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comforts will be the stronger, the more sensible; or if the clouds thicken, and we are called to walk in the midst of trouble, we shall be better prepared for increased suffering. This is certain, God's ways are all judgment, and it is "if need be, we are in heaviness." Finally; revere God as a sovereign disposer of his favours, and lie at his feet as unworthy of the least of all of them. I believe we lose much by pride and impatience; we ask and have not, because we ask amiss; we ask as claimants, not as suppliants; we are ready to complain if we have not what we wish; and that, at the time we prescribe. We would presumptuouly rise on the throne of God, and direct the measures of his government, and the distribution of his favours; rather than lie at his feet as unworthy of any thing, and thankful for every thing his grace bestows. Had we more of this meek and lowly spirit, I have no doubt but God's visits would be more frequent, and his gifts more abundant. "He will beautify the meek with salvation." These are a few reflections which the disquietude you expressed have occasioned. Should God be pleased to render them of any advantage to you, I shall be thankful. May his richest blessing ever attend you, and perfect that which concerneth you, respecting both this world and another!

P. S. Though I have written so long a letter, I know not how to withhold some further particulars of advice which have since occurred to me. If after

every expedient you can try for satisfaction, as to the reality of your love to Christ and your interest in him, you still remain distressed with doubts, bring the matter to the test by such a question as this; Could I be reconciled to part with that faint and uncertain hope I still have, and be satisfied with the best inheritance the world could afford me?-If I do not greatly mistake, such a proposal as this, seriously made, would give you reason to believe that there is a secret tie betwixt Christ and your soul, which shall not be broken. You would find yourself like a ship at anchor, though tossed with tempests, yet not driven from its hold; or you would feel and make an effort like a child in the arms of his father, who threatens and feigns to throw him from his embrace; he would cleave yet the faster to him, and cry," My father, my father, thou art the guide of my youth! Whom have I in heaven but thee?" Once more: -If, after all, your soul is cast down within you, there is one method yet left; that is, to begin afresh the surrender of your soul to God. The door of mercy still stands open: the blood of Christ is yet sufficient to cleanse from all sin. Their soul shall live that seek God: no broken-hearted sinner, who longs for his salvation, and trembles at his word, can finally be rejected. Many times, I suppose, this has been found the readiest way to obtain comfort; but it is God's blessing which alone can render any mcans effectual; and while your eye and heart are towards him, there is no reason to doubt but that he will

satisfy the desire which his own Spirit has raised. Then shall you know, if you follow on to know the Lord.

J. BOWDEN.

LETTER XXXVII.

TO MR. AND MRS. R.

THE report of your recent affliction truly grieved and wounded me. I wish I could (not heal your yet bleeding wound;-that might be an injudicious expression of friendship, and snatch from you a benefit worth worlds, but) suggest a useful hint relating to the proper management of it. When I heard that God had forbidden your creature-joys, and had called for your child, I was pained, not because you were not to minister unto her, but because I knew you would be pained, though your fostering charge were committed to an angel. But I felt passions different from grief: I knew that the Lord is good; that when he takes what poor feeble sense lets go with a very unyielding hand, he often supplies the vacancy with what is a thousand times better. I remembered that he is a God of judgment, that he does nothing without design, and that his mercy is wont to take the lead in his determinations. My expectation, therefore, was awakened by this signal to hear what God would speak, and to notice the heavenly gifts he waited to dispense. You

are young adventurers on a perilous journey; you had need to be sober minded, and feel deeply the powers of the world to come. God has been pleased to take that to himself which, I hope, will constrain your thoughts to ascend to heaven, and help to raise your affections thither too. Nothing like affliction to give energy to prayer, to constrain us into the presence of God, and to help us to pour out our hearts before him! Well, if God give you a spirit of prayer, you will not long complain of his having introduced the grant by the severest stroke you ever felt. In order to secure this blessed issue, pray to God to help you to make this dear child a free-will offering: the Lord will graciously accept a gift thus offered, and will tenderly love the Giver: draw near to him, plead with him, for the privilege which belongs to his dear children, until he smile and send the Spirit of adoption into your hearts; then will you have gladness of heart in reviewing the way wherein the Lord hath led you about and instructed you.

J. BOWDEN,

LETTER XXXVIII.

TO MRS. S.

You will find us reduced to a small family. The scions are transplanted into different soils, and are become flourishing and fruitful. The parent stock stands alone; yet not, we hope, wholly barren. Heaven smiles upon it with refreshing influence still, causing it to bring forth some fruit, even in old age. We had gathered, in our wilderness travels, a little company around us, whose society cheered our daily toils; but they have been gradually separated in place, though not in affection. Some are in heaven; others are on their way thither. Our spirits sweetly converse with them. We trust we are in the same way, tending to one eternal home, under the same guidance, feeding on the same manna, and refreshed by the same Rock, although the communion of our bodily senses is interrupted, and we can scarcely expect to be associated in full fellowship again, until this interposing vail of flesh be rent: then will it be perfect love, expressed in sweetest endearments, capable of no abatement, liable to no interruptions, perpetually maintained by the immensity of His nature, who is love itself; perfect, celestial, eternal Love. This is a glorious hope: it were enough to reconcile us to a very dreary passage; but, blessed be our gracious Leader, he is often giving us a song,

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