town, that I could not well write to you before now. However, you have generally been in my thoughts; and I have not failed to remember you before him, who is able to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father in and through him. I see you are still under the rod, and I trust are enabled to kiss the hand that holds it. These afflictions, at present are not joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, through these many tribulations, we shall at length enter into eternal glory. By doing, or suffering, or by both, our active and passive graces must be kept in continual exercise. Your sufferings are of a peculiar nature; peculiar grace shall be given under, and a peculiar conquest granted over them. Look, my dear Sir, not to the Mysticks, but to Jesus. Indeed, his righteousness is the only rock on which you can build any solid comfort. In this, and in this only are you compleat. This is the only breast-*plate; and faith in this, a true, living, operative faith in this, is the only shield whereby the believer will be enabled to repel all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Thanks be to God, who hitherto hath given you to triumph, hath raised you from a bed of sickness, and set you on a throne, I mean your pulpit again. May the glorious Emmanuel enable you to speak from thence both to him and his people, as becometh the lively oracles of God. I find Satan does all that he can to prevent your using your pen. The Lord will rebuke him in due time, and cause it yet to become the pen of a ready writer. I am glad you have opened a correspondence with our elect Lady. Keep it open I entreat you, my dear friend, and be not nimis nullus. Alas! if differences of every kind were to hinder any one, surely I must be the man. But in Jesus is my strength found; and as my day is, so he causes my strength to be. Thanks be to his holy name, we have seen his outgoings frequently of late in London. His glory hath filled the Tabernacle, and many have been brought under fresh concern for their souls. I shall be glad to hear that Dr. S hath begun to speak for the Lord. But what can be done, till we are delivered from worldly hopes and worldly fears? Perfect, unfeigned love to the blessed Jesus, can only expel these. That your dear soul may constantly overflow with it, and that
