pleases God that it should be so, that we may not forget our base original; that we may be on our guard, and be kept diligent, watchful, and humble; knowing we have an army of enemies within, and a furious king without, who stirs up and heads these troops that war against the soul. We cannot say, when the prince of this world cometh to us, as Christ did; namely, that he hath nothing in me;" but, contrariwise, when the prince of this world cometh unto us he hath always an army on his side against the daily sacrifice, the devil hating prayer. But what shall harm us who deny self in her sinful requests, and take up this crossthese two laws, so contrary the one to the other, and follow Christ in the regeneration, which is following him in love to him, or because we love him? Now when this law in the members works Christ is hidden, which is our grief; for if he was not withdrawn it could be no cross; for what can trouble us if his presence be with us? This always makes us hunger and thirst after him, and quickens us to seek him; it damps and deadens us to the world, and makes us sick of all; for when he is absent nothing can fill the vacancy; nothing can compensate or repair the loss. This shews the sincerity of the heart, and the genuineness of grace: and, as soon as this fit of unbelief subsides, how sweet is the least glimpse, how precious every soft word,

how welcome the least encouragement, and how delightfully is the soul melted into gratitude when once more favoured with nearness of access to him?

This, my dear brother, is going in and out, and finding pasture. The former conflict gives us an appetite, the latter indulgence is a sweet repast. This is the way that I have ever gone, and this is the way that I go now. Thus the Father, who is called the husbandman, purges every branch that is in the living vine; and this is done that it may bring forth more fruit; and every time the branch is purged the union with Christ is discovered again, and godly sorrow and humbling grace are received from his fulness, which alone makes us fruitful. Purging is to try us, to discover sin, to empty us of self, and to humble us; and renewings of love, revivals of the work wrought, and of the hope given, always cause a flourishing again. Be of good cheer, nothing above or below shall ever separate us from him. God bless you both; you are in my heart to live and die with you. Your affectionate pastor, brother, and friend, in tribulation,

W, HUNTINGTON, S. S.

CLXXXVIII.

DEAR FRIEND,

Sept. 12, 1800.

I was sorry to hear of your severe illness. However, I am fully persuaded that you are fixed upon the foundation that God has laid in Zion. And I am as sure that every shake loosens and unsettles us more and more from the flesh, and makes the Rock appear more manifest, more firm, and our standing upon it more and morę clear to us. Upon this Rock the building of mercy stands; God founded it, and the Holy Spirit raises up the fabric; and the winds, rains, and floods, are intended to try it; but it cannot be moved, being founded upon a rock; nor can sin and death prevail against it. Christ's eternal love to us, and our love springing from his, form the grand cement that unites the foundation and the superstructure together. This, my daughter, is our safety, our grand security, and our stability: and all the attempts of earth and hell against it serve only to con vince and shew us how firm it stands, and how feeble and vain are all the attempts that are made against it. "God hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it." Every trial, my daughter, serves to strengthen

this union, and moves us more and more from all and every thing that is not Christ; he is all, and in all; and the nearer the end, the more plain this appears; and all other things vanish, as this appears full and sufficient,

Farewell! Miss S. is better. Love to the Doctor.

CLXXXIX.

S. S.

Feb. 10, 1802.

Doctor Sack to his Sister Taff.

BELOVED,

GRACE and

peace be multiplied to thee through our Lord Jesus Christ. I was glad at my heart, and thankful to my God, to hear that you was better, and down stairs again. Surely "our God is the God of salvation, and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death;" for he brings down to the grave, and lifteth up; "he wounds and his hands make whole." Nothing encourages faith more than the returns of prayer; divine gains make the wise merchantman love to occupy, and diligent in seeking, goodly pearls. But the intercourse is not always open; the fair havens are not always ac

cessible: still, however, business is going on in our behalf, by him that entered within the vail; who appears in the presence of God for us, perfuming our prayers with his sacrifice, with the fulness of his grace, and with the unction and consecration of his everlasting priesthood, himself being priest, altar, sacrifice, and intercessor. And how prevalent must our poor prayers be when put up in his name, in the faith of him, and under the influence of his spirit; attended with a pleading of his promises, laying hold of his strength, and relying upon his merits, and the faithful discharge of his offices!

I direct this to the Doctor; but tell him it is not for him, but for my countrywoman. I am one of those that creep into houses, and lead captive silly women; and am not a little delighted when I can see a few of these poor captives following my Master in chains, making supplication and bitter weeping for him. He loves a broken-hearted sinner, and I love him for it. Adieu! Grace and peace be with thee. My love to the Captain and his white serjeant; to the Doctor, and all friends.

W. H. S. S.