me often low; yet faith and desire will
easily mount on high, beseeching God that he would, according to the
apostle's prayer, fill me with all his communicable fulness, in the
gifts and graces of his Spirit; that I may walk well-pleasing before
him, in all holy conversation, perfecting holiness in his fear.

"If I err in boldness, sir, pray pardon me, and in your next letter
confirm my hope that you will be my counsellor and guide.

"I can only recompense your kindness to me by my prayers, that your
own intercourse with God may be abundantly blessed to you and yours. I
consider the Saviour saying to you, as he did to Peter, 'Lovest thou
me?' And may your heartfelt experience be compelled to reply, 'Thou
knowest all things, and thou knowest that I love thee' supremely! May
he have evident marks of it in all your outward actions of love and
humanity in feeding his flock, and in the inward fervour and affection
of all your consecrated powers: that you may be zealously engaged in
pulling down the strongholds of sin and Satan, and building up his
Church; sowing the seeds of righteousness, and praying God to give the
increase: that you may not labour for him in vain, but may see the
trees bud and blossom, and bring forth fruit abundantly, to the praise
and glory of your heavenly Master. In order to give you
encouragement, he says, whosoever 'converteth a sinner from the error
of his way shall save a soul from death;' and that will increase the
brightness of your crown in glory. This hath Christ merited for his
faithful ministers.

"I hope, sir, you will receive grace to be sincere in reproving sin,
wherever you see it. You will find divine assistance, and all fear
and shame taken from you. Great peace will be given to you, and
wisdom, strength, and courage, according to your work. You will be as
Paul; having much learning, you can speak to men in all stations in
life, by God's assistance. The fear of offending them will never
prevent you, when you consider the glory of God; and man's immortal
soul is of more value than his present favour and esteem. In
particular, you are in an office wherein you can visit _all_ the sick.
Man's extremity is often God's opportunity. In this way you may prove
an instrument in his hand to do his work. Although he _can_ work
without means, yet his usual way is by means; and I tr