DEAR SIR,

LETTER III.

Jan. 21, 1766.

YOUR letters gave me the sincerest pleasure. Let us believe that we are daily thinking of and praying for each other, and write when opportunity offers, without apologies. I praise the Lord, that he has led you so soon to a settled judgment in the leading truths of the gospel. For want of this, many have been necessitated, with their own hands, to pull down what, in the first warm emotions of their zeal, they had laboured hard to build. It is a mercy likewise, to be enabled to acknowledge what is excellent in the writings or conduct of others, without adopting their singularities, or discarding the whole on account of a few blemishes. We should be glad to receive instruction from all, and avoid being led by the ipse dixit of any. Nullius jurare in verbum, is a fit motto for those who have one Master, even Christ. We may grow wise apace in opinions, by books and men; but vital experimental knowledge, can only be received from the Holy Spirit, the great instructor and comforter of his people. And there are two things observable in his teaching: 1. That he honours the means of his own appointment, so that we cannot expect to make any great progress without diligence on our parts: 2. That he does not teach all at once, but by degrees. Experience is his school: and by this I mean the observation and improvement of what passeth within us and around us in the course of every day. The word of God affords a history in miniature of the heart of man, the devices of Satan, the state of the world, and the method of grace. And the most instructing and affecting commentary on it, to an enlightened mind, may

be gathered from what we see, feel, and hear, from day to day. Res, atus usus, semper aliquid apportent novi: and no knowledge in spiritual things but what we acquire in this way is properly our own, or will abide the time of trial. This is not always sufficiently considered: we are ready to expect that others should receive upon our word, in half an hour's time, those views of thiągs which have cost us years to attain. But none can be brought forward faster than the Lord is pleased to communicate inward light. Upon this ground, controversies have been multiplied antong christians to little purpose; for plants of different standings will be (cæteris paribus) in different degrees of forwardness. A young christian is like a green fruit; it has perhaps a disagreeable austerity, which cannot be corrected out of its proper course; it wants time and growth: wait a while, and by the nourishment it receives from the root, together with the action of the sun, wind, and rain, in succession from without, it will insensibly acquire that flavour and maturity, for the want of which an unskilful judge would be ready to reject it as nothing worth. We are favoured with many excellent books in our tongue,* but I with you agree in assigning one of the first places (as a teacher) to Dr. Owen. I have just finished his discourse on the Holy Spirit, which is an epitome, if not the masterpiece, of his writings. I should be glad to see the republication you speak of; but I question if the booksellers will venture upon it. I shall perhaps mention it to my London friends. As to Archbishop Leighton, besides his select works, there are two octavo volumes published at Edindurgh, in the year 1748, and since reprinted at London. They contain a valuable commentary on St. Peter's first epistle, and lectures on Isa. vi. Psal. xxxix. cxxx.

iv. and a part of Rom. xii. I have likewise a small quarto in Latin, of his Divinity Lectures, when Professor at Edinburgh: the short title is Prælectiones Theologiæ, Mine was printed in London, 1698. I believe this book is scarce; I set the highest value upon it. He has wonderfully united the simplicity of the gospel, with all the captivating beauties of style and language. Bishop Burnet says, he was the greatest master of the Latin tongue he ever knew, of which, together with his compass of learning, he has given proof in his Lectures: yet in his gayer dress, his eminent humility and spirituality appear to no less advantage than when clad in plain English. I think it may be said to be a diamond set in gold. I could wish it translated, if it was possible, (which I almost question,) to preserve the beauty and spirit of the original.

Edwards on Free-will I have read with pleasure, as a good answer to the proud reasoners in their own way; but a book of that sort cannot be generally read where the subject-matter is unpleasing, and the method of treating it requires more attention than the Athenian spirit of the times will bear. I wonder not if it is uncalled for ; and am afraid we shall not see him upon Original Sin, if it depends upon the sale of the other. This answer to Dr. Taylor, which you speak of, is not a MS. but has been already printed at Boston.

You send us good news indeed, that two more of your brethren are declaring on the gospel side. The Lord confirm and strengthen them, add yet to your numbers, and make you helps and comforts to each other. Surely he is about to spread his work. Happy those whom he honours to be fellow-workers with him. Let us account the disgrace we suffer for his name's sake to be our great honour. Many will be against us; but there are more for us. All the praying souls on earth, all

the glorified saints in heaven, all the angels of God, yea, the God of angels himself, are all on our side. Satan may rage, but he is a chained enemy. Men may contradict and fight, but they cannot prevail. Two things we shall especially need, courage and patience, that we neither faint before them, nor upon any provocation act in their spirit. If we can pity and pray for them, return good for evil, make them sensible that we bear them a hearty goodwill, and act as the disciples of Him who wept for his enemies, and prayed for his murderers; in this way we shall find the Lord will plead our cause, soften opposers, and by degrees give us a measure of outward peace. Warmth and imprudence have often added to the necessary burden of the cross. I rejoice that the Lord has led you in a different way; and I hope your doctrine and example will make your path smoother every day; you find it so in part already. As the Lord brings you out a people witnesses for you to the truth of his word, you will find advantage in bringing them often together. The interval from Sabbath to Sabbath is a good while, and affords time for the world and Satan to creep in. Intermediate meetings for prayer, &c. when properly conducted, are greatly useful. I could wish for larger sheets and longer leisure; but I am constrained to say adieu, in our dear Lord and Saviour.

Yours, &c.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER IV.

Dec. 12, 1767.

THIS is not intended as an answer to your last acceptable letter, but an occasional line, in consequence of the account Mr. T has given me of your late illness. I trust this dispensation will be useful to you; and I wish the knowledge of it may be so to me. I am favoured with an unusual share of health, and an equal flow of spirits. If the blow you have received should be a warning to me, I shall have cause to be thankful. I am glad to hear you are better; I hope the Lord has no design to disable you from service, but rather (as he did Jacob) to strengthen you by wounding you; to maintain and increase in you that conviction which, through grace, you have received, of the vanity and uncertainty of every thing below; to give you a lively sense of the value of health and opportunities, and to add to the treasury of your experience new proofs of his power and goodness, in supporting, comforting, and healing you; and likewise to quicken the prayers of your people for you, and to stir them up to usé double diligence in the present improvement of the means of grace, while by this late instance they see how soon and suddenly you might have been removed from them.

I understand you did not feel that lively exercise of faith and joy which you would have hoped to have found at such a season: but let not this discourage you from a firm confidence, that when the hour of dismission shall come, the Lord will be faithful to his gracious promise, and give you strength sufficient to encounter and vanquish your last enemy. You had not this strength lately,