greatest part of this day to prepare my translatory quota of Dickson's Thereapeutica Sacra. The thoughts of our little society bring to my mind a pleasing circumstance, which I observed when we were at our last interview. My very valuable friend Dr S told a story, in which he had occasion to refer to some profane and execrable language. Instead of defiling his lips with a repetition of the hellish jargon, he was so truly discreet as only to mention it under the general title of horrid oaths. A delicacy this, which I thought highly becoming both the Christian and the gentleman. I have sometimes taken the freedom to observe, in the most respectful manner, upon some little inadvertencies in my worthy friend's conduct; but now it is with the highest pleasure that I congratulate him upon a most amiable piece of religious decorum introduced into his discourse.-I am, &c.

LETTER XLIII.

Weston-Favell, Dec. 2. 1747. DEAR SIR, THE surprise which your letter gives me is inexpressible, and the grief equal. I will hasten as soon as possible to my worthy and afflicted friend. O that I could bring with me some healing balm for his wounded heart! It would be no small alleviation of my own sorrows, if I might be instrumental to make his less. A long continued cold, and an unexpected journey, have unfitted me from following your prescriptions. I am obliged to your candour for ascribing my neglect to this cause, and not to any disregard of your advice; for I am persuaded,

Si qua potuissent Pergama dextra

Defendi, etiam hac defensa fuissent.

I will stay the messenger no longer; and I hope I shall not stay long before I set out myself. It is owing wholly to an accident that I do not accompany the bearer, with a view and a hope of administering some consolation to Dr S I am, &c.

LETTER XLIV..

Northampton, Dec. 5. 1747. DEAR AND WORTHY SIR,-You will wonder to see a name which you have but lately known at the bottom of this paper. But how, how will you be surprised, how grieved, to read the occasion! It is so afflicting, almost so insupportable to our valuable friend, that he is unable to give you the narrative; therefore has committed the office (triste ministerium!) · to my pen. And must I tell you? can you bear to hear it? Mrs S is dead; that amiable and excellent lady is dead. She was safely delivered of a daughter the very day on which Dr S wrote to you last; was as well as could be expected or wished on Sunday morning; and departed this life on Tuesday evening. On Sunday in the evening our common friend perceived her to be attended with some alarming, and, as he apprehended, fatal symptoms. Dr K was immediately sent for, who gave some encouragement. On Monday came Dr J. through

a very deep snow, and most terrible weather, but urged by friendship and compassion. The moment that sagacious practitioner beheld her, he confirmed Dr S's first sentiments, that the case was irrecoverable; and added, that the great change was at the very door, and would probably take place in twenty-four hours, which came to pass accordingly.

Your own tender and sensible heart will naturally conclude Dr S is so oppressed with sorrow, as not to be capable, at present, of answering his most valued correspondents:

Curæ leves loquuntur, ingentes stupent.

But he intends, when time has somewhat alleviated his grief, and religion has more reconciled him to the awful dispensation, to make a particular reply to the whole of your epistolary favour. You will, I do not question, recommend our distressed friend to the

Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. May we all lay this awakening stroke of Providence to heart, and give all diligence to have our sins pardoned through redeeming blood, our souls renewed by sanctifying grace; that whether we live, we may live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we may die unto the Lord; so that living or dying we may be the Lord's.

The second edition of my Meditations, with the addition of another volume, is at last published. I have given directions to my bookseller to send you a copy; and beg of you to accept it as a small, but the most speaking and eloquent expression I am able to form, of that great, that growing esteem I have conceived for Dr Swan, ever since our first interview at Weston. Be pleased, dear sir, to read it with the utmost, or rather with your own candour; and sometimes dart up a short petition for the author, that, whatever is the fate of his book, himself may live over his writings, and be what he describes.I am, &c.

LETTER XLV.

Weston-Favell, 1747. DEAR SIR,-MR H delivered your message. Upon a repeated perusal of your Rules and Orders, I find nothing to add, nor any thing to alter. I think it is a finely calculated scheme, and seems very likely to be productive of considerable good.

When the disciples were together, after their Master's resurrection, they had the honour, the comfort, and advantage of his divine presence. And why may not we, when associated on such a plan, and conversing with such views, reasonably hope for the same blessing?

I shall return all your books by the first opportunity; only the first volume of the History of the Bible, I beg to keep a little longer. The Bible I intend, for the future, to make the principal object

of my study. That beautiful and important exhortation shall be my ruling directory, Ο λογος τα Χριστ

ενοικηιτώ εν υμιν πλεσίως.

Perhaps Dr W-1 will be so obliging as to answer my letter. And if so, I think it will be proper to defer writing to Mr R―n, and sending the draught, till I hear the Doctor's sentiments. I beg of you to accept the cordial compliments, as you have always the best wishes, and frequently the earnest prayers of, dear sir, yours, &c.

LETTER XLVI.

Weston-Favell, Dec. 12. 1747. DEAR SIR,-THIS, I hope, will find you perfectly recovered from your indisposition, and thoroughly reconciled to God's holy will. Afflictions, when sanctified, are real blessings: they work humility, and wean from the world; they teach us to pour out, not our words only, but our very souls, before God in prayer; and create an ardent desire after that inheritance in heaven, which is incorruptible and immortal; after those mansions of peace, where sorrow and sighing flee away. May this be the effect of that awful stroke which has made so deplorable a breach on my friend's domestic comfort!

Next week Abernethy will return to your study; and I only wish that he might bring with him a little more of the everlasting and glorious gospel. With my compliments to Mrs, I am, &c.

LETTER XLVII.

Weston, Dec. 1747.

DEAR SIR, I TRULY commiserate your variegated calamity; and heartily wish I could suggest any thing which might be the means of administering some ease to your afflicted mind, and of assisting you to reap ample benefit from your distressed situation. You well know that all afflictions, of what kind

soever, proceed from God: I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I the Lord do all these things, Isaiah xlv. 7. They spring not from the dust; are not the effects of a random chance, but the appointment of an all-wise, all-foreseeing God, who intends them all for the good of his creatures. This, I think, is the fundamental argument for resignation, and the grand source of comfort. This should be our first reflection, and our sovereign support. He that gave me my being, and gave his own Son for my redemption, he has assigned me this suffering. What he ordains, who is boundless love, must be good; what he ordains, who is unerring wisdom, must be proper.

This reconciled Eli to the severest doom that ever was denounced: It is the Lord! and though grievous to human nature, much more grievous to parental affection, yet it is unquestionably the best; therefore I humbly acquiesce, I kiss the awful decree, and say from my very soul, let him do what seemeth him good, 1 Sam. iii. 18.

This calmed the sorrows of Job under all his unparalleled distresses: The Lord gave me affluence and prosperity; the Lord has taken all away: rapacious hands and warring elements were only his instruments; therefore I submit, I adore, I bless his holy name.

This consolation fortified the man Christ Jesus at the approach of his inconceivably bitter agonies: The cup which, not my implacable enemies, but my Father, by their administration, has given me, shall I not drink it? It is your Father, dear sir, your heavenly Father, who loves you with an everlasting love, that has mingled some gall with your portion in life. Sensible of the beneficent hand from which the visitation comes, may you always bow your head in patient submission; and acknowledge, with the excellent but afflicted monarch Hezekiah, Good is the word of the Lord concerning me, 2 Kings XX. 19.