knowledge and understanding. Amen, and amen, says thy affectionate friend and brother,

In the kingdom and patience of Christ,

LETTER XXVI.

W. H.

Winchester Row, July 6, 1785.

I RECEIV RECEIVED my dear brother's epistle, and have considered the matter he wrote to me about. God has not confined us to a single life; but Paul tells us, that the married person is often caring for the things of the world, how he may please his wife; but the unmarried person cares for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. The apostle gives this as his judgment, for he does not pretend to have had any particular command from God for it; yet we know that married people have a deal of trouble in the flesh; and our blessed apostle would have us without worldly careful

ness.

However, a man that fears God is not to be

burdened with worldly cares how to please his wife; a wife should be an helpmate for man, not a rival of God; nor would any gracious woman desire it.

You are at liberty to marry who you please, if she be in covenant with God, unless such relations as God's law forbids. What she has been matters not; if the dear Redeemer has espoused her to himself, you may take her to wife, if there be a mutual affection between you. Many a Magdalen has made an affectionate wife, after the reception of humbling grace at the Saviour's feet. The gospel contrition of poor Mary would have tied my soul to her, if she had been appointed for me, more close than the celebrated beauty of the fairest atheist in the world. A divine affinity is a strong tie, and is sure to strengthen the other. But take this by the way, if you marry her, you must expect now and then a taunt from some of her old acquaintances; and she may sometimes, even when you are with her, meet with a vulgar salutation from her old companions. I would have you consider before hand whether these things would sit easy upon your old man.

Besides, God sometimes sends the spirit of jealousy upon a man, and he is jealous of his wife, which is intended to bring iniquity to light, Numb. v. 15.; but sometimes it is to put a stop to iniquity in its conception; and sometimes to damp inordinate affections in married people, Gen.

Xxx. 2.

Under such a spirit you might get distrustful of her fidelity; and her past life would serve to feed the fire. What think you of these things, as causes and impediments? I hope you will weigh these matters before you take the yoke upon your neck. If you cannot make her pull down her high head before marriage, you are not likely to do it afterwards. I would make her dress like a woman professing godliness, or I would have nothing to do with her. I doubt her heart is not truly humbled; if it was, she would hate even the garments spotted by the flesh. If she dresses like an harlot, and is not one in heart, she acts the part of an hypocrite; and the harlot that mimics in dress the modest woman, does the same.

The word of God gives us a true portrait both of the harlot and the woman professing godliness. You read of the short light airy attire of an harlot; of the mincing trip and step of their feet; of the catch and stretch of their neck; of their tires, muffers, hoods, and vails; of their ornaments, trinkets, and jewels; of their changeable suits of apparel; of the wanton roll, dart, and cast of their eyes; and of the whore's forehead.

Now I think if her soul has been truly humbled by evangelical repentance, and her heart and affections purified by living faith, that she would take this conspicuous sign down. Why does she

keep the sign out, if she has left off business? It ill becomes people who have left off trade, to mock their customers with an empty sign.

Far be it from me to cast a reflection on the vilest mortal on earth that God receives to mercy. But I know that an internal change of heart, by the power of God, will always be accompanied with an external conformity to the word of God; therefore if she is so dotingly fond of the signs, I should suspect her aversion to the business.

Women favoured with gospel faith are commanded to copy after their royal and venerable mother, whom God himself named Sarah, the royal lady and princess of many. Royal she was, for the King of heaven had crowned her with his blessing; and promised a numerous, natural, and spiritual progeny. "I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations." Male believers may look to Abraham their father; and female saints may look to Sarah that bare them; for they are her daughters as long as they do well, and are not afraid with any amazement, 1 Pet. iii. 6. But I doubt your intended will never obey you; it is in vain that she calls you lord, if you cannot prevail upon her to strip herself of her wanton attire; she may call you lord, lord, but that is not sufficient; she ought, in this, to do the things that you say. God has commanded her to dress in modest attire, as becometh women professing godliness with sobriety, and "Not that outward plaiting of the hair, or of wearing of gold, or of putting on of ap

parel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price; for after this manner in old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves."

It is natural for every person to endeavour in dress and behaviour to please the object they love. If God the Saviour be her object, she will dress to please him, and even bathe his feet with tears, and make a towel of her hair, rather than plait it to offend him, by entangling mankind in wickedness.

But if she is only a feigned professor, in all probability she aims at entangling your person in wedlock; and when this is done, the unclean spirit will return with six more of the same stamp; and you as an husband will only serve as a screen to her wickedness. I hope you will look before you leap, as the proverb is, for you know a person habituated to the devil's service can never be a stranger to the serpent's wisdom; therefore you ought to be as wise as a serpent to find her out, the harmlessness of the dove is hardly sufficient.

The Lord direct my young brother in this matter! human counsel will not do, unless God think meet to bless it. If she be a chosen vessel, and effectually called to repentance, you may, under God, be a blessing to her; and a lawful antidote in future against her besetting sin; but if you are deceived by her, the galling yoke will be