pity your distress, with what infinitely more tender compassion are you regarded by your heavenly Father? by him who said in the multitude of his mercies, "My Son shall bleed, that you may be healed: My only Son shall die, that you may live for evermore." May this blood, thus shed for you, 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 bowels of a Father to commiserate, and the arm of Omnipotence to succour.

A passage in the epistle to the Colossians, which I read this very day, (viz. chap. i. ver. 11.) is extremely pertinent to your case, and what I shall frequently pray may be fulfilled to your great consolation, That you may be strengthened 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 improving subject of discourse. The conciseness, the propriety, the energy of the inspired supplications, is admirable. But I must waive such remarks, lest I send you a preachment instead of an epistle.

I heard you condemned the other day, in a large company, 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 relater, all those circumstances which he had so grossly misrepresented; and then I quoted the remark of Mr Richardson, in his Clarissa, viz. "That difficult situations (like yours) make seeming occasions of censure unavoidable; and that where the reputation of another (especially of a man of character) is concerned, we should never be in haste to censure, or to judge peremptorily on first surmises." 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 to 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 famæ mendacia ridet.

This was the Heathens' cure for the wounds of defamation; this their armour against those keenest of arrows, bitter words. But see in this, as well as in every other instance, the noble superiority of the Christian scheme! Being defamed, we bless, says the apostle. Pray for them that despitefully use you, says his divine Master. This not only baffles, but more than triumphs over the efforts of malice; and brings an increase of virtue, consequently 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 affectionately recommended, and forcibly urged. There was something omitted, which I could not but wish had been represented and enforced; however, in the main it was excellent, and what I should rejoice to have reduced to universal practice. Our dear friend, Mr, spied the defect I hint at; and when his mealy-mouthed companion would not indeed have concealed it, but rather have enlarged 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 tingle." 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 neither the scourge of the tongue, nor the pomp of power.

Please to present my affectionate compliments to Mr C and to Mr G- I 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 I join my earnest prayers for your health, your comfort, and happiness; and believe me, as I am, my dear doctor, your truly affectionate friend, &c.

LETTER LIX.

Weston-Favell, Aug. 30. 1749.

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WE have seen marvellous things to-day, said the people of old; and I may, truly say, I have read marvellous tidings this evening. What! is come 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 the prophet's exclamation more seasonable, Grace! grace! Zech. iv. 7. How sovereign its power! How superabundant its riches!

I heartily congratulate you, my dear friend, my very dear brother I must call you now, on this change. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, that he hath counted you faithful, putting you into the ministry. I think the hand of Providence, 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 of a sound mind.

How honourable is your new office! 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, an everlasting possession. And how illustrious the reward promised to your faithful service-When the 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 enemies; 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 word, and the heart of stone shall feel, the powers of hell fall. 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, I am like a bleeding, disabled 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.

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I believe it will be no easy matter to procure a curate, such as you will like; at least, none such offers to my observation. I heartily wish your valuable friend, Mr, that faith in the all-atoning blood of the Lamb, and that comfort in the communications of the 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 animate its feeble graces.

Please to present my affectionate compliments to 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, yours sincerely, yours unalterably, &c.

LETTER LX.

Weston-Favell, Sat. evening. MY DEAR FRIEND, THIS morning I received your 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 renew 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 Economia Fæderum he is an author exactly suited to my taste; so perspicuous, so elegant, so orthodox. I wish such a treasure had fallen into my hands, when I studied at the university.

I like Mr's spirit, only wish it was a little more evangelical. Let us so act our parts, as, &c. Might not Tully have said the same? has not Seneca said as much? Why should not Christ Jesus be the foundation of our hopes? Is it less rational, less comfortable, to say with St Paul, He that spared not his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

I heartily pity our Staffordshire friend. Cheer him, speak comfortably to him, let not the consideration of his 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.