in Lincolnshire, about fifteen years ago, when I first set out in religion. Since that time I have past through various changes, and for the most part have dwelt in dreary deserts, on parched ground, yea, in a wilderness; till it pleased God to send you once more after me, where you found me, at C. Bucks, a little more than a year since; when your Father and my Father sent you with these words: "My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him; his seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven." These were the blessed words in the hand of the Spirit that brought me back to my Father's house in peace. I conferred no longer with flesh and blood, but set to searching my Bible, my Father's last will, for my portion, made over to me in that covenant made with David's Lord; and I have found it, blessed be his holy name! It came at an acceptable time, for I had spent my all, and got no better, but rather worse. I found it was an ancient promise; "He shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper; he shall redeem their souls from deceit and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight." It is a free gift, it is pure gold; and since it is gold, I hope, through grace, to be thrifty over it, and not lose a dust. But, Sir, it has cost me the loss of all my friends; but the loss of their favour I count my gain, since my wealth is concealed in the cross. Within these

last twelve months I have had the sorest trials from the temptations of the devil, and from the professing world; my whole frame, at times, was as though it was set on fire of hell; the enemies of my Lord, and his free grace, have beset me on every side; but, blessed be God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect, he hath enabled me to pray with David: "Remember ine, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people. O! visit me with thy salvation, that I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance!" Sir, since the Lord sent you with the joyful sound I never could sit any longer under any of the letter ministers; and because of this they harass me with the names of Antinomian, and a narrow soul; but, blessed be God, I know whom I serve in the Spirit of his Son, for he enables me, at times, to cry, Abba Father. I came to hear you at A. on Thursday evening, with a good appetite, and I had as good a supper as ever I had in my life; I was made drunk, but not with wine; my cup ran over. I had not one wink of sleep that night; I was very certain I had got Jacob's blessing, and run away with it; and I could not help subscribing with my hand to the Lord, and calling myself by the name of Israel. Before meeting I called at a house of one of Moses' disciples, there was S. M. with some more; I being like a speckled bird, they began to shoot at me, wondering that I could

find no preacher to suit me, asking me some foolish questions; I answered them in Solomon's words, which seemed to make their faces red. I thought of his fool, pestle, and mortar; but forbore speaking, for fear of losing my supper. The greatest crime was, I had left the means, and all God's people. I asked them where they thought God was worshipped? they said at M.; I brought this passage: "Thus saith the Lord, the heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool, where is the house that ye build unto me, and where is the place of my rest?" but they seemed to me neither to know Zion, nor Zion's God. You, Sir,

coming soon after to describe Zion literally, and then spiritually; that God had broke up housekeeping, and dwelt in the hearts of believers; and that she was redeemed with judgment and righteousness; judgment to satisfy divine justice, and righteousness to put on this comely woman; my heart was filled with joy and gladness, and I have been feeding on it ever since, and my soul says, What hath the Lord wrought? After meeting, I had a great desire to speak to my father; I came to the inn; it was I that took hold of your hand before that young man with light bushy hair; but seeing S. M. with whom I had been disputing, my courage failed, and, you not knowing me, I could hardly speak, but set off home, for fear of company, for I wanted to go alone. I was determined to send a few lines; I hope you, Sir, will excuse my freedom, as it is the first letter I ever

sent to a religious friend in all my life. May God bless you, and send you to M. again, with some more good news from heaven. God willing, I hope to spend one half hour with my father. I hope I shall not shame you, Sir; my outer dress is as good as any of Moses' disciples in M. though I count it but dung and dross.

I am,

Yours in the Lord,

and in the bond of the everlasting covenant,

J. F.

I

REJOICED at the reception of yours. I knew that I had been pursuing, but I knew not what; for sometimes we hunt a fox, sometimes a wolf, sometimes a roe, and sometimes a sheep; the two former to the wilderness, to their own covert, the latter to the King's dale and the good fold. Verily I say unto you, that there is joy in the presence of the angels of God when the lost sheep is found. If thou hast lost one earthly friend, my son, thou hast gained a thousand heavenly ones, which are

more precious and valuable. Those that come to mount Zion are never friendless nor desolate. Love unites us with the church of the firstborn, and with the spirits of just men made perfect: we come under the ministry of an innumerable company of angels, to God the judge of all, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel; and who can be friendless that is united to such a blessed company, and who have their conversation in heaven among them? O! how sensibly have I felt and enjoyed the presence of those, when my affections have been with my treasure, and when the visitations of God have preserved my spirit; when the glory of God hath been fresh in me, and his secret upon my tabernacle. These are pledges, earnests, and foretastes of the great reward; yea, the firstfruits of the Spirit, which ensure the whole harvest.

Seek the Lord, and thou shalt live; seek his face evermore: and, if Jesus is not to be found among thy acquaintance, quit them; if he is not to be found in the means, leave them also. Many congregations are like the Saviour's sepulchre after his resurrection, nothing is to be found but the grave-clothes and the napkin; I mean the external garb and the old vail; no light, no life. Seek not the living among the dead. To your closet, to your Bible, and to the fields to meditate: the soul that prays in secret shall be rewarded openly; the scriptures testify of Jesus; and, while