U.3 :o/ 
 
 PBESENTED TO THE LIBRABY 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICHL SEMINKRY 
 
 Professor H«'^*'y ^o*^ Dyke, D.D., liLk.D. 
 
 Hervey, James, 1714-1758. 
 The works of James Hervey . . 
 
 
 . Ja 
 
THE 
 
 WORKS 
 
 or 
 
 JAMES HERVEY, M.A. 
 
 LATE RECTOR OF WESTON FAVELL, 
 IN NORTHAMPTOKSHIRE. 
 
 A NEW AND COMPLETE EDITION, 
 IN SEVEN VOLUMES. 
 
 VOL. VL 
 LETTERS. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON, 
 NO. 62, ST. Paul's ciiurcii-yard ; 
 
 BY BY£ AND LAW| ST. JOHn'S SQUA&Ef CL3RB£NWELL« 
 
 1804. 
 
SERMONS, 
 
 ISCELLANEOUS TRACTS, 
 
 AND 
 
 LETTERS. 
 
 BY JAMES HERVEY, M. A. 
 
 LATE RECTOR OF WEiTON FAVELL, IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 
 A NEW EDITION, 
 
 IN FOUR VOLUMES, 
 
 Whidi, with the MEDITATIONS and CONTEMPLATIONS^, 
 and THERON and ASPASIO, complete 
 
 MR. HER.VEY's WORKS, 
 
 VOL. III. 
 
 illSCELLANEOUS LETTERS, AND LETTERS TO 
 LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 
 
 LONDON: 
 PRINTED FOR F.^ND C RIVINGTON, No 61, 3T. PaxJL's CHURCH YARD. 
 
 MDCC XCVII. 
 
CONTENT 
 
 Letter 
 
 CXUI. 
 
 Page 
 
 Remarks on the earneft Invitation to the 
 Friends of the ejiahlijhed Church, with 
 a Prayer for their Ufe 
 Remarks on good JVorks 
 On 4ffli5lions _ - - 
 
 Advice to a Phyfician 
 On uhe State of the Saints after Death, 
 and previous to the Refurre6fion 
 On Dr. Doddridge's Correction of bis 
 JVorks _ - - - 
 
 Various Obfervations 
 On Saurin's Sermons 
 On various Subjects _ - - 
 
 On Marjhall — a Scriptural Criticifm 
 A flotation from Luther on Chrifi's 
 Power to fave ; to which is added, Mr. 
 Boyfe's Letter _ _ - 
 
 On the Manner in which the Poor receive 
 
 the Gofpel of Chrift 
 
 Comfort under Afflitfion — On the Battle 
 
 of the Sexes _ - - 
 
 On the Power and Mercy of Chrifi 
 
 On a Friend's providential Efcape 
 
 Various Remarks — Jenks's Victory of 
 
 Chajlity recommended - - 39 
 
 CLVIU. On various Stibjefls - - 42 
 
 CLIX. Remarks on Alfop's Anti-Sczzo - 44 
 
 CLX. On different Subjects - - 48 
 
 A 3 CLX 
 
 CXLIU. 
 CXLIV. 
 CXLV. 
 CXLVI. 
 
 CXLVII. 
 
 CXLVIII 
 CXLIX. 
 CL. 
 CLI. 
 
 cm 
 
 CLm. 
 
 CUV. 
 
 CLV. 
 CLVI. 
 
 CLvn 
 
 I 
 II 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 16 
 
 CO 
 21 
 
 23 
 25 
 26 
 
 28 
 32 
 
 37 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Letter Page 
 
 CLXI. Burnham's Behaviour in his Illnefs cen- 
 Jured- — Hints for Survivors — The Ccn- 
 
 verfton of a Libertine - - 51 
 
 CLXII. On the Value of Life - - 5^ 
 
 CLXIII. Scriptural Criticijms - - 57 
 
 CLXIV. On various Subje5fs - - 62 
 
 CLXV. On fome fcri-ptural Difficulties - 64 
 CLXVI. On various Suhje^s - ^66 
 
 CLXVII. On the Mercy of the Redeemer - 69 
 CLXVni. On Chrifi's^ Ability and Willingnefs to 
 
 fave - - - - 72 
 CLXIX. A Jerious Exhortation to Repentance. 
 To Richard Najh, EJq. Mafier of the 
 
 Ceremonies at Bath - - 75 
 
 CLXX. On the Benefits of Affi^ion '- 81 
 
 CLXXI. How to condiiot Controverfy - 88 
 
 CLXXIL Franck's Nicodemus recommended - 92 
 
 CLXXIII. Remarks on various Authors - 94, 
 CLXXIV. On Mr. VVefleys Prefervative from 
 
 unfettled Notions in Religion - 97 
 CLXXV. On the Publications of his Fafi Ser- 
 mons - - - - 99 
 CLXXVI. The Reafon why many learned Men 
 
 treat Religion with Indifference - 100 
 
 CLXXVII. On Mr. IVefley' s unfair Dealing - 104 
 CLXX VIII. A Caution againfl judging of Mens* 
 
 States - - - - 106 
 
 CLXXIX. On Zimmermann - - iiq 
 
 CLXXX. On various Suhje^s - - iii 
 
 CLXXXI. On Comfort in Afflicl ion - - 112 
 
 CLXXXIL Obfervaticns againfl Defpair - 114 
 CLXXXIII. Exultation on the Spread of the 
 
 Gcjpel. To the Rev. Mr. Whitefield 1 17 
 CLXXXIV. On various Subje^s - -119 
 
 CLXXXV. On the fcriptural Poems - 121 
 
 CLXXX^T. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Letter Pat^e 
 
 CLXXXVI. Re^narks en different Bocks ~ ii% 
 CLXXXVII. On Man's trufting to his own 
 
 IVorks - - - - 124 
 
 CLXXXVIII. Remarks on various Authors - 126 
 
 CLXXXIX. On Bogatzkfs Golden Treajure - 128 
 
 CXC. On being courageous for Chrift - 130 
 
 CXCI. On the Benefits of Self-Examination - iji 
 CXCII. Remarks on the Letters on Theron and 
 
 Jjpafio '. . - . - 133 
 CXCIII. The Doffrines of the Go/pel have no 
 Tendency to Licentioufnefs — The Excel- 
 lency of the Bible — The Character of 
 
 one not fit to be a Companion - 135 
 
 CXCIV. On frejenting a Lady with a Rcje - 142 
 
 CXCV. On the Conjolation of the G of pel - ih. 
 
 CXCVI. On Mr. IVefiefs Letter - - 146 
 CXCVII. On the Excellency of the Knowledge of 
 
 Chrift - - - . ih. 
 
 CXCVIII. On various Subje^s - - J48 
 CXCIX. On Earneftnejs in Religion — Remarks 
 
 on Mr. Law - - _ i^i 
 CC. Downame's Ch-riftian Warfare — Luthefs 
 
 Hymn - - - - 154 
 
 CCI. On various Subjects - - - "^59 
 
 ecu. Advice to Phyficians - -- - 161 
 CCIII. Rymer on Revealed Religion — Remarks on 
 
 the Death of Swift and his Dcfign -^ 164 
 
 CCIV. On Wither fpoon's EJfay - - 16S 
 
 CCV, On his Illnefs - - - \~j 1 
 CCVI. Scriptural Criticifm — Obfervations on his 
 
 Friends - - - - ^73 
 CCVII. Remarks on the Letters of Theron and 
 
 Afpafio - - - - 175 
 CCVIII. A fcriptural Criticifm - -177 
 
 CCIX. On his Illnefs - - - 179 
 
 CCX. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 letter Page 
 
 CCX. On frofaning the Lord's Day — On Re- 
 proof- — On various Authors - 180 
 
 CCXL On variGus Siibje^s - - 184. 
 
 LETTERS TO LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 
 
 I. On the Uwj:)Qrthinej5 of the Creature^ and the 
 
 divine Mercy - - -"^93 
 
 II. TVith a Prejent of his Books — On tfhe divine 
 
 Mercy - - - - 196 
 
 III. On her Prefent to him — On the divine Blejfings 1 97 
 iV. On the Excellency of the BiMe, and her Vifit 
 
 to him _ _ _ _ 200 
 
 V. Pious Wifhes for her _ _ _ 203 
 
 VI. On the Truth and Excellency of the Holy 
 
 Scriptures _ _ _ 203 
 
 VII. On the Death of the Prince of JVales — The 
 
 Character of true Chrijlians - 205 
 
 VIII. On his ill Health — Declining her Invitation 208 
 
 IX . On the Funeral of the Prince of Wales — On 
 
 the Love of Chrifl - -210 
 
 X. On preferring the Country to .Town — The 
 
 Beauties of Creation - - 214 
 
 XL On the Loving-Kindncfs of Chrifl — Remarks 
 
 en the Ufe of the Microfcope - 216 
 
 XII. On Peace of Mind^ and a charitable Spirit 219 
 Xill. On prefenting a Tyacl to her — Remarks on 
 
 the divine Promt fes - -221 
 
 XIV. On Recovery from a dangerous Illnefs — On 
 
 the Plan of his Dialogues and Letters ii/[. 
 
 XV. On 
 
CONTENT S. 
 
 Letter 
 
 XV. On the Death cf a Prince — On the happy 
 
 Death of a young Lady 
 
 XVI. On the Nature and Excellency of Faith - 
 
 XVII. On his Recovery — Mr. Romaine's Preach- 
 
 ing — Dr. Doddridge's dangerous Ilhiejs 
 
 XVIII. On the various EffeEls of true Faith 
 
 XIX. On the Origin mid the divine ObjcSl of true 
 
 Faith _ - - - 
 
 XX. On the particular Spot zvhere Chrifl was 
 
 crucified — Remarks on Chriflmas 
 
 XXI. Remarks on the Greatnejs and Glories of 
 
 the Saviour _ _ _ 
 
 XXII. On the Inter ceffion of the Lord Jefus 
 
 XXIII. On concealing her Letters — On the Excel- 
 
 lency of the Knczvledge of Chrifi 
 
 XXIV. On Mr. WhitefeWs Voyage to America 
 
 -—On the Love of Chrifi — Its Original 
 — Commencement — Duration — Effe5ls 
 and Fruits - 
 
 XXV. On a providential EJcape from a Fire - 
 
 XXVI. Reflections and Improvements on Sicknefs 
 
 XXVII. Remarks en the Execution of a Soldier^ 
 
 applied to the divine Mercy 
 XXVin. On his own State of Mind-^On the 
 Mercy of the Saviour 
 
 XXIX. On the Death of his Father , and his 
 
 taking the Living of IVefton 
 
 XXX. On his Journey thither — Willingnejs to 
 
 print in Defence cf Scripture 
 
 XXXI. On his Chaplainfhip^A Defcripticn cf 
 
 Weflon — His firfi Sermon there 
 
 XXXII. On the Bifhop of Norwich— On the 
 Priviledge of Prayer 
 
 X^fXIU. On his taking the Living of ColUngtree 
 — His firfi Sermon there^On burning 
 her Letters 
 
 
 21J 
 230 
 
 232 
 
 234- 
 
 237- 
 
 2-39- 
 
 241 
 244 
 
 2^9 
 
 251 
 256 
 25S 
 260 
 266 
 267 
 270 
 
 ^75 
 
 XXXIV, 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Letur 
 
 Page 
 
 XXXTv^. 0/7 a Publication — JJks to dedicate it 
 to her Lady/hip — On the Imputation of 
 Chrift's Pdghteoujnejs - - I'jj 
 
 XXXV. On the Di/app ointments of the V/orld 280 
 
 XXX VL On the Dedication to her - - 281 
 
 XXX V II. On his being overthrown in a Car- 
 riage — Divine Mercies - - 283 
 
 XXXVIIL On his firft Sermon : the unfearch- 
 able Riches of Chrifl — On her declining 
 the Dedication - - - 2 8 5 
 
 XXXIX. On applying for Franks — On puhliJJj- 
 
 ing his Remarks on Lord Bolingbrcke 288 
 
 XI.. On feme Franks being refufed him — On the 
 
 divine Love of Chrifi - - 290 
 
 XLI. Apologies for his Wa/rmth — Chrijtian Com- 
 mand of Temper - - ■" ^93 
 
 XLII. On publiffing his Remarks - - 295 
 
 XLIII. An Application to her Bounty to relieve 
 
 the diftreffed ■ - - - i<)'j 
 
 XLIV. On acknowledging her Bounty to the Poor 299 
 
 XLV. The Scriptures Conflation in AfiiBion — 
 
 The Benefit of Temptations - 300 
 
 XLVI. On prefenting his Remarks on Lord Bo- 
 
 lingbroke — On Dr. Hales - - 304- 
 
 XLVII. An Explanation to be made to Dr. Hales 305 
 
 XLV III. On htr intended Kindnefs to him — On 
 
 his Illnefs - - - 30^ 
 
 XLIX. Remarks on Gen. ix. ic^—On the Snow — 
 
 On the Divinity of the Saviour - 308 
 
 L. Reflexions on fudden Death — On Preparation 
 
 for it - - - - 3 J I 
 
 LI. On his Illnefs — On St. John's being in the 
 Spirit — On the Character of Chrifl as 
 Alpha and Omega - ~ fij 
 
 UI. On. the Character of Chrifl as Prophet, 
 
 Prieflj King, the Alpha and Omega - 317 
 
 Un. On 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 • 
 
 I'ettel- Page 
 
 LIII. On the Want of religious Acquaintance — The 
 All-Jufficiency of Chrijl — Remarks on 
 an Author - - - 322 
 
 LIV. Ilis Requefi of a fetv Franks — On the Love 
 
 of Cbrifi - - - 3^4 
 
 LV. On the Benefit of Sicknefs — On the Mercy 
 
 and the Sufferings of the Saviour - 326 
 LVI. On the Excellency of the Bible — On im- 
 proving from the Scenes of Nature - 328 
 LA^IL On the Humiliation and Lo'ne cf Chriji 23'^ 
 
 LVIII. On fpiritual Peace - - "333 
 
 LIX. On receiving fome Franks — On refiraining 
 
 Grace-— 'On the divine Righteoufnefs 336 
 
 LX. Remarks on the State of his Mind — On the 
 
 Excellency of Chriji - - 2 2^ 
 
 LXI, On Chrifv as the Place of Refuge - 342 
 
 LXII. On the Myfiic Authors— On the Chrijiian's 
 
 Profpetls beyond the Grave - 34^ 
 
 LXIII. On his Silence and Illnefs - - 34-7 
 
 LXIV. Reflections on the Incarnation of the Lord 
 ■ Jefus — Dr. Shjickford's Approbation of 
 his Remarks - - - 34^ 
 
 LXV. On the Improbability cf the Prince being 
 
 pleafed "juith his fVritings - - 752 
 
 LXVL On Chriflian Humility — On true Applaufe 2 S3 
 LXyil. On feafonable Rains after a Drought — 
 On the Scripture Prornifes — On his 
 Publications - - ~ 3S^ 
 
 LXVni. On burning her Letters — On her Bounty 
 — On Difference of Opinions — On bis 
 Publications ~ - ^ 3S^ 
 
 LXIX. On the Plan of his Theron and Afpafio 361 
 LXX. On the Dedication to her - - 2^3 
 
 Vol, m. a LXXI. 
 
• 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Letter 
 
 LXXI. 
 
 On frejenting his Piece to the Princefs — 
 
 His Letter from the Bifbcp of Peter- . 
 
 borough _ - _ - 
 
 LXXII. Remarks on Adulation 
 LXXIII. On the Prince's reading his Books 
 LXXIV* On Illnefs — On F^eftgnaticn to the divine 
 
 Will — On his Difagreement with Mr. 
 
 "John JVeJley - - - 
 
 LXXV. On the Dedication of Theron and Jfpafio 
 
 to her - - - - 
 
 LXXVI. On a Prejent being intended for him — 
 
 His Wiflo for Houbiganfs Hebrew Bible 
 LXXVIl. On his Works —Remarks on Mr, Lazv's 
 
 Writings _ _ _ 
 
 LXXVIII. On receiving a Prejent of Books frcim 
 
 her - _ _ _ 
 
 LXXIX. Requejls to hear what Faults are found 
 
 with his Writings 
 LXXX. On her early rijing — On his Manner of 
 
 Preaching _ _ _ 
 
 LXXXL On his Letter from the Bijhop — On the 
 
 Excellency of Chrifl 
 LXXX 11. On the Bible and his Letters 
 LXXXlIf. On various Suhje^s - -» 
 
 LXXXIV. On a Vifit from Mr. T . Re- 
 
 marks on Dr. Ofij'p 
 LXXXV. Remarks on Predejlination 
 LXXXVI. Enquiring after her Health 
 LXXXVII. On the Excellency of the Holy Scrip- 
 tures _ _ - - 
 LXXX VIII. Refiemons on Sicknejs - 
 LXXXIX. On the King of PruJJia—Chrijl All 
 
 in All — On Build in? 
 XC. On openly acknowledging the Saviour — Why 
 be prints his Name in Capitals 
 S 
 
 Pas© 
 
 366 
 
 370 
 
 373 
 
 375 
 377 
 
 379 
 380 
 
 382 
 
 3S4 
 
 386 
 
 387 
 
 39^ 
 392 
 394 
 
 395 
 
 - 400 
 
 401 
 XCI. 
 
CONTENTS. ^t> 
 
 *^etter Page 
 
 XCI. On entire Devotednefs to God - ^ 40 j 
 
 XCII. On a Poem called the Arbour — On Prayer 406 
 XCIII- Dr. Criffs Sermons recommended — On 
 
 Mr. T _ - _ 4oy 
 
 XCIV. On Mr. K . On Dr. Crijfs JVrilings 410 
 
 X C V. On being confined by Sicknefs — Recommend- 
 ing a Servant — On Mr. Whitefield' s 
 
 Condu5i - - - - ^i:i 
 XCVI. On her lending Theron and AJpafio — On 
 
 Mr. T 's Chamber of him - 416 
 
 XCVII. On building a new Houje - - 418 
 XCVIII. On the Danger of the World— On Im- 
 
 -patience of Temper - r 4 1 9 
 XCIX. On the Righteous rejoicing at the Day of 
 
 Judgment - - - 421 
 
 C. On various Subje5fs - - - 424 
 
 CI. On the Conduct towards thofe who caufe Offence 426 
 
 CII. On the Freedom of divine Mercy - 427 
 cm. On States of Coldnefs—MarjhaWs My fiery 
 
 of San5lificatitn recommended - 429 
 CIV. On the Spring — On Faith - - 43 1 
 CV, On Chrifiian Converfation - - 433 
 CVI. On the Excellency of Chrifi — Jenks recom- 
 mended - _ - - 434 
 CVII. On prefentbig a Publication - - 436 
 CVIII. On her Prefent of Sweet Meats — On 
 
 burning her Letters - - 43 8 
 
 CIX. On Joy in believing - - - 439 
 
 ex. On the Excellency of Chrifi - - 441 
 
 CXI. On various Sulje^ls - - - 442 
 
 CXII. On her Kindnefs to him - - 443 
 CXIII. On the Mercy of Chrifi a Support in 
 
 Weaknejs _ _ _ 44^ 
 CXIV. On his Illnejs — Remarks on the King of 
 
 Pruffia - - - - 446 
 
 xcv. 
 

 CONtENTS. 
 
 Letter Page 
 
 CXV. On his Illnefs — His TroJpH beyond the 
 
 Grave _ - _ _ 4^-7 
 
 CXVl. On her Benevolence — On the Prince of 
 
 Wczles - . - - - 449 
 
 CXVII. Remarks on inodern Prophecies — Reflec- 
 tions on Whit Sunday - - 456 
 
 CXVm. On his Sicknejs - - - 451 
 
 LETTERS 
 
LETTERS 
 
 GF THE LATE 
 
 Reverend Mr. HERVEY, 
 
 LETTER CXLII. 
 
 Remarks on the earnefi Invitation to the Friends of the 
 ejiahlijhed Churchy with a Prayer for their Ufe. 
 
 PVeflon-Fave]}^ Monday Morris 
 'My dear Friend^ 
 
 I AM much obliged to you for your generous Dona- 
 tion of thirty Shillings to purchafe five Hundred of 
 An Earneji Invitation to the Friends of the EJlahlifjed 
 Church, ^c. * — I have put the Money into the Hands 
 
 of 
 
 * An earnefi Invitation to the Friends of the eftabliflied Church, 
 to join with feveral of their Brethren, Clergy and Laity, in fetting 
 apart one Hour in the Sunday of every Week for Prayer and Suppli- 
 cation, efpecially during the prefent troublcfome Times. Price one 
 Penny, or fix Shillings per Hundred. This Pamphlet is wrote with 
 great Spirit^ and a very good Intention. It well dcfcr<ves the moft 
 ferious Conflderation of the Community ; and their hearty C.oncur- 
 rtnct in fo laudable and ufeful a Dejign, may very reafonably be 
 expecfted. Let us refic5i, that our heavenly Father, high and mighty, 
 who from his Throne looks down on all the Dwellers on Earth, 
 and fees what Multitudes in the different Parts of this Kingdom, 
 
 Vol. IIL B are 
 
z MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 
 
 of one, who loves our Lord Jefus in Sincerity j and 
 who will take care that the Pamphlet is properly dif- 
 perfed according to our Defires. — 'Tis an excellent 
 Defign: — I daily beg of God to blejs it; for what He 
 vouchfafes to blefsy will be bleft indeed. 
 
 Inclofed I fend you a Form of Prayer founded on the 
 Plan laid down in the Earneji Inijitationy &c. — It was 
 tranfmitted to me laft Night by a very pious Clergy- 
 man, who, I believe, was, Himjelf the Author^ of - it. 
 You may get one of your Sons to tranfcribe it, if you 
 have not Leifure enough to do it yoiirjelf -, and permit 
 fuch ferious Perfons to take Copies, as you think will 
 make a proper Ufe of it. 
 
 I wifh you that Prcmijc for your Counfellor, which 
 we read this Morning at Breakfaft irr IJaiah (Chap. Iviii. 
 II.) " The Lord lliall guide thee continually." 
 
 I am, my dear Friend, ever your's, while 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 A Jolemn Aii of Confefllen, and Intercefllon Juited te 
 the Plan of thoje London Clergy, and other Friends 
 to the eftahlifljed Churchy as specified in The Earnefl 
 Invitation, (^c. requefting all the well-dijpofed ChriJ- 
 tians {Laity y as well as Clergy y) throughout this Na^ 
 tioHy to join with them in a Jolemn A5f of Humiliatioji 
 for one Hour every Sunday Evening, viz. from eight 
 of the Clock till niney on Account of their own Sins, 
 and the Sins of this Nation j efpecially during theje 
 calamitous Times; viz. in 1757. 
 
 are at tiat Hour fervently praying to him in fecret ; and all united 
 too in the lame Requefls, cannot but be pleofed with fuch a Pro- 
 fpe£l; and may probably for their Sakes avert the impending Cala-- 
 w//iw, wiiidrat^ too juftly deferved by fo irreligious and difToIutc 
 a Nation. See Qenefis xviii. 33.. 
 
 I. OblefTcd 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 % 
 
 I. /^ ^>lefred Lord, let die Words of my Moudi, 
 V>/ and the Meditation of my Heart, be at this 
 Time acceptable in thy Sight as the Incenfe, and let 
 this now lifting up of my Hands be a fweet fmelling 
 Sacrifice ! — Lord hear my Prayer, and let my Cry 
 come unto thee. 
 
 Moft great and glorious God ! juft and terrible in 
 thy Judgments to all obftinate and rebellious Sinners, 
 but of infinite Mercy to fuch as with true Sorrow and 
 hearty Repentance turn unto thee ; look down, I be- 
 feech thee, with Mercy and CompafTion upon w<?, now 
 prefenting myfclf before thee ; owning that I am not 
 worthy fo much as to lift up my Eyes to the Throne of 
 thy glorious Majefty ! O Lord, my Sins are fo many 
 and lb great, that it is owing to thy Mercy alone, that 
 I have not been long fince confumed, but yet have 
 another Opportunity of humbling myfelf before thee, 
 and begging Mercy for my own Soul, who have fo 
 grievoufly finned againft thee : I confefs, O Lord, what 
 thou knowefl already, but I confefs it to manifefl thy 
 Jujiice, and to glorify thy Mercy, which has fpared me 
 fo long.' I confefs and acknowledge, O Lord, that I 
 brought a depraved and fmful Nature into the World 
 with me, from whence all my a6lual Sins have flowed, 
 and proceeded as impure Streams from a polluted, 
 Fountain : BlelTed God, I hejeech thee, for thy dear Son 
 Jefus Chrift's Sake, to humble me, and that greatly for 
 this my original Corruption ! Lord, let me fee it in 
 the itrongeft Light, and never give me Reft and Peace, 
 till from my Soul I cry out for, and rely upon the un- 
 finning Obedience of my dear Redeemer Jefus Chrift, 
 and the AJfifiance of the Spirit for Deliverance from it; 
 and grant, that this precious Balm may be my Cure, 
 and reilore me again to the Image of my God ! 
 
 O Lord, I have linned againft thee by wilful and 
 adual Sins j " I have left undone thole Thmgs which I 
 
 B 2 ought 
 
■^ MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 ought to have done, and have done thofe Things which 
 I ought ,- : ' to have done !" particularly — by luch — and 
 fuch — a .i... 
 
 y^s it is taken for granted^ that every one, who ufes this 
 Prayer y has fir ft of all ftriElly examined hiinjelf and 
 wrote dov/n all the notorious Sins^ both of Commijfion 
 and Omijion, of which He could recollect ^ that he had 
 been guilty during the whole Courje of his Life^ it 
 would here be proper for him to read over that Cata- 
 logue of his Offences very deliberately that he may be 
 deeply humbled, and truly penitent. 
 
 BLESSED God, I can give but a wretched Ac- 
 count of myfelf. — I cannot remember the ten thoufandth 
 Part of my Offences. Lord fave, or I perifh ; my 
 Crimes are intolerable and fhameful ; and my OmilTions 
 as well as my CommilTions are innumerable : Oh ! what 
 Ihall I fay unto thee, or what Ihall I do ! — Oh ! Thou 
 Preferver of Men ! I am fo vile, that I cannot exprefs 
 it J fo fmful, that I am hateful to myfelf and much 
 more abominable muft I needs be in thy Sight ! 
 
 Oh ! I have fmned, I have finned ! my Sins are 
 grown fhameful and aggravated to Amazement ! Lord! 
 I can fay no more ; I am afliamed, I am confounded in 
 thy Pretence ! 
 
 But yet, O God, thou art the Healer of our Breaches, 
 and the Lifter up of our Head ; and I muft not, I dare 
 not defpair. Thou hall opened a Fountain for Sin and 
 for Uncleannefs; and therefore I am fure, thou de- 
 lighteft not in the Death of a Sinner ! and though my 
 Sins are great and numberlefs, as the Sand which is 
 upon the Sea-lhore, yet they are infinitely lefs than thy 
 Met^cies, which thou haft revealed to all penitent and 
 returning Sinners in Jefus Chrift ! 
 
 For his Sake therefore be pleafed to look down into 
 the Duft, and lift up a poor helplefs Sinner from the 
 
 ' Dunghill I 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 5 
 
 Dunghill ! for Chrift's Sake let me not periili in my 
 Folly, nor be confumed in thy heavy Difplealure ! 
 For Chrift's Sake give me Time, and Space to repent, 
 and give me alfo Power to do it by the Afllftance of 
 thy blefled Spirit ! 
 
 Support me with an holy Hope ; confirm me wiih an 
 operative and lively Faith; and kindle a bright and 
 burning Chanty in my Soul j give me Patieyice in fuf- 
 fering, and Severity in judging, and in condemning my 
 Sins ! that judging myjelf^ I may not be condemned of 
 Thee \ that, mourning for my Sins, I may rejoice in 
 thy Pardon j that deftroying my Sins, I may hve in 
 Righteoufnefs ; that denying my own Will, I may always 
 endeavour to perform thine ; and that by the Afliftance 
 of thy blefled Spirit, I may overcome all carnal, and 
 fplritual Wickednefs. May I walk in thy Light ! may 
 I delight in thy Service ! may I perfe6l my Obedience ; 
 be wholly delivered as well from the Power of Sin, as 
 Punijhment of it ; and fo be for ever preferved from 
 thy Wrath -, and at laft pafs on from a certain Expe(fla- 
 tion to an ailual Erkjoyment of the Glories of thy 
 Kingdom, through Jefus Chrift my blefled Lord and 
 3aviour. A-inen. 
 
 2. And 7wWj Lord, as I have been confejfing my own 
 Sins, and humbling my Soul before thee as a private 
 and particular Perfon, I think myfelf bound in Humi- 
 lity and Duty, after the Example of thy Servant Daniel^ 
 to look upon myfelf in a ftill farther finful Light, viz,. 
 as an Inhabitant of a profligate and rebellious Nation ; 
 and fo, hke Daniel alfo, to confcfs the Sins of my 
 People ! May I feel the Concern of the PJalmift, when 
 he exclaimed, " Rivers of Tears run down mine Eyes, 
 becaufe Men keep not thy Law ;" (7y^/. cxix. iJOi) 
 and oh ! that my Supplications, and the Supplications 
 of all thoje, who, at this appointed Hour, have agreed 
 folemnly to feek thy Face, and to confefs their own 
 
 B 3 Sin^, 
 
6 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Sins, and the Sins of the People of this Land -, oh that 
 they may meet with the fame gracious Acceptance with 
 thee, as Daniel did! oh that the. Commandment may 
 come forth at the Beginning of our SuppHcation, " to 
 make an End of our Sins, and to make Reconciliation 
 for our Iniquities, that thou mayeft once more be our 
 God, and we be ihy People !" 
 
 Let thy merciful Ears, O God, therefore be open 
 unto our Prayers, and fpare all thofe, who confefs their 
 Sins unto thee ! that they, whofe Confciences by Sin 
 are accufed, by thy merciful Pardon may be abfolved, 
 through Jefus Chrift our Lord ! 
 
 O Lord, the great and faithful God, keeping Cove- 
 nant and Mercy with them that love him, and keep his 
 Commandments, (Dent. vii. 9.) wc have finned, O 
 Lord, we have committed Iniquity, and have done 
 wickedly, and have rebelled by departing from thy 
 Precepts and from thy Judgments, neither have we 
 hearkened unto thy Servants the Prophets, nor to thy 
 Son Jefus Chrift, nor to his Apoftles, who in thy holy 
 Word have fpoken unto our Fathers, and the People 
 of the Land ! 
 
 O Lord, Righteoufnefs belongeth unto Thee^ but unto 
 tts Confufion of Face as at this Day, to our Kings, to 
 our Princes, to our Fathers, and to Ourfelves; becaufe 
 of the Trefpafles \vhich we have trefpalTed againfl thee ; 
 yea, we have all as one Man tranfgrefled againft thee, 
 by departing from thee, and not obeying thy Voice ! 
 therefore the Curfe is poured out upon us, and thou 
 haft confirmed the Word, which thou haft fpoke againft 
 lis ! Thou haft brought upon us many and fore Evilsy 
 yet made we not our Prayer before thee, that we might 
 turn from our Iniquity, and underjland thy Truth. 
 
 But, blefTed Lord, to thee belong Mercies and For- 
 criveneffes, thoush v;e have rebelled asjainft thee : O 
 Lord, we confefs our Wickednefs and are forty for our 
 
 Sin3; 
 
MISCELLANBOUS LETTERS. 7 
 
 Sins ; we befeech thee therefore according to all thy 
 Rightcoiifnefs and thy gracious Promifes, and for the 
 Sake of thy dear Son Jefus Chrift, let thine Anger and 
 thy Fury be turned away from us ! Bow down thine 
 Ear, O Lord, and hear \ open thine Eyes, O Lord, 
 and fee, and behold our Miferies and our D^lblation ! 
 for we do not prefent our Supplications before thee, 
 trufting in our own Righteoufnefs, but in thy manifold 
 and great Mercies, and in the Truth, which thou haft 
 Ihewed of old Time to us thy Servants, but thou art 
 the fame, whofe Property is always to have Mercy ; 
 have Mercy upon us, therefore, have Mercy upon us, 
 moft merciful Father, for thy dear Son our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift's Sake, forgive us all that is paft, and grant that 
 we may ever hereafter ferve thee in Newnefs of Life to 
 the Honour and Glory of thy Name 1 and let the Con- 
 fideration of our Sinfulnefs and Unworthinefs, and of 
 thy manifold Warnings to us, and long Sufferings to- 
 wards us, increafe in us true Repentance, that Iniquity 
 may not be our Deftrudipn ! and increafe in us alfo 
 more and more a lively Faith and Love, fruitful in all 
 holy Obedience, that thou mayell ftill continue thy 
 Favour, together with the Light of thy Goipel to us, 
 and our Pofterity ! and this we beg for thy dear Son 
 Jefus Chrifl's Sake, our only Mediator and Advocate, 
 3. And now 1 have here confeficd to thee, my own 
 Sins, and the Sins of the People, 1 defirc farther to 
 offer up my Prayers in Behalf of all Mankind, that both 
 Jeiv and Gentile m:^y believe in, and glorify thee, the 
 only true God, and Jefus Chriil, whom thou hail lent! 
 Proted and profpcr thy holy Catholick Church, preferve 
 it pure in Dodrine and Worfliip, root out of it what- 
 ever is a Scandal to thy moft iioly Religion j unite its 
 Profeffors and enlarge its Borders ; efpccially blels that 
 part of it in thefe Nations, to which I belong; and as 
 in thine infinite Mercy, tliou hail been plcafed to vouch- 
 
 B 4 i^<« 
 
8 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 fafe us abundant Illumination of thy Gofpel, be pleafed 
 to grant, that by our Sins, we may not extinguifh the 
 Light of it. 
 
 Inflame the Minifters and Stewards of thy Myfteries 
 with a lively and burning Zeal for the Converfion of 
 Souls. Imprefs it deeply upon them ; that, " Curfed 
 is he, who doth the Work of the Lord deceitfully j" — 
 and be pleafed, O Lord, to aflift them with thy bleffed 
 Spirit, and to direft them to the Ufe of fuch Means as 
 may be efFeftual to bring about, and accomplifli that 
 defirable and happy End, 
 
 Be pleafed likewife to hlejs ail thofe our difiTenting 
 Brethren of what Denomination foever they be, who 
 love the Lord Jefus Chrift in Sincerity ! Reconcile mr 
 Hearts to them and theirs to us I Grant that there may 
 be an End of thofe Animofities, and bitter Difputes, 
 which have fo long and fo fadly difturbed the Peace, 
 and hindered the Union of Proteftants ! and grant alfo 
 that there may be only this one holy Contention be- 
 tween us, w^hether the Minifters out of the eftablifhed 
 Church, or they who are in it, fhall labour moft for the 
 Glory of our common Mafter, and for the Salvation 
 of thofe Souls committed to their Care, and for whom 
 he fhed his Blood. 
 
 Biefs likewife our Sovereign Lord King George and 
 all his royal Family ! Make them pure and holy in their 
 Lives ! raife up an acftive and vigorous Spirit in their 
 Hearts, for the Punifhment and rooting out of Wicked- 
 nefs and Vice, and for the Encouragement and Main- 
 tenance of true Rehgion among us. 
 
 And be pleafed, O Lord, to give the Spirit of Wif- 
 dom to all his Counfellors, and to the Magiftrates of 
 all Ranks through thp Nation, that they may be enabled 
 faithfully to difcharge that great Truft, which is repofed 
 in them, to thy Honour, and to the Benefit and Ad^ 
 vantage of Jijs Majefty and the Nation 1 
 
 Be 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 9 
 
 Be pleafed likewife to go forth with our Fleets and 
 Armies ! blefs all their Endeavours againfl our Ene- 
 mies, and give them Succefs in the Day of Battle 1 
 
 Have Mercy upon all the affiicled Members of thy 
 Church, whether in Mind, Body, or Eftate I Pity their 
 Condition, O Lord, pity it, and lay no more upon 
 them, than they are able to bear, but give them De- 
 liverance in thy good appointed Time, if it be thy 
 bleffed Will ! Have Compaflion upon all who are ia 
 Error, but fincerely feek the Truth ! on all who arc 
 engaged in fmful Courfes, and led captive bv their 
 Lufls, that they may have Grace and Strength to break 
 their Bonds ; and on all thofe who never pray fcr them- 
 /elves : Open their Eyes, O Lord, and melc their ftony 
 Hearts ; awaken them, though it be even with Thunder, 
 to a lenfible Feeling of their fad Condition, and for thy 
 Mercy's Sake fufFcr them no longer to fit in Darknefs 
 and in the Shadow of Death: May ihty fee, before it 
 be too late, the Dano-er and Madnefs of thus livin"- 
 without God in the World. 
 
 4. Finally, O Lord, I defire to return thee my un- 
 feigned Fraijes, and Thankfgi-vingSy for the manifold 
 Exprefiions of thy Goodnefs and loving Kindnefs to 
 me, and to all Mankind ! I blefs thee for my Creation, 
 Prefervation, and all the Ble flings of this Life, and for 
 all the Helps and Advantages, which thou haft vouch- 
 fafed me for the obtaining a better ; but above all lor 
 thy aftonifhing Love to Mankind in Jefus Chrift, for 
 all that He hath done and fuffered for us, and continues 
 fiill to do for us by his pov/erful Interceflion at thy right 
 Hand ! humbly beleeching thee, that I thy Servant, 
 together with all thofe Vv ho have lived and died in the 
 Faith of his holy Name, may follow the Example of 
 his heavenly Life, that Hnally with them I may be made 
 a Partaker of the Merits of his Obedience and Death, 
 in a joyful Refurrecfti^on to everlafting Life ! 
 
 All 
 
i.e MISCELLANEOUS LETTER* 
 
 AH thefe Confeffions, Prayers, Supplications, Iiitcr- 
 ceffions, and Thankfgivings, I humbly put up to tlw 
 Throne of Grace, in the Name and Words of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jcfus Chrift ; who in Compaflion to 
 eur Infirmities hath taught us thus to pray. Our 
 Father, efc. 
 
 The Grace of our Lord Jcfus Chrift, ^c. 
 
 N- B. The above Prayer may be enlarged and im- 
 proved as Time and Occaiion fhail offer ^ and it may 
 not be improper to remind every Chriftian,, that the firft 
 Time he makes ufe of it. He ought to fet apart at leaft 
 Half an Hour for Self-examinatiotiy and writing doivn 
 the Sins of which he finds himfelf guilty. — The fol- 
 lowing Sundays he will reconfider what he has written, 
 and thereby form a Judgment what is his Progrefs in> 
 or Deviation from, the Path, which leads to Heaven. 
 — After having fpent fome Sunday Evenings in this 
 devout Exercife, He fliould be upon his Gward left he 
 be tempted to leave it off. — Oh may He never be tired 
 of fuch a good Work : The more he praySy the more 
 he will have Strength to perfevere. n."is humbly hoped 
 tliat ail, who read tliis, will immediately purchafe the 
 Earneji: Invitation:, ^c. the Price of which, as has be- 
 fore been obferved, is no more than a Penny -, — and 
 dien, after having weighed it widi the Attention that a 
 Matter of this Importance deferves, they will (to ufe 
 the Author's own Words) "judge whether it be not a 
 fcnjonabky and 2ijafe Meafure, which we would perfuade 
 you to take ; and you 'ujill take it if you are indeed a 
 Friend to our prefcnt happy Eftabliftiment in Church, 
 And State. — Your Love for them will put you upon 
 doing every Thing, that lays in your Power to fcrve 
 them ; and here you have a fair Opportunity, of which 
 if you make ufe, it cannot but do you Service, and may- 
 be a Bleffing to them. — Pray for them at the appointed 
 Hour; (namely from eight to nine every ».%W(/^^' Even- 
 
 inf^.^ 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. ii 
 
 ing.) — Determine through God's AJfijlance^ that nothing 
 fhall hinder you from joining us. — Break through all 
 Engagements, all Hindrances to meet at the Throne 
 of Grace, the Lord's People. — [Confider that God 
 knoweth Misjecret ones^ and will reward them <?p£'///}'.]— 
 And moreover for your Encouragement remember, 
 that He, who fitteth upon the Throne, is the God who 
 HEARETH Prayer, and who has invited you {Pjalm 1. 
 1^.) to call upon him in the Day of Trouble -y fo will I 
 hear thee, fays He, and thou flialt praife me." — 'What 
 a comfortable Fromije is here to animate every one to 
 make Fart of this praying Congregation ! 
 
 LETTER CXLin. 
 
 Remarks on good Works. 
 
 Tuejday Morning, 
 "Dear Sir, 
 
 I Should think my Friendfliip very weak, and quite 
 unfledged, if I could be offended with the Freedom, 
 for which you apologize. Thofe who were anciently 
 united in the Bonds of Chrillian Friendfliip, had this 
 generous Sentimentfor their Motto, — Arnicorum ^ omnia 
 coynmunia^ prater Uxores. 
 
 I rejoice with you in the hopeful young Gentleman's 
 Recovery J a Pledge, I trufl, of his eminent Profi- 
 ciency, and extenfive Ufcfulnefs, in the Gofpel Caufe. 
 
 I acquiefce entirely in Dr. C**'3 Reafons j perhaps, 
 if there was much of the pure evangelical Peculiarity 
 in the recommendatory Verfes, it might be a forbidding 
 Circumftance to fome Readers. 
 
 « friends have every Thing in common except their Wives- 
 Mr 
 
12 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Mr. *** is very obliging; his Cautions are very 
 friendly. I will not fpeak lb plainly to Mr. W. as to 
 Him. I wifh, if it be God's gracious Will, that your 
 little Treatife may be, like Dr. Doddridge'^ Works, 
 acceptable to every Reader. You fee by the Expreffions 
 I have taken the Liberty to underline, that Mr. *** 
 fees the great Truths of Chriftianity Inverted^ juft as 
 we fee Objefts in a concave Speculum. The good Works y 
 according to his Scheme, are the recommending Caufe, 
 and the Mejfed Redeemer is only, like the Mafter of the 
 Ceremonies, merely to introduce them with 2igocd Grace. 
 No, we have not fo learned Chrift: : He is our' Righte- 
 oufnefs, as well as ourSanClification. We are accepted 
 in the Beloved : " In Him lliall all the Seed q{ IJrael be 
 juflified, and in Him Ihall they glory." — This is the 
 epidemical Miftake \ but' J .hope God. will fend oiit his 
 Light and his Truth, and re^ify ourMifapprehenficns, 
 — I dare fay, that amiable, and accompliihed Gentleman, 
 that exemplary and fhining Chriftian, that very zealous 
 
 and fuccefsful Preacher, Mr. T n will be highly 
 
 pleafed to receive the Prefent of your little Treatife : 
 His good Heart will exult to fee your open Acknow- 
 ledgement of the Saviour, whom He fo dearly loves.-^ 
 I hope to Jee you, or hear from you, before you take 
 your Journey i and am, with increafing Eileem and 
 Affet^ion, 
 
 Moll cordially your's, 
 
 J. Hervev. 
 
 LET^ 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. i^ 
 
 LETTER CXLIV. 
 
 On ylffliclions. 
 
 Bear Sifter ^ 
 
 I Hope this will find my Father better : I heartily wiili 
 and daily pray, that the God of everlafting Com- 
 palTions may comfort him under his Sorrows ; — may 
 fandify his Affliftion, and reftore Him to his Health, 
 that he may recover more fpiritual Strength before he 
 goes hence, and is no more feen. 
 
 I fent my Brother fome Books ; and humbly befeech 
 the Giver of every good Gift to accompany them with 
 his heavenly BleJJing j for what He blefles is bleft indeed. 
 
 I could be truly glad to hear your Complaints are 
 removed j — but if they continue, don't be difcouraged. 
 — " Whom the Lord loveth, he chaftizeth." God 
 had but one Son without Sin, but none without Sufferings, 
 Oh ! that his infinite Goodnefs may fandlify your Tribu- 
 lations, that they may be the Means of weaning you 
 from the World, and bringing you to Jcfus Chrift ! 
 You will then one Day fay with the PJalmiJly " It is good 
 for me, that I have been affiicled," 
 
 I am, ^c. 
 
 J. Hervey. 
 
 LET- 
 
■i4 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 LETTER CXLV. 
 
 Advice to a Phyfidan» 
 
 Ffiday Evening, 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 AS to the Matter of defending me, I think " Non 
 eft tantiy I am ten thoiifand Times more for 
 your converfing like a Chriftian on every Occafion : 
 Take all proper Opportunities of glorifying your divine 
 Mafter, and be fp reading abroad the Savour of his 
 blefled TSTame : It would bring Dignity to your Cha- 
 radler I am perfuaded, and would command Reverence 
 even from Gainfayers, if you was fometimes to make 
 a. frank Declaration on this Head, and aft accordingly. 
 Don't fcruple to bid your Patients feek to God for a 
 Bleffing; when they are recovered, remind them, of 
 their Obligations to the Almighty Phyficiani and that 
 they are rcflored to Health, not for the poor Purpofes 
 of eating and drinking a Httle more, but to acquaint 
 themfelves with Chrift Jefus ; to prepare for Eternity ; 
 and to make their Salvation fure. Thh would be truly 
 graceful ; might do much Good ; and iliould any one 
 find Fault with this Pradice, He mull not pretend to 
 the Piety of a Chriftian : He has not the Religion of 
 an Heathen : Such an one Ihould remember the ConduSfy 
 and confider the Sentiments of your Brother Japys, 
 
 Non hac Jmmanis Opikcs, non Arte magljir/i 
 Proveniunt \ nequc Te, JEnea^ mea Dextcra fervat : 
 Major agit Deusy atcpe Opera ad majora remittit. 
 
 ViRG. tEn. Lib. x,ii. 
 
 No mortal Work is this ; no Cure of mine ; 
 Nor Art's Eife6l, but done by Hands divine : 
 'Tis God JEneas to the Battle fends ; 
 Tis God prefcrves his Life, for greater Ends* 
 
 Thanks 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 15 
 
 Thanks for your Advice about what I recommended 
 to your Corifideration, and about my own Healch ; God 
 has been better to me, than my apprehenfive Heart 
 cxpeded. Oh that [0 long as I have Breath, it may 
 be employed to his Honour, who forgiveth all our Sins, 
 and healeth all our Infirmities ; and v/hen he heals them 
 not, will make them a BleJJing. 
 
 Do, my dear Friend, perfift in a prudent Way, to 
 bear your Teftimony for a Mafter, who has bought yoii 
 with his v^ery Life, and intends to make you Partaker 
 of his everlafting Kingdom. If this does you or your's 
 any real Harm, reproach me with it, when we fhall 
 both jftand in the Prefence of the whole World, and 
 before the Tribunal of our Judge. 
 
 Ever your's, wliile 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 P. S. You tell me that " your Bufmefs has lain fo 
 wide, and you have been fo much hurried this fickly 
 Time, that you have fcarcely had a Quarter of an Hour 
 to yourfelf for thefe laft three Weeks." — Oh ! my dear 
 Friend ! how much foever you may be hurried by the 
 Diftance and the Mukiphcity of your Avocations, don't 
 forget to pray for that Wijdmny which is profitable (or 
 ufeful) to * direft us, even in the fmalkfl Matters, 
 much more in all great and weighty Affairs. — You, 
 who move in fo conjpkmus a Sphere, fo large a Field of 
 A6lion, muit have very particular Occafion, very pref- 
 fiiig Nccefiity for isf/L'i;^^ Dire6lion ; and therefore that 
 important Ejaculation, " Direct me, O Lord," fl^ould 
 ever be uppermoft in your Thoughts. — " Take yc 
 Heed, Watch and Pray," this is the kind Admonition 
 of the blefled Jefus, who well knows the human Frame, 
 and fees how veiy liable we are to be drawn afide by a 
 Variety of Tem])tations with which we arc daily fur- 
 rounded. 
 
 * Eccl. X-. IP.- 
 6 LET- 
 
x6 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 LETTER CXLVI. 
 
 On the State of the Saints after Death , and previous to 
 the Rejurre^ion. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 AS the Interval between the Hour of oiirDiflblution, 
 and the Day of Refurreftion, will, in all Proba- 
 bility, be very confiderable, much longer than the 
 Time of our Continuarxe on Earth, it is a very reafon- 
 able and important Inquiry, to examine into the Circum- 
 Jl:ances of this State. The Scripture, our infallible Di- 
 re£lor, which is (fo copious upon all the grand Articles 
 of Religion, and) filent upon nothing that relates to 
 the true ilappinefs of Mankind, has not left us v/ithout 
 Information in this Particular. Whereas all other Writers 
 grope in the Dark, for not one of them has been able 
 to draw back the Curtain, or give us (any) the leaft 
 Infight into the invifible World, it is to them, and in 
 all their Syilems, an abfolute Terra incognita ; a few of 
 the fcriptural Difcoveries may be feen, in the Anfwer to 
 the following Queries. 
 
 Ill, When the Souls, the Souls of the Righteous, 
 depart from the Body ; by whom are they received ? — 
 By holy Angels. The Angels were miniftring Spirits 
 to them, in the Days of their Flelh, and will be their 
 Guard and their Convoy, when they relinquilh the 
 earthly Tabernacle. When Lazarus died, he was car- 
 ried by Angels. — What a comfortable Privilege is this ! 
 not to be left folitary and defolate, like a Ihipwrecked 
 Mariner on fome unknown Coaft; but to be under the 
 Guidance and Proteftion of thofe benevolent Beings ! 
 
 2dly, In what Place are they lodged ? — This is de- 
 
 fcribed, not from our Ideas of Locality, or any Pro- 
 
 ptrdcs of Space, but from the Society and the Enjoy- 
 
 9 ment:s. 
 
MtSCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 17 
 
 inients. It is not very material, whether they are above 
 or below, in the Fleaven of Heavens (which, I think^ 
 is moft probable) or in fome feparate Manfion. A 
 difembodied Spirit, if under the Wrath of God, mull 
 every where be extremely miferable ; if furrounded with 
 liis Favour, will every where be exceedingly happy. To 
 fuch a Spirit, that has no longer any Connection w'ith 
 fenfible Things, God's Smile mufl be Heaven, God's 
 Frown muft be Hell. — Where-ever this Region lies, 
 we are fure it lies under the Beams of the -Sun of 
 Righteoufnefs ; Chrift is there, and where he is prefent, 
 Happinefs cannot be abfent. Thou fhak be with me> 
 is his Promiife to the penitent Thief. — Abraham is thercj, 
 the Friend of God, and Father of the Faithful. Lazarus, 
 we are told, was carried into Abraham's, Bofom ; and 
 where He refides ; where all the Children of God, and 
 Heirs of Glory dwell, there mufl be Pleafures : — Such 
 Pleafures, that the Place is called Pdradije ; *^ thou 
 ihalt be with me in Paradi/e :" The delightful Garden 
 of Eden, which the Lord himfelf planted, and which 
 innocent Man inhabited, was incomparably the fineft, 
 nobleft Spot in this fublunary World j and this is ufed 
 to give us fome faint Reprcfentation of thefe blefled 
 Abodes, where the Souls and Spirits of the Righteous 
 remain till the Shout of the Archangel and the Trump 
 of God fummon them. 
 
 3dly, How foon .are they lodged in this defirablc 
 Situation ? — Without Delay. I find no Mention of any 
 intermediate Purgation, or of any Period for Inadlivity 
 and Forgetfulnefs. " To Day flialt thou be with me," is 
 our "Lord's ExprefTion J and it is obfervable, that the 
 Jeifjijh Day was very near clofmg, wl;en our Saviour 
 gave up the Cihofl i nearer ilili when that converted 
 Malcfaftor expired. — ^^ I have a Defire to be diffolved,'^ 
 fays St. Paid, " and tQ be with Chrift:" He fpeaks of 
 his Releafe from Clay, and his Introduftion into tlic 
 Vol, hi. (; PxCdcemer'a 
 
ig MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Redeemer's Prefence, as inftantaneous. No foone? 
 does the former commence, but the latter takes place. 
 —What an Encour3gem>ent is this to fight the good 
 Fight of Faith, and finifh our Courfe, with Alacrity 
 and Diligence ! fmce we are not to wait in wifhful but 
 diiappointed Expeilation : No, the very Moment our 
 Warfare is accomplillied, our Reward begins. — Which 
 reminds me of another Inquiry, 
 
 4thly, What is the Condition of holy Souls, in. this 
 feparate State ? 
 
 lily They reft from their Labours ; from all the Dif- 
 orders, that afflidled their Bodies, from all the Temp- 
 tations, that difquieted their Souls. They are no longer 
 ridiculed and perfecuted by ungodly Men. They have 
 no more Conflid with the Powers of Darknefs and 
 their own Corruptions ; Sin and Sorrow ceafe eternally. 
 They are freed, entirely freed, from every evil. 
 ' idly. They enter into Peace. They have then Peace 
 with God, Peace in their own Thoughts, Peace with 
 Fellow Saints, which pafleth all Underllanding.' — Peace 
 implies a pofitive Happinefs. — Peace in the fcriptural 
 Language, denotes all Manner of Bleflings, and fuch 
 is its Import in the preceding PalTage. In this large 
 Extent will it be made good to the Righteous. When 
 they rehnquifh the earthly Tabernacle, the Scales of 
 Ignorance fall from their Underftandings ; their Will is 
 wonderfully conformed to Chrift's ; every Weight drops 
 off from their Affections ; and their Holinefs is exceed- 
 ingly confirmed ; They are honoured v/ith nearer Ap- 
 proaches to God, they are favoured with clearer Mani- 
 feftations of his Glory j they feel richer Emanations of 
 Jiis Love ; and are more and more transformed into his 
 Image : Every Dcuht vaniflies, and they rejoice in the 
 Profpect, the affured and refi-efhing Profpeft of re- 
 ceiving all the Fulnefs of their everlafting Felicity. I 
 itiid Fulnefs, for tho' the P>lieity of the Soul upon its 
 
 Dilmiffion 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 19 
 
 DifmilTion from Mortality is great, is high, is to us in- 
 conceivable ; yet it will not be compleat till the Body is 
 re^uni:cd to ir, re-animated by it^ — Then that will not 
 only be rcicued from Corruption, but made like unto 
 Chrift's glorious Body ; will be dignified with divine 
 Approbation ; and that before the largeft Aflembly of 
 Men and Angels 3 they will receive a Crown of Righte- 
 oufnefs, they will fit on Thrones and judge the apollate 
 Angels ; they will then polfefs the Kingdom prepared 
 for them from the F'oundation of the World. 
 
 What is faid of the Righteous may lead us to fome 
 proper Conceptions with regard to the Wicked and 
 their State. — The one is the Reverfe of the others as 
 they were quite difllmilar in their Life, in their Death 
 they are equally different. \{ the Righteous are com- 
 mitted to the Care of benevolent Angels, the Wicked 
 it is very probable are abandoned to the Infulrs and 
 Rage of malevolent Spirits. If the Righteous are ad- 
 mitted into Man fions of Blifs, the Wicked are confioncd 
 over to the Places of Horrour and Torment, where is all 
 the Miferyy which is exprelfed by Weeping and Wail- 
 ing ; all that Self-condemnation and Anguifh, which is 
 exprefled by Gnalhing of Teeth. If the Righteous 
 enjoy the Calm of uninterrupted Tranquillity, and the 
 Light of perpetual Sun-fhine, the Wicked are referved 
 in Chains of Darknefs unto the Judgment of the great 
 Day J wearied by their own luigovernable PalTions, Hung 
 by eager but unfatisfied Defires, haunted by a flern 
 upbraiding Confcience. — In a Word, while Xa\<i Righteous 
 are looking for that bleffed Hope, and the glorious 
 Appearing of the great God, and their Saviour Jefus 
 Chrid, they are trembling under the difmal Apprchen- 
 fions of that dreadful Day, wlicn Jefu£ Chriil: ihall be 
 revealed in flaming Fire. 
 
 I add only a Remark on that Text of St. Johnj to 
 which we are fo much obliged in this Inquiry, " Bicired 
 
 C 2 are 
 
20 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 are the dead, which die in die Lord," ^c.—The Lord 
 muft certainly fignify the Lord Jeius Chrift.—To die in 
 Him, muftj I think, imply dying in his Faith, fo as to 
 be one with him i intereiled in his Mercy, renewed by 
 his Spirit, and conformed in fome prevailing Deo-ree to 
 his Image. May this be the State of our Souls, while 
 we live here, and when we depart hence. Then that 
 will be fulfilled to our unfpeakable and eternal Comfort, 
 which is fpoken by another Apoille, " To rae to live 
 is Chrifl, and to die is Gain." 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your's fmcerely, 
 
 James Hervev^ 
 
 LETTER CXLVII. 
 
 On Dr. Doddridge's Corre5Iion of his IVorks. 
 
 Dear Sir^ 
 
 YOUR Obfervations are pcrfedly juft, and Dr. 
 Di?^^r/i§;^*s Remarks are admirably judicious j his 
 Alterations are indeed excellent and charming. Oli I 
 may they be equally imprellive on 7ne, as- 1 tranfcribe 
 them,- and on all who may hereafter read them ! Many 
 moft foiid and valuable Correftions has- the Doftor 
 already made in my little Piece ; but, in my Opinion, 
 theje are beyond them all \ I cannot but wifh he had 
 Leifure, to have went through the whole with his im- 
 proving Strokes ; but, as the Bufmefs of his Academy y 
 and Minijiryy is fo various, and fo important, I cannot 
 prevail with myfclf to make fuch a Requeft : I will try, 
 and do the belt I can, to proceed on the Plany whicli 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 21 
 
 He has formed, and to follow {magna licet intervalloj 
 the Example He has fet. Be fo good as to make my 
 mq^ grateful Acknowledgments : Let your Tongue 
 fpeak, for really my Pen cannot write, how greatly I 
 am obliged to him. I will venture to turn, what was- 
 ufed formerly as an Imprecation, into a Wilh and a 
 Blefling on this Occafion, " May God do fo to Him, 
 and more alfo !" 
 
 — Oh that our Writings may be accompanied with 
 the blefled Spirit ; and that the Spirit of our Writings 
 may be operative on our Hearts, and apparent in our 
 Converfation ! 
 
 Ever your's while 
 
 J. Hervey. 
 
 LETTER CXLVIII. 
 
 Various Objervations. 
 
 Wejloriy Saturday Morn. 
 
 My dear Friend^ 
 
 I Thought of you in a particular Manner on Thurjday, 
 being the fad Anniverfary on which your late excel- 
 lent Lady refigned this Life ; and at the fame Time 1 
 thought on thole tender Lines, 
 
 Jamque DieSy ni fallor adejl ; quern fetnper acerhuiUy 
 Semper honoratuni, fic Dii vahujilsy hahcho *. 
 
 ViRG. .En. Lib. V. 
 
 * The Engliflj- of which is — " Now the Day if I millake nor is 
 nt Hand, which (fuch has been the Will of Heaven) I fhall always 
 account a Day of Sorrow, alvvays a Day to be honoured." 
 
 C 3 I cannot 
 
22 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 
 
 I cannot but take Notice of the Wifdom and Piety of 
 my favourite Poet -, he teaches his Hero to refolve all 
 affiictive and dark Dirpcnfations, into the gracious Will 
 of God i and to derive his Confolation from this Be- 
 lief. Sk Dii voluifiisy is a Sort of Imitation of the 
 good old Prieft is//, " It is the Lord : Let him do what 
 feemeth him good." It is not mijch unlike the exem- 
 plary Acknowledgment of the Patriarch Jcl\ " The 
 Lord gave^ and the Lord hath taken away^ bleffed be 
 t\\t Name of the Lord !" 
 
 I am thankful for your prcfent of Vanierii Pra'dium 
 Rufiicum. It is a very beautiful Piece : Uni Virgilio 
 Jecundiii^ the nioft; elegant and correal Latin Compofi- 
 tion, that I have met with among the Moderns, 
 
 I have no Fault to find, and no Alteration to offer, 
 v/ith regard to the little Traft, which you fubmit to 
 my Correftion.— But what fhall I lay, to my dear 
 Friend himfelf? Oh! what Opportunities of doing 
 Good, fubilanLial and inmiortal Good, do you lofe, do 
 you fquander away ! Opportunities, that are flying from 
 you upon the fv/ifceft Wings of Time; and when once 
 gone, are never to be recovered.- I don't fo much as 
 think of your neglefting Bufinejs \ but do let the World 
 fee, that Bufinejs may be managed, great Bufinefs 
 managed, and yet Chriji, and eternal Ages not forgot. 
 Let Men fee, that the Comforts of Chriftianity, the 
 Privileges of the Gofpei, are fo ti'uly delightf.il, as to 
 be the moft eiTeftual fovereign Refrejhment, under the 
 Fatigues of a burthenlbme Employ. Thus doing, you 
 would be a Credit and high Recommendation to Reli- 
 ction ; and blei'icd would you be, if your Mailer, when 
 he Cometh, fnould find you Jo doing.' — You will excufe 
 my Freedom -, and in Return, I will not ceafe to pray, 
 H that the Love of Chrift may conilrain you." i Cor. 
 
 Y' 14. 
 
 I am afFedtionately, and fmcerely your's, 
 
 J. Hervey, 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 23 
 
 LETTER CXLIX. 
 
 On Saurins Sermons^ 
 
 Tuefday Morn, 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 WELL might Mr. Doddridge fay, " that in Sau- 
 rin's * Sermons, the Excellencies of Demojl- 
 henes and Cicero wtrQ united. — Never did I meet with 
 any Thing equal to the Paflliges which the Dodor was 
 lb obliging as to tranflate, purpolely to give me fome 
 Ideas of this celebrated Writer. — He Teems to have 
 iinderftood the Gofpel well, and all the Powers of 
 Oratory were combined in him. — I dare fay he preached 
 from his Hearty and the Grace of God accompanied his 
 Words. — If I have been fo much affecfted merely by 
 this defultory Tranflation, how much more fhould I be 
 tranfported, was I (like you) fufficiently (killed in the 
 French Language to read the Original itfelf, Saurin 
 it feems was a Proteftant, and I am told that: in Holland^ 
 where he exercifed his Miniftry, the Streets were fo 
 crowded for feveral Hours before the Service began, 
 that it was very difficult to gain Admifllon. — Is it no^ 
 afto/iifliing that the Sermons of fo popular a Preacher, 
 and fo eminent a Writer, ihould not as yet have been 
 put into an Englijh Drefs ? — But this, I prefume, is 
 owing to the Difficulty of doing Jullice to an Author 
 of his extraordinary Genius. — I am well aware that few 
 are equal to fuch an Undertaking, but if tliere was a 
 Jprited Tranflation of thefe animating Sermons, pubr 
 
 * Saiirhi's Sermons were originally wrote in French ; — have p.ifTed 
 through various Editions ; — are now printed in twelve ot^avo 
 Volumes. — Several of them are well tranflated by Mr. Robin/on, of 
 Cambridge, printe4 in 4 Vols. 8vo. 
 
 C ^ lifhei 
 
14. MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 liflied in weekly Numbers, they would be well received, 
 and might, through the divine BlefTing, be the Means 
 of doing much Good to the Community. 
 
 I have been enabled, blefled for ever be God ! to 
 perform my Office, and preach to a crouded Congre- 
 gation. " Jefus faid the third Time, Simon^ Son of 
 Jonas, loveft thou me ?" was my Text. Oh that it 
 may be the Power of God to the "Salvation of the 
 Hearers ! — I hope, my Diforder in my Head, and Pain 
 in my Teeth, are not increaled, though I felt the cold 
 Air breathe upon my Face i for the Church was fo 
 thronged, that it was not praflicable to fhut the Door. 
 Oh ! for Faith in the almighty Guardian, the almighty 
 Phyfician ! — 
 
 This, I prefume, will find you fafely returned froni 
 London to your own Habitation j but though come back 
 to your refting Place, yet more and more fenfible that 
 we are but Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth. 
 
 I hope ere long to fee you at V/efton -, for I can affure 
 you, my dear Sir, that amongft the many, many 
 Friends, who dearly love you, no one can have a more 
 affedipnate Regard for you than 
 
 Tour's unalterably, 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 LET- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 2^ 
 
 LETTER CL, 
 
 On various SiihjeEfs. 
 
 Saturday Morn, 
 My dear Friend^ 
 
 I Have no Heart to take any Medicines. All but 
 Chriil is to me unprofitable; blefled be God for 
 Pardon and Salvation through his Blood : Let me pre- 
 fcribe this Cordial for my dear Friend. 
 
 May your Health be renewed as the Eagle's, though 
 mine has long been fading as a Leaf ! and may we both 
 from our Hearts adore the Bifpenfations of our God 
 and Saviour, which, though to us ivard very different, 
 are in all Refpe6ls very good. 
 
 We were drinking Tea Yefterday ; and I heard one 
 of the Company fay, to whom you had given Bifliop 
 l^ilfo7t on the Sacrament — This is Dr. ^S'^^'s Gift. Oh ! 
 that God may give him, to eat the Flefh, and drink 
 the Blood of Chrift ! and to live by Faith on the un- 
 fearchable Riches of a Recicemer ! — Then wc fliall ere 
 long, eat Bread and drink new Wine together, in the 
 Kingdom of our Father. 
 
 I have not yet wrote to Biddeford; but the Affair 
 you defired me to inquire about, fhall not be forgot 
 when I next write thither. — Can you excufe my dilatory 
 Proceeding ? Bufmefs, to my languid Spirits, is like 
 the Sons of ylnak * to the IJraelitifu Spics^ fo forbidding 
 and fo formidable. 
 
 The Reafons you urged, I have confidcred ; I really 
 i.now not how to act. — May the unerring God vouch- 
 
 * See NumL xiii. 28. 
 
 fafe 
 
26 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 fafe to guide a poor Sinner. — Now, where is my Faith 
 in that divine Promife, '* In all thy Ways acknowledge 
 Hinty and He fhall direft thy Paths ?" 'Tis fcarcely fo 
 much as a Grain of the fmallefl Seed : Blefled Jefus 
 increafe it in us both. 
 
 . — Do you, as you formerly did, commit your Way 
 unto the Lord, and befeech him to bring it to pals ? 
 My dear Friend, let us look more unto God ; for we 
 have a Friend in the Court of Heaven ; we have an 
 A(ivocate with the Father, Jefus Chrift the righteous. 
 
 Ever, and inviolably your's, while 
 
 J, Hervev, 
 
 as 
 
 LETTER CLI. 
 
 On Mar Jh all — a Jcripural Critic'tjm. 
 
 My dear Friend ^ 
 
 YOUR very kind Prefcnt is come to our Hands, 
 and has made its Appearance. You give me, as 
 Theron fays, ExocloixQoi iwsa^oiuv. 
 
 All I can fay is, may the Lord fupply your every 
 Need (both bodily and ipiritually) according to his 
 Riches in Glory by Chrift Jefus. 
 
 I am forry, my Brother wrote fo warm a Letter to 
 Mr. y/— jy about his Attempt to purchafe the Clofes 
 at JVeJicn^ which lie fo commodious for us. — The 
 World's Maxim is, " Catch as catch can." But our 
 Saviour''^, Direction is, '* Be anxious for nothing."— 
 Never fear, but we fhall make a Shift without thefe" 
 Clofes to pafs through the W ildernefs, and arrive at the 
 heavenly Canaan. Were not your Thoughts upon that 
 
 etfrnal 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 27 
 
 efernalHome, when you attended Mr. Z.***'s Corpfe 
 to the Tomb ? One o\ the Texts, to which I direded 
 my People on Sunday was * 2 Cor. v. i . and vvliich, I 
 hope, the omniprcfent God is now imprelling on their 
 Confcienccs, and mixing with Faith. 
 
 The elegant Pater cuius I here return ; and the evan- 
 gelical Marjhall I recommed to your repeated Perufal. 
 I wifh you iludied him more, for then you would like 
 better than you feem to do at prefent : You own there 
 ^re many excellent Direflions in him ; and thole Parts, 
 which you now think oblcure, would not appear fo on 
 a more intimate Acquaintance with the Autix)r. 
 
 I am glad to hear fuch a Charafter of Mr. * *. I 
 hope you will be an Inftrumcnt in our Lord's Pland, of 
 improving his valuable Dilpofitions, of ripening the 
 Man of Honour, into the Servant of Chritl. — 1 tliink 
 Dr. Akenftdc-\ has, if not Ijpoiled his Ode, much injured 
 the Dignity and Beauty of his Sentiments, by writing 
 in Spenjer\ Meafure, and fomerimes in his drawling 
 Style — " While he doth Rior's Orgies haply fnare." — 
 For an Ode, where we expeft all the Harmony of 
 Numbers, and the highell: Polilh of Languap-e, this 
 Manner furely is improper.— I keep it a licrlc longer, 
 perhaps it may pleafe better on the fecond Reading. 
 
 —I wiih you and your Lady much Joy at Chrijimas, 
 or rather all Joy in Chrift. He is come, f Ic is come 
 to judge the Earth; to do that for enllave;! and ruined 
 Mankind, which the heroic Judges of old did for J/rael 
 — to deliver them from Bondage, and eliablilh them in 
 Peace. Is not this the Senfe o( Fjal. xcvi. 11, 12, 13. 
 — Ah ! v^hat pity ! that, while io many Heroes are 
 celebrated, Jelus the Didire of Nations, and the Bright- 
 
 * " We know that if our cp.rthly Houfe of this Tabernacle were 
 diflblved, we have a Building of God, an Ilouie not ixi.i.!c with 
 Jiands, eternal in the Heavens." 
 
 t See Letter CXXXIV. Vol. IL Page 419, 
 
 8 iiefs 
 
28 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 nefs of his Father's Glory, jfhould be totally difregarded. 
 Thou High and Holy One, fince Authors of Genius 
 with-hold the Tribute of Praife, glorify thy Name by 
 a Worm, by Impotence, by 
 
 James Hervev. 
 
 LETTER CLII. 
 
 A Rotation from Luther on Chrifi's Power to fave ; to 
 ijvhich is addedy Mr. Boyfe's Letter. 
 
 Weflon, yurie 7, 1759* 
 Reverend and dear Sir., 
 
 DON'T you take it amifs, that I have anfwered 
 your lafl kind Letter no fooner ! I have fuch a 
 MultipHcity of ^j)//?o/^ry Engagements, and fuch a poor 
 Pittance of Strength, that I cannot be fo pun6lual in 
 my Acknowledgments, as my Friends may expect, and 
 as I myfelf willi. 
 
 You defired to fee Mr. Boyfe's Letter to me : — I here 
 inclofe it j and it jfhould have been fent to you earlier, 
 but I could not find it amidft the confufed Heap of my 
 Papers till Yefterday. — I am very forry to hear he . is 
 fo ill, as there is little Probability of expecting any 
 Thing further from his mafterly Pen. — I really think 
 his little Poem, intitled Deity, (in which he is not un- 
 mindful of the great Redeemer) is as ufeful and fine a 
 Piece * of Poetry as moft in the Englifh Language. — I 
 fo much admire it, that I have infenfibly as it were got 
 k by Heart. God grant that it may be influential on 
 every Reader. 
 
 ♦ See Letter XXXVIIL Page 161, Vol. IL 
 
 I was 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 29 
 
 I was reading the other Day a curious Book written 
 by Mr. Flemings and intided. The Fulfilling of the Scrip-- 
 iures complete ; in which I met with a valuable Quota- 
 tion from Luther's Letter to Melan^hon^ who was then 
 in much Anguifli on the apparent Hazards of thofe 
 Tim.es. " If this (fays Luther) be the Caufe of God, 
 and not of Man, then all the Burthen fhould be call 
 on Him. Why doft thou afflift and torment thyfelf, 
 feeing God hath given his Son for us ? — Why do we 
 tremble or fear ! Will he forfake us in fmaller Things, 
 who hath given us fo great a Gift ? — Is Satan ftronger 
 than God ? — Should we fear the World, which Chrift 
 has overcome ? If the Caufe we contend for be not the 
 Truth, let us change j but if the Caufe be holy and 
 juft, why do we not credit the Promife and Falthfulnefs 
 of God ? — It is certain Satan can reach no farther than 
 this prefent Life, but Chrift reigneth for ever, under 
 whofe Proteflion the 7'ruth now is : He will not fail to 
 be with us unto the End. — If He be not with us, I be- 
 feech you tell me where He fhall be found .? — ^If we be 
 not of his Church, do you think that the Bilhop of 
 Rome and our Adverfaries are of it ? We are indeed 
 Sinners, but Chrift is true, whofe Caufe we have in 
 Hand -, which he has hitherto maintained without our 
 Counfel, and fo He will do unto the End." — Mr, Flem^ 
 ing then juftly obferves, that Luther refted on Chrift, 
 when all vifible Props broke under him. 
 
 What animating Confiderations are theje under all the 
 Difcouragements we may meet v/ith in our minifterial 
 Labours ! — How does the Work of the Lord profper 
 in your Hand ! May you b,e in this Refpe6l as a fruitful 
 Bough by the Wall ; may your People fit under your 
 Shadow with great Delight;, and your Fruit be fweet 
 unto them ! 
 
 I am, your's, ^c. 
 
 J. Hervey. 
 
%6 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 The following is a genuine Copy of Mr. Boyjy§ 
 * Letter to Mr. Hervey. 
 
 Reverend and dear Sir^ 
 
 " Tj^OR your tender Admonitions and excellent Ad- 
 
 A vice, I am truly indebted to you ; as they dif- 
 cover a generous and companionate Concern for my 
 better Part. — I blefs God I have Reafon to hope, that 
 great Work is not to do j for of all the Marks of In- 
 fatuation I know amongfl Men, there can be none 
 equal to that of trufting to a Death-bed Repentance. 
 
 " I do not pretend to vindicate my own Conduct — * 
 nor can I ever forget the very Chriftian Senfe of my 
 Condition and Misfortunes, which (notwithftanding all 
 my Mifbehaviour) yon have fo pathetically exprelled. 
 —The Follies of my Youth have furniflied a plentiful 
 Harveft of Refle6bion for my latter Years. As I have 
 been now for a long Time in a Manner buried from 
 the World, fo it has been my Endeavour to fpend that 
 Time in lamenting my paft Errors, and in purfuing a 
 Courfe of Life void of Offence towards God, and 
 Man. 
 
 *' I have learnt to truft in Goid as my only Portion ; 
 fo blefs him for his fatherly Correflions, which have 
 been much gentler than my Demerit ; and by which I 
 have been taught to know Him^ and Myjelf \ his infinite 
 Mercy and Goodnefs ; my own Ingratitude and Un- 
 worthinefs ; fo that I may truly fay with the returning 
 Prodigal, * Father, I have finned againft Heaven, and 
 againit thee> and ani wJ laorthy to be called thy Son.' 
 
 " My Health is in a very precarious State ; and the 
 greateft Hopes of Recovery I have (which are very 
 
 * Mr. Btyyfe died foon after he wrote this Letter to Mr. Hcr-vey.--^ 
 His Poem intitled. Deitj, paffed through feveral Editions. 
 
 fmall) 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 31 
 
 fmall) arife from warm Weather and the Country Air. 
 —I thank God I am abfokitely reftgncd to his holy and 
 blefled Will. I have feen enough of the Vanity and 
 Folly of earthly Things, and how infufficient they are 
 to larisfy.the Defires of an immortal Soul. 1 d.mfenfible 
 of my own Wrctchcdnefs and Nothingnefs ; and that 
 my only Hope of Salvation is through that blefled 
 Redeemer, who died to fave loft Sinners. — This is my 
 Rock of Hope againft an approaching Eternity. 
 
 " May you long, Sir, tafte thofe true and unfading 
 Pleafurcs, which attend the Praftice of Religion and 
 Virtue ; and may you, by your fhining Example, be a 
 jMeans of turning many to Righteoufnefs : This is the 
 fmcerc and ever grateful Wilh of 
 
 Your moft obliged, and faithful Servant, 
 
 S. Boyjer 
 
 L E tX T E R CLIII. 
 
 On the Manner in which the Poor receive the Gofpel of 
 
 Chrijl. 
 
 'Dear Sir^ 
 
 TH E following is an Extra6l of a Letter, wrote by 
 a young Creature, labouring under an incurable 
 Diftemper, and languifhing in the near Approaches of 
 Death. 
 
 " I am at this Time more happy than Tongue can. 
 exprejs. — Never did I feel Js much of the Love of Chrifi 
 JJjcd abroad in my Heart, as now. He has given me full 
 Affurance that he has out of Love to my Soul cafl all my 
 Sins behind his Back, (Ilaiah xxxviii. 17.) — 'And ch ! 
 
 why 
 
32 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 <why need I fear Death, when the Sting is taken away ? — > 
 No ! though I am a Sinner ■> yet I have an Advocate with 
 the Father : and though while I continue in this vile Body, 
 I fear, I Jhall too often grieve him, yet is his Love Jiill 
 the fame ; which makes me abhor myjelf, that ever I fhould 
 fin againfi fo kind, Jo compajjionate a Saviour'' 
 
 See by this how the Poor receive, how the Poor 
 i>elieve, and how the Poor adorn the Gofpel of God ouf 
 Saviour, This has indeed no great Authority to (Sig- 
 nify it, no Flowers of Eloquence to recommend it j 
 Nothing but the tranfparent Sincerity, and the native 
 Sublimity of its Piety. It breathes however the very 
 Spirit, which I long to attain i and, though it comes 
 from a Perfon in low Life and of no Education, yet I 
 believe very few, even amongft the Names of highefl 
 Diftinftion for Wit, 'Genius, and Learning, will be able 
 in the fame Circumftances, to exercile the fame Mag- 
 nanimity of Mind. — I am, 
 
 Your's, ^r. 
 
 LETTER CLIV. 
 
 Comfort under Affliction — On the Battle of the Sexes, 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 I Truly fympathife with you in all your Calamities j 
 but to be afflivted more or lefs is the common Lot 
 of God's People ; and it is frequently their Fate to be 
 exercifed with frowning Providences in a remarkably 
 grievous Manner. — Under fuch Circumftances we fliould 
 fuggeft foft Hints of Admonition, with the fame friendly 
 Intention as aduated the Prophet Jeremiah, when he 
 ^addreffed this Exhortation to his Countrymen, '•' Let 
 1 us 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 33 
 
 lis fearch and try our Ways, and, if we are found De- 
 linquents, turn again unto the Lord," [Lament, iii. 4.) 
 •—We fhould likewife comfort each other by obfcrving 
 that God, who heareth Prayer, has Bowels of ever- 
 kfting Compaflion, and does not willingly afflift the 
 Sons of Men i that this adorable God has given his 
 all-glorious Son to be a bleeding Sacrifice for our Sins; 
 and that, if he with-held not his Son, his only Son, 
 but delivered him up for us all, how Ihall he not alfo 
 with Him freely give us all Things ? — All Things, that 
 pertain to Life and Godlinefs ; to Subfiftence here, and 
 Salvation for ever. — Prompted by the infinite Benignity 
 of his Nature, and engaged by his inviolable Promife, 
 he never faileth thofe, that feek him. — Oh how ready 
 is He to give his Holy Spirit ! to give all Happinefs 
 to thofe, who with an humble Sincerity will apply to 
 Himi infinitely more ready than we are to give our 
 Children a Morfel of Bread to fave them from perifliint* 
 with Hunger. — Thefe are indeed comfortable Confidera- 
 tions, and are the ftrongeft Rcafons why we fhould con- 
 tinually be making our Requefls known unto him. 
 
 I fear Mr. Sm — h the Builder, is a very bad Man, 
 
 and too juftly deferves the Name you give him. 
 
 Labourers I am told are diftreffed by his negleding to 
 pay them ; which I can alTure you very much grieves 
 me J nor is it in my Power to redrefs them : — I wifli it 
 was : — They fhould foon fee what it is to have to do 
 with one, " who nameth the Name of Chrifl." (2 Tim. 
 ii. 19.) 
 
 Pleafe to lend me Dr. Squire's Indifference for Reli- 
 gion inexctifable. — I mightily like the Title of it j and I 
 hope it will be an Antidote againfl the fafhionable and 
 growing Indifference to Religion. 
 
 Did you ever fee a Shilling Poem intitled The Battle 
 of the Sexes .<* 'Tis wrote in the Spirit of Spen/er, and 
 
 Vol. m. D is 
 
34- MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 is indeed one of the prettieft Things I ever met with.— 
 But it is very evident, that the Author has taken his 
 Plan from Fletcher's Purple IJland*. The celebrated 
 Pitt of New College, who tranflated Virgil and Vida-^ 
 has wrote a comphmentary Copy of Verfcs, which are 
 prefixed : a Specimen of which I have here felecled to 
 fliew you the Nature of it. 
 
 <* What Mufe but you/s fo juftly could difplay, 
 
 *' Til' embattl'd PaJJiotis marfhall'd in Array ? 
 
 " Bid the rang'd Appetites in Order move, 
 
 ** Give Luji a Figtn'e, and a Shape to Love P 
 
 " To airy Notions folid Forms difpenfe ! 
 
 ** And make our Thoughts the Images of Senfe ! 
 
 " Difcovcr all this rational Machine, 
 
 '• And fliow the Movements, Springs, and Wheels within." 
 
 As I was looking yeflerday at my Preface to the new 
 Edition of Jenks's Meditations, I obferved in the Cata- 
 logue of his Works, that, either through my own, or 
 the Printer's Negligence, two little Pieces are omitted j 
 one of them in his Serious Thoughts on the wonderful 
 God; which is very ufeful in aflifting us to form proper 
 Notions of the divine Perfe6lions : The other is his Glo- 
 rious Victory of Chrijlianity, exemplified in Jofeph's hard 
 Conflift, and happy Efcape. — 'Tis Pity, that this little 
 Piece is not more regarded by Parents, as it is perhaps 
 the belt f Thing of its Size, ever wrote on the Subjeft, 
 
 and 
 
 • See the 131/1 Letter in Volume IT. — Compare feveral of tlie 
 perfonified Virtues and Vices depifted by Fletcher in his Purple IJland^ 
 (Canto vi. to Canto xn.) with fome of thofe drawn by the Author of 
 the Brittle of the Sexes. 
 
 + The Price of Jenh's Vi&ory of Chafhy is a Shilling only ; and 
 ^ery fit for thofa, who have little Leifure for Reading : But the 
 cOmpleteft Treatife of this Kind is the Celebrated Ojiert'aUh on Uri' 
 deanncfs ; wherein the Nature of it is coniidered, the Caufes and 
 Confequences of it ; and likewife the Duties of fuch as are under 
 
 thr 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 35 
 
 and ought to be put into the Hands of" :i\\ young People ; 
 for, as St. Augujiin juflly obferves, Inter omnia Cert a- 
 mina Chrijlianorum duriora Jiint Pralia Cajlitatis -, nam 
 ibi continua Pugna, i^ rara Victoria *. — If another Edi- 
 tion of Jenks's Meditations fliould be demanded ; and 
 if it fhould pleafe God to take me to Him/elf before 
 that Time, I here defire the Favour of you to fee^ that 
 thefe two Uttle Trads be inferted in the Catalogue of 
 Mr. Jenkis Writings, given in my Preface to that 
 Book by. 
 
 Your ever afFedlionate, ^c. 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 LETTER CLV. 
 
 On the Power and Mercy of Chrifi. 
 
 JVefion-Favelly Aug. \y 17^6. 
 hear Sir, 
 
 YEfterday I received the Favour of your Letter ; — 
 was furprifed to find you fo near me ; and grieved 
 to hear of the Occafion^ Oh ! that both of us may be 
 
 the Guilt of it : To which is added, a Difcourfe concerning the 
 Nature of Chaftity, and the Means of obtaining it. Price four 
 Shillings. This was the fame 0/?trz>aU who wrote the Treatife 
 concerning the Cauj'es of the Corruption of Chrifians arid its Remedies, 
 which Bilhop Burnet ordered his Chaplain to tranflate from the 
 original French into Englijh. 
 
 * The Meaning of which is, " Amidft all the various and Hiarp 
 Encounters in the Chriilian Warfare, the Attacks on our Chaility 
 are perhaps the molt formidable, as the Combat is llrenuous and 
 lafting ; a complete Viftory being rarely obtained." How much 
 therefore does it behove us, to call in every Auxiliary, and to put on 
 the complete Armour of God that we may be able to ftand agaijift 
 the Wiles of the Devil. — See the fifth Edition of GumaJl's Chrijiian 
 Armour, and Ephef. vi. II. 
 
 D 2 enabled 
 
3i MISCELLANEOUS LETtERS. 
 
 enabled to cafl all our Care upon the Almighty ! foT 
 furely he who gave — not an Arch-Angel — not a World 
 " — but Hhj?/elf, — his moft blefled Self for our Sins — 
 furely He careth for us. 
 
 Yesi dear Sir ; I think from my very Heart, that 
 the grand Controverfy which the King of Heaven has 
 with our Nation, is for our prevailing Contempt of his 
 moft adorable Son Jefus Chrift. A Gift, compared 
 with which every Thing in Earth or Sky, is lighter 
 than Duft upon the Scale. A Gift, by which an om- 
 nipotent and eternal God not only demonftrates, but 
 commands his Love. Matchlefs then and unfpeakable 
 muft it be ! — See ! how the Prophet Ifaiah exults and 
 triumphs in this glorious Gift. With an Ardour of 
 Gratitude, and with a Tranfport of Delight, he cries ; 
 " To us a Child is born ; to tis a Son is given j" in 
 whofe Perfon is a Dignity j and in whofe Righteoufnefs 
 an Efficacy, infinitely furpafTing the Power of Thought. 
 And fhould not fuch a Gift be the darling Topick of 
 oiir Converfation ; be the avowed Glory and the general 
 Joy of our Nation ? Yet ftrange to tell ! affliftive to 
 obferve ! this divinely excellent Gift is forgot, is re- 
 ]e(5ted, or treated with the moft cold Indifference. 
 Where are the People, who mention it, or can bear to 
 hear it mentioned in their Company ? Inftead of being 
 in Raptures at the Sound, are they not difgufted and 
 chagrined ? — And does not God behold all this ? Did 
 he ever receive fo horrid an Affront, or is it poffible 
 for his Creatures to a61: a more contumelious and dif- 
 dainful Part ? — But whither am I running ? — Pardon 
 me, dear Sir, pardon my full Heart — my wounded 
 j-jeart — which has concurred to aggravate this crying 
 Iniquity. — Oh that its invariable Language, for the 
 future, may be ; God forbid, that I ftiould glory, or 
 rejoice, or confide, fave in the Crofs of Chrift Jefus 
 my Lord : In Him I have Pardon of my Sinsj in Him 
 
 I have 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 37 
 
 I liave Peace with God -, in Him I have eternal life. 
 Therefore " Him firfl. Him lad. Him midft, and with- 
 out End *," will I remember, acknowledge, celebrate. 
 Now you are come fo far, could you not make a 
 little farther Excurfion ? Could not you favour us with 
 your Company at JVeJion ? where you would find a 
 plain Houfe and a faithful Heart open to receive you.r— 
 I have no News from the literary World; and my 
 Orders to my Bookfeller are few. — But having Occa- 
 fion to write, not long ago, to Amjierdamy I fcnt for all 
 my favourite Author's Works : Witfius I mean ; the 
 polite and pious Witftus. — My Bookfeller is reprinting, 
 in two Volumes at my Defire Jenks's, Meditations ; 
 which I propofe to recommend by a prefatory Addrefs 
 to the Publick. — Let me foon hear from you, if I can- 
 not Jee you : And may your Letter be in every Senfe 
 an Evangeliftj 
 
 Ever yours, while 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 LETTER CLVI. 
 
 On a Friend* s providential Efcape, 
 
 JVeJion-Favelly April 2% y 1757. 
 
 WHAT has my dear Friend been fpeaking for the 
 Honour of him, who faved his Life from De- 
 ftrudion ?— How are you ? — How is your Lady after 
 your great Fright f , and greater Deliverance ? — Calm, 
 
 now, 
 
 * Milton. 
 
 f Dr. 5 of A ^ ' n was driving his Wife in a fingle Horfe 
 
 Chair, when the Horfe fuddenly took Fright, and flung his Iiinder 
 Leg over one of the Shafts, juft by the Side of a very deep Ditch ; 
 
 p 3 Bein| 
 
38 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 now, I truft, and no Emotions in your Mind, but of 
 Gratitude to the great Preferver of Men, who kept all 
 your Bones, fo that not one of them is broken. 
 
 Now, I hope, you will be fteadily and uniformly 
 ferious. You fee, God warns you, yet fpares you. 
 To others^ he has appointed fuch Dangers as befel you 
 Yeflerday, to be the Meffenger of Death 5 to you, he 
 has defigned them only as an Admonition of Love : Hear 
 then your Preserver's Voice. No longer delay to 
 lecure your Salvation: Be zealous (I mean dijcreetly 
 zealous) for your Saviour j and for that Gofpel, wliich 
 you underftand better than moft of our Clergymen. — 
 How can you refuie to fpeak boldly for fuch a Mafter ; 
 and to devote yourfelf to his Service in earneft, who 
 forgives all your Backflidings, watches over you with 
 fuch tender Compaflion, and waits (yea waits) to be 
 
 GRACIOUS UNTO YOU. 
 
 My dear Friend, may the Lord Jefus turn us hoth to 
 Himfelf, who is our Refuge, our Salvation, and all our 
 Hope ; who fhould be our Boaft, our Triumph, and 
 all our Joy. 
 
 I long to fee your amiable Friend the Reverend Mr. 
 Dyer's Poem on the Fleece *. — I fuppofe he will make 
 
 Being thus entangled, and a high mettled Horfe, he kicked with all 
 imaginable Fury, and feveral Times his Hoofs came within a Hair's 
 Breadth of their Heads : — They called in vain on their Servant who 
 had loitered behind, and they muft both have inevitably been dafhed 
 to Pieces, had not the Horfe by the Violence of his Kicking, broke 
 the Harnefs, Bar, and Shafts, and thus fortunately difentangled him- 
 felf. — This Accident happened near Mr. Her-veys Houfe at Wefton. 
 Fwvell, to which they then went. 
 
 * The Fleece, is an elegant and corre£l Poem in four Books, 
 \vritten by Mr. Dyer, who pubJilhed the celebrated Poem on the 
 Jluim of Rome, at which Place he lived many Years. He was 
 originally a Painter, and afterwards Reftor of Cathorp, in Lticejier- 
 Jhire.—^z was near twenty Years in writing the Fleece. 
 
 you 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 39 
 
 you a Prefent of it. — When you have done with it, 
 pleafe to fend it me. — I hear it is to be fold at five 
 Shilhngs, which I cannot afford to give lor it. 
 
 In your lafl Letter you afked me for two Guineas, 
 out of my Charity Purfe, for our very deferving and 
 very diftrcfTed Friend. — Indeed it is quite cxhaufled ;— 
 nay I don't think I have a ftngle Guinea in the World, 
 even for my own Ufe; though 1 forbear every unneceffary 
 Expence, and want ma72y of the little Conveniences of 
 Life, that I may be enabled to fuccour the worthy Ser- 
 vants of Chrift. — I have agreed to go Halves with 
 Rivmgton in the Profits of my Book j and I always make 
 it a Maxim, not to give till I have gotten. — " Bej/zy?, 
 before you are generous j' is your own Rule too. — If the 
 Lord pleafes to pro/per my Work, I will very readily 
 communicate to the Comfort of fuch worthy Objefts, 
 as you may think proper to recommend to the Charity 
 o(f my dear Friend, 
 
 Yours very affectionately, 
 
 Jam£s Hervev. 
 
 LETTER CLVII. 
 
 Various Remarks. — Jenks'$ Vi5fory ofChaJiity recommended. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 MR. Mo/es Browne * has, I think, thirteen Children. 
 One is fetded in the World ; and a Friend of his 
 has taken another for his Clerk, gratis. — We propofc 
 
 * The Reverend Mr. Mo/es Broivne (the Author of Sur/i/ay Thoughts, 
 and various other Pieces) is now Vicar of Olnry, in Buckingr'c.TvJhirtt 
 the Revenue of which is about fifty Pounds, being his only ii.come, 
 and He above fifty Years old. See in Letter LVIIL Vol. li. Mr. 
 ller'uey\ Opinion of Him, and hi« Writing ; even before the Com* 
 menccment of their Intimacy. 
 
 D 4 to 
 
40 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 to put out one of his Daughters to fome decent Bull- 
 iiefs ; by which Ihe may have the Means of getting her 
 Livelihood. — He has been at a great Expence poor 
 Man ! by the Sicknefs of his Family. —Your Contri- 
 bution on this Occafion will be acceptable. Dr. ■ 
 has offered to augment the Colleftion ; and Mr. * * * 
 I am fure will readily add his charitable Afliftance, efpe- 
 cially if you recommend the Cafe. 
 
 — We are in daily Expectation of our Friend H. I 
 wifh, you could make up the Triumvirate of the Guejis. 
 At all our fociai Interviews, our News is fetched from 
 the Bible j Chrift is the Monarch, and Heaven the 
 Country, on which we difcourfe -, Oh that I may be 
 enabled to improve thefe precious Opportunities ! Not 
 be like Pharaoh's lean Kine, deftitute of Growth, though 
 crammed with Plenty ! — My Flock would have been 
 peculiarly delighted, to have heard your Voice in the 
 Pulpit : They would have hung on your Lips ; and I 
 verily believe, the Words would not have been in vain 
 in the Lord. There's no Expedient fo effectual to 
 warm our Htarts as an unremitted Endeavour to awaken 
 the Love of a bleeding Saviour in the Breaft of others. 
 
 I am truly grieved at the Account of yourjelf. You 
 know who has faid, " I will heal their Backflidings and 
 love them freely j" and dare we by giving way to Un- 
 belief make the God of Truth a Liar ? Hear the Words 
 of the Lord fpoke by Jeremiah ^ Ch. iii. 12. " Return 
 thou Backfliding Ifrael, and I will not caufe mine Anger 
 to fall upon you, only acknowledge thine Iniquities which 
 thou haft tranfgreffed againft the Lord thy God." 
 
 Recommend Jenks's Vi5iory of Chajiity to Mr. ***, 
 and tell him, that though the Lufts of the Flelh are 
 inveterate Enemies, yet three Methods may be pre- 
 fcribed for a Viftory over them. 1. A believing Ap- 
 ■ plication of the Redeemer'^ Death. The Saints in Glory, 
 once Men of like PafTions with ourfelvcs, overcame 
 
 through 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 4? 
 
 through the Blood of the Lamb : *^ He bare our Sins 
 in his own Body on the Tree, that we being dead unto 
 Sin, might live unto Righteoufnefs." 2. An habitual 
 Reliance on the Spirit of God, " l^ ye, through the 
 Spirit, do mortify the Deeds of the Body, yc Ihall li've'" 
 Chrift by his Spirit a<5ls on our depraved, polluted 
 Hearts, as a Refiner's Fire, and as Fuller's Soap. 
 3. An Improvement of the divine Prcmijes. God has 
 given unto us exceeding great and precious Promifes ; 
 that by thefe we might be Partakers of a divine Nature, 
 having efcaped the Corruption that is in the World 
 through Lufi. 
 
 Thefe tell Mr. * * * to lay up in his Memory ; on 
 thefe let \\\m meditate ; and plead them before our hea- 
 venly Father in frequent, earned Prayer. And then let 
 him be of good Comfort, the Bleffing of Gad will be 
 his Portion. Gad^ a Troop Ihall overcome him, but 
 ]He fhall overcome at the laft. See Gen, xlix. 19. 
 
 Our dear Friend prefents his Love ; and wifhes you 
 may be very zealous for the Lord God of Hofts. — You 
 have conflantly an Interell in my beft Prayers, but I 
 am utterly unworthy to approach the immaculate Purity 
 and infinite Holinefs of the great God -, — yet bleffed 
 be his adorable Name for Jefus Chrift. — Oh ! let us fly 
 to Chrift. " Turn ye to x.\\\sflrong Hold yt Prifoners 
 of Hope." Let us caft our every Burthen upon the 
 Lord Redeemer j have Accefs into the Holieft through 
 his precious Blood; and truft in his ever acceptable 
 Inter cejjion j for he intercedes (delightful Truth !) he 
 intercedes for Transgressors. 
 
 I amj dear Sir, ^c. 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 LET^ 
 
4Z MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 LETTER CLVIIL 
 
 On various Suhje^s. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 MR. Hayward and Mr. Pyke's Cafes of Conference y 
 are printed in two Volumes, the firft of which I 
 •will lend, and here fend you. I return you Smollett's 
 'Tlifiory cf England and Weft's Pindar with Thanks. 
 How empty all thefe polite Piexes appear, compared 
 with the f acred Page ! May this delight our Tafte, for 
 this alone can comfort our Heart.— What I propofed to 
 write relating to the Subje<5t of Viftting on Sundays *, 
 was executed the Beginning of lall Week : Yet to fay 
 the Truth I am in fome Meafure backward to propagate 
 and enforce it j becaufe, till People begin to tafte fome- 
 thing of the Love of God, and find Delight in Chrift 
 Jefus, fuch Truths I doubt will only ftartle, and make 
 tliem dread Religion as burdenfome. 
 
 — Thanks for the Venifon. We cannot drefs it 
 To-day. All my Family are to be at Court this Morn- 
 ing : The King of Heaven has fent pofitive Orders, 
 and will not excufe either Man-Servant or Maid-Ser- 
 vant. — Won't you give us your Company in the After- 
 noon — when Mr. *** performs the <ivbole Service at my 
 Church ? I fancy you will not be difappointed, nor un- 
 edified : He feems to have a ready Utterance, a very 
 good Voice, and a fervent Zeal for the Honour of 
 Chrift : May the Arrow of the Gofpel go forth from 
 his Lips as the Lightning ! — I hope, you will hnn% your 
 Wife with you : Such lively Preaching as I expeft, may 
 be a Blefiing to both of you. — Oh ! that Chrift may 
 
 * Mr. Her^jey'% ConfJerations on the pre'vailing Cujiom cf njifiting on 
 Sundays are printed in the firft Volume with his Sermons. 
 
 guide 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 43 
 
 guide us with his Coiinfel, and warm us with his Love ; 
 —make us ufeful in our Generation, and mete for his 
 heavenly Kingdom ! 
 
 Why does our Friend talk of not accepting ***^ 
 becaufe it is a pauliry Living? Surely he would not 
 reckon that a faultry Thing, which gave him an Op- 
 portunity of preaching Chrift, and winning Souls. If 
 he did^ He would not be able to fay, with a certain 
 
 Minifler now in Glory, *' I feek wot your Sy butjyc«." 
 
 The blefTed Hope of that Glory is enough : Lord, 
 ftrengthen it, brighten it, increafe it ever more and 
 more. — Oh ! that Minifters may work for their dying 
 Lord, while they have Health -, remembring, that Sick- 
 nefs may confine them to their Chamber, and Death 
 will imprifon them in the Grave. — God Almighty gives 
 us Courage, that we may fight the good Fight of Faith, 
 and Prudence, that we may not difhonour our high 
 Calling : Ere long Eternity receives us ; and then wc 
 reft from our Labours : Then we forget our tranfient 
 Toil, amidft innumerable Ages of Perfedion, and 
 Glory, and Joy. — For all this, not unto us, O Lord 
 Jefus, not unto us, but unto thy Love, thy Righteouf- 
 nefs, thy IntercefTion be the Praije ! 
 
 What fay you to my late well-meant Admonition ? 
 You are not offended, I hope. We muft ht faithful to 
 each other j or elfe how can we expe6t to meet with 
 Comfort, at tjic great Tribunal ; to meet with Tranfport, 
 amidft the Angels of Light ? 
 
 — rl have not heard from Biddeford : As foon as I 
 receive Information, it ftiall be communicated to you. 
 —And may the Lord fulfil that Promife to us i^oth ; 
 *' I will inform thee, and teach thee, in the J^ay wherein 
 thou ihalt go." 
 
 — Pray have you got Dr. ArmJlrong\ Poem on 
 Health ? It is highly extolled by Mr. Warton the Tranf- 
 lator of Virgil^ as a mofi correSiy and (which with Him 
 
 fecms 
 
4f MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 
 
 feems to comprehend all Excellency) a clajfical Per- 
 formance. I fhould like to peep upon it by way of 
 Amufement; for as to the Blefling it celebrates, I ex- 
 peft it not, till this vile Body is made like unto Chrift's 
 glorious Body : Blefied be God for this delightful Hope j 
 may it every Day be brighter in you, and brighter in 
 
 Your molt affedtionate 
 
 James Hervev, 
 
 LETTER CLIX, 
 
 Remarks on Aljofs Anti-Sozzo. 
 
 WeJlon-FaveU, Nov. 7, 1758. 
 Rev. and dear Sir, 
 
 I Should be very ungrateful, if I did not thank you 
 for your late Prcfent , and for the many obliging 
 Things you are pleafed to fay of me and my Writings 
 in your valuable Letter. — I hope they'll be fuccefsful 
 Advocates for the Furtherance of the Gofpel 5 and I 
 am very forry to hear by you, as well as from feveral 
 other of my Correfpondents in Scotland, that the Gentle- 
 men of Letters in that Kingdom are deplorably gone 
 off from the Simplicity and Truth of the Scriptures^ 
 and that the Socinian Tenets are gaining Ground apace. 
 — I could wifh, methinks, at this critical Juncture that 
 ^lJof% * Anti-SozzOj which made its firft Appearance 
 
 in 
 
 * Anti-Soxxo, or againft Socinus {Faujlits) a Native of Sienna,, 
 whofe Italian Name was $ozzo. — He wrote a Book about 1575, in- 
 titled De Jefu Chrijio Ser'vatore, and died 1604 ; but his Sefl was far 
 from dying with Him. — He held, that the Arians had given too much 
 to Jefus Chrill: ; and affert^d that He was mere Man» and bad no Ex- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 45 
 
 in 1675, was judicioiifly abridged y and in the neat 
 Glafgow Type, reprinted in a duodecimo Volume — 
 though 'tis almoft a Pity to abridge it (unlefs it was well 
 
 executed) 
 
 iftence before A/^ry. — He denied, that the Holy Ghoft was a diJllnSi 
 Perfon, and alledged that the Name of God given to Jefus Chrift 
 fignifies no more than that God the Father had given him a./o'vereign 
 Poiver over all his Creatures ; and that in Confequence of this Pri- 
 <vilege Men and Angels ought to adore him. He denied the Redemption 
 cfChriJi, affirming that what He did for Men, was only to give them 
 a Pattern of heroick Virtue, and to feal his Doflrine by his Death. 
 He held likewife other pernicious and erroneous Tenets; which are 
 too tedious here to mention. — In the Reign of King Charles the 
 fccond, thefe Socinian Tenets were gaining ground in England, when 
 Mr. j^lfop, one of the ^iltiefi, as well as one of the bejl of Men in 
 that Age, wrote this Book, which he called. Anti-So^zo, in Oppo- 
 fiuon to the fundamental Errors then maintained by feme eminent 
 Divines, and in Vindication of the great Truths of the Gofpcl.— 
 His own W'ords, extradted from his Preface to that Work (which he 
 figned N. N. merely to avoid the Difcovery of his true Name) are 
 as follow. " If the Socitiians oppofe, every true Chriftian fhould 
 defend the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift ; for the Difputc is not now about 
 Decency and Order ; about Fringes and Phyladleries ; about the 
 Ty thing of Mint, Anife and Cummin ; but about the hf.uence of the 
 Righteoufnefs of ChriiFs Life, and the Sacrifice of his Death, upon 
 our Acceptance with God, about the Intereil of the blcjfed Spirit in 
 the glorious Work of the new Creation ; whether Chrift be a proper 
 Prieft, or not? Whether as a Prieft he offered bimfelf as a /ro/^r 
 Sacrifice to God, or not ? Whether God and Man are reccncikd, and 
 we redeemed from the Curfe of the Law by the Blood cf Jefus, or 
 not ? — Whether we are juftified before the juft and holy God by our 
 oiv« Righteoufnefs, or by the Righteoufnefs oi 2. Mediator ? — And 
 in a Word, Whether the Death of Chrift be the proper and imme- 
 diate Caufe of any one fmgle Bleffing, great or fmall, of the Cove- 
 nant of Grace? J n which the Concerns, all the eternal Hopes of 
 every ChrilHan arc wrapc up ; and wherein that he may not miftake, 
 and fo finally mifcarry, as it is the unfeigned Defign of my writing 
 this Book, fo it is my earneft Prayer." 
 
 Mr, Vincetit Alfop, and Mr. William Sherlock (afterwards Doftor 
 and Dean of St. Paul's) were Pupils at St. John's College, Cambridge^ 
 under the fame Tutor. 
 
 But when Sherlock in a Socinian Book printed in 1674, improperly 
 intitledj J Di/courfe concerning the KnotuUdge of Jefus Chrifi, and our 
 
 Union 
 
46 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 executed) as the JVhole is fo interefting, and might be 
 contained in two 'Duodecimo Volumes, or even in one 
 Oviavo Volume, if printed at Glafgow. — It is, I can 
 affure you, a very /mart Book, and one of the beft 
 Defences of the evangelical Dodlrines I ever faw, or 
 €ver cxpecft to fee, even if my Life, which now draws 
 very near its End, could be prolonged to the next 
 Century. — In fliort, I think it an unanjwerahle Perform- 
 ance; and Divines of ^i/^ry Denomination would do 
 welU to make themfclves thoroughly Majlers of this 
 Ipirited and entertaining Writer ; as they would then be 
 able to defend the Truth as it is in Jefus, againft all 
 kind of Opponents, how witty, keen, fubtle, or ma- 
 lignant foever the Attack might be. I would therefore 
 
 XJnion and Communion nvith him, had in Drollery ufed fuch indecent 
 ExprefTions as the following, 111%. (Page 46 of the faid Book) " That 
 the Jufrice of God hath glutted itfelf with Revenge in the Death of 
 Chriil, and fo hence forward we are fure he will be very kind, as a 
 revengeful Man is when his Paffion is over:" And the next Page, 
 cxprefied himfelf, ftill more indecently , by faying that " The Sum of 
 which is this, that God is all Love and Patience, when he has taken 
 his Fill of Revenge, or as others ufed to fay, the Devil is very good 
 when he is pleafed." When Mr. Alfop read thefe Paffages he was 
 fhocked, and feeing Dr. Sherlock had no more Reverence to the Ma- 
 jefly of God, no more Regard to the Authority of Scriptures than 
 to write as above, Mr. Al/cp was determined to attack him, and to 
 plead for Chrift and his Truth here at the Footjiool, who pleads for us, 
 according to his Truth, at the Throne. Nor was any Man better 
 qualified than Himfelf, either to give a Check to a Man of Sherlock\ 
 Talents and imperious Difpofition ; or to the growing Petulancy of 
 the then daily encroaching Profanenefs. — On grave Subje*fts, he ap- 
 peared, as he was, the truly reverend Mr. Alfop, and wrote with a 
 becoming Serioufnefs (fee his PraSlical Godlinefs the Ornament of Re- 
 ligicn, O<^avo, publifhed in 1696) but where Wit might properly be 
 Ihcwn, He difplayed his to great Advantage, as may be feen in his 
 jinti-Sczzo. He died much rcfpefted and lamented, in May 1703. 
 A fuller Account of Him and his Writings may be feen in the Biogra- 
 phia Britannica, or Lives of the mofi eminent Men luho have flourifhed 
 in Great-Britain. 
 
 9 beg 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 47 
 
 beg you to recommend this Book as a Specifick againll 
 Socinianifm -, and ufe your Intereft to have it forthwith 
 reprinted at Glafgow. 
 
 Glad I am to be informed, that you are fo very 
 zealous for the Honour and Intereft of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift. — What can make Mankind happy, but his 
 Gofpel ? — What is worthy of ouf fedulous Application, 
 but his Intereft ? — ^What will be a fubftantial Reward, 
 but his Acceptance, Favour, and Love ? 
 
 I am now reduced to a State of Infant Weaknefs, 
 and given over by my Phyfician. — My grand Confola- 
 tion is to meditate on Chrift — and I am hourly repeating 
 thofe Heart-reviving Lines of Dr. Toung in his fourth 
 Night. 
 
 This — only this fubdues the Fear of Death :— 
 And what is this ? — Survey the wond'rous Cure : 
 And at each Step let higher Wonder rife ! 
 
 I. Pardon for infinite Offence ! — 2. And Pardon 
 Thro' Means that fpeak its Value infinite ! — 
 
 3. A Pardon bought with Blood ! — 4. With Blood divine ! 
 
 5. With Blood divine of him I made my Foe ! 
 
 6. Perfifted to provoke ! — 7. Tho' woo'd and aw'd, 
 Bleft, and chaftifed a flagrant Rebel ftill !— 
 
 8. A Rebel 'midft the Thunders of his Throne !^ 
 
 9. Nor I alone ! — 10. A Rebel Univerfe ! — 
 
 II. My Species up in Arms — 12. Not one exempt! 
 
 13. Yet for the Fouled; of the Foul he dies! — 
 
 14. Moft joy'd for the Redeem'd from dcepeft Guilt ! — • 
 
 15. As if our Race was held of highcd Rank ; 
 And, Godhead dearer, as more kind to Man. 
 
 Thefe amazingly comfortable Lines, I dare fay you 
 will treafure up in your Heart ; — and, when you think 
 of them, will think of me; and I hope, dear Sir, pray 
 for me, that I may not difgrace my Miniftry, or dif- 
 honour the Gofpel of my Mafter in my laft Moments 
 by Unbelief; — Safe, provoking Unbelief! — This pro- 
 bably is the laji Time you will ever hear from me -, for 
 
 indeed 
 
4l Miscellaneous LETTERSi 
 
 indeed 'tis with fome Difficulty I have wrote now, but I 
 Ihall not fail to remember you in my IntercefTions for 
 my Friends at the Throne of Chrift j — and I humbly 
 beg of God Almighty, that the Love of his Son may 
 fweetly conflrain you j and that his Promifes may be 
 ever operative on your Mind. I am, with great Grati- 
 tude and much Efteem, 
 
 Reverend and dear Sir, 
 
 Your affedionate Brother in Chrift, 
 
 James HERvir. 
 
 LETTER CLX. 
 
 On different SuhjeSfSi 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 SIncereil Thanks for your benevolent Offices : May 
 they, through our great High Priefl, and the In- 
 cenfe of his Atonement, go up as a Memorial before 
 God J not as a Demand, (we may obferve) not as a Bill 
 drawn upon Heaven, but only as a Memorial ! 
 
 I had a very reftlefs Night, tore ahnoft to Pieces by 
 my Cough. Strange ! that thefe flimfy Veffels can 
 bear fuch violent Straining ! that none of them will 
 burft, and let the battered Soul flip away, to her etfernal 
 Reft in Chrift ! 
 
 — Here are two Setts of the Meditations, with which 
 you may gratify fome of your Acquaintance. iThe 
 Lord Jefus Chrift grant, that they may promote his 
 Glory. Do not you often wifli, often pray, that the 
 fame blefTed Effect may be produced by your Book ? 
 We Authors ftiould not be like the OJlriches in the 
 Wildernefs, cruel and forgetful of their young. (L«w. 
 iv. J.) 
 
 *-If 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. -49 
 
 — if you have Dr. Grey's Tranflation of Haijokins 
 Browne\ Latin Poem on the Immortality of the Souly 
 favour me with the Sight of it ; it is a grand Subjed; 
 it is a glorious Subjedl ■, and, when confidered in Con- 
 nexion with jefus Chrift, it is a delightful Subjeft. 
 Oh that it may incite us to aim, " not at the Things 
 which are seen, for they are temporal; but at the 
 Things, which are not seen, for they arc eternal.''' 
 
 I have found the litde Treatife, intitled Recovery from 
 Sicknejs. It is one of the moft pertinent and rational, 
 the mofb animating and encouraging, that I have feen 
 on the Occafion. — Few ■propercr Pieces, I think, can 
 be put into a ftck Perfon's Hand *. May the Lord 
 God, omnipotent and gracious, accompany it with his 
 BleJJing ! 
 
 — I am always complaining ; complaining of my poor 
 Body, but I truft more and more refigned to the un- 
 erring and gracious Will of my Lord. 
 
 I beg, I intreat yon, if you value the Honour of the 
 Gofpel, that you will difliiade thofe polite Perfons you 
 mention, from conMng to hear me To-morrow. — My 
 Spirits fink more and more — I am vifited with fome 
 Returns of my hacking Cough ; perhaps, I fhall not 
 be able to fpeak at all. Such difagreeable Circum- 
 flances will only expofe me, and create in them very 
 unpleafing Ideas of what I fliall deliver. My Imagi- 
 nation is gone. — I am fenfible my Sermons are flat, and 
 my Voice fp i title fs.-— Why therefore fhould you bring 
 Perfons of Tajie to fee the Nakednefs of the Land ? — 
 The poor Country People love me tenderly, and there- 
 fore hear with my Infirmities ; elfe I fhould no longer 
 attempt to preach, even before them. — I am now unfit 
 to appear in the Pulpit. 
 
 * The Title is, Rocsvery from Sickncfs, or a Prefent to one lately 
 ralfedfrom a dangerous Di/orJcr, containing ferious Refleftions, Rcfo- 
 lutions, and Devotions, i'uita.ble to that Occafion. 
 
 Vol. m. E I hope 
 
5© MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 I hope Dr. Sivan's Journey will be blefled to the 
 Refloration and EftabliHiment of his Health. I wifh 
 I may never forget the Texty on which He heard the 
 Minilter of IVefton preach : I wifli, we may all enjoy 
 the BlelTing comprifed and promifed in it. " I will 
 pray the Father, and he fhall give you another Com- 
 forter, that he may abide with you for ever." — Don't 
 you, my dear Friend, think of fuch Things ? talk of 
 iuch Things to your Lady, and inftru6l your Children 
 in fuch Things ? — O ! let us remember, the Judge is 
 at the Door, and Eternity is near. — I heartily wilh Mrs. 
 *** a fpeedy Recovery, and a fan6lified Improvement 
 of her Affliftion : See, my dear Friend, how all Fleih 
 is Gr^^i but Jefus and his great Salvation endureth 
 for ever : Here is indeed an everlajiing PoffefTion. The 
 Text particularly fit for me and for you to meditate on, 
 {viz. Heb. i. 2, 3.) I will preach on next Sunday. — Can 
 any be more grand in itfelf, or more confolatory to us 
 Sinners ? 
 
 How go you on ? Do you fee any Opening in the 
 Affair we lafb talked about ? Are you come to any De- 
 termination ? Remember Hiniy who fees, this very 
 Moment, all the Confequences of every Step we take j 
 and who hath laid, in tender CompalTion to our Igno- 
 rance, " The Lord (\n?i\\ guide thee continually." — Pray, 
 beware of precipitate Refolutions, Feftina lente. — What- 
 ever we doy whitherlbever we go^ may we fay with the 
 PfalmifV, " This God is our God, for ever and ever j 
 He fnall be our Guide even unto Death." — My weak 
 State of Body difpirits my Mind, and enervates my 
 Hand. — Oh ! that I may be flrong in Faith, joyful 
 through Hope, and rooted in Charity ! — And not I only, 
 but my dear Friend, whofe I am. 
 
 Cordially and inviolably, while 
 
 J. LIervey. 
 
 LET- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 LETTER CLXI. 
 
 Burnham's Behaviour in his Illnejs cenjured. — Hints jhr 
 Survivors, — The Converfwn of a Libertine. 
 
 Sept. 25, 1755. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I Lately received a Letter from my very valuable Friend 
 Mr. ***, an Extraft of which I here tranfcribe, as 
 he has made Ibme juft Remarks on Mr. Burnham's 
 bleameable Behaviour in refufing the Help of a Pbyfician. — 
 I believe you can anfwer for me, that I fliall never be 
 guilty of that Fault; as I think altogether with the wife 
 Son of Sirach, that " the Lord hath created the Phy- 
 fician, and that fucli are to be regarded for the Uies 
 we may have of them. — The Lord likewife hath created 
 Medicines out of the Earth, and he that is wife will not 
 abhor them." Ecclus xxxviii. 
 
 *' 1 liave (fiys my Correfpondent) been reading 
 Burnhains Pious Memorials, as it was publiihed with 
 a recommendatory Preface by you^ in Behalf of hii 
 diftreiVcd Widow. The ^b'^^g Behaviour of Dr. Andrcjj 
 Rivet y Page 212, and Dr. Peter du Moulin, Page 263, 
 charms me exceedingly. --Every Word has its Weight, 
 and Ihincs like a well kx. Diamond in a Ring ; or as 
 Solomon exprclTes it, like an Apple, of Gold in a Picflurc 
 of Silver. — Mr. Burnham was undoubtedly an excellent 
 Man ; but He does not feem to come up to thefe in 
 divine Knowledge. Methinks I don't fo well approve 
 of his refufmg the Help of a Physician, Page 431, 
 and the Sli'jht with which he treated fuch a Propofal. — 
 It does indeed fliew, that He lived quite above the Fear 
 of Death ; but at the fame Time it ihcws great TVeak- 
 rufs of Mind. Life and Health are Mercies in the 
 
 E 2 Efteem 
 
$t MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Efteem of Heaven -, and the dying Chriftian ought to 
 efteem every Thing as God efteems it. Suppofe fucb 
 an one ddfires to die ^ yet ftill He ought to ufe every 
 lawful Means to live^ to make the Will of God his own,, 
 and to be willing to continue even out of Heaven, as 
 long as his heavenly Father pleafes. — T\\^ Jams Weaknejs 
 of Mind appears in his defiring his Friends not to pray 
 for his Life:, and in his being Jerrys tliat they made fo 
 much ado. Page 433. — Had he requefted them to pray 
 for him importunately, yet in humble Submiflion to the 
 Will of God; and to be fure to acquiejce in it, whether 
 for Life or Death, methinks it had been better. — ^An 
 earnell Defire of a fpeedy DifTolution has led fome 
 pious Martyrs, and fome dying Chrillians too, into a 
 Mijiakey which it is proper to take Notice of^. but more 
 proper to avoid." 
 
 How do you approve of the following Method in 
 converfing with the Survivors after the Lofs of a dear 
 Child, or Friend?— It is merely a Sketch; yet a due 
 Regularity is preferved by the three Divtfions :: And 
 fome of the Heads on each Divifion are to be enlarged 
 upon or omitted, and others added occafionally. — The 
 Ufe of fuch Sketches may be feen in the Preface to 
 Mr. Richards' s Hints for religious Converjation with the 
 AffiiSfed; whofe Plan, xhou^i fome of his Hints are not 
 fufiiciently adapted to the Cafe defcribed^ I highly ap- 
 prove -, as it cannot but be ferviceable to ifL'^ry Chriftian, 
 who is defirous of entering into fpiritual Difcourfe : 
 And more particularly to young Clergymen, who would 
 do well to tranfcribe, ftudy, and improve -thofe Hints ; 
 as they are too often at a lofs how to exhort, admonifh, 
 or comfort, as various Difpofitions, and Circumftances 
 require. — When you fend me your Opinion, make fuch 
 Alterations as occur to you. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 i> 
 
 The Conjolatlon. 
 It is God's WiJli — who ftill continues many Comforts 
 
 to us. — 
 His Will always wife, good, beil. 
 We arc his Creatures — He has a Right to us, as we 
 
 have to our Cattle or Lands. 
 It is the Lord's doing — this was th£ Support of Z/z, 
 
 Job.^ Hezekiah, 
 
 The Im'provement. 
 *' For us Men ficken, and for us they die." (Dr. Toun^^ 
 
 Night Thoughts >) 
 To wean our Hearts from the World. 
 To fet our Affedtions there, where true Joys are to be 
 
 found. 
 To excite us widi greater Diligence to prepare for our 
 
 own great Change. 
 
 Our oivn Preparation. 
 
 The only Preparation is to fccure the Favour of Chrifl, 
 and an Intcreft in his Merits, by which we are par- 
 doned and juilified. 
 
 A Participation of the Spirit of Chrift, by which we 
 are made^^ for Heaven. 
 
 I hope you remember, not v/ithout a pleafmg Mixture 
 of Gratitude and Joy, your divine, yet bleeding Lord : 
 I hope you feel a more comfortable Irujly that your 
 Sins are done away through that all-atoning Blood j "and 
 xhat you pray with a more fteady Faith for that moft 
 blefled Spirit, which was fealcd to our Enjoyrxient in the 
 holy Sacrament, of which v/e were fo lately Partakers. 
 
 I defire you will enter into (omc fpiritual Converfatioh 
 with the Bearer, whom I have recommended to you ; 
 you will then fee the more them rocky Hardnefs of the 
 human Heart, and the abicKue need of Prayer, and 
 
 E 3 almighty 
 
54 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 almighty Grace, in order to make it fufceptible of 
 faving ImprefTions. I dare fay you will draw feveral 
 ufeful Conclufions from this Interview, though your 
 Attempts for his Benefit, I fear, will prove ineffectual. 
 A Gentleman Yefterday told a Story, well attefted, 
 which you'll be pleafed to hear, as it fliews in a very 
 ftrong Light the Ufe of thofe PalTages of Scripture, 
 which the unthinki}2g are too apt to confider as ujelejs. A 
 certain Libertine, of a moft abandoned Character, hap- 
 pened accidentally to fcrole into a Church, where he 
 heard the fifth Chapter of Genefis, importing that fo 
 long lived fuch and fuch Perfons, and yet the Con- 
 clufion was they died. Enos lived 905 Years, and 
 he died — Seth 912, and he died — Methnjdah 969, and 
 he died. The frequent Repetition of the Words, He 
 died (notwithftanding the great Length of Years they 
 had lived) ftruck him fo deeply with the Thought of 
 Deaths and Eternity, that it changed his whole Frame. 
 — He attended the remaining Part of the divine Service 
 with the utmoft Serioujnejs -, — went Hom.e and prayed 
 earnelily to God for Forgivenefs, and the Affiftance of 
 his Holy Spirit ; — and became, from an infamous Li- 
 bertine, a moft exemplary Chriftian. — By this Chapter 
 we fee, how Joon Youth, Health, and all worldly De- 
 lights muft end : This to a worldly-minded Man, cafts 
 a Damp upon all thefe defirable Things ; but to a Soul 
 acquainted with Chriil, and in Affeclion removed from 
 hence already, no Thought is fo fweet as this. — Enos 
 died, Seth died, Methiifelah died, and (bleffcd be God 
 for the Privilege of Death) fo fliall L — It helps much, 
 to carry us chearfuliy through Wrefthngs and Diffi- 
 culties, through better and wcrfe. We fee the Land 
 of Promife near ; — we fliall quickly pals Jordan and be 
 at Home. — There will be an End of the many Vexa- 
 tions of this Life, — an End oi Sin — an End of Temp- 
 tations — ^ an End of Iiayer itfelfj to which will 
 
 fucceed 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 5^ 
 
 fucceed, new Songs of (jndlefs Praifcs. Oh let us often 
 refle<5l on what St. Peter advances. " The End q( all 
 Things is therefore at liand, be ye fuber and watch 
 unto Prayer." (i Pet. iv. 7.) 
 
 I hope you will zvell weigh tliis, — and introduce 
 Jpiritual Difcourfe whenever a fair Opj)ortunity prefents. 
 Set your Face as a Flint amongft the Great— Eftablifh 
 your Heart as a. Rock ; and let Nothing, Nothing di- 
 vert you from furthering the Intereji of Chrifiy wherever 
 you yoiirfdf have any Intereft. — It is like plunging into 
 cold Water perhaps at firft, but afterwards comes a 
 Glow all over you. Remember what I now fay, fhould 
 you live thirty or forty Years longer, yet when you 
 come to die, take my Word for it you will wifli you 
 had converfed more on, and for Chrift. 
 
 — I am fatisfied from the facred Oracles, as clear as 
 Light, concerning the Origin of Evil. And if any 
 one, without having Recourfe to Revelation, can fatis- 
 faftorily folve that Queftion, Erit mihi magnus Apollo. 
 —My dear Friend, " let the Word of Chrift dwell in 
 us richly." 
 
 — Thanks for the Ufe of JVarton's and Pitt's Virgil. 
 All the Syrens fmg in his L.ines ; but the joyful 
 Sound is no where heard. Was the Ear of our Soul 
 tuned aright, there would be more Mufick in this one 
 Sentence from the King of Heaven, " I have called 
 you Friends," {John xv. 15.) than in all the Iliad, and 
 all the ^^neid. 
 
 I am ever and affectionately your's, 
 
 James Hervev. 
 
 E 4. L E T- 
 
^6 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 LETTER CLXIL 
 
 On the Value of Life. 
 
 Wefion-Favelly Sept. 20, 1 75 5. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 YOU threaten to put my Patience to the Trial, by 
 a very long Letter of fcriptural Criticiirms. I 
 lliall only reply ; Oh that my Patience may fupport all 
 other Trials with the fame Complacency and Chearful- 
 nefs, as I am perfuaded it will fupport ftfelf under this ! 
 —Your Obfervations I very much value, and take a 
 fm<^uiar Pleafure in reading. The Lord Jefus enable 
 you to multiply them, and me to profit from them ! and 
 help us both to love his holy Name^ ever more and 
 more ! 
 
 I am entirely of your Opinion with Regard to the 
 Wortii, the ineflimable Worth of the prcfent Life j 
 efpecially when, there is a comfortable Profpecl of being 
 tijeful in our Generation. This State affords the only 
 Opportunity of doing Good to immortal Souls. The 
 T)ead ferve not their Lord in the Work of the Gofpel, 
 The Living-, the Living only, are intruded with the 
 precious Office of turning Sinners from Darknefs to 
 Light i therefore the Living lliould value this diftin- 
 guifhed Prerogative at a high Rate. — Perhaps, you 
 think, that I was the Writer of Mr. Burnhmn^s Life.-— 
 From a Qiieilion propofed to me very lately by a 
 Clergyman, I fancy, that others think the fame *, but 
 i neidicr was the Aut'ior, nor do I know the Author's 
 Name. 
 
 * Mr. Hert'ty was foliclted to write the Preface to Burnham^s Pious 
 Memorials, which he complied with as an Aft of Compaffion to the 
 Widow, who thought his Name might promote the Sale of the Book 
 for her Benefit. 
 
 I have 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 5^ 
 
 I have fent you the third Edition of lloeron and 
 AJpafio ; you will obfcrve, that I have made fome Alte- 
 ration in Dialogue xvi ; and that I ftill adhere to my 
 firft Opinion, with regard to Faith. I aflure myfelf, 
 you can bear "with me, though I fhouid continue in this 
 'particular Point, to vary fomewhat from ymr Way of 
 thinking. I fliall be truly glad and thankful, if you 
 will examine me with the Rigour of a Critick, and 
 mufter up againft my Do6lrine the ftrongeft Objections 
 you can conceive; for I do earneftly ijoijh^ and fre- 
 quently -pray^ that not any Notion of mine, but the 
 holy Truth of God may prevail. — ^You will alfo ob- 
 ferve, what Advantage I have made of your Remark 
 on Vitringa\ Interpretation of Ifa. xxx. j8. 
 
 I fhall exped your Animadverfions on Mr. Mar/hall 
 with Eagernefs ; and, though he is my Counfellor, my 
 Comforter, and my Favourite, I truft I jfhall not be 
 blind to his Faults, nor refufe to fee his Mijiakes. May 
 the Wifdom of Heaven guide, direfb, and teach. 
 Dear Sir, your affedionate and 
 
 obliged Friend, ^c. 
 
 LETTER CLXIII. 
 
 Scriptural Criticijms. 
 
 mpn-FavcU, Oa. 23, 1755. 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 I Have received, and am very much obliged for your 
 Remarks on Mr. AlarJJjalVs, Treatife of SanEiifica- 
 tion *. They are truly judicious ; and feveral of them 
 
 command 
 
 * Mr. Hervey'B Words are — " It has been nude one of the mod 
 ufeful Books to my owa Heart. I fcarce ever fail to receive fpiri- 
 fJiM/ConfolaUon and Strength from the P*:/-^/ of it i and, was I to 
 
 b« 
 
53 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 command my AiTent : You will wonder to fee, how 
 Itrongly I have recommended this Book in the third 
 Volume of my Theron and Aj'pafio, p. 2,Z^i of the third 
 Edidon. It has been eminently blefled to my own 
 Soul : There is no religious Treatife I read, which does 
 me more Good. Pray be fo kind as to execute wliat 
 you propofed — Shew me how Mr. MarJhalVs Method 
 may be improved, for I would gladly tread in his Steps 
 on this Account, as well as on otherSy that I may have 
 an Opportunity of acknowledging his MiJlakeSy and 
 cautioning my Reader, 
 
 Downame's * Chrijlian WarfarCy againft the Devil, 
 the World, and the Flelh, I will immediately en- 
 deavour to procure, I fhould be glad, if you would 
 point out other excellent Books. 1 am fomedmes 
 aflced to give a Friend or a Student a Catalogue of the 
 moft excellent Authors (particularly of religious Au- 
 thors f .) To do this, feems to be a valuable Piece of 
 
 Service, 
 
 be banifhecl into fome defolate Ifland, pofleffed only of tiuo Books 
 befides my Bible, this fhould be one of the two; perhaps the firjl I 
 would choofe." 
 
 * Do-tmameh Chrijlian Warfare, was recommended to Mr. Her<vey 
 by one of the mofl learned Men of the prefent Age in ihefe Words : 
 — " It was frj} publilhed in Queen ElizabetF% Time, but fnine is 
 the fourth Edition, printed in 1634. — I think it one of the heft 
 Pieces of pra6lical Divinity extant ; and I believe you will fay of it, 
 as £)^7wVdid of Goliath\ Sword, ' There is none like it.' His Lan- 
 guage is as pure as his Doftrine ; efpecially when we confider the 
 Time it was written ; and He ufes every Term fo properly, that 
 "Johnfon in his Englijh Diftionary might very well have appealed to 
 his Authority. — He is as clear as the Sun ; and no Reader, who 
 wives any Attention to what he reads, can poflibly miftake him.— 
 It is much to be wi(hed this valuable Book was reprinted." See 
 Mr. Herveis Remarks on the reprinting Authors of the lalt Century, 
 Page 403 of Volume II. « 
 
 f Mr. Her^-ey, a little before he died, had began to digeft a 
 Catalogue of this Kind, ranged under different Heads, giving a 
 
 fhort 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 55 
 
 Service, efpecially as it is fo unhappily negleEled by the 
 Condudors of our youthful Studies. 
 
 Your laft Paragraph is particularly kind and obliging : 
 But, however, your Benevolence may regard and repre- 
 fent it, I Ihall always eileem and acknowledge il as a 
 fingular Favour to receive your critical Obfcrvations. In 
 which, as in the Threads made of Silk and Gold, there 
 is always a moft agreeable Mixture of Learning and 
 Devotion. 
 
 Pray what do you apprehend to be the Meaning of 
 St. Paul? I Cor. ix. 16. an ug a<^>jA^. Dr. Doddridge 
 tranflates the Pafiage thus ; ^' Not as one who is to pafs 
 undiftinguifhed." In the fame Chapter, Verfe 23, 
 another Difficulty occurs, »va oulxojvw^^ xur-e yivcoixai. — 
 
 I Cor. XU. 31- ^n?^iSTi ^f ra p^apio^oja ra Hpii]ro]/ac. Dr. 
 
 Doddridge underftands as a Reprehenfion, not as an 
 Encouragement. He tranflates the Words, ** Ye con- 
 tend earneftly about the bell Gifts j" and interprets the 
 Claufe, " envying, and it may be, detracting from the 
 fuperior Endowments of others." Is this right ? See 
 Chap. xiv. I. — I am at fome Lofs to make out the 
 Propriety of To >c«G' ny-uv ^(ipoypa.(pov. Col. ii. 14. How 
 is the Hand-writing of Ordinances faid to be contrary 
 to us ? The ceremonial Law, which, I fuppofe, is 
 meant by Soyixxoiy was not contrary to, but promotive 
 of the Comfort and Peace of the Je-iviJJj Worlhippers. 
 The moral Law indeed fpoke Terror, and nothing but 
 Terror to impotent Man : But the Law of Sacrifices 
 and Wafhings brought the glad Tidings of Atonement 
 and Purification, which muil be very confokitory. 
 Whit is the precife Signification of i^ccAn'^jc;, r,pK£v 
 
 fhort Charadler, and (hewing the diftinguifhing Excellency, and par- 
 ticular Ufe of each Author ; which Catalogue He propoicd to have 
 publifhed in a feparate Piece. 
 
(6o MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 tcTfccrviAwfl-a? ? Do they refer to any Ufages, cuflomary 
 and current in thofe Times ? 
 
 ■ Let me now fubmit to your Examination a very 
 
 fmgular Criticifm or two of Father Houbiganf?,, on 
 
 Jjaiiih \\. 11. He fays, " Non dubitamus, quin fuerit 
 
 olim fcriptumi N^H "2^^ nonn O, Nam altitudinem 
 
 flatu dejicit. Homo, cujus fpiritus eft in naribus ejus, 
 
 eft ipfe filius Jiominis, Mefiias, de quo in toto hoc 
 
 capite vaticinatur Jefaias. Quern Mefiiam Judsi, nifi 
 
 violare timent, monet eos non impune laturos. Quia 
 
 Mefllas ; homo faftus, volvit naribus ventos & tern- 
 
 peftates, quibus ipforum & urbem & rempublicam fit 
 
 /everfurus." Again, Chap. iii. lo. he fays, p»T:^ TIDK: 
 
 *'^ Plsrique, pofc vulgatum, dicite juftos qua interpre- 
 
 tatione peccant dupliciter. Nam i. legitur pnV juftus 
 
 yel juftum., non pni*b jufbo. i. Parum ad rem terH- 
 
 biUbu5 minis, quse antecelTerunt & quse fequuntur, in- 
 
 terferitur ifte fermo ad juftum habitus. Nobis fatis eft 
 
 11DN pro T\'0'^' Nempe erat futurum, ut Judsei juftum 
 
 ligarentj Romanifque vinflum traderent." — His Ver- 
 
 fion is, " Alligant juftum, quia bonus eft."— You will 
 
 begin to think, that our Author is extremely fond of 
 
 the Jpiritual Senfe, and defirous to iind Chrijt, or 
 
 Chrijlian Sentiments in every Place : But he is Jeldom 
 
 (however it has happened in the aforecited Texts) 
 
 liable to err on this Side of the Queftion. Hear what 
 
 he remarks on IJniah xxxiii. 24. I";; K^i^Jliin Utt^VH 
 
 XDVT\ Nl^bn ■' Agitur pr^eda exercitus Aflyriorum, 
 
 poft eorum fugam, dividenda inter eos, qui yicinis in 
 
 locis habitant. Nihil ad earn prsedam iniquitas : niliil 
 
 etiam ad antcdicla, qui habitat in ea. Nam ea, de qua 
 
 habitadone dicatur, ncfcitur. Nihil denique ad rem 
 
 '>Vihr\, JEger fum. Non promiferat Deus, nullos fore 
 
 in regione asgrotos, aut in iefto jacentes turn, cum 
 
 dividenda CiTet pr.Tda, Scrd oitinia plana &: commoda 
 
 erunr. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 6t 
 
 criint, fi pro ^n^bn? l^gas ^n^^Dj prohibltus fum ; fi 
 pro nij D2 in eis, fi denique pro py, kgas nv prce- 
 dam fuam. Kti^D Dl niT^n DVn 'H'^J pJi^ -|D{<' 
 b'21Tj^- Non dicet viciniis, prohibitus Turn ; populus 
 qui habitabit apiid eos, toilet prasdam fuam. Quibus 
 Verbis prasnunciatur, prjedam de AfTyriis fore tantam, 
 lit omnes licentiam habituri fint prsedandi, & abdu- 
 cendi do mum pr^edas fuas." 
 
 " Hof. vi. 3. nj^*!^!, & cognofcamus. Parum com- 
 mode cognofcamus, ubi fequitur, & perfequamur cog- 
 nitionem. Propterea non dubitamus, quin Ofee fcrip- 
 ierit niyiJI, & convc-niamus, ut deinde apte veniat, 
 & fcquamur, hwt curramus ad cognofcendum Domi- 
 fium." The next Verfe he thus tranflates : " Quid 
 faciam tibi, Ephraim, quid faciam tibi, Juda, ut adfit 
 vobis Mifericordia, velut matutina nubes, & ut res qui 
 mane effunditur ? Certe ego, quod volui, feci Pro- 
 phetis tuis ; interfeci eos per Verba Oris mei, & ex 
 judiciis de te meis Lux orietur." He changes iT^IVTl 
 into 'D^'fln. 
 
 I was not a little pnzzled about Jer. xviii. 14. Hou- 
 higant, according to his Cuflom, firft alters, then in- 
 terprets ; dius he would read the PaiTage : ',0"I| DHp. 
 
 D'/'j wc::^ Djc .*ii:nb :hvin'^ mv'n D'^^it:. " An 
 
 " defcrit calx Pcetrara, vel nix Libanum ? An relin- 
 quunt aquas fcaturientes defluxus currentium aqua- 
 rum ?" 
 
 When you have Leifure and Inclination for critical 
 Studies, I fhall be greatly obliged for your Opinion on 
 thefe Points ; as I am for your very friendly and very 
 folid Defence of me in the hondcn Magazine. — May 
 the King of Saints profper the Works of your Pen, 
 and return the A6ts of your Kindnefs into your own 
 Rofom ! — Let me once more beg of you to direct mc 
 K) the moft improving Books you have met with. No 
 
 longcF 
 
62 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 longer ago than Yefterday, a young Clergyman, whom 
 I had never feen before, made me a Vifit, and attended 
 a Lefture which I gave my Parifli in Wejlon Church 
 on a Wednejday Evening, at Seven o'Clock. An ami- 
 able Gentleman truly ! He feems mighty well inclined ; 
 wonders, that his Brethren don't make edifying Sub- 
 jects, fuch as Juftification and Sanftification, the fa- 
 vourite Topicks of their Difcourfe. Now I don't 
 know, what more fubftantial Service I could do fuch a 
 Perfon, than to recommend to his Study fome p-oper 
 Books. The Tidings therefore of a judicious evange- 
 lical Author, with a little Sketch of his Charadler and 
 diftinguifhing Excellency, might be a Blefiing to other Sy 
 and a Blefling to myjelf. A Favour, a welcome Favour, 
 I am very fure, it would be to. 
 
 Dear Sir, your much obliged, 
 
 and truly afFe6lionate Friend, i^c. 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 LETTER CLXIV. 
 
 On imrious Subje£fs. 
 
 J-Fejion-Favell, Dec. 13, 1 755. 
 
 My dear Friend^ 
 
 I Received your lafl valuable Favour in due Time. 
 I fhould have made my Acknowledgments fooner, 
 but I flaid to get the encloied little Pamphlet *, which 
 
 I want 
 
 * We are obliged to Mr. Her-vey\ Correfpondent for the following 
 
 explanatory Note and Remark, wz. ♦♦ This was a little Pamphlet 
 
 on the Marks and Ei^idences of Faith, wrote by one Cudivorth, of 
 
 Norvjich, on the Antinomian Side of the Queftion : I wrote Mr. 
 
 ' Hervej 
 
 5 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 63 
 
 I want much to have you pcrufe, and to have your 
 Opinion concerning it. There feems to me, to be 
 much good Senfe and folid Argument, much more 
 than I apprehended, could have been produced on the 
 Occafion. — I read your Remarks with great Attention ; 
 and I humbly truil that God will execute the Office, 
 and accomplilh-the Blejfing mentioned in the Portion of 
 Scripture, which gave a Relifh to our Breakfafl this 
 Morning. 
 
 nyn d^n* nobrjn- J'Jdm xciv. lo. 
 
 I read the Paflage in a fmall Hebrew Bible without 
 Points ; and the firft Word of the Verfe feemed to me, 
 not lD*n, but '^D'n> which, in my Opinion, yields the 
 beft Senfe : He that made, upholds y ejlahlijhes the Na- 
 tions, &c. I have confulted Houbigant, but he makes no 
 Alteration. 
 
 Indeed we have Need of divine Teaching. Amidft 
 the Variety of Opinions, which ever did, and perhapi 
 ever ivill fubfift in our imperfcft State, He only, v/ho 
 is the wonderful Counfellor, poflcfles the unerring Clue. 
 — A Letter from Dumferline in Scotland, received by 
 the laft Poll, and written by a Stranger, informs me, 
 that, upon the Dodtrine of Sandiification, there is a 
 Standard-Book ; and this Standard-Book, he adds, is 
 MarJhaU\ Go/pel Myftery. — Mr. Mojes Uro-Jjne tells me, 
 
 Heri'ey a long Anfwer to this little Piece, which, in one of his Let- 
 feis to me, he calls. My moj} mojicrly Piece of Coiitron.'irJy. — I don't 
 know but it may be proper to take Notice here, that Mr. Ihrvey 
 was of fo generous a Temper, that where he thought an Author 
 wrote fenfibly, he would commend him, though he by no Mean* 
 approved of his Sentiments; having no HI Dcfigns himfelf, he fome- 
 tlmes did not fufficiently guard againll the ill Dcfigns of other*. Of 
 this his Letters to Cudixiorih are an Evidence : There I think he f/:ould 
 not have been fo open. We muft beware of Men : and be ivife as 
 Serpents as well as harmle/s as Doves." 
 
 he 
 
^4 -MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 he is publiiliing a little Piece of Poetry, intitled Percy 
 Lodge, the Duke of Somerjet'% Seat, wrote at the De- 
 fire of the late Duke and Duchefs in the Year 1749. 
 Had they lived, poor Browne would have met with the 
 Encouragement He deferves. They loved Him, and 
 fully intended to \vZNtJerved Him. When it makes its 
 Appearance, I will defire you to accept of a Copy. 
 
 I am, ^c. 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 LETTER CLXV. 
 
 On fome Jcriplural Difficulties. 
 
 IFe/lon-FaveU, March 3, 1 756. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 IN a preceding Letter, I begged your Solution of 
 fome . fci^iptural Difficulties. As you always ufed 
 even to prevent my Expefbations, in a free and fpeedy 
 Conjmunication of your valuable Sentiments ; and, as 
 I have not enjoyed that Pleafure for a long Seafon, I 
 am under fome Apprehenfions, that either you are 
 vifited with Sicknefs, or my Difpatches have met with 
 a Mifcarriage. I hope, after the Receipt of this, you 
 will find fome Way to relieve m.e from my Perplexity. 
 Reading Y eilerday, Exod. xiv. methought there was 
 fome Appearance of Tautology in Verfe 7, Heb. If 
 in either of the Claufts we m.ight render the Word 
 yy^ by Ilorjemen, this feeming Impropriety would be 
 avoided. It would alfo more exadlly agree with ED'£S^1I3T 
 ^31 in the 28th Verfe. — Is not our Method of 
 tranflating Verfe io, fomewhat forced, and hardly re- 
 concileable with the Genius of tke Original Language ? 
 8 Hab, 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. ^$ 
 
 Heb. iii. 5. ll"! *]V V^th. This Sentence alfo em- 
 barrafied me a little. How does it, as tranflated in the 
 Englijh Bible, agree with the Hiftory ? Is ther : any 
 Account, or any Hint, that the Peftilence wc it ':>cfore 
 tJie Lord, when he defcendcd on Mount Sinai ? There 
 went indeed a wonderful Word "n^l to Sicc^exxo^ivov 
 <puvn ^r),aaJw>.--Does this PafTage refer to the Plagues 
 infli6led on the IJraeliteSy for their Murmuring and 
 Rebellion ? I think not, becaufe the facred Hymn ap- 
 pears calculated for the Encouragement of the People, 
 whereas this Circumflance would rather deprefs their 
 Spirits. Does it point at the Plagues and the Ven- 
 geance executed on the Egyptians ? This, I believe, is 
 mofl probable, and perhaps, affords us the true Mean- 
 ing of the Paflage. — Pray, favour me, if you have 
 Health and Leifure, with your Opinion, which, I afTure 
 you, is highly valued, and always thankfully received 
 by. Dear Sir, 
 
 Your obliged, and alFedionate Friend, ^c, 
 
 James, Hervey. 
 
 What precedes was written before the Receipt of 
 your laft. 
 
 I thank you, dear Sir, for your Letter, and thank 
 you doubly, becaufe it is long. I received it on coming 
 from my Wednefday's, Evening Ledlure — have read 
 one Sheet, and entered upon the fecond, but am now 
 called down to Family Prayer. — I fhall add no more, 
 only let me defire you to favour me with the Criticifms 
 you mention. I befeech the bleffed God to ellablilh 
 your Health and prolong your Life, that you may en- 
 rich me and others with many of your Letters, and 
 much of your Knowledge. 
 
 Vol. Iir. F LET- 
 
66 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 
 
 LETTER CLXVI. 
 
 On various SuhjeHs, 
 
 Saturday Morn, 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 I Congratulate you on the Acceptance of your little 
 Trad:, and the uncommon Demand for it*. Inejl 
 fua Gratia Parvis, is a Maxim of more Wifdom and 
 Weight than we eafily apprehend. — May the Bleffing of 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift accompany it, always and in all 
 Places !— I muft defire you to excufe my waiting upon 
 you. The Seafon is (o rigorous, I am afraid to ftir 
 abroad. I queftion, whether I fliall have Courage to 
 venture to Collin^tree To-morrow. You know I am 
 one of the Snail-kind, both in Travelling, Reading, 
 and Writing. My Thanks to Mr. Fenwick-, I have 
 juft peeped upon his j- Work : I fear it will be thought 
 by the World, too finely fpun. — You once afked my 
 Opinion concerning Dr. Grey's laft Words of David 
 divided according to the Metre. I had not then read it 
 -with due Attention : I lately perufed it very carefully, 
 and am charmed with the Importance of his Correflion 
 and the Beauty of the Paffage, as it ftands amended by 
 that judicious Critick. Though I muft own, I don't 
 admire the Alteration fuggefted by Biiliop Sherlock, in 
 his Letter to Dr. Grey, " A Sun fhall rife as the 
 Morning," feems to have very little Spirit, and lefs 
 
 . * Dr. Stonhoufe'h FrUitdly Advice to a Patient y and DireSlions for 
 the U'.i>iftruded. 
 
 t Thoughts on the Hebrew Titles of the Pfalms, endeavouring to 
 difcovcr tneir Meaning, and point out their life. Price is. 6d. 
 
 Propriety • 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. S'j 
 
 Propriety : Is it not bordering upon Idem * fer Idem ? 
 What is the Morning, but the rifing of the Suii ? Aflc 
 our accurate Friend's Opinion. If the other f Pafiages 
 of Scripture, mentioned by Dr. Grey in the Front of 
 this little Piece, as v/hat he foon intends to publilh, are 
 as valuably reflored and as elegantly interpreted as 
 this, the Supprefllon of them will be a great Lofs. — I 
 will, on your Encouragement, go on with my Book in 
 my piddling Way* Happy if my own Heart may be 
 
 * Eilhop Sherkck fays, (fee Page 23, of Dr. Greyh laft Words of 
 David,) In the comparifon npi Ti«3 cc-or boker, i^c. which you 
 render, Sicut Lux matutina, oriente Sole ; it would ftrike me more to 
 read orietur Sol. — The Senfe then would be (taking the Sun to be an 
 Image, or Charadler of the just Oke) this Sun fhall be like the 
 kind gentle Light of the Morning, free from Clouds, and when the 
 Earth, refrclhed by kind Showers, is putting forth frefh Verdure.— 
 The Paflage is beautiful, and gives an Idea of a Sun that never 
 fcorf hes, but is ever gentle, and fhining with a genial Heat : A 
 Sun with Healing under. hisWincs. 
 
 f Thefe PafTages are intitled. The reice of thg /wee: Singers of 
 Ifrael. Being, 
 
 The Book of Lamentations. 
 
 The Canticles, or Song of Songs. 
 
 The Blefling of Jacob, Gen. xlix. 
 
 The Blefling of Mofes, Deut. xxxiii. 
 
 The Song of Mofes, Exod. xv. 
 
 The Song of Deborah, Judges v. 
 
 The Song of I/aiah, Chap. v. 
 
 The Prayer of Habbakuk, Chap. iii. 
 
 The Prophecy of Balaam, Numb, xxiil. 
 
 The Lamentation of Dwvid over Saul and Jonathan, 2 Sam. 1. 
 
 The laft Words of David, 2 Sam. xxiii. 
 
 The Prayer of Ha>2?iah, i Sam. ii. 
 With other poetical Parts of the Old Teftament, divided according 
 to the Metre. — To which will be added. Notes critical and expla 
 natory, ferving both to reftore the Text, and to give Light to manv 
 Par.s of it hitherto obfcured. The Book of Job thus divided, wit 
 the Song of Mofes, Deut. xxxiii. Dr. Grey has already publifhed., 
 Price 7s. 6d. As likewife. An eajy Method of learning Hebrew with- 
 out Points, Price 63. 
 
 Fa imprefTed 
 
6^ MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 imprefTed with the evangelical Truths, , even though 
 they Ihould reach, as handled by this Pert, no farther. 
 — I had like to have forgot Mr. * * * 's I^etter : And if 
 I had forgot it, you might juftly wonder at my Stupi- 
 dity. What a Man is He ! Surely the Age does not 
 produce a more genuine Copy of his divine Mafter. 
 What a Letter has He wrote ! what Dignity of Senti- 
 ment ! what true Greatnefs of Soul 1 what Opennefs of 
 Heart ! what Boldnefs of Speech, and Juftnefs of Re- 
 proof, fweetened with what Love ! tempered with what 
 Humihty ! How I love the excellent Man ! Was not 
 your Soul afhamed, while you read it ? — and did not 
 your Heart burn within you, as the Difciples did when 
 talking with Chrifl in their Way to Emmaus ? 
 
 I am really afraid to read Spenfer'?, Fairy ^een. He 
 is, in Fancy fuperior, perhaps, to every Poet, yet fo 
 lufcious in fome of his Reprefentations, which J have 
 cafually dipped upon, that it is impoffible, for me at 
 leaft, to advert to them, without catching Contagion. 
 His Pictures of this Sort, are drawn with a good De- 
 fign. He makes his Heroes, Victors of the foft Al- 
 lurements. But, I beheve, few Minds are fo cafe- 
 hardened againft fenfual Pleafure, as not to receive dij- 
 advaniageous Impreffions. I am, therefore, determined 
 never to look into it again ; never to gather the Honey 
 of Poetry from the Briars of Contamination. " Flee 
 Temptation," is the Advice of an infpired Apoftle; 
 and I will pay the due Regard to it. I am, dear Sir, 
 with great Refpecl, your moft obliged, and very affec- 
 tionate Servant, 
 
 J. Hervey. 
 
 LET^ 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 69 
 
 LETTER CLXVII. 
 
 On the Mercy of the Redeemer, 
 
 ^Fejion-Favell, April ^, 1750* 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 WHEN you jneditate on Hofea iv. 6 and 7. 
 [namely, " my People are deftroyed for Lack 
 of Knowledge ; becaiife thou hail reje6ted Knowledge 
 I will alfo reje6l Thee, diat thou fhalt be no Prieft to 
 me J feeing thou haft forgot thy Children: As they 
 were increafcd, fo they finned againft me, therefore 
 will I change their Glory into Shame."] — When I fay 
 you meditate on this terrifying Text, compare it with 
 Hofea xi. 8 and 9. — xiii. 9 and 11. — xiv. i and 2. 
 [namely, " How fhall I give thee up, Ephraim ? How 
 fhall I deliver thee, Ifrael ? How fliall I make thee as 
 Admah F How fliall I fet thee as Zeboim ? Mine Heart 
 is turned within me, my Repentings are kindled toge- 
 ther. I will not execute the Fiercenefs of mine Anger^ 
 I will not return to deftroy Ephraim ; for I am God and 
 not Man, the holy one in chc Midft of thee," Hofea xi. 
 8 and 9.] 
 
 In the next Paflage Chrift fhews the only Remedy for 
 our Mifcry [namely, ** O ^''rael, thou haft deftroyed 
 thyfelfy but in me is thine Help. — The Iniquity of 
 Ephraim is bound up , his Sin is hid," Hof xiii. 9 
 and 12.] 
 
 In the lafi Paflage is prefcribed the Method of apply- 
 ing the Remedy to your own Soul [n.imcly, '* O Ifrael, 
 return unto the Lord thy God, for thou haft fallen by 
 thine Iniquity. — Take with you Words, and turn to the 
 Lord, and fay unto him. Take away all Iniquity, and 
 receive us gracioufly, fo will we render the Calves of 
 
 F 3 our 
 
70 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 onr Lips" (or fpiritual Sacrifices of the Heart, not 
 Calves with Korns and Hoofs) Hcjea xiv. i and 2.] 
 
 Pray take thefe Texts into frequent Confideration, 
 or elfe you will do a threpfold Injury, viz. to the 
 divine Mercies, — to the Redeemer's Merits, — to your 
 own Cornfort. 
 
 Be it that Guilt is great : — Yet is it boundlefs ? Is it 
 infinite, like the Kindnefs of God through Chrift ? — 
 Remember what Meffage our Lord fent to Peter after 
 his Fall J what Offers he made at Jenijakm, after it had 
 murdered the Prince of Peace ; how eminently ufeful 
 and happy he made David^ after the CommifQon of 
 * enormous Crimes. — He is the fame gracious, long- 
 fuffering. Sin-forgiving God, to Day, Yefterday, and 
 for ever. 
 
 Beware, dear Sir, that you add not Unbelief (the 
 greatefi of Sins, the mofi provoking of Sins, the moji de- 
 
 * The celebrated Dr. Delany, in his very entertaining Work, in- 
 titled the Hijlcrical Account of the Life and Reign of Da'vid, has this 
 Reflection. 
 
 Happy for Mankind, that there is fuch an Inftance, (an authentick 
 
 Inftance) of falling Virtue and recovering Guilt ! — An Inftance 
 
 fo fitted to mortify the Vanity of Virtue, and the IVI^rit of exalted 
 
 Piety, and to raife the Power and Price of humble Penitence; \o 
 
 abate the Pride of Self-fufficiency, and fupport the Hope of Frailty. 
 
 Who can confide in his own Strength, when he fees a David fallen? 
 
 And who can defpair of divine Mercy, when he fees him forgiven ? 
 
 Sad Triumph of Sin over all, which is great and excellent in Man ! 
 
 Glorious Triumph of Repentance, over all which is Ihameful and 
 
 dreadful in Sin. — Millions have fallen, have finned as David ; but 
 
 ijjho ever repented and recovered like Him ! — Revolve his ivh-Je 
 
 Life before the Affair of Uriah ! It is almoft one Train of a wife, 
 
 generous, pious, and valiant Condudl ! Revolve his ivhole Life from 
 
 the Hour of this Guilt, and you will find it little elfe than one Train 
 
 of Humiliation and Repentance before God ; and this too, even 
 
 after the Aflurance of Pardon, from the Mouth of God himfelf by 
 
 Jiis Prophet Nathan ; which is tiie higheft Proof of a refined Piety, 
 
 and exalted Virtue. 
 
 Jiru£liv6 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 71 
 
 flruSlive of Sins,) to all your other Offences. — We have 
 trampled upon the divine Laws, and defiled our own 
 _ Souls ; and let us not charge the divine Declarations 
 with Falshood, let us not make our God a Liar. — I 
 am lure God loves you, and Chrift intercedes for you: 
 Elfe whence this Searching of your Heart, this Ac- 
 knowledgment of Guilt, this Self-Condemnation, and 
 Thirfl after pardoning and faudlifying Grace ? 
 
 Another Proof to me, a very evident and pregnant 
 Proof, that the blelTed God has a very tender, and par- 
 ticular Concern for your eternal Welfare, is, his difcon- 
 certing your Schemes; than which Nothing, I think, 
 could be more effeftually calculated, to waft you along 
 the fmooth Stream of Infenfibility, and Pleafure, into 
 the Pit of Perdition. 
 
 Let this^ though a Thorn in the Flefh, be a Token 
 for Good. — He, who has begun to refcue you, will 
 acconi'plijh his gracious Purpofe. — Ere long, I trull this 
 new Song will be put into your Moudi, " The Snare 
 is broken, and I am delivered." {PJalm cxxiv. 7.) Be 
 of good Comfort, dear Sir, for wii;h " the Lord there 
 is Mercy and plenteous Redemption." (cxxx. 7.) 
 
 Read by Way of Confolation ManaJ[eh'% Humiliation^ 
 (2 Chron. xxxiii. 12,, 13.) — And fee like wife God's 
 gracious Dealings, even with Rehoboam hinrtfelf (iChrofi, 
 xii. 6, 7,) 
 
 Don't indulge di/piriting Ideas j-^^-or have hard 
 Thoughts of the God of everlafting CompafiTicn : Oh 
 how weak is our Faith ! — Read and fludv well that 
 excellent and comfortable little Tra6l, Liborius Zim- 
 mermannus, De Eminentid Cvgnitiones Chrijli. — Converfe 
 with fome experienced ChrilHans ; and remember what 
 our bleffcd Saviour has promijed, *' Where two or three 
 are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the 
 * F 4 Midft 
 
72. MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Midilof them." — We never make any Doubt but cur 
 Friends (efpecially if they be the diitinguifhed Servants 
 of Jcfus) will fuihl their PromiJeSy yet we queftion (fie 
 upon us, fie upvon us for our Unbelief) whether the 
 4ivine Majler himfelf will accompiifh his Word. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, with much Elleem, and with much 
 Concern, for your prefent and eternal Welfare, 
 
 Tour's, very fmcerely, 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 LETTER CLXVIII. 
 
 On Chriji's Ability and Willingnejs tofave. 
 
 Dear , 
 
 THIS Letter will come to your Hands, as the 
 Blejfmgs of the everlafting Gofpel are offered to 
 our Souls, " without Money and without Price." 
 
 Be under no Concern about the Report you mention : 
 Jt gives me not one Moment's Uncafinejs : We have 
 a6led, I truft, as faithful Stewards of our Mafter in 
 Heaven -, and if He approves, hov/ very infignificant is 
 the Cenfure of Men ! And what— ah what is a little 
 Mifreprefentation, or a fewLalhesfrom tattling Tongues, 
 compared with thofe cruel Mockings, which our divine 
 and dying Redeemer bore ! 
 
 You are, I find, as I too often am, in poor Peter's 
 Condition, when our Lord addreifed him, with that 
 tender Rebuke, " O thou of little Faith, wherefore didft 
 thou doubt !"' — Wherefore indeed do we doubt F Is he 
 pot an all-fufficient Saviour ? Is not his Death a com- 
 plete 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 73 
 
 plete Atonement, fufficient to take away the Sins of a 
 whole World ? — Is not his Righteoufnefs a perfeft 
 Righteoufiiefs, able to juftify the mqft Ungodly ? — Does 
 not his Godhead impart an infinite Dignity to both? 
 rendering them more powerful to fave, than Millions, 
 unnumbered Millions of Sins are to deftroy ? 
 
 Is he not a willing Saviour ? — How willikg was Jojeph 
 to give the Good of the Land of Egypt to his aged 
 Father ? — How willing was Jonathan^ to fcreen his be- 
 loved David from Saul'% Wrath ? — How willing is an 
 indulgent Parent, to deal out Bread to an hungry Child ? 
 Equally zvilling, abundantly more willing is Chriil to give 
 Himjelf to our Souls, to reconcile us to iiis almighty 
 Father, to fit us for his Kingdom, and to take us to his 
 Glory. — A Parent does not chufe to die for his Child : 
 — Jonathan never fpilt his Blood for David -y — nor did 
 Jojeph lay down his Life for the good old Man Jacob, 
 But this, all this, the Lord Jefus Chrift freely under- 
 took, freely underwent for us. What could he do more 
 to affure us of his Love ? — Let us contemplate the Story 
 of his bitter, bitter PafTion. Let us view Him proflrate 
 ill an Agony of Sorrow, on the cold Ground j extended, 
 with racking Torture, on the accurfed Tree ^ laid all 
 pale and mangled with Wounds, in the gloomy Se- 
 pulchre i and furely we fhali have a ftronger Proof of 
 Chriil's JVilUngneJs to fave us, than the Teflimony of 
 ten thoufanJ Minifters preaching on Earth, or of ten 
 thoufand Angels ipcaking from Heaven. 
 
 Is he not 2i faithful Saviour ? Having loved his own, 
 he lovetli them even unto the End. As his Eyes never 
 number, nor fleep, fo his Care for his People is never 
 intermitted : He has written their Names on the Palms 
 of his Hands, and their eternal Interefts are ever before 
 Him : He will never, never leave^ nor forjake them : 
 No, not in any Circumftance, nor on any Account. 
 They are his peculiar Trcafure, and the Ranfom of his 
 % ovn 
 
74 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 own dear Life ; they are the Recompence for all his 
 Sufferings, and are to be the Jewels in his Mediatorial 
 Crown ; they therefore (hall never perifh, neither fhall 
 they pluck them out of his Hand. — Neither Life, nor 
 Death, nor Things prefent^ nor Things to come, fhall be 
 able to Jeparate them from his Love, from his Bofom, 
 from his Heart. — " Happy art thou, O Ifrael ! who is 
 like unto thee, O People faved by the Lord ? who is 
 the Shield of thy Help, and the Sword of thy Excel- 
 lency. The eternal God is thy Refuge, and underneath 
 are the everlafling Arms ; furely then thou mayft dwell 
 in Safety." (Deut. xxxiii. 27, &c.) 
 
 Are we unworthy Sinners ? We readily own it ; and 
 oh ! that we may deeply feel it ! But did not Chrift 
 chufe to converfe with Publicans and Sinners ? Did He 
 not come to feek, and to fave that, which was lojl F—- 
 The fame Spirit, which aftuated him on Earth, He 
 retains now he is exalted into Heaven : Let not there- 
 fore our deplorable Vilenefs be our Hindrance, but our 
 Incitement to apply to the ever-gracious Fnend of Sin- 
 ners.— Indeed, if we were not Sinners, we fhould not 
 be proper Obje(5ls for the Saviour. " They, who are 
 whole need not a Phy/ician, but they who sire^ck-," for 
 fuch he made his Soul an Offering, and for fuch he 
 brought in everlafting Righteoufnefs : He makes Inter- 
 ccflion, not for the Righteous, but for Tranfgrefibrs j 
 and thofe, who are afar off, in Rebellion and Apoftacy, 
 are brought nigh; — nigh to God, and Home to Heaven, 
 by the Blood of Chrift, 
 
 May thefe Confiderations fmk into our Hearts ; and 
 be made the Seed of a lively, growing, and joyful 
 Faith ! — And may the Lord dire<5l us hth, (as we l^otl^ 
 groan in this Tabernacle, and are burdened) into the 
 Love of God, and the patientWaiting forof Jefus ! when 
 this languifhing, this corruptible- J5(J^ will lie down in 
 
 Peace, 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 75 
 
 Peace, and reft in Hope ; and the Souly delivered from 
 every Conflift, cleanfed from every Stain, will be for 
 ever, ever with the Lord. — Amen and Amen, fays 
 
 Your's, ^c. 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 LETTER CLXIX. 
 
 AJerious Exhortation to Repentance. 
 To Richard Nash, Efq, Majler of the Ceremonies at Bath. 
 
 THIS comes from your fmcere Friend, and one, 
 who has your beft Intereft deeply at Heart : Ic 
 comes on a Defign altogether important, and of no lels 
 Confequence than your everlafting Happinefs : So that 
 it may juftly challenge your careful Regard. — It is not 
 to upbraid, or reproach, much lefs to triurhph ind in- 
 fult over your Mifcondud:. No ! It is pure Benevo- 
 lence, and difmterefted Good-Vv'ill, which prompts me 
 to write : So that, I hope, I fliall not raife your Refent- 
 ment. — However, be the Ifiiie what it will, I cannot 
 bear to fee You walk in the Paths, which lead to Death, 
 without warning You of your Danger; without found- 
 ing in your Ears that awful Admonition, " Turn ye, 
 turn ye from your evil Ways and live ; for why will Ye 
 die ?" (See Ezek. xxxiii. 11.) I beg of you to confider, 
 whether You do not in fome Meafure refemble thofe 
 accurfed Children of Eli^ whom, though they were 
 famous in the Congregation, and Men of Renown, yet 
 Vengeance fuffered not to live, (i Sam. iii. 13.) For 
 fny Part, I may fafely ufc the Expoftulation of the old 
 
 Prieft, 
 
76 tJISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Prieft, " Why do Ye fuch Things ? I hear of your 
 evil Dealings by all the People : Nay, my Brother, for 
 it is no good Report that I hear ; You make the Lord's 
 People to tranfgrefs." — I have long obferved and pitied 
 You ; and a moft melancholy Spefbacle I lately beheld, 
 made me refolve to caution You y " left Tou alfo come 
 into the fame Condemnation." — 
 
 I was not long fmce called to vifit a Gentleman, one 
 of the moft robuft of Body, and of the gayeft Temper 
 I ever knew -, but when I vifited him. Oh ! how was 
 the Glory departed from him ! I found him no more . 
 that fprightly, fparkling, and vivacious Perfon He ufed 
 to be ; but languiftiing, pining away, and withering, 
 under the chaftifing Hand of God ! his Limbs feeble, 
 and trembling ; his Countenance forlorn and ghaftly; 
 hafting apace to the Duft, to lodge in the filent Grave, 
 that Land of Darknefs and Defolation ; his Soul juft 
 going to God, who gave it ; preparing itfelf to wing 
 away to its long Home ; to enter upon an unchangeable 
 and eternal State. — When I was come up into his 
 Chamber, and feated on his Bed, he firft caft a moft 
 wiftiful Look upon mc, and then began, as well as he 
 was able, to fpeak: " Oh !" fays He, " diat I had been 
 more wife j that I had known this ; that I had confidered 
 my latter End !" (DeuL xxxii. 29.) Oh! Mr. Hervey, 
 Death is knocking at my Door -, in a few Hours more 
 I ftiall draw my laft Gafp, and then Judgment, the moft 
 tremendous Judgment, is the Thing that I look for. — 
 How ftiall I appear, unprepared as I am, before the all- 
 knowing and omnipotent God ? Hov/ Ihall I endure the 
 Day of his Coming ?" I alked him among other Qiicf- 
 tions, what He thought of true Holine fs, which He 
 had formerly fo much flighted. " Oh," replied He, 
 with an hafty Eagernefs, ^' moft highly I value it ! I 
 would gladly part with all my Eftate, or a World, to 
 obtain it. — Now my benighted Eyes are enlightened, 
 
 * I clearly 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 77 
 
 ' 1 clearly difcern the Things that are excellent/ Oh ! 
 what is there in the Place, whither I am going, but 
 God ? or what is there to be defired on Earth, but Re- 
 ligion ?" But wKat would you do, Sir, faid I, if God^ 
 ihould reftore you to Health ? " Do ! I call Heaven 
 and Earth to witnefs, I would labour for Holinefs, as I 
 ihall foon labour for Life : As for Riches and Pleafures, 
 and the Applaufe of Men, I account them as Drofs and 
 Dung j no more to my Happinefs, than that Feather 
 which accidentally lies on the Floor. — If the righteous 
 Jui^ige would try me, in what a Spirit would I fpend the 
 Remainder of my Days ! I would know no other Bufi- 
 ncfs, aim ac no other End, than to perfe6l myfelf in 
 Holincfs : Whatever contributed to it (every Means of 
 Grace, every Opportunity of fpi ritual Improvement) 
 ihould be dearer to me than Thoufands of Gold and 
 Silver. But, alas ! why do I amufe myfelf with fond 
 Imaginations ? The bell Refolutions are new infio-nifi^ 
 cant, becaufe they are too late. — The Day, in which I 
 fhould have worked, is over and for ever gone ; and I 
 fee a fad and horrible Night approaching; bringing 
 with it the ' Blacknefs of Darknefs, and for ever.^ 
 {Judej ver. 13.) — Heretofore, alas! when God called, 
 I refufed j when He invited, I was one of them, who. 
 made Excufes : Now, therefore, I receive the Reward 
 of my Deeds ; * Fcarfulnefs and Trembling are come 
 upon me.' I fmart ; I am in fore Anguilh already, and 
 yet this is but the Begimmig of my Sorrows.— It doth 
 not yet appear what 1 Ihall be ; but fure I am, that I 
 (hall be ruined, undone, and deftroyed with an everlafting 
 Deftrudion." 
 
 This Scene I faw with my Eyes, and heard with my- 
 Ears, and quickly after I attended the unhappy Gentle- 
 man to his Tomb. — The poor emaciated dying Man, 
 fpoke in fuch an Accent, and with fo much Earneftnefs, 
 that I could not eafily forget Htmy or his Words : And, 
 
 as 
 
7$ MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 
 
 as I was mufing upon this forrowful Subjed, I remcili" 
 bered Mr. Najh,- — No fooner did I remember you, Sir, 
 but I difcerned too near an Agreement and Correfpon- 
 dence between you and the Deceafed. — They are alike, • 
 faid I, in their Way^ and what fhall hinder them from 
 being ahke in their End? The Courfe of their A6tions 
 was equally full of Sin and Folly ; and why fhould not 
 the Period of them be equally full of Horror and Dif- 
 may ? I am grievoully afraid for the Survivor, left, as 
 he lives the Lifcy fo he fhould die the Death of this 
 wretched Man, and " his latter End fhould be like his.** 
 For this Caufe I take my Pen in Hand, and counjel yoii 
 to bethink yourfelfs nay, I requeji of you to repent ^ 
 while you have Opportunity, if happily you may find 
 Grace and Forgivenefs. — Yet a Moment, and you may 
 die ; yet a little While, and you mufi die ; and why 
 will you go down with Infamy and Defpair to the 
 Grave, rather than depart in Peace, with Hopes full of 
 Immortality ? — 
 
 But I muft tell you. Sir, plainly, and with the utmoft 
 Freedom, that your prefent Behaviour is not the Way 
 to reconcile you to God. You are fo far from making 
 an Atonement to offended Juftice, that you are aggra^ 
 vatino- Wrath. — For what fay the Scriptures, thofe Books, 
 which at the Confummation of all Things the Ancient 
 of Days fhall open, and judge you by every Jot and 
 Tittle therein ? What fay thofe facred Volumes ? Why, 
 they teftify and declare to every Soul of Man, " that 
 whofoever liveth in Pleafure, is dead while He liveth :" 
 So that as long as you roll on in a continual Courfe of 
 fenfual Delights and vain Entertainments, you are dead 
 to all the Purpofcs of Piety and Virtue : You are as 
 odious to God, as a corrupt rotten Carcafs, which lies 
 putrefying in the Grave. You are as far from doing 
 your Duty, or working out your Salvation, and reftoring 
 yourfelf to the divine Favour, as decayed Bones, nailed 
 
 up 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. -jry 
 
 lip in a Coffin, are from Vigour and Aftivity. — Thinky 
 Sir, I conjure you, think upon this, if you have any 
 Inclination to efcape the Fire which will never be 
 quenched. — Would you be delivered from Weeping, 
 Wailing, and Gnadiing of Teeth ? Surely you would ! 
 But be certain, this will never be done by Amufements, 
 which at the beft are trifling and impertinent, and for 
 that, if for no other Reafon, foohfli and fmful, — It is 
 by Serioufnefs, it is by Retirement and Mourning, you 
 muft accomplilh this great and defirable Deliverance : 
 You muft not appear at the Head of every filly Di- 
 verfion, but enter into your Clofet, and Ihut your Door ; 
 commune with your own Heart ; and fearch out your 
 Spirit: The Pride of Life, and all Superfluity of 
 Naughtinefs muft be put away ; and you muft make 
 Hafte and delay not, for the Time to come, to keep 
 all God's holy Commandments ; always remembering, 
 that mighty Sinners muft be mightily penitent, or elfe 
 be mightily tormented. — Your Example and your Pro- 
 jeds have been extremely prejudicial (1 wifh I could not 
 fay fatal and deftruttive) to many : For this there is no 
 Amends, but an Alteration of Manners, as fignal and 
 remarkable, as your Perfon and Name. — If you do not 
 by this Method remedy, in' fome Degree, the Evils 
 which you have fent abroad, and prevent the mifchievous 
 Confequences which may enfue, wretched will you be, 
 ye«, wretched above Meafure, to all Eternity : The 
 Blood of Souls will be laid to your Charge, and God's 
 Jcaloufy, like a confuming Fire, will fmoke againft 
 you : And you yourfell" will fee it in that Day, " when 
 the Mountains ftiall quake, and the Hills melt, and 
 the Earth be burnt up at his Prefence." 
 
 Once more then I exhort you as a Friend, I bejeech 
 you as a Brother, I charge you as a Meflenger from the 
 great God, in his own moft folemn Words, " to caft 
 away from you your Tranfgrefllons, to make you a 
 
 new 
 
8o MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 |iew Heart, and a new Spirit ; Jo Iniquity fhall not ht:. 
 your Ruin." — 
 
 Nowj Sir, my Mind is eafed. I have difcharged the 
 divine CommifTion, in that I have fpoken to you God's 
 Words. — Whether you will hear, or whether you will 
 forbear, henceforward I am clear ; I Ihall in no Refpecb 
 be acceffary to your Mifery : If you perilh, your Blood 
 will be upon your own Head. — Perhaps you may be 
 di(pofed to contemn thisy and \t?i/erious Purport ; or to 
 recommend it to your Companions as a fit Subje6b for 
 Railing : But let me tell you before hand, that for thiSy 
 as well as for other Things, " God will bring you into 
 Judgment." — He fees me now write i He will obfervc 
 you while you read, — He notes down my Words in his 
 Book, and he will note down your confequent Pro- 
 cedure : So that not upon Miy but upon your own Self 
 will your negledling or defpifing my Saying turn. If 
 you be " wijey you fhall be wife for yourjelf: If thou 
 fcorneft, thou alone fhall hear it." — 
 
 Be not concerned. Sir, to know my Name: It is 
 enough, that you will know this hereafter. — Tarry but 
 alitde, till the Lord, even the moll mighty God, " fhall 
 call the Heaven from above, and the Earth, that he 
 may judge his People;" and then you will fee me Face 
 to Face : There fhall I be ready, at the dreadful Tri- 
 bunal, to joy and rejoice with you, if you regard my 
 Admonitions, and live j or elfe to be a fwift Wimefs 
 againft you, if you harden your Heart, and will mind 
 none of my Counfels. 
 
 I am, Sir, ^c, 
 
 Bath, Nov. II, 1736, 
 
 LET- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 2i 
 
 LETTER CLXX. 
 
 On the Benefits of Affli^ion, 
 
 IVeJion-Favelly June 3, 1749. 
 
 SO, my dear Sir, the Phyftcians have on the Whole 
 given your Friend no great Hopes of a Cure. — 
 The Apothecary's Shop, the Afles Drugs, and the 
 Mineral Waters" may, they apprehend, palliate the 
 Diforder ; but that even a Palliation, it feems, is 
 not to be expected, without keeping the Mind quiet, 
 and cheerful j — and that this important End may mofl 
 effedlually be anfwered, the Do6lors have recommended 
 Diverfions, Travelling, and Company ; giving a Caution 
 at the fame Time, I am told, againfl: Retirement , fo 
 much prayings and poring over religious Books. 
 
 Now if Cheerfulnejs be the grand, the fundamental, 
 the only Recipe adequate even to the Mitigation of this 
 Difeafe, I may venture to afTert, that fuch Recipe is to 
 be found — (poflibly what I declare may be wondered at, 
 but I aver it is to be found) in the BiMe. — It may be 
 feen wrote at Length ; and it well deferves Confideration, 
 in the Book of Proverbs : 
 
 " A merry Heart," fays Solomon, " doth Good like a 
 Medicine : but a broken Spirit drieth the Bones." [Prov» 
 xvii. 22.) 
 
 That a fatisfied, a ferene and cheerful State of Mind, 
 will in this Cafe be more beneficial than all Manner of 
 Reftoratives for decayed Nature, or Cordials for the 
 finking Spirits, I can eafily believe ; nay, I am farther 
 convinced, that whatever can be contrived by the moil 
 folicitous Care of the Phyjician, will probably be ren- 
 dered ineffedual, without this prime Preparative, this 
 mofi fovereign Prcfcript. - It is indifpenfibly necefrarv. 
 
 Vol, III. G that 
 
♦. MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 that all polTible Endeavours fhould be exerted to have 
 the Thoughts calm, placid, and eafy, — Every thing 
 mull be ikcriiiced to this moll defirable End. — Nothing 
 can be more pernicious, in fuch Circumftances, than 
 the contrary Situation of Mind. — But here will arife a 
 ^lejlion. How this inward Tranquillity may moft eafily 
 be attained, and moft furely eftablifhed ? By Company, 
 by Travelling, by Diverfions, the Do6tors and fomc 
 others will reply. — I am far, very far from- being an 
 Enemy to Diverfions, when properh' chofe, and ufed 
 with Moderation. Travelling may beguile the Senfe of 
 Woe, and palliate for a IVhile the Malady. Company, 
 when cheerful and improving, is an excellent Source 
 of Comfort ; when innocent only and entertaining,- 
 is of fome frejent Service, and ought to be allowed 
 (at Intervals) Admittance. But thefe will no more reach, 
 the Cafe now under Confideration, — are no more able 
 to create a fettled Tranquillity in the Breaft, than 
 the gentle Motions of a Fan are fufficient to impel a 
 Wind-bound Fleet. If they engrofs our Time., and 
 leave no Lcijure for nobler Methods of Confolation, 
 they will certainly prove like heavy, louring Clouds., and 
 inftead of diffufmg, will intercept the Rays of Heart- 
 felt Satisfaftion. But what, may it be afked, would I 
 fubftitute inftead of thefe Expedients ? — I would beg 
 Leave {linpolite as it may feem, and in a manner ex- 
 ploded) to recommend Prayer to God, and the daily 
 reading * of the Scriptures. — If kind and friendly Con^ 
 verjation be judged proper, why ihiould Prayer be Af- 
 approved \ — Prayer is an humble, but delightful Inter- 
 
 * GafirelVi. Chriftian Inji'ifutes axe fingularly u/e/u! to Perfons, whofe 
 Spirits are fd much aftedled by nefvcus Diforders, as not to be able 
 ting to attend to reading ; th^ ivhole Duty of a Chriftian being there 
 taught in the I'ery Words of Scripture ; and/uch Texts as fuit every 
 Condition and Ciicumftance in Life, arc placed in Order under the 
 feVeral Heads. Thz Jixth Edition in izmo. Price 3-'. 
 
 " ' ■■ ' ccttrjey 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. S3 
 
 courfe, with the beft, the greateft, the everlafting Friend. 
 - — And has any earthly Friend exercifed more Loving- 
 kindnefs ? Is any earthly Friend more able to adminifter 
 Relief than the blcfled God ? If there be fuch Friends^ 
 let them be our whole Dependence, and let omnipotent 
 Goodnels be lecluded from any Regard. 
 
 " God has fo loved us, that he gave his own Son," 
 dearer to himfelf than all Angels, and all Worlds, to 
 die for our Salvation. Rather than we fhould perifh for 
 ever, he lent his infinitely glorious Sen to take upon 
 him our Nature, and fuffer the unknown Agonies of 
 Crucifixion. — To fliew his Readinefs to fuccour us in 
 any Diftrefs, He flylcs himfelf the Father of Mercies, 
 and God (not of Ibme, but) of all Comfort, (2 Cor. 
 i. 3.) — And where is the Perfon, from whom we may 
 more reafonably expe6t to receive tender and compaf- 
 fionate Succours, than from this all-gracious God ? — Is 
 he not as powerful, as he is gracious ? — What Job faid 
 of his Companions, is, in a Degree, true of every 
 human Aid : Impotent and miferable Comforters are ye 
 all. — But the God of Heaven is able to give Songs in 
 the Night of Diftrefs ; to make the Bones, which Sor- 
 row and Anguilh have broken,- to rejoice. \iHe fpeak 
 Peace, who fhall caufe Difquietudej or what fhall de- 
 ftroy our Tranquillity ? — Indeed if we apply for Com- 
 fo^, to any thing lower than Heaven, or by any fach 
 Means, as exclude frec]uent Prayer, we negledt the 
 Fountain of living Waters, and hew to ourfelves Cifterns, 
 broken Cifterns, that can hold no Water. The Serif- 
 tures (and believe me, as I fpeak from daily Experience) 
 are a Treajury of Comfort. — One, who had drank deep 
 of the Cup of Sorrow declares, that they rejoice;— 
 and that for his own Part, if his Delight had not been 
 in the divine Law, he- fhould have perifhed in his 
 Trouble, {ke Bible P/alm cxik. 92.)-—" Thefe Things," 
 fays the favourite Difciple, *' 'wrile we unto you (not 
 
 G 2 barely 
 
4 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 barely that you may have Joy^ but) that your Joy may 
 ht. fully {Johny^v. ii.) — And St. Faul adds, that 
 " whatever Things are written by the Spirit of Infpi- 
 ration, are written for our Benefit ; that we through 
 Patience, and Comfort of the Scriptures, might have 
 Hope i" {Rom. xv. 4.) that blefied Hope of eternal 
 Life, which is an Anchor to the Soul, in all the Storms 
 of Adverfity ; w-hich is the Oil of Gladnefs, fwimming 
 above all the Waves of Afflidion. — By having Recourfe 
 to Diverfions and Amufements, in Prefereiice to the 
 ftrong Confolations fuggelled in the Bible, we aft as 
 injudicioufly, v/e fhall be deceived as certainly, as if 
 amidfl the fultry Heais of Summer, we fliould feek 
 cooling Refrefhment from a painted Tree, and fhun the 
 embowering fhady Covert of a real Grove. 
 
 If we are affliofed^ the Scriptures acquaint us, that 
 our Jffliolions are the Chaftifements of a Father, not 
 the Scourges of an Enemy. They give us Aflurance, 
 that the all-difpofing Providence will not fufFer us to be 
 affli5fedy above what we are able to bear-^ (See i Cor. 
 X. 13.) — that they fhall turn, to our Good, and bring 
 forth the peaceable Fruits of Righteoufnefs ; — that they 
 are light ; are only for a Moment, and yet fhall work 
 out for us a Weight, an eternal Weight of Glory.— 
 Can all the Volumes of Heathen Morality fuggefl, or 
 all the Recreations in the World afford, fuch rational 
 and folid Confolation ? — Without thefe Confolations 
 Affiiuiions will be like a latent Sore, fmarting and rank- 
 ling in the Heart ; — will produce Difcontent with our 
 Condition, and repining at Providence ; — a melancholy 
 Temper, and a fretful Carriage.- — Trifling Company, 
 and worldly Pleafures, will ferve only to aggravate the. 
 Mifery, and make us inwardly mourn, that while others 
 are in the Elevations of Mirths we are prelTed with a 
 Weight of Calamity. — Whereas, by Means of thefe 
 fovereign Confolations, Affii^ions may be improved to 
 
 the 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 85 
 
 Health of the Mind, and become a mofl falutary Ex^ 
 pedient for furthering our fpirilual Happinefs. 
 
 Can any thing be more (or equally comfortable) than 
 the Privileges recorded in that Charter of our Salvation, 
 the Scriptures ? — There we are told, that as many as 
 truly believe in Jefus Chrift, are Children of the Al- 
 mighty ', — that the Lord who commandeth the Waters, 
 the glorious God who maketh the Thunder, the ever- 
 lading King, who ruleth all Things in Heaven and 
 Earth, is their Father ; He pities them as a Father 
 pities his own Children {PJahn ciii. 13.) — -and that a 
 Mother may fooner forget her fucking Child, than He 
 can remit his tender Care for their prefent Welfare and 
 cndlefs Fehcity. {Ifaiah :i^\\x. 15.) that, becaufe we are 
 Sinners, Chrift Jefus, with infinitely more than parental 
 Tendernefs, bore our Sins, and expiated all our Guilt, 
 in his own bleeding Body upon the Tree. ( i Pet. ii. 24.) 
 — Becaufe we frequently offend, and always fail, our 
 merciful High-Prieft ever liveth to make Intercejfion 
 for us, and to plead his divine Merits in our Behalf. 
 Heb. vii. 25.) — Becaufe we have many Corruptions 
 within^ and are affaulted by various Temptations without, 
 vft have a Promije of the bleffed Spirit to fubdue our 
 Corruptions; {Galat. iil. 14. Ezek. xxxvi, 27.) and to 
 renew us after the Image of him, who created us j ( ColoJ]'. 
 iii. 10.) — Becaufe we are Hable to manifold Misfortunes, 
 and vifited widi a Variety of Sorrows, the Jame holy 
 Spirit is promifed, under the amiable Character of a 
 Comforter. [John xv. 7. Luke xi. 13.) — Becaufe all 
 Flefh is Grafs, and all the Goodhnels thereof (the 
 Youth, the Beauty, the Wealth, all mortal Accomphlh- 
 ments, and every worldly Enjoyment) is withering, and 
 tranfient as the Flower of the Field, {Ifaiah xl. 6.) the 
 Scriptures direct our View, and conlign over to our 
 Faith, a moft incomparable, rcverfionary Inheritance ; 
 ^ Inheritance rcferved in Heaven for us, " which is 
 G 3 incor* 
 
86 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. 
 (i Pet. i. 4.) 
 
 Are thefe Things, I would ajk the Phyficians, likely - 
 to deje5l the Mind, or cfprejs it with Heavinefs ? — 
 Need their Patients fear an Aggravation of Diftrefles, 
 from the Offer, from the Enjoyment of fuch Blefllngs ? 
 — Much more reafonably might the bleeding Wound 
 fly from the lenient Hand, dread the healing Balm, and 
 court its Cure from the Viper's envenomed Tooth. — 
 Have thefe Truths a Tendency to engender gloomy 
 Apprehenfions, as the medical Gentlemen are too apt 
 to imagine ; or do thefe increaje the Load which galls an 
 affli^edMind? — Rather, what Heart, (that attends to 
 fuch glad Tidings and believes them) can forbear even 
 leaping for Joy ? Thefe are calculated to put off our 
 Sackcloth, and gird us with Gladnefs -, are enough to 
 turn the Groans of Grief into the Songs of Gratitude. 
 
 Cheered by thefe reviving Confiderations, fupported 
 by this blejfed Hope, the antient Chriflians were more 
 than Conquerors over all their Calamities ; they even 
 gloried in Tribulations, becaufe theje were the appointed 
 Way to the Kingdom of Heaven. {^A5is xiv. 22.) 
 • They took joyfully the Spoiling of their Goods, know- 
 ing, that they had, in the World above^ a better and 
 more enduring Subftance, Heb. x. 34. — They perceived 
 /with Complacency, the Decay of their earthly Taber- 
 nacle ; becaufe there remained for them, after their 
 Diffolution, a Houfe not made with Hands, eternal in 
 the Heavens. (2 Cor. v. i.) — Perhaps we may not 
 arrive at fuch Heights of heroick and triumphant Exul- 
 tation, but furely we fhould try thofe Remedies, which 
 ■ in their Cafe were fo furprifingly and happily iuccefsfal. 
 
 On the whole ; a peaceable Compojure of Mind, and 
 calm Refignation to the all-wife Will of God -, — an holy 
 Joy in the Merits of our ever bleffed Redeemer, and a 
 well-grounded Hcfe of unutterable and immortal Elils, 
 
 in 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. «- 
 
 in a better World; thefe, thefe are more abfolutely 
 needful for a Cafe like ihis^ and will do more towards 
 Relief y than all the Drugs, which Nature produces. — 
 And very fure I am, that thefe noble Anodynes are 
 difpenfed no where but in the Scriptures -, are to be 
 procured no otherwife than by Prayer. — Other Methods 
 may ftupefy for a Moment, but will not remove the 
 Pain, much lefs introduce permanent Eafe, 
 
 I fpeak not this from mere Speculation, or con- 
 jeftural Probability. — I have myjelf experienced the 
 Efficacy of the preceding Expedients for thefe defirable 
 Purpofes. — Plaving been a fort of Veteran in Affliction, 
 I have been under a Necejfity of applying thefe Conjola- 
 tions ; and have the utmoft Reafon to bear Witnejs^ that 
 there are none like them. — 7'he Scriptures are the Trea- 
 fury of Joy and Peace, and the truly religious arc 
 generally the moft uniformly cheerful. 
 
 If you apprehend what I have here advanced on the 
 Means of obtaining true Cheerfulnefs and folid Peace 
 of Mind, may be in any Meafure inftrumental to the 
 Comfort of your Friend, you would do well perhaps to 
 communicate it, as I prefume you are not ajhamed of 
 appearing in the Recommendation of the Bible. — The 
 Phyficians would probably fneier at fuch fort of Advice^ 
 but the Arguments will not be the lefs valid on that 
 Account i — and \{ xhtir Patient be ferioufly difpofed, 
 fuch Sneers would have little or no Effe6l. 
 
 Do you recoiled Dr. Toung's Lines * in the eighth 
 Night ? 
 
 ■ Would'ft thou not lau^h, 
 
 This Counfcl (trange, fhould I prefume to give ? 
 
 Petire, and read \.\\y Bible, to Ee gay. 
 
 There Truths abound of fov reign Aid to Peace ! 
 
 f Lee Letter CVIL Page 351, of Volume IL ^ 
 
 G 4 Bm 
 
%t MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. . 
 
 But thefe thou think'ft are gloomy Paths of Joy : 
 Fa/fe Joys indeed are born for Want sf Though/ ; 
 True Joys from Thought's full Bent and Energy : 
 And this demands a Mind in equal Poize, 
 Remote from gloomy Grief, and glaring Joy ; 
 Much Joy not only (peaks /mail Happinefs ; 
 But Happinefs, that fhortly muft expire : 
 Can y^^y unbottomed in Reflc£lion ftand ? 
 Can fuch a yoy meet Accidents iinjhock'd? 
 Or talk with threat'ning Deaths and not turn pale ? 
 
 Though my Letter Is much longer tlian I at firft in- 
 tended, and ftands in Need of an Apology for its Pro- 
 lixity, I cannot conclude without giving you a frefh 
 AiTurance, that amongft the great Number of thofe, 
 who efleem and refped you, there is tiot one of them, 
 who more fmcerely regards you than, good Sir, 
 
 Your moft obedient, and very humble Servant, 
 
 James Hervby. 
 
 LETTER CLXXI. 
 
 How to condu5i Contt ovcrfy. 
 
 Wejion-Favellj Dec. 15, 1755. 
 
 My dear Friend^ 
 
 I Return you my ht^ Thanks for fending me a Copy 
 of fo fmart and fenfible a Letter, which came to me 
 very a-propos j and which, I think, is fo likely to do 
 Good in this difputatious Age, that J wifh it w^as printed 
 in fome of the Magazines, and publick Papers. — I am 
 much obliged to you for your kind Caution againft my 
 being drawn into a Controverfy ^ particularly by the 
 very warm and overbearing Mr. ***, 'who is now 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 89 
 
 grown impatient of the leaft Contradidion, and far from 
 being a defirable Companion, or Correfpondent. 
 
 Controverjy is as much my Averfion as it can be 
 your's; for where that begins. Religion too ofren ends-, 
 and I fhall not enter the Lifts, I promife you, with any 
 one, unlefs I am abfolutely neceflitated to it : But if I 
 am compelled to appear in Print on fuch an Occafion, 
 I fhall endeavour to pay due Regard to Solomon'^ excel- 
 lent Advice, viz. " A foft Anfwer turneth away 
 Wrath; but grievous Words ftir up Anger." Prov. 
 XV. I. — ^Inllead of exafperating my Adverfary by cuttino- 
 Reprehenfions, I will, if poffible, conftrain him by a 
 candid and refpeftful Treatment to moderate his 
 Temper ; and by a coercive Propriety of Arguments, 
 perfuade him to relinquiHi fuch Tenets, as I think 
 erroneous. 
 
 God grant, that I may never behave with an indecent 
 Refentment, how great foever may be the Provocation 
 of my Gainfayers ; but that in all my Writings and 
 Converfations I may avoid the hafty Spirit, left I injure 
 my own Peace of Mind, and dijgrace my Profcflion, as 
 a Chriftian, and a Minifter. 
 
 It is a Rule with mej always to fpeak well of the 
 good Qualities even of bad Men ; efpecially when others 
 are cenfuring them with an unmerciful Severity ^ — and 
 I could wilh that every Controverfialift would learn fo 
 much Candour, as to put the beji Conftrudion on his 
 Opponent's Book j and to embrace what was in general 
 good in it, however he might doubt, or cenjure fome 
 •particular Opinions of the .contending Author. 
 
 To live peaceably with all Men is my earneft Defire, 
 and my daily Prayer ; and in order to do this, I am 
 more and more convinced of the Neceflity of Candour, 
 
 Humility, 
 
^6 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Humility, and a confcientious Regard to the Example 
 of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift. 
 
 I am, my dear Friend, 
 
 afFeftionately and inviolably your^s, 
 
 J. Hervev. 
 
 A Copy of the Letter above-'mentioned. 
 
 *'• "Dear Sir^ 
 
 " I HAVE a flrong and fettled Averfion to all 
 Manner cf Difpute, in Things, that relate to a MeiTage 
 of perfeft Peace, and Love. The Kingdom of God 
 is no more Opinion, than it is Meat and Drink ; — and 
 Argumentation can have little to do where a new Hearty 
 and a right Spirit is the Bufmefs, or Work to be per- 
 formed. 
 
 " If we prevail in our Difputes (though I believe 
 there is not a fmgle Inftance in which either of the 
 Antagonifts ever condefcended publickly to own him- 
 felf in the wrong,) our Adverjaries then become baffled 
 "Worldlings : — If they ^r^i'^//, then they become World- 
 lings triumphant. — When we deal much in Difputes 
 we foil our Souls, and endanger the Temper of Meek- 
 nefs and Love, which we are fo frequently injoined to 
 cultivate, and which are the Very Badge of Chriftianity. 
 
 " As for amicable Difputes in Religion, it is as errant 
 Cant as an amicable Suit at Law. — A Difpute about the 
 Sacrament, as naturally removes the Mind out of its 
 State of perfeft Ciiarity, as a Quarrel about a Whore. — 
 The Subject alters nothing, it is the Temper cf Mind 
 wherewith we handle thefe Matters, that defile the Man ; 
 and it is morally impoffible to meddle to any Purpole, 
 without having- the Mind difordered. 
 
 " St. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 91 
 
 *' St. Paul was plainly of the fame Opinion^ when 
 he wrote thus to Timothy ; ' If any Man confent not to 
 vvholefome Words, even the Words of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift, and to the Doftrlne which is according to 
 Godlinefs, he is proud, knowing Nothing, but doting 
 about Queftions and Strifes 0/ Words, whereof come th 
 Envy, Strife, RaiHngs and Surmifes, perverfe Dif- 
 putings of Men of corrupt Minds, and deftitute of the 
 Truth, fuppofing that Gain is Godhnefs : from fuch 
 withdrazv thyfelf ' i Tim. vi. 3, 4, 5. 
 
 *' This is the conftant Cafe of all the Difputcs in 
 the Gofpel itlelf. — The more they are argued, the 
 further they are always from the Point j infomuch that 
 even thofe who are faid to believe on Chrift, at the 
 Beginning of the Chapter of Difpute, before the End 
 of it take up Stones to caft at him. 
 
 " In ftiort, till a Man be a Chriftian in fome Mea- 
 fure, he lias neither Ability, nor any Right in Nature 
 to talk about it. — 'Tis more abfurd than a Controverly 
 between a Fifli and a Fowl, about the beft and moft 
 commodious Element to breathe in. 
 
 " The Peace and Purity of our own Minds, is of 
 more Value than of every other Endowment. — For my 
 own Part, I had rather be able to bear patiently the 
 Nick-Name of Fool or Madman, than to become 
 famous for all the Wifdom and Prudence which the 
 World knows how to commend and efteem. 
 
 " In this Poverty of Spirit, I would heartily intreat 
 all my Friends, earneftly to feek after that Love and 
 Peace, which is only to be found in the Face or Simi- 
 litude of our dear Mafter, the Lord Jefus Chrift. — The 
 Want of this moft amiable and Chriftian Difpofition in 
 fome eminent Profefiurs, for I never admired a rough, 
 and hoifterous Zeal, has often ftartled and chagrined 
 Him^ who is, dear Sir, 
 
 " Your's very finccrely, R. W, 
 
^z MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 " P. S. We may falk what we wiJl about Religion^ 
 it is nothing lefs than a divine Temper. — What is Ihort 
 of this is Prating about Religion, and that's all. — I 
 meet with many do£frinal Chriilians, v/ho are very Dah 
 at Chapter and Verfe, and yet very Bond-Slaves to 
 Earth, a^d Self. — Spiritual Chriftians (which are the 
 only true ones) are almoft as fcarce as Pbcenixes.''^ 
 
 LETTER CLXXII, 
 
 Franck's Nicodemus recommended. 
 
 Saturday Morning, 
 My dettr Friend^ 
 
 LET me exhort you to live as on the Borders of 
 Eternity j and often to refleft where the late Fall 
 from your Horfe might have hurried you. Eternity is 
 at Hand : — " He^ that cometh, will come, and will not 
 tarry." — Oh diat yoxix Soul mayprofperj for without 
 thaty what arc all the Riches, Pleafures, and Honours 
 of this Earth ! But it cannot -pro/pery unlefs the World 
 be under Foot, and your JffeEiions fixed on Jefus. 
 What befides Himy my dear Friend, deferves a Thought ? 
 And how tenderly has he dealt with us, notwithftanding 
 all our Ingratitude and Provocations ? I can fay no more 
 than I have laid to you ; but I pity you, and I pray for 
 you, that you may conquer this Fear of Man : — I wifh 
 you would every Day for the next Month, read fome 
 Part of ProfelTor Franck's Nicodemus, or The Fear of 
 Alan. Dr.. *** told me He had a great Regard for 
 you, and wifhed you would fet your Face, as a Flint ; 
 exert your lively Talents to promote the Golpel, and 
 confefs the Lord Jefus boldly before Men on every 
 proper Occafion: And when they talk obfcenely, or take 
 
 the 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 95 
 
 the Lord's Name in vain, you ought genteelly to rc~ 
 ■prove them, or leave the Company : This would be a6tin<y 
 like a Chrijiian /—But, while you are thus filent, mealjy- 
 mouthed, (land fo much upon your Pclitenefs, atid 
 have fuch a Fear of being cenfurcd by worldly-minded 
 People, you may take my Word for it, you will do 
 very little Good ; and be a Stranger to that Comfort 
 and Peace, which others, who ftick clofer to Chriil:, 
 daily experience -, — that comfortable Peace of God, 
 which (as Archbifhop Seeker finely obferves, Page 132. 
 cf his Nine Sermons) is that Senfe of being in Fricnd- 
 Ihip with Him, that Feeling of Comfort and Joy fiov/- 
 ing from Him, which paffeth all Underftandingj ex- 
 ceeds the Conception of thofe, v.ho have 7iot experi- 
 enced it, and will exceed hereafter the prefent Concep- 
 tions of thofe, who have.''* Adieu, my dear Friends- 
 Think well on what the Archbifhop has fo pathetically 
 defcribcd ; and then meditate on this alarming Text> 
 and reconcile it with your own pifillaninious Conduft, 
 which you mifcall Prudence-, " Whofoever fhall be 
 afliamed of me, and my IVords, in this adulterous and 
 fmful Generation, of Him alfo fhall the Son cf Man be 
 alhamed, when he cometh in the Glory of his Father 
 with his holy Angels." (Mark viii. 38.) — Once more 
 adieu ! — Remember, that this is the Declaration of the 
 Lord, who bought us with his Blood, and fufFered the 
 unknown Agonies of Crucifixion to fave you, and 
 
 Your's very fincerely, 
 
 J. Hervev. 
 
 P. S. When People come to vifir me, they expect- 
 to hear of ChriJI- ; and fezu come to IFefion, but thofe, 
 to whom fuch Difcourfe is agreeable-, nar- do I dejire 
 the Company of any others. — Talking cf Chrift is my 
 Touchflone, to fee whether a Perlbn is 'vjcrth my 
 
 6 Acquaint- 
 
54- MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Acquaintance. — If YOU was once to take this Mc^ 
 chod, you will tell me, perhaps, that luch and fuch an 
 one will al^ufe you, and all the principal Gentlemen will 
 ridicule, and forfake you. — And what then ? — You are 
 much better without them. — In their Stead you will have 
 the Elleem and Friendfliip of thofey who love our Lord 
 Jefus in Sincerity ; and Chrijl Himfelf will be in the 
 Mi(ljly who has laid up for yoUy and all fuch, as love 
 his Appearing, a Crown of Righteoufnefs. — Has this 
 Confideration no Weight with my dear Friend ? — Don't 
 let me apply to you what St. Paul fays of Demas to 
 Timothy, (Chap. iv. lo.) " Demas has forfaken me, 
 having loved this prejent Worlds Read the cxixth 
 Pfalm, and fee whether you, and your worldly-wije 
 Company have the Spirit of the TJalmift. — He, though 
 a King, delighted to talk of God. — He not only talked 
 of Him obferve, but delighted to do itj and it was 
 Pain and Grief * to him to forbear.. 
 
 LETTER CLXXIIL. 
 Remarks on various Authors. 
 
 We/ion- Favell, May 1 3, 1 758. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I Have too long delayed to acknowledge the Favour 
 of your iafl. The Reflection gives me Uneafmefs, 
 but the Occafion gives you an Opportunity of exer- 
 cifing Indulgence. If you pleafe to afcribe my Silence 
 to 7nuch Bufinefs, and little Health, you will do Jufticc 
 to my Proceeding, and to your own Candour. 
 
 * See Pfalm xxxix. 3. 
 
 You 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 95 
 
 You inquire after the bejl Week's Preparation for tlie 
 Sacrament*. — I cannot fay that I much admire any of 
 
 * The Book for the Ufe of the Communicants at the Sacramental 
 Table, which Mr. Hcr^jey generally gave away, was Dr. H'ilfon^s, 
 (rhe late Bilhop of il/^z«) fnort and plain Inllrudlion for the better 
 underftanding the Lord's Supper, with proper Helps and Direftions 
 for joining in every Part. — Mr. MarprJPs Treatife on S anil 'feat ion y 
 could anfwer no fuch End, though it might, in Mr. Ili'v-vefs Opi- 
 nion, give the beft general Account of the Nature and End of the 
 Sacrament; and Mr. ^f/z/^j's Office of Devotiorus (which are excel- 
 lent) has only a icw Pages on the Subjeft, and not the Communion 
 Service in it : Befides, it is double the Price of Eifhop Wilfon\. 
 
 Now as a proper Book at the Sacrament is of fuch Lnportance, 
 and as Mr. Hernjey himfelf judged Bifnop JVilfcnh to be the lecji 
 exceptionable of any of the Sacrament Books (fee .Letter XCiX. 
 Page 310, of Volume ir.) the Editor has fubjoined what is faid of 
 it by Dr. Stonhoufe in his Friendly Jdn;ice to a Patient {thirteenth 
 Edition, Page 22.) 
 
 *' As there are few religious Subjeds which have been more fre- 
 quently handled, (and perhaps I might add lefs underllood) than the 
 Sacrament, I would here recommend this fh;).-;, but clear and fatis- 
 faftory Traft, which I fincerely willi in the Hands of every Com- 
 municant, efpecially of Patients in Infirmaries. — And I prefer this, 
 as it is plain and eafily underftood ; as there are feveral concife and 
 affeding Meditations on fome pertinent Texts of Scripture ; as the 
 Queftions propofed for Self-examination, are immediately founded 
 on the ANSWER fo properly given at the End of our Church Cate- 
 chlfm to that important Queftion, ' What is required of thenij who 
 come to the Lord's Supper ?' (See Bilhop of Man on that Subjedl, 
 Page 26.) and, as the ^'.<hole Communion Service is there printed in 
 a large Letter, with ufful Direftions, and fuitc-.hlc Ejaculations on 
 the Sides. — It is therefore well calculated to prevent the Incon- 
 veniency arid Confafion to which a Communicant is liable, (and 
 which 1 have often obferved with Concern) when He is obliged to 
 turn backwards and forwards from the Common-Prayer Book to his 
 Sacrament-Book, at a Time when the Thoughts fhould be all Atten- 
 tion to the Words of the Minifter ; — whereas Bifhop Wilfjnz Book 
 would help devout Minds, without drawing them off from the Duty, 
 in. which they ought to be wholly employed." 
 
 N. B. There is a moft ufeful Book (Price 3s.) lately publifhed by 
 Job Orton, intitled Sacra,Tuntal Mtdiiatiom, or Devout Rejlidions on 
 •various PaJJa^es cf Scripture; deiigncd to a.^ill Chriilian^ in their At- 
 tendance on the Lord's Supper, and their Iinprovemcnt of it. 
 
 thofc 
 
96 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 thofe Books. They are, I think, loofe, rambling, in- 
 diftincft. Companions; they tend rather to bewilder y 
 than inform the Judgment. — For my own Part, I prefer 
 the little Account of this Ordinance in Mr. Mar/hall on 
 San^ification^ to ail thofe prolix Treatifes.— It begins 
 Page 298, of the fixth Edition, to which I wrote a 
 recommendatory Preface. 
 
 If you fhould want a Colle5iion of Prayers fuited to 
 this Solemnity, or to any other Occafion, there is none^ 
 in my Opinion, better than Mr. Jenks's Offices of De- 
 vvotion (which has palTed thirteen * Editions) Price 3s. 
 I fhould far fooner chufe to read his two Volumes of 
 Meditations y than the new Whoh Duty of Man. Jenks 
 has written another little Treacife, excellendy good, and 
 truly evangelical ; it is intitled, SubmiJJion to the Righte- 
 cujnejs of God. It was one of the firft Books, that gave 
 me an Infight into the Truth of the Gofpel ; or the 
 Way of Salvation, by the infinitely glorious Obedience 
 of our Surety, Jefus Chrift. 
 
 The Word Jmen, has two Significations. It denotes 
 an ardent PViJJjy Lord, let it be according to my humble 
 Petition. — It denotes likewife a firm Faith, Lord, I am 
 pcrfuaded, that thou wik fulfil thy Promifey to grant 
 my Petition. 
 
 If you love Entertainment, my next Ihall recommend 
 a Book, which is as entertaining as a Novel f or a 
 play, yet edifying as a Sermon. — I believe. Madam, 
 
 * The Demand for it has been fo great, that it has now pafled 
 twenty-thres Editions. 
 
 •f- The Book here meant is De Foe's Family InJiruSior, in 2 Vols. 
 l2mo. which has pafled fwelve Editions, and juftly deferves the 
 Charader Mr. Hemjey gives of it. — This is the fame Author who 
 wrote the Treatife intitled Religious Courtjhip, being hiflorical Dif- 
 couribs on the Necefliiy of marrying religious Huihands and Wives, 
 Jixth tdilion, Price 3s. 
 
 you 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 97 
 
 you would have no Reafon to repent of the Purchafe, 
 if you was to buy Mr. Bq/lrm's Human Nature in its 
 fourfold State, of which as I have given a Chara6ler in 
 thtfccond Volume of Theron and Af-pafiOy I need not fay 
 any thing more in this Place. 
 
 s As God is fending forth his Word, and renewing the 
 Face of material Nature ; fo may Pie fend forth his 
 blefled Spirit, and reveal Chrift, and renew the State of 
 our Souls ! This will make us to differ from our former 
 Selves, as much as the prefent Bloom and Verdure of 
 the Creation differ from the rugged Defolations of the 
 Winter. 
 
 I wifh you, Madam, the continual Prefcnce of this 
 olivine Comforter, and am. 
 
 Your moft obedient humble Sei*vant, 
 
 J. HzRVEr, 
 
 LETTER CLXXIV. 
 
 On Mr. Wefley's Prefervative from unfettled Notions in 
 Rclizion. 
 
 JVefon-Favell, June 23, 1 7 58. 
 
 My dear Friend^ 
 
 I Little thought, when I put Mr. JVeJlcy's Manufcript 
 into your Hand, that I fliould fee it in Print fo foon. 
 I took very little Notice of it, and let it lie by me 
 fcveral Mondis, without giving it an attentive Con- 
 fideration. It feemed to me fo palpably weak, dealing 
 only in pofttive Aflcrtions and fofttlve Denials, that I 
 could not imagine He would adventure it into the World, 
 without very great Alterations, But it is now come 
 Vol. III. H abroad. 
 
98 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 
 
 abroad, juft as you received it, in a two Shillings Pam- 
 phlet, intitled A Prefervaiive from unjettled Notions in 
 Religion. Of this Pamphlet what he has wrote againft 
 tne makes only zjmall Part. Now then the ^efiion is, 
 whether I fhall attempt to anfwer it ? Give me your 
 Opinion.^ as you have given me your AJJifiance •■> and 
 may the Father of Mercies give you an Increafe of 
 Knowledge and Utterance, of Peace and Joy in the 
 Holy Ghoft. — 111 I have been, and ill I am ; torn almoit 
 to Pieces by a Cough in the Night, which admits of no 
 Remedy \ whatever is taken to afliiage, exafperates it. 
 Of ail Men living, who are not abfolutely confined, 
 iijrely I am the weakeft. If by fuch IVeakncJs the Lord 
 Jefus will vouchfafe to glorify his Name^ how tranlparent, 
 how effulgent will be the Glory of his Rower I — I have 
 not feen Mr, P * * this many a Day ; no, nor this many 
 a Month, How I fear, left the World has beguiled 
 him ! BlefTed be the Lord, for fetting our Affections 
 on a happier State -, bleffed be his Grace, for giving us 
 fome Knowledge of Jefus, as the Way to immortal 
 Manfions, There we may be Citizens, here only So- 
 journers. 
 
 I am, with true Gratitude, 
 
 and fmccre Affedion, 
 
 Your's in Chrift Jefus, 
 
 J. HlRVEY. 
 
 LET- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 9^ 
 
 LETTER CLXXV. 
 
 On the Puhlicaticns of his Fafi Sermons. 
 
 IVeJion-Favell^ Aug. 5, 1 75 8, 
 T>ear Sir, 
 
 HKrewith I fend two other Sheets of my intended 
 Work. Be fo good as to examine them with 
 Rigour, and correct them v/ith Freedom. 
 
 I am afraid, left the Weaknefs of the Advocate, 
 Ihould injure the blefled Caufe.— I am the more foli- 
 citous, becaufe the unexpefted Acceptance of my Faft- 
 Sermons^ will probably open a pretty wide Door of Ad- 
 miflion for this Piece. Befides fix Thoufand printed in 
 London^ an Edition was printed in Scotland^ which was 
 fpeedily fold off j ^nd I was defired, by a Society efta- 
 blifhed for giving away religious Books among the Poor, 
 to grant them Leave to print anlmprefTion for this Pur- 
 pofe. In Ireland they have been printed; Into DrJck 
 they are tranflated ; and a Letter, received laft Week 
 from fome pious and ingenious Stranger in America, 
 informs me, that they have been reprinted there, and 
 found much Acceptance : All this will be a kind of 
 recommendatory Preface to this projefted Piece. The 
 good Lord grants I may fpeak and write found Words, 
 fuch as cannot be reproved !-^My Prayer is, that you 
 may be of quick iJnderftanding in the Fear of the 
 Lord, always and on all Occafions ; and more efpecially 
 when you are fifting and improving the Writings of. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your truly affe6lionate and 
 
 much obliged Friend, 
 
 J. Hervey. 
 
 H 2 L E T< 
 
^co MISCELLANEOtS LETTERS, 
 
 LETTER CLXXVI. 
 
 The Recjon "jvly many learned Men treat Religion with 
 Indifference. 
 
 Saturday Morning. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 IN Reply to your Quefllon, " Why Jo mafiy learned 
 and very clever Men in all zvorldly Affairs, jhould treat 
 Religion voith Jo much Indifference, and remain unaffected 
 ■by every Argument that can he urged to rciize them Jrcm 
 Juch a State oj Delujwn," I fend you my Opinion in a 
 few Words, viz. " Becauje they do not pray for the 
 jiffijiance * cf the Holy Spirit.'' — And I fend you an 
 Anfwer more at large, extrad:ed from a Book of the 
 celebrated Dr. Bates's, which I was lately reading, in- 
 titled. The SOVEREIGN AND FINAL HaPPINESS OfMaN, 
 
 with the effe^ual Means to chtain it. 
 
 " The efEc.icious Influence, fays the Doctor, of the 
 Holy Spirit, is requifite to change the Will, that with 
 a free and full Confent, our Will may defire and pro- 
 fecute the ipiritual, eternal Good. — Without this, tiie 
 Convi6tion of the Mind is not powerful enough to con- 
 vert the Soul from the Love of the World to chufe 
 Heaven. — Tiiere may be an enlightened Confcience, 
 without a renewed Heart. Though the Judgment 
 afients that God is the fupreme Good ; yet //// the Heart 
 be circumcijed, and the Senjuality of the Affeftions taken 
 away, divine Love (which direcfls our Life to God as 
 our bleifcd End) can never poffcjs it. 
 
 * See Chrift's own Words, Luke xi. 13.— which the Generality of 
 Mankind dijregard : No wonder then, that the World fhould lie fo 
 -much in Darknefs, and be thus diad to vital Religion. 
 
 1 ^ '^ If 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. loi 
 
 " If Men had a fenfible and ftrong AJfurance of the 
 eternal Stat€ hereafter; if all thole who lived godly In 
 a vifible Manner afcended with Elias to Heaven ; and 
 if all who continued in their Sins viftbly defcended into 
 Hell, (as Corah and his Company were fwallowed up 
 alive by the Earth before the Ifraelitss ;) if Men could 
 hear the joyful Exultations of the Saints above, and 
 their high Prailes of God ; then hear the defperate Cries 
 and deep Complaints of the Damned : Nay, if one 
 according to the Dcfire of the rich Man was fent from 
 the doleful Regions bcloijo^ and with his fiery Tongue 
 fliould p-each a Sermon on thofe Torments, not de- 
 fcribing them at a Difiance, but by a fenfible Demon- 
 flration in Hirnfelf yet this alone would not ht Jvffi- 
 cient to draw off Men's Hearts from the deceitful and 
 tranfitory Happinefs of this World., and to faflen them 
 on the -perfect and eternal Happinefs in the next. Indeed, 
 they could not then indulge their Vices fo fecurely ; but 
 yet they would be Strangers to the Life of God^ fuch an 
 inYfitrfitt Alienation of Heart is in Men from real * Holi- 
 nefs ; from till the quickeniiig Spirit of God (by a direft- 
 ing, perfuafive Light, which reprefents the Truth and 
 Goodnefs o^ fpiritual Things) transforms the Soul, and 
 makes it fpiritual in its Valuations, and Affections, it 
 is inwardly averfe from Grace and GlOry. 
 
 " Hov/ earneftly therefore ought we all to pray, 
 that this f-Ioly Spiric may direH: our Hearts to the Love 
 of God, and to the patient Waiting for of Chriil Jefus, 
 wlien he fnall come to be glorified in his faithful Ser- 
 vants, and admired in all them, that believe." 
 
 ■* ** Holinefs is a divine Principle, without the fvcere Prevahnce 
 of which, ♦ no Ma?i Jhall jcg the LcrJ.' Ihb. xii. 1 4. — It is the great 
 End of the Gofpci, as well as the Law, to promote and advance 
 which, the Grace of our Lord Jefas Chrift and his Holy Spirit, ha<; 
 been revealed and imparted to un." Sec Dr, Stcntoti/c'i^ rrieniiij Ad- 
 *i>ice to a Paiicnt, {131)1 Edition, Page 10) 
 
 H 3 la 
 
10* MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 In another Place * Dr. Bates exprefles himfelf in 
 thefe very momentous Terms : '^ Worldly Men, when 
 Death is near, are not fo much affecbed with the Lofs 
 of the Crown of Glory, and the Kingdom of Heaven, 
 as with their leaving tlie prcfent World, and its Vani- 
 ties : — This makes Death intolerably bitter.- — In fhort, 
 till the Love of God inflames and purifies the Heart, 
 the Fruition of his Glory is not efleemed nor defircd f ." 
 
 Your Queflion will be ftill further anfwered by con- 
 fidering thoroughly two Tra6ls, wrote by Professor 
 Franck : One of which is intitled, A jhort Introdu^ion 
 
 * Dr. Bates of Emanuel, and afterwards of King^s College, Cam- 
 hridge, and Chaplain to King Charles the Second, is univerflilly allowed 
 to have been a Man of ftrong natural Parts, of great acquired 
 Learning, of moft exemplary Candor and Moderation.— Such a 
 Vi'vacity of Imagination as his, and fuch a Solidity and Depth of 
 Judgment, rarely meet together. — He is well known for the Exaft- 
 nefs and Propriety of his Method, and the Clearnefs and Delicacy 
 of his Style ; infomuch, that He was by many accounted the Cucro 
 of his Time, and therefore called the Silver-Tongued Bates. — The 
 tiuhcle Works of this elegant Author were in 1723 reprinted in Folio 
 (Price fifteen Shillings;) but it is much to be wifhed, \}l\2X fome of 
 his little Pieces were to be publifhed feparately, as they were 
 formerly ; efpecially, his inelllmable little Treatife on the four laji 
 Things, {fvi%. Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell,) in which 
 T'ruth fpeaks with fuch Authority, Perfuafion, and Efficacy, as con- 
 Jirains the Reader to lay his Hand on his Heart, and moft fenfibly 
 feel, that he has a Soul and Confcience, though he had hitherto 
 lived as if he had neither. — (p3° The Life of Dr. Bates is inferted 
 amongft the Lives of other eminent Men in the Biographia Britannicd^ 
 where a farther Account of him may be found. 
 
 + A Writer of later Date has exprefTed himfelf much to the fame 
 Purpofe. — But as Life is the Gift of God, and as that is the Time 
 for our doing Good, and honouring our Creator and Saviour, the 
 "WorAi fool ijh Fondnefs for Life are perhaps objedionable. 
 
 " Nothing hut i.fooliJhFondwfs for Life, which if its ^t'/Zf did 
 tiot cure, one would think the near Profpeft of Heaven might ; or 
 elfe a Doubt as to our Title to the promifed Reward (which fhould 
 double our Diligence to fecure that Title) can make any one loth to 
 die, who heartily believes in God, and his Son ow: Saviour Jefus 
 Chrift." 
 
 to 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 105 
 
 io the Pra^ice of the Chrifiian Religion^ (Price Three 
 Pence J ) and the other is intitled, Nicodemus^ or A Treat if e 
 againfl the Fear of Man ; wherein the Caufcs^ and fad 
 Effe^s thereof are briefly defcribed, with fome Remedies 
 againfl it; Price One Shilling; — dedicated to the 
 honourable Society for Reformation of Manners. 
 
 And now having mentioned Professor Fkanck, and 
 his Treatife againfi the Fear of Man, I cannot conclude 
 without obferving, that 1 think him one of the moft 
 eminent Chriflians, and mofb extraordinary Men I ever 
 heard of, as his Pietas Hallenjis, which I read with Ad- 
 miration, and deep Humility, fufficiently denwnflrates ; 
 and had I been aMember of the Society for Reformation 
 of Manners, when the Dedication of his Nicodemus 
 had been prefented to them, I fhould have made a Mo- 
 tion to have had an hundred Pounds expended in a 
 proper Diflrihution of that moft important Book, as 
 there can be no material Reformation, till the Fear of 
 Man is removed ; and as nothing can be better calcu- 
 lated to extirpate Juch Fear, and promote all the other 
 laudable Ends of the Society. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, your's, ^c. 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 P. S. The Title of the Book I recommended to 
 your Son, pieafe to tell him, was Henry's Pleafantnefs of 
 a religious Life. The Autlior defigned it particularly 
 for young People ; and in my Converfation with them, 
 I generally mention it ; J am indeed the more Iblicitous 
 of havings it put into their Hands, as they are too apt 
 to look upon Religion in a gloomy View, conlidering it 
 as deftrudliye of every Enjoyment. 
 
 H4 LET- 
 
;04 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 LETTER CLXXVIL 
 
 On Mr. JVeJley's unfair Dealing. 
 
 fVeJion-Favelly OSf. 24, I75$«- 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 LET me repeat my Thanks for the Trouble you 
 have takeni and for the AJJiJlance you have given 
 me, in relation to my Controverfy with Mr. Wcf.eyi 
 He is fo unfair in his Quotations, and fo magifterial in 
 his Manner, that I find it no fmall Difficulty, to pre- 
 ferve the Decency of the Gentleman, and the Meek- 
 nefs of the Chriftian, in my intended Anfwer: May our 
 divine Mailer aid me in both thefe Inflances, pr elfe not 
 fuffer me to write at all. 
 
 I have juft been reading /Z;z3. iii. 13. ID* TSST^ *1N*1\? 
 iy feemed difficult to clear ; one of the Metaphors 
 referring to an animate, the other to an inanimate 
 Stru6turej I Iliould be glad to know, how you under- 
 fiand, and how you would explain the PafTage. Per- 
 haps, at your Leifure, you will confider the whole 
 Chapter -, and, when I afk for a Defcant upon one, give 
 me an Elucidation of twenty Verfes. 
 
 I have certainly a very great Eileem for Dr. Gill, yet 
 I never could aflent to his Notion of eternal * Juilifi- 
 
 cation. 
 
 * The Gentleman to whom Mr. Hert'cy is here wrking has re- 
 marked, as follows, in a Letter wrote fince Mr. Hcfvey^s Deceafe : 
 
 " Mr. Hcrvey^^ Zeal for the Doftrine of Free Grace made him 
 ^rive to exprefs himfelf in Dr. G?7/'s Manner; not enough attending 
 to the Con/equences. — Now this Pafiage, wrote but two Months before 
 his Death, is fuch a frank Declaration againft a fundamental Jnti- 
 nomian Dodtrine, as cannot but be pleafmg to all his pious Friends.". 
 . See Vol. n. p. 412, where he declares againft JntinoTnianifm. 
 
 ^ Mr. Hervey i'as cccajionally complained of the Unfairnefs of re- 
 trcfcnting him as a Predeftinarian Kuitbout a fufficient Authority : Jnd 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 105 
 
 pation. I am very much obliged to you for pointing 
 put to me the Pafllige in Theron and j^JpafiOj which 
 fcems to favour, or proceeds upon ilich a Tenet. — It 
 (hall be altered in the next Edition. 
 
 My dilatory Proceedings you will afcribe to the real 
 Caufe, Sickyiejs j then you will not deal with me ac- 
 cording to the Law of Retaliation, but according to 
 that Law of Kindnefs, which the Grace of our Lord 
 Jefus Chrift has written upon your Heart. 
 
 Indeed I think your Arguments are unafwerable. If 
 fo, don't you think there are fome Things in my third 
 Dialogue exceptionable : I wifn you would examine it, 
 bring it to the Touchftone of your iaft Letter, and 
 where it is wrong, corredt it. 
 
 I Ihould like to have Thercn obje6t fomething in your 
 Way of Argumentation, and AJ-pafio frankly confefs, 
 that he has overfnot the Mark. Such an Acknowledg- 
 ment endears the Character of the Speaker, and fuch ^ 
 Circumftance makes the Sentiment more impreflive on 
 the Reader. 
 
 I have often thought the fecond Verfe of Vjal. cxxxio 
 very difficult, and have been at a Lofs to find out the 
 Propriety of the Comparifon. Why compofed and 
 quiet as a weaned Child t When we know, that the 
 Time of weaning Children, is always a Time of Dif- 
 appointment, often of Diieafe. At this Seafon, they 
 are particularly froward, and peevifh ; the I'ery Reverfsf 
 therefore of that Frame of Mind, which the Pjalmijl 
 feems to be illuftrating. — This was the befl Solution, 
 which occurred to my Thoughts. A Child, weaned 
 from his Mother, is difquicted and fretful : Such is my 
 natural^ and fuch would be my habitual Temper, was I 
 
 ;;; the zg^th Pa^t ofVoltimc II. he declares, that he never even attempted 
 to fludy that intricate Point : Is it therefore the Part of Cayidour to 
 dra-jj Conclufions, ivbich rnay be to his Difad-vanta^e, deduced only 
 Jr am fome dubious Exprejfiens in his Jn-iiiugs ? 
 
 not 
 
Iq6 MISC.EJ.LANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 not influenced and calmed by Grace ; but through divine 
 Grace, my Mind is refigned and quiet as the weaned 
 Child, when brought back to the Mother, and lulled 
 to reft in^ ^^y on that ibft and warm Bofom, where it 
 had fo often lain, with the greateft Delight ; but from 
 which it had been, for a Seafon, withdrawn. — You fee, 
 I would tranflate "lOf^ ^hv ^^ P.e5fus five Gremium Matris 
 Jua. But whether my Tranfiation be warrantable, or 
 my Paraphrafe fuch as fuits .the Tenour of the Pfalm, I 
 fubmit to your Determination. 
 
 Accept my lincere Thanks for your valuable Cor- 
 reftion of a Paffage in my Sermon : Such improving 
 Animadverfions will always be more acceptable than the 
 inebriating Voice of Applaufe \ — far more acceptable to. 
 
 Your truly affectionate Friend, 
 
 J. Hervey. 
 
 LETTER CLXXVIII. 
 
 A Caution againji judging of Men's States. 
 
 Friday MorH. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 YOU afk me what I think of you, in cafe it Ihould 
 pleafe God to take you out of the World, in the 
 perplexed State you have defcribed to me. — An Anfwer 
 to fuch a Queftion, is much more difficult than you 
 feem to be aware of; and therefore, I muft beg Leave 
 to decline paffing any Sentence. — We Minifters are to 
 teach, warn, comfort, and exhort every Man according 
 to God's moft holy Word 3 — but after Death comes tiie 
 Judgment on each of us. For alas ! how little, how 
 very little do we know of one another, or of Ourfelves ? 
 Q The 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 107 
 
 The moft amazing, perhaps, and one of the moft 
 humbling Confiderations too, which can well be offered 
 to the human Mind, is that, though 'we cannot form a 
 tolerable Judgment of any Man's real Condition, yet 
 God fhall judge the World, the whole World in Equity; 
 not fo much as one fingle Cafe, how intricate foever it 
 may feem to us, will He miftake — He was, is, and ever 
 ihall be omnifcient, and omniprefent. — And yet, fhort- 
 Tighted Creatures as we are, how often do we ufurp this 
 Prerogative, and prefume to judge our Fellow-Creatures. 
 A certain Author, whofe Name I forgot (though I re- 
 giflered to the following Effcft from him in one of my 
 old Diaries) has obfcrved, " that it is impofTible for us 
 Mortals to form an equitable Judgment of the State of 
 any one Individual -y becaufe God alone knows all the 
 Circumftances in which He has been., and now is. He 
 alone can be the proper Judge of his Abilities and 
 Powers — what Opportunities he had of improvinn; him- 
 felf and of doing Goqd ; what were the Force of his 
 Temptations ; — what Difficulties he had to llruo-o-le 
 with J what Portion of divine Grace was given to him ; 
 what natural Underflanding he had ; what acquired 
 
 Knowledge was or could be obtained by Him \ and 
 
 in Ihort, what the true State of his Cafe was. — Nor 
 will he condemn any one unjuftly or arbitrarily. — How 
 comfortable a Refle6lion is this ! (efpecially to one, who 
 IS cruelly perfecuted, or unjuftly cenfured) that God 
 Ihall judge the World in Equity ; — and yet, — what a 
 tremendous Thought is it, that every Day we live we 
 provoke this Judge of all Men, and increafe our Heap 
 of Sin, — which fwells into luch a frightful Size, fuch 
 a ftupendous Mountain of Guilt, as will make us one 
 Day fland amazed at the Siglit of it. — ' But what art 
 thou, O thou great Mountain ? Before Zerubbabel thou 
 Ihalt become a Plain.* {^Zcch. iv. 7.) — We have an 
 Advocate with the Father, Jelus Chrift the righteous ; 
 
 and 
 
ic^ MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 and HeAS the Propitiation for our Sins. — Oh ! that I 
 may have a devout and Uvely Faith in Him, as it is by 
 Him alone my Sins can be cancelled. — May the Cry of 
 his Blood drown their Clamour. — We are, moft juft 
 God, the Children of thy Wrath, and He is the Son 
 of thy Love, who died to fave us ; and through "whcm 
 thou art willing to receive us.' — Yet what a diilruilful 
 Faindng of Mmd comes over me, on the Remembrance 
 of form.er Tranfgreflions, which neither aRefledion on 
 God's ineffable Goodnefs, nor on the unbounded Value 
 , of the Sacrifice of Chrift; can effe^ually relieve? — • 
 Hear me, O Lord God, in this my Hour of Heart-felt 
 Diftrefs ; nor take thou Vengeance of my Sins : Spare 
 thy Creature, O Lord, Ipare Htm, whom thou haft re- 
 deemed with thy molt precious Blood; let thy mighty 
 Spirit fit me for Mercy and Acceptance i and be not, 
 •oh ! be not angry vnth. n\t for ever." 
 
 With this Proje Quotation, I fend you a Copy of Verfes 
 on the Renovation of a Sinner j which will, perhaps, 
 at this Time, be neither unacceptable, nor unfeafonable. 
 *-^It is wrote by a very particular Friend of mine, and 
 js as poetical, as it is inftrudive and confolatory. 
 
 L 
 
 WHEN with my Mind devout])'- prefs'd. 
 Dear Saviour I my revolving Breall 
 
 Would paft Offences trace ; 
 Trembling I make the black Review, 
 Yet pleas 'd behold, admiring too ^ 
 
 The; Pqw> of changing Grace. 
 
 II. 
 
 This Tongue yV^\'Ct\ Blafphemies defil'd, 
 Thefe Feet, to erring Paths beguil'd. 
 
 In heav'nly League agree ; 
 Who would believe fuch Ups could praifr. 
 Or think my dark and winding Ways 
 
 Should ever k-iid to Thee r 
 
 III. Thefc 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. jo^ 
 
 III. 
 
 Thcfe EyeSy that once abus'd their Sight, 
 Now hft, to thee their wat'ry Light, 
 
 And weep a iilent Flood ; 
 Thcfe Hands afcend in ceafelefs PrayV, 
 Oh! wafli away, the Stains they wear 
 
 In pure, redeeming Blood ! 
 IV. 
 Thefe Ems^ that pleas'd could entertain 
 The Midnight Oath, the luftful Strain, 
 
 When round the feftal Board ; 
 Now deaf to all th' inchanting Noife, 
 Avoid the Throng, deteft the Joys, 
 
 And long to hear thy Word. 
 V. 
 Thus art thou ferv'd, in ev'ry Part 
 Oh ! wouldit thou but transform my Hsart, 
 
 That drofly Thing refine ; 
 That Grace might Nature's Strength controul, 
 And a new Creature, — Body, Soul, 
 
 Be all — be ever Thine. 
 
 I tranfcrlbed thefe VerfeSy as I hope you will commit 
 them to your Memory j and often repeat them as you 
 ride or walk, till your Tongue, Feet, Lips, Eyes, 
 Hands, Ears, and very Heart, are fiibicryient to the 
 great End of your own Salvation, and that of others. — 
 Exert yourfelf; — be of good Cheer; the Clouds that 
 darken the Face of your Affairs, will ere long dilperle. 
 He, vvho gave his Blood for you, and refufed not to 
 bear the racking Agonies of the Crofs for you, — He 
 will not leave you, nor forfake you. God, who is 
 faithful and juft, has promifed to forgive us our Sins 
 through the Mediation of his Son. — Lord, I believe 
 thisj help thou our Unbelief. — So wilhes, and fo prays, 
 
 your's very fincerely, 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 LET- 
 
11* MISCELLANEOUS LETTER5. 
 
 LETTER CLXXIX. 
 
 On Zimmerman. 
 
 Wednejday Mom, 
 My dear Friend^ 
 
 I Thank you, for remembering me before the Throne 
 of Grace. Let your Prayers be for my cheerful 
 Refio-nation to the divine good Pleafure, and for clear 
 Manifeftations to me of Jefus Chrift. My Life has 
 long been a Burden to myjelf^ and is now become un- 
 profitable to others. — Your Intention to vifit me is 
 kind, but I am not fit for Company, unable either to 
 carry on, or relifh Converfation : I am bell v/hen alone : 
 Do not therefore give yourfelf the Trouble of coming 
 ten Miles. — I accept the Will for the Deed. — As to 
 your Tranflation of Zimmermannus * De Eminentid Cog- 
 nitionis Chrifiiy I will, if my languid Spirits can bear 
 the Taflv, carefully read it over, which I have never 
 been able to do fmce I faw you in London. I lent it to 
 Mr. *** ; when he has done with it, defire him to 
 convey it to me : You fhall then have (if the Lord 
 will) the Refult of my renewed Perufal of that Piece, 
 which I formerly was fo defirous of having tranjlated 
 by you. May the Lord of all Power make you ftrong 
 to labour in his facred Service, and crown your Labours 
 with abundant Succefs. 
 
 I am your truly affedionate Brother in Chrift, 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 ♦ This was a favourite Book of Mr. Her^vey^s — and he defired Mr. 
 J^ofes Brc-jjn to tranjlate it from the Latin, and promifed to write an 
 Intr-odudion to it, which he never lived to perform. The TranJIation 
 will be publifhed by Mr. Bro'wn about Michaelmas next. See Vol. II. 
 p. 239, 251, 256. It was t.hen publiihed. 
 
 LET- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. n.r 
 
 LETTER CLXXX. 
 
 On various Suhje5fs. 
 
 Saturday Mom. 
 My dear Friend^ 
 
 I Have read over again and again, the correded Copy 
 of your little Tracl, which you intend for the next 
 Edition, and have examined it with my beft Attention : 
 Not able to make any Amendment, which is confider- 
 able, I have only fuggefted fome flight Alterations. 
 Elegance you do not covet in fuch a Compofition j 
 plain and neat is the proper Array for fuch an Addrefs. 
 
 I am furprifed to re^d the Letter which the popular 
 Gentleman from 'Durham writes againft your Book, 
 Never fear, my Friend : — Our Writings^ as well as our 
 Lives, are in the Hand of God Almighty : If he will 
 J^rcad, what fliall obftru6l them ? If He will work by 
 rhem, who ^.liall difinnul his Defign ? Oh may we cry 
 to Him, cleave to Him, and live by Faith on Him ! 
 For not by Might nor Powers not by Eloquence of 
 Compofidon, nor by Intereft of Patrons, but by my 
 Spirit, faith the Lord. 
 
 Pray take a little Pains with my Theron and Ajpafio : 
 —You can fcarcely imai^ine what Inquiries are made 
 after it, and what a Demand there is tor it, even before 
 Publication. It makes me rejoice with trembling. 
 All-wile, all-gracious Jcfus, be jealous for thine own 
 Honour. — Let me not, oh ! let mc not, cloud its 
 Brightnefs, or obflrudt its Progrefs, by any injudicious 
 Touches of my Pen. — I now feci the Lofs of our 
 valuable Friend Dr. Doddridge^ to whofe Judgment I 
 ever paid the highcfl Deference ; but fmce He is gone, 
 and we can have no more of his perfonal Counfelsy let 
 us redouble our Attention to his IVritings. 
 
 I expcd 
 
Uz MISCELLx\NEOUS LETTERS, 
 
 I expe6l you will tell me my Maniifcript is very 
 prolix ; but I defignedly made it fo, that my Friends 
 might judge what is proper to be omitted. It is eafier 
 you know, to expunge than to compofe : I wifh they 
 would, with a leadeh Pencil, inclofe iii a Parenthefis 
 what they would have dropt : I hope to retrench cjje 
 fourth t*art of the Copy. May the God of Wifdom 
 direft, and the God of Mercy profper all cur Under- 
 takings I 
 
 I am your's very fmcerelyj 
 
 James HERVEVi 
 
 'tj- 
 
 LETTER CLXXXL 
 
 071 Comfort m Affl,iciion^ 
 
 Wcflon-Faroell, Dec. 5, 1747. 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 IAlTure you I am extremely co'ncerned for the Death of 
 your moft excellent Wife, as indeed, indeed I think 
 fhe has left few Equals behind her. — " Take her all in 
 all, I fliall never fee her like again *." — But, my deaf 
 Friend, you muft not give Vf ay to excejjive Sorrow — • 
 all proper Allowances I tenderly do, and ought to 
 make, as fuch will be made both by God and Man ; 
 but yet our Sorrows muft not be immoderate, or incon- 
 fiftent with the Will of God, and Refignation to his 
 Providence. — Give me Leave to prefent you with, and 
 recommend to you on this melancholy Oc cafion a re- 
 peated Perufal of Dr. Grofvenof^ Mourner f , or the 
 Afjli5led reliei-ed. — It is a moft valuable Gem ; and, as 
 
 * Shakcfpear's Hamlet, f Price Elghteen-pence. 
 
 'a 
 
"" MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 115 
 
 it is wrote in Numbers like the SpeSfators, it will not 
 'iueary your Attention. I am fure you (land in Need of 
 the Confolations and Helps there fuggefted ; I am never 
 witliout fome of thefe little Books to give away to my 
 Acquaintance under AffliElion ; efpecially for the Lojs of 
 dear Relations or valuable Friends ; I think it, for thefe 
 Purpofes, one of the moft judicious and iiniverfally 
 ufeful Books extant j and it well deferves to be tranflated 
 into the Language of every Nation where Chrillianity 
 is profefled. 
 
 Don't you often recollect in this Seafon of Diftrefs, 
 the Difcourfe, the Prayers, the amiable, the rejoicing, 
 and the heavenly Spirit of our dear Friend, who was 
 with us laft Month ? Bleffed be God for making Him 
 fuch a lovely Example, and fuch a zealous Promoter 
 of pure and undefiled Religion. — Bleffed be God for 
 promifing us the fame divine Spirit ; and giving us the 
 fame glorious Hopes, which have had fuch a quickning 
 and ennobling Influence on his Heart. — The rich Good- 
 nefs of the Lord exercifed to others^ fhould encourage 
 our Expe^faticns^ fliould ftrengthen our Faith. — Let it 
 then, let it be fo. — Adieu ! my dear Friend ! — I will 
 come to you again very foon. — In the mean Time I 
 {hall not ceafe to pray for you, as I am with great Com- 
 palfion, and great Efteem, 
 
 Moft tenderly, moft (incerely your's, 
 
 James Hervev* 
 
 -Vol. III. .™. LET^i 
 
tU MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 LETTER CLXXXII. 
 
 Ohjervations againfi Defpair, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I Should be glad to Tuggefl any Thing, either for 
 your Improvement, or Confolation. — But what can 
 I fuggeft, while you entertain fuch hard Thoughts of 
 Chrift, and will not be -perjuaded out of this ftrange 
 Notion, " that the Curje of God has lighted en you, 
 and will follow you to the Grave'' Such a Thought 
 {and it mull be taken up without any real Foundation) 
 not only renders you extremely miferable, but will blaft 
 all your future Ufefulnefs. — Suppofe you had rebelled 
 againft God in a more extraordinary Degree than even 
 your oivti Imagination can paint j and fuppofe you was 
 reje£led by Him at the prefentj yet what fays the 
 Apoftle, " Humble yourfelf in the Sight of the Lord, 
 and He will hft you up." {Jam. iv. lo.) 
 
 As to the Quotation from Mr. ***'s Letter to you, 
 wherein he obierves with a kind of triumphant Malig- 
 nity, " that the T)evil had taken an Advantage of you, 
 in Relation to fome imprudent Management in the 
 Affair, at ***, ^c, iSc. &c. and dragged you, as he 
 expreffes it, through a Horfe-pond, dirtied and wet to 
 the great Diverfion of the Spe^ators," I aflv of what 
 Spectators ? Of the worldly-minded only, and the 
 envious i to whom your former fiourilliing State as a 
 firji Rate Chrifhian, was a conftant and vifible Reproach \ 
 yet Chrifi (though you arc now thus depreffed) is ftill 
 your Friend, and will break Satan's Teeth ; and though 
 dirty, will cleanfe you; though wet, will receive and 
 warm you. 
 
 ^\ Now 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 115 
 
 Now let me put a ^leftion to you. — Would you rejeSi 
 your Child, becaufe, when dreiTed in its beft Cioaths, 
 He had met with a like Misfortune ? — Or, fuppofe He 
 had rambled out in the Snow, and fcratched himfelf 
 with Briars, and came to you bleeding and cold, would 
 you turn him out of Doors, when he claimed your 
 Pity ? — We do not knoiv Chrift well enough, how 
 kind ! how good He is to us ! — What is fjiy Kindnels 
 and Companion for you (on which you feem to place 
 fo higli a Value) in Comparifon of Chris's ? — Have I 
 been nailed to the Crofs for you ? — Oh pray earneftly 
 to HiM, for 
 
 ■ To Him, to Him, 'tis giv'n. 
 
 PafTion, and Care, and Anguiili to deftroy. 
 Thro' Him foft Peace and Plenitude of Joy 
 Perpetual o'er the World redeem'd fliall flow. 
 
 Prior's Solomon, 
 
 He has fatisfied God for all your Sins: — He is your 
 Advocate ; — and has procured for you the ineftimabie 
 Gift of the Holy Spirit to fubdue your Iniquities. — « 
 Cultivate the Love of God in your Heart, and He will 
 make your Path of Duty plain before you. I dare fay^ 
 God will make you more abundantly ufeful than ever : 
 Oh bring your Mind off from this deftruclive Notiona 
 " that the Ciirje of God follows you.'''' — This is a Sug- 
 geftion of Satan's to prevent your Ufefulnefs; — but re- 
 member that Text, " The Lord knoweth how to de- 
 liver the godly out of Temptations." (2 Peter ii. 9.) 
 And he will certainly deliver you out of this, and reftore 
 you to his wonted Favour. 
 
 Don*t fele<5t fuch terrifying Texts for your Medita- 
 tiony as in your Letter you tell me you have done. — It 
 is as improper, as if you fhould cat the coldeft Melon, 
 or ufe the mr/ii flight Covering when ihivering with an 
 Ague. Chufe the Morning after you receive this 
 
 I 2 Letter 
 
tl6 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Letter (by Way of Antidote to the Texts of your own 
 felefting) the following for your Meditation: " His 
 Mercy is greater than the Heavens ;" {TJalm cviii. 4.) 
 " His Mercy endureth for ever^" {Vjalm zy.v\\\. i.) 
 Put together thefe two Exprefllons, and fee whether 
 they do not amount to more than either your Impru- 
 dences, or your Diftrefs. — You have to be fure done 
 amifs, and dealt foolifhly in the Matter of "***j God 
 forbid I Ihould jujlify your Condud : — But oh let it 
 not htjaidy let it not be oViZtJurmiJed^ that it is beyond 
 the Reach of God's unmeafurable Goodnefs to -pardon.) 
 or of Chrift's immenfely rich Merits to expiate. The 
 Lord loves you with an everlafting Love ; and take, if 
 you pleafe, the latter Part of the xxxth of IJaiahy 
 Verfe 18. for your Contemplation-, — The Words are, 
 " For the Lord is a God of Judgment: Bleffed are 
 they that wait for him." 
 
 None can tell, none can think, what Mercy there is 
 with the Lord; with inconceivable Tendernefs his 
 Bowels yearn towards the weakeft, fraileft Believer in 
 his dear Son. — We have difhonoured his Holinefs, and 
 violated his Law ; but let us not, to accumulate our 
 Follies, derogate from the boundlefs Riches of his 
 Mercy in Jefus Chrift, to all thofe who Jeek^ and intreat 
 it. — There is a wide Difference between Humiliation 
 and Dejpair. — Draw near to Chrift with an humble 
 Boldnefs. 
 
 May you fee many, many Years on Earth ; and, 
 when the Earth fliall be no more, may you be received 
 into the New Jerufakm ; where dwelleth Righteoufnefs, 
 confummate Righteoufnefs, and everlafting Happinefs. 
 —This, my dear Sir, is my earneft Wil"h, and fervent 
 Prayer for you, and for rnyjelf, who am, with great 
 Compaflion and true Regard, 
 
 Your obliged humble Servant and Friend, 
 
 J James Hervzy", 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTExRS. ii; 
 
 P. S. My favourite Autlior Lihorius ZimmermannuSy 
 v/hifpers to me on this Occafion the following PafTage : 
 " Said I not unto thee, if thou wouldil believe, thou 
 fhouldft SEE the Glory of God, and experience his 
 Goodnefs, when leaft deferved, or rather notorioufly 
 forfeited ?" -Hence may we be convinced, that his 
 Loving-kindnefs is unbounded, is unwearied, is infinite; 
 as much furpafTing all our Follies, and all our Thoughts, 
 as the World of Waters exceeds the Drop of a Bucket. 
 Oh for a Spirit of fteady Faith to live under the con- 
 tinual Belief of this precious, precious Truth. 
 
 LETTER CLXXXIII. 
 
 JExuhation on the Spread of the Go/pel. 
 To the Rev. Mr. Whitefield. 
 
 Biddeford, 174I. 
 
 Bear Mr. Whitefield:, 
 
 YOUR Favour flruck me with an agreeable Sur- 
 prize : I verilv thought my ftubborn Silence had 
 razed me from your Remembrance j but fmce you ftill 
 have an Affc6lion for an ungrateful Friend, I take this 
 Opportunity of returning my thankful Acknowledg- 
 ments. 
 
 I rejoice to hear the Redeemer's Caufe revives. Set 
 up thyfelf, O incarnate God ! above the Heavens, and 
 diffiife thy Glory throughout all the Earth. Let thy 
 Enemies perifh, O Lord ! Let Difappointments attend 
 the Attempts of thy Foes and the Devices of Hell : 
 but let thy Servants be profperous, and their MefTage 
 crowned with Succefs. 
 
 I Z Dear 
 
lis MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Dear Sir, I cannot boaft of Trophies ere6led here 
 by the Captain of our Salvation : I hope the Arm of 
 the Lord will be revealed more and more among us. 
 I hope the Triumphs of free Grace will have wider 
 fpread and freer Courfe, and prevail mightily over our 
 '^Unbelief. I own with Shame and Sorrow that I have 
 been too long a blind Leader of the Blind: my Tongue 
 and my Pen have perverted the good Ways of God : 
 they have darkened the Glory of redeeming Merit and 
 fovereign Grace. I have dared to invade the Preroga- 
 tives of an all-fufficient Saviour, and to pluck the 
 Crown off his Head. My Writings and Difcourfes 
 have derogated from the Honours, the everlafLing and 
 jncommunicable Honours of Jefus. They prefumed 
 to give Works a Share in the Redemption and Recor- 
 very of a loft Sinner : they have placed thofe filthy 
 Rags upon the Throne of the Lamb, and by that 
 Means debafed the Saviour, and exalted the Sinner. 
 
 But I trufl the divine Truth begins to dawn upon my 
 Soul, O may it, like the rifmg Sun, fhine more and 
 more, till die Day-break in all its Brightnefs, and the 
 Shadows flee away. Now was I poffeft of all the 
 righteous Acts that have made Saints and Martyrs 
 famous in all Generations : could they all be transferred 
 to me, and might I call them all my own, I would re- 
 liounce them all that I might win Chrifl. I would not 
 dare to appear before the bright and burning Eye of 
 God with fuch Hay, Straw and Stubble. No, dear Sir, 
 I would long to be clothed in a Mediator's Righteouf- 
 jiefs, and afcribe all my Salvation to the mofl un- 
 jnerited and freell Grace, 
 
 I have juft been giving an Exhortation to my young 
 Brethren : I have warned them to remember their 
 Creator in the Days of their Youth. My Thoughts 
 were led to the Subjed by an alarming Providence, 
 
 which 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 119 
 
 which fnatched one of their Fellows in the Gaiety and 
 Bloom of Life. May the Hand of the Almighty 
 fet Home the Word of his Minifters : may young Per- 
 fons come in the Vigour of Health, to the Redeemer's 
 Feet, and devote their warm Affedtions to his Service. 
 And O may the Preacher himfelf both lead them in 
 the "Way, and encourage them to follow. Dear Sir, 
 ceafe not to pray for me : defift not to counfel me, 
 fmce 1 perceive you cannot forbear to love me. 
 
 I am, your's affedlionately, 
 
 James Hervey, 
 .^t. 27 Years. 
 
 LETTER CLXXXIV. 
 
 0« various Subjects. 
 
 B'lddefordy 0£l. i2, 1742.- 
 T>ear Sijler^ 
 
 I Received your kind Letter. It was a Pleafure to 
 hear from Hardingftoney the Place which gave me 
 Birth, and the Place which preferves my Sifter. — I am 
 obliged to the Rev. Mr. Roje for remembering me, 
 and defire him to accept my beft Compliments j I hope 
 he will be an Inftrument of doing much Good. To 
 Jave Souls is the nobleft Acquifition in the World ; in- 
 finitely more defirable, than to find great Spoils. May 
 this be his Honour and Happinefs, and may it be my 
 continual Aim ! 
 
 My poor Aunts are no more, they are gone the Way 
 of all Flefh ; Eternity has received them ; their State 
 is now become unchangeable. Oh, that we may be 
 
 I 4 alarmed 
 
120 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 alarmed by their Departure, and labour while we have 
 Time, to make our Calling and Ele^ion fure ! 
 
 My Mother tells me, you have been much indif- 
 pofed : I fhail rejoice to hear, that you are better. 
 Sicknefs and Affliftions are God's Call; they are- divine 
 Admonitions, and warn us not to be fond of the World, 
 but to fet our Affeftions on Things above. May the 
 blefled Jefus make them effe6lual to our Souls ! 
 
 I wifh I had any News to write, that you can under- 
 ftand, and relilh. The Small-Pox is marking many, 
 and carrying off fome among us : It is a Privilege of 
 no fmall Value to be j^afi that infeftious Diforder : I 
 have often thought, that it is too lively an Emblem of 
 the Condition of our Souls by corrupt Nature and evil 
 Practice. So polluted, fo loathfome is our better Part 
 in the Eye of uncreated Purity, till we are wailied, till 
 we are cleanfed in redeeming Blood. May we earneftly 
 long to be wafhed in that Fountain, opened in our 
 Saviour's Side, for Sin, and for Uncleannefs. 
 
 See how our Judgments and Inclinations alter in Pro- 
 cefs of Time ! I once thought I fhould make lefs Ufe 
 of the Spe5fators than you -, but now I believe the Re- 
 verje of this is true, for we read one or more of thofe 
 elegant and inftruftive Papers every Morning at Break- 
 faft ; they are ferved up with our Tea, according to 
 their original Defign. We reckon our Rcpaft imper- 
 fed, without a little of Mr. Addifon'^ or Mr. Steele's 
 
 Company. I wifh Mifs Becky K an Increafe of 
 
 Happinefs in the Change of her State : Marriage fliould 
 augment our Joys, and diminiHi our Sorrows. My 
 
 liumble Service attends Mrs. K , Mr. C—. — 's 
 
 Family, and Mr. F- . My Love to my Brother, 
 
 and to yourfclf, concludes all at prefent to be commu- 
 nicated by. 
 
 Dear Sifter, your affectionate Brother;^ 
 
 J. Hervey, 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. i2t 
 
 LETTER CLXXXV. 
 
 On the Jcripural Poems, 
 
 IFeJiorir-FaveU, Dec. 6, 1756. 
 Sir, 
 
 I Received your obliging and valuable Prefent of the 
 Scriptural * Poems, wrote by an American. It is 
 3,n extraordinary Performance, confidering the difad- 
 vantageous Circumftances, under which the Author 
 laboured. — A Spirit of Zeal and Devotion animates 
 the Whole. — There are too fome elevated Thoughts, 
 and fine Lines in it, particularly in that Part of his 
 Poems, which He intitles Man's Fall and Exaltation.^ or 
 the Chrijlian Triumph. 
 
 I hope the Sale of it will anfwer your Expe6lation, 
 and recompenfe the.Coft you have beftowed in Printincr 
 it fo elegantly, and on fo fine a Paper. — But, be that 
 as it may, you have my jDeft Wilhes that it may be- 
 come the Darling of the Publick \ and you have at the 
 fame Time the fincere Thanks of. Sir, 
 
 Your obliged, humble Servant, 
 
 James Hervev. 
 
 * The Author of thefe fcrlptural Poems had no other Education, 
 than what a Country School Miftrefs could beftow on Him. How- 
 far He improved by his own Induftry, notwithftanding the oppreffive 
 Weight of Poverty and Diflrcfs he laboured under, thefe fcriptural 
 Poems evidently pezv, as the Sallies of true Genius are every where 
 vifible in his Compofitions. Such a Diamond as this, even rough 
 from its native Mine, plays a fprightiier Beam, than one of a more 
 languid and feeble Luftre, which has received the higheft Polilh of 
 Educitiori. 
 
 LET, 
 
123 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 LETTER CLXXXVL 
 
 Remarks on different Books. 
 
 Saturday Morning. 
 
 THANKS to my dear Friend, for the Entertain- 
 ment He has given me, by Hanway's Account 
 of * Nadiar Shah ; an illuftrious Villain indeed ! He . 
 fpread Firebrands, Arrows and Death. May we be 
 conformed to his Image, who went about doing Good. 
 
 If you have Voltaire's Life of Lewis XIV. be pleafed 
 to give me the Perufal of it: I fancy, his Reign in 
 France i was fomewliat like the Augiiflan Age in Rome.. 
 Periods of Politenefs hoth ! But what are thofe to 
 Heaven ? that World, where dwelleth Righteoufnefs, 
 confummate Righteoufnefs and everlafting Happinefs. 
 Don't you long, more and more, for thofe Courts of 
 the living God ! Don't you love Him more and more, 
 who {after He had overcome the Sharpnefs of Death) 
 opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all Believers ? 
 
 Warlurton I hear has publifhed two Volumes of Ser- 
 mons, OtStavo ; in which it feems, He has decried ex- 
 perimental Religion, dijregarded the Peculiarities of the 
 Gofpel, and treated the Operations of the Spirit as mere 
 Enthufiafm. If this be the EfFeft of his great Learning, 
 then good Lord deliver us all^ fay I, ivomjuch an At- 
 tainment. If you either have^ or can borrow them, juft 
 let me peep on them. — Don't buy them to gratify mei 
 I can relifh Nothing but what is evangelical. 
 
 Your Friend's Biffertations were put into my Hands ; 
 very pure Di6lion, but that is all ; all to ;;2^, at leaft. 
 There was the Bone, but the Marrow was gone 3 Jefus 
 
 * See //rt^w^y's accurate and entertaining Travels, in two Volumes 
 Quarto, Page 2^^ oi the fecond Volum?. 
 
 ^ Chrift, 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 123 
 
 Chrift, my Portion and your's, was forg'-'t.— How dif- 
 ferent his Strain from St. Paul's Refolution, " I am 
 determined to know nothing but Chrift Jefus and Him 
 crucifedy" which happened to be the Subjeft of my- 
 Exhortation to my Family lafl Night. Lord reveal thy 
 adorable Son, the ali-fufficient Saviour in om fle^rts ; 
 and the more others negled Him, ib much the moie let 
 usj my dear Friend, be zealous to honour Him. 
 
 I have looked into the Manufcript you fcnt me. There 
 feems to be many lively and fpirited Sentimcrnts in it, 
 but furely it is defeftive in the main PoiijL. Sc. Paul, 
 I am apt to think, upon a Perufal of the Treatife, v^'ciud 
 fay, the Author has good Senfe, may be no bad Mo- 
 ralift, but being ignorant of God's Righteoufnefs, and 
 going about to eftablifli his own Righteoufnefs, he has 
 not fubmitted to the Righteoufnefs of God, Rc7n. x. 3. 
 — Lord, give us an Underftanding, that we may know 
 Him^ that is true ! Then we fhall fee Chrift Jefus, the 
 God-Man, to be in the grand Affair of Salvati '^ like 
 the Meridian Sun ^ and all ciher Things, like the Stars 
 at Noon -Day. 
 
 Did you ever read Mr. Whalley's * Remarks upon 
 Shake/pear ? If you have noty I will fend you the Pam- 
 phlet. They are very ingenious, and well defer v^e the 
 Notice of the Puhlick -, particularly of youfSy who are 
 fuch an Admirer of Shakcjpear. 
 
 When you can fpare Francis's Tranflation of De- 
 mojihenes (I fuppofe it is the fame Francis who tranflated 
 Horace) favour me with a Sight of it. A Sight of this 
 will content me; but God's Wordy that ineftimable 
 Book, which fhews me the IVdy of Salvationy I would 
 cleave to, I would dwell upon. And would not you^ 
 my dear Friend, do fo too ? Ev touJoj? io-G*. 
 
 * This Gentleman publillied all Ben Jonfon^s Work? ; and wrote 
 a Supplement to Mr, Uer'vej'% Remarks on Lord BoUngbroke. 
 
 My 
 
124 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 My Text on JVednefday Evening will be a complete 
 Defcription of a Chriftian -, viz. " We are the Circum- 
 cifion, wliich worihip God in the Spirit, and rejoice in 
 Chrill Jefus, and have no Confidence in the Flelli." 
 (^Philip, iii. 3.) A fine Siibjecl for your Meditation ! — • 
 Why fliould I not add, for your Converjation alfo ? 
 
 Ever your's, 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 P. S. I have almoft finlfhed Theron and Ajpafio ; — 
 and in the fixteenth Dialogue, you will find fome Ani- 
 madverfions on immodeft Paintings and Statues. May 
 the God of Purity profper my Endeavours to abolilh 
 this vicious Tafte ; and may all fuch Indecencies be re- 
 moved, as they cannot but flioclc, every truly religious 
 Beholder, 
 
 LETTER CLXXXVII. 
 
 On Man's trujiing to his own JVorks, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 TELL our ingenious Friend at ***, if I did not 
 give a diredl Anfwer to his Quellion, it was be- 
 caufe he had ftated it improperly. His Manner was like 
 making a raw Apothecary's Apprentice the proper 
 Judge of a Doftor's Bill: If fuch a Chap could take 
 upon Him to fay, " Do£tor, your Language is unin- 
 telligible, your Recipes are injudicious," what Anfwer 
 would you make ? Some fuch Anfwers muft be made, 
 even to Dr. C*** and Mr. O**, if they or Dr. C*** 
 maintain or would infmuate, that the Myftery of Sanc- 
 tification, as delineated by Marjhall^ is unintelligihle and 
 injudicious], merely becaufe they do not immediately 
 difcern its Propriety.— I own, the third, and fourth 
 
 Diredioja 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 125 
 
 Dlreftlon of Mr. MarJIoall feem ohjcure * j but this 
 does not arile from any improper Manner of treating 
 the Subje6ls, but from the myllerious Nature of the 
 Subje6ts themjehes. 
 
 " This," fays Dr. C*"*, " is my firm Faith, that, if 
 we do welly we ihall be accepted through the Merits of 
 Chrift." — I might aflc the Do6tor whether He does well ? 
 Dare he avow this, even before me his Fellow-Worm, 
 and Fellow-Sinner ? How then will he maintain the 
 Pretenfion before that infinitely pure God, in whofe 
 Sight the very Heavens are unclean ? — But I chufc to 
 ajk him, (what may feem Icfs ofFenfive) has He never 
 read of the Righteoufnefs of Faith -j- ? — of being made 
 Righteous by one Man's Obedience J ? and of Righ- 
 teoufnefs imputed without. Works. § ? Now I fnouid be 
 glad to learn, what the Holy Spirit means by thefe Ex- 
 prefTions ? And if our worthy Friend pleafes to Jhew, 
 how his Faith can be made conformable to any 07ie of 
 thefe Texts, I will undertake to demonftrate the Con- 
 formity of my Faith to them all. — Ah ! why fhculd we 
 hug a defpicable Rag, and reie6t a Suit of beautiful 
 Apparel ? The Lord Jefus enable us all to difcern the 
 Things that are excellent ! 
 
 Let me this Chrifimas, wiHi you and Mrs. * * all Joy 
 and Peace in Chrift Jefus. Thefe are the true Com- 
 pliments of the Seafon, and therefore fent by 
 
 Your true Friend, . 
 " ^ James Hervey. 
 
 * There is confeffedly Somewhat oF Obfcurity in the third, and 
 fourth Diredlion ; — and as Mr. MarjhaWs Directions are of a ':jcry 
 e-vangelical Nature, they will undoubtedly appear to be out of the 
 common Road ; though his Method is remarkably inftruflive, as no 
 Man perhaps was ever better acquainted with tlie human Heart; and 
 tlie Method he has laid down for the effeftual Praftice of Holinefs 
 is admirable. 
 
 f Rom. X. 6. X Rom. v. 1^. ^ Rom. iv. 6, 
 
 LET- 
 
126 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 
 
 LETTER CLXXXVIIL 
 
 P^emarks on various Authors. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I Here fend you Part of my Manufcript Copy of 
 Theron and AJpafto : If you think it worth your 
 While to beftow any CorreEfions upon them, well ; if 
 not, this alfo is well. For my own Part, fo very 
 languid are my animal Spirits, I am more and more 
 indifferent about them : I fee fo much Weaknefs in wq 
 Mind, and fo many Imperfedlions in my Compofitions, 
 that I am afraid to venture upon the Stage of Obferva- 
 tion again. — An obliging Letter from Mr. H r, in- 
 forms me of his Willingnefs to perufe and corre6t any 
 literary Attempt of mine ; and difcovers, I think, ftill 
 more the Integrity, Simplicity, and Piety of his Heart. 
 
 I prefer both South's and Delaune^s Sermons to the 
 Billiop's, for Soundnefs of Do6lrine. — The/?;y? might 
 be crabbed in his Temper, and thtfecond voluptuous in 
 his Life, yet hoth are more evangelical in their Senti- 
 ments than He is. — Thoje., who can read fuch Kind of 
 moral EJfays as the Bifliop's, (very improperly called 
 Sermons) as Guides to Heaven, and as good Comforters 
 while on Earth, will one Day I hope form a better 
 Judgment, and be enabled in a clearer Manner to difcern 
 the Things which are excellent. 
 
 On Dr. StoyihouJe\ * Recommendation, I have lately 
 read Dr. Watts''^ Treatife on the Love of God, and its 
 
 * As Authors differ fo very much in their Notions concerning the 
 Love of God, and the Ufe of the Paffions in Prayer, the Editor con- 
 cluded it would not be unacceptable to the Reader, if he fubjoined 
 Dr. Stonhoufe^ * judicious Remarks on a Subjed, which Bijhop Hoadlej 
 
 and Dr. Sjinpe have fo flrenuoafly debated. 
 
 * Sec the Eighth Edition of bis Friendly Advice to a Patient, Page 56; 
 
 *' This 
 
MISCELLAflEOUS LETTERS. 127 
 
 Influence on all the Paffions -y which is indeed a moft ex- 
 cellent Book, happily calculated for Ufeftdnefs. — If you 
 have navcr feen it, you liave a Pleafure yet to come -, and 
 I would by all Means advife you to get it. — The Love 
 of God is indeed the Source and Soul of Religion j — 
 and what can produce it, what can cherifli it, but a 
 Senfe of God's Love to us manifefted in his dear Son ? 
 
 " This is a pathetick Addrefs to the Heart, which I could wi(h 
 in the Hands of almofl: evbry Reader, for upon the whole I fcarcely 
 know a more important Book, as it fliews the right Ufe, as well as 
 the notorious Abufe of the Paffions in Matters- of Religion ; and 
 points out the happy Medium between the rapturous Flights, and 
 even indecent Expreffions of Enthuliafts on the one Hand, and the 
 dry Reafonings, and cold Addrefles of the Lukewarm on the other. 
 The extravagant Sallies, wild Tranfports, and heated Imaginations 
 of the former, will often in the Judgment of the latter, feem nearly 
 approaching to Madnefs, and be ridiculed as fuch. — So far as they 
 are exceffive and irrational, they are unquellionably blameable, and 
 moft carefully to be avoided ; yet grateful acknowledgments, and 
 the humble Approaches of a dependent reafonable Being, to an om- 
 nipotent Creator, imd infinitely benevolent Benefadlor, demand far 
 different Affeftions and Expreffions from thofe, with which we purfue 
 a mechanical Improvement, or demonilrate a mathematical Propo- 
 fition. — We are to love the Lord our God with all our Hearts, and 
 with all our Strength; but the Expreffions of this Love, where it is 
 equally Jincere, will yet be different in different Conjiituficns. — Prayer, 
 according to my Apprehenfion, may not improperly be defined an 
 Addrefs to Heaven, enlivened with fuch Degrees of Fervour and 
 Intenfenefs, as our natural Temper, influenced by a true Senfe of 
 God and his Attributes, may produce. 
 
 " Excellent Inilrudlion of various Kinds may be found in this 
 Treatifc. — A llriking Meditation of the Author's upon the Argu- 
 ment of each Difcourfe, fhews the pra£lical Ufes of the feveral Pro- 
 pofitions which he maintains, and diredls the Reader to ufe his own 
 Paffions, as a Spur to quicken his Progrefs in the Chriftian Life." — 
 The following Quotation, will fhew the Regard which the great Dr. 
 Boerhaave paid to Treatifes on this important Subjedh " His Time 
 was i<jhclly taken up in vifiiing the Sick, fearching into every Part of 
 Medicine with the utmofl Diligence, reading the Scriptures, and 
 thofe Authors, who place the Love of GotJ, and its cocfequential Du- 
 ties, in the cleareft Light." 
 
 br 
 
128 MiSCELLANEOUf LETTERS. 
 
 by whom we are fully aflbred, that he has forgiven us all 
 Trefpaffes, and will give lis Life eternal. 
 
 Prefent my affeftionate Compliments to your Family, 
 and believe me, as 1 really am, 
 
 Moft cordially your's, 
 
 James Hervey.. 
 
 LETTER CLXXXIX. 
 
 OnMogatzkfs Golden Treafure. 
 
 fFcJion-Favell, Feb. 22. 
 My dear Friendy 
 
 THE three Volumes of Theron and AJpafio defire 
 you firft to accept them, then freely to animadvert 
 upoh them -, and above all, to implore the BleJJing of 
 God (or them.— I think, when People's Sentiments differ 
 fo excelTively as Mr. ***'s and mine, it is beft to be at 
 a Diftance. O ! may \s't all be kept clofe to our divine 
 Head ; and in a little Time, that, which is im'perfe^y 
 will be done away. We Ihall fee Him, as He is^ and 
 know, as we are known. — I hope you profper in your 
 Health, and are bleffed in your minifterial Labours. 
 The Book you inquire after, which Mr. *** favv in my 
 Study Window at Wejion, and defcribed to you as a 
 welUthiimhed Lilliputian of two or three Inches Jiigh, 
 was written by one Mr. Bogatzky, a German ; in which 
 Language it palTed nineteen Editions, from which it is 
 now tranflated, and intitied. The Golden Treafiiry for the 
 Children of Gody whofe Treafure and Hearts are in Heaven ; 
 containing felc<5t Texts of the Bible, with pra6lical Ob- 
 servations in Profe and Verfe, for every Day in the 
 
 Year, 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 129 
 
 Year. — It is pretty -well thumbed, for there is rarely a 
 Day pafTes that I do not make Ufc of it ; and particularly 
 when I am fo languid, as to be incapable of attending 
 to my ufual Studies. The Author very properly calls 
 it a Golden Treajury for the Children of God, who cfteeni 
 the Word of God more than Gold, and much fine Gold; 
 and from which they may be daily fupplied with proper 
 Advice and Relief in all Manner oi Jpritual Tleceffities, 
 as Thoufands have happily experienced already. — The 
 Verfes are elegant, and edifying on mofl of the Subjedls 
 — and it was his earnefl Defire and Prayer, that the 
 Lord in his infinite Goodnefs would pleafe to blefs his 
 Endeavours to the Good of many Souls, and to the 
 Glory of his holy Name. — Mr. Bogatzky obferves judi- 
 cioufly, that it is not to be expeded, that a Performance 
 of this Nature, will fuit the Tafte of thcfe, who un- 
 happily millakc mere outward Morality for true Chrifti- 
 anity; and go no further than natural Reafon and 
 Strength will carry them : But fuch as either have, or 
 defire to have a real Experience of the Kingdom of God 
 in their Souls, will find much in it to the awakening, 
 comforting, and encouraging their Hearts in the right 
 Way. 
 
 That We may know, and ever continue in the right 
 Way, is, my dear Friend, the frequent and ardent 
 Prayer of. 
 
 Your afFedionate Brother in Chrill, 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 Vol. in, K L E T- 
 
430 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 LETTER CXC. 
 
 On being courageous^ for Chrifi. 
 
 Ifejion, Saturday Morning. 
 
 MUCH I loved, and much I efteemed my dear 
 Friend, before], but now, methinks I love and 
 efleem him more, on account of his kind Acceptance 
 of my free Admonitions. — Do, my dear Friend, let us 
 remember how important the Hours of our prefent Life, 
 and the Moments of focial Intercourfe are. — Dr. Wall 
 of Worceficr^ who has a fine Talte for Painting, can, 
 though engaged in great Bufmefs, paint, and talk now 
 and then upon Paintings ; Dr. Cotton of St. Alban'Sy 
 who has a fine Genius for Poetry, though amidft a 
 Variety of Employs, can write and give his Sentiments 
 on Poetry J and v/hy fhould not Dr. *?*% though in an 
 equally large Sphere of Aftion, edify his Acquaintance, 
 by his Tongue and Pen, with fome religious Hints. 
 This, I think, is his diftinguilhing Talent -, and when 
 He pleafes, I am fure no Man knows how to introduce 
 Scripture better, or to conveile in a more ftriking 
 Manner. Oh ! that a Stricture of it may run through, 
 brighten, and dignify his Temper, his Bufinefs, his 
 W'hole Converfation ! ,,^ 
 
 You are perfeftly right in;(j;iV!^ning thofe Authors, 
 whofe Fiety beams through' ^all th^ir Pages. And for 
 this very Reafon, I eileem, admire and embrace Jenks's 
 Works ; Marjhall on San^ification ; and Witherffoon on 
 the hnfuted Right eoajnefs of Chrifi -y becaufe Nothing 
 has fo efficacious and benign an Influence on true Piety^ 
 as their Dodrines : Nothing fo fwectly calms the Con- 
 fcience, fo thorougiily refines the AfTeftion, or, to fay 
 all in a Word, fo eifedually fheds abroad the Love of 
 God in the Heart. 
 
 I wifh 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 131 
 
 I wifh you and Mrs. *?**, Abundance of Comfort in 
 Mifs Sophia. It was faid of one, " Nabal is his Name, 
 and Folly is with him," (i Sam. xxv. 25.) So I fay of 
 your Infant Daughter, Sophia is her Name, and may 
 Wijdom be with her ! even the v\ avuhv o-o^ta, the Wijdom 
 from above, which St. James fo charmingly defcribes in 
 chap. iii. 17. and not with her only, but with her ParentSy 
 and with their truly afFe<5tionate Friend, 
 
 J. Hervey. 
 
 LETTER CXCI. 
 
 On the Benefits of Self Examination, 
 
 Miles' s Lane, Saturday Morn. 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 IF I am tolerably well, I will wait upon Dr. C***n 
 on Tuefday Morning. — He has a delicate Genius, and 
 I dare fay he is an excellent Phyfician : — Oh that his 
 fine Parts may be grafted into the true Oiive-Tree, and 
 bring forth Fruit unto God. — If Providence permits 
 us to meet, I hope to have fome evangelical Difcourfe 
 with him. 
 
 ' Sure you could not go to Lon don y.wixhowt putting to 
 your Heart fome of your own important Queftions, 
 under the Heads of Self -Examination. — Have you in- 
 dulged yourfelf in needlefs Amufements, needlefs Di- 
 verfions of any Kind ? — Plave you employed your Time 
 ufefully to yourfelf, or to others ? — My deareft Friend, 
 remember in what Book, by whofe Hand feveral fuch 
 like Que'ftions are written ! I fear you have not fo much 
 as fpoke one Word for Chrifl, fince you have entered 
 the Metropolis , though you muft have had/^ many Op- 
 portunities. Oh ! why do you thus bury yourfprightly 
 K 2 Talents 
 
13S MISCElLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Talents in a Napkin ! — Edify your Neighbours by your' 
 Converfation. — What a Lofs has Mr. ** and Mr. ***, 
 and others of your Correfpondents, fuflained by your 
 forgetting^ or difuftng the Language of Sion ? — I have 
 lately purchafed Lawman's Expofition of the Revelations. 
 Give me Leave to refer you to the tifth Verfe of th.e 
 fecond Chapter, " Remember therefore from whence 
 thou 2X1 fallen J and do thy firjl Works." Pray lend me 
 Lowman on the Civil Government of the Hebrews^ which 
 I hear is a moft excellent Book, and illuflrates many 
 obfcure Paflages in the Bible. 
 
 Do you keep a Diary as you ufed to do, a fecret 
 Hiftory of your Heart and Conduct, and take Notice 
 of the Manner in which your Time is fpent, and of the 
 Strain^ which runs through your Bifcourfe? Do you 
 minute down your Sins of Omijftcn as well as of Com- 
 mifftoHy and obferve the Frame of your Spirit in religious 
 Duties ? Do you regifler your mojl fecret Faults, thofe 
 Faults to which yione .but your own Confcience is privy; 
 none but the all feeing Eye difcerns r — And do you often 
 review thefe interefting Memoirs ? remembering at the 
 fame Time, that for all thefe Things God will one Day 
 call you into Judgment. — Keeping a Diary is the Way 
 to know ourfelveSf and of all other Preparatives it beft 
 dilpofes us to Prayer ; and to feek in Earnefi after that 
 blelTed Redeemei;, v/ho died to fave Sinners ; and 
 through whom alone we can ever expeft to enter the 
 Kingdom of Heaven, 
 
 Adieu ! my dear Friend ! — God in Heaven blels» 
 and proteft you ! I hope to Cee you ere long — and ana 
 in the mean Time with true Regard, ' 
 
 Your's faithfully and alFe6lionateIy,» 
 
 James Hervbv* 
 
 LET 
 
Miscellaneous letters^ 135 
 
 LETTER CXCII. 
 
 Remarks on the Letters on Theron and Ajpafio, 
 
 JVeJion-FaveUy Sept. 4, 1 758. 
 Madam^ 
 
 BE fo good as to prefent my very affecflionate Com- 
 pliments to your excellent Friend Mr. Kennedy, 
 Inform him, that my intended Work has for a long 
 Seafon, on Account of my great Infirmities, been like 
 the Sun in Giheon^ and like the Moon in the Valley of 
 y^jalon. I fliall be particularly pleafed and thankful to 
 receive his Thoughts on that important Subjed:, the 
 AiTurance of Faith. Mine are much the fame as Mr. 
 Ebenezer Erjhne's, in his valuable Sermons, and as Mr. 
 BoJlQn'% in his moft judicious * Notes on The Marrow 
 cf Modern Divinity. 
 
 Pray, Madam, favour me with a long Extracfl from 
 Mr. Kennedy's f Letter ; I do afTure you, I admire his 
 Writings : They have a Beauty, which is quite natural 
 and artk'fs j joined with a Piety, vrhich is very afFe^ling 
 and edifying, 
 
 * See Page 430 of Volume IL 
 
 f Mr. Kennedy, who Mr. Hervey fo highly and juftly refpefted, 
 is Minifter at the Scots Church in Rotterdam. 
 
 In the laft Letter Mrs. C- received from Mr. Hervey are thefc 
 
 Words : " 1 received your's with good Mr. Kennedy's Letter in». 
 clofed. — It fpeaks the very Sentiments of my Hearty much better 
 than my o^ivn Tongue or Pen cotild exprefs them, i don't perceive 
 a Angle Sentence, to v. hich I fhould make any Objedtlon. With 
 cti'cr Believers in Jefus Chrifl, I would be of one Heart, but with Mr. 
 )Cennedy I have the PleaJurc to be of one Mind. — I beg you to prefent 
 my moft afFedlionate Refpefts to the worthy Writer, and Jefire him 
 fo give us a Continuation of his Thoughts." 
 
 K 3 A Book 
 
134 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 A Book has lately appeared, in two fmall Volumes, 
 intitled. Letters on Theron and Jfpafio. I cannot fay I 
 would recommend it to your Perufal ; but I iliould be 
 glad, if you would mention it in fome Converfation 
 with your learned and devout Vifitants, in order to 
 know their Opinion. For my own Part, I hardly can 
 tell what Opinion to form. The Author conceals his 
 Name, and it feems difficult to difcover his Principles, 
 or his Aim. Some Things are excellent, written with 
 Spirit, and in a Strain truly evangelical i in fome 
 Things I ftand corredted by Him ; I kifs the Rod, and, 
 far from being difpleafed, am thankful for his Animad- 
 verfions -, though in fome Inftances, he has a<5ted a dif- 
 ingenuous Part j not confulting the moft correct Edition 
 of my Book, not adverting to my own Explanation of 
 my Meaning, and making me approve the Whole of a 
 Perfon's Works *, where I only commend fome parti- 
 cular Part. But what gives me the greateft Difgujiy 
 and will, I believe, offend every candid Reader, is a 
 bitter Vein of Contempt and InveClive againft fome of 
 the beft of Men that ever lived, and fome of the belt 
 Authors that ever wrote. I once thought, the Apoftle 
 James's Queftion implied an Impoffibility ; but it feems 
 to be reduced to real Fad by the Pen of this Critick, 
 and in the Letters on Theron and AJpafio, where the 
 Fountain Jends forth at the fame Place, in the fame' 
 Performance, f-joeet Water and hitter. 
 
 I hope you will not act with Mr. Kennedy according 
 to the exa6t Rules of Retaliation j but though He has 
 
 * Mr. Hervey did not think himfelf under an Obligation to defend 
 every particular Sentiment of an Author, whofe Treatife he might 
 approve /,.' general. — And here it may be proper to oblerve, that his 
 own Candour, and the frequent Solicitations of others, induced liim 
 to be more indulgent than He ought, and to give rather too favour- 
 able an Opinion : for whick he has been mifreprefented by the Art- 
 ful, iand abufed by the Malevolent,. 
 
 been 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 135 
 
 been Jloiso to write, you will be Jwift to anfwer, that 
 He may the more fpeedily improve and delight your- 
 felf. Madam, and 
 
 Your very humble Servant, 
 
 J. Hervey. 
 
 LETTER CXCIII. 
 
 Tl^e DoSirines of the Go/pel have no Tendency to Licenti- 
 oujnejs — The Excellency of the Bible — The Character of 
 one not fit to he a Comfanion, 
 
 Saturday Morning* 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I AM forry to hear, that Mr. *** fliould think my 
 Dodlrine tends to the Introdu6tion of Licentioufnefs . 
 Far, very far from it \ — Mine is the genuine Do6trine 
 of the Scriptures j and the only Dodtrine to reclaim 
 Mankind, as it encourages Sinners not to continue in 
 their Sins, but to turn unto their injured Lord, and re- 
 ceive Salvation at his beneficent Hand. — '' He that 
 Cometh to me, I will in no wife cafi: out," are our bleffed 
 Mafter's own Words ; and all my Writings, Preaching, 
 and Converfation, are founded on that comfortable De- 
 claration to my loft undone Fellow-Creatures ; on that 
 tender Invitation to thofe, in whom there is no Health. 
 But Mr. *** is offended at this: — He, like the 
 Egyptian Tifkmafttrs of old, requires Men to make 
 Brrck without Straw. — " Let us (fays he, unmindful of 
 our Impotence) make ourfelves better^ and then go to 
 Chrift, wlio will receive us favourably for our Works 
 Sake.'' — But in this View our PForksy even if we coulJ 
 perform them, v/ithout the Grace of Chrift, would be 
 
 K 4 in- 
 
136 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 inefFe6tual. (See Luke xvii. 10.) — Are TJoefe capable of 
 expiating the Guilt of a polluted Race, and of pro- 
 curing Salvation ? — If our Works could do this, then 
 Theje, and not Chrijiy would be ' our Saviour, — If we 
 had a Right to demand a Recompence for our Works, 
 even on a Suppofition they were perfeJ^j then a Re- 
 deemer and his Death would be u/elejfs : Surely there- 
 fore Mr. ***'s Notions are contrary to the whole Tenor 
 of the Gofpel ! May the divine Sprit open his Eyes, 
 and incline his Heart to difcover, that Chriji offers 
 himfclf to all, who will come :, The vilefi of Men have 
 juft the fame Right to Chrill and his Merits, as the 
 befi of Men ; a Right founded not on their awakened 
 Defires, not on any Thing in themjelves, but purely, 
 folely, entirely on the free Grant of a Saviour. — ^We 
 are all Sinners, though in a more or lefs Degree , and 
 we mud all flee to Chrift iox Jpritual Bleflings; not as 
 dejerving, but as guilty Creatures -, a fad Mortification 
 this to the proud Worldlings, or to the Self -Righteous 
 Morahft, whom it is the Defign of the Gofpel to 
 humble. 
 
 Mr. *** (as I dare fay you have often heard Him) 
 fpeaks of Heaven made eafy, " upon Condition * of 
 Obedience to the Gofpel Commands." — This would not 
 be very eafy to me^ whatever it might be to Him : B.ut 
 if Heaven and eternal Life be " the Gift of God 
 through Jefus Chrift," and given us on account of his 
 Obedience unto Death, then it is eafy indeed. — What 
 Love is here ! Weil might the Apoftle Paul fay, that 
 " the Love of Chrift confhraineth us." Chrifl makes 
 us free, and thofe whom he makes free, are f free i?t- 
 
 * Mr. hler'vey had feen fo bad an Ufe made by the Socinians, of 
 Conditions and Requijites, in Opjiofition to the Dodrine of Free- 
 Grace, that he Could by no Means allow even Faith) much lefs our 
 Ohsdience, to be called a ConditioTi, 
 
 f John viii. 360 
 
 . deed, 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 137 
 
 (leed. This is the Way of Salvation pointed out tp us 
 by the Wifdom of the Ahnighty. — May our Eyes be 
 cnhghtened to fee this Way, which many vjife Men 
 overk^ok, at which many great Men are offended I 
 
 I wifh Mr. * * * would iludy his Bible more, and the 
 ClaJJicks lefs. — There is litde Good to be got I5y reading 
 the Scripture carelefsly, but He, who humbly applies 
 to God for Diredion, and exercifes Himfelf therein 
 conftantly and confcientiouOy, will find luch an Efficacy^ 
 as is not to be found in any other Book wTiatever : — ■ 
 And therefore it is called, by way of Preheminence, 
 TfiE BIBL.E (or the BOOK;) importing, that as 
 This, and only Tbisy is a divine Work, no other Books 
 can be compared, or even fo much as named with it. It 
 is the Book of Books -, the Book of G O D : Mr. * * * 
 however negleds this Book, I fear -, and indeed, if I 
 may fpeak my Sentiments to you freely, I look upon 
 Him to be fo puffed up with Pride, and the Conceit 
 of his oivn Abilities, that his PaJJicns run away with 
 Him, apd he fires at every Thing, which thwarts any 
 of the Norions He h^.s imbibed. — Is not fuch an one 
 difquahfied for Friendlbip ? — Can a Man o( his Difpo- 
 fition attend coolly to Arguments againft his pre-con- 
 (eived Opinion, how modeltly, or forcibly foever fuch 
 Arguments may be urged ? — This furely is not the 
 Spirit of the Gofpel ; nor are thejd the Quiilines of one, 
 who profejfes himfelf a Difciplc of that Mafter, whofc 
 Exhortation is, '' Learn of me for I am lowly, and 
 meek." I have no Hopes of doing Mr. *** any 
 Good J and, as v/e think fo very differently, the lefs 
 we have to do with one another, perhaps the better. 
 He really is not now fit even ftr a Companion, much 
 jels for a BoJc7n Friend. No Man can be a proper 
 AfTociate (as a Writer of no fmall Penetration has judi- 
 ciouHy remarked) in whom thefe, or fuch like Infir- 
 piitics are predominant j namely, 
 
 I. If 
 
13? MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 I. If he be referved, or be incapable of communi- 
 eating his Mind freely. — 2. If he be haughty, and 
 proud of his Kxiowledge, imperious in his Difpofition, 
 and fond of impofing his own Sentiments on us. — 3. If 
 he be pofitive, and will difpute to the End, by refilling 
 the clearcft Evidence rather than be overcome. — 4. If 
 he be fretful and peevifh, ready to take Things in a 
 wrong Senfe. — 5. If he affcft Wit on all Occafions, 
 and is full of his Conceits, Puns, Quibbles, Jells and 
 Repartees. Thefe may agreeably entertain and animate 
 an Hour of Mirth, but they have no Place in the 
 Search after Truth. 
 
 6. If he carry about him a Sort of Craft and 
 Cunning, and Difguife, ading rather like a Spy, than 
 a Friend. Have a Care of fuch an one as will make 
 an /// UJe of Freedom in Converfation, and immediately 
 charge you with fliocking Tenets^ when you happen to 
 differ from thofe Sentiments which Authority, or Cuftom 
 has eftabhfhed. 
 
 7. In fhort, avoid the Man, Vi\vo prdulijis any Thing, 
 that is unbecoming the Chara6ler df a fmcere, free, and 
 open Searcher after Truth. And above all Things, 
 pray and work againft all evil Qualities in your own 
 Breaft. 
 
 I had a Letter lately from our old Acquaintance in 
 the Wefi^ tvho complains grievoufly of his Burthens^ as 
 he calls them. It feems he has ten Children ; and is 
 hipped to Death, left He, and his Family lliould be re- 
 duced to Beggary. His Income to be fure is fcanty 
 and precarious ; but I conjured him not to be diffident 
 of Providence ; remin(^ed him of our blefled Mafter's 
 Charge {Matthew vi. 2, 5.) againft being too anxious 
 about our Subfiftence in this Life j and I fent him like- 
 wife the following PalTage from a Poem of the Reverend 
 Mr. Onely'Sy aflliring him at the fame Time, that if He 
 
 would 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 139 
 
 would have a due Concern for the Things which are 
 God's, then God would alfo be careful of Him, and his, 
 
 ** But Daughters, Sons — JIns I thy ffeaknefs /can ; 
 ** Know Prejclence never was chfign d for Man. 
 ** Their IVants you dread., Jome able Hand JuppUes \ 
 ** Thc'ir Wealth you build , Jome Accident dcjlroys. 
 ** From Thee Jome Mites ^ and honejl Fame be givn \ 
 *' The rejl—from Virtue ^ and the Care of Heav'n" 
 
 He fays, if he had not been deprived of Fore- 
 sight, He had never married; and by Way of Expla- 
 nation fent me aa cdd Quotation, which I have here 
 tranfcribed : " I cannot but admire the Wifdom of 
 Nature in denying to Men and Women that Forefight 
 when they are youngs which they acquire at a greater 
 Age-y for without that^ I beheve the World could not 
 fubfift above fourfcore Years, and a new Creation of 
 Man would be wanted once every hundred Years at 
 leaft J fmce the Inconveniencies of Marriage, are experi- 
 mentally known to overbalance the Conveniencies. — 
 This YOUNG Folks will not believe ^ and thus the World 
 is peopled.'' 
 
 Your Friend Colonel * * *, has made a Prefent of 
 Steel's Chrijlian Flero^ to all his Officers. — I wilh, when 
 he had been in fuch a Difpofition, that he had given 
 to all tlie common Men, Dr." JVcodward's Soldier's 
 Monitor^ which are not above fifteen Shillings ^^r Hun- 
 dred. — This Book was wrote by the Command of 
 Queen Anney as I have been told, and delivered to 
 every Soldier at the Government's Expence : The 
 Sailor's Monitor^ wrote by the fame Hand, was given 
 to every Sailor. — And I think it very impoiitick in the 
 Government to dijcontimie fo well-judged a Donation. — 
 If I was Chaplain to a Regiment ^ I would preach before 
 the Soldiers on this Text, " I have fct the Lord always 
 
 before 
 
,40 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 
 
 before me ; becaufe he is at my right Hand, I ihall not 
 be moved." FJaL xvi. 8. 
 
 Your ReBeftions on feeing the Skeleton at Oxford, 
 and on your near View of Death (in the emblematical 
 Shape of a Skeleton with an Hour-Glafs and a Dart) 
 advancing towards you in your late Sicknefs, have fuch 
 a Similarity with thofe of a worthy Friend's of mine, 
 as I think will both furprize and pleafe'you. — " Oh ! 
 my dear Sir, fays he, to talk of Death, and to enter in 
 iarnefi upon dying, are two different Things: — To 
 view the Meffenger who comes from the Judge of. all, 
 as aftually approaching with his open Commiflion in 
 one Hand, and his uplifted-'Dart to execute it in ano- 
 ther (an expe6ling Graye and eternal Judgment in 
 his immediate^Train)- is as different as to view a painted 
 Lion, who is only terrible on Canvafs, and aflually to 
 fee him with his rolling Eyes, and really to hear his 
 tremendous Roar." 
 
 Have you feen the Reverend Mr. Adam's PraSiical 
 Le5fures en the Church Catechijm ? — He is an experi- 
 enced Chriftian — and a fpirited Performance it is. — 
 The fame Gentleman wrote the Preface to Mr. {Truro) 
 Walker's He art -Je arching Sermons. — Dr. S* * made me 
 a Prefent of it ; and wrote in the Blank Leaf before the 
 Title Page, " What betwixt the Frenzy of Anger, 
 the Ague of Hopes and Fears, the Fever of Love, the 
 Confumption of Envy, our diftempered Minds are 
 kept under a condnual Difeafe, againft which thefe 
 Leftures are a certain Specifick." — Mr. Adam is Redlor 
 of JVintringharri in Lincoln/hire^ — and has made, I am 
 told, an amazing Reforymtion amongft the People in that 
 Neighbourhood, wlio before his Settlement amongfl: 
 them v/ere remarkably diffolutc, and ignorant : — He 
 fpares no Pains in difcharging his minifterial Duty: 
 His Congregations are very large, I hear, and Men, 
 
 Women 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 141 
 
 Women and Children, come ten or a dozen Miles to 
 attend his Preaching, 
 
 A Gentleman lent me the other Day Dr. Leland'% 
 View of the principal Deijlical Writers j amonga which 
 is one Morgan, who ftyles himfelf a moral Philo- 
 sopher ; a Charafter, which is of late grown very 
 fafhionable amongft our modern Deifls, but they 
 might with equal Propriety call themfelves miraculous 
 Healers ; for they could as foon heal a decayed Body 
 by their moral Philcfophyy as they could cure the Sin- 
 fick Soul by it. — Miferable Teachers are all fuch, who 
 thus pretend to reform either themfelves, or Mankind. 
 '—He and He only can caft Devils out of the Soul, who 
 can fay to the Leper, " Be 'thou clean ;" — and to the 
 Storm, " Be thou ilill." — He only can heal the decayed 
 Body, who hath Hiid to the Paralytick> " Talce up thy 
 Bed, and walk." 
 
 I am, dear Sir, with great Refped, and muchEfleem, 
 your moft obliged, and very humble Servant, 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 P. S. I have a particular Reafon for defiring 3/o\s 
 would give me your well-weighed Opinion of the ami- 
 able Dr fVatts^s Orthodoxy and Charity United : 
 — It is wrote with an excellent Defign. — The Gentle- 
 man, who perfuaded me to purchafe it, is a Perfon of 
 great Candour, Learning, and Piety. — He is fo fond of 
 this Book, that he has recommended it to all his diftant 
 Acquaintance ; and rarely goes into any Company, 
 without introducing it in the Ccnverfation : He extols 
 it in the ftrongeft Terms, as a Piece which no Chriftian 
 ought to be without, fmce its grand End is to promote 
 charitable Sentiments, and Pradices towards one ano- 
 ther, amidfl the numerous Follies, and Errors of the 
 Time. — Would to God our religious Differences were 
 
 properly 
 
142 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 properly fettled on a fure Foundation, that the con- 
 tending Parties were reconciled in Love ; and that " all 
 we, who call ourfelves Chriftians, might hold the Faith 
 in Unity of Spirit, in the Bond of Peace, and in 
 Righteoufnefs of Life." Amen, and Amen. 
 
 LETTER CXCIV. 
 
 On prefenting a Lady with a Rofe. 
 
 JVeflon-Favelly Nov. 4, 1757. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 YO U wonder at my Delay in anfwering your very 
 friendly Letter : This is the true Caufe. When 
 I received your Favour, I was very bufy, in difpatching 
 to the Prefs my ihree Faji Sermons^ lately publifhed. 
 By fome Accident your Letter was miflaid, and could 
 not be found. This Day it came to Light, and, the 
 Moment 1 looked upon the Date, it flruck me with a 
 painful Regret, a Regret almoft equal to the Pleafure 
 I enjoyed, in your edifying Converfation. 
 
 Your Lady has fhewn the mod welcome Complaifance 
 to me^ and to the * Rcje -, to jne^ in accepting what is . 
 lefs than a Trifle ; to the Rofe, in putting it to fuch a 
 Ufe. Could that poor Vegetable be fenfible, it would 
 rejoice to be a Remembrancer of its moll amiable Crea- 
 tor. The Prophet calls upon the whole Creatioriy in- 
 animate as it is, to exult J and triumph in the Grace of 
 
 * When this Gentleman was at Wejion, Mr. Her-vey (as he walked 
 with him in the Garden) plucked a Rofe, and defired him to prefent 
 tt to his Wife, to put her in Mind of the iJe/Z- of Sharon. She paid 
 that Regard to the Giver and the Gift, as to put it into a Frame 
 with a Glafs. 
 
 c our 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 14.J 
 
 our incarnate God. " Sing, O Heavens j be joyful, 
 O Earth j break forth into finging, ye Mountains ; O 
 Forcfts, and every Tree," whether cultivated or wild, 
 for the Lord^ by his Incarnation, Blood, and Righteouf- 
 nefs, has redeemed Ifrael^ and glorified hmjelf \ moft 
 magnificently difplayed all his divine Perfedlions, in 
 the Salvation of Jacob. 
 
 I heartily wifh, that Mrs. * * may become, every 
 Day, more and more acquainted with the Roje of 
 Sharon ; that his Lovelinefs, Riches, and Glory, may 
 be revealed in her Heart, by the Holy Ghoft. Happy 
 the Souls, in which this Flower of Heaven bloflbms ; 
 which are charmed with its Beauty, and refrefhed with 
 its Odours. Their Happinefs will not fade as a Leaf, 
 but like the Merit and Mercy of their Lord, will be 
 new eveiy Morning ; new every Moment, new through 
 eternal Ages. 
 
 I wifli, I could gratify your benevolent Temper, by 
 giving you a comfortable Account of my Health. But 
 Nothing adminiftered for its Succour and Reftoration, 
 fuccecds. It feems to be the Will of our great Phyli- 
 cian, that my Strength lliould be Labour and Sorrow. 
 May his holy Will be done ; only may my Faith in 
 his Blood be ftrong, and my Love of his Name be 
 warm. Then fhall I meet you, ere long, amidfl the 
 innumerable Company of Angels, and no more com- 
 plain, " My Head, my Head j" no more fay, " I am 
 fick." 
 
 How fhall I recompenfe my generous Do6lor, for 
 prefcribing without a Fee ? By v/ifliing, that he may 
 never want the Aid, which he (6 kindly tenders to. his 
 
 afFedionate Friend, and Brother in Chrifl, 
 
 J. Hervev. 
 
 LET- 
 
-144 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 LETTER CXCV; 
 
 On the Conjolation of the Go/pel. 
 
 fVeJlon-FaveUy Feb. 22, 1758c 
 
 Madamy 
 
 I Received the Favour of your Letter, and found no 
 fmall Pleafure in perufing its Contents. It gave 
 me a fingular Satisfaction, to fee a Lady of fuch fine 
 Senfe, and in the very Bloom of Life, mindful of the 
 Things which belong to her eternal Peace. May this 
 happy Difpofition increafe with your increafmg Years ! 
 and it will be the greateft Bleffmg that yoii can enjoy^ 
 or your Correfpondent wiili. 
 
 If my Writings have afforded you any Entertainmentj 
 or been the Means of adminiftring the leaft Improve- 
 ment, I defire to adore and blefs the all-gracious God, 
 For He, Madam, teaches to profit i his Spirit com- 
 mands Succefs ; and all our Gocd comes wholly from 
 .his heavenly BenediEiion. 
 
 I am pleafed to find this^ among your other valuable 
 Exprefiions ; " I want to have all thofe heavenly Con- 
 folations." — You confide r Religion in a right View. It 
 is not a vexatious Burthen, or an irkfome Tafk j but it 
 is intended to be the Co?nfGrt of our Lives, and the 
 foy of our Hearts. God is the God of all Comfort y 
 Chrlft is flyled the Confolation of Ifraely and the Holy 
 Ghofl is called the Comforter. — The Gofpel is the moll 
 comfortable Report imaginable \ it is glad Tidings, and 
 the joyful Sound ; it alTures poor Sinners, that God 
 has laid all their Iniquities, both great and fmall, on his 
 beloved Sonj that Jefus Chrifl has brought in a mofl 
 perfe6l and everlafting Righteoufnefs, whereby they 
 may be jufiifiedi and that our firft, our great, our 
 
 leading 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 14; 
 
 leading Duty is, to believe all this, in our own Behalf^ 
 for our own Benefit. 
 
 By tlie Comfort and Peace refulting from thefe 
 Bleffings, it would win our Hearts to love the God, 
 who is fo immenfely amiable and gracious to us i to be 
 itudious of doing his Pleafure, who has made fuch un- 
 fpeakably rich Provifion for our Happinefs. The 
 Apoftle prays for his Thejfalonian Converts^ that the 
 Father of everlafting Companions, would firft comfort 
 their Hearts, and then, and thereby, eftahlijh them in 
 every good Word, and Work. 
 
 I ihould make no Scruple to fend my Faft-Sermon 
 for your Perufal, if I had one. But it has pleafed the 
 divine Providence to vifit me with a violent Fever, 
 which has confined me for many Weeks \ I am ilill the 
 Prifoner of this Difeafe, fo that I was incapable of 
 going abroad on the Fafi-Day, And indeed, if it had. 
 been otherwife, I fhould fcarcely have been able to 
 gratify my own Inclination, by complying with your 
 Hints ; becaufe I never write my Sermons, having 
 accuftomed myfelf to preach without Notes ; and it was 
 owing to a particular Incident, that thofe three Dijcourfes; 
 which I publifiied, were committed to Writing. 
 
 Permit me, Madam, to wifh, that you may be fted- 
 faft and immoveable in your prefent Turn of Mind, 
 which is fo truly wife and noble j that by hi77i^ who 
 fitteth in Heaven and beholds all the Children of Men, 
 it may be faid of Mifs * * *, as it was formerly faid of 
 another excellent Perfon ; " MARY has chofcn that 
 good Part, which fliall not be taken from her." 
 
 To thefe Wiflies, allow me the additional Pleafure of 
 being. 
 
 Madam, your moft obedient humble Servant, 
 
 James Hervey, 
 toL. Ill, L LET- 
 
146 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 LETTER CXCVI. 
 
 On Mr. W^Jley's Letter, 
 
 IVeJion-Favellj March 4, 1 75 8. 
 
 Bear Mr. * *, 
 
 IHave a long Letter, containing two or three Sheets, 
 from Mr. Wejley. — It conlifts of Animadverfions on 
 my Dialogues and Letters, which I jQiould be glad if 
 you would perufe, and favour me with your Opinion. 
 He wrote rne one before, more flinging and farcaftick 
 than this. I have taken no Notice o( either y being very 
 unwilling to embark in Controverfy ; but for your 
 Judgment en the lajl^ which is written with Candor and 
 Temper, I fhould be much obliged, and have an addi- 
 tional Reafon to be. 
 
 Dear Sir, your affedionate Friend, 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 LETTER CXCVn. 
 
 On the Excellency of the Knowledge of ChriJ}. 
 
 U'efon-Favellf March II, 1 758. 
 Madaniy 
 
 I AM much obliged for your benevolent Wiihes, re- 
 lating to my Health. By Way of Return, permit 
 me to wifh, that your Sotd may profper, may flourilh, 
 may bioflbm as a Rofe i that you may *' grow in Grace, 
 and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jefus 
 Chrift." 
 
 From 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 147 
 
 From this PafTage we may obferve, that the Way to 
 advance in true Holinefs of Heart and Life, is to ad- 
 vance in the Knowledge of Chriji. — It is for want of 
 knowing Chriji, that the Generality of Mankind are fo 
 taptivated by Trifles, and enflav«d to tranfient Gratifi- 
 cations. It is for want of knowing Cbriji more tho- 
 roughly, that many Chriftians have fo. little Peace and 
 Joy, and many go mournfully in their Way to Eternity. 
 By his Knowledge Ihall my righteous Servant jullify 
 many. — By giving them, the Knowledge of himfelf, of 
 his divine Dignity and ineftimable precious JVork -, of 
 that grand Price, which he paid for the Redemption of 
 Sinners, which delivers them from the Wrath to come, 
 and intitles them to the Inheritance incorruptible, un- 
 defiled, and that fadeth not away. 
 
 " The divine Power," fays St. Peter, " has given us 
 all Things pertaining to Life, and Godlinefs." — How ? 
 through the Knov/ledge of Hun, v/ho has called us to 
 Glory and Virtue -, through the Knowledge of Ghriji, 
 as calling us to the Enjoyment of eternal Glory, which 
 he has procured for us by his Blood ; and thereby mcft 
 fweetly leading and engaging us, to the Exercife of 
 every Virtue. \. 
 
 I hope Marfhall on SanSfif cation, will be hlejfed to 
 your Confolation, and Edification. If it is not at the 
 firji Reading, it may at the Jecond, or it may at the 
 third. 1 would fay to tlie Reader of this excellent 
 Tieatife, as the Prophet Elijah faid to his Servant, who 
 went to the Sea in order to make Cbfervation, but 
 found Nothing worthy of Notice, " Go again Jeven 
 Times." 
 
 As we know more of Chrifl:, the more frequently 
 fhall we comfort Ourfelves with the Thought, that it is 
 He, who will come in the Clouds of Heaven ; and that 
 we fhali all appear before the Judginent-S.ea: of Chrifl. 
 
 L 3 This, 
 
148 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 ThiSy to the Believer, is a moft comfortable and de- 
 lightful Confideration j " My Redeemer is my Judge. 
 Hey who died for me, pafles the ^;z^/ Sentence. Look ! 
 how great is his Majefty and Glory ! So great is mj 
 Atonement and Propitiation." 
 
 Shower's Jerious RefleSiions on Time and Eternity y an 
 excellent little Book, which has pafied /even Editions, 
 generally lies on my Study Table, that I may not only 
 read, but digefl it. I recommend it to your attentive 
 Perufal and frequent Meditation ; and hope you will 
 ferioufly apply it to your Improvement and Advance- 
 ment in a Life of Holinefs. As it will coft only a 
 Shilling, you may give fome of them away, and a very 
 ufeful Gift it will be. 
 
 Should I ever come to London y I will be fure to do 
 myfelf the Pleafure of waidng upon Mifs ***. In the 
 mean Time, what fhe mentions by Way of Caution, 
 iliall be obferved with all Punduality due to a Command, 
 
 By her moft obedient, humble Servant, 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 «se 
 
 LETTER CXCVIIL 
 
 On various Siihje^fs, 
 
 WeJion-FaveU, Jan. 3, 175^* 
 Dear Mr. ***, 
 
 1 Received your welcome valuable Letter in due Time ; 
 but almoft as foon as I received it, I wa^ feized with 
 a violent Illnefsj fo violent, that the current Report 
 was, " Hervey is dead."-— iVi?^r to Death I certainly 
 was y and God Almighty knows, I am, according to 
 
 humaa 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 149 
 
 human Appearance, not far * from it even norjj: But 
 pray let me, if I live^ exped the Continuation of your 
 Remarks. — Your Letters are fuch, as I fliould delight 
 to read, even my laft Moments. 
 
 I wifh you many a happy Ncia Year on Earth, and at 
 the laft an abundant Entrance into the New Jerujakm^, 
 — where the Voice of Joy and Health is perpetually 
 heard. 
 
 Weak I am, very weak, and much out of Order j 
 infomuch that I have not been aUe to go to Church ever! 
 fince Chrijlmas. But your Writings refrefh and dehght, 
 inftead of fatiguing me ! — Your fourth Paragraph lias, 
 moft exadlly ftated the Difference, which fjbfifts be-? 
 tween yourfelf and ylJpaftOy relating to Faith. The 
 Forbearance and Candor, with which you treat this Dif-? 
 ference, does not give up a Jot or Tittle of your own 
 Opinion, yet it tends very much to concihate Favour 
 and Efteem in its Behalf 
 
 Your Vifton is very grand and quite ftriking ; I love 
 fuch Strokes of Imagination ; they keep Attention 
 awake, and impart Pleafure together with Profit.— 
 Ajpafio is doubly obliged to your Pen, formerly for 
 corre^ingy now for defending his Work. — You obferve, 
 my Enemy is your's. He has attacked your generous 
 Vindication. In Reply to this Attack, you have fpoke 
 my very Sentiments f . 
 
 Mr. ***, you will find, is angry with me on the op- 
 pofite Score, for fpeaking too much i and, as He thinlcs, 
 too ofenly on the Side of Ele6lion, and particular Re- 
 demption. Pray favour me with your free Opinion, 
 and wherever you tliink he charges racjiiftlyy or I have 
 cxpreffed myfelf improperly ^ fpare not to fpeak the naked 
 
 * Mr. Her'vey died the December following. 
 
 •f- This refers to the Remarks (made by this Gentleman to whorn 
 Mr. Hervey here writes) on the Scotch Author, wto wrote the Letter^ 
 on Tbtron and Jfpajo. 
 
 L ^ Truth, 
 
tjo' MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Truth. — He has lately publiflied a large Book, Price 
 ^ix Shillings ftitched, on the Doftrine of Original Sin ; 
 great Part of which, is an Abridgn^.ent of Dr. Watts' s 
 Ruin and Recovery -, and of another Treatife, wrote by 
 Mr. Hebden. In this he takes Occafion to quote two or 
 three Paffages from Theron and Aj-pafio^ one from Vol. I. 
 Page 184, which he tlius introduces: " To explain this a 
 little farther in Mr. Hervey\ Words. By fcederal Head 
 I mean, what the ApofUe teaches, l^c. That as Adam 
 "V^^as the firft ^^;?i?r^/ Reprefentative (of this Kind, fays 
 Afpafio, but Mr. *** makes him fay) of Ma-akin d^ Chrift 
 was," ^c. " Far from refling upon a fmgle Text," i^c. 
 He goes on to the Bottom of the Page, then turns back 
 to the upper Part, reprefents me as forming a Conclu- 
 fion in thefe Words :— ^'^ All thefe ExprefTions demon- 
 ftrate, that Adam (as well as Chrift) was a Reprefenta- 
 tlve of all Mankind. And that what He did in this Ca-^ 
 pacity, did not terminate in Himfelfy but affecfled all, 
 whom He reprefented."— This is a very injurious Re- 
 . prefentation. One Sentence is a palpable Mifquotation. 
 Would it be proper to take any Notice of it ^ I arn 
 fometimes apprehenfive, that He would draw me into 
 a Difpute about particular Redemption. I know He 
 can fay ftartling and horrid Things on this Subjed; ; and 
 /i'/j, perhaps, might be the moft efFeftual Method to 
 prejudice People againft my principal Point. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, with much Gratitude, 
 
 and true Affedion, your's in Chrifl, 
 
 James HerveYo 
 
 LET- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. i\\ 
 
 LETTER CXCIX. 
 
 On Earnejinefs in Religion. — Remarks on Mr. Lavj^, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 UPON a repeated Review of your Sketches for in- 
 ftrudling your Family on Sunday Evenings, I really 
 don't know how to improve them. — I think they are 
 well digefled j — but, when you exercife your Talent in 
 /peaking from thofe Sketches, do not forget to implore 
 a Bkjfing on what you are going about. — Stir up the 
 Gift of God, which is in you, by a zealous UJe of them ; 
 and you yourfelf will impro'ue them better than lean for 
 you. — I fhall only Juggeji, that as foon as you have 
 finifhed, fet down, as frefh Heads for another Occafion, 
 what new Thoughts occurred to you while you was 
 fpeaking. Oh ! let us work while the Day lafts ! My 
 dear Friend, the Judge is at the Door, and Eternity at 
 Hand. May we watch, and pray always, that we may 
 be found worthy to fland before the Son of Man at his 
 coming, 
 
 I inclofe Part of a Letter, fent by a clever Man and 
 no mean Scholar. 
 
 *' It is with infinite Pleafure I can inform you, that 
 I am now brought to a Senfe of my Duty, to which I 
 was an entire Stranger till lately. — Glory be to God, I 
 have now fome Concern upon my Mind, fome ferious 
 Thoughts of a future State ! — How amazing is it, that 
 a Perfon fhould arrive at my Years, without knowing 
 any Thing of the Religion he profeffes. Strange as it 
 is, this was my Cafe -, for, till within thefe fix iVfonths, 
 I was as much in the Dark as to j/^/r//?^^/ Affairs, as one, 
 who had never heard the Name of Chrift. The Bihle 
 was to me the fame as an unknown Language, and all 
 my Pretences to Religion were Nothing but a mere life- 
 
 L 4 K$ 
 
1^2 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 lefs Formality. Oh ! that the inexprefTible Marks of 
 the Love of my God, and his Goodnejs to me, may in- 
 creafe the l.ove I owe to Him, more and more every 
 Baj!" ^ ■ 
 
 Our Friend Mr. H y, who you know is a great 
 
 Favourer of the myftick Writers, has defired me to read 
 Mr. Law's Spirit of Prayer^ and Spirit of Love^ which 
 is "an Appendix to it. I Ihall afk him, whether he de- 
 'figned it to puzzle, or edify me ? — I am fure it has done 
 the firfl to me^ may it do the latter to Him. — Oh ! what 
 Need have we to p' ay for that blefled Spirit, which may 
 lead us mto all Truth. 
 
 I begin to be weaned from human Writings, even 
 from the mofb applauded. — The pure Milk of the divine ' 
 Word my Soul covets. Don't you relifli its Sweetnefs, 
 and tajR:e its Power more and more ? The Apoflle 
 injoins us in every Thing to give Thanks ^ for this is the 
 Will of God; (i Thejfalon. v. i8.) and if we are to 
 thank Him for every Thing, how ought we to thank 
 Him, how can we fufficiently thank Him, for fuch a 
 Treafury of Bleflings, as the Holy Bible contains for us ? 
 —And yet (is it credible ?) there are, there are thofey 
 who negleEi thefe gracious Tidings of a Reconciliation 
 ■v^ith God, through the Mediation of his own Son Jefus 
 Chrift. 
 
 But whatever be the Condutl of others^ let you and 
 /, dear Sir, efteem it as it deferves, and fay with the 
 Pfaimift, " I will delight myfelf in thy Statutes, I will 
 not forget thy Word. Make me to underjland, the Way 
 of thy Precepts, fo fhall I talk of thy wondrous Works." 
 . — David you fee prayed to God for Illumination, and 
 /^/y^<?J of divine Things. That this may be accomplifhed 
 in uSy and that we may follow David''^ Example, I dare 
 fay you will add an Amen, to the Amen of. 
 
 Dear Sir, your's very fmcerely, 
 
 J, Hervjey, 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 153 
 
 P. S. I am told, and grieved I am to hear it, that 
 jthe once zealous Mr. * * * is grown quite indolent (no 
 yery laudable Charadler for a C1er2;yman) and has en- 
 tirely iiid afide K'.- Tranflation and Improvement of the 
 elegant Dr. Stearne, De l^ififatione Infirmorum. He 
 fliewed me a Specimen of \. fome Months ago: The 
 Tranflation was fpirited, and the Notes well calculated 
 to fupply the Auihor's Deficiencies. — Nothing perhaps 
 is more wanted, or would be more useful (f- specially to 
 the Clergy) than Jl judicious Treatife on Vifiting the Sick, 
 in a neaL Pocket Volume ; but I am fenfible, there is 
 nothing equally difficult to execute. I never yet faw 
 one to my Mind. — The Clergyman^ Companion^ as it is 
 called, is little more than a Colle6lion of Prayers, with 
 the Order of Vifitation of the Sick, out of the Com- 
 mon Prayer, the Communion Service, and the Office 
 of public and private Baptifm. If methinks fuch a 
 Man as Mr. Walker of Truro could find Time to ^ct 
 about it, it wruld be done effe£lually j becaufe he is a 
 piojl experienced Chriftian, and has long been accuftomed 
 to the Chambers of the Sick ; and would write from 
 Facts, and his own Knowledge of the human Mind. — 
 I would not give a Rufli for a Jumble compiled from 
 different Authors : — That is the Labour of the Head, 
 and not the Feeling of the Heart j and can never pro- 
 duce the Effeofs I wifh to lee. 
 
 LET- 
 
'J54 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 L E T T E R CC. 
 
 Downame's Chrifiian Warfare. — Luther's Hymn. 
 
 Wcpn-Favell, July ih, 1756. 
 
 NOW my dear Friend I h::ve procured your Fa- 
 vourite Author, 'DGirna'ine'''=i Chrifiian Warfare 
 agalnfi the Devil^ the World, and the Flejh. He is, 
 indeed, a pleafing perfpicuous WHter. The Language, 
 as you obi^n'ved, remarkably pure and correct ; He is 
 very experimental, and enters into the Diftreffes of 
 tempted Souls ; many Things are iweet, comfortable, 
 charming. wSometimes, I think he draws a little Veil 
 over the Grace of God, not fuftering it to blaze out in 
 its full Luftre and Glory. Don't you think he is ibme- 
 what inaccurate, in flating the Nature of Juilificarion ? 
 Ub. ii. Chaf. 50. " Juitification, he fays, confifteth 
 in two Parts j the firft, RemifTion of our Sins for the 
 fiili Satisfaftion of Chrifl, by his Death and Sufferings ; 
 The other, the Imputation of his habitual and aftive 
 Righteoufnefs."- — Should it not rather be, Juftification 
 ronfifts of two Parts ; the firft, Remiflion of our Sins j 
 the fecond, Being perfe<5lly righteous in God's Sight ; 
 and both thefe fpring from the Imputation of Chrift's 
 Righteoufnefs to the poor Sinner ? 
 
 I find, from your Manufcript, it is your Opinion, 
 that the Antediluvian Sacrifices were flain by the Sword 
 of the Cherubim, planted and waved at the Entrance of 
 y,den. This is a very remarkable, and a very awful 
 Circumftance, and if true, very worthy of -particular 
 Notice. But what Reajons have you, dear Sir, for the 
 Support of this Sentiment } Be fo kind as to mention 
 them, at your Leifure. 
 
 Mr. P**, about a Week after his Return to North- 
 av:ptonJbirej gave me your Letter. I fear. He wiL! 
 
 becom9 
 
MISCE1.LANE0US LETTERS. 
 
 become a Frey to the Allurements of the World. — I be- 
 lieve he is not very zealous for the GoJ-pel of Chrift. I 
 am pretty fiire, he does not love the Servants of our 
 Lord ; therefore I expecl, that, from this Quarter, my 
 Charafter will foon be put under an Eclipfe ; nor fhall I 
 be much difappointed, if by this Incident my new Friend 
 is put away from my Sight. Thanks for your Hints 
 concerning my Condudl , it is very feafonabie, and fliall 
 be obferved. 
 
 I have fometimes thought, that the befl, ftrongeft 
 'Proof of a future State of Happinefs occurring in the 
 Old Tefiamentj is deducible from the Hiftory of Enoch. 
 Enoch walked with God, was high in his Favour, and 
 had much Communion with him; it is recorded as a 
 fingular Reward of his holy and exemplary Life, that 
 he was noi^ for God took Him ; Now if the ancient 
 People of God had po Notion of a /^^/z/r^ State of Hap- 
 pinefs, what ftrange Apprehenfions muft they form con- 
 cerning this Inftance of the divine Procedure ? At this 
 rate Jehovah muft appear to punilh in the moft exem- 
 plary and dreadful Manner his firfl^ and ^r.?^/^ Favourite. 
 Whereas, fuppofe them rooted in the Belief of a much 
 happier Condition fucceeding the prefent Life, and the 
 Cafe is plain, and God is jufiified in his Doings. — Pleale 
 to give me your Opinion, as to this Argument. 
 
 I hope, you are thinking of your new Verfion of . 
 Pfal. civ. which v/ill be very agreeable, and I hope, not 
 a little edifying to. Dear Sir, 
 
 Your much obliged and afFe<5i:ionate Friend, 
 
 J. Hervev. 
 
 P. S. I here fend you Mr. Mofes Browne' % almoft 
 literal Translation of Luther\ moft comfortable Hymn, 
 which is in very confiderable Efteem in the German 
 Church. Zirnmermamius de Cognitionis Chrifli Emwentidy 
 is a Commeht on it; and is i^ovv tranflaxing by Mr. 
 ^rownei at my pefire. 
 
 j:-UTHER's 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 L U T H E R'S HYMN, 
 
 In Eight Pr apical Rules, 
 
 I. 
 
 3'T^ I S not too arduous an EfTay, 
 
 ■^ To tread refolv'd the Gofpel Way ; 
 The fenfual Inftjnft to controul, 
 And warm with purer Fire the Soul, 
 Nature may raife her fiefhly Strife, 
 Reludlant to the heav'nly Life ; 
 Loth in a Saviour's Death to fhare. 
 Her daily Crofs, compell'd to bear . 
 But Grace omnipotent at length, 
 Shall arm the Saint, with faving Strength j 
 Thro' the iharp War with Aids attend. 
 And his long Conflidl fweetly End. 
 
 See ZinmermannuSy Page Cj^. 
 
 IL 
 
 Adl but the Infant's gentle Part ; 
 Give up to Love thy willing Heart : 
 No fondeft Parent's melting Bread 
 Yearns, like thy God's,' to make thee bleft f 
 Taught its dear Mother foon to know, 
 The tendereft Babe his Love can Ihow. 
 Bid thy bafe fervile Fear retire ; 
 This Talk no Labour will require. 
 
 Zmma-manntis, Page ji, 
 
 III. 
 
 The Sov reign Father, good and kind, 
 Wants but to have his Child refign'd : 
 Wants but thy yielded Heart (no more !} 
 With his large Gifts of Grace to flore. 
 He to thy Soul no Anguilh brings, 
 Prom thy own Itubborn Will it fprings : 
 That Foe but crucify (thy Bane !} 
 Nought fhalt thou know of Frowns or Pain. 
 
 Zimmermannus, Page 17, 
 
 IV. Shakes 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. isf 
 
 IV. 
 Shake from thy Soul o'erwhelm'd, depreft, 
 Th' encumb'ring Load that galls her Reft ; 
 That waftes her Strength in Bondage vain :— • 
 With Courage break th' enflaving Chain. 
 Let Pray'r exert its conqu'ring Pow'r^ 
 Cry in thy tempted trembling Hour, 
 ** My God ! my Father ! fave thy Son !— 
 ** 'Tis heard, — and all thy Fears are done." 
 
 ZimmermannuSf Page 32^ 
 
 V. 
 
 Yet if (more earnell Plaints to raife) 
 Thy God av. hile his Aid delays, 
 Tho' you don't now his kind Hand feel. 
 Thy Grief let lenient Patience heal. 
 Or if Corruptions Strength prevail. 
 And oft thy Pilgrim Footfteps fail ; 
 Pray for his Grace with louder Cries, 
 So Ihalt thou cleans'd and ftronger rife. 
 
 'Limmermannus, Page 43. 
 
 Thefe next Lines within the Hooks do not belong to 
 Luther\ Hymn, but are ufed hj Zimmermannus ^ Page 52, 
 as an Illuftration of the preceding Stanza. 
 
 [The faftcr ILild my Faith on Jefus takes, 
 His.brighter Glories on my Spirit breaks. 
 If then to Heav'n I lift my votive Hands, 
 Love's ftrongeft Flame my raptur'd Soul expands. 
 Thee Lord Ihe loves, and would with Zeal forego 
 A thoufand Worlds, Love dear as thine to know.] 
 
 Then Luther's Hymn proceeds thus : 
 
 VI. 
 
 If haply ftill tliy mental Shade, 
 Dark as the Midnight Gloom be made. 
 On the fure faithful Arm divine 
 Firm let thy faft'ning Truft recline. 
 The gentleft Sire, the beft of Friends, 
 To thee nor Lofs, nor Harm intends : 
 Tho' toft on a tcmpeftuous Main, 
 N^o Wreck thy Veffel fhall fuftain. 
 
 Should 
 
15^ MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Should there remain of refcuing Grace 
 No Glimpfe, no Footftep left to trace ; 
 Hear thy Lord's Voice :— 'Tis Jeju$ Will, 
 ** Believe (thou poor dark Pilgrim) ftill." 
 
 Zimmermannus, Page 55.' 
 VIL 
 Then thy fad Night of Terrors part, 
 (Tho' the dread Seafon long may laft) 
 Sweet Light fhall from the tranquil Skies, 
 Like a fair Dawn before thee rife. 
 Then fhall thy Faith's bright Grounds appear^ 
 Thy Eyes fliall view Salvation clear. 
 Be hence encourag'd more, when try'd. 
 On the /;r/? Father to confide* 
 Ah ! from thy Mind extirpate quite 
 The fickly Films that cloud her Sight i 
 See ! of how rich a Lot, how blefl 
 The true Believer Itands pofTeil ! 
 
 Zimmermannus, Page 6S, 
 
 Thefe Lines within the Hooks do not belong to 
 Luther's Hymn, but are ufed by Zimmermannus, as an 
 Illuflration of the preceding Stanza. See Page 74. 
 
 [Loofe from hard Bonds, my God ! a Mind 
 In Chains too faft, too ftrait confin'd. 
 I'm heal'd — fet free! — from Sin made pure! 
 Thy Blood, my ChriR, has wrought the Cure. 
 I feel a Pow'r my Will controul ! 
 Quench thy long Drought my thirfly Soul ! 
 The living Fountain now I've found, 
 DifFufmg balmy Streams around.] 
 
 Then Luther's Hymn concludes with this eighth 
 pradical Rule. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Come, backward Soul ! to God fefign ; 
 Peace, his bcfl Blefling, fliall be thine : 
 Boldly recumbent on his Care, 
 Call thy felt Burthens only there. 
 
 Zimmeiynannus , Page 86. 
 
 L E T- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 '^9, 
 
 LETTER CCI. 
 
 On various Subje5is. 
 
 JVeJlon-Favelly Jan. 8, 1757. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 MANY Thanks for your laft Letter ; indeed it de- 
 lighted, and edified me. Think no more of 
 making me any Prefent from your Colle^ion of Books : 
 It is in your Power to give me a greater Gratification, 
 from the good Treafure of your Heart. 
 
 I am particularly delighted with your Interpretation 
 of llV Hi*? y^V' YourSenfe is grand and inexpreffibiy 
 important ; and without your Senfe, methinks the whole 
 Tranflation is like a magnificent Portal, without a Hinge 
 to turn upon. — I am edified and comforted with your 
 Analyfis of the whole Verfe : a mofl encouraging and 
 truly evangelical Reprefentation of the Covenant of 
 Grace ! 1 am forry, you are diverted from enlargino- 
 upon fo excellent a Subjed. Let tliis Work not be laid 
 afide, but only poftponed. 
 
 I am much pleafed with your Remarks on Dr. ***'s 
 Sermon; I law it lome Time ago, and thought with 
 you, that he entirely miftook the Meaning of his Text ; 
 that his Views of the Goipel were very dim, and his 
 Account of chat Miracle of Grace, Salvation by Chrift:, 
 very lame. I had alfo the Happinefs to be thoroughly 
 of your Opinion v^ith regard to his injudicious Outcries 
 againfl Reajon ; I declare, I look upon my Religion to 
 be Reajon in its higheft Refinement. My Reajon fays. 
 Prove all Things ; admit Nothing without a fatisfadory 
 Proof; and, when any Thing is -proved to be revealed 
 by God, receive it as an Oracle. — I cannot buc think 
 likewife, that every Part of our Religion (though 
 9 abfolutely 
 
f&a ^lrSCELLANEOUS LETtERS^ 
 
 abfolutely undifcoverable hy Reafon) is, when difco- 
 vcred and iinderftood, perfeftly rational, a.s it comports 
 with the Attributes of the Godhead ; fuits the State of 
 Man ; and is moft admirably adapted to difplay the 
 divjne Glory, and redrefs human Mifery : Whatever is 
 formed v/ith fuch a Tendency, to this my Reajon moll 
 readily fubfcribes, and pronounces worthy of all Ac- 
 ceptance. 
 
 I hope, by the Time of the Arrival of the inclofed 
 Franki you will have a Freight ready for theVeffeli 
 and to me, 1 afllire you, it will be more precious than 
 the Merchandize of Silver, or the Gain of fine Gold. 
 
 You have taken an effeclual Method, to malce me 
 (enervated as my Arm is, and languid as my Spirits 
 are) more punctual for the future in my Correfpon- 
 dence. If this Hand has Strength to hold a Pen,- it 
 Ihali not be tardy in executing this Office -, or rather in" 
 difcharging this Debt any more. 
 
 I am entirely of your Opinion, with regard to the 
 Afpe6t of the Times : There feems to be a black Cloucf 
 hanging over the prcteftant World. I fear, we have 
 ahujed our Privileges. Now perhaps the Lord is going 
 to take his Fan in his Hand, and thoroughly purge his 
 Floor. Prepare us, bleffed Jefus ! Be our Strength in 
 an Hour of Trial 1 Be our Light in a Day of Dark- 
 nefs } 
 
 I have had fome Thoughts of publilhing a Couple of 
 Sermons, preached on the tivo ■preceding Fad-Days, re- 
 lative to this important Point; One upon Ezek. xviii. 
 27. the ether upon Heb. xi. 28, Of thefe t-wo Dif- 
 courfes, contrary to my uilial Method, I happened to' 
 take Notes. They pretend to Nothing refined or extra- 
 ordinary, they afFeft neither foaring Sentiments, nor 
 lofty Style ; they are ftudioufiy plain, only, I think,' 
 they enlarge more upon Chrilt our Sandification, oui* 
 
 RedempT-" 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. i6t 
 
 !ft.edemption, our only Refuge, than moft of the Dif- 
 courfes, which I have feen written on that Occafion, 
 Will you give me yojLir Advice y and put up a Prayer 
 for the divine Dire6tion ? 
 
 I long for the Arrival of your precious Cargo ; to 
 me it is peculiarly precious, as it makes evident, that 
 Life and Immortality were known in ancient Times, 
 and revealed in the ancient Scriptures. It feems to me 
 a ftrange, and worfe than an ufelcfs Attempt, to con-^ 
 troverty and endeavour to overthrow this Truth.— 
 Mayjo«, dear Sir, have much of the Spirit of Wifdom 
 and Underftanding, to dijcover the Truth; much of 
 the Spirit of Counfel and of Might to difplay, defend, 
 and eftablilh the Truth ! even the Truth as it is in 
 Jefus. 
 
 Your*s affedionately, and gratefully, 
 
 J. HERVEr, 
 
 LETTER ecu. 
 
 Advice to Phyficians, 
 
 Sunday Morning, 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I Find by the Papers, that your old Friend Dr. * * * 
 the Phyfician is dead!— What a Call to us to get 
 our Lamps trimmed, and our Souls ready for their 
 Exit ! — what a forcible Admonition to do Good to im- 
 mortal Souls while we have Opportunity ! — May the 
 God of Glory be ever with you, and l^kfs you with all 
 fpiritual BlefTmgs ! 
 
 I greatly wifh, that thofe in the Pradlice of Phyfick, 
 would ftudy St. Paul, as well as Hippocrates -, — and at- 
 tend occalionally to the religious Wants of their Patients, 
 
 Vol. lUt M when 
 
j$z MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 when they are confulted as to their hdify Difordcrs* 
 This would be acting the Part of Chriftian Phyficians. 
 ^—Jhis would be endeavouring to copy after the com- 
 paflionate Phyfician of Mankind, who, while He cured 
 the Body J cured the Soul. 
 
 Being totally and continually filent at the Patient's 
 Bed-fide, is, I think, in fome Meafure, denying or 
 being afhamed of the divine Redeemer, who bought 
 us with his Blood. — Is it not, as it were, refufing to 
 embark in his Caufe ? — How many Sick might be im- 
 proved and comforted by a Phyfician, without any 
 Hindrance to his Prefcriptions, Detriment to his Cha- 
 ra6ter, or Lofs of his Time ? — Oh ! that thefe Majiers 
 cf the healing Art would itt the Lord always before 
 them J and then He would dired their Paths ! 
 
 I was looking the other Day into the Life of Sir 
 Thilip Sidney^ who wrote the Arcadiay in Queen Eliza- 
 leth's Time, — and I find it recorded of him, that 
 " being fhot in the Thigh in encountering the Spaniards 
 near Zutphen in Holland^ and parched with Thirft, a 
 Bottle of Liquor was procured for Him, — and juft as 
 Sir. Philip was about drinking it, a poor Soldier in the 
 fame Condition, bleeding and ghaftly, was carried along 
 by Him, aki caft up his dying Eyes at the fame Botde ; 
 which Sir Philip perceiving, took it from his own 
 Mouth, an i gave it the poor Man with thefe Words, 
 Thy Necessity, honest Friend, is yet greater 
 THAN MINE." — Hc told the Surgeons when they cut 
 Him, " that they had indeed a Man under their Hands 
 of a fenfible and delicate Nature, yet one, to whom the 
 great Redeemer had given Power above himfelf, either 
 to DO, or SUFFER : And therefore defired they would 
 not throw a Blemifh on their Art, through over Ten- 
 dernefs." 
 
 His lail Words were, " Love my Memory:— 
 Cherifli my Friends ;•— Their Fidelity to me may aflure 
 
 you 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 16^ 
 
 you they are honeft : — But above all govern your own 
 Will and AfFeftions, by the Will and Word of your 
 Creator and Saviour j in me beholding the End of this 
 World, and all its Vanities." I will warrant you the 
 Soldiers remembered thefe Words of their General; and 
 fo would the Sick in like Manner, long remember the 
 Words of their Fhyfician^ if He would now and then 
 introduce a few religious HintSy and drop occafionally a 
 Jlriking Sentence or two, with Propriety and Seriouf- 
 nefs. 
 
 Worldly Craftinefs is a bad Guide ; I wifh you may 
 have religious Difcretion for your^s^ as Telemachus had 
 the difcreet Mentor. — And that you would begin (in- 
 (lead of paying court to the Great,) to court Souls for 
 the everlafting Bridegroom. — This is your true Intereft; 
 —and will avail you, when every worldly Confideration 
 will be found ineffeftual. 
 
 As foon as I had read Mr. ***'s Letter, I burnt it 
 according to your Defire. — Whe can now retrieve the 
 Syllables, Sentences and Words ? Thus are the SinSy 
 all the Sins of them^ who believe in the divine Jefus, 
 done away. What a Privilege ! what a Blefling ? 
 Should not our Souls exult in it ? Should not our DiJ~ 
 courje dwell upon it ? 
 
 Adieu, dear Sir, — and believe me with great Refpecfl", 
 and hearty Wifhes for your prefent and eternal welfare, 
 
 Your's, ^c. 
 
 James Hervev* 
 
 M a LET- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS, 
 
 LETTER CCIII. 
 
 Hymer on revealed Religion — Remarks on the Death of 
 
 Swift and his Defign. 
 
 Wedmfday Mom, 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 THE Grievance, of which you complain, like many 
 other Grievances, is irremediable y for, according 
 to the old Proverb, what is every one's Bufmefs is no 
 one's. It is the fame in numberlefs Inflances : — How 
 many Turnfikes are ere died, where the Money taken 
 will fcarce defray the Expence of the Gates ; and where 
 the Roads neither are, nor ever will he mended ; and 
 confeqiiently, they are J^Iuifances inftead of Benefits ; 
 yet our Nobility and Members of Parliament pafs fre- 
 quently through fuch Turnpikes, complain of the Griev- 
 ance, but take no Pains to redrefs it. — And even in an 
 Affair of the higheft (^onfequence, how negligent is 
 the Community ? I mean, in the long-expe6ted Refor- 
 mation of our Liturgy ; in which, excellent as it is upon 
 the Whole, there are feme PaiTages fo juftly exception- 
 able *, that every Bifhop in the Kingdom will tell you,* 
 He wijhes tc have them expunged ; and yet I know 
 not for what political, or timid Reafons, it continues 
 juft as it did. Had our frj^ Reformers been thus indo- 
 lent, we ftill hp.d been Papifts. — Our Laws are a Matter 
 of daily Complaint, and might moft certainly be abridged 
 to the great Benefit of the Nation : This is allowed 
 by every Individual -, but the Parliament, you fee, will 
 not exert themfelves in bringing this important Affair to 
 pafs. 
 
 * Mr. i/cT-^/ry ufed to complain, that the Bapttfmal Service, (See 
 Vol. IL Page 241.) and that for the Vifitation of the Sick, were 
 very defedive, and much wanted Amendment. 
 
 I have 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 165 
 
 I have often wondered, that in this Age of Humanity, 
 (for fuch with all its Faults it certainly is) that while 
 Lifinnaries are crefting in different Parts of the King- 
 dom, publick Bridges building, and large Colle6lions 
 making for charitable Ufes, that there (hould be no 
 Societies eftabliQied/or redrejfing Grievances. To found 
 fuch Kind of Societies would be truly laudable, and 
 highly beneficial : May God of his infinite Goodnefs 
 and unerring Wifdom, put it into the Hearts of the 
 Aftive, the Benevolent, and the Powerful, to fet in 
 good Eanicji about the Inflitution of Societies for re- 
 drejfing our Grievances ; fome for publick^ and others for 
 private Grievances. — Were fuch once eftablillied, what 
 a World of Good might be done ! Then the Fatherlefs, 
 the Widow, and the Injured, would have fubftantial 
 Friends always at Hand, who would refcue them from 
 their OpprelTors, by taking them under their own Pro- 
 tedion, and defending their Caufe out of the Subfcrip- 
 tion Fund. — From thefe Funds likewife the Expence of 
 procuring ufeful A<5ts of Parhament, or of getting in- 
 cffedual ones amended or repealed, might be defrayed. 
 
 I know you will be pleafed to hear that Mr. *** has 
 lately wrote very ferioufly to Mr. * * about his religious 
 Concerns, and prelTcd him frrongly, " To determine 
 (as his Expreffion was) and fet about Religion in good 
 Earnefi." — *' Pray, dear Sir," faid He in one Part of 
 his Letter, " take Care, and do not hurry away Life : 
 —Give that Afi^air a ferious Thought , I am fure it is 
 worth it. — I wiili you well^ (forry am I to fay I think) 
 better than perhaps you wifh yourfelf — I fhould be glad 
 to be miftaken. — Would to God I could perfuade you 
 refolutely to fall in Love with Religion, and efpoufe its 
 Caufe with all your Intereft, and with all your Might. — 
 Was that once and thoroughly to be the Cafe, what an 
 Inflrument might not you be, in the Hand of God, to 
 
 M 3 roufc 
 
i6S MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 roufe Men from their Lethargy ; to animate them in 
 the Purfuit of their own eternal Welfare -, and to en- 
 courage their Zeal for that of others ? — Oh Sir ! a 
 Man with your Capacity, your Fortune, your Oppor- 
 tunities, what could there be too hard for him — except 
 Him/elf! — By your irrefiftible Arguments and fpirited 
 Behaviour you knock down others on every Occafion, 
 and carry almoft every Point you undertake ; why don't 
 you knock down yourjelfh — -Aude Jafere^ incipe^ 
 
 *' What Cwjcience ciictates to be done, 
 
 " Or warns you tiot to do, 
 ** Thisy as your Hell, with Horror fhun, 
 
 ** Thatf as your Heav'n, purfue." 
 
 Pope's Universal Prayer. 
 
 In another Part of his Letter, he thus interrogated 
 Mr. **. — " Will not every wife Man, frequently. t^/i^ 
 Himfelf fome fuch Queftions as thefe ? — Am I, or am 
 I not J in the right Road ? — How long fhall I halt be- 
 tween two Opinions ?— Is not to Day certain, and To^ 
 morrow uncertain ? — Am I aJJjamed of being religious ? 
 Have I Courage to Hand it out againfl God, and not 
 againft the World ? — -Do I take proper Care of my 
 Children' '=> religious Principles ?— If I deftroy myjelf, 
 ihall I deftroy my Offspring too : — and eternally ?'* 
 
 Towards the Conclufion he added j " You have rCr 
 commended feveral Books to me, let me recommend 
 Rymer's * Reprejentation of revealed Religion to you j— • 
 though, if I was to advife Mr, * *, it fhould not be 
 merely to read, but to determine ;— refolutely and 
 unalterably to determine to be a religious Man.-r-You 
 want i^o Inftruiflions, and the Time of Life with you 
 
 * Dr. Rymer has a great Variety of new, yet folid Thoughts^; 
 cxprefled with a Spirit, and Peculiarity of Style extremely enter- 
 taining, and quite unaifeiled. 
 
 1^ 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. xSy 
 
 is gone a great Way, — Some People, I can tell you, 
 fufpeft you for a Deift : If you really are fo, I then 
 ajky Do you act devoutly on your own Principles ? Do 
 you -pray to God daily ? This every Deift will allow to 
 be necejfary j and, till you have habituated your Mind 
 to Prayer^ I ihall have little Expeftations of doing you 
 that important Service, which you muft be fenfible by 
 my writing this Letter, I am voy dejirous of doing, as 
 far as in me lies, — The reft muft be left to ?i Jupenor 
 Agency j I mean the Operation of God's holy Spirit oa 
 your Heart." 
 
 No Anfwer has yet been returned by Mr. * * * to 
 this Letter. 1 believe he is puzzled how to a6t. Pie 
 cannot well pafs it by in Silence j and to give any Thing 
 under his Hand on fo intsrefiing a Subjeft as Religion, 
 will be, to a Man of his Turn, very ineligible. 
 
 You fee by tiie Papers, that our great Wit * is dead. 
 —Is it not a litde remarkable, that fo long before his 
 Death, he fliould be deprived of his Senfes ? — deprived 
 of them at the very Time he was about writing a moft 
 pernicious Book, which I am told, he intended to have 
 publilhed with diis ludicrous Title, ijiz. The Memoirs 
 of the Reverend Mr. Jeptha Quixote, Saint Errant ; 
 the true and undoubted Son of the renowned Don Quixote, 
 Knight Errant ; who inherits all his Father's Virtues, 
 The Defign of which was to hurlefque Things facred, as 
 enrhufiaftical, and to itt in a ridiculous Light, fome of 
 the moft exemplary Chriftians, under the Notion of 
 Saint Errantry. — This would have been a moft mali- 
 cious Piece of Wit \ and being the Produ6tion of fb 
 celebrated a Genius, would have fpread like Wildfire, 
 pregnant with infinite Mifchief i for as Horace has juftly 
 remarked, 
 
 f Suppofed to be Dean Siuift, 
 
 M 4 — ri?«e- 
 
i68 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 » . ■ * — Ridiculum acri 
 
 Fortius ^ melius magnas plerumque Jecat res *. 
 
 HoR. Sat. X. Lib. I. 
 
 When you refleA on this^ and other Attempts to dif^ 
 courage good Men, and to render Religion contemptible 
 in the Eyes of Worldlings, are you not apt to fay with 
 the TJalmifi^ " The Lord that dwelleth in Heaven 
 ihall laugh them to Scorn f ?" He, though unfeen, 
 dire6ls the Whole by his wife Providence; turneth 
 Men's Hearts as feemeth good unto him ; and in his 
 Hands are the Appointments of Life and Death.— To 
 his Guidance, and to his Proteftion, I commend you^ 
 my dear Sir, and 
 
 Your's very fincerely, 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 LETTER CCIV. 
 
 On Witherjpoon' s EJfay, 
 
 Friday Night m 
 "Dear Sir, 
 
 I Have fent you the following Letter for your Infpec- 
 tion, and Ihall make no Remarks on it myfelf, left 
 I miflead your Judgment. The Gentleman, who wrote 
 it, means well, and is defirous of promoting the Intereft 
 of the Gofpel in the Way which He apprehends to be 
 right 3 but He thinks differently from you^ and mCi not 
 
 * Thus tranflated by Mr. Francis, 
 
 ** For Ridicule fhall frequently prevail, 
 
 <* And cut the J^ot, when.^ax'^r Reafons fail/* 
 
 ^ PfaJmii. 4% 
 
 only 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 169 
 
 only in his Notions of imputed Right eoujyiejs, but of 
 o//:7^r evangelical Peculiarities. — I have tranlcribed his 
 Letter, and concealed his Name, that you may com- 
 municate your Remarks with more Freedom, than per- 
 haps you would have done, had I not taken theie Pre- 
 cautions to preven': your Difcovery of my Correfpon- 
 dent. 
 
 0.7. 7, 1756. 
 My dear Friend^ 
 
 TVn'HERSPOON's ElTay on the Connemon between 
 the DoSirine of Juftificatlon by the imputed Right eoiijnejs 
 of Chrifi and Holinefs of Life^ dedicated to you^ was 
 lately put into my Hands. — You know, that I have an 
 unconquerable Diflike to your favourite ExprefTion, 
 
 THE IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF ChRIST. I WOUld 
 
 on no Account have ufed it ii. any o^ my ozc;;z Writings; 
 and I wifh it was univerjally laid afide, partirri.arly by 
 every Minifler In his Pulpit ; becaufe I apprehend, the 
 NotionSy which the Generality of People conceive of 
 the Imputed Righteoufnejs of Chrifi, has done as much 
 Mifihiefy efpecialiy amongft the lower Sort, to die Caufe 
 of Chrifiianity, as the Writings of Infidelity have done 
 amongrc thofe of a higher Rank. — This is my fettled 
 Opinion — Infidels may be, and often have been con- 
 vinced ; but Perfons of weak Minds, habituated to the 
 Sound of the imputed Righteousness of Christ (a 
 fatisfaftory Definition of which very few can give) arc 
 not only fleeied againft all Conviftion, but are too apt 
 to difregard Morality ; and to cenfure and delpife every 
 j Preacher and Writer, who from Principle, or any other 
 Caufe, difapproves of this Cant Term : Pardon me, 
 for I really think it fo, and therefore cannot call it other- 
 wife i yet I own myfelf a great Admirer of Wither^ 
 
 Jpoon\ 
 
17© MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Jpocn's * Effay ; I think It the beft Defence of the 
 Dodtrine of Redemption that I have ever i^ttn, — my 
 principal and almoft only Obje6lion is againft the Phrafe, 
 Imputed Right eoiijnejs. It appears to me quite unfcrip- 
 tural to fpeak of the Right eoujnefs of Chriji being im- 
 puted to us : It is liable to great Ahuje^ and it is not 
 cafily underfloodj — nor am I fatisfied to ufe it, not- 
 withftanding all you have faid in its Defence ; and all, 
 that fo judicious and excellent a Man as Dr. 'Doddridge 
 (in his Sermons on Salvation by Grace) has faid to 
 f explain it. — I fall in, however, with Witherfpoon\ 
 Sentiments, though I do not ufe his particular Phrafes ; 
 . — and you will obferve he himfelf often intermixes 
 
 * Witherfpoon's Effay on The Connexion hetiveen the Dodr'tne of 
 yujlification by the imputed Righte'^i-'/nefs of Chriji, and Holineft of Life ; 
 with fome Refieftions upon the Reception which that Dodrine has 
 met with in the World, fecond Edition. 
 
 f The Righteoufnefs of Chrifl: is in the Book of God imputed, or 
 fet down to the Account of all, who are finally juftified and faved, 
 as that by which the Debt is balanced ; and by which they are in- 
 titled to fuch Favours as righteous Perfons might expeft from God.^ 
 But then it is an invariable Rule in the divine Proceedings, that this 
 Ritrhteoi fiefs, or this Atonement and Satisfadion of Chrifl: (for I think 
 it matters but little, by 'which of thefe Names it fhall be called) be 
 a Means of delivering thofe, and only thofe, who believe. 
 
 Purfuant therefore to the Metaphor taken from Books of Account 
 between Debtor and Creditor, when any particular Perfon believes, 
 this is fet down to his Account, as a moft important Article, or as a 
 Memorandum (if I may fo exprefs it) in the Book of God's Re- 
 jnembrance, that fuch an one is now adlually become a Believer ; and 
 therefore is now intitled to Juftification and Life by Chrift. In this 
 Senfe his Faith is imputed to Him for Righteoufnefs ; yet it is not 
 regarded by God as the grand Confideration, which balances the 
 Account, or indeed as paying any of the former Debt, which it is 
 jmpofilble it Jhould ; but only as that, which, according to tlie gra- 
 cious Conftitution of the Gofpel, gives a Man a Claim to that, which 
 Chrift has paid ; and which God has gracioufly allowed as a valuable 
 Confideration, in Regard to which He may honourably pardon, and 
 accept all, who fhall a^^ply to Him in his appointed Way, or in thg 
 Way of humble Believing. 
 
 Others 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 171 
 
 Others to the fame Purpofe, as Page 17, the Saviour's 
 Merit — Page 21, vicarious Sufferings — Acceptance of 
 the Gofpel, Page 23. Do(ftrine of Chrift crucified, — • 
 iiis Atonement — Page 29. Flying to the Propitiation 
 of Chrift — Page ^6^ the Dodrine of Chrift's Media- 
 tion, <o<r. &'c. — By tbefe it appears, that it is not the 
 Phraje but the Thing — Juftification by Chrift alone, on 
 which he lays the Strefs, fee Page 70, Line 47, and 
 his Arguments will be equally forcible on any Man's 
 Principles, who is not a Socinian. — I believe the Doc- 
 trine^ as he has ftated it in Page 1 5, though I fhould 
 not chufe to ufe fome of his Exprefllons. — His Remark, 
 Page 61, Line 18, ^c. is I think very juft, and con- 
 firmed by many melancholy Fads. — Page d'T^^ 64, (i^^ 
 is perhaps too ftrong.-r^The fame may be faid of other 
 Syftems of MoraUty :— r-They, who embrace them, and 
 live unfuitably, arc Hypocrites. See Page dt^^ Line 2 
 and 3. 
 
 Upon the Whole, I heartily wifli every Chriftian, 
 efpeciaily every Minifter in the Kingdom, would care- 
 fully read this very ufeful Treatife of JVitherJpoon''Sy and 
 7i€c accordingly ; — and if I had any Acquaintance with 
 Him, though I am hopelefs of bringing you over to 
 my Sentiments, I would endeavour at leaft to prevail 
 on Him to fubftitute the Merits of Chrift for tlie Phrale 
 Imput d Righteousness in the next Edition ; — and 
 then his Book would be more extcnfrvely ufeful j as 
 many are prejudiced againft the Imputation of another's 
 Righteoufnefs, 
 
 I am, my de^r Friend, (notwithftanding our different 
 Opinions in fome religious Points) with much real 
 Efteeni, moft affe«5lionately and moft fmcerely your's. 
 
 So far my Correlpondent, whofe Letter I fhall for- 
 bear to anfwer till I hear^^«r Sentiments 3 which I /hall 
 
 expect 
 
J7i MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 cxpeft by the firft Opportunity. — I am fure if I did not 
 think, tihat the Phrafe Imputed Righteoujnejs was ftriftiy 
 defenfible on Jcripural Grounds, it fhould never more 
 be ujedi either in the Pulpit, or in the Writings of. 
 
 Dear Sir, your obliged Friend and Servant, 
 
 J. Hervey* 
 
 »»'^?°» 
 
 LETTER CCV. 
 
 On his Blnejs. 
 
 Wejion-Favelly April 1 6, 1 757. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 BELIEVE me your Letters are far from fatiguing 
 me : They refreflo me even under my greateft 
 Weaknefs. They tell me of Jefus, which was crucified, 
 the only Cordial for my drooping Soul. 
 
 What, do you think, is the Meaning of — But this 
 Jhall he with Burning and Fuel of Fire^ Ifaiah ix. 5. Is 
 DbD»S*'!D, a Subflantive ? I jfhould rather take it for an 
 Adjedive, agreeing widi ^li). Let the Interpretation 
 of this Place fill the Cover of your Letter. 
 
 I am raifed indeed from my Bed, but not releafed 
 from my Chamber, after a violent Fever. The two 
 preceding Sundays I have been unable to ofiiciate for 
 myfelf ; and my Diforder has left upon me fo grievous 
 a Cough, as makes my Days, efpecially my Nights, 
 become Labour and Sorrow. — Pray favour me with the 
 Continuation of your Thoughts. They cheer and com- 
 fort me in my languid Eftate. — The two Sermons were 
 tranfcribed, before this Sicknefs feized me : And, fince 
 I- have your Encouragement, they (HslW foon (if my 
 Life is prolonged) be put to the Prefs. I propofe to 
 
 intitlc 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 173 
 
 intltle them, The Time of Danger, and The Way of 
 Safety *. The Lord God omnipotent accompany them 
 with his Blefllng! Mean they arc, as the Stones from 
 the Shepherd's Sling, but I remember it is written, 
 " 1 hey fliall fubdiie with Sling-fones'* In this Word 
 do I trufl, in this Word do I comfort me. — May our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift Himlelf, and God even our Father, 
 give you, dear Sir, everlafting Confolaticn for all the 
 Xindnefs you have fliewed to 
 
 Your truly affecbionate Friend, 
 
 J. Hervey"* 
 
 LETTER CCVI. 
 
 Sa-ipural Critlcifm — Ohjervaticns on his Friends. 
 
 PFeJlon-Favell, May 19. 1 75 7. 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 ACCEPT my beft Thanks for your welcome and 
 valuable Letter, which found me juil releafed 
 from the Chamber of Sicknefs : The Fever is removed, 
 the Cough abated, but my Strength like the bruifed 
 Reed. And now my Mind is a Fellow-Sufferer widi my 
 Body ; this being enervated, that is enfeebled. 
 
 However, as I am delighted with your Criticifms, 
 give me Leave to propofe another Text to your Con- 
 fideration, which puzzled me much, as I was reading 
 Yellerday : You will find it in Zech. xiv. 6, 7. The 
 
 • Thefe Sermons were publifhed in the Augujl following, with 
 alhother Faft Sermon, in a neat Volume, togetlier with his Conjidera- 
 tions on the prevailing Cujiom of 'vifiting on Sundays : To which 
 Volume is now added. The Minijiry of Reconciliation, 
 
 Hebrew 
 
174- MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 Hebrew of the fixth Verfe, feems to be uncommonly 
 difficult. 
 
 A Sermon or two I am llill inclined to publifh. In 
 this and in all our Ways may the God of all Wijdom 
 dired us, and the God of all Grace profper us, through 
 Jefus Chrift. 
 
 I have not the Honour of Lord Dartmouth's Ac- 
 quaintance, but I hear that he is full of Grace, and 
 valiant for the Truth -, a Lover of Chrift, and an Orna- 
 ment to his Gofpel. — Lady Frances Shirley is alive and 
 full of good Works, and I hope grows up in him in all 
 Things who is the Head. Dr. Stonhoufe (whom you in- 
 quire after) ftill refides at Northampton-, is in high Repute 
 as a Phyfician, and, I truft, does not forget, or negle6l: 
 " the one Thing needful ;" though the World, the 
 fmiling World, is a Syren. — Lord, ftop om- Ears againft 
 its enchanting Song, and let our Eyes be blind to its 
 inveigling Charms. — Mr. Mofes Browne executes his 
 Miniftry at Olney, with much Acceptance I am informed, 
 and with a good deal of Succefs. — About ten Days ago 
 Mr. Percy took a Family Dinner with me. — Our Gon- 
 verlation turned partly upon Points of Literature, partly 
 upon evangelical Subjefts : Oh that we may tafte the 
 Sweetnefs, feel the Energy of the latter, and count all 
 Things as Drcjs in Comparifon of their tranfcendent 
 Excellency ! — Is not your Interpretation of Zech. xiv* 
 6, 7. rather too forced ? Is not the following fomewhat 
 more natural and eafy, if not more juft ? 
 
 It fhall come to pafs in that Day, there fhall not be 
 Light, full and ftrong, in Oppofition to the Gloom of 
 Night; but now Effulgence and Clearnefs of Vifion, 
 anon Obfcurity and Dimnefs of Vifion : Yet it fhall be 
 one real, determinate Day ; whofe D-iration, whofe 
 Properties, and all whofe Circumftances, are known to 
 the Lord. Thus much he hath gracioufly revealed by 
 his Prophet, that during the firft Periods, the Morning 
 
 and 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 175 
 
 and the Noon of this wonderful Difpenfation, it fliall 
 not be entire Day nor entire Night, but a Mixture or 
 Interchange of both. Sometimes Grace triumphant, 
 fometimes Sin rebelling in the Hearts of Believers : 
 Sometimes Calamity darkening, fometimes Proiperity 
 brightening the State of the Church. However, at the 
 Even-Tide, when fuch an Appearance is leaft expelled, 
 it fhall be unmixed, prevailing, perfect Light. Then 
 the Light of the Moon fhall be as the Light of the Sun, 
 and the Light of the Sun, as the Light of kvcn Days. 
 Then the Earth fhall be filled with die Knowledge of 
 the Lord, and his People fliall be all righteous. 
 
 Freely cenfure, folidly corre6l this Interpretation, if 
 you think it improper ; and give me Leave to expect, 
 according to your own Appointment, a monthly Letter 
 for the Comfort and Edification of. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your very afFefllonate Friend and Servant, 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 LETTER CCVII. 
 
 Remarks on the Letters of Theron and Ajfafio. 
 
 fVeJiin-FavcUy Aug, 6, 1757, 
 
 My dear Friend^ 
 
 I Have been too tardv in acknowledsiinQ; tlie Receiuc 
 of your Letter, which was very valuable, and de- 
 fervcd Thanks, as fpeedy as they are fmcere. — The 
 true Caufe of my Delay, is this -, I have been preparing 
 two or three Sermons for the Prefs, which to my 
 enervated Hand, is really a Work of Toil : Yefterday 
 1 fent tht^m to Londouy and hope to fee them /;/ Print 
 
 v.ithin 
 
176 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 within the Space of a Fortnight. I piirpofe to ha\^ 
 Jome upon neat Paper, for the Ufe of the Gentry ^ if 
 God fliall incline the Hearts of any fuch Perfons to look 
 into them ; and others upon worfe Paper, for the Benefit 
 of the Foor^ and the Conveniency of giving away.— > 
 As foon as they appear, you will give me Leave to fend 
 you a Copy j and, if you jQiould like to give them 
 among the Poor, I will fend you a confiderable Number. 
 — With them I intend to put into your Hands a Treatifc 
 lately publifhed, under the Title of Letters on Theron 
 and AJpaftOj in two fmall Volumes, Price Five ShiUings. 
 . — The Author is a Scotchman^ I prefume, becaufe they 
 are printed at Edinburgh ; and He gave Orders for a 
 Sett to be fent to me from Edinburgh. He conceals 
 his Name ; and none with whom I am -acquainted, are 
 able to difcover whoje Work it is. There are fome 
 Stri6tures on my Performance ; but by far the greateft 
 Part of the Book is very wide from this Mark. Some 
 Things are truly excellent, and Jome Animadverfions 
 upon me are perfeftly^z^/?; but others (if I miilake not) 
 are unfair and difmgenuous. The Manner of writing 
 is by no Means defpicable,, rather elegant and fpirited, 
 than coarfe or dull : But there is fuch an implacable 
 Bitternefs of Spirit, and fuch an unchriftian Virulence 
 of Cenfure, againfb many of the beft Men that ever 
 lived, and beft Authors that ever wrote, as much fur- 
 prifes and greatly offends me. I think, I never faw a 
 Notion of Faith more lax, nor an Idea of Grace more 
 exalted than in this Book. However, I will not foreftall 
 your Judgment, but v»'ill dcfire your Acceptance of the 
 Piece, and to have your Remarks upon it. 
 
 If your Account of the ancient Behevers and their 
 Knowledge of Chrift be right, then the Opinion of the 
 Generality of Divines . is 'wrong : They fuppofe, that 
 the devout Jews faw in their Sacrifices, not barely a 
 nobler Sacrifice to be offered up by the Saviour, but 
 I the 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 177 
 
 the Saviour himrdf, lufTering, bleeding, and dying. Plow 
 will you reconcile wkh your Scheme St. Paul's Declara- 
 tion, *' the Gofpel was preached unto them,'' explained 
 by his Definition of the Goipel, " Chrifh died for our 
 Sins?" Ht'b. iv, 1, \ Cor. xv. 3. — You fay, " Does 
 mip'' any where fignify Effulgence ?" In Job xxxi. 27. 
 you will find "ip» bearing this Signification j yet I muft 
 confefs, I am not thoroughly fatisfied with my own In- 
 terpretation : It is too low and reftrifted ; — for the Pro- 
 phet is evidently foretelling a State of Things and a 
 Stock of Knowledge, greatly fuperior to any Thing 
 enjoyed under the Jeivijh Difpenfation ; and to this lafiy 
 I think 7ny Expofition is moft fuitable. I hope you have 
 a long Letter ready, and will not punifh my Delay, 
 according to the Rigour of the Law of Retaliation. 
 
 I am, with unfeigned Gratitude, 
 
 and cordial Affedlion, your's, 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 Pray favour me with your DilTertation on Job, his 
 Time, his Country, and Religion. They are very 
 curious Subjects, and you will enrich them with evan- 
 gelical Trutlis. 
 
 LETTER CCVIIL 
 
 A Scriptural Criticifm, 
 
 IVeJion-Favell, Sept. 3, 1 757. 
 My dear Friend^ 
 
 MANY Thanks for your lafb : I fhall read it, and 
 read it asrain ; and the Lord mve me a risiit 
 Underftanding of that moft precious and important 
 Chapter. 
 
 Vol.- III. N , Ihopc 
 
178 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 I hope you will accompany my Sermons with youi 
 Prayers to God for a Blejfmg on them, the Reader, and 
 the Writer ; and I fhall be truly thankful for the Com- 
 munication of any Remarks, Corredlions, or Improve- 
 ments, which may occur in your Perufal of them. This, 
 and any other of my Writings I fliould be glad to have 
 rectified where they are wrong, and enriched where 
 tbey are impoverifhed, becaufe, though fuch Improve- 
 ments may come too late to take Place, while I live, 
 they may, when I am dead, be admitted, and enable 
 me to fpeak more ufefully. 
 
 What think you of the Method taken by a modern 
 Critick to interpret iy^/. Ixviii. 30. " Hoc inLoco^ Fera 
 jfrundinisy Ccetus Rohufiorum^ ^ Juvenciy Junt LeoneSy 
 Taurjj Pecudejque lajcivientes^ five Tyranni feroces injo- 
 Jentefque : quibus continuata Tranjlatione^ addidit PJaltes 
 tp'2 ^!i»11 DDIDD, hoc efi^'' [Here a Word is wanting 
 in the Original j and not knowing from what Author 
 tjie Quotation is taken, the Deficiency could not be 
 fupplied from thence] " que de induftria conculcantes cs? 
 turb antes argent eos Rivos ardentes nimirum & v aft antes 
 vicinorum Judaorum Bona.'' — The Author queries ^ 
 whether "^"^ from \T\ currere^ may, confiftently with 
 the Propriety of the Hebre-w Language, be interpreted 
 a River? Might he not alfo query , whether f|DD is 
 ever, among the Hebrew Writers, and by Way of 
 Adjective, ufed to defcribe the Colour of the Waters .? 
 Homer I remember, has 
 
 - Tlo\aij.<^ KxXXipfo^ a^yv^o^kuvi';. 
 But I am not certain, that any fuch Expreflion gained 
 Admittance into the School of the Prophets. Your 
 Sentiments upon this Criticifm, will entertain, inflrud, 
 and oblige, "Dear Sir, 
 
 Your truly affedionate Friend and Servant, 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 LET- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 179 
 
 LETTER CCIX, 
 
 On hif Illnejs. 
 
 Saturday Morning. 
 My dear Friendy 
 
 HOW fares it with you ? — Overwhelmed I find with 
 Bufinefs ! — but ftil], I trufl^ remembering Chrifl, 
 and eternal Ages. 
 
 I think you reafon well, and very ftrongly on what 
 you propofe. — May the Wijdom^ from which nothing 
 is hid, dire5l you in all your Undertakings !— May the 
 Pozver, to which nothing is impoflible, projper your 
 Prefcriptions for my Benefit, and that o( others ! I ailiire 
 you I lliall fteadily perjevere in the Ufe of them, and 
 intend to begin very foon ; tho' a continued Cold and 
 an unexpe6ted Journey, have hitherto unfitted me from 
 taking any Medicines of this Sort. — Mr. *** of whom 
 you enquired after me Yeflerday, told me you imputed 
 to the Journey my Neglecl in not having yet fent your 
 Prefcription to the Apothecary's — and I am obliged to 
 your Candour for afcribing it to that Cauie, and not to 
 any Difregard of your Advice : For I am perfuadcd, 
 
 SI Perznma dcxtra 
 
 Defendi pojfent etlam hac dcfeuja fmjfent . 
 
 ViRG. /En. ir. 
 
 I have jufl been reading Gerhard'' % Chrijlian Support wider 
 all ylffli£iions * ; and a moll excellent Book it is. — If 
 
 ♦ Gerhard was one of the moll learned and bell of Men. — Thj\ 
 Book (in lamo) was originally wrote in Latin, but is tran/lated into 
 various Languages. It confirts of Contemplations on God'.s Love to 
 Mankind ; — on the Benefits of Chrift's PafTion ; — and on the Advan- 
 tages of a holy Life, with a Prayer fuited to every Meditatioji. . 
 
 There is fuch a Warmth, Piety, and Solidity in this Work, as to 
 render it fuperior to ftlmoft every Thing of the Kind. 
 
 N 2 your- 
 
igo MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 ycirr Medicines have not the defired Effe6l, I miifl feek 
 Relief from Him: — From Him; not from a Fellov/ 
 Mortal ! — Ah ! what are all the Conjolations, which all 
 the Creatures in the Univerfe can afford, in Comparifon 
 of that grand Confolation^of our condefccnding Lord's, 
 *' Ye are my Friends," John xv. 14. '^ Come and 
 inherit the Kingdom prepared for you," Matt. xxv. 34. 
 " Where the Inhabitants (hall no more fay I am fick,'* 
 Ifa. xxxiii. '24. — " and where there fliall be no more 
 Death, nor Sorrow." Rev. xxi. 4. 
 
 I am my dear Friend, with great Efleem, and under 
 a due Senfe of many Obligations, 
 
 Moll afFedionately, and moft fmcerely your's, 
 
 James Hervev, 
 
 LETTER CCX. 
 
 On profaning the Lord's Day. — On Refroof. — On various 
 
 Authors. 
 
 Saturday Morning, 
 My dear Friend^ 
 
 F you have any Lazv Books by you, I wifh you would 
 look into tiie Indexes^ and fee what Lazvs have been 
 made to fecure the Lord's-Day from Profanation. 'Tis 
 Pity, that theje * Ihould be unknown to the common 
 People ; and ftill a greater Pity, that our Jujiices of the 
 Peace fhould not exert themfelves vigoroufly in an Affair 
 of fuch Confequcnce' to the prefenty and eternal Welfare 
 of their Fellow-Creatures. I wifli a Jpirited Pamphlet 
 
 was 
 
 * All PciTons, "who profane the Lord's-Day, are liable to the 
 following Pfr.alties ; and it is much wifhed that the Magijlrates woul(i 
 dciermine to put thefe Lav/s in Execution with the utmofc Scridnefs. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. i8i 
 
 was judicioufly drawn up and publiflied on this Occa- 
 fion ; fetting the Sins of Omission in a true Light. — 
 It grieves me to think how much Good is neglefted to 
 be done ; efpecially by Gentlemen who have Leifure 
 and Abilities to plan Schemes for the publick Benefit. 
 But alas ! fo far are they from applying themlclves in 
 good Earneft to promote Religicn, that they too gene- 
 rally ridicule or dijcourage any Attempts of this Kind. — 
 Ah ! how little do they refle^j that the Night is coming 
 on apace when no Man can work; {John ix. 4.) and 
 that for all thefe Things God v/ill bring them into 
 Judgment. 
 
 Can you tell me who was the * Author of The Duty 
 of Reproof ? The moft material Objeftions againji 
 
 By doing or executing any Eiifi- 
 nefs, or Work of their ordinary 
 Callings on the Lord's-Day, or 
 any Fart thereof, (Works of 
 Neceflity and Charity only ex 
 
 "By the 29th Car. IL cap. 7. Per- 
 fons convidl hereof by View 
 of a Jurtice of the Peace, Con- ^ 
 feihonof the Party, or Witnefs, 
 are to pay Five Shillings, or 
 
 cepted) — under which Head of f be put in the Stocks two Hours: 
 
 ordinary Callings is included 
 Sha'ving on Sundays, which is a 
 moft fiiameful, and notorious 
 Cuftom. 
 
 Licenfed Houfcs befiJes forfeit 
 their Licences. 
 
 By publick Crying, or Expofing C By the fame A(^ it is Forfeiture 
 to Sale any Wares, Merchau-< of Goods fo e.vpofed to Sale. 
 dize, l^c. ^ 
 
 By Idling, or Wandering in the ( By the fime Acl Fiv^e Shillings, 
 
 Time of Divine Service. \ or Stocks two Hours. 
 
 ("By ift Jac. I. cap. 9. If Conviifls 
 
 ., , ^ , ,r. T of fuch Pernufliun are to pa/ 
 
 Alehoufe-keepers, Vintners, Inn- ,^^_ ^^^ -^ ^^^^-^^^^ ^^ j^^^^^^ 
 
 keepers pernntting Tipling m^ ],,r^ri,\,, diiabled to an Ale- 
 their Houfes, j j^^^^-^ ^^^ ^1^^^^ y^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ 
 
 \_ Jac. I. ca^. 7. 
 * The Duty of Reproof is in the Catalogue oi the Books difperfed 
 by the Society for Promoting Chriftian Knowledge. — Mr. Hcrvej 
 was very delicate in his Manner of Reproving ; but as he thought 
 it ills Duty, he frequently reprcvsJ his Friends, and otl.e-s, either 
 perfonally or by Letter. Scefriking [nftances of this Kind in Vol. 11. 
 Page 156, 157; 164; 207. and in the preient Volume, Page 22, 23; 
 
 44; 92, 93- 
 
 N 3 Reproot 
 
iiz MISCELLANEOUS LEttERS. 
 
 Reproof are there confidered: — Some Cautions and 
 Directions are added ; — and in fuch a Manner, as may 
 facilitate the fuccefsfiilDifcharge of this Duty : — aDuty 
 too much neglefted, though enjoined us by no lefs Au- 
 thority than the Scripture itfelf, which is profitable foir 
 Reproof " Reprove one, that hath Underftanding, 
 fays Solomon^ and He will underftand Knowledge." 
 (^Prcv. xix. -i^.) And the Apoftle Paul urges Timothy 
 to reprove, rebuke and exhort, with all Long-fufFering 
 ?nd Dodrine. (2 Tim. iv. 2.)-^Indeed my dear Friend, 
 you are very deficient in this Duty of Reproofy tho* 
 you have fo many Opportunities of doing it with the 
 iitmoft Propriety. — Pray read this little Pamphlet over 
 and over again. — Weigh it thoroughly : — You will then, 
 through the Grace of God^ be zealous in reproving 
 ethers^ and will readily pardon the Freedom I have occa- 
 lionally taken in reproving yoUy whom I fo much love 
 and value. YcU remember Sir George Littleton'^ Lines> 
 
 ** Some Merit's mine to dare to be fincere, 
 But greater yours Sincerity to bear." 
 
 Dr. Sherlock's Defence and Continuation of his Dtf- 
 
 courje concerning the Knowledge cf Jejus Chrijl^ and our 
 
 Union and Communion zvith him, was put into my Hands 
 
 the other Day j but in my Opinion it is far from being a 
 
 fatisfa5iory * Defence. — Antifozzo is an unanfwerabler 
 
 Book ; 
 
 * Dr. Sherlock In his Defence, ij^c. iffc. Page 513. *' I am charged 
 M ith maintaining the Sccinian Notion of Juftification, but it is no 
 other than what the Church of England o\vns> and afierts. — I have 
 (fays He, Page 516) already vindicated moft of thofe Expofitions^ 
 which my Adverfaries charge v/ith Socinianifm, as I have occafionally 
 met with them ; but Mr. Fergujon in his Interefi of Reafon, Src. Page 
 475, has put together feme Texts which He thinks I have fo ex- 
 poimded, as to dellroy their Evidence for the Godhead of Chrift :" 
 To vjhich C^/?r_j^/' Sherlock replies. — Again, Page 534, " I have taken 
 Notice oi every I'hing which was material in mv Adverfaries, and 
 of too many Things, which were 7!ot. 1 have not particularly taken 
 ■ i Noiice 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 183 
 
 Book * ; and Dr. Sherlock never was fo gravelled in all 
 his Life, as he was by the Publication of that witty, 
 keen, and fohd Performance. 
 
 Do you know any one who has got Schmidius's Greek 
 Concordance to the Greek Tejlament ? I am told it is well 
 executed, and it mufl be very ferviceable, as it fhews 
 at one View in what Senje the fame Word is ufed in 
 different Paflages. I will buy it, but fliould be glad to 
 fee it firft if you can borrow it for me. 
 
 Bifhop Patrick on Contentment and Refignationy I here 
 return you \ as likewife Dr. Barro'w on the fame Subjedl. 
 
 Baxter on Unherfal and Special Redempicny I mufl 
 beg to keep a Httle longer, efpecially as you tell me 
 your Sentiments, and his are nearly the fame. — Our 
 Friend Mr. *** highly efteems this Book ; and he has 
 fent me Baxter's Aphorijras on Jiijlification^ which he has 
 defired me, as they are explanatory of each other, to 
 read at the fame Time. — Baxter in thefe Pieces, he tells 
 me, fleers a middle Courfe between the Scyllao{ Armi- 
 niiis's Syflem, and the Charyhdis of Calvin's. — When I 
 have read them with due Attention, I fhall without Re- 
 ferve, communicate my' Remarks to you. 
 
 Oh 1 my dear Friend, v/liat Need have we for Prayer 
 to be guided aright amidfl {o many difrcrent Opinions, 
 even of great and good Men. Armiriins, Calvin^ Baxtery 
 all excellent Men in their Way ! yet how divided in 
 their Notions ! — but Jefus, that eternal Source of Love, 
 will, I would charitably hope, blefs all, who fmcerely 
 deHre to magnify his holy Name, notwithflanding their 
 
 Notice of Antisozzo, becaufe there was no Nee^ofit ; but what- 
 ever is confiderable in it is anfwered in this my Defence." And he 
 concludes, Page 535, " I am refolved this Controverfy fliall never 
 end in a Trial of ^/'7/." — A prudent Refolution ! for Sherlock well 
 knew, great as his Talents v.erc, x\iAtAlfop, the Writer oi AntifvzKOj 
 excelled him both in Wit, and Argn?ncnt. See Letter CLIX. of tliis 
 Volume, 
 
 * See Page 4J, of this Volume. 
 
 N 4 different 
 
1^4 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.. 
 
 different Apprehenfions on thefe Points.. — God of hfe 
 unerring JViJdom aflift us in all our Determinations ? 
 God of his infinite Mercy defend us from all Error, arwi 
 grant, that we may be true Followers of our Lord and 
 Saviour, who is a lAght to lighten the Gentiles, and the 
 Glory of IJraell What a comfortable Confideration is ir, 
 that there is fuch a Light for my dear Friend^ and for 
 
 His moft affedionately and moft inviolably, 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 P. S. Pleafe to lend me Staynoe\ Inftru5lion for the 
 good Education of Children ; and Dr. Doddridge on tlie 
 Religious Education cf Children. — I am now about wrrtinor 
 a little * Trad on that Subjed. 
 
 LETTER CCXL 
 
 On 'various SuhjeSls, 
 
 Weflon-Favellf Manday Mormfig^ 
 t)ear Si/, 
 
 1AM much obliged to you for the Loan of Dr. 
 Squire's Enquiry into the Foujidation of the Englifh 
 Conflitution : The Performance feems to be curious, 
 ufeful, and intcrefting. — But how interefting foever 
 the Subjefl may be to others, it can be very little fo 
 now to me; as my Indifpofition is daily increafing, and 
 muft, in all human Probability, foon put an End to 
 my Being. 
 
 In Spite of the farcaftical Reflections you fay are 
 thrown upon me, I muft recommend to tvtxy ont Marfhall 
 
 * This was publiflied after Mr. Hervey'i Death, and will be found 
 among his Mifcellaneous Trafts. 
 
 on 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 1S5 
 
 on SanUifi cation^ and Jenks'^ Suhmijfion to the Rightecuf- 
 ncjs of God. — Thefe are with me the two fundamental 
 Books : — Thefe teach vital Religion. Do the)\ who 
 decry Faith, and extol their good Works, diflinguiHi 
 themfelves by the Pra^ice of them ? If not, I miift beg- 
 Leave to fay, they are Self-condemned. — Only obferve 
 for the next Month (by their Fruits you will know 
 them) the Condudt of thofe, who are fuch loud Advo- 
 cates for the Merit, the Dignity of Man, and the 
 Freedom of his AcStion ; and of thofe, who rely on the 
 adive and paffive Obedience of Chrift. And then tell 
 me ingenuoufiy, which are the People, who pav the 
 greatell Reverence to the F/'ord of God; and in par- 
 ticular to the fourth Commandment ? — Inquire which 
 of them ufe Family Prayer ? — luhcfe Converfation is 
 rhoft edifying ? — which of them vifit *, and travel on 
 Sundays ? and which of them pafs that holy Day, as be- 
 come thofe, who have named the Name of Chrift ? I 
 will be bold to fay, that on an impartial Exa",ninaticn, 
 the Majority will be found on the Side of thofe, wlio 
 embrace the Doclrine of the Imputation of Chrift's 
 Righteoufnefs ; and who expedl Salvation hy Him alojie^ 
 and not by Deeds, wliich they have dG7je. — Yet I fhould 
 wonder how Men of Difcernment (Men, who one 
 would think fhould be daily fenfible of their innumerable 
 Failings) could polTibly efpoufe the op'pofite Dodtrines, 
 had I not too many melancholy Proofs to the contrary. 
 — You may fafely confide in this Doftrine „ for this, 
 dear Sir, is not to be confidered as the particular Opi- 
 nion of Jajnes Hervey, but it is the general Opinion of 
 our exemplary Reformers ; 'tis the Doclrine of our 
 Articles, and our Homilies. — Will you fay, that our 
 modern Moral- Chrift ians, if I may fo call them, are to 
 
 * Mr. Heriiey publiftied fome Confideratiom on the prevailirg Cuftom 
 vf -zifting en Sundiiyi ; whicJi are inlerted in the firll Volumt;. 
 
 be 
 
i86 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 
 
 be fet in Competition with Men, like tbefe ? I appeal to 
 Fa^s. — Mark the Effe5i of preaching mere Morality, 
 and of preaching the Grace of Chriji. — But fo long, as 
 the Devil is fuffered to deceive the Nations, and fo 
 long as the Heart is unconvinced of Sin, we may ajfure 
 ourfelves, that the Dodtrines of Juftification by Chrift's 
 Righteoufnefs, and Salvation by free Grace, will meet 
 with Oppofition. Therefore St. Paul exhorts Timothy , 
 Aywu^jj TOM KxXo\i ccyoopx mi -cj-jfEwf, *' To fight the good 
 Fight of Faith :" It is an Addrejs to a Combatant, and 
 fuppofes a Conflid: ; a noble Conflict, xaX^, the fineft 
 Word in the mofl expreflive Language, importing ally 
 which is good and great : Let us not then be ajhamed of 
 the Caufe. 
 
 My Cough is very troublefome — I can get little Reft. 
 Medicines yield no Relief — but my never-failing Cordial 
 is the Love of Chrift. 
 
 Religion bears my Spirits up, 
 
 A faithful and unchanging God 
 Lays the Foundation for my Hope, 
 
 In Oaths *, in Promifcs j", — in Blood \. 
 
 JVattsi Hymnsy Book I. 
 
 Staynoe H, after v^^hom you inquire ^ was a good Man, 
 a Tutor at Trinity CollegCy Oxford, and afterwards Reftor 
 Q^ St. Leonard y Fofter-Lane -, and in the Year 1704, 
 publifhed in two Volumes Oftavo, his Treatife on Sal- 
 vation by Jefus Chrifl ■: Mine is the fecond Edition : — It 
 is no contemptible Book, though the Style is rather too 
 prohx, and he has fome peculiar Notions. — But who 
 has ever feen 2,faultlefs Book ? — All Writers have their 
 Failings more, or lefs. — No Mortal is exempted from 
 them ; not even Homer y Virgily or Milton himfelf. — 
 This ought to teach us Candour y and Humility in fuch 
 
 * Heh. vi. 17. f 2 Pet. i. 4. % Rev. i. 5. 
 
 [I See Page 39 J, Vol. IL •• - ' 
 
 a State 
 
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 187 
 
 a State of Imperfeflion ; and above all it fhould Inlpire 
 us with a reverential Admiration of the Book of God, 
 which alone is free from Error j by which we are guided 
 into all Truth ; and in which we are promifed eternal 
 Life J procured for us by the Righteoufnefs, Sufferings, 
 and Mediation of Jefus Chrift. — I wifh, mod heartily 
 wifhj you may fufficiently regard this inefiimable Book ; 
 and then you will be like the Tree planted by the 
 Water-Side, which bringeth forth its Fruits in due 
 Seafon ; and like that happy Man, of whom it is written 
 by the Pfalmiji, " Look ! whatfoever He doeth it fhall 
 profper." 
 
 I am, my dear Friend, 
 
 Affeftionately, and unalterably your's, 
 
 James Hervev, 
 
LET 
 
 FROM THE LATE REVEREND 
 
 JAMES HERVEY, A.M. 
 
 RECTOR OF WESTON FAVELL, 
 TO 
 
 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 Lady FRANCES SHIRLEY. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 n~^HESE Letters, upon the Death of Lady 
 Frances Shirley, came into the Hands 
 of her Executors, who were highly pleafed and 
 edified with reading them. They fliewed them 
 to feveral of their Friends, and they were una- 
 nimous in defiring to fee them publiQied. They 
 had a great Refpeft for their Judgment, and 
 yielded to it for the following Reafons : 
 
 They thought Mr. Hervey's true Charader 
 was more legible here, than in his printed Books : 
 For he appears the fame Admirer of Jesus in 
 his Clofet, as in his Pulpit — in his private Cor- 
 refpondence, as when writing for the Public. His 
 Heart appears to have been devoted with fervent 
 Love to his divine Saviour. They could not 
 doubt of this, who converfed much with him, 
 who faw him at his Table, or heard him at his 
 Prayers. But in thefe Letters here is frefli Proof. 
 They breathe the warmefl Sentiments of Grati- 
 tude, and demonflrate that the Love of God in 
 Christ did adually influence his private, as well 
 as his public Life and Converfation. 
 
 The 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The Editors acknowledge alfo, that they had 
 a View to the Benefit of the Public. They had 
 read thefe Letters with Plealure and Profit. The 
 Subjedl, of which moil of them treat, had warmed 
 their Hearts, and they had been the Means of 
 kindling in their Breafl the fame heavenly Flame. 
 They felt fomething of the Love of God in 
 Christ. And they were ledto hope and pray, 
 that the Publication of thefe Letters might be 
 blefled to others, as the Reading of them had 
 been to themfelves. 
 
 Christian Reader, they are put into thy 
 Hands, that thou mayeft profit by them ; and if 
 they prove the Means of doing thee any Good, 
 give the Glory where it is due. Mr. Hervey 
 certainly intended this in writing them. You 
 cannot perufe one Letter without feeing, that he 
 aimed at this, with a fingle Eye ; and with the 
 fame Aim they are now laid before thee. If the 
 blefied God pleafe to make them acceptable and 
 ufeful to his People, we have our Reward. 
 
 LET- 
 
LETTERS 
 
 TO 
 
 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 Lady FRANCES SHIRLEY. 
 
 LETTER I. 
 
 On the Unworthinefs of the Creature, and the divhte 
 Mercy. 
 
 London f Jan. i, 1750, 
 My Lady, 
 
 SINCE I have wronged your Ladyfliip's Condc- 
 fcenfion and Gcnerofity, by doubting whether my 
 laft Letter would be acceptable, I cannot forbear making 
 the fpeedieft Reparation poffible. In this, I fhall take 
 a Liberty, which your Ladyfliip little expeds. A 
 Liberty, which will more than compenfate my late un- 
 realbnable Diffidence of your Good-nature. — ^To hold 
 your Ladyfhip no longer in Sufpence, I fhall take Leave 
 to comment upon your valued and excellent Letter. 
 Only affuring your Ladyfliip, that it is not to cenfure, 
 but to admire i to exprcfs my own Satisfadion in it, and 
 to confirm your Ladyfliip's good Refolutions from it. 
 Vol. IU. Q You 
 
,94 LETTERSTO 
 
 You arc pleafed to fpeak of yourfelf as an unworthy 
 Ohjeoly before the infinitely exalted God of all. I con- 
 gratulate your Ladyfhip, on being enabled to think 
 meanly of yourfelf i and mod heartily wifb, That nei- 
 ther the Splendour of any Thing that is great, nor the 
 Conceit of any Thing that is good in .you, may ever 
 withdraw your Eyes from looking upon yourfelf as 
 fmful Duft and Afhes. But how can- your Ladyfhip 
 entertain fuch felf-abafmg Thoughts, who have been 
 accuflomed to univerfal Admiration, and to fhine even 
 in a Court ? — Perhaps, you will rather aik. How fhall 
 ! perfevere in this amiable and advantageous Temper, 
 notwithftanding all the adulatory Infmuations, that may 
 be whifpered in my Ear ? — Indeed, my Lady, this is a 
 very important Inquiry. And the Anfwer is ready. — 
 By meditating on the unfpotted Holinefs, and adorable 
 Excellencies of the great God. On the Extent and 
 Spirituality of his righteous Lav/. On the exceeding 
 Sinfulnefs of Sin j committed by Creatures, who are 
 furrounded with the choiceft, choicefl Favours both o( 
 Providence and of Grace. 
 
 You add, " BlejQed be God for all his ineftimabic 
 Mercies."— Your Ladyfhip does right, to exercife Gra- 
 titude. A grateful Spirit is the mofb pleafmg to our 
 almighty Benefaftor, and the mofl honourable to our 
 holy Religion j it tends to render the PofTefTors mofl 
 ferenely happy, and to fit them for a continued Com- 
 munication of divine Blcflings. — Let me, therefore, en- 
 treat your Ladyfhip to cultivate this ornamental and 
 delightful Difpofition. By frequently contemplating^ 
 the free and boundlefs Goodnefs of your heavenly 
 Father. His Goodnefs is altogether as immenfe, as his 
 power. It is great, beyond Words, beyond Thoughts, 
 and can only be exprefled in his glorious Gifts. And 
 O ! how marvellous are thefe ! He has given Himfelf 
 to be your Portion— -his Son to be your Propitiation — 
 
 his 
 
LADY FRANCES. SHIRLEY. 195 
 
 Kls Spirit to be your Guide — his Promifes to be your 
 Charter — and his Kingdom, his own celeltial Kingdom, 
 to be your eternal Inheritance. Well may we cry out, 
 with the Prophet, in joyful Aftonifhment, " How great 
 is his Goodnefs, and how great is his Beauty !" — I hope, 
 your Ladyfliip will always beware of harbouring low and 
 dilhonourable Apprehenfions of the divine Benignity. 
 
 You fay farther, " That you read the Bible with 
 great Comfort." — Perfift, my Lady, in the beft of 
 Studies. This is the Way, to enlarge Knowledge ; to 
 encreafe Hum.ility j t6 quicken Gratitude ; to eftablilh 
 and improve every gracious Habit. — I need not expa-, 
 tiate on this Subjedl. If your Ladyfhip has tafted the 
 Sweetnefs of this fpiritual Manna, no Words of mine 
 can give it a higher Relilh. — I fhall only befeech the 
 ever-bountiful Difpenfer of all Wifdom, " That the 
 Word of Chrift may dwell in your Ladyfhip richly." 
 Not only be perufed, but fink into your Heart. Not 
 only have a tranfient Influence, but dwell with an 
 abiding Efficacy. And that, not fcantily, but copioufly, 
 abundantly, richly. 
 
 This is one of the nobleft BlefTmgs I can wifli for 
 your Ladyfhip, at the Commencement of the New 
 Tear. This will render each revolving Year, happier 
 than the preceding ; and render all, a Preparation for, 
 as well as an Introduftion to, a blifsful Eternity. 
 
 I have communicated to my worthy Friend, the 
 MefTage which your Ladyfhi|) was pleafed to tranfmit. 
 He is all Activity and Zeal to ferve poor Mr. Browne. 
 Like one thoroughly fenfible, that yet a little while, and 
 the DiilrelTes of our Brethren, and all Opportunities of 
 adminiftring to their Relief, will be no more. 
 
 I forgot to return my thankful Acknowledgments to 
 your Ladyfhip, for attempting to procure me a Scarf. 
 I knew nothing of your Ladyfhip's being alked, when 
 
 O 2 you 
 
19^ LETTERS TO 
 
 you was fo good as to intereft yourfelf In the Affair. 
 And I beg of your Ladyfhip, not to beftow another 
 Thought upon it. For, I aflure you, I would rather 
 decline, than folicit, fuch an Honour. 
 
 But, regardlefs as I am of that, I lliall always defirc 
 the Honour, of profefllng and approving myfelf. 
 
 Your Ladyfhip 's mofl obliged, 
 
 and moft obedient Servant. 
 
 LETTER 11. 
 
 With a Prefent of his Books — On the divine Mercy, 
 
 London f Feb. 4.^ 1750, 
 My Lady, 
 
 MR. WHITFIELD Informed me, that your Lady- 
 fhip was pleafed to enquire after my Books, and 
 was inclined to admit them into your CoUeflion. En- 
 couraged by this condefcending Hint, they now wait 
 upon your Ladyfhip, and beg the Honour of your 
 Acceptance. This they would have done much fooner, 
 but, being out of Print, I was under a NecefHty of 
 Haying for the new Edition. 
 
 They wait upon you, my Lady, not widi a View of 
 detaining your Ladyfhip's Attention, one fmgle Inftant, 
 from thofe ineflimable and divine Volumes, the Holy 
 Scriptures. But if, in fome vacant Moment, when 2^, 
 Relaxation from fublimer Thoughts is requifite, they ' 
 may be allowed to entertain your Ladyfhip, I fhall think 
 them highly privileged. 
 
 And how happy fliall I think the Author, if they 
 may be a Means of raifmg in your Ladyfhip's Mind, a 
 more frequent Advertence to, and more amiable Appre- 
 
 henfions 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEV. i^ 
 
 henfions of, the ever-prefent, the all-gracious God !— 
 That God, whofe tranfcendent Perfe6lions fhine through 
 univerfal Nature ; and are difplayed, with infinitely 
 fuperior Luftre, in the Redemption of Mankind by 
 Jefus Chrift ! — That ineffably excellent God, whom to 
 know, is the only Wifdom -, whom to love, is the trueft 
 Happincfs j and whom to enjoy, in his own heavenly 
 and everlafting Kingdom, is fuch a Felicity, as I cannot 
 cxprefs, but fhall mofl earneftly pray, that your Lady- 
 fhip may poflefs, — This will be the moll effedual, 
 though a filent Way of teftifying, with what fmccre 
 and profound Refped 
 
 I (Lvn, your Ladyihip's mod obliged, 
 and moft obedient Servant. 
 
 LETTER III. 
 
 On her Prefent to him — On the divine Bleffings, 
 
 Monday Morning, 
 My Lady, 
 
 I HAD no other View, in taking Leave to prefent 
 my little Books to your Ladyfhip, than to teftify in 
 the mofl: expreffive Way, how highly I honour your 
 Ladylhip, and how ardently I wifh your Ladyfliip the 
 unequalled Joys of Religion, Your Ladylhip's Ac- 
 ceptance was the only Reward I coveted ; joined with 
 an humble pleafing Hope, of adminift:ring fome ferious 
 and improving Entertainment, in one of your Lady^ 
 Hiip's vacant Minutes. 
 
 Since your Ladyfhip has added, to your condefcend- 
 ing Acceptance, a generous Prefent j and doubled it, 
 
 O 3 more 
 
'tgS LETTERS TO 
 
 rnore than doubled it, by that very obliging Manner, 
 in which it was conferred -, my Heart longs to be grate- 
 ful. I know of no other Method, whereby I can 
 exprefs my Gratitude, than to ad: as your Ladyfhip's 
 Almoner; and make to your Lady fhip Fj'iends of this 
 Mammon of Unrighteoufnefs, which, when your Ladyjhipy 
 at fome very diftant Period, fails j may receive you into 
 everlajiing Habitations. 
 
 I have already promifed fome Cloaths to a poor" but 
 godly Man; Father of many Children, much afflided 
 ■with Sicknefs in his Family, and hardly furniflied with 
 neceffary Apparel. I am certain, your Ladylhip will 
 approve of fuch a Pradice ; when it proceeds from a 
 Senfe of Obligation to that ineffably gracious Saviour, 
 tn'ho had not where to lay his Head, Had not where to 
 lay his blelTed Head, till He hung upon the racking 
 Crofs, and laid it in the filent Grave. 
 
 In the mean Time permit me to wifh — What fhall 
 I wifh ? — What is the beft Bieffing, the nobleft Trea- 
 fure, that Heaven and Earth can afford ? This I would 
 wifh for your Ladyfliip. And I find it beautifully 
 ftyled, {EpheJ. iii. 8.) '' the unfearchable Riches of 
 Chrift." I find it freely offered in thofe inviting Words, 
 (^Rev. iii. 8.) " I counfel Thee to buy of me Gold 
 tried in the Fire, that Thou mayfl be rich." — This 
 Treafure may the God of infinitely tender Mercy, the 
 God of unbounded Beneficence, beftow on your Lady- 
 fhip ! And this comprehends 
 
 Pardon of Sin : of every Sin, be it ever fo aggra- 
 vated; of all Sins, be they ever fo numerous. So 
 entire a Pardon, that they fhail be " blotted out as a 
 Cloud," and be as though they had never been. 
 
 j^n imputed Righteoufnefs. That immaculate Righte- 
 oufnefs, which the incarnate God VvTOught out, in our 
 Nature, and as our Surety. This is that everlalling 
 Righteoufnefs, which magnifies the Law, and makes it 
 
 honourable. 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. tg0 
 
 honourable. On Confideration of this Righteoufnefs, 
 God, though inflexibly juft, yet juftified the Ungodly. 
 This is that fine Linen, that l>e/l RohCy that Marriage 
 Garmenty fpoken of in the Scriptures of Truth. In 
 this your Ladyihip may appear unblameable and irre- 
 proachable, evtn in the Court of Heaven, and before 
 the Throne of Glory. 
 
 The Gift of the divtJie Spirit. Whofe facred Influ- 
 ences enlighten the Underftanding, and renew the 
 Heart, work Faith, and fhed abroad Love ; give 
 Strength to overcome this prefent evil World, and 
 make " meet for the Inheritance of Saints in Light."— 
 The Riches of Chrifl include all the Promi/es. Thofe 
 GREAT Promifes y thofe exceeding great Promi/es i 
 thofe EXCEEDING GREAT and PRECIOUS Promijes, which 
 are contained in the Oracles of Infpiration. Which 
 yield a copious Supply of prefent Confolation, and 
 afcertain to Us the invaluable Reverfion of eternal 
 Felicity. 
 
 Your Ladyihip will eafily obferve upon this Occa- 
 fion, how amiable a Difpenfation the Gofpel is j which 
 conveys all thefe ineftimable Treafurcs. How bene- 
 ficial a Duty Prayer is ; which opens as it were, and 
 ftretches out the Hand, to receive thefe glorious Pri- 
 vileges. How defirable an Ordinance the Sacrament 
 h J which fcals, ratifies, and confirms them all to our 
 Enjoyment. — That all, rich and incomparably excel- 
 lent as they are, may be your Ladyfliip's happy, happy 
 Portion, is and always will be, both the unfeigned De- 
 fire, and earned Prayer of, my Lady, 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's moft: obedient, 
 
 moft: obliged, and truly grateful, 
 
 humble Servanti 
 
 O 4. LET- 
 
IjMl LETTERS TO 
 
 LETTER IV. 
 
 On the Excellency of the Bihle^ and her Vifit to him^ 
 
 Wednejday Afternoon. 
 
 AND does your Ladyihip infifl: upon my writing 
 the Letter, You mentioned ? I was in Hopes, 
 your Ladyfnip, a,ccording to your ufual Indulgence, 
 would have with-drawn your Command, - and difmilTed 
 me from the Tafk. A Tafk, to which my fcanty 
 Stock of fcriptural Knowledge, is abfolutely unequal. 
 Otherwife, I Ihould rejoice to execute it, both as it 
 would be an Inflance of Obedience to your Ladyfhip, 
 and might be for the Honour of that invaluable Book ; 
 ivhich is the Magazine of our Comforts, and the Charter 
 of our Salvation. 
 
 Let me, my Lady, be treated like Gideon's, Son, 
 Judg, viii. 2,0. His gallant and courageous Father, 
 bid Him draw upon the captive Kings, and iheath his 
 Sword in their Hearts. The Youtii, weak and timo- 
 rous, Uke myfelf, hefitated and recoiled. The Hero, 
 feeing and pitying his Timidity, releafed Him from 
 the Office, and performed it Himfelf. — Promifing my- 
 felf, that I alfo fhould be excufed by your Ladyfhip, 
 I really have not fet about the Bufmefs. But, as your 
 Ladylliip is pleafed to mention the Affair a fecond 
 Time, I will, with my befl Attention, confider the 
 Point. And //— IF, my Lady, I can mufter up, or 
 the divine Teacher iliall vouchfafe to fuggeft, any 
 Thing worth your Ladyfhip's Notice j I will, with the 
 greateft Pieafure, fubmit it to your Judgment. 
 
 I think, your Ladyfhip's Expoflulations with Mr. 
 R '"" were pertinent, weighty, and clofely urged. 
 
 If He makes me a Vifit, I Ihall, in one Particular, 
 
 imitate 
 
4!.ADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. aoi 
 
 Imitate your Ladyfhip's Example. Give not the leaft 
 Hint, that I had the Honour of feeing You, or 
 have had the Favour of hearing from You. But, in 
 another Cafe, I queftion whether I fhall be able to 
 fummon up Refolution enough, to copy after my Pat- 
 tern. Or, fhould I attempt to fpeak roundly to Him, 
 my Cheeks, pale as they are, would be encrimfoned. 
 Inftead of working Conviftion in a Brother, I fhould 
 fuffer Diforder in uiyfelf. 3o tender are my Spirits \ 
 As I am fure, your Ladyfhip muft perceive, by a cer- 
 tain Confufednefs and Precipitancy in my Behaviour j 
 quite contrary to that Eafe and Serenit}'", which Every 
 One muft obferve in your Ladyfhip. I know not 
 how it is, but I cannot, either by the Exercife of my 
 Reafon, or even by an Advertence to God, redlify this 
 Weaknefs, -But why, may your Ladylhip afl<, do I 
 give You the Trouble of hearing this Complaint .^— - 
 Only with a View of dcmonftrating to your Ladylhip, 
 That nothing confiderable can be expedled from a 
 Perfon, to whom, as the wifeft of Men fpeaks, " The 
 Grafs-hopper is a Burden." 
 
 I muft not conclude, without making my Acknow- 
 ledgments, for the Llonour of your Ladyfliip's Com- 
 pany. For, an Honour it undoubtedly was, and fuch I 
 fhall always efteem it. Therefore, You may depend 
 upon it, I fhall mention it to no Body : until I want to 
 have Oil poured upon a Flame, and the Pride of my 
 Heart, v/hich is already too great, augmented. I would 
 improve your Ladyfliip's Condefcenfion, and learn to 
 ^fee in a clearer and more afteding Light, my inexprcf- 
 fible Obligations to my great Redeemer. Who came 
 from the Habitation of his Holinejs and his Glory, to 
 vifit a pocr, depraved, and condemned Creature. — 
 Where-ever your Ladyfliip goes. You are fure to be 
 received with the utmoft Refped. But when the all- 
 jglorious Jefus came into the World, He knew, tliat 
 
 He 
 
202 L E T T E R S T O ^ 
 
 fie fliould he dejpitefully treated-^ be Jpit upon, and buf- 
 feted i be cruelly mocked, and itytxo^iy Jcourged \ be con- 
 demned to Death, and nailed to a Crofs : Yet He 
 came — with Chearfuineis and Delight He came. Since 
 it was, to refcue Us from Ruin, and obtain eternal 
 Redemption for Us. — Should We not fay, with the 
 Pfalmift ; " How dear are thy Counfels unto us, O 
 God r* May a Senfe of thy infinitely tender Goodnefs, 
 be ever warm on our Hearts, and ever influential on 
 our Lives ! Till We are admitted to fee Thee, in thy 
 own Kingdom: and love Him with all our Souls, love 
 Him to all Eternity, who " loved Us, and gave Him- 
 felf for Us." 
 
 May He keep your Ladyfhip as the yJpple of his Eye ! 
 keep you under the Shadow of his Wings ! then You 
 will be as fafe and as happy, as can be wilhed by. 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obliged, 
 
 and mofl dutiful Servant. 
 
 LETTER V. 
 
 Pious WiJJjes for her. 
 
 My TrADY, 
 
 I HAD the Pleafure of perufmg your Ladyfhip's 
 Letter to Mr. Whitfield. And muft beg of your 
 Ladylhip, not to mention any fuch Thing as Obliga- 
 tion, when your Ladyfliip condefcends to perufe my 
 Letters, or accept my Books. Or, if your Ladyfliip, 
 thinks proper to mention the Word, that it may never 
 be applied to your Ladyfhip, but always appropriated 
 to me. For I fhall always acknowledge it as a fmgular 
 
 Favour, 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 203 
 
 Favour, whenever your Ladyfhip permits me, either 
 by my little Volumes, or by a ferious EpifMe, to re- 
 mind your Ladyfhip of a crucified Redeemer, and of 
 immortal Joys. 
 
 I am debarred the Pleafure of waiting upon your 
 Ladyfiiip this Day by a Cough ; which would probably 
 be encreafed by my coming abroad, and would certainly 
 make me troublefome to the honourable Company. 
 •—I cannot conclude, without wifhing your Ladyfhip 
 Abundance of Confolation and fpiritual Advantage 
 from the Miniftry of my excellent Friend. — May his 
 Word be fweetly efficacious on your Ladyfhip's Heart j 
 and ** drop as the Rain, diftil as the Dew !" May your 
 Ladyfhip enjoy fuch Manifeftations of the dying Jefus 
 in the facred Ordinance, as may enkindle adoring Love, 
 and excite penitential Sorrow ! — May all the Blefllngs 
 of the new Covenant be fealed and inviolably confirmed 
 to your Ladyfhip ! that you may become " ftedfaft in 
 Faith, joyful through Hope," and ever *^ abound in 
 the Works of the Lord." — This will impart the higheft 
 Happinefs to your Ladyfhip, and will refled; an un- 
 feigned Satisfadion to 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's mofl obliged, 
 
 and mofl obedient Servant, 
 
 L E T T E R VL 
 
 On the Truth and Excellency of the Holy Scriptures, 
 
 Miks's Lane. Thurjday Morning, 
 My Lady, 
 
 YESTERDAY I had the Pleafure of receiving 
 your Ladyfhip's Letter. — If my little Attempt 
 was fo happy, as to gain your Ladyfhip's Approbation^ 
 
 and 
 
S04 LETTERSTO 
 
 and confirm your Ladyfhip's Eileem for the Book of 
 God, my principal Defire was anfwered. — I could not 
 entertain the leaft Hope of being ferviceable to the heft 
 Interelts of fo great a Genius. But I heartily wifh, that 
 the God of the Spirits of all Flefh may convince Him, 
 by fome abler Hand, and fome more effedual Means. 
 
 My Lord, however, Ihews a candid and generous 
 Spirit. Efpecially, as I might be thought to have 
 treated a favourite Charafter, perhaps, one of his inti- 
 timate Acquaintance, fomewhat too freely ; though, I 
 hope, not indecently or rudely. 
 
 Ah ! my Lady, if the Scriptures are a Delufion, 
 where fhall We feek our Happinefs ? In Wealth ? 'Tis 
 a Iplendid Encumbrance. In Honour ? 'Tis a glitter- 
 ing Bubble. In the Pleafures of the World ? They, 
 like the Brine of tke Ocean to a thirfty Palate, will 
 irritate, rather than fatisfy. In gay entertaining Com- 
 pany ? This is only a temporary Opiate, not a lafting 
 Cure. And 'tis well if, like an Opiate whofe Power is 
 Ipent, it does not leave the Spirits difordered, flattened, 
 funk' But in the precious Promifes of the Gofpel, 
 and its renewing Energy on our Hearts, in the Difco- 
 veries of God's boundiefs Love to poor Sinners, in the 
 Difplays of Chrift's infinitely free Grace, and in the 
 Hope of his everlafting Glory j in thefe grand Specifics ^ 
 for preparing and difpenfmg which Revelation has the 
 Patent:, the true Health, Eafe, and Felicity of our 
 Nature are to be found. 
 
 For this Reafon, the Scriptures are called Wells of 
 Salvation. David declares, " In the Lord's Word will 
 I rejoice, in the Lord's Word will I comfort me." 
 And our mofl benevolent Redeemer affures us, " Thefe 
 Things have I fpoken, that your Joy might be full." — 
 Let the Word of Chrifi, therefore, my honoured Madam, 
 dwell in you, richlj. Dwell in your Handj dwell in 
 
 your 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 
 
 your Heart. And give me Leave to wifb, that you 
 yourfelf may " dwell under the Defence of the Moft 
 High, and abide under the Shadow of the Almighty." 
 I am this Day going to remove, with my Brother's 
 Family, to Tottenham. But if your Ladyfliip is pleafed 
 to honour me with any Commands, they will, by being 
 tranfmitted to Miles's-Lane, be fure to find 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's mofb obliged, 
 
 and obedient Servant. 
 
 LETTER VII. 
 
 On the Death of the Prince of Wales— The Chara5fer of 
 true Chrijlians. 
 
 Miles" s-Lane, March 25, 1751, 
 My Lady, 
 
 WILL you permit my Pen to wait upon and to 
 condole with your Ladyfhip on the Lofs, which 
 the Nation has fuftained ? A ferious Letter at fuch a 
 Jundlure, may be no more unfeafonable than a Suit of 
 Mourning, now the Prince Royal lies a pale extended 
 Corple ; and He that was Heir to the Crown, " in- 
 herits Worms and creeping Things." 
 
 Though I willi your Ladyfhip may long enjoy, even 
 In this inferio» State, every Honour that ennobles the 
 Charafter, and every Pleafure that refines the AfFec* 
 tions ; yet give me Leave to point out to your Ladyfhip 
 a far more excellent Inheritance, than all the Kingdoms 
 of the World. — This is difplayed before Us, in that 
 inexhauftible Magazine of Truth, the Scriptures. This 
 is configned over to Us, in that ineftimable Charter of 
 our higheft Privileges, die Bible. 
 
 There 
 6 
 
20C 
 
 LETTERS Td 
 
 There, my Lady, the true Chriftians are conftituted 
 Heirs of the Promife. " God, (fays the Apoflle) willing 
 more abundantly to fhew unto the Heirs of Promife the 
 Immutability of his Counfel, confirmed it by an Oath.'* 
 Heb. vi. 17. An Inheritance this, not like the pre- 
 carious PofTeffions of Earth j which Thieves may Ileal, 
 Imindations may deftroy, or Flames confume : But, 
 which is firm as the ftrong Mountains, and liable as the 
 cverlafting Hills. For, though all Flefh is (fading as) 
 Grafs i and all the Goodnefs thereof all its Splendour, 
 its Dignity, and moft admired Accomplifliments, f,s Che 
 Flower of the Field \ which is ftill more tender, and 
 much Iboner withereth than the Grafs itfelf : yet the 
 Word^ the promifing Word, of our God endureth for 
 ever. Nay, though Heaven and Earth pafs away, this 
 ihall never fail. The Felicity it offers, is more lafling 
 than the Univerfe j is lading as Eternity. 
 
 True Chriftians are Heirs of Salvation. ' Thus they 
 are ilyled by the Herald of the great" King. Who, 
 fpeaking of thole exalted Creatures the Angels, adds ; 
 *' Are they not all miniftring Spirits, fent forth to mi- 
 nifler for Them, who fl:>all be Heirs of Salvation ?'* 
 Heb. i. 14. — What are ail the Patrimonies that Parents 
 can bequeathe, or all the Preferments that Monarchs 
 can bellow ? Could they be afcertained to their PofTef- 
 fors for a Multitude of Years ; yet they are empty ; 
 they are unfatisfaclory ; and no more able to content 
 tJae Defires of an immortal Soul, than a few Drops of 
 the Summer-fhower are iufficient to fill the vafl Cavities 
 of the Ocean. But Salvation is a Portion, large as our 
 Wants, boundlels as our Widies ; and commenfurate to 
 all our Capacities of Happinefs. Salvation compre- 
 hends that Pardon of Sins, which blotteth out the Hand- 
 writing of Condemnation, that is againfl Us. It com- 
 prehends that Juftif cation of our Souls, by which We 
 have Acceptance before the God gf Heaven. It com- 
 prizes 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 207 
 
 prizes that San^ification of the Heart, which renews Us 
 after the divine Image j and that llofe of eternal Glory y 
 which gives Us the true Enjoyment of this Life, and 
 fome fweet Anticipation of the next. 
 
 True Chriftians are Heirs of a Kingdom. For thus 
 are they diflinguifhed, if not in the Offices of Heraldry 
 below, yet in the nobler Records of the Court above. 
 In them, they are dignified with the illuftrious Charafter 
 of Kings and Priefts. " Unto Him that loved Us, 
 and wafhed Us from our Sins in his own Blood, and 
 hath made Us Kings and Priejis unto God." Rev. i. 5, 6. 
 And the Judge of the World, when He alTigns an 
 eternal Reward to the Righteous, vouchfafes to addrels 
 them in this glorious Manner ; " Come, ye blefled of 
 my Father, inherit the Kingdan prepared for You from 
 the Foundadon of the World." A Kingdom whofe 
 Magnificence and whofe Delights, receive not their 
 Meafure from our Deferts, nor even from our Thoughts ; 
 but are proportioned to the immenfely rich Goodnefs 
 of the mod High God, and to the unfpeakably precious 
 Merits of Jefus Chrift. — True Chriftians, my Lady, 
 are *' Heirs of God, and joint Heirs with Chrift.'* 
 Rom. viii. 17. But what Eye can furvey the Extent 
 of this Inheritance ? Or what Words can defcribe its 
 Richnefs ? *Tis great as the infinite Jehovah, and 
 glorious as his tranfcendent Excellencies. It confifts in 
 the Vifion of his Majefty, and the Fruition of his God- 
 head : in the delightful Senfations of his unutterable 
 Love, and a complete Conformity to his moft holy 
 Image. 
 
 How ! my Lady, O ! how ftiould We admire, adore, 
 and love that moft amiable of Beings, xh-^t Prifice of the 
 Kings of the Earthy who, to procure for Us this blifsful 
 Inheritance, " humbled Himfelf to Death, even the 
 Death of the Crofs." — That your Ladyfhip may be 
 
 % eftabiiftied 
 
468: tETTERSTO 
 
 eftablilhed in the Hope of this heavenly Heritage, and 
 abound in the Love of its ever^blefled Author, is the 
 frequent and earneft Prayer of^ 
 
 My Lady, 
 
 Your Lady/hip's moft obliged, 
 
 and moll dutiful Servant, 
 
 LETTER VIIL 
 
 On his Ill-healthy declining her Invitation, 
 
 My Lady, 
 
 I AM grieved, I affure You, and afhamed to think, 
 that I do not, with Delight and Gratitude, accept 
 your Ladylhip's Invitation, and promife to wait upon 
 your Ladyfhip on Saturday. — ^Am I then fuch a fullen 
 and referved Cynic, fo infenfible of your Ladyfhip's 
 Condefcenfion, and of the Honour I might do myfelf ? 
 — However faulty in other Refpeils, I beg of your 
 Ladyfhip to believe me blamelefs in this Particular, 
 It is not Inclination, but a Conflitution tender as the 
 Foam, brittle as the Bubble upon the Waters, that isr 
 my Bar. — Would your Ladylhip fufpedt it ? I have put 
 on my Coat but once during all the Winter. And 
 then I returned Home with a Cold, and was obliged to 
 take to my Bed. So very much has my late violent 
 Diforder impaired a Habit of Body, extremely enervated 
 before !— My poor Heart, that is naturally fond of 
 Activity, and would fain exert itfelf for the bleffed Re- 
 deemer's Glory J that is peculiarly charmed with the 
 Works of Creation, and knows no higher Entertain- 
 ment, than a contemplative rural Excurfion j is fome- 
 
 times 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 209 
 
 times apt to repine, at being cut off from its favourite 
 Gratifications. But I defire to check fuch un-fubmiffive 
 Emotions j and reft fatisfied in a chearful thankful 
 AfTurance, That what the all-gracious God ordains, is 
 incomparably better than I could chufe for myfelf.-— 
 Let the Voice of Murmuring, therefore, be entirely 
 fupprelTed. Complaints, be ye for ever banifhed from 
 my Lips. " Let the Praifes of my God be upon my 
 Tongue, and let all that is within me blefs his holy 
 Name." — And I fhall have a very endearing Obligation 
 to blefs his infinite Goodnefs, if He is pleafed to make 
 the weak Produ6tions of my Pen, acceptable to your 
 Ladylliip's Tafte, and beneficial to your beft Interefts„ 
 To get Wealth by One's Writings, is a perilhing Acqui- 
 fition. To win Fame, is a Iplendid Delufion. But, 
 to further the Comfort and Salvation of a Fellow- 
 Creature, of a Friend, an honoured, and highly-efteemed 
 Friend, this is Gain indeed. If, (ten thoufand Ages 
 hence, when I have the Pleafure of feeing your Ladyfhip 
 in the Realms of Glory) I may be permitted to reflect, 
 that, as your Ladyfhip honoured me with your Notice 
 on Earth, 1 was in fome low^ little Degree inftrumental 
 to eftabhfli your Faith in Chrift, and encreafe your Joy 
 in the Lord, how will it tranfport me with Gladnefs ! — 
 Pardon me, my Lady, if there is Vanity in the Thouglit. 
 There is, I am perfuaded, a fuperior Portion of Affec- 
 tion and Duty. 
 
 Your Ladyfliip will perceive from the preceding, that 
 J have received the Favour of your laft. And though I 
 cannot have the Honour of waiting on your Ladyfhip, 
 I fhall not ceafe to pray, that You may have the nobleft, 
 the divineft Being, not a Vifitant only, that turneth in 
 to tarry for a Day ; but a Gueft, to dwell perpetually 
 in your Heart. This is his own Promife, to them that 
 feek his Prefence, and love his Name j " I will come 
 «nto You, and make my Abode with You^ andmanifeft 
 '■ V:OL. lUu P myfelf 
 
919 L E T T E R 8 T O 
 
 myfelf unto You." And have we not Reafon to lov<! 
 Him, who " has Pleallire in the Profperity of his Ser- 
 vants:" Who " is exalted that He may have Mercy 
 upon Us, and waiteth that He may be gracious unto 
 Us:" Who fays — and they are the moft charming 
 Words that ever were uttered — " As the Father hath 
 loved me, fo have I loved You." I wifii, your Ladyfhip 
 would give me your Sentiments of the laft Paffage. 
 For I mud confefs, I know not how to exprefs myfelf 
 on the Occafion. I can only wonder, admire, and 
 adore. O ! that it Ihould be So done to Worms, to 
 Duft, to Sinners ! Who can forbear weeping for their 
 Infenfibility of fuch Love, and their Ingratitude to fo 
 infinitely tender a Saviour ? Who would not delight to 
 remember Him ? Delight to have Communion with 
 Him ? Long, above all Things, to pleafe and glorify 
 Him on Earth, and have the Fruition of his glorious 
 Godhead in Heaven ? 
 
 May this be the Portion of your Ladyfhip, and of 
 Him who has fo frequently the Satisfadbion and Honour 
 cf fubfcribing Himfelf, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's mojR: obliged 
 
 and dutiful Servant. 
 
 LETTER IX. 
 
 Oft the Funeral of the Prince of Wales. — On fhtLove of 
 
 Chrifi, 
 
 April 1 icy 1711. 
 My Lady, 
 
 IB E G Leave to aflure your Lady.fhip, that I am far 
 from expedling any Acknowledgements, or hoping 
 to receive Letter for Letter. I want only to be fatisfied, 
 
 fiha^: 
 
LADV FRANCES SHIRLEY. ail 
 
 tliat my fincere Concern for your Happinefs, is not 
 reckoned impertinent^ may not be altogether unaccept- 
 able, when it puts you in Remembrance of Chrift Jefus, 
 and eternal Ages. For I am perfectly fenfible, that 
 there is a Time to be filent, as well as a Time to (peak ; 
 and that it is no impoflible Thing, for Zeal to be more 
 officious, than prudent. And as I would not be de- 
 fedbive^ in my Gratitude, fo neither would I be ofFenfive, 
 in the Manner of exprefling it. 
 
 I forgot to beg your Ladyfhip's Pardon, for men- 
 tioning the Affair of Mr. . But, by mentioning 
 
 it only to my dear Friend, I thought I had not tranf- 
 grefled your Ladyfhip's Injunftion. However, the laft 
 Letter with which you honoured me, neither is Ihewn, 
 nor Ihall be communicated, to any Body. Efpecially 
 the concluding Sentence : which, had it related to Any 
 but myfelf, I fhould have ventured to fay, is no ignoble 
 Charadleri yet, not without wondering, that your 
 Ladyfhip had Courage to avow it. O ! may the Lord of 
 all Lords give you to talle the Comforts, that flow from 
 an Union with the blelTed Jefus j and to fee the Honours, 
 that are intended for the Children of God ! Then, 
 Madam, your Ladyfhip, will acknowledge the One^ to 
 be abundantly richer than all the Inhabitants on Earth ; 
 the OtheVy to be incomparably nobler than all the Ho- 
 jiours of Birth, of Titles, or of Royalty itfelf. 
 
 When the Bells tolled, and the Guns fired. In order 
 to introduce his Royal Highnefs's Corpfe, with melan- 
 choly Solemnity, to its long Home, was not your 
 Ladyfliip much impreffed ? Surely, every Stroke of the 
 Bells, and every Difcharge of the Cannon, had a Mean- 
 ing; and fpoke aloud the PJalmiJi's Admonition : " O ! 
 put not your Truft in Princes, nor in any Child of Man, 
 for there is no Help in them. For, when the Breath 
 of Man goeth forth. He fliall turn again unto his Earth; 
 and then all his Thoughts perifh." If Princes cannot 
 
 P 2 be 
 
id IE T T E R S TO 
 
 be relied on, where fliall we repofe our Cortfidence ? Is 
 there None, of whom we may fay, " Under his Shadow 
 we fhall be lafe ?" — There is, my Lady, there is. And, 
 in the next Verfe, the Prophet direi^s Us to the glo- 
 rious Objed. " Bleffed is He, that hath the God of 
 Jaco^ for his Help, and whofe Hope is in the Lord his 
 God." He is not impotent, perifliing, or of a pre- 
 carious Exiftence ; but the great and everlafting I AM : 
 " who m.ade Heaven and Earth, the Sea, and all that 
 therein is." Who is as faithful alio, as He is powerful, 
 and " keepeth his Promife for ever." Never failing 
 his People, in any, in every, Time of Need. — May 
 your Ladylhip be eftablifhed in His Favour, and filled 
 with Elis Love ! May He be your Shield on Earth, and 
 your exceeding great Reward in Heaven ! 
 
 Did not your Ladylhip recollec^l, upon the fame Oc- 
 cafion, that ever dear and infinitely illuftrious Perfon, 
 who laid down his Life for Mankind ? That Prince of 
 Heavm, and Prince of the Kings of the Earth j who 
 once became a pale, bloody, and mangled Corpfe for 
 all our Sins ! He died, alas ! He died, not reclined on 
 a roy^l Bed, but nailed to the curfed Tree : not by a 
 natural Difeafe, but by the tormenting Hand of the 
 Executioner : not with fympathizing Friends about Him, 
 but in the Midft of infamous Felons, and furrounded 
 with cruel Mockings. He died (furprifmg to relate, 
 yet comforting to believe !) under the Wrath of God, 
 and the Curfe of the Law. And thereby delivered Us 
 from every Evil j obtained for Us an unutterable Good. 
 . — O ! that our Hearts may be affefted, towards our 
 all-gracious crucified Redeemer} as Xenofhon' s Armenian 
 Princefs was, towards her generous Confort ! Your 
 Ladylhip, I p^efume, has heard the Story j therefore I 
 ©nly hint at it, but do not fatigue you with the Narrative. 
 Though our divine Mafter died, amidfl fuch dif- 
 graceful Circumftances j bis Almighty Father honoured 
 3 his 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 213 
 
 Ills Obfequies, with the moft magnificent Regalia of 
 Mourning. The Heavens were hung in Sackcloth, and 
 the Sun was covered with a Veil. The Foundations of 
 the Earth fhook, and impenetrable Rocks burfl: afunder. 
 The very Graves opened, ^nd the mouldering Dead 
 arofe. The Veil of the Temple rent, and the inaccef- 
 fible Place, the Holy of Holies, was difclofed to public 
 View. — And wherefore all thef^ awful and auguft Form- 
 alities, attendant on the expiring Jefus ? Doubtiefs, to 
 roll away the Reproach of the Crofs 5 to atteft the un- 
 equalled Dignity of his Perfon ; and the complete Suf- 
 ficiency of his Atonement. — They were defigned to tell 
 the inattentive World, That the facred Sufferer was 
 none other than Immanuel ; God and Man, in one won- 
 derful Perfon. Man, that He might be capable of 
 dying -, Gody that He might overcome and abolifla 
 Death,. Man, that He might be qualified for Suffer- 
 ing ; Gody that his Sufferings mjght be immenfely 
 rrieritorious ; aMe to take av/ay the Guilt, not of a fmgle 
 Criminal only, but of All Ages and All Naticyis, from 
 the Beginning to the End of Time. — Have we not 
 then, my Lady, the utmoft Reafon to fay ? Bleffed, for 
 ever bleffed be God, for this unfpeakable Gift ! 
 
 I have been too tedious : The charming SubjedV, and 
 3'Our Ladyffiip's Candour, mufl: plead for my Prolixity. 
 My Health is fo very precarious, and my Conftitution 
 fo enervated, that I fcarce ever am able, and am always 
 unfit, to wait upon your Ladyfhip. I have often found 
 Pleafure, in vifiting the poor Tenant^ of the meaneft 
 Hut, where I had an 0])portunity of talking on hea- 
 venly Things. How much more fliould I be delighted, 
 in an Admiffion to your Ladyfliip's Company ; where 
 I fhould hear the fmie favourite Topics difcourfed on, 
 with all the Refinements of Politencfs and fuperior 
 Senfe ! But extreme Vv^eaknefs, and great Languor, 
 ^jfqualifies me for the Enjoyment of this Satisfaction. 
 P 3 — Hqwcvc^, 
 
214. LETTERSTO 
 
 . — However, I fhall often have the pleafing Satisfaction, 
 of praying for your Ladyfliip's abundant Happinefs j 
 . and fometimes, I hope, you will allow me the Honour, 
 of fubfcribing myfelf. 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's, mofl refpedful, 
 
 and fmcerely grateful humble Servant* 
 
 LETTER X. 
 
 0« preferring the Country td Town, — The Beauties of 
 Creation, 
 
 April 26, 1751, 
 My Lady, 
 
 WHEN I received the Honour of your Ladyfhip's 
 Commands, I hope, your Ladyihip was fafely 
 arrived at Twickenham, and very much ' refrefhed with 
 your Ride. 
 
 Mr. C , my Lady, is not at London^ nor is ex- 
 pected in Town. As I don't know Him, I have not 
 enquired much about Him. But, I think, I have hearc^ 
 
 Somebody fay. That He preaches' at — 1 ; and that 
 
 one Mr. is to fupply at the Tabernacle^ during the 
 
 Abfence of my dear Friend. So that, if we are to 
 ftay for the Favour of your Ladyfhip's Company, till 
 Mr. — is upon the Spot, I fear, it will be — not like 
 your Ladyfliip's Readinefs to do Good, quite fpeedy, 
 —but, like your Ladyfliip's Dilpofition to relent, very^ 
 very flow. 
 
 I think, your Ladyfliip's Preference of the Country 
 to the City, at this dehghtful Seafon of the Year, is 
 perfedlly well-judged. Nature, rural Nature, is now 
 in her Prime. The Air is full of Fragrance, The 
 
 "^ Tre^s 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 215 
 
 Trees are putting on their verdant Honours. Every 
 Haw-thorn Bulli will foon be a Nofcgay. Every 
 Orchard is profufcly fplendid with BlofToms. The 
 Fields are rich with fpringing^Corn, or gay with golden 
 Crowfoots, and filver Daifies. The Lambs bleat, the 
 Linnets fing, and a Concert warbles from every Grove. 
 —If Nature has lb many Charms j how inconceivably 
 lexcellent and glorious is Nature's all-mighty Author ! 
 
 I hope, your Ladylhip will fee double Beauty, in the 
 blooming Scenes of Creation, by feeing a benevolent 
 and adorable Deity in them all. The Sun, fhining in 
 his brighteft Luftre, will clearly difplay his Creator's 
 Magnificence. I trull. You will be able to read the 
 fame Leffon by the Moon's fainter Lamp, and the 
 twinkling Tapers of the Stars. — Will not every mur- 
 muring Brook, and every melodious Bird, whifper in 
 your Ladyfhip's Ear, That the Lord is gracious, and 
 has Pleafure in the Satisfadion of his Servants ? — Will 
 not every fragrant Gale, and every balmy Breeze de-i 
 dare. How free the Communications of his Grace are, 
 and how reviving a Senfe of his Love is ? — Does not 
 each Flower, that enamels the Garden, or embroiders 
 the Mead, bearWitnefs to the tranfccndent Perfedions 
 of its Maker j and woo (if I may ufe the ExprelTion) 
 your Ladyfhip's AfFedion for the infinitely amiable 
 God ? — When to all thefe fweet Inducements, is added 
 the Gift, the ineftimably precious Gift of his dear Son ; 
 who can refill fuch heavenly Goodnefs ?— Ten thoufand 
 Delicacies, to regale our Senfes; the Blood of Chrifl, 
 to expiate all our Guilt; the Influences of a divine 
 Spirit, to fmdify our Souls, and make them meet for 
 Glory : is not this fuper-abundant Liberality ? Enough 
 to captivate every Heart ! And would captivate them, 
 was not human Nature deplorably corrupt ! 
 
 May every Objed remind your Ladylhip, of thefe 
 
 pulling Truths ! May they be lively, efficacious, and 
 
 ? 4 inllrumental 
 
2i6 LETTERSTO 
 
 inflrumental to work in your Mind that happy Temper^ 
 which the Apollle beautifully defcribes, and which is 
 the very ElTence of true Religion. Speaking of Jefus 
 Chrift, He adds, — " Whom, having not feen, Ye 
 love ; in Whom, though now Ye fee Him not, yet be- 
 lieving, Ye rejoice with Joy unfpeakable, and full of 
 Glory." I PeL i. 8. When We live under the Power 
 of this benign Religion, it will be Spring in our Souls. 
 Confcience will be ferene, as the Summer Sky. Holy 
 Defires, will bud and blolTom as the Rofe. The Voic» 
 of Joy and Gladnefs, fweeter far than the Nightingale's 
 Song, will footh our Hearts. And Profpeds, incom- 
 parably finer than the vifible Creation yields, will enter- 
 tain and charm the Eye of our Faith. — May your 
 Ladylhip be bleffed with an abundant Share of this 
 Happinefs ! which will be a very defirable Addition to 
 the Happinefs of. My Lady, 
 
 Your Ladylhip's molt refpeflful, 
 
 and mofl dutiful Servant, 
 
 LETTER XL 
 
 On the Loving- Kin dnejs of Chrifi — Remarks on the life of 
 the Microjcope. 
 
 Tottenham, June 7, 1751. 
 My Lady, 
 
 PERMIT me, by this Paper-MelTenger, to enquire 
 after your Ladylhip's Health, and to tranfmit my 
 fmcereft Wilhes, for the Continuance of this and every 
 other BlelTmg, 
 
 When 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 217 
 
 When I had the Honour of writing to your Lady- 
 fhip ibme Time ago, I mentioned a delightful Paffage 
 of Scripture ; which, i hope, will be written on your 
 Memory, and fpread its fweet Influence through all the 
 Powers of your Mind. As Characters cut on the living 
 Bark, which not only abide, but grow wider and v/ider 
 with fucceeding Years. 
 
 " Whom having not feen, Ye love." — The Caufe 
 of this facred AfFedion another Apoftle points out. 
 *^ We love HIM, before HE firlt loved US." Loved 
 •Us with a marvellous Loving- Kin dnefs — with a Love, 
 that pafTcth Knowledge. As will evidently appear, if 
 fome of its wonderful Circumftances be confidered. 
 
 To Whom it was exercifed. — To noble, to worthy ? 
 No J but to fallen and fmful Creatures, whofe Hearts 
 were Enmity againft the bleffed Redeemer, and his 
 holy Law. — Who deferved Vengeance, and were alto- 
 gether become abominable. 
 
 By Whom. — By a Mortal, like Ourfelves ? By the 
 highefl Arch-Angel ? — By HIM rather, whom all the 
 Angels adore ; who fpoke the World into Exiflence ; 
 and who upholdeth all Things, by the Word of his 
 Power. 
 
 How it was exercifed. — Did He look kindly ? Speak 
 gracioufly ? Or help Us with his Hand ? — Thefc were 
 the fmalleft of his moft merciful Vouchfafements. — 
 He bowed the Heavens, and took our Nature. He 
 humbled Himfelf lower ftill, and bore our Guilt. — HE, 
 that fits on the Throne of Glory, was ftretched on the 
 curfed Tree, and laid in the gloomy Grave. 
 
 How '^dijlinguijhing it was. — There is a Species of 
 Beings, nobler in their Original, than the human Race. 
 Thefe violated the holy Commandment. But did Thefe 
 find Mercy ? — No Pity is fhewed to Them^ while un- 
 meafurable Compaffion is extended to Us. They fink 
 into cndlefs Perdition, while PFe are fnatched, as Brands, 
 
 from 
 
2i8 LETTERSTO 
 
 from the everlalling Burning. They are piirfued with 
 Thunder-Bolts of Wrath, while " Mercy embraceth 
 JJs on every Side." 
 
 What He procured for Us.- — He procured for Us a 
 Peliverance from the Guilt of Sin, by his great Atone- 
 ment ; and a Deliverance from the Tyranny of Sin, by 
 his blefled Spirit. He procured for Us the matchlefs 
 Honour, that We fhould be called the Sons of God ; 
 and the ineftimable Privilege, that We fhould become 
 the Heirs of Glory, — But indeed, it is impoffible for a 
 fetter, or for a Volume to declare, what the divineT 
 Redeemer has obtained for his People. All the Pro- 
 miles of Scripture — all the Joys of Heaven — all the 
 Perfeftions of the Godhead — all. All are the Portion 
 of Believers, and the Purchale of Immanuel's Blood. 
 
 Should We not be grieved, my Lady, that We have 
 loved this infinit-ely gracious Benefa6lor no more ? 
 Should We not defire above all Things, to love Him 
 more ardently for the future ? Or, can I form a better 
 Wifh for your Ladyfhip, more expreffive of a grateful 
 Heart, than that a Scnfe of this exceeding great Love 
 of God our Saviour, may be fhed abroad in your 
 Heart ? May be refrelhing, exhilarating, delightful to 
 your Soul, " as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary 
 Land." — It is the Prophet Ifaiah'^ elegant Comparifon: 
 the prefent State of the Weather, will often bring rt 
 to your Remembrance — and I hope, the God of all 
 Power and Goodnefs will give You to know what itJ 
 means, by happy, happy Experience. — To his infinitely 
 rich and everlafting Mercies I commit your Ladyfhip, 
 and beg Leave to profefs myfelf, with the greateft 
 Sincerity, and with equal Relpeft, 
 
 My Lady^^ your Ladyfhip 's 
 
 moll dutiful Servant, 
 
 P. S. Would 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 219 
 
 V. S. Would not a good Micro/cope be a refined and 
 improving Companion for fome of your Ladyfliip's 
 rural Hours ? I bkfs the Providence of God for that 
 curious Inftrument ; which has difcovered fo much of 
 his incomprehenfible Wildom, his amazing Power, his 
 condefcendlng and moft profufe Goodnefs, even in the 
 minuteft Specks of the animalcula Creation. This 
 would render the Fields and Gardens, an inexhauftiblc 
 Fund of Entertainment. This w^ould fhew you Won- 
 ders of Mechanifm, of Symmetry, and Decoration, ia 
 .what We ufually difregard, as the Refufe of Nature. 
 It would raife, I believe, the moll venerating and truly 
 amiable Ideas of the Almighty Creator; and help to 
 tune the Soul for that Song of the four and twenty 
 tlders J " Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive Glory, 
 and Honour, and Power: for thou haft created all 
 Things, and for thy Pleafure they are, and were 
 created.'* 
 
 ^ 
 
 ;. E T T E R XIL 
 
 On Peace of Mind^ and a charitable Spirit, 
 
 TottenhaTK, yune 27, 175^- 
 My Lady, 
 
 I HAVE heard my Brother iTi^k o^ doing Honour to 
 a Bill: which, I think, confifts in fpeedy Payment. 
 I riiould not do proper Honour to a Line from your 
 Ladyfhip, if I did not gratefully acknowledge it, by t\\t 
 firft Opportunity. The Reafon of (what You may 
 apprehend) my prefcnt Delay, is. That I did not re- 
 ceive your Ladyfliip's Letter, which was written on 
 Friday, till the Thurfday following. 
 
 Irc^ 
 
22» L E T T E R S T O 
 
 I rejoice to hear of the peaceful State of your Lady- 
 ship's Mind. May the God of Peace and Love, en- 
 creafe it ever more and more ! and make all Bleffings 
 abound to you " according to his Riches in Glory by 
 Chrift Jefus!"—" Great Peace," fays the Pfalmift, 
 " have They that love thy Law." — " Thou llialt keep 
 Him in perfed Peace/' fays the Prophet IJaiah^ 
 « whofe Mind is flayed on Thee."-— ^' He is our 
 Peace," adds the Apoftle, fpeaking of our divine fte- 
 deemer. — From which Paifages We learn, that the 
 Way to obtain that Heart-felt Peace, which the Smiles 
 of the World cannot give, nor the Frowns of the World 
 take away, is. To be exercifed in God's holy Word j 
 to rely on his boundlefs, boundlefs Mercy ; through the 
 infinitely precious Merits of his dear Son. 
 
 I have not had the Favour of a Line from Lady 
 Huntingdon, for fome Months. When I was at Lon- 
 don, to fee Mrs. Whitfield, on her Return from Briftol, 
 Ihe told me that the good Countefs's Health was very 
 much reftored by the Waters. That fhe was (to ufe 
 her own ExprelTion) charmingly well. I hope, this 
 Amendment continues 3 and wifh, it may be perpe- 
 tuated. 
 
 I congratulate your Ladyfhip on the Happinefs of a 
 benevolent Spirit, that delights in doing Good, and in 
 prompting Others alfo to A6ls of Munificence. Go 
 on, honourable Madam, and " be rich In good 
 Works." For the ever-faithful God has faid, " The 
 liberal Soul (not barely executeth, but) devifeth liberal 
 Things ; and by liberal Things fhall He fland.'' And 
 the all-gracious Irnmanuel has declared, ^\ It is (not 
 bleffed only, but) more blefTcd to give, than to receive." 
 I am fure. He put in Pi-aftice his own Precept. What 
 was his Life, but a Series of diffufive Charity ? What 
 was his Death, but the very Triumph of divine Good- 
 nefs ? O ! for a Heart inflamed with his Love, and con- 
 
 form«d[ 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. »«i 
 
 ^rmed to his Image ! Let the One be the Motive, and 
 the Otiier the Model of your Ladyfhip's Generofity. 
 Then, will it be " a fweet-fmelling Savour, acceptable 
 to God through Jefus Chrift," 
 
 Should I ever come near Twickenham, I fhall find a 
 very peculiar Pleafure, in paying my Duty to your 
 Ladyihip. Or, was I in any tolerable State of Health, 
 nothing could detain me from taking a Journey on 
 Purpofe. But if I fliould never enjoy that refined 
 Satisfaftion, let me beg to be remembered fometimes 
 in your Prayers : as, I think, I may truly fay, that I 
 never recollcdl your Ladylliip's amiable Name, without 
 imploring for you " All the Fulnefs of the Bleflings of 
 the Gofpel of Chrift." — To his tender and everlafling 
 Companions I commend your Ladyihip, and beg Leave 
 to fubfcribe myfelf. 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's much obliged, 
 
 and moft dutiful Servant. 
 
 ■ -'*^^«<'*^ 
 
 LETTER XIIL 
 
 On prefenting a TraB to hsr — Remarks on the divine 
 Promijes. 
 
 Tottenham f Aug. r, 1 75 1. 
 Mv Lady, 
 
 THE little Piece mentioned in my laft, having re- 
 ceived no Orders to the contrary, takes Leave to 
 wait upon your Ladyihip. I make no Apolog^ for its 
 Meannefs, but rather plead this Circumftance, as a 
 Kecommendarion to your Acceptance. It would not 
 bccoiue me, to offer any Thing coftly. That might 
 
 look 
 
±t% t- E T T E ii S t O 
 
 look like a vain Attempt, to bring your Ladylliip uii- 
 der fome Obligation. Whereas, when fuch a very 
 Trifle is prelented, it will evidently be a Condefcenfion 
 and a Favour, if your Ladyfhip pleafes not to difdairt 
 it. As luch I Ihall acknowledge your Admittance of 
 tliis Pamphlet to your Perulal ; wifhing, at the fame 
 Time, and not neglefting to pray. That the Lord of 
 all Power and Might, may in thisj as He does in ten 
 thoufand Inftances, produce great Good, by the flighted 
 Inftruments. 
 
 Will your Ladyfhip allow me to propole a MottOy for^ 
 that little Treafury of fpiritual Wealth ; which, I hope; 
 has reached you before this, and been honoured with 
 your Acceptance ? It is a Motto, not unworthy to be 
 tranfcribed by your Ladyfhip's own Hand ; and I will 
 venture to add, not unworthy to be written on your 
 Heart. May the Divine Spirit perform the one, while 
 your Ladyfhip's Pen executes the other ! 
 
 It is to be found Heb. vi. 17, 18. In which excellent 
 Portion of Scripture, three Points of diftinguifhed 
 Importance are to be obferved. 
 
 To Whom the Prornifes belong. To thofej who fly 
 for Refuge to the blcfTed Jefus. Fly from the Curfe 
 of the Law ; from the Accufations of Confcience ; from 
 the Apprehenfions of everlafling Vengeance— fly, not 
 ta their own Integrity, their own Reformation, or their 
 own good Works : but to the infinitely precious, the 
 all-juftifying Righteoufnefs and Death of Chrift. Theje 
 ^eribns are the Heirs of Promife. To TheJe belong 
 their unfearchable Riches. Among TheJe may your 
 Ladyfliip enjoy an eminent Station ! 
 
 For what Purpojes, the Prornifes are given : — For the 
 moft noble and die mofl gracious :" " That We may 
 be Partakers of a divine Nature,'* according to St. 
 Fetcr. That We may have Confolation, Jirong Conjb- 
 
 lationj, 
 
 6 
 
LADY r* FIANCES SHIRLEY. 223 
 
 latmiy according to St. Paul. They are intended to be 
 the Means, of imparting the higheft Improvement, and 
 conveying the richefl Happinefs. In l30th thefe Re- 
 Ipeds, may they be fignally efficacious to your Lady- 
 fKip! 
 
 Hoiu firmly thefe Blefllngs are afcertained to the true 
 Believer. Afcertained by nothing lefs, than the Word 
 and the Oath of Jehovah Himfelf. And how flrong 
 is this Security ! How fure is this Title ! " Heaven 
 and Earth may pafs away, but not one Jot of the divine 
 Word fhall pafs away." If this be faid of God's 
 Word ; what fhall We fay, when He ratifies his Word 
 by an inviolable Oath ? What, but admire the conde- 
 fcending Goodnefs of the Lord, and be aihamed, be 
 grieved, for the unreafonable UnbeHef of our own 
 Hearts ? What, but rejoice in the Certainty of our 
 Trufl, when grounded on the Promifes, and looking 
 unto Jefus ? — Can the God of Truth be capable of a 
 Lye ? or will the God of Holinefs forfwear Himfelf? 
 Impofllble. If then We daily, hourly, inceffantiy fly 
 to our adored Mediator's Righteoufnefs ; it is equaDy 
 impolTible, that We fhould be difappointed of our Hope, 
 when We humbly wait for the Accomplifhment of the 
 Promifes. 
 
 When I have the Pleafure of writing to your Lady- 
 fiiip, I am apt to exceed the Limits of a decent Lejigth. 
 But I hope, I afiiire myfelf, you will be fo candid, as 
 to afcribe it wholly to that fmcere Zeal for your Lady- 
 Ihip's prefent and eternal Happinefs, which afluates the 
 Heart, and prompts the Pen of 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's much obliged, 
 
 and molt dutiful Servant. 
 
 LET- 
 
224 LETTERS TO 
 
 LETTER XIV. 
 
 On Recovery from a dangerous Illnejs — On the Plan of 
 his Dialogues and Letters. 
 
 Tottenhaniy Sept. 23, 1 75 1. 
 My Lady, 
 
 ACCORDING to myPromife, the firft Letter I 
 write, after my Recovery, is a Letter of grateful 
 Acknowledgment for your Ladyiliip's Favour. Reco- 
 very did I fay ? That is too flattering a Word. For 
 though my Hand is able to hold a Pen, my Feet are 
 not able to carry me acr6fs the Room, without fome 
 borrowed Support. — Indeed I have been extremely ill : 
 hovering upon the very Brink of Eternity. The Doflor 
 was twice fent for by a fpecial Meffenger, from an 
 Apprehenfion that my DilToiution was approaching. 
 
 You will probably be defirous to know. How my 
 Mind was afFeded, amidft fuch Circumftances of Peril 
 and Pain. — The Pain too often diflurbed my Adver- 
 tence to the gracious God, and intemipted my Appli- 
 cation to his Almighty Majesty. Ah ! how unwile 
 is it, rather how defperately hazardous, to defer the 
 great Work of Reconciliation with our Creator, to a 
 languifliing and dying Bed ! When the Anguiih is fre- 
 quently fo flrong, that it quite fhattcrs the Thoughts, 
 and renders them incapable of attending to any Thing 
 but the Load of AfRiction. 
 
 With regard to Death, I humbly blefs the divine 
 Goodiiefs, I was under no terrifying Apprehenfions. It 
 was defirable, rather than dreadful. The Thing that I 
 longed for, rather than deprecated. A believing Con- 
 templation of God's infinitely rich Mercy, of Chrift'i; 
 iinipealcably meritorious Atonement and Righteoufnefs, 
 
 enabled 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 225 
 
 enabled me to fay with the Apoftlej " O Death, where 
 is thy Sting ! O Grave, where is thy Vidory ?" — How 
 great then is the Efficacy, and how precious fliould be 
 the Interefts, of that holy Religion ; which could fup- 
 port the weakeft of Creatures, when all earthly Succours 
 failed : and could give Courage to the moft obnoxious 
 of Sinners, even when fummoned to his final Trial ! 
 
 Let Us labour, my honoured Lady, to be rich in 
 Grace, and .ftrong in Faith j for We know not, what 
 trying Times may be at Hand. We are fure, the End 
 of all Things is near, and the Judge is at the Door, 
 O ! let us ' daily get a clearer Knowledge of the all- 
 fufficient Redeemer, a firmer Eftablifhment in his 
 Merits, and a growing Conformity to his Image. 'Tis 
 Chrift that unftings Death. 'Tis this glorious Captain 
 of our Salvation, that emboldens Us to triumph over 
 that laft Enemy. Old Simeon^ having the Child Jefus 
 in the Arms of his Flelh, and the promifed Mediator 
 in the Arms of his Faith, can go down to the Chambers 
 of the Grave with a peaceful Tranquillity. — Of the 
 Saints, in the Revelation, it is faid, " They overcame 
 by the Blood of the Lamb." Overcame 'wbat ? Not 
 only the Temptations of Life, but the Terrors of 
 Death, and the Fear of eternal Judgment. They over- 
 came All, by a believing Application of their Saviour'^ 
 Death. — St. Paul, in that inellimable Chapter the viiith 
 to the Romans, feems to anticipate the Arrival of the 
 great Day ; feems to fit down, and exaoiine, what will 
 be the Ifflie of the laft Trial, with regard to Himfelf. 
 After a mature Confideration, He refts alTured, thac 
 He Ihall be abfolved, when He is judged. And why ? 
 Becaufe of his own good Works ? No : but becaufe of 
 God's free unmeafurable Grace, and Chrift's immenfcly 
 valuable Propitiation. Fixing his Hopes lolely on this 
 Foundation, He dares even to defy every Enemy of 
 his Salvation. " Who Ihall lay any Thing to the 
 
 Vol. IU. Q^ Charge 
 
iz^ LETTfiRSTO 
 
 Charge of God's Eleft ? It is God that jullifieth.- Whcr 
 is He that condemneth ? It is Chriil that died ;. yea: 
 rather that is rifen again ; who is even at the right Hand 
 of God, Who alfo maketh IntercefTion for Us." — May 
 fuch fweet Portions of Scripture be the Solace of your 
 Ladyfliip's Heart, during the Years of Profperity; and 
 the Support of your Soul, when the Day of Adverfity 
 takes Place ! 
 
 You are pleafed to adi. What I am going to publifh ? 
 
 I was writing a little Treatife upon fome of the moft 
 
 important Do6lrines of Chriftianity : to be difpofed 
 partly into Dialogues, partly into Letters ^ and rendered 
 entertaining by feveral defcriptive Piftures in Nature 
 and its ever-pleafmg Scenes. — I have fketched out the 
 oreateft Part, in a rough unconnefted Manner. But a 
 confiderable Time will be requifite, to difpofe it pro- 
 perly, and polifn it for the nice Tafte of the prefent 
 A"-e. This Time, whether it will pleafe the fovereign 
 Difpofer of all Things, to allow : or whether my Con- 
 ftitution, always very infirm, but now more exceedingly 
 enervated, will yield a fufficient Supply of animal 
 Streno-th, is a great Uncertainty. But of this, my 
 Ladv, we are abfolutely certain; That whatever un- 
 erring Wifdom arid infinite Mercy orders, mull be 
 good, muft be bell. 
 
 Let me not forget to thank your Ladyfhip for the 
 fmo-ular Honour You intended to do me, by favouring 
 me with a Vifit -, and the high I'leafure You intended to 
 <xive me, bv your delightful Converfation. I ought to 
 be thankful for the Intention, though Circumftances 
 deprived me of the Satisfadion. 
 
 It is impoflible for me, my Lady, to afcribe your 
 Silence to any fuch Motive as your Humility mentions. 
 1 afllire your Ladylliip, I fliall acknowledge it as a 
 Favour, and I fhall enjoy it as a Pleafure, if You give 
 
 mc 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 227 
 
 me Leave fometimes to enquire after your Welfare by 
 a Letter, and to " ftir up your fincere Mind by Way 
 of Remembrance." 
 
 I know not how to conclude this long Epiftle mth. a 
 more refpciftful Propriety, than by turning what I have 
 juft been reading, into a Prayer: *' That You may 
 receive not the Spirit of the World, but the Spirit of 
 God, that You may knov/ the Things which are freely 
 given Us of God in Chrift Jefus." Which Prayer, 
 while it drops from the Pen, comes warm from the 
 iltart of 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's moft dutiful, 
 
 and ever grateful Servant, 
 
 LETTER XV, 
 
 On the Death of a 'Prince — On the happy Death of a 
 young Lady. 
 
 Tottenham^ OB. 17, 1751. 
 
 ANOTHER Prince dead, my Lady 1 What then 
 is Grandeur ? How vain is Power ! How inlig- 
 nificant Honour ! Since neither On^^ nor All, can pre- 
 fervc their royal Poffeflbr from the Pit of Corruption. 
 — " Ceafe Ye from Man," fays the Voice of Scrip- 
 ture ; " Geafe Ye from Man," fays this renewed De- 
 inonflration of human Frailty ; Man, " whofe Breath 
 is. in his Noftrils." " For, wherein is He to be ac- 
 counted of?" — Not fo, " the Prince of Peace, the 
 Prince of the Kings of the Earih," the divine Re- 
 deemer. He indeed was once dead for our Sins; but 
 nov/ liveth for evermore. Livcth, to be the Comfort, 
 the Happinefsj the Joy of his People. — Oh ! that your 
 
 0^2 Ladyfliip 
 
228 LETTERS TO 
 
 Ladyfliip may every Day improve in the Knowledge^ 
 the Faith, the Love of that inconceivably excellent 
 Saviour ! — Then will You never want a Com.panion, a 
 Guide, an omnipotent Guard, through all the Dangers 
 of this evil Vv^orld. For, though Friends lliould be 
 cut off, though All Ihould forfake You, yet will not 
 He. " Lo ! I am with You always," is his kind, his 
 faithful Declaration, " even to the End of the World." 
 
 I received the Honour of your Ladyfhip's Letter. 
 Which was peculiarly welcome ] not only as it brought 
 me a Proof of your Health, but as it was an Evidence 
 of your continued^ or rather growing Regard to Chrift 
 Jefus, and concern for everlafling Things. — Indeed, 
 everlafting Things are our only grand Concern ; and 
 Chrift Jefus is our only valuable Portion. Vanity has 
 long ago been written on all other Acquifitions, all 
 other Enjoyments. And whenever Death weighs them 
 in his Scale, they are fure to be found wanting. 
 
 You mention the joyful and happy Exit of an amiable 
 young Lady. — A Lady; and a young Lady; to triumph 
 over the King of Terrors ! See, what Faith can do ! 
 Out of Weaknefs it makes ftrong. The timorous, in- 
 fpirited by Faith, fear no Evil ; are bold as Lions. — 
 Therefore, the Apoftle in his moft beautiful Defcription 
 of the Chriitian Armour, fays, " Above all, take the 
 Shield of Faith." This defends, while We ftand; and 
 makes Us Conquerors, even when We fall. This 
 ftrengthens our Hands, while We live ; and emboldens , 
 our Hearts, when We die. Let Us therefore, be par- 
 ticularly diligent to obtain, and equally careful to culti- 
 vate, this important and ineftimable Grace. 
 
 It is faid, I remember, of the gallant B-paminondaSy 
 That when He was dangeroufly wounded in Battle, his 
 Soldiers carried Him, fainting and fenfelefs, to his 
 Tent. But, the Moment He recovered the Ufe of his 
 
 Reafon, 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 219 
 
 Reafon, He afkcd, whether his Shield wasfafe ? — His 
 chief Solicitude . was. That his Shield Ihould not fall 
 into the PoiTefTion of his Enemy. And cur chief Soli- 
 citude fhould be. That We may obtain a true Faith i 
 and, when it is obtained, that it fail not. — If We are 
 ftrong in Faith, We fhall give Glory to God, and re- 
 ceive Comfort to our own Souls. Whereas, if Faith 
 languifhes, it will afFe6l our fpiritual Life, as a pining 
 Atrophy confumes the Body, or as a keen Blaft withers 
 the Leaves. 
 
 I intended to have added fome Confiderations, that 
 might ferve as Food to cherifh, or as a Cordial to re- 
 vive, our Faith. But the Remnant of my Paper be- 
 trays tlie Prolixity of my Letter. Thefe You will 
 give me Leave to referve for the Subject of another 
 Epiftlc } which, I hope, will have your Ladylhip's 
 Permiflion, to follow this very fpeedily. — In the mean 
 Time, it fhall be the frequent and the pleafmg Employ 
 of my Mind, to exprefs my Gratitude, by turning my 
 Exhortations into Prayers, that the blefied, all-gracious, 
 immenfely merciful God, may fulfil in your Ladyfliip 
 " all the good Pleafure of his Will, and ihe Work of 
 Faith with Power." — I cannot forbear cxprefTing my 
 Concern, that your Ladyfliip fhould command me to 
 commit to the Flames, what always gives me peculiar 
 Delight. In Letters of common Intercourfe, no One 
 expefts that PvCgularity of Method, and Accuracy of 
 Style, which may be necefiary in Preparations for the 
 Prefs. For this Reafon, I hope. You will revoke the 
 Sentence pafled upon your own; and in this View 
 always confider, and as conftantly excufe thofe of. 
 
 My Lady, 
 
 Your Ladylliip's moft dutiful, 
 
 and faithful Servant, 
 
 0^3 LET. 
 
Z^a LETTERSTO 
 
 LETTER XVI. 
 
 On the Nature and Excellency of Faith. 
 
 Tottenham, Ocl. 2g, 1751, 
 My Lady, 
 
 IN my laft, I begged Leave to write once more upon 
 the Subjeft of Faith, In this, I look upon my 
 Requefl as granted j and make Ufe of the PermilTicn> 
 which I then fohcited. 
 
 That We may have a comfortable, fteady Faith in 
 food's Love; let Us often meditate on l^s ftupendous 
 Kindnefs in giving his Son — his only Son — his infinitely 
 beloved Son who was dearer to the eternal Father, 
 than all Angels, than all Worlds, and all Heavens — in 
 giving Him, to take our inferior Nature, and to bear 
 all our Guilt. — " Now I know that Thou feareft me," 
 faid God to Abraham^ " feeing Thou haft not withr 
 held thy Son, thine only Son from me." And may 
 We not, witli equal Propriety and Certainty, fay ? 
 Now We know, that the Lord Almighty loveth Us 5 
 feeing He hath not withheld his Son, his only-begotten 
 Son, but freely given Him up for our Salvation. 
 
 That We may have Faith in Chrijl's Merits ; let Us 
 often meditate on his infinite Dignity. — He is higher 
 than the Heavens, and beyond all Imagination glorious. 
 — -The Principalities and Powers in heavenly Places, 
 caft their Crowns at his Feet. — ^What fpeaks more than 
 ten thoufand Letters, or ten thoufand Volumes could 
 exprefs, ^? In Him dwells all the Fulnefs of the Godr 
 head bodily." — O ! how immenfely precious muft be 
 HIS Righteoufnefs ! Flow all-fufiicient the Propitiation 
 of HIS Death ! How can We fail of Pardon ? How 
 can We doubt of Acceptance .? If We are interefted in 
 his divinely excellent Merits, 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 23: 
 
 To have a firm and delightful Truft, that thefe 
 Merits are revealed to Us -, that ^hefe Merits (incom- 
 parably precious as they are) belong to Us ; let Us 
 ■meditate on fuch Portions of Scripture: " He came 
 into the World to.lave"— Whom ? The upright and un- 
 blarncabie ? — Then We might indeed deipair — But He 
 came into the World " to fave Sinners." i Tim. i. 15, 
 
 -0! 
 
 rejoice 
 
 JVith more than common "Joy, and Jet it dcivn 
 In Gold on lajiing Pillars. 
 
 Shakespere. 
 
 Was there no other Difcovery of free Grace in all the 
 Bible, riian this fingle Text -, it would render that 
 blefied Book, the moil ineftimable Treafure in the 
 World. But, Thanks be to the divine Goodnefs, there 
 are Multitudes of thefe charming Paflages. — " He 
 poured out his Soul," fays the evangelical Prophet, 
 Jfai. liii. 5. — for Whom ? For the faultlefs and un- 
 blameable ? No ; but for Tranfgrejfors : who had No- 
 thing to recommend them to hii. Mercy, but their Guilt 
 and Mifery. — '' He died," adds the Apoille, i Pet. iii. 
 18. " thejuftfor the Unjuft." Yes, my Lady, that 
 tranfcendently juft and lioly One, laid down his Life^ 
 that He might jufiify the Ungodly. 
 
 Are We not Ungodly ? Are We not Tranfgreflbrs ? 
 Are We not, both by Nature and by Pradlice, Sinners ? 
 — Your Ladylhip, I hope, will excule the Freedom of 
 my Speech. Nay, 1 am perfu:ided, your difcerning 
 Judgment would blame my Unfaithfulnefs, and be dif- 
 pleafed with my Conduft, if, on religious Points, I 
 fhould make thofe Diftinclions of Honour, which, on 
 other Occafions, I fliall always obfcrve. — I venture 
 therefore to fay again. Are We not Ungodly ^ Are 
 We not TranfgrefTors ? Is not the Sinner's Name, our 
 
 0^4 wn^ 
 
£52 L£TTER6T0 
 
 unqueftionable Charader ? If fo ; Chrifl came into the 
 World to fave Us. He poured out his Soul, to expiate 
 our Iniquities. He died upon the Crols, that IFe might 
 reign in Glory. — For this, Vv^e have God's own Word, 
 his moft exprefs Word, his frequently repeated Word. 
 And Heaven and Earth may pafs away, fooner than 
 one Jot or Tittle of his Word fhail fail. 
 
 Let Us then, revolve thefe Truths in our Minds, 
 not without intermingled Prayer to our Father in 
 Heaven. And may that mighty, mighty God who 
 ftretched out the Heavens, and laid the Foundations of 
 the Earth, fay unto Us, Your Faith ihall be eftablifhed. 
 -—Did I not often breathe thefe Wilhes, and often turn 
 thefe Wilhes into Prayers, I fhouid. be unworthy the 
 Honour of profefiing myleif. 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's 
 
 moft obedient and dutiful Servant, 
 
 LETTER XVIL 
 
 On his Recovery. — Mr. Romaine's Preaching. — Dr. 
 Doddridge' s dangerous Illnefs. 
 
 London, Nov. 7, 1751. 
 
 YOUR Ladyfhip's Favour was received, and your 
 Commands are obeyed. The Letters, with which 
 your Ladyfhip was pleafed to honour me, are committed 
 to rhe Fire. That confuming Element has done to 
 them, what, I truft, the atoning Blood of Chrift has 
 done to our Sins. Who can recover l\it Papers, which 
 the Flames have deflroyed .? Thty are, as though they 
 had never been. So it fares v.iih the Iniquities of true 
 Believers ; who hadjled, who do fiy^ for Refuge to the 
 
 Hope 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 253 
 
 Hope fet before them, in the precious Propitiation of 
 their dying Lord. They are obliterated and clean dene 
 away. They jhall not he mentioned unto the-n^ neither 
 will their God remember them any more. 
 
 I am juft come to London. Providence has brought 
 me and my Brother's Family fafe to Miles's-Lane. — 
 The firil Letter I v;rote, after my Recovery from Sick- 
 nefs, was to pay my Duty to your Ladyfhip. And 
 the firft Ufe I make of my Pen, after my Return to 
 Town, is, to tranfmit my grateful Acknowledgements. 
 This 1 delayed, till my Arrival here ; that, in cafe your 
 Ladyfhip fhould honour me with any Commands, they 
 might not be conveyed to a v/rong Place. 
 
 I once heard Mr. Romaine preach. He chofe for his 
 Text, that very important and equally comfortable 
 Scripture; " Being jullifted by Faith, We have Peace 
 with God through Jefus Chrift our Lord." — From 
 which He fpoke upon our Saviour's vicarious Suffer- 
 ings, and vicarious Obedience. Their abfolute Ne- 
 ceffity, and their complete Sufficiency for our Juftifi- 
 carion, — I think. He touched upon the tranfcendent 
 Excellency of the Bible. I well remember^ He dirc6led 
 Us to the Illumination and Influence of the Divine Spirit; 
 in order to underlland its heavenly Meaning, and feel 
 its facred Efficacy,— Points of the lail Importance to 
 our Happincfb ! I heartily wilh Him abundant Succefs, 
 in explaining and enforcing them to his thronged Au- 
 ditories. And witn no lefs Sincerity I wilh, that your 
 Ladylhip may becom.e, every Day, more thorouo-hly, 
 more experimentally, more habitually acquaiiited with 
 them. 
 
 I have no Ncv/s, relating to my dear and excellent 
 Friend, who is gone to Ibund the Silver, the more than 
 golden Trumpet of the Gofpel, through our American 
 Colonies. — Dr. S informs me, that a Letter is 
 
 arrived from Dr. Doddridge, v/ith an Account, That 
 
 the 
 
254 LETTERSTO 
 
 the Do6tor is very ill at a Village in the Neighbourhood 
 of Lijlon. He thinks. We fhall never fee Him any 
 more in England. The Departure of fuch valuable 
 Perfons, fhould tend to wean Us from the World, and 
 endear Heaven to our Affeftions. Bsza faid, when 
 He was told of Calvin s> Death ; " Now I have a frefli 
 Motive, to be as a Stranger on Earth, and to fet my 
 Affedtions on Things above." 
 
 I intended to have refumed the Subjed of my laft,. 
 and to have made Faith, what the Apoftle ftyles precious 
 Faith J the Subjed of my Epiftle. But I miufl be con- 
 tent to wait for this Satisfaction, till my Paper-Mef- 
 fengers are admitted to another Audience by your 
 Ladyfhip. — You are pleafed to enquire after my Health. 
 Indeed, my Lady, it is like the Leaves that remain, 
 fcarcely remain, on fome bleak-fituated Elm. Your 
 ladyfhip's, I hope, will long continue, frefh and lively 
 as the Ever-Green. And may the Dew of heavenly 
 Benediction abide, both in Summer and in Winter, on 
 your Branches ! — I beg Leave to fubfcribe myfelf 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's moft dutiful Servant. 
 
 LETTER XVIIL 
 
 On the -various Effects of true Faith. 
 
 Miles' s Lane, Nov. 17, 175 1, 
 
 My Lady, 
 
 I CONFESS myfelf afliamed, that your obliging- 
 Favour of the tenth Inftant, fhould continue fo long 
 without my grateful Acknowledgements. I hope, your 
 Ladylhip will afcribe it to the true Caufe, the many 
 Infirmities that opprefs ray poor Conftitution. I put 
 
 8 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 235 
 
 off even this agreeable Office from Day to Day, flatter- 
 ing myfelf that the enfning might reftore my Spirits, 
 and make my Pen lels unfit to pay its Duty to your 
 J^adyfliip. 
 
 I am extremely glad, if my fuperficial Letters on the 
 Subject of Faith, were in any Degree acceptable to 
 your Ladyfhip. I have forgot the particular Contents ; 
 but am afllired, both the Writer and the Writing are 
 very much obliged to your Candour, — One Thing, 1 
 believe, fhould have been added ; namely. That Faith 
 is precious in its Fruits. It is no dormant, but an 
 adive Principle. As Light never ceafes to ifllie from 
 the Sun, or Waters from a perennial Fountain ; fo, a 
 holy Converfation, and a purified Heart, are the Infe- 
 parable Effefls of a true Faith. Thoje will always be 
 more exemplary, in proportion as this is more lively. 
 
 Faith is charafterifed by the infpired Penman, as 
 fworking by Love. This is its happy Tendency, and 
 this its generous Language ; — " Has Chrift been fo in- 
 conceivably gracious to me ? Surely then I fhould be 
 kind to my Fellow-creatures, and to his People. — Has 
 He borne all my Sins on the Tree of his Crofs ? Then 
 let me bear with Patience, the Difappointments which 
 Providence m.ay ordain ; and bear v/ith Meeknefs, the 
 Difrefped which my Neighbours may offer. — Has He 
 cloathed me with the P^obe of his immaculate Righte- 
 oufnefs ? How gladly then fhould I cloath his poor Ser- 
 vants with the Fleeces of my Sheep, and accommodate 
 them with the Superfluities of rrty Wealth ! — Has' He 
 purchafed Life and Immortality for fo defpicable a Crea- 
 ture, fo vile a Sinner ? Surely then I fhould be zealous 
 to glorify his bleffed Name : Ihould employ my little 
 Stock of Talents, to magnify his Majefly, and further 
 his facred Caufe." — Ii:^ this Faith may your Ladyfhip 
 ^row exceedingly, 
 
 I bJ^fs 
 
2-36 LETTERSTO 
 
 I blefs God for giving your Ladylhip Peace and Tran- 
 quillity of Mind. It flows from this fweet Perfuafion, 
 that God is our reconciled Father, and Chrift our a.\U 
 fuflicient Portion. This is what may be called in Mr. 
 Pcj)e's beautiful ftyle — 
 
 TJje Soul's calm Sun-Jhine, and the Heart -felt Joy. 
 
 This is that " Kingdom of God^ which is not Meat 
 and Drink," confifts in nothing external ; but is " Righ- 
 teoufnefs, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghoft :" Is 
 a State of Peace and holy Joy, wrought by the In- 
 fluences of the Holy Ghoft, and founded upon the 
 tranfcendently excellent Righteoufnefs of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift. I cannot clofe this Paragraph, without breathing 
 the Apoftle's emphatical Prayer j " May the Lord of 
 Peace give You Peace always by all Means !" 
 
 Dull and Dark Times, as your Ladyfliip obferves, 
 very probably will take their Turn ; in order to fhew 
 Us the Depravity that is in our Hearts, and the utter 
 Impotence of our Nature ; in order to endear the blefled 
 Jefus to our Affcaions, and teach Us our inexprefliblc 
 Need of his Merits. — But, even in fuch Moments, let 
 Us not be caft down. For, He who is the good 
 Shepherd has prpmifed. That " nothing fliall pluck Us 
 out of his Hand," He who is inviolably faithful has 
 declared. That " having begun a good Work, He will 
 perform it even unto the End." He who is infinitely 
 powerful has affured Us, That all thefe Things, inftead 
 of obftru6ting our Salvation, " Ihall work together for 
 our Good." — Were We left to our own Strength, We 
 fhould infallibly be overcome and perifli. But this is 
 our Security, We have an Advocate in Heaven, " who 
 ever iiveth to make Interceflion for Us."— How wil- 
 lingly could I expatiate upon this delightful Topic ! But 
 I muft defift. May I be permitted to make it the Sub- 
 jed of a Letter, which, if I live, will wait upon your 
 
 Ladyfliip 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 237 
 
 Ladyfhip with the Congratulations of the enfuing So- 
 lemnity ? — In the mean Time, I fhall not ceafe to adore 
 the God of all Grace, for rendering my little Books, in 
 the fmalleft Meafurc, ferviceable to your Ladyfhip; 
 and fhall implore (O ! that I could do it more eff?t- 
 tually !) every Blefling for your Ladyfhip, which my 
 Gratitude can fuggefl, which your own Heart can wifli, 
 and which Chrift has obtained for his People. In the 
 Sincerity of thefe Words, I beg Leave to fubfcribe 
 myfelf. 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's 
 
 mofl obliged and dutiful Servant, 
 
 LETTER XIX. 
 
 On the Origin and the divine Object of true Faith. 
 
 Miles' s Lane, Nov. 23, 1751. 
 My Lady, 
 
 GIVE me Leave to enquire after your Ladyfliip's 
 Health j and with my Enquiry to tranfmit my 
 fmcerefl Wilhes, that this, and every other BlefTmg, 
 may be communicated, confirmed, and perpetuated to 
 your Ladyfhip 's Enjoyment. 
 
 When writing to your Ladyfhip, I would feled the 
 mofl pleafmg, the m.oft noble, and the mofl improving 
 Subje<5l. None that I can recollect, is more eminently 
 poflfefTed of thefe Qualities, than the Topic touched 
 upon in my lafl. Which is therefore flyled by the 
 Apoflle, precious Faith. 'Tis precious, my Lady, with 
 Refpedl to its Origin — its Objeft — and its Fruits. 
 
 Its Origin is divine. If you look for its Pedigree, 
 it is to be found in Heaven. It is wrought in the Sou!, 
 
 not 
 
2-3^ LETTERSTO 
 
 not by the mere Force of Argument, not by any Iiumail 
 Ability, but by the mighty Power of God, called, for 
 thatReafon, " Faith of the Operation of God." The 
 '^ Arm of the Lord is faid to be revealed," exerted 
 with almighty Energy, in order to make Sinners be- 
 lieve, with all their Hearts, the Report of the Gofpel. 
 Of this St. Paul reminds his Phiiippian Converts, " To 
 You it is given," as a lingular Favour from above, 
 " to believe on Chrift."— Often therefore, my Lady, 
 let Us implore this Bleffing, from the beneficent Be- 
 ftovver of all Good. Often let Us make that humble 
 Confeflion, 'and dart up that ardent Petition ; " Lord, 
 I believe : help Thou mine Unbelief!" 
 
 Its Objeft is Jefus Chrifl. And who, or what (o 
 precious as Chrifl ? None but Chrift, None but Chrift, 
 was the frequent and favourite ProfclTion of a certain 
 holy Man. " Whom have I in Heaven, but Thee," 
 O bleffed Immanuel ? was the Language of David. 
 And " there is None upon Earth, that I defire in Com- 
 parifon of Thee." St. Paul accounted all Things but DroJSy 
 for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Chrift Jefus his 
 Lord. — For indeed ^' He is the Beloved of the Father, 
 and the Hope of all the Ends of the Earth. In Him 
 are hid all the Treafures of Wifdom and Knowledge," 
 toe-ether with "^ unfearchable Riches" of Grace and 
 Righteoufnefs. He is, in his Perfon, and all his Offices, 
 wonderful, matchlefs, and adorable. — I cannot clofe this 
 Point more properly, than by turning St. John's De- 
 claration concerning Himfclf and his Fellow-chriflians, 
 into a Prayer for your Ladyfhip and Myfelf May the 
 God of all Goodnefs " give Us an Underftanding," 
 enlightened by his bleffed Spirit -, '^ tliat We may know 
 Him that is true," the true Center of our Souls, and 
 the true Source of our Happinefs. May We alfo " be 
 in Him that is true, even in his Son Jefus Chriflj" united 
 to Him by a living Faith, as the Scion is engrafted into 
 
 the 
 
Lady Frances shirlev. 239 
 
 the Tree, as the Members are incorporated with the 
 Head. — Should any One afk, Why We fo earncftly 
 defire this Union ? What Adv ntage can refult from 
 its taking Place ? The next Words are an Anfwer. 
 " This is the true God, and eternal Life." This Per- 
 fon, is a Perfon of infinite Dignity, and none lefs than 
 very God. This Knowledge, is a Blefling of imfpeak- 
 able Worth, and nothing lefs than everlafting Felicity. 
 I perceive, I mufl: not only ciofe the preceding Point, 
 but conclude my Letter alio, with this important and 
 glorious Text. And it gives me a Pleafure to confider, 
 that mean as the Letter is, what it quotes is invaluable : 
 Though the Arrow be of Lead, it is tipt with Gold ; 
 with fomething worthy of your Ladyfhip's. Acceptance, 
 and fuited to that Refped, Efteem, and Gratitude which 
 are due to your Ladyihip, from. My Lady, 
 
 Your mofl obedient Servant, 
 
 LETTER XX. 
 
 Oil the particular Spot where Chrifi was crucified. — Re- 
 7narks on Chrijlmas, 
 
 My Lady, 
 
 I BEG Leave to return my Thanks to your Lady- 
 fliip, for the Trouble You have taken in finding out 
 and tranfmitting the Paflage of Scripture, which You 
 was pleafed to mention, when I had the Honour of your 
 Ladylhip's Converfation. It is fully pertinent to the 
 Purpofe, for which it was produced. It proves, beyond 
 all Diipute, Tliat the Temple was built by Solomon on 
 Mount Moriah. But I queftion, whether this is a fatis- 
 fadory Proof, that our Lord Jcfus Chrift was not 
 crucified on the fame Hill. 
 
 There 
 
;j4£> LETTERSTO 
 
 There might be a large extenfive Mountain, whofe 
 general Title was Moriah, wiiiie fome particular Emi- 
 nence was diftinguifhed by the Name of Calvary, 
 Probably, between this and the Temple, the Walls of 
 the City intervened. If fo, Criminals defined to Exe- 
 cution, might go without the City^ might be put to 
 Death on Calvary^ and yet fufFer on Moriah. As God 
 is. fometimes faid to have delivered the Law on Hereby 
 fometimes to have delivered it on Sinai. We have 
 fometimes an Account, that Mojes died on Neho^ fome- 
 times that he expired on Pijgah. And neither of thefe 
 Accounts are contradictory :. becaufe the former Names 
 exprefs the whole mountainous Range -, the latter fignify 
 fame one remarkable Cliff. 
 
 Since I wrote the foregoing, I have confulted Mr. 
 MaundreWs Journey from Aleppo to Jerujalem ; whofe 
 Determination is as clear, as his Authority is un- 
 queflionable. " Calvary, l^iys He, is a fmall Eminency 
 or Hill upon the greater Mount of Moj-iah. It was 
 anciently appropriated to the Execution of Malefaftors, 
 and therefore fhut out of the Walls of the City, as an 
 execrable and polluted Place." 
 
 Will your Ladylhip permit me to lay afide the Cridc, 
 and a6t the Chriftian ? To make one Obfervation on 
 on that illufirious Sufferer, to whom the Mention of 
 Calvary naturally leads our Thoughts. — How we pity 
 the poor Criminals, that he under Sentence of Death 
 in the Cells of Newgate! We are apt to fay within 
 Ourfelves, We would not be in their Condition for the 
 whole World. How then fhould We be loll in Wonder, 
 and tranfported with Gratitude, on every Remembrance 
 of the bleffed Jefus ! Who came from the Heaven of 
 Heavens, on purpofe to be led out to Execution ; re- 
 figned his Royal Throne, on purpofe to hang on the 
 accurfed Tree. And by this moft gracious, yet moft 
 tremendous Expedient, has delivered Us from ever- 
 ^ lafting 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 241 
 
 lafiing Infamy and Torment ! Surely, We miift re- 
 linquilh true Politenefs, We muft cafhier all that is 
 amiable and of good Report, if We forbear to love, or 
 ceafe to pleafe, lb infinitely companionate a Redeemer, 
 
 Your Ladyfliip will have Multitudes to compliment 
 You on the prelcnt Seafon, and wifli You a merry 
 Chriftmas. Give me Leave to wifh You all that Joy, 
 which the Prophet felt, when he cried out with a de- 
 lighted Ardour i " To Us a Child is born ! To Us a 
 Son is e;iven !" All the Glories of Heaven, unite in his 
 wonderful Perfon. All the Happinefs of Eternity, is 
 the Fruit of his meritorious Incarnation, Obedience, 
 and Death. 
 
 I am in Doubt, now I have written thefe Lines, 
 whether I Ihall prefume to put them into your Lady- 
 Ihip's Hand. Nor am I certain, that the Meflage You 
 ■was pleafed to fend in good Mr. VVhitefield\ Letter, 
 either requires or juftifies fuch an Addrefs. But to 
 breathe out my befi; Wifhes, and turn them into fre- 
 quent Prayers for your Ladyfnip, this, I am afllired, 
 can never be unbecoming 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's much obliged, 
 
 mod humble Servant. 
 
 LETTER XXI. 
 
 Remarks on the Greatnejs and Glories of the Saviour, 
 
 Allies' s-Lane J Dec. 24, 175X» 
 My Lady, 
 
 PERMIT me, amidfl the Multitudes that will wifli 
 your Ladylliip a happy Chriji'mas, to add my molt 
 fincere Congratulations on the joyful Occafioh. — I con- 
 Vol. III. R gratulatc 
 
z^z LETTERSTO 
 
 gratulate You alfo on a Sentiment, which was exprefled 
 in your Ladylhip's laft Letter. May it be more deeply 
 engraven on your Heart Day by Day ! I well remember 
 the Subflance, though your Ladylhip's ftri<5l Command 
 has obliged me to deftroy the original Words. They 
 were to this EfFecfl ; / know and feel^ that I am not able 
 to do the leafi Things as of myjelf. — I blefs God, for 
 giving your Ladylhip this Convidtion. This Senfe of 
 human Weaknefs, difpofes us to wait for the Operation 
 of divine Power. This is one Part of that Poverty of 
 Spirit, to which is promifed the Kingdom of Heaven, 
 or all the Bleflings of the glorious Gofpel. Thefe are 
 the Perfons, that will look unto Chrift, as the wounded 
 Ifraelttes to the brazen Serpent : will fly to Chrifl, as 
 the Manflayer of old to the City of Refuge : will receive 
 Chrift, as the condemned Malefadtor receives a Pardon, 
 or the ruined Bankrupt an Eftate. They will be thank- 
 fully fatisfied that He has done all for them : earneftly 
 defirous, that Chrift fhould ^^.all in them: and fully 
 content, that Chrift ftiould be all to them : all that caa 
 any Way relate to the infinitely important Work of 
 Salvation. 
 
 Since then We have nothing, and can do nothing of 
 Ourfelves i have We not Reafon to rejoice in the 
 Bleffmg, which is now commemorated ? " For unto Us 
 a Child is born, unto Us a Son is given, and the Go- 
 vernment fhall be upon his Shoulder : and his Name 
 fnall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty 
 GOD, The everlasting Father, The Prince of 
 Peace.'* 
 
 A Saviour fo great, that the Government is upon his 
 Shoulder: the Sceptre of fupreme Authority is in his 
 Hand j He has uncontroulable Power in Heaven and 
 on Earth ; and is Head over all Things to his Church. 
 
 So glorious y that his Name is called Wonderful : He is 
 Cod and Man, in one matchlefs and marvellous Perfon ; 
 
 dwelling 
 
Lady Frances shirley. 243 
 
 dwelling in a Tabernacle of Clay, yet pofleflfed of all 
 the Fulnefs of the Godhead j like Jacob's Ladder, whofe 
 Foot was fixed on Earth, while the Summit was loft in 
 the Skies. 
 
 So gracious y that He is the Counjellor ; to inftrufl Us 
 by his holy Word j to enlighten Us by his blelTed Spirit; 
 and make Us wife unto everlafting Salvationi 
 
 The mighty God ; to fubdue our Iniquities; to put 
 his Laws into our Heirts ; and make Us Partakers of* 
 the divine Nature. 
 
 The Prince of Peace : reconciling us to his Father by 
 his Death -, making Peace by the Blood of his Crofs ; 
 and thereby laying a Foundation for that Peace, which 
 the World cannot give, and which pafles all Under- 
 
 ftanding. 
 
 The everlajting Father : to cheriHi Us under the Wings 
 of his Providence and Grace ; to make all Things work 
 together for our Good ; and prepare for Us an I.iheri* 
 tance — even the Inheritance incorruptible^ undefiled, 
 and that fadeth not away. 
 
 Unlpeakably precious BlelTings ! May your Ladyfhip, 
 by a true Faith, appropriate and be intereftcd in them 
 all ! May You be enabled to fay, with the undoubted 
 Heirs of the Promife, " To Us a Child is born ! To 
 Us a Son is given !"-*-All-fufficient, ever-bleiTed, im- 
 mcnfely kind Redeemer ! May your Ladylhip rejoice 
 in Him, " according to the Joy of Harveft j and as 
 Men rejoice, when they divide the Spoil." As the 
 Hulbandmah rejoicesj when he reaps his Harveft, and 
 gathers in the Fruit of his Toil : as the Soldier rejoices^ 
 when He has vanquilhed his Enemy> and is enriching 
 Himfelf with the Prey. 
 
 I lliould have written upon another Subjecfl. The 
 
 grand Solemnity of the Seafon diverted my Thoughts. 
 
 My Engagement, it" your Ladylhip pleafes, Ihall b^ 
 
 performed in another Letter. In the meaji Time, I* 
 
 R 2 very 
 
24+ LETTERSTO 
 
 very willingly own_, my Pen is in your Ladylliip's Debt; 
 but not half fo much as my thankful Heart, for all the 
 Favours which your Ladyfhip has conferred on. 
 
 My Lady, * 
 
 Your moft obedient, 
 
 moft dutiful Servant. 
 
 LETTER XXII. 
 
 On the Inteneffion of the Lord Jejus. 
 
 Miles S'Laney Jan. 7, 1 752. 
 My Lady, 
 
 I HAVE the Pleafure of prefenting to your Ladyfhip, 
 on the Commencement of the new Year, one of the 
 moft diftinguifhing and noble Privileges of Chriftianity, 
 The InterceJJion of Chrijl. Which, in whatever Light 
 We view it, is a moft comfortable Dodlrine : but, 
 when confidered in its full Extent, is an inexhauftible 
 Source of Confolation. To do this, will be the pleafing 
 Employ of your Ladyfliip's own Meditations. To 
 hint a few of its leading Properties, will be Bufmefs 
 enough for the prefent Letter. 
 
 Who is it that intercedes ? — Jefus Chrift the Righteous. 
 In whofe Mouth there was no Guile. Who did always 
 thofe Things, which were pleafing to his heavenly 
 Father. — If Men, diat are encompaffed with Infirmities, 
 pray and prevail ; how much more prevailing muft his 
 IntercefTion be, who is " holy, harmlefs, undefiled, and 
 feparate from Sinners," in his Nature, in his Hearty 
 and in all his Converfation. 
 
 To whom He prays. — To his own Father. Who 
 declared by a Voice from Heaven his entire and infinite 
 
 Com- 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 245 
 
 Complacency in fo glorious a Son. If the poor Widow 
 made Suit to an imjuft Judge, and was heard : how 
 affuredly may We conclude, that our blefied Advocate 
 is heard, when He intercedes in our Behalf, with his 
 own Father, v/ith our Father — with the Father of ever- 
 lafting Companions ? 
 
 What He pleads. — He pleads his own Merits. His 
 IntercefTion is founded on his Oblation. Therefore it is 
 faid, " His Blood fpeaketh better Things, than the 
 Blood of y^/^^/." Which Text, at once, points out the 
 Nature, and proves the Efficacy, of Chrifl's IntercefTion. 
 He does not intercede by proftrating Himfelf before 
 the Throne, or making any verbal Supplication. But 
 his very Appearance in Heaven, as a Lamb flain for 
 Sinners, is a filent, a powerful Plea. As the Blood of 
 Abel had a Voice, and cried aloud for Vengeance on the 
 Murtherer : So, the Blood of Jefus has a Voice in the 
 Ear of God, and cries more loudly for Pardon, for 
 Grace, for every fpiritual BlefTing, in Behalf of his 
 People. If the Blood of one Saint cried with fuch a 
 forcible Importunity : O ! what un-paralleled, what 
 unknown Succefs mufl attend the Cry of His Blood, 
 who is King of Saints, and the Caufe of all San6lity I 
 
 For what He prays. — In his laft folemn Addrefs to 
 his almighty Father, He gives Us a Specimen of his 
 Interceflion, and a Sample (if I may ufe the Expreffion) 
 of the BieiTings He implores. He prays — That We 
 may be " fandified by the Truth" — That We may 
 " be kept from Evil :" the Evil, that is in the World; 
 and the Evil, that is in our Hearts - That We " may 
 be one :" perfectly united to our divine Head, by a true 
 Faith ; and to One Another, by cordial Love — That 
 We " may be with Him, where He is ; and fee His 
 • Glory," and rejoice in his Joy. 
 
 H01V often He intercedes — Mofes interceded for the 
 IfraeliteSi while they were in the Valley, fighting with 
 
 R 3 Amalfko 
 
t^6 LETTERSTO 
 
 Amalek. But He could not continually carry on that 
 important Work. Whereas our High-Priest ever 
 liveth to make Interceflion for Us. There's no Inter- 
 miflion of his Suit. — ^When fome foreign Ambaffadors 
 came, pretty early in the Morning, to have an Audience 
 with Alexander; they were told, " His Majcfty was not 
 itirring." Upon which, they expreffed fome Surprife, 
 that a Potentate, who had fo many, and fuch momentous 
 Affairs to manage, fhould fleep fo long. The King, 
 hearing of their Obfervation, ordered them to be in- 
 formea j That, though " He (lept, Parmenio waked." 
 And though Wc fleep, though we forget, too often 
 forget Ourfelves, and our adored Redeemer : He, the 
 great Keeper of Ifraely neither (lumbers, nor fleeps ; 
 never, never forgets either Us, or our Interefts. Nay, 
 when We fm through the deplorable Infirmity of our 
 Nature, He ftill appears in the Prefence of God for Us. 
 For whom He intercedes. — This is an Inquiry of the 
 laft Importance. " I pray not for the World," is his 
 own Declaration. For Whom then ? How fhall We 
 know, whether you and I are in the happy Number ? 
 Happy doubtlefs, they are, whom the great Immanuel 
 remembers in his Kingdom. It would be a moft de- 
 firable Privilege, to be mentioned in the Prayers of all 
 the eminent Saints in the World. But unfpeakably 
 more dcfirable, to have our Names written on the Palms 
 of his Hands, whom the Father heareth always. Permit 
 rne to mention one Mark, whereby We may determine 
 this Doubt. Has the Lord Ihed abroad in our Hearts 
 a Spirit of Grace and Supplication for Ourfelves ? This 
 is a Fruit of Chrift's Interceflion ; and a fure Sign, that 
 He has undertaken our Caufe. We fliould never hear 
 the reflefted Echo, if there was not firfl: the dir.e6t 
 Sound. And We fliould never have thefe Breathings 
 ^fter God and Glory, if the blefl^ed Jefus had not a(5led 
 as our Advocate with the Father. 
 
 What 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 247 
 
 What Ufe may We make of this Do(5lnne ? — It 
 ihould encourage Us to pray : and to pray in Faith, 
 nothing doubting. " Having a great High-Pried, that 
 is pafTed into the Heavens, Jefus the Son of God, let 
 Us come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that We may 
 obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in Time of Need." 
 Men love to go there, where they are fure to be wel- 
 come, and expecft to receive fignal Benefits. Why then 
 fliould we not delight to draw nigh unto the King im- 
 mortal, invifible, through the IntercefTion of Chrifl : 
 who prefents our Prayers, poor as they are -, adds the 
 rich Perfume of his own Merits ; and fays, " Father, 
 if I have merited aught by my Obedience unto Death, 
 accept thefe Supplications. Reward Me, by blefling 
 my People." Who could doubt of a favourable Ac- 
 ceptance, if the Lord Jefus was to plead thus in behalf 
 of our Petitions ? But he pleads in a Manner, infinitely 
 more prevailing, than thefc, than any, than all Words 
 can exprefs. 
 
 This Ihould encourage Us to hope for Salvation ; to 
 hope, and be in nothing terrified. For thus it is written; 
 and the Writing is of more Worth, than all the Deeds 
 in the World ; " Wherefore He is able to fave them 
 to the uttermoft, who come unto God bv Him, feeino- 
 He ever liveth, to make Intercefiion for them." He 
 liveth to make Inter cejfion.^ on purpofe to perform this 
 beneficent Work. As though it were one main End of 
 his Life, to execute this bleffed Office. Surely then it 
 will be executed with the greateft Pldehty, and with 
 the greateft Succefs. — With fuch Succefs, that He is 
 able tojave to the uttermojl. What a confolatory Saying 
 is this ! One of the clioiceft Cordials of the Gofpel. 
 Let Us caft our Burthen upon the Lord Jefus, and no 
 Circumftances fhall render our Salvation impradli cable, 
 no, not fo much as difficult. " He can fave from all 
 R 4 Guilt, 
 
248 L E T T E R S T O 
 
 Guilt, be it ever fo heinous ; from all Sins, be they 
 ever fo numerous ; from all Enemies, be they ever fo 
 formidable j" and to the very End of our Warfare, be 
 it ever fo long, or ever fo fharp : which puts me in 
 Mind of one Advantage more, derivable from this in- 
 valuable Article of our Faith. 
 
 It fhould give Us a chearful Truft of perfevering 
 unto the End. Our Lord fays, " Simon, Simon, Satan 
 has defired to have You, that He may fift You as 
 Wheat." And what was Shnon Peter's Security ? His 
 own Vigilance ? His own Refolution ? No : but his 
 divine Mailer's Interceffion. " I have prayed for 
 Thee," adds the companionate Redeemer, " therefore 
 thy Faith fhali not fail." The Interceffion of Chrifl, 
 is as a Wall of Fire around his People. By this they 
 are kept, as by an impregnable Garrifon. We can 
 never lay too little Strefs on our own Performances, or 
 our own Abihties; and never confide too much in 
 Chriil's Righteoufaefs, and Chrift's Interceffion. Surely, 
 his Interceffion mull prevail above ail the Powers of 
 Hell, above all the Temptations of the World, and all 
 the Corruptions of our treacherous Flearts. — Bleffed, 
 for ever bleffed be that fovereign Grace, which has 
 brought your Ladyihip to know, to believe in, to love 
 this all glorious Intercellbr ! May your Knowledge 
 become clearer, your Faith flronger, and your Love 
 warmer, every Day and every Hour, till, being pro- 
 te6led by his Interceffion, and guided by his Spirit, 
 You are received into the Kingdom of his Glory. 
 
 Several Infiances of Condefcenfion and Generofity I 
 have received from your Ladyffiip. I mull now take 
 Leave to folicit another. Which is, that your Lady- 
 fhip will not only excufe the Length of my Letter, but 
 admit it as the Meafure of my Refpeft, Efteem, and 
 Gratitude. Then I fhall look back on my Prolixity, 
 
 ■ not 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 24^ 
 
 not with Pain, but with Pleafure ; if it may fhew, how 
 very much I am. My Lady, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obliged, 
 
 and dutiful Servant. 
 
 LETTER XXIII. 
 
 On concealing her Letters — On the Excellency of the 
 Knowledge of Chriji, 
 
 Miles' s Laney fan. 18, 1752. 
 
 PARDON me, my honoured-Lady, for luffering a 
 Letter from your Ladyfhip, to be in my Po/TefTion 
 a whole Week, without a grateful Acknowledgment of 
 the Favour. I have been partly out of Order ; partly 
 engaged in Bufmefs i partly detained by Company. 
 
 I humbly thank your Ladyfhip, for offering to employ 
 your Intereft, in behalf of my Friends or myfelf. I 
 hope, I fliall always retain a due Senfc of the Kindnefs, 
 even though I fliould have no Occafion to put your 
 Ladyfhip to the Trouble. I blefs the God of Heaven, 
 I want for Nothing. Nothing, unlefs it be a Heart 
 more deeply and devoutly affected with his moft unde- 
 ferved Goodnefs. My Brother alfo, at whofe Houfe I 
 live, is in a Courfe of Bufmefs, flourifhing and profpe- 
 rous, as can be wiflied. 
 
 I beg Leave to aflure your Ladyfliip, I am fo far 
 from divulging the Contents of your Letters, that I do 
 not fo much as mention the Receipt of them. And 
 for two Reafons ; left fuch a Pradice fhould foment a 
 Spirit of Pride in me, and be prejudicial to your Ladv- 
 fhip's Charader, as degrading Yourfelf, in vouchfaFing 
 to converfe with fo mean a Perfon 3 and one that pafles, 
 
 perhaps. 
 
250 LETTERSTO 
 
 perliaps, for a Favourer of that queer Generation, called 
 Methodifts. One that is with them in his Heart, 
 though hampered and withheld from afting, by a lan- 
 guifhing Conftitution. I would have very, very little 
 Concern for my own Credit, but be tenderly folicitous 
 for your Ladyihip's. Though after all, the Honour 
 that comes from this World, is fcarce worth our Purfuit 
 or our Wifh. The Approbation of the King of 
 Heaven, is our only, only Glory. May your Ladyfhip 
 be owned by Him, at that all- important Day, when He 
 fhall " come to be glorified in his Saints, and admired 
 in all them that believe !" 
 
 How glad am I to hear your Ladyiliip faying, I now 
 defire to fpeak of nothing but Religion, and its preci- 
 ous Truths ! May your Ladyfhip be more and more 
 determined, " to know Nothing but Jefus Chrift, and 
 "Him crucified." It is One of the wifeil Refolutions, 
 and was made by One of the greatefl, happieft, and 
 bed of Men. — I rejoice alfo to find, that ^' You have 
 tafted, That the Lord is gracious." " Cleave to Him," 
 my Lady, " with full Purpofe of Heart;" and " You 
 fhall fee greater Things than thefe." For the Love of 
 Chrift, even to the weakefl Believer, is inexpreffible, 
 unmeafurable, inconceivable. You will fee a Sketch of 
 it. Matt. xii. 20. — ^a clearer Proof of it, IJai. xl. 11.— p 
 a ftill richer Difplay of it, JJai. xlix. 15. 
 
 I fhould have tranfcribed thefe feveral Paflages : but 
 I apprehend, it will be more pleafing to yo.ur Ladyfliip, 
 and render the Scriptures more impreflive, to colled 
 them with your own Hand. As it is more agreeable 
 to gather a Ne6larine from the Tree, or a Pink from 
 the Parterre, than to have the one ferved up on the 
 Salver, or the other prefented in a Nofegay. I hope, 
 the bleffed Spirit of God will make the charming and 
 reviving Texts, unfpeakably more relifhing to your 
 Ladyfhip, than the molt delicious Fruits ; and incom- 
 parably 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 251 
 
 parably more delightful, than the mofl fragrant Flowers, 
 — I intended to have enlarged upon that fweeteft and 
 nobleft of all Subjefts, the Love of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift ; but I perceive, it will lead me into too great a 
 Length. For this Realbn, I defift at prefent. But I 
 hope, your Ladyiliip will not forbid me the Honour 
 and Pleafure of writing to You again, within a little 
 Time. When I piirpofe to ennoble, by this moft 
 excellent and glorious Topic, the otherwife unworthy 
 
 Letter of. 
 
 My Lady, your Ladyfliip's 
 
 very much obliged, 
 
 and dutiful Servant. 
 
 LETTER XXIV. 
 
 On Mr. Whitfield's Voyage to America. — On the Love of 
 Chrifi. — It's Original. — Cgmmencement. — Duration. — 
 Effect and Fruits. 
 
 Miles' s-LanCy Feb. 4, 1752. 
 My Lady, 
 
 ON Saturday in the Afternoon, I promifed myfelf 
 a fingular Pleafure, the Pleafure of writing to 
 your Ladyfhip. But was hindered from enjoying it, by 
 Company which could not be left, and by Bufinels 
 which could not be poftponed. — I prefume, your Lady- 
 Ihip has heard, that News is arrived from Mr. White- 
 field. That He had a fafe and fpeedy Voyage. Was 
 in Health, and found all Things in good Condition at 
 the Orphan-Houfe. — I had no Letter. I think, he 
 wrote but two. And this, as far as I can learn, is the 
 jiioft material of what they contained. — His Account 
 
 puts 
 
352 L E T T E R S T O 
 
 puts me In mind of that ineftimable Promife, made to 
 the Patriarch, at a very critical and dangerous Period 
 of his Li^e -, *' Fear not, Abram : I am thy Shield, and 
 thy exceeding great Reward." Part of which is moll 
 beautifully paraphrafed by the firft Genius of our Na- 
 tion, and applied to all Believers. 
 
 How are thy Servants blefl:, O Lord ! 
 
 How fure is their Defence ! 
 Eternal Wifdom is iheir Guide, 
 
 Their Guard Omnipotence. 
 
 I think, my Lady, You have a Note under my 
 Hand, for a few Thoughts on The Love of Chrifi. 
 How glad am I to pay, as far as my Ability v/ill reach, 
 all my Obligations to your Ladyfhip ! Efpecially when 
 they are of a Nature fo peculiarly pleafing. Shall we 
 then confider 
 
 The Original of his Love ? It is free ; perfeftly free ; 
 ■without any Defert, or the leail Amiablenefs in Us. 
 We love our kind Friends, and generous Benefactors j 
 thofe that are accompliihed in Themfelves, or fervice- 
 able to our Interefts. But Chrifh loved Us, when We 
 were Sinners ; when We were forgetful of HiiTi ; nay. 
 Enemies to Him, by evil Tempers, and wicked Works. 
 He loved Us (O fovereign, moft unmerited Kindnefs !) 
 when We deferved nothingy but utter Abhorrence, and 
 eternal Vengeance. 
 
 The Commencement of his Love. His Love is not 
 of Yefterday. His Love, like his Outgoings, is from 
 cveriafting. " I have loved Thee," fays He to his 
 Church, " with an everlafting Love." We value the 
 Affeftion, that is of long Handing; has taken deep 
 Root ; and ftill continues unlliaken. " How excellent, 
 then, is thy Loving-Kindnefs," O blefled Jefus! which, 
 <* before the Mountains were brought forth, or ever the 
 
 ' ' Earth 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. i^^ 
 
 Earth and the World were made," was fixed upon finful 
 Dull ! O ! that We, my Lady, fhould be in the 
 Thoughts, be upon the very Heart, of God's adorable 
 Son, even from the Ages of Eternity ! 
 
 The Duration of his Love. It is invariable and 
 eternal. " Having loved his own. He loveth them 
 even unto the End." It neither began with Time, 
 neither will it end with Time. As no Worthinefs ia 
 Us caufed it; fo neither will our Failings extinguilli itj 
 no, nor our Infirmities damp it. We change fre- 
 quently ; our holy Frames fail ; but our adored Re- 
 deemer is the " fame Yefterday, to Day, and for ever.''- 
 Fear not then, my honoured Lady ; " neither Life nor 
 Death, nor Things prefent, nor Things to come, nor 
 any other Creature, fhall be able to fcparate Us from 
 the" ever tender, the ever conftant, the ever triumphant 
 Love of God our Saviour. 
 
 The Effects of his Love. It brought Him from the 
 Heaven of Heavens, to dwell in Clay, and be lodged 
 in a Manger. It brought Him from thofe happy Man- 
 fions, where is the Fulnefs of Joy, and where are Plea-' 
 fares for evermore ; to be deflitute, afflicied, tormented in 
 this Vale of Tears. O my Lady, it made Him, who 
 is Heir of all Things, not to have v/here to ky his 
 Head ; till he was ftretched on "Lhe racking Crofs, and 
 laid in the Gloom of the Grave. Unparalleled and 
 ftupendous ! fVho can declare the noble A5fs of the Re- 
 deemer's Love, or JIjcw forth all his Praife ^ 
 
 The Fruits of this Love. To this is owing all the 
 Good We pofiefs, or expect ; every fpiritual and hea- 
 venly Blefling. If our Eyes are enlightened, in an^ 
 Degree, to fee the Things that belong to our Peace : 
 if our Dcfires are awakened, to feek the " Inheritance 
 incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away :" for 
 this We are indebted to the Love and Grace of Chrill. 
 
 If 
 
254 L E T T E R S T O 
 
 If We are fanftified in Part, and defirous to grow iii 
 true Godlinefs : if We are perfed:ly juftified before 
 God, and adopted to be his Sons and Daughters : thefe 
 alfo are Streams, v/hich iffue from that inexhauflible 
 Fountain, the Love of Christ. As it was ftronger 
 than Death, in its Actings and Sufferings ; it is richer 
 than all Worlds in its precious, precious Fruits. All 
 the inconceivable and everlafting Joys of the glorified 
 State, are its Purchafe and its Gift. 
 
 Juflly, therefore, does the Scripture make tJfe of all 
 the endearing Relations, that fubfift among Mankind, 
 to reprefent the Love of Chrifl. Great is the Love of 
 a Friend ; greater the Love of a Brother ; greater ftill 
 the Love of a Parent ; greatefl of all the Love of a 
 Bridegroom : but infinitely greater than any, than all, 
 is the Love of the ever blelTed Immanuel to his People. 
 When all has been faid, all has been imagined ; ic 
 tranfcends every Comparifon ; it exceeds all Thought ; 
 or, as St. Paul fpeaks, " it pafies Knowledge." — May 
 your Ladyfhip have more and more exalted Apprehen- 
 fions of it i and live under a delightful Senfe of its 
 Richnefs and Perpetuity ! — May it be your fweet In- 
 citement to every Duty, and your fovereign Cordial 
 under all Tribulation ! — And when Eternity, the vafl 
 Eternity opens, it fhail be, in a Senfe that no Heart 
 can conceive, your Crov/n of Rejoicing; your exceed- 
 ing great Reward. — And, I hope. You will fometimes 
 pray, that it may be the prefent Comfort, and eternal 
 Joy of. My Lady, 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's much obliged, 
 
 and moil dutiful humble Servant. 
 
 P. S. May I afk, whether your Ladyfhip has feen a 
 little Colleftion of Poems, entitled Vifions ?' They are 
 extremely elegant : compofed in a liigh and finifhed 
 
 Taftei 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 25 j 
 
 Tafte ; perfeftly moral and virtuous; and want Nothing 
 but a little of the Savour of that Name^ which is as 
 Ointment poured forth. The Author reckons me in 
 the Number of his Friends ; and I fbould be glad to do 
 Him any Service. [He has a very large Family, and 
 no very affluent Circumftances. He is going to fell 
 the Copy ; and a quick Demand for the prefent Edi- 
 tion, would confiderably encreafe the Price.] Could 
 your Ladyfliip fpeak a recommending Word for them 
 to the polite World ? I dare venture to affure your 
 Ladyfhip, it will be no Derogation to the Delicacy of 
 your Judgment. 
 
 LETTER XXV. 
 
 On a providential Efcape from a Fire. 
 
 Miles' s Lane, Feb. 19, 1 752, 
 My Lady, 
 
 YESTERDAY I received the Honour of your 
 Ladyfhip's Letter ; and, grateful for that, pleafe 
 myfelf with the Profpe6l of another, wliich your Lady- 
 jlhip has given me Reafon to expe(!^, before the Expi- 
 ration of the Week. 
 
 As your Ladyfhip v/as jufl going into the Countr)-, 
 when You put Pen to Paper, I cannot but follow You 
 thither, or wait upon You there, with my very bell 
 Wifhes, That the God of all Goodnefs may " blefs 
 your Going out, and Coming in, from this Time forth 
 for evermore." That wherever You refide, He may 
 be ever near You, by his enlightening, comforting, 
 fandtifying Prefence. 
 
 On Sunday laft, in the Afternoon, we were greatly 
 alarmed. A Fire broke out in a Sugar-Baker's Work- 
 
 Houfe, 
 
 9 
 
256 ' LETTERS TO 
 
 Houfe, to which a Part of my Brother's Dwelling- 
 Houfe joins. We were all Confufion and Conflerna- 
 tion i aimoft fmothered with Smoke -, and crouded by 
 the Mob. Three Engines playing from various Parts 
 of our Houfe, and feveral others pouring in Water 
 from otlier Quarters, by the Blcffing of God, kept 
 under the raging Element, and in a few Hours extin- 
 guilhed it. — It put me in Mind of that tremendous 
 Day, when " the Heavens fliall pafs away with a great 
 Noife, when the Elements will melt with fervent Heat, 
 and the Earth with all the Works that are therein Ihall 
 be burnt up." Then, when the Poffeffions of the 
 Mighty fliall be no where found ; may your Ladyfhip 
 have a Houfe not made with Hands, eternal in the Hea- 
 vens ! When the Wealth of the Covetous fliall come 
 utterly to an End ; may your Ladyfliip enjoy an " In- 
 heritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not 
 away.'^ 
 
 To the Satisfa6lion I receive in forming thefe Wiflies, 
 give me Leave, my Lady, to add the further Pleafurc 
 of fubfcribing myfelf. 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's mofl: dutiful 
 
 humble Servant. 
 
 LETTER XXVL 
 
 Reflexions and Imp'ovements on Sicknefs. 
 
 Miles' s-Lancy Feb. 25, 1 75 2. 
 My Lady, 
 
 I AM fincerely forry, to hear of your Ladyfliip's In- 
 difpofition. This, I hope, may venture to congra- 
 tulate You, on a thorough Recovery,— Thefe Diforders 
 -J of 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 257 
 
 of the earthly Tabernacle, are Pre-monitions of its 
 final DilTolution. They have every one a Voice, and 
 this is their Meaning j thus they addrefs our Affeftions : 
 " Arile, and depart, for Here is not your Reft. Thefe 
 Tenements of Clay will foon fail. But there is a City, 
 whofe Foundations will never be removed. There are 
 Manfions, from which the happy Inhabitants will never 
 be difpoflcfled. Thefe the bleffed Jefus has purchafed 
 for You, by his precious Blood. Thefe He has pre- 
 pared for You, by his almighty Power. Befeech — O ! 
 befeech Him, to make You meet for them, by his 
 fanctifying Spirit." 
 
 What Hiall I fay, my Lady, concerning die Honour 
 You intended me ? It is greater than I could have ex- 
 pefted. — And, what, concerning the Honour to which 
 you invite me ? It is with unfeigned Regret, that I 
 cannot accept it. — I have been a Fellow-Sufferer with 
 your Ladyfliip. Have had a violent Cold, attended 
 with feverifh Symptoms. Which ftill hang about me ; 
 and I am fometimes apprehenfive, will deliver me over 
 to the PJiyfician. This Diforder, it is thought, was 
 catched, on the Day of our late Confternation and 
 Danger. When I was driven from my Home ; and in 
 order to avoid the Fire, was obliged to wade through 
 Water. 
 
 IVater and Fire^ put me in Mind of thofe terrible 
 Defolations, which were once made by the Inftrument- 
 ality of thele Elements. When God made them the 
 Sword of Vengeance, to deftroy a degenerate World, 
 and four polluted Cities. I mendon diis, becaufe it 
 leads our Thoughts to that beneficent and glorious 
 Perfon, who delivers from the Wrath to come. Who, 
 in both thefe Cafes, was particularly typified ; in the 
 one, by the Ark ; in the other, by Zoar or the Mountain, 
 O ! my Lady, let Us fly to Him cleave to Him — 
 make our Boaft of Him— and rejoice in Him— You 
 
 Vol. III. S know 
 
ZSB L E T T E R S T O 
 
 know his Name. May your Ladyfhip know more and 
 more of the Riches of" his Goodnefs and the Power of 
 his Grace ! Till You fee Him, and dwell for ever with 
 Him., in that happy World, where the " Inhabitants 
 fhall no more fay, I am fick." There, I hope, through 
 the Blood of the everlafting Covenant, to meet your 
 Ladylhip : and no longer tire You with the difagreeable 
 Mention of my Indifpofitions, but join with You in 
 loving, adoring, and magnifying that dear, divinely 
 excellent Jefus, " who loved Us, and wafhed Us from 
 our Sins in his own Blood." To his infinitely tender 
 Care I commit your Ladyfhip, and beg Leave to fub- 
 fcribe myfelf, with the greatefl: Refpedt, and fmcereil 
 Gratitude, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's obliged, 
 
 and dutiful Servant. 
 
 LETTER XXVIL 
 
 Remarks on the Execution of a Soldier ^ applied to the 
 divine Mercy. 
 
 Miles' s-LanCy March li^, i/S^- 
 
 WILL your Ladyfhip give me Leave, to tranfmit 
 in Writing, what I heard in Converfation ? An 
 Event that lately happened ] and told by a Perfon, who 
 was Eye-Witnefs to the Whole. 
 
 A Soldier was condemned to be executed for De- 
 fertion. A young Man, in the Prime of Life, with the 
 Bloom of Health on his Countenance. — Being come to 
 the Place of Execution, He prepared Himfelf for Death, 
 without any apparent Emotion of Fear : opened his 
 Breall, without any Change of Countenance i and drew 
 
 the 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 259 
 
 the Cap over his Eyes, without the leaft Trepidation in 
 his Limbs. — Six of his Comrades were draughted out, 
 and ordered to advance foftly forwards. Beinff come 
 within four Yards of the Criminal, they received the 
 Signal to Hre -, and fliot each his Ball quite through the 
 Body. — After this, the Corpfe, with the Face uncovered, 
 and the Wounds bleeding, was extended on the Ground; 
 and the whole Regiment, to make the Terror more 
 imprelTive, marched over its Legs. The Sight was fo 
 awful, tliat one of the Soldiers fainted away, as He 
 palled by the dlfmal Spe6lacle ; and the Account fo 
 affeding, that I obferved the Tears ftealing down the 
 Cheeks of a Lady, where it was related. 
 
 Will not this help Us, my Lady, to form fome faint 
 Apprehenfion of God Almighty's tender and amazing 
 Love in Chrift Jefus ? — When We had deferted his 
 Service, and rebelled againft his Majefty, not once, 
 nor twice only, but Times out of Number ; did He 
 pafs Sentence of Death upon Us ? No: He exercifed 
 all Long-fuffering towards Us. — Inftead of condemning 
 Us, Lie deputed his own Son, to be condemned and 
 to lufrcr in our Room. He rcfigned the dearly beloved 
 of his Soul, the immaculate and bleffed Jefus, to re- 
 ceive all the Arrows of Vengeance into his Heart -, to 
 becomie a pale, bloody, mangled Corpfe ; a Spectacle 
 of Mifcry to Angels and Men : on purpofe, that We 
 might go free ; that We might be delivered from Punifh- 
 ment j and be made Heirs of eternal Happinefs. 
 
 O adorable Pvindncfs ! To fpare fuch Rebels ; freely 
 to pardon, and fully to forgive them ! — Still more 
 adorable and ftupendous ! to raife them from the Block, 
 to the higheft Preferments in Heaven ! to exalt thern 
 from the Stake to a glorious Crown, and an everlafting 
 Kingdom ! — But, to furrender his illuftrious and divine 
 Son, to die in their Place ; this is Loving-Kindnefs, 
 imiittcrabJe and inconceivable. Language cannot ex- 
 
 S 2 prcfs 
 
26® LETTERS TO 
 
 prefs it. Thought is unable to reach it. May your 
 Ladylhip neVer forget it : continually admire it : and 
 be habitually influenced by it ! — He who with-held not 
 his Son, but gave Him up for Us and our Salvation, 
 will He not with Him alfo freely give Us all Things ? 
 That He may give your Ladyfhip all the Bleflings of 
 the Gofpel of Peace, is the Heart's Defire, and the 
 carneft Prayer of. 
 
 My Lady, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's mod obliged, 
 
 and dutiful Servant. 
 
 P. S. You have heard, I prefume, from our ex- 
 cellent Friend in America. I think. He could not forget 
 your Ladyfhip, as He remembered me. My Letter 
 was very Ihort, as He was in great Doubt, whether it 
 would find me in the Land of the Living. Nothing' at 
 all material, only an Account of his own Welfare, 
 otherwife I would have taken the Pleafure of communi- 
 cating it to your Ladyfhip. 
 
 LETTER XXVIIL 
 
 On bis even State of Mind. — On the Mercy of the Saviour, 
 
 Miles' s- Lane, March 31, 1 752. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 YESTERDAY, in the Evening, I received your 
 Ladyfhip's Letter ; and the firft Thing I do this 
 Morning, is to return my Thanks, for the Honour it 
 did me, and the Pleafure it gave me. 
 
 You may depend upon it, I always appear, in my 
 Letters to your Ladylhip, with one of my belt Frames 
 
 7. 0^ 
 
TADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 261 
 
 of Mind : juft as I fhould appear in Pe; r>n, was I able 
 to wait upon your Ladylliip with my fpruceft Suit of 
 Cloaths. But it is not always Sunfliine and Serenity in 
 my Breaft. Neither is it always Purity and Harmony in 
 my Temper. I have fo much Vanity, and fo many 
 Follies ; fuch ftupid Inattention, and odious Ingrati- 
 tude ; fuch ftubborn Irrefignation, and unconquerable 
 Pride ; fi.ich frequent Sallies of foolifh Defire, and 
 Workings of evil AfFe6tion ; above all, fuch un-reafon- 
 able Unbelief in the Merits of my Saviour, and the 
 Promifes of my God -, that I fhould not bear to have 
 any One acquainted with the Tranfa6lions of my Heart. 
 Aiiy, but that tender, indulgent, gracious God, who 
 confiders " whereof We are made ; who remembers 
 that We are butDuft;" and whofe Mercy is as his 
 Majefty, exceedingly great and infinite. At his adorable 
 Feet I would lye very very low ; and make, from the 
 Bottom of my depraved Soul, the poor Leper's Con- 
 feluon. Unclean ! Unclean I God almighty is pleafed, of 
 his fmgular Goodneis, to prefcrve me from any very 
 fcandalous Out-breakings of Corruption; but I am 
 often exercifed with inward Trials ; have often Reafon 
 to complain, " when I would do Good, Evil is prefent 
 with me." 
 
 This, my Lady, I believe, the wife and gracious 
 God permits — That H^e may Hiew Us, what is in our 
 Heart: that it is deceitful and defperately withed ; and 
 may bring Us off from all Self-Admiration, to abhor 
 Ourfelves in Bufi and AJhes. — That He may teach Us 
 to prize our glorious Advocate and Surety more highly; 
 to renounce our wretchedly imperfect Selves more 
 thoroughly j and place our whole Affiance on his Son's 
 precious Blood, and immaculate Righteoufnefs. — That 
 He may quicken our Defires after brighter and more 
 transforming Manifeflations of Chrift ; after richer and 
 jnore efficacious Communications of hii Spirit. — That 
 
 S J He 
 
2^2 LETTERSTO 
 
 He may wean our Affecflions more and more from ihh 
 difordered State, and render Us lefs unwilling to be 
 diflblved. To be diflblved, and enter into that happy 
 World, where all Ignorance will be difpelled -, all Cor- 
 ruption deflroyedj and We fhall love the Lord Jefus 
 Chrift, not only in Sincerity, but with everlafting 
 Ardour. 
 
 At fuch Seafons, 1 think it bed my Lady, to beware 
 of too much Difquietude and Anxiety. I remember 
 fome Expreffions, that dropped from a dear Friend, 
 when I had the Honour of being in your Ladyfliip's 
 Company at the Countcfs Delitz's, which tended to 
 cherifh this drooping, difconfolate Dilpofidon. As 
 though We ought to be fcourged with the Lafhes of 
 Confcience, and hang down our Heads as a Bulrufli. — 
 But why fhould We covet to be fcourged ? when our 
 divine Mafter was wounded for thefe Sins, and bruifed 
 for thefe Iniquities ? Will our Uneafinefs, and felf-tor- 
 rnenting Cares add any Thing to the Value of Chrift's 
 Atonement ? — Or, fhall We indulge the inward Diftrefs, 
 in order to humble our Minds ? It will fadden them -, 
 enervate them ; difcourage their Addreffes to the Source 
 of Good ; and have juft fuch an Effc6l upon them, as 
 the Failure of animal Spirits has upon the Body. And 
 whether this Failure of animal Spirits, fits the Body for 
 any one Inflance of Service, or any one Species of En- 
 joyment, let thofe, who have experienced the Change, 
 judge. — No, my Lady ; the trueft Humility, the moft 
 genuine Abafement, is grounded on a Senfe of our 
 ever-bleffed Redeemer's Love, He that is high above 
 all Height, " humbled Himfclf to Death, even the 
 Death of the Crofs," that He might make Expiation 
 for thefe OfP-nces. When We are properly imprefled 
 with this aftonifhing and delightful Truth, it v/ill fink 
 Us in Humiliation, even while it exalts Us in Hope. 
 If We obferve the Scales of a Balance ; the higher 
 
 the 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 263 
 
 die One afcends, the lower proportionably the other 
 drops. So, the more We advance in this Faith, the 
 more We Ihall encreafc in Poverty of Spirit. 
 
 Therefore, when fuch Temptations occur, when fuch 
 Defilements arife, don't be defirous, honour'd Madam, 
 of dwelling upon the afflicfting Conviftion of fhameful 
 Guilt, and abominable Vilenefs ; but turn the Eye of 
 your Mind to the bleeding, agonizing, dying Jefus. 
 Get rid of the Fear and the Diftrefs, by a firm afTured 
 Belief, That the King of Heaven has fmarted for thefe 
 Follies : that the Lord of Life has fullered Death for 
 thefe Sins : and the Prince of Peace poured out his 
 Blood for thefe TranfgrelTions. That, though they are 
 dilpleafing to the divine Majefly j it will be much more 
 d-ifpleafmg, if We difbelieve the Truth of his Word, 
 or diftruft the Efficacy of his beloved Son's Propitiation. 
 —Thus, my Lady, fight the good Fight of Faith, and 
 " overcome through the Blood of the Lamb." By 
 fuch a repeated Application of his all-fufficient infinite 
 Merits, I hope, You will find your Soul cheared, re- 
 freflied, and filled with Abundance of Peace. Then, 
 I am perfuaded. You will find Yourfelf, like a Perfon 
 that has fliook off the Manacles from his Hands, or 
 thrown a heavy Load from his Shoulders, far more free, 
 enlarged, and aftive in the Ways of the Lord. 
 
 My Comfort on fuch Occafions, is principally de- 
 rived from turning fuch Scriptures as the following into 
 fecret Prayer j HoJ. xiv. 4. Zech. xiii. i. Heb. ix. 13, 
 14. I John ii. I, 2. 
 
 And do not let Us fufpedl, that the Lord Jefus abhors 
 Us for fuch Infirmities, though undoubtedly fmful. 
 No J He is a faithful and compafTionate High-Prieft. 
 He was tempted in all Things like as We are, yet 
 without Sin. He will therefore gracioufly receive Us ; 
 ;-€veal Himfelf to Us -, and fiy to Us by his bleflfed 
 S 4 Spirit, 
 
^$4, L E T T E R S 1^ O 
 
 Spirit, " Son, Daughter, be of good Chcar : I have 
 
 died for all thy Mifdoings." — Should Lord , in 
 
 his Journey to Bath^ have the Misfortune to fall froni 
 his Horfe, or be over-turned in his Coach, and make 
 his Appearance before the Countefs, befmeared with 
 Blood, disfigured with Dirt, and torn with Wounds j 
 would her Ladyfhip loath Him on this Account ? Quite 
 the reverfe. Her Bowels would yearn ; fhe would feel 
 Compaffion added to her Affection ; and gently wipe 
 away the Blood, and tenderly take Care of the Wounds. 
 Such, or rather unfpeakably more condefcending and 
 gracious will our Lord's Reception of Us be, when We 
 come weary, heavy laden, and defiled with Guilt, to 
 find Reft in his Merits. He vouchfafes to call Himfelf 
 our everlajiing Father ; and will never, never be out- 
 done by any earthly Parent in the Exercife of Com- 
 paflion and Goodnefs. 
 
 Poor ■ has fome odd Tempers : which make 
 
 her many Enemies. So many, that, I believe. She is 
 almoft as univerfally diQiked, as her amiable Hufband 
 is loved. But I am apt to think. People aggravate her 
 WeaknefTes. Ah ! my Lady, 'tis an unkind World. 
 It delights to propagate defamatory Reports ; and the 
 Bail of Cenfure, always gathers as it rolls. Where is 
 that lovelieft of Virtues, Charity ? We fee Her charmingly 
 pourtrayed by the fineft Pencil under Heaven ; i Cor. xiii. 
 But when, how rarely at leail, do we fee Her tread the 
 Stage of Life, or enter the Circle of Converfation ? 
 Oh ! that, commiffioned by her great Mafter and Pat- 
 tern, She may dwell in your Ladylhip's Heart, and not 
 be an utter Stranger to mine ! 
 
 I fmcerely wilh, that the Countefs D., and all the 
 Perfonages of Diftinftion, who have tafted that the 
 Lord is gracious, may grow in Grace ; may be filled, 
 with the Spirits and be valiant in the Caufe, zealous 
 for die Intereftsj of Jefus of Nazareth. All the Hofts 
 
 of 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 265 
 
 of Heaven adore Him ; and ihall We, Creatures of 
 the Ground, be afhamed to own Him ? Angels, Men, 
 and Devils, Ihall bow the Knee to Hiiu, at the laft 
 Day ; and fhall We, in this our Day, blulh to acknow- 
 ledge our Relation to Flim r 
 
 We have, doubtlefs, many Enemies, and probably 
 fhall not ceafe to be affaulrcd with Temptations, fo long 
 as We continue in this Wildcrnefs. But let Us not 
 fear, my Lady. We have a Captain and a Guide, who 
 is as gracious as we could wifK ; far more gracious than 
 We can think. Hear his own Words ; and may his 
 own Spirit write them upon your Ladyfhip's Heart : 
 " For I, faith the Lord, will be unto Her a Wall of 
 Fire round about, and will be the Glory in the MiJft 
 of Her." Zech. ii. 5. Onjy let Us look unto Him ; 
 walk clofely with him j and, like good Hezekiah, (of 
 whom I have juft been reading) cleave unto Him. 
 
 I afTure You, my Lady, I fliould lofe a figiial Satis- 
 faftion, as well as ojffend highly againfb Gratitude, if I 
 fhould ceafe to pray for your Increafe in Faith, in Holi- 
 nefs, and in Joy. And I have the Comfort to think, the 
 dearly beloved Son of God, Jefus Chrifl: the Righteous, 
 ever liveth to make IntercelTion for yourLadylhip, and 
 alfo (as his Grace and Truth oblige me to beheve) for 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's mod obliged 
 
 and dutiful Servant. 
 
 P. S. I have tired my own Hand, and, I fear, have 
 tired your Ladylliip's Patience. I fhould not at all 
 regret the onej if your Ladylliip will excufe the other. 
 
 LET. 
 
265 LETTERSTO 
 
 LETTER XXIX. 
 
 Oh the Death of his Father, and his taking the Living 
 of Weft on. 
 
 Totteiiha??!, Alay 19, 1 752. 
 
 I BEG Leave to pay my mofl grateful Refpeds to 
 vour Ladyfliip once more ; being upon the Point to 
 remove into North amp onjh ire. It has pleafed God to 
 take my honoured Father to Himfelf. So that I am 
 obliged to depart from my prefent Situation ; and, if I 
 can bear tne Journey, and undergo the Fatigue, to take 
 the Liv ing of JVefion. O ! that I had Strength of Con- 
 llitution, to watch over a Flock, and feed them with 
 the Milk of the Word ! But the Will of the Lord is 
 bell. He employs whom He will employ, and whom 
 He will He lays afide. Wife and righteous are all His 
 Ways. 
 
 'Tis very probable, I lliall never have the Pleafure 
 of feeing your Ladyfliip again, on this Side the ever- 
 lafting Habitations. My enfeebled State renders me 
 like an aged Tree, which muil continue, where it is 
 fixed : to tranfplant it, or to remove it, is to kill it. — 
 O my Lady, my honour'd Lady, let Us, with thofe 
 Believers of old, " cleave to the Lord with full Purpofe 
 of Heart." Cleave to that ever-blefled and all-gracious 
 Lord, who bore all our Sins in his own Body on the 
 Tree : who fulfilled all Righteoufnefs for cur Juftifi- 
 cation j and ever liveth to make Interccflion for Us.— 
 Let Us " remember Him in the Night-Seafon,and think 
 upon Him when We are waking." Let Us converfe 
 with Him by filent Supplication, and believing Com- 
 munion. Let Us look to Him as our amiable Pattern, 
 and depend upon Him as our all-fufficient Propitiation. 
 Let Us live upon Him, and rejoice in Him. That 
 
 when 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 267 
 
 "when the Hour ofoiirDifTolutlon approaches, We may 
 not change our Company, not change our Employ, but 
 only change the Place of our Abode, — Then, my Lady, 
 I 111 all hope to welcome You (for in this one Inftance 
 You muft give me Leave to go before You) into the 
 " Houfe not made with Hands, eternal in the Heavens." 
 —Till then, my beft Prayers will ever attend your 
 Ladyfhip : I fhall will for your Ladyfhip's Happinefs 
 as ardently as for my own : and fliall always be ambitious 
 of profeffing myfelf 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft dutiful, 
 
 moft grateful humble Servant. 
 
 LETTER XXX. 
 
 On his Journey thither. — Willingnejs to 'print in Defence 
 of Scripture. 
 
 JVeJion, May 23, 1 752. 
 
 My Lady, 
 
 I AM juil arrived at PFeJicn, after a pleafant Journey, 
 in an eafy Coach, and cool Weather. But much 
 fatigued, though We allowed two Days for about feventy 
 Miles. May the gracious God, who has brought Us 
 fafe, both make and keep Us thankful ! 
 
 See ! my Lady, How almofl: every Thing reminds 
 Us, that Here We have no continuing City ; but are 
 Pilgrims and Sojourners below. In Heaven is our true 
 Home. There everlafting Reft is to be enjoyed. There 
 Sicknefs and Sin are baniflicd. And there the once 
 crucified, but now exalted Jefus, dwells and reigns for 
 ever. — There may yourLadyfliip's AfFedions be fixed ! 
 
 And 
 
26S LETTERSTO 
 
 And in this Practice may I be fo wife as to imitate You : 
 in that. Place may I be fo happy as to meet You. 
 
 I received your Ladyfhip's Favour, when I was packing 
 up and preparing for my Journey. Which wearied my 
 weak Conflitution to fuch a Degree, that I was not 
 able to pay my grateful Acknowledgements, before I 
 left Tottenham. Now I take Leave to thank you for 
 your condefcending Letter, and for giving me Leave 
 to write to your Ladyfhip from the Country. 
 
 I beg you Madam nor to mention any Thing like an 
 Apology. Thanks are due to your Ladyfhip, for making 
 my Letter acceptable to Others, by approving it yourfelf, 
 and honouring it with your Recommendation. — I humbly 
 blefs God, if He pleafes to give it Favour in the Eyes 
 of Others J and fhould think it the higheft Privilege, if 
 He would vouchfafe to render it at ail ferviceable to 
 iheir beft Interefts ; elpeciaily, to fuch a diilinguifhed 
 and illuftrious Perfonage, as the Princefs of J V' 
 May He, who is Prince of the Kings of the Earth, 
 give her Royal Highnefs, to tafte the Sweetnefs of his 
 Word, and feel the Power of his Grace !' 
 
 I ajGTure You, my Lady, I have not the leaft Averfion 
 to print any Produftion of mine, in cafe better Judges 
 fhould think it might tend to maintain the Honour of 
 the Bible, or endear that ineilimable Book to Mankind. 
 How unfeignedly fhould I rejoice, if I might be an In- 
 flrument of glorifying, in any Capacity or in any De- 
 gree, that amiable Redeemer j v/ho^ for my Sake, " was 
 defpifed and rejefted of Men." — All I fear, is, left acute 
 but irreligious Minds, fhould difcover fome weak Sen- 
 timent ; fhould find fome Flaw in the Argument ; and 
 take Occafion to wound the Redeemer, and vilify his 
 Truths, through my Inadvertence. — Be fo good, my 
 Lady, as to make (if your Ladyfhip thinks proper) 
 very refpe6lful Compliments acceptable to Dr. Hales, 
 and inform Him of my Sufpicions, If He would pleafe 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 269 
 
 to revife the little Effay, with a particular View to thefc 
 Apprehenfions ; and fhould think the Remarks will 
 ftand the Teft of a rigorous Examination (for fuch 
 they mull expeft) my Scruples would be very much 
 abated. — I believe, I durfl; undertake to vindicate all die 
 Obfervations, that are of a critical Nature with regard 
 to the original Language, or of an hifloric Nature with 
 regard to Faft. — Whether I offend againft the Rules 
 of polite and genteel Demeanour, your Ladyfliip is the 
 belt Judge. — There iliould have been References to 
 Texts of Scripture, either quoted or alluded to. — If 
 your Ladyfliip, or the Dodor, fliould perfiil in your 
 Opinion, I wifli You would be fo good as to get the 
 Paper tranfcribed (no Matter hov/ clofe it is written) 
 and tranfmitted to me in a Frank. For I have no Copy 
 of it, only fome in-coherent Minutes in Short-Hand. 
 — May that ever-bleffed Being, who looks forward in 
 the remoteft Futurity, and difcerns the Confequences 
 of every Step We ofier to take ; may He dired Us in 
 this and all our Purpofes ! Guide Us by his Grace, and 
 receive Us into his Glory ! For his Wifdom is un-erring, 
 and his Goodnefs is infinite. 
 
 I know not what the Lord will do with me, or how 
 I fhall proceed. My Strength is fo worn down, and 
 my Conflitution fo irreparably decayed, that it will be 
 abfolutely impofiible for me to difcharge my minifleriai 
 Duty. And I think it will be equally impofiible for 
 me to forget your Ladylliip in my bt ft Moments, or to 
 be inlcnfiblc of your generous Kindncfs. 
 
 I am. 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's moft obliged, 
 
 and moft dutiful Servant. 
 
 LET^ 
 
270 L E T T E R S T O 
 
 LETTER XXXI. 
 
 On bis Chaflainjhip. — J Defer iption of Wejlon, — His firjl 
 Sermon there. 
 
 JFeJlon, yan. 13, 1 752. 
 
 I AM Indebted to your Ladyfhip for the Favour, 
 which Wednejdaf^ Pofl brought to my Hands. I 
 hope, your Ladyfliip will, by honouring me, fome- 
 times, with a Line, make me Hill more and more your 
 Debtor. For, though I dread the Thought of con- 
 trafting other Debts, I fhall find a pecuHar Pleafure in 
 running deep on this Score. 
 
 My Chaplain- fliip is an Honour, which I neither 
 expedied nor follicited. The v/hole Affair was tranf- 
 afted without my Knowlege, by Means of my dear 
 Friend yix. Whit efi eld. Who, in fome Degree like his 
 divine Mafter, is more ready to give, than others are 
 to aflc his kind Aifiilance. Had I made Application for 
 myfelf, your Ladyfhip would have been the firfl Perfon 
 in the World, to whom I fnould chufe to be obliged for 
 procuring me fuch a Privilege ; and I am fure, there 
 is no One, from whom I could have greater Reafon to 
 hope for Succefs in fuch a Requefl. — I am forry to 
 incur, on any Account, your Ladyfhip's Difpleafure. 
 Yet, in this Cafe, it pleafcs me to obferve, that even 
 your Anger is amiable ; and I can read the Benevolence 
 of the Heart in the Frowns of the Face. 
 
 I am glad to hear, that fuch eminent and able Geniufes 
 are determined to employ their Talents in fo noble a 
 Caufe, as the Honour of the mofl High God. But 
 can there be, my Lady, fuch a Creature as an Atheilt 
 in the World ? There may be Pretenders to Atheifm. 
 But I verily believe, they are felf-convi6led and felf- 
 condemned by the Verdid of their own Breails. How- 
 ever, 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 27i 
 
 ever, I Ihall be very much pleafed to fee the Scheme, 
 which thefe Gentlemen propofe to execute. That I 
 may have the Satisfadion to accompany it with my 
 Prayers, and may " wilh them good Luck in the Name 
 of the Lord." 
 
 JVeJiou my Lady, is near Northampton. About two 
 Miles from the Town. Pleafantly fituate ; on an agree- 
 able Eminence; on the right Side of the River; and 
 at a proper Diftance from the Meadow. My Houfe is 
 quite retired. It faces the Garden and the Field. So 
 that We hear none of the tumultuous Din of the World, 
 and fee nothing but the wonderful and charming W^orks 
 of the Creator ! O that I may be enabled to improve, 
 this advantageous Solitude ! Though fecluded from the 
 gay and the bufy Scenes of Life, may I ever be prefent 
 with that divine Being, who has Heaven for his Hirone, 
 and the Earth for his Foot-ftool. Whofe Mercy in 
 Chriil Jefus, is Uke his Majefty, exceeding great and 
 infinite. Who is tlierefore highly to be admired, and 
 dearly to be loved, as well as deeply to be revered. 
 
 I did, on the Day your Ladylhip mentions, afcend 
 the Pulpit ; and fpeak, for the Space of half an Hour, 
 to my People. But with fo much Weaknefs— O ! 'tis 
 well that the eternal God does not want Strength of 
 Lungs, or Delicacy of Elocution ; but can do his Work, 
 his great Work, of converting Souls, by the weakell, 
 meaneft Inlb-uments. If it was not fo, indeed my Lady 
 I muft abfolutely defpair of being fuccefsful in my 
 Labour, or ferviceable in my Office. 
 
 I opened my Commiflion to my new Parifnioners, 
 from thofe Words of the blefled and only Potentate ; 
 " Preach the Gofpel to every Creature." Sliewed them 
 — What the Gofpel means, and what BlefTmgs it com- 
 prehends — By whom thefe Bleflings were purchafed, 
 and to whom they are offered — Exhorted them feverally 
 to fecure to themielves a Share in thefe unfpeakable 
 
 Ble (Tings 
 
272 - L E T T E P S T O 
 
 Blcffings — And gave them to underftand, that the End 
 of my Preacliing amongft them, the Defign of my 
 Converfadon with diem, and the pnncipal Aim of my 
 whole Life would be, to bring them acquainted with 
 this delightful Doclrine, and aflift them in obtaining 
 this great Salvation.- — I blefs God for making my poor 
 Difcourfe acceptable to my Hearers : and now I muft 
 befeech that bountiful Giver of all Gcod, to make it 
 beneficial to their Souls. While I am exercifmg myfelf 
 in this plealing Employ, the truelt Method of exprefling 
 my paftoral Aftedion ; I hope, I Ihall not forget the 
 Duty of Gratitude, which will always be owing to your 
 Ladyfhip, by 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's mofl obedient, 
 
 and moll obliged Servant. 
 
 LETTER XXXII. 
 
 On the Bijh€'^ of Norwich. — On the Privilege of Prayer, 
 
 fVeJion, June 20, 1752. 
 My Lady, 
 
 AN Anlwer to my Letter, fo fpeedy and fo obliging, 
 is acknov/ledged as a double Favour. May your 
 Ladyfhip find a gracious God equally ready to hear, 
 and equally wilHng to fulnl, every Requeft of your 
 Lips, and all the Defne of your Heart ! — Equally^ did 
 I fay ? He is inconceivably more bountiful than the 
 moil generous and benevolent among the Children of 
 Men. What is the Language of his tranfcendent Good- 
 nefs in Chriil, and how runs his fiithful Promife to his 
 People .'' '* It fliall come to pals, that before they call, 
 
 I will 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 273 
 
 I will anfwer -, and while they are yet fpeaking, I will 
 hear." What a Iweet Encourageincnt is this, to make 
 frequent Application to his divine Majelly ? 
 
 The Bilhop of A^ h, I have been told, is a very 
 
 fine Scholar, and a very polite Gentleman. May He 
 crown his other Accomplifhments, by acting the Part 
 of a very zealous Chriftian. I am glad to hear, that 
 He has joined the noble Afibciation, which is determined 
 to make a public Stand, againft the Overflowings of 
 Infidelity and Vice. — 'Tis written in the Scriptures of 
 Truth ; " When the Enemy comcth in like a Flood, 
 the Spirit of the Lord fliall lift up a Standard againft 
 Him." Who knows, but, partly by the Productions 
 of tliefe maftcrly Pens, and partly by the Labours of 
 the honeft Methodifts, this Prophecy may be, in fome 
 Meafure, fulfilled ? — May I afk your Ladylliip, Whether 
 the Performance is to confift of detached Papers, like 
 the Spe6lators ? Or to be comprized in a large Treatife ? 
 Whether it is to come abroad in periodical Eflays ? Or 
 to make its Appearance all at once ? Whether their 
 Defign is to be kept as a Secret, or whether it may be 
 communicated in Converfation to others ^. — I Iiope, the 
 God of Heaven has flirred up the Minds of thefe emi- 
 nent Perlbns, and will accompany with his Favour the 
 Work they undertake. For, with regard to that almighty 
 Being, the Words of Balak are as true, as in their 
 original Application of them they were falfe : " I wot 
 (rather, I am afllired) that Pie whom Thou blefiefl, is 
 blefled ; and He whom Thou curfeft, is curled." 
 
 Whenever You pleafe to give me a Sight of thofe 
 manufcript Papers, your Ladylliip will be fo good as to 
 fend them to Miles's-Laney my Brother will tranfmir 
 them to IVeJton. As foon as I have revifcd them i. 
 added the projxr marginal References; and perhaps 
 correfled fome In-accuracies i they fliall be returned, 
 and wholly rcfigned to your Ladylliip's Difpoful. I 
 
 Vol. m. T ' {hill 
 
2-4 LETTERSTO 
 
 fhall only befeech the great Head of the Church, who 
 fees into the remoteft Futurity, and difcerns the Confe- 
 quences of every Undertaking, to direft your Ladyfhip 
 in all your Determinations. 
 
 What a Privilege is it, my Lady, that We have 
 Leave, nay, have a Command, to addrefs Ourfelves 
 to an all-wife and all-powerful Friend, in every Doubt 
 and in every Difficulty ! " Be careful (be anxious and 
 perplexed) for nothing : but in every Thing by Prayer 
 and Supplication, with Thankfgiving, let your Requefts 
 be made known unto God." This is the divine Di- 
 reftion. What follows, is the divine Promife. " What- 
 foever Ye fhall afk the Father in my Name, He will 
 give it You. Afk, and Ye fhall receive, that your Joy 
 may be full." O ! that We may be enabled to obey 
 this Direflion, and believe this Promife ! — Your Lady- 
 fhip remembers, how the Congregadon of IJrael were 
 left to a miflaken Courle, by negledling this facred 
 Method of Information. Nor can You forget, how 
 Davidy in a very difficult and dangerous Conjundlure, 
 was led in the right Way, by feeking this heavenly 
 Guidance. — I heartily wifli, that your Ladyfhip may 
 have the Spirit of Grace and SuJ)plication from the 
 living God. May, Here, be guided by his Counfel j 
 and. Here-after, be received into his Glory. 
 
 A richer BlelTing I could not mention, though I fhould 
 continue writing, till my Paper was filled, and your 
 Ladyfhip's Patience tired. This therefore is the proper 
 Time and Place, for requefting the Honour of fub- 
 fcribing myiclf. 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's mofl obliged, 
 
 and mofl dutiful Servant. 
 
 LET- 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 
 
 LETTER XXXIII. 
 
 On bis taking the Living of Collingtree. — His fir ft Sermon 
 there. — On burning her Letters. 
 
 mjicriy Julyz, 1752. 
 My Lady, 
 
 AS I was fitting dovvn to the pleafing Employ of 
 paying my Duty to your Ladyfhip, Company 
 came in to talk with me, on an Affair which could 
 neither be neglefted, nor poflponed. To this it is 
 owing, that your Ladyfjijp did not receive my grateful 
 Acknowledgments by the laft Poft.— The Affair is this, 
 Advifcd by my Friends, importuned by my Relations, 
 and fwayed by a Concern for the Circumftances of a 
 Mother ^nd Sifter who live with me, I have been pre- 
 vailed on to take a fecond Benefice. This obliges me 
 to fet out for Cambridge without Delay, in order to be 
 created Majler of Arts. From thence I proceed to 
 London^ to get a Difpenfation from the Arch-bijhop^ and 
 the Seals from tlie Lord Chancellour. On Wednejday 
 Night I hope to be in Town ; and if I can get my 
 Bufmefs difpatched, hs Saturday or Monday at the fartheft, 
 I may return {ooxi enough to meet our Diocejan on his 
 Vifitation at Northampton ; receive Inftitution there ; 
 and fave myfelf the Fatigue and Expence of a Journey 
 to Peterborough. This Scheme, if pra6licable, will 
 demand fo m^uch of my Time, that, I fear, it will be 
 impoffible for me to wait upon your Ladyfliip at 
 Iwickenkani. Which if I could do, it Vv'ould help to 
 alleviate the Difficulties, and reconcile me to the Toil 
 of travelling. 
 
 I was honoured with your Ladyfliip's Letter, juft as 
 
 I returned from vifiting my People at Collingtree : the 
 
 T % Parifl> 
 
i~^ LETTERS TO 
 
 Parlfh which I ferved, when I lived with my Father, 
 and of which I am going to be Reftor. It would have 
 pleafed your Ladyfliip, to have oblerved, how glad the 
 honeit Folks were, to fee their old Curate. And why 
 were they glad ? For no other Reafon, that I can con- 
 ceive, but becaufe I ufed to converfe with them in 
 private, juft as I fpoke to them from the Pulpit ; and 
 endeavoured, at every Interview, to let forward their 
 eternal Salvation. This, I find, is the grand Secret, 
 to v/in the AfFeclions of a Flock. And in this, as in 
 every other Part of true Chriilianity, our Intereft and 
 our Duty are connected. When We are bidden to obey 
 the blefied Jefus, We are bidden to take the moft 
 effedual Way, of being happy in Oiirfelves, and accept- 
 able to Others. '' O ! how amiable are thy Courts, 
 thou Lord of Hofts !" faid the Pfalmdfl:. And may 
 not We, with equal Truth, reply ? O / how a?niable are 
 thy Precepts, Thou Lord Redeemer ! May they be written 
 on your Ladyfhip's Memory, by frequent Recolleftion ; 
 and engraven en your Heart, by the Spirit of the 
 living God ! 
 
 Here I intended to have forborn, and to detain your 
 Ladyfhip's Attention no longer„ But a frefh Favour 
 demands my Thanks. — No, my Lady j I did not laugh 
 at the Contents of your laft, (as your Ladyfhip is pleafed 
 to fpeak) but was delighted with your Condefcention 
 and CompafTion. Your Ladylliip knows, who it is 
 that has faid, " Condelcend to Men of low Eftate :" 
 and who it is, of wh(}m it was iliid, " We have not an 
 Hi^^h-Priell that cannot be touched with a Feeling of 
 our Infirmities." And, grateful as I am for your Fa- 
 vours, zealous as I am for your Happinefs, I cannot 
 wilh your Ladyfliip a greater DlefTing, than to be found 
 obedient to that Direction, and conformed to that 
 
 I'attern, 
 
 I always 
 
LADY F R A xN C E S S H I R L t y. 277 
 
 I always read your Ladyfhip's Letters again and again, 
 before I obey the Orders You iormcrly gave. But 
 having once peruled the firft Part of your laft, I dare 
 not venture to look upon it any more. Your Ladyfliip 
 will gucfs the Realbn, when I afTure You, that as the 
 Magazine of Gun-Powder is to a Spark, fuch, fuch is 
 my depraved Soul to the leafl: Whifpcr of Applaufe. 
 It cannot bear Praife. Elatement enfucs. O ! that it 
 may drive m.e to Chrift. See there, vain conceited 
 Wretch — fee, how loathfome thy Guilt is, how ruined 
 thy State was ; fmce nothing lefs than the Blood of the 
 Son of God could cleanfe Thee, nothing but his Death 
 could recover Thee. See thi:, and bluih, and be con- 
 founded, even whilft Thou art reftored. — If your Lady- 
 fliip pleafes to tranfmit thofc Papers to my Brother's in 
 a few Days, the Author will take Care of them, and 
 convey them fafely to the Redor of Wefion. Who, in 
 both Capacities, and with the utmoft Sincerity, wifhes 
 your Ladyihip ail Joy and Peace in the Lord Jefus ; 
 ^nd begs Leave to profefs Himfelf, 
 
 Your Ladyiliip's moft obliged, 
 
 and mofl dutiful Servant. 
 
 LETTER XXXIV. 
 
 On a Publication. — j^JI^s to dedicate it to her LadyJIjip. — 
 On the Imputation of ChrijVs Rightccujnejs. 
 
 fVeJicn, July li, 1 752. 
 
 NOW, my Lady, I have put your Kindnefs, your 
 Gencrofity, and forgiving Graces to the Trial. 
 You imagined, 1 was in Town j had received your 
 Letter j and yet neither waited on You in Perfon, nor 
 T 3 made 
 
2^g LETTERS TO 
 
 made any Excufe by my Pen. Which if I had done'j I 
 muft have owned myfeif in-excufable.- — But, at Cam- 
 bridge, I was informed by a Gentleman of the fpiritual 
 Court, that I had not provided myfeif with all the Pre-^ 
 requifites for taking a fecond Living. Which obliged 
 me to alter my Meafures ; and, inftead of proceeding 
 from the Vmverfity to London , to re turn. Home. I now 
 propofe to let out for the Metropohs on Monday or 
 Tuejday, 
 
 I have juft received the Manufcript Papers, .and the 
 Favour of your LaclyOTip's Letter. — ^Glad I am, very 
 glad, that my Remarks have the continued Approbation 
 of thofe excellent Judges ; and fliallj with the utmoll 
 Alacrity, venture them abroad in the World. Hoping, 
 they may be a Means of fubferving, in fome low De- 
 gree, that grand Defignation of almighty Majefty, 
 mentioned by the Pfalmift ; " Thou haft magnified thy 
 Word above all thy Name." 
 
 I think, your Ladyfhip's Objection was very juft and 
 weighty. I fancy) it would be moft advifeable to fend 
 the little Piece abroad under my own Name^ as the 
 Acceptance (without Vanity I would fpeak it) which 
 my other Eiiays have found from the Public, may pro- 
 mote the Spread of this. And — I will conceal nothing 
 from your Ladylhip— I apprehend, my Bookfeller would 
 crive me fomething for the Copy. Which, at this 
 Jundture, would fcarcely be confiftent with Prudence 
 to negleft. The Expence of taking two Livings is 
 very great. It will coft me, 1 am told, fix-lcore Pounds. 
 And though, I believe, I have Money enough in Bank, 
 produced by felling the Property of my Meditations j 
 yetj fuch a Succour would be welcome and fcrviceable; 
 Will your Ladylhip lend your Name, either at full 
 Length) or in initial Letters, to dignify and recommend 
 the Performance ? I humbly fubmit this Propofal to 
 
 your 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 279 
 
 your Ladyfliip's Determinarion : and Ihall be obliged, 
 if You allow it ; — iljall acquiefce, if You reject it. 
 
 I am jufl returned from a Vifit at Northampton, 
 Where I fpent an agreeable (O ! that it may prove an 
 edifying) Afternoon, in Company with a Phyfician, a 
 Clergyman, and a Poet. Part of our Difcourfe turned 
 upon that noble, that very important, and equally com- 
 fortable Prophecy, which your Ladyfhip probably has 
 treafured up in your Memory, or elfe may read in Da7t. 
 ix. 24. Among other Particulars We enquired. Why 
 the Righteouihefs of our Lord Jefus Chrift is called an 
 everlajiing Righteoufnefs F — Becaufe of its Imputation ; 
 which commenced from the Beginning, and will be 
 continued to the End of the World. By this All the 
 Saints, in every Age, and under every Difpenfation 
 of Religion, were juftified. To this y^dam, the firft 
 Penitent, owed his Reconciliation ^ and to this the 
 very laft Believer of Adam\ Race, will be indebted for 
 his Acceptance with God. — Becaufe of its Efficacy, 
 which lafts in every Circumftance of Need, in every 
 Hour of Trial : lafts through our whole Life, and will 
 laft even beyond our Death. Thofe happy Beings, 
 who are delivered from Flefti, and entered into Reft, 
 enjoy the Benefits of this Righteoufnefs. When the 
 Refurredion takes Place, and their blefled Souls are 
 re-united to their glorified Bodies, they will enjoy the 
 Benefits of this Righteoufnefs far more copioufly. And 
 will ftill be reaping the Fruits of this Righteoufnefs, 
 through all the numberlef$ and unmeafurable Ages of 
 Eternity. 
 
 May that infinitely condefcending and gracious Re- 
 deemer, who was pleafed to work it out, in his own 
 facred Pcvfon -, — who has revealed and offered it in his 
 gloriQ'us Gofpel ; — vouchfafe to bring it in, apply it to 
 yQ\;r Ladyfliip's Soul by a lively Faith, and feal it to 
 your Confcience by the Witnefs of his Spirit. 
 
 T 4 I began 
 
ggo LETTERSTO 
 
 I began this Letter, with an Intention of being very 
 fhort, and was thinking to make an Excufe for my 
 Brevity. But I find there is more Occafion to apologize 
 for my Prolixity, A Fault, which 1 know not how to 
 forbear, when I have the Pleafure of writing to your 
 Ladyfliip. As the beft Apology for this Fault is to add 
 no more ; I Ihall only delire, that your Ladyfliip will 
 give me Leave to inform You, when I am arrived in 
 Town ; and if I could, by any Means, be favoured with 
 a few Minutes of your Ladyihip's Converfation, it 
 would be a fin2;ular Satisfaction to 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's mod obliged, 
 
 ^nd moft dutiful Servant, 
 
 LETTER XXXV. 
 
 On the Difappointmetits of the World. 
 
 fFeJion, July 19, 1 752, 
 
 My Lady, 
 
 THE World Is all Difappointment. Either our 
 moft favourite Schemes are defeated : or, if they 
 fucceed, fruftrate our Expedlations. Of the former I 
 had lately a Proof; the latter has been the Experience 
 of my whole Life. — .Amidft fuch Uncertainty and 
 Emptineis in created Things, what a Happinefs it is, 
 to have a divine and all-fufficient Redeemer ! He is a 
 fure Foundation for Repofe. He is an in-exhauftible 
 Spring of Confolation. In Him there is Merit, and 
 Goodnefs, and Power enough, to make our Cup run 
 pver with an exceeding Abundance of Peace and Joy 
 fo alj Eternity, Does not your Ladyfliip therefore often 
 
LADY" FRANCES SHIRLEY. aSi 
 
 fay, with Delight and Gratitude, " Blefled be God for 
 Jefus Chrift r" 
 
 I had taken my Place in the London Stage ; but a 
 Circumftance intervened, Nvhich prevented niy Journey. 
 —The Parcel v/hich You fent to my Brother's, is come 
 fafe ; and lliall foon be returned to your Ladylhip ; 
 either from the Prefs, or in Manufcript, which-ever 
 You pleafe to order. If your Ladylhip determines for 
 the former, I hope. You vv'ill be fo good, as to favour 
 me with an Anf\\ er to r":y laft : that I may know your 
 Refolutiort, with Regard to the Honour I requefted ; 
 and your Sentiments, with regard to the Manner of 
 Publication. 
 
 I now make Amends for my ufual Prolixity ; and 
 detain your Ladylliip no longer, than to wilh You a full 
 Enjoyment of " the unfearchable Riches of Chrift," 
 and to profefs myfelf 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's moft obliged 
 
 and dutiful Servant^ 
 
 LETTER XXXVI. 
 
 On the Dedication to her. 
 
 Tottenham, July 24, 1752. 
 My Lady, 
 
 I HAVE been revolving in my Mind the Subjeft of 
 your Ladyfliip's Difcourfe. I think, at the Clofe of 
 the Converfation, You permitted me to a6t as I judged 
 moft expedient. — Am I miftaken, or did You allow mc 
 this Liberty ? — If my Memory makes a true Report, I 
 muft not diflemble in my Opinion, no, not to gratify 
 your Ladyfiiip's Inclination, Though I know what 
 
 You 
 
2g- LETTERSTO 
 
 You would prefer -, yet, I cannot think it preferable, 
 with regard to my little Eflay. — I am perfuaded, your 
 Ladyfhip's Name would dignify the Piece, and give it 
 an Air of Importance. Your Name would certainly 
 recommend it to Multitudes j and con fide rably promote 
 both its Acceptance and its Sale. Many would pur- 
 chafe it purely on that Account ; as I myfelf did, when 
 the Pamphlet entitled IVorldly Compliances was advertifed 
 in the public Papers. 
 
 I cannot but wilh, your Ladyfhip would, in this public 
 Manner, countenance fuch Attempts for promoting the 
 Glory of God. It feems to be one Kind of confefling 
 our divine Mafter before Men : and who would not take 
 every Opportunity of acknowledging Him in a degene- 
 rate Age, that denies ev«i the Lord who bought them ? 
 Elpecially, fmce for our Sake He defpifed the Shame, 
 •and endured the Torment of the Crofs : fmce He is now 
 fet down at the right Hand of God, and thofe who 
 honour Him in Time, He will honour before the Angels 
 of Heaven, and through the Ages of Eternity. 
 
 Some, I fancy, are apt to fufpeft, that None but 
 taftelefs Pedants, the dull Prifoners of a Study, have 
 any Regard for fuch religious Stuff. Who, perhaps, 
 might have a better Opinion of facred Things, if they 
 found them relilhed and patronized by Perfons, qua- 
 lified to grace a Court by their Prefence : who are at 
 once the moft undoubted Judges, and the moft admired 
 Patterns, of all that is elegant and refined. 
 
 I need not remind your Ladyfhip, what an Honour it 
 would refleft upon my Character, and how much it would 
 raife my Efteem in the World, if I was known to be in 
 the Number of your Ladyfhip's Correfpondents. But, 
 were not the other Confiderations far more weighty, 
 this Diftindion, however coveted, fliould be readily re- 
 
 figned by 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft dutiful Servant. 
 
 L E T=» 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 283 
 
 . LETTER XXXVII. 
 
 On bis being overthrown in a Carriage. — "Divine Mercies* 
 
 Wejlon^ Aug. 2, 1752. 
 My Lady, 
 
 TO what it was owing I cannot fay, but I received 
 not your Ladyfhip's Favour till Tuejday Night; 
 and very early on Wednejday Morning, I fet out for 
 Northampton, in a new Machine called The Berlin, 
 Which holds four Paffengers, is drawn by a Pair of 
 Horfes ; and driven in the Manner of a Poft-Chaife. 
 On this Side Newport , We came up widi a Stage- 
 Coach, and made an Attempt to pals it. This the 
 Coach-Man perceiving, mended his Pace : which pro- 
 voked the Driver of the Berlin to do the fame. Till 
 they both lafhed their Horfes into a full Career;, and 
 were more like running a Race, than conveying Paf- 
 fengers. We very narrowly efcaped falling foul on each 
 other's Wheels. I called out to the Fellows, but to no 
 Purpofe. 'Tis poflible, amidlt the Rattle and Hurry, 
 they did not hear : 'tis certain, they did not regard. 
 Within the Space of a Minute or two, what I appre- 
 hended happened. My Vehicle was overturned, and 
 thrown with great Violence on the Ground. The 
 Coachman toffcd off his Box, and lay bleeding in the 
 Road. — There was one Perfon in the Coach, and none 
 but myfelf in the Berlin: yet neither of Us (fo fmgular 
 was the Goodnefs, fo tender the Care of divine Provi- 
 dence!) fuftained any confiderable Hurt. I received 
 only a flight Bruifc, and had the Skin rafed from my 
 Leg, where I might too rcafonably have feared the Mis- 
 fortune of broken Bones, dillocatevl Limbs, or a frac- 
 tured Scull. 
 
 And 
 
284- L E T T E R S T O 
 
 And have 1 not, my Lady, have I not abundant Realbn 
 to adopt the Pfalmid's Jcbwdi'ledgment ? " Thou haft 
 delivered my Soul from Death, mine Eyes from Tears, 
 and Feet from falling." — Have 1 not abundant Reafon, 
 to make this grateful Inquiry ? *' What fnall I render 
 unto the Lord for all his Benetits towards me ?" — And 
 ouo-ht I not to add his holy Rejcluticn ? " I will walk 
 before the Lord in the Land of the Living." So long 
 as this Life exiils, wliich has been fo wonderfully and 
 mercifully preferved^ it ihall be devoted to the Honour 
 of my great Deliverer. I hope to fpend it all, under a 
 reverential Senfe of his divine Prelence, and in a dutiful 
 Regard to his heavenly Will.— May I be enabled thus 
 to think, and thus to ad ! And may the fame good 
 Hand, which has refcued me out of Danger, keep your 
 Ladyfhip from it : keep You from every Evil, and 
 guide You fafely to the Kingdom of Glory ! 
 
 With regard to the Subjed: of your Ladyfhip 's Letter, 
 I acquiefce. I beg Pardon for my Importunity, and 
 lliall mention the Affair no more. And though I can 
 hardly, in this Particular, fubmit my Judgment to your 
 Opinion, I entirely refign my Defires to your Lady- 
 jfhip's Inclination. — If the little Piece is publifhed, it 
 ihall be content to want the Ornament of your Lady- 
 fhip's Name. But I hope, it will not be without the 
 Aid of your Ladylhip's Prayers : that the Honour of 
 God's venerable and inellimable Word may, in fome 
 Degree, be advanced, by thofe Thoughts, which were 
 wholly owing to your Command. I am fure, when I 
 confider tlie Poverty of my own Genius, and obferve 
 the rich and bright Produftions of other Minds, I can 
 fee nothing, whereon to ground any Hope of Succefs, 
 but only the BlefTmg of an omnipotent and gracious 
 God. Who, for the Glory of his own fupreme Power 
 ^nd free Grace, is pleafed out of the Mouth of very 
 Babes and Sueklings to perfed Pr^ife, 
 
 I beg 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 185 
 
 1 beg Leave to conclude with my very beft Thanks, 
 for that condcfcending Kindncfs which You lately flie wed, 
 and for that iin-follicited Generofity which You lately 
 offered to. My Lady, 
 
 Your Ladylhip's much obliged, 
 
 and, I hope, ever grateful Servant. 
 
 LETTER XXXVm. 
 
 On his firfi Sermon ; the unJearchaUc Riches of Chrifi.—* 
 On her declining the Dedication. 
 
 Uyiorty Aug. 18, 1752. 
 My Lady, 
 
 I Humbly thank You, for your very obliging Inquiry 
 after my Health. BlelTed be the Preferver of Man, 
 1 fuffer no bad EfFecls from the late Danger I was in. 
 What was torn by my Fall, Is healed i and what was 
 brui fed, I feel no more. 
 
 Since that Deliverance, I have been at Peterborough ^ 
 the City where our Bifhop relides ; in order to receive 
 Inftitution to my other Living. On Sunday I gave my 
 new Charge my firft Sermon ; O ! that G06. may give 
 both it, and them, his heavenly Benedidion ! — The 
 Text was taken from that noble Declaration of the 
 Apoftle, in which He adores his God, and congratulates 
 Himfelf, upon the imfpeakable Privilege of being a 
 Minifter of the GofpeL " To me, who am lefs than 
 the ieaft of all Saints, is this Grace given, that I fhould 
 preach among the Gentiles the unlearchabJe RicJics of 
 Chriil." E^b. iii. 8, 
 
 J Sec, 
 
286 L E T T E R S T O 
 
 Sec, my Lady, the eminent Humility of this illuftrious 
 Preacher. God had ennobled Him with Gifts, and 
 enriched Him with Graces, above his Fellows. Yet 
 He reckons Himfelf, n^t merely a Saint of the meaner 
 Rank ; no, nor the lead in the holy Clafs ; but " lefs 
 than the leaft" among them all. It was with Him, as 
 it is with fome flourifhing and ftately Tree. The higher 
 it lifts its Head in the Air, the deeper it ftrikes its Root 
 in the Soil. 
 
 The " unfearchable Riches of Chrift," I hope your 
 Ladyihip will every Day be more acquainted with, and 
 have a larger Participation of. May You have them, 
 and (as our gracious Mafter fpeaks on another Occafion) 
 have them " more abundantly!" — Here let Us be 
 covetous. Covetoufnefs of thefe Treafures, is no fordid 
 or ignoble Paffion, but a generous and heavenly Difpo- 
 fition. Let Us " open our Mouths," open our Defires 
 wide, and the infinitely benevolent Jefus, in whom are 
 hid all Riches of Merit and Righteoufnefs, of Grace 
 and Glory, will fill them. " Fill them (they are the 
 Words of his own Spirit) with all the Fulnefs of God." 
 
 My late Journey and much Bufmefs have engrofled 
 too much of my Time; and diverted me from preparing 
 my little Piece for the Prefs. But it fliall, if the Lord 
 pleafe, foon come abroad. It has been upon the Anvil 
 a fecond Time j is fomewhat altered, and fomewhat 
 enlarged. O that it may, whenever it appears, be a 
 foliJJoed Shaft in the great Immanuel's ^iver ! I humbly 
 beg of the worthy Doftor, whom I long have honoured, 
 and long have loved, that Fle will recommend both the 
 Performance and the Author to the Blcffing of the moft 
 High God. And if God blefles, who fhall blaft ? " If 
 God be for Us, who fl:iall be againft Us ?" He has faid, 
 who is able to acci)mplini his Word — He has faid to 
 his Seryants, and Thofe that engage in his facred Caufe, 
 
 " jEvery 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 287 
 
 " Every Tongue that fhall rife againft Thee in Judg- 
 ment, Thou fliak condemn." 
 
 As your Ladyfhip does not think proper to allow me 
 the Honour of your Name, fliould You diflike fome 
 fuch Preface as the following ? — The Reader will fee, 
 from the Date of the enfuing Letter, that it was written 
 a confiderable Time ago. From this Circumftance, 
 He will probably imagine, that it was not intended for 
 PubUcation. And in this Conjefture He is perfeflly 
 risht. The Publication is owing to the honourable 
 Perfonage, whofe Name, though it would grace and 
 recommend his Performance, the Author is not allowed 
 to mention. Her Ladyfliip's Command, which would 
 admit of no Excufe, drew the Remarks from his Pen ; 
 and her Defire, which with Him will always have the 
 Force of a Command, has brought them to the Preis. 
 — It will give Him the greateft Pleafure, if, while He 
 is paying the Debt of Obedience and Gratitude to a 
 noble Friend, He may fupport the Dignity of the divine 
 Word ; may raifc its Efteem, and promote its Study, 
 among Men. Becaufe then, He is affured. Fie fliall 
 alfo promote the beft Interefts of his Fellow- Creatures, 
 and fubferve that grand Defignation of the almighty 
 Majefly, expreffed by the Pfalmift, " Thou hafb mag- 
 nified thy Word above all thy Name." PJal. cxxxviii. 2.. 
 Be fo good as to favour me with your Opinion of the 
 foregoing. 
 
 I forgot to addrefs your Ladylhip in the polite Style. 
 My Letters, I am told, efpecially that which is to be 
 made public, muft be introduced by the Title Madam. 
 That it is aukward and ungenteel to ufe the Phrafe, 
 my Lady. Why would not You, Madam, who know 
 thefe Points fo well, tell me of my Fault .? Tell me of 
 my Rufticity .? And let me receive fome Polifliing, as 
 I receive much Pleafure, by correfponding with your 
 Ladyfhip ? Yetj however uncouth my Manner may 
 7 . have 
 
288 LETTERSTO 
 
 have been, I beg Leave to afTure You, my Heart is 
 fmcerely grateful : filled with the moft ardent Willies 
 for your everklling Happinefs, and with the warmeft 
 Defires to approve myfclf in every Inftance, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obedient 
 
 and dutiful Servant. 
 
 LETTER XXXIX. 
 
 On applying for Franks. — On publiJJjing his Remarks on 
 Lord Bolingbroke. 
 
 Wejlon^ Aug, 29, 1752. 
 Madam, 
 
 YOUR laft Favour has been in my PofTelTion almoft 
 a Week. I fliould have made my Acknowledge- 
 ments fooner, but I apprehended, from a Hint in your 
 Letter, that your Ladyfhip would be from Home. 
 This, I hope, will find You fafely returned, and thank- 
 ful to that all-condefcending, that ever-gracious Pre- 
 ferver of Men, " who blefies our Going out and our 
 Coming in." O ! may We alfo be enabled, from our 
 inmoft Soul, to " blcfs his holy Name, from this Time 
 forth for evermore !" 
 
 I am much obliged to your Ladyfhip for your bene- 
 volent Prayers, in behalf of the weakeft of Chrift's 
 Minifters. May they go up with Acceptance through 
 the Blood of the Lamb, and return with an abundant 
 Encreafe into your own Bofom ! 
 
 I have received no Franks from Lord N n j and 
 
 there is no Member of Parliament in this Neighbour- 
 hood, that I either am acquainted with, or can make 
 Application to. For which Reafon, if your Ladyfhip 
 
 could 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 289 
 
 bould fuiTiifh me with a few, they would be peculiarly 
 welcome. Efpecially as I have already begun to tranfmit 
 the Copy of my intended Pamphlet to London. Two 
 Sheets, clofely written, are already gone ; and I have, 
 at leaft, four others to go. Upon reviewing my Re- 
 marks, and comparing them with his Lordi'hip's Letters, 
 I thought it necefTary to animadvert upon fome other 
 Particulars. Which have confiderably augmented the 
 Size, O ! may they alfo encreafe the Ufefulnefs of the 
 Piece ! 
 
 To leave out the Word Ladyjhip in the little Preface, 
 I think, will not anfwer the End, You are pleafed to 
 propofe. Becaufe, the Title occurs itiore than once or 
 twice in the Courfe of the Letter. I hope, therefore, 
 yo'lir Ladyfhip will not be difpleafed, if I take Leave 
 to retain it. — I think, to entitle it in the following 
 Manner — " Remarks on Lord Bolinghroke's, Letters on 
 the Study and Ufe of Hiftory ; fo far as they relate to 
 the Hiftory of the Old Teftament ; and efpecially to 
 the Cafe of Noah, denouncing a Curfe upon Canaan. 
 In a Letter to a Lady of Quality." — I muft now endea- 
 vour to imitate the Pfalmift, and make my humble Pe- 
 tition to Almighty God in his very appofite Words ; 
 " Profper the Work of our Hands upon Us, O ! 
 profper Thou our Handy-Work P' He can make' it, 
 weak and mean as it is, a polifhed Arrow in his Quiver. 
 To his omnipotent Bleffing I dcfire to commit the little 
 Adventurer ; and would depend wholly, upon his Pro- 
 vidence to give it Favour and Acceptance 3 to bring it 
 into fuch Hands, and grant it Accefs to fuch Hearts, 
 as He knows to be mofl expedient. And let me con- 
 gratulate your Ladyfliip and myfelf, that We have ^o 
 infinitely good, fo unerringly wife a God to fly to, rely 
 on, and rejoice in. May We walk with Him ; wait on 
 Him continually j and know by fweet, Soul-reviving, 
 Soul-exalting Experience what that meancth, *"^ Our 
 
 Vol. m. U Fcllowlliip 
 
^$d letterSto 
 
 Fellowfhip is with the Father and with his Son Jefus 
 Chrift !" — That You may be a daily Proficient in this 
 Knowledge, and an unfpeakable everlafting Gainer by 
 this Communion, is and fhall be the fmcere Prayer of. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obliged, 
 
 and mofl obedient Servant* 
 
 LETTER XL. 
 
 Onjome Franks being refufed him.'^'On the divine Love 
 of Chrijl, 
 
 Wejiorij Sept. 3, 1 752. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 1 Received the Honour of your Letter, and the Favour 
 of your Franks, by the laft Pod ; and very fmcerely 
 thank your Ladyfliip for the Supply. I cannot omit 
 the very firft Opportunity of making this Acknowledge- 
 ment. Elpecially, becaufe I perceive, You have con- 
 defcended to make a Requeft in my Behalf j and have 
 thereby (which to a generous and noble Spirit muft be 
 fomcwhat grating) put it into the Power of Another to 
 affront You by 4 Refufal : and a Refufal fo much the 
 more ungenteel and dif-obliging, as the Thing alked 
 was fo flight and inconfiderable. 
 
 I can hardly forbear bluiliing, vulgar and unpolite as 
 I am, at fuch a paultry Trick. And I am unfeignedly 
 forry, that your Ladyfliip fliould meet with fuch un- 
 handfome Treatment on my Account. But, my ho- 
 noured Madam, mind it not. Smile rather at the poor, 
 contraded, ungenerous Temper of worldly Men. — See 
 
 8 alfo. 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEV. 291 
 
 |lfo, by this Contraft, the real Dignity of religious 
 Perlbns, and the true Elevation of their Sentiments. 
 Let me fpeak to dear George PFhitefield; and, be it for 
 myfelf, or be it for any Acquaintance, inflead of de- 
 murring, inftead of forming Excufes, He will embrace 
 the Propofal with an apparent Complacency. He will 
 leave no Stone un-turned; He will fpare no Pains ; to 
 gratify my Inclination, and accomplifh my Defire. And 
 why ? Becaufe He efteems and loves his Friend, not 
 with a fupcrficial CiviHty, but from a Principle of Grace, 
 and in the Bowels of Chrift. 
 
 My Lord does not know me, 'tis true. But He, or 
 his Brother had Reafon to know my Father. I have 
 heard Him relate, with what Zeal He ferved the Major ; 
 
 when the Earl of pufncd Him hard for his 
 
 Elecftion at -^ . That he was one of his honorary 
 
 Freemen 3 and againft fuch a tumultuous and enraged 
 Party,, as made Him run a Rifque of his Limbs and of 
 his Life, and not without the Expence of fome Guineas. 
 For which He never had the Icafl: Gratuity j not fo much 
 as a Piece of Venifon. Though He was always remark- 
 ably {launch and fanguine for their parliamentary In- 
 terefts. — And is this the Conduft of the Grandees of 
 the Earth ? This their Kindnefs to their Friends ? Let 
 me then for ever fay with the Prophet, " Ceafe Ye 
 from Man, whofe Breath is in his Noftrils" — who minds 
 his own, and not Another's Welfare—'^ for wherein ia 
 He to be accounted of?" 
 
 Come, Madam, let Us take a generous Revenge. 
 Let Us befeech the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, 
 to blefs Him with the Knowlege of Chrift, and with all 
 the Riches of liis Gofpel j who had not Benevolence 
 enough, to grant fo fmall a Boon to me; and had fo 
 little Honour, as to deny your Laliyihip, when You 
 vouchfafcd to afk fo trivial a Favour. — I hope. You 
 will be enabled thus to triumph over the little ruffling 
 U 2 Accidents, 
 
i^t LETTERSTO 
 
 Accidents, that occur in Life. I hope, this Exercife 
 of Chriftiaii Magnanimity, will be eafy and delightful 
 to You. And may I have Grace to imitate your Lady- 
 Ihip, as You imitate our divine, ever gentle, all-for- 
 giving Mailer ! Then perhaps the meaneft of your 
 Correfpondents may, in this Refpedt, be greater than 
 a Lord. 
 
 Did I mention our divine Majier ? How Ihould the 
 Remembrance of His Name, enkindle our Hearts, when 
 they are cold j and calm them, when they are difcom- 
 poled ! — Speak We of Greatnejs ? How great is He ! 
 He made the World, by his bare Fiat. He has, ever 
 fmce, upheld it by his mighty Word. He will, ere 
 long, give Command, and the Flames fhall deftroy it. 
 He will repeat His Command, and new Heavens, and 
 a new Earth fhall arife. — Speak We of Goodnefs ? How 
 good is He ! When We were ruined and undone, " He 
 remembered Us in our low Eftate." When We were 
 Enemies to Him, and had affronted Him by our evil 
 Works ; " He loved Us with" an infinite and " ever- 
 lafting Love." When We had merited no Favour, 
 nothing but Vengeance at his Hands j He gave — O ! 
 what did He give ? Not a few Scraps of Paper ; not a 
 Coronet, and its attendant Honours j no, nor a whole 
 World, nor a whole Heaven j but what was inexprefTibly 
 more valuable. He gave his fublime, his glorious, his 
 adorable Self for Us ! — O ! let us think of this. May 
 God reveal this amazing Beneficence, this wonderouily 
 rich Gift in our Souls ; then all earthly Things, whether 
 they be fmiling or frowning, whether they crofs or 
 coincide with our Wifhes, will be " lefs than Nothing 
 and Vanity." 
 
 My Piece is now all gone to the Prefs. I fhould 
 have been very glad, if Your Ladyfhip and Dr. Hales 
 had leen the Additions. My Mind fmites me. I fear, 
 I have aded too precipitately. Such a Performance 
 
 ought 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 293 
 
 ought to be mature and well-judged. It muft expert to 
 meet with a vigorous Examination, and from Readers 
 that are none of the leaft fagacious, and none of the 
 moft candid. May the God of all Power and all Grace, 
 pity my Weaknefs j and profper this po©r Shepherd* 
 Boy, with his Stone and his Sling ! — I will no longer 
 treipafs upon Your Patience, but only beg Leave to 
 profefs myfelf, with the greateft Refpedl, and warmeft 
 Gratitude, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obliged, 
 
 and moft obedient Servant. 
 
 LETTER XLI. 
 
 Aplogies for bis fVarmtL-^Chriftian Command of Temper, 
 
 Wejioni Sept. 2J, Tlmrfday. 
 Madam, 
 
 I FULLY Intended, on this very Morning, to have 
 made my Acknowlegemcnts for the Honour of your 
 Letter, and for the Franks it contained. But Bufmefs 
 of an urgent Nature intervened, and rendered it im-' 
 poflible for me to execute my Defign, foon enough for 
 the Poft. I am fmcerely concerned, on Account of 
 this Difappointmentj becaufc, it muft make me appear 
 more ungrateful than I really am i and it may create iti 
 your Ladyftiip fome Apprehenfions^ that your laft Letter 
 was mif-carried. Which, confidering the Contents, to 
 a Perfon of Honour and Delicacy, muft be very dif- 
 agreeable. 
 
 I once more beg of You, Madam, to pardon every 
 
 Exprefllon in my laft, which, warm, unguarded, or 
 
 difrefpedful to Superiors, efcaped from my Pen. The 
 
 U 3 Truth 
 
294 LETTERSTQ 
 
 Truth Is, I willingly indulged die Motions of a little 
 kindling Refentment, with a View of mitigating youc 
 Ladyfhip's. Imagining, that if I gave fome Vent to 
 mine, it might tend to extinguiih or diminifh your's. 
 Somewhat like the Operation, which, I think, our 
 Phyficians call a Revulfion. When, at any Wound, 
 the Lofs of Blood has been large, and it ftill continues 
 to flow, they open a Vein in fome remote Part, and by 
 diverting the Courfe, flop the Efflifion. 
 
 I am very glad to find, that there was no Occaf;on 
 for fuch a well-meant, though ill-jvidged Artifice. — 
 May your Ladyihip have an entire Command over 
 thofe turbulent Affcftions, which too often fhew the 
 Tyrant within ! and which, where.-ever they domineer, 
 make the Soul " like a troubled Sea, that cannot refl." 
 —May You, every Day, grow more " meek and lowly 
 in Heart!" This is the Way to calm or prevent the 
 Storm in the Breaft, and obtain a fettled Serenity of 
 Mind. — This is the BlefTmg, promifed under the Gofpel 
 Difpenfation, and defcribed by -thofe figurative Ex- 
 preflions : " The Lion fhali he down with the Lamb ; 
 They fliall beat dieir Svv'ords into Ploygli-Shares, and 
 their Spears into iPruning-Hooks : The rough Places 
 jQiall be made fmooth, and the crooked Places ftrait." 
 — This is one diftinguifhed and precious Fruit of the 
 Spirit; and this vv^as moft eminently and amiably exem- 
 plified, in the Conducl of cur divine Mafter. When 
 treated with the mod contumelious, with infufferable 
 Indignity J He only remonftrated, v/ith the utmoft 
 Gentlenefs, " If I have fpoke Evil, bear Witnefs of 
 the Evil: if well, why fmitefl Thou me ?" Vv'hen He 
 hung, in racking Agonies, and amidft cruel Mockings, 
 on the Crofs ; inftead of exprefiing the leaft Indignation^ 
 He prayed. He pleaded, He procured Mercy, even 
 for his Re vile rs and Murtherers. " Father, forgive 
 them," was his Prayer. " For, diey know not .what 
 
 ■ ' ' • they 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 295- 
 
 they do," was his Plea. And the Salvation of his blood- 
 thirfty Enemies, was the Confequence of both. 
 
 If You fhould enquire after the little Piece, I can 
 hardly give any Account of it. Printing feems to be 
 flow Work. I don't find, that fo much as a fingle Sheet 
 is worked off; though they have had the Manufcript 
 almoft three V/eeks, The very firft that is finiflied, 
 and fit for Perufal, will take Leave to wait upon your 
 Ladyfhip. And may the Bleffing of Him, who once 
 was hanged on a Tree, but now fits on the Throne, for 
 ever attend your Ladyfhip, and what owes its Being to 
 your Commands, on 
 
 Your moft obliged and obedient Servant, 
 
 LETTER XLIL 
 
 On fublijhing his Remarks. 
 
 Wejiony 0£f. 29, 175a..; 
 
 Madam, 
 
 IT is a long Time, fince I had the Pleafiire of writing-, 
 to You ; - and it is longer ftill, fmce I had the Honour 
 of hearing from You. Will your Ladyfhip permit me 
 to afTure You, that, though I have not troubled You 
 with my Letters, I daily remember your Favours wit}^ 
 unfeigned Gratitude, and your Welfare with affedionate 
 Prayers. 
 
 I had Hopes of prefenting You, long before this 
 Time, with thofe Remarks in Print, which You fo 
 candidly received in Manufcript. But the Printer, not- 
 withftanding my particular Requeil, that the Piece 
 might be worked off with Expedition, thinks proper 
 to delay : and takes fome Months for a little Bufmefs, 
 which, I fhould think, might be difpatched in a Fort- 
 U 4 night, 
 
296 LETTERSTO 
 
 night. — What can I do ? When a Perfon travels in a 
 Stage-Coach, He muft go the Pace, not which He 
 chufes, but which the Driver pleafes. — I truft, however, 
 there is a fecret Providence over-ruhng fuch Affairs : 
 and that He who fits at the Helm of his Church, 
 '^ orders all," even the minuteft Circumftances, " in 
 Number, Weight, and Meafure." The particular Con- 
 jundure and proper Seafon of Things, it is plain, He 
 very exaftly obferves. For He faid, on a memorable 
 Occafion, " My Time is not yet come." O ! that We 
 rnay chearfully commit Qurfelyes and all our Affairs to 
 his unerring Guidance ! 
 
 While I write this, a Packet arrives from my Book- 
 feller, which informs me, that the Pamphlet will foon be 
 finifhed. He fends for the Title-Page. Which is the 
 lafl Part that is printed. Now it is going to launch into 
 the World, may the God of Heaven and Earth give it 
 a propitious Gale and a profperous Voyage ! That it may 
 bring fome Honour to the bleffed Jefos, and fupport 
 the Dignity of his holy Word. Then it will bring a 
 greater Pleafure to the Author, than a Fleet of Mer- 
 chant-men brings to the Owners, when it returns laden 
 witl> the choiceft Spices of the Eafl. 
 
 I have a Requeft to make your Ladyihip. But am 
 fo ftraitened for Time, that I mufl defer it till another 
 pofl. Would your Ladyfliip advife me, to afk Dr, 
 Hales, whether it might be proper, by his Means, to 
 beo- of her Royal Highnefs to accept the Pamphlet ? 
 And, whether it would be impertinent to offer it to the 
 Bifiop of Norivichy or difrefpedful to omit it .? Shall I 
 promile myfelf Your Opinion on thefe Points, and take 
 the Liberty to declare by the enfuing as well as by th^ 
 prefcnt Poflj how refpedlfuUy and unfeignedly I am 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's mofl obliged, 
 
 a,nd obedient Servant. 
 LET-^ 
 
LADY FRANGES SHIRLEY. 29; 
 
 LETTER XLIII. 
 
 An Application to her Bciinty to relieve the Dijirejfed. 
 
 Wejiorii OSi. 31^ 1 752. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 THE Reqiieft I am going to make, wants the lefs 
 Apology, becaufe it was mentioned in my laft. 
 Or rather permit me to fay, it wants no Apology, be- 
 caufe I am perfuaded, your Delire is to h good, and 
 your Delight is to do Good. 
 
 I well remember, and fhould abhor myfelf if I was 
 capable of forgetting the generous Offer You made 
 me, when I was honoured with your Ladyfliip's Com- 
 pany in London. I had then enough for myfelf, and 
 fufficient to fpare for the Relief of others. But now 
 Reiterated Expences, and larger than I expedled, and 
 not yet ended, have aimoft totally exhaufted my Purfe. 
 And I am not likely to receive any Rents, which may 
 fet me again upon rifing Ground, for a confiderable 
 Time. — This unavoidably frraitens my Hands, and 
 makes me incapable of diftributing to the NecefTities of 
 the Indigent, fo liberally as I could wifh. Will You, 
 Madam, give me Leave, at this Junfture efpecially, to 
 gdt (IS your Almoner ? I believe, I could put about ten 
 Pounds to very good Intereft for your Ladyfhip. A 
 little Linen, for thofe who are half naked j and an 
 edifying Book, for thofe who are deplorably ignorant; 
 might, I truft, be acceptable to God our Saviour, and 
 ferviceable to thofe, whom He has bought with his 
 Blood. — If this Petition fhould come at a Seafon, when 
 it may be in any Degree inconveifient, or unfuitable to 
 your Ladylhip's Inclination ; then, I make it my farther 
 Requeft, that You will pleafc to anfwer it, not by 
 making any Excufe for your Refufal, but by taking no 
 
 Notice. 
 
298 L E T T E R S T 
 
 Notice at all of it. Which will be perfeftly fatisfa61:ory 
 to me. — I can, I alTure You, aft an implicit Faith on 
 your Ladyfliip ; and believe. You have excellent Rea- 
 fons for Your Condud, though they fhould be hid from 
 my Knowlege. But fuch is my Weaknefs, (O ! that I 
 may blufh and be confounded under a Senfe of it !) \ 
 jcan hardly do the famCj with regard to the unerring 
 and ever-gracious God. Can hardly acquiefce, and be 
 chearfully, be thankfully refigned, when He is pleafed to 
 relax the Springs of Life, and '^ bring down my Strength 
 •in my Journey." " Lord, encre^fe our Faith," is a 
 Supplication, which we fhould often addrefs to the 
 Throne of Grace, 
 
 You will very foon receive the Pamphlet, which may 
 be properly called your own : Tour own, where it is per- 
 tinent or valuable ; minCy where it is weak or injudicious. 
 I fhall take the Liberty, unlefs you countermand me in 
 the Interim, to have it direfted for your La4ylhip3 and 
 left at Lady — •. 
 
 May the Prince of Peace give you Peace always and 
 by all Means. Which cannot be granted to your Lady- 
 fhip, witJiout imparting a fingular Satisfadion to. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Your moft obliged 
 
 and moft obedient Servant. 
 
 LET- 
 
^ADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 299 
 
 LETTER XLIV. 
 
 On acknowledging her Bounty to the Poor, 
 
 Wejloriy Nov. 4, 1752. 
 MadaMj 
 
 YOUR Anfwer to my Letter, and what it contained, 
 puts me in Mind of one very remarkable Circum- 
 ftance in Jael's Condii6l : of whom it is faid, in the 
 facred Ode, " He afked Water, and She gave Him 
 Milk." I afked a Boon, and your Gift has exceeded, 
 has doubled my Requefl. ^' May the Lord Jefus Chrifl: 
 do fo to You, and more alfo !" 
 
 1 humbly thank your Ladyfhip in Behalf of the Poor; 
 and I befeech my divine Mafter, to make me a faithful 
 Steward, both to Him and to You. I will keep an exadl 
 Account of the Diftribution of your Alms, and be ready- 
 to fubmit it to your Infpedtion, whenever You pleafe. 
 ■ — I clearly perceive, from your generous Grant, that 
 You give me Leave to employ any Part of it for my 
 own Accommodation. And I am altogether as much 
 obhged to your Ladylhip, as if I fhould make Ufe of 
 it for my own Accommodation. But, blefied be the 
 divine Providence, I am in no -perjonal Want j only I 
 have, at prefent, no Overplus for beneficent Purpofes. 
 And as Life, mine efpecially, is fo very precarious,' I 
 am unwilling to run in Debt, even for the Sake of 
 Charity. — No other Debt I mean, but that of Gratitude. 
 And it will not be a Burthen upon my Spirits, but the 
 Delight of my Fleart, always to owe this to your 
 Ladyfhip. 
 
 I will give Dire6lions to my Bookfcller to fend three 
 of the Pamphlets to Dr. Hales j and one to your Lady- 
 
 fliip, to be left at Lady . And I fhall not negledt 
 
 to pray, that You may enjoy the precious Promife re- 
 corded 
 
390 LETTERSTO 
 
 cor '"^ hv that charming and moft confolatory Writer, 
 the Prophet IJaiah, " Then fhall thy Light br.ak 
 forth as the Morning, and thine Health fhall fpring 
 forth fpeedily : and thy Righteoufnefs (hall go before 
 thee J the Glory of the Lord fhall be thy Rere-ward. 
 Thou fhait call, and the Lord Ihall anfwer : thou Ihalt 
 cry, and He fhall fay. Here I am." Ifaiah Iviii. 8, 9. 
 May all that is included in thefe Words, all that was 
 merited by the Redeemer's Death, be the Portion of 
 your Ladyfhip. And this will amount to a Happinefs, 
 greater than can be conceived -, but is that very Hap- 
 pinefs which is moft earneftly wifhed for your Lady* 
 fhip, by 
 
 Your greatly obliged, 
 
 and truly grateful humble Servant, 
 
 LETTER XLV. 
 
 The Scriptures Conjolation in Affli5lion. — The Benefit of 
 Temptation. 
 
 Wejion^ 'Nov, 7, 1752, 
 
 Madam, 
 
 GLAD fhould I be, very glad, if I could as effec- 
 tually adminifter Confolation to your Mind, under 
 every Diftrefs ; as I can afTuredly promife the moft in- 
 violable Fidelity, in every Affair, which You are pleafed 
 to communicate, under the Seal of Secrecy. — How- 
 ever, I can apply to Him, who fpoke the tempeftuous 
 Ocean into a Calm ; and is able to fpeak the troubled 
 Soul into Tranquillity. — " I create the Fruit of the 
 Lips, faith the Lord j which fliall be, Peac-e, Peace." 
 JJai, Ivii. 1 9. The Repetition of the Word, I believe^ 
 
 denote§ 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 301 
 
 denotes the Certainty, the Abundance, and the Perma- 
 nency of the Peace ; which is created by God, and is 
 the Fruit of his Word ; fpoken by the Mouth, and 
 committed to the Writings, of his Prophets and Apoftles* 
 ' — In all our Difquietudes therefore, my honoured 
 Madam, let Us feek, by afTiduous Application, to the 
 Scriptures of Truth ; and by humble Prayer, to the 
 God of all Grace. The former was David's Refolution ; 
 " In the Lord's Word will I rejoice ; in the Lord's 
 Word will I comfort me." The latter was Hannah'^ 
 Pra61:ice ; when " her Adverfary provoked her fore, to 
 make her fret ; She poured out her Complaint unto the 
 Lord, and fliewed Him of her Trouble. And the 
 Burthen was removed from her Spirits 5 her Counte- 
 nance was no more fad." (i Sam. i.) 
 
 Methinks, I could almofl wifh, that, whatever Buf- 
 fetings of Satan I myfelf may feel, your Ladylhip might 
 be expofed to none of his fiery Darts. But it can not, 
 it muji not be. Even You, Madam, muft be exercifcd 
 with Trials. Without them, Diligence would fold her 
 Arms J Circumfpeftion would clofe her Eyes ; and all 
 our Chriftian Graces would lofe their Activity and 
 Vigour. To be immured always in a warm Room, 
 where no fingle Breath of Air could reach Us, could 
 not be conducive to the Health of our Bodies. To 
 be free from Trials, and exempt from Temptations, 
 would be as little beneficial to the State of the Soul.-— 
 Neverthelefs, be of good Comfort, my Lady. You 
 know. Who has faid ; " My Grace is fulficient for 
 Thee." And it was the Saying of a good Man, a 
 Veteran in the fpiritual Warfare i " Thofe Temptations, 
 which drive U^ no Prayer, and make Us more attentive 
 to the Scriptures, can not ruin Us s will never hurt Us ; 
 nay, will turn, in the IfTue, to our great Advantage." 
 
 At fuch Seafons, and fuch Difciplines, We are taught 
 to know Ourfelvcs. Where — at fuch an Hour of In- 
 
 ^ firmicy 
 
3oi LETTERS TO 
 
 firmity and prevailing Corruption— where is our fancica 
 Righteoufnefs ? What Figure does our own Obedience 
 make ? Alas ! it appears worthlefs, and moll defpicably 
 mean. Then how comfortable to reflect, that though 
 miferably defedlive in Ourfelves, We " are complete 
 in our divine Redeemer." — When We fee our own 
 Righteoufnefles, to be poor intermitted Scraps of Duty ; 
 to be, as the Prophet fpeaks, no better" than " filthy 
 Rags ;" then how precious is Jefus Chrift, under the 
 Charad:er of " The Lord our Righteoufnefs !" Then 
 how reviving is fuch a Text of Scripture; " God hath 
 made Him, who knew no Sin, to be Sin for Usj 
 that We might be made the Righteoufnefs of God in 
 Him !" 2 Cor. v. 21. 
 
 You do right, Madam, to overcome Evil with Good. 
 This is a noble Conqueft. May the Arm of the Al- 
 mighty enable You to gain many fuch Vi(flories ! — You 
 a6t alfo from the right Principle. No Confideration can 
 fo powerfully incline Us to forgive, as the bright Hope, 
 and chearing Profpedb of our own Forgivenefs. Since 
 God has remitted to Us a Debt of ten thoufand, thou- 
 fand Talents ; fhall We not readily remit a few Pence 
 to our offending Brethren ? It is St. Paul's Argumenty 
 and a moft engaging Argument it is ; " Be ye kind one 
 to anodier, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even 
 as God for Chrift 's Sake hath forgiven You." May 
 the Spirit of eternal Goodnefs confirm your Ladyfliip 
 in this Faith ! Give You a happy Perfuafion, that al! 
 your Sins are blotted out by the Blood of the Lamb ; 
 that, though there are and will be Failings in You, yet 
 there is no Condemnation for You ! This will promote 
 and facilitate the Exercife of every Virtue ; juft as a 
 generous Cordial exhilarates the Spirits, invigorates the 
 Limbs, and fheds its benign Influence through the whole 
 
 Frame, 
 
 You 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 30^ 
 
 You need not to aflc my Prayers for your Ladyfhip. 
 J mud extinguifh the warmell Emotions of my Soul, 
 before I can ceafe to wifh, and make Supplication for, 
 your prelent Comfort, and endlcfs Happinefs. And, 
 blelTed be God, there is a great High-Pried in Heaven, 
 who ever lives to make Intercefiion for You ; and not 
 only makes IntercefTion, but pleads all his meritorious 
 Obedience and Death in your Behalf. To His Care, 
 who careth for You with the tendered: and everlading 
 Companion, I commit your Ladydiip j and beg Leave 
 to fubfcribe myfelf 
 
 Your mod obliged, 
 
 and truly grateful humble Servant. 
 
 P. S. I cannot forbear repeating my Thanks j fince 
 You have been pleafed to make a repeated Tender of 
 your Liberality. I aflure your Ladydiip, that your late 
 Donation is abundantly fufficient for my charitable De- 
 mands ; that I am in no Want on my own Account ; 
 but very much delighted with your truly noble and en- 
 dearing Manner of offering your Favours. 
 
 I am afraid your judicious Advice comes too late. I 
 am apprehenfive, the Pamphlet will be advertifed, be- 
 fore my Letter can pofllbly reach my Bookfeller. And 
 if the Day for Publication is fixed, in feveral of the 
 Papers, it cannot be altered, without infringing upoa 
 the edabliflied Laws of Trade. However, I will write ; 
 and if it be a pra6licable Thing, will regulate and grace 
 my Condu;5t by your Ladydiip's Counfel, 
 
 LET- 
 
304 li E T T E R S t O 
 
 LETTER XLVI. 
 
 On -prejenting his Remarks on Lord Bolinghrohe — On Dr. 
 
 Hales. 
 
 PFfJloHj Nov. 12, 1752. 
 Madam, 
 
 I AM afhamed to plead Hafte, as an Excufe for 
 Negligence or Brevity, when 1 have the Honour 
 of writing to your Ladyfhip. But at prefent the Cafe 
 is unavoidable j therefore^ I hope, the Apology will be 
 admitted. The truth is — Sunday is come, and I have 
 not fo much as thought upon a Text. May the un- 
 erring Spirit of Chrift dired my Choicej and enable 
 me rightly to divide the Word of Truth ! 
 
 I hope, before this Time, the Remarks on Lord 
 
 B e, have waited on your Ladyfhip, and been: 
 
 received with your ufual Candour. — There is one egre- 
 gious Blunder committed by the Printer. Which, I 
 fear, will make the PafTage quite unintelligible. Can 
 You tell, how to underftand the latter Part of Line 20, 
 Page 67 ? — Wh — is plain. But what elfe Ihould be 
 read with thefe Letters ? Many Readers, I am appre- 
 henfive, will be at a Lofs to fupply the Connexion. 
 In thofe Copies, which were tranfmitted to me, I have 
 altered it thus — Whofe me — then the Senfe is clear. 
 Thus it was in the original Manufcript -, and I wifh, 
 your Ladylliip would take the Trouble, of writing it 
 thus in your Copy. And if You pleafe to fuggefl the 
 fame Hint to Dr. HakSj You would do me another 
 Favour. Whofe Miniflration to Her Royal Highnefs, 
 and Interviews with your Ladylliip, I hope, the God 
 of Heaven will make effedtual to the Furtherance of 
 your Faith, aiid Encreafe Qf your Joy in the blefled 
 
 Jefus* 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 305 
 
 Jefus. To v/hofe tender Care^ and everlafting Love, 
 I commit your Ladyfhip ; and beg Leave to profefs 
 myfelf^ 
 
 Your moft obliged, 
 
 and moll obedient Servant. 
 
 P. S. I had written a fliort Letter to the Dodor, 
 before I was favoured with your Ladyfhip's Hint. And 
 am glad, my Conduft was fo happy as to correfpond 
 with your Ladyfhip's Advice. 
 
 LETTER XLVn. 
 
 An Explanation to he made to Dr. Hales. 
 
 IVcftcn, Nov, 1 5, 1752. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 PERMIT me to trouble You with another Hiort 
 Scribble ; in order to beg Pardon for a Miftake, 
 which, I find, has been committed. Four Setts of the: 
 Remarks, I parcel ve, have been fent to your Ladyihip; 
 at the fame Time, not one was tranfmitted to Dr. 
 Hales. I have explained to the DeElor the Caufe of 
 this Blunder j and from Him, I beg of your Ladyihip 
 to fatisfy Yourfelfj and receive an Excufe for me. 
 
 If your Ladyihip difcerns any Thing improper in 
 the Additions, I have made s or if You hear any Cen- 
 fures palTed, upon any Part of the Performance j let 
 me entreat You to communicate them to the Author. 
 That, in Cafe another Edition is required, (which my 
 Bookfcller mentions as no improbable Affair) fome 
 fuitable Corrections may be made. 
 
 Vol. Ill, X Give 
 
3«5 L E T T E R S T O 
 
 Give me Leave to conclude with wilhlng, that th& 
 ineftimable Word, which You have animated me to 
 vindicate, may dwell in your Ladyfhip richly. Dwell 
 in your Memory -, dwell in your Affeftions ; dwell in 
 your Heart ; and be influential on all your Converfa^ 
 tion. A greater Happinefs I could not wifh, for the 
 moft generous Friend in the World s therefore it is the 
 Happinefs "moft earneftly wilh'd for your Ladyfhip, by 
 
 Your moft obedient 
 
 and ever grateful Servant, 
 
 LETTER XLVIIL 
 
 On her intended Kmdnejs to him — On his Illnejs. 
 
 JVeJlitiy Dec. 5, 1752. 
 
 Madam, ■ ' 
 
 MAY I afk. How You have acquired the Art, of 
 conferring real Favours, on the Occafion of 
 imaginary Wants ? I little thought, that the ambiguous 
 Reprefentation of my late Confinement, would have 
 brought me under a new Obligation to your Ladyfhip,. 
 But indeed your kind Intention of procuring a great 
 Sum, to extricate me from the Difficulties, in which 
 You fuppofed me to be involved, has drawn a propor- 
 tionably large Bill upon my Gratitude. 
 
 I thank You, Madam, for what You intended, as 
 well as for what You have conferred. Yet, if I know 
 my own Heart, I fliouid fufFer much, before I could 
 prevail upon myfelf to draw your Ladyfhip into fuch 
 Trouble. Should I, to remedy the Efredls of my own 
 Mifcondufb, ftraiten, perplex, and embarrafs a gene- 
 8 rous 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 307 
 
 roils noble Friend ? The Thought grieves me : the 
 Aftion itfelf would wound me. 
 
 Yet, how often have I read, that, to make mc rich, 
 the Lord of all Things " had not where to lay his 
 Head." To obtain Joy and Gladnefs for me, the Prince 
 of Peace was forrowful, " forrowful even unto Death." 
 To cleanfe me from all Guilt, to prefent me without 
 Spot or Blemifn before his Throne, the ever-blefled 
 Son of God was content to fpill the lafl Drop of his 
 Blood. — How often have I read all this, yet continued 
 nnaffcdted, and ftupidly infenfible ! — May your Lady- 
 fliip's Heart glow with Gratitude, overflow v/ith Thank- 
 fulnefs, on every Remembrance of this adored and 
 gracious Redeemer. May I be fmitten with Remorfe, 
 and overwhelmed with Siiame, for my vile, vile Ingra- 
 titude to fo divinely compalfionate a Saviour. And fo. 
 much the more, the more I am aflured of his Readinefs 
 to forgive all my Provocations, and to love me as 
 freely as if 1 had never offended. 
 
 I am much obliged to your Ladyflilp for taking the 
 Trouble of tranfmitting the Sentiments of your critical 
 Acquaintance. If I live to write another Letter, I 
 will return my Opinion widi Relation to them — This 
 is defignedly Ihort j to correfpond with my weak State 
 of Health. For 1 am again confined : though, blefled 
 be God, not " in Durance vile." I preached on Sun- 
 day ; and, I believe, renewed my Cold : fo that this 
 Morning I have loft my Voice. But I thank the divine 
 Providence, that I have a Hand to write a Word of 
 Chrift, tliough my Tongue is difabled for fpeaking of 
 the pltafmg Subjcd. — What a dying Life is mine! 
 Every Blail pierces me, and every Cold cruflies me. 
 Blcfted, for ever bleifed be God through^ Chrift, for a 
 better Life and happier State in the Heavens. Where 
 We fliall be languid no more, afflidted nQ more ; and 
 
 X 2 (O! de- 
 
3o8 LETTIRSTO 
 
 (O ! delightful Con fide ration !) be ungrateful to the 
 dying Jefus no more, fin againft the ever-amiable God 
 no more. — May your Ladylhip have many Foretaftes 
 oFthis blifsful State, here on Earth ; and, in due Time, 
 an abundant Entrance into the Fulnefs of its Joy !•— 
 Permit me the Pleafure and the Honour of fubfcribing 
 myfelf. Madam, 
 
 Your moft obliged, 
 
 mofl obedient Servant, 
 
 LETTER XLIX. 
 
 Remarks en Gen. ix. 25. — On the Snow — On the Divf^ 
 nity of the Savionr, 
 
 iVeJlon, Dec, l\f 1752* 
 
 Madam, 
 
 IN my laft, I promifed to lay before your Ladyfliip, 
 what I apprehend to be a more corre6l Senfe of 
 Gen. ix. 25. That which I have given, is, I think, an 
 vindoubted Truth ; is deducible from the original 
 Words ; and is not without its Patrons. But the Senfe, 
 in which, upon more mature Confideration, I fnould 
 chufe to underftand the Paffage, is— Curfed is liamy 
 curfed is Canaan. Their Guilt is chargeable upon 
 themfelves alone. They are the fole Authors of tlieir 
 own Sin, and the fole Caufes of their own Ruin. 
 Whereas, blejfed be, or blefied is (not Shem primarily 
 and principally) but the Lord God of Shem. — Who is 
 the Caufe of all the Good, that exifts in, or is per- 
 formed by, any of his People. lie works in them 
 both to will and do, according to his Good Pleafure. 
 2 Not 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 30^ 
 
 Not unto them therefore, not unto them, but unto 
 their God and Saviour be all the Glory. 
 
 Thus far I had written, when an Incident called me 
 off; and rendered it impoffible for me to finifh, foon 
 enough for the laft Poft. — When I fat down to pen the 
 preceding, Wc were vifited by a remarkable Stranger. 
 One, who *has not been i'cen in all thefe Parts, for 
 many Months. Fair to Admiration. But, liRe all her 
 Sifter-Beauties, fading and extremely tranfient. — Per- 
 haps, your Ladyfhip may conjetflure, Whom or What 
 I mean. I mean a Flight of Snow : which fell in the 
 Night; and, during the Space of about Half a Day, 
 covered our Fields. I am pleafed with the Appearance 
 of this wintry Gueft ; becaufe it gives me a line Idea 
 of that fpotlefs Purity, which, I truft, your Ladyfliip 
 will derive, from the precious Blood of Chrift. 
 
 How endearing are his Words, and how ineftimable 
 his Promife ! " Come now, and let Us reafon toge- 
 ther, faith the Lord. Though your Sins be as Scarlet, 
 they fliall be v/hite as Snow ; though they be red like 
 Crimfon, they fhall be as Wool." Ifai. i. 18. — How 
 noble is the Declaration, and how triumphant the Faith 
 of Davidy fpeaking upon the fame Subjedl ! " Thou 
 fhalt purge me with Hyflbp, and I Ihall be clean : thou 
 fhalt wafli me, and I Ihall be whiter than Snow." — 
 Thefe PafHiges muft certainly refer to the Blood of the 
 cverlafting Covenant, without which there is no Re- 
 miflion. They cannot but relate to that Blood of the 
 Lamb, which taketh away the Sins of the World. And 
 is not this a Proof of hijf real Divinity ? For if no 
 Man, no Creature, can take away ^?ry Sin: how great 
 muft HE be, how infinitely glorious, who can take 
 away all Sins ! So entirely take them away, that not 
 the leaft Spot or Blemifti fliall remain. 
 
 Since our Lord is very God; the Maker of all 
 Things, and Upholder of the Univerfe j the King of 
 
 X 3 Angels, 
 
5IO LETTERS TO 
 
 Angels, and Judge of Men ; no Wonder, fuch Efficacy 
 attends the Sacrifice of his Death. No Wonder, that 
 his People, v/ailied in his Blood, and arrayed in his 
 Righteoufnefs, fhould be found imblameable and un- 
 reprovable. The Mountain Snows are not fo white, 
 the Garden Lilies are not fo fair, the Stars of Heaven 
 are not fo bright, as thofc blefied happy Souls, who 
 ■have put on the Lord Jefus Chrift. — ^^Vhat Reafon have 
 We, Madam, what abundant. Reafon, to rejoice in 
 fuch a Saviour ! Let Us ftudy his inconceivable Dig- 
 nity, and implore the Influences of that blelled Spirit, 
 whofe Office it is, to teftify of Chrift, and reveal Him 
 in our Hearts. 
 
 I lliould be much delighted to join your honourable 
 and devout Affembly at the Countefs Delits's. Though 
 debarred of this Pieafure on Earth, I hope to enjoy it 
 in Heaven. In the mean Time, I moll heartily pray, 
 that great Power may accompany my dear Friend's 
 Preaching, and great Grace be on all your Souls. That 
 You may he fiedfnfi hi Faith y and fervent in Sprit : 
 and Jerving the Lord, adorning his Gofpel, and rejoicing 
 in Hope of his everlafting Glory. Thefe Bleffings I 
 take Leave to wiih for your Ladyfhip, and my other 
 noble Friends, at the approaching Solemnity. Thefe 
 BlelTings, if youchfafed from above, will make a Feltivgl 
 in the Heart: even that Feftivai, which the Prophet 
 fo beaudfully defcribes, under the Image of a magnifi- 
 cent and fumptuous Banquet. IJai. xxv. 6, 7, 8, 9. 
 At this rnore than royal Banquet may You*^, Madam, 
 have a diftinguiHied Seat; and may fome Crumbs frorp 
 the Table, fall to the Share of, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's obliged, 
 
 obedient, grateful, humble Servant. 
 
 LET. 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 311 
 
 LETTER L,. 
 
 • Refle£lions on Jidden Death — On Pre^paration for it, 
 
 in-j}cn,yan.iz, 1753- 
 
 Madam, 
 
 MY Brother^ i dare fay, efteems it an Honour and 
 a Plealure to execute your Commands. And I 
 am apt to think, all your Ladyfliip's Commands arc 
 of fuch a Nature, as to be Benefits, rather than Tafks. 
 They are calculated for the Advantage of Others, 
 more than for your own. Somewhat like the Precepts 
 of our divine Mafter, all whofe Prohibitions import. 
 Do thyjelf no Harm : and all his Injiincfions imply, 
 Poffefs the higheft Good. 
 
 That awful Stroke of fudden Death, which your 
 obliging Letter mentions, will, I hope, be blefled to 
 your Ladyiliip's fpiritual Improvement. Such alarm- 
 ing Inftances of human Frailty, are, I think, one 
 Species of that Wildom, which crieth 'imthout, and 
 titter eth her Voice hi the Streets. And this is the Pur- 
 port of the Admonition j " Take ye Heed ; watch 
 and pray: for Ye know not, when the Time is.** 
 Cultivate a more inceffant Communion with God : live, 
 by Faith, on the Merits of his dear Son : cherifh all 
 the Influences of his bleiTed Spirit. Then will You not 
 only not be in Bondage through Fear of Death, but 
 fhall tafte fomewhat of Heaven even upon Earth. And 
 when the Moment of Difiblucion comes, You fliall 
 change your Place, not your Company ; You fhall re- 
 linquilh your Clay, but lofe none of your Joys. 
 
 Would your Ladyfhip fee in another Light, What 
 js our proper Preparation fcjr all Changes — How We 
 may be fortified againft all the VicifTitudcs of Life, and 
 
 X 4 againll 
 
31? LETTERSTO 
 
 againft the final Approach of Death — Be plcafed to 
 perufe Rev, xii. i. Thofe, who are arrayed hke that 
 illuftrious Woman ; afFefted like Her ; adorned like 
 Fler ; they are fitted for every Alteration. They need 
 fear no Evil. To them, to live is Chrift, and to die 
 will be Gain. — I give my Anfwer in thefe Words, be- 
 caufe they are very pi6lurefque, and exceedingly ftriking. 
 They will be a fine Subjeft for your Ladyfhip's Medi- 
 tation. And I moft fmcerely wilh, that You may know 
 them, more and more, by your own Experience ; til} 
 Yoli arrive at ti)at happy PUce, and enter into thole 
 blifsful Manfions, where the Scene of this noble Vifion 
 lay, and where alone true Felicity is to be found. 
 
 I have lately comforted, the Heart of a poor old Saint 
 and his infirm Wife, with Part of your charitable Do- 
 nation. And am going to order fome Relief, to an 
 ancient Widow and her afiiitfled Daughter ; whqf^ 
 DiftrefTes, were I to relate them, would, pierce your 
 Heart with Sorrov/. And, I truft, it will give You 
 equal Joy to refleft, that the Father of Mercies is 
 pleaied to rnake Ufe of your Eadylhip's Inftrume;i- 
 tality, in adminu>ring Comfort amidft fuch great Tri- 
 bulation. 
 
 Give me Leave, before I conclude, to turn the De- 
 claration of a Prince and an Apoftle, into a Prayer for 
 your Ladylliip. May the Bkjftng of Him that is ready 
 to ^eriffj come upon Ton ! May You caufe the Heart o( 
 many Widows to fing for Joy ! And, in your own 
 Heart, have much oi^ that Kingdom of God which is net 
 Meat and Brink, 'but Rigbteoujnejs, and Peace ^ and Joy 
 in the Holy Ghofi I — May I aik. When thofe Papers 
 make their Appearance, which the worthy Dr. Hales (o 
 often mentioned ; and for the, Pubhcation of which, if 
 I remember right, tlie Month of January was fixed, in 
 
 a Letter to ^ ^ 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obliged 
 
 and very obedient humble Servant. 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 31^ 
 
 L E T T E R LI. 
 
 On his Illnefs — On St. John's being in the Spirit — On the 
 Cbara£fer of Chriji as Alpha and Omega. 
 
 Wejloji, Feb. 26, 1753. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I AM really in Sufpenrc, I muft beg of You to de- 
 termine, Whether I have done right or wrong. A 
 Fortnight, almoft a whole Fortnight, have I been in 
 Pofleflion of your Lady fliip's Letter i without making 
 any Acknowledgment for the Favour, till this Day.— 
 The Truth is, I have been fadly indifpofed ; languid 
 and difpirited i out of Humour with myfelf, and dif- 
 pleafed with my own Thoughts. And fliould I, in fuch 
 a difagrceable Habit, appear before your Ladyfhip ? 
 Should I prefent to my honourable Friend, what v/as 
 difgiiftful even to myfelf! — As You fhall decide this 
 Queftion, I will condemn or acquit the Prifoner at the 
 Bar ; and will continue or alter my Practice accordingly. 
 
 Methinks, I fee You fmile at Us fanciful and hippifli 
 Folks. Smile, my Lady, and welcome. Only do not 
 think me infenfible of the Honour of your Corre- 
 fpondence, nor altogether ungrateful for the various 
 Inftances of your Generofity. Such a Sufpicion would 
 afflicl me, more than a foggy Day, or a louring Sky. 
 
 In a Letter, which fome Time ago, I had the Plea- 
 furc of writing to your Ladyilup, there are two Paf- 
 fages, which may pofTibly want fome farther Proof, or 
 fome clearer Explication. — The Charafler of Chrift, / 
 am Alpha and Omega, Page 67. Line 15. — The Re- 
 marks on the Book of Chronicles, Page 70, in the Note. 
 — Will You give me Leave, Madam, to illuftrate the 
 former, and to exemplify the latter .? In both which, I 
 
 hope. 
 
314- LETTERSTO 
 
 hope, We fliall find Manna, heavenly Manna, for the 
 Nourilhment of our Faith: and not be obho-ed to 
 gather it, from the Thorns of Controverfy. 
 
 The Charader of our Lord, makes a Part of the 
 Revelationy vouchfafed to St. John. Revel, i. 8. In 
 which, We are entertained. We are ftruck. We are 
 tranfported, with the grandefl Images that ever were 
 conceived, and the Hiblimeft Defcriptions that ever 
 were drawn. We may challenge Homer, challenge 
 Findar, and defy their moft devoted Admirers, to pro.- 
 duce a Parallel. — A Parallel ! No. The Imagery of 
 the Apoflle, is fomewhat like the Perfon of his Imma- 
 nuel. Whofe Appearance — not his Vengeance, not his 
 Wrath, nor his Frown — but his bare Afpearance, is in- 
 fupportably fplendid and glorious. Nothing in Nature 
 can vie with it. Nothing in Nature c^n fland before 
 it. " From his Face the Earth and the Heaven flee 
 away, and there is found no Place for them." ReveL 
 
 XX, II. Y 
 
 In this Book, the Images occur more frequently, and 
 the Colour is more brilliant, than in any other, even, 
 of the facred Compofitions. It was intended to clofe 
 the canonical Writings ; and is not unlike a Capital of 
 Gems, on a Column of Gold, Or, to fpeak more 
 properly, it clofes them with a Dignity, that mufl 
 always be admired ; but will never be equalled ; per- 
 haps, never fully underftood, till We enter into that 
 City, " which hath no Need of the Sun, neither of the 
 Moon to fhine in it j for the Glory of God doth lighten 
 it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof" Rev. xxi. 23. 
 
 To a Perfon of true Tafle, and free from Prejudice,. 
 this, I think, is no inconfiderable Argument for the 
 divine Original of the Work. Whence could an illite- 
 rate Fifherman, have been furniflied with fuch inimi- 
 tably noble Ideas, but from the" immediate Influence of 
 
 Heaven ? 
 
LADY- FRANCES SHIRLEY. 315 
 
 Heaven ? How could this plain, artlefs, and unimproved 
 Mind foar fo high ; fo far above all the Flights of 
 human Genius j were it not upon the Wings of Inlpi- 
 ration. 
 
 How folemn and alarming is the Introduction ! " I 
 was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and lieard behind 
 me a great Voice, as of a Trumpet." — It was ibe 
 Lord's Day. The Day, on which Chrift arofe , and 
 conquered Death, and triumphed over the Grave. The 
 Pay, on v/hich the Holy Ghofl came down upon the 
 Apoftles ; and made their Underftandings clear as the 
 Light, -and their Tongues piercing as the Fire. The 
 Day, on which all inferior Bufmefs is difcontinued, and 
 every earthly Care fufpended ; in order to give, both 
 a Type, and a Foretafte, of ibai everlalling ReJ^, 
 wbicb remahietb for tbe People of God. 
 
 He ivas in tbe Spirit, Not only wrapped in Con- 
 templation ; wreilling in Prayer ; and his Soul afcend- 
 ing in Praife : which are fpiritual Exercifes, and fuited 
 to the Day : but under an extraordinary Influence of 
 the divine Spirit. This illuminated his Mind : this 
 enlivened his Imagination *. and fet before Him the mod 
 magnificent Scenes, that Heaven and Earth afford. 
 Even while he was confined amidft the barren Sands, 
 the naked Rocks, and Iblirary Wilds of Patmos. Whi- 
 ther He was banifbed, " for the Word of God, and for 
 the Teftimony of Jefus Chrift." Rev. i. 9. 
 
 In thefe folicary Wilds, He bears hebind Him a great 
 Voice i as loud, and probably as melodious, as a Trura- 
 fet. Which may remind your Ladylhip, of thofe 
 beautiful and awakening Lines in the MeJJiah — 
 
 Hark ! a glad Voice, the lonely Defart chears : 
 Prepare the Way. A GOD, a GOD appears I 
 A GOD ! A GOD ! The vocal Hills reply ; 
 The Rocks proclaim th' approaching Deity. 
 
 It 
 
3i6 LETTERSTO 
 
 It rs indeed THE DEITY, who approaches. It is in- 
 deed HIS Voice, that is heard. It is the Voice, that 
 fpake at the Beginning, and the World was made : the 
 Voice, that fpake from Mount Sinai, and the Center 
 Ihook : that will fpeak at the laft, and Time fhall be 
 no more. 
 
 And what fays this wonderful Voice ? The Subjedt 
 is like the Speaker, great and marvellous. " I am 
 Alpha and Omega ; the Firft and the Laft." The true, 
 the felf-exiftent, the eternal God. " Which is, and 
 which was, and which is to come." In this high 
 Capacity, under diis auguft Chara<5lcr, our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift is the efficient Caufe, and the ultimate End of 
 ail Things. 
 
 Conlider Him as Mediator, He is the Source and 
 the Center of all tlie divine Difpenfations : frorri whoni 
 they all proceed, and in whom they all terminate. — 
 But He is more peculiarly the Origin and Foundation, 
 of all thofe Purpofes of redeeming Love ; which were 
 formed by the bleffed and only Potentate, " before the 
 Mountains \vere brought fordi. Or ever the Earth and 
 the World were made." Thofe Purpofes, v/hich the 
 Lord Jehovah formed, to fave an innumerable Multi- 
 tude of fallen fmful Men : bringing them, from a State 
 of Ignorance, to the Knowledge of his adorable Per- 
 feftions ; and, from a State of Wickednefs, to a de- 
 lightful Communion with his moft holy Majefty.-^ 
 Which is the moft diftinguiftied Honour, and the moft 
 confummate Happinefs, that an Arch-angel can enjoy. 
 Yet is intended (I moft heartily congratulate You 
 on the Occalion) for You, Madam — and intended alfo 
 (how ftiall I admire ? O ! how ftiall I fufficiently ad- 
 mire, the exceeding Riches of Grace ?) for 
 
 Your Ladylhip's moft obedient, 
 
 and ever grateful Servant. 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 317 
 
 P. S. I hope, your Ladyfhip will take the Cafe into 
 Confideration, which is mentioned at the Beginning. 
 However, I fliall venture to trouble You once more, 
 and tranfmit the Sequel of this little Sketch, before I 
 receive your Decifion. 
 
 LETTER LII. 
 
 On the Chamber of Chrijf, as Pro^phet^ Priefi, Kif7gj the 
 Al'pha and Omega. 
 
 JVeJloriy March 24, 1 7 53. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 PERMIT me, without any Ceremony, or the 
 Formality of a Preface, to refume the Subjedl. of 
 my former Letter. 
 
 Confider Chrifl as a Prophet, He is " the firft and 
 laft :" the fole Infpirer of every Prophet, and the final 
 Objefl of all Prophecy. " A Prophet like Mofes;* 
 fays the facred Oracle : in this Refpedl principally, that 
 as Mofes was fuperior to all other Prophets j fo Chrift 
 is greatly, is incomparably fuperior to Mofes himfelf.— 
 Do Prophets fpeak of future Events, and of People 
 yet unborn, with as much Clearnefs and Certainty, as 
 if the People were prefent, as if the Events were pad ? 
 They do. Yet not they, but the Spirit of Chrift, 
 which is with them, which is in them. — He is Truth 
 itfelf. " In Him are hid all the Treafures of Wifdom 
 and Knowlege. None teacheth like Him." 
 
 Confider Him as the High-Pricft of our Profefllon ; 
 both in Nature and Pradlice, Pie is hcly^ harmkfs, and 
 perfedly undefiled. In Dignity of Office, He is ^^ higher 
 tlian the Heavens." In the Continuance of his Mini- 
 
 ftration. 
 
3i8 LETTERSTO 
 
 llration, Pie is " a Prieft for ever after the Order of 
 Melchtfedek.'* His Death is the great, the all-atoning 
 Sacrifice, which taketh away the Sin of the World. It 
 is the Altar that fandifies, the Incenfe that perfumes, 
 every other Oblation. By this " We have Accefs with 
 Boldnefs, into the Holy of Holies j" and by this We 
 truft to " have an abundant Entrance into the Kingdom 
 of Glory." 
 
 Confider Him as King, He is the Firfl: and the Laft. 
 David's Royal Sceptre, and Solomon ^ Ivory Throne, 
 are but Shadows of his Sovereignty. — The Kingdom of 
 Providence is his ; the Father hath committed all Judg- 
 ment unto the Son. — The Kingdom of Grace is his ; 
 " He is Head' over all Things to die Church." — The 
 Kingdom of Glory is his j " He is gone into Fleaven, 
 Angels, Authorities, and Powers being made fubje6k 
 unto Him." — His Word is his Sceptre, and " He rules 
 in the Hearts of his People ;" there " He writes his 
 Laws," and there " He fubdues their Enemies," even 
 diofe Lufls which war againfl the Soul." 
 
 He is the Sum and Subftance of all the great Things, 
 which are written by Mofes, the Prophets y and Afoftles. 
 He is that Almighty Word, whofe Fiat is recorded in 
 Genefis-i and by Whom the Worlds were made. He is 
 that Sun of Righteoufnels, whofe Rifmg is foretold by 
 Malachi, and whofe Beams have brought Life and'Im-" 
 mortality to Light. He is that fupreme Judge, whofe 
 Tribunal -is erefted in the Vifions of John the Divine, 
 and at whofe Bar the Dead both fmall and great are to 
 be convened. 
 
 In the Duties of Religion, in the Graces of Chrif- 
 tianity, in the Comforts and Victories of the Chriftian, 
 He is the Firil and th'e Laft. — ^Would We exercife 
 Ourlelves in the Duty of Prayer ? Our Lord has de- 
 clared, " Whatlbever Ye fliall afk the Father in my. 
 Name, He will give You."— Would We offer the 
 
 fpiritual 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 3^9 
 
 fpiritual Sacrifice of Praife ? The Apoftle has fet us an 
 Example 3 '' I thank my God through Jefus Chrift." — 
 Is Joy a defirable State ? The lame infallible Director 
 fays J " Rejoice in the Lord Jcfus always : and again I 
 fay. Rejoice in God your Saviour," For, He makes 
 You " always to triumph:" through Him You over- 
 come Sin, and Death, and Hell: Ye are " more 
 tjian Conquerors through Him that loved You." 
 
 In a Word, Chriil is All. — As all the Fountains, the 
 Rivers, and the Clouds, proceed from the Sea; fo, 
 all our Salvation, our Holinefs, and our Happinefs, arc 
 found in Chrift : from the firll Gleam of Hope, that 
 dawns in the penitent Breaft, even to the rapturous 
 Songof Thankfgiving, which founds from the glorified 
 Believer's Tongue. 
 
 Since then We have a Redeemer, "who is " Alpha 
 and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending; which 
 was, and which is, and which is to come ;" the Al- 
 mighty : what can be a more reafonable Inference, or a 
 more beneficial Improvement of the Doflrine, than his 
 own encouraging Exhortation, " Fear not ?" — Was He 
 the liiji, but not the firfi, who v/ould begin the good 
 Work in Us, or fet forward our eternal Felicity ? Was 
 He the/r/? only'y and not the lafi, We might be appre- 
 henfive, left He fhould defert tlie good Work, before 
 it were accomplifhed. But as He is both the firfi and 
 the lajl, He will " not faint nor be difcouraged, till 
 He has fulfilled all the good Pleafure of his Will, and 
 the Work of Faith widi Power. He will fant'tify His 
 Servants wholly ; and prefcrve their whole Spirit, Soul, 
 and Body, blamclels unto die Day of his own glorious 
 Appearing." 
 
 Having fuch a King, what fhould We fear ? If He 
 be for Us, who can be againft Us ? He has Bowels of 
 CompafTion to pity Us, and the Arm of Omnipotence 
 to fuccour Us. Therefore let the Children of Sion be 
 
 joyful 
 
320 LETTERSTO 
 
 joyful in their King. Let them fay boldly with the 
 heroic Apoftle ; " I am perfuaded, that neither Death, 
 nor Life ; nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers ; 
 nor Things prefent, nor Things to come ; nor Height, 
 nor Depth ; nor any other Creature, Ihall be able to 
 fcparate Us from his Love, or pluck Us from his Hand." 
 
 Having fuch a Prophet, let Us fit at his Feet, with 
 pious Mary. Let Us exercife Ourfelves in his Word, 
 Day and Night, with holy David. And let Us,^ with 
 the Difciples of old, wait for the Teachings of his divine 
 Spirit. He can teach, not our Ears only, but our 
 Hearts. He can give Us " all Riches of the full 
 AfTurance of Underftanding." He can fill our Souls, 
 and fill the World, with heavenly Wifdom, " as the 
 Waters cover the Sea." 
 
 Having fuch a Prieft, what may We not hope ? If 
 the idolatrous Micah could fay, " Now I know that the 
 Lord will do me Good, feeing I have a Levite to my 
 Prieft," Judg. xvii. 13. how much more may We 
 every One profefs j Now I am afTured, the Lord Jehovah 
 will do me Good, feeing " We have a great High- 
 Priefl, that is pafTed into the Heavens, Jefus the Son 
 ef God." — We need not wifh for " thoufands of Rams, 
 or ten thoufands of Rivers of Oil." His Death is a 
 Propitiation of infinite Efficacy : fufficient to expiate 
 all Guilt J fufEcient to procure all Bleffings. — We need 
 not wifh " for Horfes of Fire, and Chariots of Fire," 
 His IntercefTion is our Defence againfl all the AlTauks 
 of Temptation, and our Prefervative amidft all the 
 Dangers of Apoflacy. 
 
 If, in all the preceding Inflances, Jefus Chrifl is the 
 frfi and the lajiy iliould He not be fo likewife — in our 
 Efleem ? Should We not " account all Things but Lofs, 
 for the Excellency of the Knowlege of Chrift Jefus our 
 Lord ?" — In our Defires ? Should not this be the Lan- 
 guage of our Hearts ? " Whom have I in Heaven but 
 
 Thee ? 
 
Lady Frances shirleY. ^tt 
 
 Thee ? and there is none upon Earth, that I defire in 
 Comparifon of Thee ?" — In our Glorying? Ought not 
 this to be our unalterable Refolution, " God forbid that 
 I Ihould glory, fave in the Crofs of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrill ?"— In our Aims ? " Whether We eat or drink, 
 or whatever We do, fhould We not do all to the Glory 
 of God" our Saviour ?— In our Life and Death ? That 
 " whether We live, We may live unto the Lord ; or 
 Whether We die, We may die unto the Lord ; fo that. 
 Jiving or dying> We may be the Lord's." 
 
 Then, Madam, You will not think it flrahgei th^t 
 Chrill is the conilant Topic, both of my Tongue and 
 Pen. You will not ceniure it, as a pedantic Pra6lice, that, 
 in all the Letters, which I have the Honour of writing to 
 your Ladyfhipi Chrift is ftill the leading Theme, or the 
 ultimate Point, — A very famous Wit, I know, cha- 
 raflerizes a Pedant, as One who turns every Conver- 
 fation to fome favourite and peculiar Subjedi. If this 
 be a true Definition, the wifeft and beft Men, that ever 
 lived, were the greateft Pedants. The moil excellent 
 and only divine Book in the World, is a Series of Pe- 
 dantry.-^To imitate fuch Pedants, and adopt fuch Pe- 
 dantry, I hope, will always be my Study and my De- 
 light. And, zealous as I am for your Ladylhip's Dignity, 
 I dare venture to wifh, that in this Refpcd You may- 
 be noi only ahfioji, but altopther like, 
 
 Madam, your moil obliged, 
 
 and very obedient humble Servants 
 
 P. S. Forgive me, my honoured Lady, if I have 
 done wrong or a6led difrefpeilflilly, in delaying my 
 Letter. I have been opprelltd with fuch infuperabk 
 Languors of Conftitution, as have made me diffident of 
 myfelf ; difplcafcd with my own Thoughts j averfe to 
 Application of every Kind. And, (would You think 
 
 Vol. IIL Y it ?} 
 
3,, LETTERSTO 
 
 it ?) I can hardly bear to revife the Lines, which ar? 
 now written to your Ladyfhip. I hope, their Patronefs 
 will be more indulgent tlian their Author, or ellV 
 wretched will be their Fate. 
 
 LETTER EIII. 
 
 On the Want of religious Acquaintance. — The All-J'ufficiency 
 of Chriji. — Remarks on an Author, 
 
 Wejiouj April If 1 753. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 GIVE me Leave to thank You, for your very obliging 
 Inquiry after my Health. I can give no very 
 agreeable Account of it. As You will eafily conje6ture, 
 when I wifh, that your Ladylhip's may be the very Re- 
 verfe of mine. — However, I defire to blefs God, that 
 I am not racked with Pain ; that I am enabled, in any 
 Sort, to " preach and teach Jefus Chrifti" and that, 
 ere long, this " Corruptible will put on Incorruption, 
 and this Mortal will put on Immortality. Then fhall 
 be brought to pafs," in its fulleft Extent, " the Saying 
 that is written : They that wait upon the Lord Ihall 
 renew their Strength. They fhall mount up with Wings 
 like the Eagle. They Ihall walk, and not be weary ; 
 they fhall run, and not faint." 
 
 The Scarcity of religious Acquaintance, I believe, 
 is a general Complaint. For my Part, I can find very 
 few among the wealthy or fafliionable, who delight in 
 edifying Converfadon. Therefore, they are feldom 
 troubled with my Company, and as feldom vouchfafc 
 to vifit me. — How glad fliould I have been, had Pro- 
 vidence fo ordered my Situation, to have waited on 
 your Ladyfhip, and talked of the Lordy who was a 
 
 Servant 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 32J 
 
 Servant for Us — the Judge^ who was condemned for Us 
 — the King, who died for Us ! — But though We cannot 
 talk of Him, We may fpeak to Him, by Prayer; and 
 He will fpeak to Us, by his Word. And " never Man 
 fpake like Him." He giveth goodly Words. The 
 Law of Kindnefs is on his Lips. Honey and Milk are 
 under his Tongue. He fpeaks, that We may have 
 Joy ; that our Joy may abide ; that our Joy may be 
 full. O ! that his Word may dwell in Us richly ! 
 
 What You fay of fome Perfons, brings to my Mind 
 that affedting and tender Expoftulation of our blefled 
 Lord ; " Will Ye alfo go away ?" — May the wife and 
 noble Anfwer of the Difciples be the invariable Language 
 of our Hearts ! " Lord, to whom fliall We go ? 
 Thou haft the Words of eternal Life." Eternal Life 
 is our only Happinefs. If We fill fhort of this, fVc 
 are of all Creatures mofi miferable. And in Thee, 
 blelTed Jefus, in Thee alone this ineftimable Portion is 
 to be found. Thy heavenly Doftrine has brought it 
 to Light. Thy Death and Obedience have purchafed 
 it for poor Sinners. Thy Spirit makes meet for this 
 blifsful Inheritance. And thy Promife, thy inviolable 
 Promife, has afcertained it to our Enjoyment. 
 
 I have not feen my dear Friend Whitefield\ but Ihall 
 cfteem it a Privilege and a Delight, to receive Him 
 under my Roof — I have juft get a Sight of the Book 
 You mention. The Author, I find, makes every In- 
 cident, related in Scripture, fome Way or other figni- 
 ficativc of Chrift. Nay, every Name, whether of Per- 
 fons or of Places, is, according to his Interpretation, 
 pregnant with fome evangelical Do<5lrine. His Method 
 is very ingenious ; to the pious Mind, which loves the 
 Lord Jefus Chrill, it muft be pleafing and inftrufbive ; 
 but whether it be the real Meaning of the Holy Spirit, 
 or whether it will approve itfelf to the Judgment of 
 Thofe, who are " of quick Underftanding in the Fear 
 
 Y 2 of 
 
^z4 1 E T T E R S T 6 
 
 of the Lofd/* I am at a Lofs to determine. Howevcfj) 
 I rejoice to fee fo much Learning captivated to the 
 Obedience of Faith : freely owning, that Man is no^ 
 thing, human Attainments are nothing ; but Chriji and 
 his Righteoufnefs, ChriJI and his Grace, are All in AIL 
 Your Ladyfhip will now give me a Difmiffion. — It is 
 Sunday Morning. I muft prepare for my People's Edi- 
 fication; Though I do not often chufe a Text from the 
 Canticles, yet I am much inclined to preach on that 
 charming Pafiage : " Who is this that cometh up out 
 i)f the "Wildernefs, leaning upon her Beloved ?'* While 
 I, in mtich Weaknefs, difcourfe upon it; may YoUji 
 Madamjr contemplate it, experience it, enjoy it ! And 
 hold on, in this comfortable happy Courfe, till You 
 pafs, from the Wildernefs of this World, into the hea- 
 venly CanaaUy and the Paradife of God ! — There, I 
 hope, will be the prefent Converfatioh, and there th^ 
 final Abode of 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moll obliged^ 
 
 and moil dutiful ServanL- 
 
 LETTER LIV. 
 
 His Requefi of a few Franks. — On the Love of Chriji:. 
 
 Weftan^ April '^^ 1753' 
 
 YOU will have a Beggar at your Door^ or rather a 
 Beggar in yoiir Hand. And I muft honeftly own^ 
 Vit is fo proud a Beggar, that if He could do without 
 yoiir Alms, of fupply Himfelf elfewhere. Your Lady- 
 ihip had not been troubled with this Application.-^^ 
 M^f fiieh a EonfelTion^ can You open your Hand, and 
 
 gratify 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 3SJ 
 
 gratify his Reqiieft ? — You can : I am perfuaded, You 
 pan. And may your Charity be fo ftrong and exalted^ 
 as to triumph over many fuch, yea ^nd greater Trials ! 
 '. — What would this troublefome and importunate Man 
 have ? Does He want Silver and Gold ? Or, " would 
 He be fpoken for to the King, or to the Captain of the 
 Hoft ?" 2iJ/>^jiv. 13. — No, Madam. Of the former, 
 blefled be tlic divine Providence, He " has enough, and 
 to fpare." As to the latter, He anfwers with the Shu- 
 7iamitey " I dwell among mine own People ;" perfcftly 
 content with my Station, and without a fmgle Wifh for 
 a higher. But if your Ladyfliip would be fo good, as 
 to procure for Him, and tranfmit to Him, a few PVanks; 
 You will very much oblige Him, and put it into his 
 Power to oblige fome of his diftant Correfpondents, 
 
 Beggars, 1 know, ought not to be tedious. J will 
 therefore take care to avoid this ofFenfive Circumftanceo 
 Only let me wilTi, that You, Madam, who are fo ready 
 to affift Others, may have " the God of Jefhurun, who 
 >ideth upon the Heavens, for your Help, and in his 
 Excellency on the Sky." — That You, who are fo willing 
 to relieve the Necefl'ities of others, may have for your 
 own Portion " the unfearchable Riches of Chrifl:,'' 
 May have all thofe inefliimable Bleffings and glorious 
 Privileges, which were pu,»-chafed for You, by the Blood 
 of Him, whom Angels adore — by the Blood of Him^ 
 who upholdeth ail Things-:-by the Blood of Him^ who 
 will judge the World, — Then, Madam, You will have 
 a Portion, too great for Words to exprefs ; but nor too 
 great for Him, moft fmcerely and ardently to wifli, \vho 
 ventures to beg one more Favour, the Favour and' 
 Honour of fubfcribing Himfelf, 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's moft pbcdjent;^ 
 
 and ever graiteful humble Sepvant, 
 
 T 3 L E T» 
 
3*6 LETTERST0 
 
 LETTER LV. 
 
 On the Benefit ofSickneJs, — On the Mercy and the Sufferings 
 of the Saviour. 
 
 JVedorty April 7.1 y 1753. 
 Madam, 
 
 SHALL I be forward to make my Reqiiefts, but 
 backward to make my Acknowlegements ? Your 
 Favour fo Ipeedily granted, and in fo obliging a Man- 
 ner, would render my Silence inexcufable. Let me ex- 
 prefs my Gratitude, by wifhing You the Accomplifh- 
 ment of that Promife ; " It lliall come to pafs, that 
 before they call, I will anfwer j and while they are yet 
 ipeaking, I will hear." IJai. Ixv. 24. 
 
 I hope, this will find your Ladyfhip freed from that 
 troublcfome Diforder, the Head-Ach. The Diforder 
 is troublefome, but it comes on a kind Errand. It$ 
 Miniftry may be fomewhat importunate, but its Meflage 
 is gracious. It fays to your Affe6lions, " Arife, and 
 depart, for here is not your Reft. There is a Land, 
 where the Inhabitants Ihall no more fay, I am fick. A 
 Land, in which is the Fulnef? of Joys, and Pleafures 
 for evermore. There your true Happincfs is \ there 
 let your Heart be alfo." 
 
 Yefterday, I doubt not, You was thinking of Hini, 
 " who loved Us \ and walhed Us from our Sins, in his 
 own Blood." — Did You not follow Him to Gethjemane^ 
 and view Him in that memorable Garden ? He is ex- 
 pofed to the chilling Damps of the Night ; He is 
 proftrate upon the cold Ground : yet. He fweats— 
 fweats profufely,— fweats great Drops — great Drops of 
 Blood, falling down upon the Earth. — Did You not 
 afk your Lord, with Wonder and Sorrow \ " Wherefore 
 ^pt Thou red in thine Apjparel, and thy Garments like 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 327 
 
 Him that treadeth in the Wine-Fat ?" JJai. Ixiii. 3. And 
 was not this the gracious Anfwer ? " I am proftrate 
 ijpon the Ground ; that Thou, Sinner, mayell be exalted 
 to the Heaven of Heavens. My Garments are red, 
 and my Body weeps Blood j that thou mayeft walk in 
 white Robes, and rejoice in the Favour of God for 
 ever." 
 
 Did you not behold Him tied to the Poft, without 
 Friend to pity Him, or Eye to companionate Him \ 
 While the mercilefs Executioners ply the Scourge j 
 redouble their Strokes \ fmite Him again and again ; 
 and cut Gafhes in his Flefh, hke the Furrows, which 
 the Plough tears in the Field. FJal. cxxix. 3. 
 
 As though the Scourge had not fetched Blood enoiio^h. 
 from his Back and Sides, they crown Him '^ith Thot-ns. 
 What a Mockery was this ! What a Torment ! And 
 how did His bleffed Head ach ! — They crufh the Thorns 
 into his Temples j they beat them down with the Cane^ 
 they drive them deep into his Flefh, and nail them in 
 his very SculL O ! what a Shower of Blood muft rain 
 upon his Face and his Neck ! ' 
 
 All this does not fatisfy the Barbarity of the Jews, 
 nor fufficiently exprefs the Goodnefs of our Lord. He 
 will give Us ftill greater Proofs of his Love, and yet 
 ftronger Affurances of a complete Atonement. — They 
 nail Him to the Crofs. They pierce his Hands and his 
 Feet. They hammer the dreadful Iron, through his 
 racked Sinews, and convulled Nerves. On thcfc dread- 
 ful Nails his Body hangs : not for a few Minutes only, 
 which would occafion Pain inconceivable; but for feveral 
 tedious, difmal Hours. During all which Time, the 
 Weight of his Body wridiing with Torture muft widen 
 the Wounds ; mull encrc a^e the Anguifli ; and keep the 
 crimfon Streams inceffantly flowing. 
 
 Are there not Wounds andBruifes more than enough 
 
 already ? His Skin is rent with Whips ; his Head is 
 
 Y 4 mangled 
 
^28 L E T T E R S T G 
 
 mangled with Thorns : his Hands and Feet are cleft 
 with Nails : " there is no whole Part in his Body.'* 
 After all thele Sufferings, mull he receive another 
 Wound ? Muft his Hearty his very Heart be ftabbcd ? 
 Yes, Madam, for your Sins and Mine, his Heart is 
 ftabbed : his Heart is cut afunder : a Spear is plunged 
 into his very Heart, and forthwith iffues the little Re- 
 maindsr of j^lood that was left in this immaculate and 
 divine Vi6lim. 
 
 What Love was here ! — ^What a Propitiation is this \ 
 . — Great Reafon had the Apoftle to fay i " He loved 
 Us ; and walhed Us from our Sins, in his own Blood.'* 
 ^-May the Contemplation and Behef of this precious 
 Truth, be the Delight of your Soul in Life -, the Com- 
 fort of your Heart in Death -, and the Caufe of your 
 Confidence and Triumph, at the great and terrible Day 
 of the Lord ! — To the Pleafure I take in forming fuch 
 a Wilh, let me add the Honour of profeffing myfelf. 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obliged 
 
 and mofl obedient Servant. 
 
 LETTER LVL 
 
 On the Excellency of the BiMe. — On improving from the 
 Scenes of Nature, 
 
 Wejlotiy May 10, 1 753. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 WH O ever failed round the World, without meet- 
 ing with rude Blafls-, and oppofmg Winds ? And 
 None can pafs to the Land of evcrlafting Reft, free 
 from all Diflurbance, exempt from every Moleftatibn. 
 »-But happy v/ill thefe Difturbances be, if they wean 
 
 Us 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 32^ 
 
 Us from the World, and drive Us to our God. Of" 
 whom it is faid, " Thou Ihalt liidc them privily by 
 thine own Prefcnce from the provoking of all Men ; 
 thou flialt keep them fccrttiy in thy Tabernacle from 
 the Strife of Tongueb." 
 
 When We enter into the World, methinks, Wc 
 launch into a trouoied Sea. When We retire into the 
 Clofet, and exerciie Ourfelves in God's Word, Wc 
 find a quiet Haven. — 1 hope, this, and indeed evfery 
 Occurrence, will endear the Bible to your Ladyfliip ; 
 will attach, more and more infeparably, both your 
 Affc6lion and your Attention to the Scriptures. They 
 are Sources of Peace, as well as Oracles of Truth. — 
 Let me fpeak my own Sentiments, and addrefs my 
 honoured Friend, in the Language of that incomparable 
 Book, I would recommend : '* Bind it continually upon 
 thine Heart, and tie it about thy Neck. When Thou 
 walkeit„ it fhall lead Thee i when Thou fleepeft, it 
 fliall keep Thee i ^nd when thou awakeft, it Ihall talk 
 \vithThee." 
 
 This, I prefume, will find You in your rural Recefs. 
 Permit me to congratulate You on the Occafion ; and 
 to wifh You much of the divine Prefence, while You 
 contemplate the divine Works. In the magnificent 
 Lamp of Day, You will fee a Shadow of that Sun of 
 Righteoufnefs ; who arifes, on a loft World, " with 
 Healing under his Wings." — In tlie boundiefs Extent 
 of the Skies, You will behold fomewhat like a Httle 
 Pattern of that everlafting Mercy ; which " pardoneth 
 Iniquity, and pafTeth by the TranfgrefTion of the Rem- 
 nant of his Heritage." — The copious, the majeftic, the 
 never-ceafmg Flow of the neighbouring River, will 
 remind You of that in-exhauftible Fulnefs, which dwells 
 in our adored Redeemer : will prompt You to thirft 
 after thofe " living Waters," ofwhichwhofoever drinks, 
 " ihall thirft no more -, but they Ihall be in Him a Well 
 
 of 
 t 
 
330 LETTERSTO 
 
 of Waters, fpringing up to eternal Life :" will encourage 
 You to expeft the Accomplilhment of that precious 
 Promife, " I the Lord do keep it : I will water it every 
 Moment : left any hurt it, I will keep it Night and 
 Pay." — Water it every Moment ! — How benign and 
 gracious is that Expreffion ! How perfectly well fuited 
 to our urgent and inceffant NecelTities ! Had it been 
 faid. Every JVeek j every Day s every Hour ; it had been 
 too little for our Exigencies. But this is juft fuch a 
 Supply as We want. May it be your never-failing Re- 
 frefhment in this Life ! and an Antepaft of your incon- 
 ceivable Happinefs in a better Life ! — Your Command, 
 with relation to the Affair, communicated in your lafl, 
 Ihall be pun6lually obeyed. — I am now going to fet out 
 for Northampton, Where I am to preach the Vifitation 
 Sermon. I know not how I Iball fpeak, fo as to be 
 heard, in that very large and lofty Ciiurch. May the 
 Lord God Omnipotent make " his Strength perfect, in 
 my" extreme " Weaknefs !" My Text is, (what, I dare 
 believe, is a favourite Portion of Scripture with your 
 Ladyjfhip) ** God forbid, that I fhould glory, fave in 
 the Crofs of our Lord Jefus Chrift." O ! for the Elo- 
 quence of an JpolloSj and the Fervour of a Boanerges^ 
 to treat worthily of fuch a Subjed. I am quite alhamed 
 of my poor, jejune, fpiritlefs Compofition. And I am 
 no lefs afhamed of my Unbelief: that I dare not truft 
 God for Utterance ; but, before an Audience that is 
 critical forfooth, muft ufe my Notes. Ah ! Madam, 
 fee my Foolilhnefs and vouchfafe your Pity. And as 
 You fometimes condefcend to honour me widi a Letter, 
 fometime be pleafed to remember in your Prayers 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's much obliged, 
 
 .and ever grateful humble Servant, 
 
 ^ET- 
 
r, LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 331 
 
 LETTER LVII. 
 
 On the Humiliation and Love of Chriji. 
 
 PFeflorif May 24, 1 753. 
 Madam, 
 
 HOW much am I obliged to You, not only for 
 complying with my late Requeft, but for making 
 the Enquiry in your own Perfon, and fo fpeedily favour- 
 ing me with an Anfwer ! Indeed, my Lady, I am deeply' 
 fenfible of your Condefcenfion and Kindneis. O ! that 
 your Reward may be from the Lord, and your Recom- 
 pence from your God ! That You may find his Ear 
 ever open to your Prayers ; and his Hand ever ftretched 
 out, to uphold, to protedl, to multiply BlelTings upon 
 You! 
 
 I have ordered my Bookfeller to tranfmit feven of 
 the Sermons to Dr. HaleSy according to his Direction. 
 One for each of his Royal Patrons ; and one, I hope. 
 He will pleafe to accept Himfelf. May the Lord Jefus 
 Chrift fandlify (for to Him nothing is impoffible) fuch 
 a flight Difcourfe, to their Edification and Comfort ! 
 
 My Bookfeller has Orders to lodge a Packet at 
 
 Lady 's, direded to your Ladyfhip ; which will 
 
 contain four. Two You will permit me to prefent to 
 your Ladyfhip ; and to beg the Favour of You to fend 
 the other, one to Lady Chefterfield^ the other to the 
 Countefs of Belits. And may the Father of Mercies 
 fend his heavenly Blcfling with all I 
 
 I have been thmking Should one of thofe Royal 
 Perfunages, who perliaps may lionour my Difcourfe 
 with a Perufal, vouchfafc to call at my flouie, or make 
 me a tranfient Vifit; I fliould be aftonilhed at the 
 favour— Should One of them fubmit to Poverty, or 
 
 go 
 
33* L E T T E R S T O 
 
 go into voluntary Exile, to do me Good ; I fhould be 
 loft in Wonder. It would create a painful Delight—? 
 But, fhould Any of them, open their Bofom to the 
 Sword, or tinge the Axe with their Blood, in order to 
 iave me from Ruin ! My He.irt can hardly bear the 
 Thought. Surely, I fliould much rather bid Death 
 >velcome, than obtain Life at fuch a Price. — Yet, my 
 honoured Madam, did not HE, who is Prince of the 
 Kings of the Earth, leave his celeftial Throne for me ? 
 Did He not ftoop to the loweft Humiliation, and had 
 lie where to lay his Head for me ? Was He not willing, 
 nay, defirous to die -, to die, like the vileft Slave, and 
 in the fevereft Torment, for me ? Thefe are his Words; 
 ^' I have a Baptifm to be baptifed withal ; and how am 
 I ftraitened, till it be accomplilhed !" He longed (all- 
 gracious, ever-bleffed Being !) He longed for the Hour, 
 when He fhould give Us this amazing Demonftration 
 of his Love. When He fhould fpeak it, in dying 
 Pangs; and write it, in his Heart's Blood. -r— Can I wifh 
 ' You, Madam, a greater BlelTmg ; than th^t You may- 
 be enabled " to com.prehend with all Saints, what is 
 the Length and Breadth, and Height and Depth of this 
 Love ?" — And pray, don't difhonour this adorable and 
 boundlefs Love, by entertaining hard or forbidding 
 Apprehenfions of the altogether-lovely Jefus, "Doubt 
 not, but He has laid down his Life, in diyinely tender 
 Compaflion to your precious Soul : That He has bore 
 all your Sins, and fully expiated your Guilt: That He 
 has the fame Bowels of Mercy for You now, as when 
 He hung in Agonies on the curfedTree; will with- 
 hold from You no Manner of Thing that is good ; 
 and will never leave Tou, nor forfake ToUj till He brings. 
 You to his own blifsful Prcfence, and heavenly King- 
 dom. I beg Leave to profcfs myfelf. 
 
 Your Ladylliip's much obliged, 
 
 apd truly grateful humble Servant, 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 35$ 
 
 LETTER LVIIL 
 
 On Jpiritiial Peace. 
 
 Madamj 
 
 fVeJloriy June 12, 1753- 
 
 1AM forry to hearj that You have not been per- 
 fectly well. Might my Wifhes prevail, You lliould 
 have no more Complaints of this Kind.-^— But perhaps 
 it may be expedient for Us;, to be vifited with fome 
 Affliftion. it may tend to wean our AfFe6lions from a 
 Vale of Tears ; and raife and fix them there, where 
 true Joys are to be found.— In thofe Manfions^ which 
 Chrijl is gone to frefare j in thofe alone, complete 
 Happincfs, and confummate Righteoufnefs dwelL 
 Every Languor that oppreffes Us, every Pain that 
 chaftifeth Us, is a friendly Monitor. It tells Us, that 
 We are Strangers and Pilgrims below. It bids us look 
 upon the heavenly Habitations^ as our Home ; and never 
 think Ourfelves thoroughly happy, till We are ab/ent 
 from the Bodyy and -prefent with the Lord. — May the: 
 Diforders, which I daily feel, have this dcfirable Effed: 
 on my Heart ! May your Ladyfhip receive the Admo- 
 nition much feldomer, and improve it much better ! 
 
 Yoii give mc Pleafure, by informing me, thr:t mv" 
 mean Prefcnt, and Ibperficial Sermon, met with Ac-= 
 ceptance. — Dr. Hales is very obliging. Surely, Can- 
 dour, Condefcenfion, and Benevolence make up his 
 Soul. I cannot wifh Him a greater Good, than an 
 Advance in this excellent Temper, and an Encreafe of 
 every fpiritual Blefling.— Lady Chcfterfield does me an 
 Honour \ and I beg of Her and tlie Couritefs Delits to 
 accept my grateful Acknowledgments. May thev and 
 your Ladyfliip enjoy the Privileges mentioned in the" 
 
 Difeourfe I 
 
334 LETTERSTO 
 
 Difcourfe ! Then, though the one be very mean, and 
 very fmall ; the other will be exceeding great, inefti- 
 mably precious, and juft fuch as I wifh for my honour- 
 able Friends. 
 
 But why, my honoured Madam, why ihould You 
 not enjoy the Reft You defire ? — The ever-blelTed and 
 ever companionate Jefus, invites You to come to Him j 
 and promifeSy that He will give You Reft. And He is 
 faithful that prcmifes. Heaven and Earth may pafs 
 away^ but one Iota or Tittle of his Word Ihall not fail. 
 — This is what We have prayed for many Years, in 
 the Devotions of our Church : " That We may pafs 
 our Time in Reft and Quietnefs :" in a holy Tran- 
 quiUity of Mind, fweetened with inward Peace, and 
 brightened with heavenly Hope. And let Us not 
 doubt, but the gracious God does hear, and will hear 
 our Prayers, through the great Atonement, and pre- 
 vailing Interceflion of his dear Son. — Our Church, 
 teaching Us to pray for that Peace of Confcience, which 
 the World cannot give, adds ; " That our Hearts may 
 be fet to obey thy Commandments." Very juftly in- 
 timating, that fpiritual Peace is a moft effeftual Pro- 
 moter of Holinefs ; and one of the beft Prefervatives 
 from the Allurements of Vanity, and the Temptations 
 to Evil. I hope, therefore, that the all-bountiful God, 
 who hath Pleafiire in the Profperity of his Servants^ will 
 give T'ou all Joy and Peace in believing. — It is the Sup- 
 pUcation of an Apoftle, which I have adopted for your 
 Ladyfhip. You will pleafe to obferve the Exprefjion ; 
 how full it is, and how rich. Peace — and not only 
 Peace, but Joy — and not only fome^ but all Peace and 
 Joy. Let me beg of You not to forget the Dire5iion, 
 or the Way wherein thefe Mercies are to be obtained— 
 in believing. May the Father of Compaflions, and the 
 God of all Comfort, enable You truly to believe ; and 
 You will experience that Peace, which pafieth all Un- 
 ^ derftanding. 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. jjj 
 
 derftandlng. Enable You truly to believe — That your 
 Sins, Infirmities, and Follies, have all been punifhed in 
 your divine Redeemer — That his perfe6l Obedience 
 and everlafting Righteoufnefs, render You acceptable 
 and complete before God — That Fie intercedes for 
 You at his Father's right Hand, that You may be Par- 
 taker of the Holy Ghoft the Comforter ; may be kept 
 from Evil, the Evil which is in your Heart, and which 
 is in the World j that You may be made faithful unto 
 "Death i and inherit a Crown of Life. — This Faith is a 
 Source, is the only Source, of fubflantial and lafting 
 Confolation. 
 
 But what are the Obftacles, and who are the Ene- 
 mies, of your Repofe ? Tell them. Madam, I fend 
 them a Challenge. Employ me in your Service. If 
 they dare give me the Meeting, I queftion not but I 
 ihall give a proper Account of them to your Ladyfhip. 
 — Perhaps, You wonder, that fo puny a Creature fhould 
 pretend to a6l the Hero ; and may be afraid to truft 
 your Interefls, in {o feeble a Hand. — Fear not, my 
 good Madam. My Hand is feeble, I confefs. But I 
 have a Sword of heavenly Temper j powerful and re- 
 fiftlefs. Which fhall put them all to Flight, or lay them 
 dead at your Feet. 
 
 Shall I beg the Favour of a few more Franks ? and 
 run more and more in Debt to your Generofity .'' till I 
 become, more than I can well exprefs, your Ladylhip*s 
 
 obliged, repeatedly obliged 
 
 humble Servant. 
 
 LET- 
 
tETTER^ TO 
 
 L E T T te R LIX. 
 
 D« receiving Jome Franks. — On reji raining Grace. — Oh 
 the divine Righteoujnefs. 
 
 fFefon, June 30, 1753; 
 MadaMj 
 
 BELIEVE, I hope at leaft^ You have thought 
 my ProfefTions of Refpedj Gratitudci and Duty, to 
 be very fincere. But you never apprehended, till the 
 Receipt of my lafl Letter, that I Iiad Zeal and Courage 
 enough, to fight a Duel for your Ladyihip. But I dare 
 Hand to my Challenge -, and undertake to encounter not 
 me onlyj but ail the Enemies of your Tranquillity; 
 For He, whofe Word is quick and powerful, and 
 Iharper than any two-edged Sword, hath faid, Great 
 Jhall be the Peace of thy Children. 
 
 But what muft I fay, for having the Honour of your 
 Letter, and the Fa^vour of your Franksj fomewhat 
 'more than a Week^ and not making my Acknowledg- 
 ments all this while ? — Indeed I know not what to fay, 
 I am afhamed of myfclf. And I will tell You the very 
 Truth, that I may be afham.ed of myfelf more and 
 inore.— I have often intended to write. Yet when 1 
 came to fet Pen to Paper, I knew not what to indite; 
 My Thoiights were all locked up. They fympathized 
 with external Nature. As there was a Drought upon 
 the Earth, fo the Springs of Invention (if ever I had 
 any) were drained. — And now I am very unfit to con- 
 verfe with your Ladyfhip; I am ouu of Humour and 
 angry. Angry at myfelf; for giving You Reafon td 
 fufpedt my Senfe of your JCindneffes ; and angry with 
 my Servant, whom I have fent abroad] with Orders td 
 be at Home in due Time, and get my Elorfe ready for 
 
 ah 
 
LADY FRANCES SillRLEY. 537 
 
 an Airing. And though I have given Him Leave to 
 take his Pleaiure twice this Week already, He thinks 
 proper to indulge the third Time ; and ftays much 
 longer than He need, much longer than He ought: 
 
 It is unmanly, I own, and unchriftiah, to be dlf- 
 compoied at fuch Trifles. Yet I blels the reftraining 
 Grace of my God, that I am not abandoned to Excels 
 cf Pafljon i and hurried into furious Words, or out- 
 rageous Deeds. What would not the deceitful Heart 
 of Man commit, if the Goodnefs of our heavenly 
 Father did not interpofe, to check, to curb, and con- 
 troul ? And adored be his gracious Name ! He has 
 promifed never to leave, nor to forfake (finally forfake) 
 hifi People. " Though they fall, they fliall not be caft 
 away, becaufc the Lord upholdeth them with his Hand." 
 
 You fee, Madam, how w^cak, how defpicable, how 
 depraved I am : and will learn from hence, not to think 
 cf your poor Correfpondentj more highly than Ton ought to 
 think. — May I fee from hence, how unfpeakably I need 
 a better Righteoufnefs than my own ! Alas ! how fiimfy 
 at the befl, how tattered at the worfl:, is the Cioathing 
 of my own Attainments, my ov/n Performances 1 But 
 the Robe of Righteoufnefs ^ and the Garment of SalvatioHy 
 which Chrift has prepared, is perfeft, and entire, want- 
 ing nothing. Believers are complete in Him. As their 
 Iniquities were imputed to Him i lb his Obedience ii» 
 imputed to them. " The Lord made Him to be Sin 
 for Us, who knew no Sin ; that We might be niiade the 
 Righteoufnefs of God in Him." 
 
 I hope, this everlafting and glorious Righteoulhefs 
 of our divine Redeemer will be precious, exceedingly 
 precious to your Ladylliip. May You have the cleareft 
 Apprehenfions of it, and an eftablilhed Intereft in it ! 
 May this be your Support, this your Confolation, under 
 till the Failings of the prefent Stale : till the Shadows 
 
 Vol, m. ^ Z of. 
 
338 LETTERSTO 
 
 of Imperfeftion and Mortality flee away ; and the Day 
 of Immortality and Glory dawns. — Permit me. Madam, 
 though with much Confufion, yet with the deepeft 
 'Efteem, to fubfcribe myfelf 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moll obliged 
 
 and moll obedient humble Servant, 
 
 LETTER LX. 
 
 ■Remarks on the State of his Mind. — On the Excellent^ 
 of Chrifi» 
 
 mflon, July 15, 1753. 
 Madam, 
 
 TO be continually writing the fame Thing, I know, 
 is to violate the Rules of Delicacy. But your 
 Afts of Condefcenfion and Kindnefs are fo inceflant, 
 that I mull cither trefpafs upon Gratitude, or offend 
 againll Elegance. Of the two, I chufe rather to be 
 thought inelegant than ungrateful. Therefore, though 
 my laft Letter brought your Ladylliip my bell Thanks, 
 this begs Leave to make the fame Acknowledgments ; 
 for your welcome Prefent of a parcel of Franks, and 
 for your obliging Offer to fupply me with more. — I 
 believe, I Ihall have no Occafion, to trouble You very 
 foon. I Ihall want none, I am pretty certain, for the 
 Services which You feem to fufpedl. I have no Buli- 
 nefs going forward with the Printer. My lall little 
 ElTay, had remained in the Obfcurity of Short-Hand : 
 if the Father of the afflided Youth, had not impor- 
 tuned me to fend my Sermon on a begging Errand. I 
 gave it Him, as a Kind of Lottery-Ticket ; not with- 
 out fome Hopes, and many Prayers, that it might meet 
 
 with 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 33^ 
 
 Avith Succefs, and come up a Prize. Nor have t Rea- 
 fon to repent, but Caufe to blefs the divine Providence. 
 For, though He printed two thoufand, Fie tells me, 
 they are almoft all fold. May this teach me, and may 
 happier nobler Experience teach your Ladylhip, the 
 Truth of that Royal Maxim ; " Commit thy Way 
 unco the Lord> and He (hall bring it to pafs/' 
 
 I thought, I Ihould amufe You (and how glad fhall 
 I be, if I have comforted You !) by drawing back the 
 Curtain, and giving You a View of my Heart. — A 
 View ! No, Madam, it was only a Glance. Could 
 You fee all the Folly and Irregularity, all the Meannefs 
 and Abfurdity, all the IncHnations to Sin, and every 
 Motion of Evil j You would admire the divine Good- 
 nefs, which bears with fo vile and bafe a Wreteh. 
 You would fee accomplifhed, in the moft glaring Man- 
 ner, that fcriptural Defcription ; " The Heart is de- 
 ceitful above all Things, and delperately wicked." You 
 would be apt to fay, with Eyes lifted up to Heaven j 
 Blefled be God for Jefus Chrift ! That poor Sinners 
 have his divine Blood to cleanfe them^ and his unlpotted 
 Righteoufnefs to juftify them ! 
 
 I afTure You, Madd.m ; that, notwithflanding all my 
 Prayers, all my Vigilance, all my Endeavours ; I have 
 fo much Unfubdued Corruption remaining in my SouI> 
 as would fmk me in Defpair, or hurry me into Diftrac* 
 tion J were it not for that great, that amiable, that de- 
 lightful Name, " The Lord our Righteoufnefs." — But 
 hither I fly (O 1 that I might do it every Moment !) 
 On d\is I truft, (O ! that I could do it with full Aflli- 
 rance of Fnilh !) For thus I argue : Though my De- 
 pravity is great, greater far is my Saviour's Merit, 
 What can equal the Merit of God's glorious, God's 
 inconceivably glorious Son ? It is neither Rant nor En- 
 thufiafm, it is the Voice of Sobriety and Reafon to fay j 
 
 Z 'X There 
 
54* L E T T E R S T O 
 
 There never was, never can be any Thing, fo im- 
 menfcly precious, as the Obedience and Death of 
 Him, who was once faflened with Nails to the Crois, 
 but now fits at the right Hand of the Majefly in the 
 Heavens. — Good Madam, let Us never forget this our 
 Refting-Place. Even our Infirmities may be fervice- 
 able, if they teach Us to renounce Ourfelves, and 
 quicken our Application to Chrift. Noah's Dove would 
 fain have found fomewhat to fettle on ; fome Branch of 
 a Tree, or fome Top of a Mountain. But finding no- 
 thing, after all her wearifome Excurfion, fhe was con- 
 ftrained to return, and take up her Abode in the Ark. 
 This feems to be an Emblem of the Soul, that feeks 
 for Comfort and Salvation. We try ; we try again and 
 again ; We try ten thoufand Times, to get fomething 
 of our own -, on which to fix our Hope, from which to 
 derive our Confolation. But when, after repeated Ex- 
 periments, We perceive. That all We have, all We 
 do, is miferably deficient, is fhamefully depraved : then, 
 if the Holy Spirit teilify of Chrift in our Hearts, We 
 are m.ade willing, We are made defirous, to come to 
 the all-fuflicicnt Redeemer. Then We come to Him3 
 as the Prodigal to his Father, not for fomething only, 
 but for our All j with no other Recommendation, if it 
 may be ^o termed, but our Mifery and Indigence. 
 
 Then, We look unto Chrift, as the Needle points 
 to the North. Then, We cleave unto Chrift, as the 
 Girdle of a Man dsaveth unto his Loins. Then, We 
 count ALL Things but Drojsy that We may win Chriji^ 
 and he found in Him. — O ! how dear and defirable, are 
 the urjearehahie Riches of a Saviour, to fuch wretched 
 Infolvents ; fuch abfolute Bankrupts ! — And dare I call 
 tny right honourable, and highly honoured Correfpon- 
 dtnty a Bankrupt ? — I dare do this, and more. I be- 
 feech the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chriji to 
 coflvincc Her thoroughly, that fuch is her State in fpi- 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. ^t 
 
 ritual Things. Bccaufc, this Convi6t:ion is the Way, 
 not to trcalure only, but to a Kingdom. " BlefTed arc 
 the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Hea- 
 ven." And itow earneftly do I long, to have my noble 
 Bcnefaftrefs, poficfs " a Treafure, that will never fail ; 
 a Kingdom, that will never be removed;" and a Blet- 
 fednels, that is inconceivable and everlafling ! 
 
 I am pleafed to hear your Account of Lord , 
 
 and his diftinguifhed Accomplifhments. I hope, the 
 many Prayers of his godly Mother will be heard on his 
 Behalf That He may be like Jofeph, Ohadiah^ and 
 'Daniel. Who, to all the fine Qualities, which form the 
 Gendeman, the Politician, the Hero, added the Faith 
 of God's EkEl. This, I am perfuaded, was iar from 
 obfcuring the illuftrious Figure, which they made while 
 on Earth ; and, I am very fure, it is no BlemiOi in 
 their Charafter, now they are numbered with Saints in 
 Glory everlalling. 
 
 If You, Madam, make an Apology for the Length 
 of your Letter, what mud 1 fay ? — I know, what the 
 polite World would fay, were they to fee this tedious 
 and indigefted Epiftle ; that I had committed a moft 
 unhappy Miftake, and ient You my Sermon-Notes in- 
 Head of a Letter. — But if You fi-jould be fo candid, as 
 to meafure the Sincerity of my Refped, by the Length 
 of my Letter ; and read, in the Number of my Lines, 
 the Ardour of my Willies for your Happinefs; this 
 V^'ill be a fingular Satisfaction to, 
 
 Madam^ 
 
 your Ladyfhip's moll obliged, 
 
 ^nd moft obedient Servant, 
 
 Z ^ l- f^ T- 
 
34S LETTERSTO 
 
 LETTER LXL 
 
 On Chriji as the Place of Refuge, 
 
 Wefloity Aug. 4, 1753, 
 
 Madam, 
 
 SOME Time ago, I fent You a very long Letter 5 
 and now I take Leave, to trouble You with another. 
 —If You afk my Reafon for doing fo : it is, I aflure 
 your Ladyfliip, principally with this View j That You 
 may not think, I expedt Letter for Letter. — No, Ma- 
 dam : I have a deeper Senfe of the Benefits, which I 
 have received from your Friendlhip, than to Hand upon 
 any fuch Terms i and a juiter Efteem of the Honour, 
 which I enjoy in your Correfpondence, than to indulge 
 any fuch Arrogance. — When You pleafe to write, I am 
 delighted. When You think proper to be filent, I am 
 content. In both Cafes, and at all Times, I think, I 
 may venture to fay, widiout Vanity or without Falfliood, 
 I am grateful. Heartily wifhing, and often praying} 
 That our Lerd Jefus Chriji himfelf and God even our 
 Father^ may give Tou everlajiing Confolation^ and good 
 Hope through Grace ! May comfort your Heart j and efla-^ 
 hlijh You in every good Word and Work I 
 
 Will your Ladyihip permit me, to fill up the Re- 
 mainder of my Paper with the Thoughts, which have 
 been the Subjed of our Difcourfe at the Tea-Table, 
 and which are flill warm on my own Mind?— The 
 Weather being wet and tempeftuous, brought to our 
 Remembrance that cheating and comfortable Paflage, 
 where it is faid of Chrift Jefus ; " He fhall be for a 
 Place of Refuge, and for a Covert from Storm and 
 f^om ]^ain," 
 
 How^ 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 343 
 
 How, or in what Refpefls, fhall Chrift anfwer thefe 
 defirable Purpofes ? — Becaufe, He is our Surety. He 
 has put Himfelf in our Stead. He has undertaken to an- 
 fwer all Accufations, that may be brought againft Us ; 
 and to fatisfy all Demands, that may be made upon Us. 
 
 Has the Law of God any Charge againft Us ? — It 
 has. The Law faith, ** Curfed is He that continueth 
 not in all Things that are written in the Book of the 
 Law to do them. And inftead of continuing in all. 
 We have continued in none. We have not perfe^ly 
 kept any, but have repeatedly broke all the Command- 
 ments. Broke them, if not in the outward Aft, yet 
 in our Hearts — If not in the Sight of our Fellow- 
 Creatures, yet before the all-feeing God — If not in the 
 literal, yet in the fpiritual Senfe of the Precepts. 
 Therefore, the Law pronounces Us accurfed : and the 
 Law cannot be broken. Heaven and Earth may pafs 
 away, fooner than one Iota or Tittle of its Commands 
 Ihall be unfulfilled, or of its Threatnings unexecuted. 
 To refcue Us from this dreadful Condition, the blefled 
 Jefus faidj " Upon me be their Curfe. I am content 
 to be treated as an accurfed Creature. Let all that 
 Ignominy and Wrath, which are due to the vileft Tranf- 
 greflbrs — let it all fall upon me." 
 
 Had the Jujlice of God any Controverfy with Us ? 
 It had. Juftice folemnly declared. The Soul that fmnethy 
 fhall die. All We have finned, and dealt wickedly. 
 Death therefore is our due : Death temporal, fpiritual, 
 and eternal. — But our adored Redeemer put Himfelf at 
 our Head ; became refponfible for all our Provocations ; 
 and faid, as it is moft I'weetly recorded in the Book of 
 Joh^ " Deliver them from going down into the Pit : I 
 have found a Ranfom." " Here am I ; prepared and 
 determined to expiate their Iniquities : though it coft 
 me Tears and Groans, Agonies and Blood." — Accord- 
 ingly, the Sword of inflexible Juftice awoke j ftieathed 
 
 Z 4 itfelf 
 
34^ .L E T T E R S T O 
 
 itfelf in his facred Heart ; and took full Vengeance on 
 the Royal and Immaculate Lord, that it might fpar e 
 his mean and finful Servants. 
 
 The Authority of God had a Demand upon Us ; That 
 "We Ihould keep the divine Law, or elfe never expe6l 
 a Title to eternal Life. *? This do, and Thou Ihalt 
 live j" is a Decree, that will never be repealed. — It 
 was impoffible for our fallen Nature, to perform the 
 heavenly Commandment, in all the Extent of its Re- 
 iquirements. Therefore, our ever-gracious Mafter be- 
 came our Surety. He, who gave the Law, was made 
 under the Law. He, who is Ruler over all, fubjefted 
 Himfelf to our Obligations : in our Place, and in our 
 Stead, He fulfilled all, that the Law commanded. On 
 purpofe, that He might anfvver that amiable Character, 
 *' The Lord our Righteoufnefs.'' On Purpofe, faith 
 the infpired Writer, That " by his Obedience }Fe might 
 be made righteous." Roi7i. v, 19. 
 
 In thefe Refpccts, the Lord Jefus is a Refuge and 
 Shelter. A Refuge., ever open and free of Accefs to 
 all Sinners : a Shelter., inviolably fecure and neyer to be 
 penetrated by any Danger. Lot was fafe, when He fled 
 to Zoar. Noah was fafe, when He was fhut up in the 
 Ark. The Prophet was fafe, when Chariots of Fire 
 and Horfes of Fire were all around Him. And are not 
 they equally fafe, who fly to this divinely excellent Me- 
 diator ? Who are interefted in his atoning Death, his 
 juftifying Righteoufnefs, his prevaihng Intercefllon ? 
 They may boldly fay J they may rejoice and fmg; *f We 
 have a ftrong City," in our great Redeemer's Grace and 
 Love. *' Salvation," Salvation itfelf, *' hadi God ap- 
 pointed for our W4is anci Buivvarjcs." 
 
 While Others, therefore, are haftening to gay Amufe- 
 ments : while Others are pulhlng their Way to Prefer- 
 ments,' or afpiring after worldly Honours : may You, 
 Madanio be purfuing the heavenly Plan, and '* flying 
 ■ ' ■• for 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 545 
 
 for Refuge to the Hope fet before You." — Did I know 
 a more defirable BlefTing, or a more dillinguifhed Hap- 
 pinefs, this would not be the invariable Wiili of. 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's 
 
 mofl obliged humble Servant. 
 
 LETTER LXIL 
 
 On the myjlic Authors. — On the Chrijlian's Profpe^s 
 beyond the Grave. 
 
 PFeJioriy Sept. 3, 1 753. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I FULLY intended to feize the very firft Opportunity 
 of acknowleging the Honour of your laft: but have 
 been obliged, by fuccefllve Interruptions, to poftpone 
 this Satistadion, till the prefent Moment. — I beg of 
 your Ladylhip never to mention the Word forgive^ as 
 it Hands connedled in your Letter. Expeft nothing 
 from me, but the Refpei5t, which I owe to your Dignity, 
 and the Gratitude, which I owe for your Favours. 
 
 Mr. I feldom fee. We rarely meet, but our 
 
 Sentiments clafh, and fome fparring Blows intervene. 
 This does not indeed alienate our Affedlions, or deflroy 
 our Friendihip; but it renders our Interviews lefs 
 pleafing, and lefs improving. — He is infeparably attached 
 to his myftic Writers, and not a little zealous to pro- 
 pagate their Peculiarities. He can hardly forbear ob- 
 truding them, on every Occafion, and in every Com^ 
 pany. Which, to my certain Knowlege, has prejudiced 
 Some, difgufted Others, and llartled More. — Whereas, 
 >vhen He does not foar in thofe fuper-celeflial, Heights, 
 jaut condefcends to talk on a Level with the Appre- 
 
 henfions 
 
346 LETTERSTO 
 
 henfions of common Chriftians ; none is more accept- 
 able, none more ufeful. 
 
 See, Madam, what Need We have, to feek for 
 Wifdom from above ! That the blefled God may guide 
 Us with his Counfel, and enable Us " to behave Our- 
 lelves wifely in all our Ways." A Point of fuch great 
 Importance, that it is mentioned, and by the Holy 
 Spirit of God, no lefs than four Times in one Chapter, 
 concerning Z)^i;/V, i Sam. xviii. 5, 14, 15, 30. Does 
 not your Ladylliip often remember, and as often plead 
 in humble Prayer, fuch Promifes as thofe, Pfal. xxxii. 
 8. Ifai. iviii. 11. 
 
 I am glad to hear, that Mr. is fo full of Joy. 
 
 May his Joy be lafting, as well as flowing ! Though I 
 fmcerely wifh it, yet I hardly exped it. For I think, 
 his Notions are calculated, to bring the Soul into Bon- 
 dage ; and opprefs it with Sadnefs ; rather than to create 
 that " Peace of God, which pafleth all Underftanding,'* 
 or Ihed abroad that J oy in the Heart, which " no Man 
 taketh from Us." 
 
 I have no Thought of feeing London, Though to 
 enjoy your Ladyfhip's Company, would be a very great 
 Inducement. My frequent Infirmities are a Chain, which 
 confines me to the Spot, where I am fettled. When 
 You call your Eye upon an aged Tree, fay, " That is 
 a Pifture of Hervey.'" Where the One, and where the 
 Other is fixed, there they both muft continue. Only 
 with this Difference, that the latter hopes, ere long, to 
 be tranfplanted into the Courts of the living God. Then, 
 He may be feen " to revive as the Corn, and grow as 
 the Vine." Then, ** his Leaf fhall not fade ;" and 
 5' look, whatfoeverHe doeth, it fhall profpcr." — There, 
 I truft to meet your Ladyfhip. There to fee You, 
 walking among the Angels of Light i or fitting on a 
 a Throne of Glory ; or proftrate at thofe Feet, which 
 were pierced with Irons, and nailed to the curfed Tree, 
 ■ for 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 347 
 
 for your Salvation. This perhaps, when we fee clearly 
 the Lengths and Breadths, the Heights and Deptlis of 
 our adored Redeemer's Love, will be efteemed the moft 
 defirable Pofture, and the moft delightful Employ. 
 
 Till I am admitted to this Honour, I fliall always be 
 ambitious to profefs myfelf, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obedient 
 
 and very humble Servant. 
 
 LETTER LXIII. 
 
 On bis Silence and Illnefs. 
 
 Wejloriy Nov. 17, 1753. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I HAVE neither read nor written a fingle Line, fmcc 
 I had the Pleafure of perufing your Letter. Enter- 
 tainment and Bufmefs muft both ftand afide, while I 
 pay my grateful Acknowlegements to your Ladyfhip. 
 —You are pleafed to afk, " If I am angry ?" And 
 You will give me Leave to anfwer without Ceremony ; 
 *' That I am angry : very angry." — Can You bear fuch 
 Language, fuch a Reply, from a Perfon fo highly 
 obliged to your Generofity ? — Yes, Madam ; You wil] 
 not only bear it, but approve it, when I farther declare. 
 That all my Anger falls upon jnyjelf. 
 
 My Silence, I muft own, feems fullen and difre^e(5lful. 
 And for this I am angry, at this I am grieved, that I 
 fliould fo much as feem wanting in my Duty to a valu- 
 able and honoured Friend. But my Condud, upon 
 Examination, may perhaps put on a different Afpedl, 
 ^nd appear decent and becoming. I have been very ill : 
 jndecd. Madam, I haves notwithftanding what the 
 3 Wine- 
 
34S LETTERS TO 
 
 Wine-Merchant fays : whole Spirits, I fiippofe, are 
 like the Commodity He deals in, mantling and florid ; 
 and who will not allow me to be indifpofed, unlefs I 
 keep my Chamber, or fend for the Do6tor. But my 
 Conftitution has been drooping, and my Spirits upon 
 the Ebb. I have been afharnxd of myfelf, and difiatis- 
 fied with my own Thoughts. And fiiould I, in fuch a 
 difagreeable Habit, obtrude myfelf or my Sentiments 
 on your Ladyfhip's Notice r — The whole World, I dare 
 fay, would pronounce my Behaviour right. The whole 
 World v/ould be of Opinion, That the lucid Intervals 
 of Life fhould be appropriated to your Correfpcndence. 
 That only my ihining Moments, only the Gleams of 
 Sprighdinefs and Joy (if any fuch I have) fhould be 
 devoted to your Service. Thefe, however few, or how- 
 ever dim, they may be at prefent ; I hope, they will 
 ere long be brighter and more abundant. ' There is a 
 Time, and there is a World, when " the Light of the 
 Sun will be as the Light of feven Days j" when our Sun 
 will no more go down, but fliine with an un-intermitted 
 and everlalling Luftre. — *' This Hope," fays the facred 
 Writer, *^ We have as an Anchor of the Soul, fure 
 and lledfaft." And this Anchor is fixed on the in- 
 effable Merit, Righteoufnefs, and IntercefTion of our 
 divine Redeemer. Can I wifli You a better Bleffing, 
 than that You may " abound in this Hope, through the 
 J*ower qf the Holy Ghoft ?" — 'Tis impofilble to con- 
 ceive a more real Happinrfs ! — May You therefore. 
 Madam, wait all the Days of your appointed Time, 
 confiding in Jefus your Saviour, and *< rejoicing in 
 Hope of the Glory of God !" — It is the Wifh, and | 
 ihould be without Excufe, if it was not alfo the Prayer 
 p^ Madam, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moit obliged, 
 
 ^nd moll obedient Servant, 
 
 LET^ 
 
LADr FRANCES SHIRLET. 3^5 
 
 LETTER LXIV. 
 
 Refdlions on the Licarnation of the Lord Jefus. — Dr. 
 Shuckford's Approbation of his Remarks. 
 
 IFeJloriy Dec. 2^, 1753- 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I CANNOT pafs this joyful Solemnitv, without con- 
 gratuhiting You on the happy Occafion. Give me 
 Leave to addrcfs your Ladyfhip with the Compliments 
 €if the Seafonj and to aOlire You, tiiat they are as 
 fmcere from me, as they arc cuftomary from ail. 
 
 God made Flefli, is the greateft Honour to our Na- 
 ture, and the greateft BlelTing to our Pcrfons, that can 
 poffibly be conceived. When therefore We comme- 
 iTiorate this glorious and delightful Tranfa-ftion, there 
 juftly may be amongft Us, us there was at the " Feaft 
 of Tabernacles, very great Gladnefs." 
 
 Now I mention the Feaft of Tabernacles, might not 
 the Celebration of that Feftival be a Type of our Lord'.t 
 Incarnation ? The Ceremony was very remarkable, and 
 equally pleafmg : for which Reafon, You will permit 
 me to tranfcribe the Account. ** Ye fhall rake the 
 Boughs of goodly Trees, Branches of Palm-Trees, and 
 the Boughs of tiiick Trees, and Wilbws of the Brook, 
 and ye lliall dwell in Booths i'cv(^n Days." 
 
 The immediate Defign of this Ordinance was, to 
 keep up, among the IJraeUtes^ the Remembrance of 
 that wonderful Period ; when the whole Nation of their 
 Anceftors, for the Space of forty Years, dwelt neithrr 
 in Cities, nor Villages, nor Houfes, but in Tenti and 
 in the Wilderne fs. For thus adds the facrcd Ritual; 
 ** That your Generations may know, that I m^idc the 
 Children of J/'rael to dwell in Booths, v,\it:n. I brought 
 them out of die Land of Eiypt," 
 
 The 
 
3SO LETTERSird 
 
 The remotCj and the nobler Defign might be, to 
 forefhew that far more amazing, and infinitely more 
 benign Event, when the Son of the mofl High God 
 condefcended to become Man : to take up his Abode 
 in a Tenement of Clay, and a Vale of Tears. — This 
 feems probable, from the general Tenour of the Jewijh 
 Inftitutions ; which was to be a fhadowy Reprefentation 
 *' of good Things to come." — It is ftill more probable, 
 from the Exprefiion made Ufe of by the infpired 
 Writer; " The Word was made Flefh, and dwelt," or 
 as the Original imports, •pitched his Tent, tabernacled 
 among Us. — Here, Madam, We have a fcriptural Clue, 
 to lead Us into the fpiritual Senfe : and, following fuch 
 a Guide in our Allegories, We are fure not to allegorize 
 at random. 
 
 May We adore the Goodnefs of this ftupendous 
 Vouchfafement, and rejoice in the Benefits refulting 
 from it. — Hence We learn, more effedually than from 
 all the Eloquence of Words, or from the greateft Mul- 
 tiplicity of other Gifts, What Manner of Love the 
 eternal God bears even to his fallen Creatures — Since 
 the Lord of all was Partaker of our Flefh and Blood, 
 We may chearfully expect to be made Partakers of the 
 divine Nature. — And fince the King immortal difdained 
 not to inhabit our inferior World, We may humbly 
 hope not to be denied Admittance into the everlafting 
 Kingdom. Not to be denied Admittance ? Rather, to 
 have an abundant Entrance. " For We know," fays 
 the Apoftle, We have an alTured Truft, " that when 
 our earthly Houfe of this Tabernacle is diflfolved. We 
 have a Building of God, an Houfe not made with Hands, 
 eternal in the Heavens." 
 
 Let me willi You, Madam, to abound in this blefled 
 Hope, through the Power of the Holy Ghoft. That 
 You may live in the* delightful Views of entering, in 
 due Time, into thofe blifsfui Manfions i and of enjoy- 
 ing. 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 351 
 
 ing, for ever, their magnificent and glorious Lord. 
 This will make it Chriftmas, or a Seafon of Joy and 
 Triumph, all the Year round. — To this Wifh permit 
 me to add, what it is as much my Ambition, as my 
 Duty to profefs, that I am 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's mofl obliged, 
 mofl obedient humble Servant, 
 
 P. S. Shall I fubjoin an Extra61: from a Book lately 
 publifhed, by an Author remarkable and eminent in 
 the learned World ? It may look like Vanity ; and, I 
 fear, is not wholly free from ic. But, I think, my 
 principal Motive is your Ladyfhip's Satisfa6tion. Be- 
 caufe, it relates to a little Piece, in which You, Madam, 
 are concerned ; which indeed owes its Being to your 
 Injundlions. Dr. Shuckford-y to whom 1 am entirely 
 unknown, and whom I know only by his celebrated 
 Treatife, entitled The ConneSIioHy &c. is pleafed to write 
 thus, in his laft Work ; " How dogmatically He can 
 abufe the Scriptures (fpeaking of Lord B.) not really 
 knowing them, muft be evident to every One, that 
 
 will read Mr. H 's mofl excellent Remarks on Lord 
 
 B 's Letters ; a Treatife worthy Every One's atten- 
 tive Con fide rati on." — I blefs God, for giving it Ac- 
 ceptance, with fo able a Judge ; and I humbly beg, that 
 it may be for the Honour, not of the Writer, who will 
 foon be no more ; but of that facred Word, which 
 abideth for ever. 
 
 LET- 
 
35* L E T T E R S T O 
 
 . LETTER LXV. 
 
 0» the Imfr oh ability of the Prince being f leafed with his 
 
 IFritings. 
 
 Wejion, Jan. 2, 1 754, 
 
 Madam, 
 
 TO favour me with your Advice, and without de- 
 laying a fingle Pofl, is doiibly kind and obliging, 
 I really think, You have happily folved my Difficulty, 
 and properly adjufted Matters between the Bifhof and 
 the Dc^or. To give or drop fuch a Hint, as your 
 Ladyfhip propofes, in my Letter to the BiJJjop^ is all 
 tliat I dare venture to do. And in doing this, I Ihall 
 pay a due Regard to the Motion of the worthy Bo^iort 
 yet not adl contrary to Decency and Self-diffidence. — - 
 Neverthelefs, I cannot perfuade myfelf, that the Prince 
 ■will ever relifh, or that the Perfons about him would 
 be willing to have Him imbibe, fuch Notions as mine. 
 My Notions would tell Him, that, amidft all his Royal 
 Grandeur, He is a poor undone Sinner ; that, amidft 
 all his Royal Power, He is " unable to think a good 
 Thought," or do any Thing to effedl his Recovery. 
 That, for Recovery and Salvation He muft be obliged, 
 wholly obliged, obliged as much as the meaneft of his 
 Subjects, to the Prince of Peace ; to the Blood of his 
 Crofs, and the Grace of his Spirit. And do You 
 imagine. Madam, that fuch Dodlrines will go down at 
 Court ? Will Humility be welcome in the Head- 
 Quarters ^of Vanity ? — To God indeed nothing is im- 
 poffible. The Hearts of Kings are in the Hand of the 
 Lord. I am glad, your Ladyffiip approves my Alter-- 
 ations. Having received your Approbation, they arc 
 gone to the Prefs. — I fhould have acknowledged your 
 Goodnefs, in giving me your valuable Advice, and' 
 
 fending 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 3^3 
 
 fending me a frefh Supply of Franks. By the laft Poft 
 I fhould have made my Acknowlegements i but I was 
 full of Bufmcfs in preparing a fcriptural Index for my 
 Book. And even now it is not finiilied ; flill my Hands 
 are engaged; and I have fcarce a Moment to Ipare. 
 Which I believe, which I am perfuaded, You will admit 
 as an Excufe for the Shortnefs of my Letter -, and if 
 You Ihould be pleafed to think, the Gratitude of my 
 Heart is the very Reverfe of the Scantinefs of my 
 Epiftle, You will think the Truth of. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Your moft obliged humble Servant. 
 
 LETTER LXVI. 
 
 On Chrijiian Humility, — On true Applaufe, 
 
 JVeJlon, Jan. 76, 1754. 
 Madam, 
 
 PERMIT me to acknowlege, with Pleafure and 
 Gratitude, the Receipt of your lad obliging Letter. 
 — This, ] hope, will find your Ladyfliip recovered, 
 from the Fatigue of attending, and from the AfflicTiion 
 of lofing, a valuable Friend. — Friends, though a de- 
 lightful, are a precarious PofTeffion. Here, they are 
 only lent Us for a few Moments : in Heaven, they will 
 be our own for ever. Let Us then, according to our 
 refpeclive Abilities, flicihtate and expedite each other's 
 Progrefs to that Land of Life, of Love, and inviolable 
 Security. 
 
 I am obliged to Lord N , for having any tolerable 
 
 Opinion of a certain Perfon and his Writings. — ^Witk 
 regard to the Affair of the Franks, I was unfpeakably 
 
 Vol. in. A a more 
 
554 L E T T E R S X O 
 
 mofc concerned for your Ladylliip, than for myfelf It 
 grieved me to think, that You Ihould condefcend, in 
 tny Favour, to afk, and, on my Account, have the 
 Mortitication of a Denial. I dare fay, You don't often 
 do the former ; and I allure myfelf. You have not often 
 met v/ith the latter. — I rejoice, however, that You are 
 enabled to difregard fuch ruffling Accidents, and are 
 fuperior to . fuch low Vexations. They would almoft 
 break a proud Perfon's Heart, but will not break an 
 .humble Perfon's Reft. — May your Ladyihip be more 
 and more conformed to the Example of that divine 
 3eing, who is illuftrious and admirable for every Ex- 
 cellency, but for nothing more than his Humility, Meek- 
 nefs, and Lowlinefs of Mind ! This may not be the 
 modifiy but it is the 7'eal Delicacy and Dignity. It is 
 the Faftiion, that prevails in the Court of Heaven, and 
 will be in Vogue through the Ages of Eternity. 
 
 What I took Leave to lay before your Ladyfhip, with 
 regard to a late Pamphlet, was for the Sake of your 
 own Honour j and, if Need be, for the Vindication of 
 your Judgment. I am determined to mention k to no 
 One befides. For, what have I to do with Applaufe ? 
 Or, if I fhould covet any 7'hing of this Nature, What 
 is the true Applaufe ? — The Seal of God ; the Tefti- 
 mony of the Reader's Confcience j his Saying, as He 
 reads, ^' This is inftrudive ; tliis is animating ; this is 
 comfortable. This chears my Heart, or quickens my 
 Graces : this enlightens my Underftanding, and does my 
 Soul Good like a Medicine.'" — This is truly valuable 
 Praife. After this alone I would afpire. And this 
 comesy not from the Voice of Fame, but from the 
 Operations of the Blefied Spirit. 
 
 I believe, I am not acquainted with the Author, who 
 was fo happy as to pleafe your Ladyfhip 's Tafte, and 
 to eftabliili your Faith.- Taylor upon Faith working by 
 Lo-vCi is Vv'hat I never read ; O ! that I may know its 
 
 Truth 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 355 
 
 Truth by happy Experience ! The Love of Chrill is 
 the true Source of Repentance, th^ true Spur of Obe- 
 dience, and the true Perkiafive to Mortification. It will 
 make even the ftern Countenance of that dreaded Duty 
 wear a Smile. Under its Influence, the difficult Tafk 
 of Self-Denial becomes, not practicable only, but eafy 
 and eligible. We Ihall, without Reludtance, deny Our- 
 felves for His Sake, who has obtained Pardon of Sin 
 and eternal Redemption for Us. We fliall gladly re- 
 nounce any alluring Vanity for His Honour, who has 
 made Us " Children of God, and Heirs of Glory.'* 
 We fhall be " ready to diftribute and willing to com- 
 municate," for the Relief of the afflicted Servants ; 
 when We believe, that their exalted Lord emptied even 
 his Veins, and laid down his very Life, for our Salvation. 
 — May that glorious God who pours the Light of Day 
 through die Univerfe, " flied abroad this Love of Chrifl'* 
 in your Ladyfhip's Heart. 
 
 And O ! what abundant Reafon have We to love 
 that all-gracious Redeemer ! — You love the generous 
 Lady, who left You all that She pofieffed. This emi- 
 nent A61 of Kindnefs endears her Memory, and en- 
 creafes your Affe6lion. How dear then ! how tranf- 
 cendently dear and precious, fhould the bleffed Jefus 
 be to your Ladylhip ! Since he lived for You ; died for 
 You -y and not only remembered You in his Will, but 
 bequeathed to You ail his imje arch able Riches. — I have 
 an authentic Copy of his Will; and, when I have the 
 Honour of writing to You again, I propofe to tranfcribe 
 two or three of the noble Claufes, v/hich fpecify fome 
 of thole ineltimable Legacies, given to You, Madam, 
 and to 
 
 ' Your Ladyfliip's moft obliged, 
 
 and moil obedient humble Servant. 
 
 A a a LET- 
 
156 L E T T E R S T Q 
 
 LETTER LXVII. 
 
 On feajcnahle Rains , after a Drought. — On the Scripture 
 Promijes.' — On his Publications. 
 
 Wejioriy June I, 1754. 
 Madam, 
 
 I SCARCELY know how to exprefs my Thankfulnefs 
 for the double Favour, of excufing my long Silence, 
 and fealing my Pardon by a welcome Prefent. May the 
 great eternal God abundantly blefs You with his Love, 
 fealing " You unto the Day of Redemption !" 
 
 My Brother brought the Franks. Their Number 
 gave me a pleafmg Idea of your Ladylhip's Generofity, 
 Other People will hardly come up to our Requefts. It 
 is your Delight to exceed our Expeftations. And as it 
 is your Delight, it is alfo yolir Honour and your Hap- 
 pinefs. This is to imitate the fupreme BenefaAor, who 
 *' prevents" poor Sinners " with the Bleflings of his 
 Goodnefs." Who, v/hen We deferved no Mercy, gave 
 Us the moft unfpeakably precious Gift. Gave his Son, 
 his divine and adorable Son, " to be made Sin for Us, 
 that We might be made the Righteoufnefs of God in 
 Him." 
 
 We have had, after a long Succellion of very dry 
 Weather, the moft feafonable and refrefhing Rains. 
 The God of Nature has watered the Earth, and made it 
 fruitful. The Meadows are covered with Herbage, and 
 the Fields ftand thick with Corn. " The little Hills 
 (according to the Pfalmift's beautiful Defcription) clap 
 their Hands, and the Vallies laugh and fing." And 
 will the God of Grace with-hold his bleffed Spirit ? Will 
 He fruftify the Clods of the Ground, and leave the 
 Souls, the immortal Souls of, his People, barren and 
 
 defoiate ? 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 3.57 
 
 defolate? No; " He hath fpoken in liis Holinefs," and 
 folemnly promifed; "I will pour Waters upon Him 
 that is thirity, and Rivers upon the dry Ground ; 1 will 
 pour my Spirit." Not drop or diftill, hut pour — and 
 not Waters only, but Rivers — Communications of my 
 Grace, copious as the liquid Treafures, and inceflant as 
 the everlafting Flow, of the majeftic Stream. May 
 this bleiTed Promife be made good to You, Madam ! 
 Fly for Refuge to Jefus Chrifl, and it is your's. Lean 
 upon your beloved Redeemer, and verily it fliall be 
 fulfilled. 
 
 I have enclofed a litde Colle6lion of fcriptural Pro- 
 mifes, relating to the moll important Interefts of the 
 Chriftian, and the moft prefllng Exigencies of his pro- 
 bationary State. I have caufed two thoufand of them 
 to be printed : in order to difpofe of them among my 
 F'riends and the Poor. If pafted, the one at the Be- 
 ginning, the other at the End of their Bibles, they may 
 be a little Cafket of fpiritual Confolation. — Be fo good 
 as to accept the Trifle, and I will think of the Serpent 
 that prefenced a Role to Jupiter; the lowed Reptile to 
 the Monarch of Heaven. Should yourLadyfhip chufe 
 to do the Paper an Honour, by giving it to any Perfons, 
 You will pleafe to command a Supply. The Contents 
 of it, I hope, will comfort, enlighten, and edify their 
 Hearts. 
 
 May I promife myfelf the Benefit of your Opinion, 
 concerning the Publicadon 0^ three Volumes. As You 
 know the Tafte and Temper of the polite World, I 
 Ihould be much obliged for your Advice. And I beg 
 You will not flatter my Vanity ; but if You think, 
 that three Volumes on a religious Subjeft will be injup- 
 portable, be fo kind as to tell me plainly. I would fain 
 write, vvhat may be acceptable, in order to write what 
 may be ufeful; and, for my own Part, I really am 
 A a 3 afraid, 
 
338 LETTERSTO 
 
 afraid, that fo large a Work will be lefs likely to fub- 
 ferve fuch a Defign. Your Ladyfhip's Sentiments on 
 the Subjeft, would have much Weight with, and would 
 be very welcome to. Madam, 
 
 Your moil obedient, 
 
 and grateful humble Servant. 
 
 ■aa 
 
 . LETTER LXVIII. 
 
 On burning her Letters. — On her Bounty, — On Difference 
 of Opinions. — On his Publications. 
 
 IVeJion, June l6, 1 754. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I HAVE now before me a great Favourite j who is 
 condemned to die, and muft fuffer Execution, the 
 Moment I have finifhed my Letter to your Ladyfhip, 
 • — Can You guefs, Who or What I mean ? It is your 
 own obliging Letter -, which, with all your Favours of 
 this Kind, hath been fentenced to the Flames by your 
 own Orders ; and muft, as all its Predeceflbrs have 
 done, perifh, unlefs You pleafe to revoke the Doom. 
 
 I was guilty of a great Miftake, in the laft Letter 
 which I had the Honour of writing to your Ladyfliip. 
 I compared the enclofed Paper to the Prefent of a 
 Rofe. Whereas, it was really a Bank-Note : richer 
 than the Note, which, about a Year and Half ago, a 
 certain Lady of Quality was pleafed to tranfmit to a 
 Country Gentleman, for the Benefit of his poor Neigh- 
 bours. 
 
 'Tis a Note upon the Bank of Heaven : a Note 
 under God's ovv^n Hand : a Note for Treafures of in- 
 
 eftimabk 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 355 
 
 eftimablc Worth and everlafting Duration. — Yet I do 
 not pretend, Madam, to lay You under any Obligation, 
 or to compenfate for your own Generofity. Bccaufe, I 
 am not the Beflower, but only the Bearer of tli^ Gift. 
 —May that all-fufficient God, from whom it comes, 
 enable You to ufe it ! Enable You by Faith and Frayer, 
 to draw for whatever You want — for Grace to help in 
 every Time of Need — for all " the unfearchable Riches 
 of Chrifl." 
 
 I wifh, with your Ladyfhip, that my good Friend 
 
 Mr. had not been fo lavilh in his Praifes of 
 
 Mr. . But I verily believe, He obeyed the Dic- 
 tates of his Confcience, in all that He wrote. — I mull 
 fay likewife, that I am not much delighted, and not at 
 all edified, by his partly philofophic, partly cafuiftic 
 Preface. But He may Intend it for the Benefit of 
 other Readers. To thofe, I heartily wifh, it, may be 
 blefled, and all his Labours, and all his Writings, to 
 the Honour of our common Lord. — There may be a 
 gracious Providence, in fufFering the Sentiments of his 
 Servants to be fomewhat diverfified. By this Means, 
 every Cafe may be fuited, and every Perfon properly 
 addrelTed. The Word of Grace, which publifheth 
 Life and Peace by Jefus Chriil, may be, like the Manna 
 in the Wildernefs, pleafmg to every Palate, and profit- 
 able to every Ifraelite. 
 
 I am much encouraged, and perhaps too much 
 pleafed, with the Reply of the young Lady. She haa 
 paid me fuch a Compliment, as I know not how to 
 acknowledge ; unlcls I may be permitted to wifh — 
 What ? That flie m.ay fhine at a Court, or be the 
 Toaft of \ht Age ? No : but that She may perceive. 
 What a Sinner, What a Rebel, What an undone Crea- 
 ture, lies hid under that blooming Countenance, and 
 engaging Perfon. This will be the Way of bringing 
 
 A a 4 Her 
 
366 LETTERSTO 
 
 Her to prize that adorably tender and compaflionate 
 Saviour, who died to deliver Her from the Wrath to 
 come. — If She Ihould think this a very coarfe Return 
 for her polite Speech, I would beg of her to caft a 
 Look upon the Gold in her Purfe, or the Diamond on 
 her Ring. Thefe, She will obferve, were firft lodged 
 'uery loiVy before they arofe to their prefent high Efti- 
 mation. 
 
 J have ftiil another Scruple, which refpe6bs not the 
 gay and iplendid World, but the mean and penurious. 
 I would gladly have my Books in thofe Hands, which 
 hold the Plough, and ply the Diftaff. — Becaufe, thefe 
 Perfons are as nearly related to the all-creating God, 
 and as highly beloved by the ever-blefled Jefus, as 
 thofe who wear a Crown, or wield a Sceptre. But 
 thefe will hardly be able to purchafe three Volumes. 
 
 I thank your Ladylhip for your kind Offer, in Re- 
 ference to the Princefs. But my Work is fo far from 
 being ready to come abroad, that it is not yet in the 
 Prefs. The neceffary Preliminaries, one of which is 
 the Number of the Volumes, are not fettled. Though, 
 as to this Particular, I begin to be pretty well fatisfied. 
 
 My Brother returned to London, long before I re- 
 ceived your Commands, concerning the little printed 
 Papers. Otherwife, He would have been glad of the 
 Pleafure of conveying them to your Ladylhip. In this 
 Frank, and in another. You will find half a Dozen en- 
 clofed ; fome in a larger and fome in a fmaller Charafter. 
 I am not without Hopes, that the divine BlefTing may 
 accompany them. God, though infinitely exalted, 
 does not dejpije the Day of /mall Things. And whatever 
 He blelTes, whether it be great or fmall, is blefled in- 
 deed. May this BlefTing of the Moll High ever reft 
 upon your Ladyfhip ; and, through the Atonement and 
 5 Inter- 
 
LADT FRANCES SHIRLEY. 361 
 
 IntercefTion of our Great High-Prieft, never depart 
 from. Madam, 
 
 Your moft obliged, 
 
 and moft obedient Servant, 
 
 LETTER LXIX. 
 
 On the Plan of his Theron and Afpafio, 
 
 PFeJJon^ Sept. 28, 1 754. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I OUGHT to make an Apology for my long Silence. 
 Yet inftead of bringing an Apology, I come with a 
 Requeft. — It is not to crave a Bank-Note, which You 
 once beftowed. Nor to refcue me from an Arreft, 
 which You generoufly projefted to do; when You 
 heard that I was under Confinement, but knew not that 
 it was by Sicknefs. It is to requeft the Honour of 
 your Name; to dignify and recommend my Book, 
 which has been, for a confiderable Time, committed 
 to the Prefs. It will, I believe, be entitled 
 
 THERON AND ASPASIO, 
 
 OR A 
 
 SERIES 
 
 OF 
 
 DIALOGUES 
 
 AND 
 
 LETTERS 
 
 Upon the moft mportant and inter cjling Subje6ls. 
 
 The 
 
362 L E T T E R S T O 
 
 The Whole will conftitute three Volumes. It will, I 
 apprehend, makes its Appearance, about the Time 
 appointed for the Meeting of the Parliament. And I 
 know no Perfon, whofe Name will give the Author 
 more Satisfaftion, or be a higher Recommendation to 
 his Performance, than your Ladyfhip's. — I dare not, 
 however, gratify myfelf in this Particular, without 
 afking your Leave -, and I think. You cannot con- 
 Tiftently with Prudence grant your Leave, till You have 
 feen what the Author propofes to fay. Permit me 
 therefore to fubmit the following Attempt to your 
 Ladyfhip's Judgment. Which, I truft, will neither be 
 offenfive to your Dehcacy, nor is incompatible with my 
 Charadter as a Minifter of the Gofpel. 
 
 To the Right Honourable 
 
 Lady FRANCES SHIRLEY, &c. See the 
 
 Dedication to Theron and Aspasio. 
 
 I hope. Madam, You will find nothing in this Ad- 
 drels, that may be painful to Humility. And if fo, 
 give me Leave to promife Myfelf, that You will not 
 withhold this Inltance of your Condefeenfion and Favour 
 from 
 
 The Author of 
 
 Theron and Afpafio^ 
 
 LET« 
 
Lady Frances shirley. 363 
 
 LETTER LXX. 
 
 On th( Dedication to her, 
 
 Nov. 24. 
 Madam, 
 
 ACCEPT my moft grateful Acknowledgments for 
 your laft Favour. You have highly obliged me, 
 in permitting me to grace my Work with your Name. 
 — I have been, ever fmce I received your Ladyfliip's 
 Letter, engaged to keep no lefs than eight Hands con- 
 ftantly employed in Printing. Which has taken up all 
 my Time. Otherwife, I Ihould long before this, jhave 
 given myfelf the Pleafure, which I am now enjoying. 
 
 Be fo kind. Madam, as to favour me with your 
 Advice, Whether I Ihould prefent the Book to laQ 
 Princefs. I mull, I apprehend, prefent it to the Prince's 
 Preceptor j becaufe. He is our Diocefan, and treated 
 me in a very genteel Manner, when I received Inftitu- 
 tion from Plim. 
 
 The Piece, I believe, in a Fortnight or three Weeks, 
 will be ready for public View. — This is the lad Frank 
 I have. Could You, Madam, accommodate me with a 
 freih Supply ? At tliis Junfture, a few of thofe Vehicles 
 would be very welcome and fcrviceable. If You could 
 indulge this Requell, and lodge them with Mr. Riving- 
 ton in St. Paul's Church-Yard, He would tranfmit 
 them in his firfl: Parcel to. Madam, 
 
 Your moft obliged 
 
 humble Servant. 
 
 LET- 
 
564 L E T T E R S T O 
 
 LETTER LXXI. 
 
 On prefenting his Piece to the Princejs. — His Letter from 
 the Bijhop of Peterborough. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 YOUR Favour deferred the fpeedieft Acknowledg- 
 ment. To grant my Requeft, was obliging; to' 
 crant it fo fpeedily, was like Yoiirfelf. The very firft 
 Poft fhould have brought my Thanks, but my Hands 
 ■were tied. Tied by the Bufmefs of the Prefs. For, 
 We have not yet Hnifhed the Book. You can hardly 
 imagine, what Obfeuflions and Miftakes happen, in 
 the Procefs of fuch a Work. Efpecially, when the 
 Author is at a Diftance from the Prefs. 
 
 I take it for granted, your Ladyfhip approves of my 
 prefenting the Piece to the Princefs. But would You 
 have me attempt to put into the Hands of the Prince ? 
 Dr. Hdes's Expreflion feems to intimate fome fuch 
 Thing. — But I fear, this will be looked upon, as an 
 hOi of unbecoming Forwardnefs. — I quellion, whether 
 the Biftiop would think it a proper Book for his Royal 
 
 Highnefs's Colledion. I dare fay, Mr. .S" (who, I 
 
 am told, is the principal Dircftor of the Prince's Con- 
 duct:) would banifh it, not for a Term of Years, but 
 for ever; and not to the American Colonies, but to 
 the Country of the Hottentots. — I dare not exped, that 
 the Bifhop Himfelf will like it. — But perhaps He v/ill 
 diflike my Praflice, if I do not pay Him the Compli- 
 ment. When He gave Us a Charge, at his laft Vifita- 
 tion. He inveighed againft Endiufiafm on the one 
 Hand, and Profanenefs on the other. And fome of 
 our reverend Brethren took Notice, that, when deli- 
 vering Himfelf on the former Topic, Pie frequently 
 
 threw 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 365 
 
 threw his Eye upon my Friend H and me. How- 
 ever, this I muft fay, That He wrote me a very hand- 
 fome Letter^ when I prcfented Him with the Remarks 
 on Lord B ; and in a private Letter, which I hap- 
 pened to fee, exprelTed no Difapprobation concerning 
 the Meditations. All this I mention to your Ladyfhip, 
 but to no Body elfe. And 1 promife myfelf. You will 
 condefcend to keep, as well as to give Counfel. I will 
 Ipeak the Truth as it is in Jefus, with Boldnefs and 
 without Referve. But of other People, and their Senti- 
 ments or Behaviour, I would fpeak with the utmoft 
 Caution, or rather not fpeak at all. 
 
 Be fo good. Madam, as to favour me with your 
 Opinion on this Point. And be aflured, I have no 
 Ambition of obtruding my EiTay on fuch exalted Per- 
 fonages. I dare truft it with Divine Providence. He, 
 for whofe Honour I write, has all Souls in his Hand; 
 and can open whatever Doors, whatever Hearts He 
 pleafes, for the Reception of the Book. 
 
 I was pleafed with your delicate Remark on the fin- 
 cere and honeft Doftor's ExprefTion. And why will 
 You not vouchfafe to make fuch Criticifms upon the 
 Style and Sentiments of another Perlbn ? Efpecially, 
 in thofe Lines Vv'hich He is to have the Honour of 
 addrefling to your Ladyfliip in the moft public Manner; 
 and which may tell diftant Nations, perhaps tell the 
 Children that are yet unborn, that You did not difdain 
 to be a Friend to. Madam, 
 
 Your moft obligetl, 
 
 humble Servant. 
 
 LET- 
 
366 LETTERSTO 
 
 LETTER LXXII. 
 
 Remarks on Adulation. 
 
 Weftoriy Dec. 15, 1 754. 
 Madam, 
 
 GIVE me Leave to thank You, and very fincerely, 
 for your ingenious Criticifms on my Dedication. 
 This I iliould have done fooner, had I not waited for 
 the Opportunity of tranfmitting the enclofed. Here 
 You fee the EfTay fomewhat altered. It is, what the 
 Printers call, the Proof-Sheet. Incorreft and on 
 flovenly Paper. This Indelicacy Your Ladyfhip will 
 be fo good as to excufe. If I had flaid, till it was 
 neatly finillied, it would be too late to receive your 
 Opinion, at leaft to admit of your Improvements. 
 
 Permit me to think, that the Terms accompliJJjed 
 Perfonage, as they ftand connefted, cannot juftly offend 
 your Humility. I have afferted nothing; the Expref- 
 Iion is general and indeterminate ; and if the World 
 Jhould make the Application to Lady Fanny Shirley ^ I 
 am perfuaded, the Writer will neither be charged with 
 Faliliood, nor fufpefted of Flattery. 
 
 I know not how to part with the Words wife and 
 happy. That You have chofen the better Part, at leaft 
 that You have chofen the religious Part, is evident to 
 all. Blindnefs muft fee it, and Prejudice cannot deny 
 it. That to do this, is true Wifdom, and the only 
 Way to Happinefs, muft — for the Honour of our Lord, 
 and the Dignity of his Caufe — muft be maintained. If 
 I had faid, that your Ladyfliip had made the greateft 
 Proficien'ty in Rehgion, that You are a moft ftiining 
 Ornament to the Gofpel, this might reafonably give 
 You Offence i this, even when true, ought not to be 
 
 faid 
 
LADY PRANCES SHIRLEY. 3^7 
 
 faid to any Perfon's Face. As to this Particular, I 
 fuppofe You defedlive. " I wifh You may BE, what 
 You patronize." I take the Liberty to exhort You to 
 advance, as One that has not yet attained. 
 
 Upon the whole ; I would flridly guard againft 
 whatever had the lead Approach to Adulation. It is a 
 mean Artifice : it is alfo a fhallow Device, fuch as de- 
 feats its own End ; and inllead of honouring, tends to 
 difcredit both the Giver and the Receiver. — I aflure 
 You, honoured Madam, it would grieve me beyond 
 ExprelTion, if any Thing fhould drop from my Pen, 
 that might awaken the leaft Vanity in your Mind, or 
 injure that moft precious Virtue, Humility. This 
 would be Poifon inftead of Balm. The Hish and 
 Holy One that inhabits Eternity^ beholds the Vain and 
 Conceited afar off. There is no greater Objedt of his 
 Indignation and Abhorrence. But He has rejpe^l unto 
 the Lowly : He dwells with the Humble : to them his 
 Son Jefus Chrift is precious ; and they will be to the 
 Praife of the Glory of his Grace. 
 
 Would You think it proper to fhew the Dedication 
 to Dr. Hales^ and hear his Judgment upon it ? And 
 v/ili You be fo obliging, as to fivour me with your 
 farther Sentiments upon this Subjed .'' This Part need 
 not be printed yet, as my Bookfeller informs me, it 
 will be impofllble to publilh before Chriftmas. Pie 
 ftays for the larger Edition, which was begun later, and 
 proceeds but flowly. 
 
 The Franks are come to my Hand; and as 1 fhall 
 have Occafion, at this Jun6lure, to write many Letters, 
 a few more, when You can conveniently procure and 
 tranfmit them, will be very acceptable to. 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's molt obliged 
 
 humble Servant. 
 LET- 
 
368 LETTERSTO 
 
 LETTER LXXIII. 
 
 On the Princess reading his Books, 
 
 WeJioHy Dec, 26, 1 7 54. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 PARDON me, if In my laft I feemed too tenacious 
 of my own Opinion, and not to pay a proper De- 
 ference to your Judgment. I wrote in a Hurry ; but 
 have fince confidered more maturely, what You pro- 
 pofed, and what I remonftrated. Have therefore at- 
 tempted to alter what You difapproved. Only You 
 will allow me to retain the Words accomplijhed Terjonage, 
 or, if You chufe it rather, accomfUJhed Per/on. — For 
 the Credit of our holy Religion I would retain this 
 Expreflion. Becaufe, the giddy World have a Notion, 
 or the malicious World would fuggeft, that None but 
 Clowns and Ruftics embrace the Gofpel j that Chrifti- 
 anity is to be found no where, but among the Refule 
 of Humanity.— Another Reafon is, becaufe I think, 
 there is no Danger of your Ladylhip's being vain, on 
 Account of this Character. The Accompliihments of 
 refined Manners and genteel ♦idiaviour, are no more 
 to a Perfon of your Rank in Life, than a little Know- 
 ledge of Latin and Greek is, to One who has received 
 an Academic Education. I have no Reafon to pique 
 myfelf on this common Acquirement, but Ihould have 
 very great Reafon to be alhamed, if I was totally defti- 
 tute of it. — Befides, You will pleafe to confider, that 
 it is by no Means faid. Your Ladyfliip is the accom- 
 plifhed Peribn. This, however I might think it un- 
 deniably true, I could not be fo adulatory as to fpeak 
 diredly to your Face -, nor imagine You fo indelicate, 
 as to be pleafed with fo grofs a Compliment, 
 
 If 
 
LADr FRANCES SHIRLEY. ^6^ 
 
 If You have not deftroyed the Proof-Sheet, pleafe 
 to fuppofe all that is printed, from Page'vi. Line 4. 
 expunged ; and read as follows ; 
 
 Is there any Thing in the Amufements of the Gay, 
 6cc. See the Dedication. 
 
 Favour me, good Madam, with your impartial Sen- 
 timents. This Part of my Book, You fee, is printed 
 in a remarkable Manner -, and being the firft that meets 
 the Reader's Eye, being dignified alfo with your Lady- 
 ihip's Name, it will be more nicely obferved, and more 
 critically examined. 
 
 I have a frell^ Obligation to Your Ladyfhip, foi* 
 procuring me the Opinion of good Dr. Hales. 1 can- 
 not but be pleafed with his Approbation, and hope I 
 Ihall be thankful to God, for giving me Favour and 
 good Underftanding in the Eyes of fo valuable a Per- 
 fon. But I really fear. He fuffers his friendly Temper 
 to draw the Veil over his critical Difcernment. Or 
 elfe, let me fpeak it in Confidence of your Ladylhip's 
 Secrecy, I think, the Dodor does not know the World, 
 nor underftand Mankind. I do not apprehend, indeed 
 I cannot perfuade myfelf, that the Bifhop will under- 
 take to prelent the Books, or even confent to his Royal 
 Pupil's reading them. — In Cafe the Bifhop Ihould pre- 
 fent them, who knoz/s in what Manner He may do it ? 
 Suppofe, He fhould ihrug his Shoulders, and fay; An 
 ambitious and conceited Clergyman of his Diocefe by 
 tlie Importunity of Requeft, in a Manner, forced Him 
 upon this Office. How ungraceful would the Affair 
 appear, and how unfuicable to Decorum of Condud; ! 
 — Upon the whole, I am in a State of real Perplexity. 
 I would not feem to flight the Doofor's Opinion, much 
 Icfs rejed his Solicitation, yet I cannot prevail on my- 
 felf to think, that to execute the Propofal would be 
 the Propriety of Adion. — I hope, Madam, You will 
 
 Vol. III. B b mve 
 
57» LETTERS TO 
 
 give me yo^r free Advice, and help to extricate mc 
 from this Embarrafiment, into which Yourfelf, yes, 
 You Yourfelf have led me. For I fhoiild never have 
 been known to fuch grand Perfonages, if You had not 
 condefcended to introduce me. My Name had never 
 been heard by a Royal Ear, if it had not received fome 
 Credit by your Ladyfhip's Notice. 
 
 Above all, may the Lord Jefus Chrift, that Won- 
 derful Counfellor, vouchfafe to dired me in all my 
 Ways ! May I aim at nothing but the Honour of his 
 bleffed Name, nothing but the Furtherance of his 
 glorious Gofpcl, and may He be, according to his 
 faithful Promife, my Sun and my Shield! May He be 
 alfo the Strength of your Hearty the Joy of your Life, 
 3ind.yoiir Portion for ever ! — I am. Madam, 
 
 Your moft obliged, 
 
 and moll obedient Servant. 
 
 LETTER LXXIV. 
 
 On Jllnefs. — On Reftgnation to the divine Will. — On his 
 J)ijagreement with Mr. John Wejley. 
 
 IVeflotiy Jan. 9, 1 755. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 LAST Night I had the Honour of your Letter. 
 And the Pleafure was as great as the Honour. 
 Therefore, on this Day, the very firil: Opportunity, 
 I beg Leave to make my truly grateful Acknowlcge-v 
 ments. — I would alfo thank the gracious God, who has 
 reftored to your Ladylhip that beft of earthly BlefTmgs, 
 Health. May this be your infeparable Attendant on 
 the left Hand i while Pc^cc of Confcience is your un- 
 
 3 divided 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 371 
 
 divided Companion on the right j and the blefTed Spirit 
 of God, teftifying of Jefus Chrift, goes before You, 
 as an unerring Guide. Thus circumftanced, the Journey 
 through the Wildernefs of Life, will be rendered agree- 
 able ; and the Paflage through the Shades of Death, 
 not dreadfuL 
 
 Your Lady 111 ip's conjefture is too true. I have 
 indeed been very much out of Order. Vifited with a 
 Cough, which ahnoft tore me to Pieces. I verily 
 thought, it would have rent the Houfe of Clay, and 
 fet the opprelTed Inhabitant free. It flill hangs upon 
 me, but is fomewhat lefs vehement. O for that happy 
 World, where thefe frail, fickly, languiihing Bodies 
 will be made like unto Chriil's Body. And who can 
 defcribe, or who can imagine the Beauty, the Majefly, 
 the Perfeftion of that wonderful Body ? For my Part, I 
 ftedfaftly believe, that it is by far the moft highly finifhed 
 and the moft exquifitely fine Formation, that God ever 
 brouglit into Exiftencc through all the Extent of ma- 
 terial Nature. May I not congratulate You, Madam, 
 on the Thought — that fuch a Dwelling is intended, fuch 
 a Shrine is provided, for the everlafting Abode of your 
 precious Soul ? 
 
 The Advice You gave Mr. , is a Leflbn for a 
 
 Saint, or a Hermit. To have ^ur own Wills fubdued, 
 refigned, and facrificed to God's, is a high Attainment 
 in the Chriftian Life. If We think, that the Lord a6ts 
 in an arbitrary Manner ; difappoints and afflidls Us, to 
 Ihew his Sovereignty ; or becaufe Fie is refolved to 
 break our Humour, and curb our Inclination j We 
 {hall rather be inclined to fret and murmur, than duti- 
 fully and chearfully to acquiefce. Here then, as in all 
 other Cafes, We muft 'iz^alk hy Faith, and the thorny 
 Path will be fmooth, the ftecp Afcent will be a Plain, 
 [f We believe, that God wounded his dear Son with 
 tht Sword of an Enemy and Avenger, but chaftifes Us 
 B b i with 
 
372 LETTERSTO 
 
 with the Rod of a Father ; that, through the great 
 Propitiation, Wrath is removed, and all Difpenfations 
 proceed from Love, all Events work together for our 
 Good ; then We fhall be reconciled to the Cup* The- 
 Draught is not Poilon, but Medicine. Nothing will 
 make it go down fo readily, or fit fo eafily, as this 
 Confideration. In this Faith may your Ladyiliip grow 
 ftrong, even as your bodily Strength cncreafes ; and, I 
 truft, will encreafe, till your Health is eftablifhed, as 
 Well as reftored. 
 
 It becomes me to thank You, for your continued 
 
 Kindnefs to Mr. . Though I am fatisfied You do 
 
 not much defire Thanks from either of Us, but that 
 We both thank God on your Behalf. To bring fbme 
 Glory to God, is the Height of your Ladylhip's Am- 
 bition. Prime Minifters and Conquerors may have a 
 different, but I am very fure, they cannot have a nobler 
 Ambition. — I fpeak without Flattery, when I take Leave 
 to declare, that your Indignation was truly becoming, 
 when it was expreffed againft the untraftable and capri- 
 cious Temper of . If the poor Man relates what 
 
 You faid, I fancy, He will not venture to preferye the 
 Emphafis of your Air and Accent. I wilh, therefore, 
 the vain felfilh Creature had feen and heard You. Be- 
 caufe, " as the North-Wind driveth away Rain, fo doth 
 an angry Countenance" a filly frovv'ard Humour, — I am 
 not certain, that You exped: to have the enclofed Letter 
 returned j and though I am fufhciently certain, that it 
 is not worth your Expectation, yet as it is your Lady- 
 fhip's Property, I dare not with-hold it. The Perfon 
 hinted at, is Mr. John JVeJley. He takes me very 
 roundly to Tafl-c, on the Score of Predcftination. At 
 which I am much furprized. Becaufe a Reader, ten 
 Times lefs penetrating than He is, may eafily fee, that 
 this Doftrine (be it true or falfe) makes no Part of my 
 Scheme i never comes under Confideration i is pur- 
 
 pofelf 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 373 
 
 pofely and carefully avoided. I cannot but fear. He 
 has fome finiftcr Defign. Put the W0IP3 Skin on the 
 Sheep, and the Flock will iliun Him, the Dogs will 
 worry Him. I do not charge fuch an Artifice, but 
 fometimes I cannot help forming aSufpicion. — If I live 
 to do myfelf the Honour of writing again to your Lady^ 
 Ihip, I hope, You will give me Leave to relate the 
 whole Affair, as it ftands between Mr. Wejley and my- 
 felf. — It is well, Madam, that You are pretty much re- 
 covered i otherwifc, this long Letter would tire your 
 Spirits ; and now, I imagine, it will try your Patience. 
 But if, while it tries, it improves it, You will be a 
 •Gainer even from the ofEcious Prolixity of. 
 
 Your Ladyfliip's 
 
 mofl obedient humble Servant, 
 
 LETTER LXXV. 
 
 On the 'Dedication of Theron and AJpafio to her, 
 
 Wejlorty Feb. 9, 1 755, 
 
 Madam, 
 
 TO write i^ a Favour, and not to write, for the 
 Reafon, which your Ladyfhip mentions, is a Fa- 
 vour. So that You have the Art, to make, both, your 
 Letters and your Silence obliging. 
 
 The Bookfeller has at laft informed me, that my 
 Prefents will be ready to be fent on Wednejday. So 
 that now I have Abundance of Letters to write, by Way 
 of Introdudion to Theron and Afpafio. And firft let me 
 addrefs their Patronefs. — From Touy Madam, I Ihall 
 only beg Pardon, for deviating from the common Strain 
 of Dedication. I have written more like your Pallor, 
 B b 3 than 
 
374 t E T T £ R S T O 
 
 than your Flatterer. And as One who feems defirous 
 to -make You happy, rather than vain. Methinks, I 
 hear fome fetit Maitre — if any fuch Ihould be at the 
 Pains to go through one of the Pages — fay ; " Why 
 this Clown is folicitous to point out the Way to Heaven y 
 rather than to fay ail Manner of fine Things of her 
 Ladyjhip.'' — Be it fo. Sir ; her Ladyfiiip forgives me j 
 nay, more, approves my Conduft ; and there is fuch a 
 Thing as Confcience^ with which You are little acquainted, 
 that adds its Approbation to all. And, having all this 
 to countenance and fupport me, I believe, I fhall fit 
 very calm and eafy under your Cenfures. 
 
 Let me once more return my Thanks to your Lady- 
 fhip, for permitting me to grace my Effay with your 
 Name. I trull, it is a Name, that is written in the 
 Book of Life, and written on the Palms of our exalted 
 Redeemer's Hands. I hope to (hew my Gratitude to its 
 Owner, by imploring for Her all ipiritual Bleflings, and 
 that the Piece whicli fhe reads, may teftify of Chrift to 
 her Soul. Then that, eyen ihat, will be one, though 
 the leaft of the Blefiings which I wifh. — I will order the 
 Books to be dehvered, by the very firil Meflenger on 
 Wednejday, and according to your Dired:ions. 
 
 I hope, when You receive Thercn and AJ-pafio^ You 
 will favour me with your free Sentiments concerning 
 them. And if they are taken any Notice of by the 
 polite World, be fo kind, Madam, as to give me a 
 Hint of their Opinion. You need not be afraid of 
 grieving their Author. He remembers what his divine 
 Mafter fays, '' Blefled is He, that fhall not be pffended 
 in me 1" Intimating, that Multitudes iJuill be offended. 
 — Befides, by learning what prejudices and difgufts the 
 elegant Reader, I Ihall be the better enabled to obviate 
 luch Prejudices, and attempt a Reconcihatior^ of the 
 Judgment to my Doctrines, 
 
 This 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 375 
 
 This Day I propofc, with the divine AfTiftance^ to 
 open and apply to my People, that invaluable Text, 
 A5fs ili. 26. May You, Madam, abundantly enjoy the 
 Blefling, and may it be clearly, convincingly, accept- 
 ably difplayed by 
 
 Your moft obedient, 
 humble Servant. 
 
 LETTER LXXVI. 
 
 Gn a I'rejent being intended for him j his Wijh for Houhi' 
 ganfs Hebrew Bible. 
 
 PFefoHj Feb. 23, 1 755. 
 Madam, 
 
 I WRITE this, in fome Meafure to beg Pardon for 
 the prodigious Hafte and Rapidity, with which I was 
 obliged to write my lad Letter. In Ibme Meafure to 
 beg your Ladyfhip's Opinion upon a Hint, which your 
 own Letter has occafioned. 
 
 You was pleafed to tell me, your Sentiments were 
 afked, concerning fome Prelent, which a certain Lady 
 intended to make to the Author of Theron and Jfpafio, 
 I affure Ycu, Madam, He had no Expectation of any, 
 only that his Books might be favourably accepted, and 
 attended with the divine Bleffmg. If they might be 
 the Means of fpreading abroad the Savour of Chrift's 
 Name ; of promoting the Knowlege of his glorious 
 Excellency, his free Grace, and everlafting Righteouf* 
 nefs. He fhall think Flimfelf unfpeakably indebted to 
 the Giver of all Good. 
 
 But fince the afore-mentioned Affair was ftarted, 
 
 give me Leave to fay, that my Thirft aftet 6ooks is very 
 
 B b 4. much 
 
376 L E T T E R S T O 
 
 much allayed; I have bid adieu to the curious and en- 
 tertaining Inventions of Wit or Difcoveries of Science j 
 my principal Attention is now devoted to the facred 
 Oracles of Infpiration. Thefe I fhould be glad to have 
 in their noblefl Form and highell Perfe6lion. And I 
 find, there • is now pubhfhed a very fine Edition of the 
 Hebrew Scriptures by Father Houbigant. — If the Point 
 fhould ever come upon the Carpet again, be pleafed, if 
 Tou think it proper ^ juft to fuggeil, that You dare venture 
 to affirm, from a general Knowlege of his Tafte, that 
 Juch a Prefent would be fingularly acceptable, and, I 
 hope, it would be beneficial. 
 
 I do not know the Price. Though I fear it will be 
 coftly ; as it confifts of four Tomes in Folio ^ and as Hebrew 
 Printing is uncommonly expenfive. In the enclofed 
 Paper, the Book is advertifed, and fome fmall Account 
 given of its Contents. I have marked the Paflages 
 with Crofies, that your Ladyfhip may not have Trouble 
 of fearching. — After all I leave the whole to your Lady- 
 fhip's Difcretion ; and fhall think my Interefts very 
 Jfafe, and the Propriety of my Condud equally fecure, 
 if You will condefcend to undertake for both. 
 
 Good Mr. Whitejield^ I am informed, meets with 
 great Favour, and preaches with great Succefs in our 
 Colonies. The Lord makes Him, as the Prophet fpeaks, 
 *' like his goodly Horfe in the Battle. He goes forth 
 conquering and to conquer." May You alfo, my 
 honourable Madam, go forth in the Strength of the 
 Lord Jefus Chrift ; and travel " with Singing unto 
 Sion, where everlafbing Joy fhall be upon your Head." 
 And there, among " the innumerable Company of Juft 
 Men made perfect," may You fee 
 
 Your m.oft obhged, humble Servant. 
 
 LET- 
 
LADV FRANCES SHIRLEY, 377 
 
 LETTER LXXVII. 
 
 On his JVorks. — Remarks on Mr. Law's IFritings, 
 
 Wejlon, March I, 1 755. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 WHAT a Pleafure fhall I enjoy, if the Lord Jefus 
 vouchfafes to make my Books acceptable to your 
 LadyHip, and edifying to your Soul ! \ {^.y ace eft able \ 
 for. You may depend upon it, many People will be 
 difgufted with them and their Sentiments. You re- 
 member, Who it is that fays, " Blefled is He, who- 
 foever fhall not be offended in Me." — Chrift himfelf 
 was a Sign, that fhould be fpoken againft ; his Do6lrine 
 was to fome Foolijhnejs, and to others a Stumbling- Block ; 
 and the Preachers of it, v/ere fometimes pronounced 
 viady and generally treated as the Offscouring cf all Things, 
 So that You will not be furpiifed, if You Iliouid fee 
 the Book, which is adorned with your LaoyO-iip's Name, 
 fiercely attacked, feverely cenllirec], and illiberally re- 
 proached. Not that I have as yet received any fuch 
 Compliments, but I have long ago given myfelf Warn- 
 ing of their Approach. 
 
 Pray, Madam, do not be fo injurious toYourfelf, as 
 to fuppofe that what You write, can be difagreeable to 
 me. I never fee any Thing difagreeable in your Letters, 
 unlefs it be what the Printers call The large IVhites.—^ 
 Mr. Law\ laft Book I have not feen ; neither indeed 
 do I dcfire to fee it : efpecially if it be written in the 
 fame Strain, as one of his Letters upon Divine Love, 
 which happened to fall in my Way. Fall in my Way I 
 No, truly. It did not fall^ but foared. Soared in 
 myftical Flights and metaphyfical Subtilties, far too 
 high for my groveling Apprehenfions to follow. And 
 
 not 
 
378 LETTER^TO 
 
 not in my IVay^ but as far remote from my trite and 
 vulgar Way of thinking, as Britain is from Japan. — 
 
 ! Madam, let Us adhere to the Scriptures ; as new- 
 born Babes defire the fincere Milk of the Word ; and 
 implore the Influences of the blefled Spirit, that We 
 may grow thereby. 
 
 I fhould be uneafy about the Contents of my laft 
 Letter, were they in any other Hands, but your Lady- 
 ship's. If what I mentioned be an improper Propofal, 
 You will have fuch a kind Regard to the unadvifed 
 Writer, as to ftifle and fupprefs his Projeft. And I 
 do affure You, Madam, I can bear to have it fuppreffed. 
 My Heart is not fet upon that or any other Book. As 
 
 1 have the Bible in its pure and facred Original, I can 
 difpenfe with the Circumftance of a grand and pompous 
 Form. 
 
 I have received a very friendly Letter from the Bijhop : 
 and Dr. Hales has tranfmitted to mc the Thanks of her 
 Royal Highnefs. Alas, Madam ! What Good does 
 this do me \ Or, if I were prefented to a Deanery, what 
 Service would that do me, when I ftand at the great 
 Tribunal ? BlefTed Jefus, let not my poor Endeavours 
 be rewarded with fuch Chaff. Be Thou glorified ; let 
 Souls be edified ; and then they who read, and he who 
 wrote, may one Day rejoice together. 
 
 You fee. Madam, I do not leave much of the large 
 White^ when I have the Honour of fubfcribing myfelf^ 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obedient, 
 
 humble Servant, 
 
 LET> 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 379 
 
 LETTER LXXVIII. 
 
 On receiving a Prejent of Books from her. 
 
 , PVefion^ March 16, 1755. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 YESTERDAY I received your noble Prefent~a 
 magnificent and beautiful Sett of Books ! The 
 Paper fine, the Type grand, the Binding rich, the prin- 
 cipal Contents invaluable. What the Notes are, I am 
 not able to judge j not having, as yet, Time to make 
 an Examination. — When I think of this Inilance of your 
 Ladylhip's Munificence 3 the Care, the Trouble, the 
 Expence to which You have fubmittedj when I reflect 
 on the free, generous, obliging Air, with which all was 
 undertaken, all difpatched, and all prefented; may I 
 not very juftly turn, what was fometimes ufed by Way 
 of Imprecation, into an Act of Devotion and an Ex- 
 prefllon of Gratitude ? " The Lord," the good Lord, 
 «' do fo to You," Madam, " and more alfo!" — And 
 there is great Reafon to truft, that He will not only 
 anfwer, but outdo and infinitely furpafs even the warmed 
 Wifhes, which a grateful Heart can form. For thus I 
 find it written, in that Hicred Book which You have 
 been pleafed to put into my Poflcfllon ; thus it is de- 
 clared by the Spirit of divine Infpiration ; " Therefore 
 will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto You ; 
 and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have 
 Mercy upon You : for the Lord is a God of Judgment, 
 blflfcd are all they that wait for Him." 
 
 I wonder, how your Ladyfliip found the Books. If 
 I remember right, there was no Direction of this Sort, 
 in the printed Advertifement. 
 
 The Franks likewife are come ; and tell me, what 
 ^ condefcertding as well as liberal Friend I have in Lady 
 
 Finances 
 
^ -LETTERS TO 
 
 Frances Shirley. Who neither dlfdalns fmall, nor 
 grudges large and expenfive Offices of Kindnefs j but 
 whether it be the Cafe of a Letter, or a fuperb an4 
 coftly Volume, is ready to dijlnhute and willing to com- 
 municate. May the Lord Jefus Chrift be your Friend 
 and Portion ; be your Shield, my dear and honourable 
 Madam, and your exceeding great Reward. And when 
 I forget to pray for thefe Bleffings, then let; me no, 
 longer enjoy the Pleafure of profefTing myfelf 
 
 Your Ladylhip's moll obliged 
 
 and mofl obedient humble Servant, 
 
 P. S. The Bookfeller fully executed your Ladylhip's 
 Orders, for the Books were nicely packed up, and 
 came without the leaft Injury, and are ihtjineft Volumes. 
 in my Study. May they alfo be the moll ufeful ! 
 
 LETTER LXXIX, 
 
 Requejls to hear ^juhat Faults are found ivith bis Writings^ 
 
 March 22, 1755. 
 Madam, 
 
 I AM not a little glad, if any Thing that Thercn or 
 AJfafio fay, meets with your Approbation. May the 
 Lord Jefus Chrifl make me thartkful, and make the 
 ElTay a Blefling to your Soul. How mighty is his 
 Arm,, and how gracious is his Heart ! He can work by 
 the weakejl Inflruments, and often does^ work by the 
 unworthieft. When I remember this, I have Hopej 
 when I forget or dilbelicve it, I am difcouraged. 
 • Tkough nothing would plcafe me mere, than to furnilh 
 ©ut the Page of Pleafure and Improvement for your 
 
 Ladyfhip j 
 
LADY FRANCES SmRLEY. 381 
 
 Ladyfliip ;. yet I fliould be very much obliged, if. In 
 your tender and delicate Manner, You would point out 
 the Faults : what You hear to be Faults : or what You ' 
 think to be Faults. The harlheft Truths, communi- 
 cated in fucli a Way, would ceafe to be offenfive. But 
 I afllire You, they would not be harfli to me. I exped, 
 that, in a -Work of this Size, there are Efcapes and 
 Improprieties not a few. Be fo good therefore as to 
 lay, This ExprelFion was inelegant, and difgufted mc j 
 this was obfcure, and puzzled me. Here the Senti- 
 ments are redundant ; there the Argument is defe6live. 
 In one Place,, your Perfons fpeak too much like the 
 mere Scholar; in another, they make too near an Ap- 
 proach- to the Dialed: of the Ruftic. I heard /«fi> a 
 Paffage blamed at one Time ; and Juch an Opinion cen- 
 lured at another. 
 
 Is not Mr. an Author ? Has not He written 
 
 t?he Roman Hiftory ? If He be the Gentleman I appre- 
 hend, He has an Eagle's Eye, and will eafily difcern 
 i\\t Defefts, which if in Converfation You would learn, 
 and in a Letter would pleafe to tranfmit, the Informa* 
 tion might be highly ferviceable, as it would be truly 
 acceptable. — I expedb to receive more Advantage from 
 my Enemies, than my Friends. The latter pcrufe with 
 PartiaUty ; the former will examine with Rigour. Yet; 
 I have been prevailed on, by the Solicitations of my 
 Bookfeller, to commit another Edition to the Prefs, 
 before any of my Adverfaries, or rather Adverfaries to 
 my Do^riniy have appeared on the Stage. 
 
 It gives me Satisfaftion to hear, that your Ladylhip 
 approves Letter V. This is really the Corner-Stone, 
 which fupports the Whole ; the Hinge, gn which the 
 precious Privilege of a Saviour's imputed Righteouf- 
 nefs turns. May your Ladyfliip be enabled, every Day, 
 tp fee more and more the glorious Excellency of this 
 
 diltin- 
 
3^2 LETTERSTO 
 
 diftinguIlTied Prerogative, and live in the habitual En- 
 joyment of the unfpeakable BlelTing. To wifh this, 
 and turn fuch Willies into Prayer, is the only Way in 
 which I can duly exprefs my Gratitude for your Gene- 
 rofity to. Madam, 
 
 Your moft oblised 
 
 humble Servant, 
 
 LETTER LXXX. 
 
 On her early rijing. — On his Manner of Preaching, 
 
 Wejiony April I y ^755* 
 Madam, 
 
 FOR the Sake of my honourable and honoured 
 Patronefs, I rejoice and blefs God, if He pleafes 
 to give my Books any favourable Acceptance. O ! 
 may his eternal Spirit vouchfafe to breathe upon the 
 tender Plant! Then its Branches Jhall Jpready and its 
 Smell Jhall he as Lebanon. Its Branches Jhall Jpread -, it 
 Ihall be received with Approbation ; it fhall find its 
 Way into many Hands ; and be diffufed far and near. 
 Its Smell Jhall be as Lebanon j welcome to the Reader, 
 as the Gales which have fwept that odoriferous Moun- 
 tain, are to the Traveller j when they meet Him on 
 his fultry Journey, and refrefh Him with . their Cool- 
 nefs, and delight Him with their Fragrance. — Thus 
 fhall it be w^ith the Books, which the Lord God Om- 
 nipotent condefcends to countenance and honour. Hofea 
 xiv. 6. 
 
 I am glad, your Ladyfliip approves the clofing Part. 
 Give me Leave to wifh, that it may be woven into the 
 very Texture of your Heart. May You experience all 
 
 ihat 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 383 
 
 that AJpafio fays ! And he found in Chriji — be cm ijijith 
 Chrijl — be complete in Chrifi. Happy then, fubftantially 
 happy will You be, in Life s and happy, beyond all 
 Imagination happy, at Death. 
 
 Breakfiiji at Four in the Morning ! Is it really 
 F — O — U — R ? Or have I miftook your Charaders ? 
 As You have honoured me with fo many Letters, J 
 have Reafon to be pretty well acquainted with the Turn 
 of your Pen. Yet I can hardly believe my own Eyes. 
 Docs Lady Frances Shirley ever rife fo early, for the 
 Sake of ferious Converfation and Ipirituai Improve- 
 ment ? At this Rate, Madam, You enjoy a Day, be- 
 fore the Generality of Perfons of Quality begin it. — 
 This was the Pracftice of our divine Mafler. He fre- 
 quently roj'e up a great while before Day^ for the impor- 
 tant Exercifc of Devotion. At thofe early Hours, may 
 You enjoy much of his heavenly Prefence, and drink- 
 in large Draughts of Confolation from thofe Id^ells of 
 Sahation- — the Scriptures ! 
 
 The Method which Mr. H • takes to obtain 
 
 Comfort, is pcrfeclly right. Hannah was a Woman of 
 a forrewful Spirit; She was in Bitternejs of Soul \ but 
 . She prayed to the Lord^ and her Countenance was no more 
 /ad. — The Word of God was written for diis very End, 
 that We through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures 
 might have Hope. We fliould therefor^; treafure it up 
 in our Memories, and befeech God to write it on our 
 Hearts, that it may be a Cordial to our Spirits in the 
 Hour of Trouble. This is what I earneftly recommend 
 to my People, and frame all my public Difcourfes, fo 
 as to promote and facilitate tliis defirable End. Having 
 named the Text, when I come to handle the Subjeft, I 
 (cled fome precious Portion of Scripture j defire my 
 Hearers to turn to it in their Bibles ; and then (as God 
 enables) enlarge upon it. By this Means, Perfons of 
 the weakeft Memory may, if not carry away, yet rc- 
 
 tz-jcvc 
 
3*4 L E T T E R S T O 
 
 ti-ieve the Subflance of the Sermon. May, like the 
 bleiTed Virgin, lay it up in their Minds, and ponder it 
 in their Hearts, My laft Text was Heb, x. 14. From 
 this I endeavoured to fhew, that Chrift has obtained 
 perfe6l Redemption for Sinners — perfeft Deliverance 
 from Hell, Zech. ix. 11. — perfect Peace with God, 
 Colcjf. i. 20. — a free Admittance into Heaven, Rev. vii. 
 14, 15. — the Gift of true San6tification, Heb. xiii. ao, 
 ii. And all this by one Offering, becaufe it is divine, 
 all-fufficient, and of infinite Value. — Now, in Cafe my 
 Hearers fhould forget every Part of the Minifter's Dif- 
 courfe, yet if they recolleEi, and ponder -^ and pray over 
 thefe Portions of God's Word, they may have abun- 
 dant Matter for Edification. — I believe. You love to 
 crop a Syioiv-'Drop or an Hepatica with your own Hand, 
 For which Reafon, I have not tranfcribed thofe Paffages, 
 that You may have the Pleafure of gathering for Your- 
 ielf thofe Flowers of Heaven. With thefe m,ay your 
 Soul be richly replenilhed, and be a Garden enclojed for 
 Jefus to walk in. 
 
 Your mofl obliged, 
 
 humble Servant, 
 
 L E. T T E R LXXXI. 
 
 On his Letter from the BiJI^wp on the Excellency of Chrift. 
 
 IVeftony June I, 1 755. 
 Madam, 
 
 i SHOULD be the moft unreafonable of Creatures, 
 if I did not firmly believe, what You are pleafed, 
 with fo much condefcending Goodnefs,. to affure me 
 of— That I have a real Friend, in my truly honourable 
 
 and 
 
 8 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 385 
 
 and highly honoured Correfpondent. Yet let me not 
 make too free with Generofity and Beneficence. I had 
 no Thoughts, when I wrote about the Bibles, of any 
 
 Thing but an Application to Mr. K . I did not 
 
 know, but He might be glad of fuch an Opportunity 
 to do good ; and therefore all that I defired, was, to 
 have it put in his Way. — To tell Your Ladyfliip the 
 real Truth, I do not want fuch Books for myfelf 
 Bleffed be God, my own Writings are a Fund for fuch 
 charitable Expences. But I had fome other Minifters, 
 whofe Circumftances are lefs affluent, in my Eye, — 
 Thefe I propofed to fupply with a few Bibles ; by dif- 
 pofmg of which, in a judicious Manner, among their 
 Neighbours, they may win their Affeftions, and pro- 
 mote their Salvation. — Having laid before You, Madam, 
 the Truth of the Cafe, adt as You think proper. Rc- 
 verfe or execute your Intention, juft as You pleafe. 
 Eitiier Way, I fhall be fatisfied, obliged, and thankful. 
 
 I fear, I fliould put your Ladyihip to too much 
 Trouble, if I fliould beg a fhort Account of Mr. 
 
 G 's Treatment. — I hope Mr. Campbell, when 
 
 He pleads the Caufe, will be, as the Prophet Jeremiah 
 fpeaks, '■'■ valiant for the Truth." Our Bifiopy I pre- 
 fume, was not concerned in the Afi^air. This Week 
 He fent me a very friendly and polite Letter; fweet- 
 cned with much Approbation, and feafoned with fome 
 Remarks, of a critical and refined Nature. It is the 
 fecond his Lordlhip has favoured me with on the Sub- 
 ject. As it relates to your cwn Book, perhaps it may 
 not be difagreeable to your Ladylliip to pcrufc it. I 
 will therefore take the Liberty to cnclofe it, together 
 with the young Man's from Biddeford. That You 
 may fee, at one View, the Sentiments of .the Courtier 
 and the Mechanic, the improved Scholar and the Man 
 of natural Senfe. The latter Letter You will pleafe to 
 commit to the Flames, that it m:iy not enffame my 
 
 \0L. III. C c Vanity j 
 
396 LETTER STO 
 
 Vanity ; the firft You will be (o good as to return, that 
 it may tend to the Improvement of Theron and Af-pafio, 
 Thougli, I muft confcfs, the Obfervations, all but the 
 laft, come too late to have due Regard paid to them. 
 
 The vain Amufements and empty Pleafures of the 
 World, I hope, will endear the Motto and its Subjedt 
 to your Affeftions. In Jefus is infinite Dignity and 
 everlafting Righteoufnefs. To contemplate Him, is a 
 Source of the fublimeft Pleafure j to call Him our own, 
 •is a Foundation for the moft folid Happinefs. — That 
 both, that all thefe may be your Ladyfhip's Portion, is 
 the fmcere Prayer of. Madam, 
 
 Your mofl obliged 
 
 and moft obedient Servant. 
 
 LETTER LXXXIL 
 
 On the Bible a^id his Letters. 
 
 IFe/lon, yune 19, 
 
 Madam, 
 
 YO U will obferve, from the Frank which enclofes 
 this Letter, that I have received your Ladyfhip's. 
 Favour. The Books are come \ and noble Books they 
 are. The Lord Jefus enable me to difpofe of them in 
 fuch a Manner, that Glory may redound to his Name, 
 and Good be communicated to his People ! — The- 
 Franks alio are arrived. May I be afTifted to make a 
 proper Uie of thefe alfo ! That they may be the Vehicle-. 
 of fome edifying Truths, and a Means of difFufmg the 
 Knowledge of a crucified Redeemer ! — O that the firft 
 (the Bibles I mean) might -be like the Pillar of Fire in 
 7 Vhc 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 387 
 
 ilie Wilderneis, or the meridian Sun in the Firmament i 
 the latter (my epiftolary Correfpondence) like a burn^ 
 ing Coal, or a glowing Spark from the Altar, to en- 
 kindle the Love of the Lord, our Righteoufnefs ! 
 
 For both thefe Prefents You will pleafe to accept my 
 beft Thanks ; and may the good Lord turn my poor 
 Thanks into heavenly Bleffings ! 
 
 'Alm.oft ail my former Letters have been moft un- 
 flifiiionably, moft ungenteelly prolix. For once I will 
 endeavour to be politely conclfe : nor give your Lady-. 
 fnip the Trouble of turning the Paper, and reading a 
 tedious Scrawl, but only beg the Honour of fubfcribing 
 niyfelf. Madam, 
 
 Your moft obliged, 
 
 and very humble Servant, 
 
 LETTER LXXXin. 
 
 On various Suhje^fs, 
 
 mjlon, Julys. 1755' 
 Madam, 
 
 WHEN I commend your Judgment in fpiritual 
 Things, I do it not from Flattery, but from a 
 confcious Joy. I blefs God on this Behalf myfelf, and 
 I give your Ladyfliip Occafion to praife his Holy Name 
 on the fame Account. And not only to praife Him 
 for paft Mercies, but to hope more chearfully and 
 aflliredly for a Continuation, or rather for an Augmen- 
 tation of tliem. All the Lord's Gifts are a Pledge and 
 an Earneft of richer Favours. Methinks, they come 
 infcribed with this delightful and encouraging Motto, 
 *^ Thou Ihalt fee greater Things diaa thefe." 
 
 C c 3 Ah, 
 
388 LET T.E R S TO 
 
 Ah, Madam ! do not wonder, if you cbferve in 
 worldly People an Enmity againft the Children of God 
 and the Servants of Chrift. As foon may Fire and 
 Water incorporate, as the Contrarieties of their Tem- 
 per be reconciled. You know Who hath faid, " If 
 they have perfecuted Me, they will alfo perfecute You." 
 This, though the natural Tendency of Men's Spirits, is 
 over-ruled by the Highefl for the Good of his People. 
 Vavidj when perfecuted by Saiily could fly even to an 
 idolatrous City, Gath. And fhall not the Followers of 
 Jefus fly to their everlafting Father's Arms, when they 
 are calumniated or cruelly treated by their Fellow- 
 Creatures ? Efpecially, fmce He has declared, that He 
 " will gather them, as a Hen gathereth her Chickens 
 under her Wings." With infinite Companion He will 
 receive them, and with Almighty Vo^tv prote5f them. — 
 I do not willi my honoured Lady to be a Partaker of 
 Perfecution ; but I moil heartily wilh her a perpetual 
 Refidence under thofe Wings of eternal Love. That 
 She may have all the Safety, Repofe, and Comfort, 
 without any of the embittering Circumllances. Being 
 led thither by Choice, not driven thither by the 
 Scourge. 
 
 I am glad to hear, that tlie Report of Sir J 
 L— — -r's Death is falfc. Glad, becaufe He is fo 
 complaifant to my noble Friend, and fo generous to my 
 worthy Soldier. — I hope, He (the Soldier, I mean) is 
 a real Child of God. And fee 1 by what unthought ofj 
 wonderful Ways the great immortal Father provides for 
 the Welfare of his Children ! Who would have fuf- 
 
 pefled, that a common Soldier in Captain R 's 
 
 Troop, who, a few Months ago, had not fo much as 
 heard of Lady Frances Shirley's Name, ihould now be 
 brought to her Knowledge ; be honoured with her 
 Regard ; and obtain his Defires by her Intereft ? Who 
 
 v/ould 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 389 
 
 would not covet, who would not be ambitious, to be a 
 Child of the Moft High ? Since He can influence any 
 or all Hearts in Favour of his Sons and Daughters. — 
 My good Madam, prize this Privilege above all your 
 Honours. Prize it far beyond all your high Titles or 
 illuftrious Lineage. You are by Birth the Daughter of 
 an Earl ; but by Grace You are a Child of God. As 
 fuch, go to Him with Pleafure and Confidence -, make 
 known all your Requefts in his indulgent Ear i exped: 
 from Him all fpiritual BlefTings in this World, and an 
 Inheritance incorruptible and undefled in another World. 
 And may Wc blefs, for ever blefs the divine Jefus, 
 through whofe Humiliation and Death We enjoy this 
 great Prerogative. *' Ye are the Children of God," 
 fays the Apoftle, " through Faith in Jefus Chrift," 
 To which our Lord himfelf adds, / go to My Father 
 and Tour Father -, firft tny Father, and then yours ; 
 yours becaufe of me, your Relation to me, and Union 
 with me. 
 
 I have juft now read, advertifed in the Magazine, 
 the following Book, " An Epiftle from Charles Wefley 
 to John Wefiey." Has your Ladylhip ittn or heard 
 of it ? If You have, be fo good as to inform me of the 
 Defign and Contents. I hope, there is no Hollility 
 commenced between the Brothers. I have no Connec- 
 tion nor Correfpondence with them, but Ihould be lorry 
 for fuch an Event. For your Account of this Piece 
 I fliall be, as for your Account of Mr. G r's Treat- 
 ment, Madam, 
 
 Your moft obliged, 
 
 and obedient humble Servant. 
 
 C c 3 LET- 
 
39d L E T T E R S T O 
 
 LETTER LXXXIV. 
 
 On a Vifit from Mr. T .'-^Remarks on Br. Cr'ijp, 
 
 PFeJiony 0£i, 14, 1755. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I FULLY intended myfelf the Pleafure of writing 
 to your Ladylhip by the laft Poft : blit^ by an un- 
 expefted Vifit from a Relation, was prevented. — I hope, 
 
 ^i\x. T— has, before this Time, delivered my 
 
 Letter ; and that my Acknowledgments, poor as they 
 are, have been honoured with your Acceptance. 
 
 Mr. T — ^ ftaid with me but a littk while. He 
 
 came, juit as I was going to take Horfe, for a little Air 
 and Exercife. We had fome Difcourfe, at our firft In- 
 terview, on the matchlefs Excellencies and m-ifearchahle 
 Riches of Chrifl. Tlie holy Scriptures were the Subjeft 
 of our next Converfation. We encouraged one ano- 
 ther to Jearch them, and to enrich our Memories with 
 them. That from them, accompanied by the Divine 
 Spirit, We may be thoroughly fur nifioed for our minifte- 
 rial Office, and for e-very good Work, O ! that they 
 may dwell in us richly ; and be mixed with Faith ^ while 
 W^e read them, contemplate them, talk of them. 
 
 I am pleafed with your Ladylhip's Criticifms upon 
 the Books You perufe. They fhew, that You remem- 
 ber the Apoftle*s Rule, Rrove all Things. May You 
 alfo be enabled to follow his excellent Direction, Hold 
 faft that which is good. — Dr. Crij-p proceeds upon that 
 important, but too much difregarded Principle, That 
 We fhould v/ork, not for Life, but from Life. Our 
 Works fliould proceed from the Spirit of the Lord 
 Jefus, dwelhng in our Hearts ; and then they will be 
 truly good. They fliould aim, not at obtaining Salva- 
 tion 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 391 
 
 tion for Ourfelves, but ac glorifying Him, who hath 
 obtained eternal Redemption for Us; and then they 
 will be truly acceptable. 
 
 The Apoftle fays, as You rightly obfcrve. Repent 
 and be baptized. But if a poor Sinner had aflced Him 
 this Quellion, How fhall I repent ? What fhall melt 
 my llony Heart ? What fhall make me abhor myfclf 
 and my mofl beloved Lufls ? To this Effe6l He would 
 probably have replied — Nothing but the Grace of God 
 manifefted in Chrift. Believe, that the Lord hath de- 
 livered up his dearefl Son to die in your Stead. Be- 
 lieve, that the bleffed Jefus has borne every one of 
 your Sins, in his bleeding Body, and on the curfed 
 Tree. This, under the Influence of the Holy Ghoft, 
 will foften the hard Heart. This will alienate your 
 AfFedlions from all Iniquity. By this You will be 
 taught godly Sorrow, Zech. xii. 10. and evangelical 
 Humiliation, Ezek. xxxvi. 
 
 Your two Books upon die Catechijm fhall be diipoled 
 of I wifli, they may prove a Blefling, wherever they 
 go. Is not this a proper Treatife, to be admitted into 
 the Catalogue of the Society for promoting Chrijiian 
 Knowledge ? — 'May He that was dead^ but is alive for 
 evermore, be the Delight of your Heart and the Strength 
 of your Salvation ! In the mean Time, or rather at all 
 Times, permit me to be. Madam, 
 
 Your mofl: obedient, 
 
 as I am your mofl: obliged, 
 
 ]iumble Servant. 
 
 Cc4 LpT- 
 
392 L E T T E R S T O 
 
 LETTER LXX*XV. 
 
 Remarks on Predejlination, 
 
 Wejlon, Nov. 25. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I HAD taken Paper out of my Drawers, on purpofe 
 to acknowledge the Receipt of your double Favour, 
 by the laft Poll. But when I came to addrefs myfelf 
 to the pleafing Bufmefs, I could not find your firft 
 Letter. This Initant, opening Dr. CriJ-p^ it made its 
 Appearance. 
 
 I am not at all furprifed, my good Lady, to find 
 
 You or Mr. K making Objeftions to the Do6lrine 
 
 of Predeftination. I wifh Mr. K would pafs over 
 
 thofe few and fhort PaiTages, which treat of that con- 
 troverted Point. I did not, in any wife, recommend 
 this Book, on Account of thofe Paffages ; but on Ac- 
 count of what is plain and edifying, of univerfal Con- 
 cernment and exceedingly comfortable. Suppofe, a 
 Reader difapproves that particular Tenet; methinks. 
 He fnould n^^t be prejudiced, purely on fuch a Confi- 
 deration, againft thofe Truths, which are worthy of all 
 Acceptation. 
 
 Predeftination is an Abyfs, in which our Thoughts 
 may be drowned j efpecially, if We have not *' our 
 Senfes exercifed to difcern both Good and Evil." But 
 there are pleafint Streams in our Author, which are not 
 too Jeep for our Capacity, and which afford Us the 
 fweeteft Refrefliment. To thefe let Us advert; by 
 thefe let Us fix our Abode. As to the other Points, 
 let Us fay with the moderate and judicious Elihu (not, 
 ** I am certain it cannot be fo :" — This does not befpeak 
 an humble child-like Spirit. But) that which JJee net^ 
 teach Thou me^ 
 
 There 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 
 
 393 
 
 There is, doubtlefs, Abundance to be faid agalnft 
 Predeftination. And Abundance has been laid, with 
 great Force of Argument, for its Support -, and that, 
 by Men of the mofl: eminent Learning and exalted 
 Piety. As this is the Cafe j and as it is not neceflary 
 to Faith and Salvation, either that We fnould embrace, 
 or that We fliould rejeft the Doclrine ; I think, Wc 
 may prudently and fafely acquiefce in the Advice of a 
 great Scholar and a great Saint j '' Let a Man go to 
 the Grammar-School of Faith and Holinefs, before He 
 enters the Univerfity of Eleftion and Predeflination." 
 I am at the Grammar-School ; and there, perhaps, I 
 fliall continue, till I hear the Voice from Heaven, fay- 
 ing ; Come up hither y and I will Jhew TheCy what Thou 
 couidft not comprehend in the Regions below. — Madam, 
 fhall I have the Honour of your Ladyfhip for a Form- 
 Fellow ? Tou fliall be the Head-Scholar; only be con- 
 tent to allow Us your Company, and do not leave Us 
 for a higher Clafs. Let Us fliudy the Glories of Chrifl's 
 Perfon, and the Love of his Heart ; let Us contem- 
 plate his infinite Satisfadion and everlafting Righteouf- 
 nefs. May the Knowledge of thefe grand Do6lrines be 
 revealed in our Hearts by the blefl*ed Spirit ! May the 
 Faith of thefe unfpeakable Privileges comfort our Souls, 
 purify our Aftedlions, and work by Love ! Then, We 
 fliall, ere long, fee every dark myfl:erious Point cleared 
 up to our full Satisfaction. We fliall lee, without a 
 Veil, the fliining and adorable Perfeftions of our God. 
 We fliall know his unfearchable Counfels and wonderful 
 Ways, even as We are known. 
 
 In the mean Time, if v/orthy Mr. K difiikes 
 
 the Book, there is no great Harm done, as it was not 
 a very expenfive Purchafe. I would beg Leave to de- 
 cline all Controvtrfy. I can very freely converfe or 
 correlpond with Perfons, who either adopt or difcard 
 Predeltination, Provided, they will not drag in the 
 
 litigated 
 
394 LETTERSTO 
 
 litigated Propofition, and force me to engage in Difpu- 
 tation. But if they are determined to obtrude the 
 Bone of Contention, I had much rather remain alone 
 and in Silence. For I readily confefs, that I am not 
 Mafter of the Subjedl. Therefore, it would be very 
 iinadvifed in me, to undertake either its Eftablifliment 
 or Refutation. 
 
 I believe, I muft defire your Ladyfhip to return this 
 Letter, with your free Remarks upon it. Becaufe, I 
 do not know, but I Ihall be obliged to explain myfelf 
 on this Subject, before the Public. Becaufe, a Perfon 
 who makes a great Figure in the religious World, has 
 fent me fome critical Remarks and pretty keen Cenfures 
 on my late Work ; but inveighs particularly againft my 
 Predeflination Principles. At which I am fomewhat 
 furprifed. Becaufe, I have (whatever my Sentiments 
 are) fludioufly avoided this Peculiarity ^ I have but 
 barely mentioned it ; in the Apoftle's own Words ; 
 only in an incidental Manner ; and without explaining, 
 enlarging upon, or inculcating it. My Paper permits 
 me to do no more, than that I am, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip 's moft obedient 
 
 and moil humble Servant, 
 
 LETTER LXXXVI. 
 
 Enquiring after her Health. 
 
 Wejion^ Dec. 1 3, 1755^ 
 
 Madam, 
 
 YOUR laft very much alarmed me. I hope, this 
 will find You abundantly better. I hope, our 
 great Phyfician has rebuked the Fever y and reftored You 
 
 to 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 395 
 
 to Health. And I humbly beg of* God, that your 
 Ladyflnp may live in the Exercife of that important 
 Duty, and in the Enjoyment of that precious Promlfe, 
 mentioned by the Prophet — " They that wait upon 
 the Lord, fliall renew their Strength." 
 
 Be fo good. Madam, as to rejoice my Heart by a 
 Line, and lend me the welcome News, that your Re- 
 covery is completed. I will then, when your Spirits 
 are recruited, venture to trouble your Ladyfliip with 
 a longer Letter, I will then return the Manufcript 
 cnclofed in your laft ; and I will truft, ere long, to meet 
 your Ladyfhip in thofe happy Regions — " where the 
 Inhabitant fliall no more fay, I am fick" — where 
 " Death fhall be fwallowed up in Vi6lory" — where 
 " the Lord God will wipe away all Tears from our 
 Eyes" — and, what is unfpeakably more defirable, will 
 remove all Ignorance from our Underftanding, and all 
 Corruption from our Fleart. — Bleffed Hope ! May it, 
 every Day, fhine brighter and brighter upon your 
 Ladylliip, and upon. Madam, 
 
 Your moil obliged 
 
 and obedient Servant. 
 
 LETTER LXXXVIL 
 
 On the Excellency of the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 London, "Jan. 16, 1756. 
 Madam, 
 
 NO, my Lady : I do not prefume to give Advice, 
 when I have the Honour of writing to your 
 Ladyfliip. My Letters come on no fuch Errand ; but 
 with more humble /and decent Views. They wait upon 
 
 your 
 
39$ LETTERSTO 
 
 your Ladylhlp, not to didate Precepts, but to propofe 
 fome Points of Importance to your own Confideration. 
 They come, on much the fame Defign, and in the very 
 lame Capacity, as the Servant at Philip's Door : where 
 He was ordered to repeat daily that inftni6>ive Admo- 
 nition, " Sir, remember That You mud die." Which 
 was nothing more, than reminding the Monarch of 
 what He knew, but might not fo habitually advert to. ■ 
 
 I hope, your Ladyfhip is more and more delighted 
 with that incomparable Book, the BIBLE: juftly fo 
 called, by way of diftinguifhed Superiority to all other 
 Compofitions in the World. I heartily wifh, your 
 Ladyfhip may fee the Glories, and tafle the Sweetnefs, 
 of the divine Word. Your Ladyfliip will then have 
 Reafon- to fay, " Among all the Libraries of the 
 Learned, among all the Entertainments of the Polite, 
 There is None, there is Nothing hke IT." 
 
 The Scriptures, my Lady, are intended by their 
 cver-bleffcd Author, for the moft delirable and gracious 
 Purpofes. Infomuch, that a royal and infpired Pen- 
 man knew not how to exprefs his Gratitude for fuch 
 an ineflimable Treafure. " Lord, what Love have I 
 unto thy Law !" It's Worth is fo great j my Efteem 
 for it is fo dear J that I have no adequate Words, to 
 declare either the One or the Other. But, where my 
 Tongue is defective, there let my Pradlice fpeak. yf// 
 the Day long is my Study in it. — A Commendation this, 
 which your Ladyfhip will eafily difcern, to be far more 
 cmphatical than all the Strains of Eloquence. A Com- 
 mendation which, 1 flatter myfelf, your Ladyi]:iip will 
 adopt J and, as it came from the Mouth of a King, 
 will not be afhamed to make it your own. 
 
 If We take a Survey of all our Wants, We fhall 
 find an abundant Supply in this heavenly Magazine. — 
 Are We in Queft of Knowledge? The Scriptures are 
 
 calculated 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 
 
 397 
 
 calculated to communicate this BleiTing. " When thy 
 Word goeth forth, it giveth Light and Underftanding 
 unto the Simple." It is called, A Light /Joining in a 
 dark Place ; illuminating the dark Corners, (can your 
 Ladyfhip bear the Expreffion ? if I add) the gloomy 
 Dungeon, of the human Heart. The Pfalmift moffc 
 elegantly compares the holy Word of God to the mag- 
 nificent Lam.p of Day. That as richly fui"niflied to 
 pour facred Wifdom through the Soul, as this to diffufe 
 meaner Splendors through the Firmament. It is, to 
 fay all in a Word, " able to make wife unto Salvation, 
 through the Faith which is in Jefus Chrifl." 
 
 Do We want that precious Faith^ mentioned in the 
 preceding Quotation ? This, though the Gift of God, 
 is wrought by his Word. Faith cometh by hearings by 
 reading, by meditating on, the Oracles of eternal 
 Truth. Thele teftify of Chrift. They difplay his 
 almighty Power, and infinite Goodnefs ; the Fulnefs of 
 his Grace, and the Freenefs of his Merits.' In them. 
 He is evidently fet forth, both crucified, and exalted : 
 moft beautifully pourtrayed, in his fublime Honours, 
 and unjearchable Riches. — They therefore are admirably 
 fuited, to create a fupreme Efteem cf Chrifl ; to excite 
 an ardent Longing for Chrift ; and produce an un- 
 feigned Acquiefcence in Chrijl. Thus are they fitted, by 
 way of noble Inftrument, to work that leading Chrillian 
 Grace, a lively Faith. 
 
 Are We defirous of being renewed after the divine 
 Likenejs ? — This is the very Eflence of Religion. A 
 Qualification, indifpenfably neceffary for our Enjoyment 
 of future BlelTcdneis. An Endowment, in Companion 
 of which, Sceptres and Coronets are empty Toys. The 
 Apoi^tle fays upon this Subjc(5l, and his Words are 
 worthy to be written oji the Tables of every He^rt ; 
 " God has given Us exceeding Great and precious 
 1 t Proiiiifes, 
 
598 LETTERSTO 
 
 Promifes, that by thefe Ye might be Partakers of the 
 divine Nature." Theie are a Refiner's Fire, to burn 
 up the Drofs of inbred Corruption ; and a facred Seal, 
 to inftamp the amiable Image of our Redeemer on the , 
 Mind. In fnortj thofe Volumes of Infpiration are 
 adapted and ordained by unerring Wifdom, ^' to make 
 the Man of God perfe6l ; thoroughly furniihed to every 
 good Work."— I believe, it woitld not be improper, if 
 your Ladyfliip addreiTed Yourfelf to the Study of the 
 Bible, with thefe grand Advantages in View. And I 
 affure your Ladyfhip, I lliall not ceafe to pray, that 
 You may not only partake of them, but be filled with 
 them^ or, as One of your favourite Authors exprelTes 
 Himfelf, l>e filled with all the Fulnejs of God. — Thus 
 would I make my Acknowledgments to your Ladylhip, 
 for the Favour of your Letter, and for allowing me the 
 Honour of fubfcribing myfelf. 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's mofl obedient, 
 
 and obliged Servant, 
 
 LETTER LXXXVin. 
 
 Reflexions on Sicknefs. 
 
 Weflouy Thurjday Mornings 
 Madam, 
 
 LAST Night, I had the Honour of your Letter. 
 It found me, though recovered from my Fever, 
 extremely weak. My Feet can hardly fupport the 
 Body, and my Hands but feebly hold the Pen. Other- 
 wife, I had fooner acknowledged your Ladyfhip's pre- 
 ceding Favour, « 
 
 I hope. 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 599 
 
 I hope, our wonderful Counfellor will, by thefe Dif- 
 orders, teach me to prize more highly that Inheritance, 
 which is incorruptible^ undefiledy and never fades. Un-^ 
 defdedy I fuppole, means — Has nothing to cloud its 
 Luftre or embitter its Sweets; has Health without 
 Sicknels, and Expe6tation without Difappointment; 
 ■where Holinefs fhall neither feel Corruption, nor fear 
 Temptation ; and Happinefs fhall know neither Mca- 
 fure. Decline, nor End. 
 
 May your Ladyfliip have this blifsful Inheritance ever 
 in View — have a lively Hope of poflefTing it through 
 the ReJurre5iion of Jefus Chriji from the Dead — and un- 
 der the Influence of this bleffed Hope, be enabled to 
 furify Tourfelf even as He is pure. 
 
 You was pleafed to enquire. Whether I have laid 
 alide the Thoughts of publifhing a little Piece. One 
 Scheme which I had formed, I believe, will prove en- 
 tirely abortive. Another, which I had projefled, I am 
 itill inclined to execute. Which is, to print two or 
 three Sermons, preached on the late Fajt-Days. Thefe, 
 for fome particular Reafons, I happened to take down 
 in Short-hand. As I have feen no Difcourfes on this 
 Occafion, that were fufficiently evangelical, I have a 
 flrong Defire, for the Supply of this one DefecSt ow/y, 
 to appear on the Stage. — Will You be fo good as to 
 favour with your Advice, and beg- of God all-v;ife to 
 idired, Madam, 
 
 Your mod obliged, 
 
 humble Servant, 
 
 LET- 
 
400 LETTERSTO 
 
 LETTER LXXXIX. 
 
 On the King of PruJJia. — Chriji All in All. — On Building. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I AM much pleafed with, therefore ought to be very 
 thankful for, your Account of the King of PruJJid's, 
 Behaviour. It is truly noble, and fpeaks a fincere Senfc 
 of Religion. Only I want to have his Religion wear 
 the Image and Superjcription of the Goipel. So that we 
 might truly call it Chrijlian. This, in due Time, I 
 trull, will be accomphihed; and He " will honour 
 the Son even as He honours the Father." 
 
 Indeed, Madam, in true Religion, Chrift is the 
 « Alpha and Omega; the firft and the laft;" the All in 
 All. — ^Would any One " come to the Father ?" It is 
 only " by Him that We have Accefs." — Are We ac- 
 cepted before God ? It is wholly " in the beloved Son," 
 and his confummate Righteoufnefs. — Would We have 
 Comfort now ? Chrift is " the Confolation of Ifracl." 
 The Works, which He has performed; the Death, 
 which He has fuffered ; thefe pleafe God, and fatisfy 
 Juftice; thefe therefore quiet the Sinner's Confcience, 
 and enable Him to go "on his Way rejoicing."- — 
 Would We enter into the Realms of Glory, and ftand 
 before the Throne of God ? Having walhed our Robes, 
 and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb, We 
 are admitted to this Honour, and partake of this Blefled- 
 ncfs. — May your Ladyfhip grow daily in the Knowlege 
 of this divinely excellent Saviour ! Becaufe this is the 
 Way to grow in Grace^ in Peace, and in all Godlinefs. — 
 I beg Leave to be, with the deepeft Refpedl, 
 
 Your Ladyfnip's moft obliged, 
 
 and moft obedient Servant. 
 
 P. S. 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY, 4or 
 
 P. S. Will You be fo good as to inform me, what 
 Mr. How faid upon the Subjeft of Building. A Saying, 
 at which one of your Letters hinted. The Mafons are 
 going on apace with my new Houfe. But I have no 
 Trouble about them j having agreed with the Archite6t, 
 to execute the Work for fuch a Sum. The Reftoration 
 of my Health, after which You are fo obliging as to 
 enquire, is " like the Sun in Gibeon." Ihavebutjuft 
 ventured into the Air ; never yet fo far as the Church. 
 May your Health, Madam, be as the Sun, " when He 
 goeth forth in his Strength !" — I hope for the Pleafure 
 of hearing, that my honoured Patronefs, the Countefs 
 of Chejlerfieldj is recovered of her Cold. 
 
 LETTER XC. 
 
 On openly acknowledging the Saviour. — Why he prints Ms 
 Name in Capitals* 
 
 PTefiorif March g. 
 Madam, 
 
 YOUR Prudence and your Kindnefs lay an equal 
 Claim to my grateful Acknowlegements. The 
 Step You have taken, is much more judicious, than 
 any that I could have fuggefted j and as You Yourfelf 
 are willing to defray Part of the Expence, is much 
 more generous than I ought to have expefled. — May 
 the bleifed Jefus fulfil his Promife, and more than re- 
 compenfe all my Obligations ; May He guide You 
 continually J give You an eftablifhed, an aiTured Intereft 
 in his unfpeakable Treafures ; and " fupply all Your 
 Need according to his Riches in Glory !" 
 
 Vol. Ill D d Uy 
 
4^t LETTERSTO 
 
 My Bookfeller informs mCj that Theron and AJ-pafiO 
 meet with a favourable Reception from the Public. 
 God is pleafed to give them Acceptance in the Sight of 
 the World. Infomuch that He is entering upon another 
 Edition, though the firfl was very numerous. See, 
 Madam, if God will blefs, who can blaft ? If He will 
 profper, how needlefs are all little Artifices and inferior 
 Recommendations ! 
 
 I remember, a very ingenious Gentleman once Ihewcd 
 me a Compofition ir- Manufcript. He intended it for 
 the Prefs, and afl<;ed my Opinion. It was moral, it was 
 delicate, it was highly finifhed. But \ ventured to tell 
 Him, There was one Thing wanting. The Name and 
 the Merits of the divinely excellent Jefus ; without 
 which, I feared, the God of Heaven would not accom- 
 pany it with his Grace \ and without which, I was very 
 fure, the Enemy of Souls would laugh it to Scorn. — The 
 Gentleman feemed to be (Iruck with Surprife. The 
 Name of Jefus, He replied ! This fmgle Circumflancc 
 would fruftrate all my Expedations i would infallibly 
 obfirud the Sale ; and make every Reader of Refine- 
 ment throw it afide witlj Difdain.— Now, Madam, I am 
 willing to put the Matter to a Trial, and myfelf to 
 practice the Advice I gave* So far from fecreting the 
 amiable, the majcftic Names of Jefus and the adorable 
 Trinity, that I have priiited them in grand and con- 
 fpicucus Capitals. That all the WoHd may fee, I look 
 upon it as my highefi: Honour, to acknowlege, to vene- 
 ' rate, to magnify my God and Saviour. And if He has 
 no Power over the Hearts of Men, or nothing to do 
 with the Events oi the World ; if Acceptance and Suc- 
 cefs are none of his Gifts, have no Dependance on his 
 Smile J then I am content, perfedly content to be with- 
 out them. 
 
 You chide me for enclofmg my Letters co your Lady- 
 fhip in a Frank. But I promife myfelf, You will not 
 
 be 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 403 
 
 be very angry with me, on this Account. Nay, You 
 cannot, You miift not, be angry with me at all. You 
 muft not conftrain me to be unjtijl. And what will it 
 be, but abfolute Injuftice, to make You pay Sixpence, 
 for that which is not worth any Thing ? which is more 
 than paid for, by your Ladyfhip's Acceptance. 
 
 I willi. Lady may be enabled by Faith " to fee- 
 
 the Lord's Chrift." That is the only Way to have 
 Comfort in Affliction, and to fing, Hke the three Hebrev* 
 Youths, in the fiery Furnace : that is the only Way to 
 depart, like good old Stmt on ^ in Peace, and with Hopes 
 full of Immortality. Let me wifli the lame BlefTing for 
 J.ady Frances Shirley \ becaufe this is the only Method 
 to fwecten and exalt Life j to make it a Privilege to live, 
 or Gain to die. Permit my Pen to add, what my very 
 llcart dictates, that I am. Madam, 
 
 Your much oblige-d 
 
 and moft grateful Servant* 
 
 LETTER XCi. 
 
 On entire Devotednejs to God. 
 
 WHY does Lady Frances mention the Word 
 Condejcentiony when She is pleafed to honour mc 
 with a Letter ? Indeed, Madam, You have nothing to 
 do widi that Word. It is mine by an exclufive Right* 
 It exprelTes what You alone can pra(flife, and what I 
 alone muft acknowlege. 
 
 IIow does your Ladyfhip know, that I " fpeak to 
 
 my People an Hour together?" — I muft confefs, I do 
 
 fo fometimes. But I always blame myfelf for it. It 
 
 detains the- Congregation too long. It renders the Dif- 
 
 D d 2 courfc 
 
404 t E T T E R S T d 
 
 courfe tircfome to be heard, and almoft Impoflible to 
 be remembered. This is one of the Inconveniences 
 attending the extempore Method of Preaching. We 
 forget how the Time pafles away j We advert not to 
 the Length of our Harangue j and, being defirous of 
 imprefling our Hearers, are infenfibly betrayed into an 
 undue Prolixity. 
 
 I congratulate Mr. K on his Wifdom and Hap- 
 
 pinefs, in giving up Himfelf without Referve to the 
 blefTedGod. Ah ! why fhould We delay this important 
 Puty-?' Why> fhoulJ We be reluctant in this delightful 
 Affair? - One Caufe of our Backwardnefs is our ftub- 
 born Selfifhnefs and flrong Corruption. Another Reafon 
 is, that We do not attempt it in the proper Way. We 
 confider perhaps the Reafonablenefs of it; We urge 
 on our Confcienccs the Necefllty of it; and We labour 
 with our Hearts, if by any Means we may bring them 
 to the Pra6lice of it. But we feldom apply the endear- 
 ing Motives of the Gofpel. St. Paul fays ; " I befeech 
 You therefore Brethren, by the Mercies of God, that 
 ye prefent your Bodies a living Sacrifice.'* Here, the 
 Duty of furrendering Ourfelves to the Almighty, is in- 
 culcated ; and the eafy, the expeditious Manner of doing 
 it, is dilplayed. — We are to prefent our Bodies ; not in 
 Contradiftinftion to our Souls, but in Allufion to the 
 whole burnt Offerings of old. In which, not a fmgle 
 Joint, or the Fat on the Kidneys only, but th^. Whole 
 of the Animal was fet apart for the Victim. So we arc 
 to devote, not this Talent or that only, but all We 
 have and all We are, to the Glory of his Name, and 
 to the Good Pleafnre of his W ill. — *' A hving Sacrifice : ' * 
 not dead in carnal Pleafure, not afleep in fpiritual In- 
 dolence. But awake and aftive for our divine Mafler ; 
 fervent and zealous in his facred Service, — What ihould 
 engage Us to all This ? The mofl inviting and the mofl 
 forcible of Inducements ; " the Mercies of our God." 
 
 He 
 3-. 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 40J 
 
 He has given Himfclf and all his fublime Perfef^rions, 
 to be our Portion. He ha^ given his Son, his infinite 
 Atonement and everlafling ilignteoufncGj to be our 
 Salvation. He has given his Spirit, to teilify of Chrift 
 in our Hearts, to apply this great Salvation to our Souls, 
 and to maKe all Grace abound towarJi. Us. Aw aiis 
 He has given freely, irrevocably, eternally. — And can 
 We^ under the Influence of fuch a Faith, can We for- 
 bear the Enquiry of the Pfaimift, ^' What Return fnall 
 I make unto the Lord, for all the Bene hts that He hath 
 done unto me ?" Such a Faith will overcome the Per- 
 verfenefs of our Inclinations. Such a Faith will make 
 the Work of Refignation pleafmg. Between the Mind, 
 adtuated with fucii a Faich, and deftitute of it, there is 
 as much Difference, as between the liquid and the folid 
 Metal. In this precious Faith, therefore, may your 
 I-a^ylhip ever abide, and ever advance ! 
 
 Mr. 's Pamphlet I have not feen. When it 
 
 comes to my Hand, I will, without any Difguife, in- 
 form your Ladyfliip, how it affe(5ts me on the Perula! ; 
 whether with Delight or Difguit. — Let me obferve the 
 Humility of the Apoftle, in the Verfe quoted above. 
 " I befeech You, Brethren." Though He might com- 
 mand, as invefted with the Authority of Chriil, He 
 rather befeeches. And though he was the chiefeft of 
 Saints, He calls the weakeft, meaneft Chriflian, his 
 Brother. As You have imitated Him in thefe, may 
 You imitate Him in all Refpedi, ; and being like Him 
 on ]£arth, be wLth Him in Heaven. 
 
 Your moft obliged 
 
 Jiumbie Servant, 
 
 D d 5 LET- 
 
i|o$ LETTERST9 
 
 LETTER XCII. 
 
 Oh a Poem called the Arbour.— On Prayer. 
 
 fVefoity June 12, I "56. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I BEG Pardon for being fo tardy in ackno\vledging 
 your laft Favour. Indeed, I intended to have paid 
 the Debt of Gratitude much foon^r. But fometimes 
 Weaknefs un-nerved, jit other Times Burinefs had my 
 Hands. 
 
 Your Ladyfhip is obeyed. I will publifh nothing a? 
 yet. But fhall be glad to hear the Reafons, which 
 You have to alledge. Thefe will make my Obedi- 
 ence rational, and' the Refult of Judgment, Whereas 
 now it is implicit, and the Exercife of Duty. 
 
 Indeed, Madam, I know how to pity You, when 
 necefiltated to go through Scenes of Pomp and Hurry. 
 To me they would be irkfome to the lall Degree. I 
 wifh, we had the Honour of your Ladyfhip's Refidence 
 at Wejion. Our Manor-FIoufe is occupied by a Gen- 
 tleman, who greatly diflikes my Dodrine. h Brother- 
 Clergyman too ! 
 
 The Arbour you rightly guefs, is no Performance of 
 mine. I have not fccn the Poem ; but I faw an Extract 
 from it, which "vyas very picfturefque and pleafing. I 
 fancy, there is one Peculiarity wanting in it, which, I 
 hope, will alv/ays attend and adorn, whatever this Pen 
 writes, or this Tongue utters. I mean, the Name, the 
 Grace, the Righteoufnefs and Death of Jefus Chrift, 
 "Without this, I fhould think every Difcourfe and every 
 Compofition, like the Ring without the Diamond, or 
 iht Body without the Soul*. 
 
 Yes, 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 4^)7 
 
 Yes, Madam ; I will with Pleafure pray for my ho- 
 noured Benefa6lrefs. And if I forget to fhew my 
 Thankfulncfs for your Favour in this Manner, let tny 
 right Hand forget her Cunning. And I have the Satis-" 
 fadion to inform You, that an infinitely nobler Advo- 
 cate prays for You. He, who fees Angels worfhipping 
 at his Feet, is an IntercefTor for your Ladyfhip. And 
 what is the Subjeft: of his IntercefTion, We learn John 
 xiv, 16. Charming Text! Ineftimable Privilege! 
 Methinks, I fliould not interrupt or divert your Atten- 
 tion, while You are meditating on fo precious a Por- 
 tion of Scripture. Give me Leave therefore to with- 
 draw ; only allowing me the Honour, before I retire, 
 to profefs myfelf. Madam, 
 
 Your mofl obliged 
 
 iiumbje Servant, 
 
 LETTER XCIII. 
 
 Dr. Crifp's Sermons recommended. — On Mr. T , 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I HOPE, before this Time, You are acquainted with 
 the true Reafon of my neglecfting to write by Sun- 
 day's Poll. It was not, " becaufe I have nothing to 
 fay." Was I to addrefs many other Perfons of Quality, 
 I fhould certainly find my Thoughts and my Pen ham- 
 pered with this Difficulty. But as your Ladyfhip per- 
 mits me to expatiate upon Religion, I Hiall never be at 
 a Lofs for a.SubjecTt. I liave a Fund of Materials^ 
 various as the Contents of the Bible ; vaft as the Per- 
 fedbipns of our God ; and, like the Grace of our Lord 
 Jefus Chrilt, abfolutely inexhauftible, 
 
 D d 4 Do 
 
4o3 LETTERSTO. 
 
 Do not harbour any Fear, Madam, concerning the 
 Propriety of your fending Dr. Crifp's Sermons to Mr. 
 K — r—' They are, I think, the very Difcourfes which 
 He wants. Efpecialiy, if He is inclined to Diftrefs of 
 Confcience, on Account of his fpiritual State. I know- 
 not any Treatifes more proper, or more excellently 
 Calculated, to adminifter folid Confclation. They are, 
 under the divine Influence, one of my firft Counfellors, 
 and principal Comforters. They often drop Manna 
 and Balm upon my fainting and fickly Graces. The 
 Lord Jefus Chrift grant, that your Ladyfhip may expe- 
 rience the Soul-chearing, Confcience-heaiing, Heart- 
 reviving Power of thefe precious Doctrines ! 
 
 The Dodor has, as You juftly obferve, fome Expref- 
 fions, which feem to contradid pofitive Commands or 
 peremptory Aflertions of Scripture. But thefe Expref- 
 fions, when examined and explained, will generally be 
 found to coincide with the Truth as it is in Jefus. They 
 are not contrary to the pure Word of the Gofpel, but 
 to our pre-conceived and legal Ideas. We have not 
 been accuftomed to the joyful Sound of Grace and 
 Salvation — infinitely rich Grace, and perfedly free Sal- 
 vation — therefore they are a ftrange Language to our 
 Ears. O ! that We may more frequently hear, and more 
 diligently read, till, like the ColoJJtan Converts^, We 
 know the Grace of God in Truth ! 
 
 I hope, Mr. T • will prove a ferious and ufeful 
 
 Minifter. He feems not to diflike, but to rcHlh Chrif- 
 rian Converfation ; fuch as the Apoftle calls good, and 
 adapted to the Ufe of edfying. Who knows, but the 
 God of all Wifdom may make his Interviews with your 
 Lady (It ip a Ble fling to his Soul ? If the deepeft Refpe6t 
 for your high Station and fine Accomplifhments can 
 influence. You have Angular Advantages on your Side, 
 But thefe Madam, Yoy have learned to poflefs, as 
 
 thougi^ 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 409 
 
 though You poflefled them not. You place no De- 
 pendence on them, but on Him only, who is the Light 
 of the World ; who has the /even Stars in his right 
 Handy and qualifies Minifters for the Difcharge of their 
 important Office. Do not You remember one of your 
 own Sex, celebrated by the greateft ecclefiaftic Hiflo- 
 rian in the World, who taught even a moil eloquent 
 Teacher ? Who expounded to Him, with much Accept- 
 ance, and with equal Succefs, the Way of God more 
 perfectly ? 
 
 Mr. T was right in his Conjefture relating to 
 
 my Sermons. I have never, fmce I was Minifter of 
 this Place, ufed written Notes. So that all my public 
 Difcourfes are vaniflied into Air j unlefs the blefled 
 Spirit has left any Traces of them, on the Hearts of 
 the Hearers. And though I have many Difcourfes, that 
 were written before I difcontinued the Ufe of Notes, 
 they are all penned in Short-hand, and are intelligible 
 to none but the Writer. — You will eafily conclude, from 
 the preceding Lines, that your Ladyfhip's Favour, 
 dated on Tuefday, was duly received, and it is grate- 
 fully acknowledged by. Madam, 
 
 Your moft obliged, 
 
 and very obedient humble Servant. 
 
 LET- 
 
4i« 
 
 LETTERS TO 
 
 LETTER XCIV. 
 
 On Mr. K . — On Dr. Crifp's Writings. 
 
 ' JVcJion^ Nov. l^ 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I JOIN my Thanks v/ith your^s^ to the God of our 
 Life and Health, for delivering. You from your late 
 Indifpofition. May tlie Hand, that reftored, preferve 
 the Vigour and Adivity of your Conftitution; and 
 enable you to devote every renewed Power, every re- 
 maining Moment, to Him ivho died for your SinSy and 
 roje again for your Jujlification ! 
 
 May I beg Leave to afk your Ladyfliip, What 
 
 Authors Mr. K — has principally read, and what arc 
 
 his favourite Books ? He feems to write fomewhat in 
 the Strain o{ the Hutcbinfanians. — I do not wonder, that 
 People objeft to Dr. Crifp, and fuch Divineg' as mag- 
 nify the exalted Saviour, who fits at God's right Haad; 
 but pour Contempt upon the fallen Creatures, who 
 dwell in Houfes of Clay : who would reprcfent the 
 divine Redeemer, as the meridian Sun, and all the 
 Race of Adam, as Glow- Worms of the Night. — There 
 was a Time, when I fhould have joined, moft heartily 
 joined in the Oppofition. For then I fought to eflahlifh: 
 my oiJD'\RighteouJneJs. I would fain he fomething ; would 
 fain do fomething, to inherit eternal Life ; and could 
 not brook a total SubmiJJion to the Rightesufnefs of Gvd, 
 But repeated Infirmities, repeated Sins, and repeated 
 Sorrows, have been the Means, under the Influence of 
 the Spirit, to cure me of this arrogant Temper. — It is 
 now the daily Defire of my Soul, to fee more and more 
 the Littlenefs, the InfufEciency, the Meannefs of all 
 that is called my own. But to delight myfelf in the 
 
 unfearch" 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 411- 
 
 unfearcbabk RicheSy and triumph in the n'^nfcendent 
 Excellencies ofChrift Jeliis my Lord. — And I do afTurc 
 You, Madam, that when I wander from this Path, I 
 Jiumhle upon dark Mountains -, I fall into Briars and 
 Thorns ; I lofe my Peace, my Tranquility, my Hope. 
 ^— If this be the Cafe, as it really is, your Ladyfhip 
 will allow, that I have Realbn, notwithftanding every 
 contrary Suggeftion, to adhere infeparably to this PFay, 
 
 I beg Pardon for fpeaking fo much of Selfy that 
 defpicable Idol Self. Many, I am fenfible, would look 
 upon it as inexcufable Folly and Vanity. But I write 
 to a Friend, the Candour of whofe Mind is equal to 
 the Dignity of her Station; who will give me Leave 
 to ufe the Freedom of an AfTociate, even while I ad- 
 drefs a Superior, a Benefactor, a Patronefs. 
 
 Mr. T 1 reminds me of a humourous but judi- 
 
 pious Anfwer, which Dr. Cheney (who was reckoned as 
 un-orthodox in Phyfic, as Dr. Crifp in Divinity) gave 
 to a Perfon, confuking Him about the Recovery of 
 his Health. " Sir, you are not bad enough for me." 
 None but the daeply difordered would fubmit to Cheney's 
 mortifying Prefcriptions. And none but the weary and 
 heavy-laden will come to Chrift, or rclifh a Crifp. 
 
 You make me fmile, when you place me in the 
 Pontific Cliair. No, Madam ; this Ihall not be my 
 Station, as, I am fure, it is not m.y Ambition. But, 
 if You plcafe, I will a6l as your Gentleman-Ufher ; I 
 will endeavour to perform the fame Office for your 
 Ladylliip, as Philip executed for thofe Greeks, who 
 faid, Siry JVe would fee Jefus. — They were come to 
 Jerufalem at a grand Feftival. But all the Entertain- 
 ments, and all the Diverfions of the Seafon, were to 
 them infipid Things, compared with the Pleafure of con- 
 verfmg with Chrift. — Wife and exemplary Strangers! 
 May my honoured Correfpondent imitate You, in 
 this Particular ! Count nothing dear, nothing grand, 
 
 nothing 
 
4IZ LETTERSTO 
 
 nothing defirable, in comparifon of feeing — Jefus and 
 his Glories — Jefus and his Righteoufnefs — Jefus and 
 his eternal Heaven ! and O ! may She fee all thefe as 
 
 HER OWN ! 
 
 Mr. R— — will have at Northamptorij a large 
 Church to preach in, and a large Sphere to aft in. 
 May his Zeal and his Succefs be larger than both ! I 
 have not heard of the Earthquake, which You mention. 
 It is awful indeed, to have the Foundations of the Earth 
 Ihake, and its Surface reek with the Blood of the Slain. 
 May thefe Events, and whatever elfe indicates the Dif- 
 pleafure of the Moil High, teach Us to prize the great 
 Propitiation, incite Us to fly into the inviolable Sanc- 
 tuary, Jefus Chrifl. 
 
 Your Ladyfhip*s moft obedient, 
 
 and very humble Servant, 
 
 LETTER XCV, 
 
 Oh being confined by Sicknefs. — Recommending a Servant,-^ 
 On Mr. IVhitefield's Condu^. 
 
 JVeJlmy Nov. 25. 
 Madam, 
 
 WILL You give me Leave, for once, to indulge 
 a Conjefture, that I over-hear your Thoughts ? 
 Hear You reafoning within Yourfeif — " Two Letters 
 fent : And neither of them anfwered ! Are thefe his 
 Exprefllons of Gratitude ? — However, I can forgive; 
 and afcribe his Conduft to any Thing, rather than an 
 evil Principle." — Can your Ladyfliip forgive me ? That 
 is more than I could do to myfelf, if I had not too 
 fubftantial a Reafon for my late Silence, — The Re^fon 
 
 is. 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 413 
 
 is, what Many might be ailiamed to tell, in fuch plain 
 Language as I ufc, when I inform your Ladylhip, That 
 I have been arrefted. Have been in clofe Confinement 
 for feveral Days. And could find None, no not One, 
 that was both wilHng and able to bail me. — Now, Ma- 
 dam, for your Chriftian Courage ; Dare You rifque 
 your Reputation, by taking Notice of a Prifoner ? Can 
 a Lady of Quality floop to correfpond with fuch a con- 
 temptible Creature ? — " Yes, You reply. I hope, I 
 fhail always think it my Honour, to acknowledge my 
 divine Mailer, even in the meancft of his People. I 
 hope, I fnall never be afham.ed of his Minifters, though 
 they were in Bcndsy in ImprifonmentSj in Deaths. — He 
 was higher than all Heavens, and has a Name above every 
 Name. Yet, for my Sake, how willingly, how chear- 
 fully, did He fubmit to be numbered v^'im Malefactors; 
 and to be nailed, as a Speftacle of Infamy, on the 
 curfed Tree ! Surely then I Ihall reckon my Charadterj 
 my Dignity, my Fortune, only fo far valuable, as they 
 may bring Glory to his Name, and do Service to his 
 Caufe." 
 
 To keep your Ladyfhip no longer in Sufpenfe. I 
 really am a Prifoner ; and, in fome Senfe, the Prifoner 
 of Jefus Chrift. The Writ that was ferved on me, is 
 his fovereign and holy Will. The Aftion^ that lies 
 againfl me, is my Sinfulnefs, and Mis-Improvement of 
 my Talent. The Officer, that arrefted me, is Sicknefs. 
 And the Place of my Confinement, is my Chamber. — 
 This Rcprefentation of my Cafe, I truft, will incline 
 your Ladyfhip to excufe my RemifTnefs in acknow- 
 ledging your late Favours j and incite You to put up a 
 compafTionate Prayer in my Behalf, That I may be 
 enabled to blefs the Hand, and kifs the Rod, that fmites 
 me. I thank the Phyfician, that prefcribes my Medi- 
 cines, though difguflful and expenfive. I thank the 
 
 Surgeon, 
 
414 LETTERSTO 
 
 Surgeon, that has pierced my Vein, and taken awa^r 
 even Part of my vital Blood. Becaufc, I am aflured, 
 they intend my Welfare. And is there not infinitely 
 greater Reafon, to thank the unerring and tender Pro- 
 vidence of my God, who never affiles arbitrarily, but 
 gracioufly ; nor grieves the Children of Men^ but for 
 their fpiritual and eternal Good ? 
 
 I am much obliged to You, Madam, for tranfmitting 
 to me without Difguife, the Remarks made on my 
 Pamphlet. — I was myfelf much in Doubt, concerning 
 the Propriety of " HannibaVs oracular Doom/' Had 
 determined to expunge itj or to have mentioned it, 
 only as the Opinion of an eminent Commentator; but 
 not to have laid any Strefs at all upon it. Meeting 
 accidentally with the PalTage from Mr. Ridley's Sermon, 
 I was induced, upon his Authority, to retain it. Pray, 
 is it objefted That the Tranflation is improper? Or, 
 that the Fadl is of no Weight, though the Tranflation 
 Ihould be allowed "i — With regard to the Change of 
 Sentiment introduced in that Claufe, Blefled be, &c. I 
 fear, I have miftaken the Senfe of facred Writ : have 
 departed from the moft eafy and natural Interpretation 
 of the Words; have dropped the Do6trine, which gives 
 the greateft Glory to God, and fuggefts die moft im- 
 portant Admonition to Man. I fhould be glad to learn 
 from the ingenious Critic, (for a Critic He is, and 
 truly perfpicacious) what that fine Idea may be, which 
 I have been fo unhappy as to lofe. I have fettled in 
 my own Mind, what other Senfe I would propofe ; and 
 iKould be defirous to fee, whether his and mine co- 
 incide. 
 
 I alTure You, Madam, I had much rather fee my 
 Errors correded, than hear my Praifes trumpeted: And 
 Ihall be ready, not. only without Relu<5lancc, but with 
 unfeigned Pleafure, to retra^^t my Opinion, and confefs 
 
 my 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. ^ 415 
 
 my Miftake, wherever the lead Iota or Tittle of divine 
 Truth has been injured by my Pen. — Be fo good as to 
 communicate fuch Animadverfions, when they occur in 
 Convcrfation. 
 
 Does your Ladyfhip want a Maid- Servant ? Or knovr 
 of any miki-tempered, condefccnding, ferious Lady 
 that wants a Maid to wait on Her ? There is in my 
 Parifh a young Woman, who, I think, would make, 
 in all Refpeds, a valuable Servant. Very neat, and 
 has a genteel Air. Good-natured, and perfectly honeft. 
 Quite fenfible, and has a fine Hand with her Needle, 
 or at ironing. Some Years ago, being out of Place, 
 file lived in our Famil), rather than have no Employ. 
 Continued with Us more than a Year, but deferved a 
 much better Place. A better Place Ihe got, and for 
 feveral Years held. But is now out of Service again. 
 I verily think, fhe would give great Satisfaclion, where- 
 ever Ihe was employed ; otherwife, I would not prefume 
 to mention Her, in this Manner to your Ladylhip. 
 
 Your Query about my dear Friend lVhitefield\ In- 
 tention, I am not Cafuift enough to anfwer. Indeed I 
 am quite an Ignoramus in the Canons. I fliould appre- 
 hend, in a Land of Liberty and Toleration, none can 
 hinder or hurt him. Indeed if He txpecls to enjoy the 
 Emoluments of the ET:abli(hment, He myfl conform to 
 its Orders. But thefe, You know, he neither claims nor 
 covets. If He proceeds, as He propofes, they will fay 
 He is a Sep ar at (ft, or call Him a Fanatic, This they 
 do noiv : and this, I imagine, is all they can do, in cale 
 He puts his Defign in Practice. 
 
 Perhaps, your Ladyfliip is ready to fay, A pretty 
 long Epiftle this, from a Sick Man. If Sicknefs makes 
 liLm fo long-winded, I (hall wifh, for my own, as well 
 as for his Eafc, that He n ay foon recover, and not 
 quickly relapf:.— And I ihall n)t ceafe to v ifh, that the 
 Voice of Joy and Health may be in your Dwellings 
 
 below i 
 
4i6 LETTERSTO 
 
 below J till you enter into the Joy and Honour of your 
 Lord, in the Manfions above. And though I, for my 
 Part, have no Hope of the former ; may fome Share 
 of the Latter fall to the Lot of. Madam, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obliged 
 
 and obedient Servant. 
 
 LETTER XCVI. 
 
 On her lending Theron and Ajpafio, — On Mr, T 's 
 
 Character of him. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 ASCRIBE it not to Infenfibility 5 afcrlbe it not to 
 Indolence ; afcribe it rather to a deep Engage- 
 ment in Bufinefs, that I have not made my Acknow- 
 ledgments for the Honour of your laft Letter, by an 
 earlier Poft. I was fo engaged, that I did but juft 
 accomplilh my Purpofe, notwithftanding I took Leave 
 to rely on your Ladyfhip's Indulgence, and poflpone the 
 Payment of my Debt of Gratitude. 
 
 So you lend Theron and JJpafto, Madam ! You are 
 not afhamed of fuch old-fafhioned Gentry ! Nay, by 
 fending them abroad. You make them itinerant Preach- 
 ers 3 and v/hat is more, You countenance their Meffage, 
 and avow their Do6lrine. May the God of all Grace 
 likewife vouchfafe to countenance their Meffage, and 
 accompany it with his divine Spirit ! Then it will be 
 no Dilgrace to your Ladyfhip, at leaft in another Scene 
 of Things, to have honoured them with your Name ; 
 neither will it be any Grief of Heart, at leaft in a dying 
 Hour, to have feconded and furthered their Defign. 
 
 WiU 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 417 
 
 Will You promife. Madam, not to fufpedl me of Flat- 
 tery ? And will You afcribe all the Glory to our gra- 
 cious God ? if I venture to fay that Lady F — s S — y is 
 a better Cafuift, has jufter Notions of Divinity, than 
 his Lordfhip of — — . I dare not write the Word at 
 length. I hardly dare fpecify the initial and final Let- 
 ters. I durft not mention them. But indeed, with 
 regard to the Purport of Page 70. Vol. IL I muft ap- 
 peal from the Laivn to the Brccade, And I know you 
 will not be offended, if I take Leave to refer You to a 
 fine Prayer, fuitable to the Occafion, and infinitely im- 
 portant; Phil. i. 9, 10, II. 
 
 I am pleafed, exceedingly pleafed, at your very hu- 
 mane and candid Manner of afcriblng this Inaccuracy 
 of Judgment, to Hafte, to Hurry, to any Thing, rather 
 than deliberate Thought. Well, Madam j if no Body 
 learns any Thing valuable from my Books, I will en- 
 deavour to leara Candour from your Remark occafioned 
 by them. r 
 
 Pray, let me know, what that Term of Honour is, 
 by which the General is pleafed to diftinguifh our worthy 
 Soldier. I Ihall be eager to know, whether the Report 
 is true, which You heard concerning the Gen.^ral's 
 fudden Death. Such alarming Providences cry, " Be 
 Ye alfo ready !*' O! that we may look unto Jefus; 
 confiding in his Blood, and conforming to his Image 1 
 Then let the laft Enemy come. We have nothing to 
 fear. " There is no Condemnation to them that are in 
 Jefus Chrift." 
 
 I am furprized at the Charader, which Mr. T • • 
 
 gave of y H . I thought, I had been looked 
 
 upon, by my Brethren the Clergy, in a very contemptible 
 Light. I would be humbly thankful to God, if He 
 keeps me from difhonouring my facred Profeffion. But 
 O ! what a Happinefs is it, and what a high Diftinflion, 
 to be enabled to ," adorn the Gofpel of God our Sa- 
 viour." May this be the Privilege of your Ladyfhip's 
 
 Vol. ni, E e Life 
 
4iS. LETTERS TO 
 
 Life and Converfation ; tlien You will have no Caiife to 
 regret the Want of a ducal Coronet. — I am an utter 
 
 Stranger to Mr. T- . Never fpoke to Him, nor fo 
 
 i^uch as perfonally know Him. I can therefore no 
 othcrwife contribute to the Accomplilhment of your 
 Defire, than by adding my Prayers to your Wifhes — 
 that He, and all the Clergy may f>reach and teach Jefss 
 Chriil i may fpend and he /pent in the facred Service ; 
 may have their Labours attended with a general Wel- 
 fcome, and with abundant Succefs. And if I pray for 
 Others, You Madam can never be forgotten by 
 
 Your moll obedient 
 
 and mod obliged humble Servant. 
 
 LETTER XCVIL 
 
 On building a new Houfe. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 YO U Once gave me Reafon to hope, that I ftioiild 
 receive from your Pen, the Hiftory of poor i? , 
 
 May I take Leave to remind your Ladyihip of what, I 
 believe, has flipt from your^ though not from my Me- 
 mory. 
 
 I have been much encumbered -With Bufinefs of a 
 Nature which I do not like. NecefTitated 1 am to build 
 a new Houfe, even though myfelf am tottering over the 
 Grave; that " Houfe appointed for all Living." May 
 your Ladylliip's Thoughts be on " the Houfe not made 
 with Hands, eternal in the Heavens." Thither our 
 bleffed Redeemer is gone j there He " is entered as 
 our Forerunner;" and has taken Pofleflion of thofc 
 blifsful Manfions in our Name. And is not this a moft 
 
 engaging 
 
LADY FRANCES S H I R L E V. 419 
 
 tnga2;ing Motive to remember them ; to have our Con- 
 verlation in them ; and to walk as becomes the Heirs 
 of Glory ? . 
 
 Have I not often tired your Patience by the monflrous 
 Length of my Letters ? My Thoughts fliall now ftangL 
 in a white Sheets by Way of Penance for the Trefpaffes 
 committed byj Madam, 
 
 Your frequently offending, 
 
 but not quite incorrigible, 
 
 humble Servant; 
 
 LETTER XCVin. 
 
 On the Danger of the World.— -On Impatience of Temper. 
 
 • Madam, 
 
 IT grieves mej that I have;, not anfwered your laft 
 Letter with more Speed. Becaufe your Idft Letter 
 Iccmed to breathe an Air of Tendernefs and Anxiety^;, 
 which gave me a fympathizing Pain. The Caufe of 
 my Delay was a Dilbrder in my Health j which brought 
 mc under the Surgeon's Lancet^, and the Phyfician's 
 Uifcipline. My poor enfeebled Conftitution is not yet 
 recovered. Though, I blefs the Divine ProvicJencCj I 
 was enabled to give my People the ufual Lefture iait 
 Kigiir. _ ; 
 
 Indeed, my Lady, I pity your Situation. I know tlie 
 tnnucy which the World bears to all that is fcrious and 
 ficred. But " this is the Yidlory, which overcometh 
 ihe World, even our Faith." Faith— of what ? Of 
 [hofe two Privileges, wliich made a Part of our public 
 Dilcourfe, on the lalt Lord's Day ; *' Chrift died fof 
 uur Sins." I Cor. xv. 3. " This is the Record, that 
 F^ e a God 
 
42tf lETTERSTO 
 
 God hath given to Us eternal Life." i ^ohn v. I r« 
 The Believer, comforting Himfelf in this Word of the 
 Lord, fays ; Though I am a Mark to be Ihot at by the 
 Arrows of the Tongue, yet, blefTed be God, my Sins 
 afc done away ; the Lord hath laid on Chrift all my 
 Iniquities } and " there is no Condemnation" for me. 
 Though the Enemies of Religion would embitter, by . 
 their envenomed RefledionS;, my Portion on Earth; 
 yet. Thanks to redeeming Grace, I have " an Inheri- 
 tance" in Heaven, that is ** incorruptible, undefiled, and 
 never fades."— -May my honoured Lady drink deep of 
 thefe fpiritual Confolations ! aiid be refrefhed in her 
 Chriftian Warfare X 
 
 Why does your Ladylhip mention fbmc little Im- 
 patience in your Temper ? Why acknowlege a Weak- 
 nefs and Imperfe6lion ? This might lefTen You in the 
 Eftecm of Others ; but it makes mc admire and love 
 your Sincerity. Yet I am afraid to trufl myfelf with 
 fuch Secrets ; and fhall immediately commit the Letter, 
 as> in Obedience to your pofitive Orders, I have com- 
 mitted all your other epiftokry Favours,^ to the Flames. 
 Ah, Madam ! Who is there, that does not more or lefs 
 experience, what You complain of? But what is our 
 Remedy ? Shall we pore upon our l&lemilhes, and fallen 
 our Eyes upon our Wounds ? This will encreafe our 
 Anguifh. Let us rather turn our View to Him, who 
 was typefied by the brazen Serpent. " By his Stripes 
 we are healed." Let Us look to Jefus Chrift, the 
 blefTed Son of God, delivered to Death for thefe our 
 Faults, and for all our Sins. Confider — not what I 
 have done ? What I have deferved ? But what Chrift- 
 hath done j what Chrift hath deferved. Here the glo- 
 rious Gofpel anfwers ; " Chrift hath done all Things 
 well," and this is the Ground of thy Juftification, 
 Chrift has deferved eternal Life j and this, not for Him- 
 felf, but for Thee.— He that diverts his Attention from 
 Z this 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 421 
 
 this divinely excellent Objedl, muft unavoidably fall 
 into Diftrefs and Perplexity. — I think, if I remember 
 right, You have no Motto to your Coat of Arms. Will 
 your Ladyfliip give me Leave to recommend one ? Yet, 
 not to be engraven on your Seal, but on your Heart. — 
 However, I fliall not offer to fuggeft it, till I have your 
 Pcrmiflion. As foon as I know, that You indulge me 
 in this Liberty, I will tranfmit the Sentence, together 
 with the Reaions for my Choice, — I am now going to 
 write to Dr. Hales^ to defire his Intercft with the Princefs 
 of Wales in Behalf of a worthy religious Man, 4 
 Trooper in General Ligonier's Regiment; who has 
 fcrved his Majefly 1 6 Years, and having a Wife and 
 Family, would now be glad to be difmiiTed, and to 
 enjoy fome of the Bounty Money which is frequently 
 allowed to difbanded Soldiers. Do, Madam, fccon4 
 my Application to the Doftor. 
 
 Your moft, &c. &c. 
 
 LETTER XCIX, 
 
 0^ the Righteous rejoicing at th^ Day of Judgment, 
 
 Wejiany Jan, S, 1 757. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 YO U are pleafed to afk ; ** How I dare write to 
 You as a Cafuift ?" — To which Expoftulation I 
 reply j That You muft thank Yourfelf if \ have been 
 fo daring, Why have You been fo obliging on all 
 Occafions, as to make me lay afide even my natural 
 Timidity ? Why have You been fo *< Condefccnding 
 to One of low Ellate," as to make me almoft forget,, 
 that the Writer is a poor Ruftic^ and hb Correlpondent 
 E <; 3 a Lady 
 
.4»4 LETTERS TO 
 
 a Lady of Quality ?■ — You fee, Madam, I mend one 
 Fault, by committing another ; I have the additional 
 Impudence, to charge my audacious Language upon 
 yoiir own diftinguifhed Goodneli. 
 
 . Let me beg Leave, very Jerioujly to afTure your Lady- 
 ftiip ; that, if I had the Honour of waiting on You in 
 Perfon, I fhould mqrc frequently aflc your Opinion, 
 concerning Texts of Scripture. Becaufe this Book is 
 your Study and your Delight. Becaufe thefc Inquiries 
 would lead You to confider important Palfages with 
 .more Attention ; and fuch a Pra61:ice would tend to afTiil 
 me in underftanding them, and to diredc me in explain- 
 ing them.^ — From your Anlwer, I have learned my own 
 Blunder. Your Anfwer as far as it goes, is perfectly 
 right. But I was defedive in Hating the Cafe. I did 
 not make my right honourable Expofitor fenfible of the 
 Di.^culty, which lay before me. This was the puzzling 
 Ppint ; How the Pfalmifl could reprefent it, as Matter 
 of Joy J that die Lord God omnipotent was coming to 
 judge the Earth ? Is not this thp moft ftartling and tre- 
 mendous Profpeft imaginable ^. — Should it be replied ; 
 No. The Righteous are exhorted to be " looking for 
 and halting to the Coming of the Day of God." To 
 them it will be a Day of glorious Recompencc : to 
 them, therefore, it may well be the Obje£t of joyful 
 Expedation.— Trye. But the Pfalmifl fpeaks of the 
 Earth. He means not the few Righteous, that were to 
 be found in it , biit the Inhabitants of the Earth in 
 general. Who were in no Condition to rejoice at the 
 ' coming of an infinitely holy Judge, who was to try the 
 very Secrets of rheir Hearts. 
 
 I fee no poilible Way of removing this Objeclion, 
 but by giving a fingular or peculiar Interpretation to 
 the Word, Judge. Let it denote what the Judges of 
 old, thole lll'uftrious Con(!}uerors and Deliverers, did for 
 the afflifted Ifraclites. The fame, only in a fpiritual 
 ■•''«'- ■ Capacity^ 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. ijj^ 
 
 CapacItVj will the Lord Redeemer do for a ruined 
 World. Then the PaiTage will convey the following, 
 truly delightful Senfe — *' Let die Heavens rejoice, and 
 let the Earth be glad : let the Sea make a Noife, and 
 all that therein is : for JHe cometh," not to fummon the 
 guilty Nations to his Tribunal, but to deliver them 
 from the Cjuilt of Sin, and from the Damnation of 
 J-Iell. " He cometh" (tranfporting News ! ineffable 
 Grace!) to give Himlelf for their Ranfom i and, by 
 this immenfely grand Atonement, to redeem rhem from 
 all Iniquity; from its deftrudive Confequences,. and 
 from its domineering Power. 
 
 I hope, poor R will have Reafon to blefs God 
 
 for your Ladyfhip. Then I fliall not regret, that I was 
 inftrumental in introducing Him to your Notice. — I arn 
 obliged to you. Madam, for lending Theron and Afpafio. 
 It is like putting the Mite into Exchange. O ! may 
 our blefled and heavenly Mafter, at his Coming, receive 
 his own with Ufury ! — You need not doubt, but my 
 ^eft Prayers attend Lady Franci;s Shirley. And She 
 has no Reafon to doubt, She has abundant Caufe to be 
 alTured, that He who fits at God's right Hand^ maketh 
 IntercefTion for Her. If You pleafc to command me, I 
 will endeavour to prove tliis from Scripture, and make 
 it as plain, as if She was mendoned by Name. — Permit 
 me the Pleafure of wifliing You, Madam, many happy 
 ri.ew Years \ and the Honour of profefling myfeif 
 
 Your I^adyfliip's moft obliged 
 
 and obedient Servant^- 
 
 E € 4 LET. 
 
m LETTERSTO .v.^ 
 
 LETTER C. 
 
 On various Suije^s. 
 
 ffyistt, Jan, 19, 1757. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 IT was not without fome uneafy Reflections, that I 
 negleded, by the laft Pofl, to acknov/lege the Fa- 
 vour ©f your Letter. But I then was, and ftill am very 
 bufy, in tranfcribing a Httle Piece, which may pofllbly 
 fee the Light. If ever it fhould come to your Hands, 
 You will hardly believe your own Eyes. I believe, I 
 muft not offer to make a Prefent of it to your Lady- 
 jhip, or to any Perfon s there will be fo little in it, that 
 teiids to Edification. I fometimes am ready to blame 
 myfelf for intermed41ing ; but I had a ftrange, almoft 
 irrefiftible Inclination. May He, " in whom are hid 
 all the Treafures of Wifdom and Knowlege,'* fulfil his 
 Promife ; and guide the Blind, in the Way which they 
 know not. 
 
 Thanks, many Thanks to your Ladyfhip, for your 
 very genteel Reprimand of the DoSior. I hope, it did 
 Him Good, when He received it j I aflure You, it gave 
 me no fmall Pleafure to read it. 
 
 I hope, God will make Lord D th " ftedfaft and 
 
 immoveable " enable Him " always to encreafe in 
 Faith, and always to abound in the Works of the Lord.'* 
 —May Succefs attend your generous Endeavours to 
 ferve that worthy Man, i?—- — , And may unerring 
 Wifdom dired your Heart, and guide your Hand, in 
 the other Affair You mention. I am, I may fay, a 
 
 perfed Stranger to Mr. . I faw Him, indeed, 
 
 once or twice in London^ but have heard nothing of Him 
 fince that Time ; and Ihould not know Him, if I were 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 415 
 
 to meet Him. He feemed, if I remember right, to 
 be under Diflrefs of Mind, and not to have a clear View 
 of the rich Grace of the Gofpel. May I take die 
 
 Liberty to afk, What the Sin is, with which Mr. 
 
 is charged ? I will then tell your Ladylhip, what I have 
 frequently thought to be the meaning of the Paflage 
 You quote ; There is a Sin unto 'Death-, I do not Jay, 
 that He Jh all fray for it. — Never a{k me, good Madan;, 
 whether You fhall give away Theron and AJfafto, I 
 fhall be fure to anfwer, like the two Daughters of the 
 Horfeleech, Trov. xxx. 15. Or, as the wife Man, 
 " In the Morning fow thy Seed, and in the Evening 
 with-hold not thine Hand. For thou knoweft not, which 
 may profper, this or that." — I very rarely fee Mr. 
 
 R . He has fo much Bufmefs upon his Hands, 
 
 and his Neighbour fb feldom ftirs abroad. — I wifh, the 
 unhappy Youth in Newgate may prove a fecond Onefimus, 
 That He may fee the Goodnefs of God, in giving Him 
 your Ladylhip's favourable Regard ; but fee it ttn 
 thoufand Times more, in giving his own Son to make 
 Reconciliation for the Sins of the People. May this 
 tranfcendent Goodnefs be revealed more and more in 
 all our Hearts ! fill Us with Joy j animate Us to Obe- 
 dience ; and fweetly lead us to evangelical Repentance ! 
 Permit me to be, amidfl the Sincerity of fuch Wilhes, 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Your ever obedient Servant. 
 
 LET- 
 
4^ letti;rsto 
 
 L E T T E R CI. 
 
 On the ConduSl towards thofe who cauje Offence, 
 
 IVefton, Jan. 27, 1 75 7,. 
 
 , Madam, 
 
 INDEED, Madam, I know not what to fay, in re~ 
 lation to your Command, of giving my Opinion a 
 fccond Time. The Cafe, which your Ladyfhip has 
 reprefen'ted, is enough to make one fliudder. Lord, 
 what is Man, if forfaken by thy Spirit ! O, do Thou 
 <^ never leave Us, nor forfake Usj" but dehver Us 
 from every evil Work, and preferve Us to thy heavenly 
 Kingdom ! 
 
 The Apoftle, who was not inferior to the prefent 
 Chriftians in Tendernefs and Benevolence, fays, " If 
 any One who is called a Brother," who has made a 
 public and diftinguifhing Profelfion of Chriftianity, be 
 a i^c. " with fuch a One neither converfe, nor fo much 
 as eat." Have no Interccurfe with Him ; renounce his 
 Acquaintance. That he may be brought to a Senfe of 
 his Guilt, and return to God by Faith in Jefus Chrift. 
 — If your Ladyihip pleafes to take any Notice of his 
 Letter, I think it v/ould not be amifs to hint at the horrid 
 Story i and aik him, whether he has ever read fuch a 
 Text, as i Cor. v. 1 1 . Then I hope, the Wifdom of 
 God will dired: your Proceedings^ and the Mercy of 
 iaod will heal his Backllidings. 
 
 Do you know. Madam, whether Mr, was in 
 
 Connection with ^, when this dark Tranfaftion 
 
 came abroad ! Does He Hill alTociate with them, and 
 is He ft ill acknowledged by them ? It puts me in Mind 
 ^ of that very important and very delightful Portion of 
 Scripture, Tit. i'l. 11, 12, 13, 14. Which fhews Us 
 the evangelic alj and the only effedual Method, of be- 
 8 coming 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 427 
 
 coming pure in Heart, and of being freed from the 
 Dominion of Sin. May this Grace be more and more 
 revealed in your Ladyihip's Mind ; appearing in all 
 its celeftial Richnefs, and appearing as your own In- 
 heritance ! . 
 
 The Book You mention, was intended to be no more 
 than a Pamphlet ; and I begin to think, it will prove 
 to be a mere nothing. There is in it but little of the 
 Serious, and too much of the Humourous. Which 
 feems not very confiflent with my Office, and not likely 
 to bring Glory to my divine Mafter. I believe, there- 
 fore, it will, like the Snows which covered our Houfes 
 while I was writing, fmk, difappear, and be as though 
 it had never been. 
 
 When You have an Opportunity of procuring Franks, 
 be pleafed, Madam, to remember, and then I am fure 
 You need not be follicited to oblige 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's 
 
 fnqft obedient humble Servant. 
 
 LETTER CII. 
 
 On the Freedom of divine Mercy. 
 
 Wcjion, Feb. 19, 1757. 
 Madam, 
 
 OR Forty Franks, how many Acknowlegements 
 do I owe ! Which are more peculiarly welcome, as 
 I read in them an ExprefTion of your Ladyihip's friendly 
 Regard, and as they came, not after a long Delay, or 
 upon repeated SoUicitation, but upon the very firft Inti- 
 mation of my Wants. This is obliging indeed ! This 
 is afting like Yourfcif j with a Beneficence as fuperior 
 and diflinguifiicd as your Quality. 
 
 Do 
 
 F 
 
428 LETTERS TP^O 
 
 Do I fay this by Way of Compliment or to flatter 
 my honourable Lady ? Far from it. I mention it, in 
 order to affifbUs in taking a clearer View, or rather a 
 better Glimpfe of the divine Benignity. Do You fcorn. 
 Madam, to do ungenerous or little Things ? Do You 
 beftow your Favours, with that genteel and noble Air, 
 which becomes your exalted Station ? How much more 
 certainly will our God aft conformably to his immenfely 
 glorious and amiable Perfedions ? Efpecially as his great 
 'Decree is, To do all for the Difplay and Honour of his 
 Grace. How rich then mull his Gifts be, infinitely 
 beyond all Patterns or Models i infinitely beyond all 
 Words or Thoughts ! 
 
 When He gives Chrift, a Portion more precious than 
 all Worlds, to poor Sinners freely — When He gives 
 eternal Life and heavenly Happinefs to poor Sinners 
 freely — When He gives his moil blelTed Spirit and all 
 ipiritual Bleflings, to poor Sinners freely — Then He 
 a6ls in Conformity to his fublimcly great and gracious 
 Attributes. Thefe Mercies then let us chearfully and 
 confidently expe6l. Not becaufe We are, or Ihall be, 
 vjorthy j but becaufe God is inconceivably Good. Be-. 
 caufe his Juftice being glorified in Chrift Jefus, there is 
 no End of his CompaiTion, there is no Meafure of his 
 Liberality. 
 
 Pleafing Subje(5l ! May your Ladyfhip*s Thoughts 
 purfue it, with much Delight and to great Advantage ! 
 " — ^I am called away to attend on other Bufinefs. But 
 Jet me firft beg the Favour of receiving, what You 
 
 partly promifed, the Account of poor R j of his 
 
 Misfortunes j and, I hope. You will be able to add, of 
 his fmgular Relief by Means of your Ladyfhip's Intereft, 
 -—May I alfo afk to know> how you thought proper 
 
 to proceed, in -the Aff'air relating to Mr. ? — 
 
 The Packet direcTced to Mr. jR— — , fhall be fent To-. 
 piorrow. Laft Week, He was fo kiad as \q give me 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 4J9 
 
 his Company at Wejlon. When we talked of our com- 
 mon Bcnefaiflrefs, and wifhed her " everlafting Confo- 
 lation and good Hope through Grace." In which Willi, 
 though Multitudes concur, yet None tnore cordially or 
 more ardently than. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Your mofi: obliged 
 
 and moll obedient Servant. 
 
 LETTER cm. 
 
 On States tfColdr.eJs. — MarJhalVs My fiery of San5lification 
 recommended. 
 
 March Sy 1757- 
 Madam, 
 
 I DESIRE to blefs God, if any Sentence from this 
 Pen has been fo happy, as to give You the leall 
 Plealure, Comfort, or Advantage. Were my Abilities 
 equal to ray Wifhcs, or proportioned to my Obligations, 
 the little fhould foon become grtat. — It is owing to the 
 Influence of God's blefTed Spirit, if any Thing that We 
 fpeak or write, is rendered efficacious. And this good 
 Spirit, I truft. He will pour upon your Eadyfhip more 
 and more copioully. Bccaufc, it ii faid by our Divine 
 Mailer ; " I came, that they might have Life, and that 
 they might have more abundantly." Becaufe^ itiselfe- 
 where declared by Him i " I v/ill pray the Father, and 
 He ihall give You another Com.forter, that He may 
 abide with You for ever." — See, MaJam, on Vvhat a 
 ftrong Foundadon our Hopes are built ! To. procure 
 for Us a Title to thefe BlcfTings, and afcertain to Us 
 the Enjoyment of thefe Bleflings, was the great End of - 
 
 cur 
 
430 LETTERS t6 
 
 our Lord's Coming in the Flefh, is the grand Import of 
 his IntercefTion in Heaven. 
 
 We fhall often feel our Devotion (as You ver7 pro- 
 perly exprefs it) benumbed y and though not really, yet 
 feerriingiy dead. That is the Time, in which Faith 
 fhould exert itfelf Then We fliould fay \vith the Pro- 
 phet ; Behold^ God is my Salvation ; / will truft and not 
 be afraid. Thfe Blood of my incarnate God makes me 
 whiter than Snow; in his Obedience I am completely 
 righteous ; and through his Intercefiion I am eternally 
 fafe. Thus fliould Faith be as an Ever-Green, wliile 
 all our other Graces are like the Boughs of yonder 
 Elm, in its prefent leaflefs and forlorn Condidon. This 
 is the Way to have our Deadnefs enlivened, and to 
 make our fpiritual Numbnefs glow. It is by Means o^" 
 this precious Faith, that the Wildernejs buds and blojfoms 
 as a Rofe. 
 
 ' Poor Mr. ■ ! I pity his Circumftances. They 
 
 are certainly very milerable. And abundantly more fo, 
 
 . becaufe the Mifcry is but too deferved; To labour 
 under fuch Infamy, and have no Confolation in Chrifl J 
 To be a Burthen to Himfelf, and a Reproach to his 
 Relicrion ! How cutting, how affiiclive ! — What does 
 He do for a Eivelihood ! I wonder, how his Wife and 
 Children fubfift. — I thiiik, it would not be proper for 
 your Ladyfhip, to allow Him the Honour of waiting 
 upon You. Yet if I might have Leave to fpeak, 1 
 ihould be very apt to plead a littk- in his Bt^half. l^o^ 
 becaufe he is worthyy but becaule He is (as We all 
 were, when Chrift became our Salvation) wretched^ 
 hel-plejs, riiined. O Ifrael, fays the compaffionate Re- 
 deemer, tkou hafi deflroyed Thyfelf but in me is thy Help 
 
 J'onnd. . 
 
 Has your Ladylliip ktn a Book, entided The Go/pel 
 
 Myfiery of Sanciifi cation, written by Mr. Marjhall ; now' 
 
 re-publlfhed, with a recommendatory Letter by Mr. 
 
 Herveyt 
 
LADY FRANCESSHIRLEY. 431 
 
 Hervey ? It Is a Book, which has been and is fingularly 
 comforting, edifying, beneficial to my own Heart j and 
 from an carneft Defire, that it might be made equally 
 or more eminently fo to your's, I would venture to re- 
 commend it to your Ladyfhip. The Reading of this 
 Book, I have fometimes thought, is like the Eating ojf 
 Olives. Whjch, on the firft Trial, are generally in- 
 fipid, if not difguftful. But upon a repeated Ufc, they 
 become palatable, pleafmg, and delicious. — I return 
 
 Mr. r's Letter, I fliall hope for Mr. R 's 
 
 Uiftory, and beg Leave to fubfcribe myfclf, 
 
 Madam, Your moft obedient, 
 
 and very humble Servaat. 
 
 LETTER CIV. 
 
 On the S^rh?g. — 0;; Fmtb, 
 
 '}VeJlm, April 1, 1757. 
 Madam, 
 
 IT is long fince I had the Pleafure of writing to You j 
 longer Hill, fince I had the Honour of hearing from 
 You. My Lofs, I hope, docs not proceed from your 
 Illncfs, or any afflictive Indifpofition. Engagements, I 
 prcfume, of the genteel or beneficent Kind, whereby 
 You oblige the Polite, or fuccour the DiftreiTcd, have 
 made a Demand upon your Time larger than ordinary. 
 I wi(h your Ladyihip a confirmed State of Health, 
 to enjoy' the Delights of this opening Scafon. Now 
 the Year is putting on her beautiful Attire. God is 
 itL\\<^\i\g forth his Spirit in order to renew the Face of 
 the Earth. It is extremely pleafmg to obferve, how 
 the Hedges begin to bud. The Buds, itw^xy Day, 
 
 fwell 
 
43« LETTERSTO 
 
 fwell more and more upon the Sight. The unlverfal 
 Greeh is continually enlarging in its Extent, or bright- 
 ening its Afped. Thus may your Ladyfhip's Faith 
 
 in Chrift grow and encreafe. That precious Faith, 
 which brings Honour to his holy Name, and Comfort 
 to the Sinner's Soul. Which regards and treats Him 
 according to his infinite Glory, and infinite Grace j as 
 the true God ; as the great God ; as God over all, 
 blefled for evermore. 
 
 This noble Faith acknowledges and ufes Him, as an 
 All-fufHcient Saviour from the Guilty and an Almighty 
 Saviour from the Power of Sin. It firmly trulls, tliat 
 the Death of Jefus has finijhed Tran/greffloriy and made 
 Reconciliation for Iniquity ; that the Spirit of Chrift will 
 fubdue Corruption, renew Us after the Image of God, 
 and animate Us to all the Duties of Religion. — This is 
 Faith: the Faith of the Operation of God-, whofe Fruit 
 is HolinefSy and the End everlajling Life. Can I then 
 "wilh my honoured Friend a greater Bleffing, than that 
 this Faith may be operative and progrelTive in her 
 Heart, as the Bloom and Verdure will foon be difFufive 
 over all the Face of Nature ? 
 
 Could I think of a more exalted or more com pre- 
 henfive BlelTing, this ihould not be the habitual Wifh 
 of. Madam, 
 
 Your moft obedient, 
 
 and moft obliged Servant- 
 
 LET^ 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 433 
 
 LETTER CV. 
 
 0?2 Chrijiian Converfation, 
 
 May 21, 1757. 
 Madam, 
 
 PERMIT me to wifh You many edifying and de- 
 lightful Intcrviev/s with Lord D th and his 
 
 Lady. Of luch Interviews, I think. We may ufe the 
 Words, which I have juft been Ipeaking upon to my 
 Family -, It is good for Us to be Here. Oftentimes, 
 while We are talking, Grace is adminiftered, and the 
 Fire kindles. We have brighter Views of Chriil, and 
 firmer Faith in his infinitely rich Atonement. So may 
 the Hearts of my honourable Friend and her noble Ac- 
 quaintance burn within them, whenever they confer 
 about the Lamb that was Jlain, and the ineftimable 
 Fruits of his Blood. 
 
 This, I hope, will find your Ladylhip fafely returned 
 from your late Excurfion. Not without Gratitude to 
 that eternal Providence, which is about our Path, and 
 keeps Us in all our Ways. Which hath faid of his 
 People J Leji any hurt them^ I will keep them Night and 
 Day. 
 
 Your Opinion, concerning my Intention to publilh 
 two or three Sermons, I acknowledge as a real Favour. 
 And I think, your Ladyfhip has Ibme Reafon to grant 
 me fuch Favours, becaufe You are fcnfible, they are 
 not beftowed in vain. Witnefs the Defign, relating to 
 a Difcourfe, lately publiflied by our Bifhop elect. 
 
 I began to officiate for myfclf on Sunday j but was 
 much difordered by the Bufmefs. Yeilcrday under 
 Apprehenfions of a Relapfe. Still it is uncertain, whe- 
 ther die Die will turn up Sicknefs or Health. It puts 
 
 Vol. III. . Ff me 
 
4^4 LETTERSTO 
 
 me in Mind of that emphatical ExprefTion, and that 
 defirable Change, Mortality Jhall be Jw allowed up of 
 Life. 
 
 With the utmofl^Efleem, and fincereft Gratitude, I 
 beg Leave to fubfcribe myfelf. 
 
 Your Ladylhip's moft obliged, 
 
 humble Servant, 
 
 LETTER CVI. 
 
 On the Excellency of Chrijl. — Jenks recommended. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 IT is indeed a delightful Sight, to fee a Perfon of 
 Lord D th's Dignity and Politenefs, clofing 
 
 his Letter with the Name of Jefus ChriH. May We 
 all know more and more of that Juft One \ Then it 
 will appear meet and right ; not a pious Extravagance, 
 but a moft rational Determination, to count all Things 
 hut Lofs for the Excellency of Chrift Jefus our Lord. He 
 is higher than the Heavens, and more illuftrious than 
 the Angels ; He is the very Brightnefs of his Father's 
 Glory, and in Him dwells all the Fulnefs of the Godhead. 
 To whom then, may He juftly fay, will ye liken me ? Or 
 what Likenefs will ye compare unto me ? Gold, fure, 
 muft be fordid Duft, compared with his unjearchahlc 
 Riches ; and human Righteoufnefs no better than filthy 
 RagSy fet in Competition with his moft perfedt Obedi- 
 ence and meritorious Sufferings. 
 
 I think, I fhall never have Reafon to be aftiamed of 
 recommending Mr. Jenh, He is one of thofe Authors, 
 who, though not fo captivating on the firft Glance, will 
 - - - be 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 435 
 
 be more pleafing and profitable, the more We con- 
 Verfe, and the better We are acquainted with them. 
 
 Your Oblervation, I acknowledge, is very juft, with 
 regard to the Writings of Mr. Adam and Mr. Hervey. 
 Mine are not fit for ordinary People ; I never give them 
 to luch Perfons ; and diflliade this Clafs of Men from 
 procuring them. O ! that, accompanied by God's 
 blefifed Spirit, they may be of fome Service to the 
 more refined Part of the World! May teftify of his 
 Grace, and exalt the divine Saviour 3 which, I am per- 
 fuaded, is the moft effetlual Way to introduce New- 
 nefs of Heart, and promote Holinefs of Life. 
 
 To pray for your Ladylhip I cari never forget, fb 
 long as there remains a Spark of Gratitude in my 
 Heart. Arid I befeech You to remember — ever re- 
 member — that You have a better Advocate, than xtn 
 thoufand of the greateft Saints on Earth. He ever lives 
 to make InterceJJion for ToUy who is fet down on the 
 right Hand of the Majefty on high, and fees all Things 
 put under his Feet. BielTcd be his holy Name ! He 
 was our Sacrifice on the Crofs j He is our Advocate in 
 Heaven ; and He will be our Portion to Eternity. — 
 Permit mcj Madam, to profefs myfelf^ 
 
 Your moft obliged, 
 
 and obedient Servant. 
 
 F f 2 m T- 
 
43^ LETTERStO '^J 
 
 LETTER CVII. 
 
 On prefenting a Publication. 
 
 Wejloriy Aug. Tji 1 757. 
 
 INDEED, Madam, I did think it long, very long, 
 fince I had the Pleafure of hearing from You ; and 
 was determined, this Morning, to have enquired after 
 -your Ladyfhip's Health. Blefied be God, that your 
 ■Silence was not owing to Sicknefs ; that neither Pain 
 nor Indifpofition laid the Embargo upon your Pen. 
 
 Be pleafed to accept my beft Thanks for your un- 
 wearied Generofity to poor i? . Indeed, I be- 
 lieve. He will anfwer the Charafter, which your Can- 
 dour has given Him ; and I hope your charitable En- 
 deavours to ferve him will not be in vain. To Your- 
 felf, I am fure, they will not. Becaufe, He has faid, 
 who is Truth and Goodnefs ; A Cup of cold Water, 
 given to a poor CreaturCy hecauje He belongs to Me, Jhall 
 in no wife loje its Reward. May the Love of that moil 
 beneficent Redeemer, be ever warm in your Ladyfhip's 
 Heart ; and ever prompt your Hand, your Tongue, 
 your Pen, to every good Word and Work ! 
 
 You let me a hard Tafk, Madam, when You com- 
 mand me to fay. What Ihould be done in the Cafe of 
 
 unhappy • . Permit me to declare, that I cannot 
 
 anfwer this Queftion to my own Satisfa6lion. How 
 then can I think of giving an Anfwer facisfadory to 
 your Ladyfliip ? 
 
 Shall I beg of your Ladyfliip to accept a little EfTay, 
 that is going to make its Appearance in the Form of 
 Sermons ? They will be fent, by the Bookfeller, to 
 
 J ,ady A F 's, dire<5led for Yourfelf May I 
 
 alfo requeft the Favour of your Prayers in their Be- 
 half? 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 437 
 
 half? That the God of Almighty Power would vouch- 
 fafe to accompany them with his Blefllng; bid them 
 found an Alarm to the Carelefs, and adminifter Confo- 
 lation to the Awakened ; bid them teftify of his infi- 
 nitely free Grace, and glorify his moft beloved Son. 
 IFhom to know, is Wijdom : whom to receive, is Ha^^ 
 pnejs. 
 
 ■ What will the Bilhop of Peterborough think ? Will 
 He fufped: Himfelf to be meant in the Preface ? Read 
 it, I prefume He will. Curiofity will prompt Him to 
 fee, what proceeds from a Clergyman of his own 
 Dioceje. O ! that it may not exafperate, but admonijh 
 Him. I was once, in the Days of my Self- Righteouf- 
 nefs, admonifhed by a Perfon, as much my Inferior, 
 in Point of Education and Literature, as the Author of 
 thofe Sermons is inferior, in every Thing, to my Lord 
 of Peterborough. — Upon fecond Thoughts, I fancy, all 
 fuch Hints or Remonftrances will be reckoned utterly 
 beneath the Notice of our great People. They will 
 fcorn to beftow a Thought upon them. How then 
 fhould We admire the Condefcenfion of the exalted 
 Jehovah, who does not dejpife the Day of Jmall Things ! 
 Does not difdain to fmile even upon fuch low and feeble 
 Attempts to magnify his Name, and edify his People ! 
 
 Will your Ladyihip excufe my not fending a Frank? 
 And will You, for your own Sake^ as well as for mine, 
 remember, as You have often done, your impoverilhed, 
 but 
 
 moft: obedient, 
 
 humble Servant. 
 
 F f 3 LET- 
 
43S LETTERSTO 
 
 LETTER CVIIL • 
 
 On her "Prejent of S weet- Meals. -—Qn burning her Letter, 
 
 IVejlon, Sept. 9, 1 757. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 YESTERDAY I received your very kind, and 
 very valuable Prefent. Hardly knowing how to 
 exprefs my Gratitude, or return my Thanks, for you?: 
 ready Attention to all my Requefcs, and generous 
 Supply of all my Wants. May the Lord, who is rich, 
 in Mercy^ enable You to know Him, and imitate Him 
 in this lovely Attribute ever more and more ! 
 
 For the Sweet- Meats permit me to wifh, That the 
 lioly Word of God, revealing Chrift, and free Juftifi- 
 cation through his Righteoufnefs, may be Jweeter to 
 your Ladyfhip's Tafte, than Honey and the Honey-Comb, 
 — ^As to the -Franks, I humbly beg of God, that I may 
 life them to his Glory, and make them a Means of 
 fpreading abroad the Savour of Chrifc Jefus's Name. 
 
 Ithink, my Bookfeller afted injudiciouily, in cloathing 
 the Sermons with Black. It has too fo.lemn and meian- 
 choly an Afpeifl. I would have my Djlcourfes on a 
 Faji-Day dreffed, as our divine Mailer direds Us to 
 drefs Ourfelves. Thou^ when Thou faficji, anoint thy 
 Heady and wajh thy Face. 
 
 If You do any of my Sermons the Honour, of- 
 
 putting them into the Hand of Sir V/illiam S- /?, I 
 
 mod heartily beieech the Omnipotent God to accom- 
 pany them with a Bleffing. That they may not be as 
 Clouds without Watery but may drop as the Rain, and 
 dijiil as the Dew. 
 
 Strange indeed was the Controverfy between your 
 Ladyfliip and your generous Neighbour. I hope. You 
 was vanquifhed, and He carried his Point. If fuch was 
 
 the 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 459 
 
 the Spirit, and fuch the Nature of our Controverfies, 
 I fhould be glad to fee them become general, and Ihould 
 wifh to have all the World fet together by the Ears. 
 Then, our Lord's memorable Words would cxprefs 
 the intended^ as they now exprefs the eventual, Effe(5t 
 of his Coming; Think Te, that I came to Jend Peace on 
 Earth, I tell Tou, nay ; but rather Divifion. 
 
 Whenever You enjoin me to Ipeak, or to be filent, 
 I trufl, You will find me all Conformity and Duty. 
 One Inftance, and no inconfiderable one, of my Punc- 
 tuahty in this Refped, I can give. Which is, that of 
 all the Letters, with wiiich your LadyjQiip has been 
 pleafed to honour me, I have one, only one remaining. 
 And on that, the Place, the Initials of your Name, 
 every tell-tale Peculiarity, are expunged. This will 
 declare, more exprefllvely than my Pen, how fincerely 
 And thoroughly I am, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's obedient, 
 
 and dutiful Servant. 
 
 LETTER CIX» 
 
 On Joy in believing. 
 
 mjioHy oa. 8, 1757. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 PERMIT me to beg Pardon; and what is more, 
 permit me to promife myfelf Pardon ; though I 
 have too long deferred to acknowledge your laft Letter; 
 the Honour it did me, and the Pleafiire it gave me. 
 Thurfday laft was, with Us, fo very dirty below, and 
 very rainy above, that I could hardly prevail with my- 
 felf to fend my Servant to the Poft-Office. 
 . . , F f 4 But 
 
440 LETTEHSTO 
 
 But if my beil Wifhes and Prayers might' prevail, 
 this will find your Ladyfliip perfeiciy recovered from 
 your late Indifpofition ; and filed with all Joy and Peace 
 in believing. — It is obfcrvable, the Apofble fays^ all Joy, 
 all Peace, is to be derived, not from pradifing, but 
 believbtg; not from any Thing in Ourfelves, but from 
 the Fullnefs that is in Chrift. — From believing, that 
 our Sins are laid upon the bleifed Jefus -, and removed 
 from Us, as far as the Eaji is from the JVeJl. That 
 Chrift, the Lord of Glory, is made unto Us Righteoiif- 
 ■nefs : his Integrity and Obedience, his Duties and 
 Graces, his moll perfeft Deeds and Sufferings, being' 
 imputed to Us. Infomuch that We ftand before God, 
 are regarded and ihall be treated of God, as if We 
 Ourfelves had a6tually performed and exercifed all this 
 confummate Holincfs. Juft as the late Ehzabeth, when 
 united by the matrimonial Band, to the Emperor of the 
 Mijfcovites, was no longer regarded as the Woman of 
 Iovn' Birth, but as the Confort of the greatefl Monarch 
 on Earth. 
 
 I blefs God for the fignal Mercy, if He is pleafed to 
 give my Sermons any Favour and Acceptance. I 
 humbly befeech Him, to make them as a pointed Arrow, 
 that they may enters as a barbed Arrow, that they may 
 
 abide. 
 
 I am. Madam, 
 
 Your moft obliged 
 
 humble Servant. 
 
 L E T- 
 
I 
 
 LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 441 
 
 LETTER ex. 
 
 On the Excellency of Chrijl, 
 
 JVeJlony Nov. 2, 1757. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 AM truly fenfible of the Honour You do me, in 
 admitting me to fuch a Degree of your Confidence, 
 and communicating your Thoughts with fo little Re- 
 ferve. I hope, your Ladyfhip will never have Reafon 
 to complain, that I make an undue Ule of fuch Con- 
 defcenfion ; either by making the Purport of your Let- 
 ters the Subjed of inconfiderate Tattle, or by for- 
 getting the Dignity and Superiority of your Station. 
 
 I truft, my dear Friend's Sermon will be to your 
 Ladyfhip's Soul, as a Dew from the Lord. Refrefhing 
 your Heart, and invigorating your Faith, as the Morn- 
 ing Dews revive and quicken the languifhing Herbs. 
 The Cafe of the impotent Man at Bethefda, is too juft 
 a Reprefentation of our Faith. Was our Faith ftronger j 
 did We Jiedfaftly believe in our Incarnate God ; believey 
 that every one of our Iniquities are laid on Him ; that 
 whatever He did and fuffered for the Redemption of 
 Sinners, He did and fuffered for Us — were We rooted 
 and grounded in this Belief, how would it cheer our 
 Thoughts, and enliven our^Hopes ! How would it 
 draw the Thorn from our Confciences, and pour Balm, 
 the Balm of Heaven, on our Souls ! 
 
 While Wars diftrefs many Parts of the World, and 
 Rumours of Wars alarm almoft all the World, may 
 that be fulfilled to You, Madam, which is fpoken by 
 the Prophet Ifaiah y *' My People fhall dwell in a peace- 
 able Habitation, and in fure Dwellings, and in quiet 
 Hefting-Places." This Refting-Place is Chrift, his 
 
 precious 
 
^^2 LETTERS TO 
 
 precious Blood and everlafting Righteoufnefs. Here 1 
 leave You. Here may every Change of Circumftance 
 find You. Then You will be found as fafe and happy, 
 as is moft unfeignedly wifhed by 
 
 Your Ladyfnip's moft obliged, 
 
 and obedient Servant, 
 
 LETTER CXI. ' 
 
 On various Subje5fs. 
 
 Wejion^ Dec. 17, 1757, 
 'Madam, 
 
 I BEG Pardon for being filent fo long, and not en- 
 quiring after your Health. One Caufe was, the 
 Lofs of my own. Which delivered me over to the 
 Hands of the Phyfician and Surgeon, to the Difcipline 
 of the Draught and the Lancet. Which have, I blefs 
 God, relieved me from a violent Cold, attended with a 
 Fever. — I hope, the Divine Providence has preferved 
 your Ladyfnip from fuch Affli6tions ; and I befeech the 
 Divine Majefty to grant, that You may long enjoy that 
 Balm of Nature Health, and eternally enjoy that Balm 
 of Heaven Chrift ! 
 
 Mrs. Lefevre's Letter* I have never feen, and fliall 
 moft thankfully receive them, as a Rrefent from your 
 Ladylhip. Hoping, that as You are pleafed to give 
 me the Book, the Lord Jefus v/ill endow You, Madam^ 
 with the Spirit it breathes. 
 
 I have been extremely hurried for a confiderable 
 Time, and all my Family in much Diforder, by re- 
 moving into a new Abode 3 in order to have my old 
 
 ■ - • one 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 4^ 
 
 one taken down and rebuilt. Nor even yet have We 
 .completed the troublefome Affair. 
 
 When Lady Frmices favours me with the intended 
 Prefent, fliall I beg of Her to add a few Franks to the 
 Gift? Thefe are particularly ferviceable to me. Be^ 
 caufe, fomc of my remote Correfpondents are unable 
 to procure them -, and I muft either furnifh them, or 
 elfe have no Benefit from this Privilege of Parliament. 
 So that I frequently fend a Letter, with a Frank en- 
 clofed. Which caufes a larger Confumption than or- 
 dinary. 
 
 Permit me to feled a Promife from the Book of 
 IJaiahj as my Wifh for your Ladyfhip, at the enfuing 
 Solemnity j " The Ranfomed of the Lord fhall return 
 and come to Sion with Songs, and everlafting Joy fhall 
 be upon their Heads." " They Ihall obtain Joy and 
 Gladnefs," from the Righteoufnefs, the Blood, the in- 
 finite Merit of their incarnate God, " and Sorrow and 
 Sighing fhall flee away." — Amidft the Sincerity and 
 ^Vrdour of fuch Wifhes, I beg Leave to profefs myfelf^ 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Your moft obliged, 
 
 humble Servant. 
 
 LETTER CXII. 
 
 On her Kindnefs to him. 
 
 IVeJioriy Jan. 3, 1758. 
 
 TEN thoufand Thanks to my honoured Lady, for 
 her very valuable, and very obliging Prefent. 
 The Sweet-Meats were the latter j the Franks and the 
 
 Book 
 
444 LETTERST© 
 
 •Book the former. I know not how to exprefs my 
 Gratitude, iinlefs it be by wifliing for your Ladyfhip, 
 what was the Subjefl of my ihort Exhortation to my 
 Family lall Night j / will give you the Jure Mercies of 
 David. May this be the magnificent and glorious New- 
 Year's Gift of Jehovah, to them, to my People, and 
 more abundantly to You, Madam. 
 
 I have not read, only juft dipped into, Mrs. Le- 
 feyre's Letters. For indeed I have been exceedingly 
 ill, fince I had the Honour of writing to your Ladyfhip 
 laft. So ill, that the current Report was, " Mr. Her- 
 vey is dead." This is the firft Letter I have attempted 
 to write, fmce this fevere Attack. 
 
 Be fo good. Madam, as to return my mod grateful 
 Acknowledgments to the generous Lord D th \ to- 
 gether with my ardent Wifhes, that he may Jhine as a 
 Light in the Midft of a crooked and perverfe Generation, 
 Shine before God, in the immaculate and everlafting 
 Righteoufnefs of Chrift ; Ihine before Men, in all the 
 Beauties of evangelical Holinels. 
 
 When You mention the Houfekeeper's Readinefs to 
 ferve me, I fay j Whence is this to me ? Doubtlefs, be- 
 caufe Lady Frances condefcends to exprefs a Regard 
 for me. And will not Angels and Arch-Angels be 
 much more ready to do Us Service ? Will not the King 
 immortal and invifible be much more willing to blefs 
 Us ? Since the divinely excellent Jefus has owned Us, 
 loved Us, died for Us ? 
 
 For your late, as well as for many preceding Favours, 
 moft amiably and politely conferred, I muft always be, 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Your greatly obliged 
 
 and very obedient Servant. 
 
 LET- 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 445 
 
 L E T T E R CXIII. 
 
 On the Mercy of Chriji a Support in Weaknefs. 
 
 fVeJioHy Jan. 21 1 1 758. 
 Madam, 
 
 YOUR very obliging Letter deferred a more Ipeedy 
 Acknowledgment -, but my late Illnefs has brought 
 me fo very low, and rendered me fo extremely weak, 
 that my Hand is fcarce able to execute the Dictates of 
 my Heart. I do not go out of my Room till Dinner- 
 Time j and then it is rather to fee my Relations eat, 
 than to take Refrefhmcnt myfelf. 
 
 Amidll all the Languors of decaying Nature, this. 
 Madam, is the moft fove reign Support. — Free Juftifi- 
 cation through Jefus Chriil. A comfortable Perfuafion, 
 that " He has removed our Sins from Us, as far as 
 the Eaft is from the Weft j" that " He has caft them 
 all into the Depths of the Sea;" and will " prefent 
 Us to Himfelf, not having Spot, or Wrinkle, or any 
 fuch Thing." May this ineftimable Blefling be your 
 Ladyfhip's Joy in Life, and Confolation in Death ! 
 
 Your Advice concerning die great People, I will 
 endeavour to obferve ; and am forry for the Report, 
 which gave Occafion to it. — Will your Ladylhip excufe 
 my enfeebled Hand, if it adds nothing more than the 
 deep Refpedt and unfeigned Gratitude of. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Your gready obliged 
 
 and very obedient Servant. 
 
 LET- 
 
^ LETTERSfd 
 
 LETTER CXIV. 
 
 On his Illnefs, — Remarks on the King of Prttffid. 
 
 Pfyion, Feb. 5, I758* 
 
 Madam, 
 
 PERMIT me to pay, my Thanks at leaft for your 
 valuable Prefcription. My Sifter has made the 
 Broth, it is pleafing to the Stomachy and chearing to 
 the Spirits. But I am ftill furprifmgly weak and languid; 
 
 ! that I may be " ftrong in Faith^ fteadfaft in Hope^ 
 and rooted in Charity I" And not I only, but your 
 Ladylhip alfo. 
 
 It is extremely obliging in your Ladylhip to excufe 
 my fliort and dilatory Letters. And more fo, to favour 
 me with an important Article of News. 1 rejoice to 
 hear, that the King of Pruffia is a real Chriftian. Yet 
 
 1 cannot but wonder, that nothing of the chriftian Spirit 
 appears in any of his Compofitions. His late Hymn' 
 was written juft in. the Tafte of the ancient Heathens. 
 And in an Ode, which He compofed on the Subje6t of 
 Death, I do not remember any Acknowledgment of 
 Chrift or his Atonement, no, nor fo much as a Hint at 
 that illuftrious Conqueror of our laft Enemy. Whofe 
 Blood takes away Sin ; makes the Soul more free from 
 Guilt, than thefe new-fallen Snows are from Stain ; and 
 thereby Death is unftung. So, and fo only, it becomes 
 Gain to die. 
 
 I hope, your Ladyftiip will ere long honour me with 
 another Line ; and, by acquainting me with the Con- 
 tinuance of your Health, give me fome Confolation 
 under the Declenfion of mine. Who begs Leave to be^ 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Your moft obedient humble Servant, 
 ^ LET- 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 447 
 
 LETTER CXV. 
 
 On his Illnefs. — His Profpe5f beyond the Grave. 
 
 March 12 J 1758. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 YOUR Orders are executed. The Letters are burnt. 
 So — faid One, who fat by, and faw the Papers 
 perifliing in the Flames — So let our carnal AfFedions, 
 and corrupt Defires, perifli under His Influence, who 
 adts as a Refiner's Fire j who *' baptizes with the Holy 
 Ghoft and with Fire;" who will ere long " be revealed 
 in flaming Fire, to take Vengeance on them that obey 
 not his Gofpel." 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's kind Enquiries after my Health, 
 demand my beft Acknowledgments, and a fpeedy Anfwer. 
 I wifh, I could anfwer in fuch a Manner, as might give 
 Pleafure to your benevolent Heart. But I am not yet 
 able to preach. Have not been at Church fmce Chrifimas, 
 — Why do I enlarge on this Subje6t ? Let me obferve 
 the Rule enjoined, concerning the Dead and the Abfent; 
 " Either fay Good of them, or elfe fay nothing about 
 them." — Well; there is a Time coming, when We 
 Ihall ferve our gracious God, without Wearinefs and 
 without Intermifllon, Day and Night, for ever and ever. 
 — On that happy Period may our Eye and our Expedla- 
 tion be fixed. That happy State may We look upon 
 as our own, freely given to Us of God, in Confideration 
 of his dear Son's inconceivably precious Propitiation. 
 Thus may we be " looking for and hailing to the 
 Coming of the Day of God." This is the powerful 
 Means of enlivening, what your Ladyfhip truly calls 
 our dull, and of elevating our earthly Minds. For 
 « He that hath this Hope, purifieth Himfelf." The 
 I natural 
 
448 LETTERS TO 
 
 natural Tendency of fiich Hope, is, to refine the Temper, 
 and exalt the Soul. Somewhat like the continual Influx 
 of pure tranfparent Water from the Spring Head, after 
 the River has been fwoUen, difcoloured, and defiled by 
 long and heavy Rains. 
 
 I jfhould have eileemed Mr. 's Company a Fa- 
 vour. And had He not the perfonal Recommendations 
 of good Senfe and Serioufnefs, his Coming from your 
 Ladyfhip or bringing News of your Health, would have 
 entitled Him to all the Refpeft and Civihty I was able 
 to Ihew. 
 
 I think, I once faw Mr. How's Meditations. But it 
 was juft fo as the Man, of whom St. James fpeaks, 
 feeth his natural Face in a Glafs. " He goeth his 
 Way, and Itraitway forgettedi what Manner of Perfon 
 He is." 
 
 Let me tell You, Madam, You committed a little 
 Miftake, in the laft Claufe of your Letter. " Your 
 Brother, You fay, is as kind to me in his Way, as You 
 are in yours." Your Thoughts were in a Hurry. Your 
 Attention was diverted. Otherwife You muft have 
 written, as You always love to write Truth, to this 
 Effe6l — " He has as much Reafon to be grateful, as 
 You." And I dare anfwer for ic, the Obligation would 
 have been as readily acknowledged by Him, as it is and 
 €yer will be, by 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obedient, 
 
 humble Servant. 
 
 L E T 
 
LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY. 44^ 
 
 LETTER CXVI. 
 
 On her Benevolence . — On the Prime of JFciles. 
 
 JFe/hn, May 6, 1758. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 PERMIT me to congratulate You, on the frequent 
 Opportunities You enjoy, of doing Good to our 
 poor Fellow-Creatures. On this aifo let me congratu- 
 late your Ladyfhip, that You have a Heart to make 
 Ufe of the valuable O.ccafions ; and, at the fame Time, 
 an Undcrftanding to difcern their utter Infufficiency in 
 the great Concern of Juftification before God. — You 
 Jvnow, that Your " Peace is made, not by corruptible 
 Things, Silver or Gold, but by" that which is greater 
 than the Earth ; higher than the Heavens j more glorious 
 than the Angels of Light, grander than all the Creation 
 of God J even by the infinitely " precious Blood of 
 Chrift." 
 
 You are entitled to my Thanks, as well as to poor 
 R— — 's, for every Exertion of your Interell in his 
 Behalf. As the Waters, exhaled from the Ocean, re- 
 turn in fruitful Showers all over the Land j fo, I truft, 
 thcfe Acls of your Beneficence, exercifed to me and to 
 Others, will return in copious Bleffings on your Heart, 
 your Life, and all your Ways. 
 
 T'he little Piece infeited in the Britlfld Chronkie, found 
 its Way thither, without my Dire6lion, and without 
 my Knowledge. It was written at the Requefl of Dr. 
 
 S , and hj Him tranfmitted to the Prefs. There 
 
 15 a Pafiage or two, that wants Corredtion. But, as it 
 is likely to fmk, and rife no more. Improvement is not 
 very material. 
 
 It is reported in the Country, that the Prince of IVaUs 
 is remarkably fcrious ; exemplary in his Attendance on 
 
 Vol. III. G g (;]i< 
 
450 LETTERSTO 
 
 the public Worfhip of God ] and not intoxicated with 
 the Circean Cup of the Court. May I af]^, whether 
 your Ladyfhip hears fuch an Account from Dr. HaleSy 
 and can confirm it by fuch an authentic Teftimony ? 
 
 Your polite Acknowledgments to Dr. S— fhall 
 
 be communicated in a Ticket this Day j and your mani- 
 fold Favours to his Friend will be acknowleged j^o long 
 as he is 
 
 James Hervey. 
 
 LETTER CXVII. 
 
 Remarks on modern Prophecies. — Refleofions on Whit- 
 Sunday. 
 
 ^^y 13' 1758. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 I AM glad to hear, that Mr. Whitefield was honoured 
 with fuch Company; and that fuch honourable Com-^ 
 pany were blefied. with his Converfation. I am fure. 
 He did " not keep Silence from good Words." May 
 his Words, which he whifpers in the Ear in Clofets, 
 and " proclaims" as v/ith a Trumpet '* on the Houfe- 
 Tops, be the Power of God to the Salvation of the 
 Hearers !" 
 
 I never faw the Prediiflions, which your Ladyfhip 
 mentions. I am, to all fuch Intrufions into Futurity 
 and their boafted Difcoveries, an incorrigible Sceptic. 
 
 The Letters of a tender, fenfible, religious Wife, 
 
 written to a Hulband preparing for Execution, muft, I 
 apprehend, be vtr^ affefting. I had rather fee two fuch 
 Pieces, than two hundred modern Prophecies. 
 
 We are now going to commemorate the Miflion of the 
 eternal Spirit. Whofe Office is, to " purify the Heart"' 
 and make the Sinner holy. This He executes, by 
 
 " teftifying 
 
LADV FRANCES SHIRLEY. 451 
 
 " teflifying of Chrlft ;" by fhewing Us our Pardon and 
 Juftification, our Salvation and Happinefs, in that mofl 
 glorious Surety, Thus He comforts the Soul ; and 
 thus '' eflablifhes" it, " in every good Word, and 
 Work," and Temper. — May your Ladyfhip enjoy more 
 and more of his facred Influences ; and fee more and 
 more your Completenefs in Chrift ! This will dilpofe 
 You to love God, to keep his Commandments, and 
 promote his Glory. Juft as lively Spirits and a joyous 
 State of Mind, difpofe People to be affable in their 
 Converfation and chearful in their Carriage. 
 
 Your Ladylliip will allow me the Honour of pro- 
 fcffing myfclf 
 
 Your mofl obedient 
 
 humble Servant. 
 
 LETTER CXVIII. 
 
 On bis Sicknefs. 
 
 Wejlon-Favelli * Dec, 16, 175S. 
 Madam, 
 
 I HAVE received your Ladyfliip's Favour, and fliould 
 have anfwered it before now ; but I have been ex- 
 tremely ill, and flill remain fo bad, as to be obliged to 
 make Ufe of the Pen of Another, to inform your 
 Ladylhip, that I am. Madam, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's moft obliged, 
 
 and mofl obedient, humble Servant. 
 
 * Mr. Hekvey died 911 the 25th of this Month. 
 END OF THE THIRD VOLUME. 
 
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