without ceasing, "O God, thou art my God, early

will I seek thee!"

LETTER XII.

TO MR. AND MRS. W. B——.

Tooting, Jan. 2, 1800.

MY DEAR W- AND M

ANOTHER year of life's pilgrimage is past, and, blessed be God, he has crowned it with his goodness. It is pleasant to review the multiplied and long-continued expressions of Divine mercy. It is pleasant to commit ourselves, at the commencement of a new year, and under the darkness that veils futurity, into the hands of a covenant God, on the ground of eternal truth, and the encouragement of long-continued experience. What a mercy, what a privilege in this world of vanity, sin, and sorrow, where multitudes are labouring for that which satisfieth not, nay, are "treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath," to have a mind in any degree directed into the love of God, at rest in the Supreme Good, cheered with the aspect of Providence, and animated with the opening prospects of an eternal inheritance among the saints in light! Oh the multitudes who have not found the way of peace! who shall find, even in Jesus, when" he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and admired of all them that be

lieve," a swift Witness and a wrathful Judge! There fore, I pray always for you, my dear children, that God would render you worthy of this calling. Receive this as my new-year's benediction.

Practical religion commences in a call from Heaven. It is an effectual call, because it is of God. It is a call which rescues the sinner from the dominion and the darkness of a sinful state; that separates him from the course of the present world, and inclines him to choose the way of God's precepts, and to follow at his feet, through solitary, rugged, and dangerous paths, to a country that he shall shew him. Oh the discriminating mercy of God! With what admiration should a saved sinner review it! Multitudes never heard, never understood, and therefore, never obeyed, his inviting voice; and they are yet deceived by Satan, enslaved by sin, and heirs of wrath; but "you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;" and in your way to heaven you are charmed with those sweet accents vibrating on every tender affection of your soul," Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore, with loving kindness have I drawn thee!" God has separated you from your mother's womb, has called you by his grace, and revealed his Son in you. This manifestation of the grace of God has made practical religion your business, your calling, your great concern. And this is a call the most honourable, and the most advantageous. Great honour, my dear children, God put on you when he saved

you, and called you with an holy calling; when he made you the partakers of his heavenly gift. Oh, may He give you more fully to know what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; and then, they who take knowledge of you will observe with what earnestness of desire and endeavour you "press towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." May it be your happiness to be found more and more evidently and eminently worthy of this calling! But what is it to be thus worthy? It is not, in the common acceptation of the words, to be rich or poor, learned or unlearned, honourable or despised. He is worthy of a secular calling, a trade, or profession, or art, a place of trust, or a seat of honour, who clearly understands it, whose ability and integrity, whose skill and diligence, appear conspicuous to every observer;

he is worthy to be employed and encouraged in it; worthy of the advantages and honours connected with it-in like manner, he is worthy of this calling who is taught of God, and well instructed in the knowledge of it; who accounts his business his pleasure; who earnestly desires, and with unremitting diligence and perseverance seeks, the present and future advantages of it; who is willing to make every sacrifice of ease and indulgence, of worldly interest and reputation, that is incompatible with a proper attention to it; who, with indefatigable zeal, labours and endures hardness in it, and whose heart is prepared to employ all the present gains of it to

the glory of God. This worthiness, you will readily see, admits no claim of merit; it produces, not selfcomplacency, but an admiring sense and acknowledgment of the grace of God, that wonderful spring from whence it is wholly derived. Oh how many professors of religion appear not to be worthy of this calling! They want the knowledge of it. By study they have attained to some acquaintance with the theory, yet their want of skill is manifest, whenever they would apply themselves to any part of it; nay, and when they attempt to speak, their speech betrays their presumption in assuming a profession for which they have no ability. No wonder that cold indifference and neglect should appear in their conduct; no wonder that difficulties and dangers, and even trifling amusements, should divert their regards, and shew that their inclination is not in agreement with their profession. They appear in a character that truly does not belong to them, and which they are, not worthy of. May you, my dear children, ever appear in the character of Christians, and shew, not only on the Sabbath, and in the Sanctuary, but uniformly and at all times, at home and abroad, by your company and conversation, your solicitude and labour, that you are truly engaged in this high and holy calling. The men of this world are wise in their generation, to embrace and to seek every probable opportunity of enlarging their knowledge of trade, or of gaining beneficial information. A man of ingenuity and industry has his calling seldom out of sight; nor

is he often out of his way. Hence his capital swells, his reputation is extended, the sources of his wealth are multiplied, and he classes with the great. May your conversation be in heaven, and may you be skilful and indefatigable in a calling that is transcendently excellent and honourable, beneficial and gainful; and then, when the most skilful and successful worldling shall find his gold become dross, you shall have a hope in death, and take your leave of the world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, and amidst dissolving nature stand in your lot among the wise who shall shine as the light in glory, with your glorified Lord for ever.

MY DEAR W- AND M―,

It would afford me very great satisfaction to be often corresponding with you by letter; for indeed you, and whatever relates to your interest and comfort, lie very near my heart; but regular and unavoidable business, various and pressing, prevent