my affections over to him, and being wonderful in wisdom and grace, as I thought, he attached me closely to him, and I was very fond of him, for whatsoever he bound on earth, was bound in heaven with me, for I used to look upon him as an angel of light; for he used to speak so wonderfully of the perfections of our God, and the glorious attributes of Deity, that I have been very joyful to hear him. Sometimes I have mentioned the sweet communion that I have had with Jesus Christ, but he always cut at that, persuading me that it was nothing but the workings of my passions; and he being so wonderful in talk, he acted the part of a thief, stript me of my comfort, and stole my heart from Jesus; but I was so bound to him that this did not shake me off; though we had many ups and downs by the way, yet it was some time before we separated, although he used openly and wantonly to laugh at me on account of my experience; sometimes I was in his favour, and sometimes out. In his smiles was life with me, and in his frowns death, for I was always ready to take blame and shame to myself; but God has separated us, and we never came together since, and I believe we never shall, for he has mounted the scorner's chair.

After this I attended a little prayer-meeting in our town, where there are many professors. From these I have received many a wound: but, blessed be God, it was not fatal; for it used to

send me to a throne of grace to beg of God to teach me according to his promise.

It came to pass, on a time, that I met with my dearly beloved friend A. and I saluted him in the street, which surprised him, not knowing much of me since I have been in God's ways; but we have been bosom friends ever since, and we have often read your works together, and have rejoiced in the goodness of God to you-ward, and have been companions with you in tribulation. Your works have been a great support to us, both in spiritual and temporal trials, and we have great reason to pray for your prosperity while so many wish for your halting; but all that watch for iniquity shall be cut off. Some time ago I got hold of your book called The Child of Liberty in Legal Bondage,' and read it, and I saw myself described in it, and my situation, and the means that brought me into it; then I knew what was the matter with me, which led me to cry for liberty, and I have secretly longed to come at it by reading your works; but, blessed be God, he hath done it by your ministry, for he hath had respect to the desire of his poor extravagant son. I had some workings in my mind about the law; it was on the Wednesday before you came down, when this text was brought to me, "Whatsoever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law;" and this word, whatsoever, dwelt much on my mind, therefore I saw, from

that time, a believer is not under the law, for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. The Friday following this scripture came to my mind, "But what went you out for to see? a reed shaken with the wind;" which I took to be a reproof for my over anxiety to see you, for the devil pressed me so in the week with the supposed crowd that I thought it would be impossible to get to hear you; but, blessed be God, I did, and greatly to my satisfaction; and when you came to the prodigal son, it tallied exactly with my experience, and I firmly believed that there was something more in it for me, notwithstanding all that the devil could do to hinder my coming. When I came to G. I retired to a friend's apartment, and prayed to God that his word might come with power to my soul: and in very deed it did; for I never had experienced it in that way before. I have often longed and prayed to have a believing view of Jesus Christ in the garden, but I never could. Now, when you began to describe a true son of God, the light came into my heart like the twinkling of a little star, and got brighter and brighter, and I found the devil pecking at it, and you said, 'The enemy will come to take away the seed sown, and you will become unfruitful;' and that very word, unfruitful, was like a dagger to my heart, for I thought I had been unfruitful enough before. Then the word came again with such power to my soul, that I could not contain

myself; and when you said, "This, my son, was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found; and they began to be merry," these endearing words, from so loving a father, filled my very heart, till I dropt down upon my seat, and thought my heart would burst with a mixture of joy and grief; this is what I never felt before, though I have often longed for it.

This holy mourning over him came on me again the day you left G. and I was obliged to turn aside to give it vent. This spiritual meekness does not consist in a gloomy and downcast countenance, which is highly esteemed by some, who know nothing about it, though they try to mimic it; but the love, joy, and peace, that comes by believing, is more to me than my necessary food, it makes me stand in full confidence of my eternal safety. O that the simplicity of Christ may never be withdrawn from me! But, truly, if I had continued in that frame of soul that I was in, I could not have done my business; for my heart and affections were so drawn up into heaven, that I really forgot what I was about. One morning, as I awoke early, this passage came to my mind, "I sleep, but my heart awaketh, it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled, for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night." This came with such power, and with such delight, as I cannot describe; but still I fear, because I have such

a natural propensity to get into the old legal way again, which causes me to cry to God that he would not let me be bereft of the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus; for I protest, before God, I would sooner lose my life than lose it: but the Lord has given me a tender conscience, and a filial fear, and in some measure the discerning of spirits, which I hope will be of use to me. Pray for me, for you are in my heart to live and die with you; therefore I hope you will excuse my familiarity with you, for I cannot help making free, seeing God hath shined through you, and spoken by you, to my heart, which I shall never forget. The fruits and effects of the spirit of bondage I have left out, seeing they are so fully described in your above-mentioned book. And now, Sir, I know your goodness will excuse my boldness with you, seeing it is intended to God's glory, and to strengthen your hands in the work. So I remain your very affectionate and loving son, T. W.

LETTER XXXVIII.

To T. W.

I RECEIVED my dear friend's epistle. The con

tents are, that his name is still great among the Gentiles, and an ointment poured forth to all that