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I have reason to be convinced, from the accounts which your letter brings, and from the reports which I receive in this place, that here we have no continuing city. Thanks, everlasting thanks to the divine Goodness, which has prepared for us a mansion, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; a mansion whose builder, whose maker, and whose glory is God. Not only the disappointment, but even the acquisition of our desires, bespeaks the emptiness of the world. But what a complete felicity, what an all-satisfying portion, will the enjoyment of God be! When I awake up after thy likeness, (and am admitted to stand in thy beatific presence), I shall be satisfied with it.

I pitied as I read poor Miss - 's case. There cannot be a keener distress than a conscience that is awakened, and a heart that desponds. The spirit of a man will sustain his other infirmities, but a wounded spirit who can bear? A wounded spirit was the bitterest ingredient even in the cup of our Lord's exquisitely severe sufferings. He that bore the racking tortures of crucifixion without a complaint, cried lamentably, wept blood, when the arrows of the Almighty were within him. Then his soul was sorrowful, exceeding sorrowful, sorrowful even unto death. This dejection of our adored Master should be our consolation, his agonies are our ease; he was deeply sorrowful that we might be always rejoicing. To believe that he was wounded for our sins, and bruised for our iniquities; that he was destitute, afflicted, tormented for our sake; that by his vicarious and most meritorious obedience unto death, he has obtained everlasting redemption for us; firmly to believe this is not arrogance, is not presumption, but our bounden duty, as well as our inestimable privilege. This is his command, says St John, that we believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ. Never, never was any command more gracious, or more worthy to be written on the tables of our hearts. Let us not, my dear Mr by indulging unbelief,

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O let us not dishonour the boundless mercy, and the inviolable fidelity of God; let us not depreciate the infinite merits, and all-prevailing intercession of our blessed Mediator; but say with the lively poet, Dr Watts, in his Hymns,

O! for a strong, a lasting faith,

To credit what the Almighty saith!
To embrace the promise of his Son,
And call the joys of heaven our own!

You inquire about my new work intended for the press. It is a great uncertainty whether my languid spirits, and enfeebled constitution, will permit me to execute my design. It is a pleasure, however, to hear that I am sometimes admitted to converse with you by my book. May the divine Spirit accompany every such conversation; and teach our souls to glow with gratitude to that transcendently great and gracious Being who stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; who stretched out his arms on the cursed tree, and laid the foundation of our happiness in his own blood. Please to present my most respectful compliments to Mrs, your worthy neighbour Mr, and his nieces. Give me leave, instead of wishing you a merry Christmas, to wish them and you all that joy which the holy prophet felt, when, in an ecstasy of delight, he cried out, "To us a child is born! to us a Son is given !" All the glories of heaven unite in his wonderful person; all the blessings of time and eternity are the fruit of his precious incarnation. Adieu, my dear sir, and cease not to pray for your ever affectionate, &c.

LETTER LXXIV.

London, Dec. 22. 1750. MY DEAR FRIEND,-BE so kind as to let your servant look out for some person of Collingtree, and deliver to him the inclosed letter. He will probably find some such person on Monday at

; and

I would have the letter conveyed by Christmas, that it may furnish my people with matter for conversation at their hospitable meetings. Our excellent friend follows the advice of the Preacher-whatsoever, of a charitable or godly nature, his hand findeth to do, he does it with his might; as one that is deeply convinced that there is no wisdom nor device in the grave, whither we all are hasting. Does not so amiable a person, such an indefatigable servant of Christ, such a compassionate friend to mankind, does not he deserve encouragement?

We have just been to hear a very excellent discourse upon Zech. iv. 7. Mr who made one of the congregation, sends his compliments to you, and to Dr; which when you present, be pleased to add mine. Who do you think I lately drank tea with? The two ladies before whom you put me so extremely to the blush. May neither they nor I be put to everlasting shame and confusion. I did what was in my power to prevent it, by recommending that adorable Saviour to their affections, in whom whosoever believeth shall not be ashamed. They commissioned me to transmit their compliments to you. You have thanks and prayers (the reward which a prophet gives) for the writing paper. What account can you give us of Lady — -'s health? Never, never will the physician's skill be employed for the lengthening of a more valuable life. May Almighty Goodness bless those prescriptions, and command her constitution and our zeal, avalaλλuv ! — Ever yours, &c.

LETTER LXXV.

Dec. 29. 1750. MY DEAR FRIEND,-THIS time last week I took pen in hand to beg; now I should be ungrateful if I did not resume it, in order to return my thanks, which I do most sincerely, in my own name, and on the behalf of my excellent host. He is now engaged

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in company, and cannot possibly steal a quarter of an hour to make his acknowledgments. The limner has been with me twice, and is to give the finishing touches on Monday. How slowly, and how patiently, these artists advance! A pattern for us. So may we have the image of the amiable Jesus gradually instamped on our hearts, till death gives the finishing stroke, and makes us completely like our Beloved. In the mean time, we have need of patience. Patience must be exercised towards ourselves; and God, the blessed God, is unspeakably patient towards us all. Mr is willing to undertake Zimmermannus. I would have it thrown into the form of a dialogue. Why do you entertain such harsh thoughts of the dearest, most benign, and gracious of all beings? can no more.-Ever yours, &c.

LETTER LXXVI.

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DEAR SIR, I RETURN you thanks for the perusal of your pamphlets. Be pleased to accept the two little volumes which accompany your other books, as an expression of my gratitude to your pen, and sincere affection to your person. May I request the favour of you, good sir, sometimes to implore the blessing of a gracious God upon the author, and his weak attempts: that the one may walk suitably to his holy profession, and high calling; that the other may please the reader for his good to edification. This will be a singular favour, and shall be readily returned by, reverend sir, your affectionate friend and humble servant, &c.

LETTER LXXVII.

London, Dec. 24. 1750. DEAR MR NIXON,-1 AM ashamed to see SO obliging a letter from so valuable a friend lie so long unanswered. I delayed my grateful acknowledgments to you on this subject, till I could see

what would be the issue of our design. As you propose to recommend my picture by your ingenious verses, I should rather chuse to have them inserted (with your permission) in the magazines and public papers, than to have them affixed to the copperplate. This practice, though once customary, is now, I believe, seldom used; and for me to revive it, when it does me such distinguished credit, would be too vain-glorious; otherwise, I assure you, dear sir, I should be glad to have a memorial of our friendship engraved on brass, or a more durable metal. And give me leave to declare, that though I was exceedingly pleased with the character you gave of my book in your excellent anniversary sermon, yet I was much more delighted with your acknowledging me as your friend, and suffering it to be known that I have a share in your affection.

I propose to make a long stay in town, and shall promise myself the pleasure of your company at my brother's. Have you ever met with a little poem, entitled Sunday Thoughts? The author is a very worthy man, and the poem not beneath your regard. Shall I wish my worthy friend a merry Christmas? This compliment will be paid you by multitudes. Rather let me wish that Christ Jesus, the ever blessed Immanuel, may be formed in both our hearts! Renewed after his amiable and divine image, may you see many revolving happy new-years below, and at last have an abundant entrance into the new Jerusalem, which is above. Breathing such wishes, I remain, dear sir, your much obliged, and very affectionate friend, &c.

LETTER LXXVIII.

London, Jan. 3. 1751. DEAR SISTER, I HAVE taken my pen in hand to write to you, and yet have no news to transmit. I have nothing to send but my good wishes, and my best advice.

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