to look more at the Saviour than on yourself: it is by losing ourselves in HIM that we shall grow in every grace, and be transformed into His image. To dwell upon what He is in Himself, and what He is to us, and upon His stupendous plan of Redemption for us, enlarges the heart and the understanding, and raises us above this grovelling world.

"I rejoice in your success: but faith must still be your sheet-anchor, as well as mine, whether we have favours or no favours. May it be mightily increased in each of us, together with every other grace of the Blessed Spirit!"

To a Clergyman, with whom she had held much religious intercourse, MRS. HAWKES writes in the month of June 1828, as follows:

"I long for the favour of your sitting quietly by the side of my couch; that I might have the delight of hearing you talk of things new and old, as you used to do; and that I might obtain answers to many questions which sometimes confuse my mind. Seldom as I leave my room, save merely for an airing, yet reports and rumours of what is passing in the world (I mean the Religious World) reach my ears, and eyes too, in print; such as make me feel the want of a wise interpreter, close at hand ;not so much for my own satisfaction, as for the sake of many young persons who eagerly come to me, to tell them what to believe of floating speculations and theories, and what not; while, at the same time, they support their notions on the authority of such good and established Teachers of Truth as quite to shut my mouth :-and I cannot help feeling, that these [speculations], to say the least of them, are the little foxes' that are let into the vineyards to 'spoil the tender grapes.' I do wish, My revered friend, that you would take up your pen, and send forth an alarm and caution to young converts; for I am in

full evidence of the mischief that is doing, by drawing off their minds from heart to head knowledge. Alas! old as I am, and having nothing left to attract or attach my mind to earth, yet, because the sinful wretched idol, self, is left, I find no time to spare for any other object or pursuit, than how to keep my lamp burning, in readiness for my Lord's coming; and that, by daily and hourly seeking to obtain oil from the sacred and true Olive-tree; and not oil that is doubtful, or adulterated. Ah! we want our dear and revered father Cecil again amongst us, to extinguish delusive lights, by boldly holding forth the torch of Truth !— 'Wilt thou not revive us again!' needs to be our cry:—but so said our beloved father Cecil, years ago, when he preached upon that text."

In reference more particularly to her own experience, MRS. H. continues, in the same Letter :—

"With deep humiliation and thanksgiving, I trust I may venture to say, 'Never less alone, than when alone.' Sweetly does the adorable Saviour-who alone can be an ever-present friend—invite, and fre quently enable me to repose my cares and sorrows, and weariness and pain, on his breast of tenderness and love; although the clamours of true and just accusations of conscience, and of Satan himself, strive to affright, and give the name of presumption to my, I trust, Scriptural confidence. Not one inch dare I stir, but on Scripture warrant. With that in my feeble hand of faith, and prostrate, in self-loathing and self-renunciation, at the foot of the sacred Cross-while tears of penitence and love, like those of Mary's, wash the feet of my Crucified Lord-I am not afraid of being an Antinomian. Nothing but free, sovereign grace and favour will meet my case, and bring peace to my soul. All the difference that I find in myself, after years of trials and experience, is, that I see sin, as sin, so dreadful and hateful, that

I know not where to hide my blushing face; were it not for the gracious displays of more abounding grace and love, and that out-stretched hand of Mercy, that draws me to hide myself in the cleft of the Rock, rent for me, the chief of sinners! I would sink lower and lower yet, crying out, 'Unclean, unclean,' if also 'I may be found in Him,' clothed in His spotless righteousness, and daily more transformed into the mind and likeness of Christ!

"With regard to the dispute respecting assurance, I wish to know your thoughts, rather than name my own. I can only say, Happy are those who have it, legitimately; and happy are those who are seeking it humbly. But neither wise nor profitable-nor, as I think, safe and sound-are the discussions and arguments upon so sacred a topic. Our honoured father Cecil used to say, 'Assurance is the daughter of Experience. What echo do you give to that, Dear Sir? One mercy and favour I am thankful for; namely, though clouds sometimes arise, I can climb to the Rock that is higher than I,' and cry out, 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust in him!" But this is a 'low state,' and 'little faith,' say our disputers, and scarcely safe.' Well, I shall soon, I trust and expect, gain admittance, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,' into that kingdom of light, where there is no darkness at all!"

* Nevertheless, it being the gift of God, He may give it instantaneously in the case of some desponding sinner: which was remarkably exhibited in the case of William Howard, drawn up by the Rev. Joseph Milner, and reprinted in the Sixth Volume of his Works: or in a very interesting little book printed by the Religious-Tract Society, entitled, The Life of William Howard.'-The Reader may also consult the experience of David Brainerd: Chap. I. of his Life, as compiled by the Rev. Josiah Pratt.-ED.

CHAP. IX.

HER REMOVAL FROM QUEEN'S ROW, AND SUBSEQUENT RESIDENCE IN CROSS STREET,

ISLINGTON.

A.D. 1828 TO 1832.

KINDNESS OF MR. BROUGHTON-MRS. HAWKES'S LETTERS TO THIS FRIENDHER TEMPORARY ABODE AT HIGHGATE-COMFORTABLE SETTLEMENT IN CROSS STREET-LETTER TO A FRIEND HARASSED BY SPIRITUAL DOUBTS AND FEARS-HER VIEWS OF THE HOLY TRINITY-INCREASING HUMILITY -LETTER OF THE REV. JOHN BERRIDGE-OF THE REV. JOSEPH MILNERVISITATION OF SEVERE SICKNESS-LETTER TO MRS. YOUNG, IN WHICH SHE NOTICES THE DEATH OF MRS. CECIL-LETTER TO A RELATIVE ON THE SUBJECT OF ENTERING THE MINISTRY-TO MR. E. T. JONES, ON PRAYER-LETTERS TO THE REV. R. WALDO SIBTHORP.

AMONG those friends who valued MRS. HAWKES'S society, there was one well known for his benevolence and Christian character, an old hearer of Mr. Cecil's, and who by his liberalities towards his afflicted Minister had occasioned the remark, that he, and his equally generous partner, were like the Macedonians, who, "to their power, and beyond their power, had administered to the saints.' During the latter years of MRS. HAWKES's life, Mr. Broughton, the friend of whom we are speaking, was continually tendering his kind offices, and endeavouring to administer to her comfort;-as will appear by the repeated expressions of acknowledgment which occur in her Letters to Mr. B.; whose ready kindness was now shewn, by offers to assist MRS. HAWKES in procuring suitable apartments, on her being obliged to leave Queen's Row; and to which she replies in the following note :

"Your kind message, My dear Sir, was communicated to me by Mrs. Collyer; and has my sincere and grateful thanks. If you please, I will request you to render me assistance, by condescending to allow my good Ann a place in your chaise. It will be doing me great service, that she may be saved long walks; for her strength is much worn away by the weight under which she has, for so many years, put her willing shoulder, for my sake. My first inquiry will be at Highgate, and my next at Kilburn : and if at the latter, I will thankfully avail myself of your kind help, as you are now residing on the spot. That no favourable place of worship will be within my reach, is less an obstacle than formerly; because, were there one at the next door, I should be sadly prevented from attending. Yet, the being near to a sacred Temple is a pleasure, as well as pain, to a poor prisoner. Soon, however, the disimprisoned spirit shall leave its earthly cage, and soar away to that Blessed City, where no Temple is therein; for the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, are the Temple of it.' There, I trust, I shall strike my harp, with yours, in songs of loudest praise! And here also, while pilgrims in this conflicting world, may we tune our harps-unstrung as they often are by sin and sorrow-till our praises rise higher and higher, to Him who hath loved us, and who daily manifests His love and care, till they mingle, at length, with heavenly strains."

MRS. HAWKES next notices her departure from Queen's Row, to a temporary lodging:

"Friday, June 27, 1828.-I am this day leaving Queen's Row, after a residence of nearly twelve years-years filled up with many sufferings and troubles; and also many mercies, and gracious soulenjoyments. Praised be the Lord!—And now I am literally going out, I know not whither. But my soul