often talk of trials, without knowing much of what we say that is a trial, methinks, which lays hold of us, and which we cannot shake off. If we say, 'Surely I could bear any thing but this! this shall often be the ill that we are called to bear; and this it is that constitutes it a trial. And why are afflictions called trials, but on account of their being sent to try what manner of spirit we are of? It is in these circumstances our graces appear, if we are truly gracious; and our corruptions, if we be under the dominion of sin; and too often, in some degree, if we be Christians. When I have experienced heavy trials, I have sometimes thought of the case of Aaron. He bad two sons, fine young men, colleagues with their father; God accepted of their offering, and the people shouted for joy: every thing looked promising when, alas! in the midst of their glory, they sinned; and there went out a fire from the Lord, and devoured them. Well might the afflicted father say as he did: And such things have befallen me! yet he held his peace. I say, I have sometimes thought of this case, when I have been heavily afflicted; and have employed my mind in this manner: Such things befel Aaron, the servant of the Lord, a much better man than I am: who am

that I should be exempted from the ills hich are common to men, to good men, to The best of men? Such things befel Aaron as

have not yet befallen me. He had two children cut off together; I have never yet lost more than one at once. His were cut off by an immediate judgment from heaven, and without any apparent space being given for repentance: thus have not mine been. Yet even Aaron

held his peace; and shall I murmur? The just shall live by faith. God is telling us in general, that all things work together for good, to them that love him; but he has not informed us how: nor is it common under afflictions to perceive the good arising from them. It is ufterwards that they yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness. If the Lord should remove your son, perhaps you are not without hopes of his salvation; and if the event should cause you to feel more than you have yet felt of the perishable nature of all things under the sun; and draw your heart more towards himself, and things above, where Jesus is; you may have occasion in the end to bless God for it. God knows we are strange creatures; and that we stand in need of strange measures, to restrain, humble, and sanctify us.

"Give my love to your afflicted child, and give me leave to recommend to him, Him in whom alone he can be saved. I doubt not but you have recommended Christ to him, as the Saviour of the chief of sinners; yet you will not take it amiss, if I address the following few lines to him:

My dear young Friend,

You know but little of me, nor I of you; but I love you for your parents' sake. While health and spirits were afforded you, you thought, I presume, but little of dying; and perhaps what you heard by way of counsel or warning, from the pulpit, or from other quarters, made but little impression upon you. A future world appeared to you a sort of dream, rather thau a reality. The gratification of present desire seemed to be every thing. But now that Being against whom you have sinned has laid his hand upon you. Your present affliction seems to be of the nature of a summons: it's language is, Prepare to meet thy God, O sinner!' Perhaps you have thought but little of your state as a lost sinner before him; yet you have had sufficient proof in your own experience of the degeneracy and dreadful corruption of your nature. Have you learned from it this important lesson? If you have, while you bewail it before God, with shame and self-abhorrence, you will embrace the refuge set before you in the gospel, The name of Christ will be precious to your heart. God has given him to be the Saviour of the lost; and coming to him as worthy of death, you are welcome to the blessing of eternal life. No man is so little a sinner, but that he must perish for ever without him; and no man so

great a sinner, as that he need despair of mercy in him. He has died the just for the unjust, that he may bring us to God. His blood cleanseth from sin, and the benefits of it are free. The invitations of the gospel are universal. Though God would never hear the prayers or regard the tears of a sinner like you for your own sake; yet he will hear from heaven his dwelling place, that pctition which is sincerely offered in the name of his Son. Repent of your sin, and you shall find mercy; believe his gospel with all your heart, and you shall live. Plead the worthiness of Christ as the ground of acceptance, to the utter rejection of your own, and God will graciously hear, forgive, and save you. Every one that thus asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door of mercy shall be opened. In all your supplications for mercy, be sure you found your petitions on the worthiness of Christ alone. But if you can see no loveliness in him, nor beauty that you should desire him, depend upon it you are yet in your sins, and so dying, you must perish. I do not know whether you have at any time been inclined to listen to the abominable suggestions of Infidels; but if you have, you now perceive that those are principles that will not stand by you in the near approach of death. If the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world be uot now a

comfort to you, you are comfortless. Look to him, my dear young friend, and live.”

I add another letter sent to the son of an intimate friend.

On account of the long and intimate acquaintance which I have had with your honoured parents, your welfare lies near my heart. I see their likeness in your face, and should be happy to see it in your spirit. You are now growing up to years of maturity, aud will shortly take your stand, either on the Lord's side, or on the side of his adversary. Your father has put up thousands of ardent prayers on your behalf; but they will avail you nothing, unless you yourself join in calling upon the name of the Lord. You have read more books than most children of your age, and amongst others, the Book of books, the Bible. You have read in this book, that, except we repent, we must all perish. That you have sins to repent of, you yourself know; and have you, my dear, repented? Did your heart ever dissolve with grief for your being such a sinner against the Lord? You have read, He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him. And are you a believer on the Son of God?