the opinion of our hearers, and whether they will judge favourably or otherwise of our abilities and address; to indulge an emotion of selfapplause at one time, if we think we have gone through our work cleverly; and to be ashamed to look the people in the face at another time, not because we fear we have either suppressed or mistaken the truth, but merely because we may have given them a proof of what we profess to teach them, as a principle, that we have no sufficiency of our own-this is such an instance of depravity, and betrays such a shameful, criminal disingenuousness, that we may well wonder the Lord will ever permit us to make mention of his name any more. This undue regard to self is, I apprehend, the chief thing that makes extempore preaching so formidable to those who have a competent measure of knowledge and furniture for the work. Nor can we expect to be freed from it all at once, nor perfectly at the best; but by earnest prayer, and by habit and exercise in preaching, we may hope, gradually to acquire more confidence in the Lord, and more indifference to the desire of pleasing men any further than for their edification. And though it becomes us to endeavour, by prayer and meditation beforehand, to make ourselves masters of our subject, and to study to show ourselves workmen that need not be ashamed, yet I am persuaded we should be most likely both to please and to profit our hearers, if we could speak to them, when in the pulpit, with the same simplicity as we do when out of it. As I have touched upon this subject before, I may, perhaps, now only offer you repetitions; but you will excuse me. I trust, you can say of the Lord, His I am, and him I serve. Go forth, therefore, in his strength; believe his promise to be with his servants; put in your claim for that liberty with which I am persuaded it his pleasure to honour his faithful ministers who desire to put their trust in him, and you shall not be disappointed. I long to hear you an extempore preacher. You may study as much as you please, provided you do not hurt your health. And this method of preaching would give you more time for your studies, and more for your people. I am not a proper judge of the question concerning patronage. I believe with you, that if blind people have the power of election, they are as likely to choose blind leaders for themselves, as the blind patrons are to choose such for them. What seems principally wanting, both in Scotland and in England, is a dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Without this, I hardly see a pin to choose among all Mr. Jarment undertakes the charge of this letter, and, if not inconvenient to him, I shall send a book with it, entitled Apologia. You will perceive it is not calculated for the meridian of Scotland, and therefore my only reason for sending it to you is, because it is mine. When will you come to London? We truly long to see you, and I could show you some people here whom I think you would like. Ask Mr. More, if he comes in your way, if he did not like some of my friends? I hope the Lord will lead you to us sometime. But if not, blessed be his name for the hope of meeting in a better world. My dear joins with me in love to you. I am very sincerely, Your affectionate friend and brother, JOHN NEWTON. Will you please to give our love to Mr. Culbert, when oppor- hinted. MY case has been singular upon earth, and I think it will be almost so in heaven. If love is the essence of happiness, and if they to whom much has been forgiven shall love most, then, surely, (astonishing thought,) I shall be found among the foremost, and, if I may so speak, the first-rate spirit before the throne. If great services and sufferings in the Lord's cause should be chiefly distinguished in the courts above, I may be thankful if I be admitted within the door; but if much forgiveness is the distinction, I shall have a claim above millions-I might venture to dipute precedence with Paul himself. I am the man who did many things against Jesus of Nazareth; not because I thought I ought, but because I was resolved I would. How often have I publicly and deliberately treated him as an impostor, compared him with Mahe |