are fulfilled in their effectual calling, trials, circumstances, perseverance and glorification; and that they go through many sore trials, and wait many years for the fulfilment of the promises; but not one ever failed, nor a word in them ever forfeited, so great is his faithfulness, with whom, beloved, we have to do. At times I look at them in the word, but I want faith to lay hold of them; though I know it is the opinion of soine, that we should always lay hold of them; but I say to them who thus foolishly prate, they are not in the secret, for faith must be communicated before I can get hold; and who is the giver of faith, the Almighty, then without that faith, which is the operation of God in the soul, I cannot act faith in the promise, nor comfort myself in any degree whatever,

Aris. One would suppose, my dear Epaphras, you was a shipwright, whom I understand, drive and clinch the nails, as they proceed in building their vessels; however, Solomon observes, that "The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd;" which I consider to be the chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. Eccles, xii. 11, Now if you please, we anxiously wait your description of the gospel, how is it to be preached, as some use a general call to all mankind.

Epap.-The gospel of God, of which Christ is the substance, is most certainly preached in the hearing of the non-elect, as well as the elect; but the Scripture is plain, that it will never be effectual to any, as the power of God unto salvation, but to those fo whom the Spirit of God applies it, men's offers are fleshly, for it is not man's to offer, but the prerogative alone of the Holy Ghost to apply the word to the heart; and no man ever did yet know any thing of the gospel, nor the sweetness thereof,

till the divine operation is manifested in the heart. Men's passions may be wrought upon by an orator, and their judgment informed, a reformation may attend such adherence to the word in the letter, but the strong man, which is the devil, keeps the palace, that is the heart, and the goods are at peace: there is no power felt, nor is there any discovery of their lost. condition; however, let men say what they will, the Saviour has declared, that no man can come to him, unless the Father draw him and all that the Father has given to him, shall come, and as soon as they hear, they shall obey him, the power shall be felt, and the voice heard. Therefore none can come savingly to Christ,.. till this power is put fort, for the kingdom of God in a sinner's heart, effectually called, is not in word, but in power; and depend upon it, those who know not the power, are destitute of eternal life in their souls, let their knowledge be ever so great in the letter of Scripture. we well know, it is not the voice of the man, but the voice of God which brings forth the elect from among the dead; free-will and human perfection, wherever boasted of, is the mark of the beast, and those poor creatures, who hold themselves partners in their salvation with Christ, give the lie to God, and deny the eternal truth, which declares the act of bankruptcy against Adam and his posterity. In its best estate free-will was but a weather-cock, which turned at the breath of a serpent's tongue. It made a bankrupt of our fatherAdam, it pulled down the house, and sold the land, and sent all the children to beg their bread. Confident, I am for myself, that I had no will towards God, nor desire after his ways, until the time came to awaken me, and to bring me out of darkness into his marvellous light. I used to attend the Lock Chapel, with the rest of our family, where the gospe

Besides,

was preached; but I never believed a sentence of God in his word or his law, or a truth in the gospel, until I felt the Lord's power on my heart. I enter my protest against those clerical gentlemen who invite all mankind to Jesus Christ. For the Scripture informs me, that Christ laid down his life for the sheep, and none bnt the sheep shall hear his powerful voice; and these sheep he knew from eternity, and the Spirit will find them out, and bring them forth, from among the goats, by effectual calling, and they follow him from the effects of eternal life communicated to them: which life was the gift of the Father to them from before the foundation of the world; and Christ gives it to as many as the Father has given him, but to none else; and these sheep can never perish, having eternal life, nor shall pluck them out of his hands. John x. 27, 28, 29; John xvii. 2; i. 2.

Titus

Aris-Bless God for eternal life, and through life being in Christ, that it cannot be destroyed. Jesus is a precious loadstone; draws the elect after him, and so communicates his own virtue to them; so that they become useful to others: as a magnetic needle attracts other needles by virtue of the power itself has received.

Step.-Very true, my brother, Christ is a precious loadstone to me ; if he had not drawn me at the first I never should have stirred after him; for I never knew the value, until he made me feel my utmost necessity and deep distress; and to this moment, if he did not draw me, I never could keep on, for I am the subject of every evil within; sore temptations with many fears and trials by the way, that I am ready to halt; and, at times, like a man giving up the ghost.

Aris. Do you remember, Stephen, our minister Epaphras, preach

ing on the subject of the snuffers, on a Sabbath, at Rehoboth; what a time did I enjoy. I came to the favoured spot very low in my mind and remarkably distressed, but a sweet refreshing I felt.

Step.--Remember it, to be sure, I never was so clipped in my life, and the candle burned very clear; and I could discover Solomon's words by experience, where the wise man saith, "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the belly." Prov. xx. 27. Oh, how sweet is a sermon when the Holy Ghost brings the subject home to the heart, and causes the soul from an experience of it to rejoice with the teachers.

Aris.-The Scripture informs us, that though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the waters of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more ; but thine eyes shall see thy teachers. I have proved this text again and again in the ministry of you my dear brother Epaphras; for though adversity and affliction has been my lot, you have brought it all forth in your experience; by which means I have been enabled to see my teacher; and as Stephen observed, rejoice also with you; this is what has united my soul to you, and many broken petitions have I seen answered in you, when preaching. God knows you have been a comforter to my soul, and a nursing father, when I have been in such confusion and sore distress, that I have been ready to leave the chapel, and God has made use of your mouth, and power has attended the word, that my darkness has been removed, and light shone into my soul; and I was sure God was with you, for no creature knew my path and feelings but the Lord alone. Thus my eyes have seen you as God's servant in the pulpit; and I am always glad to see you at any time, but never want to see you, what is

called in this day, a Lord Spiritual, for it is to be feared, spiritual things they understand not, though I am persuaded the term spiritual belongs to you, and every minister of Christ, but not my Lord, and His Grace. Epap. Indeed, Aristarchus, I want no flattering titles; they will do for men who have no vital godliness, and receive honour one of another, and not the honour which cometh from God only, I am the servant of the church over whom God has placed me. Nor do I consider though the Lord has blessed me with many spiritual children, that they are under any obligation to me. I desire to bless God that I preach what I feel, and know in whom I have believed, and my testimony of Christ has been, and is received by his children, made effectual in the calling of them by the Holy Ghost out of darkness into marvellous light. Farewell, for the present, my dearly beloved, and when it is well with you, remember Epaphras.

Aris.-May the shield of Abraham defend you, and the Almighty God preserve you day and night, water you, that you may water the flock, and keep you from evil,

Step.-God give you of the dew of Heaven, and plenty of corn and wine; and do remember poor unworthy Stephen in your addresses, when you have a cabinet council with his Majesty, for a prime minister, my dear Epaphras, you well know has great interest, therefore, remember me.

Aris. Now, Stephen, I must take my leave of you, and I have only to say, God make you and me thankful for what he has done in us and for us, and keep us in union and fellowship with each other, that we may walk in love, as Christ also has loved us. Peace be with you, and grace be multiplied.

Step. And with you also, my dear brother, and with every good

may he bless you, and his favour continually preserve you.

.

COPY OF A LETTER FROM EDMUND GREENFIELD TO A BROTHER IN THE FAITH,

To a beloved brother in our blessed Ishi, God the Saviour; this will assure you, that I very reluctantly left you, when last at Town Malling. I said to our mutual friend and brother White, I am grieved to leave brother Hawkins, and his; I love them in the Lord, and should have been glad to enjoy their company at their peaceful palace; but alas, it ɛeems impossible, as my family, especially Mrs. G. is so ill at home. I say now in the Holy Ghost, prayerways unto the Father of mercies, in and through Jesus Christ our blessed Saviour, and the propitiation for our sins, bless, comfort and guide my brother Hawkins and his, and thy blessed church and people at Town Malling. Amen.

"God is love."

My love to all! "Love is of God, He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 1 John iv. 16. On my return to Barnhall, I found Mrs. Greenfieldvery ill, but not dangerous, as is generally said, so as to be near temporal death; and blessed be God I found her" heart fixed, trusting in the Lord." And to my great joy I was informed my son, in the Holy One, had been rendered a blessing to the peoples, in preaching the glorious gospel, and in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. 1 Cor. xi. 23, 24, 25, 26. Thus, love, joy, and peace filled my soul, and run over in filial gratitude to the Holy Ghost, and the Father, and Christ one God. Col. ii. 2, 3. Whilst as an elder in Zion, a minister and witness, as the father of a family, and a lover of the whole Israel of God, thinking on you and

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yours', together with all the saints I left in Kent, and in the spirit of my mind seeing all ministers and churches labouring under many infirmities, afflictions, temptations of Satan, losses and tribulation, I said as I say now to you before God, our blessed Lord, the Lord bless thee and keep thee the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." Num. vi. 24, 25, 26. These my brother Hawkins know are some of the blessings of christianity, and acceptable unto the Father, in God and the Godhead, through Jesus Christ, aud are the fruits of the Spirit, that is the Holy Ghost, "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law." We thus walk in the Spirit; saying in his blessings "Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." Gal. v. 22, to 26. God be praised I have had many letters, from christians in Kent, since my return to bless and praise God for his favours, mercies manifold, his truthcomforting, and sealing their souls, delighting their hearts, and reviving their spirits, through my ministry in Kent, Help unworthy me, to thank and bless our gracious Lord God for his abundant mercies. I had no time to speak with any of your Malling God-fearing ones, except the favoured person who gave out the hymns, and two or three others, How are they all! How are you going on? May the Holy One bless you, whilst I say, Satan our common enemy is against christian union, communion, and correspondence, yet indeed I say, the same is one of God's holy, loving means of blessing us, bruising Satan's head, and of greater praise to God himself: see the means and blessings as follows in all our tribulations; They that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and

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heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Mal. iii. 16, 17.

Nevertheless, you will find my dear brother, that satan, by all his permitted power, will effect in you, unbelief and doubt, but the Holy Spirit works faith, and hope, with love, to resist him, hate him, and fight against him, but not always, to gain signal victories; yet enough for you to find unbelief and doubt is in you, at the same moment that faith, and hope, and love is in you; by which you are enabled to say, "Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief," Mark ix. 24. And that prayer prevailed and Jesus rebuked the foul spirit. 25 verse. It was in this strait, in my opinion, Mrs. Hawkins stood, when I saw her at Town Malling, and therefore I had a desire to speak more to her, than at that time I could speak. Is the afflicted woman still alive in mortality; pray inform me. Again, my brother, after the strongest faith, that ever a Christian had with a full assurance of hope, and greatest love, if the Lord withdraws his shining to try us, and suffers Satan to alarm us, and all appearances are against us, whilst Satan thrusteth at us, we again find unbelief and doubt, nay sinking, in our feelings, in despondency, but not so as to perish; no, no. The Holy Spirit abideth stronger than Satan, and his. The Holy Ghost gave gifts of faith, hope, and love, although to us not seen. So at times we fear we have not the Holy Spirit, with his blessing, yet we have; and the cry, to the Father, in and through Christ proves it. This is little faith, but the prayer was accepted, Satan's folly was proved, and Peter was saved. Matt,

xiv. 14, 15, and so, the election, are all saved, and shall be saved in all our tribulations, see the indicted prayer, and hearts of all pouring out as God works in us to will and to do, "Lord save us we perish." Mat. ix. 15. It is in the trial of our grace, faith, hope, love, joy and peace, that we experience as much as in our first salvation, calling, and blessing, that God is our Savour, our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, strength and all; therefore the apostle says, what we experience, that the trial is, by God's permission, for our good, and God's glory, as the same is for Satan's shame, contempt and bruising. "The trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried by fire, (or with fire,) might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter i. 7. My dear brother, by all those changes, and many fierce temptations, trials, changes and tribulation, I find salvation is of God. Glory to God in the highest.

"The gospel is the power of God to salvation." Because by, and in, and through it, God begets, infuses grace, saves, calls, quickens, chastens, corrects, feeds, clothes, upholds, preserves and strengthens all his sons and daughters. So that finally, all have been, are now, and shall be to the end, more than conquerors through Jesus, that loved us, died for us, rose again, and ascended, and ever lives to make intercession for us. Rom. viii. 37; Heb. vii. 25.

"I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come; nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. viii. 38, 39. This, my brother, is the highest God-given faith,

hope and love in our mortal life. To God be praise for his gifts. Amen. Pray for me and mine. Yours' in truth and love..

E.. G..

with a long letter, I pray you, as soon P.S.-Honour me, dear brother, as possible, and all the good news. you can, with declarations of all soul troubles and concerns, God is a God of grace and providence. Fear not, he says to us as to Abraham, "I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward." Gen. xv. 1.

Write freely. May the Lord enable thee. Amen.

HE THAT GLORIETH LET HIM GLORY IN THE LORD.

I WRITE unto the little hills of Zion, and to the brethren scattered abroad. Beloved of the Lord, as we have received of God the Father, so we speak not with vain flattering words of men's wisdom, but with plainness of speech, holding the truth' of God with a clear conscience. The apostle in writing to the church at Corinth, reminds them of the way of God's working, in choosing the foolish things of this word to confound' the wise, and the base things which are despised, and things that are not, to bring to nought things that are.. And the reason the apostle gives, that no flesh should glory in his presence! all fleshly boasting must, be cut off; the work is the Lord's: and to him belong all the praise. "Therefore, he that glorieth, let him. glory in the Lord." We have a

great deal of glorying in this our day,, but the greater part seems to be of the flesh. I am afraid there is a great many Diotrephes crept into the church who loveth to have the preeminence. (To be continued.)