"lest he fall!" 1 Cor. x. 12. However, as I said, those who feel their weakness, whose dependence upon Jesus is Scriptural, such a dependence as makes them diligent in the use of appointed means, and desirous of being kept from the appearance of evil; these shall be preserved. That is a gracious and supporting promise, (to those who feel they can do nothing for themselves, are jealous over their own hearts, and see the snares that are continually spread for their feet,) which the Lord makes to all his faithful people, Rev. iii. 10. Alas! unless he vouchsafe to keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. But faith in his name and promise, gives us confidence and encouragement to aim at that watchfulness on our parts, to which his word exhorts us. The Lord does not keep his people by teaching them so to rest in the promises of his care, as to sit down secure and careless in themselves. But he preserves them from falling from him, by putting his fear in their hearts, by making them sensible of their dangers, and drawing them to come boldly to his throne of grace, that they may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in every time of need. time of need. And when his Spirit bears witness with our spirits, that we are thus looking to him in the way of duty, weak and unworthy as we are, we may triumph in his salvation, and be firmly persuaded, that neither the world nor Satan shall be able to separate us from his love. Great is the consolation provided for humble souls in what the Scripture declares concerning the power, grace, offices, faithfulness, and compassions of the Redeemer. These things are always equally true in themselves, but not always equally evident to us; for we cannot comfortably apply them, but in proportion as his Spirit is with us. It is VOL, VI. G

therefore wisely and mercifully appointed, that if we grow slack and careless, our comforts and peace should decline, that we may perceive in time that we are getting out of the right path, and cry to the Lord to restore us again. While those who are always alike, who can talk of assurance and perseverance while they are evidently indulging a trifling and careless spirit, and expect the promises will be accomplished in another way than that path of diligence, humiliation, and prayer which the Lord himself has marked out; these persons, I say, always give cause to fear, that they know very little of what they are talking about.

My paper is almost full, and all that I have written is quite beside my first intention. But it may not be the worse for that; I love to give up my heart and pen, without study, when I am writing. The Lord knows the state of my friends, their present temptations, &c. and I look to him to give me a word in season. Things with us are as usual. The great Shepherd is still pleased to guard our fold, so that the enemy has not yet been suffered to distract us with: errors and divisions, nor has one turned back after having Our number increases every year, fully joined us. though not very fast. As to myself, I am much exercised with a deadness of spirit in secret, which makes me often groan. But, through grace, I can say, that as I never saw more of my own vileness, so, I think, I never saw Jesus more precious and desirable, or was more clearly sensible of the vanity of every thing without him, than I have of late. "None but Jesus," is

my motto.

All wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and happiness, which does not spring from and centre in Him, my soul desires to renounce.

May the Lord bless each of you with an abiding sense of his precious love, that your hearts may burn, and your lives shine! So prays yours, &c.

I DULY received your letter of the 15th of Decem

ber, and am very willing still to include Mrs. H**** in our correspondence. I hope she finds in every change of life, that Jesus is still the same, gracious and precious to her soul; and my prayer is, that neither the comforts nor cares of a married state may damp the frame of her spirit towards him. The heart is deceitful, the world ensnaring, the enemy subtle and powerful; but we know who has said, "My grace is sufficient for "thee." He is able to keep us, not only safe as to the end, but also lively, faithful, and dependent by the way, in every circumstance and station to which his providence calls us.

"

I observe your last is written in a more complaining style than usual. Causes of complaint are, indeed, innumerable; but remember, "the joy of the Lord is your strength." Be not surprised that you still find the effects of indwelling sin-it must and will be so. The frame of our fallen nature is depraved throughout, and, like the leprous house,, it must be entirely demolished, and raised anew. While we are in this world, we shall groan, being burdened. I wish you to long and breathe after greater measures of sanctification ; but

we are sometimes betrayed into a legal spirit, which will make us labour in the very fire to little purpose. If we find deadness and dryness stealing upon us, our only relief is to look to Jesus-to his blood for pardon -to his grace for strength; we can work nothing out of ourselves. To pore over our own evils will not cure them; but he who was typified by the brazen serpent is ever present, lifted up to our view in the camp; and one believing sight of him will do more to restore peace to the conscience, and life to our graces, than all our own lamentations and resolutions.

It

Further, we must expect changes. Were we always alike, we should dream that we had some power or goodness inherent in ourselves; he will therefore sometimes withdraw, that we may learn our absolute dependence on him. When this is the case, it is our part humbly to continue seeking him in his own appointed means, and patiently to wait his promised return. is a point of great wisdom to know our Gospel liberty, and yet not to abuse it; to see that our hope stands sure and invariable, distant from all the changes we feel in our experience, that we are accepted, not because we are comfortable or lively, but because Jesus has loved us, and given himself for us; and yet, at the same time, to be longing and thirsting for the light of his countenance, and a renewed sense of his love upon our hearts. Two things we should always guard and pray against; that the knowledge of our acceptance may not make us secure and careless, and likewise, that our endeavours after conformity to his revealed will, may not subject us to a spirit of bondage. The apostle, who well knew the nature of our warfare, exhorts us to "rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS." He knew what conflicts we should meet with from afflictions, im

perfections, temptations, and desertions: yet he says, always; which can only be practised by those who see and keep in mind that they are complete in Christ; that he is all in all to them; their righteousness, wisdom, and strength; their sun and shield; their friend and representative before the throne; their shepherd and their husband. If I may speak my own experience, I find that to keep my eye simply upon Christ, as my peace, and my life, is by far the hardest part of my calling. Through mercy he enables me to avoid what is wrong in the sight of men, but it seems easier to deny self in a thousand instances of outward conduct, than in its ceaseless endeavours to act as a principle of righteousness and power.

John Bunyan, in his advanced years, took notice of the abominations that had still too much place in his heart; one of them was, he says, a secret cleaving to the covenant of works. I am sure this is no small abomination in a believer; but, alas! it cleaves as close to me as my skin, and costs me many a sigh.

I am yours, &c.

Madam,

LETTER XIV.

To Mrs. H****.

Sept. 21, 1770.

'As the engagements you lately have entered into, have

not separated you from each other, I can as formerly, write to you both at once. I should be glad to hear that the third in our correspondence was as comfortably settled in H-likewise. However, I beg you