despair," 2 Cor. iv. 8. You read of being strengthened by the Spirit's might in the inward man. Faith stands not in man's wisdom but in God's power, and by that power are we kept through faith; and if we abound in hope it is by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit's might is our strength, and this is made perfect and all-sufficient in our weakness; and this power is put forth in the inward man, it works in faith and in hope, so that neither of these may be borne down, fail, or be overcome, which must not be, for, "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world." And this I have often observed, that when the temptation has been so sharp as to make me faint, yea almost to cast away my confidence and to conclude that all is lost, and that it is in vain to resist any longer, even then I have found a firmness in the mind and conscience that would not subscribe to any one of my articles of capitulation; and this I know, that there is not the sting of unpardoned sin, nor the shame of unpurged guilt, nor the arrows of unappeased wrath, nor the curses of a broken law, nor the dread of future judgment in all these conflicts; but the thoughts of breaking the bounds, by discharging the contents of the heart, and of being plunged into the great transgression, makes one tremble; for at such times the feet are almost gone, the steps well nigh slip; almost, but not altogether; well nigh, but not quite. I am writing to one that will understand me when I say, that at such times the

sin unto death is conceived, and Satan labours hard to bring it forth, yet grace is not an idle spectator in these conflicts. Faith holds her own, and hope expects deliverance, and we are not disappointed; and when the conflict is over faith ventures abroad in prayer, hope waits the returns, and love furnishes the heart with gratitude to acknowledge the saving benefits: and these all work best when the dross is purged off; human resolutions and determinations are like Samson's haking himself, and poor Peter's vows, they only clog the wheels at best. This furnace work is to make us sound in faith; sinless perfection, free will, self-righteousness, universal grace, and universal redemption cannot stand or live here; a creature saviour and human confidence in him, are of no use in this fire. So I write, and so you believe.

W. H. S. S.

LETTER XXXIV.

To the Rev. Mr. HUNTINGTON.

I,

THANK my very dear friend for his kind letter which I received on Friday last, and was glad to

hear that you was going to publish the account of my sister's death-bed experience with your answer to it, which I sincerely hope may be of use to many into whose hands it may fall. How encouraging, animating, and comforting it is to see one in dying circumstances so blessed as she was with the presence and favour of the Lord, and so enabled to testify of God's goodness, faithfulness, and truth. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies." "The memory of the just is blessed," and so I find it daily, for I cannot think, speak, or write about her but I feel a sweetness upon my spirit; and my soul often blesses the Lord with tears of gratitude and joy when many things which she spake come fresh upon my mind; and I remember what sweetness and comfort I enjoyed, and many of our friends with her, both in conversation, prayer, and praise; I believe that many of us will never forget it. I often look back upon those days of rejoicing, and while I am meditating upon that life, power, unction, and savour that rested upon her and upon us all, I often feel something of the same communicated to this day; and this scripture many times comes upon my mind, "Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee." "O how great is the goodness of the Lord which he has laid up for those that fear

him, and which he hath wrought for them that trust in him before the ons of men; such are hid in the secret of his presence from the pride of man, and are kept secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues, Psalm xxxi. 19, 20. This brings fresh to my mind what strife T. caused amongst us when he came with his airy visions, and took many away who were of the same stamp with himself; but this was for our good; he collected the worst part, and his heresy took from among us only those which were not of us; this made them manifest, and God on the other side made manifest those which were approved of him. None but the devil could ever employ a man to speak against that which God has owned and blessed to thousands and thousands, namely, the preaching of his word. In such a wandering star as he, this scripture is fulfilled; "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived;" and they that followed him are those which heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and both him and his followers have been ever learning, and I am fully persuaded have never been able to come to the knowledge of the truth; they are wise in their own conceit, but God shews to wisdom's children what fools they are in religion. They are divided now into two or three parties. I never meet with any of them but I think of these words, "He that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the

dead." I know that God will scatter them sooner or later into all winds, his hand shall be made known towards his servants, and his indignation towards his enemies. T came crying out against preaching, and reading any men's works except his own; but my sister has left an honourable testimony in behalf of both; and her blessed end proves to a demonstration that our way of meeting together is approved of God; and the scripture's which he has said so much about, I believe remain a sealed book to him to this day. I remember asking him once about these words, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you; and he that eateth me, even he shall live by me." I was amazed at the poor, empty answer he gave me. This sect and many others have spoken against us and our religion, but one would think, were they not hardened indeed, that the account of niy sister's end would put to silence all our adversaries. But our Lord says, "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to them that are without all these things are done in parables;" and in this he rejoiced, that they were hid from the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes. My father and all our family are convinced of her safety, and satisfied with her blessed end; they came to see my dear sister several times, they saw her happiness, and are fully persuaded that she is blessed for evermore; and it so reconciled them to her death, that they