them before Mr. Robinson of Cambridge, and that which he should judge duty in the case we would follow, unless it should appear to both parties that he was wrong. We waited on Mr. R. yesterday, and after an investigation of the affair for three or four hours, he gave it as his opinion, That Mr. Fuller ought to continue pastor of the said church for one whole year from this day, and after that time if it should appear that he can live on his income; and that the people ought to abide by their proposal to raise Mr. Fuller's income to twenty-six pounds a year, as they had pro. posed, clear of all deductions.'

“On the 3d of October I received a note from Mr. Hall, who was in London, wherein he wishes me not to enter into an engagement to be governed by the arbitration; and suggests, that if my continuance at Soham should be thus determined, it would be a reflection either on the wisdoin or integrity of the nine ministers whom I consulted at Kettering, or else on myself for having related a partial tale, tending to lead them into a deception. As to the former, I have only to say, however it may look, that I have certainly no inferior opinion of the wisdom or integrity of the nine ministers to that of the arbitrators. I impute it wholly to their hearing the matter but from one party; and as to the partiality of my tale, I refer you to what I said in my last to you.

this to be my duty. My soul trembles for the ark of God. What will betide the interest of Christ here? Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

"22.-My heart much moved this morning. Psa, cxxiii. 1, 2. was somewhat to me. Overcome in prayer, that God would shine upon my path. O God, thou knowest that I ain willing to be any thing. It is my unfeigned desire, that not my will but thine be done. Let not my ease, but thine honour be consulted. Yes, O thou searcher of hearts! I humbly, earnestly, and unfeignedly desire of thee, that if my departure would issue in the failure of thine interest here, never let me depart! Let me rather go mourning all my days in the bitterness of my soul!"

In a letter to the church at Kettering, not dated, but marked by Mr. Beeby Wallis as received Oct. 21, 1781, Mr. Fuller relates the issue of this arbitration. One minister seemed to justify his removal, yet added, 'But if he can be provided for at Soham without oppressing the poor, I wish he would continue at least a little longer, and see what the Lord will do for and by him.' Another condemned it; and a third declared he could not tell what was duty in this case.

"We then agreed, (says Mr. Fuller,) that I and an officer of the church should take the letters from all parties on the subject, and lay

them before Mr. Robinson of Cambridge, and that which he should judge duty in the ease we would follow, unless it should appear to both parties that he was wrong. We waited on Mr. R. yesterday, and after an investigation of the affair for three or four hours, he gave it as his opinion, That Mr. Fuller ought to continue pastor of the said church for one whole year from this day, and after that time if it should appear that he can live on his income; and that the people ought to abide by their proposal to raise Mr. Fuller's income to twenty-six pounds a year, as they had pro posed, clear of all deductions.'

"On the 3d of October I received a note from Mr. Hall, who was in London, wherein he wishes me not to enter into an engagement to be governed by the arbitration; and suggests, that if my continuance at Soham should be thus determined, it would be a reflection either on the wisdom or integrity of the nine ministers whom I consulted at Kettering, or else on myself for having related a partial tale, tending to lead them into a deception. As to the former, I have only to say, however it may look, that I have certainly no inferior opinion of the wisdom or integrity of the nine ministers to that of the arbitrators. I impute it wholly to their hearing the matter but from one party; and as to the partiality of my tale, I refer you 10 what I said in my last to you.

"I dare not, indeed I dare not go contrary to the above decision. I think it would be mocking God and the arbitrators to be previously resolved what way to take. Would it not be like Ahab's asking counsel of Micaiah? or the Jews of Jeremiah? (Chap. xlii.)I therefore must not comply with your invitation. Mr. Robinson referred me to what it is that approves a minister of God, in 2 Cor. vi. 4-8. and such things have no small impression on my heart.

"I am at this time a compound of feelings, I feel, dear brethren, I painfully feel for you, I am distressed that a church whose troubles were many before, should have them increased through me. I feel myself unhappy lest my worthy brethren and fathers in the ministry should think themselves slighted, of which there is nothing that I am less conscious: and should they on this account slight me it will very much grieve me, but I cannot help it. I hope they will consider what must necessarily be my motives in this matter, and excuse me. I am not without feelings on my own account, but these are not so great as those for you, Blessed be God, I feel peace within, let things issue as they will. I enjoy a consciousness of having done every thing in this matter as in the sight of Christ; at least to the best of my knowledge. A passage in Mr. Hall's letter to me, of April 28, 1780, has both yesterday and

to-day been sweet to me.-' How awfully mysterious are divine providences! The Lord help us to approve and adore with cordial affections the dispensations of God. We shall one day see we could not have been so well in any other condition as in that in which the Lord has placed us, nor without the various afflictions we meet with by the way. I have 1 lately thought that religion is not designed to please us now, but to profit us, to teach and dispose us to please God. And those who please him, he will please them hereafter.'

"I am not without some fears that as the time of trial is limited to one year, you should some of you be hankering still in your minds after me, which if you should it will make me exceedingly unhappy. I do not mean to spend what I have, but if possible to live according to what I shall have coming in; and to bow my shoulder to the yoke with contentment. It is therefore likely I shall stay longer, perhaps all my life. I therefore humbly and most earnestly beseech you, by all that belongs to your own welfare and my future peace, to drop all thoughts whatever of my removal, and to look up and look out for some other person to be your pastor: the Great Head of the church direct your choice.

"Great happiness is what I do not look for now, but it would serve to increase the little I have remaining, to receive one more letter