cessity of a better righteousness than his own; desires to see what can be alleged in support of the imputation of Christ's righteousness. This occasions some letters from Aspasio, wherein the point is proved from the Articles and Homilies of our Church; from the writings of our most eminent divines; from the Old and New Testament. The excellency of this righteousness displayed, both from its matchless perfection and the dignity of the Author. A letter or two from Theron, by way of carrying on the epistolary intercourse, relating to the wonders of creation, as they appear both in the sea and on the land; chiefly calculated to manifest the goodness of the Creator, not without a view to the main subject. The influence of this righteousness on moral virtue and evangelical holiness. Our friends brought together again. Theron, under discouraging apprehensions. The freeness of grace, and of the gift of righteousness. Discourse on faith, by which we are united to Christ, and interested in his righteousness. The noble, beneficial, and delightful use to be made of this doctrine. Theron relapses into sins of infirmity; his faith shaken; supports proper for such a state. Sanctification; its nature, its principles, its progress. Aspasio seized with a sudden and fatal illness; his sentiments and behaviour in his last moments.

These, dear sir, are the stamina of my intended piece. Oh that he, who educes so many millions of elegant leaves, lovely flowers, and graceful plants, from the seeds of spring, may enable this enfeebled hand to dilate, fill up, and finish the whole!

As soon as I conclude this epistle, I write to a very ingenious friend of yours; with whom, several years ago, I had begun to form an acquaintance; but my departure from Oxford, and other accidents, interrupted the intercourse for several years; and I was informed, to my unfeigned sorrow, that Mr

was dead. But a letter lately received from him most agreeably undeceived me, and brought a very welcome overture for a renewal of our corres

pondence. God Almighty grant, that all our social communication may be a happy means, not only of cherishing our affection, and refining our taste, but also of quickening our love to the blessed Jesus, and animating our zeal for his sacred interests; or, as the apostle expresses my wish, with an energy which no language but his own can reach, that they may be subservient and effectual εις παροξυσμον αγαπης και καλών

εργων.

One or two articles I forgot, in exhibiting to you my plan. But this* will direct where they are to be introduced. "The corruption of our nature demonstrated, first from Scripture, then from experience. Between which, to relieve or entertain the reader, is inserted a dialogue on the admirable formation and economy of the human body." The visitation sermon I mentioned in the beginning, though perfectly plain and artless, is in the press. It will wait upon you in the next parcel, as soon as I have the favour of your answer. It is printed for the relief of a poor afflicted child, as a short advertisement will inform the world. The person to whose management it is consigned, informs me, that he has given orders for an impression of two thousand, besides a hundred and fifty which I have bespoke for myself. Would this circumstance recommend it to your beneficent and worthy friend Dr-? I may now no longer look upon it as a discourse delivered by me, but as an agent for the miserable, and an advocate for the distressed. I should therefore be very glad, and much obliged, if he would (in case he approves the performance) purchase some of them in order to give away. Of this he may be assured, that by every one of which he shall so dispose, he will do a real act of charity to a diseased and crippled youth; and I shall not cease to pray, that the God of infinite goodness may accompany the piece+ with his divine blessing,

* See page 191.

+ His sermon, entitled, " The Cross of Christ the Christian's Glory," inserted Vol. V.

VOL. VI.

and make the gift an act of spiritual charity to the reader's soul. Be pleased to present my most respectful compliments to the Doctor; and give me leave to expect, not a line, but a sheet filled with your thoughts. Then I shall promise myself one thing more, that you will, in the speed of your favour, as well as in the worth of its contents, exceed, greatly exceed, dear sir, your truly affectionate, and very much obliged friend, &c.

LETTER CXIV.

Weston-Favell, Aug. 18. 1753. DEAR SIR, I HAVE now procured some franks; and lest the want of this vehicle should retard the delight and improvement which I always receive from your correspondence, I take leave to enclose one. It is for your use, but my benefit.

I received the parcel, and owe you my thanks for the present. I wonder that you should be backward to gratify Mr Certainly you have truth on your side. The arguments are nervous and conclusive, clearly and (for the most part) concisely stated, urged with propriety and a becoming warmth; yet without any of that "wrath of man which worketh not the righteousness of God," but rather (for I apprehend there is a was in the expression) obstructs its advance, both in ourselves and others. If I was in your case, I would let my arrow fly as far as Providence is pleased to carry it; and I beseech the blessed God to prosper it, that it may give a mortal blow to error, and co-operate with his own holy word in being profitable προς ελεγχον. Now I mention Mr-, pray let me desire you to ask, when you write to him again, whether he received, some months ago, a letter from me. If it miscarried, I shall with pleasure supply its place with another; for though I have now but very few correspondents, and my enfeebled constitution will allow me to write but few letters, I shall strive hard to keep up an in

tercourse with those gentlemen from whom I expect to have my taste refined, or my mind improved. And among that number I reckon Mr

I shall sincerely rejoice to hear that your eye is strengthened, and your health confirmed. How valuable are these blessings! especially to those who employ them for the honour, and devote them to the service of Christ. I wish you had taken minutes of what you saw most remarkable in your tour through Westmoreland and Cumberland. A description of those counties would be very acceptable to us, who inhabit a more regular and better cultivated spot. Described in your language, and embellished with your imagination, such an account might be highly pleasing to all; and grafted with religious improvements, might be equally edifying. Such kind of writings suit the present taste. We do not love close thinking. That is most likely to win our approbation which extenuates the fancy, without fatiguing the attention. Since this is the disposition of the age, let us endeavour to catch men by guile, turn even a foible to their advantage, and bait the gospelhook agreeably to the prevailing taste. In this sense, "become all things to all men."

Permit me to ask, Whether you have yet seen Witsius de Economia Foederum? I wish, for my own sake, that you was somewhat acquainted with this author; because, if you should be inclined to know the reason and foundation of my sentiments on any particular point, Witsius might be my spokesman; he would declare my mind better than I could myself.

Conversing some time ago with a very ingenious gentleman, he made an observation which I think is new and curious; I should be glad of your opinion, whether you think it rational and solid. It was upon these words, Βαπτισμών διδαχής, επιθεσεις τε χειρων, Heb. vi. 2. This passage is generally supposed, especially by the writers of the established church, to denote the sacrament of baptism, and the rite of confirma

tion. With regard to the latter, my friend queried, Whether the practice of confirmation can be allowed to constitute one of the fundamentals (λ) of Christianity? With regard to the former, can it be shewn, that the apostle, in any other place, calls the ordinance of baptism Bata, in the plural number? May not then the clause more properly refer to two eminent Jewish usages; the various purifications made by washings, and the imposition of hands on the peculiar victims? The one of which represented a purity of heart and life; the other was expressive of a translation of punishment from the offerer to his sacrifice. Then we have signified, in language familiar to the Hebrews, and by images with which they were perfectly acquainted, the sanctification of the Spirit, and the substitution of Christ in our stead. What seems to corroborate this conjecture is, the vast importance of these two articles. They are the two grand distinguishing peculiarities of the Christian scheme: without them, every treatise upon fundamentals must be extremely defective.

I am much pleased with your remark on a certain learned The heart surely should be engaged in the preacher's office, as well as the head.

Are passions then the Pagans of the soul?

Reason alone baptized, alone ordain'd,

To touch things sacred?

The great apostle was fervent in spirit, as well as cogent in arguing. He beseeches, conjures, and charges his people. He adds prayers to his entreaties, and tears to his prayers. When he reasons, conviction shines; when he exhorts, pathos glows. May your discourses, dear sir, be strong with the one, warm with the other, and by both be happily instrumental "to turn sinners from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins," Acts xxvi. 18. We have very wet unkindly weather for the harvest. May it teach us all to see our dependence on that Divine hand, which giveth rain from heaven and