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 lust of the flesh, the lust 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 XLVE.

TO RICHARD REYNOLDS.

My dear Friend,

Manchester, 10th Mo. 22, 1805.

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. Perhaps the account thou 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, 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 some 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 XLVI.

TO RICHARD REYNOLDS.

My dear Friend,

Manchester, 4th Mo. 10, 1806.

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 humble 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,

like good old Simeon, been graciously favoured to see the Lord's Christ, thou wilt, like him, I have no doubt, in the time appointed of God, be dismissed from thy stewardship in peace.

The time of my continuance here draws fast to a conclusion, and though I hardly know whether I have been instrumental of any good in my generation, in the stewardship to which I have been appointed; yet I do know I have many times, in great mercy, been strengthened to do the best I could; and, notwithstanding all the weaknesses or deviations from rectitude, which may at any time have marked my conduct through life, I do not wish to have my time to live over again, for fear I should not do better.

I was almost afraid, by thy answer to my last, that thou hadst conceived I meant to speak something highly of my own religious attainment. I had no view like that; I have no cause to think so, or to speak so; I know too well what I am, and from whom all good comes. I meant only to express myself with gratitude, and to magnify His mercy, who hath helped me hitherto; and in the continuance of whose holy help, I was and am strengthened to confide. And surely I have cause to magnify His mercy, and to speak well of His glorious name, who hath been my Shepherd from infant years, and whose rod and staff will, I humbly hope, continue to be the support and comfort of my declining years.

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