LOVE. 131 thy child into the world : thou shalt be a joyful mother, though thou art a sad widow ! God hath many mercies in storefor thee : the prayers of a dying husband will not be lost. To my shame I speak it, I never prayed so much for thee at liberty, as I have done in prison. I cannot write more; but I have a few practical counsels to leave with thee, viz. " 1. Keepunder a sound, orthodox, and soul-searching ministry. Oh, there are many deceivers gone out into the world; but Christ's sheep knowhis voice, and a stranger will theynot follow. Attend on that ministrywhich teaches the way of God in truth, and follow Solomon's advice : Cease to hear the instruction that causeth to errfrom the way of knowledge. " 2. Bring up thy children in the knowledge and ad- monitionof theLord. The mother ought to be the teacher in the father's absence. The words which his mother taught him. Timothywas instructed byhis grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice. " 3. Pray in thy family daily, that thydwelling may be in the number of the families that do call upon God. " 4. Labour for a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. " 5. Pore not on the comforts thou wantest ; but on the mercies thou hast. " 6. Look rather to God's end in afflicting, than at the measure and degree of thy afflictions. " 7. Labour to clear up thy evidences for heaven, when God takes from thee the comforts of earth, that, as thy sufferings do abound,' so thy consolations in Christ may much more abound. " S. Though it is good to maintain a holy jealousy of the deceitfulness of thy heart, yet it is evil for thee to cherish fears and doubts about the truth of thy graces. If ever I had confidence touching the graces of another, I have con- fidence of grace in thee. I can say of thee, as Peter did of Sylvanus, I am persuaded that this is the grace of God wherein thou standest. Oh, my dear souL wherefore dost thou doubt, whose heart hath been upright, whose walkings have been holy ! I could venture my soul in thy soul's stead. Such confidence haveI in thee ! " 9. When- thou findest thy heart secure, presumptuous and proud, then pore upon corruption more than upon grace : but when thou findest thy heart doubting and unbelieving, then look on thygraces, not on thy infirmities.
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