what are fundamental truths; and, I fear, we have very different sentiments concerning those things, which some count little or indifferent. That which I believe, according to the best light and understanding I am favoured with, to be my duty to do or say, and in the doing of which I have peace, and in the omission of which I feel trouble, is not to me a little or indifferent thing ; though I by no means wish other people's liberty to be judged by my conscience, but would have all to attend to the discoveries of Divine Light, and pursue those things that make for peace.

The fall of all mankind, in our first father, by whose transgression “sin entered into the world, and death by sin," and our restoration by the second Adam, “the Lord from Heaven," the “Quickening Spirit,” “the Resurrection and the Life;" these, surely, are the fundamental doctrines of religion; and if these are not admitted amongst its most important truths, I am sure, for my part, I can see no foundation in the nature of things, for any religion at all; certainly there can be none for the religion of the Gospel, by which we are every-where called to self-denial, and a renunciation of this world. “Except a man be born again," said our blessed Saviour," he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “Except ye be converted, and be

· come as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Agreeably to this, is the doctrine of the apostle : “If ye live after the

flesh, ye shall die ; but if ye, through the Spirit; do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." “ The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” To this purport, is all the doctrine of Christ and his apostles; how strangely then must they have read the declarations of the Gospel! and how little must they be acquainted with the book of all books—their own hearts, who can believe that they are not by nature in a fallen, very corrupt, and degenerate state?

The paragraph on scepticism contains, I think, a great deal of truth. I have only to say of this subject, that I believe the most common cause of scepticism, though most remote from human observation, is the working of satan in the fallen reason of man, which E. Burroughs somewhere calls the habitation of the serpent. Indeed, thou hast said something very like this, when thou sayst, it originates in selfishness.

All endeavours to make the terms or conditions of church-membership amongst us more extensive, broad, and easy, so as to admit a greater latitude and variety of sentiment and conduct, will always be in vain. Those who stand upon the sure Foundation, and whose principal care it is to act in the church under the direction of the Holy Head, will always have to bear their testimony against, and endeavour to preserve the Church clean from those

stains, defilements, and impurities, which spring from “ the last of the flesh, the last of the eye, and the pride of life," all of which, in their endless diversity and operation, prevent us from entering in " at the strait gate," and persevering in that“ narrow way which leadeth unto life.”

With love to thyself and thy wife, I am thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

Letter LE.

To RICHARD REYNOLDS.

MANCHESTER, 10th Mo. 22, 1805. My dear Friend,

Sometimes, when I have been thinking of writing to thee, considering that our respective birth - days were approaching, and that the youngest of us had nearly accomplished his grand climacteric year, I thought of telling thee something about the state of my own mind, now the evening draws near ; but I will decline it, for I am apprehensive I should not be pleased with it, when I had written it. Perbaps the account thou

I givest of thyself, in a letter thou wrotest me the latter end of last year, may come as near it as any thing I should write. This much I can say, that at seasons I feel a degree of consolation and Divine peace, that cannot be expressed in words, which I would not exchange for a thousand times the treasures of both the Indies; in comparison of which I should esteem, I do esteem, crowns and sceptres as dung and dross; and at the much more frequent seasons, when heavenly good is least sensibly felt, (I hope I write it with humble, heartfelt gratitude,) my faith, and hope, and confidence, are so firmly anchored on the Everlasting Rock, Christ Jesus, that when the rains descend, and the winds blow, and the storms beat, I am not greatly moved; I know Him in whom I have believed, and that He will in mercy keep all those who have committed themselves to Him. I have little doubt, nay I have no doubt, but in what I have said of myself, I have been writing thy experience also, with little or no difference, but such as may arise from our different vocations in the church, and from some difference of our natural complexions. Let us then,

Let us then, my dear friend, be prostrated in gratitude before our Holy Helper, who called us early to labour in the vineyard of our own hearts, and afterwards in His vineyard, the church.

Let us go on our way rejoicing, though it be in tribulation; the Crown is at the end of the Christian race.

I have heard from several, good accounts of thy situation and health, which to me are always grateful. As every day furnishes soine opportunity of doing or getting some little good, or exercising some virtue, or making some little

sacrifice; so I hope we are making some little advances, every day, towards the heavenly country.

With every good desire that my heart is capable of forming, for thy present and everlasting happiness, I am thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

Letter LH.

To RICHARD REYNOLDS.

MANCHESTER, 4th Mo. 10, 1806. My dear Friend,

I was pleased to hear of the wise choice that was made of an elder in your meeting. I doubt not thou wilt soon admit the conviction, that it would not be right to determine to remain inactive; every member of the body natural, and every member of the mystical body of Christ, hath its proper office ; and if it do not act and move agreeably to the Divine appointment, the whole must suffer a proportionable loss; but a word to the wise is sufficient. That thou hast survived thy seventieth year is cause of huinble thankfulness. Thou canst now be at no very great distance from the end of a well-spent life, a life that hath contributed, through the Divine blessing, to the comfort of very many; and having,