dation is sand. I was never inferior to them; yet all I had was not sufficient to bear me up in the day of trial.

I am a poor dark creature still; and I think at times that my darkness verily increases: the Bible is so shut up against me, and so much perplexed am I in my judgment, that it almost distracts me; and yet I know, if your preaching be right, which I can never dispute as long as I believe the Bible to be true, that the good work is begun in my soul; and I never discovered so much of it as the last time I heard you: this has meekened and humbled my heart much before the Lord; and I find something of this meekness still following my spirit, though harassed at times by bitter temptations; yet I hope it shall not prevail against me. The Lord has brought me through much, and I hope he will go on, let me suffer what I may; but what puzzles me above all is, that I can see the work done on my soul under your preaching, and I am sure it is the same as you describe, and yet I cannot describe it myself. I think my judgment and memory so impaired and confused, that there is no restoring of them; this makes me so fretful, that when I read the Bible, and cannot see into it, I am tempted to throw it away in my rage, and protest that it is impossible to understand it. How is it that I can see when you preach, and yet not feel the power of it? and how is it that I have hope, if it is good, and yet continue in darkness and bondage? and, if it be a false hope, how is it that it agrees with the

Bible; which it certainly does, when I have light to see it? This is what I cannot put together.

There is a poor woman in an obscure part of the country, who heard me twice, some time last summer, and was cut up root and branch; but heard no more afterwards for many months, and continued in sore distress and bondage, unable to go abroad: but one day of late, in her own house, the Lord, I believe, visited her, and set her soul at liberty. Some time after this the M-- of Heathfield called on her, and damned her in her own house. She offered to give a reason of her hope, provided she might have one that she chose in company. He answered that he did not want to hear it, for he was sure it came from hell; and told her, moreover, that she was aJenkinite, and, if she would not leave such whims, that she was damned for ever. You see, Sir, I have already given a name to a sect; and you may see likewise the judgment of some men that are called ministers of the gospel. This deceitful worker, with many more of his stamp in Moses' seat, have much opposed me, warning their congregations against my doctrine; calling it error, heresy, enthusiasın, &c. and some too of whom I had reason to hope better things. But what is man? The above-mentioned gentleman declares to the people that he will pursue me, and stick as close to me as my shirt to my back. I am sure he must come into a path that he has not travelled yet before he can come near me; for I know the awful end they must make, together with

But

the multitude of their followers, if the grace of God do not prevent it. Their faith stands only in the letter, not in the power of God. Farewell, my dear friend; the Lord abundantly bless you, is the prayer of,

Your very affectionate friend,

J. JENKINS.

P. S. I shall hope for a few lines before long.

LETTER XXXVI.

To the Rev. J. JENKINS.

I

BELOVED IN THE LORD.

AM glad to find that thou art still at school. We must all sit down at the Redeemer's feet and receive of his words, for none teacheth like him.

You are welcome to me, come when you please. If I have been of any use in the hand of the Lord to you, it is a matter of thankfulness to me, and it is your duty to give the glory to God. But, 'Your mind is as dark as Sinai, and your heart is hard.' Some in glory have made the same complaints: "Thou hast brought me into

"Why

darkness, and not into light," says one; hast thou hardened our hearts from thy fear?" says another. But God gives light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and will take away the stony heart and give you an heart of flesh. This is his promise, and faithful is he that hath promised. He, who never felt the horrid gloom and hardened frames, never knew the blessed change. I wonder not at thy hard thoughts of God; the carnal mind is enmity against him, and the law worketh wrath. When the commandment comes, it reveals God's displeasure against us, and stirs up man's enmity against God: this shews us the need of a Days-man to stand in the gap, and make reconciliation for iniquity. One believing view of Christ crucified will close this breach; for he is God's way upon earth, and his saving health among all nations. God of his own will hath begotten thee by the word of truth; and his word is quick, and powerful, and sharp, in thee; it cuts, pierces, and makes manifest the thoughts and counsels of thy heart; it is the incorruptible seed, being attended with the Holy Ghost, and coming and working with much assurance: you feel the power and are sure of the truth of it. The Spirit hath quickened thee; thou hast keen feelings, keen hungerings and thirstings after God, an appetite for spiritual food that nothing but God can satisfy; thou hast felt various impressions of wrath and mercy, hope and despondency, grace and corruption. You feel a famine, and cannot live upon

husks: you have a heart to seek, a soul to crave, and a mouth to beg; you are dead to the world; at war with yourself, and dissatisfied with both. A supernatural power attends thy ministry, when thou art sinking under a thought of the work. Thus grace is sufficient, and the Lord's strength is made perfect in thy weakness; the Spirit helps thine infirmities, and strengthens thee with his might in the inward man. But, you want a soft heart.'"He that trusts in his own heart is a fool:" "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding." But, your memory fails you.' Our memory is often robbed and plundered; but, "The Comforter shall bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." You are no blind guide; you are before all your congregation in power, light, and knowledge. He that can dissect the human heart, describe the terrors of God, the spirituality of the law, and the lawful use of it, is no mean divine. The first step to the pulpit is an experimental knowledge of self, and the highest and last is an experimental knowledge of God in Christ Jesus. Thou art now full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, to shew to Jacob his transgressions, and to Israel his sins. Thou knowest at this time, in thine own heart, that thou hast both experience and knowledge sufficient to employ thee in that work which God hath called thee to and commanded to do; namely, to speak as the oracles of God, and to minister as of the ability