IV.

Paddington, 1796.

DEAR BROTHER,

Тив

Hв epistle you sent me was kindly received amidst this disagreeable storm; however, I am determined to stand and withstand, seeing God has fixed me where I now am; and from my station none shall pull me down but He that set me up. God has got some wheat in our heap, and Satan is aware of it; hence the damnable heresies that he throws into the floor, and. the hypocrites and wolves that he sends among us. Christ had many people at Corinth, and many false apostles were there; yea, Satan besieged that church more than any other, because he knew he had suffered the greatest loss in that city.

I know that my stay is not long in this world; as soon as I am out of debt I will set my house and affairs in order, for I have strong impressions that I shall never ascend another May hill. Few and evil have the days of my life been; many months distracted with the pains of hell; seven years in hunger, cold, and nakedness; almost three years in legal bondage in the pulpit, that I might speak to those in that

state: when out of this, heretics were let loose upon me at Farnham; free-will Baptists at Woking; Burnham tore us limb from limb at Ditton; Arminians at Richmond; and at London both Turks and devils, Deists and Arians. When I got out of this, by leaving Margaret Street Chapel, then a fourteen years burden of debt fell upon my back; and, as soon as God sent me ten pounds, the devil sent one or other to rob me of twenty. God encouraged John Bull; hypocrites disheartened him; one shewed his liberality which spurred him on, others held him back; at times he kicked up, and at other times drew back, till he became a wild bull in a net; and, being naturally sulky, he dropped down in the furrows. None but God and myself know how I have been used, robbed and plundered; but my eye and my heart are now fixed on Petersham church-yard, and on my tomb there; and at my departure they will have impostors, wolves, and devils enough. They have been too full fed: but they shall fast in those days that are coming on: the cloudy and dark day is before us: but God is my light, and my light shall go with me, and the household shall both miss and lament the loss of its candle. Those that keep the word of his patience shall escape the hour of temptation: while hypocrites in Zion, who boast of their faith, power, and wisdom, and who hate the

true light and the just, shall be left to stand the storm and sustain the shock: and then it shall be made manifest what they are; for the day shall try them and their base metal; their hay, straw and stubble shall consume, and, like Samson shorn of his locks, they shall appear such as other men. But God shall revive me; he shall bring me up from the dust of the earth; he shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. I have fought a good fight, and I have kept the faith. I have opposed none but impostors, hypocrites, heretics, devils, and sin; nor have I preached any thing but truth. I thank you for your many favours, and hope ever to remain, dear friend,

Yours in Christ Jesus,

V.

W. H. S. S.

Bolney, Sept. 1, 1803.

The Tenant to his Landlord sendeth greeting, with perfect love, and at such a time.

I AM now among the wood-rangers, the people that dwell solitary in the midst of Carmel, and they come in all directions. The standard is

erected under an apple tree, and my head is exalted among the thick boughs; while they sit under the shadow, and some with great delight, while the fruit is sweet to the taste; especially to those who have the use of their hands, and can stretch them out to receive and eat what is given. Various are the sweet morsels which faith relishes; continual deliverances out of trouble feed the soul; it assures the soul that God is for us, and on our side: a smiling providence in our favour is a delicacy that is sweet to faith; the reverse is a bitter portion; "Call me Mara, for the hand of God is gone out against me, and the Lord hath testified against me."-Sweet promises, transient visits, a glimpse of his countenance, and contrite sensations upon the knees in prayer, feed the soul. Satisfaction with what he has done, and firm hopes of more promised good to come, entertain the mind. Things done in times past, and promises spoken of old, brought afresh to the mind by the word preached, and confirmed by new observations, are a sweet repast. Every steward of the household brings forth out of his treasure things new and old. Employment of the soul by love, and its going forth in fresh exercise of faith, whether under the word or in prayer, are intended as nourishment to faith. "I am the door; if any man enter in by me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."-There

is no call to tell you that the sensible presence and enjoyment of the Bridegroom is the choicest banquet, though it comes but seldom, because my landlord himself, who seldom eats more than just to keep buckle and thong together, even he cannot fast in those days. But my landlord may reply, Does my tenant think, because I am a citizen, no subjects can please me but those upon festivity? The first heir of promise, which came from Sarah, the covenant of promise, the heavenly Jerusalem, loved savoury meat. “With all thine offerings," saith God, "thou shalt offer salt;" and sure there never was an offering, a sacrifice, an oblation, offered to God, that was seasoned with so much grace as that offered upon Mount Calvary; a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour; and it is no less savoury to all those who have a new man to feed, a divine life in that new man to nourish; these relish spiritual food, and the seasoning also; for no sermon, however sound in the letter, and delivered with ever so much clearness and perspicuity, doth satisfy, if there be no unctuous savour. Thou shalt not suffer the salt of thy God to be lacking in thy sacrifices: "have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another," says the Lord Jesus to his disciples. Salt is a preservative; it keeps us as a sweet savour unto God, and preserves us for his kingdom: it is remarkable for its penetration; so grace seasons the body as well as the