stands in full force to this day, like the laws of the Medes and Persians, which alter not. It is also appointed and decreed by an unalterable statute, that all old soldiers or invalids, who have been engaged on the Lord's side against the world, the flesh, and the devil, that these upon being dismissed from service shall have a pension settled upon them, and shall be free from war for ever after. And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that in case these soldiers have continued and appeared staunch to his Majesty's interest, and have not been finally overcome by the King's enemies, namely, the world, the flesh, and the devil, so as to be drawn away from his Majesty's service, and to engage with the rebels against the King and his forces as aforesaid; it is decreed, ordained, and immutably fixed by an eternal mandate, that such shall wear a crown in token of royalty, loyalty, and victory; and that they shall have a branch of palm in their hands, a token of eternal triumph; and shall shout among all the King's worthies, "Salvation to him that sitteth upon the throne, to the Lamb for ever and ever." Long live the King! Long live the King! W. H. S. S. LETTER XXXIV. TO THE SAME. Mr poor old Dears little think what a glee and heavenly sensation rolled over my mind when I gave my last look at them getting into the coach, at the thought of going shortly to our eternal home and safe abode; where I doubt not but we shall all meet in a more comfortable, more lasting, and more uninterrupted frame and state than ever we have enjoyed in this life. I looked back upon you with pleasure, and with unspeakable delight, and something of heaven springing up in my heart, seeming to say, Ere long you will all be gone, and talk over again the things which are so imperfectly known in this vain world. I cannot describe what I felt, but something yet to come shall make it manifest. Ever yours, W. H. S. S. LETTER XXXV. TO THE SAME. Beloved in the Lord, Downham, Friday Morning, We arrived here safe last night soon after six o'clock, and were very kindly received. Many of the people round the country have made great enquiries when I should come, therefore I have hope of a good company to hear me, and of some success among the hearers; but this work lays with the Lord. I am at present in myself rather low and flat, much more in the valley than on the mount; more darkness than light, more rough paths than plain, and more appetite than food. It ill, however, becomes me to complain, knowing that nothing but sovereign grace makes the difference between the heir of promise and the son of perdition. I do long to see the word run and be glorified, but ours are not days of great success. In our days we labour much for little fruit, much plowing and sowing, but little crops, little reaping, and small harvests. We labour, but the time will come when others will enter into our labours, and reap what we have sown. The Arminians have built a place at Littleport, and now they have opened a house at Downham; but still their end will be according to their works. We must have a daily cross, and daily oppositions; but this we do know, that no vessel but a vessel of mercy can sail both against wind and tide. It is not the first but the last in the heavenly race, that wins the prize; and this no Arminian ever saw. I am now on my watch-tower, hoping, begging, and expecting that the Master will come at the second or the third watch; at least at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; for sure I am that unless the Master bless the sacrifice, the guests that are bidden cannot be satisfied. There is bread enough in our Father's house, and wines plenty on the lees, but the feasts are too, too seldom; the Master is rich, but all the servants are poor. When first he woos, and wins, and draws our hands to the plough, how kind, how liberal, how bountiful, he doth appear. So tender, so indulgent, so sympathetic, that he comes leaping upon the mountains, and skipping upon the hills, as soon as his promised aid is sought. But when your hands are fast to the plough. handles, then there is a suspension of these soul-dissolving visits. Smiles are exchanged for frowns, embraces for refrainings, visits for desertions, and kisses for strokes; then the time is come that we desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and we desire in vain. Nevertheless faith holds her own. Ever yours, The Heir at law, W. H. S. S. LETTER XXXVI. TO THE SAME. My dearly beloved Children in faith and hope, I AM safe arrived without any accident. Poor Mrs. Mis much better, only given up much to pensiveness, and sits solitary; sitting up late at night, and rising late in the morning, which I do not like; yet I think she will come out bright in time. Here are not a few in soul-sufferings, and who need the great Physician; and I have hope that he will heal as well as wound. The farmers here are very rich, and live somewhat like the London citizens; but I envy them not, for all seem to walk upon a snare. Traps are set for them in the ground during this famine, and the gin takes them by the heel; while the poor in spirit by their cries to |