and you have been both eye and ear witneffes of the end of his converfation; and, if after all this any of you fhould turn apoftates, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and for Lot's wife, in the day of judgment, than for you. But I hope better things of you, though I thus speak, and things that accompany falvation; and fubfcribe myself ever yours to ferve in Chrift Jefus, W. H. S. S. LETTER LETTER V. TO THE REV, W. HUNTINGTON. Dear Friend, LAST Saturday, according to his defire, I accompanied our beloved friend and old companion to his long home, and was a witnefs of what remained here of him being laid in the earth. Duft to duft, and ashes to ashes, in a fure and most certain hope of his refurrection to eternal life. His departure was moft glorious, and the leave we took of him moft fweet and comfortable; but at the fame time I could not help lamenting his lofs, for I have not fuch a friend left behind him in all Suffex. A faithful man who can find? It seems Solomon found it a rare thing. His foul was kept in a moft happy and comfortable frame, throughout his laft illness, after his bands had been loosed; which he felt pretty ftrong when his illnefs began to come on, but did not continue long before the Almighty was pleased to fhine into his foul; and from that time forth the light was brighter and brighter, fo true is the word of the Lord, "The path of the just fhall fhine more and more unto the perfect ec day." He appeared not to have the leaft concern that gave him any pain or emotion for his loving family, and you well know how affectionately he loved them, which plainly fhews that he had had refigned them all to the care of his Redeemer. He had not only hope in his death, but he had likewife peace in his death, and he entered into peace, and now rests on his bed, and walks with God in his uprightness. Solid peace he had through his illness; quietnefs and a comfortable affurance to the laft; and he breathed his foul forth into the hands of his Redeemer in prayer, for his lips were feen moving when he could fpeak no more. He told Mrs. Bone morning, a few days before his departure, "O! what has been the work "of this last night !" faid he. "What work, my "dear," was her reply. "O," faid he, " fuch glo"ries have been revealed this night, that I fhall never be able to utter in this world," and words to the fame effect. Truly the memory of the juft is bleffed! for I can neither talk or write of him but what I find a sweetness descending on my fpirit. "O! that I might die the death of the righteous, and that my last end may be like his." And though, perhaps, there may be but few that come to the end fo comfortable, yet I believe that precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of all his family. But, as moft likely you will have more particulars by Betsy, I fhall refrain faying any more. A young man at Lewes lately departed, and left a comfortable testimony after him. I believe these things have stirred the fpirits of the contrary party, who make a fair fhew in the flesh. They have published the death of two or or three in the newspapers, with a fulfome account of their departure. The vifions one had on his death-bed were published, and witneffed, but this will not do, for it is well known that they are of no credit among the fpiritual. Nevertheless they acted a wife part, for they knew if they had published it in Zion, that the children there would not believe a word of it, therefore they put it in the newspaper, fuppofing their own brethren would not object to it; for of the world they are, and of the world they speak, and the world hear them. My hand is ready to freeze; God bless my dear friend, I hope he will foon favour me with a few lines, that I may know how he is this fharp weather. Peace be with you. Amen. J. J. T. BENTLEY, Printer, Bolt Court, FINIS. |