also to the neighbouring Ministers, who, according to our stated agreement, will be met together on that day, to spend the former part of the day in prayer among ourselves, and the latter part in public services in one of our congregations; and shall also probably communicate these things to some of my correspondents in New Jersey and elsewhere, and I cannot but think they will tend to do a great deal of good, in various respects; and particularly will tend to promote the Concert for Prayer, in these parts of the world. I desired Mr. Prince of Boston, to send you one of my books on the Concert, soon after it was published; who engaged to do it but long forgot it, as I perceived afterwards to my surprise, but since that more thorough care has been taken about that matter; and I hope you, and each of my other correspondents in Scotland, have before now received one of those books.

"I thank you, dear Sir, for sending me your Thoughts on some things in the Prophecies of the Revelation of St. John, and for being at so much trouble as to send it twice (supposing the first letter had miscarried.) This I take as a particular mark of respect, for which I am obliged to you. I received, as I said before, your former letter, (which contained the same observations,) and sent an answer to it, wherein I gave you my thoughts, such as they were, on those subjects. But if you have received my book on United Prayer, etc. therein you have seen more fully my thoughts on some things in the Revelation, that have a ncar relation to the same matter that you write about; the substance of which I before had written to you in a large letter, desiring your opinion of what I

wrote.

"The letter, I think you received, by some intimations contained in yours of March 12, 1747. But you was not pleased to favour me with any thing at all of your thoughts of what I had so largely communicated to you, to that end, that I might have your opinion. But I am not the less willing again to communicate my thoughts on your remarks.

"As to what you observe concerning the number six hundred and sixty-six, and that number being found in the name of the present King of France; it is indeed something remarkable, that that number should be found both in his Latin and French names, as you observe; and I do not know but that the omniscient Spirit of God, (who doubtless in his predictions has sometimes his eye on several things in which he knows they will be fulfilled,) might have some respect to his name in the Prophecy; but I can hardly think that this individual King of France or any other particular Prince in Europe, is what is chiefly intended by the Beast, so largely described in the 13th Chapter of Revelation, whose number is said to be six hundred and sixty-six. Of all the conjectures concerning the number of the Beast, that I have lit on in my small reading, that of Mr. Potter's seems to me the most ingenious, who supposes

the true meaning is to be found by extracting the root of the number. But after all, I have ever suspected that the thing chiefly aimed at by the Holy Spirit, was never yet found out, and that the discovery is reserved for later times. Yet one reason why Mr. Potter's conjecture does not fully satisfy me, is, the difficulty about adjusting the fractions in the root, when extracted. With respect to your very ingenious conjectures, concerning the period of fortytwo months, or one thousand two hundred and sixty days, of the outer court and holy City's being trodden under foot of the Gentiles; you know, Sir, that that forty-two months, or one thousand two hundred and sixty days, spoken of Rev. xi. 2, has been universally understood, as being the very same period with the 1260 days of the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth, spoken of in the next verse; and the one thousand two hundred and sixty days of the Woman's being led in the wilderness, Chap. xiii. 6; and the time, times and half a time, of her being nourished in the wilderness from the face of the Serpent, ver. 14; and the forty-two months of the continuance of the Beast, Chap. xiii. 5. But it does not appear to me probable that these forty-two monts of the continuance of the Beast, means the sum of the diverse periods in which the Plat of Ground, whereon the ancient literal Jerusalem stood, was under the dominion of the Romans, Saracens, Persians and Turks; but the space of time during which the reign of Antichrist or the Popish Hierarchy continues; and as to the particular time of the downfall of Antichrist, you see my reasons in the forementioned pamphlet, why I think it certain that it will not be known till it be accomplished: I cannot but think that the Scripture is plain in that matter, and that it does, in effect, require us to rest satisfied in ignorance till the time of the end comes.

"However, I should be very foolish, if I were dogmatical in my thoughts concerning the interpretation of the prophecies: especially in opposition to those who have had so much more opportunity to be well acquainted with things of this nature. But since you have insisted on my thoughts, I conclude you will not be displeased, that I have mentioned them, though not altogether agreeable to yours. I am nevertheless greatly obliged to you for your condescension in communicating your thoughts to me. If we do not exactly agree in our thoughts about these things, yet in our prayers for the accomplishment of these glorious events in God's time, and for God's gracious presence with us, and his assistance in endeavours to promote his kingdom and interests, in the mean time, we may be entirely agreed and united. That we may be so, is the earnest desire of, dear Sir,

"Your affectionate brother and servant,

"in our common Lord,

"JONATHAN EDWARDS."

In perusing the following letter, while the reader will deeply regret the loss of that from Mr. Erskine to which it is an answer, he will feel a lively interest in the mass of religious intelligence which it contains, as well as in the interesting developement which it gives of the character of Governour Belcher.

"To the Rev. Mr. Erskine.

"REV. AND DEAR SIR.

66

Northampton, Oct. 14, 1748.

"A little while ago I wrote a letter to you, wherein I acknowledged the receipt of your letter, and the books that came with it, viz. Taylor on Original Sin; and on the Romans: with your sermons, and Answer to Mr. Campbell; for which most acceptable presents I would most heartily and renewedly thank you.

"I sent my letter to Boston, together with one of Mr. Stoddard's Benefit of the Gospel to the Wounded in Spirit, and his Nature of Saving Conversion, with a Sermon on Mr. Brainerd's death, and some account of a history of his life now in the press, to be sent to Scotland by the first opportunity; whether there has been any opportunity or no, I cannot tell. I have very lately received another letter from you, dated April 4, 1748, which was indeed exceedingly acceptable, by reason of the remarkable and joyful accounts it contains of things, that have a blessed aspect on the interests of Christ's kingdom in the world: such as the good effects of the writings of Mr.West and Mr. Littleton on some at Court, and the religious concern in Mr. Randy's and Mr. Gray's parishes, the hopeful true piety of the Archbishop of Canterbury; this and the King's disposition, not only to tolerate, but comprehend the Dissenters; and their indifference with respect to the liturgy, ceremonies and episcopal ordination; the piety of the Prince, who is now advanced to the Stadtholdership, and has it established in his family forever; the awakening of the Princess Caroline; and the good disposition of the Princess of Wales. I think it very fit that those, who have lately entered into an union of extraordinary prayer, for the coming of Christ's kingdom and the prosperity of Zion, should inform one another of things which they know of, that pertain to the prosperity of Zion, and whereby their prayers are in some degree answered: that they may be united in joy and thanksgiving, as well as in supplication; and that they may be encouraged and animated in their prayers for the future, and engaged to continue instant therein with all perseverance. I think these things forementioned, which you have sent me an account of, are worthy greatly to be observed, by those that are united in the concert for prayer, for their comfort, praise and encouragement. I intend to communicate these things. to my own people, before the next quarterly season for prayer, and to the neighbouring ministers, who are united in this affair; and also to my correspondents in this province, and other provinces VOL. I.

34

of America. I doubt not but they will have a happy tendency and influence in many respects. I hope, dear Sir, you will continue still to give me particular information of things that appear, relative to the state of Zion and the interests of religion, in Great Britain or other parts of Europe. In so doing, you will not only inform me, but I shall industriously communicate any important informations of that kind, and spread them amongst God's people in this part of the world; and shall endeavour to my utmost to make such an use of them, as shall tend most to promote the interest of religion. And among other things I should be glad to be informed of any books that come out, remarkably tending either to the illustration, or defence of that truth, or the promoting the power of godliness or in any respect peculiarly tending to advance true religion.

"I have given an account of some things, which have a favourable aspect on the interests of religion, in these American parts of the world, in my letters to Mr. Robe, and Mr. McLaurin, sent with this; which you will have opportunity to see.

In your last letter you desired to be particularly informed of the present state of New-Jersey College, and of things remarkable of a religious nature respecting the Indians. As to the former, viz. the state of New-Jersey College: by the last accounts I had, it was in somewhat of an unsettled state. Governour Belcher had a mind to give them a new charter, that he thought would be more for the benefit of the society. Accordingly a draft of a new charter was drawn; wherein it was proposed to make considerable alteration in the Corporation of Trustees; to leave out some of the former Trustees; and that the Governour for the time being, should be a Trustee, and three or four of the Council of that Province. Those two things made considerable uneasiness, viz. leaving out some of the former Trustees, and making it a part of the Constitution that the Governour, and so many of the Council should be members of the Corporation. Some feared that this would not be for the health of the society; because the men in chief authority in that Province, have for the most part, been men of no Religion, and many of them open and profess'd contemners of it. How this matter has been settled, or whether these difficulties are got over, I have not been informed. As to Governour Belcher himself, he appears thoroughly engaged to promote virtue and vital religion in those parts, which already has had some good effects; vice and open profaneness, by the means, is become less fashionable among the great men, and virtue and religion more creditable. The disposition of Governour Belcher may in some measure be seen, by the following extract of a letter from him, in answer to one I wrote to him on a special occosion.

"Burlington, New-Jersey, Feb. 5, 1748. "You will, Sir, be sure of me as a friend and father to the mis

sionaries this way, and of all my might and encouragement for spreading the everlasting gospel of God our Saviour, in all parts and places, where God shall honour me with any power or influence.

"As to myself, Sir, it is impossible to express the warm sentiments of my heart, for the mercies without number, with which I have been loaded, by the God who has fed me all my life long to this day; and my reflection upon his goodness covers me with shame and blushing, for I know my utter unworthiness, and that I am less than the least of all his mercies. I would therefore abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. You are sensible, my good friend, that governours stand in a glaring light, and their conduct is narrowly watched by friends and enemies: the one often unreasonably applaud them, while the other perhaps too justly censure them. Yet in this I am not anxious: but to approve myself to the Searcher of hearts, from whose mouth I must hear pronounced, at the great and general audit, those joyful words, Enter thou, etc.-or that terrible sentence, Depart from me, etc. Join with me then in thankfulness to God, for all the blessings and talents he has intrusted me with, and in prayer that I may employ them to his honour and glory, to the good of the people over whom he hath placed me, and so to the comfort of my own soul: that I may always remember that he that ruleth over men, must be just, ruling in the fear of God."

"In another letter which I have received, dated Burlington, N. J. May 31, 1748, he says as follows.

"I will prostrate myself before my God and Saviour, and on the bended knees of my soul, (abhorring myself in every view) I will beg for a measure of divine grace and wisdom; that so I may be honoured, in being an instrument of advancing the kingdom of the blessed Jesus in this world, and in that way be bringing forth fruit in old age.* I bless God, my heavenly Father, that I am not ashamed of the Cross of Christ; and I humbly ask the assistance of Sovereign Grace, that, in times of temptation, I may never be a shame to it: I mean that my conversation may always be such as becometh the gospel of Christ. And I tell you again, that all such as minister at the altar, and in the course of their ministry approve themselves faithful to the great Head of the Church, will not only find my countenance and protection, but my love and

esteem.

"As to our embryo College, it is a noble design: and if God pleases, may prove an extensive blessing. I have adopted it for a daughter, and hope it may in time become an Alma Mater, to this and the neighbouring Provinces. I am getting the best advice and

*He was 66 years old, the 8th day of January last.