little more for me to say at present; for I think I have persued my subject nearly as far as I intended; and should my works at last be weighed in the balance, and found wanting; marvel not at it, seeing I am altogether vanity. I have some recollection that after our arrival at Plymouth, and had seated ourselves regularly under the preaching of Dr. Hawker, my spiritual appetite was increased, and I received the word with pure affection; every Sabbath was a festival day; and the Lord was pleased to give me such a relish for what was delivered, that my eyes were filled with tears of heartfelt joy, while I pondered over the abundant favour of God, in settling us in so pleasant a part of his vineyard.

I may say in truth, that I found a wise and efficient ministry so opportune and wholesome, that it was a kind of comparative earthly paradise to my mind. One whole year was a year of Jubilee. The trumpet of the gospel was sounded sweetly to me, and my captive soul experienced a liberty and freedom most blessed indeed. Ever since that period, I have found the same stated ministry to be a salutary help and support under

my various infirmities; proving, that faith cometh by hearing, or rather grew and improved by hearing; and, by the soft gales and refreshing dews of the Holy Spirit, I have had abundance of solid comfort, amidst all the stormy tempests of

the way.

Plymouth, Sept. 6, 1821.

LETTER XXII.

WE give thanks to God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; being confident, that he who hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

REGENERATION, my dear Children, is indispensably necessary; for, "unless a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven." But I do not think the operations of the Spirit are always so understood by us, that we can decide upon our state before God, by what we have passed through. If the same grace that I stood in need of at first does not uphold and support me, I must sink for ever. The new man is kept alive by the momentary reception of grace and covenant love; and mercy alone can preserve such worms, such sparks, and bubbles as we are.

Plymouth, Oct. 2, 1821.

LETTER XXIII.

I AM constrained to thank you for, and admire your perseverance, in soliciting the completion of an imperfect relation of my unworthy and unprofitable life; but I have not much more to add. May what you have got serve to bring to your remembrance, the grace and love of God, of which I have written so freely, to his praise and glory; and may it encourage you, in your christian

course, to fear, love, and obey him, with all your heart and understanding, then you will not hereafter be ignorant concerning us who fall asleep, that ye sorrow not as those without hope.

We have, through the mercy of God, seen another anniversary of the incarnation of Him, who fills the "middle throne" in heaven. Oh! to have hope of interest in him, and realize by faith, our union with him. Blessed be his name, if I am in heaviness now, it is only for a night; if in affliction, it is only that he may afford me the most salutary cordials, and when weak, and faint

ing, I am soon comforted by the sound of his soulcheering voice; "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Thus, my dear Children, by his grace I have been sustained and supported for many years; and the only true consolation and rest I ever get, under a sight of all my spiritual maladies and wants, is in Christ Jesus; and in him, I have it completely. "Fear not (Christ says,) in the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, and in me ye shall have peace." Hence, my beloved in Christ, all spiritual life takes its rise and motion; here is its concentrating point, and here my soul continually resorts as unto an ever-flowing fountain, that my spiritual life may be maintained, supported, and carried on. We must come to the foot of the cross to learn this lesson, for no past experience affords me any ground to stand upon.

It is good for us that we are made to grow downwards at times (so to speak,) that in springing up again we may bear fruit unto greater perfection; for, like plants that remain in the earth, we gain nourishment and strength to grow, and shoot forth