various reasons. If you have heard any more, pray tell it me. He must not be put too forward.' But "But you have raised my curiosity very much about the certain minister, who has, unsolicitedly, offered you his recommendation for Hoxton. why this reservedness? I shall expect a friendly, satisfactory reason for your not telling me his name, &c. Do you think that I would abuse your confidence? I hope not, I think I should know better. As the month is expired, you must tell me in your next more about it, as whether you have seen this certain minister? what he said to you? &c. &c. I hope I have obeyed your request, and prayed for you; may God grant us both more of a praying spirit, and may he answer our petitions, one for another. I thank you for Mr. E.'s address. I have not yet wrote to him-must-though, Thomas, I think now I should be completely unhappy, were I again to have any thing to do with business, and I feel for you, as you say your time is wholly taken up in it every day from six in the morning to eleven at night. I hope that while your aversion to the cares of the world increases, your spiritual affections are more animated, and your whole soul, from day to day, transformed more into the likeness of our lovely Jesus. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.'—You seem peculiarly pleased with this passage, observe therefore, 1st. That it is the righteous God regards ;-those who are redeemed by the Son's blood-loved by the Father's grace;-sanctified by the Spirit's influence. Those who are weaned from the vanities of earth and time,-whose affections are set on things above;-in a word, who are born of God, and bound for heaven. 2d.-That they must pray.-Prayer is the breath of the new-born soul, a believer cannot live-without it, for 'Prayer makes the darken'd cloud withdraw; Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw; Gives exercise to faith and love, And brings down blessings from above.' NEWTON. 3d. They must pray fervently. Cold prayers,' saith one, 4th. These prayers are effectual, and avail much; they avail much in the sanctifying of our souls, and forming Christ there. "Pardon this digression, as these thoughts have just sprung from my own mind. "I hope you continue to enjoy your Sabbaths more than ever? How delightful it is to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in his temple.— That was Mr. H.'s text last Sabbath day morning and afternoon. In the morning he applied it to the church here below; showed what was meant by beholding the beauty of the Lord, and inquiring in his temple, and how desirable it was, &c. In the afternoon, he applied all (with the greatest propriety) to heaven. Two very excellent sermons. "I cannot yet give up the thought that we shall soon live together again; if we are to be so favoured, how thankful should I be; if not, we must learn to know no will but God's, and acknowledge that the Judge of all the earth will do right. As yet let us not despair, but commit all our concerns into the hands of our covenant God and heavenly Father. We know he will do all things well. My situation is as comfortable, or more so than ever, and I am considered like one of the family. We have a nice house, and here are only Mr. H. Mrs. H. the little child about eight months old-a sweet babe he is, -the servant and myself. I read Virgil in Latin now, and what I do learn of any thing serves to show me more of my ignorance. May the Lord keep me humble. I have theological questions to study, such as, Wherein appears the possibility of a divine. revelation ? Why is it desirable ? &c. "I may consult books upon the subject, and here is a very good library. You will not forget your promise to write in your next about grace thriving in your heart. As for me it is with tardy steps I creep, sometimes joying, and sometimes sorrowing. And yet without boasting, I think I can say I have known more of heart religion since I have been here than before; but it is very little altogether. I have experienced many happy moments in secret, such times as remind me of our last Sabbath afternoon together. But O! what a deal of pride, rebellion, carelessness, and all kinds of wickedness is there in my heart; I tremble to think of what I deserve for my 6 former levity, &c.-But O pray for me that I may find grace in the eyes of the Lord, and live to some purpose in the world. I am afraid that there are yet improper motives in my desiring the work of the ministry. Since I have been here I have seen some little of its nature, &c. I am sensible that no learning, or human qualifications are enough to fit me for that all-important work; and I hope, that God will pour down showers of grace on me, instead of what I deserve, vials of wrath.' When you give me a little account of your "growth in grace," and how the lamp of religion keeps alive, I hope you will retrace some of the paths in which the Lord your God has led you, and tell me something of your former experience, present enjoyments, and future hope. If you wish to go on from one degree of grace unto another, which I do not doubt, commune much with your own heart, read the Bible as much as possible, and above all things pray fervently.-I am perfectly well in health, as I hope you are. My father told me in his letter that Mr. M is still at and that the chapel was still continued. I should like to have all the numbers of the Youth's Magazine (but September and October last, those I have) if I could have them sent conveniently; and it is not worth while to send by the coach, for you know the carriage will be more than the books are worth. Wishing you every spiritual blessing, I remain your affectionate and faithfal friend, "THOMAS SPENCER." MY DEAR FRIEND, No. 11. Harwich, May 9, 1806. "I received your two last letters with great pleasure. It is highly gratifying to me to discover a great, and I believe a growing attachment in you towards your friend, notwithstanding he is so far from you. In your letter of the 7th April you say you rather expected a gentle reproof from me for your not writing to me; if so, what ought I to expect from you? But knowing the kindness of your heart, I forbear any more upon that subject. I was glad to hear of your comfortable interview with your friends at Coggeshall, and like your method well of consulting with your father on these occasions. Let us always manifest an obedient and dutiful regard to the advice of our parents; they, you know, are older than we, and more experienced; and the light of nature, as well as that of divine revelation, enjoins us to love, reverence, and obey them. I should not have expected that would have acted so generously and friendly, as it appears he has done. I think from these circumstances there appears (something like) the kind hand of Providence, and I hope it will appear so to your satisfaction by and bye. I wait with anxiety the result of your intended interview with the Rev. Chelmsford, and I need not tell you to make it a matter of prayer; you know full well the importance, necessity, and power, of the prayer of faith. Your cousin Ford should remember that if of |
