ground we rejoice even in tribulation.-How do they misunderstand religion, who are afraid lest being too religious should hurt their comforts, and lessen their enjoyments. True religion, vitally received into the heart, lessens nothing but our cares, perplexities, anxieties, and fears. It bids us cast all our care upon God, who careth for us; and to trust in him who hath promised never to leave us nor forsake us. It bids us, according to our station, to attend to the duty of every day in its day; and, while we employ every prudent precaution, to take no anxious thought for the morrow. It teaches us to regard the Almighty as our friend and father; our constant protector against every danger; our support under every trial and temptation; our counsellor, to whom we are always to repair in every difficulty; our comforter under every trouble; and our help in every struggle. This is religion. It calls off from vanities, and from vice; but it gives us things so much better, that we no sooner taste them, than we lose our relish for, and are disgusted with, those things which we are called to renounce. It calls us to break off evil habits, and to perform strange things, like changing the negro's skin and the leopard's spots; like cutting off a right hand, or plucking out a right eye: but no sooner do we in good earnest set about compliance, than the mountains are removed, and the rough places made plain, and we find an assistance sufficient for every service. Our worldly employments, which we before conducted on worldly principles, we now carry on as doing the duties of our station; they are sanctified to us by the word of God

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and prayer; and whether we eat, or whether we drink, or whatsoever we do, we do all to the glory of God. Thus we learn to serve God even in our ordinary employments, doing them in his sight, and as unto him, and depending on him for a blessing. What he gives, that we receive, and are thankful for it: when he withholds or takes away, we resign without murmuring or complaining: It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good! When we abound, we have to give to him that needeth; and, by giving to the poor, we lend unto the Lord, who has promised to repay us with interest. When we are in straits, we learn to trust in him who feedeth the young ravens that call upon him; whose are the cattle upon a thousand hills; and in whose hand are the hearts of all, and who never faileth them that trust in him.-Thus we learn to live: and then, when we have learned to live and walk with God here, without the vail, we shall have little reluctance to step through, and walk still more closely with him within the vail. In the mean time, when we read God's word, he speaks to us; when we pray, we speak to him: a blessed correspondence is begun and carried on here, which is the earnest of what we shall be admitted to hereafter.

"But how shall poor weak sinful man be admitted to this familiarity with the God of heaven? Can two walk together except they be agreed? The truth is, that we are all by nature children of wrath; and by wicked works enemies unto God; and by transgressions of God's law under its penalty; and by unholiness abominable to a holy God. But this is the grace and benefit of re

demption: Christ suffered once for us, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. He reconciled us to God in one body by the cross. Being enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.

It is that spiritual thirst which is the only fitness required for our taking of the waters of life freely. That one word) of your's) persuades me that the Lord hath heard my prayers, and blessed the few words I have spoken and written to you upon religion. The great hindrance to men's becoming true Christians is a blindness to their own wants, and needs, and danger. They are secure and satisfied, and resolve to hope well, and think themselves better than others, and never compare the frame of their minds, and the tenour of their lives, with the strict and spiritual law of God: and therefore they see not their need of a Saviour; and therefore know not how to prize him. But, when this obstacle is removed, and men see themselves to be poor, and miserable, and wretched, and blind, and naked, then it is easy to point out Christ the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world, as an all-sufficient, all-gracious Saviour, out of whose fulness all our wants are to be supplied.—I must only add, that, though these convictions (and I am no little conversant among such as feel them, and I know what they mean myself,) are no pleasing visitants, they are happy presages. You may expect a struggle in passing through the strait gate, but, depend upon it, the narrow way, when you have fairly entered,

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is a very pleasant road; and we envy none of those their pleasures, who tread the broad road that leadeth to destruction.-I have only two reasonable directions to give you: 1. Trust no preacher, nor any uninspired writer, concerning the nature of true religion; but make it a rule every day to read one or more chapters of God's word, the New Testament chiefly: begin with St. John's Gospel, and the apostolic Epistles and pray to God to enable you to understand. 2. As you come to see your wants, rest satisfied that the Lord alone can supply them; and seek to him by prayer for the very thing you want. If another's words do not suit you, never fear to use your own.-Follow these two directions heartily, and with a view to a blessing from God upon them : and, if you find they are effectual for you, as I have found them to be in my own experience, then recommend them to as many others as are willing to hear.

"Do not be offended that I treat you as a novice in religion: I know the general form is not the power; and I make no doubt that you see religion to be a very different thing than you once supposed. I once thought I knew much; but, being converted and become a little child, I only know how to direct new-born babes to the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby. My prayers you are sure to have, in both your spiritual and temporal concerns: my best poor directions and instructions, if you find them worth having. You have many souls, under God, depending upon you, and the Lord knows how extensive a blessing you may be made.

You will give my love to my brother: but I would have him see this letter. My wife joins in love and good wishes, and threatens a letter when our little boy can run alone, which he seems in a fair way to do. Love to all your little ones.-May God bless you all in all things is the hearty prayer of your affectionate brother,

"THOMAS SCOTT."

The above is the only fragment I have been able to recover of a long series of letters addressed to this correspondent, and highly valued by her. The rest were all, I believe, destroyed after her death.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ford, Southampton.

"Weston Underwood, September 28, 1779.

"DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER,

"FOR I am to write in answer to a letter written in both your names: I had almost given up the hope of hearing from you any more when I received your's. Once more I had purposed to write, that in the mouth of two witnesses every word might be confirmed: but I was a good deal relieved when I found that at last you were willing to write to me again. As to all that is past therefore I shall say and think no more with any degree of dissatisfaction; and for the future shall be glad to be considered as a near relation; whe

See Life, p. 139 (142.)