The god of this world, the prince of the power of the air, who is so great, and in pride and usurpation so high; he looks down with the utmost scorn, disdain, derision, and contempt, on the broken and contrite heart wherein God dwells. This is their mortification, which inflames them with infernal jealousy and jealous rage. To prevent this union taking place are all the devil's accusations, stratagems, wiles, and furious assaults; and, when it has taken place, to disturb, interrupt, and disjoint it, if possible; and if not, so to disquiet us that we may not enjoy it. Upon this, my daughter, depends all our fruitfulness; namely, abiding in the vine; and all our happiness in the way, namely, as we received him, so to walk in him: even in death our blessedness lies in dying in the Lord; and at the day of judgment all our safety is in being found in him, in that day. Against this union Atheists, Deists, Arians, Socinians, Arminians, Pharisees, Sadducees, impostors, formalists, Papists, and hypocrites, which all are the auxiliaries of Satan, and all other hired forces, are set, directly or indirectly, to wage war with those whose souls are bound up in the bundle of life with the Lord our God. Yea, the old man with all his members, which are the confederates and allies of Satan, are his garrison; these attest the work within, and the others without; while God keeps his fire in

Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem, to purge away the dross and the tin, which our poor souls contract by dwelling among these scorpions.

From this army of infernal forces come all our warfare, troubles, sorrows, and vexations: but all the filth they throw up God purges, and their controlling power he subdues, Mich. vii. 19. And then the union with the living vine becomes closer, the mind more humble, the spirit more meek, the affections more pure, the will more resigned, the heart more soft, the conscience more tender, and the soul more lively. Faith then sallies out and ventures abroad, hope stays at home to keep house, while patience waits till faith comes back with her scraps of peace and crumbs of comfort. Every distant view of Jesus is precious; every approach, or more transient visit, is acceptable; and every token for good is sealed up among our treasures. And it is impressed upon the mind, and hope always expects it, after we have been searched, tried, and afflicted, to look out for the returning kiss, to make matters up, to renew the union, to revive the work, to replenish the soul, to promote the intimacy, and to increase the greatest familiarity.

Daughter, adieu; I shall add my prayers. And tell your Doctor that the Doctor intends

another stroke at him, in order to hold him by

the heel. Farewell!

CXCII.

W. H. S. S.

March 25, 1807.

Dear Daughter in faith and love,

RESIGNATION and submission, peace and hope, be with thee. Thou art often in the fire, and oft in the water; and through both these all must go who arrive safe in the wealthy place. The work of God is perfect, and what he does is done for ever. Nothing can be added to the fruits of his Spirit by the most shining days of prosperity, nor any thing taken from it by unintermitting days of adversity: the new man remains the pure workmanship of God; and in this new man the Saviour's image remains untarnished, undefaced, unmutilated, and undisfigured.

In days of ease and pleasure our animal spirits rise high, and the passions of nature are much elated; when it is not easy to distinguish the fruits of nature, thus indulged, from the fruits of the holy Spirit. Peter vowed much at

in

such a time, and Samson too; but in the conflict this fortitude, this vaunted heroism, gave way. The fruit and effect of divine grace the soul is peace with God and conscience; and the brightest flame that rises from this hallowed fire is joy. Joy is the cream of all the sincere milk of the word; it is the inebriating wine that comes at the end of the banquet; and I may call it the parting kiss; for Wisdom tells us in prosperity to be joyful, but in adversity to consider, for God has set the one against the other. But neither the sweetest calms of peace, nor the strongest flames of joy, are to be trusted to; neither should we vow, promise, or predict of future success or victory according to them, for they are the two first that fail when the conflict begins. Upon my peace came great bitterness," says Hezekiah; for so it reads in the original. And joy, being the blossom, or bloom of grace, it soon withers; Joel i. 12. "The joy of our heart is ceased, our dance is turned into mourning," Lam. v. 15.

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Hence it appears that peace is no weapon of war, nor is joy a bosom friend in affliction. Peace is our ammunition shoes; but it is not easy always to keep them on, much less to keep them tight. And joy is somewhat like a soldier's wife, who strips the dead, and collects the spoils after the battle is fought, and the victory won, Hence read that the saints are said to re

you

in

joice as those who divide the spoil; Isaiah ix. 3. Joy and peace are the soul's feasts while faith is in exercise. God fills us with joy and peace believing, but not in fighting, nor in suffering. The whole war depends upon the promised strength of the Lord, and upon momentary support from him; "As thy day, so shall thy strength be: I will water it every moment, I will keep it night and day." And here faith must act alone, for we are kept by the power God through faith. And faith must fight alone, for the fight is hers. Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life." In the victory also faith stands alone; "This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith."

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Hence my dear daughter sees that faith alone fights, and keeps the field, by the promised power of God: hope expects the victory; patience waits the event; peace and joy are the spoils. Submission in the action is our highest obedience; and meekness and quietude the internal adorning of the soul.

Dear Daughter,

Your most affectionate

W. H. S. S.