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RECOGNITION OF MR. C. H. COLES.

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my soul-'I have called thee ''I have redeemed thee,' in such quick and rapid succession, that they astonish me; I felt all my sins to be taken away, and my sin-polluted soul washed in the precious blood of Christ. My heart was filled with joy un

damned, than saved by election.' Now something said, 'You have committed the unpardonable sin; there is therefore no forgiveness, and those blasphemous thoughts are a sure evidence of the same, and that God had given me up to a reprobate mind;' and again I was tempted to destroy my-speakable! Oh, what beauty did I see in self. In this state of mind I went one Christ as my Redeemer; I could have night to hear the minister; and in the danced and sung aloud for joy. My work, course of his sermon he repeated, and which was a burden before, was light now; dwelt upon these words, Cursed is every the Bible appeared to be a new book; I read one who continueth not in all things writ-it with new light, and it was my meat and ten in the book of the law to do them. He my drink, and I did then esteem it to be that offendeth in one point is guilty of all.' more than my necessary food. As soon as Oh, what a view I now had of the law of my work was done of a day, I retired to my God; in its requirements I clearly saw I loft to read and meditate upon this wonderwas under its curse; the depravity of my ful Redeemer; and when I could read no heart appeared in such a light as I had longer I poured out my soul to God for an not the least conception of before. All my hour together. No one can tell what I then former religious acts were as filthy rags; experienced-the holy familiarity I felt in and that if God was to cut me down as approaching to God as my Father in Christ with a stroke, and send me to hell he would be a just God. I felt now that if one good thought was required, I could not give even that to God if it was to save my soul. I plainly saw that if I was saved it must be by a sovereign act of grace, the very thing I had despised; and therefore, how could I hope for pardon? Yet I could not cease to cry for God to have mercy on my soul. One night, in this state, I went to the Wesleyan chapel; the preacher was preaching about holy Abraham ; and such was the legal way in which he set the matter forth that he made out that his holiness was in ourselves instead of Christ; so that this did but increase my misery, and make my chains the heavier: so I turned away from them, and do bless God for that now.

Just at this time a friend put into my hand Herbert's Poems. This was of very great service to me in this state of mind; but my awful state did appear is such a light that it seemed to drown the least hope that at times would spring up within. Just at this time I read Pilgrim's Progress; and when I came to that part where Christian was passing through the valley, I shall never forget; for he seemed to set the whole in such a wonderful light that I saw there was a vast difference between having these thoughts, and consenting thereto, and that in reality they came from the devil, and not my now broken heart; so that this would lead me to cry to God for mercy, and search the Scriptures continually; but all I could see then was for the elect, but I was not one of them; yet I was brought to see that what I did say about being rather damned than saved, was done ignorantly; and this would just keep me from black despair. Now it occurred one morning, as I was lamenting over myself, (and had just been crying to the Lord for mercy,) that I was coming out of the stable, and was going to dig in the garden, when I thought I would look into a small text book I had in my pocket, which I did, just upon these words, Fear not for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine.' Isa. xliii. 1. It was as if these words were spoken over and over again to

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and the marvellous discovery I then had of the blessed trinity, Father, Word, and Spirit! I had such blessed manifestation of Christ to my soul one night, that when I came out of the stable, I thought that the heavens appeared lit up with his glory; so that I could not help blessing and praising God aloud; and this continued more or less for three months; so that it was indeed a Bethel to my soul: and I then thought 'I shall never have a doubt any more upon my mind.' In searching the Scriptures I was led to see Believer's Baptism; and as the Lord had done so much for me I felt a desire to follow him in that ordinance.

Just at this time I was directed to hear you, Sir, (alluding to Mr. Curtis.) The first time I heard you I could not get on, as there appeared something so deep about your manner; but I came again, and you spoke from those words four times 'Unto you that believe he is precious.'I shall never forget the substance of those sermons to the day of my death. These words were found, and I did eat them, and they were the joy and rejoicing of my heart. I now felt a union to the people, the place, and the preacher; and was constrained to come and offer myself as a candidate for the ordinance of baptism; and truly I can say that Christ was precious in that ordinance to my soul. So that I now felt like a child at home; and the truths I heard from time to time, did more and more establish and build me up in 'the truth as it is in Jesus.'

Thus, dear brother I have just given you a brief account of my 'call by grace.' (Mr, Coles's Call to the Ministry in our next.)

The Streets of the City of God.

Cuckfield, November 20, 1848. MY DEAR BROTHER IN JESUS:-Will you do me the favour of sending me six more of the Baptists' Hymn Books, bound in sheep; These books have been (and I believe will continue to be) under God's blessing, a great help to many; I would that they had a far greater circulation among the

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THE STREETS OF THE CITY OF GOD.

churches, in the dark day in which we sought out, a city not forsaken, a city of live; so that if there was a jarring sound praise, its most delightful name is the in their preaching, there would be har- LORD is there,' for he hath desired it for mony in their songs. This I do know, that his habitation, and declares, 'he loveth her among the really taught of God, there is a gates.' This city is called a great city, union and harmony in feelings, in breath- a strange city, a defenced city, a little city, ings, in desires, in pursuits; for there is but the poor wise man was and is found but one Spirit, and he is a teacher of all therein,' and he by his wisdom delivered the heaven-born family; and when he the city. We then noticed, (1.) Its situacomes he convinceth of sin, of righteous-tion-fixed on the mount of electing love. ness, and of judgment, and this he does for (2.) Its walls-salvation. (3.) Its towers all without exception. He also is the testi-God's faithfulness, oaths, promises and fier of Christ Jesus. Now there is but one blood. (4.) Its King-Jesus; for thus saith Jesus, one Saviour, one Redeemer, one Lord the Father, I have set my King upon my our righteousness; and therefore he (the holy hill of Zion. (5.) Its laws and statues Spirit) must testify of the one Lord Jesus-the word of God. (6.) Its riches-grace, Christ; and as such he does not testify of him to one as a whole and an all-sufficient Saviour, and to another a partial or insufficient Saviour, consequently leaving the sinner to perform certain conditions in order to be saved

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mercy, and truth. (7.) Its inhabitantssinners loved, redeemed, called, washed, justified, approved, and accepted in Christ Jesus; these, like Paul, are free-born, for their birth originates in the free and sovereign grace of God, he begets them because he will beget them, and therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy;' and so we see 'it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.' Being free of the city, their privileges are great; they have free access to God through the mediation of Jesus Christ, and their King opens up all the stores eternal love has prepared for them.

God's ministers, like Barnabas and Saul, are called and sent forth by the Holy Ghost, and therefore their commission must be one, and though their gifts differ, they have but one and the same gospel to publish; in preaching of the gospel of the grace of God, I preach that which just suits my own case, for I feel myself to be the chief of sinners, incapable of thinking a good thought, and therefore as an helpless, Secondly, we noticed the streets of the undeserving sinner, I lay as brought of city, and that the citizens live therein, and him, and placed by him at the Saviour's that there are different streets, some more feet, and find the prayer of the publican, desirable than others; and as some of the (God be merciful to me a sinner!) as suit- citizens are frequently removing from one able as at the first, when God gave me eyes street to another, so is it found in the spito see. Grace has been, and still is, a sweet ritual city, the church of God. I conceive sound to my soul, and truly I can say with that the streets represent the different Paul, By the grace of God I am what I states of experience of the children of God, am. Christ as all in all in salvation's therefore, the first street named is 'Conwork just suits me, but to this my proud version street; and in this street all the heart never would bow, until I had tried true citizens have lived or passed through, all other ways and means, and found and this produces an internal change, and refuge failed me,' and being caught in a is the work of the Holy Ghost. Second, storm I was impelled to embrace the Rock'Repentance street; this springs from for the want of a shelter.' I have often thought what an unspeakable mercy it is that when every thing else has been tried, and Christ has been the last shift, that he has not come forth in his hot displeasure against the soul, and consumed it, instead of receiving it to himself. Those gracious words of Jesus are very sweet, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out;' no, though their sins be as scarlet and as crimson, he will not cast them out, seeing he is able to save to the uttermost' all that come to God through him.

I have been preaching the last four Sabbath mornings from Sol. Song iii. 2; and the dear Lord has graciously blessed the remarks made therefrom to many of his dear tried children, even as I have heard from the lips of many. I was led in my plain way to notice first, the city as being the church of God, and as such it is the city of the Great King, the Lord Jesus Christ; and this city is a chosen city, a holy city, city of truth, a city of righteousness, the thful city, the citizens are called and

godly sorrow, which worketh repentance to
salvation; see its effects in 2 Cor. vii. 10, 11.
Third, 'Hatred to Sin street.' David saith,
'I hate vain thoughts;' and Paul saith,
What I hate that do I;' (meaning sin.)
Fourth, 'Self-loathing street;' this shall
come in remembering their ways and do-
ings, for thus saith the Lord, Ye shall
loathe yourselves in your own sight, for all
your evils that you have committed.' Ezek.
xx. 43. Fifth, 'Self-denial street,' 'By
faith, Moses refused to be called the son of
Pharoah's daughter, choosing rather to
suffer affliction with the people of God,
than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
season.' Sixth, 'Trying street;' the Lord
trieth the righteous in various ways, we
find none of God's saints of old but have
lived in this street, some have scarcely
ever been out of it; many sweet and pro-
fitable lessons have been learned there.
Seventh, 'Self-examination street;' he that
loveth the light and 'doeth truth, cometh
to the light, that his deeds may be made
manifest that they are wrought in God.'
Eighth,' Cast Down street.' David saith,

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THE STREETS OF THE CITY OF GOD.

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'O God, my soul is cast down within me; of Calvary; God declares, 'they shall dwell and Paul saith, Cast down, but not on high, and their place of defence shall be destroyed.' But those are sweet words, the munition of rocks.' Twenty-first, 'Union wherein David speaking of a good man, street.' Here the saints, in union with saith, though he fall he shall not be utterly their Lord and with each other, dwell, cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him proving that bond of union is love. As with his hand.' Ninth,' Desponding street; Christ is the head and his church the body here Jacob was found when he cried,' All of unity, so there can be no death to the these things are against me;' and also body while the head liveth. Eternal love Hezekiah, when he said, 'I shall not see encompassed the church around; and the Lord in the land of the living, &c. though this union did not begin here, yet Tenth, Praying street.' This is one of the here it is known and felt, and also between main streets that runs through all the city, the saints. Twenty-second. Conversafor God has no still-born children, but all tional street.' 'Those that feared the Lord are crying, praying, sighing, groaning and spake often one to the other;' David saith, wrestling souls. Eleventh, Doubting Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and street; this is wont to be very crowded I will declare what he hath done for my street; many live here a long time, and if soul.' Twenty-third, Sympathising street." by faith, they remove out of it, they soon Those that dwell here 'weep with those return again. Jesus said to his apostle that weep, and rejoice with those that do Peter, O thou of little faith, wherefore rejoice.' Twenty-fourth, 'Visiting street.' didst thou doubt?' And we read, that This is described by James, in the followafter his resurrection, 'some believed and ing words, 'Pure religion, and undefiled some doubted.' Twelfth, 'Careful street.' before God and the Father is this, to visit Here Martha dwelt when Jesus said unto the fatherless and widows in their afflicher, Martha, Martha, thou art careful tion, and to keep himself unspotted from and troubled about many things, &c. The the world.' Much good is received, as well Holy Ghost saith, 'Be careful for nothing;' as done (by the blessing of God) in this &c. And Peter saith, 'Casting all your street, I am witness. Twenty-fith, 'Surcare upon him, for he careth for you.' rendering street.' Here Paul saith, that Thirteenth, Contentment street.' Here the believing Macedonians, first gave their Mary lived when she sat at the feet of own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the Jesus; and poor old Jacob also when he will of God.' Twenty-sixth. Baptising said, 'It is enough; Joseph, my son, is yet street. Then they that gladly received alive; and again, 'now let me die since I his word were baptised.' Twenty-seventh, have seen thy face, because thou art yet Temptation street.' And of all the streets alive.' Fourteenth, Passive street.' Here this is the most distressing; here I have Aaron lived when the Lord slew his two been tempted to disbelieve the being of a sons, Nadab and Abihu, it is written, 'And God-the divinity of the Person of Christ Aaron held his peace;' also Eli, when-to blaspheme the name of God-to put an Samuel told him the heavy tidings, he said, end to my life-to commit the most awful It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth sins-to give up all religion as being a mere him good.' Fifteenth, Humbling street.' farce- - and a thousand other things too Here also Jacob was found, when he said, many to name here. Twenty-eighth,' Vic'I am not worthy of the least of all the tory street.' And truly we may say, with mercies, and of all the truth which thou Paul, 'Thanks be to God who giveth us the hast shewed unto thy servant;' and also victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ;' Paul, 'Unto me, who am less than the least and with John, 'This is the victory that of all saints is this grace given,' &c. Six- overcometh the world, even our faith.' teenth, 'Gathering street. Here Jehosha- Twenty-ninth, 'Shouting street. Our phat and Israel were found three days Jesus is gone up with a shout! and truly, after that the Lord had appeared for their when the saints, through grace, have got deliverance. Seventeenth, Resting street.' the victory they shout grace, grace.' The Those that believe, do enter into rest; they last street named was 'Dying street.' This rest in Jesus, and on the promises and will land the saint over Jordan. Blessed faithfulness of God. Eighteenth, Medi- street to the righteous! tation street.' David said, 'I love thy law, it is my meditation all the day;' Isaac went out into the field to meditate, and this is a most blessed employment when the Spirit leads us there, and opens to faith's view the blessings therein to be discovered. Nineteenth, Observation street.' Wisdom saith, 'My, son give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe mine ways:' and the Holy Ghost saith such shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.' Twentieth, Mount street.' Here Peter, James, and John were, when they said,Master, it is good to be here;' here the Great and chief Shepherd makes the fold for his sheep, where he opens up all the glorious scenes

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My dear brother, when I sat down to write, I thought I should be able to get just the heads of the sermons preached from the text named in the sheet of paper; but I find I am a great way out, aud therefore, I must leave the remainder until another opportunity. I hope Mrs. S. is much better in her health than when I last heard from you. May the Lord abundantly bless her in all her deep afflictions with his gracious smiles, and you my beloved brother, with the heavenly dew continually dropping into your own soul, and that your tongue may continue for many years to come, to spread abroad the savor of that name that has long been most precious to your own soul,

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MR. STENSON'S REFLY.

grace, by blood, from hell, to God, and is sure to all the seed elect. As God has chosen you for his service, 'be ever mindful of his covenant,' he stands engaged to help you, yea, to strengthen you, and uphold you with the right hand of his righteousness; therefore, trust him at all times, and under all circumstances, knowing that

MY DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST JESUS-your sufficiency is alone of him. There are My heart is glad, and my spirit rejoiceth, seven thoughts which just occur to my in witnessing the goodness of the Lord mind, which, by way of advice, I will thus towards one whom my soul loveth for the express ;-1st. As a Workman, or, as John truth's sake. May your ministry be dis- Foreman has it, a Working-man, be not tinguished for its soundness, spirituality, ashamed of your work, studying diligently simplicity, and suitability. Soundness in and seeking prayerfully, rightly to handle doctrines,ordinances and precepts, is of vast and divide the word of truth, according to importance, but this will not suffice with- the ability which God giveth,-2nd. As a out spirituality of mind and judgment in Watchman, or a Watching-man, be not opening up, laying out, and bringing forth asleep upon the walls of Zion, the night is to the light, the manifold conflicting and dark, the thieves are numerous, and skulkperplexing experiences of the living family ing about in search of prey; the spirit of of God. Simplicity of statements, free from slumber has fallen upon the daughters of all sophistry; and solemnity of speech, de- Israel, and none, or few seemed concerned void of all mimicry, affectation, and buf- for the safety of the city.-3rd. As a foonery, should be uniformly observed by Warrior, be not alarmed at the sound of all professing to be sent from God to speak the war trumpet, or at the sight of the unto sinners concerning the salvation of glittering spear; gird on your armour; their souls from the wrath to come upon give no quarters to the invading insulting the ungodly. Be assured, my brother, that foe; go forth manfully and meet the monas your ministry is characterized for its ster sin; and let it not be said, there is soundness, spirituality, simplicity, and not one valiant for the truth at Cuckfield.— solemnity, it will not only commend itself 4th. As a Witness, be not afraid to speak to the consciences of your hearers, but its out freely the truth of God, knowing that suitability to the condition, cases, and cir- the judge before whom you stand and cumstances of the children of God, (by the speak, trieth the heart, and cannot be power of the Spirit attending, and the seal deceived, 5th. As a Wrestler be not of the Spirit attesting the same,) will be astonished if, after having prevailed with rendered apparent and its success will be God in the spirit, you experience a shrinkanswerable to your warmest wishes,which, ing in the flesh, as in the case of Jacob, or doubtless, are encompassed by the will of a thorn in the flesh, as in the case of Paul. God. My mind has long been convinced, -6th. As a Wise Householder, be not that as the ancient settlements of grace accused of wasting ought, however small, are boldly and believingly, faithfully and that is thy Lord's.-7th. As a Waiting feelingly, constantly and clearly preached, Husbandman, be not amazed if the crops there will be strength in the ministry; fail and disappoint thy hopes, but rememand as 'salvation by grace' is revealed in ber the language of Habakkuk in the time the heart by the Holy Ghost, through the of famine, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, preaching of the everlasting gospel there and joy in the God of my salvation.' The will be sweetness in the ministry;' and as Holy Ghost also spake by Solomon, saying, the supplies of grace' are afforded, there' In the morning sow thy seed, and in the will be success in the ministry. May evening withhold not thine hand; for thou your soul, while searching after truth, be knowest not whether shall prosper, either wet with the dew of heaven, and while this or that, or whether they both shall be setting forth the truth, be watered with alike good.' In which words notice four showers of blessings; may you be walled things;-1st. The duty enjoined; Sow thy round with salvation, weaned from the seed.'-2nd. Diligence required. In the world, and be daily weeded by the skilful morning, and in the evening.'-3rd. Dehand of him, whose piercing eye well dis-pendence declared: Thou knowest not.'cerns between the productions of nature and the productions of grace, between the works of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit. May your heart be warmed with everlasting love, and while walking in the paths of righteousness, in quest of imperishable substance, may you be winged with hallowed desires for the glory of God and the good of immortal souls. The Lord graciously enable you to fulfil the ministry' which you have received at his hand, testifying to small and great none other things than those the prophets and apostles declared, that salvation is in Christ, of

4th. Desire implied: Prosperity, more or less. And now, my dear and well beloved brother, I again commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, most earnestly praying that the love of Christ which passeth knowledge,' (Ephes. iii. 10.) and the peace of God which passeth all understanding, (Phil. iy. 7,) may dwell richly in you, making you to abound in every good word and work, serving the Lord with all humility and thankfulness.

Grace be with thee. Amen.

Chelsea, Nov. 25, 1848.

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JOHN STENSON,

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The Peaceful Departure of Mary Male, of Cottenham.

And she answered, It is well."

THIS portion of divine truth was exempli-church: but neither Mr. Allen nor Mr. fied in the peaceful departure of Mrs. Mary Battiscombe was to be the happy instruMale, of Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, who ment of comforting her distressed soul. departed this life October 3rd, 1848, firmly During this time Mr. Thos. Poock preached fixed upon the Rock of Ages. the gospel at Eden Chapel, where the whole of the family formerly attended; but in consequence of former unpleasantnesses the daughters were forbidden to go; occasionally the deceased broke the command of her father and paid some visits to Eden Chapel, and generally used to hear something from the lips of Mr.Poock comforting to her distressed soul;-to use her own words, 'I can hear there what I feel to need;'-till, at length, quite tired of the ministry of Mr. Battiscombe, she resolved to relinquish her sitting, let what would be the consequence. Be it remarked, during all this time she experienced a great deal of mental agony, and kept all, or most of what she felt to herself, and seldom would she utter a word to any friend. Like Mary of old, she kept these things, and pondered them in her heart.' Many times has she told me, that when she has been on her knees and begging the Lord to shew to her that her sins were forgiven, she has heard her sister coming up stairs, she has rose up in haste, and dare not so much as let her see her read the Bible, at the same time her sister a praying character. But, I doubt not, could these walls speak, they would testify to the ardency of her soul in secret before the Lord. During this time satan made himself very busy in preaching to her from 'the Lord takes one of a city, and two of a family.' She felt quite satisfied that her two sisters were right, and that it was quite out of the order of God's gracious design to save three with an everlasting salvation; these suggestions tormented her for years, and often did she infer that she must be lost. While constantly attending the ministry of Mr. Poock she felt a little comfort in her mind, and could sometimes indulge a secret hope that her sins were forgiven. A correspondence was at this time carried on between her and her now bereaved husband, and many were the efforts made in order to comfort her soul, and in her last hours she made reference to the same. It pleased the dear Lord to grant many souls to the ministry of Mr. Poock, and we often had the pleasure of witnessing the despised ordinance-baptism. These were cutting strokes to the deceased, feeling like the man laying at the pool for years, but no angel to put her in, no persuasion would do, although the words of Mr. Foreman were strictly applicable when he said, 'No one doubts Mary's religion, but Mary herself."

The subject of this memoir was the second daughter of Mr. Henry Auburn, of Cambridge, who, in their early days, used to sit under the ministry of the late Dr. Harris, but at the time that Mr. W. Allen (now of Cave Adullam,) preached at Eden Chapel, Mr. Auburn and family constantly attended the ministry of that good man. Some few years had elapsed when circumstances of an unpleasant nature arose, and in the sequel, Mr. Allen and some of the friends left Eden, and built another chapel, and called it Providence; and amongst the friends that left was Mr. Auburn, and family. Although it was the unspeakable happiness of the deceased to be born and brought up by God-fearing parents, yet she was ignorant of God and his Christ, and herself too, until about the age of twenty. Like the rest of the sons and daughters of Adam, she knew not that she was poor, and blind, and naked, and miserable, in the strictest sense of the word, and without hope and God in the world; 'her ways leading down to death, and her steps taking hold on hell,' until it pleased God, who separated her from her mother's womb, to separate her from her old companions, and to implant the principle of divine grace, which is now crowned with immortal glory. The first impressions that she ever had was one Sabbath morning, when Mr. Allen took for his text, Thy sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee. These words seemed as a hammer to break her rocky heart. Her attention was arrested; her heart was melted; fear seized her inmost soul, and 'sins, sins, sins,' rang through her mind. Never before did she feel herself a sinner; often would she say to me, 'Never shall I forget my feelings in leaving that chapel, and going to my home; my heart was ready to burst feeling myself a naked sinner before an holy God. No forgiveness for me! I am lost for ever! Hell will be my portion. Oh that I had not been born. My dear parents going to heaven; my two sisters going to heaven; but I must go to hell. I can feel no forgiveness. My sins are too great too be pardoned.' I reached my home (she said) and crawled up to my bedroom; there I cried and groaned, and begged of the Lord to spare me a little time before he consigned me to that place of torment, which I thought must be my portion.'

Thus she was burdened down with sins and sorrows for days, months, and to a large degree for years. At length Mr. Allen left the pastorate at Providence, for Cave Adullam, London. His successor was a Mr. Battiscombe, a seceeder from the

In the year 1842 it pleased the dear Lord who wings an angel, and guides a sparrow, to open a door in his providence for our future sustenation at Cottenham, where he was pleased to grant a good supply of the

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