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had experience of mine, both in pected from you by a thousand othsickness and in health, and never ers, and I have nothing to do but saw his fellow. what is most agreeable to myself. The river Ouse (I forget how they Our mentioning Newton's Treaspell it) is the most agreeable cir- tise on the Prophecies, brings to my cumstance in this part of the world; mind an anecdote of Dr. Young, at this town it is I believe as wide as who you know died lately at Welthe Thames at Windsor: nor does wyn. Dr. Cotton, who was intimate the silver Thames better deserve that with him, paid him a visit about a epithet, nor has it more flowers upon fortnight before he was seized with its banks, these being attributes, his last illness. The old man was which, in strict truth, belong to nei- then in perfect health; the antiquity ther. Fluellen would say, they are of his person, the gravity of his utas like as my fingers to my fingers, terance, and the earnestness with and there is salmon in both. It is a which he discoursed about religion, noble stream to bathe in, and I shall gave him, in the Doctor's eye, the make that use of it three times a appearance of a prophet. They week, having introduced myself to had been delivering their sentiments it for the first time this morning. upon this book of Newton, when I beg you will remember me to all Young closed the conference thus: my friends, which is a task will cost -"My friend, there are two consiyou no great pains to execute-par-derations upon which my faith in ticularly remember me to those of Christ is built as upon a rock the your own house, and believe me your fall of man, the redemption of man, very affectionate.

LETTER II.

To Lady Hesketh.

July 12, 1765.

and the resurrection of man, the three cardinal articles of our religion, are such as human ingenuity could never have invented, therefore they must be divine. The other argument is this-If the prophecies have been fulfilled (of which there is abundant demonstration), the Scripture must be the word of God; and if the Scripture is the word of God, Christianity must be true."

My dear cousin, You are very good to me, and if you will only continue to write at such intervals as you find convenient, This treatise on the Prophecies I shall receive all that pleasure, serves a double purpose: it not only which I proposed to myself from proves the truth of religion, in a our correspondence. I desire no manner that never has been, nor more than that you would never drop ever can be controverted; but it me for any length of time together, proves likewise, that the Roman Cafor I shall then think you only write tholic is the apostate and anti-chrisbecause something happened to put tian church, so frequently foretold you in mind of me, or for some other both in the Old and New Testareason equally mortifying. I am not ments. Indeed so fatally connected however so unreasonable as to expect is the refutation of Popery with the you should perform this act of friend-truth of Christianity, when the latship so frequently as myself; for you ter is evinced by the completion of live in a world swarming with en- the prophecies, that in proportion as gagements, and my hours are almost light is thrown upon the one, the deall my own. You must every day formities and errors of the other are be employed in doing what is ex-more plainly exhibited. But I leave

you to the book itself: there are parts of father and mother, son and daughof it which may possibly afford you ter, the most comfortable, social folks less entertainment than the rest, be- you ever knew. The son is about cause you have never been a school-twenty-one years of age, one of the boy; but in the main it is so interest-most unreserved and amiable young ing, and you are so fond of that which men I ever conversed with. He is is so, that I am sure you will like it. not yet arrived at that time of life, My dear cousin,-how happy am when suspicion recommends itself to I in having a friend, to whom I can us in the form of wisdom, and sets open my heart upon these subjects! every thing, but our own dear selves, I have many intimates in the world, at an immeasurable distance from our and have had many more than I shall esteem and confidence. Consequenthave hereafter, to whom a long letter, ly he is known almost as soon as upon these most important articles, seen; and having nothing in his would appear tiresome at least, if not heart that makes it necessary for him impertinent. But I am not afraid of to keep it barred and bolted, opens it meeting with that reception from you, to the perusal even of a stranger.who have never yet made it your in- The father is a clergyman, and the terest, that there should be no truth son is designed for orders. The dein the word of God. May this ever-sign however is quite his own, prolasting truth be your comfort while ceeding merely from his being, and you live, and attend you with peace having always been, sincere in his and joy in your last moments! I love belief and love of the Gospel. Anoyou too well not to make this a part ther acquaintance I have lately made, of my prayers; and when I remem- is with a Mr. Nicholson, a Northber my friends on these occasions, country divine, very poor, but very there is no likelihood that you can good, and very happy. He reads be forgotten. Yours, ever.

prayers here twice a-day, all the year round, and travels on foot to serve P. S.-Cambridge.-I add this two churches every Sunday through postscript at my brother's rooms. He the year, his journey out and home desires to be affectionately remem- again being sixteen miles. I supped bered to you, and if you are in town with him last night. He gave me about a fortnight hence, when he bread and cheese, and a black jug proposes to be there himself, will take of ale of his own brewing, and doubta breakfast with you.

LETTER III.

To Lady Hesketh.

Ano

less brewed by his own hands. ther of my acquaintance is Mr. a thin, tall, old man, and as good as he is thin. He drinks nothing but water, and eats no flesh, partly (I believe) from a religious scruple (for he is very religious), and partly in Huntingdon, Sept. 14, 1765. the spirit of a valetudinarian. He is My dear cousin, to be met with every morning of his THE longer I live here, the better life, at about six o'clock, at a founI like the place, and the people who tain of very fine water, about a mile belong to it. I am upon very good from the town, which is reckoned exterms with no less than five fami- tremely like the Bristol spring. Belies, besides two or three odd scram- ing both early risers, and the only bling fellows like myself. The last early walkers in the place, we soon acquaintance I made here is with became acquainted. His great piety the race of the Unwins, consisting can be equalled by nothing, but his

great regularity; for he is the most of me twice as often as you would perfect time-piece in the world. I do if the account was clear. These have received a visit likewise from are the reflections with which I comMr. He is very much a gen-fort myself under the affliction of not tleman, well-read, and sensible. I hearing from you: my temper does am persuaded, in short, that if I had not incline me to jealousy, and if it had the choice of all England where did, I should set all right by having to fix my abode, I could not have recourse to what I have already rechosen better for myself, and most ceived from you. likely I should not have chosen so well.

I thank God for your friendship, and for every friend I have: for all You say, you hope it is not neces- the pleasing circumstances here, for sary for salvation to undergo the same my health of body, and perfect sereniafflictions that I have undergone.-ty of mind. To recollect the past, No! my dear cousin, God deals with and compare it with the present, is his children as a merciful father; he all I have need of to fill me with gradoes not, as he himself tells us, afflict titude; and to be grateful is to be willingly the sons of men. Doubt- happy. Not that I think myself sufless there are many who, having been ficiently thankful, or that I ever shall placed, by his good providence, out be so in this life. The warmest heart of the reach of any great evil, and the perhaps only feels by fits, and is of influence of bad example, have, from ten as insensible as the coldest. This their very infancy, been partakers of at least is frequently the case with the grace of his holy Spirit, in such a mine, and oftener than it should be. manner as never to have allowed them-But the mercy that can forgive iniquiselves in any grievous offence against ty, will never be severe to mark our him. May you love him more and more, frailties. To that mercy, my dear day by day; as every day, while you cousin, I commend you, with earnest think upon him, you will find him wishes for your welfare, and remain more worthy of your love: and may your ever affectionate. you be finally accepted by him for his sake, whose intercession for all his faithful servants cannot but prevail ! Yours ever.

LETTER IV.

To Lady Hesketh.

LETTER V.

To Major Cowper.

Huntingdon, Oct. 18, 1765.

My dear major,

I HAVE neither lost the use of my fingers nor my memory, though my

Huntingdon, Oct. 10, 1765. unaccountable silence might incline My dear cousin, you to suspect that I had lost both. I SHOULD grumble at your long si-The history of those things which lence, if I did not know, that one may have, from time to time, prevented my love one's friends very well, though one scribbling, would not only be insiis not always in a humour to write to pid, but extremely voluminous, for them. Besides, I have the satisfaction which reasons they will not make of being perfectly sure, that you have their appearance at present, nor proat least twenty times recollected the bably at any time hereafter. If my debt you owe me, and as often re- neglecting to write to you were a solved to pay it: and perhaps, while proof that I had never thought of you, you remain indebted to me, you think and that had been really the case,

five shillings a piece would have been ly contented. I get books in abunmuch too little to give for the sight dance, as much company as I choose, of such a monster! but I am no such a deal of comfortable leisure, and en monster, nor do I perceive in myself joy better health, I think, than for the least tendency to such a transform- many years past. What is there ation. You may recollect that I had wanting to make me happy? Nobut very uncomfortable expectations thing, if I can but be as thankful as of the accommodations that I should I ought and I trust that He, who meet with at Huntingdon. How has bestowed so many blessings upon much better is it to take our lot, me, will give me gratitude to crown where it shall please Providence to them all. I beg you will give my cast it, without anxiety! Had I cho- love to my dear cousin Maria, and to sen for myself, it is impossible I could every body at the Park. If Mrs. have fixed upon a place so agreeable Maitland is with you, as I suspect to me in all respects. I so much by a passage in lady Hesketh's letter dreaded the thought of having a new to me, pray remember me to her very acquaintance to make, with no other affectionately. And believe me, my recommendation than that of being dear friend, ever yours.

a perfect stranger, that I heartily wished no creature here might take the least notice of me. Instead of which, in about two months after my arrival, I became known to all the visitable people here, and do verily think it the most agreeable neighbourhood I ever saw.

LETTER VI.

To Mrs. Cowper.

My dear cousin,

I HAVE not been behind-hand in Here are three families who have reproaching myself with neglect, but received me with the utmost civility, desire to take shame to myself for and two in particular have treated my unprofitableness in this, as well me with as much cordiality as if their as in all other respects. I take the pedigree and mine had grown upon next immediate opportunity however the same sheep-skin. Besides these, of thanking you for yours, and of asthere are three or four single men, suring you, that instead of being surwho suit my temper to a hair. The prised at your silence, I rather wontown is one of the neatest in England; der that you, or any of my friends, the country is fine for several miles have any room left for so careless about it, and the roads, which are all and negligent a correspondent in turnpike, and strike out four or five your memories. I am obliged to you different ways, are perfectly good all for the intelligence you send me of the year round. I mention this lat- my kindred, and rejoice to hear of ter circumstance chiefly because my their welfare. He, who settles the distance from Cambridge has made a bounds of our habitations, has at horseman of me at last, or at least is length cast our lot at a great distance likely to do so. My brother and I from each other; but I do not theremeet every week, by an alternate re-fore forget their former kindness to ciprocation of intercourse, as Sam me, or cease to be interested in their Johnson would express it: sometimes well-being. You live in the centre I get a lift in a neighbour's chaise, but of a world I know you do not delight generally ride. As to my own per- in. Happy are you, my dear friend, sonal condition, I am much happier in being able to discern the insuffithan the day is long, and sun-shine ciency of all it can afford, to fill and and candle-light alike see me perfect-satisfy the desires of an immortal soul. VOL. IV. Nos. 53 & 54.

E

LETTER VII.

To Mrs. Cowper.

Olney, Aug. 31, 1769.

My dear cousin,

That God, who created us for the enjoyment of himself, has determined in mercy that it shall fail us here, in order that the blessed result of all our inquiries after happiness in the creature, may be a warm pursuit, and a close attachment to our true inte- A LETTER from your brother Frerests, in fellowship and communion deric brought me yesterday the most with Him, through the name and me- afflicting intelligence that has reachdiation of a dear Redeemer. I bless ed me these many years. I pray to his goodness and grace, that I have God to comfort you, and to enable any reason to hope I am partaker you to sustain this heavy stroke, with with you in the desire after better that resignation to his will which things than are to be found in a world none but Himself can give, and which polluted with sin, and therefore de- he gives to none but his own children. voted to destruction. May He ena- How blessed and happy is your lot, ble us both to consider our present my dear friend, beyond the common life in its only true light, as an op- lot of the greater part of mankind; portunity put into our hands to glori- that you know what it is to draw near fy him amongst men, by a conduct to God in prayer, and are acquainted suited to his word and will. I am with a throne of grace! You have miserably defective in this holy and resources in the infinite love of a blessed art; but I hope there is at dear Redeemer, which are withheld the bottom of all my sinful infirmi- from millions; and the promises of ties, a sincere desire to live just so God, which are Yea and Amen in long as I may be enabled, in some Jesus, are sufficient to answer all your poor measure, to answer the end of necessities, and to sweeten the bitmy existence in this respect, and terest cup which your heavenly Fathen to obey the summons, and at- ther will ever put into your hand.tend him in a world, where they, who May he now give you liberty to are his servants here, shall pay him drink at these wells of salvation, an unsinful obedience for ever.- till you are filled with consolation Your dear mother is too good to me, and peace, in the midst of trouble. and puts a more charitable construc- He has said, When thou passest tion upon my silence than the fact through the fire, I will be with thee; will warrant. I am not better em- and when through the floods, they ployed than I should be in corre- shall not overflow thee. You have sponding with her. I have that with- need of such a word as this, and he in, which hinders me wretchedly, in knows your need of it, and the time every thing that I ought to do, but is of necessity is the time, when he prone to trifle, and let time and eve- will be sure to appear in behalf of ry good thing run to waste. I hope those who trust in him. I bear you however to write to her soon. and yours upon my heart before him,

My love and best wishes attend night and day; for I never expect to Mr. Cowper, and all that inquire af- hear of distress, which shall call upon ter me. May God be with you, to me with a louder voice to pray for bless you, and do you good, by all his the sufferer. I know the Lord hears dispensations! Don't forget me when me for myself, vile and sinful as I am, you are speaking to our best friend and believe, and am sure, that he before his mercy-seat. Yours ever.

N. B. I am not married.

will hear me for you also. He is the friend of the widow, and the father of the fatherless, even God in his holy

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