hath worshipped many times before this blessed Master, in feeling and observing, that He knows how to teach these blessed lessons, and is still teaching them to many, whose natural dispositions and circumstances are most unfavourable to this sort of learning.

I sincerely wish, for myself and thee, that we may be strengthened to do or suffer what little may yet remain to fill up the measure of our duty; and I have no doubt at all, but we shall be thus supported, and that He, who hath been our morning light, will be our evening song.

I

am,

with the salutation of brotherly love,

thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

Letter LV.

TO RICHARD REYNOLDS.

Manchester, 8th Mo. 15, 1809.

My dear Friend,

I sometimes wonder that there should be any such thing as self-righteousness in the world; or that any should think they have any claim, from merits, to rewards. But we have both cause humbly and gratefully to acknowledge, that mercy and goodness have followed us all the days of our lives, and, I have confidence to believe, will be continued to us for-ever. Let us, then, contend for this faith, and possess our souls in patience. We have both had many trials, in passing through this vale of tears, and many mercies to acknowledge; and I humbly hope and pray, that He who hitherto hath helped us, will continue to be with us, and finally give us an inheritance in His everlasting kingdom.

I am thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

Το

Letter LVI.

9th Mo. 11, 1809.

I received thy letter, and should be glad if I might be enabled to say any thing in answer to it, that might contribute to thy comfort and instruction. It is written in the Scriptures, "ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss:" "hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name." The first petition, in that prayer which our blessed Lord taught his disciples, is, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done;" when the heart is thus humbled in submission, so as to make á sacrifice of its own will to the will of God, all complaints are over; and to that state of mind, every dispensation is sanctified, whether it be sweet or bitter, darkness or light, "all things work together for good." But, until our wills are thus subjected, it is in vain we look for peace. It is not the clamorous importunity, travail, and labour of the natural man, to be favoured with Divine consolation and peace, that will be T*

heard or answered; but the prayer that arises from the sensible operation of the Spirit of God in the heart, will never be sent empty away; for, as its prayer is, that the will of God may be done, whilst preserved in that submission, it never can complain, because it is his blessed will to deal with us in that way, which He, who knoweth all our wants, as well as weaknesses, sees to be best for us. Surely He knows best what to give, and what to deny, in order to subject the creaturely will, that His holy will may be done in us and by us, that He alone may rule whose right it is.

Go to meetings in a child-like state of mind, (the infant child does not make its choice of this or that, but is wholly dependent, being unable to do any thing for itself,) and when there, have no dependence at all upon any thing thou canst do for thyself, but endeavour to gather into a meek, patient resignation, trusting in the mere mercy of God in Christ Jesus, in Him who suffered for us without the gates of Jerusalem, and spiritually reveals himself in the hearts of all men. Thus believing in Him, and

gathering to Him, as thou endeavourest to possess thy soul in patience, there is no possibility of thy missing that eternal salvation, of which Jesus is the author; for He hath said, "him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out." In all thy buffetings, afflictions, and conflicts, look to Him for help, on whom help is laid, and who is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities;" for there is salvation in no other name.

It is strange thou shouldst ask, what we are to understand by the grace of God, or what is meant by our coming to Christ. In every sense of the word, thou hast great cause to know what the grace of God is, both as it stands for the favour of God, and a principle of holiness in the soul; and surely, thy long and ardent solicitude, to obtain peace and a resting-place in God, cannot leave thee ignorant what is meant by coming to Christ, who is both the peace, the rest, and sabbath of the soul; whose blood, outwardly shed, and divine life and nature from Him, inwardly renewed, are the changing and salvation of the soul.

Do not give in to curious inquiries and