I.

LETTER XXVIII.

To Mr. BURGESS.

[Extract.]

Broad-Hembury, O&t. 22, 1773.

HAVE seen so much of the religious world, and have fo largely experienced how little ftrefs is to be laid on fair appearances; that I prize, with redoubled esteem, the graces and the friendship of the genuine few in which number, I am thoroughly fatisfied, my valued Mr. B. ftands. I am led to this remark, by the recent conduct of a very flaming profeffor (R-- of Lyme) who has at length dropt the mafque, and, with equal difhonour to the gofpel and himself, proves (1 fear) no other than a whited wall and a painted fepulchre.-In fhort, one hardly knows, whom to truft, or of whom to entertain a good opinion. But the great Head of the Church knows them that are his; and blessed be the riches of his faithful love, he will take care of his own to the end.

Mrs. W. I am afraid, will think my filence a mark of difrefpect. But I am fo thoroughly certain, that all Zion's children fhall be taught of the Lord; that I am the lefs folicitous to obviate her fcruples, refpecting the doctrines of grace. God has, already, began to do great things for her. He will, doubtless, go on, to make her path brighter and brighter. There is no need of my holding a lantern to her fteps. She is in a fair way for the kingdom and I would have as little of human teaching enter into her experience, as poffible.-Pray, prefent her with my Chriftian falutations and affure her of an intereft in my unworthy addreffes at the throne of our common Father.

The bleffings of Providence, and of grace, continue, through mercy, to furround my path. I have no

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caufe

caufe of perfonal uneafinefs, but the remains of unbelief and unthankfulnefs And even these shall be done away, totally and for ever, when mortality is fwallowed up of life.

The richest bleffings of God's covenant love be with you. I affectionately falute our friends in general particularly, good captain T. Mr. and Mrs. Sr, Mr. and Mrs. Sy, and Miss B. Write to me, as often as you can. And though my many engagements may not always permit me to return you letter for letter; yet believe me to be, what I moft fincerely am,

Your affectionate brother in the Lord our righte-. oufnels,

Auguftus Toplady.

LETTER XXIX.

TO AMBROSE SERLE, Efq.

[Extract.]

Broad-Hembury, Oct. 22, 1773:

I FEEL my utter inability to debate so abftruse a point, with fo potent and masterly an antagonist. We are, however, both agreed, that we have fouls. And bleffed be God, for giving us caufe to believe, that they are redeemed to himfelf, by the precious blood of his co-equal Son.

Allow me, dear fir, to repeat my request, relative to the publication of your thoughts on a fubject, which has exercifed fo few pens of eminence, and which your own is fo peculiarly qualified to difcufs. In fhort, I fhall never ceafe teazing you, until my wifh is granted.

You are too generous, to blame me, for the flownefs, with which I recede from my own opinion concerning the question in difpute: or, rather, for my

fufpenfe

fufpenfe between the two opinions. I well remember, that, in 1758, when I first began to difcern fomething of the abfurdities and impieties of Arminianifm, my mind was in a fimilar state of fluctuation, for many fucceeding months. Dr. Manton's Sermons on the 17th of St. John were the means, through which my Arminian prejudices received their primary fhock: a bleffing, for which an eternity of praife will be but a poor mite of acknowledgement to that God, whofe fpirit turned me from darkness to light. But it was a confiderable time (and not until after much prayer, and much reading on each fide of the argument) ere my judgment was abfolutely fixed.-I fhall, when in heaven, remember the year 1758, with gratitude and joy: as I, doubtlefs, fhall the year 1755, in which I was first awakened to feel my need of Chrift.

The origin of the foul, though not of equal importance with the doctrines of grace, yet requires much difquifition, in order to our coming at any fatisfactory and folid ground whereon to reft the fole of our foot. At least, I find it extremely difficult. I fee not any thing, by intuition. Veritas in puteo. It, moft times, requires much labour, to draw it up and, very frequently, eludes our utmoft skill and pains, at laft. It is a comfort, after all, that the foul may be happy here, and faved forever; though ignorant, at prefent, of her own immediate fource.

LETTER XXX.

To Mrs. MACAULAY,

Broad-Hembury, OF. 22, 1773:

As we live at a period, when to be in debt, and to be in the fashion, are almost infeparable ideas; I offer no apology, for the length of time, during which, my honoured friend's obliging letter has paffed without acknowledgement.

I will go farther ftill: and even value myself on an omiffion, which has, perhaps, contributed fomething to the public benefit. In writing to me, you please and improve a grateful individual. But, as an hiftorian, you convey pleasure and inftruction to multitudes. Was I to return you an immediate anfwer to the favours I receive, your friendship and politeness would not fail to balance the epiftolary account with equal exactness. A confideration, which induces me, now and then (contrary to the general maxim of the age), to confult my country's advantage, though at the occafional expence of my own.

With regard, madam, to Oliver Cromwell, on whom our correfpondence has, of late, chiefly turned, I find myself filenced, though not entirely convinced, by the force of your obfervations. I muft refign my client, to your better judgement and fuperior powers: unlefs you will permit me to compromife matters, in the language of Lord Lyttleton.

By an uncommon appearance of zeal, by great addrefs, and great valour, Cromwell firft enflamed the fpirit of liberty into extravagance; and, afterwards, duped and awed it into fubmiffion. He trampled on the laws of the nation, but he raifed

the

the glory of it and it is hard to fay, which he most deferved; an halter, or a crown."

From a perfon, whofe public merits were thus equivocal, I revert, with pleasure, to one, whose patriotic deferts no honeft and capable judge can difpute. To be informed, and from fo good authority as your own, that your health and ftrength are improved, give me far greater and folider joy, than any other information you were able to convey. hope to be an eye-witnefs of their continuance, if, as I have fome thoughts of doing, I fhould fpend a fortnight in London, during the enfuing winter.

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I learned another piece of good news, a few days fince, at H--, where our friend Mr. N——, acquainted me, on Mr. D―'s authority, that your 6th volume will appear, early in the fpring. This will be the most valuable amends you can make us, for depriving us of your company, this year, in the

Weft.

Your old acquaintance and admirer, Mr. H. has, I am told, received fome difgust at L——, and is very feldom there. Lord C. however, ftill profeffes to affect that romantic fea-port; though it does not promife to yield him (as, if fame fay true, he once hoped it would) a fecond Sir W. P. it were pity a fecond fhould ever fall to his fhare.

With every wish of happinefs, and with the utmoft fincerity of refpect, I remain, Madam, your moft obliged and obedient fervant,

Auguftus Toplady.

LETTER