quantity of light on the nature of matter at largs.. My apprehenfions, concerning visible substance, are, in feveral important refpects, corrected and improved, by your masterly obfervations on that fubject. I wish you had ftopt at matter, which you evidently do understand, and better, perhaps, than any other philofopher on earth; and not meddled with fpirit, whofe acquaintance, it is very plain, you have not cultivated with equal affiduity. 6. Bishop Berkeley tells me, that I am all spirit, without a fingle particle of matter belonging to me. Dr. Priestley, on the other head, contends, that I am all body, untenanted and unanimated by any immaterial fubftance within. Put thefe two theories together, and what will be the product? That my fum total, and that of every other man, amounts to juft nothing at all, I have neither body, nor foul. I have no fort of existence whatever.-Here it may be alledged, "That the two fyftems cannot be thrown together, as being totally incompatible." I an fwer: Why may not bishop Berkeley's' word go as far as Dr. Prieftley's; and the doctor's as far as the bithop's? Though, when 'all is done, the best way, in my opinion,, is, to ceafe from both, and to believe neither. 7. The arguments, for abfolute and univerfal materialifm, drawn (or, rather, pretendedly drawn) from rational and philofophic fources, appear, to me, prodigioufly forced, lame, and inconclufive. And, if we take Scripture into the account, not all the fubtilty nor all the violence of criticifm will ever be able to establish your fyftem on that ground. What wretched work do you yourself make, with thofe few texts, which you venture to quote and ftrive to obviate, wherein plená & prima facie, man is fpoken of, as a being compounded of matter and fpirit! Can you bear this plain dealing? If you can, give me your hand. And I moft heartily with, that all, who differ from you, and efpecially that all who may may commence your public antagonists, may treat you, as I ever defire to do, with the refpect due to your virtues and your talents. How is your health? Beware of too clofe application, and of too intenfe exertions of mind. I, for my own part, can moft heartily fubfcribe to thefe remarks of the apocryphal writer: "The thoughts of mortal men are miferable, and our devices are but uncertain. For the corruptible body preffeth down the foul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that mufeth on many things. Hardly do we guefs aright, at things that are upon earth; and with labour do we find the things that are before us: but the things which are in heaven, who hath fearched out? And thy counfel who hath known, except thou give wifdom, and fend thy Holy Spirit from above?"-May that Holy Spirit, fhining on his written word, and thining into our hearts, be a light to the paths of the much-efteemed friend, to whom I am writing; and the paths of his obliged and moft obedient fervant, Auguflus Toplady. LETTER LXXVI. To Mrs. FOWLER. DEAR MADAM, Knightsbridge, Feb. 20, 1778. KNOWING that the officious zeal of numerous vifitants, however well-meant, occafions more trouble than relief, during the first impreffions that result from so trying a difpenfation, as that, under which God is now exercifing you; I, for this reason, wave presenting you with my perfonal condolences, U 3 and and request yourself and your amiable family to accept my written refpects. You and your's are deeply on my heart, before the mercy-feat. Has the Holy Spirit yet brought you to that point, whither faith invariably tends, and in which it will always ultimately reft? viz. "It is the Lord. Let him do, as feemeth him good.” That your busband's God is and will be your God, even to the end, and without end, I believe, with the fulleft affurance. May he likewife be the God of all your offspring! It is a great, an unfpeakably great thing, to be born again. How far that most inomentous work has taken place on their fouls, I know not. But may they ever tread in the religicus footsteps of their defervedly honoured father; and never forget, that the fame bleffed and triumphant confolations which enlivened his last hours, will alfo felicitate their lives, and brighten their deaths, if effectual grace render them partakers of like precious faith, with him, in the righteoufnefs of our God and Saviour. The prefence of our Lord Jefus Chrift. be with you all. Remember, that "Your Maker is your husband:" an hufband, who never dies, and who changes not. My kindest and most sympathifing refpects attend the two young ladies, and both the gentlemen. Adieu, until I have an opportunity of affuring you, by word of mouth, how much - I am, &c. Auguftus Toplady. LETTER LETTER LXXVII. To Mr. HUSSEY. Broad-Hembury, March 19, 1778. VERY DEAR SIR, THE hofpitable kindness of my old friend at Salisbury, detained me in that place, until Monday laft; in the afternoon of which day I fat forward for my own parish, and arrived here on Tuesday. I cannot boaft of any great effects, produced by the journey and by change of air. If my hoarfenefs abates, my cough comes on, with redoubled violence; and, if my cough grows favourable, the hoarfeness returns. But welcome, ten thousand times welcome, the whole will of God. I truft, his fpirit has begun to render me paffive in his bleffed hand, and to turn me as clay to the feal. I am enabled to be more than refigned: I am thankful for his every difpenfation, knowing them to be all ordered in faithfulnefs and love. I was unable to preach, while at Salisbury; and begin to apprehend, that I must not attempt to preach at my own Church, here, next Sunday. But though fuch abfolute ufeleffnefs is the most afflictive part of my prefent vifitation; yet, even this I can leave with God my Saviour, who is the governing head of his family, both in heaven and earth, and orders all things well. It is ftill my hope, and my intention, to return to town, in the courfe of next week. I am to have a fale of my furniture in my houfe here on Monday, and Tuesday next; and, I truft, the whole of that business will be accomplished in these two days, without detaining me longer. But, if otherwife, may I not venture to defer my return, until Monday the 30th, or Tuesday the 31ft, of this prefent month? I U 4 am am never fond of worldly bufinefs, and am now particularly difqualified for managing it well: but when once undertaken, I deem it my duty to go through with it, in the best manner I am able. Dear Mrs. Hufley, yourfeif, and all the flock of Christ who worship with us at Orange-ftreet, are much and deeply on my heart. And if I, a finful dying worm, feel fuch glowing affection for the people of God: oh, with what intenfenefs muft the Almighty Father love thofe whom he ordained to eternal life, before all worlds; and whom he gave to his Son to fave, and for whom he gave up the Son himself to the death of the cross! How aftonishingly, alfo, muft Jefus have loved his people, when he confented to difcharge their two-fold debt of perfect obedience and penal fuffering! And how are they loved by the moft holy and bleffed fpirit of grace, who converts, comforts, fanctifies, and feals them to the day of redemption ! May that three-fold love, the three-fold cord that can never be broken, be the present and eternal rejoicing of my much valued Mr. and Mrs. Huffey, and of their Obliged and affectionate fervant, P. S. I hope you had my letter from Sarum, dated the 11th inftant. It would rejoice me to have one from you. Go OD's good providence brought me hither, yefterday, early in the afternoon, quite unfatigued by my journey, and rejoicing in fpirit before him. It |