place he writes thus, “Let no man despair and say, there is a fast door upon me, I can not be saved ; for such thoughts have the devils and the damned in hell:" I pray thee, therefore, my dear friend, reject all such suggestions, which I fully believe to be absolutely false, as I believe that God is true. When I look with the greatest care at thy present situation, I do not feel the least shadow of a doubt, but the most unshaken assurance, that the great Shepherd, the Keeper of Israel and Bishop of souls, unto whom thou hast so often, through his mercy and help, committed thyself, will most certainly preserve thee “out of the mouth of the lion;" and, in his own time, gather and fix thy residence beyond the reach of all temptations, where all tears shall be wiped from all faces, and there shall be no more death nor sorrow. I earnestly entreat thee not to decline many means that thou or thy friends judge necessary to restore and preserve thy health. I wish the enemy to be wholly baffled in all his efforts to defile or to destroy. For though I believe a great part, if not the whole of thy present and former calamity of this kind, originates in the disorder of the outward tabernacle, yet of this assuredly the enemy tries to avail himself, and take the advantage.

What I have written are not my sentiments only, but the sentiments of thy affectionate and

true friend Sarah Taylor, who, in love, care, and regard for thee, unites with thy sincerely affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

P.S. We wish to hear from thee when convenient.

Letter xxv.

To ELIZABETH JOLLEY, afterwards

ELIZABETH BLUDWICK.

MANCHESTER, 4th Mo. 13, 1789. My dear Friend,

I am so sensible of thy generous care and solicitude for me, as well as desire to have my company on these occasions, (in which, I believe, John Bludwick unites with thee,) that I feel most easy to acknowledge, that it is to me grateful and acceptable. It would truly be very pleasant, at this time to be with you ; and it is a cross not to have it in my power, the particular reasons of which our Manchester friends will explain. I do sincerely wish the great Master of our assemblies may be with you, and that you may be edified in his love ; for it is love that edifieth. There is nothing that I do so much long for, as to feel my heart replenished and enlarged by this love ; and I long that all my dearest friends might be blessed with this experience, and that their hearts might be enlarged by it, above the jots and tittles, above the tithing of “mint and rue,” into the possession and practice of the weightier matters, “judgment and the love of God.” I feel, through mercy, with those who can feel for the languid situation of things amongst us; that, through the prevalence of the nature and spirit of the world, which lieth in wickedness, the love of many is waxed cold. Yet I do feel every encouragement for the upright and sincere; and an evidence attends my mind, that the Lord will yet revive his work as “ in the midst of the years,” that he will abundantly bless the provision of Sion, and “satisfy her

poor with bread;" that he will yet (blessed be his glorious Name) more and more clothe her ministers with salvation, “and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.” It is in my heart, therefore, to say to both of you, my dear friends, be not discouraged, but persevere in humble dedication, putting your whole trust in, and having all your expectations from, the Lord alone; and then you shall experience, that he is a never-failing helper, that he increases strength to them who have no might, that he will make his little ones as David, and the feeble as “ the son of Jesse."

I conclude, with the salutation of unfeigned love to John Bludwick with thyself, thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

Letter XXVI.

To RICHARD SHACKLEron.

;

MANCHESTER, 10th Mo. 4, 1789. My dear Friend,

I cannot let slip this opportunity of conveying a few lines to thee, by the favour of our truly valuable friend Martha Routh ; and though such is the present barrenness and poverty of my mind, that I hardly seem able to form a sentence, yet, presuming upon thy charity, and the terms of our friendship, (for better and for worse,) I will first begin at home, and acquaint thee that all my family, and thy friend, are favoured with health ; and it is, and I hope always will be, interesting and grateful intelligence to me, to hear the same account of thee and thine.

Please to give my love to all thy family, especially to that daughter, I know not her name, who, I have heard, has lately appeared in a few words in your meetings; though a stranger at this distance, I feel something like sympathy with her, and a degree of solicitude attends my mind for her preservation, and that she may grow from " strength to strength," and increase in every good word and work, to an establishment upon that unfailing Rock, whereon they only can build, who hear the sayings of Christ and do them.

I have a mind to tell thy daughter a dream; for he that has one, thou knowest, the prophet says, may tell it, though I have told this to very few. It is a dream I had the night before I first appeared in a few words in a meeting, though I may say, what afterwards I was very thankful for, that though it made some impression on my mind in the morning, I did not once think of it whilst I was in the meeting. I thought I was intently engaged with some others, in some outward business, when, all on a sudden, a message was communicated by Divine authority, but I knew not well from whence the voice proceeded; however, the words I heard distinctly to this purpose : :

Cease, or thou must cease, from the business thou art now engaged in ; there is another work for thee to do; for the Lord is about to work a more thorough reformation in the earth than any which hath hitherto taken place :” to which I thought I answered, "Alas! how is it possible

— that I can be of any service in, or contribute to this work, being so exceedingly poor, and destitute of every degree of strength and ability to do it;" and indeed I thought I felt myself so, when I spoke it, as much as ever in my life ; unto which I thought the voice replied,-" Thy strength and ability will not be required; this work can only be effected by the strength and power of God.” Perhaps this may be some little encouragement; it is with that view I write it, that we should not sink under the feeling of our own insufficien