the Debt was paid-the Family was supported.

Pardon, my SYNTYCHE, this Digreffion: I now release you. If it be the Will of GOD to bring us under trying Providences; may we remember that the LORD's Arm is not shortened, nor bis Ear heavy: May we hope, and quietly wait for bim: So prays thy

ANDRONICUS.

TURN

LETTER V..

URN we, my dear Friend, from Providence to Grace, and fee the right Hand of JEHOVAH exalted in his wonderful Works: the Prefervation of the Heart in the Fear of GOD, notwithstanding its inbred Corruption, and the Temptations of the Devil.

To throw Water upon Fire, is the most effectual Mode of extinguishing it: this arifes from the direct Oppofition there is in these two Elements: fo foon then as the

Power of the Water exceeds that of the Fire, the Fire quickly becomes extinct. Grace and Sin, are as oppofite in their Natures as Fire and Water, they cannot coalefce; but whenever they come into contact, one must prevail, and the other die. CHRISTIAN faw one cafting much Water upon the Fire to quench it, but the Fire did burn higher and hotter: this Effect, seemingly contrary to Nature, puzzled CHRISTIAN, till he was led behind the Wall, where was a Man cafting Oil, fecretly, into the Fire, which deftroyed the Effect of the Water and encreafed the Strength of the Flame.

The INTERPRETER has told us, both who the Destroyer and the Renovator are, and the Means they each of them ufe: Satan, the Enemy of our Salvation, fpares no Pains, to extinguish the Flame of Religion in the Heart: he fo fuits, and adapts his Temptations, to our depraved Affections, and fo inceffantly plys them, that every gracious Difpofition must perifh; did not the SAVIOUR of Sinners, as inceffantly, counteract him by fresh Supplies of Grace.

Temptation is the Lot of every Saint: and the Wisdom, Love, and Faithfulness

of

of GOD towards them, and their Fidelity to him, are much more fignally displayed, by their being fupported under, and brought through various Temptations; than they could be without Temptations. The LORD fometimes causes his People to carry it with a high Hand, against the Affaults of Hell and Sin: they are frong in the LORD, and in the Power of his might. But fometimes Temptations prevail, Sin abounds, and Grace apparently dies away. But does it die? No it ftruggles for life, and revives again.

Now in both Cafes, the ftrong and the weak State of Religion in the Heart, the Operations of Grace are fecret, though the Means are visible: Elfe why are not those Means always alike, fuccefsful? and who can Account for the Word, Meditation, and Prayer, not always producing the fame Effect? if we do not refer their Efficacy to the fecret Influence of him who ftood behind the Wall? Shall I be told, that the different Degree of Effect, in the fame Means of Grace, arifes from the Subject of thefe Means being differently dif 'posed at different Times? I afk, from what Caufe arifes this Difference, if not from the C 6

Dif

Difpofitions of the Mind being fometimes damped by Sin, at other Times enlivened by Grace?

The Influences of Divine Grace operate fecretly perhaps, that Satan may be the more difappointed and confounded: and to convince the Believer, that his God is as near to, and careful of him, when he is crying, Why ftandeft thou afar off, O· Gon? Why hideft thou thy Face? as when he fings, The LORD is my Light and whom fhall I fear?..

my

Salvation,

Let us, SYNTYCHE, improve this Subject: Grace is the LORD's, and he dif penfes it in Wisdom and Goodness. Duty is ours our Mafter Commands us to watch and pray, that we enter not into Temptation: let us do fo in Faith, bolding fast the Profeffion of our Faith, and the Rejoicing of : our Hope, fteadfast to the End. What though the SAVIOUR fometimes ftands behind our Wall, and our Senfibilities do not perceive him? his Love and: Grace are still the fame for though his fenfible Prefence is neceffary for our Comfort, it is not fo for our Salvation.

We learn from the ftately Palace, with its glorious Inhabitants, the Entrance of

which was guarded by armed Men, deter mined to do what Hurt and Mischief they could to the Men that would enter; that, ? there is a Heaven of Glory for all thofe, who think it worth their attaining: that there are alfo fome, who are fuch determined Enemies to God and his Cause, that they will neither enter into the Kingdom of GOD themfelves, nor fuffer others, if they can prevent them. Thus, when Paul and Silas, were at Philippi, labouring in the Service of their Mafter, the Multitude rose up together against them, and the Magiftrates, and rent their Clotbs, and beat them. Satan played the fame Game in Mr. BUNYAN'S Days: the Sword of the Magiftrate, and the Violence of the Mob, were employed by him,, to deter Men from the Profeffion of CHRIST. Bleffed be his Name who ruleth in the Heavens, that he has faid to his Enemies, Be ftill, and know that I am GOD: I will be exalted in the Earth. For believe me, Friend, but for his ordering of Matters, there are, even in these peaceable Days, thofe who would act the fame Part.

Crouds preffed towards the Door, defirous to enter, but started back for Fear of the armed Men. Many would be glad of

the