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his truth, and feel a blest repose, while you say, "Here am I, let him do with me as seemeth good unto him." I trust his will is your recovery; but I know it is more than that; it is your sanctification; and is not this enough? This, with an entail of rich blessings on your dear children! Oh! seek the Lord! call upon him, plead with him, think affectionately and thankfully of him, and wait for him. I have witnessed so much, in several instances, very lately, of his tender mercy, in times of affliction, that I feel encouraged, when clouds arise, to expect some special manifestation of the power and grace of God. The Lord be with you, and cause his face to shine upon you! Were it his pleasure, I should rejoice, as his messenger, to prepare his way before him; but if you seek him, he will be found of you.

I am, my dear cousin,

&c. &c.

LETTER XLV.

J. BOWDEN.

TO MRS. L-—.

My heart rejoices, my dear Madam, while I write, to think that you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May you know more and more!

Every cloud of distressful doubt and fear will, in the Lord's own time, flee before the brightness of his appearing. We want to converse more with him in his word, to trace the wondrous steps of his humiliation, to contemplate his love, to see the fountain flowing,-to have the testimony of those that have proved its efficacy,-to fix our eye on that living, that precious Corner-stone, which God has laid in Zion, and to feed upon those promises wherein God has provided for the strong consolation of those who flee to him under distressful alarm. We want, very attentively and minutely, to observe the conduct of his providence respecting us, to see his hand and bow to his will in all that concerns us; and we want more immediate fellowship with his people, to be conversant with their hopes and fears, their griefs and conflicts. It is good for us to come to the spirits of just men made perfect, and in the light of truth to realize the victory, and the personal perfections, and the sources of unmeasurable joy they have attained to-the light that shines upon them. You will, Madam, I trust, find internal evidence prevail, and faith strengthen, while, through such mediums as these, you behold the glory of the Lord. This fountain we need daily to wash in; this foundation we need be continually coming to it is a living foundation; and if we truly rest upon it, it will make us lively stones. This bread must be our daily food; this fire of Divine love must warm our frozen hearts. I wish, Madam, that

I trust you are warmed, under

I have no doubt

the bread on the table of the Lord, in his sanctuary, were with you more abundant; that the sacred lamp were seeu to burn with a stronger flame; and that the fire on the altar were found effectual to inflame every sacrifice you present. fed, and sometimes quickened and the ministry of good Mr. N. but sometimes, by the enlivening power of Divine faith in your own mind, you conclude that a coal from the altar has touched his lips. May the blessing be found more and more abundant! But what shall we say of the other place? Is the Spirit of Christ there? Can candour itself, in the review of facts, and influenced by Divine love, admit it is so? There cannot remain a question but it is otherwise... While, therefore, I feel interested in what relates to the honour of Him whose wondrous love has, I trust, for ever bound my heart to him, I cannot cautiously shrink back from known duty, from a fear of incurring censure. My Lord made an entire sacrifice of his good Name in the cause of my salvation, and he remembers what I have often vowed. There truly is no service within my power that I would withhold, no hazard that I would decline, if I could be in any degree instrumental in removing the evil I so much deplore. I am apprized of your peculiar situation. You are encompassed with restraints and impediments: perhaps others have theirs. But what are these before a sense of duty and the love of Christ? Feeble as Sampson's

cords when the Spirit of God came upon him. However, every endeavour should be employed to unite the friends of the Gospel, and, if possible, to enliven their zeal and add to their number. I hope, however, that they cannot bear them that are evil. O that their united addresses could be often ascending to God! This especially would be a token of good. I hope much of this incense is daily ascending from their closets, and truly I should rejoice with them, should I be favoured to see the return of prayer in this respect. The hints I have dropped, as far as I know my own heart, have been impelled by love to Christ and to his cause; and as truly by endeared affection to my friend.

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I THANK YOU, my dear friend, for the favour of your letter. The unreserved communication of your sentiments and feelings relating to these great subjects, as it may in itself be relieving to your mind, so it will conduce to what is my Master's pleasure and my own. With respect to those peculiar doctrines to which you refer, my request is, that

you will do all you can to divert your regards from them. They are secret things, and belong to God, not, at present, to you. They furnish no rule of duty: nor is the way of your peace and comfort, at this time, to be found in them. It is a device of the great adversary, to harass your oppressed mind with questions cencerning them. Were your bodily health declining, you would not direct your anxious inquiry to the impenetrable volume of God's decrees, to know whether a long life or a short life were appointed you. A proper regard to duty and interest would lead you to take other measures. Only be assured of this, my dear Madam, you had never chosen God, with cordial affection, to be your chief good, had not God first and most graciously chosen you; therefore, if it your heart's desire and prayer to be reconciled to him in Christ Jesus, and to be sanctified to serve, and honour, and enjoy him as your God, you may rest persuaded that God's heart is towards you, and "then shall you know if you follow on to know the Lord." You mention the duty of self-examination. It is a great, an advantageous, and a necessary duty. Yet some cautions and directions demand attention. I regard your mind as under a cloud; your frame and feelings will be against you; take heed of drawing conclusions from apprehensions that will too easily and too often press on your imagination. Make your appeal from affection and feeling to sober judginent; and in seasons wherein your mind is most composed, you will herein find advantage,

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