now opened and brought forth all the fecret trea+ fure of her heart, and made confeffion with her mouth to falvation. She received that experience that worketh hope under me at Newark upon Trent, when difcourfing upon Paul's faithful saying, that Chrift Jefus came into the world to fave finners. After the fermon was over the rode from Newark to Grantham upon my coach box; and my dame has obferved to me fince, that her countenance was no more fad. Hence we fee that no incorruptible feed can be loft, nor borne down, fo as to be finally overtopped by inbred corruption: faith, hope, and love, life, light, and peace, must rise, flourish, and triumph. The oil of gladnefs muft feed the lamp of falvation, and every grace muft reign, through Chrift's obedience, unto eternal life. The letter from my fon Goulding mentions one of the perfect band having escaped the fnare of the fowler, and cafting off her prifon garments, and loofing the bands of her neck. The elect of God are chofen out of the world, and thefe must come forth of them all. In that inftance you may read the cunning of Satan, and his dexterity at quoting the words of truth, as in the feduction of Eve. But these are no bar to omnipotence. God works, and who can let it. In all these things you may fee that the pleasure of the Lord prof in the hand of the Mediator; and that the power of Chrift, the miniftry of the Spirit, the

pers

offence of the cross, the converfion of finners, and the establishment of Zion, are, as they always have been, infeparably connected. Adieu, my fon, while I remain thine affectionate father, in Chrift Jefus,

TO MRS. MASON,

No. 152, FLEET STREET, LONDON.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Leicester, Sept. 25, 1809.

My fifter wishes me to write to you, as the herself at this time is not able. About three weeks ago fhe returned from Matlock bath, but was not in the leaft benefited by her journey. Since her return home she has got much worse, and within this last week has gone off very fast; she is fo extremely weak that the cannot do the leaft thing towards dreffing herfelf, nor walk in her room without leaning upon fome one. Many things have been tried, but nothing seems to do her good, fo as to give any hope of her recovery. What fhe takes fometimes feems to give her ease, and for a little time The appears better. Laft week fhe fuffered much from a violent pain in her bowels, and also in her head, that at times the was not herself; but, thank the good Lord, fhe is rather better, and the pain is a good deal removed fince fhe has had two blifters. This morning fhe is very weak, having had an indifferent night. She does not keep her bed at prefent. The physician told me

on Saturday he had no hope he could do her any good. She herself does not expect to recover, nor do I think myfelf the ever will, though fhe may perhaps continue fome time. At times I feel much, and have a great defire (if it was the will of God) that the might be continued with me: but I have no juft ground for grief or forrow, only I feel loath to part with her. But O what a comfort it is to fee one in her fituation, approaching apparently fo near their end, in fo happy and blessed a frame as she is at times, rejoicing in the profpect of another and better world. Her outward man perishes, but the inward man is renewed; and though her ftrength fails her, yet the feels that God is her portion. I had fome converfation with her laft Saturday afternoon, and many fweet things did fhe mention. I felt myself exceding happy with her; her mind was compofed, quiet, and peaceable, though at times her exercises are exceeding sharp; yet again fhe is calm and ferene. Blefs the Lord, O my foul, for his goodness to her, and to myfelf alfo! It was under a difcourfe Mr. Huntington preached at Newark, from thefe words, "It is a faithful faying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jefus Chrift came into the world to fave finners, of whom I am chief," that the Lord was pleased first to reveal himself to her, and bring her into a state of pardon, peace, and friendship with himself. She bid me this morning

(when talking about him) tell you to give her kind love to him. She defires her love to yourfelf and Mr. Mafon, alfo to Mr. and Mrs. Benfley, with each of your families. Mifs Cort is with her, and begs her love. I have not time to fay more, as I am juft called away. My kind regards to all.

Yours affectionately,

JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN.