by preaching down persuasion of interest in Christ; the grace of God; frames and feelings; and the manifestations of life and love; instead of comforting the lambs of Christ's fold, this is quenching the smoking flax, offending the weaklings of the flock, breaking the bruised reed, making the righteous sad, and robbing them of the breasts of consolation, and that by nothing but lies.

Timothy tells them, indeed, to build their faith on the whole word of God; but lambs live on the sincere milk of the word. And there is a difference between the word and the milk of the word; between a promise and the blessing in the promise; and between the word and the refreshing power of the word. The gospel comes to some in word only; and to others, in power, in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. Some hold the truth in unrighteousness; and others keep it by the Holy Ghost, which dwelleth in them: the former is a dry breast, the latter a cherishing nurse; the former is a prating fool, the latter is a living witness.

Quot. Christ himself paid particular attention to such in his sermon on the mount, Matt. v. 3, 6.

Answ. So he did; and ordered his apostles, before they entered on this work, to tarry in Jerusalem till they were endued with power from on high but, instead of Timothy's waiting in Jerusalem for this essential qualification, he has not had patience even to tarry in Jericho till his beard

be grown. He has undertaken to be the timorous soul's guide to heaven, without being acquainted with one footstep of the flock, or with one inch of the way for he himself tells us, in this book, that if he was at as great an uncertainty about natural things as he is about spiritual things, he should hesitate whether he had any real existence,

or no.

Quot. I know that many serious persons, when it hath pleased God to exercise their faith and patience with heavy affliction, have been chiefly distressed for want of assurance.

Answ. And there is in such souls just cause for distress, because they doubt of their justification; for they know that God has said, that the effect of righteousness shall be peace and assurance for ever. And again "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; and in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." And such poor souls will be seeking, longing, groaning, and panting, till they are in some measure persuaded, or assured, that they have a part and lot in the dear Redeemer; and such wretched books as these are calculated to set them down on this side Jordan, that they may fall in unbelief, and come short of the promised rest: for it is impossible that such a jumble of confusion and falsehood as this can either discover faith, or encourage it; and, as God is not the author of it, we are sure that he will never acknowledge it, nor honour it in any other sense than to expose the nakedness and shame of the author.

Quot. Indeed, Christians who follow not the advice of the Holy Ghost in making their calling and election sure, are frequently found, like ships at sea, without an anchor.

Answ.

And the reason is, because there are so many false lights and wandering stars, that perplex, puzzle, and confound, the inexperienced mariner. Besides, if professors were to follow the advice of the Holy Ghost, Timothy would have no followers at all, because his way is diametrically opposite to the way of the Spirit. In this case, he must soon leave off preaching, and writing too: for persons that have made their calling and election sure, would never hear Timothy preach a second time, nor read the second volume of his Looking-glass. It is the simple that believe every word; the itching ear that is charmed with every uncertain sound; the unwary that follow every 'Lo here!' and 'Lo there!', and the confused that are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. The Athenian, who is in perpetual want of some new thing; and the uncircumcised in ears, who knows not what is piped or harped; together with the alarmed formalist, who wants a crutch; the professor, who is chafed at the power of godliness, and wants a plaster; the bondchild, who wants a roller; and the conscious hypocrite, who wants a pillow: it is this sort that Timothy must have an eye to; his skill and his untempered mortar must be used entirely among these. While there are such as these in the

church, Timothy will have work enough; but, when they are gone; he must go. The builder, that cannot produce his genealogy from the book of life, is unfit for the service of the temple; his employ lies in repairing the dung-gate, Nehem. iii. 14.

Quot. Every wave seems to threaten their destruction; and they are, in storms, at their wit's end. Answ. And no wonder, when they are launched into a profession by preachers who have no hope, nor experience that worketh hope; and such poor deluded souls setting sail for the haven of rest, without one gale of the Spirit, any knowledge of the voyage, or one idea of the port; no doubt, sooner or later, the tempest of Sinai will fall on them: nor can it be expected that they can have any hope of being saved, when conscience bears witness that neither sun, moon, nor stars, have ever appeared on them.

Quot. Besides all this, it is an advantage of which few are aware; that is, for a man, when he is at a throne of grace, to be fully persuaded he is one for whom Christ is now interceding.

Answ. If there are but a few Christians that are aware of the advantage of Christ's intercession, there can be but a very few of them that are taught of God: for the awakened sinner that has felt the sword of justice, and the curse of the law against him; and who, at the same time, feels himself barred out from God by an hard heart, and

shut up in unbelief; will not only be aware, but be assured, the first moment that ever he finds access to God, or freedom with him, that it is by the faith of the great Mediator, or Intercessor; for it is by his blood that we are brought nigh; and the way in which we approach is through the vail of his flesh; and by the faith of him we have access with confidence. So that to be ignorant, or not aware of this, is to be far from God by wicked works, to be without Christ, without hope, and without help, in the world.

Quot. Paul having such clear conceptions both of nature and grace, was the reason why he speaks with such confidence of all true Christians being more than conquerors through him that loved them.

Answ. Paul's confidence, friend Timothy, and the certain conquest of all true Christians, will never satisfy the timorous soul that you undertake to guide, if he be quickened by the Spirit of God. He must have an evidence, an earnest, or the witness in his own heart; for he is entangled with such suspicions and jealousies about his state, that he will call all into question without it, even though he hath received the word in an honest and good heart; and, perhaps, say in his heart that all men are liars, Timothy himself not excepted. He dares not trust himself: nor will he trust friend Priestley; for, if he receives the witness of men, he knows that the witness of God is greater. This witness is promised to all that