Religious ignorance, and a general unconcernedness about divine things, together with the most profuse dissipation, and a growing disregard of moral virtue, are the reigning characteristics of the present age.

In a country thus circumstanced, popery (ever on the watch for advantages) will, and must, and does, gain continual ground. Ignorance, infidelity, and licentiousness, naturally terminate in superstition, as their ultimate refuge: and Rome too often reaps, what profaneness and immorality have sown.

To stem so dangerous a torrent, no means are more likely (under God), than the republication of such a work as this: a work eminently calculated to display, and to guard us against, the principles and the spirit of popery; to perpetuate the holy lives, the faithful testimonies, and the triumphant deaths, of those evangelical worthies, who resisted error, even unto blood; to exalt the standard of Christ; to exhibit the loving-kindness of the Holy Ghost, who gave such grace and power unto men; and to stand as the best commentary on those inestimable truths, which (through the good hand of God upon us) still continue to shine in the liturgy, articles, and homilies, of our established church.

I wish this performance much success, in the name of the Lord. May its diffusion be very extensive, and its usefulness very great. May it prove mighty, through God, to make the protestant churches in general, and our own national church in particular, remember from whence they are fallen ; stir them up to doctrinal and practical repentance; and bring them back to their first principles, and to their first works! With this prayer, breathed from the inmost of my heart,

I remain, sir,

your affectionate well-wisher,

AUGUSTUS MONTAGUE TOPLADY.

LETTER LXVI.

To Mr. HUSSEY.

VERY DEAR SIR,

Broad-Hembury, Sept. 9, 1776.

A STUDENT of Lady Huntingdon's, whose name is Cottingham, and from whom I parted at Bristol, on my return from Wales, promised me to wait on you and Mrs. Hussey in London, to inform you, how gracious the Lord has been to me, ever since I saw you last.

The night I left town, the Worcester coach, in which I went, broke down: but not one of us received the least injury. I have a still greater deliverance to acquaint you with: even such as, I trust, will never be blotted from my thankful remembrance. On the Anniversary Day, in Wales, the congregation was so large, that the chapel would not have contained a fourth part of the people; who were supposed to amount to three thousand. No fewer than one thousand three hundred horses were turned into one large field, adjoining the College; besides what were stationed in the neighbouring villages. The carriages, also, were unusually numeA scaffold was erected, at one end of the College-court, on which a book-stand was placed, by way of pulpit: and, from thence, six or seven of us preached, successively, to one of the most attentive, and most lively congregations I ever beheld. When it came to my turn to preach, I advanced to the front and had not gone more than half through my prayer before sermon, when the scaffold suddenly fell in. As I stood very near the highermost step (and the steps did not fall with the rest,) providence

rous.

enabled me to keep on my feet, through the assistance of Mr. Winkworth, who laid fast hold on my arm. About forty ministers were on the scaffold and steps when the former broke down. Dear Mr. Shirley fell undermost of all; but received no other hurt, than a very slight bruise on one of his thighs. A good woman, who, for the conveniency of hearing, had placed herself under the scaffold, received a trifling contusion on her face. No other mischief was done. The congregation, though greatly alarmed, had the prudence not to throw themselves into outward disorder: which, I believe, was chiefly owing to the powerful sense of God's presence, which was eminently felt by most of the assembly.

Such was the wonderful goodness of the Lord to me, that I was not in the least disconcerted on this dangerous occasion: which I mention, to the praise of that grace and providence, without which, a much smaller incident would inevitably have shocked every nerve I have. About half a minute after the interruption had commenced, I had the satisfaction to inform the people, that no damage had ensued: and removing for security, to a lower step, I thanked the Lord, with the rejoicing multitude, for having so undeniably given his angels charge concerning us. Prayer ended, I was enabled to preach: and great grace seemed to be upon us all.

If God permit, I hope to be with you, in London, soon after the middle of this month. I deem it one of the principal felicities of my life, that I have the happiness and the honour to minister to a praying people. We should not have had so much of the Lord's presence in Orange-street, if he had not poured upon us the spirit of supplication. Go on to pray, and God will go on to bless. Remember me, most respectfully and most tenderly, to as many of our dear friends in Christ, as you are acquainted with. And, particularly, inform Mr. and Mrs. Willett, and Mr. and Mrs. Stokes, that I have

not forgot my promise to write to them; and that I will perform my promise, unless they are so kind as to dispense with it: which, I am very sure, they would most willingly do, if they knew how little time I have to myself.

Farewel. Grace be with you, and with dear Mrs. Hussey. Grace comprehends all we want, in time, and in eternity.

I remain, my valuable friend, ever, ever yours,

AUGUSTUS TOPLADY.

P. S. I had the happiness to see dear lady Huntingdon (who is the most precious saint of God I ever knew) well, both in body and soul.

The Lord, I trust, still continues with you at Orange-chapel. I shall be much obliged to you, for informing me how things go on; by a line directed to me, at Mr. Derham's, in Green-street, Bath: for which place I intend to set out, from Devonshire, on Monday next, the 16th instant.

I have the unutterable satisfaction to find several more awakened people at Broad-Hembury, than I formerly knew of. The Lord never sends his gospel to any place, in vain. He will call in his own people; and will accomplish his own work. There is really a very precious remnant, in and about this parish. Thanks to free grace for all.

To Mr.

LETTER LXVII.

MUCH LAMENTED SIR,

IN consequence of your desire, communicated to me by Mr., I signified my intention of waiting on you: but, on reflection, I more than fear, that I have

not sufficient firmness of nerves, to sustain so trying an interview. My feelings are (unhappily for myself) so terribly keen, that I should only receive material injury, without being able to render you the least good. My tears can be of no service to you. My prayers are frequently ascending to God for you, both in public and in private. May the uncreated angel of the covenant take them, warm as they rise from my unworthy heart and lips; and make them his own, by presenting them with the much incense of his ever effectual intercession!

If I am rightly informed, you have formerly sat under the sound of the gospel. Let me beseech you, sir, to cry mightily to him who is able to save, that the Holy Ghost may realize, to your departing soul, those precious truths of grace, which have, it seems, been often brought to your ears. Nothing short of experimental religion, will stand you in any stead. The Lord Jesus enable you, by the operation of his Spirit, to come to him, as a lost sinner; throwing yourself on the righteousness of his life, and on the atonement of his death, for your free pardon and full justification with God! In which case, though your transgressions be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; and, though deep as crimson, they shall be made as wool.

I have too much reason to apprehend, that all application in your behalf, to the powers of this world, will be totally without avail. Consider yourself, therefore, dear sir, as absolutely a dying

man.

My earnest supplications shall not cease to be poured out at the footstool of the throne of grace, until death sets you beyond the reach of prayer.Several congregations of God's people bear you deeply on their hearts.

Jesus bless you with the manifestations of his favour; and grant you to sing his praises, for ever and ever, in concert with that innumerable assembly of