day. He
supped at eight every night, and at nine he expounded a
text of scripture for about a quarter of an hour, and seldom
longer, except when some friend was present, to whom he
thought his discourse might be useful, or when particularly
requested to enlarge. After this he concluded with prayer.
He breakfasted at nine ; and about eight he called his
family together, and required each of his servants to repeat
by heart the text which he had explained the preceding
evening, and th^u he would recapitulate his exposition ; by
which method both his texts and commentary were, imprint
ed on their memories. After this he had prayers.
In the afternoon, when he was called down to tea, he
used to bring his Hebrew Bible or Greek Testament with
him, and would speak (as he was ever studious how he might
promote the glory of God, and improve time) either upon
one or more verses, as occasion offered, in the most instruct
ive and entertaining manner imaginable. And in the sum
mer season he would now and then drink tea, when his
health would permit him, with some of his most serious pa
rishioners; and then five or six of the neighbors were in
vited, and Mr. Hervey's conversation was remarkably
affecting, as he had a happy talent at spiritualizing almost
every incident, and was naturally of a most obliging and
cheerful disposition.
He was a member of an assembly formed for Christian
improvement, which was established in his neighborhood
on the 7th of July, 1747, and constantly attended it so long
as he was able to ride to the place of meeting. A short
account of the rules of this assembly is given at the end of
his tracts, together with two prayers composed by him for
the use of the members thereof
In the exercise of his charity, Mr. Hervey chose to clothe
btand the meaning of this Commandment ? — Yes, Sir. — Then, if you do, you
will be able to answer me these questions.  Do those keep holy the Sab
bath-day, who lie in bed till eight or nine o'clock in the morning, instead of
3nsing to say their prayers, and read the Bible ? No, Sir.  Do those keep the
Sabbath who foddertheir cattle when other people are going to church ? No,
Sir.  Does God Almighty bless such people .7S go to ale-houses, and don't
mind the instructions of their minister ? No, Sir.  Don't those who love
God read the Bible to their families, particularly on Sunday evenings, and
have prayers every morning and night in their houses ? Yes, Sii*.  A greaf
variety of such pertinent and familiar questions he would frequently ask, in
the most engaging manner, on every part of the catechism, as he though Biost
conducive to the improvement and reformation of his parish,

MR. HERVEY. 19
the poor rather than to give them money ; and he would
get some judicious person to buy linen, coarse cloth, stock
ings, shoes, &c. for them at the best hand ; alleging, that
the poor could not purchase on such terms what they want
ed at the little shops, and with small sums of money. — " I
am," said he, " God's steward for the poor, and I must hus
band the little pittance I have to bestow upon them, and
make it go as far as possible." But when money would be
really serviceable to a family, as to a prudent house-keeper,
distressed by sickness or misfortunes, he would give five or
more guineas at a time ; taking care that it should not be
known whence the money came. Pope's compliment to
Mr. Allen of Bath might be justly applied tohim, who would
Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
He was particularly desirous of getting the advice of a
physician (or at least of some judicious apothecary) for the
sick poor; and was ever ready to procure them the very
best medicines — a most beneficial sort of charity to man
kind ; and in which it were to be wished he had many imi
tators. He would frequently petition such physicians of
his acquaintance in different parts of the kingdom, a.« he
apprehended thus charitably disposed, to give their advice
occasionally, when they rode through a town, to such poor
creatures as the clergyman of the place, or some substan
tial inhabitant, should recommend as real objects of compas
sion. Mr. Hervey would then, with great pleasure, and
with as much gratitude to the physician, as if done to him
self, defray the expense of what medicines were wanted.
He greatly disapproved indeed of the clergy's attempting
to give medicines to their parishioners.; as he judiciously
inferred, that it was impossible for them to do it with the
requisite judgment. " Let my brethren," he would say,
" give them wine, bread, or beer, and get good spoon-meats
made for them ; but medicines are of two important a nature
to be given indiscriminately." He observed that by his own
method the sick poor had the very best medicines, as the phy
sician saw them nimself, and bought them very cheap ; be
cause the apothecary knowing they were for charitable uses,
charged the physician for them no more than prime cost,*
with some little allowance merely for his trouble in com-
" "Whenever he solicited assistance of apothecaries on these charitable
occasions, he desired the favour of them to relinquish their usual profits ;
promising, on that condition, to repay what they might be out of pocket.

•^0 LIFE OF
pounding them; and as the physician knew what diseases
were curable, there was no waste of medicines in fruitless
attempts to cure cases which, though actually incurable,
IJersons of less judgment could not pronounce to be so.
He gave away a great number of good books with suita
ble instructions for their use, and especially Bibles. In the
blank leaf he frequently wrote soinething capable of making
an impression, or else stuck in a printed paper relating to
the promises of God in and through Jesus Christ, or to cre
ation, preservation, and redemption.*
All the future profits of his works he has left to some of
the charitable uses above specified, except his Meditations ;
the copy of which he had sold, after it had passed through
several editions; which sale of the copy, and the profits of
the former impressions, amounted to about £700, all of
which he gave away in charity. He said it was devoted to
God, and that he ivould on no account apply it to worldly
uses : that he wrote not for profit or fame, but to serve the
cause of God ; and as Providence had blessed his attempt, .
he thought himself bound to relieve the distresses of his
fellow creatures with it.
In any expenses relating to himself, he was extremely
frugal, that he might be liberal to others ; and it was always
his desire to die just even with the world. " 1 will be my
own executor," said he ; and, as he died on Christmas-day,
his fund expired almost with his life. What little remain
ed, he desired might be given in warm clothing to the poor
in thit severe season.
To these instances of his charity, we may properly add
an incident, which, how trifling soever in itself, yet affords
a very strong proof, not only of the benevolence of his
heart, but of bis regard to practical religion, and to the do
ing of every good work within his power.
A day or two before his death, when he was reduced to
such extreme weakness as to be unable to read, and could
with difficulty speak, a little account being settled with him
by a friend, on the balance of which he received 18s. look
ing on the money with great indifference, he expressed
himself to this effect. — '• I would gladly dispose o.'' this small
sum in such manner as may do the most good. It is the only
act which I now am, and probably the last that 1 shall be,
able to perform. Give yourself the trouble of looking
* See a copy of this printed paper among his tracts.

MR. HERVEY. 21
amongst these books, and you will find Mr. Richard's pam
phlet ;* at the latter end of which are, I remember, some
hints concerning the means of promoting religion in our
selves or others, which (even with some additions and im
provements, which you might easily make) will not fill more
than a sheet of paper,! and if, stuck up or framed, might be
particularly useful in that form. Let, then, such a number
of them be printed and given away as this money will admit
of." His orders were properly executed ; and the eviden-
cies of such an angelic temper were equally matter of edifi
cation and comfort to his friend, as this charitable legacy, if
we may so call it, will be to all who receive and rightly
use it.
This incident affords a striking evidence of the happy
fruits and effects of his favourite doctrine and strong expres
sions of the all-sufficient righteousness of Christ as the sole
requisite to justification before God, and acceptance with
him, and .shews that indeed his faith wrought by love. No
man had ever a greater disregard for money, which he es
teemed unworthy of his notice on any other account, than
as it furnished him with the means of doing good. Surely
we may here borrow the sentiment and expression of the
celebrated Mr. Pope, and justly conclude, that.
He felt his ruling passion, strong in death.
In learning he was inferior to few. Greek was almost as
familiar to him as his native language. He was a great mas
ter of the classics; and in the younger part of his life had
written some ver?es, which shewed no contemptible genius
for poetry. He had a criiical knowledge of the Hebrew
tongue, and delighted in a.
With respect to his private capacity, he was never known
to be in a passion. No worldly concerns (though he some
times met with very trying ones) ever affected him. His
humility rendered him invulnerable. — When he was mis
represented and calumniated, he would say, — " Our enemies
are sometimes our best friends, and tell us truths ; and then
we should amend our faults, and be thankful for such infor
mation : and if what they say be not true, and only spoke
through malice, then such persons are to be considered as
* This pamphlet (wrote by the Rev. Mr. Richards of Northampton, and
formerly of Trinity College, Oxford) is entitled. Hints for religious conver
sation, vfith ihe afflicted in mind, body, and estate, and with such others as stand
in need of spiritual assistance, especially at the time when they are cosnfined
by sickness.
t The Hints, &c. which were printed in a single sheet of paper, are sub.
joined to the tracts.

22 LITE OF
diseased in their minds, and that he would pray fjr thera.
They are to be pitied,"' says he, and I might as justly be
angry with a man that is diseased in his body."
All this he spoke with humility, seriousness,',and sweet
ness; for it was the language of his heart, and not of affec
tation. In his ordinary transactions with others,, he was ev
er cheerful, punctual, just, and candid to persons of every
denomination. Notwithstanding Mr. Hervey lived a very holy and ex
emplary life, preaching Jesus Christ and him crucified, and
inculcating the practice of real religion and holiness in heart
and life, yet his enemies (for strange as it is, even Mr. Her
vey himself,, the most inoffensive of men, had enemies) have
not scrupled to assert, that " his tenets- were dishonorable
to God, subversive of all gospel holiness, destructive even-
of common morality, and very injurious to society itself, by
making men melancholy, and regardless of business." These-
ivere the very words of an abusive and anonymous letter
sent to him by the post ; on which that meek and most ex
cellent man observed to an intimate friend, with all his usual
mildness, " Indeed this gentleman may be said, I think, to
write at random. Surely he has never read my works.
If I knew where to direct to him, I should desire him to
turn to what I have advanced, page 124, in the second vol
ume of my Meditations, and such a reply, 1 would hope,.
might convince him of his mistake."
Some of Mr. Hervey's friends thought he carried the cal-
vinisfical tenets so far, that consequences disadvantageous to
religion might bededuced from them, and which he himself,.
instead of assenling to them, would have startled at and re
jected with abhoiicnce. The fact is, the doctrine he de
livered in his writings is purely scriptural, and agreeable
to that contained in all the confessions of the reformed
churches ; and is so far from having a tendency to weaken
the obligations to purity and holiness of life, that it promotes
them in the most effectual manner, and has the most happy
ipfluence on morality. When persons of judgment have
pointed out to him some expressions that were liable to be
misunderstood in that respect, he always disavowed any such
meaning; and affirmed, that the fault was not in the evan
gelical doctrines so much insisted on by him, but in the mis
apprehension, ignorance, or inattention of those who abused
them to licentiousness. He would then add, he was ready
to alter or retract any sentiment or expression which he ap-

MR. HERVEY. >23
^ehendetl to be really objectionable 4 hut that to make
things equally clear to every one's apprehension, or to have
the same effect upon every one's mind, was an impractica
ble attempt; that he professed himself a Calvinist, and that
consequently the Arminiani would not relish some things he
advanced, though what he wrote was exactly conformable
to the church-articles, which are Calvinistical ; yet he hop
ed they would not reject the whole, because they could not
in every point concur with him ; and that his writings in
general might be useful, how much soever some of his par
ticular (though truly scriptural) opinions might be doubted
or censured. And on this head, let us hear Mr. Hervey
himself. He, in a letter written by him a very little before
his happy death, thus expresses himself: " Do they who
deny faith, and extol their good works, distinguish them
selves by the practice of them? I will be bold to say, that
on an impartial examination, the majority will be found on
the side of those who embrace the doctrine of the imputa
tion of Christ's righteousness, and who expect salvation by
him alone."
We shall close this account of Mr. Hervey's life with the
following elegy on him.*
Urania speak ! in pensive numbers tell
How Zion trembled when great Hervey fell !
When fail'd his strength, and when his pulse beat low,
Tell how she mourn'd to see th' impending blow !
O tliou to whom all sacred themes belong.
Pour forth the sweetly melancholy song !
Alas I grim death hath shot the fatal dart.
Which long seem'd pointed at his languid heart,
Th' insatiate tyrant, crown'd with fun'ral gloom,
Jn triumph drags him to the hollow tomb.
Who now so well can paint the blooming flow'r,
* The reader may be assured, that these were wrote by a very serious
Bnd well-disposed young man, apprentice to a Jersey comber, in the town of
Northampton, in a low station of Kfe, and of no liberal education ; whose
mind, by Mr. James Hervey's preaching and writings, had been very early
impressed with the sacred ardour of piety and poetry. The original copy
is now in the hands of the Rev. Mr. Richard Onely, of Clipston, A. M. mas
ter of the free school there, to whom it was l.ttrl v tratnsmitted by a friend of
the lads, for his inspection and correction; the alterations he has made are
not many ; and, upon the whole, it may be considerd as a kind of Christian
apotheons; or, at least, a neat elegiac garland, not altogether unworthy of
being hung over4hat great and good man's tomb.

24 LIFE OF MR. HERVEY.
Or preach from sepulchres ? At midnight hour,
Who can so well the starry heavens scan,
And read the lectures nature meant for man ?
No more his voice a careless world can move.
Or tell the wonders of redeeming love ;
No more shall thousands round his pulpit throng
To hear the heavenly precepts of his tongue :
For lo ! above this gross impurer air,
Releas'd from every pain, and every care :
He soars aloft (angelic hosts his guide)
On wings new plum'd, which ne'er before he try'd.
With rapid speed his golden pinions rise
Thro' starry plains, and skim th' empyrean skies.
And now, where sparkling portals wide display
The blissful regions of eternal day.
The Lord receives him, 'midst celestial choirs,
Who crown his head, and strike their golden lyres ;
Thro' heav'n's glad courts the greeting anthems roll.
And joys new blooming feast his ravish'd soul-;
Joys which to tell all eloquence is faint.
And which the loftiest muse can never paint.

LETTERS.

DEAE S15TEK,

LETTERS, &c.
LETTER I.
On seeing ths Assixes. Oxen, March 11, 1735.

Yesterday the judge came hither, and to-day the assizes
begin. 1 shall go to hear the assize-sermon presently. This
cannot but put us in mind of that great account we must all
give before the judgment-seat of Christ. How melancholy
a sight is it, to see a poor criminal go up to the bar ! all he
has is no longer his own ; his very life is in danger of the
magistrate; and he is in great danger of a speedy death.
And if this be so dreadful, how infinitely more dreadful will
it be to appear before a more strict and awful tribunal ! the
good Lord grant, that you and 1 may not be cast in that tre
mendous trial ! a trial that will be undergone before angels
and God ; upon the issue of which our eternal life will de
pend. Were 1 to wish a wish for the dearest friend in the
world, it should not be for gold, or jewels, or apparel ; these
things are fading, and the fashion of them passeth away :
but it should be for a favorable sentence in thatj last and
great day. Will not the archangel shortlj' sound the trump ?
will not all the dead come forth out of their graves, and
the Ancient of days sit ? how valuable then will an humble
and holy life be ! if you and 1 be found with the wedding
garment on, we shall doubtless enter into the joy of our
Lord, never to die, never to grieve, never to be parted
more. But if we should either of us be negligent in this
inatter, if we should be surprised without oil in our lamps,
3*

30 " LETTERS.
oh ! the fearfulness and trembling that will come upon us ;
the horrible dread that will overwhelm us ! to think that
we must be for ever shut out of heaven, banished eternally
from the presence of God, the society of saints, and the
fulness of joy ! If you or I were to be torn from our kin
dred and our father's house, and hurried away captives into
a foreign country, there to be chained to the gallies, or
condemned to the mines, how would this grieve both us
and our dear relations ! how would it pierce our souls as a
sword ! If this be sad, (as certainly it is) alas ! what will it
be, to be everlastingly separated by the unpassable gulf?
for one to be caught up to heaven, and there to be ever
with the Lord ; and for the other to be thrust down into tor
ments, and dwell with wailing and gnashing of teeth ? Dear
sister, let us consider this, and give all diligence to make
our calling and election sure ;^that when the changes and
chances of this mortal life are over, we may meet and live
together in glory everlasting. Which is, and shall be the
hearty prayer of, Your, &c.
James Hervey.

LETTER II.
On spiiitual insti'nclionfrom natu7-al things.
Dummer, May 7, 173T.
GOOD MADA^tj
Pbav be pleased to cast your eye to the bottom, and ob
serve who it is that desires to bespeak you. It is one who
knows himself to have been guilty of the most slighting be
haviour, and to have deserved in return your greatest dis-
liain. If after you perceive his name to be Hervey — that
Hervey who was so lately and so long in London without
ever waiting upon Mrs.**** ; without paying his respects
(o her who merits so much the esteem of every Christian,
without any thankful acknowledgment for her kind wishes
so often conceived, and her prevailing prayers so often put
up in his behalf — If, Madam, after you are informed of all
this, you can bear to give the remainder of the paper a
favorable readicg. I shall not only account myself highly

LETTERS, 31
obliged to your good nature, but'when I have an occasion
to put up an affront, and to exercise forgiveness, I will think
upon it as a pattern.
On Sunday I was called out by Providence from my own
flock, to preach at two strange churches. They lay at a
considerable distance from each other, and from Dummer ;
so that in passing to them, and repairing again to my own
parish, I travelled a good many miles. All the way I went
along I was entertained in the finest manner imaginable ;
far more finely than mine, or, I may venture to say, than
any words can describe. I wish I had the glowing colours,
the accurate pencil, and the masterly genius of some first
rate painter, that I might draw out, with as little injustice
as possible, the lovely landscape, and make a present in
some degree, worthy your acceptance. The air was in its
best temperament; neither so hot as to enfeeble or dispirit,
nor so cold as to cause any uneasy chillness. It was fit to
recommend and set off the most agreeable objects, and to
be the vehicle of perfumes, not much inferior to myrrh,
aloes, and cassia. I was in company with a gentleman of
a clear understanding, and a tolerable share of reading ; he
had seen much of the world, and had a very deep piercing
insight into things ; he could talk juiiiciously upon most
topics, and would sometimes bestow some hints upon relig
ious ones. So that when I was disposed for conversation,
I could have immediate recourse to one that would refine
my taste, and improve my judgment, if not minister grace
to my heart. The face of the skies also conspired to ren
der every prospect completely pleasant, it was decked and
diversified with silver- like clouds ; not such as were charg
ed with heavy rains, but such as prevented the annoyance
of one continued glare, and changed the sunshine frequently
for a welcome shade ; such as served for a foil to the un-
suHied ethereal blue. Thus did God order all circumstan
ces so as to render our lide exceedingly delightful. At our
first setting out, we ivent over strong ground, where no
seed was sown, and so no fruit could grow. Its uselessness
was not owing to any defect in point of fertility, but to a
want of being manured.
Is not this the case of many immortal souls, who are born
with blessed dispositions, and bid fair for becoming eminent
saints, but are lost and spoiled for want of care and instruc
tion ? O for faithful shepherds to seek them, for industri
ous husbandmen to cultivate them ! Send, Lord, a plenty

32 LETTERS
of such to work in thy vineyard, and to watch over thy
sheep ! This coarse beginning, though it had no form
nor comeliness in itself, yet tended to give an additional
verdure to the succeediiig scenes. So the bottomless pit
and the unquenchable fire, though infinitely formidable,
will create in the elect a more tasteful relish and enjoyment
of their heavenly felicity. We made more haste than or
dinary to get away from this barren spot. For why should
any one tarry in such a place, or frequent such acquaint
ance, where all that occurs is vain and unprofitable ? where
nothing truly beneficial can be imparted or acquired ? The
sooner we are delivered from such a situation, the better;
no departure can be abrupt, no flight precipitate. When
we were advanced a little farther, we entered upon a large
enclosure. Here were all the footsteps of a commendable
industry. The wheat was in the blade, and sprang up with
a plenteous increase, and in goodly array. It was not chok
ed with weeds, nor embarrassed with thistles, but like a
clean and even mantle covered the plain ; a present credit,
and likely to be a future comfort to its owner. This sug
gested to me the value of a diligent hand, that portion which
it is in every one's power to bequeath to himself. All the
affairs of the slothful are like the mountains of Gilboa, on
which there was no dew, neither rain, nor fields of offer
ings. But where there is prudence and discretion to con
trive, and a steady fervour to execute, then whatsoever is
undertaken, will, in all probability prosper. By a spirit of
management even the wilderness may be brought to blossom
as a rose ; and was there such a spirit in the professors of
religion, it would prompt them to be like Dorcas, full of
good works ; or, like the great apostle, continually aspiring
after fresh and higher measures of perfection. We should
be frugal of our time, careful of all our talents, and most
laudably covetous of every grain of improvement in piety.
We held on our course, admiring still as we went, the teem
ing earth, the infant corn, and the pregnant promises of a
prodigious harvest. This led me to muse upon one of the
distinguishing doctrines of Christianity, 1 mean the general
resurrection. It convinced me how perfectly possible it is
with God to raise the dead ; it gave me also a glimpse of
that perfection of beauty, to which the bodies of the just
shall rise. For a little while ago I beheld, and lo ! the
whole vegetable world was naked and bare, without any or
naments, or so much as one amiable feature, like some

LETTERS. 33
withered, wrinkled, deformed hag. But now how charm
ingly it appears, and smiles, and shines ! No virgin is more
gay and blooming, no bride is better arrayed or more spark
ling. And if God so enlivens and clothes the grass of the
earth and the tenants of the field, how much more shall he
quicken and ennoble our mortal bodies, which we hope are
the temples of the Holy Ghost ? Several of our dear friends
we have accompanied to the grave ; we saw with weeping
eyes their poor bones deposited in the dust. But hence
forth let us dry up our sorrows, they are not to perish, but
to be purified in those gloomy chambers. The hour is com
ing when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with
the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God. Then
shall they hear the almighty summons, and spring from their
confinement like to a roe, or to a young hart upon the moun
tains of spices.* Then will they look forth from their dark
abodes as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun :!
never more to return to corruption, but to flourish in im
mortal vigour and youth. This is a pleasing meditation,
and deserves to be indulged, but at this time it must give
place to others. Our next remove was to a lane, set on
either side with lofty trees and humble shrubs. Here the
prospect was contracted, and we had nothing left to con
template but our branching and leafy mound. The little
boughs clad with a cheering green were refreshing to the
eyes ; and it was curious to observe, how every different
plant was decked with a different livery. Here the twigs
were gemmed with buds just ready to open and unfold ;
there they were already opened into blossoms, and garnish
ed the pointed thorns ; so that they were very delicate to
look upon, though dangerous to touch. Oh ! the adorable
efficacy of the divine voice ! how powerfully and how last
ingly it operates ! God said once. Let the earth bring forth ;
he spake not twice, and yet how punctually does nature obey
this single command ! several thousand years are gone about,
nor is its force evacuated, impaired, or at all diminished. It
endureth in full authority to this day, and is still a most
binding law to all the material world. O that men would
lay this to heart, and learn a lesson of obedience from the
inanimate creation ! All other things continue according to
their Maker's ordinance, and shall man be the only rebel in
the kingdom of nature? shall man alone make the word of
* Cant. viii. 14 f Cant. vi. 10.

34 LETTERS.
Omnipotence to be of none effect ? While our sight was re
galed in this manner, a set of chiming bells saluted our ears
with a solemn and serene harmony. It had no great diver
sity of stops, nor artful mixture of notes, but sure it was
most gladdening music, and spoke a heavenly meaning. It
was calculated to inspire such a joy as the royal Psalmist
felt, when he heard the acceptable invitation of going up to
the house of the Lord. On a sudden, when we were least
apprehensive of it, the wind wheeled about,and bore away
the silver sounds. But it was only to bring them back again
as unexpectedly, with the fresh pleasure of a grateful sur
prise. Here I thought of the sweet influences of grace, and
wished for that happy time, when the visits of the blessed
Spirit will be uninterrupted. Quickly the lawns and plains
disappeared again, and we dived into a wood. Numbers of
sprightly birds, hopping and singing among the branches,
solaced us as we passed. We thanked the pretty songsters,
and bid them go on to supply our lack of praise. But what
most of all affected us, being altogether new, was the- warb
ling of the nightingale. What a tuneful throat has- that
charming creature, and what an unwearied use does she
make of it ! I myself heard her melody in the day-time, and
I am told in the night-season also she takes no rest. How
sovereign and undeserved is the goodness of the Lord to
the children of men ! The pipe of this wakeful chorister,
though now so incessant in thanksgivings, must soon be seal
ed up in endless silence j while the mouth of dull and un
grateful mortals will be filled with everlasting anthems.
The air was impregnated with sweets, and without money
or without price we breathed in such a delicious fragrance,
as far excelled the powders of the merchant.* This puts
me in mind of some lines of the great Milton's : —
 Now gentle gales
Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense
Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole
Those balmy spoils.
The other recalled to my memory part of a divine de'-
scription, vastly superior to Milton's. " Lo ! the winter is
past, the rain is over, and gone. The flowers appear on
the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, and the
voice of the turtle is heard in our land."!
• Cant. iu. 6. f Cant. ii. 11. 12.

LETTERS. 3B
Two of our senses being so exquisitely gratified, we were
in no haste to leave the place, though it was narrow, and
afforded no other prospect but the shining canopy over our
heads. But as soon as we were emerged from this Sylvan
path, what wonders presented themselves to our view: I
think I was scarce ever more agreeably startled in my life.
We stood upon the brow of a hill, and underneath were tracks
of level ground of an immense circumference. The labor
ing eye could hardlj- descry the utmost bounds. The whole
scene, being parcelled out among a variety of tillers, and
producing variety of fruits, was like a noble piece of checq-
uer-work. The nearer parts, and those distinctly discerna-
ble, were replenished with rural riches. The folds were
full of sheep, .and of lambs frisking by the side of their flee
cy dams. The vaUeys stood so thick with corn, that they
even laughed and sung. One spot was not sprinkled, but
seemed to be overlaid with a profusion of flowers, as the roof
of the temple was with gold ; another was, as it were en
amelled, like an embroidered carpet, with a well-propor
tioned distribution ; some of them yellow as oranges, some
white as snow, some tinged with a border red as blood. The
towns and villages interspersed here and there, looked like
the small tents of the fabled fairies. Numberless other beau
ties glanced upon my sight ; but as I had not then leisure to
examine them, so neither have I now room to relate them.
O that these and all the charms of the delightful season, may
-lead up every spectator's thoughts to the inimitable glories
of heaven. And while the eye feasts upon them, let every
-tongue acknowledge to the honour of the all-creating God :
These are thy glorious works, Parent of good !
Almighty ! thine this universal frame,
.Thus woncl'rous fair : thyself how woiid'rous then !
I am, &c.
James Hervey.

S6 LETTERS.
LETTER in.
Tp£ cJiaracter of a Gospd Minister.
Dummer, June 29, 1737.
MS BEAB FKIENDS, THE INHABITANTS OP C0IiIl>GTIlEE, NEAR
NOKTBAMPTON. I RECEIVED the letter wrote in your name, and signed
with your hands, and was very well pleased with its con
tents, I am glad that you are all in good health, and am
obliged to you for retaining so honorable a remembrance
of an unworthy youth. Your desire to have a careful cler
gyman settle among you is perfectly right and laudable.
But I fear you make an over-favourable and mistaken judg
ment, when you imagine me to be such an one and pitch
upon me for that purpose. However, letting this pa.ss —
it is, I say, well and wisely done of you, to be solicitous
in this matter. For a minister is a person of the greatest
importance imaginable ; his office is of the most universal
concernment; and his demeanor therein, of the most bene
ficial or prejudicial tendency. Beneficial, if he be able,
faithful, and watches for his souls as one that must give ac
count. Prejudicial, if he be unskilful, unactive, and uncon
cerned about the spiritual welfare of his people. The
things that pertain to salvation, and the means of obtaining
everlasting life are lodged in his hands. He is the steward
of the mysteries of Christ, and so the guardian (under di
vine grace) of your best and most abiding interests. If
through ignorance he mismanage, or through idleness neg
lect tihis weighty trust, it may be the ruin of immortal souls.
Whereas, if he be both discreet and diligent in his holy vo
cation, he may be the instrument of the richest benefits to
those committed to his charge. His praying to God, and
his preaching to them, may be attended with such a bless
ing from on high, as will fill them with heavenly wisdom,
form them to true holiness, and fit them for the future glo
ry. Benefits these, not inconsiderable or momentary, but
such as are great beyond all expression, and lasting to eter
nity. F(jr these reasons, it will be your wisdom and your
happiness to procure a pastor whose life is exemplary,
whose doctrine is sound, whose heart, is warm with zeal
for God, and whose bowels yearn with compassion for men.

LETTERS 37
If your bones were broken, or if you were brought to
death's door by the force of some violent disease, you
would not be content with the prescription of a quack, but
seek out for the best advice. If your wives were in hard
labour, if the children were come to the birth, and there
was not strength to bring forth, you would not spare to ride
for the most experienced midwife. Oh ! be as prudent
and careful for the salvation of your souls, which endure
for ever, as you are for the life of your bodies which is
but as a vapour. Remember that you are sick of sin, sad
ly disordered by sundry corruptions, and must necessarily
be cured before you go hence, and are no more seen. Re
member that you must be regenerated and born again, or
you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. And be not
willing to trust such matters, which are of infinite and
everlasting moment, to the management of any that comes
next. Now that yen may be the better able to make a right
choice in this important particular, I will lay before you
two or three of the distinguishing characters of a true min
ister. — 1st. He has a tolerable stock of knowledge, though
not enough to explain all mysteries, or to answer every
perplexing que^tiijn ; yet enough to make himself and his
hearers wise unto salvation. He may be ignorat of many
things without much disparagement to himself, or preju
dice to his people ; but he must be acquainted with, and
able to teach others all that is necessary for them to know.
2d. He has not only some understanding, but some ex
perience also in the way of godliness. He has learnt to
subdue, in some measure, the pride of his nature, and to
be humble in his own eyes, and not fond of applause from
others. He has broke the impetuosity of his passion, and
generally possesses his soul in patience ; or if upon some
very ungrateful and provoking usage, he cannot calm his
temper, yet he can curb his tongue ; and though his spirit
be ruffled, yet his words will be gentle. He is most comon-
ly meek, after the manner of his blessed Master, and will
always return blessing for cursing, according to his holy
command. He has often looked into the shortness of time,
and the length of eternity ; he has weighed the greatness
and richness of heaven, with the insignificant and despicable
meanness of earth ; and discovers such a mighty difference,
as helps him to live above the world, even while he is in it.
So that he is no lover of filthy lucre, no hunter of carnal
4

38 LETTERS.
pleasures; hut his hopes, his desires, and all his views of
happiness, are hid with Christ in God. He is courteous and
condescending, and V7ill stoop with the utmijst cheerfulness
to the lowest person in his parish. He will be affable and
kind, and seek to please, not himself, but his neighbors, for
their good, to edification. But you must not expect to find
him trifling or ludicrous ; he will not preach to you on the
Sunday, and play with you on the week-days, but carry the
«pirit of his sermons into his ordinary conversation. He will
maintain an, uniform gravity of behaviour, without suffering
it to be frozen into moroseness, or thawed into levity. He
will love his parishioners, not for their agreeable persons
or amiable qualities, but because they are redeemed by the
blood of Christ. It will be his business and constant en
deavour. I had almost said his meat and drink, to set forward
their salvation. That by their being made mete for the in
heritance of saints in life, his crucified Lord may see of the
travel of his soul, and be satisfied. He will never forget
the importunate request of his Saviour, but those winning
and commanding words, " Feed my sheep, feed my lambs,"
will be engraven upon the tables of his heart. To fulfil
this earnest request, and execute this last charge of his dear
est Redeemer, will be the fixed and invariable scope of all
his designs. If at any time he hits this desirable mark, by
bringing home to the fold any that have gone astray, he will
be as glad as one that findeth great spoils. To see the
people of his care persisting in profaneneiss, sensuality, and
an unconverted state, will be the greatest grief that he feels :
but to see his children walking in the truth, mortifying their
evil affections, and growing up in goodness as the calves of
the stall, this will be his joy, and crown of rejoicing; better
to him than thousands of silver and gold. It is his work to
win souls, and by the former of these qualifications he is fit
ted for it, by the latter he is wholly devoted to it. And in
¦order to prosecute it with the greater success, hff will, 1st,
take heed to himself, that his life be a fair and beautiful
transcript of his doctrine, such as may remind men of, and
be daily re-inforcing his instructions. He will not bind the
yoke upon your shoulders, till he has wore it himself; and
should the i)aths of religion prove never so thorny, he will
go first and beat the way; As far as human infirmities per
mit he will strive to be unblameable and unreproveable,
that he may renew the apostle's challenge, " Be ye follow
ers of me, even as I am of Christ." 3d, His preaching will

LETTERS. 39
be plain ; full of such useful sense as may be editying to the
better learned, and yet delivered in so easy a manner, aa
may be intelligible to the ignorant. It will not only be plain,
but powerful also, if preceding prayers and tears, if words
coming warm from the heart, and accompanied with an ar-
dJBot desire of being attended to ; if to feel himself what he
speaks, and so long th£<t it may be felt by others, can make
it such, he will declare the whole will of God, without
withholding or mincing any. Be the truth never so disa-
. greeable, contrary to your profits, or contraiy to your plea
sures, you will be sure to hear it. He will indeed shew it
in as lovingly a light, and make it as palatable as he can, but
nothing will prevail upon him to conceal or disguise it. 3d.
He will not confine his teaching to God's day or house, but
will exercise his care of you every day, and will bring it
home to your own houses, whether you invite him or no.
He will frequently visit you, and for the same end as hfr
meets you at church. Now, shall you hke this part of his
duty, or bid him welcome, wlien he comes on such an er
rand ? Nay, he will think himself bound to proceed farther,
and to enquire into the state of your souls, and your pro
ceedings in your families ; whether you are competently
fbrnished with saving knowledge ; and are careful to in
crease it tlaily^^y ftUowing a.daily pQftioB of Jour tims^foP
reading the scriptures ? what virtues you are deficient in,
what vices you are subjectto ? what evil tempers, vvhat vile
affections, what unruly jiassions are predominant in you,and
want to be suppressed ? whether your children are cate
chised, and your servants instructed ? whether you are con
stant in family worship, and at your closet devotions ? how
you spend the Sabbath ? whether you sqaader it away in
impertinent visits, idle chat, or foolish jesting ; or whether
you consecrate it to the better exercises of prayer, praise,
holy discourse, reading and meditation ? These, and other,
points of the like nature, he will examine into, and ex
hort you to amend what is amiss, no less then encourage
you to persevere in that which is good. Nor will he exhort
you once only, but again and again, and hardly leave off till
he has won your consent. In things that relate to himself,
he will be easily said nay ; but when the great God insists
upon obedience, and a blessed immortallity will be lost by
disobedience, he will be instant in season and out of season ;
he wHl solicit with unwearied applications the important
cause, and press you to perform your duty, as the poor widr

49 LETTERS.
ow importuned the unjust judge to avenge her of her ad
versary; he will add to his exhortations, reproofs. His
eye will be open, and his ear attentive to what passes in his
parish ; and when any one walks disorderly, he will meet
him as Elijah did Ahab,* with a rebuke in his mouth. This
I can promise, that he will not rail at, nor accost you with
reproachful words ; but he will certainly set before you
the things that you have done. He will not defame you
behind your backs, but whether you be rich or poor, wheth
er you be pleased with it or not, he will bear in mind the
commandment of the Lord, and "shew his people their
trangressions, and the house of Jacob their sins."! He
will tell you with tenderness, but yet with plainness, that
Such courses are a sad and too sure a proof, that grace has
not had its proper work on your souls, and that ye are car
nal and have not the spirit of Christ. So that a true min
ister of the gospel will be a constant inspector of your ac
tions, a faithful monitor of your duty, and an impartial re
prover of your offences. He will guide you by his counsel,
and animate you by his example, and bless you by his
prayers. If you be willing and obedient, he will conduct you
safely through a troublesome and evil world, and bring you
to thejand of everlasting felicity; but if you be perverse
iind obstinale,"he wiVHre a standing terror to your conscience
here, and a swift witness against you hereafter, he will be
the unhappy means of increasing your present guilt and ag
gravating j'our future account, and of making it more " toler
able forTyre and Sidonin the day of judgment than for you."
And now, my Jcind and dear friends, are you, upon sec
ond thoughts desirous of having such a pastor placed
among you ' ShaU you be glad to have the aforementioned
vigilence and diligence exerted in the holy function ?
Can you willingly submit to an oversight so narrow, to
admonitions so incessant, to corrections so close and par
ticular? — If, after due consideration, ye are willing, give
me leave to inform you, how we may procure such a man
of God to come unlo you, and take up his abode with you.
He is an exceeding great and precious blessing to any
people ; too precious to be purchased with money, and
is the free gift of God. So that the way to obtain him,
is to address yourselves to Heaven, and make supplica
tion to the Almighty. What cannot prayer fervent and
*¦ 1 Kings xxi- 20. ! Is. Iviii. 1 .

tETTERS. 41
Relieving prayer do ? I scarcely know any thing that is
above its power, or beyond its reach. Prayer has locked
up the clouds, and opened them again, made the earth as
iron, and the heavens as brass ; prayer bas arrested the
sun in his race, and made the moon staiid still in her march,
and reversed the perpetual decree ; praye.r has fetched
down angels from above, and raised up the dead from be
neath, and done many wonderful works. In like manner
prayer will get for you an useful and worthy teacher ; if
he be everso far off, this will bring him near ; if he be nev
er so averse, this will over-rule his inclination. Do you'
doubt of this ? I own yoii would have good reason, if you
had nothing but my word to support it. But what if God,-
who cannot lie, has testified and given you assurance of
Ihe-same ? Why then, I hope, ye will be no longer faith
less, but believing. Hear therefore what he himself has
said bj' his own beloved Son, " Ask, and ye shall receive :-
seek and ye shall find."* Again, he saith, " If ye shall
ask any thing in my name, I will do it."! Here you see
the Almighty has passed his word, and he, to whom all
things are possible, has pawned his veracity, that he will
not deny you the request of your lips. And dare you not
trust the All-powerful ? Can you have a better security
than his, whose title is " faithful and true ?" The divine
promises are all immutable, stronger than the strong moun
tains, and heaven and earth shall pass away, sooner than
one jot or tittle of them shallpass unfulfilled. When ye de
sire a pious and able minister, ye desire a good thing, such
as will be for the honour and glory of God to grant.
Therefore, encouraged by this, and confiding on his most
sure promise, beg of the Most High to give you a true pas
tor and shepherd for your souls ; one that may love you
like St, Paul, rule you like David, teach you like Samuel^
and lead you like Joshua to the heavenly Canaan : that
blessed and blissful country, where we all would be !
O God, great and glorious,' infinite in thy wisdom, and
tmcontroulable in thy power ! Thy providence is over all
thy works ; thine eyes run to and fro through the earth,
to behold the condition, and supply the wants of thy ser
vants. Thou sentest Moses to deliver thy children out of
Egypt, Philip to instruct the ignorant eunuch, and Peter
to preach to the devout centurion. O blessed Lord} >vh«>
* Matth vii, 7. t Johu ur, 1
»4

42 LETTERS.
art the same yesterday, and to-day, and forevefj vouch
safe the same mercy to us of this parish, that we also may
have a teacher come from God. Grant us, 0 thou giver
of every good gift, a faithful, shepherd for our souls ; who
may feed us in a green pasture, and lead us forth be
side waters of comfort. One that may be wholly devoted
to thy serfice, and intent upon nothing but the due dis
charge of his important office ; who may be a light to our
paths by his godly directions, and as salt to our corrupting
souls by his unblamable conversation. Let such a minis
ter, we beseech thee, be placed oveir us, as will watch for
our spiritual welfare ; that will love us with an affection
ate and parental tenderness ; that will cherish us, as a hen
cherisheth her chickens under her wings. One that
may be able, as well as willing, to instruct us in our duty,
to whom thou has revealed the wondrous things of thy
law and the glorious mysteries of thy gospel. Whose lips
may preserve knowledge, whose tongue may be continu
ally dealing it out, and whose mouth may be unto us a
well of life. Whose discourses may be milk to the babes,
meat to the strong and medicine to the sick. Who may
have a skilful as well as a compassionate ze«l, and know
how to divide rightly the word of truth. Who may be an
example, as well as an exhorter, a pattern, as well as a
preacher, of every charitable action, and every devout
temper. Under whose guidance we may walk in the
ways of peace and piety, of meekness and humility, of
righteousness and salvation ; till we all come to the city
of the living God, to an innumerable company of angels,
and to the spirits of just men made perfect. O grant us
such a priest, and cloath him with such qualifications, and
make thy chosen people joyful. Hear us, most merciful
Father, for his sake, whose sheep we are, who bought
us with his blood, who died for- us on earth, and maketh
intercession for us in Heaven, even Jesus Christ ; to whom
with thee, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory
world without end. Amen.

LETTERS. 48
LETTER IV. 0
On the Intercession of Christ.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
I RECiavED your kind letter, and thank you for your af
fectionate wishes. 1 endeavour not to be behind hand
with my people in this exercise of love. You are always
on my heart, and often, often mentioned in my prayers.
Especially that you may be partakers of the Holy Ghost,
and feel all those saving convictions, which are described
by our Lord, John xvi 8. 9. 10. 11. That you may be in
terested in the new covenant ; and enjoy all those pre
cious privileges which were purchased for us by our dying
Saviour, and are recorded by his apostle, Heb. viii. 10. 11.
12. Yesterday, in the evening, two gentleman of the city
came to visit me. Our conversation was such, as I would
have yours be. Such as was suited (if God vouchsafe his
blessing) to edify one another, and minister grace to the
hearers. We talked of that infinitely condescending and
gracious Friend of sinners, who came from heavjen on pur
pose to be crucified for us, and is returned unto heaven on
purpose to intercede for us. The intercession of our blessed
Lord was the chief subject of our discourse, and is a most
comfortable article of our faith. Because,
His intercession never ceases — He sitteth at the right
hand of his Father, in an abiding posture. — Other high
priests are removed by death ; but he ever living to make
intercession for us. — We resign part of our time to sleep,
and then lose attention to our interests : but he is the
keeper of Israel, who never slumbereth nor sleepeth. —
We too frequently forget our God, and negleet to carry on
communion with him. But Christ has written our names
(worthless as they are) upon the palms of his hands ; and,
a mother may forget her sucking child, much sooner (jiaa
he will discontinue his kind concern for the weakest be
liever. His intercession always prevails. — If Moses was heard,
when he made supplication in behalf of Israel ; if Job was
not denied, when he petitioned foe the pardon of his three
friends ; if Elijah's prayer entered into the ear of the Lord
God of hosts, when be rei^uested fn rain «n the parched

44 LETTERS.
earth ; surely Godjs dearly' beloved Son will not be reject
ed, when he makes intercession for the saints. — The Fath--
er loves him, infinitely loves him, and therefore hears
him. — he has purchased whatever he asks ; purchased it by
his obedience and death and therefore cannot but obtain
his suit.
Perhaps you will enquire, what it is that Christ prays
for ? — We are informed of this in John xvii. He praySj ,
that we may be kept from the evil that is in the world,
verse 15. — That he may be sanctified through the truth;
sanctified, trough the word of scripture, verse 17.— That
we may be united to Christ, and have fellowship with the
Father by faith, fellowship with one another by brotherly'
love,- verse 21, — That we may be made perfect in his
righteousness ; presented without spot through his blood ;
and, at last,, be with him where he is, to behold his glory,
and partake of his joy, verse 33. 24<.
should you be desirous of knowing, whether you are in
the number of those, for whom Christ intercedes ? You
may determine this important point, by the following ques
tions. — Do you value above all things the blessings' for
which Christ intercedes ? — Do you join your own repeat
ed and earnest supplications to his intercession ?— And do
yon rely wholly upon Christ's unspeakable merits, for the
acceptance of all your prayers ? — If so, be not discouraged ;
Christ is your advocate with the Father. He died for you
on the cross, and pleads his meritorious oblation for you .
on his throne.
Is not this an inestimable blessing ? If Hezekiah desired
the prayer^ of Isaiah ; if Darius desired the prayers of the
godly Jews, for himself and his sons ; how should we re
joice in having the prayers of the exalted Jesus !— If we
are tempted, let this be our security, Luke xxii. 31. 32,
If we fall into sin, through infirmity of the flesh, let this be
our refuge, 1 John ii. 1. 2. If under apprehensions of
death, or eternal judgment, let this be our consolation, '
Rom. viii. 33. 34 '
I do not write out the scriptures, because I would have-
you look them out, or even write them out with your own
hand. And may the blessed Spirit of God write them up
on all our hearts ! — This will come to you, I hope on Christ
mas-even. You will talk of this letter, and its contents, to
your harvest Men. I should be glad to be with you, and
converse, as we used to do, 'jun Christ and the kingdom of

LETTERS. 4S
heaven. None of my flock, I hope will be filled with liq
uor, wherein is excess ; but be filled with spirit. — My
kind love to your family, and all your neighbours ; partic
ularly to your brother William, whose letter I shall answer
by the first opportunity. Yours, &c.

LETTER V.
Advice to new married persons.
Biddeford, Dec. 7, 1740:
bear sister,
Though I am so backward in my compliments, I am
most hearty in my wishes, that your spouse and yourself
may enjoy abundance of happness in the married state. I
congratulate late, but I shall ever pray, that you may find
blessings twisted with the matrimonial bands, and not only
live lovingly together, as one flesh, but live holy together
as fellow-heirs of the grace of life.
I hope you will both remember the eternal world,
'which must very shortly receive you. That ere long the
nuptial bed must be resigned for a lodging in the grave ;
and the ornaments of a sparkling bride, be exchanged for
the dressings of death. And if, under the Irequent view
of these serious truths, you study to further each other in
faith and holiness — then will you be true help-meets one
to the other : then will you come together, not for the
worse but for the better : then may you trust, that when
dearth shall dissolve the union below, Christ Jesus will bid
it commence again above ; and continuato endles ages,
in the midst of unspeakable delight. '•
Please to present my humble service to the several Mr.
***and Mrs. ***that still remain in your town, to Mrs. ***
and her daughter; Mr. ***and his spouse, and Mr.***
Remember me also in the kindest manner to your poor
neighbors, particularly those have Mr. ***book3. May
God Almighty give them grace to make a proper and prac
tical use of them ; maybe sanctify the attentive and dili
gent reading of them, to their increase in godliness, and in
the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
When you see my Collingtree relations and acquaint-

46 LETTERS.
ance, salute them affectionately in my name. I suppose
you will soon see my *** and ***, present my duty to them.-
I should rejoice to see them again in the flesh, before any
of us go hence, and are no more seen. May, the Father of
our spirits, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our
righteousness, prepare us for a happy meeting in the reg
ions of glory, and for the blissful vision of his own adorable
self. There is at Biddeford, and has been for a considerable
time, a townsman of mine, a middle aged man, born at
 , his name is ***. I little thought to find such a
person in these remote parts. It puts me in mind of heav
en, where people of every kindred and tongue, of all na
tions and languages, will form one general and glorious as^
semb'ly. May you and I, dear sister, one day be numbered
with those children of God, and have our lot, our delight
ful and everlasting lot, among the saints. I ami &<^-

LETTER VI.
tiii- On the fulness' of Christ. , ,
MV DEAR FRIEND,
I FIND you have had Mr.*** aqipng you lately ? many
I hope. have found abundant benefit irpin his pre,achiflg, and :
you. in. parjijcular. He is a shining light, a choice ?ind illus
trious ambassador of Jesus Christ ; what ^a savour of his di
vine Master, does he shed aibroad whenever ,he, preaches
such a savour, as many corruptions cannot overcome, nor
all the world supp^s. Biddeford, I hope hais experienced
this sayo'Ar,r— Methinks, I now, see him in the pulpit, and
hear him lifting up his compassionate voice like a trumpet,
and proclaiming flie acceptabl'^ year ofthe Lord, ]\!ret,hinks,,
I see him displaying the, gospel-standard, and- his tongue
touched from the heavenly jjtar inviting sinniers to flock
under his shadow, crying, come, ye simple ones, whom Sa
tan ,^19$ beguiled, and Christ shall give you light ; co!ne,ye
wict«d ones, ¦v?l;)gm ,satan has enslaved, ^pjdthe, gracious .
Redeeinexshali set, voufree ;;Conie ye th?i.tiiave;been righ--.
tepijs in y^urowB eyes, ib.rs£(]|te, this refuge,, qf lies, and en-

LETTERS. m
ter into the ark before the rains descend, and the floods
come, which will sweep away every false hope ! .0 ! lean
not upon a broken reed : build not upon the sinking sand ;
but upon the rock of ages, the foundation laid in Zion by
the hand of Heaven itself. Come unto Jesus, ye ruined
and undone sinners, for he has a tender heart that is ever
¦opened to receive you^ and an arm that is omnipotent lo
save you. Indeed my friends, those that know Christ's
name will seek no other Saviour, nor desire any other
good : all their b«nes will cry out, " Lord, unto whom shall
we go but unto thee ? thou only hast the words of eternal
life." They that know Christ's free goodness, will put
their whole trust in him, and seek no other way to the
Father of mercy, but through his merit. This is their on
ly claim they have to make for their acceptance, Christ
died ; but for whom did he die, my dear friends ? He gave
himself a ransom for all ; he was lifted up upon the accurs
ed tree, and out of his side came a fountain of blood and
water, where every sinner may bathe and be made clean.
The awakened sons of Adam, that feel their miserie.s, see a
fulness of merit in one drop of that blood, sufficient to atone
for the guilt often thousand worlds. This fills them with
great comfort, although they are vile sinners ; what though
they are loathsome beggars, taken from the dunghill of«n-
cleanliness, that are but now returning from the highways
and hedges of every abominable practice. What though
they are as beasts before God ; very dogs, like the poor
Syrophenician woman ; yet Christ's saving kindness is so
great and unbounded, that he casteth out none who come
unto him. Here is consolation for the trembling sinner,
though he has not a grain of worthiness in himself, yet his
Lord has infinite treasures of unmerited grace. They who
believe that Christ shed his precious blood for guilty sinners
will cheerfully put their trust in this atonement for pardon.
¦They will say, O ! they will often say with gratitude glow
ing in their breasts, and tears in their eyes ; Be it that my
sins are as the deepest crimson dye, and more in number
than the hair of my head, yet the blood of Christ cleanseth
from all'sin, and washeth a filthy polluted conscience whit
er than snow. With him there is not scanty, but plenteous
redemption. Be my debts ever so great, ten thousand
times ten thousand talents, yet the agonies of the once
slaughtered Latijb has paid it to the very uttermost farthing.
They who know his righteousness, will put their trust in

LETTERS.
. ioneforjustsfication. If I had the righteousness of a
saint says one, t) how happy should I be ? If I had the
righteousness of an angel, says another, 1 should fear no-
evil. But I am bold to say, that the poorest sinner that
believes in Christ, has a righteousness infinitely more ex
cellent than either saints or angels. For if the law asks
for sinless perfection, it is to be found in my divine surety.
If the law requires an obedience that may stand before the
burning eye of God, behold it is Jesusin my mediator. Should
the strictest justice arraign me, and the purest holiness
make its demand upon me I remit them both to my dying
and obedient Immanuel ; with him the Father is always
well pleased, in him the believer is complete. They who
know Christ's power will put their trust in him for sancti
fication of heart and newness of life. Though sin is root
ed in my soul, and riveted in my constitution, yet Christ
can p'lrge it out. Though it were twisted with every
nerve on my flesh, yet he can make the rough tempers
smopth, and the crooked dispositions straight ; the vile af
fection, like legions of devils, he can root out, and fill eve
ry heart with the pure love of God to which happy state
of soul may both you and 1 be brought while here below;
that we may be made mete to ascend to that habitation of
God, where nothing unclean can enter.
1 am yours, sincerely, &c.

LETTER V».
Meditations on the Harvett. Bath.

DEAR HABAM,

At Bath I have tarried thTis long, but p'urpose to set for
ward for my father's house, if I live till next week ; and if
I have as good a journey thither, as I had to this place, I
shall have cause to be very thankful to that gracious prov
idence which blesses our going out and our coming in ;
which protects us from wrong and robbery ; from evil ac
cidents and dangers, as with a shield. I hope you Madam,
and Mr ***, are well: and should rejoice to hear of your
both being partakers of that which I wish you to enjoy ;

LETTERS. 49
and none can he said truly to enjoy health, but those who
improve it to the purpose ; all others waste health ; em-
bazzle it ; squander it away ; all but those who use it as
a precious opportunit}' of making their calling and elec
tion sure. We have had most delicate weather for the har
vest ; a blessing, which 1 do not doubt has been vouchsafed
to you as well as to us ; an universal blessing ! and such as
will prove very extensive. We shall feel the good effects
of it all the year round, when winter freezes the air, and
turns the earth into iron, or buries it under heaps of snow :
we shall be refreshed even then with the productions of
the fruitful season. Oh ! that our hearts may be filled with
gratitude, as our barns are with plenty. The harvest puts
me in mind of the end of the world ; then our bodies shall
arise out of the dust of the earth, having lain awhile under
the clods, and seen corruption, they will then spring up
incorruptible and immortal, an amazing multitude, like the
blades of grass, or the ears of corn, innumerable.
The husbandman in harvest receives a reward for all
his toil. The labours of the preceding year amply-recom
pensed by the rich fruits of increase. And the consumma
tion of all things will be the great retribution-day ; then
the Christian receives the end of his faith, even the salva
tion of his soul ; then the riches he has coveted, will be
bestowed in the favour of the seeing him who is immortal,
invisible; whose loving kindness is better than life. He
will see the desire of his soul, and the fruits of his Saviour's
sufferings, and sit down everlastingly satisfied. The hus
bandman rejoices in harvest, this is his time of festivity and
delight. " They joy before thee," saith the scriptures,
" according to the joy in harv est ;" they will look up and
rejoice, to behold their Redeemer coming in the clouds of
heaven, and all the holy angels with him ; then will they
look down and rejoice to see the wicked world burning in
which they were tempted ; rejoice to see all their ene
mies put under their feet ; and when the doors of heaven
are left open, then shall they enter triumphantly into that
city of the living God, and everlasting joy will be upon
their heads, and reign with Christ for evermore. Into
this exceeding great and eternal bliss, I wish you, Madam,
and your husband, an abundant entrance, and remain his
and Your, &c',
6

50 LETTERS.
LETTER VIII.
On supplying a Toor Christian.

You need make no excuse for recommending Mr ***, in
his distressed condition. I am pleased to see you so tender
ly concerned for a brother's welfare ; and-i,-! am glad you
have used .the freedom of applying to me*^ seeing divine
Providence has put it in my power to help a disciple, a
child, a member of Christ. I purposed'to have given him
***, and to have lent him three ; nor shbuld I have been
-very rigorous in exacting the debt, provided there was but
little ability to repay. But lest the fear of not being able
to repay, should create anxiety in an honest heart, and les
sen the comfort of a seasonable supply, I make him a pres
ent of the whole ; heartily wishing, that the same gra
cious God, who inclined a stranger's heart to bestow it,
may also prosper his endeavours to improve it. And if he
often calls to remembrance that almighty power and good
ness which made a few drops of oil at the bottom of a
cruse, and a little handful of meal that was the gleaning of
the barrel, a lasting support to the prophet, and to the
poor widovv, and her son, I doubt not but that he will be
enabled to fix his dependance upon the same everlasting
Father, for needful success in trading. So that, by God's
blessing, I hope this httle stock, frugally managed, may,
- through his kind providence, put him in a way of procur
ing necessaries in this wilderness, till he comes to the ful
ness of the heavenly Canaan,
I think every instance of kindness shewn to us, or exer
cised by us, should enlarge our apprehensions of the divine .
benevolence. What is a.grain of dust to the whole earth ?=
what is a drop of water to the great ocean ? or what are
a few days to the countless ages of eternity ? Less, un
speakably less, is all created kindness, compared with
the boundless goodness of God in Christ Jesus. For by
.him we have access to the Father, being reconciled by
Jiis blood shed on the cross. We are adopted and receiv
ed into the church, whereof Christ is the head. Being
thus in the favour of God, he delighteth in hearing the

LETTERS. 51
prayer of faith, which those who believe in Christ daily
P'ut up to the throne of grace. Oh ! how great is his lov
ing-kindness and tender mercy. He is exalted, that he
may have mercy upon all that call upon him in sincerity
and truth. He waiteth to be gracious. He giveth liber
ally, and upbraideth not, for past ingratitude, and great un-
worthiness. Oh ! how great are these blessings which he
giveth. Blessings, in comparison 6f which, silver is as
clay, and gold as the mire of the streets. He giveth grace
and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them
who live a godly life ; from them who are accepted in the
Beloved, and love him who first loved them, I shall add
that charming declaration of the beloved disciple, and
earnestly wish, that we may learn by happy experience,
and feel in our souls, what it means, — " Wc have known
and believed the love that God hath to u.?."' Let me beg
my dear friends to remember at the throne of grace.
Your affectionate friend, &c.

LETTER iX,
On Christs fulness and suitableness. Weston Favell, 1744.

I PROMISED *** to send the remainder of her letter in a
few lines to you, Eithejpshe may transcribe from you, or
you from her, in order to complete the little essay. — I left
off, I think, somewhere hereabouts.  " But spiritual
interests are infinitely more valuable." For those, there
fore, Christ will provide more abundantly : if they want
knowledge, he will not only give them his divine word,
but his enlightening Spirit, to lead them into all truth. — If
they are poor, he will give them the fine gold of his obedi
ence : he will say to them as the father said in the parable,
" Son, all that I have is thine." Are they wounded ? He
will give them the healing balm of his precious blood ; this
will cure the wound which sin has made in the soul, and
make the bones which have been broken, to rejoice. Are
they naked? He will clothe them with the robe of his

5'2 LETTERS.
ovfn righteousness ; they shall appeal before the God of
gods in the garments of this their elder brother. Are they
\veak? His strength shall be made perfect in their weak
ness: he will work in them both to will and to do of his
good pleasure. When they die, 'he has provided a flight
of angels to attend their departing souls, and conduct them
to his own compassionate arms ; he has provided mansions
of glory, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heav
ens, for their future reception. He has provided a fulness
of joy, and p'easures for evermore, for their final portion
and inheritance.
Oh ! what ample provision is here ; this is indeed "good
measure pressed down and shaken together, and running
over" — What can needy creatures want, which Jesus does
not supply ? Justly was it once said by an eminent believer,
JcHovAH-JiREH, " The Lord will provide:" let this he (he
language of our hearts in all our needs.
The hen comforts her winter-brood ; she screens them
from the inclemencies of the weather. She spreads out
lior wings, and forms a canopy over them ; this affords them
a !;on?e to lodge in, and a bed to sleep on ; no velvet is
bofler, no blankets arc warmer ; here they are cherished
and refreshed , here they find heat when they shiver with
cold, are dried when they come drooping with wet.
Jesus also comforts his poor people ; he is called the
" Consolation of Israel : Come unto me," says the merciful
Redeemer, " all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest; ail ye that are weary, and I will re-
fresh^ou." He is afflicted in all their afilictions, and is as
ready to succour them, as a man is to allay the anguish of
his own smarting flesh. He is the good, the inconceivably
good Shepherd, whose bowels yearn with the tenderest
compassion, when his lambs are fetigued or distressed ; he
even lays them in his bosom. — Every thing but Jesus
speaks terror, and creates dismay to his little flock. But
this compassionate Shepherd leads them forth besides the
waters of comfort. The world lays many a snare for their
feet ; the world persecutes and hates them. In the world
they must have tribulation ; but Christ says, " Be of good
cheer, I have overcome the world," and will make you
partakers of my victory ; because I have conquered, ye
shall conquer also. The law lays dreadful things to their
charge; the law is the ministration of condemnation ; the
law thunders out threatenings : they are rebels, says that

LETTERS. S3
righteous law ; they have transgressed my precepts ; they
deserve to suffer all the curses denounced against the diso-
bf dient and ungodly. But Christ gently whispers. Be of
g Jod courage, my people, take sanctuary in your Mediator.
I have answered all the demands of the law : if it requires
punishment, I sustained torments unutterable ; if it insists on
"jlood, I satisfied it with divine blood, with every drop of
my heart's blood, so that there is no condemnation to them
that are interested in me. If it called for righteousness, 1
submitted to its authority ; I performed every jot and tittle-
of its commands, and thereby brought in a perfect and ever
lasting righteousness. Lay hold on my obedience ; receive
this from my free grace, and the law has nothing more to
charge against you ; for the righteousness of the law is ful
filled in them that believe, though the devil tempts and dis
tresses the children of Jesus. — He not only tempts, but ac
cuses them, aggravating and calling aloud for vengeance ;
crie.s., Down with them, down with them, even to the dust.
But Jesus graciously steps in, baffles the accusation, arrests
thejudgmentj and says, I have died to save "them from go
ing into the pit; for I have found a ransom :" if they have
sinned, I have taken them upon myself; if they have multi
plied transgressions as the stars of heaven, my father hath
laid on me the iniquities of them all. They are my re
deemed ones ; they are bought with my blood. I cannot
lose my purchase ; if they are not saved, I am not glorified.
Such sweet truths sent home upon the poor soul, must
be very comfortable and restorative to the drooping sinner;.
more refreshing and gladdening to the conscience, than the;
feathers of the hen are to her feeble starving brood.
Upon the whole ; let us imitate the chickens, by trusting
in Jesus for all we want or wish ; let us lean upon our Be
loved in all our progress through this wilderness ; expect
to be furnished entirely out of his fulness; look for protec- -
tion from his almighty arm. Depend upon provision from
his inexhaustable treasures ; and for comfort, from a grow
ing sense of our interest in him.
Let this be the habitual language of our heart, — Blessed
Lord, I am weak and wretched, surrounded by a mullitude
of dangers, and defiled by a thousand corru|ition9, G defend
me by thy eternal power. Let thy almighty arm be ever ov
er me. Let thy holy Spirit be ever with me ; never leave me
to my enemies ; never give me up to my own blindness and
impotency, for I flee unto thee to hide me : on thee I de-
b*

54 LETTERS,
pend to break every snare of temptation that endangers me
from without, to mortify every seed of corruption that pol
lutes me from within, I am poor and needy, blessed JesuS,
do thou provide for me. Since I must one day give an ac
count of myself to God, let thy blood wash away my guilt,.
and drown all my transgressions. Since 1 must ere long,
stand before him whose eyes are as a burning fire. Oh 1.
clothe me with the robes of thy righteousness, the gar
ments of salvation, that I may be holy and blameless in his
sight. Since I must quickly die out of this miserable world,
provide me an entrance into thine own everlasting kingdom ;
and while I continue in this world, provide me with grace
sufficient for me, that 1 may live like thine elect, and adorn
-the gospel of God my Saviour.
I am often distressed ; misgiving thoughts and anguish of
mind, makes me hang down my head hke a bulrush.
Through fear of death, and dread of eternal judgment, my
joints are sometimes ready to smite one against another ;
but Oh ! holy, and most merciful Saviour, be thou my sup
port. Pour the oil of gladness into my inner man ; give
me the joy of thy salvation: the law condemns me, but do
thou justify me ; my own conscience writes bitter things
. against me, but do thou whisper to my soul, " Be of good
cheer thy sins are forgiven thee." The roaring lion often
terrifies me ; but Oh 1 thou good and faithful Shepherd, let
thyself comfort me. Let me know, and feel, that I am
thine, and then nothing shall pluck me out of thy hands.
This was wrote before my late illness. You see from
hence, that you my friends at Biddeford, have been on my
thoughts, though they have not of late been addressed by
way of letter ; and I shall always say, that whether we are
sick or in health, the Lord Jesus Christ may be the strength
of our hearts, and our portion for ever. I am, &G.

LETTERS. 65
LETTER X.
Christ the Belierve'r's refuge.

It is our duty continually* to sing Hosanna to the King
of Israel, who treadeth all enemies under his feet. He
can tread them down like clay in the streets, or cast them
out as lightning from heaven. Nothing is impossible to
him ; they who know Christ's faithfulness and truth, will
put their trust in him ; they will hang upon him every mo
ment, as the feeble child in the arms of the indulgent moth
er, for grace to strengihen and enable them to withstand
the devices of that enemy of souls, who is seeking every
moment to destroy the weak believer, the babes in Christ,
Satan says, with that wicked one in Exodus, I will pursue
them with inconceivable malice and rage ; I will overtake
and tear them in pieces like a lion ; I will lay ten thousand
snares in their way, and, if it be possible, bring them under
the dominion of sin, and after that into the damnation of
hell,  The believer replies. Thou wouldst affect this, O
thou enemy of all godliness. I know thou wouldst effect it
with as much ease, as a feather is borne down by a sweeping
whirlwind, was 1 left a moment to myself; but my strength
do I ascribe unto my incarnate God. The blessed Jesus
has undertaken for my security ; he watches over me every
moment, and nothing can pluck me out of his hands. He
hath said, who shall disannul it, that " sin shall not have do
minion over me ;" he will preserve me by his almighty pow
er unto salvation. Let all my adversaries know assuredly,
that my safety is not in myself. — But as the hills stand round
about Jerusalem, even so standeth the Lord round about his
people, from this time forth for evermore.
Whoever attempts the ruin of a soul, that is staid on Je
sus, must wrench the sovereignty from the hand of Omnip
otence, and cause unshaken faithfulness to fail. So long
as all things in heaven and earth, and under the earth, do
bow, and obey the Lamb that was slain ; so long as Christ is
a Ood unchangeable and faithful, that cannot lie, so long
shall a poor feeble worm that trusts in him, be secure from
apostacy and perdition. Oh ! the blessings, the comforts that

56 LETTERS.
spring from a right knowledge of Jesus ! richer blessings
I cannot wish ! greater treasures I cannot enjoy nor possess !
This, this alone is that knowledge which St. Paul valued
above all other accomplishments or acquirements, in com
parison of which he counted all things else no better than
dross or dung. Oh ! let my dear Biddeford friends beg of
the Father of lights to send out the Spirit of wisdom and
revelation, that I may be filled with the knowledge of him,
and of Jesus Christ whom he hath sent ; and in return both
they and you, my friends, may be assured of the most hear
ty and repeated prayers of Your sincere friend, &c.

LETTER XL
On religious conversation. Weston-Favell, Nov. 19, 1745..

BEAR SIB,

I CANNOT forbear making my grateful acknowledgements
for your most obliging letter. You could not possibly have
imagined any thing more agreeable to my inclination, than
the proposal you are pleased to make,. of admitting me to
your acquaintance and conversation. I accept your kind
offer. Sir, with thankfulness, with joy ; and shall most glad
ly cultivate a friendship, which is not only perfectly inno
cent, but remarkably elegant and improving. Especially,
since you are pleased to permit the discourse to turn upon
those points, which it is my duty to study, and my delight
to contemplate. Nor shall I forget, how much I am indebt
ed to your condescension for this favour ; but shall always
bear a respectful sense of the distinguished rank and supe
rior abilities of my worthy friend.
Indeed I am particularly delighled with such interviews
as serve to enlarge our knowledge, and refine our affections ;
such as have an apparent tendency to render us more use
ful in our present stations, and to ripen us for future happi
ness ; such was that which 1 lately enjoyed in your com
pany. This is a feast of reason ; a feast of truth; and, I
must own, has charms for me, infinitely superior to all the im
pertinent amusements of modish chat, or the mean gratifica-.
tions of the bottle.

LETTERS. 57
When I have been asked to spend an afternoon with gen
tlemen ofa learned education, and unquestionable ingenuity,
I have fancied myself invited to take a turn in some beauti
ful garden ; where I expected to have been treated with a
sight of the most delicate flowers, and most amiable forms
of nature : when, to my great surprise, I have been shewn
nothing but the most worthless thistle, and contemptible
weeds. To one who has so often been disappointed, it
must be peculiarly pleasing to find the satisfaction which he
has long sought in vain. This I make no doubt of obtain
ing, if I may be permitted to be a third person in the inter
view, when you and Mr *** sit together in social confer'
ence. 1 beg leave to return my thanks for your ingenious re
mark upon a sentence in the essay towards a preface ; and
also to express my entire satisfaction in your motion for
considering more attentively the spiritual interests of the
poor patients in the hospital. At present, it is undeniably
plain, that much more assiduous and effectual care is taken
of th-iir temporal, than of their eternal welfare. With
pleasure I shall join in concerting some proper method to
rectify this misconduct, and with a real alacrity shall execute
(as far as I shall be enabled) any expedient iviiieh 30U shall
judge conducive to the recovery and health of their souls.
I almost repent, that my pen has intruded, perhaps, in
the midst of important business, and stole so much of your
valuable time. — But now I have done: — and shall only re
peat, what agreeable views I form from the prospect of
your future acquaintance, and what an addition it will be
to my happiness to be owned, and regarded, As, &c.

58 LETTERS.
LETTER XII.
Thoiights on some of the Thirty-nine Articles.
Weston-Favell, Dec. 17, 1/45.

I ADMIRE your remarkable regard to truth, and that no
ble greatness of soul, which scorns to sacrifice conscience to
interest, and cannot stoop to receive temporal honours on
such ignoble terms. Your conduct reminds me of a most
amiable peculiarity in the upright and religious man's char
acter, as it is drawn by the inspired writers; with which
you cannot but be particularly pleased, as it so exactly cor
responds with your own ; such a one, says the royal preach-
ev,feareth an oath ; such a one, adds the sweet singer of
Israel, speaketh the truth from his heart.
The thirty-nine articles I have more than once subscrib
ed, and as I continue, stedfast in the belief of them, as you
are pleased to ask my opinion relating to some seemingly
erccpt:cn?.b!t tenets contained in them, I inost readily sub
mit it to your consideration ; not. Sir in the capacity of a
casuist, who would attempt a satisfactory answer to your
questions; but only under the notion ofa sincere friend,
who would freely disclose his whole soul, and entertain no
one sentiment, but what should be communicated to a valu
able acquaintance.
You are a good deal puzzled about the equality of the
" Son with the Father in Athanasius's sense." — I own, it is
no wonder, that we should be somewhat staggered at this
mysterious truth ; especially if we indulge a wanton curi
osity, and inquire after the quomodeity of the doctrine, if
nothing will content our busy minds, but a clear compre
hension of this particular, they will never be brought to
acquiesce in this article. But if they dare venture to be
lieve the express declarations of infinite wisdom, and wait
till a future state for a full evolution of the mystery, their
assent will soon be determined.
I once thought a very striking proof of this scriptural
doctrine might be derived from the known properties of
a mortal child, considered in comparison with the parent.
Is not the son as perfect a partaker of all the constituent

LETTERS. 59
parts of the human nature as the father ? are not the chil
dren of this age possessed of the same endowments of body
and mind, as their fathers in the preceding age ? Whatev
er essential excellencies belong to the one, may with equal
truth be predicated of the other. And if the Son, in this
our inferior world, be in all points equal to his proge--* ,
why should we not suppose, that the glorious Son of ^^
is equal in all respects to his Almighty Father?
But I choose to forbear all such fond endeavours, to ex
plain what, to our very limited apprehensions, is altogether
inexplicable, I rather receive scripture for my teacher,
and give up my sentiments to be formed and conducted by
that infallible guide. In scripture there are abundance of
texts which, in the most explicit terms imaginable, assert
the Son to be God. Now, if he be God, he cannot have
any superior : inferiority evidently destroys Divinity : inferi
ority, in any instance, is inconsistent with the notion of a su
preme Being. So that every text in scripture which as
cribes a divine nature to the blessed Jesus, seems to speak
all that Athanasius maintains, concerning the absolute, uni
versal equality of the Son with the Father,
In what respects can the Son be supposed inferior ? Are
not the same honours given to the Son, as are paid to the
Father ? The psalmist mentions two of the incommunicH-
ble honours which are due to the supreme Majesty, Both
which, he declares, are and shall be addressed to the Son ;
prayer shall be made ever unto him, and daily shall he be
praised. This adorable person is the object of our worship
throughout the whole litany. In the doxologies of our litur
gy the same glory is ascribed to all the three infinitely ex
alted persons of the Trinity. I take notice of thi«, not as a
conclusive argument, but only to hint at the uniform judg
ment of our reformers on this important head, and to point
out their particular care to inculcate, with incessant assidu
ity, this belief upon the members of their communion. — Are
not the same works ascribed to the Son, as are ascribed to
the Father ? God, the sovereign and supreme God, (accord
ing to the periphrasis ofa heathen poet, Cui nihil simile, aut
secundum,) often declares his matchless perfections, by re
ferring mankind to his astonishing works of creation. And
is not the son the creator of the universe ? All things were
made by him, is the testimony of one apostle and He upholdeth
all things by the word of his power, the deposition of another.
— Is not the same incommunicable name applied to the Son ?

60 LETTERS.
Jehovah is allowed to be a name never attributed, through
out the whole scripture, to any being, but only to the one
hving and true God; who only hath immortality, who hath
DO superior, none like him in heaven or earth. But this
title is the character of the incarnate Son. If we compare
Moses and St. Paul, we shall find that Christ is Jehovah,
Numb, xxi. 6, with 1 Cor. x 9. This argument, I think is
not common ; and, 1 must own, has had a great influence
in settling my judgment, ever since I was apprised of it. —
Another proof was suggested in the morning le.sson for the
day. Is. xlv.23, compared with Phil. ii. 10. It is the Lord
in the prophet, that infinitely wise God who manifestetb,
even from ancient time, the dark and remote events of futu
rity ; who peremptorily declares, that there is no God be
sides him, consequently none superior in any degree to him;
yet this most sacred person, who in the prophet's text bas
the attributes of incomparable perfection and unshared su
premacy, is, in the apostle's comment, the Redeemer.
I fancy all those texts of scripture, which seems to you,
Sir, so diametrically opposite to this doctrine, will, upon a
renewed examination, appear referable only to the humiui-
ty of our Saviour. If so, they cannot affect the point under
debate, nor invalidate the arguments urged in its support.
After all, I believe, here lies the grand difficulty. " Son-
ship, we take for granted, implies inferiority. Sonship, im
plies the receiving of a being from another; and to receive
a being, is an instance of inferiority. — But, dear Sir, let us
repress every bold inquiry into this awful secret ; lest that
of the apostle, a/nti 8»j«k.'» ift,?a ev«» be the lightest censure we
incur. What is right reasoning, when applied to the case
of created existence, is little less than blasphemy when ap
plied to that divine person, who is from everlasting to ever
lasting the great 1 AM, — The generation of the Son of God
is an unfathomable mystery. A prophet cries out with a-
maze. Who can declare his generation ? And if we cannot con
ceive it, how can we form any conclusions, or determine
what consequences follow from it ? Here it becomes us,
not to examine, but to adore. If we know not how the bones
do grow in the womb of her that is with child, how shall we
be able to state the nature, or explain the effects of a gen
eration, inexpressibly more remote from our finite appre
hensions? Upon the whole, since the scripture has given us repeat
ed and unquestioMble assurances, that Christ is God ; since

LETTERS. Gl
common sense cries against the absurdity of supposing a
God who has a superior, shall we reject such positive evi-
dencies of revelation, and be deaf to the strongest remoQ-
strances of our reason, merely because we cannot conceive,
how the Sonship of the Redeemer can be compatible with
an absolute equality, in all possible perfection, to the Fa
ther ?
It need not be hinted to ***, that this doctrine of the Di
vinity, consequently of the equality, of the sacred Triune,
is not merely a speculative point, but has a most close con
nexion with practice, and is admirably fitted to influence
our lives, in the most powerful and endearing manner.
That it is no less inseparably connected with the grand
blessings of acquittance from the guilt, and delivery from
the bondage of sin ; blessings of unutterable and infinite
value, without which the children of men are of all crea
tures most miserable : which yet we cannot reasonably hope
to enjoy, if any of those illustrious persons concerned in ac
complishing the great redemption, be supposed less than
divine. The 18th article, you add, is another objection to mo,
which begins thus, They also are to be had accursed, &,c.
This, as you observe, seems harsh. Yet the harshness is
not ours, but the apostle's. I imagine, this is no more than
a transcript of St. Paul's awful and solemn declaration,
transmitted to the Galatian converts and denounced against
their corrupting teachers. Be pleased, Sir, to peruse at
tentively that whole inspired letter, and especially to con
sider, chap. i. verse 6. 7. 8. p. Then permit me to appeal
to jourself, whether our article professes any doctrine
which is not clearly established in that most excellent epis
tle ; or whether our cburch uses more severe terms than
the apostle thinks proper to thunder out in that memorable
passage ? — But might not this doctrine have been paliated
a little, or the tremendous sanction somewhat softened?
No ; we must not add to, or diminish from, our inviolable
rule, A faithful steward of the divine mjsierie';, must de
clare the whole will of God, in its full extent and latitude ;
together with the fearful consequences of presumptijously
opposing it, as well as the blessed effects of cordially receiv
ing it.
I am not surprised that this procedure slartles some, of
fends others. St. Paul seems to have foreseen this event ;
and therefore apologizes for himself, shall I say ? ralher de-
6

1^2 LETTERS.
dares his unalterable resolution of persisting in this practice :
q. d. I am sensible, that such teachings will be far from pal
atable to too many of my hearers ; 1 am aware also, that to
threaten the divine anathema on every opposcr of this doc
trine, will be still mare offensive. But shall 1 desist on these
considerations? Shall J accommodate the standard doc
trines of Heaven to the depraved taste of the age; or be
solicitous to make them square with the favourite schemes
of human device, only to avoid creating disgust in some
minds ? No, verily : I preach what unerring wisdom has
revealed, not what capricious man has dreamed, {af]i yag
avSpaTTHf zrtiia, ti nv ©eov) and therefore dare not vary one jot
or tittle from my high orders. My business is principally
to please God by a faithful discharge of my commission, not
to ingratiate myself with men, by modelhng my doctrine in
conformity to their humours ; {^Ja attfomtm a^ec-iuiv) and
therefore I must, I must deliver it, just as I receive it.
But why do J offer to illustrate these texts ? Your own
meditationsl.persuade-myself will, discern much more clear
ly than I can represent, that the compilers of our articles
are no other than the echo. of St. Paul ; or rather that they
only set their seal to the doctrines of Christ, which he taught
and approve that verdict of Heaven, which he has brought
jn. This consideration will acquit them from the charge of
harshness of expression, or -uncharitahleness of sentiment.
Your objections thus .proceed. I believe that every one
will be saved who acts up to Ihe best of his knowledge 
I almost durst venture to join issue with my friend upoa
this footing ; and undertake to prove, from this very posi
tion, the .universal necessity of believing in Chris-t for sal
vation. Because, 1 think, it is indisputably certain, that
.there is no man living who has in all.points acted up to his
knowledge. And if he has swerved, in any instance, from
his known acknowledged duty, how shall he escape pun
ishment without an atonement? Video, meliora proboque de-
teriora seqnor, is what the most vigilant and upright of mor
tals have at some unhappy moments felt to be true. If so,
how shall they stand before that righteous God, who will
not acquit the guilty, without an interest in the great expi-
.atioji? — But, I presume, your proposition is to be taken in
fl more qualified sense ; it means, that those who sincerely,
•though not perfectly, in the main course of their life, and
.as far as the infirmities of a frail nature admit, act up to
^tbeir kncwledge ; that tlies.e shall be saved, even wilhon'

LETTERS. 63
their application to the merits ofa Saviour. If this opin
ion be true, I own, it must be very unsafe to subscribe our
articles. When this point is in dispute, I apprehendj we are to
confine it to those who live in a gospel land, whereoppor-
tunities of knowing the good-will of God present them
selves every day, every hour. As for the Heathens, who
lie under unavoidable and irremediablfe'ignorance of the
blessed Jesus, they are out of the question. They, I think,
should be' remitted toGod's unsearchable wisdom and'good"-
ness. Thereinay be uncovenanted mercies for them which
we know nothing of It seems to be a daring and unjusti
fiable rashness, for us to determine one way or the other
with regard to their final state. This however, is plain from
the oracles of revelation, that it will be more tolerable for
thosepoor Gentiles in the day of eternal judgment, than
for those inexcusable infidels, who have heard and disobey
ed the- glorious gospel. — The controversy then concerns
those only, who have the Bible in their hands, or the voice
sounding in their religous assemblies every Sabbath-day.
These, dear Sir, I cannot think will inherit salvation, though
they act with ever so much sincerity, according to their
knowledge, unless they add to their knowledge faith.
Perhaps, what we call their knowledge, is no better than
downright and wilful ignorance : the light that is in them is
darkness. Perhaps, they never took any pains to get them
selves informed in the glorious peculiarities of the gospel.
If so, their conduct is one continued disobedience to the di
vine commands, which require us to seek for wisdom as for
hid treasures, which charge us to search the scriptures i^tvmf
as narrowly, as industriously, as the sportsman searches
every spot of ground, beats every tuft of^ grass, in order to
start the latent game. In this case, what we call their
knowledge-, is really blindness itself; and their want of true
knoivledge, cannot be their plea, because, it is evidently
their neglect and their sin.
But suppose these persons have searched the scriptures,
and yet are persuaded that there is ho such need of a Sa
vior's merits ; shall we condemn them in these circum
stances ? — We do not presume to sit as their judges, or to
scatter at our pleasure the thunders of eternal vengeance ;
we only declare, what sentence is passed upon them by the
supreme Dispenser of life and death. He has made it an ad
judged case ; he has passed it into an irrepealable law, that

ti4 LETTERS.
ivhoso belie veth not in the son of God, whosoever perverse
ly persists in seeking some other method of salvation, and
will not fly to that Redeemer, whom infinite wisdom has
set forth for a propitiation, this man is condemned already.
Will it be said, that a man cannot help assenting to what
he is thoroughly persuaded to be right ? And if a deist
from his very soul believes, that morality alone is the way
to life ; and that the notion of a Redeemer, to make satis
faction, and procure justification, is a religous chimera , shall
we blame such a one for following the genuine dictates of
his mind? — I answer, still I answer, that we must abide by
the determinations of that sovereign God, whose judgment
Yfe are sure is according to truth. He has said, nor can all
the cavils and sophistry in the world supersede the decree.
He that hclieveth not, shall be damned. Be not shocked, Sir,
at the seeming severity of the doom, rather let us be shock
ed, be greatly astonished, at the prodigous hardiness of
those more than steely hearts, which can attend to such ter
rors of the Lord, and not be persuaded to come to Christ;
nay, what is enough to make heaven and earth horribly
amazed, can hear of these terrors, and yet regard them no
more than a puff of empty air.
Nor will it extenuate the crime of unbelief, to alledge in'
behalf of the Infidel, that he is actually convinced, in his
own conscience, that his sentiments are right. He may be
so ; and yet be inexcusably guilty notwithstanding. For is
it not owing to his own fault, that he has imbibed such sen
timents? is it not through his own criminal misconduct,
that he has contracted such a perverse habit of thinking ?
Has he not indulged some darling vice, which has clouded
his understanding ? Or instead of obeying the great man
date of Heaven, This is my beloved son, hear ye him ; has
he not attended solely to the arguings, deductions, and dis
cernment of his own reason, as his only guide to heavenly
truth ? A drunkard verily thinks, (if he thinks at all,) that
he does nobly in committing insults on quiet harmless peo
ple. But will his bare thinking, that he acts^gallantly, ac
quit him at the bar of equity ? Perhaps, in his present con
dition, he cannot help fancying, that his actions are becom
ing, and that he does well to be turbulent and outrageous :
but though he cannot help the effect, might he not have
avoitded the cause of his phrenzy ? Methinks this comparison
will hold good, if applied to the case of many scorners of the
gospel ; who think contemptuously of Jesus Christ, and who

LETTER-. 65-
really apprehend they do nothing amiss in depreciating his-
obedience and death. But I fear, they have brought uponp*
themselves this deplorable delirium or intoxication of theit"
understandings, either by voluptuousness and debauchery,
or else by self conceit, and the most odious arrogance of
mind ; which, in the-estimate of theholy One of Israel, is no
better than spiritual idolatry, -
For my part, 1 am assured, that God has vouchsafed us
the means of obtaining the knowledge of himself, and of Je
sus Christ, whom he hath sent ; it is equally certain, that he
has commanded us to acquaint ourselves with him, and be
at peace: it is no less undeniable, that whosover. seeks this
inestimable knowledge, by a diligent application-' to the
scriptures, by a ohild-hke dependance on the teachings of
the divine Spirit, by humble prayers to be led into all truth,
and by doing the will of God, so far as he is acquainted
with it, — whosoever seeks, by using these means shall find ;
shall come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved. If
therefore persons are so negligent, as not to use these meth
ods ; so audacious, as to contemn them ; so haughty, as to
imagine they have no need of them ; they may justly be
given over to their own delusions, and yet be most right
eously punished as suicides of their souls.
But still it is pleaded^ in vindication of the good-natured,,
civilized infidel, that there is no turpitude in his life ; that-
his behaviour is every way irreproachable. — As to the tur
pitude of his life, when compared with the conversation oF
other men, I have nothing to say.- Bat surely, there is the-
highest iniquity in. his principles and conduct, when compar
ed with the revealed will of God; which is the only criteri
on of truth, the only standard of excellence.. God has com
manded all men to honour the Son, even as they honour
the Father; but these jieople protest against the divine
edict, and say, with those insolent subjects in the gospel^
we will not have this Jesus to reign over us. God has sol
emnly declared, that all mankind are become guilty before-
him ; that by the works of the moral law, no flesh living-
shall be justified ; that there is no Mediator between God'
and man, but the m.in Christ Jesus; but these people main—
taiuy ii> defiance of this declaration, that they themselves-
are able to make up matters with their offended Creator,.
and can, by their own honest behaviour, secure a title to
everlasting felicity. God of his superabundant and incoB-
eeivably rich goodness, has given^his Son, his only Son t©"
6*

66 LETTERS.
suffer agonies, to shed blood, today down an infinitely pre
cious life for them ; yet these people, like those impious
wretches that crucified the Lord of glory, deride his agonies,
trample upon his blood, and though he has redeemed them,
they speak lies against him.* Let us see then a little part
of the evidence summed up against the spirit of unbelief.
It implies stubbornness, which is as the sin of witchcraft ;
rebellion, which is as iniquity and idolatry ; it implies the
most assuming pride, which is an abomination to the Lord;
it implies the vilest ingratitude, even amidst the most un
bounded beneficence, and the voice of nature has proclaim
ed ingratum si dixcris, omnia dixeris. — Let the impartial
considerer decide, whether the heart of these persons be
right before God, or whether their conduct, when brought
to the test of that word which is to judge them at the last
day, be so unblamable, as is frequently pretended.
Enough;has been said of the two first points ; I fear, more
than enough to fatigue }our attention. However, I now
draw in the reins, and promise not to put j'our patience up
on doing such tedious penance any more.
There is another expression in the paragraph relating
to the 18th article, which, since you expect my undisguis
ed opinion, I cannot dismiss without a remark. When the
scriptures say, that men shall be saved through the name
of Christ, you suppose, Sir, they mean, that Christ made a
general atonement for original .=in. — Whereas, 1 apprehend
that such texts import abundantly, I had almost said infi
nitely more. Thus much, I think, at least they must
amount to in their signification, that if we are saved from
the guilt of our otfcnces, it shall be only through the all-
atoning blood of the Lamb of God. Ifv.e are made accepta
ble to that awful Majesty w ho dwelleth in light inaccessible,
this our jusiification shall be in consideration of the obedi^
ence and righteousness of the beloved Son; if we obtain
the Spirit of sanctification, are enabled " to deny all un
godliness, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in
the present evil world," it shall he through the interces
sion of Jesus our great high priest, whom alone the Holy
Ghost is vouchsafed to unworthy polluted sinners. All
this 1 take to be included in that word, of most rich and
comprehensive meaning, salvation ; and since it is affirmed,
that we are saved by Christ, I should think it must signify,
" lies. viii. 13.

LETTERS,
that we obtain all these glorious and invaluable benefits
through that all-sufficient Mediator.
As to Christ's making an atonement for original sin, that
surely was but one single branch of his important under
taking ; woe, woe be to the inhabitants of the earth, if he
did no more. Our actual sins, the sins of our heart, the
sins of our life, our sins of omission, and sins of commission,
and all these sins, which are more in number than the
hairs of our head, heavier with horrid aggravations than
the sand of the sea, he bore in his own body on the tree.
" He was wounded for our offences, he was bruised for our
transgressions, and the Lord laid on him (not only the in
nate depravity but) the actual iniquities of us all.
Your next objection lies against the 13th article, namely,
works done before the grace of Christ, are not acceptible
to God. — Is the meaning of this tenet, you ask, that men
are made with a natural incapacity of doing any thing but
sinful actions ? — I answer, this is not so properly the mean
ing of the article, as a most cogent tfeason to establish it.
Only let it be stated a little more clearly, and it is no incon
siderable argument in proof of the doctrine. Men were
not made by their Creator with this incapacity, but they
have brought it upon themselves by their own fault. By
their original sin they have contracted a most miserable
depravity, and have made themselves »=©- sran sjyoir myctiai
a^iKi/jni Since therefore we can do no good work, before
we are renewed by the grace of Christ, it seems to follow,
that we can do no work acceptible to God, till this renova
tion take place. — This you observe, does not seem so
agreeable to charity, as one could wish. — Worthy, Sir, our
notions of charity are not to be the rule of the divine ac
ceptance either of persons or things. If the doctrine be
agreeable to the declarations of unerring wisdom, we are
to admit it with all readiness, and rather conclude, that we
mistake the nature of charity, than that the scripture mis
takes the terms of the Almighty's acceptance and favour.
— You know. Sir, it is the express voice of scripture, that
" without faith, it is impossible to please God;" and till the
Spirit of Christ be shed abroad in the soul, it possesses no
such sacred principles as true faith. — .It is a favourite apoth-
egem of our divine Master's, that " a corrupt tree cannot
bring forth good fruit." And are not all that spring from
the stock of fallen Adam, corrupt trees until they are en
grafted into the true ohve-tree. and partake of his mehor-

68 LETTERS.
afingand generous juices? — I shall only mention one more
scriptural oracle, an oracle delivered, not from Delphos,
no, nor from mount Sinai, but immediately from heaven it
self; " This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleas
ed," I have always thought these words are to be taken
in an exclusive sense : as though the everlasting Father
had said, I am well pleased with the apostate race of Adam,.
only as they are reconciled through my beloved Son : un
interested in him, no persons are the objects of my compla
cency, unrecommended by him, no actions are the subject
of my approbation. If this be the genuine sense of .the
passage, it will serve at once to confirm the article, and to
obviate the objection derived from the deficiency, and re
mains of pollution, that cleave even lo the performances
of a believer.
I am glad you have satisfied yourself with relation to the-
article, which touches upon predestination and election.
These are sublime points, far above the solution of our
low capacities. But, for my part, I am no more surprised,
that some revealed truths should amaze my understanding,
than ihat the blazing sun should dazzle my eyes. That
such things are mentioned in the inspired writings as real-
facts, is undeniable, I should renounce my very reason, if
I did not believe what omniscience attests, even though
it should imply what is altogether inexplicable by my scan
ty conceptions. And why should the incaverned mole-
whose dwelling is in darkness, whose sight is but a small
remove from blindness, why should such a poor animal
wonder, that it cannot dart its eye through unnumbered
worlds, or take in at a glance the vast system of the unir
verse ?
Your sense of the 20th article is exactly mine. The au
thority you mention, is, in my opinion, all the authority
which the church, the rulers and governors of the church,
can reasonably claim, or regularly exercise, in matters re
lating to faith. These rulers have power, as you justly
observe, to settle in conformity with what they conclude
to be the meaning of scripture, the nature and exent of
their own creed ; and none, I think, can fairly deny them
a right to determine what points of belief shall be the in-
despensible terms of enjoying communion with their socie
ty, But as fdr I know not what privilege of interpreting
scripture, in such a manner, as that it shall be contumacy
to examine, before we credit, or heterodoxy and heresy to

LETTERS. 69
controvert their exposition ; this is an authority which I
cannot allow to any man, or body of men, now in the world.
At this rate our faith would be built upon the decisions of
the church, not on the determinations of the inspired
word; and, consequently, be not of God, but of men.
Could I have imagined, when I set pen to paper, that it
would have run such extravagant lengths ? Bear with my
prolixity, dear Sir, and excuse my freedom; or, rather, if
I have said any thing in too free a style, you must charge
it upon your own condescension and candour, which have
emboldened me to deliver my sentiments without the least
cloak or reserve.
But I must not, I dare not, close, without acting as be
comes a minister, of the gospel ; without reminding my val-
uable friend, thdit the inspiration of the Almighty giveth wis
dom ; that a man receive nothing, much less an acquaintance
with the mysteries of the Redeemer's kingdom, unless it be
given him from above. To this Fountain of wisdom, and
Father of lights, let us make humble, earnest, daily appli
cation. Then shall we see the things that belong to our
peace, and as it is most emphatically expressed by the sa
cred penman, know the truth as it is in Jesus.
I am, &c.

LETTER XIII.
On the personalitij and divinity qf the Holy Ghost.
Weston-Favell, Nov. 19, ir45.

How arduous, and momentous is the task you have as
signed me ! A sense of its difficulty and importance almost
deterred me from venturing so much as to attempt it. A
cordial friendship instigated, and a consciousness of my own
incapacity, checked, for some time my fluctuating mind.
At length the bias inclined to the side of the former ; my
reluctance, urged by the request ofa friend, gives way, and
now I am fully determined. — Determined, to what ? To
enter the lists against the adversaries of the Trinity? More
particularly to appear as the champion for the personality
and divinity of the Holy Ghost ? With a view of resting the

70 LETTERS.
grand debate on the dexterity of this pen ? No, Sir, 1 form
no such romantic schemes ; I renounce any such undertak
ing ; I am oidy determined to lay before you the thoughts
which have occurred, since I received your last Ifetlfer;- and
this, on the condition of having them returned to the secre
cy of my closet, after you have passed your judgment, and
bestowed your corrections upon them.
In managing this controversy, shall I say ? or rather in
pursuing this inquiry, it behoves us humbly to apply to the
great Father of lights for direction. They shall all be
taught of Gcd, says the prophet ; this promise we should
humbly plead at the throne of grace, and in cheerful de
pendance on its accomplishment, proceed to examine, with
a modest and reverential awe, the mysterious points before
us. Whoever rejects this key, and yet hopes to be admit
ted into the treasures of heavenly knowledge, acts altogeth
er as imprudent a part, as if he should expect to attain a
ma.sterly skill in mathematics and at the same time neglect to-
inform himself of the first principles of that admired scfcnce.
When a divine person is the object of our consideration,
then surely it becomes us, in a more especial manner, not
to lean to our own understanding, but, like little children, to
rely on the teachings of that all- wise Spirit, whose nature,
dignity, and attributes, we would devoutly contemplate. —
You will, perhaps, take notice, that I anticipate what is to
be proved ; and take it for granted, that the Holy Ghost is
indeed God. I would only observe from this remark, how
naturally we wish, how almost unavoidably we conclude,
that person to be really God, who is appointed to lead us
into all truth.
Let us now. Sir, if you please, address ourselves to the
inquiry, whether the Holy Spirit is a real person ? — whether
that person is very God ? — and, these particulars being dis
cussed, it may be proper to examine briefly the most ma
terial of Mr. Tomkins's objections. — But to whom, to what
shall we apply, in order to find the satisfaction we seek ;
to reason, and her naked unassisted dictates ? Hardly can
reason guess aright with relation to the things that are be
fore our eyes; much less can she determine, with any cer
tainty, concerning the unsearchable depths of the divine
nature, those tx /S« Iti th ©£«. We have in the word of Rev
elation an infallible oracle. To this let us direct our
search. To the decision of this unerring standard, let us
inviolably adhere ; however it may surpass our comprehen
sion, or run counter to our fond prepossessions.

LETTERS. 71
ISere vie may possibly ask. Is not the spirit of God, by a
common metonymy, put for God himself? 1 own I have
sometimes been inclined to hesitate on this question. When
it is said, " My spirit shall not always strive with man," and
'¦ grieve not the Holy Spirit of God," I have never thought
these passages a sufficient proof of the personality of the
blessed Spirit, though (if I mistake not) commonly urged in
support of the doctrine. These, 1 apprehend, might fairly
be interpreted of grieving God himself, and resisting the
tender gracious overtures of his mercy. Conformably to
that parallel form of speech, where it is said by the inspired
writer, Paul's ipirit was grieved, i. e. without all dispute,
Paul himself was inwardly afflicted.
Again ; perhaps, the Spirit of the Lord may be nothing
more than a particular modification of exercise of a divine
power resident in the Deity, For instance, when it is said
in the prophetic language, Not by might nor by force, but by
my Spirit saith the Lord : or, by the evangelical historian,
tlie Holy Ghost is on him. Are not these texts nearly equiv
alent, in point of signification, to those scriptural expres
sions, the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to
pass, the inspiration of the almighty giveth understanding.
Is not this the meaning of the former passage. Not mortal
strength, but God's omnipotent aid giveth victory .in the bat
tle, and the success in every undertaking : and this the im
port of the latter, the communications of infinite wisdom en
lightened his mind in an extraordinary manner ?
Were there no other scriptures, which concerned them
selves in this debate, 1 should be ready to give up the point.
But there are several, which most strongly imply the per
sonality of the holy Ghost, though they may not assert it
in positive terms. It is true, we meet with no such term
as personality in sacred writ, but if we find the thing signi
fied, it is in effect the same. No one can shew methe word
resurrection in the whole pentateuch, but will any one
presume to maintain, that this doctrine is not to be proved
from the books of Moses ? Our Lord's famous reply to the
ensnaring interrogatory of the Sadduces, must forever si
lence such a suggestion. And this we may further learn
from his method of arguing, that it is not only proper, but
our duty, to seduce truths, by fair consequences which the
text may not-explicitly speak.
Be pleased. Sir, to consider the apostoHcal benediction,
Tile grace of our Lord Jesiis Christ, and the love of God,

72 LETTERS.
and the fellowship of ihe Holy Ghost, be with you all. If we
allow the apostle to understand the true import of language,
must it not follow from this passage, that the Holy Spirit
is a real person, and distinct from the Father and the Son ?
Otherwise, would not the sacred writer, ought not the sa
cred writer, to have expressed himself in a different man
ner ; to have said rather. The fellowship of his, or the fel
lowship of their Spirit ? — The form of administering bap
tism is another text of this nature : In the name of the Fath
er, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. It is evident, I
believe, it is allowed by all, that the two first are real dis
tinct persons, and is there not equal reason to conclude,
that the last mentioned is a person also ? suppose you
should endenvour to distinguish three persons in your dis
course, what other langupge would you use than this ? — I
dare say. Sir, you are sensible, that one scripture proof, if
plain in its signification, and incontestible in its evidence, is
as valid, as decisive, as one thousand. Because one such
proof bears the stamp of infallible wisdom and infinite ve
racity. Therefore, was there no other hint in all the in
spired volumes, but these pregnant words which compose
the form of baptism, this single proof would be sufficiently
satisfactory to my judgment.
I shall take leave to refer you to a few more evidences,
and transcribe only the following : There are three that bear
witness in heaven, the Father, the Logos, and the Holy Ghost :
and these three are one. But this we are told, is a surrepti
tious text: foisted by the bigoted espousers ofa certain fa
vourite set of doctrines. The only resource this of our
opposers, when their case becomes desperate ; when con
viction flashes in their faces ; when every other subter
fuge fails ; then the pretense of spurious and interpolated
reading is trumped up. It is not to be found, they cry, in
some very ancient copy ; perhaps the Alexandrine MS. ac
knowledges no such passage. But this 1 must be allowed
to question : I dare not take our adversaries bare word, es
pecially, since some of the declared enemies of orthodoxy
are not the most exemplary for truth and integrity. How
ever, granting that there may be no such text in the Alex
andrine MS. for my part, 1 should not scruple to abide by
the universal testimony of all editions, in all countries,
much rather than to give up myself implicitly to the au
thority ofa single MS. I should think it much more reason
able to conclude that the transcriber of that particular copy.

LETTERS. 73
had, through oversight, dropt some sentence, rather than
to charge all the other copies with forgery, and the editions
of all ages with a gross mistake. Consider, Sir, not only the
apparent difficulty, but the moral impossibiUty of corrupting
the sacred books in that palpable manner, which this objec
tion would insinuate ; at a time when every private Chris
tian valued them more than life, and spent no day without
a diligent contemplation of them ; at a time when each par
ticular sect read them constantly in their public assemblies,
and watched over the genuineness of each text with a most
jealous eye. Would it be an easy matter to introduce a
supposititious clause into an ordinary will, after it had been
solemnly proved at Doctors Commons, and one authentic
copy preserved in the archives ? If this is scarce possible,
how much more unlikely is it, that any one should be able
to practise so iniquitously upon the inspired writings, when
not one only, but unnumbered copies were deposited in the
most vigilent hands, and dispersed throughout the world?
I shall only desire you to consult those other scriptures,
Rom. XV. 16. 30. John xvi. 13. 14. 15. which, without
heaping together a multitude of other proofs, seem to put
the matter beyond all rational doubt. In the last of those
places, you will take particular notice, that the writer
speaks of the Hoi}' Ghost in the masculine gender. How
could this consist with propriety of style, upon any other
scheme than ours ? The expression should have been it,
not he, if the Holy Ghost were a divine energy alone, and
not a real person. Nay, it is remarkable that though ntsvf*.*
be a neuter, yet the historian varies the gender, and gives
us a masculine relative, o7«» i^^h £»£/»©-,'£>££«©- sfce So^atru ;
and on what principles can this construction be accounted
for, or justified, but by allowing the Holy Spirit to be a per
son ? This, 1 think, is an observation of some consequence ;
and therefore accurate writers should beware of using the
word it, and rather chuse the pronoun him, when speaking
of this divine Being.
The mention of divine Being reminds me of our second
subject of inquiry, viz. Whether ihe Holy Ghost is very
God ? — Here I should be glad to know, what kind or degree
of evidence will satisfy the inquirers. If we are so far hum
ble and impartial as to prefer the declarations of an uner
ring word, to the pre-conceptions of onr mind ; I think there
is most sufficient proof afforded by the scriptures. Where
as, if we bring not these dispositions to the ?e•^^cb, it will
7

74 LETTERS.
be DO wonder, if we are bewildered ; if we are given up to
our own delusions ; nay, it will be no incredible, no unpre
cedented thing, for God to hide these mysteries from such
(in their own opinion) wise and prudent ones, while he re
veals them to (men endued with the simplicity and teacha
bleness of) babes.
Is that being truly God, who is possessed of divine at
tributes ? This question, I imagine, every body will an
swer in the affirmative. So that if it appears, that the Ho
ly Ghost is invested with the incommunicable attributes of
the Deity, our assent will be won, and our dispute at an end.
— Is it not the prerogative of the all-seeing God, to search
the heart and try the reins? Jer, xvii 10. and is not this
the undoubted prerogative of the blessed Spirit ? 1 Cor. ii
10. — Is eternity an attribute of God, and of God only?
Deut. xxxiii. 27. (o ^mvo^ t j;»» «to«o-i«») 1 Tim. 6 16, This
is clearly the property of the Holy Ghost, who is styled by
the author of the epistle to the Hebrews, The eternal Spirit,
Heb, ix 14, — Is wisdom, underived essential wisdom, a char
acter of God called by the apostle iitovs; ro^oj 0£»5, Jude 25.
This is the illustrious character of the Holy Ghost. He is
the spirit of wisdom and revelation, Eph. i. ] 7. In conse
quence of which sacred excellency, he is able to lead his
people into all truth. — Is omnipresence a necessary proof
of divinity ? If so, the Holy Ghost challenges it upon this
claim ; for thus saith the inspired poet, whither shall I go
then from thy spirit ? Psalm cxxxix. 7. — Is omnipotence a
sufficient attestation of the Godhead of the Holy Ghost?
He that enableth mortals to control the powers, to alter
the course, to supercede the fundamental laws of nature ;
fan he be less than the Lord God Am%hty? Yet St. Paul
orfeclares, that his ability to work all manner of astonishing
miracles, for the confirmation of his ministry, was imparted
to him by the Spirit, Rom. xv. !9, — If any father proof is
demanded, be pleased to consider, with an unprejudiced at
tention, that very memorable passage, Math xii. 31. 32.
Surely, from an attentive consideration of this text, we
must be constrained to acknowledge, that the Holy Ghost
is strictly and properly God. Otherwise, how could the sin
against him be of so enormous a nature, so absolutely un
pardonable, and the dreadful cause of inevitable ruin? — St.
Paul, in his first epi-tle to the Corinthians, vi. 19. addresses
his converts with this remarkable piece of instruction,"Your
l-^dy is the temple of the Holy Ghost." The same apostle.

LETTERS. 76
writing to the same believers, in his second epistle, vi. 16.
has the following expression, "Ye are the temples of the
living God." Who can compare these texts, and yet be
so hardy as deliberately to deny, that the Holy Ghost, and
the living God, are one and the same ? Besides, if these
two scriptures, viewed in conjunction with each other, did
not ascertain the divinity of the blessed Spirit, the very
purport of the expression, " Ye are the temples of the Ho
ly Ghost," sufficiently evinces it. It is certain, that the vc ¦
ry essence of a temple, or to speak in the terms of the lo
gician, the differentia constitittiva of a temple, consists in
the residence of a deity. The inhabitation of the highest
created being cannot constitute a temple ; nothing but the
in-dwelling of the one infinite. Almighty Lord God. Since
therefore, the in-dwelling of the Holy^Spirit renders the
bodies of Christians temples, it seems to be a clear case,
that he is truly God. — Another text, a text never omitted
when this point is under debate, an.^ a text, in my opinion,
singly sufficient to give a final decision to the doubt, is in
Acts V.3. 4. where the person styled Ayiti Xltivi*,* in one verse
is expressed declared to be ©<©^ in the next. Now, can
we imagine, that an evangelist, under the guidance of un
erring wisdom, could write with such unaccountable inac
curacy as the deniers of this article must maintain 1 Were
this supposition admitted, 1 should almost begin to question
the inspiration of the sacred books. At this rate, they
would seem calculated to confound the judgment, and elude
the common sense of the readers. For to speak so fre
quently of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, — to
speak in such language as we always use in distinguishing
various persons, — to ascribe to them severally such attri
butes as, by universal acknowledgment, comport only with
the supreme God, — nay, to call each person by himself,
distinctly, expressly to call each person God and Lord, —
Sure, if after all these declarations, there be not three per
sons in the one, incomprehensible Godhead ; if each of
these illustrious persons be not very God ;— what can we
say, but that the scriptures are inconsistent and self-contra
dictory pieces ? — So that, upon the whole, we are reduced
to this dilemma, either to admit this absurd and i*mpious
charge upon the scriptures, or else to acknowledge the
personality and divinity of the three persons in the adora
ble Trinity,
But, perhaps, a curious genius, that has been accustom-

re LETTERS.
ed to enter deep into the rationale of things ; that thinks it
beneath a sagacious enquirer to credit, unless he can com
prehend ; — such a genius may ask, with a kind of amaze
ment. How can these thirgs be ? — Here I pretend to give no
satisfaction. Here 1 confess myself at a loss. I cannot
conceive how the principle of gravitation acts, or what
constitutes the power of attraction. If 1 cannot penetrate
the hidden, qualities of a thousand common objects, that
daily present themselves to my senses ; no wonder, that 1
should be unable to unravel the awful secrets of the divine
nature ; no wonder that I should be incapable of finding
out to perfection that infinite Majesty, who dwells in light
inaccessible. Since the »-» mai is attested by a multitude of
witnesses from scripture, let us be content to wait for the
Tt TTMi till this gross interposing cloud of flesh and mortali
ty flee away ; until that happy hour arrives, that desirable
state commence, when we shall no longer see through a
glass darkly, but shall know even as we are known. ¦
I should now proceed, according to the ability which
the great Source of wisdom may please to bestow, to ex
amine Mr. Tomkins's Calm enquiry ; but this is what my
time, claimed by a variety of other engagements, will not
permit; and what, I presume, you yourself, tired already
by a tedious epistle, will very readily excuse. Hereafter,
if you insist upon my executing the plan, laid down in the
beginning of this paper, I will communicate my remarks
(such as they are) relating to the forementioned treatise,
with all that cheerful compliance, and unreserved open
ness, which may most emphatically bespeak me, dear
Sir, Your, &c.

LETTERS. 77
LETTER XIV.
On thi divinity of Christ.
Weston-FaveU, Feb. 11. 1745.

I RECEIVED your ticket sometime ago, in which you de
sired me to consider some particular passages of scripture.
After an afflictive indispositionwhich confined me to my room
several days, I have examined the texts you alledge. They
relate, I find, to that grand question, which has lately been
the subject of our debate. The Divinity of our Lord Jesus
Christ, 1 could have wished, that the controversy had
been brought to a satisfactory and happy issue. Very un
willing to engage in it a second time, I must beg leave to
sue for my bene decessit, and resign the management of so
important a dispute to incomparably more able hands.—
However, in obedience to your request, (quid enim amicitias
denegandum ?) 1 shall briefly lay before you my opinion
concerning those portions of inspired wisdom ; and then pro
ceed, in pursuance of my promise, to weigh with calmness
and impartiality, the most material of Mr. Tomkins's ob
jections. You observe. That the Father is never represented yield
ing obedience to Christ, or praying to Christ. — I acknowl
edge the truth of the remark, and assign this clear and ob
vious reason, because it was the peculiar office of the sec
ond person of the Trinity to humble himself, to unite himself
to fle.sh and blood, and to be made in all things like unto us,
sin only excepted. Had not the blessed Jesus been clothed
with our nature, and partook of our innocent infirmities, we
should never have heard any such thing, as his yielding obe
dience, or praying to another, greater than himself This
results not from his essential, but his assumed nature. Nor
is it at all repugnant to reason, to be inferior in one charac
ter, and at the same time absolutely equal in another. His
Majesty, King George may be inferior to the Emperor, in
the capacity of Elector of Hanover; he may be Subject to
the imperial authority, as he is a prince of the Germanic
body ; and yet equal to the most illustrious monarchs, ob
noxious to no earthly jurisdiction, in his nobler quahty of
King of Great Britain, France, anA Ireland. This seems to
7* '

78 LETTERS.
be a very easy and natural solution of the difficulty. AVhere-
as, I think, I may venture to defy the nicest metaphysician,
or the most acute casuist, to reconcile the notions of djvini-
ty and inferiority. As well may contradictions be made
compatible. A God, who is inferior, is, to my apprehension,
a perfect paradox. It is necessarily implied in the idea of
God, that he be, as our old translation of the psalms very
emphatically and beautifully styles him. The Most High
est. Therefore our Saviour, who often asserts his claim to
divinity, declares, as an inseparable consequent of this high
prerogative, " All things which the Father hath, are mine."
Is the Father's existence inconceivable and eternal? the
same also is the Son's. Has the Father an unequalled ab
solute supremacy ? such likewise hath the Son.
But I see you have ready to hand to object, John xiv. 28.
" My Father is greater than I." — Who are we to understand
by the person II' doubtless that Being who was capable of
going and coming ; who was sometimes in one place and-
sometimes in another ; now with the disciples on earth, anon
separated from them by a translation into heaven. And who
can this be but the man Christ Jesus ; the human nature of
our Redeemer? The attribute of limited locahty, deter
mines this point with the utmost clearness. Why then
should ony one apply that property to the Godhead of our
blessed Master, which he himself sp plainly appropriates to
his manhood.
This text very opportunely furnishes us with a key to
enter into the true meaning of your next quotation, 1 Cor.
xi, 3. " The head of Christ is God." Only let St, John be
allowed to expound St, Paul. I ask this single concession
from my worthy friend, (and sure it is no unreasonable one)
let us agree to pay a greater deference to the beloved dis
ciple's comment, than to Mr. Pierce's paraphrase, or the in
terpretation of the Arian creed; then the sense will be as
follows: — The Deity is the head of the Mediator; as the
members are conducted by the head, and subservient to the
head ; so Christ Jesus, in his human capacity, acted and acts
in subordination to the Godhead ; obeying the significations
of his will, and referring all his administrations to his glory.
This exposition, I imagine, the context corroborates, and
scope of the apostle's argument requires.
As for Heb. i. 8. 9. This text affirms in the most express
terms. That Christ is God, 0«f«v®- a-u « ©EOS. And what
can be a stronger proof of his unrivalled supremacy and

LETTERS. 79
sovereignty ? — But, perhaps, this may be one of those pla
ces, in which we are informed by our objectors, the word
God signifies no more than a king or ruler, consequently
does not prove our Redeemer to be God in reality, and by
nature, but only to be complimented with this appellation,
in respect of his office and authority. — I believe. Sir, you
will find, upon a more attentive inquiry, that this subtle
distinction is contrary to the perpetual use of the scriptures.
Avery celebrated critic observes, that where ever the name
Elohim (translated by the apostle ©EOS) is taken in an ab
solute sense, and restrained to one particular person, (as it
is in the passage before us,) it constantly denotes the true
and only God. Magistrates are indeed said to be Elohim,
in relation to their office, but no one magistrate was ever
so called ; nor can it be said, without blasphemy, to any one
of them. Thou art Elohim, or God, It is also recorded of
Moses, Thou shalt be Elohim ; yet not absolutely, but rel
ative only, a God to Pharaoh, and to Aaron ; that is, in God's
stead, doing in the name of God what he commanded, and
declaring what he revealed, — Besides, does not the apostle
in this very chapter, verse 10, address the following ac
knowledgment to Christ, " Thou, Lord, in the beginning,
hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are
the work of thy hands," And is not the work of creation the
unshared prerogative and honour of the supreme God?
This I am pretty sure of, it is the prerogative of that God,
to whom the worship of the saints "under the Old-Testament
is directed ; of that God, who has declared himself jealous
of his honour, and resolves not to give his glory to another;
Melchisedec made this illustrious Being the object of his
adoration, " Blessed be the most high God, possessor of
heaven and earth. The day is thine, and the night is thine ;
Thou hast prepared the light and the sun;" was judged by
the Psalmist one of the noblest ascriptions of praise which
could be made to the Deity, Jonah has left us a confession of
his faith, and an abstract of his devotion, in the following
words; "1 .fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who hath
made the sea, and the dry land." Yet St. Paul assures us,
that this great Creator and Proprietor of heaven and earth,
this object of divine worship in all ages of the ancient
church, is he — a Si sxvTh K(ici»^lo-/MSi zro/ijs-a^Ej®- Tan »fi.xfliuti
7il*at verse 3. — Now can we view the magnificent sy.stem of
the universe, the immensity of its extent, the vast variety
of its parts, the inimitable accuracy of its structure, the per-

80 LETTERS.
,fept harmony of its motions, together <v,ith -the astonishing
energy, and effects of its niec.hi^nic ppvvers — can we contem
plate this world of wonders, and, withhold, ourselves a single
moment from ascribing the, glory of ipcproparahle v^isdom,
apd. matchless perfections to itsj^aker? Can we glance an
, eye, or start a thojight, through, that affiple field of miracles,
which nature in all her scenes regularly, exhibits, and still
conclude, that the Author of all. talf ps too much upon him,
when he advances the following claim ?
 None I know
Second to me, or like, equal much less. Milton,
Possibly our sceptical gentlemen are ready to reply. We
are far from denying that Christ made the world ; but we
suppose, that he made it only as a ministerial being; not by
sufficiency of his own, but by a power delegated to him
from the infinite Godhead.^But sure the abettors of this
opinion never considered that emphatical passage, n«y « A
itvl»>^ e(5«»7«»««7<r«i.* By whatever artful evasion they may
think to elude the force of the former expression, I cannot
see what possible escape they can contrive from the latter.
It is plain from the philosophical principles of an apostle,
•that the universe was formed by Christ as the almighty Ar
tificer, for Christ as its final end ; and is not this a final dem
onstration, that Christ was not a mere instrument, but the
grand, glorious, self-sufficient agent ? the Alpha and Omega
of all things ?
After all that has been said upon this text, will it be inti
mated, that I have been partial in my examination of it ?
that the sentence which most particularly favours your opin
ion, and looks with the most frowning aspect on mine, is
passed over without notice ? namely, where it is taught, that
, God anointed Christ " with the oil of gladness above bis
fellows;"! I reply, by owning, that these words most unde
niably imply inferiority ; they imply a state of indigence,
which wants something it has not naturally ; a state of im
potence, which receives from another, what it cannot con-
¦vey to itself. Surely then, this clause must, according to
all the laws of just interpretation, be referred to that nature
which admitted of such wants, and was subject to such in
firmities. To ascribe it to that nature, which is character
ized as God, would be almost as affronting to reason, as it is
to the Deity. — It is farther observable, that the very ex
pression limits the sense to that capacity of our Redeemer,
» Col. i 16. -t Heb. i 9.

LETTERS. 81
in which others stood related to him as his fellows. And
can this be any other than the human ? — Let me add one
word more, before I dismiss this inquiry. Suppose I was to
shift sides in the dispute, and turn the tables upon the dis
ciples of Arius. Gentlemen, since you take so much pains
to prove the inferiority of our Lord Jesus Christ, permit me
to try if I cannot outshoot you in your own bow, I will un
dertake to shew, on your own principles, that he was infe
rior to millions of created beings. For this I have the pos
itive and sure evidence of scripture ; " We see Jesus, who
was made a little lower than the angels."* These, gentle
men, 1 verily think, would have so much regard for the
honour ef a person on whom their everlasting all depends,
as to answer with becoming spirit ;. you are to distinguish
between what our Saviour was made occasionally, and what
he was originally. Though his human nature was taken
from a class of beings lower in dignity than the angels, yet
his nobler and more exalted nature was greatly superior to
them all. — Now, Sir, as we must have recourse sometimes
to this distinction, our adversaries themselves being our
judges and our precedent, why should we not carry it along
with us continually ? without it, a multitude of texts appear
perplexed in their meaning, and clash with other scriptures ;
with it, they drop their obscurity, are disentangled from
their intricacy, and haimonize entirely with the whole ten
or of sacred writ.
1 Cor. XV. 28 is another scripture pointed out for consid
eration. This, I confess, is a difficult, and admitting it was
(to me at least) an unintelligible passage, nay, directly re
pugnant to my hypothesis — what would be a rational pro
cedure in this case ? to renounce my faith, because I cannot
reconcile it with one scripture, though it stands supported
by a copious multiplicity of others ? if, in debating on any
question, there be five hundred ayes, and but one nay, I
appeal to the conduct of the honourable House of Commons,
whether it be reasonable, that the point should be carried
by the single negative, in opposition to so vast a majority of
affirmatives ? However, the state of our doctrine is not so
bad, nor this text so diametrically opposite to it, as to des
troy all hopes of establishing it with a Nemine contradicente.
The apostle affirms, that, at the consummation of terrestrial
things, when the state of human probation ends, and the
» Heb. ii 9.

82 LETTERS.
number of the elect is completed, then " shall Ihe Son also
himself be subject unto him that put all things under him,
that God may be all in all ;" that is, according to my judg-
ment, the Son, at the commencement of that grand revolu
tion, will entirely resign the administration of his mediatorial
kingdom ; he will no longer act as an advocate or interces
sor, because the reasons on which this office is founded,
will cease for ever ; he will no longer as a High-Piiest, plead
his atoning blood in behalf of sinners, nor as a king dispense
the succours of his sanctifying grace, because all guilt will
be done away, and the actings of corruption be at an end;
he will no longer be this medium of his people's access to
the knowledge and enjoyment of the Father, because then
(hey will stand perpetually in the beatific presence, and see
face to face, know even as they are known. — I may probably
mistake the meaning of the word.s, but whatever shall ap
pear to be their precise signification, this, I think, is so clear
as not to admit, of any doubt, that it relates to an incarnate
person ; relates to him, who died fpr our sins, was buried,
and rose again.* And can the surrender of all authority
..made by the man Jesus Christ, be any bar to his unlimited
equality as God ?
You refer me toPs. viii. 5. Ixxxii. 1. 6. Exod. xxii. 28
and add, these texts prove that God signifies in some places
king or ruler. — I acknowledge, that the word Elohim, in
the aforecited passages, signifies no more than angels, kings,
er rulers. But is this a demonstration, that the word Jeho
vah, the .incommunicable name, signifies no more than an
{ingel, a king, or a ruler ? this is the conclusion our adver
saries are to infer ; this is the point they are to make good,
Otherwise their attempts to drop short of the mark, fly wide
from their purpose. Because, it is plain from incontestible
authorities, that Jesus is Jehovah. This was hinted in a
former letter; and, if you please lo compare Is. vi, 3. with
John xii. 41. you will find another convincing evidence, that
the Jehovah of the Jews is the Jesus of the Christians. — ^Be-
,i»ides, in all those places, where the term of God is used to
denote some created being, invested with considerable au-
. thority, or possessed of considerable dignity, the connexion
is such as absolutely to exclude the person, so denominated
from any title to a divine nature ; whereas, when the name
God is applied to the second person of the Trinity, it ig
• 1 Cor. XT 3, 4.

LETTERS. 83'
connected with such consequents or antecedents, as neces
sarily include the idea of divinity and supremacy. For in
stance, when the apostle recognizes the Deity of our Lord
Jesus Christ, in those remarkable words, Rom. ix. 6, Who is
God; lest this idle piece of sophistry should have any room
for admittance, he adds a most determining, clause, over all,
blessed for ever.—l have called it idle sophistry^ for really it
is nothing else. Only observe the process of thie pretend
ed argument, and you yourself will allon it no better appel
lation. What is designed for the argument runs thus: Be
cause rulers of distinction have sometimes the title of Elo
him, therefore Jesus, who has the title of Jehovah, is nbt
very God, but only a ruler of distinction : or the word God,
when necessarily determined by the context to some subor
dinate being, signifies a subordinate being; therefore the
word God, when necessarily determined by the context to
signify the supreme God, does not signify the supreme God,
but only some subordinate being.— These are the mighty reas
onings; such the formidable artillery, with which the adher
ents of Arius attack the divinity and equality of our Saviour,
May the arms of our foreign enemie«, and intestine rebels, be
m?de,'in their kind, of such metal, consist of such strength-!
and I may venture to address my countrymen in David's en
couraging language, " Let no man's heart fail because of
them." I hope it will not be objected, that I have sometimes '
mistook the particular point to be discussed, and confound
ed the divinity of our Lord with his equality to the Father.
— I own, 1 have not been scrupulously careful to preserve
any such distinction, because I am persuaded it is perfectly
chimerical. Whoever admits the former, grants the latter.
The one cannot subsist without the other, or rather, they
are one and the same thing-. To be equal with the Father
is to be divine, and to be divine is to be equal with the
Father. — An inferior Deity, was a notion that passed cur
rent in the Heathen world ; but we have not so learned
the divine nature, as to adopt it into our creed. It is a
proposition that confutes itself. The predicate and subject
are self-contradictory. God certainly means a being of in
comparable, unparallelled glory and perfection. No one
will dare to give a lower definition of the Godhead. Yet
this the first term of the sentence affirms, the second de
nies. — Whenever I hear the awful word God, I form an
idea of a being possessed of absolute supremacy. Inferior^

84 LETTERS-
ity is altogether as inconsistent with my apprehension of
the Godhead, as a hmited extension is with immensity. The
school-mens maxim is strictly true when applied to the di
vine nature, that his properties and excellencies, Non recip-
iuni magis aut minus. — Besides, Sir, is there not another
apparent inconveniency, another inextricable difficulty, at
tending this superfine distinction? does it not suppose, in-
stead of distinct persons, distinct beings, distinct essences?
That which is inferior cannot be the very same with its su
perior. Identity in this case, consists not with inequality.
The consequence of this tenet is Polytheism.
For my part, I lay it down as an incontestible principle,
such as reason and scripture concur to establish, that what
ever, whosoever is God, must be absolutely supreme. — I
then proceed to examine, whether the divine names, attri
butes, honours ; those which are incommunicahly divine,
which flow from the divine essence, which cannot comport
with a finite existence, but are the sole prerogative of the
unequalled God — whether these are in scripture clearly as
cribed to the sacrer" ; ' -'on of the Son — If they are my rea
son require.', m^ t-, ' ri;s: ve thai he i.= very God, and co-equal
with the Father J*J.y reason, m her sedatest moments, as
sures me, that scujiture cannot deceive, though I may be
unable to conceive. Biy reason declares that 1 shall be a
rebel against her laws, if I do not submit to this determina
tion of scripture, as decisive, as infallible. I am, &c.

LETTER XV.
On the Holy Ghost's being the object of Divine Worship.
Weston-Favell, March, 1745-6.
lEAB SIB,
In a former letter, I considered, whether the blessed
Spirit is really a distinct person — whether this person is
truly and properly God — It appeared from a variety of scrip
tures, that both these questions were to be resolved in the
affirmative. — These preleminaries being settled, I would
hope, with some perspicuity of reason, and strength of ar-

LKTrt^lxS. Cj
gum;nt«i 1 n-,v,v pi-oceod, in consequence nfmy ongngo-
ment, to exaii-iine Mr. Tomkins's objections ag.iinst the re
ceived custom of addressing divine worship to this divine
Being. The author, I freely acknowledge, writes with a great
appearance of integrit}', with ;i calm and decent spirit of
controversy, a;i.l with a very plausible air of truth. As
the subject of his inquiry is of the highest dignity and im
portance, as his method of managing the debate is, to say
the least, by no means contemptible, I cannot forbear ex
pressing some surprise, that none of the ingenious diss-aa-
tei-s, to whom the piece is particularly inscribed, have
thought proper to interest themselves in the di.sputo, and
either confute what is urged, or else (like persons of that
inviolable attachment to the pure scriptural worship,
which they profess) recede from the use of their allowed
doxologies. For my part, as I firmly believe it a proper practice to
worship the Son, as we worship the Father, and to worship
the Holy Ghost, as wc worship the other persons of the
undivided Trinilj'. I am so far from disapproving, that 1
admire our customary doxology, and think it a very noble
and instructive part of our sacred service. Noble, because
it exhibits one of the grand mysteries, and glorious pecul
iarities of the gospel ; instructive, because it so frequently
reminds the worshipper ofa point which it so greatly con
cerns him to believe, and which is fitted to inspire the
brightest, the strongest hopes, of final, of complete salva
tion. But le=t this persuasion should be deemed the crude pro
duction of early prejudice, rather than the mature fruit of
sedate consideration, we will very readily hear whatever
can be alledged against it ; and not willingly secrete one
objection, or misrepresent one argument, occurring in the
inquiry, " Let it be supposed," says our author, " that the Holy
Spirit is one of the persons of the Godhead ; 1 still query,
what warrant Christians have for a direct and distinct
worship of this third person in the Godhead?" page 1.
— 1 should think, there can be no reasonable doubt, whctV-
er worship is to be paid to the divinilj'. " Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God," is a law of incontestible au
thority, and eternal obligation.- -As for the circumstances
of worship included in its being direct, this cannot alter tho
8

80 LETTERS.
case, nor render the practice improper. Accordi^ to my
apprehension, all true and genuine worship is direct. If it
be addressed to the divine object at second hand, it has
more of the nature of idolatry, than worship. Such is the
religious foppery of the Papists, who will not apply direct
ly to the Father of everlasting compassions, hut adore God
as it were by proxy. — With regard to the distinctness of
the worship, this depends entirely upon the scripture's dis
tinguishing their persons. If this be clearly done, the dis
tinctness of worship is properly authorised, and the fitness
of it follows of course. If the inspired writers assure us,
that the Father is God, this is a sufficient warrant to pay
divine honours to the Father. If the inspired writers affirm
that the Son is God, this is a sufficient ground for ascribing
divine honours to the Son. If the same inspired writers
declare that the Holy Ghost is God, we need no clearer
warrant, nor can we have a louder call, to pay him our de-
voutest homage — In a word, it is the voice of reason, it is
the command of scripture, it is founded on the unalterable
relations of things, that worship, direct worship, distinct
worship, all worship, be rendered to the Deity — So that
the divinity of the Holy Ghost, exclusive of any apostolical
prece.pt or example, is an incomparably better reason for
ascribing divine honours to this sacred person, than the
bare want of such precept or example, can be a reason to
justify the omission, or condemn the performance of it.
I am no advocate for implicit faith in any human deter
mination or opinion. Should I see whole sects, or whole
churches, in a glaring error, such as 1 can prove from scrip
ture to be palpably wrong, and of pernicious tendency, 1
would make no scruple to remonstrate, dissent and enter
my protest. But in a case, which Mr. Tomkins himself
page 2, line 19, allows to be ofa dubious nature ; where
I have no positive proof from God's holy word, that the
practice is unlawful, or improper, 1 cannot but apprehend
iliat it becomes a modest person, diffident of his own judg
ment, to acquiesce in the general, the long continued us-
a^e of all the churches. — This is urged by an inspired wri
ter as a forcible motive for rejecting a practice, and why
should I not admit it as a motive of weight for adhering
to a practice ? " We have no such custom, neither the
churches of God,"* was an apostolical argument. And, in
m instance, where .we are not precluded by nny prohibition
" 1 Cor. xi 10.

LETTERS. 87
of scripture, I think the reasoning is equally conclusive, if
changed to the affirmative, We have such a custom, and the
churches of God.— Was 1 to settle my opinion, and adjust
my conduct, with regard to such a point, 1 should be inclin
ed to ar*ue in the following manner; 1 cannot bring one
text from the sacred writings, which forbids the usage,
and as it is unanimously practised by devout persons of al
most every denomination ; as it has been the received, the
uninterrupted practice of the Christian church for more
than a thousand years ; who am 1, that 1 should disturb the
peace, or separate myself fro.m the communion of the
church, for a procedure, which such multitudes of excel
lent persons maintain to be consonant, and which I cannot
prove to be contrary to the sense of scripture ? Who am
1, that 1 should fancy myself to have more of the mind of
God, than the whole united church of true believers, emi
nent Siiints, and illustrious martyrs ?
" But there is no precept for this worship in scrijjture,"
pnge 1. and Dr. Owen aQirms, "That a divine command
is the ground" (he maans, I presume, the only ground, or
else the quotation is nothing to our author's purpose.) " of
all worship," page 25. — Dr. Owen's character, 1 own, is
considerable, -as well as his assertion peremptory; but yet
I cannot prevail on myself to submit to his ipse dixit as an
oracle, nor reverence his judgment as infallible.— 1 would
ask the Doctor, What divine command the Heathens ever
received to worship the blessed God ? 1 know of no verbal
or written precept. But they saw their warrant included
in their wants, they perceived their obligation resulting-
from the divine attributes. Will Dr. Owen maintain, that
no worship was expected from the Pagans ? that they had
been blameless, and acted according to the principles of
their duty, if they had withheld all acts of veneration from"
the Deity ? No, surely ; St Paul in declaring them faulty,
tor not worshipping the Almighty in such a rational manner
as was suitable to his pure and exalted nature, clearly inti
mates, that it Wtis their duty both to worship, and to wor
ship aright. It is not said by the apostle, though it is the
consequence of the doctor's position, that they ought to
have refrained from all worship, and not have meddled
with matters of devotion, until they received an authentic
warrant from revelation. The inspired casuist grounds hi-
duly, in this particular, upon the eternal power and God
head Ro-n. i. 20. of the supreme Being, which were di--

88 LETTERS.
coverable by the exercise of their understandings, ahd
from a survey of the creation.— In conformity to the apos
tle's sentiments, I should rather place the foundation of re
ligious worship in the glories, the mercies, the unsearcha-
able riches of the Almighty Majesty. These, together
with the relation which dependent creatures bear to this
all-producing, all-sustaining, infinitely beneficent God, are
the grand warrant to authorize addresses of adoration.
These are reasons prior to all express revelations, and
would have subsisted, if actual commands had never been
given. If this be not true, what will become, of all natural
religion ?— Scripture, indeed, has declared explicitly the
binding nature of these motives; scripture, like a sacred
herald, has promulgated vvhat God fore-ordained, what rea-
fon had decreed, what necessarily flowed from the habi
tudes of persons and things. Or, to represent the point in
another light, the perfections of the Godhead are the orig
inal, the inviolable obligation to all expressions of homage
find devotion ; to ratify (his cibligation, and impart to it all
possible solemnity and sanction, scripture has added the
liroad seal of Heaven. — If this be right reason, and if the
Holy Ghost be really God, his all-sufficient excellencies,
and my state of dependence, are a proper licence, or rath
er a virtual mandamus, for the applications of prayer, artd
the ascriptions of praise. Grant this one proposition, re
lating to the divinity of the blessed Spirit, and admit that
his eternal power and Godhead are a sufficient ground for
religious worship, and we shall find ourselves unavoidably
determined. We must rebel against our reason, must vio
late the dictates of our conscience, must act in opposition,
not to one particular text, but to the main tenor and scope
of the whole scripture, if we do not render all the service,
yield all the reverence due to a glorious Being, in whom
we live, move, and exist.
But still we are told, in various places, again and again
we ar6.told, " That there is no express warrant." — Pro
digious stress is laid upon this word express, the whole force
cf the objection seems to terminate on this point. There
is no express warrant, therefore it is an unwarrantable
practice. — For my part, I have not discernment enough to
perceive the conclusiveness of this arguing; I must beg
leave to deny the consequence of such a syllogism. For if
the sense of various scriptures has made it a duty, this is
- warrant enough, though it be not particularly enjoined, or

LETTERS. 89
tolerated in form. This maxim our ingenuous author will-
admit in other cases, and why not in the present ? there is
no express command to add any prayer at the celebration
of baptism. When our Lord instituted the ordinance, he
only delivers the form of initiation into the Christian church,
without any prescription relating to concomitant prayer.
When Phillip administered this sacrament to the eunuch,
there is no mention of any address to the Almighty, perti
nent to the occasion. I cannot recollect, that any of the
holy writers either inform the world, that they practised
SHch a method themselves, or so much as intimate, that
they would advise others, in succeeding ages, to accompany
this solemnity with suitable devotions. But though we have
no positive injunction, we have Ihe reasonableness of the
thing for our plea. Other scriptures that virtually, though
not explicitly, recommend it, are our warrant. In every
thing, says St. Paul, let your requests be made known unto
God ; consequently in this sacred and important thing.
I must again declare^ that I can by no means assent to our-
author's grand postulatum, that nothing in the way of di
vine worship is allowable, but what has an express warrant
from scripture. Because virtual warrants, are warrants ;
consequential warrants, are warrants.. Our objector must
maintain this in some instances, and why should he disclaim
it in others? To be consistent in conduct,. is surely essen
tial to the character of an impartial inquirer after truth.
Shall such an one sometimes reject an argument as weak
and insignificant, because it happens to be illative only, and
not direct; and at other times \3rge it as cogent and irrefra
gable-? I will mention one very memorable particular of
this nature, that is the case of the Lord's-day. Why does
Mr, Tomkins transfer the sanctification of a parlicular day
from the seventh to the first? has he any express command
in scripture, any express warrant from scripture, for this
alteration? ifhehaslet him produce it, I must own, I
have none but consequential warrants ; warrants formed
upon conclusions, and derived from some remarkable scrip
tures. But these not near so numerou', nor near so pon-
dero«s,_as those which concur to establuh the divinity of
the Holy Ghost. Now- if an express warrant be not need
ful in the one, why should it be so rigoi-ously insisted on in
the other duty? — If then this leading [irinciple of our au
thor's be false or precarious, what truth, what certainty can^!
there be in any, in all his deductions from it ? if.the ground;
8*

HO LETTERS.
work be unsubstantial, and the foundation fail, what solidity
can there be in the snperslructiire ? how can the building
stand ?
Possibly Mr. Tomkins may reply, "The example of the
primitive church determines this point." We find, it was
the custom of the earliest antiquity, to observe the Chris
tian Sabbath on the first day of the week; and therefore
liave verj' good reason to believe, that the usage was estab
lished by apostolical authority. And may not 1 say the
same, with regard to the cu.stom of ascribing glory, and ren
dering adoration, to the third person of the Trinity ? Ju»tin
Martyr, the most ancient and authentic apologist for Chris
tianity, who is next in succession and next in credit to the
Patres Apostolic?, he declares expressly, that it was the re
ceived custom of the Christian church, in his days, to wor
ship the Holy Ghost. His words are, Uvsvfia vfeipiilixot, cri
fLsTa Aoys r-fiu/Liis, aTraSei^eptn. You perceive, he not only
avows the thing, but vindicates its reasonableness and pro
priety. Rerhaps, some captions critic may insinuate, that
it is matter of doubt, whether the word — 7-t,uai/usir'— implies
divine honours. I wave all attempts to prove this point
from the original of the New-Testament, because, to obvi
ate such an objection, we have another passage to produce
from the same saint, father, and martyr.— nvEWinWjrfc^jjT/Ko*
e-i^irftsSu rjtt v^tTKvmii'.v, Apol. 1. Can any expressions be
imagined more foix;ible in their signification, or moie appo
site to our purpose ? they import the highest acts of adora
tion, and yet they describe the regards which were paid by
ihe purest antiquity to the Holy Ghost. — Will it still be sug
gested, Ihat Justin makes no mention of oflering up prayers,
or addressing praises ? I answer, this must certainly mean,
because no one can be said <rs^e<rdai nxi TgcFKvyeit rtv ©e«v
;, ra UnvuM who withholds praise, or restrains prayer.
These particular instances are as necessarily implied ia
those general terms, as the species is included in the genus.
You will please to observe, that this amounts to a great
deal more tli.in Mr. Tomkins, pt^e 17. not very ingenu
ously suggests, viz — ^" A few bints that learned men have
found, in the primitive ages, of the ascription of praise to
the Holy Ghost." It seems also entirely to overthrow what,
in another jilace, he advances page S6. not very consist
ently with truth, viz " that there is so little appearance of
the observance of such a custom, for so many ages of the
Christian cburch." — Few hints and a little appearance!

LETTERS. m
Can a clear and determinate declaration, made by a writer
of the most unqaestionahle veracity, concerning the unani^
mous, the universal practice of the ancient church — can
this evidence, with any fairness or eqiiity, be rated at the
diminutive degree of hints and little appearance ?
As to what is remarked relating to th* corruption of the
early writers, the interpolations, or alterations made by
careless transcribers, page 17. this seems to be a most
empty and jejune insinuation. It; is what will serve any side
in any debate. - It is apposing hypothesis to fact; precarious
hypothesis, to clear and undeniable fact. This sure is catch
ing, not at a twig, but at a shadow. — I never could like Dr.
Bentley's Q»citantia and Hallucinatia Librarimrwn, even in
his animadversions on Heathen authors ; because it was an
outcry fitted for any occasion ; a charge ever ready at hand,
and equally suited to discountenance truth, or deleft error.
Much less can 1 think it sufficient to overthrow the testi
mony, or invalidate the authenticity of our ancient Christian
writers  Would a bare inuendo, (and Mr Tomkin's is no
more,) and that from an interested person, without any the
least shew of proof; would this be adip^itted, in a court of
Judicature, to supersede the plain, the solemn deposition of
a credible witness 1 Supersede it ? Quite the reverse. It
would convince the judge, and teach the jury, that the cause
must be extremely wrong, utterly unsupportable, since ar
tificers so weak and transparently fallacious were used in
its defence.
But, it is frequently objected, that no mention is made,
no warrant is to be found for distinct worship- The afore-
¦cited writer, and the whole scripture is silent upon the arti
cle of distinct worship. And the leader is led to suppose^
that there is some mighty diffierence between distinct, and I
know not what other kind of worship. — Why does our au
thor harp so incessantly upon this string ? whence such ir-
Teconcilable aversion to this quality of worship ? one would
almost suspect, he was conscious, that some woi^hip should
be paid, but could not digest the doctrine, nor submit to the
payment of distinct worship. — I must reply once for all,
that if any worship be due, distinct worship cannot be im
proper ; much more if all worship (which, I apprehend, is
included in Justin's words, and.follows from the divinity of
the blessed Spirit) be requisite, distinct worship cannot be
untvarran table.
Another grand aigament, urged by our enquirer, is, that

92 LETTERS.
" the apostles, as far as appears, never practised this wor
ship of the Holy Ghost themselves, nor recommended it
to others," page 2. — He should, by all means, have
printed as far as appears in italics, or capitals. Because
then the reader would have apprehended more easily the
uncertain foundation on which the reasoning is built. — But
though this particular, relating to the practice of the apos
tles, does not appear, one way or the other, yet our author
in his 4th page, and elsewhere, concludes from it as assur
edly as if it stood upon authentic record. " For," says he,
" if we admit, that the reason of things is sufficient to estab
lish this piactice, it will prove too much ;" it will, undoubt
edly, if it proves any thing, prove it a duty to pay such wor
ship to the Holy Spirit; and consequently, that the apostles
were defective, either in not seeing this reason of things as
well as we, or not practising according to it. Does he not
here suppose, the apostolical omission an acknowledged,
undoubted point ? which, a few lines before, he had confess
ed to be dubious and unapparent.
However not to insist upon this little self-contradicting
slip, I would ask, what reason has Mr. Tomkins to conclude,
that the apostles omitted this usage, which the Christian
churches have adopted ? Do they ever declare, or so much
as hint, that they are determined to omit it? do they ever
caution their converts against it, as a dangerous error-? is
there any such memorial preserved, or any such caveat
lodged, in their -sacred writings? — Now, to argue in our au
thor's strain : If it was so unjustifiable a thing to address
praise, or put up prayer to the Holy Ghost, there could not
be a more necessary precaution, than that the apostles, those
careful instructors, should have warned their people of the
mistake ; especially since it was so extremely probable, so
almost unavoidable, that they would fall into it. For I ap
peal to the whole world, whether a considerate person
would not actually judge it reasonable, whether a devout
person would not feel a forcible inclination, to worship that
venerable Name, into which he was baptised ; and to praise
that beneficent Being, who is Ihe author of so many inesti
mable ble.ssings. Yet though this is so apparently natural,
such as the apostles could not but foresee was likely to hap
pen, they say not a syllable, by way of prevention ; they
take no care to guard their converts against such a practice.
A pregnant sign, that it is allowed by divine wisdom, and
chargeable neither with superstition, nor idolatry.

LETTERS- '93
But our author, to corroborate his argiimenf, adds, " To
suppose the apostles directed any explicit worship to the
Holy Ghost, though we have no mention of it in scripture,
where yet we meet with fiequent doxologies of theirs,
and addresses by way of prayer or petition," would be an
unreasonable yjresumption. — I cannot accede to this asser
tion. The doxologies and prayers of the apostles, record
ed in scripture, are only occasional and incidental; inserted
a? the fervour ofa devout spirit suggested in the body of
their doctrinal and eshortory writings. Now the omission
of such a practice in writings, which were composed with a
view of instructing mankind in the great fundamentals of
Christianity, which were intended as a full and complete
system of devotions ; — the omission of this practice in such
writings, can be no fair or conclusive argumentfor its being
omitted in their slated acts of public worship. If, indeed,.
the apostles had, in Iheir epistolary correspondence, drawn
up a form of devotions ; had declared that in them was com
prised a perfect pattern of devotional addresses, proper
to be ofiered to the Deity ; that all acts of worship, which
deviated a jot or tittle from that prescribed form, were un
warrantable: — if such a composition had been transmitted
from the apostles, and we had formed no such addresses
therein, as those for which we are pleading, I should then.
allow a good deal of force in the argument drawn from the
apostoHcal omission ; though at the same time I could not
be able to forbear wondering at the inconsistency of their
doctrines, which te^h us that the Holy Ghost is God, and
of their worship, which refuses him divine honours. — But,
1 think, as the case stands, no solid argument, nothing but
a specious cavil, c*n be formed from this circumstance of
its being unpractised in the writings of the apostles.
" It does not appear that the apostles addressed distinct
worship to the blessed Spirit ; therefore we conclude, that
they aciually addressed none." As though fact and ap
pearance were convertible terms. — I am surprized, that an
author of Mr. Tomkins's penetration can prevail upon
himself to be satisfied, or should offer to impose upon his
readers, with a deduction so very illogical. Is the not ap
pearing of a thing, a certain argument, or indeed any argu
ment at all, for its not existing? It does not appear, that
there are mountains, or groves, or rivers beneath our hori
zon. It does not appear, that there are any such vessels
s^ lymphatic!, any such fluid as the chyle, in these living

94 LETTERS.
bodies of ours. But by comparing them with others that
have been dissected, and by reasoning from indisputable
principles, relating to the animal economy, we assure our
selves of the reality of both these particulars — Consider,
Sir, into what unnumbered absurdities, and evident false
hoods, this way of arguing would betray us, if pursued in
all its consequences. It will prove, if we once admit it as
a test of truth, that nothing was transacted by scriptural
men, but what is particularly recorded in scripture-history.
I no where read Isaac circumcised his son Jacob, or in
structed his household after the example of his father Abra
ham. But shall we infer, from the silence bf scripture,
with regard to these matters, that he never conformed lo
the former institution, nor performed the latter service ?
I should much rather believe that as he bears the character
of a godly man, he walked in both these statutes and or
dinances of the Lord blameless. And, since the apostles
uniformly agree in this grand premise, that the Holy Ghost
is God, it seems much more reasonable to conclude from
hence, that they paid him direct worship, than from their
bare silence to infer, that they neglected this practice. — I
no where read in the sacred writings, that St. Peter suffer
ed martyrdom, or sealed the testimony of Christ with his
blood. But must we on this account, persuade ourselve.s,
that he was not one of the noble army of martyrs ? No, you
will say ; it is very supposable, that he laid down his life
for his Saviour, even though this event is not expressly re
corded, because our Lord clearly predicts it, when he in
forms him, by what death he should glorify God. And may
not I reply, with parity of reason, it is very supposable
that the apostles, in their solemn devotions, addressed direct
distinct worship to the Holy Ghost, because their declar
ing their belief in his personality and divinity, was a strong
intimation that they should, was a sort of prediction that
they would, render all kind of homage and adoration to
him. — Upon the whole, if this be a mere presumption, no
better than a gratis dictum, that the apostles did not wor
ship the Holy Ghost, then all the specious arguments, de
rived from hence, drop of course.
Our objector still insists, " That this is not a necessary
part of Christian worship," page 2. — Be pleased to ob
serve, how he departs from his first proposal. His first
inquiry, that which the title-page exhibits, was, whether
this be warrantable ; then, with an evasive dexterity, he

LETTERS. 95
slips into another topic, and maintains that it cannot be nec
essary. Whether this be tergiversation or inaccuracy, I
shall not stay to examine, but must ask Mr. Tomkins, what
reason he has for this positive determination, that it cannot
be necessary ? — Because, on the contrary supposition, " we
shall condemn the apostles as guilty of a great omission,"
page 2. — This argument the author uses more than once,
therefore I may be excused in replying to it once again.
We can have no pretence to condemn the apostles, till we
have undeniable proof that there was such an omission in
their conduct. Who can assert, who dares maintain, that,
when the apostles were met together in the holy congre
gation, for large, solemn, copious devotion, they never
recognized the divinity of the three sacred persons, never
addressed distinct acts of praise or invocation to each re
spectively ? This Mr, Tomkins may persist in supposing,
but after all he can suggest, in vindication of this principle,
it will amount to no more than a bare supposal. I may, at
least, aS fairly suppose the reverse ; and, I think, have the
suffrage of reason, the analogy of scripture, the consent of
the purest antiquity on my side. — However, in case Mr,
Tomkins had demonstrated, by incontestible evidence,
that the practice under consideration cannot be necessary ;
does he confine himself, in every instance, to what is strict
ly necessary ? does he not allow himself in what is expedi
ent ? Could I not mention various particulars, which are
not absolutely necessary, but yet they are decent and use
ful ; they contribute to the beauty and harmony of wor
ship, to the comfort and edification of the worshippers. Per
haps it may not be,, necessary to particularize in our
devotions the present distress of our nation, and to form
particular petitions suitable to our national exigencies, or
particular thanksgivings accommodated to our national
deliverances. But since this is very expedient, since it'
tends to beget in all a more lively sense of our dependence
OB divine providence, since it is a most emphatical method
of ascribing to the supreme Disposer the glory of all our
public mercies ; this practice is very becoming, very prop
er, very useful. Should 1 plead, in opposition to this cus
tom, that it is not absolutely necessary ; your prayers may
be acceptable to God, and beneficial to your country, with
out such particularizing; St. Paul gives no express com
mand, sets no explicit example of any such usage ; there
i' no precedent from riny of the apost!e«, where the affairs

9« LETTERS.
of the state, under vhich they lived, are pr.rticularly dis
played before Gcd in humble supplication ; — would Mr.
Tomkins think this a sufficient re-ason for him in his pri
vate, or for ministers in their public devotions, to discon
tinue the practice ? No, verily ; the propriety, the expe
diency of the thing, would justify and ascertain its use, even
¦though no scriptural pattern had recommended, no scrip
tural precept enjoined it.
It is affirmed, page 5. " that the addresses of the New Tes-
lament are always made to the Father, or to the Son : "
and it is added, page 10, " that there is neither rule nor ex
ample in it for worshipping ; ny other person whatever. " —
This point our author affirms with a very positive air, as
though it were incapable of being controverted : and there
fore, often builds assertions o.i it, often makes deductions
from it. Suppose it was an undeniable truth, I think, we
have shewn, that it can be no satisfactory proof, Ihat in all
the enlarged devotions of the apostles, no addresses were of
fered to the blessed Spirit, because a few shoit ejaculations
made no explicit mention of him. — But this assertion, per
haps, upon a closer examination, may appear too bold and
unjustifiable ; somewhat like the position which has been
advanced with regard to the sentiments of the primitive wri
ters, and practice of the primitive church. It might he prop
er to consider, on this occasion, 2, Thess, iii. 5, " The Lord
direct your hearts into the love of God, and patience of
Christ, " This you will allow to be a prayer of benedic
tion. You will also observe that here is particular men
tion of three persons. The Lord who is the object of the
invocation, and bestower of the blessing, is neither the Fath-
ther nor the Son. And who can it be but the Holy Ghost ?
whose amiable office it is, to shed abroad the love of God
in our hearts.* — It will not, 1 presume, be intimated, that
this is the only passage of the kind. For were it the only
one, yet where the evidence is infallible, we need not the
mouth of two ur three witnesses to establish the njatter in
debate. However, for further satisfaction, we may consult
1, Thess. iii. 11. 12. 13, 2, Thess. ii, 16. If we consider
these texts in conjunction with those scriptures which speak
of the Holy Ghost as a distinct person we shall perceive a
beautiful propriety, and a particular emphasis, in under
standing the verses as mentioning the sacred persons sever
ally. The latter text especially, considered iii this view, is
* Rom. v. 5.

LETTERS. 9T
extremely pertinent, ha-i a very admirable iJiojirlely and
agreeably to a maxim laid down by a great master of correct
writing: '
-UeJilere pcrsonic scit convenleiitia cuique.'*
" Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, and our Father
who hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation, and
good ho-^e through grace, comfort your hearts, and estab
lish you m every good word and work." Supposing the
three persons implored in this supplication, every thing that
is attributed to each, has a perfect conformity with that part
which each is represented as acting, in the blessed work of
redemption ; e. g. Our Father who hath loved us; for God
so loved the world, saith St. John, that he gave his only be
gotten Son. God, the Holy Ghost, who hath given us ever
lasting consolation ; for it is the peculiar office of Ihe bless
ed Spirit to administer comfort, called therefore the Para
clete. Jesus Christ who hath given us hope through grace ;
we have hope in Christ, saith the apostle to the Corinthi
ans, and nothing is more frequently celebrated, by the apos
tolical writers, than the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. —
Behold then a pertinency, a beauty, a significant distinction,
and an exact harmony between all ihe parts of this verse, if
taken in one sense ; but a slrange, tautological kind of dic
tion, if you disallo\v, that the three divine persons are dis
tinctly applied to.
Page 6, it is suggested, " that we miy incur the resent
ment of the other tw-o persons, as shewing a neglect or
disrespect to them, if, of our own heads, we should in any
peculiar and di.itinguisliing form, worship the Father."
This, sure, is a most nnworihy insinuation, as though the
infinitely sublime and glorious persons of the Godhead \vere
meanly ambitious, or weakly jealous. This is measuring'
the Deity, not by our reason, which is a very incompetent
standard ; not by our senses, which are still more inade
quate ju(lges; but even by our sordid and \ iie affections. —
But not to insist upon this gross error; not to aggravate
this affront offered to the adorable Trinity; this intimation,
and others of the like strain, seem to be founded on a great
mistake, with relation to the nature of the Godhead. Toe
fpscnce is one, though the persons are distinct. So that
whatever honour is paid to any person, is paid to the one tin-
(livi'led essence. If we call Jesus the Lord, St. Paul assures
us, it ii to the glory of God the Father. Whoever tees the
9

98 LETTERS.
Son, our Saviour himself declares, sees the Father also ; i. c,
whoever has a right understanding of the Son, and sees by
faith his divine excellencies; that man sees, is acquainted
^vith the perfections of the Father also. And for this obvi
ous reason, because the Father and the Son are one. And
will not this hold good with regard to the Holy Spirit ?--Ifso,
whatever honour is paid to one, is paid to all the three sacred
persons: or rather, whatever devout ascriptions of praise are
addressed to either of ihe divine persons, they are address
ed to the one living incomprehepsible God. — I wish Mr,
Tomkins had attended to this consideration. It might have
guarded him against some other unwary expressions, which
imply the notion of Polytheism ; particularly that in page 10
where he tells us " that scripture sets forth the Father and
the Son as the objects of worship." I cannot find any such
representation in scripture. The scripture is uniform and
consistent and speaking of but one God, speaks of but one ob
ject of divine worship, viz. the infinite Deity, distinguished
by a threefold personality. This may seem slnrnge, but since
we have the Saviours word, and the apostle's evidence, to
support the tenet, it should, methinks, be admitted as true.
This may seem strange, but is it therefore to be rejected
as false ? At this rate, we must deny the existence of a
thousand phenomena in nature ; we must explode as impos
sibilities numberless apparent facts.
Page 7. The inquirer advances a very unaccountable
proposition. "It should seem," says he, " that the Son of
God had quitted for thai time (during his humiliation) his
claim to divine worship ; though it should be granted that
he did receive divine worship before." I must ask with
the Jewish ruler, How can these things be ? Can God aban
don his divinity ? can be Cease to be supremely great and
good? is he not, 1 would not say by the necessity, but by the
absolute perfection of his nature, to-day. and yesterday, and
for ever the same ? If so, it seems impossible, that creatures
should, for so much as a single instant, be released from the
duty of adoration ; it seems impossible, with reverence be
it spoken, that God should relinquish his claim to their pro-
foundest homage. This would be to deny himself which the
apostle reckons among the cci'vK»ra, 2, Tim. ii. 13. ct^y>iiriit6»i
savTav a Swalxv. This tenet, I imagine, is contrary, not offly
to reason, but to scripture. I should he pleased to know,
whether Mr. Tomkins, when he was composing this para
graph, recollected that memorable saying of our Lord,

LETTERS. 99
John iii. 13. " No man hath ascended into heaven, but he
who came down from heaven, even the Son of man (o «»,
not « tfi, or, o e5-ii|i«»®-) who is in heaven." Is not this a man
ifest proof, that our Saviour was in heaven by his divine
nature, even while his human nature was sojourning on earth
or confined within the limits of a scanty apartment ? And
if the divine Son while holding, in his humanity, a confer
ence with Nicodemus, was present by his Godhead in the
Jieavenly regions, could the angels be insensible of his pres
ence? And if sensible of his presence, could they withhold
their adoration ? — Credat Judceu'i Apella, non ego. — Let So-
cinians, and men that are called Infidels, believe such an ab
surdity, I cannot reconcile it to my apprehensions. — Our
Lord emptied himself, it is true ; because, when he appear
ed among mortals, he appeared without the pomp and splen
dour of his celestial majesty. He suffered no such glory to
irradiate and adorn his person, as surrounded him on the
mount of transfiguration, and will invest him when he comes
lo judge the world ; but wa«, in all things, such as we arc,
sin only excepted. Thos he humbled himself, not by dis
robing his eternal Godhead of its essential dignity, but by
withholding the manifestations of it, in that inferior nature,
which he was pleased to assume.
Page 8. Our author seems to mistake the meaning of
that royal edict, issued out in the heavenly world, " Let all
the angels of God worship him."* He supposes this was a
command to worship the Son, in the sublime capacity of God
over all. This surely could not be the sensff of the words.
Because, a command of such an import, must be needless.
This was the natural, the unchangeable, the indispensable
duty of all creatures ; and such as those superior intelligen-
cies could not but easily discern, such as those upright spir
its could not but readily obey, without any particular injunc
tion. The command, therefore, I apprehend, is rather
referable to the humanity of our blessed Redeemer ; to that
nature in Immanuel, which purged away our sins, by becori>-
ing a propiliatory sacrifice. This was made higher than the
angels. This had an illustrious name given it, to which
every knee should bow. This was exalted into heaven,
angels and authorities, and powers, being made subject unto
the man Christ Jesus. If this remark be true, than our au
thor's interpretation is erroneous; consequently, his round
about argument, derived from a mistaken principle, must
fall to nothing. * Heb. i. 6.

100 LETTERS,
Page 12. In the note our objector asks, " Did the peo
ple of Israel, upon hearing these vvords, lam the Lord thy
God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, ever imag
ine, Ihat there were three persons then speaking ?"-^Thi3
questionv, I suppose, is intended to invalidate the doctrine of
the Trinity. But the great article stands upon a rock, too
impenetrable to be undermined by such an interrogatory,
too immoveable to be shaken by such a suggestion. I pre
tend not to give a categorical answer to the query, but only
desire to observe, that the people of Israel have several in
timations, in their sacred books, ofa plurality of persons in
the unity of the divine essence. They were accustomed to
hear Moses speak in the plural number, when he relates
the wonderful work of creation, Let us make man. Their
inspired and royal preachers spoke of the Almighty Maker
of them, and of all things, in plural terms. Remember now
thy Creator, * in the original, Creators. The prophets ac
knowledged and teach this grand mystery, particularly the
evangelical prophet Isaiah, chap. Ixiii. 9. 10. So that, if the
children of Jacob and Joseph were ignorant of this anful
truth, it seems owing rath^ to the blindness of their under
standings, than to the want of proper discoveries from
abovg. — But be the case, as it is supposed, with regard to
the Jews. Are we obliged to copy their ignorance ? Must
their sentiments be our guide? their imaginations the mod
el of our creed ? Surely, for a Christian lo argue, or even
to surmise, that there is no such thing, because the ancient
Jews were not acquainted with it, is altogether as unrea
sonable, as it would be unphilo^ophical to maintain, Ihat
there are no such places as ,4raerica,,or Greenland, because
they were both unknown to the ancient inhabitants of Cana
an. — Mr. Tomkins cannot but know, that it is the excellen
cy of the evangelical dispensation, to lake off the veil from
the Mosaical : that, we, by comparing their law with our
gospel, by applying the interpretation of our apostles to
the doctrines of their prophets, are able to see clearly, what
they perceived but dimly. Ye do always resiit the Holy
Ghost, says St. Stephen, as your fathers did, su do ye.j If
his reproof be coinpared with the several narratives, re
corded in the Old-Testament, concerning the stiff-necked.
and refractory behaviour of the Jews, we shall gather, by
the clearest deduction, that the Holy Ghost is Jehovah.
i t..
* F.f-cl. xii. 1. + Acts vll. 51.- 3P

LETTEK^ lf>l
Perhaps, the Israelites, when they heard the psalmist play
ing upon his harp, and singing this congiatulatory hymn of
praise. Thou art ascended up on high, thou hast led captivity
captive, and received gifts for men ,- yea, even for thy enemies,
that the Lord God iriight dwell among them. * — The Israelites,
I say, upon hearing these words, might not he aware, that
the person who ascended up on high, was the blessed Jesus ;
and that the Lord God dwelleth among, dwelling in deprav
ed disobedient mortals, to renew and reclaim them, was the
Holy Ghost. But we, by collating Eph. iv, 8. with the form
er part of the verse ; and John xiv. 17. Rom. viii. 11. with
the latter, are, to our exceeding great consolation, brought
to the knowledge of these glorious doctrines.
Pao-e 14. Our autlfor observes, " That Dr. Watts would
prove the propriety of paying divine worship to the Holy
Ghost, from the form of administering baptism." — This ar
gument he undertakes to invalidate. He proceeds in e(
very unexpected manner ; springs a mine, of which we were
not at all apprehensive. What if it should turn to the over
throw of his own tenet? — The Doctor maintains, "that
baptism is a piece of worship." — Our author replies, " that
hearing the word, in the yiublic assemblies, may also be re
puted a piece of worship." — May it so ? Then, Ex ore tuo. —
Your own concession confutes your opinion. For, if to
bear the word with assiduity, with reverence, with an hum
ble expectation of its becoming the instrument of our salva
tion. — If this be a species of worship, it is doubtless, a wor
ship paid to him, who is the author and giver of the word.
Now, we are sure, that it was the Holy Ghost, who spake
by the prophets, who spake by the apostles, who spake all
the words of that life, which in our religious congregations,
are explained and enforced.
Page 15. Mr. Tomkins urges the expression of St. Paul,
1 Cor. X, 2. which I cannot forbetjr suspecting, notwithstand
ing all the remonstrances of charity, which thinketh no evil,
be wilfully misunderstands. It is evident, on Ihe very first
glance, that Moses, in that place cannotmean the man Moses,
but the system of religion, the body of laws, moral, judicial,
and ceremonial, which were, by him, delivered to the Jews.
Is it therefore a proof, that to be baptised into the name of
the Hply Ghost is no act of worship to that divihe person,
because it was no act of worship to Moses to have been
baptised into an Economy instituted by God, and only pro
mulgated by Moses ? ^
9* »Psal. kviii. 18.

i02 LETTER.S.
For my part, I am stedfastly persuaded, that to be baptis
ed into the name of the Holy Ghost, is a very noble and sub
lime kind of worship ; not to say, an indispensable obliga
tion to all other inst inces and degrees of worship. — It is
coupled with that greatest of Christian duties, believing;
which I take lo be a worship of the mind, far more important
than any bodily homage, without which, all external expres
sions of adoration are mere formality. He that believeih,
nnd is baptised, shall be saved. — 1 verily think, no one will
deny, that baptism is, at least, equal in its import, to circum
cision ; instead of which it seems to be substituted. Now
circumcision was evidently a token and ratification of the
covenant of Jehovah. It was a vi-ible attestation to the
person circumcised, that the Lord was his God, engaged by
covenant to protect, bless, and make him finally happy. It
was a solemn declaration of an absolute self-surrender to
the blessed God, to acknow ledge him for the only Lord, lo
serve him in all dutiful obedience, lo seek his glory, and to
be resigned to his will. This seems lo have been the mean
ing of that divinely appointed rite emphatically expressed
in those words of the Jewish legislator, " Thou hast this
day avouched the Lord to be thy God, to walk in his ways,
and to keep his statutes, and to hearken unto his voice.
And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his pecul
iar people.* — And can we imagine, that baptism, which has
superseded circumcision, is inferior to it in significancy ? Or
can we imagine, that these solemn acts of recognizing the
Lord for our only God, ard consecrating our^-elves to his
honour, are no expressions of worship ?
Though this dedication of ourselves to the service of the
Holy Ghost should be implied in the ordinance of baptism,
" still it must be granted" replies our author, " that this can
be no other service of Ihe Spirit, than what is enjoined in
the New-Testament,'" Page 15 — Thereby insinuating,
that it is somewhat diflerent from the service we stand en
gaged to yield both to the Father, and to the Son. But ac
cording to all the allowed methods of speech, the baptised
person is dedicated alike to each of the three sacred per
sons; he avows them all to be the object of his worship,
and the author of his salvation. There is no manner of dif
ference in the terms which specify the obligations ; and
since divine wisdom has made them the same, why should
»vc presume to pronounce them diverse ? — How unaccount
ably strange would the baptismal form be, on our objector's
» Deut jxvi, 17, 18.

LETTERS- 103
interpretation -, I baptize thee into an obligation to adore,
to obey, to worship the Father and the Son ; but not to pay
the same reverential and devout regards to the Holy Ghost ?
What writer of ingenuity, in order to support a singular hy
pothesis, would do such apparent violence to the meaning
of the sacred text ? What reader of discernment would be
come a convert to an opinion, which must darken and per
vert the most evident sense of scripture, in order to acquire
an air of plausibility ? — Suppose a person should, in making
his last w ill, express himself in the following style : 1 con
stitute A, B, and C, my joint executors ; 1 give and bequeath ^
to them, whatever lemains of my estate, and goods, when
my legacies are paid and my debts cleared. Would it not
be a most extravagant and unreasonable pretence, if a cap*
tious neighbour should maintain, that C is not vested with an
equal power, has not a right to an equal dividend, with A
and B ? If a gentleman of the long robe should offer to
give this for law, would he not forfeit his character either
of sagacity or integrity ? — If none of these observations will
convince Mr. Tomkins, that he has misrepresented the tenor^
and extent of the babtismal engagement, we will, in order
to bring the matter, if possible, to an amicable accommoda
tion, accede even to his own assertion. He argues, " That
no other service of the Spirit can be meant, but such as is
enjoined in the New-Testament," — .Agreed ; let us join issue
on this footing, L»t us rest the cause on this botfoiil. As
it is Mr, Tomkins's own motion, I hope, he will acquiesce
in the result of such a trial. Now, the New-Testament,
both virtually and explicitly, requires us to acknowledge
the Holy Ghost, to be God and Lord : and what service is
payable, according to the prescriptions of the New-Testa
ment, to such a Being ; this and no other, I would render
myself; this, and no other is rendered by all the churches.
I do not so much as attempt to be an advocate for any oth
er worship, be addressed to the divine Spirit, than what the
evangelical scriptures direct us to ofier unto thalmajestic and
venerable, that tremendous and amiable name. The Lord our
God. If therefore the New-Testament demands all honour
and adoration, as the inviolable due of this most exalted
Being, then Mr. Tomkins must either flatly deny the divin
ity of the Holy Ghost, must contradict the express declara
tion of the inspired writers on this head, orejse confess, that
this notion .stands condemned even on his own principles.
What is alledged from 1, Cor. +,-+3. this seems to cor--

104 LETTERS.
roborate our sentiments, rathert han to support his. St.
Paul asks, with warmth, and a sort of holy indignation —
ci( TO etefui Tlavfin iSairli^s ; he speaks of it as an absurd and
shocking thing. How, what could render this so odious
and monstrous a practice ; such, as the apostle disclaims
and rejects with abhorrance ? Nothing, that I can appre
hend, but the horrid evH it would imply. The evil of as
cribing divine honours to Paul, making Paul an object of
worship, and consecrating persons to a creature, who aught
to be consecrated only to the Creator, God blessed for ever.
So that I must declare, I think this text a strong intima
tion, that baptism is really a sacred service or divine wor
ship, which it is utterly unallowable for any creature to
assume or admit. Therefore the good apostle renounces
it, with a noble kind of detestation ; much like the angel,
who, when John offered to fall at his feet, and do him hom
age, cries, Ofot wi, ra @ea v^amvftirav.*
The apostolical benediction is another passage usually
and deservedly produced, in justification of our practice.
Mr. Tomkins alledges, " that this is very different from a
direct address by -way of prayer to the Spirit," page 17.
— It seems to me to be an undoubted prayer, and to have
the very same force as if it had been expressed in the
more common precatory form ; O Lord Jesus Christ vouch
safe them thy grace ; O God of goodness grant them thy
love ; O eternal Spirit accompany them with thy com
fortable presence. That this is the purport of the words,
is undeniable ; and where is the extraordinary difference,
whether they be introduced by an Esto or a Fac ? — I be
lieve all will allow the form ordained by God, Numb. vi.
24, 25, 26. for the use of the Jewish priests, was a real
prayer. " The Lord bless thee, and keep thee : the Lord
make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto
thee : the Lord • lift up the light of his countenance upon
thee and give thee peace." If this was an address to the
Almighty, the apostolical benediction is exactly of the same
nature. To say, that it was only a kind of wish, and not
designed for adevout aspiration to Jehovah, must greatly
debase and enervate it. Not to hint, that this sacerdotal
blessing contained a recognition of three divine persons,
which might be obscure in that age, but has been fully il
lustrated by the apostles. Not to hint the great probabili
ty, that St. Paul had this very passage in his ^ye, when he
• Rev. xxii. 9.

LETTERS. 105
breathed out his benedictive prayer, and purposely intend
ed to explain it in the evangelical sense. — Besides, I would
desire to know, whether any minister could, with a safe
conscience, use the following benediction ? " The grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fel
lowship of the virgin Mary, bo with you all. Amen '"
Why should a conscientious minister be afraid of using such
a form, if it be no prayer? If it be not a virtual ascrip
tion of Omniscience, Omnipresence, andOmnipotence to the
virgin, and, in consequence of those attributes, a supplica
tory address to her? — Still we are encountered with anoth
er objection. If I should say to a friend, " may the good
angels attend you ?" shall this be called a praying to the an-
ge's? — Mr Tomkins himself must own, if he will deal
fairly, that the case is by no means parallel. The elect an
gels disavow all divine worship, but does the Holy Ghost
do this? The elect angels are ministering spirits, but of
,the Holy Ghost it is said, " the Lord is that Spirit." The
angels are confessedly created and finite beings, so that it
would be absurdity and blasphemy to invocate them ; but
the Holy Ghost is possessed of the perfections, performs
the works and is called by the incommunicable name of God,
so that it is wisdom and piety to pray to him. For which
reasons, I make no doubt, but that, whenever the apostles
put up such an ejaculation, « xeiiaiii» ra aym ntivfiar^
fislti wxtrm v/ioit they accompanied it with a devout mental
address to the uncreated Spirit. Because it would be a
piece of irreverence and of folly, barely to wish the mercyj
and not apply to that ever-present Being for its accom
plishment. As for the other arguments which Dr. Watts advances,
in order to vindicate the custom of ascribing praise to the
Holy Ghost, viz. — " That it may be expedient to practise
it frequently in some c'lurches, where it has been long used,
lest great offence should be given." — " That it rnay be prop
er to use it some times, on purpose to hold forth the doc
trine of the Trinity in times of error, and to take away all
suspicion of here-sy from the public worship." — These con
siderations 1 leave to the Doctor. I have no inclination to
try my skill at such weapons, but chase to act with regard
to them, as David acted in relation to Saul's armour ; because
I really think, that they rather encumber than uphold the
cause. They are so unwarily worded, that they represent
the practice, n6t as a noble essential piece of divine worship,

106 LETTERS.
founded on the strongest and most invariable principles, al
ways suitable to our necessities, and always correspondent
to the nature of the blessed Spirit, but as an occasional and
time-serving expedient ; to be used, not constantly, but now
and then only ; and that, to answer a turn, none of Ihe most
important, to avoid not any real deficiency in worship, but
only a supicion of heresy. Wherever 1 am solicitous to
secure the conclusion, I would by no means offer to deduce
it from such unsolid and precarious premises,
I have now examined the most considerable objections,
urged by Mr, Tomkins, against the unanimous piactice of
Christian congregation, whether they conform or dissent.
I shall only beg the continuance of your candour and pa
tience, while 1 touch upon another jiarticular or two, which
may fai-ther corroborate our custom, and prove it to be some
what more than warrantable.
Suppose we produce a command of our Lord Jesus Christ,
vyill this be sufficient to ascertain the practice ? does not our
Saviour give this charge to his apostles ? " Pray ye the
Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers in
to his harvest.* Now I would humbly ask. Who the Lord
of this spiritual harvest is ? shall we refer ourselves to scrip
ture for satisfaction ? will Mr. Tomkins abide by the deter-
nainatioii of scripture ? will he honestly acknowledge, that,
if the scripture declares the Hply Ghost to be the Lord of
the harvest, we have then a clpar commission, a positive
command, to address ourselves by way of prayer to the Ho
ly Ghost ?-r-It is the Holy Ghost who appoints the labour
ers, that are to be employed in this harvest, " The Holy
Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work
whereunto I have called them.t It is the Holy Ghost who
qualifies the workmen, that are to despatch this momentous
business, with wisdom, with knowledge, with utterance, and
with all miraculous abilities, 1. Cor. xii. 8, 9, 10, 1 1. It is the
Holy Ghost who makes these labours effectual, and crowns
them with ample success, Acts, x. 44. I. Thess. i. 5. —
From these scriptures, and their testimonies concerning the
blessed Spirit, it seems indisputably plain, that he is the Lord
of the harvest. Can we have a more forcible motive to
pray unto him, than the consideration of his superintending,
conducting, and prospering the progress of (that best of
"blessings) the everlasting gospel? Need we a better war-
» Matth. ix. 38. Lukex. 2.
¦f Acts xiii. 3, andxx. 28.

LETTERS. 107
lant to offer our devoutest applications to him, than our
Lord's express injunction, viewed in connexion with these
Temarkable texts ?
Suppose I prove farther, that the heavenly beings pay
divine worship to the Holy Ghost. Suppose I shew you
angels and arch-angels in postures of profound adoration at
the throne of the eternal Spirit, and glorify ing him in strains
sf the most sublime devotion. WiU this be allowed a prop
er precedent for our practice ? will any one be so bold as
to affirm, that he is unfit to receive the worship of mortals
on earth, if it appear that he is the object of angelical wor
ship in the heaven of heavens ? In the sixth chapter of
Isaiah, we meet with one of the grandest representations
imaginable. Jehovah' exhibits himself to the entranced
prophet, seated on a lofty and august throne ; before him
stood the immortal hosts of seraphim ; they veiled their
faces in token of deepest self-abasement ; they lifted up
their voices with rapturous fervour, and uttered this mag
nificent acclamation, " Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts ;
the whole earth is full of his glory." The trisagium of the
seraphic armies seems to intimate, that they addressed their
praises to the one Jehovah in a Trinity of persons. If you
look forward to verse 8, you will find another circumstance
confirming this remark for the glorious Majesty speaks of
himself, in the plural number, " Who will go for us ?" But
the proof I chiefly depend on, the proof which is absolutely
incontestible, which none can deny, without supposing
themselves better judges of the sense of scripture than the
apostles. This proof is found in Acts xxviii. 25. where St.
Paul evidently apphes the words, spoke by this majestic
and divine Being, to the Holy Ghost, " Well spake the Ho
ly Ghost, saying." And if he attributes the words to this
sacred person, who dares separate the honours ? since all
must allow that the person who gives the commission to the
prophet, and the person whom the celestial legions adore,
is one and the same. — Since therefore the angels address
the Holy Ghost with solemn acts of praise ; since they bear
united testimony, that " the whole earth is full of his glo
ry ;" Mr. Tomkins should consider, whether he acts a be
coming part, in endeavouring to exclude his glory from any
Christian congregation by his example, and from every
Christian congregation by his writings.
If Mr. Tomkins should still think his own opinion suffi
cient to over-rule all these allegations of scripture, of great-

1 08 LETTERS.
er weight than the practice of St. Paul to the Thessaloni-
ans ; more unexceptionable, and fitter to be admitted as our
pattern, than the example of the angelic host ; I cannot but
imagine, that the propriety of our custom is apparent even
on the tenor of his own favourite notions. Page 12. he
quotes that grand and fundamental law of revealed religion,
" Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt
thou serve." He proceeds to consider, who this Lord our
God is, whom we are to serve. He then informs us, " It ap
pears from the whole current of scripture, in the New-Tes
tament as well as the Old, that it is he, who in times past,
spake unto the fathers by the prophets." — Rightly judged.
We make no appeal from this verdict, but acquiesce in it,
though it is his own. Only taking along with us St. Peter's
declaration, " Prophecy came not in old time (rather at any
lime, unquam, not olim, ttotc, not «•«/«») by the will of man,
but holy men of God spake, as they were moved by Ihe
Holy Gho.»t.* Mr. Tomkins himself maintains, that Ihe
genuine and undoubted object of divine worship, is that
infinitely wise and gracious Being, who spake to our fathers
by the prophets ; and St. Peter, in the most express man
ner possible, asserts, that this infinitely wise and gracious
Being, who spake by the prophets, is the Holy Ghost.
Can demonstration itself be plainer? Sure then, Mr, Tomkins
must either retract his position, or disallow the apostle's
application of it, or else give us leave to adhere inviolably
to our pr-actice, to look upon it as justifiable beyond all
reasonable exception, and, what should carry some pecul
iar weight with our cuthor, justifiable on principles of his
own. May I urge this point a little farther?— I should be glad
to know, what is the scriptural meaning of being converted
unto the Lord. Is it not, to renounce every lying vanity,
to forsake every evil way, and turn lo the Lord with all our
heart? that we may fear him, love him, put our w'oole trust
in him, and serve him truly all the day of our life. Does
not this include some, rather is it not comprehensive of all
worship ? So Ihat if it is certrin from scripture, that sinners
are to be converted to the Holy Ghost, then ii is equally cer
tain, that sinners are to pay not sf.me only, but all worship,
to that blessed Being, who is the centre of their souls, and
the source of their happiness. Be pleased to read attentive
ly 2 Cor. iii. 16. IT. and we dare venture to stand by your
decision. * 2, Fet. i. 21.

LETTERS. lO'J
Let me add one more consideration, and 1 have done. —
The blessed Spirit is to help our infirmities in prayer,
Rom. viii. 26 The Spirit is to subdue our iniquities, and
mortify the deeds of the body, Rom. viii. 1.". The Spirit
is to shed abroad the love of God in our hearts, Rom. v. 5.
The Spirit is to sanctify us wholly, in all our faculties,
1, Thess. V. 23. The Spirit is to transform us into the di
vine image, 2, Cor. iii. 18. The Spiritis to seal us unto
the day of redemption, Eph. iv. 30. and to be the earnest of
an incorruptible inheritance, Eph. i. 14. In a word, from
the Spirit we are humbly to expect all the fruits of goodness,
righteousness, and truth, Eph. v. 9, — Now what a comfort
able prospect rises before us, if this Spirit be the all-suffi
cient, the infinite God, to whom nothing is impossible ;
who is able to <lo for us exceedingly abundantly even above
all that we can ask or think ! But how languid must he
our hopes, bow scanty our expectations, if he be not the
divine Being, but only some finite existence ! And, in anoth
er state of things, to whom will righteous souls acknowl
edge themselves inexpressibly indebted, to whom will they
return their ardent thanks, and address the most joyful
praises, but to the author of all these inestimable blessings ?
If this then is likely to be the employ and the delight of
heaven, should it not be begun on earth ?
Upon the whole ; since the custom of offering prayer,
and addressing praise, to the Holy Ghost, is contrary to no
text of scripture, is founded upon his divine nature, and re
sults from the indispensable obligation of creatures to wor
ship the Godhead : — Since it was undeniably the practice of
the Christian church, in its purest liays, and has been re
ceived by unauinious approbation, for many hundreds of pre
ceding years: — Since it is probable, if we will allow their
doctrines and conduct to be consistent, it is certain, if we
will prefer the most accurate and unem''arrassed interpre
tation of their epistles, that the apostles used thi-; mefboxJ cf
worship: — Since the analogy of the whole scriplare justi
fies it, and the innumerable benefits, 'Ahich are communi
cated to us from the biessr J Spirit, demand it:— ,?ince an
gels ascribe glory to his awful M<)jesty, and our Saviour di
rects us to put up prayers to his Almighty goodness :-Thes.?,
and other consideration?, determine me to join, without the
least scruple, with full assurance of its propriety, in that
ancient noble doxology. — Glory be to the Father, who hath
loved us witi: an everlastirg love,-T-arid to the ."^o-i, wbi
10

1 10 LETTERS.
hath washed us from our sins in his own blood, — and to the
Holy Ghost, who applies these blessings of redeeming grace
to our corrupt hearts; to this great, eternal, incomprehen
sible Trinity, be rendered undivided honours, and immortal
praise !
Having been so very prolix already, I shall not render
myself more tedious by making any apology, but shall on
ly add, what no consideration can induce me to omit, that
I am, dear Sir,
Your obliged friend, &c.

LETTER XVI.
On the imputation cf Adam's first sin.
tVeston-Favell, March, 1745-6

DEAR SIB,

You have set me a task, which I should be glad to exe
cute, if I was able. God forbid, that I should be backward
to plead for the interests of that Redeemer on earth, who,
I trust, is making perpetual intercession for me in heaven.
But my fear is, lest the noble cause should suffer, by the
unskilfulness of its defendant. It is for this reason, purely
for this reason, I wish to decline accepting the challenge,
you seem to give me in your letter. For this once, how
ever, I will enter the lists, and venture to try the strength,
not of your arm, but of your arguments.
I do not wonder, that you have objections to make
against Christianity. I know some eminent Christians
who were formerly warm and zealous in the opposition ;
yet they have frankly owned, that their minds were then
either very inconsiderate, or else immersed in other spec
ulations ; and that they had no leisure, or no inclination
to weigh the evidencies, and examine the nature of the
evangelical doctrine. Since they have applied themselves
to consider these points, with a seriousness and attention
becoming an inquiry of the last importance ; an inquiry, in
which their very souls and all their eternal interests were
embarked, they are thoroughly convinced that their form-

LETTERS. 1 1 1
that the gospel institution, is of divine extract; that it is a
system, noble and subhme, benevolent and gracious, every
way suitable to the majesty of God, and admirably calcula
ted for the comfort, the improvement, and the happiness
of mankind.
Methinks you will reply, and very reasonably, " that all
Such .'should be able to account for the change of their opin
ions." — I dare say they can. — But as you call on me so par
ticularly to vindicate the religious principles, which 1 have
from my infancy embraced, 1 will now attempt to vindicate
them from the various charges, of which they stand arraign-.
ed in your letter.
Be pleased then, dear Sir, to observe, that the Christian
doctrine teaches, that when God brought man into being,
he bjessed them with a state perfectly holy and happy. If
you read the Bible, the authentic narrative of our fall, as
well as the only guide to our recovery, you will find it an
avowed truth, that "God made man upright." If, therefore
man corrupted himself, and (as it is impossible to bring a
clean thing out of an unclean) polluted his offspring; where
is the harshness, where the injustice of the divine proce
dure in adjudging him worthy of death ? Let God be justi- '
fied, and let mortals bear the blame.
You think it very odd, that this tragical catastrophe
should be occasioned by eating an apple. — So should I too,
was there nothing more in the case, than barely eating an
apple. But this was a wilful and presumptuous breach of
a most positive command, of the only command, which the
Almighty Lawgiver enjoined. And the smaller the matter-
or the prohibition, the more inexcusable was the fault of
not complying with it. In this act of disobedience was im
plied, the most perverse discontent in the happiest circum
stances imaginable ; the most shameful ingratitude for the
most inestimable favours. Pride and arrogance, even to
an insufferable degree ; implicit blasphemy, making God
a liar, and hearkening to the suggestions of the devil, in
preference to the solemn declarations of truth itself In
deed, this transgression was a complication of iniquities ;
and though represented under the extenuating terms of
eating an apple, was really the most horrid provocation,
that was ever committed.
But that the transgression of Adam should fasten guilt,
or transmit corruption to his latest posterity, this, you im
agine, is all a chimera.— If then you was created in a per-

A»»:

112 LETTLRS.
feet state ; if you suffered nothing by the original lapse, why
is your heart prone to numberless evils ? why do you
tread in the steps of an apostate ancestor ? why do you
violate the law of an infinitely pure God, and too often de
light in that abominable and accursed thing which he hat-
eth, sin ? You are too honest and ingenuous to deny the
truth of these expostulations. And if so, you must allow,
that your nature was depraved in Adam, or, which seems
to be more culpable, that you have corrupted yourself
Then, there is no such great cause to find fault with the
supreme Disposer of things, for including you in Adam's
trespass, since you yourself do the same things.
Is it consistent you ask with the character of an infinitely
good Being, to make this resolve, that he would, on ac
count of this single crime, bring into existence almost in
numerable millions of creatures, so spoiled by himself, that
they should all deserve eternal damnation ? — I answer, this
is entirely a misrepresentation of the Christian scheme. It
was not in consequence of the original crime, that God de
termined to bring the human race into being; but, in pur-
¦suance of his own eternal purposes, which are always the
-issue of consummate wisdom, of unbounded benevolence,
and will, unless his creatures stubbornly reject the over
tures of his love, terminate in their unspeakable felicity. —
Neither was the human race spoiled by the Creator, hut
by themselve.s. — To suppose, that the author of all excel
lence should deprave the work of his own hands, is doubt
less a shocking thought, and such as we utterly disavow.
So far was he from being the sole operator, that he was
not S3 much as accessary in any degree to their misery,
but warned thera of their danger, charged them to beware,
and planted the barrier of his own tremendous threatenings
between them and ruin.
You are displeased, that everlasting happiness should ne
ver be attainable by any of these creatures, but by those
few to whom God gives his effectual free grace. — If Ihe
proposition be set in another light, which is really the true
method of slating it; if we say, that, though all have for
feited, yet all miy recover everlasting happiness, because
effectual grace is freely offered to all, what can a man of
candour object to such a dispensation ? Will he not acknowl
edge the goodnes.3 of the divine procedure, and inveigh
aa-ainst the perverseness of mortals, the most unreasonable
perverseness of all those, who are too proud lo be sensible

LETTERS. 1 IS
of their want of grace, or too careless to trouble their heads
about it? Will he not be constrained to declare them sui
cides, and that they are chargeable, if they perish, with their
own destruction ? If we prescribe a medicine of sovereign
efficacy, and the sick is so self-willed as to refuse the re
cipe, who is to be blamed, in case of a miscarriage, the phy
sician, or the patient ?
When therefore you talk of persons being unavoidably
damned, you quite misconceive the tenor of our most mer
ciful and benign institution ; which offers forgiveness to all,
though ever so profligate, through the Saviour's atonement ;
which makes a tender of grace to all, though ever so aban
doned, through the Saviour's mediation. The language, the
most compassionate language of which is, "Turn ye, turn
ye, from your evil vrays, for why will ye die ?" And be
cause the sinner, enslaved to vice, is unable to shake off
the fetters, it farther says, " Ask, and ye shall receive ;
seek, and ye shall find, grace sufficient for you."
As to the meaning of the term " grace," I apprehend, it
signifies the pardon of obnoxious, and the acceptance of un
worthy persons, on account of the expiation and merits of
their Redeemer. It imports also a communication of knowl
edge and strength to ignorant and impotent creatures, that
they may discern their Creator's will, and discerning, may
be enabled to perform it. And in forming these ideas, 1 can
see nothing stupid ; in expecting these blessings, nothing
foolish. But still, perhaps, you think it scarce reconcilable with
the wisdom, the justice, the mercy of God, to suffer man
kind to fall. That he foresaw it, and could have prevent
ed it, is undeniable. He foresaw it, or else he could not be
Omniscient : he was able to have prevented it, otherwise
he could not be Omnipotent. — But what if the eternal Mak
er knew, that this would give occasion to the most ample
and glorious manifestation of those very attributes which you
suspect are eclipsed hereby? would this conciliate your
approbation? Would this incline you to acquiesce in the
Economy of the gospel ?
Certainly it is a most stupenduous discovery of wisdom
to find out a method, whereby the seemingly jarring attri
butes of justice and mercy may be reconciled. — Whereby
the sinner may be saved, with^fany injury to the inviola
ble holiness of his laws, or any derogation to the honour of
his just and righteous government. It was impossible to
10*

114 LETTERS-
give such an amazing proof of his infinite kindness for poor
mortals, as by delivering his own Son to take their inferior
nature and bear all their guilt. Nor can there be so .signal
an exertion of justice, as to punish this most excellent per
son, when he stood in the place of offenders ; or of mercy,
as to divert the vengeance from their obnoxious to bis im
maculate and innocent head.
As from the scheme of redemption, the highest glory re
dounds to the divine Majesty, so the richest consolation is
derived from hence to frail creatures. The happiness of
men consists in the favour of God. His love is better than
life. To be graciously regarded by that adorable Being,
who stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations of
the earth ; lo be the objects of his complacency, whose
smi(e con.stitutes heaven, and whose frown is worse than de
struction ; — this, this is human felicity. And how could
God Amighty give us a brighter evidence, a more pregnant
proof of his inconceivably tender concern for us than by
surrendering his only Son to condemnation and death for
our sake? Transporting thought! big with a delight,
which man could never have known, had not Adam fallen.
This obviates an abjection, on which you strongly insist,
that you and others never consented to make Adam your
representative. For if this method of ordering things be
productive of a superior felicity, to all that are willing to
be happy, then it can be no wrong to the world in general,
or to any individual person in parlicular. No more than it
is a wrong to the minor, for his guardians to procure inter
est for his money, and improve his estate, against the time
of his coming to age.
Upon the whole ; there is no reason to quarrel with that
-sovereign will of God, which permitted us to fall in Adam,
from thence to contract guilt, to derive pollution, and, con-
-sequently, t-o deserve damnation. But rather there is abun
dant cause to admire, to adore, to bless his holy name, for
providing a Redeemer; a Redeemer of unknown dignity,
and unutterable perfections ; a Redeemer, by whom all the
evils of the fall hiay be more than redressed ; a Redeemer,
in whom all the awful and amiable attributes of the Deily
are most illustriously displayed; a Redeemer, through whom
the most wicked, and most unfortunate of our race, may
find mercy, and arrive at hap^Nness ; a Redeemer, who most
compassionately invites all, all that are weary and heavy
laden, to come to him, and most assuredly declares, that

LETTERS. 115
'' whosoever believeth in him, shall not perish, but have
everlasting life." — And is it not strange, — very strange, —
hardly credible, sure, that any should reject so great salva
tion, and chuse death rather than life ?
Let me beg of you. Sir, to consider these points with
calmness and impartiality. You cannot but be sensible, that
many learned, many wise, many excellent persons, most
cordially believe them, receive theirchief satisfactions from
them ; and would rather die, than renounce them. — Since
it is possible, at least, that they may be in the right, since
you do not pretend to be infallible ra your judgement, and
since you acknowledge a God of unerring wisdom, and ev
erlasting goodne.ss, let me beseech you to implore his guid
ance in your search, and his direction in your determination.
For I am not ashamed to own, or rather"! am bold to main
tain, that this wisdom cometh from above ; this wisdom is
the gift of God ; and prayer is altogether as necessary to
its attainments, as sagacity of mind, or the accomplishments
ef learning.

LETTER XVIL
Mvice lo an Apprentice. Dummer, June 27, 1757.

DSAB BBOTHER,

I FiSD you are at London lookrag out for a trade, and
a master to set yourself to. I hope, you pray earnestly to
God to guide you in your choice by his infinite wisdom. He
only knows what kind of employ will be best for you ; in
what family or neighborhood you will have the most helps
and encouragements to holiness ; where you will be most
exposed to temptations, to evil company and to an early
corruption. Therefore remember what you have learned
in the 3d chapter of Proverbs, and now, above all other
times put it in practice ; " In all thy ways acknowledge him
and he shall direct thy paths." Beseech the all-wise God
to go before you in this weighty undertaking, and to lead
you to such a master, and to settle you in such a place,
»There you may, the most advantageously, work out your

116 LETTERS.
salvation. Desire also your honoured mother, and mine, to
have a great regard to your soul, and the things that make
for its welfare, in putting you out. Let it be inquired, not
only whether such a tradesman be a man of substance and
credit, but whether he be also a man of religion and god
liness, H^hether he be a lover of good people, a careful fre
quenter of the church, whether his children be well nur
tured and educated in the fear of the Lord, whether fami
ly prayer be daily offered up in his house, whether he be
lieves that the souls of his servants are committed to his
trust, and that he will be answerable for the neglect of
them at the judgment seat. It will be sadly hazardous to
venture yourself under the roof of any person, who is not
furnished with these principles, or is a stranger to these
practices. But, if he be quite contrary to all these, a des-
piser of God and goodness, wholly devoted to carnal pleas
ure, and worldly gain ; if he not only omit the religious
care and oversight of his household, but also set them a
wicked and corrupt example ; — let nothing induce you to
enter into his service. A lewd, drinking, swearing cheat
ing m-aster, will be sure to disregard the sobriety and pu
rity of your behaviour, and very likely to corrupt it. To
have his disorderly carriage daily before your eyes, will
be as dangerous as to lodge"^ in a plague-house. There
fore, let no consideration of profit, or advantage, or of any
other sort, prevail with you to become apprentice to such
a one. If you do, depend on it, you breathe tainted air;
and it is much but you catch the deadly infection. — After
you are bound to a master, you must be as diligent in doing
your duty to him, as you should be of examining into his
character before you are bound. As I have given you my
advice concerning the latter of these particulars, I fancy
you will not take it amiss, if I give you some directions
concerning the former. As soon as you are bound, you
are at your master's, and not at your own disposal : he bas
then a right to your hands, your strength, and all that you
can do. He becomes a sort of parent to you ; and though
not a natural, yet a civil father. You are also obliged not
only by the laws of your country, and tenor of your in
dentures, but by the 5th commandment of God, to pay him
all due submission and honour. To do this, is a most mate
rial part of your duty, as a Christian, as well as your unde
niable debt as an apprentice. It is required of you by God,
in holy scripture, and you must not once imagine that you

LETTERS. ny
do what is pleasing to him, unless you conscientiously per
form it. Now, that you may know what it is that your
master will expect from you, and what it is that the Lord
has enjoined you with regard to him, remember it consists,
first, in reverence of his person ; secondly, in obedience to
his commands ; and thirdly, in faithfulness in hisbus'mess.
First, In reverence of his person You must esteem him
very highly for his superiority 's sake, and the resemblance
he bears to God. For God who made you, and has an un-
controulable power over you, has communicated some of
that power to your master ; so that you are to look upon
him as the representative, in some sort of the divine Majes
ty, and invested with some of his auth irity. Accordingly
St. Paul says, 1, Tim. vi. 1, " You must count him worthy
of all honour ;" all, i. e. internal and external, that of the
actions and words, as well as that of the heart. It is not
enough to maintain a worthy estimation inwardly, but you
must let it appear, on all occasions outwardly, by be
having yourself very obligingly to him before his face, and
by speaking very respectfully of him behind his back.
Suppose you should discern failings and infirmities in him,
you must by no means divulge tnem, or make yourself
merry with them, much less must you dare to set light by
any of his orders. Whatever you have reason to think will
grieve or displease him, will be prejudicial or offensive to
him, that you must cautiously forbear.
Secondly, Obedience to his commands. See how full
the apostle speaks to this purpose. Col. iii. 22. " Servants,
obey in all things your masters according to the flesh."
Observe likewise, from this passage, not only the necessity,
but also the compass and latitude of your obedience; how
large and extensive it is. It reaches, not barely to a few,
but to all and every instance. If you should receive or
ders that are ever so much against the grain of your own in
clination, you must force yourself to comply with them ; re
ceive them as you used to do nauseous physic ; though they
be unpleasant at first, they will do you good and be com
fortable to you afterwards ; your own pleasure must al
ways stoop and give way to your master's. If he sets you
a task as is mean and ignoble, and such as (according to
the expression of the world) is beneath a gentleman's son,
do not scruple it dear brother, but despatch it cheerfully; re
member who hath said, " servants obey your masters in all
things," And, Oh ! remember that be we as well born and

us LETTERS.
bredas we will,yet he that was higher than the highest of us
all, even the most excellent and illustrious person that ever
lived, condescended to the lowest and (such as our fine folks
would account the) shamefulest offices. The Lord Jesus
Christ though the brightness of his fathers glory disdained
not to wash his disciples feet. Neither be dejected because
you are treated in an unworthy manner, or set to do some
mean and low office for him or his family, but rejoice rath
er in that you are made like unto your Redeemer, and in
the happy prospect you will have of becoming great in
heaven, by being so little on earth. I am aware this piece
of advice is not so unexceptionable as the rest, it may pos
sibly be adjudged the mark of too yielding and sneaking a
spirit ; but never forget that the things which are most
highly esteemed by God, are held in least repute by men.
I know and am sure, that if any apprentice would make
such a compliance for the sake of presei-ving peace, and
out of conscience to the command of God, and with an eye
to the example of Christ, there is a day coming when he
will not repent of it; when it will not be deemed a blot in
his character, but be an ornament of grace to his head, and
more comely than chains about his neck. * Well, you see
your obedience must be universal, you must come when
he calls you, and go where he bids you, do all that he com
mands you, and let alone all that he forbids you. This
must, moreover be done, not grudgingly, or of necessity,
but readily and gladly : for hear what the scripture saith,
" Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily" ; t nnd again, " With
good will dping service" ; J so that we must not creep,
but be quick and expeditious in our business, howsoever dis
agreeable. You must not go about with grumbhng words
and muttering in your mouth, but with so satisfied an air,
as may shew that you are pleased with whatever pleases
your master.
Thirdly, In faithfulness in bis business. This is the last
branch of your duty to your master; and since Moses has
obtained an honourable testimony, on this account, be you
also faithful in all his house.§ You may find this, as in
deed all the qualifications ofa good servant, described by
St. Paul, Tit. ii. 10. "Not purloining," says he, "but shew
ing all fidelity." You are charged not to purloin, i. e. not
to keep back from your master, nor to put into your own
pocket, nor convert to your own use, any of that money,
» Prov. i. 9. t Col. iii. 23, { Eph. vi. 7. { Heb. iii. 5.

LETTERS. 119
which, in the wav of trade, passes through your hands.
You were taught from your childhood, to keep your hands
from picking and stealing, and 1 hope you abhor such abom
inable practices from the bottom of your heart, f ou must
not sell at a cheaper, and buy at a dearer rate, in order to
have some valuable consideration made you privily in your
own person. These differ from robbing on the highway
only in being less open and notorious ; they are flagrant
acts of dishonesty, and will cry to Heaven for vengeance.
Such tricks and villainous devices do the same thing |by
craft and treachery, as housebreakers do by force and vio
lence. Therefore, dear brother, renounce, detest, and
fly from them as much as from fire, arrows, and death. Be
sides, you are not only to abstain from such clandestine
knavery, but also to shew all good fidelity. What is meant
by this, you may understand, by reading how Joseph con
ducted himself in Potiphar's service. Your master it is
likely will commit the management of some of his aifairs to
you, and you must endeavour, by a discreet behaviour, and
a pious life, to bring the blessing of the Lord upon all that
you take in hand. You must lay out your time, and your
labour, and give all diligence to answer the trust reposed
in you. You must not delay the business which is urgent,
nor do your work by halves, nor transfer that to others
which is expected you should do yourself The slothful
man, says Solomon, is brother to him that is a great was
ter ; therefore you must avoid idleness, and carelessnes-.
In a word, you must do nothing knowingly and wilfully that
is like to impoverish your master, but seek by all lawful
and 1-audible means to increase his substance. All this
you must observe, not only when he stands by you, and in
spects you, but when his back is turned, and you are re
moved from his view ; otherwise your service is nothing
but eye-service, such as will prove odious to man, and is al-
jready condemned by God. For if you appear to he indus
trious, and in earnest, before your Master, but to loiter and
trifle when out of his sight, you will be chargeable with hy
pocrisy, a sin extremely hatefill to Christ, and grievously
pernicious to the soul. — But I am afraid I tire you ; this
one sentence therefore, and I have done. You must carry
yourself, throughout the whole course of your apprentice
ship so respectfully, so obediently, so faithfully, that at the
end of it you may truly say, with Jacob, " With all my
po-.vpr f b-ive served vonr father.-' I had more to write

l'20 LETTERS.
but will send you (if you care to except it) the remainder
some other time. May God bless you all, and your affec
tionate brother, &c.

LETTER XVHI.
On the riches of God's mercy.
S£AK SISTEB,
I HAVE takeb my pten in hand to write, but what shall be
the subject? News I have none; or, if I had my brother
would communicate it, in his conversation. — Let me imitate
a royal example. It was once said by a renowned king,
" My song shall be of mercy and judgement ;" of the same
let my letter treat. The former was very lately the topic
of some agreeable discourse with a young gentlemen. We
observed, how necessary it is, to be firmly persuaded of the
infinitely rich mercies of God in Christ Jesus. This witl
make us delight to think of him, and encourage us to fly to
him. Whereas, if we have jealousy, that he bears us ill
will, or designs our ruin, we cannot lake pleasure in him, or
place our confidence in him. Therefore the condescend
ing God has given us repeated and solemn assurances of his
pity, his grace, his lender mercy in Christ Jesus.
Exod. xxxiv. 6. 7. * He makes it his very name ; Intimat
ing, that a man may forget his own name, before the bless
ed God can cease to be merciful to them that fear him.
Ezek. xxxiii 7. ll.j He confirms his divine good will
to us by an oath. He swears by his very life, that he de
sires our happiness, and seeks ont- salvation. — Here are
two immutable things, the name, and the oath of God, Can
we have stronger confirmation of his loving kindness?
* And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, the Lord, the
Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suff'ering, and abundant in goodness
and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity an- tran-gression
and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity cf
the fathers upon the children, and upon the childrens children, unto the
third and lo the fourth generation
f So thou O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Is
rael ; therefore thOu shalt hear the "H-ord at my mouth, and warn them from
me. Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord God, 1 have no pleasure in the
death of the wrclie'd, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn
ye, turn ye .from yoni- evil ways for why will yp die, O house of Israel .'

LETTERS. 121
I think, if it be possible, we have. He has so loved u=,
saith the scripture. — How hath he loved us? So, as no
words, no not of his own all-ivise Spirit can express ; noth
ing but Ihe unspeakably pricious effects. So as to sur
render his own Son, to die that we might live ; to be made
subject to the law, that we by his obedience might be made
rigb'eous; to become a curse that we might inherit the
blesssing. — Read what the wife of Manoah very justly
alledges, and apply it to the point before us. Judg. xiii. 23.*
for I can no more : i hear the coach coming to carry me
out on a visit. Yours, &c.

LETTER XIX.
On the vanity of the present life.
TO HIS FATHER. Biddeford, Oct. 1, 1742.

»ET. AND HOX. SIH,

Your last, containing the melancholy account of the
death of both my aunts, I received. 1 hope they died in
the Lord, and sleep in the bosom of Jesus ; and then, truly,
they are the happy persons, and we the objects of pity.
They rest, and have cast anchor in the harbour ; whereas
we are still beating on the ocean, and tossed in the storm. —
If we consider things impartially, this world is our grave ;
nor do we really live, till we burst the fleshy prison, and
,get beyond the visible skies.
In the grave is darkness ; it is called the Shadow of death
—.And what else is this wretched world ? What but a state
of gloominess; a valley of the thickest darkness ? where
poor mortals grope in spiritual ignorance ; and wander up
and down, not seeing the things that belong to their peace
In .the grave, and among the tombs, we look for phan
toms and apparitions. — And what else do we meet with
here below ? A thousand sorts of happiness present them-
*But his wife said u-tohim, " if the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would
not have received a burnt-offering and a meat-offering at our hands, neither
would he have shewed us all the=e things, nor would, a? at this time have
told us such things as these." 11

122 LETTERS.
selves to (5ur wishes, but are unsubstantial and phanfastical
all. They are a gay delusion, and mock our expectations^
as one of those vanishing forms would baulk our embraces.
The grave is the land where all things are forgotten.
The ideas of friendship are obliterated, and the dearest
relatives are remembered no more, — And is not this too
true a description of our present state? Do we not unac
countably forget Jesus Christ, our Almighty friend, and ev
erlasting glory, our invaluable heritage ? Where is the
man that remembers his bleeding Saviour, on his bed ; and
thinks upon him when he is waking ? No ; the Redeem-
¦er's inconceivable love, and the precious benefits of his
passion, are buried in a deep oblivion. — This world then
of darkness, apparitions, and forgetfulness, is the grand dor-
jnitory. Flesh and -blood the tomb of our immortal minds.
Nascente.'! morimii.
I fear, I lire you, honoured Sir, But because I have no
news, that you can apprehend or relish, 1 allow my pen
in these excursions. — This week I was sent for tp visit a la
dy of this parish, in the same disorder, that proved so fatal
to my two aunts. She lay, poor gentlewoman, most terri
bly afflicted, and is now released. It put me in mind of the
Psalmist's penitential acknowledgement, which 1 think is
never more applicable than in the case of the small pox-
When thou. Lord, with rebuke dost chasten man for sin, thou
makest his beauty io consume away, like as it were a moth fret
ting a garment. I shall rejoice to hear that you and my
mother continue well, under all your trouble and fatigue,
and remain, Reverend and honoured Sir,
Your mo.st dutiful son, &c.

LETTERS. 12a
LETTER XX.
On the evil of flattery. April, 1748.
Ft, fy upon you, dear Dr ***. — I had been endeavour
ing all the day long to fix my admiration 00 that most ex
alted, that most amiable Being, who though possessed of ex
cellencies which the very angels contemplate with rapture
and adoration, yet humbled himself to death, the death of
the cross, for my friend and me. When your praises, kind
indeed, but alas ! perniciously kind, fetched my thoughts
from their proper element, and proper object, to grovel on
a creature, and that the meanest of creatures, self. I could
wish myself on such occasions, like the deaf adder, which
Stoppeth her ears, and refuseth to hear the voice of the
charmer, charm he never so sweetly. Praise is most en
chanting music to the human ear; shall 1 ralher say, most
delicious poison to the human taste. From strangers, or
complimentary correspondents, we must expect a touch
upon this string, a sprinkling of this spice. But among
friends, bosom friends, christian friends, it must not be soi,
— You and I, dear Sir, will teach one another's hearts to
rise in wonder, and glow with love, at the consideration of
that ever-blessed Sovereign, who is higher than the kings
of the earth, higher than the potentates of heaven, and
yet lay in darkness and the shadow of death ; that he might
make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life.
^Pardon my excursions on this subject. — A letter from my
father is enough to cast contempt upon created things. It
informs me, that my poor sister is reduced very low ; so
low, that my father cannot hear her speak. He seems to
look upon her life to be in very great danger. May the
Father of compassions restore her health ; that she may
live to the honour of her dying Master, and be a comfort to
her afflicted parents ! — Glad 1 am, that my dear friend can
relish the writings of that shining and burning light, Mr ***,
Our disesteem of such gospel-doctrines, as he teaches, gen
erally arises from ignorance of ourselves. Therefore I
heartily join with the Grecian sage, in saying, E ccelo des'
cendit j-»«8< nxvln. I am, affectionately yours, &c»

124 LETTERS.
LETTER XXI.
On ihe excellency of ihe favour of God.
¦Weston-Favel, May, 1748.
1 SEND my dear friend the letter, which, by his instiga
tion, 1 write. I send it this night, that if he discerns any
thing in it very improper, it may be returned by the bearer,
and the needful alterations made. — Methinks, it gives a
person a tasteful satisfaction to find favour with judicious,
and excellent men. What a transpoit of delight must it
create, to meet with the acceptance of the great Judge, the
eternal King, the fountain of all perfection ? — to be admit
ted into his immediate presence — to be favoured with the
brightest manifestations of "his divine attributes — to love
him with all our souls, and to be infinitely more beloved by
him — to be conformed to his glorious, his most amiable im
age, and so much the more, as ages in an endless success
ion roll on ages. — This is life — this is blessedness — this is
heaven. And this life is in his Son — this blessedness is
purchased for us sinners by Ihe obedience of Christ — to
this heaven Christ is the way — the door — the passport.
Oh 1 let us not doubt, but he will make us meet by his Spir
it, for the inheritance which he has obtained by his blood.
Ever yours, &c.

LETTER XXIL
Cn ihe nature of "worldly 2>i'ospcrily. Eath, August 27,174.'!.
HF.V. SIR,
Sunday last, 1 happened not to be at the abbey-church,
in the afternoon. But conversing yesterday with a gentle
man who was one of your auditors, I desired to have a s'lm-
mary account of your sermon. And truly he gave me such
an account, as both astonished and grieved me. You digni-
lied worldly prosperity at so extraordinary a rate, and al
most canonized the prosperous man. On the other hand,
vou vilified the glorious Jesus in so scandalous a manner,

LETTERS. 125
and set the incarnate Godhead to one of the most ignoble
and abominable offices. This made me encourage ray
friend to draw his pen, and send you a word of admonition.
And when he declined the task, I could not forbear under
taking it myself. For it would be unkind to you. Sir, to
perceive you under such grievous mistakes, and not warn
you of the error of your ways. Nor would it be less un
faithful to your Master, and my Master, to be informed of
such preaching, and suffer it to pass current wilhout any
animadversion. If I misrepresent you in any particular, I am ready lo
retract. And if I have truth on my side, and you, Rever
end Sir, have spoken unworthy your sacred oflBce, have dis
honoured the divine Redeemer, and perverted his everlast
ing gospel — I trust, you also will be so ingenuous, as lo
condemn that offensive sermon to the flames, and such
doctrines to silence and darkness. For I assure you, it is
from no ill-natured spirit of criticism, no moroseness of tem
per or fondness for contradiction, but from a sincere conceia
for the interests of true religion, and the honours of our com
mon Lord, that 1 take leave to suggest the following hints.
I think you first exhorted people to rejoice, when their
circumstances were affluent, and their worldly affairs pros
perous ; you enforced this palatable advice, by the precepts
of scripture : and lest it should not be received with a prop
er welcome, you further urged it upon your hearers, by
Ihe example of our blessed Saviour, In opposition to this-
strain of teaching, permit me to observe,
1st, That worldly prosperity is no suflicient cause for a
Christian to rejoice,
2d. That it is often one of the sorest evils that can be fal
a person.
3d. To sketch out the true nature of scriptural pros
perity, or discover what is that solid ground for rejoicing,.
which the oracles of God recommend.
First Worldly prosperity is no suflicient cause for re
joicing, because worldly things are empty and unsatisfactory.
That which is lighter than vanity itself, cannot possibly give
substantial joy. If we build for contentment upon sub
lunary things, we rear our edifice upon the sinking stind.
You can no more bring satisfaction out of .my thing created,
than you can carve an image out of the rising smoke, or
fill your belly with the east wind. Those that rejoice on
ly (and you, dear Sirj assigned no other cause for rejoicing),
*ll

126 LETTERS.
because they have abundance of earthly things richly to
enjoy, are like some bewildered and benighted traveller,
pierced with cold, dripping with wet, that leaps for joy be
cause he finds a glow-worm under the hedge. Alas ! this
is in no wise able to direct his wandering feet, to light him
through the dismal gloom, or to warm his benumbed limbs,
nor more than it is able to supply the place of the sun, and
dart its faint glimmer through the universe. — The pleas
ures which a superiour fortune furnish out, how soon do
they become stale, and pall upon the appetite ! how easily
may a thousand accidents snatch them from our embrace,
or dash them to pieces in our arms ! how certainly must we
forsake them in a very little time ; and when we have taken
a few more pleasant morsels, a few delicious draughts, eat
and drink again no more forever ! And what a wretched
disproportionate delight is this, for an immortal mind, that
is to survive the dissolution of the globe ; that is to live un
numbered ages, when all that our eyes have seen, is passed
away and gone 1
Again : — Worldly prosperity is no sufficient cause for
rejoicing, because a person may possess this, and have
neither faith nor grace. There is no manner of connexion
between faith and wealth. The poor frequently receive
the gospel, while numbers of the rich reject their own hap
piness. And " without faith it is impossible to please God ;"
it is unreasonable and unwarrantable to rejoice. The be
liever, indeed has a permission ; has a privilege, yea has a
patent for rejoicing. The Christian has " all joy and peace
in believing." All — you see here is a monopoly, faith has
engrossed this precious commodity. None is to be procur-
t d, but from her.-^And as for grace, talents of gold may be
io the coffers, and not one grain of grace in the heart.
Those that call whole lordships their own, cannot, per
haps say that they have received the Holy Ghost. And
while they are destitute of this divine principle, 1 can call
them nothing but wretches. You may add Illustrious,
Right Honourable, and Worshipful if you please, but still
they are miserable wretches, unless Christ the hope of
glory be formed in their souls. The Holy Ghost, you
know. Sir, is called " the Comforter," because it is his amia
ble office to administer consolation to his people. He give th
joy, and who can make sadness ? But, alas ! if he withdraw
his benign influences, who or what can create satisfaction ;
silver shoes may as well charm away the racking pains ofa

LETTERS. isr
gouted foot, or golden dust quench the thii-st of a parched
throat, as any worldly abundance, as all worldly plenty,
beget real joy, without the communications of the comfort
ing Spirit. — You forget, Sir, the prayers which you daily
offer up in the congregation. In them, you acknowledge,
that the world cannot give peace. And if not peace, surely
not joy. If not the fruit, surely not the blossom. " There
is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." And all are
wicked, who are void of faith, and unrenewed by grace.
All run counter to the divine declaration, who bid such per
sons rejoice, though they should have every kind of pros
perity that a carnal heart can wish.
Once more : — Worldly prosperity is no sufficient cause
for rejoicing, because a man may possess this, and be a child
of wrath notwithstanding. Providence often scatters tem
porary things among the tents of his enemies. " They
have children at their desire, and leave the rest of their
substance for their babes." These are husks which the
swine are permitted to eat. God's dearest servants, those
who are heirs of glory, are frequently seen to be vyithout
any share of them, while the most abandoned sinners have
them to the full. Lazarus has not a house to lay his head
in, while the voluptuary dwells in apartments ceiled with
cedar, and painted with vermillion, Lazarus has not enough
to purchase one morsel of meat, must be beholden to char
ity for the least crumb of provision, while his hard hearted
neighbour drinks wine in bowls, and eats the choicest of
the flock ; is clothed in purple and fine linen, and fareth
sumptuously every day. — Who then can rationally rejoice
in that, which is no pledge of the divine acceptance ? which
carries with it no proof of our reconciliation to that eternal
Majesty, whose smile is inconceivable bliss, whose frown is
insupportable woe ? — A wealthy and successful person, if
he be considerate as well as fortunate, must go home from
such a sermon arguing in this manner : — '' The preacher
sohfits me to rejoice in my worldly goods. But how can I
find complacency in such perishing possessions, when, per
haps, I may be an outcast from heaven, and have no place
in that kingdom, which endureth for ever ? how can I take
pleasure in these dainties that replenish my table, when
perhaps the heavy wrath of God may fall upon me, while
the meat is yet in my mouth ? this sumptuous furniture,
this glittering equipage, these deliciou-^ treats, how can I
take real satisfaction in them, when for aught I know, a

128 LETTERS.
handwriting upon the wall, may be denouncing my doom ?
If God would lift up the light of his countenance upon me,
if I was sweetly ascertained of his good-wili, nen I could re
joice unfeignedly. But as for these large revenues, and
tides of s^uccess, that are so much extolled by the preacher,
they may prove like the rich pastures that fatten the ox for'
the knife,"
Will you have patience with me. Sir, if I proceed to
prove. Secondly — That worldly prosperity, is so far from being
an adequate cause for our rejoicing, that it is frequently
one of the sorest and most mischievous evils. — This I am
sure was the opinion of archbishop Usher. That most re
nowned and excellent prelate in his younger days, had a
continued series of prosperity. Health, impaired by no at
tacks of sickness ; credit, sullied by no breath of scandal ;
and success, interrupted by no disappointment, or disastrous
turn. And what emotion did this occasion in that devout
and judicious person's mind ? did his heart dance within him
for joy? did he bless himself on this behalf? No. — Bui he
was under sad apprehensions, lest God had forsaken him,
and given him over to a reprobate course. He feared Ihat
his heavenly Father, because he spared the rod, hated the
child. That not being brought under the discipline of prov
idential correction, he was a bastard, and not a son of the •
Lord Almighty. — How diametiically opposite was this way
of thinking, to your way of preaching; and whether it was
not a very sober and just method of thinking, let the follow
ing considerations determine.
Worldly prosperity is apt to attach men to earthly things.
When success swells their sails, and all proceeds according
to their wish, how prone are we to disregard Jesus, and ev
erlasting ages ; many are immoderately fond of the world,
because they have swam sweetly down the stream of pros
perity; who, probably, would hn-e been weaned, from its
delights, and indifferent to its goods, in case they had toiled
upon the craggy cliffs of some intervening adversity. When
they walk always upon roses, and meet with no thorns in
their paths, the consequence is an acquiescence in their pres
ent station, and remissness in seeking the joys of an invisible
world. A contentment in the things that are seen, without
any aspirations after the things that are not seen, is the
most unhappy condition imaginable, and is generally the
offspring of worldly prosperity. And when this worldly

LETTERS, 129
prosperity is so highly rated in the calculations of Ihe pul
pit, what other effect can possibly attend such lectures, but
to glue our affections more closely, and rivet them more
inseparably, to these trifles of a day ?
Again: — Worldly prosperity is frequently a mischievous
evil, because it is apt to make men proud. They come in
no misfortune like other folk, says the Psalmist, and this is
the cause that they are so holden with pride. Prosperity
is often a luscious poison. It bloats and puffs men up with
an over-weaning oj)inion of themselves. It intoxicates the
mind, and makes it drunk with self-conceit. It prompts
people to idolize themselves, and contemn others. The
intolerable arrogance of the Babylonish monarch, what was
it owing to but his vast and uninterrupted successes ? He
measured his merit by the length of his purse, and challenged
a veneration proportionable to the extent of his dominions.
This vde, rank weed, thrives in the hot beds of hondur,
wealth, and carnal pleasure. Whereas, it might never have
reared its head, in the colder climate of tribulation, or scan
tiness of circumstances.
Once more : — Worldly prosperity is frequently a pernic
ious evil, because it renders men carnally secure. It case-
hardens the mind against all the threatenings, and makes it
deaf to the invitations of heavenly wisdom. It is a stupify-
ing potion, and lulls the soul into a fatal forgetfulness of
everlasting things. Those that were lusty and strong, in
our Saviour's days, joined with the impious multitude in
despising the veiled Divinity. But those who were diseas
ed in their bodies, or disordered in their minds, with eager
ness fell prostrate at his sacred feet, and implored his
healing hand. — Periissent, nisi periissent. — You cannot but
have observed various proofs of this remark in the course
of your ministry. You must have seen many persons that
rejected all your counsel, and would none of your reproof,
while they washed their steps in butter, and the rock pour
ed them out rivers of oil. But how teachable were these
once refractory worldlings — how willing to hear the con
solations of the gospel, when their sensible delights were
perished and gone ? how desirous to be informed of a hap
piness in the heavens which fadeth not, when their car
nal pleasure had made themselves wings, and were flown
away ? in the gaiety of iheir health, and abundance of their
plenty, they were settled upon the lies of supineness ; hut
when the scene was shifted, they cried out with vehe-

130 LEITlRb.
mence, " What must we do lo be saved ?" This I myself
have frequently rcmaiked in the short compass of my ex
perience, men who were like an iron sinew in their flour
ishing condition, have been impressible as melting wax iu
a reverse of fortu e.
We see then, that Ihe prosperity of this world is always
dangerous ; often pernicious, and too frequently destructive.
It yields pleasures that infatuate ; — sweets that are imjioi-
soned ; — delights that stupify. Insomuch, that a heathen
could say. Nihil infalicius illo, cui nihil infxlix contigii.
Here it may be asked. Are we to take no comfort in our
portion on earth ? must we become gloomy and melancholy,
and go mourning all our days ? — Far, far from it. Religion
allows us, religion enables us, religion requires us to be
joyful. Yea, it gives its faithful adherents to rejoice with
joy un.speakable, and full of glory. — But then it is founded
on'aprinciple vastly superior to Ihat which you. Sir, thought
fit to single out and display. It .springs from a source and
rests on a basis, that has no mannt r of dependance on w orld-
ly circumstances. Which remiiids me of another point, I
am engaged to clear up, viz.
The true nature of scriptural yrosperity. — The scripture
is a spiritual scheme. Spiritual goods are what it chiefly
recommends, and from spiritual evils it chiefly deters.
Chiist's words are spirit ; tending to make men not car
nally minded, but spiritually minded ; to render them spir
itual in their understandings, their affections, their conduct.
Insomuch, that one need not scruple to affirm constantly, that
the holy scripture never calls that state, a slate of prosperity,
which is not grounded on the favour of (iod. Kor ever en
courages people to rejoice iu any thing, till they are — rec
onciled to God. — interested in Christ — and renev.ed by Ihe
Holy Ghost ; which, 1 think, constitute the scriptural pros
perity ; I am sure, are the ground-work of all happiness. —
First — For reconciliation to God. " His favour is better
than life." Life it-elf is worthless; and, consequently, all
its enjoyments, without this prime fundamental blessin;!.
For this cause the Prince of peace bled to death, that the
handwriting of guilt might be blotted out; thai the wrath
of God might be appeased, and Ihat we who were enemies,
might be brought near through his blood. This is the door
to all good. Enter in by this gate, O ye sons cf men, or
else you vs-ill inevitably miscarry in your search after fehci-
ty. If you seek for bliss, and bottona not your expectations

LETTERS, 131
on this rock, you arc sure to be disappointed of your hope.
I can no more have true comfort in any possession, till {
have redemption througn my Redeemer's passion, than that
unfortunate captive could rejoice in the royal banquet that
was set before him, when a ponderous sword edged and un
sheathed, was hanging by a slender thread, and shaking ev
ery moment over his head, — An interest in Christ. This is
another pillar to support our felicity. Therefore, our bles
sed Lord directing us in the way to our own good, says,
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.
The everlasting kingdom of heaven as the end, and the im
puted righteousness of Jesus C.hrist, as the way. Till the
one is our actual possession, and the other our certain re
version, we may look for real satisfaction, b'lt shall find none.
Apply to all the creatures ; rifle al! their charms ; taste all
their sweets ; you vvill perceive them to be altogether light
er than vanity ilself; wilhout an union with Christ, and an
establishment in his merits. — Renovation of mind, is another
ingredient of the jirosperity delineated in scripture. Till
thi soul be sanctified, it is in a state of grievous disorder:
like a body, all whose bones are ou* of joint. And, Oh !
what joy can be tasted in such a condition ? Till divine
grace have the ascendant within us, till the kingdom of
God be set up in our hearts, we are in bondage to corrup
tion. Vile affections domineer over us. The devil and our
own lusts play the tyrant in our breasts. We are like slaves
under a trailing yoke, and like lepers under a noisome distem
per. Therefore the Psalmist says. When I awake up after
thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it. Till thy image be
reinstamped upon my heart, I never expect to see good.
While we are in the bond of iniquity, we must infallibly be
in the gall of bitterness.
This is the prosperity celebrated in the scriptures. Of
this every believer is a partaker ; and you will ple-aseto re
member, that every- exhortation to rejoicing, which we
meet with in those inspired books, are addressed to such
persons only. They give not the least invitation to any one,
no, nor the least licence, to rest satisfied, mlich less to re
joice, till they are brought into such circumstances of re
conciliation with Heaven, and renovation of mind. Nor
have you, Sir, any warrant to say to yourself, or your peo
ple, "• Soul, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry, be
cause thou hast much goods laid up for many years." This
is the epicure's creed. The lively oracles hear their tee-

132 LETTERS.
timony. against such conclusions. They style all the unre-
generate, fools. And to such, worldly abundance is not
matter for mirth, but matter of ruin : for " the prosperity
of fools shall destroy them." Be they grand as Nebuchad
nezzar, in as much affluence as Ahasuerus, honoured as
Herod was by the applauding multitude ; yet every page
of scripture says to them, as Jehu to Joram's messenger,
" What hast thou to do with peace." And, however some
smooth-tongued preachers may flatter and cajole them in
their pomp ; however they may prophesy smooth things,
and solicit them to rejoice on such a footing, as the Lord
has not made a ground for rejoicing ; yet an apostle be
speaks them in very different language, " Go to now, ye
rich men, weep and howl." The teacher sent from God
haih other tidings to tell them, " Woe unto you that are
rich, that are full, for ye have your consolation^ ye shall
hunger, hereafter. And, in another world, they may hear
this avvful admonition sounding in their ears, " Son, remem
ber that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things :
thy good things, those which thou accountedst good, not
that really were good but only appeared so, to thy dis
tempered judgment, and vitiated taste.
Surely, Sir, it must have been perfectly prudent, or rath
er absolutely necessary, to caution your audience against
so fatal a mistake; especially since they consist of the gay,
the grand, the pleasurable. A vigilant minster would cer
tainly give them to understand, that wealth and plenty is,
by no means, the prosperity which the Spirit of God com
mends. That joy, without the loving kindness of the Lord,
is a mere chimera. That none are entitled to this medi
cine of life, but those who can lay their hand upon their
hearts, and say with a faith unfeigned, My sins are all for
given, through the atonement of the slaughtered Lamb ;
my peace is made with the eternal God, and the Spirit of
Jesus Christ dwells in me. This is that which justifies,
which produces joys. Then, indeed, and not till then, the
wise man's advice may be thy practice ; " Go thy way, eat
thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart,
for God now accepteth both thee and thy woiks." Then
thou mayest take comfort in thy earthly accommodations,
as so many little appendages of thy bliss ; not as the es
sence which constitute it, but as the cement, which serves
to fill up some little interstices, and render the whole some
what more compact. And even in this case, our blessed

LETTERS, 135
Master (who bid his disciples not to rejoice because the dev
ils were subject unto them, but because their names were
written in heaven) would, probably caution us not to rejoice
because we have all worldly things copiously, to enjoy, but
because we are pardoned, we are justified, we are sanctified.
Upon the whole, suppose worldly prosperity was not
oftentimes a most mischievous evil, which it undoubtedly
is — Suppose it was a substantial ground for Christian re
joicing, which it really is not — Suppose this was the scrip
tural prosperity, which notion is, I trust, sufficiently dis
proved — In a word, suppose the whole tenor of your
doctrine to be true, whereas it seems to be palpably false ;
yet wh-at good, in the name of wonder, can you possibly
propose by such preachments ? you f.annot but be sensible,
that we are all strongly addicted, to inferior things. We
are already too fond of worldly goods, too impetuous in our
pursuit of sensual gratifications. We want, we extremely
want a curb to check our career, and you clap a spur in
our sides. You employ you eloquence as a provocative,
in a case that cries aloud for restrictives. Alas ! Sir, you
have no occasion to push the head-long torrent ! — But 1
have done with this point ; 1 have nothing more to add
upon this head, unless it be to recommend to your serious
consideration, that alarming verdict, pronounced by infinite
Wisdom, " He that liveth in pleasure, is dead while he liv-
etb " Dead to God, dead to grace ; a dead Christian,
though a living animal. Compare, Reverend Sir, this
declaration with the tendency of your doctrine. Then, 1
assure myself, you will not redden with indignation at these
plain remonstrances ; but rather, (as I should in your case)
turn pale with grief, at your past teachings ; and tremble
with fear, for the consequences of them.
Thus much for your divinity: — Now, Sir, if you please
for your logic. VVe have canvassed your doctrine ; let us
next consider the argument, with which you establish it.
This is, if possible, ten thousand times more exceptionable
than the tenet itself For after having told your audience,
that the carnal delight, which you so earnestly press to
take, is agreeable to the reason of things, is consonant to
\he designs of providence, you think proper lo add, that it
is also countenanced by our Saviour's example. Since, at
a certain marriage-feast, when the wine fell short, he
wrought a miracle, and furnished them with a fresh supply,
on purpose, that mirth might not die. This was vour ex-
U

• 1S4 LETTERS.
pression. And, surely, a more shocking one never came
from a preacher's lips. Was ever so abject and scurvy a
reason assigned, for one of the most illustrious actions ?
could any debauched libertine, at a drunken club, have
derogated more contumeliously from the dignity of our
Lord's behaviour? Jesus, the mirror of purity, the fountain
of wisdom, of whom it is testified, " That he did all things
welP'-^this wise and glorious Being is represented, not by
an abandoned sot, but by a minister of the gospel, as ex
erting his omnipotence to prolong a merry ])out. Oh ! that
it might not be told in Gath, or published in the streets of
Askelon! But — fugitirrevocabileverbum; you cannot re
voke the words. The pnly reparation you can make lo
the injured Jesu.s, or the offended Christian, is to give us a
sermon of recantation, and antidote the poison that has been
propagated. But 1 would hope, it is too gross to spread. That the
mirth may not die, is ?n assertion that must startle every
hearer. Why this a common vintner might have prevetil-
ed, as well as an Almighty Being. A few flasks from the
tavern would have answered this end. Most ignoble pur
pose I unworthy, altogether unworthy so august, divine,
and admirable a person. — Oh ! what a- handle does Ihis
yield to Infidels for profiine banlerJ that Jesus should de
scend from the heaven of heavens, and come into the world,
vested with incontrolable power, on so poor, grovelling,
and sordid an errand! that a part of his business, in the
state of humanity, should be, to guard against the extinction
of such idle mirth, as owes its birth to a bottle ! the soldiers
that stripped our Lord of his apparel, and mocked his sacred
person ; that spit upon his ble.«sed face, buffeted his divine
head, and loaded him with all minner of scurrijties and in
dignities ; did not commit (in my opinion) so flagrant an
abuse,, as a modern preacher in one of his studied solemn
harangues. They took him to be a mere man ; they pro
nounced him a vile man ; and, therefore, offered him such
approbrious affronts. But you, Sir, acknowledge him to
be God-, you know him to be infinitely wise, and yet make
him a lacquey to the most errant trifles, a drudge to men's
carnal indulgencies. — Suppose, both our houses of parlia
ment, after the maturest deliberation, should employ the
whole, army of the nation, to clear away all obstructions for
a butterfly in her flowery range, or lo see that a silly kit-
te'n goes on unmolested in her sportive gambols: would

LETTERS. 135
you extol the wisdom of our senators? would you not cry
shame upon their conduct ? Now, your assertion is full as
depreciatory to the consummate prudence, and exemplary
purity of our divine Master ; since you set them both on
work, joined with his irresistable might, only to furnish out
a little more gaiety, a little more laughter to a set of ca-
rousers, whom you describe as pretty well in for it already.
That the mirth might not die ! — That is, that those who
were already made merry with liquor, might go on in their
jovial delights, till they added drunkenness to their thirst.
For when people are thus exhilirated, to take fresh
draughts, and pour down more wine, must indeed make
them, as a professed scorner profanely expresses himself,
on this very occasion, more than half seas over. So that
when you give an evasive flourish or two, and would have
your hearers to believe, that you are no advocate for in
temperance, it is plain, you are only complimenting the
cause of sobriety. This interpretation put upon our Lord's
conduct, knocks all such sham pretences on the head. For
if he wrought the miracle with such a view, and fpr such
sort of people, all the world cannot clear him from being
a promoter of excess ; and if he did not, all the world can
not acquit you. Sir, from the most abusive misrepresenta
tions of your Redeemer.
That the mirth might not die ! — What could a leivd rake
have done at his riotous table, worse than that which you
ascribe to the pattern of all perfection ? my blood grows
chill, my thoughts recoil at so horrid a position. Any gen
tleman, of tolerable seriousness, when he perceives his
friends are got merry with his drink, would rather withdraw
the glass, than add fuel to the flame. For my part, 1 should
think myself an abettor of excess, and little better than a
pimp for debauchery, if when men are merry in their cups,
I should supply them with means of driving on the wanton
humour. And yet, — be amazed, O ye heavens, and be hor
ribly afraid, O earth ! — a minister, in the midst of a throng
ed congregation, charges this very practice upon the most
immaculate Lamb of God! — Oh! Sir, how could he who
came to be our sanctification, administer to our inordinate
gratifications ? how could he who bas enjoined us not to,
make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof, be
instrumental to continue a luxurious revel? — Oh! blessed
Jesus, surely that is fulfilled which was spoken by the
prophet, " Thou art wounded in the house of thy friends J*

136 LETTERS.
Thy character is debased, thy doctrines adulterated, by
those who profess themselves adorers of the one, and ex
pounders of the other. Oh ! that ever the Christian pulpit
should become a porch to the temple of Bacchus ) and a
Christian preacher act the part ofa purveyor for the tip-
ling-house I
Do you intend to please. Sir, or to profit your audience,
by these admonitions ?— aYou can please none but men of
corrupt- minds, " Whose God is their belly, vvho mind
eEh-fhly things." You can profit none but those, whose
heaven is to be found in the juice of the grape. They can
serve no other end, but to give a sort of sanction to their
extravagancies. Your lectures, perhaps, may be recollect
ed with applause on an ale-bench, and pleaded among a
circle of jolly topers. But 1 assure you. Sir, they are heard
by the serious and devout, with the utmost sorrow, and
with equal detestation. Their ears are wounded, and their
hearts bleed, under the sound of such Bacchanalian doc
trines. May I now be permitted to declare my sentiments, with
regard to that passage of .scripture, which you have so un
happily perverted?
As to the mirth yon seem so fond of, there is no mention
of it in Ihe sacred narrative. For Christ went not about to
spread Ihe laugh among his company, but to make them se-
i-ioiis, sober, and wise unto salvation. If he vouchsafed his
presence at entertainments, and sat at the tables of sinners,
it was with a gracious design of instructing and converting
them in Iheir own houses. He came to feasts in the same
spirit, and for the same purposes, as he came into the world :
to turn poor mankind from darkness unto light, and from the
power of Satan unto God: so that none can imagine, when
he was in ihe room, that there could be any thing like that
licentio'js diversion, which too generally prevails in our
merry meetings. If they did rejoice, they rejoiced, doubt
less, after a godly sort. They rejoiced in the pretious and
instructive words, that dropped from Christ's lips, as sweets
from an honey -comb. They rejoiced to have so divine a
prophet raised up unto God's people, and to have the hon
our of so illustrious a personage amongst them. 1 hey re
joiced, without all peradventiire, to see, and hear, and han
dle the word of life.
As for thai expression, which we translate well drunk.
• — tii^vF^as-iii, — profane wits, I know, raise mighty tri-

LETTERS. tS7
umphs .upon it : but, in truth, they are Cabelrbuilding,", and
proofs of nothing but their own fplly. They thereby give
us to understand, that their want of sense is as unquestiona
ble, as their malignity to Christianity. For, surely they
must be full as ei-rant idiots, as they are shameless sots, who
can offer, to fetch the least shadow ofa plea for riotous in
dulgencies from this passage. Since, let the meaning of the
word be ever so loose and exceptionable, yet nothing can
be concluded from theoce, againt the oeconomy and deco
rum of that entertainment, because the governor speaks only
of the usual custom at other treats. He says not at word
good or bad, of the guests that were present at that bridal
festival. It must therefore be, not only precarious, but ri
diculous and absurd, to infer the disorderly proceedings of
those people, from what the ruler observes concerning oth
ers. I once was acquainted with a worthy gentleman, who'
frequently invited to his table the young persons of his
neighbofhopd ; and would take a pleasure in instilling or
cultivating in their minds, the principles of sobriety, indus
try and piety. Now, in case he had said after supper was
removed, I know very well, my honest neighbors, it is cus
tomary with some persons of fortune, both to please and
pride themselves in making their visitants drunk ; they
push the. glass briskly round, and press one bumper upon.
another, till they send their guests slavering to bed. But,'
— Now, would any one be so stupid, as to infer from this
ackno»vledgment of the practice of others, that this was al
so the practice of my iViend ? yet Ihis they may do,, with a.5
much justness and solidity of reasoning, as deduce any max
im io favour of exeats trom the speechof the ArctiitriclinAi?.
(or roaster of the feast)
Evident, 1 think it is, that this expression, wKafever be
lts exact import, is in no wise referable to the condition of
those guests ; so Ihat we allow our advei-^.tries too mticb
advantage, by admitting any of their reini^.-ks upon its sig
nification. We should wrest this weapon out of their hands^,
which they brandish so formidably, rather ihan guard against
its strokes. — But incase it was agjijlicable to them,. yet it is-
most monsti;aus, to suppose if signiQcant of the least devia^
tion from l,etftperance. For had we not known- the co.mpa:-
ny to be .of the most exemplary behaviour,, and heavenly-
iminded spirit ;. had they been a .parcel of irreligious and;
lewd fellow.s,. instead of the virgin mother, and the Redeecn-.-
-ei-!s iik-C-i-flfc.'*.., Vetii v!;on! 1 lyn. i,T,-,n^=i;_),;r, i^. ^Ao..-.p-iTC-., th.v.i.

138 LETTERS.
any thing which had the least approach towards surfeiting
and drunkenness should be tolerated, when Jesus himself
was in the midst of them. Before so venerable and divine
3 person, they would not dare to allow themselves in any
misbecoming indulgencies, or indecencies of carriage. Be
sides, had their inclinations been ever so abandoned or im
petuous, his eternal power and Godhead would have restrain
ed them. He that intimidated the sacrilegious rabble, when
they profaned the temple, and drove them before his single
scourge ; he that struck prostrate to the ground, a whole
band of armed men, only with his word ; he that had all
hearts in bis hand, and could manage them as he ]deased,
would, doubtless, have forbid at this juncture, whatever
bordered upon dissoluteness.
Should any one inquire, for what cause then did Christ
work this miracle, if not to revive Ihe dying mirth ? — I an
swer, several noble reasons are assignable and obvious.
One : — To furnish a supply for fresh guests, which on
those occasions were continually pouring in ; that Ihe feast
might be prolonged to its usual period, and all that came
might be moderately refreshed. For 1 can by no means
imagine, that this fresh supply was intended for those who
had cheered themselves already with a sufficient quantity.
This indeed is what your sermon takes for granted, or else
your application of this fact is frivolous and impertinent.
But I promise myself, when you give it a second consider
ation, you will wonder, how so unworthy a thought could
rome into your mind; and be sorry, that it should ever
proceed from your lips, since it is so entirely repugnant
to the whole character, conduct, and preaching of our
Lord Jesus.
Another reason might be, to reward the married pair,
for their hospitality to himself and his followers. To give
e-arly notice to the world, that none should be losers by
shewing kindness to him or his. That every piece of re
spect paid to Jesus, and every kindness exercised towards
his family, should meet with a full recompence of reward.
Thus did he prepare an extensive fund for those, who had
forsaken houses, lands, relations, and their earthly all, for
his sake. Prepare a fund for their subsistance, by dispos
ing people to entertain and accommodate them,'when they
should be sent forth, without staff or scrip, or money in
their purses.
Another cstuae, and that which is remarked by the holy

LETTERS. 139
historian, was, " To manifest forth his glory." To give a
most conspicuous display of his Messiahship. He opened,
as it were, his commission, and shewed his divine creden
tials ; which was done with perfect propriety, in a public
manner, before more spectators than his own attendants.
And whatever effect it might have upon others, it confirm
ed the faith of his disciples. Seeing this incontestible
proof of his mission, it is said, " They believed on him :"
and were thenceforth inviolably attached to his person and
ministry. Other reasons may be suggested, and those exceeding
sound and useful. Such as point out a noble and deep sig
nificancy in this miracle ; make it rich with divine and spir
itual meaning ; and upon this footing, a more delicious
feast for our souls, than wines of the finest flavour, and
most generous quality, are to our animal nature.
For instance — It might signify the superior richness of
those comforts, which his gospel was introducing into the
world. That they exceeded those broached by Moses, and
the law, as much as the pure blood of the grape, excels
the water of our common wells. That his flesh and blood
would be a sovereign source of alacrity and consolation to
his people ; gladden and revive their hearts, like some ex
quisite cordial ; strengthen and invigorate their minds, like
the best bodied wines.
This particular season of a marriage-ceremony, was
probably chosen, in order to intimate the necessity of being
espoused and united to Christ, before we can be partakers
of these evangelical delights. Divorced we must be from
our old husband, the law ; divorced from the covenant of
works, and no longer wedded by self-opinionativeness, to
our own righteousnesses, but married by the bond of a
faith, lo that everlasting Bridegroom, in order to taste those
lively comforts, and have our share in those joys.
A reason fixed upon by our church is, that Christ would
hereby put an honour upon the matrimonial state ; by grac
ing the solemnity with his sacred company, and perform
ing his first public miracle on this occasion. A fine admo
nition this, to render us more than ordinary solicitous, to
have the favourable concurrence of Jesus, both when we
devise, and when we take so important a step ; because
the tranquility and happiness of our subsequent life de
pends, very much on this alteration of our condition. — That
we should, by all means, marry in the Lord ; and implore

140 LETTERS.
his spiritual gracious presence at the wedding ; which will
improve the advantages, and sanclify the enjoyments, of
that comfortable state; will, as it is delicately figured put
in the metaphor, turn our water into wine.
It might also be intended to remind us, that thecomfdrts,
even of animal life^ were recovered by the second Adam,
as they were forfeited by the-first Adam. When our first
parents ivere guilty of rebellion against their.Make'r, they
lost all right lo the valuable prodnclions of nature. This,
indeed, was Iheir dowry originally settled upon them ; but
by their disloyalty it became confiscated. Justice seized
upon their -inherrtance, and vengeance said. Cursed be fhe
ground /or your mkes. Christ, in t his exigency, immediately
interposed, took off the attainder, and restored to poor Ad
am, and his posterity, Ihe precious fruits of the earth.
These blessings, derived from Christs mediation, were
very properly recognized at a wedding; because, straight
way after the marriage of the first couple, they were alien
ated and sequestered.
This,' Sir, is a way of expounding our Redeemer's mira
cles, well worthy your consideration, if not your imitation.
In this light they appear,, not barely so many witnesses of
his beingthe Messiah, but so many living mirrors of his
mediatorial mercies. In which we discern;a most expres
sive figure of those spiritual good things, which we extreme
ly want, and may fully enjoy through Jesus Christ. — The
marvellous things brought to ,pass by the agency of the
prophets, apostles, and holy men cf old, were indisputable
vouchers for their being sent of God, But our Redeemer's
works had a farther excellency, ami answered a diviner
end. They held foith and pre-M^uted, even lo the senses,
a most striking patl<' in of ihosi; '-•(iiritual blessings, which
sinners may enjoy through theii- ;.-a\iour. — Thu.s,;when he
cured the man born blind; what did this signify but bis
healing the blindness of our understandings, and pouring
the tlay of his glorious gospel upon our internal sight ? —
¦When he made, the poor paralytic strong and vigorous, that
was notiable to turn himself on his bed, or to use his limbs :
what a lively emblem was here, both of our disease, and. his
sovereign help ? of our disease, whereby we are utterly
impotent to do a good work, or think a good thought ; of
his sovereign help, whereby, we are enabled to do all things,
through Christ strengthening us ; enabled to believe through
i'>-a;''yri:fC',.' iv a^ ¦•:'; rnr rn>:-!;!.l,l;i;i-^ ;.L;'.:>gU,i!i;5 Sii;;it

LETTERS. 141
Was not the filthy leper, a true picture of our loathsome
ness, through original defilement, and actual transgressions ?
and when our Redeemer disdained not to touch this noisome
creature, and make him perfectly clean ; how appositely
did this image point out the condescension of his goodness,
in undertaking our redemption ; and the efficacy of his
blood, in accomplishing our purification ? — I might go
through the whole series of our Lord's miracles, and discov
er in them a most significant and complete portraiture of all
manner of spiritual blessings. — But the foregoing instances
shall suffice. From these hints, we may discern an adora
ble depth of design ; unsearchable treasures of contrivance,
as well as beneficence in those operations of his mighty pow
er. Which noble peculiarity gives them a vast pre-emi
nence above all the miracles in Egypt, and the wonders in the
field of Zoan. Renders them so many fine representations
of the deliverencies and privileges enjoyable through our
ever blessed Immanuel. In a word, renders them a kind of
gospel that addresses itself even to our eyes; and so most
wisely calculated, both to direct our hopes, and strengthen
our faith in the incarnate God, I am, &,c.

LETTER XXIII.
Assurance in the nature if faith.
-JT VKBT nXAB FEIESD,
Your last found me on the recovering hand ; getting
strength and spirits, though by slow degrees.
Soon after I received your favour, a messenger came,
from London, bringing us the alarming news, that my young
est brother was extremely ill. My father's boweles yearned,
and his heart bled ; but the infirtnities of age, and an un
wieldy constitution, hindered him from taking the journey.
Upon me therefore the office fell. Feeble and languid as
I was, there was no rejecting such a call. Accordingly,
I took coach and in two days arrived safe at London ; where
I found my poor brother (the packer) seized with a most
violent fever. He was attended by two eminent physi
cians ; but they proved vain helpers, and miserable comfort-

142 LETTERS.
ers. For a considerable time, his stout constitution strug
gled with the disease, but at last was forced to yield, was
fol-ced to drop in the dreadfiil combat. After attending his
sick bed for several days, I had the melancholy task of
closing his dear eyes, and resigning him up to death.
Oh ! the uncertainty of mortal things ! What is health
but a glimmering taper, that expires while it shines ; and
is-liable to be extinguished-by every motion of air? what
is strength but a tender blossom, that is often withered in
its fullest bloom ; often blasted, even before it is blown ?
-^Who could have thought that 1 should survive my broth-
er^ and followed him to the grave ? 1 sickly and enerva-
fedi he always lively and vigorous. In flourishing circum
stances, and blessed with prosperity in his businesss ; but
now removed to the dark, inactive, silent tomb. Lately
married to a beautiful and blooming bride ; but now ever
lastingly divcirced, and a companion for creeping things.
Starce was 1 returned to Weston, but another awful prov
idence fetehed me from home : my very worthy physician,
Dr. Stonhouse, -who lives and practises at Northampton,
had the misfortune to lose an amiable and excellent wife.
She also was snatched away in the morning of life, aged 25 ;
and dead, before I so much as heard of her being disordered.
At this valuable friend's house, 1 was desired to abide some
time, in order to assist in writing letters for him, and des
patching his necessary affairs ; in comforting,him concerning
the deceased; and (if the will of God be so) in endeavor
ing to improve Ihe awakening visitation to our mutual good.
You will surely say when you read this account, that 1
have been in deaths oft. Once upon the borders of it my
self, and more than once a spectator of its victory over oth
ers. — However, my dear friends, let us not be dismayed.
Let no man's, at least no believers heart fail, because of
this king of terrors. Though thousands fall beside us,
though ten thousand expire at our right hand, and though
we ourselves must quickly give up the ghost, yet the word
is gone out of our great Redeemer's mouth, and it shall not
return unfulfiled, " I will swallow up death in victory. He
shall stand at the latter day upon the earth ; he shall say
to the grave, give up ; and to the sea, keep not back ; re-
lea-se my sons from your dark confinement, and restore my
daughters to their everlasting father's arms." — Then shall
we lead him captive whose captives we are, and triumph
eternally Over Ihia last enemy. In fhe mean time, let us

LETTERS, 143
lay nii our help, ail ourgoill, upon the divine Author ofour
laith, and captain of our salvation. So shall we no longer
be in bondage, tlirough fear of death ; but with the saints
of old, overcome through the blood of the Lamb ; overcome
the dread, even while we sink beneath. the strpke of. this
our mortal foe.
VVhat 1 wrote concerning a firm fai,th in .God's mqst pre
cious promises .ind an humble trust, that we are the objects
of his .tender love, is what I desire to feel, rather than
what I actually, experience. Considerations they are, with
which 1 would ply my own heart in hopes that tlipy may be
effectually set home by divine grace ; in hopes that they
may become Ihe happy means of making me slrongin faith,
and enabling me thereby to give glory to God.
Your remarks on this important point are exceedingly ju-
judicious and perfectly right After whichjit will be insignifi
cant to my friend and look like arrogance in his correspond
ent to add, that they exactly coincide with my sentimenls.
1 do not doubt, but there are many dear children of the
blessed God. who are in a much better condition, witfi re
gard to tiis fiivour^ than they can easily be persuaded to
believe, M:iny sincerely righteous, for whom light is sown,
tnany true hearted, for whom joyful gladness, is prepared :
which, though latent in the furrows of inward tribulatipn,
or oppressed under the clods of misgiving fears, shall,. in
another world, spring up with infinite increase, and yield
an everlasting harvest.
That humble hope, mixed with trembling, you have ve
ry pathetically described, in fhe breathings ofa renewed
soul, panting after God ; languishing for the tokens of his
love; ardently desiring the final enjoyment of him in his
heavenly kingdom; and relying wholly on the meritorious
passion, pleading nothing hut the perfect righteousness ot
Jesus Christ, — Happy, without all peradventure, happy the
heart, in which, such affection habitually prevail. They
¦are the beginning of heaven, and will certainly be com
pleted in glory. They con.stitiite a signal part of that
meteness fpr, the inheritance of saints, in. light, concerning
which the apostle speaks, and which is one of the surest
evidences ofour designation lo, that purchased .possession.
Christ will in no wise, on no consideration of past provoca-
caftion, or present corruption, either, for weakness of faith,
or want of confidence, casfoutsuch a ope. Let not such
a one question, hut he who has begun life good work, will
<?coomplish it even unto the end.

144 LEl'TERS.
We should, however, as you most pertinently observe,
lament all the remains of unbelief, as a misery ; repent of
them, as a sin ; and labour to obtain a more assured faith,
both as our duty, and our felicity. — The direction for
prayer, you know, is, that we draw near in full assurance
ef faith; and, whatsoever things ye ask in prayer, believe
that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. — The Thes-
salonians are commended for receiving the gospel with
much assurance of faith. Receiving the Gospel. — What is
meant by that expression ; believing, that the apostles
were no imposters ; that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah ;
and that his doctrine came from heaven ? — This, and abun
dantly more, I apprehend, it implies — That Christ died
not for sins only in general, but for their sins in particular ;
that he bore all their iniquities, in his own bleeding body,
and agonizing soul on the cursed tree ; that all their crimes
being fully expiated, the most rigorous justice would not
demand a double payment for the same debt ! and conse
quently that there remained no condemnation for them.
— This is the glad tidings, which they not only attended to,
and credited with a speculative assent, but with a person
al application of it, each to his particular case. And why
should not we do the very same ?-I shall only subjoin furth
er on this head, what I take lo be a very clear and accur
ate explanation of the apostles celebrated definition of faith.
— " Faith is the subslancp of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen ;" putting us into a kind of present pos
session of the promises, and setting divine truths before the
mind in all the light and power of demonstration. For this
beautiful illustration of the inspired writer, I am obliged to
an excellent clergyman of this neighborhood ; who lately
favoured us with an admirable visitation-sermon, and, for
the good of the public, was prevailed on to print it. — You
will give me leave to close the topic with a distinction,
which I have somewhere read, or on some occasion heard.
A distinction which I think, properly adjusts the case under
consideration ; and settles it, neither en a precarious, nor a
discouraging issue. — Many have the faith which bringeth
salvation, who have not that faith which produceth assur
ance ; but none have the former, who do not aspire after,
and endeavour to possess the latter.
On the whole, I heartily beseech the adorable and infinite
ly gracious Giver, of every perfect gift, to si ablish, strength,
settle us in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. 'That he
would fulfil in us all the good pleasure of his will, and

LETTERS. 14 J
the work of faith with power. And, I dare say, we shall
often lift up our hearts to our heavenly Father, and breathe
out that ardent petition. Lord I believe ; help thou mine unbe
lief. — If we have such frequent recourse to the overflowing
and inexhaustable fountain of all goodj if we add to our
prayers meditation on the merits of Jesus, and on the sure
word of promise, our faith will grow ; the grain of mus
tard-seed will be quickened, and shoot up into a tree ; the
little drop will become a .stream, and the stream spread into
a river. The waters that issued from the sanctuary were,
at first, deep to the ankles only ; then they arose to the
knees ; soon they reached the loins ; and were afterwards
waters to swim in.
The Contemplations you are pleased to inquire after, are
after long delays, or a very slow procedure of the press,
launched into the world. What may be their fate, I dare
not conjecture. Whether, by the general disapprobation,
they may be unfortunately becalmed ; or, by the severity
of critics, may split on the rocks of censure ; or, foundering
through their own unworthiness, may sink in oblivion ; or,
blessed by a gracious providence, may gain the haven of
public acceptance, and import those most valuable commod
ities, pleasure which improves, and improvement which de
lights. When they reach your parts, be so good, dear Sir,
as to peruse them, first with the humble childlike spirit ofa
Chiistian, who seeks religious advantage in all that he reads.
Next, with the candid rigour ofa friend, saying as you pro
ceed, here his thoughts are redundant,'and want the pruning-
knife; there they are deficient and call for the gtafter's hand ;
here the language is obscure, and perspicuity is the only
remedy ; there it is inexpressive, and must be rendered
more nervous, in order to reach the judgment, or strike
the passions. Above all, let me beg of you to implore' a
blessing from the most high God, botn Upon the author and
his piece ; that the one may be a monument of divine mercy,
the other, a polished shaft in the great Immanuel's quiver.
Should not a sense of his love make us more ardently de
sirous of bringing others to partake of that everlasting bliss,
which we humbly expect as our final portion ; and of which
some foretastes have been indulged, even in our present
state ; should we not be stirred Up, with greater assiduity
and love, to warn every man, and exhort every man, that
also may be presented perfect in Christ, and five for ever
in the light of -his countenance? — The book 1 mentioncti
IS

146 LETTERS.
formerly, and took leave to recommend, shall be sent. I
have set it apart as a -present for my dear friend ; and
whether my life be prolonged or my death hastened, neith
er of these circumstances shall make any alteration in my
design. Only let me desire you, in your next, to give me
once more the proper directions for conveying it to you.
For, some way or other, in my late unsettled state, I have
mislaid your letter — Please to present my thanks to Mrs.
*** for her kind wishes, and tell her, that they are, and
shall be most cordially returned by her and your most
.'aithful and affectionate /ciend, &c.

LETTER XXIV.
On going lo a meeting of the Clergy. Jane, 2, 1741.
'.BBTKEEKD AND DEAR SIB,
Can you accept the will for the deed ? it was in my
heart, long before this, to have made you my best acknowl
edgments. And not.in.my heart only, but actually attempt
ed. In Buckinghamshbel remembered ray kind and oblig
ing friend, and was with delight set dovpn to give vent to my
grateful thoughts. But company on a sudden coming in,
arrested my pen ; and engaging me till I returned from that
place, prevented the execution of my design. Now, Sir,
my heartiest thanks for your welcome assistance, desire
your acceptance. .\nd if the utmost sinc-Tity can atone for
the delay, my conscious heart assures me, they wiH not be
rejected. — My father is wonderfully recovered. Had he
lived in the times of superstition, for aught I know, his un
common disorder might have been ascribed to witchcraft,
and his speedy recovery passed current for a miracle. The
,^rave seemed to have opened her month for him. We
ihought him to be on the very brink of death.
Quam poene furvx regna Prof erpinae,
Et judicantem viderit iEacum,
.Sedesque descriptas Piorum I
"But now God has turned, and refreshed him ; yea, and
1>r!)ught him from the deep of the earth again. He lives

LETTERS. 147
and regains his strength daily. Last Sunday he read prayers
in his church, and intends next Sunday to fill the pulpit.
Mrs. ***, I hope is very well ; to whom I beg my humble
service may be acceptable. ,Your dear little ones too, the ol- '
ive-plants about your table,* 1 trust are in a flourishing state.
May the good Lord fulfi] his precious promise to thenS, and
the children of your honoured neighbour. May he pour
his spirit upon your^seed and his blessing upon your offspring,-
that they may grow up (in knowledge and grace) as wil-
lowSi by the water courses. — I am just now going to our
visitation, held at Northampton. I shall appear as a stran
ger in our Jerusalem ; knowing few, and known by fewer.
Methinks, there is something august and venerable in a
meeting of the clergy ; especially, if one looks upon them
as so many agents for the invisible God, and envoys from
the court of heaven. I hope to be put in mind of that avv-
ful day, when the Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd
of the sheep, and Bishop of souls, will make his entrance
in the clouds of heaven. Then, at that great, final, and de
cisive entrance, may my dear friend receive the approba
tion of his Judge, May he then be rewarded for his kind
offices to myself and others, in everlasting honour and joy.
I am, &c.

LETTER XXV.
Tli£ Christian's duty and triumph.
'Weston-Favell, Aug. 8, 1747.

Searest MB.

I OUGHT to take shame to myself, for suffering so kind
a letter, received from so valuable a friend, to remain so
long unanswered. Upon no other consideration, than that
of my enfeebled and languishing constitution, can I ex
cuse myself, or hope for your pardon. My health is con
tinually upon the decline, and the springs of life are all re
laxing. Bline age is departing, and removing from me a?
a shepherd's tent. Medicine is baffled, and my physician.
Dr. Stonhouse, who is a dear friend to his patient, and a
lover of the Lord Jesus, pities, but cannot succour me.
This blessing, however, together with a multitude of ollw

148 LETTERS.
ers, the divine goodness vouchsafes, to gild the gloom of
decaying nat>;re ; that 1 am racked with no pain, and enjoy
the free undisturbed exercise of my understanding.
I am much obliged to you for carrying my message to the
abbey with so much speed, and conveying to me with equal
despatch, a satisfactory answer. When you visit the wor
thy family again, be pleased after presenting my affectionate
compliments, and most cordial good wishes, to inform Mrs.
***, that the piece,is sent to the press, and after some cor
rections made in the dedication, addressed to my godson.
It is my humble request to him, and my earnest prayer to
God, that he may regard it, not merely as a complimentary
form, but as the serious and pathetic advice of his father's
intimate acquaintance, and his soul's sincere friend ; who,
in all probability, will be cut off from every other oppor
tunity of fulfilling his sacred engagements, and admonishing
him of whatever a Christian ought to know and believe to
his soul's health.
1 forgot, whether I told you, that the last work will be
divided into two parts; will be ful! as large as the two first
letters ; and therefore the whole will be disposed into two
small pocket volumes, on a very neat paper, with an elegant
type, in duodecimo. But a convenient number of the new
essays will be printed in the octavo size and character, for
the satisfaction of those who purchased the former edition,
and may possibly be willing to complete their book. — It
was a considerable time before I could think of a title for
fhe last pieces, that suited their nature, and expressed their
design. At length, I have determined to style them. Con
templations on the Night, and Contemplations on the Starry
Heavens. Now I apprehend myself lobe near the close of life, and
stand, as it were, on the brink of the grave, with eternity
full in my view ; perhaps my dear friend would be willing
to know my sentiments of things in this awful situation.
At such a juncture, the mind is most unprejudiced, and the
judgment not so liable to be dazzled by the glitter of world
ly objects.
I think then, dear Sir, that We are extremely mistaken,
and sustain a mighty loss in our most important interests, by
reading so much, and praying so little. Was I to enjoy
Hezekiah's grant, and have fifteen years added to my life,
J would be much more frequent in my applications to the
throne of grace. I have read of a person, who was often

LETTERS. 149
retired'and on his knees, was remarkable for his frequency
and fervency in devotion ; being asked the reason of this so
singular a behaviour, he replied, Because I am sensible 1
must die. I assure you, dear Mr.***, I feel the weight of
this answer, I see the wisdom of this procedure ; and, was
my span to be lengthened, would endeavour always to re
member the one, and daily to imitate the other.
I think also, we fail in our duty, and thwart our comforti,
by studying God's holy word no more, I have, for my part,
been too fond of reading every thing elegant and valuable,
that has been penned in our own language ; and been par
ticularly charmed with the historians, orators, and poets of
antiquity. But was I to renew my studies, I would take my
leave of those accomplished trifles. I would resign the de
lights of modern wit, amusement,.and eloquence, and devote
my attention to the scriptures of truth. I would sit, with
much greater assiduity, at my divine master's feet, and de
sire " to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified.""
This wisdom, whose fruits are peace in life, consolation in
death, and everlasting salvation after death ; this I would
trace, this I would seek, this I would explore, through the
spacious and delightful fields of the Old and New-Testament.
In short I would adopt the apostle's resolution, and " give
myself* v^etnui^li^iirit to prayer and to the word."
With regard to my public ministry, my chief aim should .
be, to beget in my people's minds a deep sense of their de
praved, guilty undone condition; and a clear believing con
viction of the all-sufficiency of Christ, by his blood, his right
eousness, his intercession, and his Spirit, to save them to the
uttermost. I would always observe, to labour for them in
my closet, as well as in the pulpit ; and wrestle in secret
supplication, as well as to exert myself in public preaching,
for their spiritual and eternal welfare. For unless God take-
this work into his own hand, what mortal is sufficient- for
these things.
Now perhaps, if you sat at my right hand, you would ask,,
what is my hope with regard to my future and immortal
state ? Truly my hope, my whole hope, is even in the
Lord Redeemer. Should the king of terrors threaten, I fly
to the wounds of the slaughtered Lamb, as the trembling
dove to the clefts of the rock. Should Satan accuse, I plead^
the surety of the covenant, who took my guilt upon himself,
and bore my sins in his own body on the tree. Should the
Acts vi. 4.
13*

150 LETTERS,
law denounce a curse, I appeal to him who hung on the ac
cursed tree, on purpose that all the nations of the earth
might be blessed. Should hell open its jaws, and demand
its prey, 1 look up to that gracious Being, who says, " De
liver him from going down into the pit, for I have found a
ransom." Should it be said, " No unclean thing can enter
into heaven ?" my answer is, " The blood of Christ cleans
eth from all sin. Though my sins be as scarlet," through
this blood, " they shall be as white as snow," Should it
be added. None can sit down at the supper of the Lamb,
without a wedding-garment ; and your righteousnesses, what
are they before the pure law, and piercing eye of God, but
filthy rags ? these I renounce, and seek to be found in Christ
Jesus, who is the Lord my righteousness. It is written in
the word that is to judge the world at the last day, " By his
obedience shall many be made righteous,"
So thatJesus, the dear and adorable Jesus, is all my trust.
His merits are my staff, when I pass through the valley of
death. His merits are my anchor, when I launch into the
boundless ocean of eternity. His merits are the only riches
which my poor soul, when stript of its body, desires to
carry into the invisible woild. If the Gcd of glory plea
ses to take notice of any mean endeavours to honour his ho
ly name, it will be infinite condescension and grace ; but
his Son, his righteous and suffering Son, is all my hope, and
all my salvation. Dear Sir, pray for me, that the weaker
I grow in body, fhe stronger I may become in this precious
faith. May the choicest blessings attend you and yours ; a
letter would revive Yours, &c.
P. S. " Though the days are come upon me, in which
I have reason to say of worldly things, I have no pleasure
in them ; yet I find a secret satisfaction in this considera
tion, that to you, my dear friend, and to others of my can
did acquaintance, I may be permitted, even when dead, to
speak in my little treatises ; may they, when the author is
gone hence, never to be seen in these regions below ; Oh !
may they testify with some small degree of efficacy, con
cerning Jesus, that just One ; may they fan the flame of
love to his person, and strengthen the principle of faith in
bis merits ! — Once more, dear Sir, adieu."

LETTERS. 15J
LETTER XXVI.
On the contort and ground of assurance of salvatimi.
Weston-Farell, Aug. 18, 1748.
UT VERT BEAK FBIEHD,
I RECEIVED your letter, full of tenderness, and full of pi
ety, last night. The very first thing I apply myself to this
morning, is to acknowledge yonr favour, and confess my
own negligence, — But your affectionate heart will pity,
rather than blame me, when I inform you, that a relapse
into the disorder, of which I was never thoroughly cured,
has brought me very low. Insomuch, that I am unable,
either to discharge the duties of life, or to answer the de
mands of friendship. I have not been capable of preaching,
for several Sundays. Pyrmont-water, asses milk, and such
kind of restoratives, I try, but try in vain. — A great while
ago, I had begun a very long letter to my ever esteemed
Mr, ***. In this I proposed candidly to represent the rea
sons of my belief, with regard to the final perseverance of
the true believer. But weakness of spirihs, and its never
failing concomitant, imbecility of thought, obliged me to de
sist. In the new edition of my Meditations, a note is added
on this subject, declaring, That I am far from maintaining
it, as essential to Christianity, or necessary to salvation, &c.
— Where I say, that. Infidels are we in fact : my meaning
is, that we are all, in some measure, chargeable with prac
tical infidelitv ; as we are all in some degree carnal, in some
degree sinful, while we continue in this mortal body. Con
sidering the infinite veracity, and unchangeable faithfulness
of the blessed God the most exalted saints haveto much cause
to lament their deficiency in point of faith, and evermore
to cry out, " Lord, help our unbehef !"
An humble, well-grounded assurance of our reconcilia
tion to God, is an unspeakably precious blessing. It is
what all should seek, and many have attained. A gentle
man told me a few days ago, that though he was often
solicited to sin, often defiled with corruption, yet he had no
manner of doubt concerning his everlasting salvation, for
these twenty years. On trying occasions,, that seemed to
endanger his final happiness, he fled, I presume, to the
fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. He viewed by
faith, the infinite, (Oh ! transporting truth !) the infinite

152 LETTERS.
satisfaction, made by the bleeding Immanuel ; and could
not but confide, that a divine expiation was more powerful
to save, than all past sins or present infirmities to destroy.
This is the white stone, of which Job was happily possess
ed ; " I know that my Redeemer liveth ;" antl this sweet
confidence supported him under all his tribulations. This
is that earnest of the Spirit in our hearts, of which St. Paul
makes mention, and with which he was endued ; " We
know, that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolv
ed, we have a building of God, an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens. And in the full assurance
of this blessed hope, may you, my dear friend, be every day
more and more established, strengthened, settled !
If, at any time, 1 am favoured with this heavenly gift, it
is derived from such comfortable scriptures ; the Son of
the Most High came into the world to save sinners ; he di
ed, the just for the unjust ; he poured out his soul for trans
gressors. And since you and 1 know ourselves to be sin
ners, unjust, transgressors, why should we not take to
ourselves the comfort here offered for our acceptance ?
why should we not make use of the privilege here con
signed over to our enjoyment, and claim the legacy, in
these clauses ofour dying Master's testament, most evident
ly bequeathed to our souls ? to found our expectations on
this bottom, will be a means both of humbling and exalting
us : of filling us with shame, and filling us with hope, that
¦we may abhor ourselves, and yet rejoice in God our Sav
iour. — Many build their hopes upon their religious duties,
and righteous deeds ; such a building must unavoidably be
shaken by every temptation, and sapped by every workiiig
of corruption. These are, in no wise, the foundation, but
evidencies rather that we are fixed on it. For my part,
when 1 can exercise a grace, or perform a duty, that is de
based by no imperfection, mingled with no corruption, then
I will trust on self righteousness. But till then, I must be
very unreasonable, if 1 do not rely on my illustrious Sure
ty ; fly to the ark of his wounds, and make mention of his
righteousness only. This is all-su.'hcient ; and never, nev
er faileth those that trtist in it.
You are not ignorant of my sentiments, with regard to
our dissenting brethren. Are we not all devoted to the
same supreme Lord ? do we not all rely on the merits of
the same glorious Redeemer ? by professing the same faith,
the same doctrine which is_ according to godliness, we are

LETTERS. 1&3
incorporated into the same mystical body. And how
strange, how unnatural would it be, if the head should be
averse to the breast, or the hands inveterately prejudiced
against the feel, only because the one is habited somewhat
differently from the others ? though I am steady in my at
tachment to the established church, I would have a right-
hand of fellowship, and a heart of love, ever ready, ever
open, for all the upright evangelical dissenters. — I thank
you for the news you sent, it is impossible for me to pay
you in kind. — Make my most respectful compliments ac
ceptable to worthy Mr. *** ; I had agreed to wait upon
him, when I was in town, but my brother's illness growing
worse, and soon proving fatal, deprived me of this pleasure,
and sent me home to attend his corpse with sorrow to the
grave. — I hope you will be pleased with archbishop Leigh-
ton's works; and I heartily pray, that they may bej abun
dantly blessed to both our sools.^I sincerely commiserate
poor Miss D***'s case. Despair is indeed a fiery dart of
the devil ; but blessed be sovereign goodness, there is a
remedy against this malady. The Israelites, though wound
ed by the deadly serpents, looked to the brazen type hong
upon the pole, and found a certain cure. And though we
are stung by a sense of guilt, and almost perishing in ex
treme despondency, yet let us turn our eyes to him, who
was lifted up on the cross, and we shall be whole. He,
who was gashed with wouijfis, and covered with blood ;
was pierced with irons, and stabbed to the heart ; he is our
medicine, our recovery, our life. " By his stripes we are
healed," Oh ! let us look unto him — from the depths of
distress, as well as from the ends of the earth, " look unto
him and be saved." — My paper admonishes me to have
done ; but I cannot conclude, without assuring you, that I
love you most affectionately : — so long as life and under
standing last, shall pray for you among my choicest friends,^
and hope, when this transitory scene of things is at an end,
to be, in bonds of nobler friendship, and tenderer endear
ment. Ever, ever yours, &c.

15>4 LETTERS,
LETTER XXVII.
Encouragement to one in affliction.
Weston FaveU, July, 29, 1749.
Thanks to my dear friend, lor his welcome letter ; it
imparted joy to my heart; and having communicated plea
sure to our family, is gone (part of it I mean) to make glad
your children and your friends at Northampton. — 1 must
confess, I never was so much disheartened at your disorder,
as many others were, even though the physicians them
selves had given you over; and though I have been often
accosted by some of your cordial well-ivishers, with such
saddening addresses ; " I am sorry. Sir, to hear that Dr.
S.  is gone to Bristol, without any likelihood of re
turning alive." I really believe, that God has some signal
work for you to do. He that has snatched the brand from
the fire, and made it a polished shaft in his quiver, will not
I persuade myself, so soon cast it away, or break it to piec
es. 1 have a strong presage, that Almighty goodness will
continue you, as an instrument to glorify his Son Jesus
Christ, and to turn many to righteousness, years and years
after I am gone hence, and seen no more — And I bless,
together with you, his holy nsme, for confirming so far my
apprehensions, as to begin the work of your recovery from
so deplorable an illness. May he do in Ihis case, as he will
in the more important affair ofour eternal salvation, thor
oughly accomplish what he has graciously begun !
Yourfamily is in prosperity; your olive-plants thrive,
and are glossy with health. I asked Sally, where her papa
was, and how be did ? and her pretty little lips lisped. Very
bad, and gone to Bristol. Think, my friend, when you re
member those sweet and engaging children, — think on that
delightful promise in scripture ; Can a mother forget her
sucking child ? yea, she may forget, yet will I not forget thee,
-Is. xlix. 15.
From my heart I pily your sufferings ; but if I pity your
distress, with what infinitely more tender compassion are
you regaded by your heavenly Father ! by Him, who said
in the multitude of his mercies, — " My Son shall bleed that
you may be healed My Son shall bleed, that you may/
live for evermore." May this blood, thus shed for you.

LETTERS. 1S5
preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. — I hope,
you will be enabled to cast your burden upon the Lord, and
resign yourself wholly to his wise disposal ; and doubtless
you will experience to your comfort, that he has the bow
els ofa Father to commiserate, and the arm of Omnipotence
to succour.
A passage in the epistle to the Colossians, which I read
this very day, chap. i. verse 11. is extremely pertinent to
your case, and what I shall frequently pray may be fulfiled
to your great consolation. — That you " may be strengthen
ed with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all
patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness" — If you should
live to give me an hour's conversation, this verse and the
preceding, would furnish us with a most pleasing and im
proving subject of discourse. The conciseness, the propri
ety, the energy of the inspired supplications, is admirable.
.But I must wave such remarks, lest 1 send you a preachment
instead of an epistle.
I heard you condemned the other day, in a large com
pany, and indeed treated with a malignant severity, about
an affair, in which, to my certain knowledge, you had acted
with great generosity, I explained, to the confusion of
the relator, all those circumstances, which he had so gross
ly misrepresented ; and then 1 quoted the remark of Mr.
Richardson, in his Clarissa, viz: — "That d'fficult situations
(like yours) make seeming occasions of censure unavoida
ble ; and that, where the reputation of another (especially
a man of character) is concerned, we should never be in
haste to censure, or to judge peremptorily on first surmis
es." Audi alteram partem, is always my rule. It is our duty
to use circumspection ; and to be upon our guard to cut off
occasion from those, who seek occasion lo misrepresent
and injure us ; after this precaution, we should not be too
solicitous about the clamours of the malevolent, and the
unthinking. May the God of wisdom give us that prudence,
which is profitable to direct ! and then,
Conscia mens recti famae mendacia ridet.
This was the heathens cure for the wounds of defama
tion ; this their armour against those keenest of arrows,
bitter words. But see in this, as well as in every other in
stance, the noble superiority of the Christian scheme ! Be
ing defamed, we bless, says the apostle. Pray for them
that despitelully use you, says his divine Master. This not

156 LETTERS.
only baffles, but more than triumphs over the efforts of
happiness, even from the poison of malignity, and the gall
of misery.
The bishop has been at Northampton, and his charge
turned upon the study of the scriptures; which he affec
tionately recommended, and forcibly urged. There was
something omitted, which I could not but wish had been
represented, and enforced. However, in the main, it wai
excellent, and what 1 should rejoice to have reduced to
universal practice. Onr dear friend, Mr. ***, spied the de
fect I hinted at; and when his mealy-mouthed companion
would not indeed have concealed it, but rather have en
larged upon what was valuable, — " Truly," says he, " I
do not see, why we should not speak boldly, and bear our
testimony, though it make the ears of the hearers to tin
gle." He is cut out for a champion in the cause of our
blessed Lord; very sensible, and much of the gentleman;
bold too as a lion, he breathes defiance against the world
and hell. Confiding in his Almighty master, he fears neith
er the scourge of the tongue, nor the pomp of power.
Please to present my affectionate compliments to Mr.
C*** and to Mr. G***. 1 need not solicit a place in their
or your daily intercessions, because I am persuaded neither
of you can withhold so needful a piece of charity. Accept
my best wishes, to which 1 join my -earnest prayers, for
your health, your comfort, and happiness, and believe me,
as 1 am my dear doctor. Your truly affectionate friend, &c.

LETTER XXVIII.
The duty and encouragement of a gospel mirdster.
Weston-FaveU, Aug. 30, 1749.
" We have seen marvellous things to day," saith the
people of old ; and I may truly say, I have read marvel
lous tidings this evening- What I is * * * become a serious
and zealous preacher ? He that so often filled the scorner's
chair, is he transformed into a strenuous advocate for the
gospel and a devoted champion of Christ ? Never, surely,
was Ihe prophets exclamation more seasonable, '• Grace.

LETTERS. 157
grace !" Zech. iv. 7. How sovereign its power ! how su
perabundant its riches !
I heartily congratulate you, my dear friend, my very
dear brother I must calltyou now, on this change. And I
thank Christ Jesus our Lord, that he hath counted you faith
ful, putting you into the ministry. — I think the hand of Provi
dence, in conducting this affair, is very visible, and much to
be regarded. Which must give you no small satisfaction,
and tend to work, not the spirit of fear, but of love, and of
faith and ofa sound mind.
How honourable is your new office 1 To be an envoy
from the King of heaven ! — How delightful your province •
To be continually conversant in the glorious truths of the
gospel, and the unsearchable riches of Christ! — How truly
gainful your business ! To win souls : this is indeed — Kr^fut
£o Hit — an everlasting possession. — and how illustrious
the reward, promised to your faithful service ! When Ihe
chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of
glory, that fadeth not away.
May we clearly discern, and never forget, what a Master
we serve ! — So glorious, that all the angels of light adore
him : — So gracious, that he spilt his blood, even for his en
emies : — So mighty, that he has all power in heaven and on
earth : — So faithful, that heaven and earth may pass away,
much sooner than one jot or tittle of his word fail. And
what is his word, what his engagement to his ministers?
LO I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS. I write it in capitals,
because I wish it may be written in our hearts — Go forth,
my dear friend, in the strength of this word : and, verily,
you shall not be confounded. Plead with your great Lord,
plead for the accomplishment of this word, and the gospel
shall prosper in your hand. In every exercise of your
ministerial duty, act an humble faith on this wonderful wore",
and the heart of stone shall feel, the powers of hell fall. —
Would to God I had health and strength, I would earnestly
pray for grace, that I might join, vigorously join in this
good warfare. But you know, 1 am like a bleeding disa
bled soldier, and only not slain. I hope, however, I shall
rejoice to see my comrades routing the foe, and reaping
their laurels. Rejoice to see them go on, conquering and
to conquer ; though no longer able to share, either in the
toils or the triumphs of the day.
'I believe, it will be no very easy matter to procure a cu
rate. such as you vvill like ; at least, no such offers to my
U

153 LETTERS.
observation. — 1 heartily wish your valuable friend Mr ***,
that faith in the all-atoning blood of the Lamb, and that
Comfort in Ihe communications of his Spirit, which may
sweetly outbalance the weight of any sorrow, and enable
him to rejoice in tribulation ! *
Remember, now you are a minister of God, that your
tongue is to be a well of life : you are to believe in Christ,
daily to cherish your faith in Jesus, that out of your heart
may flow rivers of living waters. Such tides of heavenly
and healing truths, as may refresh the fainting soul, and an
imate its feeble graces.
Please to present my affectionate compliments (o Mr.
C-  , and Mr. S  ; engage their prayers to the father
of compassions in my behalf; and when you yourself draw
near to the throne, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant, fail not to remember, Dear Sir,
Your's sincerely,
Your's unalterably, &c.

m-i deah fbiekd.

LETTER XXIX.
On Hospitality. Weston-Favell, Sat. Evening-,

This morning 1 received yonr parcel with a ticket full
of the affection of your heart, and sprightliness of your
temper. — My .health languishes, but it is a singular mercy
that it is not tortured away by racking pains. — I would do
any thing to repair my constitution and prolong my life ;
that if it should please the divine Providence to reneiV my
strength, I might devote it wholly to his service, and be
less unprofitable in my generation. But from what I feel,
and yet cannot describe, I have no expectation of this kind.
I am highly delighted with Witsius, De mconomia fade-
rum, he is an author exactly suited to my t-aste ; so per
spicuous, so elegant, so orthodox. — I wish such a treasure
bad fallen into my hands, when I studied at the university.
1 like Mr ***'s spirit, only wish it was a little more evan
gelical,. Let u? so act our parts, as, &c. Might not Tully

LETTERS. 159
have said the same ? Has not Seneca said as much ? Why
should not Christ Jesus' be the foundation of our hopes ? 1.3
it less rational, less comfortable, to say with St. Paul, " He
that sp-dred not his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how
shall he not with him also freely give us all things ?"
1 heartily pity our Staffordshire friend. — Cheer him,
speak comfortably to him, let not the consideration of hia
circumstances increase the depression of his spirits. We
will never abandon him, nor suffer him to want, so long as
we have any thing ourselves. — I said we will not abandon :
— But how poor and cold the consolation, arising from this
succour! What are we? Impotence, misery, sin! I be
lieve he loves the Lord Jesus, flies for refuge to the hope
set before him ,* in the everlasting righteousness, and per
fect atonement of Christ. He may, therefore, boldly s;iy,
and apply to himself those glorious promises ; " I will nev
er leave thee nor forsake thee. The Lord is my helper,
and i will not fear vvhat man shall dj u:ito me," t Present
my tender and affectionate compliments to him
I am glad you have invited to your house that eminent
friend of God — and dear friend ol yours, the Rev, Mr *** ;
(for such I know he is :) in so doing, you certainly act the
T» SsK-ffif, and I cannot but think the t« ¦xliirti, even in the
judgment of the world, — Thus doing you are in the fashion ;
for it is a reigning maxim at court, (the court of the bles
sed and only Potentate the King of kings, and Lord of lords)
" Be not forgetful to entertain strangers." — .\nd can there
be a more worthy stranger ? Let " the elders that rule
well, be counted worthy of double honour, especially they
who labour in the word and doctrine.'' — You know who it is
that says of his faithful ministers, " He that receiveth you,
receiveth me." Gracious and adored Redeemer; shall we
not receive thee into our houses, who, for our sakes, hadst
not where to lay thy blessed head ! wast an exile in Egypt,
4 prisoner at the bar; a corpse in the grave ! — -Pray for
me, dear friend, that I may bow my poor head in dutiful re
signation to the divine will ; that I may bless the hand, and
kiss the rod that chastises ; and love the Lord who takes
-away the strength of my body, but has given me the blood
of his Son. I beseech Mr, *** to unite his supplication with
yours ; for I am fearful, lest I should disgrace the gospel in
ray la nguisbing moments. »Heb. vi. 18, -fHeb. xii! 5. S.

*S0 LETTERS.
Upon a repeated review of the hints you have wrote to
promote the cause of religion, I do not see how to improve
lhe,m; only ejxercise your talent, stir up the gift of God by
a zealous use, and you yourself will be Ihe best improver of
such hints. Oh ! let us work while the day lasts ; fhe
Judge is at the door, and eternity at hand- May we watch
and pray always, that we may be found worthy to stand be*
fore the Son of man at his coming.
I am ever,.
And most affecfionatelv yours, dr..

LETTER XXX.
J vicihodfor catechising.
I RKCEiVEr your letter ; am sorry to hear you have been
ill; heartily wish you a re-establishment of your health;
and shall be glad, when it suits your inclination and con-
vrniency, to see you at Weston.
I am glad you are beginning to catechise your children,
I hope you will be enabled to feed Christ's lambs, and dis
pense to them fhe milk of the word, as they may be able
to bear it. — Indeed you apply to a wrong person for advice.
I make some efforts, it is true, to discharge this duty, but
not to my own satist-aclion ; and groat will be the gfory'of
divine grace, if it is to the edification of my people. — My
time for catechising is during the summer, when the days
are long, and the weather is warm. But, I think, you do
right lo conform to Ihe usual custom of catechising in Lent.
My method is to ask ea.sy questions, and teach the chil
dren very short and easy answers. — The Lord's prayer was
fhe last subject of our explanation. — In sopie such manner
I propeeded: — Why is this prayer called the Lord's prayer?
Because our Lord Jesus Christ taught it us. — Why is Christ
called our Lord? Because he bought us with his blood. —
Why does he teach us to call God Father? That we may
go to him, as children to a father. — How do children go to
a father? With faith, not doubting but he will give them
vphat they want. — Why our Father in heaven ? That we
may pray to him with reverence. — What is meant by God'.=

LETTERS. 16 f
name? God himself, and all his perfections. — -What by
hallowed? That he may be honoured and glorified. — How
is God to be honoured ? In our hearts, with our tongues,
and by our lives, &c. &c.
On each question I endeavour to comprehend, not all
that may be said, but that only, which may be most level
to their capacities, and is most necessary for them to know.
— The answer to each question I explain in the most fa-
mihar manner possible ; such a manner as a polite hearer
might perhaps treat with the most sovereign contempt.
Little similes I use that are quite low, fetched non ex aca-
demia, sed e trivio. — In every explanation I would be short,
but repeat it again and again. Tautology, in this case, is
the true propriety of speaking. And to our little auditors,
the crambe repetita will be better than all the graces of
eloquence. I propose to explain to them principally the creed, the
Lord's prayer, and the commandments : What relates to
the two sacraments, at present, I do not attempt to set be
fore them-, let them first have some tolerable notion of
the former. — 1 fancy, you had better proceed in the same
method. If I know your sentiments about baptism aright,
with which our catechism begins, I should apprehend, it
would be most prudent to go immediately to the great fun
damentals. However, pray to the Lord, whose work you
work ; and he who is all-wise will direct you ; he who is
all-powerful will prosper you. — Pray give my very affec
tionate compliments to ***: Through the everlasting
righteousness ofour Redeemer, 1 hope to meet them in the
world of glory ; and there he that is feeble, will be as
David. Your's sincerelv, &c.
*14

162 LETTERS.
LETTER XXXI.
Applimtiirnqf salvation the work of the divine Spirit.
Weston-FaveU May 27, 1750.
BSAB SIST£B,
The country is now in its perfection. Every bush 3
nosegay, all the ground a piece of embroidery ; on each
tree the voice of melody, in every grove a concert of
warbling music. The air is enriched with native per
fumes, and the whole creation seems to smile. Such a
pleasing improving change has taken place, because as the
psalmist expresses it, " God has sent forth his Spirit and
renewed the face of the earth," — Such a refining change
takes place in mankind, when God is pleased to send his
holy Spirit into the heart. Let us therefore humbly and
earnestly seek the influences of this divine Spirit. All our
sufficiency is from this divine Spirit, dwelling in our hearts
and working in us both to will and to do. Without his aids
we are nothing, we have nothing, we can do nothing. —
Would we believe in Christ, to the saving of our souls ?
We must receive power from on high, and be enabled by
this divine Spirit ; for no man can say that Jesus is the Lord,
or exercise true faith on his merits, but by the Holy Ghost.
Would we be made like unlo Christ ? It can be done only
by this divine Spirit. " We are transformed into the same
image," says the apostle, not by an ability of our own, but
by the Spirit of the Lord. — Would we be set on the right
hand ofour Judge at the last day? This is the mark that
will distinguish us from the reprobates, and number us with
his faithful people. For unless a man, unless a woman,
have the Spirit of Christ, they are none of his. — But, since
we infinitely need this enlightening and sanctifying Spirit,
is the God of heaven equally willing to give it? He is, in
deed he is. To obtain this gift for us sinners, his own Son
bled to death on the cross. That we may be made parta
kers of this gift, he intercedeth at the right hand of his Fa
ther ; and he has passed his word, he has given us a sol
emn promise, that if we ask, we shall receive it. See, re
member, and often plead in prayer, Luke xi. 13.
From your affectionate brother, &c.

LETTERS, 153
LETTER XXXII.
The laudable strife qf a Christian, London, Sept. 4, 1759.
SSAB SIB,
Otra dear friend *** is much engaged in making inter
est to succeed the minister of ***, who, though not quite
dead, is ill enough to alarm the hopes of neighbouring
preachers. Oh ! that we may every one contend who shall
bring most glory to the crucified King of heaven, and love
most ardently his all-gracious and infinitely amiable Majes
ty ! A strife this, which will not foment, but destroy ma
lignant passions ; in which sfrife, angels will be our com
petitors ; honour and joy the everlasting prize.
I wish our dear friend H.  ^the rich anointing of
God's Spirit in composing, and the powerful presence of
God's Spirit in delivering his infirmary sermon. My most
cordial love is ever his and ever yours.
Thank you I do sincerely, for your prayers to God in my
behalf; and Oh ! how shall I thank sufficiently him, who
procured access for us through his blood ! We often re
member you, and wish and pray, that you may be a burning
and a shining light in your generation. Dear friend, adieu.

LETTER XXXIII.
The Christian spirit a charitable one.
Sept. 11, 1750.
ur DEAK FBIEITD,
I RECEIVED your last favour. It was without date, but
very welcome. — We have lost our zealous friend, for sev
eral days. He has been displaying the banner of the gos
pel at ***, and gathering together the dispersed of Israel.
We-admire the hero that wins battles; takes towns, and
leaves trophies of his victories in every place. But where
will all such toils^ and the very remembrance of them be,
when the monuments of his labours endure for ever in
heaveQ ?

164 LETTERS.
Thanks for your subscription ; I have procured more of
another friend. I shall soon be a poor man, here are so
many necessitous objects. And who can bear to be in af
fluence, while so many fellow-creatures are in deplorable
want? Especially, if we remember him, who, though he
was rich, for our sake became poor; and had not where,
(Oh ! marvellous, marvellous abasement !) had not where
to lay his head.
This night dear Mr *** is with us ; -.etuineQ from his
expedition, full of life, and rich with spoils. Spoils won
from the kingdom of darkness, and consecrated to the Cap
tain of our salvation. — I have been prevailed on to sit for
my picture. If ever portrait was the shadow ofa shadow,
mine is such. Oh ! that I may be renewed after the amia
ble image of the blessed Jesus, and when 1 awake up after
his likeness, I shall be satisfied with it ! This wish is
breathed in a language, to me unusual. 1 generally com
prehend my dear friend in such petitions, and make his
eternal interests inseparable from my own. — On Sunday I
heard the admired Mr. ***. His text was Rom. v. i. His
doctrine evangelical. The faith which purifies the heart,
and works by love ; the imputed righteousness of Jesus
Christ comprehending both his active and passive obedience,
the operation of the blessed Spirit, in producing this sound
and lively faith, were the substance of his discourse. — I
commit you, my dear friend, to the tender mercies of our
God, and the powerful word of his grace, remaining
Inviolably yours, &c.

LETTER XXXIV.
The eomfort of Christiamty a powerful Tnotive to holiness.
December 8, 1750.
nx DXAB rRism,
Why do you say Zimmerinannus is too comfortable for
you ? The comfort of Christianity is the sweet allurement
to draw us to heaven, and the powerful instrument to fit us
for heaven. If our affections are attached to the world, the
comfort of Christianity is ordained, to wean us from its vant-

LETTERS, 1 65
ties, and win us to God. If we have sinned, the love of the
Lord Jesus Christ is the most sovereign means of wound
ing our hearts, and bringing us to repentance. When Na
than said unto David " The Lord hath put away thy sin,
thou shalt not die ; then it is supposed he penned the xxxii
Psalm, and poured out his soul in unreserved confession.
When the blessed Jesus turned, and looked upon Peter,
then his conscience smote him deep ; then he went out and
wept bitterly. And how did bis dear master look? Was it a
resentful, upbraiding menacing glance ? Quite the reverse.
Is this your promised fidelity ? this your kindness for your
friend ? Ah ! Peter ! Peter ! I feel more from your perfidy,
than from all the insults of my enemies. But I know your
weakness, and I am going to die for your guilt. Willingly,
willingly, 1 lay down my life, that this sin may never be laid
to" your charge. Such was the language of that gracious
look. I do not wonder that it fetched a flood of tears from
his eyes. I find it impossible to refrain, on the bare medi
tation on it. Oh ! that the adorable Redeemer may mani
fest his all-foigiving goodness in our souls, and sure it »vill
overcome our most stubborn corruptions. What can with
stand such heavenly love ?^^I know *** ; and think you
have a peculiar privilege in having opportunity and ability
to succour so sincere a Christian. He will more than re
pay you with his prayers. Whatsoever you do for him, I
am persuaded, will be done unto Christ. And who can do
enough for him, who despised the shame, and endured the
cross for us ? — Your writing paper came safe, and I would
have returned it to the stationer as too coarse, but has, since
its arrival, been seized ; seized in the king's name, by one
of the king's officers. Pray, have you taken care to pay du
ty ? have you not been deficient in some instance or other?
Oh ! said Gaius my host, when be heard of its coming bach,
it is fiood enough for me ; it will just suit my purpose ; I
wanted such a supply : — so it is in his hands to be employed
in the service of a great King, whose name you can guess ;
whose goodness you have experienced ; and for whose
honour, I hope, we shall all be very zealous. What say
you? will you turn the forfeiture into a free gift, by
sending your full consent to the deed ? — Our dear friend has
been visited with a fever ; attended by the doctor every
day this week; but, blessed be God, is, we trust, upon the
eve of a thorough recovery. He talks of preaching tomor
row but I shall use my utmost interest to di.ssu'ade him. Let

166 LETTERS
him desist for a while, that he may persist for a long sea
son. — We have but a small share of ***'s company. Oh !
that we may meet where we shall part no more, sin no more,
— Adieu ! Ever your's, &c.
LETTER XXXV.
Faith in a suffering iSaviour the foundation ofa believer's
comfort. Dec. 20, 1750.
MT TIBI DXAR rBiiim,
Your letter found me, after a considerable delay in its
passage, — where do you think? where I never expected
to go any more; — found me at London! From whence 1
write this, and return you my ainccrest thanks.— Prevailed
on by the repeated importunity of my friends, i came by
easy stages to town, in order to try whether change of air
may be of any service to my decayed constitution ; for my
worthy physician Dr. S  has declared, that nothing,
which he can prescribe, is likely to administer any relief.
I have reason to be convinced, from the account which
your letter brings, and from the reports which I receive in
this place, that here we have no continuing city. Thanks,
everlasting thanks to the divine goodness, which has pre
pared for us a mansion not made with hands, eternal in Ihe
heavens. A mansion, whose builder, whose maker, and
whose glory is God. Not only the disappointment, but even
the acquisition of our desires, bespeaks the emptiness of the
world. But what a complete felicity, what an all-satisfying
portion, will the enjoyment of God be ! When 1 awake up
after thy likeness, (and am admitted to stand in thy beatific
presence) I shall be satisfied with it.
I pitied as I read poor Miss ***'s case. There cannot
be a keener distress, than a conscience that is awakened,
and a heart that desponds, The spirit ofa man will sustain
Itis other infirmities, but a wounded spirit who can bear 1 A
wounded spirit was the bitterest ingredient, even in the
cup ofour Lord's exquisitely severe sufferings. He that
bore the racking tortures of crucifixion, without a complaint,
cried lamentably, wept blood, when the arrows of the Al
mighty were within him. Then his soul was sorrowful,
exceeding sorrowful, sorrowful even unto death, ,This de-

LETTERS. 167
jection of our adored Master should be our consolation ; his
agonies are our ease ; he was deeply sorrowful, that we
might be always rejoicing. To believe, Ihat he was wound
ed for our sins, and bruised for our iniquities ; that he was
destitute, afflicted, tormented for our sake ; that by his vica
rious, and most meritorious obedience unlo death, he^has
obtained everlasting redemption for us, — firmly to believe
this, is not arrogance, is not presumption, but our bounden
duty, as well as our inestimable privilege. "This is his
command," says St John, " that we believe on the name
of his Son Jesu4 Christ." Never, iiever was any command
more gracious, or more worthy to be written on the tables
ofour hearts. Let us not, my dear Mr. ***, by indulging
unbelief— Oh .* let ns not dishonour the boundless mercy,
and the inviolable fidelity of God ; let us not depreciate
the infinite merits, and all-prevaiUng intercession of our
blessed Mediator. But say with the lively poet, Dr. Watts,
in bis hymns, Oh ! for a strong, a lasting faith.
To credit what th' Almighty saith,
T' embrace the promise of bis Son,
And call the joys of heav'n oar own !
You enquire about my new work, intended for the press.
It is a great uncertainty, whether my languid spirits, and
enfeebled constitution, will permit me to execute my de
sign. It is a pleasure however, to hear, that I am some
times admitted to converse with you by my book. May
the divine Spirit accompany every such conversation ; and
teach our souls to glow with gratitude to that transcendant-
ly s;reat and gracious Being, who stretched out the heavens,
and laid the foundations of the earth ; who stretched out
his arms on the cursed tree, and laid the foundation of our
happiness in his own blood,— Please to present my most re
spectful compliments to Mrs. ***, your worthy neighbour
Mr. ***, and his nieces. Give me leave, instead of wishing
you a merry Christmas, to wish them and you all that joy,
which the holy prophet felt, when in an ecstasy of delight,
he cried out, " To us a child is born ! to us a Son is giv
en !" All the glories of heaven unite in his wonderful per
son ; all the blessings of time and eternity are the fruit of
his precious incarnation. — .\dieu, my dear Sir, and cease
not to pray for Your ever affectionate, &c,

3«« LETTERS.

LETTER XXXVI.

A caveat against despondency. London Feb. 5, 1751.

I RECEIVED your valuable letter, and thank you for it, —
I am exceeding glad, and bless the unspeakable goodness of
God, if he has made my poor ministry, in any degree ser
viceable, or comfortable to, your soul. I accompany my
former labours (if sutfh extreirtely feeble attempts may be
called labonrs) with my repeated prayers, and bear my lit
tle flock on my supplicating, and affectionate heart, all the
day long. Oh ! that the gracious God may fulfil in them all
the good pleasure of his will, and Ihe work of faith with
power !
I rejoice to find, that you know the truth : May you
know it more and more ; he established in it, and experi
ence the efficacy of it, — May the truth make you free ; free
from the prevalence of unbelief, the donnhion of sin, and
the oppression of sorrow ! — Give glory to God for opening
the eyes of your mind, and bringing you to the riches of
Christ. — Take to yourself the comfort of this inestirnable
blessing, and by no means reject your own mercy. — Pray
do not harbour hard thoughts concerning the blessed God,
nor cherish desponding apprehensions r oncerning yourself,
though always frail, and in every respect imperfect. — The
great and good Father of our spirits, knows whereof we are
made'; he remembers that we are but dust ; and will not
be extreme lo mark what is done amis.s. Extreme to mark !
so far from it, that to those who seek him in sincerity, seek
him through hi* dear Son, he is tender and compassionate
beyond all imagination. As a father pitieth hia own children,
so is the .' ord inecriful unto tliem that fear him, Psal. ciii.
13, And as a mother comforteth her son, so will the Lord
thy God comfort thee, Is. Ixvi. 13. Since we want loving
kindness and mercy to follow us all the days of our life,
blessled, for ever blessed be the God of heaven, in these he
delighteth, Jer, ix, 24.
Oh! cast thy burden upon the'Lorcl, says the holy Spirit.
Cast it upon the Lord Jesus Christ, This is an art which
the Christian should be diligent (o learn, and watchful to

LETTERS. 108
practise. Christ is a Saviour, but we neglect to make use
of him ; we are come to him, but we forget to walk in
him.  When guilt accuses us, or guilt overtakes us, instant
ly let us fly to Christ, as the Israelites, when wounded,
looked to the brazen serpent. There let us say, there is
the propitiation for this abominable sin. For this, and for
all my other iniquities, his heart was pierced, and his blood
spilt. • The vials of wrath due to my provocations, were
poured upon that spotless victim ; and by his stripes I am
healed. — If our own obedience, is deplorably defective, so
that we are sometimes ready to cry out with the prophet,
-'My leanness, my leanness ! woe is me;" let ns turn our
thoughts to the great Mediators righteousness; this is con
summate and divine ; this was wrought out for us ; this is
imputed to us ; in thie alt the seed of Israel shall be justified,
and in this should they glory. — If your prayers are dull and
languid, remember the intercession of Christ. He ever ap
pears in the presence of God for you ; and how can your
cause miscarry, which has such an advocate ? If the poor
widow was heard, even by the unjust judge, shall not the
dearly beloved Son of God prevail, when he makes inter
cession to a most gracious Father ? A Father who loves
both him and his people. — If you want repentance, want
faith, want holiness, Christ is exalted to be a Prince and a
Saviour, and to give all these desirable blessings. " He has
ascended upon high, has led captivity captive, and receiv
ed gilt-^," spiritual gifts " for men, yea, even for his enemies
for the rebellious." It is his office to bestow these precious
graces on poor sinners ; and he is ready to execute this of
fice as the mother is ready to administer the breast to a suck
ing child. — Do you read the scriptures ? Still keep Christ in
view. When dreadful threatenings occur, say. These I
deserved ; but Christ has bore them in my stead. When
lich promises are made, say, Of these I am unworthy ; but
my Redeemer's worthiness is my plea ; he has purchased
them for me by his merits. AU the promises of God are yea
and amen (sure and certain to the believing soul) in Christ
Jesus. To make such a perpetual application of Christ, is to eat
his flesh, and drink his blood. Thus may you, may I, may
all my dear people, be enabled to pass the time of our so
journing here below; deriving our whole spiritual life,
our pardon and sanctification, our hope, and our joy, fr'om
that inexhaustable fountain of all good. — Though 1 amnoi
15

3S9 LETTERS.
with yon in person, I am often with you in sph-it ; anil
-daily commit you to the great Shepherd and Bishop of
souls ; who is len thousand times more condescending, com
passionate, and faithful, than Your truly affectionate friend, &c.
LETTER XXXVM.
iOn cleaving to Clwist.

I EECEivED your kind letter ; and am glad to find, that
-you and Mrs. ***, and Mrs, ***, often meet together, and
¦Jike the people mentioned by the prophet, speak one to
Tanother of the things of God, Oh! let us exhort one
.another to faith, to love, and to good works ; and so much
»thetmore, as we see the day, the. day of eternal judgment,
approaching. Ere long -we shall hear the shout of the
.archangel, and the tTunip of God. Ohl let us imitate the
wise virgins, and get oil in our lamps, true grace in our
hearts ; that we may be prepared for our Lord's second
scoming, and not dread, but love -his appearing
My departure from Northampton was sudden and unex-
^lected. Could I have seen my people, and given them
•my parting-advice, it should have been in the words of that
igood man .Barnabas, -who exhorted all the disciples, that
¦^' with jiurpose. of heart they would cleave unlo the Lord."
¦Cleave, my dear friends, to the Lord Jesus Christy
.cleave to his word ; let the word of Christ dwell in you
iirichly, and be your meditation 9II the day long. Let the
jRible, that inestimable book, be often in your hands, and
litsprocious truths be ever in your thoughts. Thus let us sit
swjthlholy Mary at the feet of Jesus, and 1 hope we shall ex
perience his word " to drop as the rain, and distil as the dew."
X;ieave to his merits. — Fly to his divine blood for pardon;
dft sis the fountain opened for -sin, and for uncleanness. It
jsttTges from all guilt, takes away all sin ; and blessed be
jCioi^it.is always open, always free of access. — Fly to hk
t<!Jgfhteou9iess. Let ns renounce our own, and rely on hi*

LETTERS. no
obedience. What unprofitable servants are we ! — But as
for Christ, his work is perfect ; it is complete, and infinitely
meritorious. "In this shall all the seed of Israel," all true
believers, " be justified, and in this shall they glory."
Cleave to his Spirit. — Seek for the divine Spirit; cry
mightily to God for the divine Spirit. Let them that have
it, pray, that they may have it more abundantly, and be ev
en filled with the Spirit. This blessed Spirit reveals
Christ, strengthens faith, quickens love, and purifies the
heart, Christ died to obtain this Spirit for us : he inter
cedes for us that we may receive it ; and his heavenly Fa
ther, for his sake, has promised lo give the holy Spirit to
those who ask it. He has promised (O glorious privilege !),
to give it more readily than a parent gives bread to a hun
gry child.
Cleave to his example. — Study his holy life, eye his un
blamable conduct, observe his amiable temper, look to
this heavenly pattern, as those that learn to- write look to
their copy ; and-Godgraot that " we a'i f:e!;oiding with open
face the glory of the Lord, may be cliangcd into the same
image, from glory to glory, even by the Spirit of the Lord !"
Thus let OS cleave to Christ the Lord. — Cleave with full
purpose of hearl,.incessantly, closely, inseparably. Let us
say with our father Jacob,. "I will not let thee go." Let
us imitate the Syrophcenician woman, whom no discourage
ments could divert frona.her purpose. Temptations, diffi
culties, all the assaults of our enemy, should make us hasten
to, and abide in the strong hold, the city of refuge ; and he
has promised, "1 will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.""
He will gather us with, his arm, and lay us in-his bosom.
He will guide us by bis grace, and receive us into his glo
ry. — There, in those happy,, happy mansions, may we, and-
many, very many of my dear flock meet, and never be
parted more ! — This is the heart's desire, and the daily.
prayer of Their and your truly
Affectionate friend, &c.

LETTER XXXVIII.
Comfort against the fear of death.

1751.

And are you very weak? is sickness in the chamber,
.ind death at the door?— Come then, let us both sit down
with dissolution and eternity ip view ; and encourage one
another from the word, the precious word of God. I
have as much need of such consolation as you, my dear
friend, and may, perhaps, have occasion to use them as
soon. What is there formidable in death, which our ever-bless
ed Redeemer has not taken away? — Do the pangs of disso
lution alarm us ? should they be sharp, they cannot be very
long; and our exalted Lord, with whom are the issues of
death, knows what dying agonies mean. He has said in
the multitude of his tender mercies, "Fear thou not, for I
am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy God : I will
strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold
Ihoe with the right hand of my righteousness." Is. xii. 10.
This promise authorizes us to say boldly, " Yea, though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil ; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff comfort
me." Ps. xxiii. 4.
Are we afraid to enter info a strange, invisible, unknown
world ? — It is the world into which our divine Master is
gone ; where he has prepared everlasting mansions* for
his people, and has appointed his angels to conduct us thith
er. Having such a convoy, what should we dread ? and
going to our eternal home, where our all-bountiful Redeem
er is, why should we be reluctant ?
Are we concerned, on account of what we leave ? We
leave the worse to possess the better. If we leave our
earthly friends, we shall find more loving and lovely com-
'panions. We shall be admitted among the innumerable
company of angels, and to the general assembly and church
of the first-born, that are written in heaven.j — Do we leave
the ordinances of religion, which we have attended with
great delight? Leave the word of God, which has been
»JohnxiT. 2. Luke xvi. 32. f Heb. xii. 22, 9S

LETTERS. 17a
sweeter to oar souls than honey to our mouths ? We shall
enter into the temple not made with hands, and join that
happy choir who rest not, day nor night, saying " Holy
holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to
come."* — .\nd if our Bible is no more, we shall have all that
is promised, we shall behold all that is described therein.
If we drop the map of our heavenly Canaan, it will be to
take possession of its blissful territories. " That city has no
need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it; for the
glory of God does lighten it, and the Lamb is the light there
of."! — O my friend 1 blessed, forever blessed, be the grace of
our God, and the merits of his Christ ! We shall exchange
the scanty stream for the boundless ocean ; and if we no
longer pick the first-ripe grapes, we shall gather the copi
ous, the abounding, the never endingvintage.
Do we fear the guilt of our innumerable sins ? — Adored
be the inexpressibly loving kindness of God our Saviour!
our sins have been punished in the blessed Jesus : " the
Lord laid on him ihe iniquity of us all,"| " He, his own-
self bare our sins, in his own body on thetree."§ So that
'•there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Je-
sus,"l| Oh ! that we may be enabled, with the apostle, to -
make our boast of this Saviour, and to triumph in this faith ! -
'• Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It
is God that justifieth ; Who is he that condemneth ? It is
Christ that died, yea, rather is risen again, who is even at-
the right hand of Gcd, who also maketh intercession for
us." Is judgment the thing that we fear ? — To the pardoned
sinner it has nothing terrible. The Lord Jesus, who keeps
his servants from falling, " presents them also faultless be
fore the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy. '""* Ob
serve the sweet expressions, " presents faultless, and with
exceeding joy," Justly therefore does Ihe apostle reckon
it among the privileges of the Christian?, that they " are
come to God the Judge of all :tt for the Judge is oar friend,
the Judge is our advocate,, the Judge is our propitiation, the
Judge is our righteousness. And is it not a privilege to
come to such a Judge, as will not so much a-s mention our
iniquities to us, but condescend to take notice of our poor
unworthy services ; who sits on the great tribunal, not le
* Rev. iv. 8. t Rev. ixi. 23, t Is- liii- 6- } 1 Pet. ii. 24.
jj Eom viii 1. *» Jude verse 24. -ft Heb. xii. 23.
*15

133 LETTERS,
pass- the sentence of damnation upon us-, but to give us a
reward :-— a- reward of free grace, and of inconceivable-
richness. Let me conclude with those charming words of the evan-
gielical prophet, " Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith
your God.. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry
unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniq
uity is pardoned ; for her Redeemer, her all-gracious Re"-
deemer, hathi received of the Lord's hand double for all her
sins."* May the God of our life and salvation make these
sfcriptures be- unto us, as a staff in the traveller's hand, and
as a cordial to the fainting heart, that we may be strong in
the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ ; that we may glorify him
in death, and glorify him for death ; because death will in
troduce us into his immediate presence, where we shall be
sorrowful no more sinful no more, at a distance no more ;
but be joyful, and be like our Lord ; love him with all our
souls, praise him to all eternity. — Let us then be of good'
cheer, soon in our heavenly Jerusalem we shall meet again.
Because God is faithful, inviolably faithful, and infinitely
merciful, who hathpromised — promised to yoUj and prom
ised, to Your affectionate friend, &c.
P. S. My kindest respects to Mr. ***, and Mrs. *** ;
hid them be of good courage, and go on their way rejoic
ing, for their Redeemer is mighty, his merits are unspeak
able, and his love is unchangeable. — My most respectful
compliments wait upon Mr **, and Mrs **. What a pleas
ure should I think it, was I able to execute the ministerial
office, to bring home to their parlours the glad tidings of
an all-sufficient Saviour, as well as to preach them in the
nulpit; — Polly I hope loves her Bible ; may the word of
Christ dwell in her richly ; and may he be with your father
atjd mother, now they are old and grey-headed.
* Is. xl. 1, 2.

LETTERS. 174
LETTER XXXIX.
Comfort against tlie fear of Judgment.

-BIAS — — )
I HOPS this will find yon a little better in your health :
but if it should find you in a weak and languishing condi
tion, I hope a gracious God will sanctify what it contains, to'
the comfort of your soul.
Often consider, if you die, you will leave a world full of
sin ; a condition, full of frailty, ignorance, and misery ; a
body that has long- been a heavy burden, a sore clog, both
to your services, and to your comforts ; and why should
any one be greatly unwilling to leave such a state ? — If you
die you will go into an unknown world ; but the comfort is,
you have a kind and faithful friend gone thither before ;
Jesus Christ, your best friend, and the lover of your soul,
is Lord of that unseen world. Joseph's brethren were
not afraid to go down into Egypt, when they knew that
their dear brother was governor of the country. And since
your most merciful Saviour is ruler of the invisible world,
be not afraid to leave the body, and depart thither. It is
said, the spirit of old Jacob revived, when he saw the wag
gons sent to carry him to his beloved son : and the poor
languishing believer may look upon-death, as the waggon
sent by Jesus Christ, to bring his soul home to heaven.
But after death comes judgment, and this is terrible.—
Consider who isthe Judge. Was the father that begat you,
was the mother that bare you, or the friend that is as your
own soul ; was any of these to be the judge, and to pass the
sentence, you would not be apprehensive of rigorous pro-*
ceedings, you would expect all possible clemency : Mer
cy, in this case, would, rejoice against judgment.— "Bnt
to our unspeakable comfort, we are informed by- the
scriptures, that a glorious person, far more merciful than
a'father, far more compassionate than a mother, far more
affectionate than a friend, is to decide our doom ; even the
Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us with an everlasting love.
Who declares, that •' a woman may forget her sucking child
Wjch sooaer than he forget to be merciful to those that
put their trust in him." For thus it is written," God hatlu
appointed aday, in which he will judge the world in right-
eeusne-ss, by that man whom-he hiath ordained, even JestjS-
Christ," Acts;^vii. 31.

175 LETTERS.
The Judge calls himself our H-usband, the Bridegroom of
poor believing souls. And will the Bridegroom deliver to
destruction his own bride, whom he has bought with his
blood, and with whom he has made an everlasting cove
nant? Is. liv. 5.
The Judge vouchsafes to be our Advocate. And will he
condemn those for whom he has long interceded ? Will
he condemn those for whom he poured out his prayers
when he was on earth, and on whose beh-alf he has constant
ly pleaded in the presence of God ? 1 John ii. 1.
The Judge condescends to be our Head, and calls the
weakest believers his members. And did ever any one hale
his own body? Did ever any one delight to maim, or take
pleasure to ruin his own flesh, and his bones? Col. i. 18.
1 Cor. xii. 27.
The Judge has been our victim, the sacrifice for our sins.
And will he Consign those to damnation, for whom he endur
ed the agonies of crucifixion ? If he has given himself for
us, will he not with this gift freely give us all things? Give
us pardon at that awful day? Give us the crown of glory ?
Give ns the crown of glory, which fadeth not away? Heb.
ix. 14. 26.
Farther to confirm yoi:r faith, and establish your hope, it
will be proper to consider, what you have to plead. The
proud Pharisee made his abstaining from gross iniquities,
and his punctuality in some external performances, his plea.
The blinded Jews went about to establish their own right
eousness, and depended on this broken reed fo-r acceptance.
 But we have a surer foundation, whereon to build our
comfortable expectations.
If arraigned on the foot of guilt, great guilt, manifold
guilt, aggravated guilt, long contracted guilt , we have an
atonement to jdead, a sacrifice of unknown value, a propi
tiation glorious and divine. We have the blood of the Lamb
to plead ; blood that taketh away not one sin, or a few sins,
or a multitude of sins only ; but (0 delightful truth !) tak
eth away all, all, all sins. Yes, it taketh away all sins from
the believer, be they ever so numerous; all sins, be they
ever so heinous, 1 John i. 7; Rev, i. 6,
Should the law take us by the throat, and make that se
vere demand. Pay me that thou owest. — It is paid, we reply,
by our divine surety. An incarnate God has been obedient
in our stead. In the Lord, the Lord Redeemer, have we
righteousness. And can the law insist on a more excellent

LETTERS, 176
satisfaction ? Does not this magnify the law and make it
honourable? " By the obedience of one (that is, Christ) -
shall many be made righteous," Is. xliv. 24. Rom. v 19.
Should it further be urged, " Without holiness no man
shall see the Lord." — Is not holiness the thing that we have
longed for ? It is true, we have not attained to holiness ;
spotless and undefiled holiness ; neither could we in the re
gions of temptation, and in a body of corruption. But has
not our guilt been our sorrow, and our in -dwelling sin our
heaviest cross ? Have we not groaned under our remaining
iniquities, and been burthened with a sense of our failings ?
And are not these groanings, the first fruits of the Spirit ?
Are not these the work of thy own grace, blessed Lord ?
And wilt thou not consummate in heaven, what thou hast
thus begun upon earth ? Do we not desire heaven chiefly be
cause in those blessed mansions we shall sin no more ; we
shall offend our God no more ; be no more forgetful of a
dying Saviour ; no more disobedient to the motions of a
sanctifying Spirit ? And shall we be disappointed of this
hope ? — It cinnot, cannot be. — They that hunger and thirst
after righteousness, are not filled, while they abide in the
flesh; therefore there remaineth the accomplishment of
this promise, they will assuredly awake up after the like
ness of their Lord, at the great resurrection day, and in'
another world, be fully, everlastmgly satisfied with it.j
I must now come to- a conclusion -.—But I cannot con
clude without wishing yon " all joy and peace in believing.
— Though your fl^esrh and yonr heart fail, may God be the
strength of you heart, and your portion forever !"-"! daily, I
frequently make mention of you in my prayers : and, what
is better than all, the dearly beloved of the Father remem
bers you now he is in his kingdom.-^
I am. Your very affectionate friend, &c

17f LETTERS.
LETTER XL,
The necessity ef preaching Christ.
The following letter was sent to the preacher, by a cottager in a conntri^
rillage, and is here printed, to shew fiow thankfully the poor receive th&
preaching of the gospel, and to preserve so remarkable and useful a letter
Iram perishing,
BETXRESS sia,
1 HUMBLY beg your parden for presuming to write to
you. Being one of your bearers,- 1 was very much affected
with your good sermons, having known and experienced the
truth of them, viz. That persons must be convinced of their
•undone slate by kature, and brought into a state of concern,
or self condemnation, before they will seek and earnestly de
sire the knowledge of Christ crucified. — To one who feels
the condemning power of the law, Christ is precious. — Such
have tasted the bitterness of sin ; for till then " They are
alive vi'ithout the law," as St. Paul saith, Rom. vii. 9. not
seeing that the law requires perfect obedience, and that
theirs at the best is very imperfect. — Hence the best of us
in our carnal state are striving to be justified by our own
works ; yea, though we cannot but know that we often
break the laws of God, Rom. iii, 20. 28.
But then we think, it is true I am a sinner, and there is
none wiihout sin ; thus we do presume upon our seeming
obedience, not considering how great a change must be
wrought upon our soul by repentance ; and that we must be
united to Christ by faith, and partake of his likeness, wilhout
which, Christ as to us, is dead in vain. Gal. ii. 2 i. And
when the holy Spirit has convinced us of our misery by sin,
John xvi. 8- and need of Christ ; then, usually, we are
thinking to do something to purchase an interest in him ;
not considering we must be humble supplicants at his feet,
waiting for every thing we want at the throne of grace, as
repentance, pardon, sanctification, redemption, as purchas
ed by him : eternal life is the gift of God, Rom. vi. 23.
It is the humbled person who will accept of Christ, in
all his offices, not only as a priest to atone for sin, but also
as a prophet to teach, and a king to rule over him, and sub
due all his sins. — The covenant of grace answers all our
wants, there is not only mercy to pardon, btit also grace ta

l^ETTERS. 178
sanctify, and renew our nature. It is the humbled be
liever, who can sincerely say, " Christ is the power of God
unto salvation, Rom. i. 16.
And now I think nothing more needful than for clergy
men to preach as you do ; for though Christianity is gener
ally professed amongst us, yet many seem as unconcerned
about these things, as if there were no such truths in the
gospel. — This is the way of preaching, which has ever
been most effectual to the converting of sinners! and may
the blessed Spirit attend the word preached, " purifying
the hearts of your hearers by faith, Acts xv. 9 — That the
righteousaess of Christ accepted, and applied to them
selves, by a lively faith, may enlitle them to heaven, Rom.
V. 19. and that their sincere, though imperfect obedience,
may evidence their title to be true and real, is the hearty
desire oii Reverend Sir,
Your most h«mble servant
To true belie-vers, the law is set forth as a rule of man
ners, not as a law of condemnation, for " there is no con
demnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, Rom. viii. I . ;
or, in other words, those who love Christ, love his com
mandments, as kind rules of life, not obeying (like legal
people) with reluctance, and out of fear of being punished.
There is not, perhaps, a greater, or more important truth,
than that in proportion, as our faith in the Redeemer,
evidenced by our works, increases, so our fear of death
proportionabJy decreases.

179 LETTERS.

LETTER XLI.
On time and eternity. London, Jan. 3, 1751,

9I4B EISXIB,

I HAVE taken my pen in hand to write to you, and yet
have no news to transmit. I have nothing to send but my
good wishes, and my best advice.
The old year is gone ; and, if we look back, what a no
tion it appears ! Departed as a tale that is told. Thus will
our whole life appear, when our end approaches, and eter
nity opens : but eternity will never expire ; eternity will
last world without end. When millions, unnumbered mil
lions of ages are passed away, eternity will only be begin
ning. And this short life, this little span, is the seed-time
of the long, long eternity. What we sow in this state,
we shall reap in the eternal state. Should we not there
fore be careful, very careful, to improve our time, and
make the best provision for an eternity of happiness ?
Should we not be careful to get faith in our Lord Jesus
Christ; to get the love of God shed abroad in our hearts;
and our souls renewed according to the amiable example
of our blessed Redeemer ? — This and nothing but this, is
true religion. Going to church, hearing sermons, and re
ceiving sacraments, profit us nothing, tmless they promote
these desirable ends.
Fix, dear sister, this truth in your memory : a true faith
in Christ, an unfeigned love of God, and areal holiness of
heart are the greatest blessings you can desire. Without
them we shall not, we cannot, enter into the kingdom of
heaven. These you should incessantly, you should ear
nestly seek, through the whole advancing year ; and these
I most sincerely wish you, who am
Your very affectionate brother &c.

LETTERS. 18 f
LETTER XLII.
The excellency of humility^
MX DSAIl iBIIHr,
I AM glad to find that the beloved traveller called at
your house, and gave you so much of his company. Cold
as the weather was, did not your heart burn within you?
Burn with zeal and love for that all-glorious God, whom
he (excellent man !) so faithfully serves in the gospel of his
Son. May Mrs *** increase in humility, be more convinced of
guilt, more sensible of depravity ! and then she will grow
in every other grace. Proud minds suffer the corse, impre
cated on the mountains of Gilboa; while humble souls are
likn the vallies spread forth by the rivers, or as a field
which the Lord hath blessed,
1 think you should not have shewn her the free remark
which I matle ; it was well meant, and she is well disposed,
but human nature is very, very depraved. And perhaps
there is no greater instance of it, than our proneness to take
offence at the least disparaging hint-, nay, sometimes to
fancy ourselves wronged, if we are not extolled to the skies.
I heartily wish, the blessed Jesus may give this young la
dy, the ornament ofa meek and humble spirit. That, be
ing lowly in her own eyes, she may be exalted by the great
God. I see so much indigence, and so many distressed objects,
that I begiudge myself all unnecessary disbursement of
money. Who would indulge too much, even in innocent
and elegant amusements, and thereby lessen his ability to
relieve, to cherish, and comfort the Lord Jesus, in his af
flicted members ?
I wish you could have preached at Collingtree. My
poor people long for the sincere milk of the word. You
would have a congregation, all of them honouring you,
most of them attentive to you, and many of them edified
by you. — It grieves me, it pains me at my very soul, that I
am dismissed, or rather cut off, from the honourable and de
lightful service of the ministry. — But, to be resigned, per
haps, is better than to labour ; and an adoring submission
for me at least more proper, than a zealous application.
16

18'2 LETTERS.
Oh ! may I bow my head, and dutifully stand in the lot,
svhich the almighty Sovereign pleases to assign !
Ever yours, &c

MT BEAU nuiNfi,

LETTER XLIII.
On spiritual sloth. London Saturday nig^it.

I cokgratulATe you on ***'s recovery. Why do you
•call her *** ? It is a strong temptation to vanity. She must
be deeply ballasted with humility, not to be puffed up at
such a title ; which assimilates her- to one of the most love
ly and accomplished characters, that ever was described,
bh i that we all may be recovered from that letbal'gic
indolence, which deadens our attendance to the one thing
needful ? What a ¦GoA have we ! how immensely glorious !
.and hovv -little do we reverence him ! — What a Saviour !
how unutterably gracious ! and how Uttle do tve love him !
— What promises ! how inviolably faithful ! yet how feeble
is our affiance in them I — What a heaven ! how transcend-
antly delightful ! yet how languid are our desires of it '-Oh !
that the blessed, blessed Redeemer, may baptize us with the
holy Ghost, as with a flaming fire ! to quicken, animate, and
kindle into a glt)w of devotion, these benumbed souls of ours 1
— I must add no more, only that I am, with great sincerity,
though in great haste. Inviolably your's, &c.

LETTERS. 163
LETTER XLIV.
Comfort agairist reproach. London Feb. 33i

Mr *** and Mr *** may have tried, and may repeat
their attempts, to alienate the affections of my Collingtree
hearers. 1 am under no concern with regard to myself.
— Fragili cupiens illidere dentem.
Qffhidet solido — will, 1 believe, be the issue of their en
deavours. 1 am only sorry for the people's sake, that they
should squander away their ministerial talents, and ministe
rial labours, to so poor a purpose. Let them be more inces
sant in warning every man, and teaching every man that they
may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. — Thus let
them:seek to win their affections, and, I do rejoice, yea, and
will rejoice, in their success. Dear Sir, the way to secure
the love of others, is to love them, to pray for them, and with
a willing assiduity to set forward their true happiness. This,
whenever I was amongst them, my people williconfess, I did-
not cease to do. And the God of heavenknows, 1 daily bear
them on- my heart, and often recommend them to the ten
derest mercies ofour everlasting Father. Never therefore
be apprehensive of my losing either their esteem with re
gard to my conduct, or their affection with regard to my
person. Oh ! that their precious souls lyere as firmly unit
ed toChrist as their favourable opinion is secui-ed to me ! —
Well, should neighbours undermine us, and friends forsake
us, the adorable and all-condescending God is faithful. He
changeth not. His word of grace endureth forever. He
-loves his people with an everlasting love. And Oh ! what
worms, what dust, what mere nothings, are all ipen, are all
creatures, before that infinitely blessed Author of all per
fection ! What a sense had the psalmist of this -weighty
truth, when he poured forth that rapturous exclamation ;
Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none, there is
nothing on earth, that I desire in comparison of thee ! May
this my dear friend, be the continual language of your
heart; and of his, who hopes to be both in time and to eter
nity, Affectionately yours, &c.

184 LETTERS.

LETTER XLV.
The evil of unbelief. London March 28, 1751.

Ml BEAR FRIJSSB,

Yotr depend, you say, upon my'promise ; and see, how
readily it is performed. — And if you depend on the execu
tion of a promise from a frail, frail creature, will you not
much more expect accomplishment of promises, made by
that adorable Being whose cou7isels of old are faithfulness
and truth ? Oh ! that we may not dishonour God's goodness,
disparage his veracity, and depreciate his dear Son's un
speakable merits, by unbelief, base, vile, destructive unbe
lief! I have not an opportunity of communicating your news
to our dear friend. He has left London. — It is not known
when he will return. He is not exjiecfed, till some months
are expired. And who, how many, may be gone into eter
nity, before that period is arrived !
You ask, how it fares with my health ? You may re
member, that 1 have more than once answered such an in
quiry with silence ; for 1 do not like to be upon the com
plaining string, and I cannot say, my health is either restor
ed, or improved. When your letter came (not till Tues
day about five o'clock) it found me in a state of extreme
languor. I had written nothing, done nothing, since dinner.
Though 1 took up an easy and entertaining book, I was
obliged to lay it down again. Thus I spend, rather thus
I lose many hours : so that between intervening company,
and debility of spirits, 1 make but a very slow, scarce any
progress in my intended work.
I have no news, though at the great mart of intelligence.
My sister is safely delivered of a son, which puts one in
mind of the glorious piece of news, celebrated by the an
gels, and foretold with a rapturous delight by the prophet,
— " To us a child is born ; to us a son is given. His name
shall be the mighty God ;" and yet his ofiice shall be, to
bear our sins in his own body on the tree. May this news
be ever sounding in the ears, and ever operate on the
hearts of,-my dear friend, and ofj- His ever affectionate, &c.

LETTERS. <8e
LETTER XLVI.
The happiness of having communion wifJi Christ.
Tottenham, May 30, 1751.
«7 OEAB IBIEHD,
I AM now at my brother's country-house — pray who is
Mr, ***, the writer of the letter enclosed in yours ? He
asks me, to get him a curacy ; little aware, that I am but
a curate myself. I believe, the world has a notion, that (
am a dignified, or a beneficed man at least. Dear Sir, may
it be your benefice and mine to do good to souls ! and our
highest dignity, to glorify the ever-blessed Redeemer !
who for our sake had not where to lay his head, till he
was numbered with the transgressors, and laid it in the si
lent grave.
r hope your health is established ; and how does your
soul prosper ? Do not you delight to think of, to talk of, to
have communion with, that wonderful, that amiable Being,
whom to know, is wisdom ; whom to enjoy, is happiness ?
happiness, not to be described by words, only to be under
stood by experience. Ob ! that we may follow on to
know him ! Then we have a promise  a promise more
stable than the foundations of nature, that our " labour
shall not be in vain in the Lord," Gold has no value, and
diamonds lose their lustre, when compared with those un
searchable riches of Christ, which Mr. *** so largely en
joys himself, and so freely offers to others. His ministry
is signally owned by his condescending, and Almighty Mas
ter. Many, I am told of the superior, as well as the lower
orders in life, attend his ministry. And if there be eflicacy
in united prayers, if there be zeal in the Lord God of hosts,
for the honour of his dear Son — if there be faithfulness and
compassion in our exalted Saviour — his labours will — they
will be blest. May they every day, every hour, be bicssetl
more abundantly ! Most cordially your'.s,&c,
16*

186 LETTERS.
LETTER XLVII.
T/te promise of God the Christian's shield.
Tottenham, July 14, 1751.
nTBxaB rniEln),
I AM sorry to hear yotv account of Mr. *** ; see what
snares are around us ; how the devil endeavours to obstruct
our' usefulness, by blemishing our credit. May the minis
ters of Christ be upright and undefiled in the way, or else
they will not be able to reprove and exhort with all (no,
nor with any) authority. The God of power and faithful
ness says of his church, says of his people ; " I the Lord
keep it. I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it ; I
will preserve it night and day."* May this promise be our
shield ! be fulfilled to us evermore ! Do not you go on, my
dear friend, to lay up these precious pledges of heaven in
your memory, and enrich your heart from them, by fre
quent meditation; they are the seed of faith. By these we
are to be made partakers of the divine nature. Partakers
of the divine nature! Volumes cannot explain, what is com
prised in those few words. May we know what they mean
by happy, happy experience !
I pity poor Mr. ***, know what it is to be in a state of
languishing. Ah ! ah ! my dear Sir, lay ap a stock of com
fort, get your graces lively, while animal nature blooms.
When the blast of sickness smites, and our strength becomes
labour and sorrow, how miserable must be our condition,
without an interest, an established interest in the all-glori
ous Redeemer !
Why do you cherish distrustful thoughts of the blessed
God? is he not boundless goodness? Is not his goodness
i^reater than the heavens ? does not his mercy, that lovely
.-ittribute, endure forever ? All the kindness of the most
endeared relations, compared with the tender compassions
of a God in Christ, are no better than cruelty itself. Read
the last chapter of Hosea. Hide it wiihin your heart. Turn
it into prayer to the King of heaven, and I hope it will be
to your soul, as the dawning day after a darksome night.
Our dear friend has met with uncommon favour and ac
ceptance. Excellent man ! how does he work while it is
* Is xxvii. 3.

LETTERS. 187
day ! how aweet to such a labourer, will be heaven's ever
lasting rest ! there may you meet him, and there find, as a
monument of infinitely free grace in Christ,
Your truly affectionate, &c.

LETTER XLVIir.
Deliverance frmn trouble ground of thankfulness. October 18, 1751.
-MY BEAU FHIEKO,
Two of your letters are now before me, who expected
long ere this to have been before the Judge of quick and
dead, — Blessed be God, I am got down stairs, and the day
before yesterday went abroad in a coach. Oh ! what great
troubles and adversities hasl thou shewed me ; yet didst thou
turn and refresh me ; yea, and broughtest me from the depth
of the earth again. Oh ! my dear friend, how shall I he thank
ful ? May that infinitely good and gracious God, who has giv
en me such cause, give me power to be grateful. May I be
enabled to devote every moment of that life which he has
prolonged, and every faculty of that body which he has
preserved devote them wholly to the honour of his blessed
name. Poor ***'s case I commiserate. The charge attending
my illness will be considerable, but I am not without hopes
that my father will be so good as to defray it, then my hands
will not be straightened :-0h ! that my bowels may never be
straightened, but may I " draw out my soul to fhe hungry."
I am glad to hear that a seventh edition of Dr. Stan-
house's book is demanded : — May it go forth in the name,
in the strength, and for the honour of the blessed Jesus,
and may it prosper; though, as you observe, he and I
think differently on some points, nor is the Doctor an ad
mirer of my favourite author, Mr. MarshaH.--The accept
ance however which God has given to his and to my own
writings, should send both of us oftener to the throne of
grace, and quicken our applications to the divine goodness,
that his all-powerful Spirit may accompany our instructions,
and make thera a real blessing to our readers.
 1 write as a poor prisoner that lately eispeeted to

188 LETTERS.
have the sentence af death executed ; but has now got a
short, uncertain reprieve. Mayl never forget how much
I shall want an assured faith in the all-glorious Redeemer,
when that awful change approaches. Let us labour after
such a firm establishment in Christ, such an unshaken affi
ance in his merits, and such jap unfeigned love of his name,
as may make it gain to die, and the day of our dissolution
better than the day of our nativity. — Poor Dr. *** ! Oh !
may he and his afflicted partner find consolation in the faith
fulness, the goodness, the unsearchable riches of Christ ;
these, apprehended by asweet, assured, soul-reviving faith !
thes.e, I say, are our sovereign suppoi-t under all troubles,
and our most effectual preservative from all temptations.
We beheve, blessed Jesus, help our unbelief!
I am. My dear Sir,
Ever your's, while, &c.

LETTER XLIX.
On boldness and courage for Jesws Christ.
London Jan. 14, 1752.
KT ]l£AB:IBIi:ilBi I know you will excuse my long^ silence, and acquit me
on the receipt of this letter, though I own myself in your
debt for another. When I have a Incid or a lively interval,
I thin^ it my duty to employ it, in attempting to finish my
little work. Which, alas ! proceeds as slowly, as my blood
creeps heavily through my veins, Happy, happy they,
w,ho have firmness of nerve, and fertility of thought; and
are eoabled to devote them both to their gracious Redeem
er's service.
Please to pay my best thanks to Dr. Cotton, for his very
Aelica.te visions. I wish they may do good, and promote
virtue ; then, I am persuaded,, they will answer the- benev
olent intention of the author. I wish at the same lime, that
he would be a little explicit and courageous for Jesus Christ.
He deserves it at our hands, wiio for our sake endured the
cross, and despised the shame. He will recompense it into
our bosogi, by ownipg us before his, Father, and the holy

LETTERS, 189
angels. Nor can I ever think, that the spread of our per
formances will be obstructed, by pleasing him who has all
hearts and all events in his sovereign hand. — A vision upon
death, without a display of Christ, seems to me like a body
without a heart, or a heart without animal spirits. I am
sure, when I was lately (as myself and every one appre
hended) on the brink of eternity, I found no consolation but
in Christ, Then I felt, what 1 had so often read, that there
is no other name given under heaven, whereby man may
obtain life and salvation, but only the name, the precious
and inestimable name of Jesus Christ. Oh ! that its savour
may be to us, both living and dying, " as ointment poured
out." Tell Mrs,***, that she has not offended me ; but I am
grieved, that I should give her occasion for such a suspi
cion. You refer me to 2 Esdr. v. 33 * It is a sweet passage,
a noble and comfortable truth ; and the apparent doctrine
of scripture, however found fn an apocryphal book. — Oh!
that we may seek more assiduously to our all-condescending
and omnipotent Friend. He will never upbraid us for our
importunity ; he will never disappoint bur hope ; he is able
to do exceeding abundantly above all that- we can ask or
think ; and, blessed forever be his name, as his power, so
is his love to his people, his children, his heirs. In this
blessed number may he rank my dear friend, and his
Ever affectionate, &c.
* And I said, Speak on my Lord: then said he unto me, Thou art sore
troubled in mind for Israel's s^e : lovest thou that people better than he that
made them ?

!9* LETTER&; LETTER h.
On Jiearivg of a friend's distrcss.^
TO HIS MOTHER.

April 6.

BEAR KABAM,
I RECEIVED your favour of the 4lh inst. Am very sor
ry to find, my father is SO ill. Hope and earnestly pray,
that the great eternal Lord of life and death will rebuke his
disorder, and restore him to health; — You need not doubt
of being remembered in my supplications to the throne of
grace. Oh ! that they were better ! Oh ! that they pro
ceeded from firmer faith, and were accompanied with
greater fervour! Poor and weak as they are, they are of
ten ptit up in behJtlf of my, honoured parents, that the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, may " strengthen
them with all might, according to hip glorious power, unto
all patience and long-sufJei;ing with joyfulness." May give
them an humble resignation to . his blessed will ; enable
them, to rejoice even in, their tribulations, and m£ike " all
things- work together for their gt)od" — their exceeding
great and everlasting good.
I have, in obedience to your orders, put my affairs in
readiness to leave the city. But hope there will be no oc
casion for such a speedy removal.^ — But, if I should come,
alas! what can I do? my weakness is inconceivable. None
can know it, but the all-searching God. I am evidently
worse, now the milder weather is advancing.
I am glad to hear my sister holds well. God always
mingles our cup of affliction whh some sweetening droj]8.
None but Christ, that dear and adored Redeemer — none
but Christ, had gall without any honey, and vengeance wilh
out any mercy. Blessed be his most holy name for endur
ing all kind of misery, that we might want no manner o^
thing that is good, J am, &c.

LETTERS. m
LETTER Lf.
Vh risi thefoundation of the believer's joy.
London Miles' Lane, Dec. 22. 1751
DBA* SISTia,
Yesterday in the afternoon, Mr ** and his-mother call-
-ed upon me ; heoffered to convey a letter or anytaiessage to
Weston. I could not neglect this opportunity of sending
you my best wishes, and the congratulations of the season.
Please to thank my mother for her kind letter. — The
wine was to have come last week, but my brother forgot
to give the necessary orders, until it was too late. 1 hope
no such disappointment will happen, if we live to see the
end of this week and wish you much of the divine presence
and joy of the Lord in using it. May we all drink of those
living waters, which Christ Jesus has promised in his gos
pel ! of which they who drink, shall thirst no more ; but
they shall be in them a well of water, springing up into ev
erlasting hfe. — Pray let me know, what those living waters
mean? I have no present to make you this Christmas, unless you
will accept one from God's holy word. In the ninth chap
ter of Isaiah, it is foretold, that poor sinners shall not only
have a good hope, but shall even rejoice before God. Re
joice with exceeding great joy ; such as the husbandman
feels, when he gathers in his harvest, and receives the re
ward of all his toil Such as the soldier experiences, when
he has conquered his enemy, and is dividing the spoil.
What shall be the source of this joy ? — Their worldly
wealth ? Alas ! Riches make themselves wings, and fly away.
They profit not in the day of wrath. — Their carnal pleas
ures ? These are always froth, and frequently gall. To
be enamoured with these, is death, — Their own good deeds ?
These are a broken reed, a filthy rag ; and should cover us
with confusion, not fill us with conceit — Whence then is this
joy to flow? From Christ, wholly from Christ: He is the
rich gift of God, he is the pearl of great price ; the only
consolation of sinners, and the supreme joy of his people. —
Therefore the prophet adds, in the language of triumph and
exultation, " To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and
the goverameat shall be upon his shoulders ; and his name

i92 LETTERS.
shall be called Wonderful. Counseller, the mighty God,
the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace." This child
is Jesus Christ, who is fhe foundation of all our comfort,
the spring of all true delight. — He is the Son of the Most
High, yet given to be made man, to be made a sacrifice, to
be -made a curse, for us.— So great, that the government of
universal nature is upon his shoulders. The sceptre of su
preme authority is in bis hand : He is head over all things
to his church. — So glorious, that his name shall be called
Wonderful. God and man in one matchless and marvellous
person, clothed with clay, yet possessed of all the fulness
of the Godhead. Like Jacob's ladder ; whose foot was fixed
on earth, while the summit was lost in the skies. So gra
cious, that he is the Counseller to instruct ignorant crea
tures, and by his word and Spirit? make them wise unto sal
vation. The mighty God ; to subdue our iniquities, to
write his laws in our hearte, and make us partakers of a di
vine nature. The Prince of peace ; reconciling us to God
by his death, and making peace by the blood of his cross ; by
applying these blessings to our consciences, filling us with
that peace of God, which passeth all understanding. The
everlasting Father; to cherish us under the wings of his
providence and grace, to make all things work together for
our good ; and prepare for us an everlasting inheritance ;
even "the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that
fadeth not away. — Oh ! may the adorable Redeemer be all
this to us ! The prophet repeats this expression. To us.
This circumstance is of the last importance. Then only is
Christ our fountain of life, and full of delights when he is
all this, does all this to us, even to us.
Let this scripture be the subject of our meditation, amidst
the approaching soleninity. And may an everlasting sense
of its blessings, give an additional, a heavenly relish to all
¦our other entertainments. I am your affectionate brother, &c.

LETTERS. 133

LETTER Lll.
BeconcUiation to God, previous to our performing holy
duties.
BIAR SIB,
It is not the difficulty of answering Dr ***'s question, that
makes me avoid it, but the disagreeable nature of the of
fice. As it will oblige me to shew, that he entirely mistakes
both the nature of the scriptures, and the nature of man.
He would make Dr. ***'s and Dr. ***'s sentiments of things,
the touchstone of divine revelation What is level to their
apprehensions, must be right; what comports with their no
tions, must be true. At this rate, they are not doers of the
law, but judges. On the contrary, if they do not understand
the doctrine of union with Christ, or the fitness of free justi
fication to promote holiness, it is because their understand
ings are darkened- it is a sign, that they want the eye-salve ;
a proof, that their senses are not exercised to discern be
tween good and evil.
Dr.*** has Roman virtue; but indeed he very much
wants the eye-salve. He sees no glory and comeliness in
Christ, but much in his own conformity to the commands of
his Maker. — While such sentiments possess the mind, peo
ple have no eyes to discern the beauty of free grace. Christ
is just as insignificant, as the physician's offering to prescribe
for a person in perfect health. — I am sure my poor, lame,
mangled conformity to my Maker's commands, fills me with
shame, and would make me hang down my bead as a bul
rush. But my Lord's death, my Lord's obedience, my di
vine Lord's merit, encourages me, emboldens me, and ena
bles me to say, Who shall condemn met — Be pleased by Ihe
bye, to compare Dr. ***'= foundation for comfort and confi'-.
dence, with St Paul's, Rom. viii. 33, 34. Who is in the
right, I leave you to determine. I will only venture to as
sert, that Paul of Tarsus had as much conformity to the
comm-ands of his Maker as our amiable friend. Ohl that
he was less amiable in his own eyes, and knew himself to
be " wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and nak
ed. See Rev. iii. 17.
First. " A persuasion of our reconciliation to God, pre
vious to our performance of holy duties." — Dr-*'''* *sH«t
17

534 LETTERS.
What is the foundation of such a persuasion ? — To which I
answer, The doctrine delivered by St. Paul, Rom. v. 10,
" When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by
the death of his Son." From this passage he will see, that
reconciliation to God is previous to our performance of ho
ly duties. It is a blessing procured for enemies ; and to
say, that enemies have performed holy duties, is to con
found the difference betveeen rebels and subjects ; is to
make rebellion and allegiance the same. — Nay more, this
blessing has no manner of dependance on our performance
of holy duties, because it isprocured not partially, but whol
ly procured hy the the death of Christ. It is not said, when
we, who were sometime enemies, began to perform holy du
ties ; but when we were enemies, while we were enemies,
and considered only as enemies. Then, even then. — Won
drous grace 1 grace worthy of a God ! Will not such grace
incline the rebels to throw down their arms ?
The Doctor having laid down some premises, makes this
mference ; " Hence the phrase of our reconciliation to
God, when we have renounced our sins," But does this in
ference tally with the apostle's declaration, or is it the
proper consequence of his doctrine ? Let not the acute
disputant, but the wayfaring man judge.
" Our blessed Saviour," adds the Doctor, " directly
asserts, that the performance of religious duties is the sole
evidence of our reconciliation." — We are not enquir
ing about the evidences of reconciliation, but about the
way to acquire them. To determine, what are the eviden
cies of a cure, is easy enough ; but to prescribe the expedi
tious and certain method of working the cure, this is Ihe
thing we want. Here, according to my poor opinion, Mr.
Marshall excels as much in the spiritual, as Dr. *** in the
animal Therapeutica.
The Doctor urges our Lord's words, " Ye are my friends
if ye do whatsoever 1 command you. — Wandering from the
point again. The question is. How we shall be animated,
¦strengthened, and enabled to do them?
Upon this subject reason tells us, that such a discharge of
religious duties can alone convince a Christian of the sincer
ity of his profession. — It may he so ; but pray Madam Rea
son, do not be impertinent, we did not ask your opinion
upon the point; if you would speak to the purpose, you
must tell lis, how we may be enabled to discharge these re
ligious duties. Does your Ladyship know, which is tbe first

LETTERS. 195
religious duty? I question it; be content therefore to re
ceive information froti) scripture. " Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart." This is the first relig
ious duty ; now tell Dr. *** and me, tell us honestly and ex
plicitly, how we can perform this duty? Is it ]>ossible to
love the Lord, to love him with all our heart, if we look
upon him as incensed against us, unreconciled to us ? Is it
' possible to love him when we apprehend ourselves to be
under his wrath, or suspect that he will prove an enemy to
us at the last?
The Doctor having a higher opinion of reason* Ihan 1,
is a greater favourite with her; I would therefore beg to
know of him, what rnply she makes to this interrogatory;
and 1 promise before-hand, that I will stand to her award, if
she can point out any method cf practising this duty, differ
ent from that proposed by Mr. Marshall ; then my favoni-
ite author and myself, will submit to the charge of Enthusi
asm. Secondly. " A persuasion ofour future enjoyment of the
heavB,nly happiness, previous to our performance of holy
duties." I ask Mr. Hervey, " Vvhat is the foundation of such a
persuasion ?" — Mr. Hervcy answers. Our free justification
through Jesus Christ, which we receive under the charac
ter of ungodly persons; consequently before the perform
ance of good works, Rora. iv. 5. — 1 answer again : The free
|lromise of God : God " hath given unto'us eternal hfe," 1
John V. 1 1. Bu! is not this promise founded on our own
duties and obedience ? No, but on the duties and obedience
of our great Mediator : This life is in his Son.
In the first book of the sacred writings is this important
interrogato.-y, made by God himself; "¦ If thou dost well,
shalt thou not be accepted?'" — Here I beg leave to a.sk in
my turn, Which is the person who does well ? Dr. ***,
who would persuade us to reject the gift of God, t John v.
1 1, and not believe his word ? Of Mr. Marshall, who would
engage us to credit the divine declaration, and receive the
divine gift ? The apostle says, by not believing this record,
we make God a liar, 1 John, v. 10. And shall we call this
doing well ? or is this the way to be accepted ?
The Doctor farther urges, in the very last chapter of the
same sacred volumes we are told, " Blessed are they who
do his commandments, that they may have a right to the
tree of life '' — I^et me ask again. Does the Doctor remem-
* Reason 1 mean, in her present fallen state.

196 LETTERS.
her, what the commandments of tbe Almighty are ? He
may see them reduced to two particulars, and ranged in the
exactest order, I John, iii. 23. The first of these command
ments is, that " we believe on the name of his Son Jesus
Christ." Let the Doctor only interpret this precept, tell
me what is included in this injunction, and I am inclined to
think, he will find each of Mr. Marshall's preliminary arti
cles contained in its import. To believe in Christ, is to live
under a persuasion, that he has died to reconcile me to God ;
that he has obeyed to obtain eternal life forme; and inter
cedes in heaven, that I may receive the Holy Ghost the
Comforter. — Take away theSe ingredients from faith, and
its spirit evaporates, its very life expires, you have nothing
left but a mere caput mortuum.
The Doctor charges us " with spiritual pride." But is
it pride, to confess ourselves ungodly wretches, and as such,
to receive free jusiification from infinitely rich grace ? —
" With presumption and unwarrantable persuasions." — But
is that a presumptuous claim, or that an unwarrantable per
suasion, which is founded on the infallible promise of God,
and implied in the very nature of failh? — He bids us " be
ware, lest we be the dupes of our own credulity." We
thank him for the friendly^ admonition ; and, to shew our
gratitude, we would suggest a caution to our worthy friend,
that before he (trguos on a religious sub|ect, be would gain
clearer ideas of its nature, lie talks of reconciliation, as
implying concern and grief Here he fights with a shadoifr,
and a shadow of his own raising; no mortal ever aflSrnoed
or dreamed of any such thing. Reconciliation is neither
more nor less, than a removal of offence, and a restoration
to favour. He mentions Mr. Marshall's three propositions,
as the requisite signals of faith wnereas they are the constitu
ent parts, the very essence of faith; they differ as much
from a signal, as Ihe florid blood and lively spirits differ
from the bloom on Ihe cheek, or the sparkle in the eye. —
He tells us, " that the faith of the Jews was one thing ;
but after our Saviour's death, the faith of the Gentiles was
another." St. Paul, who was a Jew by birth, and an apos
tle of the Gentiles by oflSce, tells us the very reverse.
There is one faith, of which, Christ the Lamb, slain from the
foundation of thte world, was and is the invariable object.
To him give all the prophets, as well as all the apostles, wit
ness, that whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remission of
sins. Believing in Christ, we see, is the one constant, un-

LETTERS. 197
alterable way, in Which both Jews and Gentiles, the hear
ers of the prophetSj and the converts of the apostles, ob
tained pardon, life, and glory.
Had Doctor *** observed this caution, he would not have
spent so many needless and random words on the third
proposition, which proceed upon an absolute mistake of the
point. " We advocates for self-sufliciency in man !" I
wonder how the ingenious Doctor can entertain such a
suspicion, especially as he knows, we have subscribed, we
believe, and we maintain the tenth article of our church.
He has blamed us for this belief; therefore he should in all
reason, blame himself for those extravagant excursions of
his pen ; which are just as far from sobriety and fact, as
the antipodes are from the latitude of London, Our max
im and Mr. Marshall's meaning is — Though less than noth
ing, though worse than nothing in ourselves, we can do all
thing^s through Christ's strengthening us. I am, &c. &c.

LETTER LIII.
On neglecting topredch Christ.
Weston-Favell, 1756.

SlBAH Sib,

I CONFESS 1 am covetous, and like covetous people, un
reasonable ; I was in hope of receiving another favour from
your pen, before I troubled you with a fresh solicitation.
— But an affair has lately happened, or rather a project has
started in my mind, which I will lay before you. — On Sun
day last a neighbouring clergyman sent me for my perusal,
a sermon preached by Dr. T**, before the House of Com
mons, on the late public Fast.* When I perused it, and
saw not a single mention of Christ, nor a single hint of an
evangelical nature, I was surprised and grieved; and so
much the more, as it was preached by 'one of the most cel
ebrated divines in the kingdom, and before the whole king
dom convened in their representatives. I thought it was a
pity that such a notorious slight put upon our most glorious
Redeemer, should pass without animadversions. I could
» The pubUc fast in February 175S.
17*

108 LETTERS.
not forbear wishing, that the Lord would enable me, even
me, (the least and weakest in my heavenly Father's house,)
to hear my testimony for Jesus who was crucified. I there
fore conceived some thoughts of publishing a sermon
preached at Weston, upon a subject somew^hat similar to
his : for though mine is designedly plain, and destitute of
the polite Doctor's embellishments, yet it has more of
Christ and his gospel. 1 also apprehended, if to this were
prefixed and subjoined some remarks upon the Doctor's
performance, it might not be unseasonable nor unprofita
ble. — Now, my dear friend, if you approve the design,
would you draw up some remarks upon the Doctor's dis-
course, while I am endeavouring to retrieve my sermon,
from a few hints, which I happened on that occasion to put
down in short hand ; I will own to you, my heart almost
trembles at the prospect of appearing in print against so
eminent a man. And if you do not think it proper to be
niy help and abettor, I must drop the design. May the
Lord Jesus, whose honour is concerned, whose blood and
righteousness, whose Spirit and grace have been disregard
ed, and treated as cyphers ; may he direct your determina
tion, fructify your invention, give you all knowledge and
all utterance ! What think you of this method of proceed
ing ? — Making remarks upon the unevangelical passages —
pointing out the places where an opportunity offered of en
larging Upon gospel topics — exemplifying this gospel man
ner, and shewing that it would be no prejudice, but give in
finite weight and force to the argument. But I leave all to
the blessed God, and my dear friend. — Your last, I think,
is a most masterly piece of controversy, for which I am
your debtor. May you now be enabled to outdo yourself.
The subject and the occasion are of the last importance;
if you are inchned to exert yourself, pray let it be in the
courtly manner. Your last pen was dipt in vinegar, let this
be dipt in oil.
My sermon was on that text, Ezek. xviii. 27. I shall wait
with incessant prayer to him, whose name is Wonderful,
Counsellor, till I receive your answer.
And am.
Most affectionately, your's, &c.

LETTERS. 199
LETTER LIV.
SoiM remarks o?i not preaching Christ.
JMr. Hervey's friend on considering the proposal in the precedinf letter,
^vrote the following, and addressed it to Dr. T  , the preacher of the
fast sermon in 1756, on Jeremiah xviii. 7, B. It is here printed, as the obser
vations therein contained may possibly be in some measure productive of
the good which Mr Hervey intended by snch like remarks.
MT BEAR FBIEBB,
Some time ago was put into my hands a sermon of
your's on Jer. xviii, 7. 8. preached before the honourable
House of Commons, on the day of the late public Fast ;
wherein I thought I saw some very material omissions and
mistakes, which I feared might hinder the success of your
ingenious performance ; and therefore, as I would neither
have you to labour in vain, nor the best use of such alarm
ing calls of divine providence neglected, I could not but give
you the trouble ofa letter upon this occasion.
Nothing can be more proper at such seasons, than serious
discourses upon repentance and reformation ; times of afflic
tion are most likely to be times of reflection ; and when it
pleases the Most High thus to open the heart, it is then the
time for his servants to sow the good seed of his word. To
prepare men for this, God's judgments fly swift as the light.
To prepare men for this, he hews by his prophets, and slays
by the word qf his mouth : and happy, eternally happy, are
those who are influenced thereby, to return from their evil
ways, and to make their ways and their doings good ; — for
thus runs the divine promise — " At what instant 1 shall speak
concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck np
and to pull down, and to destroy; if that nation against
whom I have pronounced this, turn from their evil, I will
repent of the evil that I thought to do. unto them, Jer,
xviii. 7. 8.
Such is God's gracious declaration, which no gospel min
ister can read, but it must remind him of two things. — First,
That this promise is made in Christ Jesus, and therefore
can l^elong to none but those who forsake their sins, and
return unto God by him. Then, this return from evil must
be accomplished, through the grace and Spirit of Christ.
And, First. — The mentioa of this, and every other promise in

200 LETTERS.
the book of God, must remind the gospel-minister that it
is made in Christ JesuS. St. Paul hkth assured us, that all
the promises of God in him are yea, (made) arid in him amen,
(confirmed;) and if all the promises of God are made and
confirmed in him, then this as one must be made in him.
The Redeemer himself has informed us, — that he is ihe
way, oftd the truth, and the life, and that lio man can come un
to ihe Father, but by him. — But to turiifrmn evil, and to come
unto the Father, are terms of the same import. Besides, we
know that it is only through Jesus Christ that we have peace
with God, and that it is only through Jesus Christ that God
has reconciled the world to himself. Can two then walk to-
gilher ioixept they are agreed ? Can God sheathe the sword
Of his juSlite before he is reconciled to us? if not, how
can he repent of tbe evil that he thought to do unto us ? •
and if he repents not bf the evil, which he thought to do
unto tts, whefe is our interest in the promise? — But what
need of any more words, when it is most evident, that it is
the Sbn of God who here speaks by the prophet ? the same
person promises mercy, who had threatened to destroy with
the severest judgments. Now we know that " the Father
judg^es no man, but has Cotninitted all judgment to the Son ;
that all men should honour the Son^ as they honour the
Father." It is very plain then, that all who return from
evil must return by Christ; they must return with his
price in their hands, and his robe upon their backs, and then,
and not till then, they are safe, safe for time and eternity.
Agiaiiii. — When the gospel-minister reads this gracious
promise, he will remember that such a returning from evil
must be accomplished through the grace and Spirit of
Christ, HoW can we, who are not suflicient of otirselves
to think a good thought of ourselves, think of returning to
God and holihess ? can the captive who is in love with his
chains loUg for liberty ? can the sinner i^-ho is fond of his
sins desire to rfelinqnish theni ? No ; it is as possible for
"the Ethiopian to change his skin, or the leopard his spots,
as for us, who ate accustomed to do evil, to learn to do
well." Nay, far more possible ; for, to accottlplish this,
they need only to change their hue ; buf before we can at
tain to holiness. We must change our nature ; we must
" make ourselves a new- heart and a new spirit," Ezek.
xviii. 24. We must quit tbe grave, and arise froth the
dead ; and " who is sufficient for these things ?" There
fore the Master says,-^." No man can eome uiilo me, except

LETTERS. £01
the Father which has sent me draw him."  And again —
" Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and have
ordained you to bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should
remain. — For without me ye can do nothing," — And his
apostles assert, — that '' by grace we are saved, through
faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God ;" that
every grace is the fruit of his Spirit, of " whose fulness we
have received, and grace for grace;" and that we are
"created anew unto good works, which God had before or
dained that we should walk in them."
Now, Sir, are these the true sayings of God ? are these
the Very words of our Lord, and his apostles ? — Then un
doubtedly to refuse them, is to refuse him who speaks from
heaven ; and if so, how comes ii to pass, that you have un
happily forgot to fake notice of these tilings upon this sol
emn occasion ? God promises security to all who forsake
their sins, and return unto him in Jesus Christ, and yet Je
sus Christ is never mentioned in your sermon. Without
divine grace, and the sanctifying operations of fhe holy
Spirit, we can do nothing ; and yet there we hear nothing
of divine grace, or the holy Spirit. Joab ready to take
Rabbab, the royal city of the Ammonites, so ordered the
campaign that bis master David might have the honour of
the victory ; but here is a Christian minister, who attacks a
citadel of human corruption, and never so much as once
t hinks of Christ, through whom be must conquer. Here is
a Christian minister, who leaving the lively oracles, under
takes spiritual wickednesses with the carnal weapons of a
Tully and Demosthenes. Mistake me not, I speak not
against oratory as such ; but if a Roman or a Greek philoso
pher, who had never heard of Christ, can say as much
against the vices of the age, as you can who hav6 from your
infancy been educated in the Christian religion ; what say
you more than others ? Is not this too much to slight that
bleeding dying Lamb of God, who alone can " take away
the sin of the world ?"
But the slight put upon our Master's words is not all ;
your not taking notice of these things, has unhappily led
you into mistakes that are utterly inconsistent with his un
dertaking. — You call upon us, " by every act of humiliation
and repentance, to deserve the protection of Heaven ;" and
throughout your whole discourse you labour hard to fix
our hopes upon this basis, and our after obedience. But
can the .liincerest repentance, or the deepest humiliation.

202 LETTERS.
deserve the favour of God, and the remittance of punish
ment ? If so, then fallen Adam might have broken in pieces
the chains of eternal death, in which he was holden; and
then, what need of shedding the blood of the promised
seed? what need of such a sacrifice to appease God, if he
was already appeased, or could be appeased by the relent-
iijgs of man? Briefly, if the death of Christ was necessary
to purchase eternal redemption for us, then our repentance
and humiliation can never deserve the divine favour.
Nor can our after obedience procure such protection.
Perfect obedience is a debt continually due from every crea
ture as such ; and. the payment of a debt due now, can nev
er be a compensation for the nonpayment of arrears; nor
can the most exact payment of what is due from one's self,
be esteemed the least part of payment of what is due from
another; and fheiiefore where the d^bt is obedience, as all
creatures are bound to obey at all times, none but a God
can pay off the score qf any one delinquent. This is a tre
mendous consideration, even supposing true repentance,
and a thorough reformation, where wholly in our own pow
er; but when as sinners we are entirely without strength,
Rom. V. 6. 8. when ( as I have already observed) these gifts
are perfectly dependent upon grace, and the good Spirit of
God, surely, lo talk of desei;ving the favour of Heaven,
by them, must be extremely absurd. Nor is it only ex
tremely absurd, but extremely dangerous ; as it places the
merit of works higher than ever the Papists placed if, and
is utterly inconsistent with the humble genius of the Prot
estant religion.
But your neglect ef taking proper notir-e of these things,
not only leads you to disregard the express sayings of our
Lor-d, and to nullify his work, but to heal the wounds of the
daughter of God's people slightly. You complain ofour
profaneness and immorality ; of our profligacy and unjust
opposition to lawful authority ; of our disregard to decency
and good manners, as well as to the laws of our country ; of
that unlawful pursuit of pleasure, that luxury and extrava
gance, which insensibly preys upon tbe constitution, debases
the sense, and corrupts the morals of our people," — And
these are evils that you ought to complain of; they are the
sure signs of a declining consumptive state, and can never
be enoiigh lamented. But then, you never touch upon
that root of bitterness which bears this gall and wormwood ;
you say nothing of our unbelief, which keeps us at a distance

LE'll'ERS. *03
from God, from xvhom we must receive every good and
perfect gift. You say nothing of fedth, without which it is
impossible to please him, to turn from evil, or to return to
him. Nor do you take the least notice ofour enmity to the
blessed Jesus, and his holy gospel ; of that proneness to rebell
ion, and naughtiness of heart from whence proceeds every
evil Ihought, and word, and work. These things you
ought to have remembered, and not to have forgotten the
other. Had you remarked opOn these evils in the moral view
you have taken of our national vices, it would naturally
have led you to point out suitable remedies. You must
then have persuaded us to labour after an union with
Christ, the fountain of grace, by faith; and this radical
union with him would have produced a moral union, and
have transformed us into his hkeness ! where faith had
been implanted, love wouhl have flowed ; and where love
had flowed, there must have been ready and cheerful obe
dience ; for " the end of the commandment is charity, out
of a pure heart, and faith unfeigned." But without these
gracious habits iniernally wrought, what will all the outward
reformation in the world do for us? have you not read of
the Pharisees ? di.l not these people keep clean the outside
of the cup and the platter ? Far from being guilty of any
scandalous immorality, they prayed in Ihe streets, made
broad their phylacteries, fasted twice a week, and gave
tithes of all that they possessed; yet were their inward
parts so filthy, that they tiially became obnoxious to a judg
ment ten thousand times worse than what has befallen the
unhappy inhabitants of Lisbon. Let us not deceive our
selves ; neither outward reformation, nor outward morality
are sufficient ; neither outward professions, nor outward
duties will make a man a Christian. The King's daughter
i» all-glorious within, as well as without ; and if we belong
to the Redeemer, we must be sanctified by bim both in soul,
and body, and spirit.
If you would reform the world, Preach the Gospel; the
gospel contains the only motives, that can possibly prevail
upon any to embrace it. People may talk of the amiable-
ness of the divine Being, and the charms of virtue, thereby
to allure us to return to the one, and to embrace the other ;
but without a true faith in the promises of pardon and ac
ceptance, true repentance can never be attained ; and a free
Snd grains pardon and acceptance is no where promised.

204 LETTERS.
but in the Lord Jesus Christ. The goodness of 61od freely
offering pardon and peace, must lead us back to him, or we
approach him no more. Earthquakes, famine, pestilence,
«r any other evils, have their use only as they discover to
us our present condition, and greatly enhance the offered
kindness ; but we love God because be first loved us ; we
love Jesus Christ because he obeyed and died for us ; and
his great love thus manifested, does not urge, but constrain
ns to love him again ; because " we thus judge, that if one
died for all, then we are all d^ad ; and he died for all, that
they which hve should not henceforth live unto themselves,
but unto him which died for Ihem, and rose again." These
are the cords of a man, and the bands of love, wherewith
we are drawn to our heavenly Father. " Herein is love,
not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his
Son to be the propitiation for our sins ;" and if God so lov
ed us, snrely we ought to love him again, and to testify our
love by a suitable obedience. When no creature (as I
have hinted) could fupnish a righteousness that might be im
puted to us. Who can but stand amazed, that the Father
should send his only begotten Son to obey in our stead ?
when no creature could bear the 'wrath of an offended God,
and by dying overcome death. Who can but stand amazed,
that tbe Son of God should be sent to suffer and to die, that
we might live through him? — Who can but stand amazed,
that the Son of God should take our nature upon himself,
that he might thus obey and die for us? how can we behold
him thus dying for us, and not die to that sin for which he
died? When love so unprecedented speaks so loud, who
can but hear, and wonder, and return to the Lord ?
What I have said, I think, plainly shews, that your dis
course might have been far more evangelical ; and as plain
ly shew, what superior motives to repentance and reforma
tion would have occurred if it had been so; so that, hum
bly recommen.ding my remarks to your serious considera
tion, I might here have concluded my letter ; but as you al
low, that the late earthquakes " have hitherto been the
merciful warnings ofa kind and good providence, to dispose
us to bear the rod ; and to consider, with that awe which
becomes us, the hand which hath appointed it." — a few ec-
laircissements upon one of the lessons which you have ad
vanced under that head become absolutely necessary, lest
by mistaking the case, we should lose tbe benefit of our
neighbour's afflictions.

LETTERS. £05
You recommend upon this occasion — " our guarding our
selves against any hard censures, which a reflection upon
these extraordinary calamities encourage in minds too read
ily disposed to judge with severity." And conclude, " That
it is certain that we have no right to determine what are
the particular intentions of Providence in this dispensation."
— But certainly we have a right to determine, that such
punishments are inflicted because of sin ; else, how do they
(in your own words) " speak to us the language of the di
vine displeasure ?" Else, how can they be considered as pun
ishments to correct some and to warn others? Else, how can
they be considered as the louder calls of anger ? or, of what
use to bring us home to ourselves ? This you must grant, or
you pull down all that you have before builded, and make
ycurselfa trespasser. I allow, thatfwe have no right to con
elude these unhappy people to be greater sinners than our
selves, because of their greater sufferings ; this would lead 14s
Pharisaically to cajole ourselves in our iniquities, rather than
to take warning by others ; yet we are allowed to look up
on them as very great offenders. Our Saviour does not
reprove his disciples for thinking those Galileans, whose
blood* Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices, to be very
great sinners ; but for thinking them to be greater sinners
than themselves, which is indeed a temper of mind utterly
inconsistent with true repentance.
We are allowed then to suppose the Portuguese to be
great sinners, and that the Lisbon earthquake was a punish
ment inflicted for sin, and if we can discover any thing in their
conduct, that might tend to bring down this divine judg
ment upon them, it will be our wisdom to take warning by
it, and carefully to avoid it as a fatal snare : and surely we
may see some things in them, which God has, in all ages,
punished with the most severe chastisement. As,
First, Idolatry. It is impossible but thol you, Sir, must
have heard of the stupid profaneness and idolatry of these
people ; of their mock processions, and barbarous mimicry
of the Redeemer's sufferings, such as was a scmdal to hu
man nature, and such as never tarnished the most profane
rights of Heathenism. Such fopperies, this horrible pun
ishment should caution us carefully to avoid ; and to avoid
every means that would lead us iulo them ; it should make
us carefully abide by the gospel of Christ, which is the pow
er of God to salvation io every one that believes ; and wherein
w revealed the righteousness uf God from faith to faith : it
18 * ."^peLrUer.:!-;. 2.

306 LETTERS,
¦should make us careful to live up to it, lest for neglecting
60 great salvation, God should give us up to strong delusions
to believe such lies, and io worship and serve the creature more
(han the Creator, who is blessed forever.
Secondly, Persecution. We all know, that at Lisbon the
barbarous inquisition reigned in all its horrors, and that
thousands have there fallen a sacrifice to it, whose blood
has long cried aloud for vengeance ; and we know, that
persecutors have been most Severely punished in all ages :
so that taught by this dreadful judgment, we should care
fully avoid this crime ; a crime of so deep a dye, that in its
highest stage, when it strikes at the truth 51s such, it be
comes irremissible, and can never be forgiven either in this
world, or in that which is to come. I allow that these
people are connected to us by every tie but that of relig
ion ; but this of itself constitutes so vast, a difference, that
whenever we are disposed to speak most favourably of their
failings, and attribute them to the prejudices of education,
or the weakness of human judgment, we should still remem
ber, that we are Protestants and they were Papists : and
indeed, to us, as Protestants, and Christians, there is some
thing in this divine judgment so very remarkable, that, if
rightly considered, it may greatly confirm us in both.
As Protestants, we all look for the destruction of Anti
christ and his kingdom ; and here we behold a city, whose
unequalled trade, in gold and silver, and precious stones,
-tvas a proper type of that spiritual merchandise so many
hundred years vended by her mother Rome ; like whom,
she was built upon seven hills ; like whom, as a most obe
dient daughter, she was a nest of idolaters and persecutors ;
and as she was so like her mother in every thing, we have all
reason in the world to think, that Rome like Lisbon shall
one day be punished. Most remarkable it is, that on the
day which she had abused to rob the eternal God of his
honour, and to give it to the whole host of heaven ; on the
day which she had abused in shedding the blood of thou
sands, on that very day God came down to hold his Auto de
fe, and her own blood was required. Thus, when her
mother Rome shall say, " 1 sit as a queen, and am no wid
ow, and shall see no sorrow ; in that very day shall her
plagues come, death, mourning, and famine, and she shall
be utterly burnt with fire, for strong is the Lord God wh»
judges her."
As Christians, we all look and wait for the coming ofour
Lsrd unto judgment, and therefore should pay a special re-

LETTERS. 287
gard to every token of his approach ; he himself has told
us, that before his coming, there- shall be signs in the sun,
and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth, dis
tress of nations, with perplexity, the sea,, and the waves
roaring, men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking
after those things which are coming upon the earth ; for
the powers of heaven shall be shaken. When therefore
we see any such things come to pass, we should " lift up
our heads, for our redemption draws nigh ;" nor need we
to fear, if Christ dwells in our hearts by failh; if we are
rooted and grounded in love, though the heavens and the
earth fly away, and their- place be found no more ; for the
Lord of hosts is with us, and Jesus Christ is our refuge.
In whom I am, Reverend Sir,
Your sincere well-wisher, &,c.

LETTER LV,
.1 plan for a treatise on Gospel-ltoliness^
BBAIl AXB REV£Il£KB SIH,
You need no- apology for delaying your answer to my
letter. You have a precedent to plead, which must, if not
satisfy, yet strike me dumb ; but 1 propose, if the Lord as
sist, to be more punctual for the future, in acknowledging
the favours I receive from my valuable and valued corres
pondents ; among whom I shall always reckon Mr.***.
I am much obliged for your very just and important re
marks ; they give me such an idea of your knowledge in
the things of Christ, and your acquaintance with experi
mental religion, that I must beg leave to lay before you
the plan which I have sketched out for my treatise on
gospel holiness, with an earnest request, that you will rig
orously examine it, and freely pass your judgment upon it.
Suggesting, wherever it is improper, the means of rectify
ing it ; wherever it is defective, a method for completing it.
THE PLAN.
Pleasure and happiness of Christ's religion. — We must
partake of the Comforts of the gospel, before we can be fit^

208 LETTERS.
ted to practice the duties of the law.— rTheron oppressed
with fears, on account of his numerous sins; discouraged
with doubts, on account of his imperfect obedience ; the
cordials of the gospel are re-administered, with some ad
ditional strength and spirit. — Holiness, gospel-holiness, its
nature, necessity, excellency, — The endowments, necessa
ry to fit us for tbe practice of holiness; a persuasion ofour
reconciliation to God, the hope of everlasting happiness,
and an assured expectation of grace suflicient for us, — The
grand efficient of holiness, the blessed Spirit ; the principal
instrument, failh. This renews the dispute concerning
the assurance of faith. Objections to it stated, discussed,
answered. Holiness'more particularly delineated in its sev
eral branches, and deduced from, or founded upon evan
gelical principles; such as I beseech you by the mercies of
God ; ye are bought with a price ; ye are the temples of
the living God ; God hath forgiven you &c. — All these
privileges, though not hereditary, yet indefeasible ; or the
final perseverance of believers. This eminently conducive
to holiness. — The scriptures, prayer, Lord's supper, when
mixed with faith, are effectual means of holiness. — Our
Iriends part, and renew their epistolary correspondence.
Theron, desirous to glorify the God of his salvation, asks
advice concerning the best method of family-worship, edu
cating children, instructing servants, and edifying his ac
quaintance. — On each of these particulars, Aspasio satisfies
his inquiry. Enlarges on the subject of education, espe
cially the education of daughters, as that seems to be the
most neglected, or the proper manner of conducting it least
understood. — " Letter on the covenant of grace ;" com
prizing the substance, and being a kind of recapitulation of
the preceding volumes. — "Letter on the way of living by
faith in the Son of God, or the way of reducing all the gos
pel-doctrines to suitable practice. — Aspasio seized with a
sudden and fatal illness. His sentiments and behaviour in
his last moments.
This dear Sir, is my rough draught. Apply the com
passes and plummet; examine it with your rule and line,
improve my plan ; assist me with your advice and prayers,
to execute the work ; and may the great Master-builder,
enable me to bring forth the top-stone, for the honour of
his holy name, and for the edification of his chosen people.
I am, dear Sir,
With unfeigned affection,
Your brother in Christ, &c.

LETTERS., 20?'
N. B. As Mr. Hervey did not live- to finish his plan, and
as he was himself apprehensive that he should not, he de
sired in his preface to Marshall on Sanctification, that Mar
shall might be considered as a supplement to Theron and
Aspasio, and as a kind of substitute for what he intended to
write on the same snbject, according to the plan here pro
posed. — His words are, " I do by these presents depute Mr
Marshall to supply, my lack, of service."

LETTER LVL
On assurance of salvation..

I AM pleased not a little, to bear a lady of your fine sense
and blooming years, declare that an inquiry relating to ev-
everlasting salvation, has taken up much of her thoughts.-
Let me entreat you to go on and imitate that excellent we
an, whose panegyric is uttered by Wisdom and Truth itself;
" Mary hath chosen that better part,.whiEh shall not be
taken from her."
You inquire " whether the elect of God have not an in-'
ward assurance, that they shall be saved ?" — Your casuist
takes leave to answer the question by asking another. Why
should not you and I, Madam, have this assurance ? — ^^Is it
not a blessing intended for Christians in general ?* " We
know" says the apostle, " that we are passed from- death,
unto life." He says not I, and some eminent saint?, — but
we; including those believers to whom he wrote, those
among whom he preached, and all those, who hereafter
should believe through his word;
Is not this a most desirable knowledge? On the other
hand, can any thing be more afilicting, than a state of sus
pense with regard to this all-important affair ? To be in
suspense whether my final lot will fall in the regions of end
less misery, or the mansions of glory ? — Insupportable ! —
Can it be the will of the most-indulgent Creator, that we
should spend our days in this sad uncertainty and distressing
anxiety ? — Impossible !
But have we a warrant for this assurance ? — We have
the best of warrants, the gift of God. If your papa gives
18*

210 LETTERS.
you a pair of diamond ear-rings, or (which rightly improved
will be much more ornamental) a neatly printed Bible ; do
not you look upon this as a Suflicient warrant to call these
presents your own ? Do not you rest fully assured, that by
virtue of your parent's gift, they are your unquestionable
property ? — Perhaps you will say, where has God Almigh
ty done any thing like this ? where has he given salvation
or life eternal to me ? — Be pleased to consult 1 John v. 11.*
and you will find an answer, which I hope will prove per
fectly satisfactory and highly delightful.
Is this spoken to me ? — To you, Madam, to the young la
dies of your acquaintance, and to every one that reads it.
Life eternal is given, just as the manna was given in the
wilderness. The manna, that each hungry Israelite might
gather and eat it. Life eternal, that every poor sinner
may receive and enjoy it. — But I have no merit, nothing to
deserve it. — Then you have just as much as the all-gra
cious God requires. " Without money and without price,"
is his bountiful declaration. Freely and abstracted from all
deserts, are his generous terms. You have no merit, Mad
am, and I have less than none. But has our divinely ex
cellent Redeemer nothing meritorious? For his sake, this
magnificent and glorious gift is conferred. Not we our
selves but " Jesus Christ the righteous has obtained eter
nal redemption for us.
May I then assuredly believe, that God gives eternal hfe
to me ? — May you glorify God's truth ? may you glorify his
grace ? may you glorify the death and obedience of his be
loved Son ? If so, then you may, you ought, it is your priv
ilege, and your duty to believe — that God Almighty freely
gives to you eternal life.
When you receive this gift, look upon it as your portion ;
live in the most comfortable expectation of it ; relying on
nothing valuable in yourself, but depending entirely upon
the faithful promise of him who cannot lie. — Then you will
feel your heart inclined to love your most adorable bene
factor — then you will study to please him in all your con
versation — then you will be truly holy. — All which is, with
great sincerity, wished by, amiable Miss ***,
Your most obedient servant, &c.
* 1, John v. 1 1, And this is the record, that God havh given to us eternal
i.fe : and this lift is in bis Son.

LETTERS. 21 1
LETTER LVII.
On fiction.
WestoB, Dec. 17, 1747.
B£Aa SIB,
I TRULY commiserate your variegated calamity; and
heartily wish I could suggest any thing, which might be
the means of administering some ease to your afilicted mind,
and of assisting you to reap ample benefit from your dis
tressed situation.
You well know, that all afflictions of what kind soever,
proceed from God : " I form the light and create darkness ;
I make peace, and create evil : I the Lord do all these
things. Is. xiv. 7. They spring not from the dust ; are not
the effects of a random chance, but the appointment of an
all-wise, all-foreseeing God, who intends them all for the
good of his creatures. — This, I think, is the fundamental ar
gument for resignation, and the grand source of comfort.
This should be our first reflection, and our sovereign sup
port. — He that gave me my being, and gave his own Son
for my redeinption, he has assigned me this suffering. —
What he ordains who is boundless love, must be good : what
he ordcuns who is unerring wisdom, must be proper.
This reconciled Eh to the severest doom that ever was
denounced. — Iti^ ihe Lord; and though grievous to human
nature, much more grievous to parental affection, yet it is
unquestionably the best; therefore, I humbly acquiesce.
I kiss the awful decree, and say from my very soul, " Let
him do what seemeth him good, 1 Sam. iii. 18."
This calmed the sorrows of Job, under all his unparal
lelled distresses ; the Lord has taken all away ; rapacious
hands and warring elements, were only his instruments,
therefore, 1 submit, 1 adore, I bless his holy name.
This consolation fortified the man Christ Jesus, at the ap
proach of his inconceivably bitter agonies ; The cup which,
not my implacable enemies, but my Father, by their admin
istration, has given me, shall I not drink it ? — It is your Fath
er, dear Sir, your heavenly Father, who loves you with an
everlasting love, that has mingled some gall with your por
tion in life. — Sensible of the beneficent hand from which
the visitation comes, may you always bow your head in pa
tient submission ; and acknowledge with the excellent, but

212 LETTERS.
aflSicted monarch Hezekiah, " Good is the word of the
Lord concerning me, 2 Kings xx. 19.
All afflictions are designed for blessings. — To do us good
at the latter end, however they may cross our desires, or
disquiet our minds at present. — " Happy (says the Spirit of
inspiration, and not wretched) is the man whom God cor-
rectetb. Job v. 17." And for this leason, because his
merciful chastenings, though "• not joyous but grievous,
yield the peaceable fruit of lighteousness unto them that are-
exercised thereby. Heb. xii. 11." God's ways are not as
our ways. The children whom we love, we' are apt to
treat with all the soft blandishments, and fond caresses of
profuse indulgence ; and too, too often cocker them to their
hurt, if not to their ruin. — But the Father of spirits is wise
in his love, and out of kindness severe. Therefore it is
said, " Whom be loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every
son whom he receiveth. Heb. xii, 6." Would you not,
dear Sir, be a child of that everlasting Father, whose favour
is better than life ? Affliction is one sign of your adoption to
this inestimable relation. — Would you not be an heir of the
inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away ?
Affliction is your path to this blissful patrimony. " Through
much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of heav-
ven. Acts xiv. 22." Would you not be made like your ev
er blessed and amiable Redeemer? He was a man of sor
rows, and acquainted with grief ; and every disciple must
expect to be as his Master.
Perhaps, you may think your affliction pecuHarly calam
itous ; and that if it had been of some other kind-you could
more cheerfully submit, more easily bear it ; bntyou are
in the hands of an all-wise Physician, who joins to the bow
els of infinite wisdom. He cannot mist-ake your case. He
sees into the remotest events ; and though he varies his
remedies, always' prescribes with the exacted propriety to
every one's particular state. Assure yourself thereforcj
the visitation which he appoints, is the most proper re
cipe in the dispensatory of heaven : any other would have
been less fit to convey saving health to your immortal part,
and less subservient to your enjoyment of the temporal
blessings, which may, perhaps, be yet in store for yon.
Should you enquire what benefits accrue from afflictions ?
— Many and precious — They tend to wean us from the
world — When our paths are strewed with roses, when no
thing but music and odours float around, how apt are we to

LETTERS. 213
be enamoured with our present condition, and forget the
crown of glory, foiget Jesus and everlasting ages ? — But
affliction with a faithful though harsh voice, rouses us from
the sweet delusion. — Affliction warns our hearts to arise
and depart from these inferior delights, because here is not
our rest. True and lasting joys are not here to be found.
The sweeping tempest and the beating surge, teach the
mariner to prize the haven, where undisturbed repose waits
his arrival. In like manner disappointments, vexations,
anxieties, crosses, teach us to long for those happy man
sions, where all tears will be wiped away from the eyes,
Heb. xxi. 4. all anguish banishedfrom the mind ; and noth
ing, nothing subsist, but the fulness of joy, and pleasures
for evermore.
Afflictions tend to bring us to Christ. — Christ has unspeak
able and everlasting blessings to bestow — such as the world
can neither give nor take away ; such as are sufficient to
pour that oil of gladness into our souls, which will swim
above the waves of any earthly tribulation. — But are we
not dear Sir^re we not most unhappily indolent and inat
tentive to these blessings in tbe gay hours of an uninterrup
ted prosperity ? It is very observable that scarce any made
application to our divine Redeemer, in the days of his abode
with us, but the children of affliction. The same spirit of
supineness still possesses mankind. We under-value-, we
disregard the Lord Jesus, and the unspeakable privileges of
his gospel, while all proceeds smoothly, and nothing occurs
to discompose the tenour ofour tranquility, — But when mis
fortunes harass our circumstances, or sorrows oppress our
minds, then we are willing, we are glad, tve are earnest, to
find rest in Christ.
In Christ Jesus there is pardon of sins. — Sin is a burth
en incomparably sorer than any other distress. — Sin would
sink us into the depths of eternal ruin, and transfix us with
the agonies of endless despair. But Christ has at the price
of his very life, purchased pardon for all that fly to him. —
He has bore the guilt of their sins in his own body on the
tree. 1, Pet. ii. 24. Have they deserved condemnation?.
He has sustained it in their stead. — Are they obnoxious to
the wrath of God ? He has endured it as their substitute.
He has made satisfaction, complete satisfaction for all their
iniquities. Rom, iii. 25, 26, So that justice itself, the most
rigorous justice, can demand no more. Oh ! that distresses
may prompt us to prize this mercy '. may incite us to desire

314 LETTERS.
ardently this blessedness ! Then it would be,good for ns t©
have been afflicted. Psal, cxix. 71.
Christ has obtained for us the gift of the Spirit, Gal.
iii. 2, to sanctify our hearts and renew our natures, — An un
renewed carnal mind is ten thousand times more to be la
mented, more to be dreaded than any external calamities^
And nothing can cure us of this most deadly disease, but the
sanctification of the holy Spirit, This divine Spirit alone,
is able to put the fear of God in our souls, and awaken the
love of God in our hearts, Jer. xxxii. 40. His influences
.suggest such awful and amiable thoughts to our minds, as
will be productive of these Christian graces. This sacred
principle subdues our corruptions, and conforms us to our
,blessed Redeemer's image- — How is this best gift of Heav
en, disesteemed by the darlings of the world, who have
nothing to vex them ? But how precious is it, how desire-
able to the heirs of sorrow ? — They breathe after it, as the
, thirsty hart panteth for the water brooks. — They cannot be
satisfied without its enlightening, purifying, cheering com
munications- This is all their request, and all their relief,^
that the Spirit of Christ may dwell in their hearts, Rom, viii,
9. may enable them to possess their souls in patience, Luke
xxi. 19. and derive never-ending good from momentary
evils. Before I close these lines, permit me to recommend
one expedient, which yet is not mine, but the advice of an
inspired apostle, " If any be afflicted,jlet him pray." — Deau
SiiAly to God in all your adversity, pour out your com
plaints before him in humble supplication, and shew him
your trouble. Ps. cxiii. 2. When I am in heaviness, says
a holy sufferer, 1 will think upon God, Ps. Ixi. 2-. His om
nipotent power, his unbounded goodness, whose ear is ever,
ever open to receive the cry of the afflicted. — When the
psalmist was distressed on every side, without were fight
ings, within were fears, the throne of grace was the
place of his refuge ;; " 1 give myself to prayer," Ps. cix. 3.
was his declaration. This method we read Hannah took,
and you cannot but remember the happy issue, 1 Sam. i. 10.
Let me entreat you to imitate those excellent examples ;
frequently bend your knees, and more frequently lift up
your heart, to the Father of mercies and God of all conso
lation ; not doubting, but that through the merits of his
dear Son, through the intercession of your compassionate
high Priest, he will hear your petitions, will comfort you
under all your tribulations, and make them all work togeth
er for your infinite and eternal good.

LETTERS. 215
In the mean time I shall not cease to pray, that the God
of all power and grace, may vouchsafe to bless these con
siderations, and render them as balm to your aching heart,
and as food to the divine life in your mind. I am, dear Sir,
with much esteem, compassion, and respect.
Your very sincere well-wisher, &c.
LETTER LVllI.*
Comfort and advice to two mtdef actors.
Mr POOH TTELIOW SISNEHS,
I received a letter from you, and should have visited
you, but my healih is so much decayed, and my spirits are
so exceedingly tenJer, that I could not well bear the sight
of your confinemeit, your chains, and your miserable cir
cumstances, as I can hardly bear the thoughts of your ap-
pioaching execution, and your extreme danger of everlast
ing destruction. But because 1 cannot come in person, I
have sent you the following lines, which I hope you will
consider, and which I beseech the God of all grace to ac
company vvith his blessing.
You have been already condemned at an earthly tribu
nal ; you are also condemned by the law of God ; for thus
it is written, "Cursed is every one that conlinueth not in
all things that are written in the book of the law to do
them "t If every violation of Ihe divine law exposes you
to a curse, what a multitude of curses are ready to fall upon
your unhappy souls I — And remember this is not the curse
ofa mortal man, but of the great, eternal, infinite God. If
it was dismal to hear an earthly judge command you to be
hanged by the neck till you are dead, how much more ter
rible to hear the almighty Judge denounce that unalterable
sentence, " Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting
fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."! — Had you
committed but one sin, this would have been your deserved
doom; "The wages of sin," of every sin, "is death. "|
* This letter was wrote from Weston-Favell to two condemned malefac
tors, in Northampton Goal, (namely, James Smart and Joseph Brown,) about
the middle of July 1755.
I Gal. iii.lO. } Matth. XXV. 41. J Eom. vi. 23.

216 LETTERS.
How much more of those manifold sins and multiplied trans
gressions, of which your consciences must accuse you !^
You are soon to suffer the punishment of the gallows, and
are liable to the vengeance of the most high God ; for thus
saith the Holy word, " The wrath of God is revealed from
heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men."*
If against all and every instance of ungodliness, then how
much more against your crimes, which have been of the
most abominable and horrid kind ! The wrath of God ! Tre
mendous word ! who knoweth the weight and terror of his
wrath ? at his rebuke the rocks melt like wax, the earth is
shaken out of its place, and the pillars of heaven tremble.
How then can you endure the furiousness of his wrath, and
the severity of his vengeance ? and tnat, not for a day or a
month, or a year, but through all the ages of eternity ! Yet
this is the doom of them " that know not God, and obey not
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They shall be pun
ished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of
the Lord, and from the glory of his power." What can
you do in this distressed condition? what indeed ! if you
had a thousand years to live, you could not atone for one
offence. How then can you make satisfaction for millions
of provocations, in the space of a few days ? — Alas ! you
are lost, utterly lost, in yourselves irrecoverably lost. May
the God of all power, make you sensible of your undone
state ! sensible that you are upon the brink, the very brink
of an amazing, an unfathomable downfall. Perhaps you
may say, Is there no hope then ? is the door of heaven shut,
6nd without any possibility of being opened to us ? must we
sink into unquenchable burnings; and is there not so much
as a twig for us to catch at ? Yes, my poor fellow-sinners,
there is not only a twig, but a tree, even the Tree of life,
a sure support, which if the Lord enables you to lay hold
on, you may yet, even yet, be saved. Oh ! beg of his won
derful goodness to accompany what you are going to read,
with his holy Spirit.
Christ, the all-glorious Son of God, pitied the deplorable
case of such sinners. He not only pitied, but resolved to
succour and relieve them. For this purpose he came into
the world, and was made man. Nay more, he came into the
place, and stood in the stead of sinners. — Because we had
broke the commandments of the law, he fulfilled them in
all Iheir perfection. Because we deserved the punishment
* Rom. i, 18.

LETTERS. 517
of the law, he sustained it in its utmost esfremily. — He be
came poor, and Ixad not where to lay his head, though heav
en and earth were all his own. — He submitted to scorn and
reproach, though all the angels of God are bidden to wor
ship him. Nay, he was condemned to -death, tlie most
shameful and tormenting death, tar more shameful, and
unspeakably more tormenting, than the death which you
must shortly undergo. He suffered unknown pangs in his
body, and inconceivable anguish in his soul, from the indig
nation of God. In a word, he suffered all that shame, all
that torment, all that vengeance, which the unnumbered
sins of the w hole world deserved. Here then is your door
of hope. — Sins are borne by Christ ; and though there be
much iniquity, " there is no condemnation to them who are
in Christ Jesus."* — Wrath is borne by Christ, so that sin
ners "who deserve eternal vengeance, are reconciled to God,
and saved from wrath through him.t — A righteousness is
wrought by Christ, a perfect and everlasting righteousness,
such as brings incomparably greater honour to God's law,
than all our transgressions bring dishonour. By all this he
has merited and obtained a full deliverance, and a complete
redemption, — ,\re you not ready to cry out — Oh ! blessed
Saviour ! Oh ! precious redemption ! what a happiness, if
we might be interested in this Saviour, and partake of this
redemption ! millions of worlds for such a blessing ! — You
need not give millions of worlds, no, nor any individual
thing. These blessings are given freely without money,
and wilhout price, without any deserving qualifications in
us. All that are justified are justified freely through the re
demption that is in Christ Jesus, But we are sinners, vile sin
ners ; we have not only nothing good, but much and griev
ous guilt, — The Lord convince you of this more and more !
Yet remember for whom Christ died, he died for Ihe un
godly. — What says St, Paul? " In due time Christ died for
the ungodly."! — He died for the unjust. — What says St.
Peter? " Christ hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust.§ — What says our Lord himself? " The Son of mtn
is come to save that which was lost."— Are you not ungod
ly men ? are you not unjust persons ? are you not lost crea
tures ? For such, even for suoh the divine Jesus died.
Wonderful love ! adorable compassion ! The Lord enable
you to lay hold on this hope set before you! — Perhaps, you
may say — We are not only sinners, but the chief ofsinners. -
*' Rom. viii. I. t Rom. v. 9, 10. t Rott. t, 6. 6 5, Pet. iii. 18.
'9

?18 LETTERS.
^h I that you were convinced of this! — To he the chief of
sinners, makes you unpardonable before men; but this is
no difficulty with Christ, and should be no hindrance of your
coming to Christ. Christ's merit and righteousness are in
finite. They are as able to satisfy for a debt often thou
sand talents, as for a debt of a single farthing. Hear what
the scripture saith upon this subject, " This is a faithful
laying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief"* He
came not to save sinners only, but the very chief ofsinners.
And he is able to save them to thewery uttermost. — But
our sins are heinous, they have been often repeated, and
long continued in. — What says tbe apostle ? " The blood
of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin," Another apostle de
clares, "By him," by the divinely excellent Redeemer,
•' all that believe are justified from all things," from all ac
cusations be they ever so numerous ; from all iniquity, be
they ever so enormous. Nay, so wonderfully eflicacioos is
fhe power of his death, that through his great atonement,
sins which are as crimson, are made white, white as snovv.t
But will Christ vouchsafe this great salvation to us ? Hear
his own words, " He that cometh to me" for pardon and
salvation, " I will in no wise cast out." Be his guilt ever
so great, this shall be no bar, 1 will not on any considera
tion reject or deny his suit. Only let him come as a poor
undone creature, and he shall find me willing and mighty to
save. Nay, he invites you to come ; these are his gracious
words, "Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy
laden," heavy laden with sin and misery, "and 1 will give
you rest."J 1 will deliver you from going down into the pit,
i will deliver you from the vengeance of eternal tire. All
your sins shall be upon me, and all my righteousness shall
be upon you,— Go to a great man on earth, beg of him t«
use his interest in your behalf, he would scorn to take no
tice of you. -But your dear, tender, compassionate most
condescending Saviour, invites you to come to him, and as
sures you he will not abhor nor cast you out. — Go to your
earthly judge, entreat him on your bended knees, to par
don you  He, perhaps cannot, must not; the laws forbid
him. But it is not so with Jesus Christ, he has made a
full satisfaction for sin ; he Jias made an infinite atone
ment for sin.; and were your sins ten thousand thousand
-times greater than Ihey are, before fhe power of hi.-
« 1 Tim. i. 15. -I- Is. i. 10. : Matth, ^li.ec.

LETTERS. 219
death they would all vanish away ; by the washing of his
blood, they would all be as though they had never been.
This then should be the one desire of your souls, your in
cessant prayer to God, that you may come to Christ, that you
may believe in Christ, that you maybe found in Christ;
then you will not perish, though you deserve it, but have
everliisfing life through his name ; then you will have just
the same foundation for your hope, as I must myself have
when I shall depart this life. 'When I shall be summoned
to the great fribv.nal, what will be my plea, what my de
pendance ? Nothing but Christ ! Christ would I say, has
been wounded for my sins, therefore they will not be pun
ished in me. Christ has fulfilled all righteousness in my
stead, therefore I trust to be justified when I am judged.
I am a poor unworthy sinner, but worthy is the Lamb that
w?s slain, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, for whoso
sake I shall receive both pardoning mercy, and everlasting
glory. This is my only hope, and this is a= free for you, as
it is for your friend and fellow-sinner,.&e.
P. S. What I have written, I shall beg of God to bless;
and wilt attend you with my prayers, though I cannot visit
you in person.

LETTER LIX.
On the stale of the saints after death.

Dmn silt.

As T.tE interval between the hour of our dissolution,
and the day of resurrection, will, -in all probability, be very
considerable, much longer than the time of our continuance
on earth ; it is a very reasonable and important inquiry, to
examine into the circumstances of this state. The scrip
ture, our infallible director, which is (so copious upon all the
grand articles of religion, and) silent upon nothing that re-
tates to the true happiness of mankind, has not left us with
out information in this particular. ^Vhereas, all other writ
ers grope in the dark ; not one of them has been able to
draw back the curtain, or give us (any) the least insight
into the invisible world : it is to them, and in all their sys
tems, an absolute terra incognita- — A few of the scriptural

220 LETTERS.
discoveries may be seen, in the answer to the following
queries. First, When the souls, the souls of the righteous, depart
from the body, by whom are they received ? — By holy an
gels. The angels were ministering spirits to them, in the
days of their flesh, and will be their guard and their convoy
when they relinquish the earthly tabernacle. When L-az-
arus died, he was carried by angels. — What a comfortable
privilege is this ! Not to be left solitary and desolate, like
a shipwrecked m:iriner on some unknown coast; but to be
under the guidance and protection of those benevolent be
ing.? !
Secondly, In what place are they lodged ?— This is de
scribed, not from our ideas of locality, or any properties
ef space, but from the society and Ihe enjoyments. It is
not very material, whether they are above or below, in the
heaven of heavens, (which, I think, is most probable,) or
in some separale mansion. A disembodied spirit, if under
the wrath of God, must every where be extremely misera
ble ; if surrounded witli his favour, will every where be
exceedingly happy. To such a spirit, that has no longer
any connexion with sensible things, God's smile must be
heaven, God's frown must be hell. — 'Where ever this region
lies, we are sure it lies under the beams of the Sun of right
eousness ; Christ is there, and where he is present, happiness
cannot be absent. Thou shalt be with me, is his promise to the
penitent thief. — Abraham is there, the friend of God and fath
er of the faithful. Lazarus we are told was carried into
Abraham's bosom, and where he resides. Where all the
children of God and heirs of glory dwell, there must be pleas
ures ; — such pleasures, that the place is called paradise ;
" Thou shalt be vvith roe in paradise :" the delightful garden
of Eden, which the Lor J himself planted, and which inno
cent man inhabited, was incomparably the finest, noblest
spot in this sublunary world; and this is used to give us some
feint representation of these blessed abodes, where the
souls and spirits of the righteous remain, till the shout of
the archangel and the trump of God summon them.
Thirdly, How soon are they lodged in this desirable situ
ation ? — Without delay. 1 find no mention of any interme
diate purgation, or of any period for inactivity and forget
fulness. To day shalt thou be with me, is our Lord's expres
sion ; and it is observable, that the Jewish day was very
near closing, when our Saviour gave up the Ghost ; nearer

LETTERS, *21
still when that converted malefactor expired. — I have a de
sire to be dissolved, says St. Paul, and to be with Christ ; he
speaks of his release from clay, and his introduction into the
Redeemer's presence, as instantaneous. No sooner does
the former commence, but the latter takes place, — What an
encouragement is this to fight the good fight of faith, and
finish our course, with alacrity and diligence ! since we are
not to wait in wishful but disappointed expectation : no, the
very moment our warfare is accomplished, our reward be
gins. — Which reminds me of another inquiry :
Fourthly, What is the condition of holy souls, in this sep
arate state ?
First, They rest from their labours ; from all the disor
ders, that afflicted Iheir bodies, from all Ihe temptations
that disquieted their souls. They are no longer ridiculed
and persecuted by ungodly men. They have no more con
flict with the powers of darkness and their own corruptions;
sin and sorrow cease eternally. They are freed, entirely
freed, from every evil.
Second, They enter into peace. They have then peace
with God, peace in their own thoughts, peace with fellow
saints, which passeth all understanding— Peace implies a ¦
positive happiness. — Peace in the scriptural language, de
notes all manner of blessings, and such is its import in the
preceding passage. In this large extent will it be made
good to the righteous. When they relinquish the earthly
tabernacle, the scales of ignorance fall from their under
standings ; their will is wonderfully conformed to Christ's ;
every weight drops off from their affections ; and their ho
liness is exceedingly confirmed : they are honoured with
nearer approaches to God, they are favoured with clearer
manifestations of his glory, they feel richer emanations of
his love, and are more and more transformed into his im
age ; every doubt vanishes, and they rejoice in the pros
pect, the assured and refreshing prospect of receiving all
the fulness of their evorlasting felicity. I said fulness, for
though the felicity of the soul upon its dismission from mor
tality is great, is high, is to us inconceivable, yet it vvill ¦
not be complete till the body is re-united to it, re-animated :
by it. — Then that will not only be rescued from corruption,
but made like unto Christ's glorious body, will be dignified
with divine approbation, and that before the largest assem-
by of men and angels; they will receive a crown of right
eousness, they will sit on thrones and jodc-e the apostate ¦¦:
19*

iti LETTERS,
angels ; they will then possess the kingdom prepared for
them froth the foundation of the world.
What is said of the righteous may lead us to-some prop
er conception with regard to the wicked and their state--^
the one is the reverse of the other; as they were quite
dissimilar in their life, in theit death they are equally dif
ferent. If the righteous are committed to the care of be
nevolent angels, the \*icked it is very probable are aban
doned to the insults and rage of malevolent spirits. If the
righteous are admitted into mansions of bliss, the wick
ed are consigned over to the places of horror and torment,
where is all the misery which is expressed by weeping and
wailing ; all that self-condemnation and anguish, which is
expressed by gnashing of teeth. If the righteous enjoy the
calm of uninterrupted tranquility, and the light of perpetu
al sun-shine ; the wicked are reserved in chains of d*rk-
-ness unto the judgment of the great day ; wearied by their
own ungovernable passions, stung by eager but unsatisfied
desires, haunted by a stern upbraiding conscience.-^In a
word, while the righteous are looking for the blessed hope,
and the glorious appearing of the great God, ahd their Sav
iour Jesus Christ ; they are trembling under tbe dismal ap
prehensions of that dreadful day, when Jesus Christ shall
be revealed in flaming fire.
I add only a remark on that text of St. John, to which
we are So much obliged in this inquiry, " Blessed are the
dead which die in the Lord, &c." — The Lord must certain
ly signify, the Lord Jesus Christ, — To die in him, must, I
think, imply dying in his faith, so as to be one with him ;
interested in his mercy, renewed by his Spirit, and conform
ed in some prevailing degree to his image. May this be the
state ofour souls, while we live here, and when we departr'
hence. Then that will be fulfilled to our unspeakable and
eternal comfort, which is- spoken by another apostle, " To
me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
I am. Dear Sir,
Your's sincerely, &c.

LETTERS. 223
LETTER LX.
i4guinsf mispending of lime.
Weston, Saturday morning.
XT SEAS FBISmi,
I THOUGHT of you in a particular manner on Thursday,
being the sad anniversary on which your late excellent la
dy resigned this life ; and at the same time I thought on
those tender lines,
Jamque dies, ni fallor, adest ; quern semper acerbum,
Semper honoratum, sic Bii voluistis, habebo.* Virg. Mn. lib. 5.
I cannot but take notice of the wisdom and piety of niy
favourite poet; he teaches his hero to resolve all afflictive
and dark dispensations into the gracious will of God ; and
to derive his consolation from this belief Sic Dii voluistis,
is a sort of imitation of the good old priest, Eli, " It is the
Lord, let him do what seemeth him good." It is not much
unlike the exemplary acknowledgment of the patriarch Job,
" The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be
the name of the Lord !"
I am thankful for your present of Vanierii Praedium Rus-
iicum. It is a very beautiful piece : Uni Virgilio secundus,
the most elegant and correct Latin composition, that I have
met with among the moderns.
I have no fault to find, and no alteration lo offer, with re
gard to the little tract that you submit to my correction.
— But what shall 1 say, to my dear friend himself? Oh !
what opportunities of doing good, substantial and immortal
good, do you lose, do you squander away ! opportunities,
that are Hying from you upon the swiftest wings of time ;
and when once gone, are never to be recovered. — I do not
so much as think of your neglecting business ; but do let the
world see, that business may be managed, great business
managed, and yet Christ and eternal ages not forgot. Let
men see, that the comforts of Christianity, the privileges
of the gospel, are so truly delightful, as to be the most ef
fectual sovereign refreshment, under the fatigues ofa bur-
thensome employ. Thus doing, you wo'uld be a credit and
• The English of which is — " Now the day, if I mistake not, is at hand.
which (such has been the will of heaven) I shall aI<vay%account a day of sor
row, «l?fays a day to be- honoured."

2*4 LETTERS,
high recommendation to religion ; and blessed would you
be, if your Master, when he cometh, should find you so do
ing. — You will excuse my freedom ; and in. return, I will
not cease to pray, thai the love of Christ may constrain you,
2 Cor. V. 14, I am. Affectionately, and
Sincerely yours, &c.

LETTER LXI.'
On courage for the cause of Christ.
Weston, June 7, 1759". '
KSTIItl'I'D AI^ DXAB SIB,
Do NOT you take it amiss, thai I have-answered your
last kind letter no sooner? I have such a multiplicity of
epistolary engagements, and such a poor pittance of strength
that I cannot be so. punctual in my acknowledgments, as my
friends may expetvt, and as I myself wish..
You desired to see Mr. Boyse'.s letter to me : — I here en
close it; and it should have been sent to. you earlier, but
I could not find it amidst the confused heap of my papers
till yesterday — 1 -am very sorry to hear he is so ill, as there
is little probability of expecting any thing further from his
masterly pen. — I really think his little poem entitled the
Deity, (in which he is not unmindful of the great Redeem
er) is as useful and fine apiece of poetry as most in the .
English language. I so much admire, it, that I have insen-^
sibly as it were got it, by heart. God grant that it may be
influential on every reader.
I was reading the other day a curious book written by
Mr. Fleming, and entitled, " The fulfilling of the scriptures
complete ;" in which I met with a valuable quotation from .
Luther's letters to Melancthon, who was then in much an
guish on the apparent hazards of those times, " If this,"
says Luther, " be the cause of Clod, and not of man, then all
the burden should be cast on him» Why dost thou afflict
and torment thyself, seeing God hath given his Son for us ?
Why do we tremble or fear ? will he forsake us in smaller
things, who hath given us so great a gift ? is satan stronger;

LETTERS. 2rs
than God ? should we fear the world, which Christ has
overcome ? if the cause we contend for be not the truth,
let us change ; but if the cause be holy and just, why do
we not credit the promise and faithfulness of God? it is cer--
tain satan can reach no farther than this present life ; but
Christ reigneth forever, under whose protection the truth
now is, he will not fail to be with us unto the end. — If he
be not with us, I beseech you tell me where he shall be
found ? if w,e be not of his church, do you think that the
bishop of Rome and our adversaries are of it ? We are in
deed sinners, but Christ is true, whose cause we have in
our hand ; which he has hitherto maintained without our
counsel, and so he will do unto the end." — Mr. Fleming
then justly observes, that Luther rested on Christ, when all
visible props broke under him.
What animating considerations are these under all the
discouragements we may meet with in our ministerial la
bours ? how does the work of the Lord prosper in your
band ? May you be in this respect as a fruitful bough by
the wall ; may your people sit under your shadow with
great delight, and your fruit be sweet unto them !
I am.Yours, fee.

LETTER LXH.
The following is a g-enuine copy of Mr. Boyse's* Letter to Mr. Herv^,
J'Ae benefit of affliction exemplified.

For your tender admonitions and excellent advice, 1
am truly indebted to you ; as they discover a generous and
compassionate concern for my better part. — 1 bless God I
have reason to hope, that great work is'not to do; for of
all the marks of infatuation I know amongst men, there can
be none equal to that of trusting to a death-bed repentance.
I do not pretend to vindicate my own conduct — nor can
I ever forget the very Christian sense of my condition and
misfortunes which (notwithstanding all my misbehaviour)
* Mr. Boyse died soon after he wrutethi.s Letter l» Mr. Ilervev',

226 LETTERS.
you have so pathetically expressed. The follies of my
youth have furnished a plentiful harvest of reflection for
my latter years ; as 1 have been now for a long time in a
manner buried from the world, so it has been my endeav
our to spend Ihat time in lamenting my past errors, and in
pursuing a course of life void of offence towards God and
man, I have learnt to trust in God as my only portion, to bless
him for his fiitherly corrections, which have been much
gentler than my demerit ; 'and by which I have been taught
to know him and myself; his infinite mercy and goodness,
my own ingratitude and unworthiness ; so that I may truly
say with the returning prodigal, " Father, I have sinned
against heaven, and against thee, and am not worthy to be
called thy son "
My health is in a very precarious state ; and the great
est hopes of recovery 1 have (which are very small) arise
from warm weather and the country air. — I thank God I am
absolutely resigned to his holy anrj blessed will. I have
seen enough of the vanity and folly cf earthly things, and
how insufficient they are to satisfy the desires of an immor
tal soul. I am sensible of my own wretchedness and noth
ingness, and that my only hope of salvation is through that
blessed Redeemer, who died to save lost sinners. — This is
my rock of hope against an approaching eternity.
May you long, Sir, taste those true and unfading pleasures
which attend the practice of religion and virtue ; and may
you, by your shining example, be a means of turning many
to righteousness. This is the sincere and ever grateful
wish of Your most obliged, and
Faithful servant, &c

LETTERS, 527

LETTER LXIIf.
¦r? sense of the hve of Christ a strong consolation against
the fear of death.
DlUTi SIR,
The following is an extract ofa letter, wrote by a young
creature, labouring under an incurable distemper, and lan-
-guishing in the near approaches of death.
" I am at this time more happy than tongue can express.
— Never did I feel so much of the love of Christ shed
abroad in my heart, as now. He has given me full assur
ance that he has out of love to my soul, cast all my siris be
hind his back, (Is. xxxviii, 17.) — And Oh! why need 1 fear
<leath, when the sting is taken away ? — No ! though I am
a sinner, yet 1 have an Advocate with the Father : and
though while I continue in this vile body, I fear 1 shall too
often grieve him, yet is his love still the same ; which
makes me ^bhor myself, that ever I should sin against so
kind, so compassionate a Saviour."
See by this how the poor receive, how the poor believe,
and how the poor adorn the gospel of God our Saviour.
This has indeed no great authority to dignify it, no flow
ers of eloquence to recommend it; nothing but the tran
sparent sincerity, and the native sublimity of its piety. It
breathes however the very spirit which I long to attain ;
and though it comes from a person in low life, and of no
education, yet I believe very few, even amongst the names
of highest distinction for wit, genius, and learning, will be
able in the same circumstances, to exercise the same mag-
ijanimity of mind.— ^ I am,
Your's, &,c.-

228 LETTERS
LETTER LXIV.
Unbelief the reigning sin of ihe nation.
• WcstoK-Favell, August 13, 1756.
¦n.AVi Sin,
Yesterday I received the favour of your letter; — was
surprised to find you so near me ; and grieved to hear of
the occasion. Oh ! that both of us may be enabled to cast
all our care upon the Almighty ! for surely he who gave —
not an archangel — not a world — but himself— his most bles
sed' self for our sins — surely he careth for us.
Yes dear Sir ; 1 think from my very heart, that the grand
controversy which the King of heaven has with our nation,
is for our prevailing contempt of his most adorable Son Je
sus Christ. A gift, compared with which every thing in
earth or sky, is lighter than dust upon the scale. A gift, by
which an omnipotent and eternal God not only demon
strates, but commands his love. Matchless then and un
speakable must it be ! — See ! how the prophet Isaiah exults
and triumphs in this glorious gift. With an ardour of grat
itude, and with a transport of delight, he cries ; " To us a
child is born, to us a son is given; " in whose person is a
dignity, and in whose righteousness an efficacy, infinitely
surpassing the power of thought. And shqjild not such a
gift be the darling topic of our conversation ; be the avow
ed glory and the general joy ofour nation? Yet strange
to tell ! afflictive to observe ! this divinely excellent gift is
forgot, is rejected, or treated with the most cold indiffer
ence. Where are the people, who mention it, or can bear
to hear it mentioned in their company ? Instead of being in
raptures at the sound, are Ihey not disgusted and chagrined ?
and does not God behold all this ? did he ever receive so
horrid an affront, or is it possible for his creatures to act a
more contumelious and disdainful a part?— But whither am
I running ? — Pardon me, dear Sir, pardon my full heart—
my wounded heart— which has concurred to aggravate this
crying iniquity.— Oh ! that its invariable language, for the
future may be, God forbid, that I should glory, or rejoice,
or confide, save in the cross of Christ Jesus iny Lord ; m
him I have pardon for my sins ; in him 1 have peace with
God, in him I have eternal life. Theretore "hira first,

LETTERS, - 229
him last, him midst, and without end,'"* will 1 remember,
acknowledge, celebrate.
Now you are come so far, could you not make a little
farther excursion ? could not you favour us with your
company at Weston? where you would find a plain house
and a faithful he^rf open to receive you. — 1 have no news
from the literary world ; and my orders to my bookseller
are few. — But having occasion to write, not long ago, to
Amsterdam, I sent for all my favourite author's works :
Witsius 1 mean ; the polite and pious Witsius. — My book
seller is re-printing, in two volumes, at my desire, Jenks's
Meditations ; which 1 propose to recommend by a prefato
ry -address to the public. — Let me soon hear from you, if I
cannot see you. And may your letter be in every sense
an evangelist. Ever your's while, &c.

LETTER LXV,
The hope of glory a strong incitement to duly.
deah sia,
Mr. Haywarb and Mr. Pyke's Cases of Conscience, are
printed in two volumes, Ihe fir.«t of which I here send you.
I return you Smollet's History of England with thanks.
How empty all these polite pieces appear, compared with
the sacred page ! may this delight our taste, for this alone
can comfort our heart. — What 1 proposed lo write relating
to the siibject of visiting on Sundays, was executed the be
ginning of last week : yet, to say the truth, 1 am in some
meaiure backiv-aid to propaj-ate and enforce ; because till
people begin to taste something of the love of God, and
find delight in Christ Jesus, snch truths 1 doubt will only
startle, and make them dread religion as burdensome.
Thanks for the venison. We cannot dress it to day. All
my family are to be at court this morning : the King of heav
en has sent positive orders, and will not excuse either man
servant or maid-servant.^Won'tyou give us your company
in the afternoon ? when Mr. *** performs the whole service
at my church, I fancy yoti will not be disappointed npr im-
25 « Killc-n

230 LETTERS,
¦edified ; he seems to have a ready utterance, a very good
voice, and a fervent zeal for the honour of Christ; may the
arrow of the gospel go forth from his lips as the lig-htning 1
— I hope you will bring your wife with you ; such lively
preaching as 1 expect, may be a blessino- to both of you. —
Oh! that Christ may guide us with bis counsel and warm us
with his love — make us useful in our generation, and meet
for his heavenly kingdom !
Why does our friend talk of not accepting ***, because it
is a paltry living? surely he would not reckon that a paltry
thing, which gave him an opportunity of preaching Christ,
and winning souls. If he did, he would not be able to say,
with a certain minister now in glory, I seek not yours, but
you. — The blessed hope of that glory, is enough, is enough ;
Lord, strengthen it, brighten it, increase it, ever more and
more, — Oh ! that ministers may work for their dying Lord,
while they have health ; remembering, that sickness may
confine them to their chamber, and death will imprison them
in the grave. — God Almighty gives us courage, that we
may fight the good fight of faith, and prudence, that we may
not dishonour our high calling ; ere long eternity receives
us, and then we rest from our labours ; then v.e forget our
transient toil, amidst innumerable ages of perfection, and
glory, and joy. — For all this, not unto us, O Lord Jesus,
not unlo us, but unto thy love, thy righteousness, thy inter
cession, be the praise !
What say you to my late well-meant admonition ? You
are not offended, 1 hope. We must be faithful to each oth
er, or else how can we expect to meet with comfort, at the
great tribunal ; to meet with transport, amidst the angels of
light? I have not heard from Biddeford ; as soon as I receive
information, it shall be communicated to you. — And may
the Lord fulfil that promise to us both; I will inform thee,
and teach thee, in the way wherein thov shalt go.
Pray have you got Dr. Armstrong's poem on health ? 11
is highly extolled by Mr. Warfon, the translator of "V^irgil, as
a most correct and (which with him seems to comprehend
all excellency) a classical performance, I should like to
peep upon it by way of amusement ; for as to the blessing
it celebrates, I expect it not, til! tliis vile body is made
like unto Christ's glorious body ; blessed be God for this
delightful hope ; may it every day be brighter in you, and
brighter in Your most affectionate, k.c.

LETTERS 231
LETTER LXVL
On Christ's abiliiyand willingness to save.

This letter will come to your hands, as the blessings of
the everlasting gospel are offered to our souls without mon
ey and without price.
Be under no concern about the report you mention, it
gives me not one moment's uneasiness ; we have acted, I
trust, as faithful stewards of our Master in heaven ; and if
he approves, how very insignificant is the censure of men.
And what — ah what is a little misrepresentation, or a few
lashes from tattling tongues, compared with those cruel
mockings which our divine and dying Redeemer bore.
You are I find as I too often am, in poor Peter's condition,
when our Lord addressed him with that fender rebuke,
" O thou of httle faith, wherefore didst thou doubt ?" —
Wherefore indeed do we doubt ? is he not an all-sufficient Sa
vour ? Is not his death a complete atonement sufficient to take
away the sins of a whole world? — Is not his righteousness
a perfect righteousness, able to justify even the most ungod
ly? — Does not his godhead impart an infinite dignity to
both ? rendering them more powerful to save, than mil
lions, unnumbered millions of sins are to destroy ?
Is he not a willing Savour? — How willing was Joseph to
give the good of the land of Egypt to his aged father. — How
willing was Jonathan to screen his beloved David from
Saul's wrath ? How willing is an indulgent parent to deal out
bread to his hungry child ? Equally willing, abundantly more
willing is Christ to give himself to our souls, to reconcile
us to his Almighty Father, to fit us for his kingdom, and take
us to his glory. — A paient does not chuse to die for his
child : Jonathan never spilt his blood for David : nor did
Joseph lay down his life for that good old man Jacob. But
this, all this, tbe Lord Jesus Christ freely undertook, freely
underwent for us. What could he do more to assure us of
his love ? — Let ns contemplate the story of his bitter, bitter
passion. Let us view him prostrate in -an -agony of sorrow
on the cold ground ; extended, with racking torture, on the
accursed tree ; laid all pale and mangled with wounds, in
the gloomy sepulchre. And sure we shall have a stronger
proof of Christ's willingness to save us, than the testimony

232 LETTERS.
of ten thousand ministers preaching on earth, or of ten
thousand angels speaking from heaven.
Is he not a faithful Saviour? " Having loved his own he
loveth them even unto the end." As his eyes never' slumb
er, nor sleep, so his care for his people is never intermitted,
he has written their names on the palms of bis hands, and
their eternal interest are ever before him ; he will never
never, never leave nor forsake thpm ; no, not in any cir
cumstance nor on any account. They are his peculiar
treasure and the ransom of his own dear life, they are the
recompence of all his sufferings, and are to be the jewels in
his mediatorial crown ; they therefore shall never perish,
neither shall any pluck them out of his hand. — Neither life
nor death, nor things present, nor things to come, shall be
able to separate them from his love, from his bosom fiom his
heart. — " Happy art thou, O Israel ! who is like unto thee,
O people saved by the Lord ? who is the shield of thy help,
and the sword of thy e.";cellency. The eternal God is thy
r°fuge and underneath are the everlasting arms, surely
then thou mayst dwell in safety. Deut, xxxiii. 27. iic.
Are we unworthy sinners? we readily own it, and Oh !
that we may deeply feel it ! But did not Christ chuse to
converse with publicans and sinners? Did he not come to
seek and to save that which was lost? — The same Spirit
which actuated him on earth, he retains now he is exalted
into heaven ; let not therefore our deplorable vileness be
our hindrance, but our incitement to apply to the ever-gra
cious Friend cf sinners. — Indeed if we are not sinners, we
should not be proper objects for the Saviour. " They that
are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick ;
for such he made his soul an offering, and for such he brought
in everlasting righteou-sness ? he makes intercession not for
the righteous but for transgressors, and those that are afar
off in rebellion and apostacy, are brought nigh, — nigh to
God and home to heaven, by the blood of Christ.
May these considerations sink into our hearts, and be
made the seed of a lively growing, and joyful fiithi And maj
the Lord direct us both (as we both groan in this tabernacle,
and are burdened) into the love of God, and the patient wait
ing for of Jesus', when this languishing, this corruptible
body shall lie down in peace, and rest in hope : and the
soul delivered from every conflict, cleansed from every
stain, will be for ever for ever with the Lord. — Amen and
Amen says Your's, &c.

LETTERS. 233
LETTER LXVII.
On the exceUency of the Scriptures.
Weston-Favell June 3, 1749.
So .MY dear Sir, the physicians upon the whole have giv
en your friend no great hopes of a cure. — The apotheca
ry's shop, the asses dugs, and the mineral waters, may they
apprehend, palliate the disorder ; but that even a palliation,
it seems, is not to be expected without keeping the mind
quiet and cheerful ; — and that this important end may most
effectually be answered, the doctors have recommended,
diversions, travelling and company, giving a caution at the
same time, I am told, against retirement, so much praying,
and poring over religious hooks.
Now if cheerfulness be tbe grand, the fundamental, the
only recipe adequate even to the mitigation of this disease,
I may venture to assert, that such recipe is to be found, —
(possibly what I declare may be wondered at) but I aver it
is to be found in the Bible — It may be seen wrote at length,
and it well deserves consideration, in Prov. xvii. 22.
" A merry heart doth good like a medicine, but a broken
spirit drieth the bones."
That satisfied, a serene, and cheerful state of mind, will
in this case be more beneficial than all manner of restora
tives for decayed nature, or cordials for the sinking spirits.
I can easily believe, nay I am farther convinced, that what
ever can be contrived by the most solicitous care of the
physicians will probably be rendered ineffectual, without
this prime preparative, this most sovereign prescript. It
is indispensably necessary, that all possible endeavours
should be exerted to have the thoughts calm, placid, and
easy. Every thing must be sacrificed to this most desira
ble end, — Nothing can be more pernicious, in such circum
stances, than the contrary situation of mind. — But here will
arise a question, how this inward trantjuility may most easi
ly be attained, and most surely established ? By company,
by travelling, by diversions, the doctors and some others
will reply. — I am far, very far from being an enemy to di
versions, when properly chose, and used with moderation.
Travelling may beguile the sense of woe, nnd palliate for a
while the malady. Company, when cheerful and improving,
20*

234 LETTERS,
is an excellent source of comfort : when innocent only and
entertaining, is of some present service, and ought to be al
lowed (at intervals) admittance. But these will no more
reach the case now under consideration, — are no more able
to create a settled tranquility in the breast, than the gentle
motions of a fan are sufficient to impel a wind-bound fleet.
If they engross our time and leave no leisure for nobler
methods of consolation, they will certainly jirove like heavy,
louring clouds, and instead cf diffusing, will intercept the
rays of heart-felt satisfaction. But what, may it be asked,
would I substit'ite instead of these expedients ? — I would
beg leave (unpolite as it may seem, and in a manner explod
ed) to recommend prayer lo God, and the daily reading of
the scriptures. — If kind and friendly conversation be judg
ed proper, why should prayer be disapproved ? — Prayer is
an humble, but delightful intercourse, with the best, the
greatest, the everlasting Friend. — And has any earthly
friend exercised more loving kindness ? Is any earthly
friend more able to admiiisler relief than the blessed God ?
If there be such friends, let them be our whole dependance,
and let omnipotent goodness be secluded from any regard.
God has so loved us that he gave his own Son, dearer to
himself than all angels, and all worlds, to die for our salva
tion. Rather than we should perish for ever, he sent his
infinitely glorious Son to take upon him our nature, and suf
fer the unknown agonies of crucifixion. — To shew his read
iness to succour us in any distress, he styles himself" the
Father of mercies, and God (not of some, but) of all com
fort," 2 Cor. 1. 3. — And where is the person, from whom
we may more reasonably expect to receive tender and com
passionate succours, than from this all-gracious God ? — Is
he not as powerful as he is gracious ? What Job said of
his companions, is in a degree, true of every human aid ;
Impotent and miserable comforters are ye all. — But the God
of heaven is able to give songs in the night of distress; to
make the bones that sorrow and anguish have broken, to
rejoice. If he speak peace, who shall cause disquietude,
or what shall destroy our trauquility ? — Indeed if we apply
for comfort, to any thing lower than Heaven, or by any
such means as exclude frequent prayer, we neglect the
fountain of living waters, and hew to ourselves cisterns,
broken cisterns, that can hold no water. The scriptures
(and believe me, as I speak from daily experience) are a
treasury of comfort. — One who bad drank deep of the cup

LETTERS. 235
of sorrow declares, that they rejuice the heart ; — and that for
his own part, if his delight had not been in the divine law,
he " should have perished in his trouble," Ps. cxix. 92. —
" These things," says the favourite disciple, " write we un
to you, (not barely that you may have joy, but) that your
joy may be full," John xv. 11. And St. Paul adds, that
"Whatever things are written by the Spirit of inspiration,
are written for our benefit ; that we through patience and
comfort of the scriptures, might have hope," Rom. xv. 4.
That blessed hope of eternal life, which is an an^-hor to
the soul, in all the storms of adversity ; which is the oil of
gladness, swimming above all the waves of affliction — By
having recourse to diversions and amusements, in prefer
ence to the strong consolations suggested in Ihe Bible, we
act as injudiciously, we shall be deceived as certainly, as if
amidst the sultry heats of summer, we should seek cooling
refreshment from a painted tree, and shun Ihe embowering
shady covert ofa real grove.
If we are afflicted, the scriptures acquaint us, that our af
flictions are the chastisements of a Father, not the scourges
of an enemy. They give us assurance, that the all-dispos
ing Providence will not suffer us to be afflicted, above what
we are able to bear. (See 1 Cor. x. 13.) — That they shall
turn to our good, and bring forth the peaceable fruits of
righteousness; — that they are light; are only for a mo
ment, and yet shall work out for us a weight, an eternal
weight of glory. Can all the volumes of heathen morality
suggest, or all the recreations in the world afford, such ra
tional and solid consolation? Without these consolations,
afflictions will be like a latent sore, smarting and rankling
in the heart ; will produce discontent with Our condition,
and repining at Providence ; a melancholy temper, and a
fretful carriage. Trifling company and worldly pleasures,
will serve only to aggravate the misery, and make us in
wardly mourn, that while others are in the 'elevations of
mirth, we are pressed with a weight of calamity ; whereas
by means of these sovereign consolations, afflictions may be
improved to the health of the mind, and become a most sal
utary expedient for furthering our spiritual happiness.
Can any thing be more (or equally) comfortable than the
privileges recorded in that charter of our salvation, the
scriptures? there we are told, that as many as truly believe
in Jesus Christ, are children of the Almighty ; that the Lord
who commandeth the waters, the glorious God who maketh

236 LETTERS.
the thunder, the everlasting King, who ruleth all things in
heaven and earth, is their father ; he " pities them as a
father pities his own childeren, Ps. ciii. 13. — and that a
mother may sooner forget her sucking child, than he can
remit his tender care, for their present welfare and endless
felicity," Is. xlis. 15. — That, because we are sinners, Christ
Jesus, with infinitely more than parental tenderness, bore
our sins, and expiated all our guilt, in his own bleeding
body upon the tree, 1 Pet. ii. 24 — Because we frequently
offend, and always fail, our merciful High-Priest ever liv
eth to make intercession for us, and to plead his divine
merits in our behalf, Heb. vii. 25. — Because we have many
corruptions within, and are assaulted by various temptations
without, we have a promise of the blessed Spirit to subdue
our corruptions, Gal. iii. 14. Ezek. xxxvi. 27. and renew us
after the image of him who created us. Col. iii. 10. — Be
cause we are liable to manifold misfortunes, and visited
with a variety of sorrows, the same holy Spirit is promised,
under the amiable character of a Comforter, John xv. 7.
Luke xi. 13. — Because all flesh is gass, and all the goodli-
ness thereof (tbe youth, the beauty, the wealth, all mor
tal accomplishments, and every worldly enjoyment) is with
ering, and transient as the flower of the field. Is. xl. 6. the
scriptures direct our vifew, and consign over to our faith, a
most incomparable, reversionary inheritance ; an inherit
ance reserved in heaven far us, which is incorruptible, un
defiled, and that fadeth not away, 1 Pet. i. 4.
Are these things, I would ask the physicians, likely to de
ject the mind, or oppress it with heaviness? — ^Need their
patients fear an aggravation of distresses, from the offer,
from the enjoyment of such blessings? — Much more reason
ably might the bleeding wotmd, fly from the lenient hand,
dread the healing balm, and court its cure from the viper's
envenomed tooth. — Have these truths a tendency to engen
der gloomy apprehensions, as the medical gentlemen are
too apt to irhagine, or do these increase the load which galls
an afflicted mind?— Rather, what heart (that attends to, and
believes such glad tidings) can forbear even leaping for joy ?
These are calculated to put off our sackcloth, and gird us
with gladness; are enough to turn the groans of grief, into
the songs of gratitude.
Cheered by these reviving considerations, supported by
this blessed hope, the ancient Christians were more than
conquerors over all their calamities ; they even gloried ia

LETPERS. 237
tribulation", because they were the appointed way to the
kingdom of heaven, Acts xiv. 22. — They took joyfully the
Spoiling of their goods, knowing that they had, in Ihe world
above, a better and more enduring substance, Heb. x. 34. —
They perceived with complacency, the decay of their earth
ly tabernacle ; because there remained for them, after their
dissolution, a house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens, 2 Cor. v. 1. — Perhaps we may not arrive at such
heights of heroic and triumphant exultation, but surely we
should try those remedies, which in their case were so sur
prisingly and happily successful.
Upon the whole ; a peaceful composure of mind, and
calm resignation to the all-wise will of God; — a holy joy in
the merits ofour ever blessed Redeemer, and a well-ground
ed hope of unutterable and immortal bliss, in a better
world ; these, these are more absolutely needful for a case
like this, and will do more towards relief, than all the drugs
that nature produces. — .\nd very sure I am, that these no
ble anodines are dispensed no where but in the scriptures ;
are to be procured no otherwise than by prayer. — Other
methods may stupify for a moment, but will not remove the
pain, much less introduce permanent ease.
I speak not this from mere speculation, or conjectural
probability. — 1 have myself experienced the efficacy of the
preceding expedients for these desirable purposes, — Having
been a sort of Veteran in affliction, I have been under a
necessity of applying these consolations, and have the ut
most reason to bear witness, that there are none like them.
— The scriptures are the treasury of joy and peace, and
the truly religious are generally the most uniformly cheer
ful. If you apprehend what I have here advanced on the
means of obtaining true cheerfulness and solid peace of
mind, may be in any measure instrumental to the comfort
of your friend, you would do well perhaps to communicate
it, as I presume you are not ashamed of appearing in the
recommendation of theBible. — The physicians would prob
ably sneer at such sort of advice, but tbe arguments will
not be the less valid on that account ; and if their patient
be seriously disposed, such sneers would have little or no
effect. Do you recollect Dr. Young's lines in the eighth night
 Woold'st thou not laugh.
This counsel strange, should I presume to giva .'

38 LETTERS,
Retire, and read thy Bible, to be gay.
There truths abound of sov'reign aid to peace ?
But these thou think'st are gloomy paths of I'oy :
False loys indeed are born for want of thought ;
True joys from thoughts full bent and energy ;
And tliis demands a mind in equal poize.
Remote from gloomy grief and glaring joy ;
Much joy not only speaks small happiness.
But tjappiness that shortly must expire :
Can joy unbottomed in reflection stand ?
Can such a joy meet accidents uashock'd ?
Or talk with threat'ning death, and not turn pale ?
Though my letter is much longer than I at first intended,
and stands in need of an apology for its prolixity, I cannot
conclude without giving you a fresh assurance, that amongst
the great number of those who esteem and respect you,
there is not one of them who more sincerely regards you
than, good Sir, Your most obedient, and
"Very humble servant, &c.

LETTER LXVIU.
How controversy should be managed.
Weston-Favell, Dec. 15, 1755.
I RETURN you my best thanks for sending me a copy of
80 smart and sensible a letter, which came to me very apro
pos; and which I think is so likely to do good in this dispu
tatious age, that I wish it was printed in some of the mag
azines and public papers. — I am much obliged to you for
your kind caution against my being drawn into a controver
sy, particularly by the very warm and overbearing Mr.***
who is now grown impatient of the least contradiction, and
far from being a desirable companion, or correspondent.
Controversy is as much. my aversion as it can be your's;
for where that begins, religion too often ends ; and 1 shall
not .enter the lists 1 promise you with any one, unless 1 am
absolutely necessitated to it ; but if I am compelled to ap
pear in print on such an occasion, I shall endeavour to pay
due regard to Solomon's excellent advice, viz. " A soft an
swer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up an-

LETTERS. 233
ger," Prov. xv, 1.-— Instead of exasperating my adversary
by cutting reprehensions. I will, if possible, constrain him
by a cand: 1 and respectful treatmfint to moderate his tem
per; and by a coersive propriety of arguments, persuade
him to relinq-jish such tenets, as 1 think erroneous.
God grant that I may never behave with an indecent re
sentment, how great soever may be the provocation of my
gainsayers ; but that in all my writings and conversations I
may avoid the hasty spirit, lest 1 injure my own peace of
mind, and disgrace my profession as a Christian and a min
ister. It is a rule with me, always to speak well of the good
qualities even of bad men, especially when others are cen
suring them with an unmerciful severity ; — and I could wish
that every controversialist would learn so much candour,
as to put the best construction on his opponent's book, and
to embrace what was in general good in it, however he
might doubt or censure some particular opinions of the con
tending author.
To live peaceably with all men is my earnest desire and
daily prayer; and in order to do this, I am more and more
convinced of the necessity of candour, humility, and a con
scientious regard to the example of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. I am, my dear friend.
Affectionately and inviolably your's, &,c.

A copy of the Letter above-mentioned.

SEi.a SIR,

I HAVE a strong and settled aversion to all manner of
dispute, in things that relate to a message of perfect peace
and love. The kingdom of God is no more opinion, than it
is meat and drink — and argumentation can have little to do
where a new heart, and a right spirit, is the business, or
work to be performed.
If we prevail in our disputes, (though I believe there is
not a single instance in which either of the antagonists ever
condescended publicly to own himself in the wrong,) our
adversaries then become baffled worldlings :— if they pre-

240 LETTERS.
vail, then they become worldlings triumphant. — When we
deal much in disputes, we soil our souls, and endanger the
temper of meekness and love, which we are so frequently
enjoined to cultivate, and which are the very badge of
Christianity. As for amicable .<lisputes in religion, it is as errant cant
as an amicable suit at law. — A dispute about the sacrament,
as naturally removes the mind out of its state of perfect
charity, as a quarrel about a whore. — The subject alters
nothing, il is the temper of mind wherewith we handle
these mailers, that defile the man ; and it is morally impos
sible to meddle to any purpose, without having the mind
disordered. St. Paul was plainly of the same opinion, when he wrote
thns to Timothy ; " If any man consent not to wholesome
words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine whirh is according to godliness, he is proud know
ing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words,
whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, per
verse di.spulings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of
the truth, supposing that gain is godliness ; from such with
draw thyself" I. Tim. vi. 3, 4, 5.
This is the constant case of all the disputes in the gos
pel ilself — The more they argued, the further they were
always from the point ; insomuch that even those who are
said to believe on Christ, at the beginning of the chapter
of dispute, before tbe end of it take up stones lo cast at him.
In short, till a man be a Christian in some measure, he
has neither ability, nor any right in nature to talk about it.
It if more absurd Ihan a controversy between a fish and a
fowl, about the best and most commodious element to
breathe in.
The peace and purity ofour own minds, is of more val
ue than of every other endowment. — For my own part, I
had rather be able to bear patiently the nick-name of fool
or madman, than to become famous for all the wisdom and
prudence which the world knows how to commend and es
teem. In this poverty of spirit, 1 would heartily entreat all my
friends, earnestly to seek after that love and peace, which
is only to be found in the face or simililude ofour dear
Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.— The want of this most amia
ble and Christian disposition io some eminent professors,

LETTERS. 21 1
for I never admired a roujh and boisterous zeal, has often
startled and chagrined him who is, dear Sir,
Your"s very sincerely, J, S,
P. S. We may talk what we will about religion, it is
nothing less than a divine temper. What is short of this is
prating about religion, and that is all. 1 meet with many
doctrinal Christians, who are very dabs at chapter and
verse, and yet very bond slaves to earth and self Spiritu
al Christians (which are the only true ones) are almost as
scarce as phcenixes.

LETTER LXIX,
A caution against tlie fear of man. Saturday morning -
sir DE.VJ 5BIESD,
Let -mf. exhort you to live as on the borders of eternity,
and often to reflect where the late fall from your horse
might have hurried you. Eternity is at hand, — he that
comtith will come, and will not tarry. — Oh ! that your soul
may prosper, for wilhout that, what are all the riches,
pleasures, and honours of this earth ! but it cannot prosper,
unle-s tbe vyorlJ be under foot, and your affections fixed on
Jesus. What besides him, my dear friend, deserves a
thought? And how tenderly has he dealt with us, not
withstanding all our ingratitude and provocations ? I can say
no more thuU 1 have ?aid to you ; but 1 pi'y you, and I pray
for you, that you may conquer this fear of man: — I wish
you would every day for the next month, read some part
of professor Franck's Ni:odemus, or The fear of man. Dr. ***
told me he hsJ a great regard for you, and wished you.
wo-jld set your face a5 a flint ; exort your lively talents to
promote the gospel, and confess the Lord Jesus boldly- hie-
fore man on every proper occasion; iia i when ihcy- talk
obscenely, or take the LorJ"-; mime in vain, yoM aught 'jfu-
tesly to reprove them, or leave tbe company this woulj
be acting like a ChrUtian ! — But -.vhile you are thus silent,
mealy-mouthed, stand so much ';;)on your politcnes-, and
!;:(•,¦'? such a fear of b-:i:ij censured by '.vorHlv-minded peo-
21

242 LETTERS,
pie, you may take my word for it, you will do very little
good, and be a stranger to the comfort and peace, which
others, who slick closer to Christ, daily experience ; — that
comfortable peace of God, which (as Archbishop Seeker
finely observes, page 132, of his nine sermons) is that sense
of being in friendship with him, that feeling of comfort and
joy flowing from him which passeth all understanding ; ex
ceeds the conception of those who have not experienced it,
and will exceed Jiereafter the present conceptions of those
who have. Adieu, my dear friend. — Think well on what
the Archbishop has so pathetically described, and then med
itate on this alarming text, and reconcile it with your own
pusillanimous conduct, w hich y ou miscall prudence ; " Who
soever shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adul
terous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of
man be ashamed, when he comelh in the glory of his Fath
er, with his holy angels," Mark viii. 31!.— Once more adieu !
— Remember that this is fhe declaration of the Lord who
bought us with his blood, and suffered the unknowB agonies
of crucifixion to save you, and Your's very sincerely, &.c.
P. S. When people come to visit me, they expect to hear
of Christ; and few come to Weston, but those to whom
-such discourse is agreeable ; nor do 1 desire the company
of any others. — Talking of Christ is my touchstone, to see
whether a person is worth my acquaintance. — If you was
once to take this method, you will tell me, perhaps, that
such and such a one will abuse you, and all the principal
gentlemen will ridicule and forsake you, — And what then ?
— You are much better without them. — In their stead you
will have the esteem and friendship of those who love
our Lord Jesus in sincerity ; and Christ himself will be in
the midst, who has laid up for you and all such as love his
appearing, a crown of righteousness. — Has this considera
tion no weight with my dear friend? — Do not let me apply
to you what St. Paul says of Demas to Timothy, chap. iv.
10. Demas has forsaken me., having loved this presert world.
Read the cxixth Psalm, and see whether you, and your
worldly-wise company, have (he spirit of the psalmist — he,
though a king, delighted to talk of God. — He not only talk
ed of him observe, but deliglited to do it ; and it was pain
and grief* to him to forbear. See Psalm xx-^ix. 3

LETTERS. 24S-
LEPTER LXX.
ffhy many learned men treat Religion with indifference
Saturday morning.
BE-ia SIR,
In reply to your question, " Why so mai-iy learned and
very clever men in all worldly affairs, should treat relig
ion with so much indifference, and remain unaffected by
every argument that can be urged to rouse them from such
a state of delusion." I send you my opinion in a few words,
viz. " Because they do not pr.iy for the assistance'*' of the
holy Spirit." — And I send you an answer more at large,
extracted from a book of the celebrated Dr. Bates, which I
was la<cly reading, entitled, " The sovereign and final hap
piness of man, with the effectual means to obtain it,"
" The efficacious influence," says the doctor, " of Ihe
holy Spirit, is requisite to change the will, that with a free
and full consent, our will ma\ desire and prosecute the spir
itual, eternal good. — Without this, Ihe conviction of the
mind is not powerful enough to convert the soul from the
love of the world to chuse heaven. — There may be an en
lightened conscience, without a renewed heart. Though
the judgment assents that God is the supreme good, yet till
the heart be circumcised, and the sensuality of the affections
taken away, divine love (ivhich directs our life to God as our
blessed end) can never possess it.
I( men had a sensible and strong assurance of the eternal
state hereafter ; (/"all those who lived godly in a visible
manner ascended with Elias to heaven ; and if all who con
tinued in their sins visibly descended into hell, (as Corah
anil his company were swallowed up alive by the earth be
fore the Israelites;) if men could hear Ihe joyful exulta
tions of the saints above, and their high praises of God ;
then hear the desperate cries and deep complaiiits of the
damned ; nay, if one according to the desire of the rich
man was sent from the doleful regions below, and with his
fiery tongue should preach a sermon on those torments, not
describing them at a distance, but by a sensible demonstra
tion in himself, yet this .tLONE would not be sufficient to
* See Christ's own words, Luke xi. 13 — --which the generality of mankind
disregard : no wonder then the world should lio so muc,^ in darkness, and be
thus dead to vital religion.

244 LETTERS.
draw off men's hearts from the deceifal and transitory haj)-
})iness of this world, and lo fasten them on the perfect and
eternal happiness in (he next. Indeed, they could not then
indulge their vices so securely, but yet they would be stran
gers to the lifs of God, such an invetred alienation of heart
i< in men from real holiness ;* for till the quickening Spirit
of God (by a directing persuasive light, that represents the
truth and goodness of spiritual things) transforms the soul,
and makes it spiritual in its -valuations, and affections, it is
inwardly averse from grace and glory.
How earnestly therefore ought we all to pray, that this
holy Spirit may direct our hearts to the love of God, and to
the patient waiting for of Christ Jesus, when he .shall come to
be glorified in his faithful servants, and admired in all them.
that believe."
In anolher place, Dr. Bates t expresses himself in these
momentous terms; "Worldly men, when death is near,
are not so much affected with the loss of the crown of glo
ry, and Ihe kingdom of heaven, as with their leaving the
pi-e.-<ent world, and its vanities : — This makes death intoler-
iibly bilter. — In short, till the love of God inflames and pu
rifies the heart, the fruition of his glory is not ebteemcd
nnr desired.J"
* Holiness is a divine principle, w ithout the sincere prevalence of which. '
no man s'hall see the Lord, Heb. xii. 14. It is the great end of the gospel,
as well a* the law; to promote and ad'/ance which, the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and his holy Spirit, has been revealed and imputed to us.
t Dr. Bates of Emmanuel, and aftenvards cf King's college Caml->ridge,
iind chaplain to King Charles II, is universally allowed to have been a man
of strong and natural parts, of gi-eat acquired learning, of most exemplary
candour and moderation. Such a vivacity of imagination as his, and such a
solidity and depth of judgment, rarely meet together. He is w-ell known
fir the exactness and propriety of his method, and the clearness and delicacy
of his style; insomuch, that he was by many accounted the Cicero of his
time; and therefore called the si'vertongued Ba'es The whole works of this
ciegant author have lately been re-printed in folio ; l>ut it is much to be v,'ish-
ed that some of his little pieces w-ere to be published separately as thny were
formerly; especially, his inestimable little treatise. on the four last thing",
(viz. death, judgment, heaven, and hell,) in which truth speaks with such
authority, persuasion, nnd elTicacy, as constrains the reader to lay his hand
on his heart, and most sensibly feel that he has a soul and conscience, though
he had hitherto- lived as if he had neither. A farther account of Dr. Bates.
may be found in the Biographia Britannica, amongst the lives of eminent
men. 1 A writer of later date has expressed himself much to the same purpose.
But as life is the gift of God, and as that is the time for our doing good, and
honouring our Creator and Saviour, the wordafoolishfondnessfor life are
perhaps exceptionable.
" I^ofliing b-iit a foolish fondness for life, which if its evils did not cure, on?

LETTERS. 245-
Your question will be still further answered by consider
ing thoroughly two tracts, wrote by Professor Franck ; one
of which is entitled, " A short introduction to the practice
of the Christian religion," and the other, " Nicodemus, or
a treatise against the fear of man;" wherein the causes and
sad effects thereof are briefly described, with some reme
dies against it, price one shilling, — dedicated to the honour
able society for reformation of manners.
And now having mentioned Professor Franck, and his
Treatise against the fear of man, I cannot conclude without
observing, that I think him one of the most eminent Chris
tians, and most extraordinary men I ever heard of, as his
Pietas Hallensis, which 1 read with admiration and deep hu'
mility, sufficiently demonstrates ; and had 1 been a member
of the society for reformation of manners, when the dedica
tion of his Nicodemus had been presented to them, I should
have made a motion to have had an hundred pounds ex
pended in a proper distribution of that most important book,
as there can he no material reformation, till the fear of man
is removed ; and as nothing can be better calculated to ex
tirpate such fear, and promote all the other laudable ends
of the society. 1 am, dear Sir, your's, &c.
P. S. The title of the book I recommended to your son,.
please to tell him, was "Henry's pleasantness of a relig
ious life." The author designed it particulariy for young.
people ; and in my conversation, with them, I. generally
mention it ; indeed, I am the more solicitous of having it
put into their hands, as they are too apt to look upon re-
ligjon in a gloomy view, considering it as destructive of em
ery enjoyment.
would think the near prospect of heaven might ; or else a floubt as to our.
title to the promised reward (which should double our diligence to secure
that title) can make any one loth to die, who heartily believes in God, onil-
his Son our Saviour Jesus "
9J.'t

246 LETTERS.

LETTER LXXl.

Caulion againstjudging of men's states.
Friday morning.
SEAn SIR,
You ask me what 1 think of you, in case it should please
God to take you out of the world, in tbe perplexed state
you have described to me. — An answer to such a question,
is much more difficult Ihan you«eem to be aware of; and
therefore, 1 must beg leave lo decline passing any sentence.
We ministers are to teach, warn, comfort, and exhort every
man, according to God's most holy word — but after death
comes the judgment on each of us. For alas! how little,
how very little do we know of one anolher, or of ourselves ?
The most amazing, perhaps, and one of the most humbling
considerations too, which can be offered lo the human mind,
is thai, though we cannot form a tolerable judgment of any
man's real condilion,yet God shall judge theworld, the whole
world in equity ; not so much as one single case, how intri
cate soever it may seem to us, will he mistake — he was, is,
and ever shall be Omniscient and Omnipresent. — And yet,
short sighted cre.ilures as we are, how often do we usurp
this prerogative, and presume to judge our fellow-creatures.
A certain author, v,'hose name I forgot, (though I register-
tered to the following effect from him in one of my old dia
ries,) has observed, " That it is impo.ssible for us mortals
to form an equitable judgment of the stale of any one indi
vidual ; because God alone knows all Ihe circumstances he
has been, and now is in. — lie alone can be the proper
judge of his abilities and pov,'ers — what opportunities he
bad of improving himself and doing good — what were the
force of his temptations — what difficulties he had to strug
gle with — what portion of divine grace was given to him —
-what natural understanding he had— ^what acquired knowl
edge was or could be obtained by him — and, in short, what
the true state of his case was. — Nor will he condemn any
one unjustly or arbitrarily. — How comfortable a reflection
is this! especially to one who is cruelly persecuted, or un-
iustly censured — that God shall judge the world in equity. — .
And yet — what a tremendous thought is it, that every day
trc live, we provoke thi? Judge of all men, and increase

LETTERS. 247
our heap of sin — which swells into such a frightful size
such a stupendous mountain of guilt, as will make us one
day stand amazed at tbe sight of^ it ! — But " what art thou
O ihou great mountain ? before Zerubbabel thou shalt be
come a plain," Zech. iv. 7. — " We have an advocate with
the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propi
tiation for our sins." — Oh ! thai I may have a devout and
lively faith in him, as it is by him alone my sins can be can
celled. May the cry of his blood drown their clamour. 
We are, most just God, the children of thy wrath, and he is
the Son of thy love, who died to save u.s, and through whom
thou art wilhng to receive us. Yet what a distrustful faint
ing of mind comes over me, on the remembrance of former
transgressions, which neither a reflection on God's ineffable
goodness, nor on the unbounded value of the sacrifice of
Christ, can effectually relieve ? — Hear me, O Lord God, in
this my hour of heart-felt distress, nor take thou vengeance
of my sins ; spare thy creature, O Lord, spare him, whom
thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood ; let tby
mighty Spirit fit me for mercy and acceptance, and be not,
Oh ! be not angry with me for ever,"
With this prose quotation, I send you a copy of verses
on the renovation of a sinner ; which will, perhaps at this
lime, be neither unexceptable nor unseasonable. — It was
wrote by a very particular friend of mine, and is as poetical
33 it is instructive and consolatory.
When with my mind devoutly press'd.
Dear Saviour ! my revolving breast
Would past oAences trace ;
Trembling I make the black review,
Yet pleased behold, admiring too,
The pow'r of changing grace.
This tongue with bla&phemies defil'd,
These yeei, to erringpaths beguil'd.
In heav'nly league agree :
Who would believe such lips could praise.
Or think my dark and winding ways
Should ever lead to thee ?
These eyes that once abused their sight.
Now lift to thee their wat*ry light.
And weep a silent flood :
These hands ascend in ceasless pray'r
Oh ! wash away the stains they wear,
In pure redeeming blood !

'i48 LETTERS.
These eai's that pleas'd could entertain
The midnighi oath, the lustful strain,
When round the festal board :
Now deaf to all th' enchanting noise.
Avoid the throng, detest the joys.
And long to hear thy word
Thus art thou serv'd, in every part ;
Oh ! wouldst thou but transfortn my heart,
That drossy thic^ refine :
That grace might nature^s ittrength controul
And a new creature, — body, soul.
Be all — be ever thine.
1 transcribed these verses, as I hope you will commit
them to your memory ; and often repeat them as you ride
or walk, till your tongue, lips, eyes, ears, and very heart,
are subservient to the great end of your salvation, and that
of others. — Exert yourself, be of good cheer, the clouds
that darken the face of your affair.":, will ere long disperse.
He that gave his blood for you, and refused not to bear the
racking agonies of the cross for you, be will not leave you,
nor forsake you. God, who is faithful and just, has prom
ised to forgive us our sins through the mediation of his ton..
Lord, I believe this, help thou our unbelief. So wishes, and
so prays, Your's, very sincerely, &c.

LETTER LXXII.
Against excessive sorrow. Weston-Favell, Dec. 5, 1747.
MT DEAK PKIESS,
I ASSURE yo':, I am eitremely concerned for the death
of your most excellent wife, as indeed, indeed I think she
has left few equals behind her- — " Take ber all in all, I
shall never see her like again. *" — But, my dear friend,
you must not give way to excessive sorrow — all proper al
lowances I tenderly do and ought to make, as such will be
made both by God and man ; but yet our sorrovvs must not
be immoderate, or inconsistent with the will of God, and re
signation to his providence. — Give me leave to present you
with, and recommend to you on this melancholy occasion, a
repeated perusal c^Dr. Grosvenor's mourner, or, the ajfflictede;
* Shakespear's Hamtet.

LETTEHS. 249
relieved. — It is a most valuable gem, and as it is wrote in
numbers like the Spectators, it will not weary your atten
tion. I am sure you stand in need of the con--olalions and
helps there suggested ; 1 am never without some of these
little books to give away to my acquaintance under alHiciion,
especially for the loss of dear relations or valuable friends ;
1 think it, for these purposes, one of the most judicious and
universally useful books extant, and it well deserves to he
translated into the language of every nation where Chris
tianity is professed.
Do not you often recollect in this season of distress, the
discourse, the prayers, the amiable, the rejoicing, and the
heavenly spirit of our dear friend, who was with us last
month ? Blessed be God for making him such a lovely ex
ample, and such a zealous promoter of pure and undefiled
religion. — Blessed be God for promising us the same divine
Spirit ; and giving us the same glorious hopes, which have
had such a quitkening and enabling influence on his heart.
— The rich goodness of the Lord exercised to others, should
encourage our expectations, should strengthen our faith. —
Let it then, let it be so. — Adieu ! my dear friend ! — I will
come to you again'very soon — In the mean time I shall not
cease to pray for you, as I am with great compassion and
great esteem. Most tenderly, most sincerely your's, &c.

LETTER LXXIII,
Against despair.
BE All sni,
1 SHOULD be glad to suggest any thing, either for your
improvement or consolation, — But whnt can I suggest, while
you entertain s "ch hard thoughts of Christ, and will not be
persuaded out of this strange notion, " that the curse of
God has lighted on you, and will follow you to the grave."
Such a thought (and it must be taken up without any real
foundation) not only renders you extremely miserable,
but will blast all your future usefulness. — Suppose you
bad rebelled against God, even in a more extraordinary dr-

250 LETTERS.
gree than even your own imagination can paint ; and sup
pose you was rejected by him at the present, yet what says
the apostle St James, chap. iv. 10, Humble yourself in the
sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up. '.'.--^i
As to the quotation from Mr***'s letter to you, wherein
he observes with a kind of triumphant malignity, " Ihe
devil had taken an advantage of you, in relation to some
imprudent management in the affair, at ***, &tc. &c. &c. and
dragged you, as be expresses it, through a horse-pond, dirt
ied and wet to the great diversion of tbe spectators." 1
ask. Of what spectators ? Of the worldly-minded only, and
the envious, to whom your former flourishing state as a first-
rate Christian, was a constant and visible reproach ; yet
Christ (though you are now thus depressed) is still your
friend, and will break Satan's teeth ; and though dirty, will
cleanse you ; though wet, will receive and warm you.
Now let me put a question lo you — Would you reject
your child, because, when dressed in its best clothes, he
had met with a like misfortune ? — Or suppose he had ram
bled out in the snow, and scratched himself with briars, and
came to you bleeding and cold, would you turn him out of
doors, when he claimed your pity ? — We do not know Christ
well enough ! — How kind ! how good he is to us ! — What is
my kindness and compassion for you (on which you seem to
place so high a value) in comparison of Christ's! — Have I
been nailed to the cross for you ? — Oh ! pray earnestly to
HIM, for

-To Him, to Him, 'tis giv'n,

Passion and care and anguish to destroy,
Thro' Him soft peace and plentitude of joy
Perpetual o'er the world redeemed shall ilow. Prior's Solomon.
He has satisfied God for all your sins — he is your Advocate
— and has procured for you the inestimable gift of the holy
Spirit to subdue your iniquities. — Cultivate the love of God
in your heart, and he will make your path of duty plain be
fore you. 1 dare say, God will make you more abundantly
viseful than ever; Oh! bringyour mind off from this destruc
tive notion, " that the curse of God follows you." — This is
a suggestion of satan's to prevent your usefulness — but re
member that text. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly
out of temptations, 2 Pet. ii. 9. and he will certainly deliver
you out of this, and restore you to his wonted favour.
Do not select such terrifying texts for your pieditation,

LETTERS. 251
as in your letter you tell me you have done. — It is as im
proper, as if you should eat the coldest melon, or use the-
most slight covering, when shivering with an ague. Chuse
the morning after you receive this letter (by way of anti
dote to the texts of your own selecting) the following for
your meditation ; " His mercy is greater ihan the heavens,
Psal. cviii. 4, His mercy endureth forever, Psal. cxviii. 1."
Put together these two expressions, and see whether they
do not amount to more than either your imprudences, or
your distress — You have to be sure done amiss, and dealt
foolishly in the matter of***, God forbid 1 should justify
your conduct; — but let it not be said, let it not be once
surmised, that it is beyond the reach of God's unmeasurable
goodness to pardon, or of Christ's immensely rich merits to
expiate. The Lord loves you vvith an everlasting love ;
and take if you please the latter part of the xxxth of Isaiah,
verse 18. foryourcontemplal;on ; the words are, " For Ihe
Lord is a God of judgment, blessed are they that wait for
him.' None can tell, none can Ihink, what mercy there is ivith
the Lord ; with inconceivable tenderness his bowels yearn
towards the weakest, frailest believer in his dear Son. We
have dishonoured his holiness, and violated his law ; but let
us not, to accumulate our follies, derogate from the bound
less riches of his mercy in Jesus Christ, to all those who
seek and entreat it. There is a wide difference between
humiliation and despair. Draw near to Christ with an hum
ble boldness.
May you see many, many years on earth ; and when
the earth shall be no more, may you be received into
the new Jerusalem ; where dwelleth righteousness, consum
mate righteousness, and everlasting happiness. — This, my
de^r Sir, is my earnest wish and fervent prayer for you,
and for myself, who am, with great compassion and true re
gard. Your obliged humble servant and friend, &c.
P. S. My favourite author Liborius Zimmerinannus, whis
pers to me on this occasion the following passage : " Said I
not unto thee, if Ihou would-^t bklieve, ihou shouldst see the
glory of God," and experience his goodnes, when least Re
served, or rather notoriously forfeited. Hence may we be
convinced, that his loving-kindnes is unbounded, is unwear
ied, is infinile ; as much surpassing all our lollies and all our

253 LETTERS.
thoughts, as the world of waters exceeds Ihe drop ofa buck-
et.~Oh ! for a spirit of steady fahh, to live under the con
tinual belief of Ihi-; precious, precious truth.
LETTER LXXIV.
Some thoughls on a book, entitled Letters on Theron
and Aspasio, Weston-Favell Sept 4, 1758.
MADAM, Be so good as lo present my very affectionate compli
ments to your excellent friend Mr. Kennedy. Inform him,
that my intended work has for a long season, on account of
my great infirmities, been like fhe sun in Gibeon, and like
the moon in Ihe valley of Ajalon. I shall be particularly
pleased and thankful to receive his thoughts on that impor
tant subjert, the assurance of failh. Mine are much the
same as Mr. Ebenezer Erskine's in his valuable sermons,
and as Mr. Boston's in his most judicious notes on "The
marrow of mo<lern divinity."
Pray Madam, favour me with a long extract from Mr.
Kennedy's* letter; I do assure you, I admire his writings,
Ihey have a beauty which is quite natural and artless ; join
ed with a piety, which is very affecting and edifying.
A book has lately appeared, in two small volumes, enti
tled. Letters on Theron and Aspasio. I cannot say I would
recommend it to your perusal, but I should be glad, if you
would mention it in some conversation with your learned
and devout visitants, in order to know their opinion. For
my own part, 1 hardly can tell what opinion to form. The
author conceals his name, and it seems difficult to discover
his principles or his aim. Some things are excellent, writ
ten with sipirit, and in a strain truly evargeiical ; in ^rme
things 1 stand corrected by him, I kiss the rod, and, far
* Mr. Kennedy, who Mr. Hervey so highly and justly respected, is min
ister at the Scots church in Rotterdam.
In the last letter Mrs. C  received fi-oifi Mr. Her^-ey, are these word.4.
" I received yours with good Mr. Kennedy's letter enclosed. It speaks the
very sentiments of my heart, much better than my own tongue r.r pen could
eit^resp them. I do not perceive a single sentence, to which 1 should matie
lany nbjection. With other believers in Jesus Christ, I woiilcl be of o.ie
heart, but with Mr Kennedy I have t);p pleasure to be of one mind. 1 be5;
you to present my most afiectionate re'-pci tstothe wr-.-hv v>riler, sr.i f!e;;ti)
him to give us a cont-niiation of his thoughts."

LETTERS. 253
from being displeased, am thankful for his animadversions;
though in some instances, he has acted a disingenuous part,
not consulting the most correct edition of my book, nor ad
verting to my own explanation of my meaning, and making
me approve the whole ofa person's works,* where 1 com
mend some particular part. But what gives me the great
est disgust, and will, 1 believe, offend every candid reader,
is, a bitter vein of contempt and invective against some of
tbe best of men that ever lived, and some of the best au
thors that ever wrote. I once thought the apostle James's
question implied an impossibility, but it seems to be reduc
ed to real fact by the pen of this critic, and in the Letters on
Theron and Aspasio, where the fountain sends forth at the
same time, in the same place, in the same performance,
sweet water and bitter.
I hope you will not act with Mr, Kennedy according to
the exact rules of retaliation ; but though he has been slow
to write, j ou will be swift to answer, that he may the more
speedily improve and delight yourself. Madam, and
Your very humble servant, &c.

LETTER LXXV.
On giving a rose to a lady.
Westen-Favell, Nov. 4, 1757.
BEAK SIE,
You wonder at my delay in answering your very friend
ly letter ; this is the true cause. When I received your
favour, I was very busy in despatching to the press my
three fast-sermons, lately published. By some accident
your letter was mislaid, and could not be found. This day
it came to light, and, the moment I looked upon the date,
it struck me with a painful regret, a regret almost equal to
the pleasure I enjoyed, in your edifying conversation.
Your lady has shewn the most welcome complaisance to
* Mr. Hervey did not think himself under an obligation to defend cverT
particular sentiment of an author, whose treatise he might approve in genrr"
al. And here it may be proper to observe, that his own candour, and t-ie
frequent solicitations of others, induced him to be more indylgent than he
ought, and to give rather too favourable an opinion-. For which he has been
misrepresented by the artful, and abus,?d by the malevolent,
22

254 LETTERS.
me, and to the rose ;* to me, in accepting what is less than
a trifle ; to the rose, in putting it to such a use. Could that
poor vegetable be sensible, it would rejoice to be a remem
brancer of its most amiable Creator. Tbe prophet calls
upon the whole creation, inanimate as it is, to exult and tri-
nmph in the grace of otir incarnate God. ISing, O heavens ;
be joyful O earth ; break forth into singing, ye mountains, 0
forests, and every tree, whether cultivated or wild ; for the
Lord, by his incarnation, blood and righteousness, has re
deemed Israel and glorified himself, most magnificently dis
played all his divine perfections, fVt tbe salvation of Jaco&.
I heartily wish, that Mrs. *** may become, every day,
more and more acquainted with tbe Rose of Sharon ; that
his loveliness, riches and glory, may be revealed in her
heart, by the Holy Ghost. Happy the souls, in which this
flower of heaven blossoms ; which are charmed with its
beauty, and refreshed with its odours. Their happiness
will not fade as a leaf, but like the merit and mercy of their
Lord, will be new every morning ; new every moment,
new through eternal ages,
1 wish I could gratify your benevolent temper, by giving
you a comfortable account of my health. But nothing ad
ministered for its succour and restoration, succeeds. It
seems to be the will ofour great Physician, that my strength
should be labour and sorrow. May his holy will be done ;
only may my faith in his blood be strong, and my love of his
name be warm. Then I shall meet you, ere long, amidst
the innumerable company of angels, and no more complain,
My head, my head ; no more say, / am sick.
How shall I recompense my generous doctor, for pre
scribing without a fee ? By wishing that he may never want
the aid, which he so kindly tenders to,his
Affectionate friend, and
Brother in Christ, &c.
* When this gentleman was at Weston, Mr. Hervey (as he walked with
him in the garden) plucked a rose, and desired him to present it to his wife,
to put her in mind of the Rose of Sharon. She paid that regard to the giver
,. and the gift, as to put it into a frame with a glass.

LETTERS. 256
LETTER LXXYL
On the comforts that attend religion.
Weston-Favell Feb. 22 175?,

MADAM,

I RECErVED the favour of your letter, and found no small
pleasure in perusing its contents. It gave me a singular
satisfaction, to see a lady of such fine sense, and in the very
bloom of life, mindful of the things which belong to her
eternal peace. May this happy disposition increase with
your increasing years ; and it will be the greatest blessing
that you can enjoy, or your correspondent wish.
If my writings have afforded you any entertainment, or
been the means of administering the least improvement, I
desire to adore and bless the all-gracious God. For he.
Madam, teaches to profit ; his Spirit commands success ; and
all our good comes wholly from his heavenly benediction.
I am pleased to find this, among your other valuable ex
pressions ; " I want to have all those heavenly consola
tions." — You consider religion in a right view. It is not a
vexatious burthen, or an irksome task ; but it is intended to
be the comfort ofour lives, and the joy ofour hearts. God
is the God of all comfort. Christ is styleA the Consolation of
Israel, and the Holy Ghost is called ihe Comforter. — The
gospel is the most comfortable report imaginable ; it is glad
tidings, and the joyful sound ; it assures poor sinners, that
God has laid all their iniquities, both great and small, on his
beloved Son ; that Jesus Christ has brought in a most per
fect and everlasting righteousness, whereby they may be
justified ; and that our first, our great, our leading duty is.
to believe all this, in our own behalf, for our own benefit.
By the comfort and peace resulting from these blessings,
it would win our hearts to love the God, who is so immense
ly amiable and gracious to us ; to be studious of doing his
pleasure, who has made such unspeakably rich provision
for our happiness. The apostle prays for his Thessalonian
converts, that the Father of everlasting compassions, would
first comfort their hearts, and then, and thereby, establish
them in every good word and work.
I should make no scruple to send my fast-sermon for your
perusal; if I had one. But it has pleased the divine provi-

256 LETTERS.
dence to visit me with a violent fever, which has confined
me for many weeks ; I am still the prisoner of this disease,
so that 1 was incapable of going abroad on the fast-day. And
indeed, if it had been otherwise, I should scarcely have been
able to gratify my own inclination, by complying with your
hints ; because I never write my sermons, having accus
tomed myself to preach without notes; and it was owing to
a particular incident, that those three discourses which I
published, were committed to writing.
Permit me. Madam, to wish, that you may be stedfast and
immoveable in your present turn of mind, which is so truly
wise and noble, that by him who sitteth in heaven and be
holds all the children of men, it may be said of Miss***,
as it was formerly said of another excellent person ; " Mary
has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from
her," To these wishes, allow me the additional pleasure ofbe-
Jng» Madam, Your most obedient
Humble servant, &c.

LETTER LXXVII.
Tht excellency of the knowledge of Christ.
Weston Favell, March 11. 1758.

HAS AM,

I AM much obliged for your benevolent wishes, relating
to my health. By way of return, permit me to wish that
yoUr soul may prosper, may flourish, may blossom as a rose ;
that you may " grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
From this passage we may observe, that the way to ad
vance in true holiness of heart and life, is to advance in the
knowledge of Christ. — It is for want of knowing Christ, that
the generality of mankind are so captivated by trifles, and
enslaved to transient gratifications. It is for want of know
ing Christ more thoroughly, that many Christians have so
little peace and joy, and many go mournfully in their way
to eternity.

LETTERS. 257
" By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify
many." — By giving them the knowledge of himself, of his
divine dignity and inestimable precious work ; of that grand
price, which he paid for the redemption ofsinners, which
delivers them from the wrath to come, and entitles them to
the " inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth
not away."
" The divine power, (says St. Peter,) has given us all
things ? pertaining to life and godliness. — How ? Through
the knowledge of him, who has called us to glory and vir
tue ;" through the knowledge of Christ, as caUing us to the
enjoyment of eternal glory, which he has procured for us
by his blood , and thereby most sweetly leading and engag
ing us, to the exercise of every virtue.
I hope Marshall on sanctification will be blessed to your
consolation and edification. It is not at the first reading,,
it may at the second, or it may at the third. I would say
to the reader of this excellent treatise, as the prophet Eli
jah said to his servant, who went to the sea in order to make
observation, but found nothing worthy of notice, Go again
seven times.
I have seen Dr. Glynn's poem, entitled. The day of judg
ment. It is not without elegance and beauty, but it wants-
that energy and pathos, which, on so grand and interesting
occasion, should alarm, transport, and awe our souls ; but
its chief deficiency, in my opinion, is, that it neglects to as
cribe proper honour unto Christ ; he is indeed very slight
ly hinted at in one close line, but he should have made the
most distinguished figure throughout the whole piece ; all
judgment is committed to him. — It is Christ who will come
in the clouds of heaven ; we must all appear before the judg
ment-seat of Christ. This to the believer is a most com
fortable and delightful consideration; " My Redeemer is
mv Judge. He who died for me passes the final sentence.
Look ! how great is his majesty and glory ! so great is my
atonement and propitiation."
Should I ever come to London, I will be sure to do my
self the pleasure of waiting upon Miss ***. In the mean
time, what she mentions by way of caution, shall be observ
ed with all punctuality due to a command. By her mo.=it obedient
Humble servant, &&.

22*

25« LETTERS.
LETTER LXXVIII.
Thoughts en different siibjects.
SSAB SIB,
Upon a repeated review of your sketches for instructing
youf family on ^unday evenings, I really do not know how
to improve them. — I think thay are well digested, — but
¦ when you exercise your talent in speaking from those
sketches, do not forget to implore a blessing on what you
are going about. — Stir up the gift of God which is in you by
.a zealous use of them, and you yourself will improve them
better than I can for yon. — I shall only suggest, that as soon
as you have finished, set down as fresh heads for another
occasion, what new thoughts occurred to you while you
was speaking. Oh ! let us work while the day lasts! My
dear friend, the Judge is at the door, and eternity at hand.
May we watch and pray always, that we may be found
worthy to st4nd beTore the Son of man at his coming, .
I inclose part of .a letter, sent by a clever man, and no
mean scholar.
" This with infinite pleasure I can inform you, that I am
now brought to a sense of my duty, to which I was an en
tire stranger till lately. — Glory be to God, I have now some
concern upon my mind, some serious thoughts of a future
state ! — How amazing is it, that a person should arrive at
my years, without knowing any thing of the religion he pro
fesses. Strange as it is, this was my case ; for till within
these six months, I was as much in the dark as to spiritual
affairs, as one who had never heard the name of Christ.
The Bible^.was to me the same as an unknown language,
-and all my pretences to religion were nothing but a mere
lifeless formality. Oh ! that the inexpressible marks of the
love of my God, and his goodness to me, may increase the
love I owe to him, more and more every day !"
Our friend Mr, H . , who you know is a great favour
er of the mystic writers, has desired me to read Mr. Law'^
" Spirit of prayei, and Spirit of love," which is an appendix
to it. I shalt ask him, whether he designed it to puzzle or
edify me ? — I am sure it has done the first to me, may it do
the latter to him. — Oh ! what need have we to pray for
. that blessed Spirit which may lead us into all truth.

LETTERS. 259
I begin to be weaned from human writings, even from the
most applauded. — The pure milk of the divine word mj
soul covets. Do not you relish its sweetness, and taste its
power more and more ? The apostle enjoins us in every
thing toj" give thanks, for this is the will of 6od," I Pbess.
h 1 8. and if we are to thank him for ,every thing, how
ought we to thank him, how can we sufficiently thank him
for such- a treasury of blessings as the holy Bible contains
for us ? — And yet — is it credible ? — There are, there are
those, who neglect these gracious tidings of a reconciliation
with God, through the mediation of his own Son Jesus
Christ. But whatever be the conduct of others, let you and I,
dear Sir, esteem it as it deserves, and say with the psiamist,
" I will delight myself in thy statutes, 1 will not forget thy
word. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts, so
shall I talk of thy wondrous works." — David you see pray
ed to God for illumination, and ' talked of divine things.
That this may be accomplished in us, and that we may fol
low David's example, I dare say you will add an Amen, to
the Amen of, Dear Sir,
Your's very sincerely, &c.
P. S. I am told, and grieved I am to hear it, that the
once zealous Mr. *** is grown quite indolent, (no very lau
dable character for a clergyman,) and has entirely laid aside
his translation and improvement of the elegant Dr, Stearne,
De visitatione infirmorum. He shewed me a specimen of it
some months ago : the translation was spirited, and the
notes well calculated to supply the author's deficiencies. —
Nothing perhaps is more wanted, or would be more useful,
(especially to the clergy,)than a judicious treatise on visit
ing the sick, in a neat pocket ;'olume ; but I am sensible,
there is nothing equally difficult to execute, 1 never yet
saw one to my mind. — The clergyman^s companion, as it is
called, is little more than a rollection of prayers, with the
order of visitation of the sick,out of the common prayer, the
communion-service, and theoflBce of public and private bap
tism. If methinks such a man as Mr. W  of T  could
find time to set about it, it would be done effectually, because
he is a most experienced Christian, and has long been ac
customed to the cb-dmbers of the sick, and would write
from facts, and bis own knowledge of the human mind. — I

260 LETTERS.
would not give a rush for a jumble compiled from differ
ent authors: — that is the labour of the head, and not the
feeling of the heart, and can never produce the effects I
wish to see.

LETTER LXXIX.
Aproofofafuture state of happiness.
Weston-Favell, July 26, 1756.
Now, my dear friend, I have procured your favourite
author, Downame's Christian warfare against the devil, thi
world, and the flesh. He is, indeed, a pleasing perspicuous
writer. The lang-uage, as you observed, remarkably pure
and correct ; he is very experimental, and enters into the
distresses of tempted souls ; many things are sweet, com
fortable, charming. Sometimes I think he draws a httle
veil over the grace of God, not suffering it to blaze out in
its full lustre and glory. Do not you think he is somewhat in
accurate, in stating the nature of justification ? Lib. 2. cap.
So. "Justification," he says, consisteth in two parts; the
first. Remission ofour .«ins for the full satisfaction of Christ,
by his death and sufferings : the other, the imputation of
his habitual and active righteousness." Should it not rath
er be. Justification consists of two parts ; the first, remis
sion of our sins ; the second, being perfectly righteous in
God's sight ; and both these spring from the imputation of
Christ's righteousnes.s to the poor sinner?
I find from your manuscript, it is your opinion, that the
antediluvian sacrifices were slain by the sword of the cher
ubim, planted and waved at tbe entrance of Eden This
is a very remarkable, and a very awful circumstance, and if
true, very worthy of particular notice. But what reasons
have you, dear Sir, for the support of this sentiment ? Be so
kind as to mention them, at your leisure.
Mr. P ***, about a week after his return to Northampton-
shir ', gave me your letter. 1 fear he will become a prey
to the allurements of the world. — I believe he is not very
zealous for the gospel of Christ I am pretty sure, he does
not love the servants ofour Lord ; therefore I expect, that,
from this quarter, my character will soon be put under an
eclipse ; nor shall I be much disappointed, if by this inci-

LETTERS. 261
dent, my new friend is put away from my sight. Thanks
for your hints concerning my conduct ; it is very seasonable,
and shall be observed.
I have sometimes thought, that the best, strongest proof
of a future state of happiness occurring in the Old-Testa
ment, is deducible from the history of Enoch. Enoch walk
ed with God, was high in his favour, and had much com
munion with him ; it is recorded as a singular reward of his
holy and exemplary life, that he was not, for God took him:
now if the ancient people of God had no notion ofa future
state of. happiness, what strange apprehensions must they
form, concerning this instance of the divine procedure ? At
this rate, Jehovah must appear to punish in the most exem
plary and dreadful manner, his first and greatest favourite.
Whereas, suppose them rooted in the belief ofa much hap
pier condition succeeding the present life, and the case is
plain, and God is justified in his doings. — Please to give me
your opinion, as to this aigoment.
I hope, you are thinking of your new version of Psal, civ.
which will be very agreeable, and I hope, not a little edify
ing to, Dear Sir, Your much obliged and
Affectionate friend, &c.
P. S. I here send you Mr. Moses Browne's almost literal
translation of Luther's most comfortable hymn, which is in
very considerable esteem in tbe German church. Zimmer-
mannus de cognitionis Christ eminentia, is a comment on
it ; and is now translating by Mr. Browne at my desire.
LUTHER'S HYMN,
In eight practical roles.
I.
"Ks not too arduous an ejsay.
To tread resolved the gospel-way ;
The sensual instinct to controul,
And warm with purer fire the soul.
Nature may raise her fleshy strife,
Reluctant to the heav'nly Ufe ;
Loth in a Saviour's death to share.
Her daily cross, compell'd to bear ;
But grace omnipotent at length,
Shall arm the saint, with saving strength ;

262 LETTERS.
Through the sharp war with aids attend,
And his long conflict sweetly end.
See Zimmermannus, pag. 5.
II.
Act but the infant's gentle part;
Give up to love thy willihg heart;
No fondest parent's melting breast
Yearns like thy God's, to make thee blest ¦:
Taught its dear mother soon to know
The tenderest babe his love can show.
Bid thy base servile fear retire ;
This t^sk no. labour, will require. Zimmermannus, page 11.
IU.
The Sov'reign Father, good and kind.
Wants but to have his child rssign'd :
Wapts but thy yielcled heart (flo more ! )
With his large gifts of grace to store.
He to thy soul no anguish brings,
.From thy own stubborn will it springs :
That foe but cruelty, (thy bane !)
Nought shall thou know of frowns or pain.
Zimmermannus, page 17.
IV.
Shake from thy soul o'erwlieWd, depress' d,
Th' encumb'ring load that galls her rest ;
That wastes her atreagth in bondage vain ;
Witb courage break th' enslaving chain.
Let pray'r exert its conqu'ring pow'r ;
Cry in thy tempted trembling hour,
"My (Bod ! my father i save thy son !"
'Tis.btV'-*?! Wdiall,thy fef^rs are done.
Zimmermannus, page 32.
V.
Yet if [niore earnest plaints to r^ise]
Thy God a while his aid delays,
Tho' you don't now his kind hand feel,
Thy grief let lenient patience heal.
Or if corruption's strength prevail,
And oft thy pilgrim footsteps fail,
Pray for his grace with louder cries.
So shalt thou cleans'd and stronger rise.
Zimmermannus, page 431
These next lines within the brackets do not belong to
Luther's hymn, but are used hy Zimmermannus, page 52, as
an illustration of the preceding stanza.
[The faster hold my faith on Jesus takes.
His brighter glories on my spirit breaks.
If then to heaven I lift my votive hands.
Love's strongest Same my raptur'd soul expands.
Thee LordLshe loves, end would with zeal forego
A thoosand worlds, love dear as thine to know,]

LETTERS. 263
Then Luther's hymn proceeds thus :
\l.
If haply still thy mental shade.
Dark as the midnight gloom be made.
On the sure faithful arm divine
Firm let thy fast'ning trust recline.
The'gentlest Sire, the best of friends.
To thee nor loss, nor harm intends :
Tho' toss'd on a tempestuous main,
No wreck thy vessel shall sustain.
Should there remain of rescuing grace
No glimpse, no footstep left to trace ;
Hear thy lord's voice ; — 'Tis Jesus will,
" Believe (thbu poor dark pilgrim) still."
Zimmermannus, page &5.
VII
Then thy sad night of terrors past,
(Tho' the dread season long may last,)
Sweet light shall from the tranquil skies,
Like a lair dawn before thee rise
Then shall thy faith's bright grounds apneat
Thy eyes shall view salvation clear.
Be hence encourag'd more, when try'd,
On the best Father to confide.
Ah ! from thy mind extirpate quite
The sickly films that cloud her sight :
See ! of how rich a lot, how blest,
The true believer stands possest! Zimmermannus, page 68.
These lines within the brackets do not belong to Luth
er's hymn, but are used by Zimmermannus, as an illustra
tion of the preceding stanza. See page 74.
[Loose from hard bonds, my God ! a mind
In chains too fast, too strait confin'd.
I'm heal'd ! — set tree '. — from sin made pure !
Thy blood, my Christ, has wrought the cure.
I feel a pow'r my will controul !
Qnench thy long drought my thirsty soul !
The living fountain now I've found.
Diffusing balmy streams around.]
Then Luther's hymn concludes with this eighth practical
rule. VIII.
Come, backwark soul ! to God resign ;
Peace, his best blessing, shall be thine ;
Boldly recumbent on his care.
Cast thy felt burthens only there.
Zimmermannus, prige BK

264 LETTERS.

LETTER LXXX.
An advice to physicians,
t Saturday morning-.
SCAB SIR,
I FIND by the papers that your old friend Dr. *** the
physician is dead, — What a" call to us to get our lamps trim
med, and our souls ready for their exit ! — what a forcible
admonition to do good to immortal souls tvhile we have op
portunity ! — May the God of glory be ever with you, and
bless you with all spiritual blessings.
I greatly wish that those in the practice of physic, would
study St. Paul as well as Hi|ipocrates — and attend occasion
ally to the religious wants of their patients, when they are
consulted as to their bodily disorders. This would be act
ing the part of Christian physicians. — This would be en
deavouring to copy after the compassionate Physician of
mankind, who, while he cured the body,-cured tbe soul.
Being totally and continually silent at the patient's bed
side, is I think in some measure, denying or being ashamed
of the divine Redeemer, who bought us with his blood. —
Is it not as it were refusing to embark in his^cause ? How
many sick might be improved and comforted by a physician
without any hindrance to his prescriptions, detriment to
his character, or loss of his time ? — Oh ! that these masters
of the healing art would set the Lord always before them,
and then he would direct their paths.
I was looking the other day into the life of Sir Philip Sid
ney, who wrote the Arcadia, in Queen Elizabeth's time, —
and I find it recorded of him, " that being shot in the thigh
in encountering the Spaniards near Zutphen in Holland, and
parched with thirst, a bottle of liquor was procured for him
— and just as Sir Philip was about drinking it, a poor sol
dier in the same condition, bleeding and ghastly, was car
ried along by him, and cast up his dying eyes at the same
bottle, which Sir Philip perceiving, took it from his own
mouth, and gave it the poor man with these words, " Thy
necessity, honest friend, is yet greater than mine." — He
told the surgeons when they cut him, "that they had in
deed a man under their hands of a sensible and delicate na
ture, yet one to whom the great Redeemer had given pow-

LETtERS. 265
er above himself, either to do, or suffer ; and therefore de
sired they would not throw a blemish on their art, through
over-tenderness." His last words were, " Love my memory : — cherish my
friends : — their fidelity to me may assure you they are hon
est - — but above all, govern your own will and affections,
by the will and word of your Creator and Saviour; in me
beholding the end of this worid, and all its vanities." I
will w ;rrant you the soldiers remembered these words of
their general ; and so would the sick in like manner, long
remember the words of their physician, if he would now
and then introduce a few religious hints, and drop occasion
ally a striking sentence or two, with propriety and serious
ness. Worldly craftiness is a bad guide ; I wish you may have
religious discretion for your's, as Telemachus had the dis
creet Mentor. -And that you would begin (instead of pay
ing court to the great) to court souls for the everlasting
Bridegroom. — i bis is your true interest — and will avail
you, when every worldly consideration will be found inef
fectual. As soon as 1 had read Mr. ***'s letter, 1 burnt it accord
ing to your desire. — Who can now retrieve the syllables,
sentences and words ? Thus are the sins, all the sins of
them that believe in the divine Jesus, done away. What a
privilege I what a blessing ! should not our souls exult in
it ? should not our discourse dwell upon it ?
Adieu, dear oir, — and believe me with great respect,
and hearty wishes for your present and eternal welfare,
Your's, &c.

LETTER LXXXI.
Evangelical doctrines knmvn by their fruits.
Weston-FaveU, Monday morniag.

KEXa StSj

I AM much obliged to you for the loan of Dr. Squire'*
"Enquiry into the foundation of the English Constitution."
The performance seems to be curious, useful and interest
ing. But bow interesting soever the subject may Jbe to
23

266 LETTERS.
others, it can be very little so now, to me ; as my indis po
sition is daily increasing, and must, in all human probability,
soon put an end to my being.
In spite of the sarcastical, reflections you say are thrown
upon me, I must recommend to every one, Marshall on
Sanctification, and Jenks'-s Submission to the Righteousness of
God. — These are with me the two fundamental books —
These teach vital religion. Do they, who w^ould decry
faith, and extol their good works, distinguish themselves
hy the practice of them ? If not, I must beg leave to say,
they are self condemned. — Only observe for the next month
(by their fruits you will know them) the conduct of those,
who are such loud advocates for the merit, the dignity of
man, and the freedom of his action ; and of those who rely
on the active and passive obedience of Christ, And then
tell me ingenuously, which are the people that pay the
greatest reverence to the word ofGod,and in particular to the
fourth commandment? — Enquire which of them use family-
prayer ? whose conversation is most edifying ? which of
them visit and travel on Sundays ? and which of them pass
that holy day as become those, who have named the name
of Christ ? I will be bold to say, that on an impartial exam
ination, the majority will be found on the side of those, who
embrace the doctrine of the imputation of Christ's righteous
ness; and who expect salvation by him alone, and not by
deeds which they have done. — Yet I should wonder how
men of discernment (men who, one would think, should be
daily sen.sible of their innumerable failings) could possibly
espouse the opposite doctrines, had 1 not too many melan
choly proofs to the contrary. — You may safely confide in
this doctrine ; for this, dear Sir, is not to be considered as
the particular opinion of James Hervey, but it is the gener
al opinion of our exemplary reformers; it is the doctrine of^
our articles and our homilies. — Will you say, that our mod
ern moral Christians, if I may so call them, are to be set in
competition with men like these ? 1 appeal to facts — Mark
the effect of preaching mere morality, and of preaching the
grace of Christ. — Cut so long as the devil is suffered to de
ceive the nations, and so long as the heart is unconvinced
of sin, we may assure ourselves, the doctrines of justifica
tion by Christ's righteousness, and salvation by free grace,
will meet with opposition. - Therefore M. Paul exhorts
Timothy, Ayavi^n «» kkAov aymcc rrn mjEaj, to fight the
good fight of faith; it is an address to a combatant, and sup-

LETTERS. 267
poses a conflict ; a noble conflict, TceX(^, the finest word in
the most expressive language, importing all that is good and
great; let us not then be ashamed of the cause.
My cough is very troublesome— 1 can get little rest-
medicines yield no relief— but my never-failing cordial is
the love of Christ. Religion bears my spirits up,
A faithful and unchanging tiod
Lays the foundation for my .hope,
In oaths, * — in promises, -j--— in blood f.
Watts' s hymns, book 1.
Staynoe, whom you enquire after, was a good man, a tu
tor at Trinity College, Oxford, and afterwards rector of St.
Leonard Foster-lane; and in the year 1704, published iu
two volumes octavo, his treatise on Salvation by Jesus Christ.
Mine is the second edition; it is no contemptible book,
though the style is rather too prolix, and he has some pe
culiar notions, — But who has ever seen a faultless book ?
— All writers have their failings more or less. — No
mortal is exempted from them ; not even Honier, Virgil, or
Milton himself.- -This ought to teach us candour and humil
ity in such a state of imperfection ; and above all it should
inspire us with a reverential admiration of the book of God,
which alone is free from error ; by which we are guided
into all truth ; and in which we are promised eternal life ;
procured for us by the righteousness, sufferings, and media
tion of Jesus Christ. — I wish, most heartily wish,' you may
suflSciently regard this inestimable book ; and then you will
be like the tree planted by the water side, which bringeth
forth its fruits in due season, and like that happy man of
whom it is written by the psalmist, Look ! whatsoever he doth
it shall prosper. I am, my dear friend.
Affectionately, and unalterably your's, <J-g
* Heb. vi. 17. t 2 Fet. i. 4. } l^ev, i. 5.

FINIS.

CONTENTS.

The Author's Life, ... , . . 3
LETTER I.
On seeing the Assizes, - - - . . 29
LETTER II.
On spiritual instruction from natural things, - - 30
LETTER III.
The Character of a Gospel Minister, - . _ 39
LETTER IV.
On the Intercession of Christ, - . . - 43
LETTER V.
Advice to hew married persons, - - - 45
LETTER VI.
On the fulness of Christ, - - . . . 4g
LETTER VII.
Meditations^n the Harvest, . - . . 43
LETTER VIII.
On supplying a poor Christian, - - . - 50
LETTER IX.
On Christ's fulness and suitableness^ - - - 61
LETTER X.
Christ, the Believer's refbge, - - - . 55
LETTER XI.
On religious conversation, ----- 56
LETTER XII.
Thoughts on some of the Thirty-nine articles, 5S
23*

270 CONTENTS.
LETTER XIIL
Oj the personality and divinity of the Holy Ghost, - 69
LETTER XIV.
On the divinity of Christ, ----- 77
LETTER XV.
On the Holy Ghost's beingthe object of divine Worship, 84
LETTER XVI.
On the imputation of Adam's first sin, - - 100
LETTER XVII.
Advice lo an Apprentice, - - - - 115
LETTER XVIII.
On the riches of God's mercy, - - - - 120
LETTER XIX.
On the vanity of the present hfe, - - . 121
LETTER XX.
On the evil of flattery,  123
LETTER XXI.
On the excellency of the favour of God, - - 124
LETTER XXII.
On the nature of worldly prosperity, - - - ib^
LETTER XXIII.
Assurance in the nature of faith, - - - 141
LETTER XXIV
On going to a meeting of the Clergy, - - 146
LETTER XXV.
The Christian's duty and triumph, - - - 147
LETTER XXVI.
On- the comfort and ground of assurance, of salvation, 151
LETTER XXVIL
Encouragement to one in aflliction, - - - 1 54
LETTER XXVIII.
The tfutj and encouragement of a gospel minister, f 5 6

CONTENTS. 271
LETTER XXIX.
On Hospitality,  158
LETTER XXX.
A method for catechising, - - - - igQ
LETTER XXXI.
Application of salvation the work of the divine Spirit, 163
LETTER XXXII.
The laudable strife of a Christian, - - . 155
LETTER XXXIII.
The Christian spirit a charitable one, - - - ib-
LETTER XXXIV.
The comfort of Christianity, a powerful motive to
holiness, - - ^ - - - 164
LETTER XXXV.
Faith in a suffering Saviour, the, foundation of a
Believers comfort, - ... 155
LETTER XXXVL
A caveat against despondency, ... ^gg
LETTER XXXVn,
On cleaving to Christ, - - - . - 169
LETTER XXXVIII.
Comfort against the fear of death, - • - 171
LETTER XXXIX.
Comfoi^ against the fear of judgment, - > 174
LETTER XL.
The necessity of preaching Christ, . - • 177
LETTER XLL
On time and eternity, - - - - - 179
LETTER XLII.
The excellency of Humility, . - - - 181
LETTER XLIII.
On spiritual sloth,  182

273 CONTENTS.
LETTER XLIV.
Comfort against reproachj - - - - - 183
LETTER XLV,
The evil of unbelief, . . - . - 184
LETTER XLVI.
The happiness of having communion with Christ, - 185
LETTER XLVII.
The promise of God, the Christian's shield, - - 186

LETTER XLVIII.

\

Deliverance from trouble, ground of thankfulness, - 187
LETTER XLIX,
On boldness and courage for Jesus Christ, - - 188
LETTER L.
On hearing of a friend's distress, - - - 190
LETTER LI.
Christ the foundation of a believer's joy, - - 191
LETTER LU.
Reconciliation to God, previous to our performing
holy duties,  193
LETTER LIII,
On neglecting to preach Christ, - - - 197
LETTER LIV.
Some remarks on not preaching Christ, - - 199
LETTER LV.
A plan for a Treatise on Gospel-holiness, - - 207
LETTER LVI.
On assurance of salvation, ... - 209
LETTER LVII.
On aflliction,  211
LETTER LVIll.
Comfort and advice to two malefactors, - - 215

CONTENTS. 27$
LETTER LIX.
On the state of the Saints after death, .. . 219
LETTER LX.
Against mispending of time, .... g^S
LETTER LXI.
On courage for the cause of Christ, . . 224
LETTER LXII.
The benefit of a£Biction exemplified, . . 335
LETTER LXIII.
A sense of the love of Christ, a strong consolation
against the fear of death, ... £27
LETTER LXIV.
Unbelief the reigning sin of the nation, ^ - 228
LETTER LXV.
The hope of glory, a strong incitement to duty, - 229
LETTER LXVI.
Oo Christ's ability and willingness to save, - > 23 1
LETTER LXVII.
On the excellency of the Scriptures, ... 233
LETTER LXVIII.
How controversy should be managed, - . 238
LETTER LXIX.
A caution against the fear of man, • • . 24 1
LETTER LXX.
Why many learned men treat Religion with indiffer
ence, ....... 243
LETTER LXXL
Caution against judging men's states, . • 246
LETTER LXXII.
Against excessive sorrow, ^ - . - . 248
LETTER LXXIII.
Against despair,  - 243

2r4 CONTENTS.
LETTER LXXIV.
Some thoughts on a book, entitled. Letters on The
ron and Aspasio, - ... - 225
LETTER LXXV.
On giving a rose to a lady, - . . 253
LETTER LXXVl.
On the comforts that attend religion, ... 255
LETTER LXXVII.
The excellency of the knowledge of Christ, - 256
LETTER LXXVIII. '
Thoughts on different subjects, - . , 258
LETTER LXXIX.
A proof of a future state of happiness, - . . 260
LUTHER'S HYMN. 261
LETTER LXXX.
An advice to Physicians,  264
LETTER LXXXI.
Evangelical doctrines known by their fruits, - 26S

3 9002 08561 5541

*{m.

•,j' ,1,

M 1
['"^T

N f" I 4: •¦' ' V

'^% -'' '
•ft V I'-t*-'/''"
ylJ^'J It'
^H ..
,3.'^
,1 «i%<l,
&f^fl
t,'JI- » »¦ i 1 ' '