he was; my gratitude flowed out as his love flowed in; he shined, and I saw his glory, faithfulness, and truth. Every thought went into sweet captivity to the obedience of him, and he met them, encouraged them, entertained them, and they sucked a sweetness from him, and returned with his thoughts towards me. When I lay down, there he was; if I awaked in the night, my heart fled to him, and he met it; a few sweet tears and silent blessings went up, and down 1 went again into beloved sleep; and in the morning early, when I awaked, he was still with me, and his language was, "Arise, my fair one, and come away;" and up I got, and longed for prayer to ease the bottle that wanted vent; and thus I continued for near a week, until no company suited me; the melting sense of his love, and a spirit of meekness, made me long for the hermit's cell. I was rather surprised at these indulgences, knowing that my weaning time has been over for some years, and the delightful bosom of the great Shepherd hath been left by me to hold the younger lambs. I went from the bosom many years ago to the knee, where, after a little dandling and shaking, I lost some of my pleasing heat; from the knee I went lower, and was set down at his feet to receive of his words; and this led my faith into the green pastures, where I fed on knowledge and understanding, and every fresh discovery was a new walk: but though this food was sweet, establishing, and satisfying, yet it was

a long time before I could cease craving after the breasts of consolation. From the green pastures I was turned adrift among the sheep, to go behind, to hear his voice, and follow him. But this last visit was much resembling the first; I could not tell what the visitation could mean, whether I was to set my house in order, or to prepare for another attack of the enemy; but I soon found it to be the latter, and do expect worse is coming on: however, I was sweetly composed and becalmed through the little trial, notwithstanding a few blustering winds whirled through my mind to disquiet me. I am now in my old post again, which is, holding fast what I have received, fighting against thieves that would rob me, and looking out for fresh attainments; but, above all, hoping for the glory that is to be revealed in us.

My eyesight gets very dim, my natural strength much abates, and many bodily infirmities creep on; nor do I expect to serve out my fourth apprenticeship; but I know whom I have believed. I am persuaded that our glorious day of visitation is going away; the sun is setting; the power of godliness is cut at, and ridiculed, by novices who are lifted up with pride; and full of hatred towards those who dare not say a confederacy. When this day goes, the major part of the children of light will go with it, and a dark night will succeed; and the hour of temptation will come on all the world to try them: and I am much mistaken if our present graceless professors,

who hate the power, and the preachers, and lovers of it, are not left to sustain this shock, in which God will make them manifest; "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation;" this is the Lord's watchword to us. I believe these words to be spoken even to us, to the small remnant in this our Sardis, who have not defiled their garments with heresy, popery, Arminianism, or any open sins, or scandal; who have not been left to go naked, so as for the enemies of the truth to see their shame; these, saith the Lord, "Shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy."

These last tidings of my son have rejoiced my heart: a little of the sweetness of thy visit reached me; the savour of his name will soon begin to spread itself, the power of the Spirit will go forth, the fame will go abroad, and the joyful sound will be known and obeyed. Every love-token will raise thine expectations, inflame thy desires, and increase thy longings, until every thought will be busy, every faculty of the soul in expectation, and the heart will be wide open to receive the King of kings; and every let, hinderance, or disappointment, will be attended with jealousy, love sickness, and fainting-fits; for when once he begins to tell thee all that is in thine heart towards him, and to shew thee his glory, there will be no more spirit left in thee; thou wilt be a dove without a heart, a creature without strength, a riddle without a meaning, a machine without a prin

eiple; for he will so swallow thee up in his glorious light and love, as nothing will be left thee but a blank or a dream. And thus I am come beforehand to anoint thee to this mystical burial and resurrection, under the operation of the Holy Ghost; under which change, old things will pass away, and all things will become new; thou wilt return to the days of thy youth, and thy flesh will be fresher than a child's; time will shew thee whether I am a liar or not. I wept over thine epistle with many tears, and blessed him for his mercy to thee, because he hath not cast off his kindness to the poor and needy; and because he hath confirmed the word of his servant, and performed the counsel of his unworthy messenger. I have long stood alone, not daring to come into the secret, into the assembly, which is so confused as to cry some one thing, and some another, the greater part not knowing wherefore they are come together; but now I expect a companion in travel, a true yokefellow, speaking the same things, treading in the same steps; a fellow-helper unto the kingdom of God, which stands in power; none but these, none but these. May the candle of God shine bright on thy head, and the dew of heaven lay on thy branch; may his glory be fresh in thee, and his secret upon thy tabernacle, is the prayer of,

Ever thine,

W. H. S. S.

LETTER LVII.

To the Rev. J. JENKINS.

Beloved of God, true Yokefellow, and faithful Companion.

I

HAVE just received the favour of thy last epistle, and thought it was long in coming; I was ready to say, Why tarry the wheels of his chariot, hath he not sped? But Cushi is come at last with good tidings, and has not run by the way of the plain, but is come in the safe and good old way of truth and tribulation; he looks not back, nor tarries in all the plain. To the mountain, my son, to the mountain where the King of kings keeps his court, and embraces every royalist that submits to his standard, sues for his favour, and accepts of the punishment of his rebellion. Ziba, the servant of Saul, hath belied thy servant; forget thee I do not, hate thee I cannot; he is one of them that sows discord among brethren: however, if he speaks fair believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart: he is the father of lies, and this is a child of his own, and I will not father his bastards, for I never conceived it nor brought it forth. No, my son, I have travailed again and again in birth till Christ be formed in thee; nor do I believe that I shall labour in vain, or bring forth for trouble, for I believe that I am one of the blessed of the Lord, and thou mine off