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To do evil that good may come, is the black mark of a reprobate mind. But, for this cause, saith the Apostle, I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe in him to life everlasting. The same caution is necessary whenever you may be tempted to hope for such a recovery as Mr. N.'s, after erring like him. To proceed upon such a hope is a gross presumption. Thousands perish in wrong courses for one who escapes from their natural consequences. Pray, therefore, that you may be enabled to resist the temptation of perverting such extraordinary cases. God affords them to be a savour of life unto life, while Satan would employ them to be a savour of death unto death. One, Almighty to save, affords you here, indeed, an instance of special mercy, which gives you the strongest encouragement in setting your faces towards his kingdom: and this is the proper use to be made of such a case.

Your parents, your most disinterested friends, are anxiously watching for your good; and they, perhaps, have put this book into your hand with a view of promoting it. The author has cause to thank God, who put it into the heart of his pious parent to make a similar attempt, and bless it with success; and he could tell of more such instances. May it please God that you may be added to the number!

Worldly prosperity would rather hurt than help you, before your minds become rightly directed. Mr. N. shews us (p. 34) that his firmest friend could not have served him, had not God first prepared his mind for the advancement. An enemy would occupy your minds with perishing objects; but God calls you to cultivate nobler feelings. He proposes glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life, by the Gospel. SEEK, therefore, FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL OTHER THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.

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FORTY-ONE LETTERS

ON

RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED UNDER THE

SIGNATURES" OMICRON" AND " VIGIL."

FORTY-ONE LETTERS

ON RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS;

NAMELY,

1. On Trust in God. 2. To a Student in Divinity. 3. On 2 Cor. v. 10, and Rom.

xiv. 12.

4. On Family Worship.

5. On the Difficulties attend

ing the Ministry.

6. On the Influence of Faith. 7. On a Ministerial Address to the Unconverted. 8. On the Inward Witness. 9. On Election and Perseve

rance.

10. On Grace in the Blade. 11. On Grace in the Ear. 12. On Grace in the Full Corn. 13. On Hearing Sermons.

14. On Temptation.

21. On Spiritual Blindness. 22. On a State of Poverty. 23. OnSimplicity and Sincerity. 24. On Communion with God. 25. On Faith, and the Communion of Saints.

26. On Gospel Illumination. 27. On Union with Christ. 28. On the Divine Guidance. 29. On Rom. viii. 19-21. 80. On the right Use of the Law. 31. On Love to the Brethren. 32. On Candour.

33. (1) On Man in his Fallen Estate.

34. (2) On Man in his Fallen Estate.

35. On Phil. iv. 8.

15. A Plan of a Christian Li- 36. To a Friend on Recovery

brary.

from Illness.

16. On the Inefficacy of Know- 37. On Christian Experience.

ledge.

17. On a Believer's Frames.

18. On Social Prayer.

19. On Controversy.

38. On Religion necessary to

the Enjoyments of Life.

39. A Word in Season.

40. To Professors in Trade.

20. OnConformity to the World. 41. On the Ministry of Angels.

133

LETTER I.

On Trust in the Providence of God, and Benevolence to his Poor.

My dear Friend,

THE more I think of the point you proposed to me, the more I am confirmed to renew the advice I then gave. There is doubtless such a thing as Christian prudence; but, my friend, beware of counterfeits. Self-love, and the evil heart of unbelief, will endeavour to obtrude upon us a prudence so called, which is as opposite to the former as darkness to light. I do not say, that, now you have a wife, and the prospect of a family, you are strictly bound to communicate with the poor in the same proportion as formerly. I say, you are not bound; for every thing of this sort should proceed from a willing mind. But if you should tell me the Lord has given you such a zeal for his glory, such a concern for the honour of the Gospel, such a love to his members, such a grateful sense of his mercies (especially by granting you, in this late instance of your marriage, the desire of your heart), and such an affiance in his providence and promises, that you find yourself very unwilling to be one sixpence in the year less useful than you was before, I could not blame you or dissuade you from it. But I do not absolutely advise it; because I know not the state of your mind, or what measure of faith the Lord has given you. Only this I believe, that when the Lord gives such a confidence, he will not disappoint it.

When I look among the professors, yea, among

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