vine subjects;" (niark that!) "much less one so deep and mysterious, that has confounded the wise and learned, and left them in great uncertainty." Then why meddle with what you have no understanding in? "This argument to me is incontrovertible, it is every thing but an absolute impossibility."

Observe what he says in another place: "The book of Revelation, and the prophecy of Daniel, being very deep and mysterious, which ignorant and illiterate persons, like myself, hardly ever meddled with, that did not come to a mad-house; let us refer to other scriptures, where these things are spoken of in much plainer terms."

Reader, what do you think of such a teacher as this? Any part of divine revelation the high road to a mad-house? when "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works," 2 Tim. iii. .16, 17; and the Lord is pleased to pronounce a blessing upon such as read the Revelation, (chap. i. 3;) and exhorts us to search the scriptures, of which Daniel and the Revelation form an important part; declaring that, by his blessing attending this diligence, they shall be "a light unto our feet, and a lamp unto our path," by which we are to cleanse our way by taking heed thereto? Read John v. 39; Psalm cxix. 115; cxix. 9. And could it have been supposed

before this, that any one would voluntarily enter that path, which, next to an absolute certainty, leads the traveller to a mad-house? which, by meddling with Daniel and Revelation, proves to be the case with this gentleman. And for an ignorant and illiterate man to set himself up as a teacher and expositor of the very things of which he confesses he has no knowledge, is utter confusion, and irreconcilable to every faculty that constitutes a person compos mentis.

Again, (page 63) he says, "Better things are far beyond my reach." Then it is a pity he should meddle with sacred things at all; and it would have been wisdom to have held his peace, if what the wise man says is to be depended upon, Prov. xvii. 28. In In page 4 he tells us that last year he was favoured with "a little of the comforts of hope," the utmost stage he has attained to. I must give him credit for this, as it really staggers mý confidence fully to believe it; and my reason for so speaking arises from my own experience; for when I was favoured with a good hope of salvation, that salvation hoped for was so continually uppermost with me as the one thing needful, that I could find time little enough to search after the experience of it in a diligent use of the means of God's appointment; and I had such a sense of my own blindness and ignorance, that I was really that fool whom the Lord promises to make wise to salvation; "If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become

D

a fool that he may be wise," 1 Cor. iii. 18. Private confession of my sin, under a deep sense of my lost estate; private prayer to God for mercy; searching the scriptures; and watching and waiting at Wisdom's gates, and at the posts of her doors to hear the word preached; so fully occupied all my leisure hours, that I was the last person in the world qualified, or who could find time, to commence author upon any subject, much less to engage as a controversial writer, and that upon the most difficult of all the subjects revealed in the word of God.

Reader, be upon your guard if you peruse Y. Z.'s letter to me, as it means a great deal more than is plainly spoken. It first gives thee a high testimony of the late Mr. Huntington, which is only a bait to prepare thee to swallow a second course, when you have the worst of confusion respecting Popery, the times we live in, and the state of the church in our day, in all which he contradicts the word of God, as I hope I shall never be at a loss to prove; "Though he speak fair, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart," Prov. xxvi. 25. Although wrapt up in a deal of art and cunning, there are several bitter reflections cast upon our late departed friend, which prove the writer guilty, if not of hypocrisy, at least of unpardonable neglect; for, if he saw Mr. H. in such error and falsehood as he insinuates, why did he not, during his lifetime, seeing he professes (and it is nothing more

I believe in my soul than profession) so much love and respect for him, point out and endeavour to correct, his misconceptions. This would have been acting the part of an honest man, whose praise would have been in all the churches. But I fear it was with him as it has been with others, who, while Mr. H. was living, were (through fear I apprehend) kept from making manifest what secretly worked in their hearts, as he then operated as a restraint upon them; but no sooner did the Lord visit us with such a sore affliction, as that of his removal, than directly they rushed forth, and appeared in such a profession, as I believe they never did or shall enjoy the presence of God in; and therefore it will never prove a source of either peace or happiness when they arrive at a dying hour.

There are so many things to me objectionable in this letter; so many strange inconsistencies, misapplications of scripture, and wresting of them, as ignorant and unlearned men have done in all ages, to their own destruction, that I cannot speak of them here; but, should the Author condescend to favour me with his proper name and place of abode, it would give me an opportunity more particularly to consider the matter contained in it. If, however, he decline to do this, I shall not consider myself at all called upon to waste my time upon an anonymous writer.

I have one more particular request to make of the Reader, which is, that, before you begin to

D Q

read the letters here submitted to your notice, you will go to the Lord by prayer, to ask wisdom of him rightly to understand them; and that, so far as is consistent with his mind and will, he may be pleased to own and bless them to your profit; seeing he has promised that he will give testimony to the word of his grace, but nothing less. With this request, and an anxious wish that you will attend to it, and with my poor but sincere prayers for your prosperity, for the present I shall bid you farewell; but believe me, Brethren, to remain, so far as blessed with ability, your willing servant,

For Christ's and truth's sake,

No. 4, Northampton Square,

February 1814.

C. G.