ing his seat in that coach. We arrived just in time at the church, when he preached a most searching sermon from, What do ye more than others? The meagre attendance at the church shewed that few of the neighbors were aware where the best gold was to be had; or that they were more captivated by manner than matter; by how it was said, than what was said.

"On a visit to London I was expressing a great desire to see the late Mr. Charles of Bala, with whom I had corresponded for three years, concerning a remarkable revival which had taken place under his ministry. Mr. Charles happening to be in town at the time, your father kindly took me to Lady Ann Erskine's, where he resided. We spent there two happy hours. Your father requested Mr. C. to favor us with a brief outline of the circumstances which led to the remarkable revival at Bala, and the surrounding region, its progress, &c. He did so, for upwards of an hour. On our leaving him, your father said, Did you not observe the singular humility of Mr. Charles, in the narrative that he gave? never having once mentioned himself, though he was the chief actor and instrument in the whole matter.

"I have mentioned these few facts, not knowing whether you had a niche for such things or not. They have cost me no trouble putting down, so no harm can be done, though they should prove useless to you, though sometimes little things are rendered valuable by the greatness of the character to which they are attached. Should I discover any other letters I shall send them.

(6 DEAR SIR,

"I am your's sincerely,

"JOHN CAMPbell.”

"Chapel Street, June 15, 1789.

"Ir gave me real pleasure to receive a letter from you, with an account of your safe arrival at home; and I should be glad to write a more full answer to it, but that I am poorly in health, and have more to do than I can get through.

"I am obliged to you for mentioning my pamphlet among your acquaintance, and for attempting to disperse it: if it be in any way useful I shall rejoice. The comment mentioned in the Force of Truth was directly Socinian it was published in weekly numbers in folio, about the year

1762 or 1763; and was said to be written by a society of gentlemen. It made altogether five moderate sized volumes. There was a considerable degree of specious reasoning, and ingenuity in the management of their arguments, but it seems to me that it did not spread very wide; for I have not met with more than one copy of it since I entered into orders, and I find but few people who are acquainted with it.

"In general I know little afterwards about the patients whom I speak to in the hospital; but a few instances I have met with, which have convinced me that my labor was not in vain and the new institution, which is annexed to the hospital, for the reception of penitent female patients, promises considerable usefulness, if it be not deranged. But I meet with many difficulties in my situation, and it is doubtful whether I shall continue long in it. However, all things are in the hands of the Lord: his wisdom, power, and love are infinite; his counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure; and his cause shall triumph over all opposition: and all who cordially favor it shall be ere long more than conquerors, through him who loved them.

Desiring an interest in your prayers: and sincerely begging of the Lord to multiply mercy, grace, and peace to you, and all in your part of the world, and indeed everywhere, who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity,

"I am

"Your sincere friend and servant,
"THOMAS SCOTT."

"Chapel Street, April 3, 1791.

"DEAR SIR,

I

"I AM quite ashamed to address a line to you after my long silence but if you had known all the hurry of engagements that I have been in, as well as the variety of my inward agitations, you would be disposed to forgive me. have enclosed a few sermons that I have published, without my name, on occasion of the death of a much valued friend, whom you have often heard of, Mr. Thornton.

"Hitherto the Lord hath helped us; I trust all is working together for good; the bitter as well as the sweet; and I find much to be contained in the words of Deut. viii, 2, suited to my feelings and my whole case. May all we meet with, my dear sir, tend to make Christ more precious to us, and sin more hateful; to deliver us more and more

from the love of the world, and from the fear of death, that we may look forward with joy to the time when we shall depart hence to be with Christ, and meet before the throne to part no more.

"I remain

"Your sincere friend,

"THOMAS SCOTT."

66 DEAR SIR,

"Chapel Street, July 10, 1792.

"ON June 27th I wrote the substance of the follow ing letter, intending to send it with the remaining numbers immediately but unforseen hindrances have retarded; and, as you will so soon be in town, and I hope to see you at my house, I shall omit sending them till you come.

"In excuse for my long silence, I can only say that I had so much writing that I could only get through it by the utmost possible exertion; so that I have lately almost wholly given over corresponding with my nearest relatives. I procrastinate therefore from necessity, not from inclination: and, having now, by the help of God, concluded my laborious publication,* I shall be glad again occasionally to interchange information and sentiments. Some little books I meant to have sent for distribution; which I shall shew you when you come.

"I can cordially unite with you in your observation concerning the wisdom and love of the Lord's conduct towards us, and the frequent instances of our folly and ingratitude towards him. Humility and gratitude seem to be the two great lessons which we are to learn on earth, in order to our enjoyment in heaven: for the deep sense of our own vileness, and of the Lord's mercies, forms the principal preparation for joining cordially in the song of the redeemed. Ordinances, providences, and experiences concur in teaching the true believer these lessons. Our sighs, groaps, and tears, nay our very blunders and miscarriages, though discordant and distressing, are, like the tuning of an instrument, necessary to the subsequent harmony. But it is a great mercy, with such hearts as our's, and in such a world as this, to be kept from dishonoring God and the gospel; and we have therefore abundant cause to be thankful that the Lord hath hitherto helped us in any

* His Commentary.

measure; our poor history would have been much worse without this.

"I find it very good to look back on all the way which the Lord hath led me: and, though I can recollect few days that I would wish to spend over again, yet I can see that mercy and goodness have followed me all my days; and then I learn to hope that they will continue to do so to the end, and for ever. I feel more and more my need of daily renewing my acceptance of Christ and his free salvation; for my best needs pardoning, before it can be either accepted or rewarded. I wish to steer between pharisaical pride and antinomian licentiousness: but hard it is to keep clear of these two rocks on which so many perish! The Lord the Spirit can alone pilot us between them.

"I beg an interest in your prayers, and shall be glad to see you. In the mean time I remain with sincere wishes

and prayers for your increasing comfort, &c.

"Your friend and servant,

"THOMAS SCOTT."

"Chapel Street, September 29, 1792.

DEAR SIR,

"I RECEIVED your's and sent the enclosed to Miss R- : but we have not seen her since you left London, as we expected we should. I am, thank God, much better in health than when you were in town; but I have as much cause to groan being burdened, on account of the body of sin that dwells and works within, as any man: but I would thank God for, and rejoice in Christ Jesus and his redemption, and in hopes of final deliverance and victory; of which such groans and griefs are no inconsiderable evidences.

"My time to-day will not allow me to enlarge, as I do not wish to defer sending the parcel any longer; else I could descant concerning the affairs of the poor French. Alas, they have cast off God, and his word, as a nation, by public authority; and he seems for a time to have cast them off. Abimelech and the men of Shechem* seem to be the emblem of their present condition, and that of the emigrants, &c. The folly of human wisdom, the danger of aiming at a speculative perfection beyond the state of fallen nature, the mischief of infidelity, the emptiness of po

* Judges ix.

liteness and refinement; these and many other topics might be profitably considered, and illustrated from their example. But I trust that eventually the Lord will bring good from their calamities, and that the cause of sober liberty; and even of evangelical religion will be promoted by these confused and tragical events. However, the Lord reigns, the ark is safe, whatever floods come, and I hope we are in the ark, and so that all will be well; and we shall approve the Lord's whole plan, when we view it accomplished.

"I remain with good wishes and prayers for your comfort and best welfare,

"Your sincere friend and servant,

"THOMAS SCOTT."

"Chapel Street, June 28, 1793.

"I WAS called to leave town some days sooner than I expected, just after I received the favour of your's by Mr. Newton, and the constant succession of engagements that I have ever since met with has occasioned my delay in answering it.

"I entirely agree with you in your observations on the state of things in this and the neighbouring nations: the hand of God is lifted up, but men will not see. I feel no disposition to vindicate the abuses that prevail either in church or state: they are great and many; but not greater or more than the state of human nature, well understood, may lead us to expect. I fear our national prosperity is declining because of our sins: and I hope that the Lord will bring some glorious consequences from the confusion and miseries that are diffused on the continent. But the care

of my own soul, and attention to my own duty, and to my ministry that I have received of the Lord, are enough for me; and no good can be obtained by intermeddling out of our proper sphere. All I do is to be a peace-maker, where I have influence; as I find that Satan makes great use of these disputes to divide Christians, and prejudice them against each other. Whatever events take place, we shall be safe in the ark, and may have comfort in communion with God and his saints, if we duly mind our own business, and improve our privileges.

"I thank you for your observations on my little tract on government; but I am not convinced that the 'certain con