with whom Mr. Brainerd had the conversation on the nature of faith, July 20, 1747; but probably it was one Mr. Croswell, a minister in Boston, who formerly published some pieces to prove, that the essence of faith consists in believing that Christ died for me in particular."

New-Haven, Dec. 24, 1788.

"The Trinitarian Controversy is likely to be agitated among us. A principal member of the church to which I am pastor, and who formerly appeared to be a friend to the true system, seems now to be warping off from that system in general, and from the doctrine of the Trinity in particular. I fear it will break the church. I beg your prayers, that I may act with wisdom, and with fidelity to the truth.”

New-Haven, March 30, 1789.

"In answer to your enquiry, in a former letter, concerning Phoebe Bartlett,* I have to inform you that she is yet living, and has

* The child of four years old mentioned in Mr. Edwards's printed Northampton Narrative.

uniformly maintained the character of a true convert.—I remember nothing of Mr. Brainerd, nor of my sister Jerusha.Though I had, during my father's life, some convictions of sin and danger, yet I have no reason to believe I had any real religion, till some years after his death."

New-Haven, Oct. 21, 1790.

"I have taken notice of Mr. Fuller's very candid and judicious observations and enquiries. O that all ministers would enquire with the like attention and candour! In that case, how rapid and glorious would be the progress of the truth!-In relation to my own affairs, last spring the difficulties in our church concerning religious sentiments, were professedly settled, and a written engagement subscribed, to bury all former uneasiness. But of late, difficulties have sprung up anew, and appear to be of such magnitude, that I have no expectation of continuing in connection with this church. The prospect of a removal is no way terrifying to me; but it is grievous to see those who have professed to be the

warmest friends of the true doctrines of the gospel, become the most bitter opposers. Also the prospect that the preaching of the true gospel will be eradicated from a large town, and error and false gospel introduced in its stead, is truly grievous. But the

Lord reigns, and will take care of his own cause."

New-Haven, Oct. 21, 1791.

"The person who was referred to in the Thoughts on the Revival was the author's wife. [Nature of the work in a particular instance, &c ]-The difficulty in our church still subsists, sometimes in a greater, sometimes in a less degree. The paroxysm is generally in the winter, and if this approaching winter should remove me from my present situation, I would not have you be surprised. The current against the doctrines of grace has run exceedingly strong in this town for five years past.".

New-Haven, Sept. 12, 1794.

"On the death of my good and able friend Mr, Senator Shermon, I expected

my troubles here would break out with greater fury than ever. But God's ways are not as our ways, nor are his thoughts our thoughts. Ever since his death we have been more quiet than before. Yet it seemed that he, while alive, was the great means of keeping us so quiet as we then were."

New-Haven, April 14, 1795.

"As I have formerly troubled you with some account of my own difficulties, I cannot but now inform you of the present state of my affairs. My great and good friend Mr. Shermon, you know, is dead. Another of my best friends died sometime after Mr. Shermon. Another is laid by from usefulness, from age and infirmity. These dispensations of Providence have given a great advantage to those who have been inimical to me, on account of my sentiments and preaching. It is nine years since our difficulties began. This winter my opposers have exerted themselves with great vigour, and in the first place procured a vote of the congregation,

that, on account of their diminution in number and property, they were not able to support their minister. On my desiring an explanation of this vote, whether they meant to suggest that I had been the criminal cause of their diminution and poverty, they by vote declared that it was not their intention to suggest, that I have been the criminal cause; still, by another vote, they declared that it was their desire that the pastoral relation in which I stood to them, should be dissolved on the ground of their diminution and poverty. So that as soon as a council can be called, and the forms gone through, I shall be liberated from my connection with this people. So are we all liable to changes! But I do not wish you to indulge anxiety for me, as even my enemies pretend not to bring any impeachment against me. I conceive my character is fair with my brethren in the ministry, and with the public in general, and I hope I may be useful elsewhere. In one respect, Providence has provided better for me against this event than it did for my father. By my first marriage I became