sense!-Besides, godliness has the promise of this life, as well as of that which is to come: and we are likely to have as much comfort in the world, when the only wise God manages and chooses for us, as when we poor short-sighted worms undertake to choose and manage for ourselves, and take not only the doing of our business into our own hands, but anxiously perplex ourselves about the event. Seek first the kingdom of God, &c. "Again, you speak of the reproach of the world. Rejoice in it. What, are you unwilling to be put upon a footing with apostles and prophets, yea with your master himself? Can you be more highly honoured than by such reproach? The spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. If you are reviled for Christ in this world, you shall be acknowledged by Christ in another, with every circumstance of honour, before the assembled world, amidst applauding angels; while the wicked despisers shall wonder and perish, and gnash their teeth in envy, rage, and despair, curse their folly, and despise themselves to eternity, infinitely more than they now pretend to despise you. Pretend, I say; for, if you are consistent, and live like a Christian, they will reverence you in their hearts, and show it by being under visible restraint in your company, while they pretend to laugh at you. Further, as a man of business and a moral man, you have learned to despise the jeers of drunkards, and those unhappy wretches who, for momentary gratification, entail temporal disease and poverty on themselves. You see that their conduct is madness and folly, and that your sobriety and industry are comparative wisdom. Now in the eye of God, and of the truly godly, the most worldly-wise man on earth is no less a fool and a madman, if not rich towards God. Learn to consider as such those who, for the unsatisfactory enjoyment and interest of time, (a very moment,) forfeit the pure pleasures and enjoyments of eternity: and the laughter of fools and madmen will excite your pity, and incline you to pray for them, rather than give you much uneasiness. I will in this respect assure you that this trial, though sharp at first, and a great snare to you, will, if you are enabled steadily to withstand it, soon be over. The world will be weary of despising you: and, if not, you will grow totally indifferent about it; yea you will rejoice that you are counted worthy to suffer shame for Him, who endured the cross for you. “Again, you have trials which come still nearer. I am sorry for them, but not surprised at them. You must expect such things, if you become Christ's disciple. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me. But whosoever forsaketh all for my sake and the gospels, shall receive a hundred fold more in this present time, and in the world to come eternal life. In the mean time much meekness, and great tenderness and respect, with but little said; a persevering firmness in the line of duty, together with many prayers offered in secret; will probably be of blessed consequence, in the Lord's time, which it behoves you to wait. 66 Again, many think there is no occasion to make so much to do about religion. If the acquisition of 10,000l. a-year were in prospect, these same persons would think you could not be too active, and earnest, and circumspect, and careful, to miss no opportunities, and to leave no flaws. How much better is the inheritance of the children of God, than that of 10,000l. a-year? Therefore how much more commendable to give all diligence and care to make all sure; and rather to overdo than run hazards.-Not that worldly business is to be neglected; for it is a part of our duty, and we are God's servants therein, who are to be diligent. "You seem sensible of your sinful lost condition, and need of total conversion; but are not affected with these things as you suppose others are, and as you ought to be. It is right to be so : we have all need to be vastly more affected than we are but be not discouraged: it is vastly better than being much affected, and resting in that, or being proud of it. "As I have no room to say all that is in my mind, let me hear from you as soon as you can, and I will write again. In the mean time, neglect not prayer; read your Bible; think much of eternity; keep out of scoffing company; omit nò opportunities of hearing the word of God; and let nothing cause you to drop family worship. Love to sister.... May she be the mother of a Samuel! Assure her that, when I want her to be very religious, I want her to be very happy, as I am. We wish you all a happy new year. "Your affectionate brother and friend, 11 Sam. i. 201 The next letter, dated Weston, February 15, 1781,svelates chiefly to Olney, of which he was about to become curate, and is inserted in the life. "DEAR BROTHER, " Olney, July 4, 1781. "THAT I may not delay in the midst of my engagements, I must content myself with writing a little, and postponing a more full answer to many things in your letter till another opportunity. We rejoice in the birth of your daughter. My prayer is that she may live, if the Lord be pleased to spare her, to be what? a lady riding in a coach? ̧nos a good Christian, one who lives the life of faith, walking with God, glorifying him, and serving her generation in whatever station the providence of God places her; that at length, when a few, few years are gone, she, you, and her mother, &c, and I and mine, may all meet in the realms above, to sing the song of poor redeemed sinners, To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, be glory and dominion, for ever and ever: Amen. As to sister I can only desire that she may be enabled to speak the language of the hundred and sixteenth psalm, appointed to be read on such occasions, with the same spirit of faith, love, and gratitude, with which the psalmist penned it..... "You have asked me some questions which I cannot now fully answer: but a hint I will drop. To take up our cross, I apprehend, means this ; 'Page 191, (196.) simply to follow the Lord in the path of duty, and patiently and cheerfully to bear every thing which in that path we meet with; whether it be reproach, contempt, worldly loss, poverty, hatred, persecution, temptation: not to be diverted from the path of duty by any of these things; but, when. adherence to known duty requires it, and God by his word and providence calls for it, to be willing to part with friends, substance, character, ease, life itself; assured that the Lord is able to compensate all losses, and to make amends for every trial. It is called the cross, because that death of the cross, which Jesus our pattern, as well as ransom, suffered, was then accounted the very sum and substance of what could be endured in this world: and, if a man was willing to carry a cross, and be nailed to it, for Christ's sake, as Christ carried his, he then assuredly would flinch from no other suffering. "You say, there are many opinions. Thank God for your Bible: read it much; and form both your sentiments and conduct upon it. Thank God for a throne of grace, and a promise that, if any man will do the will of God, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God. Plead this day by day in prayer, and the Lord will teach you. I know some about you are too fond of controversy; but keep you to your Bible and the throne of grace: and, when time serves, I will drop a hint on such matters as I judge to be important. "As to your frequenting the Lord's table, you are uncomfortably circumstanced: and yet I think I should advise you to go; but not without much preceding prayer, remembering that it is a |