PREFACE.

THE name of the venerable Mr. Fletcher, inscribed on this volume, will introduce it to the perusal of many, and its own intrinsic worth will, I flatter myself, entitle it to the approbation of proper judges. Thus I am relieved from the pain of soliciting for it the notice of the public, and of giving it that commendation, which will better become any other person than the Editor. It may, however, be expected, that I should give some account of my book, and I conform, the more cheerfully, to general custom, as it affords me an opportunity of conciliating the candour of the Reader.

This book is truly Mr. Fletcher's. A large part of the Letters is transcribed from the originals, others from authentic copies, and some from a small collection of letters published a few years ago in Dublin. For the Letters on the Manifestation of Chrift, and the Fragments, I am obliged to Mrs. Fletcher; the first are in the author's own manuscript, the last copied by Mrs. Fletcher from some of his old pocket-books. The Pastoral and Familiar Letters are written from the period of Mr. Fletcher's converfion to within a few days of his decease. When the Letters on the Manifestation were written, or to whom they were addressed, I cannot learn; but from the bcginning of the first letter, the decayed state of the manuscript, and the extreme smallness of the character,.(which could scarcely have been 1

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ble to the author in his latter years) I judge them to have been the first essay of a genius afterwards so much admired. The Fragments, of which some appear as the thoughts of the day, others as notes of sermons, bear date the first few his ministry.

years

of

It is not expected that Mr. Fletcher's reputation as a writer will receive new luftre from these Posthumous Piecès: But, if the many friends, who revere his memory, find edification and delight in perusing his apostolic letters; if any, whose opposition of sentiment would not allow them to converse with him as a polemic divine, shall now receive him to their breasts, as a Christian brother; if any, who have not reaped the rich harvest of his former writings, are benefitted by the gleanings of the field; and if the world in general is made better acquainted with the virtues of this excellent man; all the ends proposed by their publication will be obtained, and the Editor will think himself justified in giving them to the press.

That the benediction of the Almighty may attend these last labours of his servant, that the Reader may imbibe the spirit of the author, and that myself and all my fellow-labourers in the gospel, may emulate his faith and work in the Lord, is the earnest desire of

THE EDITOR.

PASTORAL LETTERS. ·

Bath, Oct. 30th, 1765.

To those who love the Lord Jefus Chrift in and about Madeley: Peace be multiplied to you from God the Father, and from our Lord Jefus Christ, through the operations of the Holy Ghoft. Amen.

By the help of divine Providence, and the affiftance of your prayers, I came fafe here. I was, and am 1 ftill, a good deal weighed down under the fenfe of my own infufficiency to preach the unfearchable riches of Chrift to poor, dying fouls.

This place is the feat of Satan's gaudy throne: the Lord hath, nevertheless, a few names here, who are not afhamed of him, and of whom he is not afhamed, both among the poor and among the rich. There are not many of the laft, though bleffed be God for any one; it is a great miracle if one camel paffes through the eye of a needle, or, in other words, if one rich perfon en. ters into the kingdom of heaven. I thank God, none of you are rich in the things of this world. You are freed from a double fnare, even from Dives's portion in this life. May you know the happiness attending your ftate. It is a mercy to be driven to the throne of grace, even by bodily want, and to live in dependance on divine mercy for a morfel of bread.

I have been fowing the feed the Lord hath given me both in Bath and Bristol, and I hope your prayers have not been loft upon me as a minifter; for though I have not been enabled to discharge my office, as I would, the Lord hath yet, in fome measure, ftood by me, and

over-ruled my foolishness and helpleffnefs. I am much fupported by the thought that you bear me on your hearts, and when you come to the throne of grace to afk a bleffing for me in the name of Jefus, the Lord doth in no wife caft you out.

In regard to the ftate of my foul, I find, bleffed be God, that as my day is, fo is my ftrength to travel on, either through good or bad report. My abfence from you answers two good ends to me I feel more my infufficiency, and the need of being daily ordained by Chrift to preach his gofpel; and I fhall value the more my privileges among you, please God I return fafely to you. I had yefterday a moft advantageous offer made me of going, free coft, to vifit my mother, brothers, , and fifters in the flesh, whom I have not feen for eighteen years; but I find my relations in the fpirit are nearer and dearer to me, than my relations in the flesh. I have, therefore rejected the kind offer, that I may return among you, and be comforted by the mutual faith both of you and me..

I hope, dear brethren, you improve much under the miniftry of that faithful fervant of God, Mr. Brown, whom Providence bleffes you with. Make hafte to gather the honey of knowledge and grace as it drops from his lips; and may I find the hive of your hearts fo full of it, on my return, that I may share with you in the heavenly flore. In order to this, befeech the Lord to excite your hunger and thirst for Jefus's flefh and blood, and increase your defire of the fincere milk of the word. When people are hungry, they will find time for their meals; and a good appetite does not think a ineal a day too much. As you go to your fpiritual meals do not forget to pray all the way, and to feaft your fouls in hopes of hearing fome good news from heaven, and from Jefus, the faithful, loving friend whom you have there: And when you return, be sure to carry the unfearchable riches of Jefus's dying and rifing love home to your houfes, in the veffel of a believing heart.