behind, and the mountains on each side. Thus David, when the people were going to stone him at Ziglag, comforted himself in the Lord his God. Thus Daniel and the three children. Oh, glorious persuasion! which can keep the mind in perfect peace, even in the extremest difficulties! Strong faith can overcome those doubts and objections which distress and perplex weak believers. In particular seasons, there are doubts in the most established believers: even they are sometimes afraid lest they should perish, or be found hypocrites at last: but, after prayer and cries, and sore conflicts, the sun again shines bright, and all their doubts are dispelled! Strong faith is pursuing, and can wait long; when weak faith is discouraged, and faints under the delay of the help and mercy it craves. Strong faith can even take denials well; not only respecting temporal things, but respecting spiritual enjoyments; saying, "Not my will, but Thine be done!" And strong faith, in its highest actings, enables us to rejoice in necessity, in distresses, in circumstances most dismaying to the nature of man. From hence it appears what a race Christians have to run, and to what growth in grace they may attain. Watchfulness, prayer, and self-denial, and a heart quite in earnest, looking unto Jesus, will bring us to it. Let us not think it too much for us to receive. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it," is the command of our God. 66 From your much indebted servant, H. VENN. TO LADY MARY FITZGERALD. MADAM, Yelling, January 19, 1784. It is high time for me to write, and send you my best wishes, that your ladyship may enjoy a happy new year. "Happy" is a proud word; much too high for a sinful creature! Granted;-but not too much for God our Saviour to bestow. "My peace (saith He, in the largeness of His affection) I leave with you. My peace I give unto you." And again: "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." Thus may you be blessed in the midst of trials and manifold corruptions of heart! Many fears I had, lest your journey should be more than you could bear; and lest you might be very ill upon the road, far from every friend but one. Most pleasing, therefore, was the news I received from our two friends in St. James's Place, of your better state of health. Oh, sing unto the Lord! for He is good, our guard, our Guide, our Shepherd; and we His sheep! We go out, we come in, feeble and faint, in the midst of dangers and enemies, inflamed with rage and malice against us; but our hairs are numbered, and no evil befalls us. How superior your pleasures, far above what the grand world can conceive! while you have seen so many of the family of Christ-in some, one feature of His own likeness more predominant; in some, another; but none complete and without defect. One reason may probably be, to prevent our admiring too much the living image, and setting our affections on it, to the hurt of our souls, and neglect of the Great Original, in whom alone is perfect beauty. It gave me joy to see Mr. and Mrs. Elton much concerned for the good of the poor people of West Bromwich. It is grace, indeed, to condescend, from love, to men of low estate! What a privileged station have Christians! We have enjoyed it exceedingly this last month: though shut up in our house, without a visitor, in the midst of snow, so as neither to walk nor ride, our happy life sweetly glides away. We say one to another, How short is our time! We wish those who find it a burden could give us some portion of it. When we were in Warwickshire, my two youngest daughters were six weeks alone, literally; but so far from being gloomy, they read, and worked, and enjoyed their time exceedingly. Oh what a noble independent spirit is produced by the power of godliness! How mistaken and wretched are the multitude, who eagerly and greedily indulge their low earthly appetites as the way of true pleasure; whereas, that is found in the wise and holy use of the highest faculties of the soul, on the things unseen and eternal. I have good news to send you from Cambridge. -Mr. Simeon is made for great usefulness. There are near twenty promising young students. Several of them come over, at times, to me; and make me happy, in the opportunity of commending to them the best Master-the best service that men or angels can be called to work in. Pleasing is the hope, that many shall, by them, be made rich in peace and love divine, and meet for heaven! They listen to my instructions with great simplicity and I incul cate much moderation, obedience to superiors, and no breaking out to be teachers, when they are mere novices. Hard lesson to young men! Yet they observe it, and bring credit upon their seriousness. In my own parish, I have small encouragement. Several who were called, are removed, either by death, or fixing in other places. However, I look off from every discouragement, to the Lord, whom I serve. My trust is in His promise: my aim is, to make Him known and loved supremely. He hears me pray.— Be Thou exalted! Be Thou extolled!-And in my want of success respecting many, I must submit ; saying, "Even so, Father! for so it seemeth good in thy sight." Mrs. Venn and my daughters desire their best respects. I beg to be remembered to the Ladies at Brighton. From your much indebted servant, H. VENN. MY DEAR SON, TO THE REV. JOHN VENN. Yelling, April 19, 1784. Very pleasant indeed to us all was your visit, and caused many thanksgivings for the favour God has been pleased to shew you. My prayers are heard -my desires concerning you are fulfilled. You are a pastor in the Church of Christ; and in you, an earthly vessel, is put the inestimable treasure of the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Instead of doubting, therefore, you have the greatest cause imaginable for rejoicing that you are in Christ, and He in you. Remember, no command in the New Testament is oftener repeated, than, "Rejoice in the Lord!" Nothing more becomes us, than assurance (in the full view of our unworthiness and corruptions, and the purity of our God) grounded on the purchase paid for us, on the promise and oath of God. Nothing more honours Him, or commends His cause. Nothing more discourages and damps the hearts of men, than to hear those who are acknowledged to be walking circumspectly, and with a single eye, speak in terms of suspicion and fear. This is the device of the enemy to perplex and vex those who are faithful, by endless fears and the spirit of bondage. "Ask, and ye shall have," &c. - this is enough to make us confident. On Thursday, in the last week, I learnt from Mr. Simeon that the condemned malefactor at Cambridge had been amongst my hearers at Huddersfield. I went, in a post-chaise, with Mr. Simeon, to Cambridge, on Friday. The man knew me, though twenty years had passed since he had seen me. He was much affected, and fell on my neck. I was with him near two hours; but I am not able to say whether he hath received of the Lord the gift of faith. Now his life is spared by Mr. Pitt (who was on Saturday chosen member for the University), it will be seen whether he returns to his old courses, or is a new man. Very, very few are real converts from jails! Yesterday I was at Everton. The pastor was well, and most affectionate in inquiries after you. I would not that my declining health should be any matter of grief to you! It is my prayer to be taken to my Father's home, before I am useless in |