I AM much obliged to you for your apostolical letter, and for the truly christian joy you express for my baby’s happiness. That I have felt all that the greatest sensibility of temper is capable of feeling on such an occasion, is certain: but here has been my great comfort, that, in every thing which concerned the child, I have had neither will nor wish of my own. He was peculiarly dedicated to God, even before he was born: and _since_, he has been daily, nay almost hourly offered up; and that not in word only, but in truth: and as it has pleased God to accept him as a sacrifice, rather than as a servant, I have nothing to say, but “thy will be done!” If I could have seen you, or any of my Christian friends at this time, when all the finest springs of human nature were on the rack, it would have been a great satisfaction; but it pleased God to with-hold all creature comfort from me; and though his own arm sustained me, it was in a manner not sensibly perceived by my soul: *so that I had the great blessing of bearing something of the _cross_. And this I look upon to be a particular blessing to me, because I have been so wholly led by love, that before this, I knew but very little of what it was to _suffer_ the will of God. In short, every dispensation of my heavenly Father towards me, is nothing but mercy and unbounded goodness. I _see_ and I _adore_.――The Lord Jesus bless and preserve you in body, soul, and spirit. Fail not to pray for,
_Your obliged and affectionate_,
****
* * * * *
_Monday, December 22, 1755._
_Dear Sir_,
I SEE with delight, that you _are set up_ as a mark, for every one of the _devil_’s tools to shoot _at_: and _he_ certainly wounds the deepest by those, who, while they are working for him, imagine they are doing God service, and acting with _Christian prudence_. How often is _that wisdom_ which comes from _beneath_, taken for that which comes from _above_! And _fear_ of man, _secret_ desire of preferment, and being _ashamed_ of the _cross_ of _Christ_, dignified with the title of true _discretion_, and caution not to give offence!――’Tis hard, indeed, to be wounded in the house of your friends; nothing, perhaps, is more painful to nature; but if they have called the master of the house _Beelzebub_, how much more those of his houshold!――Those servants of Christ who are designed by him for _eminent usefulness_, must of necessity have the largest share of tribulation; for the highest place of honour under our _king_, is that of the sharpest sufferings. I should not wonder if the tongues and pens of all your brethren (except two or three) were employed against _you_; and I am so far from being sorry (on your account) for Mr. _L._’s preaching against you, that I look upon it as a _precious_ and _blessed mark_, and a _seal_ to the truth of your ministry.――Happy parting, indeed, with the world! And happy parting with every comfort in it, if nearer union with God is the consequence! Oh cease not to pray for me, that all things may thus work together for my good!――This poor dream of life will soon be at an end; and _then_, if those who have only given a cup of cold water for the sake of Christ, shall not lose their reward, what an exceeding and eternal weight of glory attends those happy souls who constantly labour, and patiently suffer for him!
_I am, your obliged and faithful Friend and Servant_,
****
The End of the THIRTEENTH VOLUME.
ERRATA, Volume XIII.
Page 5, line _ultima_, replace whe_nce_
Page 15, line 20, replace frequent_ly_
Page 17, line 21, replace _not long_ before
Page 24, line 3, delete _of_
Page 28, line 3, replace serv_ing_
Page 28, line 17, replace _of_ sin
Page 32, line 10, replace more _hurt_
Page 32, line 11, replace and _to_
Page 39, line 2, replace ta_sk_
Page 54, line 24, replace _w_here
Page 114, line _ultima_, replace thank_ful_ness
Page 120, line 11, replace as _when_
Page 120, line 24, replace _be_ better
Page 148, line 15, replace _I_ did
Page 202, line 15, replace on_e_
Page 219, line 4, replace th_ey_
Page 225, line 3, replace _that_
Page 243, line 10, replace th_ey_
Page 269, line 10, replace haunts _her_