row, the execution of it, the excellency of the power, and the different effects produced, are of God, not of us: my counfel fhall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; my word fhall not return void, it fhall accomplish the end for the which it is fent, and profper in the thing that pleases me. They went forth and wrought, and the Lord worked with them, confirming the word with figns: they delivered his whole counfel, and left him to make application. A preacher doth not always communicate his own frame. I have known two friends come under the word together-one in deep distress of foul, the other in carnal eafe; one was healed, and the other wounded; the fame difcourfe which led one to the Rock, plunged the other into the horrible pit. Sometimes, in defcribing a child of God and the bleffedness of his ftate, another hath been enlightened to see that he had neither part or lot in that matter; he hath been convinced, judged, and condemned, and the thoughts of his heart made manifeft. When an affembly meets together, one is in bondage, another in liberty; fome comfortable, fome in bitternefs; one is tempted, another tried; one a backflider, another is fixed; one under perfecution, and another under fpiritual defertion-and the word of the Lord is profitable for intruction, correction, reproof, and comfort--that each may have his portion of meat in due feafon. Paul was enlarged, when the Corinthians were ftraitened; his mouth. was open, when their hearts were clofed: one may be joyful, and another jealous; one comes hungry and is filled, another comes full and is fent empty away. The more you scatter, the more you will increase; and as you water others, your own well will spring, and flow freer and freer, and run purer and purer-the old veil and the weeds that are wrapped about thy head, will vanish and disappear as the fun rifes upon thee. I am fully perfuaded that thy neck is intended for the yoke, and when thy will is refigned to the will of the Lord thou fhalt have the light of his countenance, and the teftimony of his Spirit; but all the time thy face is fet for Tarfus, the ftorm will, more or lefs, pursue thee. And thus it fhall be done to the man that refuses to build his brother's houfe, and especially the house of that brother that was born for adverfity; and that man's house shall be called, in Ifrael, the house of him that hath his fhoe loofed; or the man, whofe feet are not shod with the preparations of the gospel of peace. Take it in the rough, time is precious with me; for I must work if you will not, and fo fhall you, or fmart for it. LETTER XI. To the Rev. Mr. HUNTINGTON. REV. SIR, I AM this morning, February 22, at Ninfield, and am now thinking what company there will be to-morrow at the doctor's houfe. I wish I could be there among them. My heart is there; and if I had but a pair of wings, I would drop in upon them early in the morning; but I am doomed to wander in the wealds of Suffex, and have no power to come out of this wilderness. I cannot get as far as the metropolis. Nothing is to be heard in now, but the landing of the French. in an uproar. When I left Lin a commotion. this country They are all the town was Several farmers' waggons were preffed, &c. &c. This had spread such a rumour, that several were ready to fet off; others reported that the French fleet ftood off Brighton, I know not what the Almighty is about to do, but I cannot believe, fome how, that he will fuffer the Fnow to land. You know he himself defeated their late late attempt, and he is able yet to do it again. I have found lately power and liberty in my spirit to plead with him, and he fuffered me to put in my plea with boldness, and I thought it was a strong one. The fhepherd's care is never more confpicuous than at the time of yeaning; wolves and dogs are then particularly guarded againft; and you know there is a little of this work going on now in England-here is a few, and though but a few, his promife is, to gather them with his arms, and to lead gently those that are with young. But if we are to have their government, they will not then be led gently. I can fee what we are to expect, by the fample before me. But it is faid they will give liberty to all. This I do not doubt: they will give liberty to every one to knock his neighbour on the head, if he fhould ftand in his way. And doubtlefs they will give full liberty to Deifts, Atheists, Socinians, Arians, Papifts, Arminians, and Libertines; but the free Spirit of Jefus they will never fuffer to have his liberty, if they can prevent it-this they hate worse than the devil himself. From their government may heaven fave us all!` I hope he yet will. It may not be too late; if all join in this bufinefs, who knows what we can do? Have you the fubject the fubject on your mind? and have you any thing to propofe on it? If you have, I wifh to hearken to it. I have fome good news to tell you yet. I have feen fome looking out of darknefs fince ***. My dear |