persons who were Jews or Gentiles. I can also assure you, that there never was any society of Christians that forbade children to be baptized, till fifteen hundred years after Christ: nor is there any mention of the persons by whom infant baptism was first brought in, or when, or of the least dispute about it, in the History of the Church. So that the Anabaptists are injurious to children, without authority from God's word, and in direct contradiction to all the Churches of Christ for fifteen hundred years. Yet are they so fierce and bigoted, that in their writings they deny we are Christians, or have any right to the Lord's Supper; nor would they give it to any of us, any more than to a Pagan.

I would not have said so much, but I very well know the spirit of the Anabaptists, and therefore guard you. And though it is not profitable to read controversy, yet your acquaintance, Mr. Addington, has published so candid, convincing, and short a treatise upon the Divine Right of Infants to Baptism, that I would recommend it to you. It is sold by Buckland in Paternoster-row.

Mrs. Venn, and my children, join with me in love to Mrs. Brasier and my sister. If Mrs. Brasier's relations have not yet engaged themselves, and you will accept Mrs. Venn and myself as sponsors to your dear infant, we shall have pleasure in answering by proxy; for we shall not be in town till the last week in May, when I am engaged to preach a sermon in the Mercers' Chapel, on the 29th.

Awful, more than ever, are the signs of wrath gone out from the Lord against us! Should it

come, there is a man, " a Friend" indeed "born for adversity," who will be better to us than money, when we have neither silver nor gold; better than a house, when we have no certain habitation; better than national peace and quietness, when the sword drinks up the blood of the slain; better than life itself, when we shall lay down this earthly tabernacle. In Him may we all be found!

From your much obliged cousin,

H. VENN.

-We have had, amongst our visitors, a serious young man from Cambridge (who was a month with us, two summers ago): he is now quarrelling with our Liturgy and Articles, and going over to the Dissenters. Alas! how subtle are the devices of the enemy! Such instances as these make men of sense and learning dread religion: they say it oversets young minds; who never know where to stop. He has been two days with me; and I have since written him a long letter. The success is such as you would suppose ;-for I scarcely ever knew an instance, when young people begin to cavil, and find fault with every thing but sinful courses and a sinful heart, that they ever stop, but get into a spirit of debate and contention, hurtful to themselves and all about them. He is about leaving college and I trust my son sees his error, and will pray to be kept from it.

:

TO MR. JOHN VENN

(AT LEICESTER).

Yelling, Aug. 14, 1778.

-ON Sunday morning, I was overjoyed with the sight of Joseph Hirst, of Hew Green, near Huddersfield. He came one hundred and fifty miles, on purpose to see me; and stayed till Wednesday afternoon. I really think it would have been well worth all my pains for twelve years, if he alone had been the fruit of them. I could not but admire his great knowledge of the Bible, the strength of his judgment, the wisdom of his words, his great humility, and his active spirit. All his mind is intent to learn and know how to do what is good for others. He saves his money, to lay out in printing useful little books; which he gives and lends to those around him, with much success. He gave me a most pleasing account of John Houghton, and many more: so that, when I parted with him, I could not but adore the astonishing goodness of God to me, that I should have been the instrument, by preaching His word faithfully, of forming an immortal spirit to such usefulness and excellency.

who now, with his One brother, the

Amongst the things which grieved me, relating to many who did set out well, of whom I made inquiry, was poor Mr. two brothers, lives at merchant, Joseph Hirst works for: this merchant, like the elder brother, has been awakened; but, alas! the world has gotten the victory! The clergyman has a living, if not two, and resides upon

neither. Joseph Hirst says, they are confessedly superior in understanding to all about them; and value themselves on being able to make the worse appear the better, and conquer in every dispute. O that I could pray for them as I ought! O that they were wounded in their spirit, till they were ready to despair of mercy; that they might then be brought to know that Christ is more than all manner of riches. What talents, and what a perversion of them! What a curse is a fine understanding, without a humble spirit!

Pray remember me, in love, to Mr. Robinson, his wife, Mr. Ludlam, and all friends. I hope you felt your soul on fire, at the lecture, to be one day like your dear friend, who spoke to you in the name of the Lord. O study how you may do good to the souls and bodies of men!-This is religion.The Lord Jesus be with your spirit!

Your mamma, and sisters, and cousin Venn, desire their love.

From your affectionate father,

TO MR. JOHN HOUGHTON.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

H. VENN.

Yelling, Aug. 12, 1778.

I received, in due time, your kind present, and your letter for both I return you my thanks. Joseph Hirst gives me very great pleasure, in assuring me that many of you live like real Christians; and that you, in particular, are useful and exemplary. I have made very particular inquiry about every one I could think of, and the state of the

Church. I find you are troubled with the Anabaptists*. -But never, on any account, dispute. Debate is the work of the flesh. No one is ever found disputing about such external matters, till sorrow for sin, till love for Christ and communion with Him, till love for souls and desire to be useful, are departed from the heart entirely, or very much enfeebled. Little do they watch and pray, and desire the prosperity of Christ's Church, who can find time or have a relish for any thing but what edifies, quickens, comforts, and makes us like unto God in doing good. The best manner of answering disputers, of this contentious cavilling spirit, is, to ask them, whether they have considered, and do lament, the mischiefs and evils of separation, of strife, and contention? whether they feel, in their heart, a great desire of union and peace, that all who are in Christ Jesus may together lift up their voice, and make their attack upon the army of the ungodly, the worldly, the covetous? Ask such disputers what time they spend in visiting the fatherless and the widows, in their affliction? whether they feel joy in supporting the weak, in comforting the feeble-minded; and obey the Scripture which commands us to "receive the weak in faith, but not to doubtful disputations?" In the course of more than twenty-seven years, I never knew one exemplary Christian a disputer, whether amongst Dissenters or in our own Church: and it is a rule with me to conclude any person who can be taken up with a desire to make men converts to

* The letter goes on to state the argument in favour of Infant Baptism, as it was given in a former letter to Mr. Brasier.