though he was of a natural fiery temper, yet the change in his heart was so remarkable, that if a judgment may be formed by his writings, he seems as full of love, if not fuller, then any of his fellow apostles. He learned pity and benevolence of the father of mercies; and to show how Christian friendship is to be cultivated, he not only wrote letters to churches in general, even to those he never saw in the flesh, but private letters to particular saints, friends to whom he was attached, and wealthy rich friends, whom God had, by his spirit, raised up to be helpers of the distressed. Happy would it be for us, if we could all learn that simplicity of heart which is displayed in these particular words; happy if we could learn this one rule, never to write a letter without something of Jesus Christ in it: for, as Mr. Henry observes, if we are to answer for idle words much more for idle letters; and if God has given us our pens, especially if he has given us the pen of a ready writer, it will be happy if we can improve our literary correspondence for his glory and one another's good. But what an unfashionable stile, if compared to our modern ones, is that of the apostle to Gaius. The superscription from the elder to the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth; there is fine language for you! Many who call themselves Christ's disciples, would be ashamed to write so now. I send this and that, and the other; I send my compliments. Observe what he stiles himself, not as the pope; * but he stiles himself the elder. A judicious expositor

* Whether Universal Bishop, or Vicar of Christ, Supreme Head, Lord or Governor of the World, or a more plasphemous title, is uncertain, the writer not hearing distinctly the Latin words in which it was expressed.

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is of opinion, that all the other apostles were dead and only poor John left behind. I remember a remark of his, "the taller we grow, the lower we shall stoop." The apostle puts himself upon a level with the common elders of a church, that he might not seem to take start upon him, not to rule as a lion, but with a rod of love: the elder to the well-beloved Gaius, who I love in the truth. This Gaius seems to be in our modern language, what we call a gentleman, particularly remarkable for his hospitality, Gaius mine host; and this Gaius was well-beloved, not only beloved, but well-beloved; that is, one who I greatly esteem and am fond of; but then he shows likewise upon what this fondness is founded, whom I love in the truth. There are a great many people in writing say, dear sir, or good sir, and subscribe your humble servant, sir; and not one word of truth either in the beginning or end; but John and Gaius' love was in truth, not only in words, but in deed and in truth; as if he had said, my heart goes along with my hand while I am writing, and it gives me pleasure in such a correspondence as this, or whom I love for the truth's sake, that is, whom I love for being particularly attached to the truth; and then our friendship has a proper foundation, when the Love of God and the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, is the basis and bond of it. One would think this was enough now; the epistles originally were not divided into verses as now that people may the better find out particular places, though perhaps not altogether so properly as they might. The apostle's saying, beloved is not needless tautology, but proves the strength of his affection; I wish that thou mayst prosper, and be in health, even as thy soul

prospereth. Gaius, it seems, at this time felt a weak constitution, or a bad habit of body: this may show, that the most useful persons, the choicest favourites of heaven, must not expect to be without the common infirmities of the human frame? so far from this, that it is often found that a thousand useful Christians have weakly constitutions. That great and sweet singer of Israel, Dr. Watts, I remember about two and thirty years ago told me that he had got no sleep for three months, but what was procured by the most exquisite art of the most eminent physicians; and, my dear hearers, none but those that have such habits of body can sympathize with those that are under them. When we are in high spirits we think people might do if they would, but when brought down ourselves we cannot; but notwithstanding his body was in this condition, his soul prospered so eminently, so very eminently, that the apostle could not think it a greater mercy, or the church a greater blessing, than that this bodily health might be as vigorous as the health of his soul, I remember the great Colonel Gardiner, who had the honor of being killed in his country's cause, closes one of his last letters to me, with wishing I might enjoy a thriving soul in a healthy body; but, this is peculiar to the followers of Jesus, they find the soul prospers most when the body is worst; and observe, he wishes him a prospering body above all things, that he might have joy and health with a prosperous soul; for if he has a good heart, and good health at the same time, and our hearts are alive to God, we go on with a fresh gale. I observe, that the soul of man in general must be made a partaker of a divine life before it can be said to prosper at all

The words of our text are particularly applicable to a renewed heart, to one that is really alive to God. When a tree is dead we don't so much as expect leaves from it, nor to see any beauty at all in a plant or flower that we know is absolutely dead; and therefore the foundation of the apostle's wish lies here, that the soul of Gaius, and consequently the souls of all true believers, have life communicated to them from the Spirit of the living God. Such a life may God of his infinite mercy impart to each of us! and I think, if I am not mistaken, and I believe I may venture to say that I am not, that where the divine life is implanted by the Spirit of the living God, that life admits of decrease and increase, admits of dreadful decays, and also of some blessed revivings. The rays of the divine life being once implanted, it will grow up to eternal life; the new creation is just like the old when God said: let there be light, & there was light, which never ceased since the universe was made, and the favourite creature man was born. Upon a survey of his own works, God pronounced every thing good, and entered into his rest; so it will be with all those who are made partakers of the divine nature. The water that I shall give him, shall be a well of water springing up into everlasting life. My brethren from our first coming into the world, till our passing out of it to the spirits of just men made perfect, all the Lord's Children have found, some more, and others less, that they have had dreadful as well as blessed times, and all has been over-ruled to bring them nearer unto God: but I believe, I am sure, I speak to some this night, that if it was put to their choice, had rather know that her souls prospered, than to have

ten thousand pounds left them: and it is supposed that we may not only know it ourselves, but that others may know it, that their profiting, as Paul says, may appear to all. Because John says, I wish above all things, that thy body may be in health, as thy soul prospers. O may all that converse with us see it in us. We may frequently sit under the gospel, but if we do not take a great deal of care, however orthodox we are, we shall fall into practical Antinomianism,, and be contented that we were converted twenty or thirty years ago, & learn, as some Antinomians. to live by faith. Thank God, say some, we met with God so many months ago, but are not at all solicitous whether they meet with him any more; & there is not a single individual here that is savingly acquainted with Jesus Christ, but wishes his soul prospered more than his body.

The great question is, how shall I know that my soul prospers? I have been told that there is such a thing as knowing this, and that I can be conscious of it myself, and others too. It may not be mispending an hour, to lay down some marks whereby we may know whether our souls. prosper or no, If there be any of you of an Antinomian turn of mind, (I don't know there are any of you) I don't know but you will be of the same mind of the man that came to me in Leadenhall twenty-five years ago: Sir, says he, you preached upon the marks of the new birth. Marks, says I, yes, Sir: O thank God, says he, I am above marks, I don't mind marks at all: and you may be assured persons are upon the brink of Antinomianism, that say, away with your legal preaching. I wonder they don't say as they go along the streets, away with your dials, away with your