paper, for the use of the gentry, if God shall incline the hearts of any such persons to look into them; and others upon worse paper, for the benefit of the poor, and the conveniency of giving away. As soon as they appear, you will give me leave to send you a copy; and if you should like to give them among the poor, I will send you a considerable number. With them I intend to put into your hands a treatise lately published, under the title of Letters on Theron and Aspasio, in two small volumes. The author is a Scotsman, I presume, because they were printed at Edinburgh, and he gave orders for a set to be sent to me from Edinburgh. He conceals his name, and none that I am acquainted with are able to discover whose work it is.* There are some strictures on my performance; but by far the greatest part of the book is very wide from this mark. Some things are truly, excellent, and some animadversions upon me are perfectly just; but others (if I mistake not) are unfair and disingenuous. The manner of writing is by no means despicable, rather elegant and spirited than coarse or dull. But there is such an implacable bitterness of spirit, and such an unchristian virulence of censure, against many of the best men that ever lived, and best authors that ever wrote, as much surprises and greatly offends me. I think I never saw a notion of faith more lax, nor an idea of grace more exalted, than in this book. However, I will not forestall your judgment, but will desire your acceptance of the piece, and your remarks upon it.

If your account of the ancient believers, and their knowledge of Christ be right, then the opinion of the generality of divines is wrong: they suppose, that the devout Jews saw in their sacrifices, not barely a nobler sacrifice to be offered up by the Saviour, but the Saviour himself suffering, bleeding, and dying. How will you reconcile with your scheme St Paul's declaration, "The gospel was preached unto them," explained by his definition of the gospel,

* The author was Mr Robert Sandeman, a congregational preacher at Edinburgh, a disciple of Mr John Glass.

"Christ died for our sins?" Heb. iv. 2. 1 Cor. xv. 3. -You say, " Does IKRUAH any-where signify effulgence?" In Job xxxi. 27. you will find IKER bearing this signification. Yet, I must confess, I am not thoroughly satisfied with my own interpretation, it is too low and restricted; for the prophet is evidently foretelling a state of things and a stock of knowledge greatly superior to any thing enjoyed under the Jewish dispensation; and to this last, I think my exposition is most suitable. I hope you have a long letter ready, and will not punish my delay according to the rigour of the law of retaliation. I am, with unfeigned gratitude, and cordial affection, yours, &c.

Pray favour me with your Dissertation on Job, his time, his country, and religion. They are very curious subjects, and you will enrich them with evangelical truths.

LETTER CXCI.

Weston-Favell, Sept. 3. 1757. MY DEAR FRIEND,-MANY thanks for your last; I shall read it, and read it again; and the Lord give me a right understanding of that most precious and important chapter.

I hope you will accompany my sermons with your prayers to God for a blessing on them, the reader, and the writer; and I shall be truly thankful for the communication of any remarks, corrections, or improvements that may occur in your perusal of them. This, and any other of my writings, I should be glad to have rectified where they are wrong, enriched where they are impoverished; because, though such improvements may come too late to take place while I live, they may, when I am dead, be admitted, and enable me to speak more usefully.

What think you of the method taken by a modern critic to interpret Psalm lxviii. 30.?" Hoc in loco, fera arundinis, cœtus robustorum, et juvenci, sunt leones, tauri, pecudesque lascivientes, sive tyranni

feroces insolentesque: quibus, continuata translatione, addit psaltes KESEP · BERETZI METHEDOTEM' hoc est," [here a word is wanting in the original, and not knowing what author is referred to, we could not supply it from thence], "que de industria conculcantes et turbantes argenteos rivos, ardentes nimirum et vastantes vicinorum Judæorum bona." The author queries, whether "DETZ" from DETZ, currere, may, consistently with the propriety of the Hebrew language, be interpreted a river? might he not also query, whether MEKOP is ever, among the Hebrew writers, and by way of adjective, used to describe the colour of the waters? Homer, 1 remember, has

Ποταμος καλλίρροος αργυροδίνης.

But I am not certain that any such expression gained admittance into the school of the prophets. Your sentiments upon this criticism will entertain, instruct, and oblige, dear sir, your truly affectionate friend and servant.

LETTER CXCII.

Saturday morning.

MY DEAR FRIEND,-How fares it with you? Overwhelmed I find with business! but still, I trust, remembering Christ and eternal ages.

I think you reason well, and very strongly, on what you propose. May the Wisdom, from which nothing is hid, direct you in all your undertakings; the Power, to which nothing is impossible, prosmay per your prescriptions for my benefit, and that of others! I assure you I shall steadily persevere in the use of them, and intend to begin very soon; though a continued cold, and an unexpected journey, have hitherto unfitted me from taking any medicines of this sort. Mr, of whom you inquired after me yesterday, told me you imputed to the journey my neglect in not having yet sent your prescription to the apothecary's; and I am obliged to your candour

for ascribing it to that cause, and not to any disregard of your advice: for I am persuaded,

-Si qua pergama dextra

Defendi possent, etiam hac defensa fuissent.

VIRG. EN. II.

I have just been reading Gerhard's Christian Support under all Afflictions; and a most excellent book it is. If your medicines have not the desired effect, I must seek relief from him: From HIM, do I say? From a fellow mortal? Ah! what are all the consolations that all the creatures in the universe can afford, in comparison of that grand consolation of our condescending Lord's, "Ye are my friends !" John xv. 14. "Come and inherit the kingdom prepared for you," Matth. xxv. 34.; "where the inhabitants shall no more say, I am sick," Isa. xxxiii. 24; "and where there shall be no more death nor sorrow," Rev. xxi. 4.

I am, my dear friend, with great esteem, and under a due sense of many obligations, most affectionately and most sincerely yours, &c.

LETTER CXCIII.

Saturday morning. MY DEAR FRIEND, IF you have any law books by you, I wish you would look into the indexes, and see what laws have been made to secure the Lord's day from profanation. It is pity that these* should

By the 29th Car. II. cap. 7. per

* All persons, who profane the Lord's day, are liable to the following penalties; and it is much wished that the magistrates would determine to put these laws in execution with the utmost strictness. By doing or executing any business or work of their ordinary callings on the Lord's day, or any part thereof, (works of necessity and charity only excepted); under which head is included shaving on Sundays, which is a most shameful and notorious custom.

sons convict hereof by view of a justice of the peace, confession of the party, or witnesses, are to pay five shillings, or be put in the stocks two hours: licensed houses besides forfeit their licenses.

be unknown to the common people; and still a greater pity, that our justices of peace should not exert themselves vigorously in an affair of such consequence to the present and eternal welfare of their fellow-creatures. I wish a spirited pamphlet was judiciously drawn up and published on this occasion; setting the sins of omission in a true light. It grieves me to think how much good might be done, especially by gentlemen who have leisure and abilities to plan schemes for the public benefit; but so far are they from applying themselves in good earnest to promote religion, that they too generally ridicule or discourage any attempts of this kind. Ah! how little do they reflect, that the night is coming on apace, when no man can work, John ix. 4.; and that for all these things God will bring them into judg

ment.

Can you tell me who was the author of The Duty of Reproof? The most material objections against reproving are there considered; some cautions and directions are added, and in such a manner as may facilitate the successful discharge of this duty. A duty too much neglected, though enjoined us by no less authority than the Scripture itself, which is profitable for reproof. "Reprove one that hath understanding," says Solomon," and he will understand knowledge," Prov. xix. 25. And the apostle Paul urges Timothy to "reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine," 2 Tim. iv. 2. Indeed, my dear friend, you are very deficient in this duty of reproof, though you have so many opportu

By public crying, or exposing to S By the same act it is forfeiture of sale any wares, merchandise, &c. 1 goods so exposed to sale.