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will sicken, and death will show, by his power or weakness, the unutterable value of faith in the fulness of Christ, the promises, and his perfections, as engaged to fulfil them. The wicked soul must feel much, who seems to profess the truth, when conscience will be heard; but the unbelieving, slothful, and hypocritical professor, has most to fear. Happy spirit, that possesses a faith which can believe and rest in Christ; can fight and conquer; can prefer the approba tion and friendship of God to all creatures; can aim at his glory and presence in its most solitary moments, and sustain with patience what he may lay upon it. Compared to these things, it is easy to pray in our families, in the closet, in the house of God; to talk of religion, and even to preach it. "The first shall be last,"—they who are first in human esteem, will be found an abomination in the sight of God." And the last shall be first,"-overlooked by the creature, having neither power nor inclination to bring themselves into notice, they shall be found amongst " the Lord's hidden ones," It is, I am sure, a difficult thing to judge of our interest in the Redeemer, by past or present experience. In some seasons of peculiar darkness and temptation, disease, and conflict with self, thence to take the shortest way to God, by a bold venture upon Christ, and the mercy of God in him, and feel, by the success of our attempt, that we are forgiven and justified, renewed and comforted,- what an unspeakable favour!

The friends of the Missionary Society have received a great trial of their faith, in the loss of the ship Duff; a loss of between fifteen and twenty thousand pounds. What must the poor women have felt, separated a fortnight from their husbands, and exposed to the unprincipled Frenchmen! I fear we have not heard the worst. How painfully mysterious the providence, which has given into such hands such a treasure! Providence apparently opposing the prayers of his people, the operation of his Spirit, the promises of God, and even opposing itself, in formerly succeeding us. But I doubt not that unknown circumstances of mercy will prove, that what appears to FRUSTRATE, Will FORWARD the designs of the Society.

Mr. and Mrs. Griffin unite with kind respects to you and Mrs. Langton, with Mrs. C., and your's sincerely,

J. COOKE.

LETTER XVII.-To A YOUNG PERSON.

Dear Sir,

(On a call to the Ministry.)

THE present exercises of your mind on a call to the Christian Ministry, will, with a divine blessing, terminate in the improvement of your Christian graces; as they lead you to self-examination, watchfulness and prayer; make trial of your faith, your self-denial, your diligence, your patience, your humility, and even of your integrity.

And should you be mistaken in a supposition that the Lord designs to call you to the Ministry of the Gospel,-the mistake will prove the occasion of interesting impressions on your mind.

It is of vast importance, if you engage in the ministry, not only that you should have a call to that office, but that you should possess full and satisfactory evidences of your call. One person's call may be clear, and he remain dissatisfied; another may be fully persuaded of his call without any evidence. This should produce cautious fear of deception. Should you be deceived, what serious consequences may affect your character, your comfort, and the cause of Christ!

Many persons under their first serious impressions of the worth of souls, the love of Christ, the glory of salvation, and their own interest in it, have felt a lively concern to preach the Gospel to their fellow sinners; who, notwithstanding, were soon satisfied that the Lord did not require it of them. One hour they were elated with the honour and happiness of converting souls, the next, trembled at the thought of "running, unsent," the ministerial race. They prayed, feared, waited, and the Lord directed their steps. As he did not call them to the work, and they desired his guidance, he prevents them from taking a wrong step.

They might possess good sense, holiness, a studious disposition, a general knowledge of the Scriptures, an eminent gift in prayer, and yet not be called to preach. As, however, they desired to be kept from every false way, and were afraid of their own hearts, "the INTEGRITY of the upright" directed their way. They believed and did not make (sinful) haste; and now sing, "The God of my mercy prevented me."

Other persons, determined from carnal motives to enter the ministry, have first deceived, and then ruined themselves. The deceitful heart, weak friends, and the great deceiver, have thrust many a "novice" into the ministry, who being filled up with pride, has soon fallen into the condemnation of the devil." They have lost their character,-proved a stumbling block to the weak, and hardened the wicked.

You know Joseph A--, who was a member of the church at Maidenhead, several years, and engaged in public prayer. He thought he was called to the Ministry; I thought he was deceived. After teasing me two or three years, he resolved to offer himself to Lady Huntingdon's College. He went to London, heard three ministers; and the censures bestowed on the sermons, as the hearers went home, disheartened him, and he relinquished all thoughts of it.

Next year he was again full of the subject: he said he could not enjoy any means of grace or life, whilst he resisted the thought. Providence also blasted his temporal affairs, and this confirmed him in his opinion. He resolved again to enter the Ministry; and the Lord prospered his affairs. He proposed a sign to the Lord-it was granted. Now he felt a full persuasion that he was called. In opening the case to me, I told him, that I judged Satan had deceived him, and as his pride was resolved on the Ministry, God met him in his own way, and gave him the sign he asked as a judgment. No way opening according to the sign, he was tempted to think God had deceived him, and to blaspheme his Providence. At length, idleness reduced him to beggary, and pride deranged his mind, and he is now in a madhouse. Never did I see a man more confident that he was called to the Ministry, than he was; nor hear one so frequently declare, that he had no other motives than the salvation of souls, and the honour of God! So here are Solomon's words, "A fool rageth and is confident."

Some persons of apparent gifts and grace have been deceived on this subject,-what then? Tremble at the thought of being hasty and presumptuous; and pray that the Lord would rather "hedge up your way with thorns," than permit you to impose on yourself in this exercise of your mind.

I may enforce caution,-from the consideration, that if you rush into the Ministry, without a divine call "you will go the warfare

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at your own charges;" for you cannot rationally expect the presence and blessing of the Redeemer; and what success can you expect without them? Nor can you look to him for any reward of your work.

In unexpected temptations, what can shield you? In Ministerial difficulties what can support and animate you? And without ascertaining your call before you engage in such a work,—what can ensure you peace of mind, fortitude to bear the weight of trial, and courage to face dangers? When I have preached in a village, with sixty or a hundred desperadoes about the house, I have been often compelled to produce my warrant from the Bishop for preaching in that house, and from the Bishop of Souls, for preaching his Gospel in any place. When life is endangered, the devil asks, and a tender conscience demands a reason of our hope and practice too. If not ready to give an answer to silence the adversary and satisfy conscience, what can render us "bold as a lion?"

Your's faithfully,.

J. COOKE.

LETTER XVIII.-To A FRIEND.

(On Studying Sermons.)

Maidenhead, 1812.

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I HAVE, my dear Guyse, given you a few thoughts relative to the gospel ministry, which, should God spare your life, you will, with a blessing, find useful. And as you repeatedly requested, and I promised it, I felt myself bound to communicate. Observe the wind and tide in your favour. You will sometimes find a stream of truth running into your soul, when you least expect it, and a contrary wind when you wish to push forward. I have received such gracious influences and openings of divine truth on a Monday, when my body has been exhausted; which have fixed me in my study, until I have arranged half a dozen sermons. And even on a Sabbath evening, when a text has been unfolded to me, I have studied a sermon with speed and pleasure. The flesh has been weary, but my spirit has "obeyed the heavenly vision."-Whereas

at another time, I have turned over the leaves of my Bible, read and reflected for a week, with profit as a Christian; but have not obtained a single sermon. I seemed as a minister, to toil all the week, and have caught nothing. If this disappointment has been painful, it has not been unprofitable. Whilst it prevented self-sufficiency, and self-complacency, it has made me more dependent on supernatural aid. When I have in such seasons sat down, thinking to "do as at other times," I have been becalmed or wind-bound. I have laid down my pen, shut my book, locked my door, and prostrated myself before God. After humbling myself as one that could do nothing, and implored the Spirit of life and truth," I have gone on my way rejoicing." Every chapter and almost every verse I read, has been opened to my view-and rewarded, graciously rewarded my applica tion to the Father of lights."

Finding the unprofitableness of study without prayer, I have resolved with Mr. Hervey, "if I read less, to pray more." The unspeakable advantages of a devotional spirit, have reminded me of the apostle's words, "We will give ourselves to the ministry of the word and to prayer." This is going up "into the Mount" for our message; to receive it as from "the mouth of God!" There, we are surrounded with light, filled with truth, "covered with the cover ing of God's Spirit," clothed with authority, animated with zealand courage. There, we understand and "know the CERTAINTY of the words of truth," the heart glows and "indites good matter;""the gift of utterance" is imparted, and " the tongue is as the pen of a ready writer." It is an enemy that suggests, that the time spent in prayer is lost from study; and woe to that minister that believes him! "Satan may transform himself into an angel of light," by urging us to study the word of God. Yet this he will often do secretly, to make us "restrain prayer before God!" and the young minister, "ignorant of this device," does not at first perceive, that he may so read and study even the scriptures, as to impoverish his spirit, and render his studies unprofitable. Mechanical preachers form mechanical hearers; "having the form and system of godliness; but denying the power" of it. They have the letter" of their office, without the "spirit" of it. Their ingenuity, their plans and style may be admired; but their sermons at best are but as "a lovely song, or as one that plays skilfully on an instrument of music." The imagination of the hearers may be amused, his pas

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