London, April 29, 1794

INDEED, my dear Sir, I must not apologize io you, for you are served much oftener thafl comes to your turn. I have at present about sixty unanswered letters, and while I am writing ne, I usually receive two, so that I am likely to die much in debt. I have many dear friends to whom I cannot write for a year or two, or longer, though perhaps I am forced to write to those whom I never saw- But ym are not likely to be omitted long, because you repay me vvitfe interest.

Please to tell Miss G***, that I thank her for her obliging letters. She asks my sentiments on the times. She may see them in print, if the Fast Sermon I lately printed should reach Edinburgh.

Cardiphonia is made up of letters which were actually written to my friends, and were returned to me that they might be printed. Such additions as you propose would not suit Cardiphonia, for I could not write confidential letters, which I intended, at the time, should appear in print. I ascribe the blessing the Lord has given to Cardiphonia chiefly to this circumstance, that there was not a line written with the least thought that it would ever appear in public. There might be an addition to Omicron in the manner you mention, but I have no time for it; and, indeed, I have already printed enough for one.

I lately received three volumes of Mr. Riccaltoti of Hobkirk, sent, as I understand, by his son, who is the publisher; and I am informed he has suffered by their not selling. It is a wonder to me that they have not found a ready sale. Only, I am told, there were but two of the three volumes sent to London, and therefore I suppose people were not eager to buy an incomplete p-ork. I think if they were all three in qvtf

Loudon shops, and advertised a little, they would soon be called for. I seldom meet with a human Writer, to whose judgment I can implicitly subscribe in all points. But upon the whole these books have pleased me highly, and I think have thrown light upon some particulars which I did not so well understand before I read them. I never heard of them before, though they were printed in the year 1772.

Your sorrowful complaints have often been mine; if they are not so now, it is not because I feel less ground for them, but because, as I hope, I am more acquainted with the remedy provided against them. I see much, daily, continual, cause for humiliation, whether I look backward or inward. But if it be true that Jesus lived and died for sinners, and is now a High Priest upon the throne — if he really said, “Him that cometh Unto me I will in no wise cast out” — if he meant what he said — if his word may be taken — and if he be able to make it good — then I can see no just cause for distress. The sum of my complaints amounts but to this — that I am a sick sinner, diseased in every part; but then, if He who is the infallible Physician has undertaken my case, I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord. I have no remarkable experience to talk of; I never was like Paul, at any difficulty to tell whether I was in the body or out of the body; I am burdened with a body of sin and death. But I have a little book, which I am enabled to believe is the sure word of God. The doctrines and promises I meet with in it, which we call the gospel, exactly suit my wants, and the temper and conduct it is designed to form, agrees with my leading desires. I was once far otherwise minded, and should doubtless have remained so, had not almighty power and mercy softened me. I would therefore praise him for what he has done, and wait upon him to do more, for I can do nothing for myself. In the mean time, instead of complaining, I would try to be thankful. If he has begun a good work, I dare not indulge a doubt of his carrying it on. This would be to dishonour his wisdom, power, and faithfulness.

For the rest; if the scripture describes the christian life as a warfare and a wrestling, why should I be discouraged that I find it so? The apostle says of all believers,” the flesh striveth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh if it was otherwise with me, how could I be right?

Give my love to Mr. F***. I might say the same things to him. We have all need of patience. We hope to overcome at last. But I can form no idea of two hills without thinking of a valley between them, nor of a victory without a previous conflict.

I commend you and yours to the great and sure Cautioner,* and I remain

Dear Sir,
Your affectionate and obliged,
J. X.