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is far from being very great; for abundant grief is always abundant in words, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh; but here are but two pages, thinly filled, in his last epistle, and he had hard work to pump up even these small contents. But he tells me that he will leave his complaint upon himself, which I believe he may do, without being much burdened or bowed down. I am quite charmed to see him go on so well; "By the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better." The continual plague of the heart keepeth us from confidence in the flesh; it makes the mind cleave to the Saviour alone; it keeps our language pure from fleshly savour; it makes us speak evangelically; while the steadfastness of God's covenant, and his abundant mercy in keeping our souls in hope, serves to exalt the power of God, which appears all-sufficient in human weakness, and grace to reign, even when sin and Satan both combine against it. And, moreover, the Spirit at such times makes continual intercession for us, which appears by the deep sighs, the holy breathings, the fervent desires, the earnest cries, the pious longing, and blessed appetite that craves after the enjoyment of the bridegroom's presence, and at which times the new man and the renewed conscience, loathi the deceitful baits and delusive morsels that Satan, or flesh and blood, can present to the mind. At the bottom of all, even in desertions, there is a pure love to the Lord, a confidence that even this

shall work for good, and a hope of revivals and refreshings from the Lord's presence when he returns again; union with him is the groundwork, main-spring, and the root of all real and spiritual devotion, and all the beauties of holiness spring from this root, and the streams of heavenly adoration rise from this source.

The DOCTOR.

I

LETTER LXIV.

To the Rev. J. JENKINS.

HAVE often thought, and am now persuaded, that single men and old maids are strangers to paternal affections; or to that love, care, and concern that is so weighty to fathers and mothers in Israel. Yours informs me that it is now two months since you heard from me, which I believe is true, but one of those months elapsed before I received an answer to, (or rather an acknowledg ment of your fault in not answering) my kind and indulgent epistle. And when this formal scrap came, it only irritated me; I therefore resolved on the golden rule, to mete as you had measured: that is, to stay a whole month before I put pen to paper. And what tutor can condemn the pupil? What example can condemn the copier, if he treads in the leader's steps? Had I been answered under the influence that God conveyed by mine,

But

I had received some fruits from you, or at least mine own with usury. But I am put off with husks; there is no cluster to eat, when my soul desireth the first ripe fruits: and indeed, had you been within reach, I should have put off the Saxon and put on the ancient Briton, and have given you either the scourge of the tongue, or the onset of the Welchman: or else have proved what the law of Moses can do with an application. enough of this. Had I, or should I have, a thousand sons, the scrap of excellence stands as my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength; the right of the firstborn, and a double portion of all I have, is his; other sons have done wisely, but he excels them all. My God of late has been most kind, tender, and good to me; I have had much on my hands, my head, and my heart, but he brings me through with an high hand, mingling all my pleasing portions with a mixture of aloes, that the sweet taste of the little book may not lift me up above measure.

Adieu!

W. H.

No

LETTER LXV.

To the Rev. J. JENKINS.

o suffering fleet in a storm, no disabled vessel at tow, nay, Job's body in sore boils, with his

broken skin, and loathsome stench, was ever more visibly shattered, and rent, and torn, than this little part of the mystical body of Christ at Providence Chapel hath been by the instrumentality of a minister of Satan. I was jealous over them with a godly jealousy, but this turned to my reproach; I was then for a little while left to feel a spirit of heaviness, but meekness attended, and counteracted that: since which time no small share of spiritual might hath been afforded to the inner man, for which I bless and adore the best of friends. I stand my ground, and from my station they will not pull me down; God maintains my lot, which is to be as his mouth, and to burn incense. The tables are turned; my spirit of jealousy which operated upon me, is poured into their bosom who have hated me for telling the truth; they sit with leanness in their souls, dismay in their faces, and envy in their hearts; while those who abide by the old crib, and love clean provender, feed in all high places; and how the feast of these agrees with the fast of others, I will leave you to guess, who have so often read of their grudging who are not satisfied. The real wheat begins to fall together in the heap, and the chaff is gathered by the whirlwind out of the floor, and I am determined to purge out the old leaven that is left, if I have not a baker's dozen remaining; I mean thirteen. The name of Antinomian seems now to be wiped off; the pulpits call for candour and mantles of love; ministers

are called to suffer the loss of all things but their character; but that must be spared-yes, as God spared the reputation of Eli's sons. There hath been one awful stroke among us, and I call it Gad, for I think a troop will follow. Pray come up next Monday; and I think if you were to set off on the Sunday evening, you might come fifteen or twenty miles, which would help both your horse and you. But this I must leave; farewell. Ever thine, in fire and water,

W. HUNTINGTON.

I AM

LETTER LXVI.

To the Rev. J. JENKINS.

AM sorry to find that my friend is ill again. Some such flying reports have reached my ears, but from whence they originated I know not. I have been this week pondering on a fresh line of things, some new thoughts which came to me, on making some observations on the sudden changes.

of my frames; and how I felt myself when indulged, and how matters stood with me when these indulgences were denied me. I considered what Elihu called matter; "There is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding." This he calls wine in his belly that wanted vent, that it was ready to burst

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