DCXVII.

1805.

Do, my beloved sister, send me word how far it is to Downham, how far your mother lives from you, and whether my coming would be agreeable. My last journey was most certainly of God, in answer to the prayers of some poor souls; and, though the weather was mostly wet, I caught no cold, though subject to many infirmities. A poor, distressed woman at Grantham, who had been in bondage for many years, by sitting under an erroneous man, was raised to hope in the mercy of God under the first sermon I preached there. And her husband's sister, who had been bowed down for upwards of seven years, was perfectly delivered at the same time. Another of the same family, too, who knows God, but was got into a cold and insensible frame, for want of means, was restored, raised up and established, with brighter views and sweeter frames than she ever knew before.

I preached four times to them, and con

and God gave me these fruits to my labour. And these spotted sheep, which God gives for my hire, encourages me now and then to take an excursion, which is a relief to my mind, as I have to preach five or six times a week in town, and once a month to break bread to nearly six hundred souls. The intolerable hatred and opposition I meet with on the one hand, and God's unparalleled goodness in blessing his word by me on the other, make me wonder and admire the manifold wisdom of God. But he knows them that put their trust in him; he knows their souls in adversity, and remembers them in their low estate; and those who are the most tried and afflicted by him he will acknowledge with the most peculiar marks of his divine and discriminating favour. And blessed is that soul that endures his chastisements.

Paul gloried in his infirmities, trials, and afflictions; and well he might. There were many good men in the East among Job's friends; but none, says God, like my servant Job, nor were there any tried like him. If we share in Christ's sufferings, we shall share in his consolations. If we suffer, we shall also reign. If he chastens us, we are sons;

will purify them," says God, "as silver is purified, and try them as gold is tried," that we may be meek, humble, lowly minded, sorrowful under a body of sin and death, submissive to his will who knows what is best for us, and who does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men without cause. "No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

You will bless your God for all these his wise dealings with you. So I write, and so you shall confess before you die. You know not how much I long to see you, your sister, and your poor mother, though I do not know them; but I can pray for them all.

Dear girls, adieu. Let me hear from you soon, and take care to keep your conscience tender.

Ever yours in Christ Jesus the Lord,

W. H. S.S.

and God gave me these fruits to my labour. And these spotted sheep, which God gives for my hire, encourages me now and then to take an excursion, which is a relief to my mind, as I have to preach five or six times a week in town, and once a month to break bread to nearly six hundred souls. The intolerable hatred and opposition I meet with on the one hand, and God's unparalleled goodness in blessing his word by me on the other, make me wonder and admire the manifold wisdom of God. But he knows them that put their trust in him; he knows their souls in adversity, and remembers them in their low estate; and those who are the most tried and afflicted by him he will acknowledge with the most peculiar marks of his divine and discriminating favour. And blessed is that soul that endures his chastisements.

Paul gloried in his infirmities, trials, and afflictions; and well he might. There were many good men in the East among Job's friends; but none, says God, like my servant Job, nor were there any tried like him. If we share in Christ's sufferings, we shall share in his consolations. If we suffer, we shall also reign. If he chastens us, we are sons;

will purify them," says God, "as silver is purified, and try them as gold is tried," that we may be meek, humble, lowly minded, sorrowful under a body of sin and death, submissive to his will who knows what is best for us, and who does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men without cause. "No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

You will bless your God for all these his wise dealings with you. So I write, and so you shall confess before you die. You know not how much I long to see you, your sister, and your poor mother, though I do not know them; but I can pray for them all.

Dear girls, adieu. Let me hear from you soon, and take care to keep your conscience tender.

Ever yours in Christ Jesus the Lord,

W. H. S.S.