are at the worst there is a looking out for better days, and a hoping for deliverance, for they that mourn must be exalted to safety.

Duty to Granny; love to Becky, Henry, William, and all the seed royal.

THE DOCTOR.

DCXCIV.

1809.

I KNOW not how it is with my Granny, but I have had a bad cough and cold for a long time. I have lately been two journies; one into Sussex, and another into Kent; and have worked hard, which has rather confirmed my cold. But it is useless to complain, or send my infirmities to Granny, for she has enough of her own, without any additions from me. However, this 1 know, that bodily afflictions, and Satanic corruptions; constitutional sins, and all the dross that attends a self-righteous spirit; all selfseeking, and legal pride; will die with us; but hope and faith are incorruptible seeds, which will work against, undermine, root up, and work out, the whole crop of inbred corruptions, and all the effects and consequences of them. Sin shall not reign, nor shall corruption inherit incorruption.

The smallest grain of faith shall grow and prevail in spite of sin, which cannot

and more, gathering And if it doth

show itself more strength by every trial.

not appear to us to overcome, yet it will not give up, nor suffer us so to do; but will keep us praying, hoping, watching, and waiting still. Nor is this little principle without its tokens for good; it meets with many additions of strength by the way, and has its encouragements, revivals, renewals, promises, evidences, enlargements, and exercises in prayer; as well as its troubles and oppositions; and this my granny knows in her own conscience, only she thinks it most. prudent to conceal these from me, lest she should add to my supposed abundance; wherefore she sends me nothing but the lees and dregs of the cask, reserving every drop of the new wine for herself.

Granny will, perhaps, ask me how I know this? Why, if no reproof or rebuke, no instruction or information, no comfort or encouragement, no light or life, no refreshing or entertainment, were communicated to her, either by preaching or writing, she would not desire to hear me, or from me: and, if what I write or preach is of any use to her, she must mix faith with it, for the scripture saith, where there is no faith there is no

times both faith and hope, yea and life too, or else she could not relish nor have any appetite, much less long, for the bread and water of life. Besides, the offscouring of the earth, such as I am called, are to be hated of all men for the Lord's sake. This is to be the image, the work, and character, of all the serpent's seed; and it is to them. an evident token of perdition; while to be hated for the Lord's sake is an evident token of salvation, and that of God. This granny must own, though she may think me too close upon her in these matters, having proved herself clear of these black marks.

My kind love to your daughter and her three children; my love also, and good wishes, for you and all you love. We shall be glad of a line as soon as possible from you, or any part of your family, as we wish to know how poor Becky does.

W. H. S. S.

DCXCV.

I

WAS glad to hear from my old companion in travail. Indeed, I have of late met with a few very tender, kind, and undeserved indulgences in my secret approaches to the higher powers; in which I did not forget the poor islanders: but these uncommon indulgences are rare, and therefore highly prized by thy insignificant and worthless friend.

Bless God for ever for a days-man, a middle person, a mediator, who is the HighPriest of our profession; through whom we and our services can find acceptance. There is no access but by a mediator. Wonderful condescension, that God should bow his ear to the cry of such rebels! But he will listen to the breathings of his own most Holy Spirit wherever light and life are given. And how sweet are his almost imperceptible approaches, most transient visits, and even the utmost skirts of his glory! How does the soul cleave when he draws, and the heart enlarge when he approaches! How self