3d-How peculiarly striking is the language of the Saviour ye shall in no case, &c.

Notwithstanding all your professions, long prayers, alms givings, &c. Te shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."

From this subject we draw a few inferences.

1. We may learn from hence, the evil nature of sin. If all self-righteousness be so bad, what must unrighteousness be?

2. We here see the only true method of salvationthe righteousness of Christ.

3. How necessary is daily, serious self-examination,

in order to ascertain to which class we belong. 4. We likewise infer the necessity of prayer, for instruction and grace.

5.-How dreadful is the case of the self-righteous character.

6.—The believer may hence draw some comfort. He is interested in Jesus Christ, and shall outride all the storms and troubles of life, sing the dear name of Jesus in the hour of death, and stand unmoved amidst the jarring elements, the wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds.'

"May the God of hope bless us both-fill us with all joy and peace in believing-enlarge our spiritual coast-give us to see more and more of the sinfulness of our nature-the depravity of our heartsthe imperfection of our graces-the smallness of our knowledge-the sufficiency of Jesus-the stability of our hope-the fulness of Christ. May he give us to see that our names are written in heaven -may he brighten up our evidences for glory

establish our faith-enlarge our desires and give us hungerings and thirstings after righteousness. May we enjoy the blessings of salvation-the sweet-. ness of communion with God-the peace bought and purchased for us by Christ Jesus-and that joy in the Holy Ghost, produced by his influences-and may we learn more and more of the heights, lengths; depths, and breadths of the love which passeth knowledge. May we dwell together in that happy land, where none but the righteous can enter, and where our worship shall be undisturbed.

"And now, my dear brother, I commend you to the hands of that God who doth all things well, and who taketh care of those who put their trust in him; and hoping soon to hear from you, I subscribe myself,

"Your truly affectionate friend,

"THOMAS SPENCER."

"I think myself very happy in having such a friend as you prove yourself to be. I know affection towards me is too deeply rooted in you ever to be erased by separation. Life's greatest blessing is a well chosen friend, and I do feel it so. You cannot imagine (only by your own feelings) what pleasure I take in recollecting past scenes,

and recalling to the mind occurrences relating only to us, which never shall be forgotten. I hope we have the same friend that sticketh closer than a brother.' I am affected, peculiarly affected, when I read the solemn confessions you make of depravity, &c. You know Paul acknowledged himself the chief of sinners. When, therefore, you are Dowed down under a sense of sin, look unto Jesus, there only salvation is to be found for those who, like you, are sensible of sin. But 1 verily believe my friend has already been washed in the fountain of his blood. Yes, I doubt not but you have passed from death unto life, and are called according to God's eternal purpose; therefore, instead of writing bitter things against yourself, rejoice in Christ Jesus whilst you have no confidence in the flesh.— Ah! my friend, you know not fully how I have lifted up my puny arm in rebellion against God; so that I cannot think myself a whit behind the chief of sinners. Young as I am, I am a great sinner; but blessed be God who has, I hope, given us both a good hope through grace: to him be all the glory. “I shall, I expect, be in town a day sooner than was intended, viz. Wednesday the 8th; my father will not come till the next day. Mr. F his letter, mentions a desire that I would give them a lecture (in the old way) at his house in the evening. I am very willing to do it, and I hope we shall have your company."

5

in

No. 7.

Hertford, January 3, 1806.

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

"With the greatest pleasure I received and read your kind but short letter; but I must not speak about its shortness, as mine must be as short, if not shorter, as I expect S to come for it directly. Mr. Davies's Sermon entitled, The Midnight Hour,' I understand, is printed. How glad I should have been to have heard it. I hope when I am in town you will remember your promise, and not forget the greatest part of the sermon, as you know how I respect (and like the preaching of) that worthy man.* I hope you will have a pleasant and profitable day next Sabbath at Finchley. I am afraid you cannot get out next Thursday, the day Nelson is buried; for I do assure you that your presence at any place in town would afford me more pleasure than the sight of his faneral, to which I do not intend to go. I have been with Samuel a little about Hertford. I have read what I wanted in Washington's Life, or rather his History of American Wars, as I do not see so much of Washington in it as I expected. I cannot add more; but remain your very affectionate friend,

"THOMAS SPENCER."

The Rev. Mr. Davies, of Queen-Street, Cheapside, London.

His next letter is from Harwich, and contains a pleasing disclosure of the state of his mind on the accomplishment, so far, of his ardent wishes.

No. 8.

Harwich, February 6, 1806.

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

"I with pleasure embrace the opportunity which now offers itself of writing you a few lines for the first time since I have been here. While I hope you enjoy your health, I can say I never was better in my life than I have been since I have been at Harwich. The air is very cold and healthy: I am sure I have felt the difference. In the town there are many inhabitants, and a Methodist place besides Mr. Hordle's: by Methodists, I mean Wesley's people. Mr. Hordle preaches three times. on a Sabbath day, and is very well attended, and on Wednesday evenings; prayer meeting on Monday night. I doubt not but you will join with me in returning thanks to the all-wise Disposer of events for placing me in that comfortable situation which I now fill. I live with Mr. H. entirely; his study is where I pursue my learning, and in an afternoon I meet his boys (there are only nine) at his vestry, to say a lesson or two with them. I learn Latin, Geography, and have got a considerable way in Doddridge's Lectures on Pneumatology, in which now and then I meet with a philosophical subject; indeed, my dear friend, I really am very comfortable.