London, June 5, 1795

MY DEAR SIR,

I HAVE two of yours to thank you for; one of the 21st April, the other the 23d May, by Mr. Struthers, who brought it on Tuesday. I asked him to dinner, but he was engaged. He promised to come again, but I have not seen him since. Burghers, Anti-burghers, Kirk-men, and Relief-men, all are fish that come to my net; and especially those whom you send. Last week I directed a letter to your care for my sister, who I suppose is now at Leith. I wished to give you an opportunity of calling upon her. It is twelve years I believe since I saw her, but I trust you will find her a truly gracious woman.

Neither you nor I know how Paul preached: but his writings are designed to be a standing rule of faith and doctrine to the Church. If he and his brethren had said nothing in their epistles about election and predestination, we should not have so well understood those points, nor had the same authority for maintaining them. Though I think they may be fairly inferred from other parts of scripture, perhaps we could not have made them so well out. But Paul says expressly, that he fed babes, not with strong meat, but with milk. I think I hardly said that I never mention the words in preaching. When they lie in my text, they make a part of my subject and sermon, but seldom otherwise. I think these doctrines should be in a sermon like sugar in a dish of tea, which sweetens every drop, but is no where to be found in a lump.

I hope you will enjoy the Lord’s peace and presence in your new house. It is pleasant to dwell where he dwells, whether in a palace, a cottage, or a prison. Indeed it does not much signify which of the three is our abode, provided he is pleased to be with us.

I am not very fond either of assemblies, consistories, synods, councils, benches, or boards. Ministers as individuals in their respective places, are like flowers, which will preserve their colour and scent much longer, if kept singly, than when packed together in a nosegay or posey, for then they quickly fade and corrupt. Their associations, in my judgment, should always be voluntary and free. Thus there are ten or a dozen of us in London, who frequently meet: we deliberate, ask, and give advice as occasions arise; but the sentiment of one, or even of the whole body, is not binding upon any. We hear what each person has to say, and then, each one judges and acts for himself. Thus, though we sometimes differ in opinion, we always agree, and live in harmony and love. Perhaps it might be a good rule, where spiritual matters are decided by vote, that the minority should determine the point; for in most places the Jew are more likely to be right than the many. I can assure you, that however strange some may think it, I am glad, and have much cause to be thankful, that I am what and where I am. I think, with respect to man, we are properly the Independents. The bishops in England interfere with us no more than the bishops in Italy, except in requiring us to appear, and answer to our names, once in three or four years: but no questions are asked, nor any fault found, by our superiors.

I have long thought that we have the same gospel in our hands, which enabled the first christians to take joyfully the spoiling of their goods, and that the same gospel has still the same power. I am glad you have found it so. I once visited a family that had suffered a great loss by fire. I found the mistress of the house in tears. I said, Madam, I wish you joy. She answered,

GO

What T do you wish me joy of the fire? No, Madam, I wish you joy that you have treasure laid up which the fire cannot reach. This turn stopped her grief; she wiped away her tears and smiled. So the sun breaks through the clouds and shines after an April shower.

Riccalton’s works are become very scarce, and yet are much inquired after. C***, the bookseller, wrote to Scotland for many sets, but they could only promise him six, and these, though long expected, are not yet arrived. I put in for one set for a friend, and am sorry I cannot get it. I believe I told you that Mr. Riccalton, son of the author, had written to me about a new edition, which I dissuaded him from, because as he has no copy-right, it was at any person’s option to print another, which might spoil the sale of his. I since desired Mr. Eyre (the editor of the Evangelical Magazine) to advise C*** to write Mr. Riccalton for his consent to publish his father’s works; for which I thought, especially if he would write a short preface, and here and there some brief notes, he had a right to some pecuniary consideration; and perhaps, in this way, he might recover his copy-right. I am not lawyer enough to be sure of this. But if Mr. R. is not yet engaged with C***, I could wish you to think of the business, to make inquiries, and to write Mr. R. A new edition in 12mo. I believe would sell, and it could be printed cheaper in Scotland than here; only the paper and type should be good; for our nice London eyes cannot read print upon coarse paper. But for fear of Mr. R. being burdened, I would have the risk lie with the booksellers, as interest will make them more diligent in promoting the sale.*

I shall be well pleased, if the paper which I printed f may provoke your ministers to do some? thing handsome for Mr. R. The cause of his encumbrance is a noble one, to relieve a father, and a man whose memory, I think, should be precious to those who love the gospel in Scotland. Let not that proverb, “A prophet is not without honour save in his own country,” be applied to him. For setting religion aside, on the sole ground of literary abilities, I think if boasting were lawful, Scotland might boast of Mr. Riccalton no less than of Hume, Robertson, Blair, &c. He was certainly a man of a strong comprehensive mind, and if not an elegant he was a mas-

* The first and only edition of Mr. Riccalton’s works that has yet been printed is in 8 vols. 8vo. large print, containing Three Essays on Human Nature — Twenty-three ditto on the Doctrines of Revelation — A Treatise on the General Plan of Revelation — The Christian Life, or Four Dissertations on Gal. ii. 20. — Notes and Observa’ions on the Epistle to the Galatians. The whole might be contained in 2 vols. 12mo.

f Account of Mr. Riccalton, sent by Mr. Newton to the Evangelical Magazine.

terhj writer. His metaphysics, I think, are a good besom to sweep away the fine-spun cobweb, sceptical metaphysics, which at present are too much in fashion in both kingdoms.

I am glad you reprinted Mr. Romaine’s address.* To your question: Do you approve of the invitation? I answer heartily, Yes. When you ask, Do you adopt it? I must answer, Not literally. I endeavour to mourn over my own sins, and the sins of the public, and to cry for mercy daily, and oftener than daily, both in private and in my family. Nor do I omit it in the pulpit. But after I have been engaged on the Lord’s day in preaching and speaking for six hours, and nine o’clock comes, I find myself more disposed for supper and bed, than for prayer. The truth is, that I cannot confine myself much to rules, except scriptural rules. The thought, that a great number are joining with me in prayer, at the same hour and minute, is pleasing to the imagination. But the Lord hears prayer whenever we call upon him, without regarding our distinction of times (his own day excepted.) I therefore choose the seasons which suit best with my circumstances and convenience. Sometimes my mind is thus engaged on the public account while walking in the streets.

* To appropriate an hour every Lord’s day evening to pray for the extension of Christ’s kingdom.

But really I find it not easy to know how to pray. Many think, yea many presume to say, that God does not govern the earth. He has a controversy with the nations, and especially with our nation, (which, considering our superior privileges, I deem to be the worst in Christendom) upon this account. Dare I pray, that he should give up his cause, and leave his enemies to triumph, lest I and my friends should be incommoded by the methods he may see fit to take, to make them know that he is the Lord? I dare not. Personal losses and crosses are sometimes sanctified to the saving of the soul. If that person is my friend, I ought to be rather thankful than sorry for those trials which have this effect. It may be so with a nation. If the French were permitted to land, and to spread ravages, fire, and sword, through half the kingdom, provided such calamities were the means of stirring up multitudes who now live careless in sin to seek the Lord in good earnest, and with their whole heart, such a season of distress might be the happiest time that Britain ever saw. For surely, that must be the best time when the best cause flourishes most. We are apt to be too selfish, too little concerned for the glory of God and the good of souls. Let us pray that the gospel may spread, that the Lord may revive his work in the midst of the years, whatever may become of our fig-tress and vines! »lnd it becomes us submissively to leave the methods of accomplishing his great designs to his wisdom.

Happen what will, it shall be well with them that fear the Lord. He invites them to hide themselves in his secret chambers, and promises to keep them under the shadow of his wings. He can protect them when many fall around them, or if he permits them to suffer with others, he can, he will, give them strength according to their day, and make all things work together for their good. So that either way they are safe. The time is short; his people will soon be at the end of their journey, and then they will not be much concerned for what they met with upon the road. I pray with submission, for peace at home and abroad. But when I look upon the state of things around me, I rather pray from a conviction of duty, than in faith, that it will be so. But the Lord’s thoughts are higher than mine, as the heavens are above the earth. Who knows but he may yet turn from his fierce anger? The light and power of the gospel are certainly upon the increase in England. This is the only good sign of the times I can discern.

Miss C*** adds her best wishes to mine for your peace and comfort.

I am sincerelv yours,

J. N.