"It was sometime after this, that I became acquainted with Mr. Robert Hall of Arnsby, who in conversation on the subject recommended Edwards on the Will. On reading this work, and some other pieces on physical* and moral impotence, I saw the same things clearly stated in other words, which I had learned by bitter experience.

"Mr. Eve having removed, and the church being divided into parties, it was thought by some that we should be dissolved; and I went several Lord's-days to hear an Independent minister in the neighbourhood. Those members, however, who were of one mind, and who formed the majority, met together on

The term physical is not understood by illiterate people, however; and many plain Christians, who are accustomed to speak of our native depravity as natural, are puzzled by the ambiguity of that term also. We allow with Mr. Howe, "That our moral incapacity is also in some sense truly natural; that is, in the same sense wherein we are said to be by nature the children of wrath. Ephes, ii. 3. Human nature, therefore, must be considered as created by God, and as propagated by man. It is in the former sense, (as God is the Author of it,) that it is taken, in this dis tinction of natural and moral impotence." See Howe ut supra. Our depravity, though natural in the latter sense, is most unnatural in the former. We say of a child who shows no affection for his tender parents, that he is an unnatural wretch: how much more justly might we speak of the enmity of a creature against a good and holy God as unnatural, and this notwithstanding it's universality, and it's connection with the fall of our first parents.

Lord's-days; and, having no minister, and being situated too far from other Baptist churches to get supplies, they carried on the worship by singing, prayer, reading, and expounding the scriptures. They also appointed a day for fasting and prayer, and invited all the members to unite in it. I went to this meeting, and from that time continued to assemble with them. My friend Joseph Diver was at that time chosen to be a deacon; and having some talent for expounding the scriptures, he used, at the request of the church, to take up a part of every Lord's-day in that exercise.

"As the disputes in the church were the occasion of turning my thoughts to most of those subjects on which I have since written, so were they the occasion of my engaging in the Christian ministry. But this I shall reserve for another letter.

I am, &c.

A. F."

LETTER IV.

Feb. 1815.

"My dear Friend,

I renew the subject of my narrative. In November 1771, as I was riding out on business, on a Saturday morning, to a neighbouring village, my mind fell into a train of interesting and affecting thoughts, from that passage of scripture, Weeping may endure for a night;

but joy cometh in the morning.' I never had felt such freedom of mind in thinking on a divine subject before; nor do I recollect ever having had a thought of the ministry: but I then felt as if I could preach from it, and indeed I did preach in a manner as 1 rode along. I thought no more of it, however, but returned home when I had done my business. In the afternoon of the same day, I went to meet my mother, who had been to London, to see her mother, who was then very unwell, As we rode a few miles together, she told me she had been thinking much about me while in town, and added, 'My dear, you have often expressed your wish for a trade: I have talked with your uncle at Kensington about it, and he has procured a good place in the city, where, instead of paying a premium, you may, if you give satisfaction, in a little time receive wages, and learn the business. I thought, (continued she,) that as we had now lost the gospel, and perhaps shall never have it again, you could have no reason for wishing to continue here. In London you can hear the gospel in it's purity.' That which my mother suggested was very true; I had always been inclined to trade: but, how it was I cannot tell, my heart revolted at the proposal at this tine. It was not from any desire or thought of the ministry, nor any thing else in particular; unless it were a feeling towards the little

scattered society of which I was a member, a kind of lingering to see what would become of the city. I said but little to my mother, but seemed to wish for time to consider of it. This was Saturday evening.

"The next morning, as I was walking by myself to meeting, expecting to hear the brethren pray, and my friend Joseph Diver expound the scriptures, I was met by one of the members whom he had requested to see me, who said, 'Brother Diver has by accident sprained his ancle, and cannot be at meeting to-day; and he wishes me to say to you, that he hopes the Lord will be with you.' The Lord be with me!' thought I, 'what does Brother Diver mean? He cannot suppose that I can take his place, seeing I have never attempted any thing of the kind, nor been asked to do so. It then occurred, however, that I had had an interesting train of thought the day before; and had imagined at the time I could speak it, if I were called to it. But though I had repeatedly engaged in prayer publicly, yet I had never been requested to attempt any thing further, and therefore I thought no more of it.

We walked on to the meeting, and took our places, when, after singing, one of the brethren went to prayer. After which the eldest deacon asked me if I would read some part of the scriptures, and if I found liberty drop any

At

remarks as I went on, which might occur. first I was startled, but conscious of what had passed in my mind the day before, I thought as Brother Diver was absent, it might be my duty to try, and therefore making no objections, which as it appeared to me would have been mere affectation, I rose and spoke from Psa. Xxx. 5. for about half an hour, with considerable freedom. After this 1 was again invited by Brother Diver to speak, and I did so; but not enjoying that liberty which I did the first time, I was discouraged, and though frequently asked, declined all such exercises for more than a year. But early in 1773, I think it was, Brother Diver was absent again through an affliction, and I was invited once more to take his place. Being induced to renew the attempt, I spoke from those words of our Lord, The Son of Man came to seek and save that which is lost.' On this occasion, I not only felt greater freedom than I had ever found before, but the attention of the people was fixed, and several young persons in the congregation were impressed with the subject, and afterwards joined the church.

"From this time the brethren seemed to entertain an idea of my engaging in the ministry, nor was I without serious thoughts of it myself. Sometimes I felt a desire after it; at other times I was much discouraged, especially through a consciousness of my want