tOS LIVES OF THE PURITANS. P. It is too true andmanifest. D. Sir, do not always be digging at your sins. A wound continually rubbed cannot be cured. Suffer the plaster of the word of God to rest upon it, that it may be healed. P. Oh, if I had ! Oh, if it would please God ! I had rather than any thing in this or three thousand worlds. D. Whonow givcth this desire unto you ? Of ourselves we cannot think a good thought. God giveth both thewill and the deed. A desire is a sure token. P. But I cannot truly desire. Oh, if he would enlarge my heart. D. Cast your burdenupon the Lord. P. He hath rejectedme. D. Who made you his counsellor ? Secret things belong to God, but things revealed to us. Will you snake almanacs? P. He doth manifest it. Oh, mine abominable bringing up of youth !-(Hegroaned most bitterly.) D. Behold we make your state our own-we have part in your sorrow. Who bath thus disposed our hearts ? P. God. D. And do you think that he who causeth us to love you doth not love you himself? P. I fear I did too much glory in matters of private service of God. D. The devil hath now winnowed you, and you think all is gone out; but God holdeth what is Isis. When an earthly father setteth his son on work, he must do it in his own strength: but the Lord setteth on work, and giveth strength. P. Oh, my heart is miserable. D. What then ? A father loveth his son as well when he is sleeping as when he is waking. Sir, I have known you heretofore, and although, if I were in your case, I might do as you do; yet I should remain the servant of God, as you certainly do. If Jacob could say of Esau, I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God ; how much more should you think so of the children ofGod who come to you. P. I think God hath begun to give me ease. D. fie will in his good time. P. God grant it. D. Although we depart from our friends in the way, we shall meet at the end. After Mr. Dod was departed, he received a letter from his
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