I RECEIVED my dear friend's letter, and was glad to have it, and to hear of his safe arrival, and of the recovery of his dame. After his departure I found myself very flat and low, and sorely wished to be at London, the people seeming not so attentive as I wished, and from hence I concluded that I was not understood. However, soon after this little soul travail, their ears seemed all to be bored with an awl to the door post, and God hath held them there ever since. I believe, last night, you might have heard a pin drop, for a whole hour together. One poor arminian has cried for quarters, not from the entrance of wrath but of love, which giveth life.
I am glad that you received some encouragement while here; if truth ever enters, if hope ever springs up, if any joy, peace, or comfort flows in, they are the things that accompany salvation, earnest pennies, foretastes, and glorious glimpses of brighter days. Press on; what is the most hard to obtain, is the sweetest when obtained. What you complain of, is what God declares; "The carnal mind is enmity;" in opposition to which the gospel is called the word of reconciliation, and the word of peace, and Christ's gifts are for the rebellious; all which implies that enmity, war, and rebellion, dwells in us. He that never knew what it was to hate, never knew what it was to love; every thing is the clearest seen by its opposite. I believe thou wilt never have so much of it as I have bad. You perceive this I have no doubt, that is, that I hunt you out, be where you may; when this is not the case you are out of my depth, and out of my sight; and as my path was consecrated and holy ground, that is the footsteps of the flock, in the path of tribulation, it lays a ground of hope for thee, and for me, to say as others have; "Be ye followers of me."
The little citizen set off from town last week, I hear, and went to Portsmouth to come by sea, but he is not arrived yet; I am concerned for this little one. This is Saturday, I shall soon now enter on my last week, and, like the schoolboy near Christmas, count the days, for I see none like the good old lady at Providence; I have long set my wig at her, and her old cap has long stood at me: there is no love lost.
Next week, being the last, plenty of work is cut out for me; they have engaged me ten times preaching between this day and to-morrow week evening, so that there is not much likelihood of returning with a full cruse. Thou hast acted the part of one of James's hearers, that is, thou art gone, and hast forgot what manner of man thou wast, for thou hast left the glass behind, which I hope to bring with me. All here are glad to hear of thy safe return. God bless you both. From the wilderness of sin,
DOCTOR SACK, S. S
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