godliness, but I fear they are destitute of the power; nay, I believe in my heart that some of them hate it and them that speak of it. Sometimes I have found gratitude and thankfulness flow out to the Lord for choosing such an one as me out from among them, who am so vile and ignorant, and while he hath left so many behind that are so wise and prudent; but they read the Bible to us, and put their own constructions on it, and speak against the doctrine that you preach, though I know it is the truth; this puzzles and frets me so that I can scarce bear to sit to hear it; but this I do know, that the Lord opened this door to me, and has blessed me in it, so that I am afraid of doing any thing without seeing his hand going before me.

I have desired often to speak to you, but have been afraid to come. When I first began to write this, I was very happy in my soul, which comfort came under a discourse which you had preached. Then I thought I would tell you what the Lord had done for me under your ministry, but a fear of pride and presumption seized me, so that I gave over, and locked the scraps up; but finding the Lord precious to me soon after, I could not be satisfied without letting you know it. I thought I would send a few lines, but none of that which I had written before; but these words came to my mind, "What I have written, I have written;" so then I began to join more to the old piece, and have blundered on thus far, but I fear in such

manner that you will not be able to read it; but it is the truth, and I hope you will pardon the liberty I have taken; and may the Lord bless you and yours. So prays

Your humble servant and sincere follower,

LETTER VI.

To L. A.

L. A

MY SISTER AND DAUGHTER IN CHRIST JESUS,

THINE epistle came safe to hand, a love letter written under the influence of divine love, and is the blessed effects of a love-visit, and the comfortable and sure tokens of the divine Wooer and everlasting Lover of poor perishing sinners. Thou art in covenant with God, within the bonds of it, in eternal union with him. Upon the servant, upon the handmaid, he hath poured out his Spirit. Say, Amen, and put thy seal to this, that he is true; and I say God shall confirm it, that the Coalheaver hath one more seal to his commission, one more fruit to his labour, one more jewel to his future crown of joy and rejoicing, and God shall add

to me another daughter. Labour and travail in soul and body I do; and not a few children appear in the world as the blessed effects of my labour in this miserable age of empty profession, abounding error, and super-abounding iniquity. I have, by the good hand of my God upon me, met thee in the covenant head, in the unity of faith; and by by the ties of love I am one with thee in the chief corner stone; and, if I never see thee in the flesh, I shall meet thee with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God. Every member of the old man will annoy thee; many snares, traps, and nets, will be set and spread for thee by Satan. Beware of these, beware of men; but, above all, beware of the ministers of Satan, and of presumptuous, arrogant, lascivious, and wanton professors, who are the filth of Zion, the chaff in the floor, the spots in our feasts, the hypocrites in the family, the allies of Satan, and the fuel of hell. From all these may the Lord of all lords deliver thee; Amen, and amen, says

Thy willing servant in Christ Jesus,
W. H. S. S.

Church Street, Paddington.

LETTER VII.

To the Rev. Mr. HUNTINGTON.

I

MY DEAR SIR,

RECEIVED your last favour, and kindly thank you for it. I beg you would put yourself to no inconveniency on my account, though I much long to see you, in hope of receiving a second benefit, yet I know the Lord's time is the best. It is the greatest satisfaction to me to hear from you, as I know not of any other friend and helper in the world besides; and truly glad am I to hear that you overcome and tread down their strength. Could I as clearly see, and be as fully persuaded, that the Lord's hand will be seen towards me, as I am that it works for you, and will to the end, I should then be very happy; but unbelief makes me stagger, and doubting the desired end brings me at times nearly to the point of giving all up, and to run away somewhere, I know not where. But still here I am, moving on so slowly that I cannot see that I go at all; yet I can see, by your writings, that I know more and more, and that I learn something daily. But surely it is light given to one whose way is hid, and whom the Lord hedges in. I have seen a deal of the Lord's good

ness, much long-suffering he has exercised towards me, and I know he has heard my prayer in many things: he heard me and helped me when I was brought low, and none but himself could; he shewed me my awful state by nature and by practice, and the mystery of iniquity that was in my heart, together with my daring and bold presumption on him without any warrant or leave from him, at the sight of which I thought there was no mercy for me: but he was pleased to give hope, and hope supported me, and has to this day; and I believe too, that he has put his truth in my heart and in my mouth, and you would hardly believe with what ease, light, and liberty, I can of late deliver it; but after all, barren I am, barren are my thoughts, barren is my heart, unfruitful and unsuccessful; yet there is a secret something that tells me it will not be so always; but I cannot believe it, because I can see no prospect of it, nor the least appearance of it; looking for the word to prevail among the people, but no sign of it; the inhabitants of the world do not fall, nor are they likely to it, as I can see; and indeed how can I expect it, whilst I am so barren myself. I have been more pestered, of late, with vain and evil thoughts, than I can well tell you. I have cried to the Lord against them, and he is pleased to remove them for a season, but they return again. Į know Satan tries to entangle me, but he has not been able to succed yet, and I hope he never will. There is such a deal of iniquity in my heart, and