then he looked up, implying that it was fixed upon the Rock of ages. He knew that our heavenly Master had engaged himself to defend and protect his faithful servants in all trying circumstances, to rule and direct them in all their ministrations, and to supply them with grace and ability for all their work.

A letter of Jones's shall be introduced here, as another evidence of his confidence in God, and his support from him in all his tribulations and trials. We see how precious Jesus was to his soul in those painful circumstances. As vile and helpless, he rejoiced in Christ the Lord. It was the love of Jesus that animated and encouraged him to go on. Indeed he felt its constraining power.

Coychurch, Jan. 13, 1800.-At last I am, in one sense, come to shore, I mean at Coychurch. But am still on the raging billows: yet my Pilot is with me, and suffers me not altogether to sink. I now see that I live only in his hand ; else I should have been swept away long ago. And I am happy, my dear M., in the thought of living in and upon Jesus. This is the happiest life under the sun; and indeed there is no life without Jesus. All besides is but tormenting ourselves in trying to catch the wind. I am nothing but a monument of ineffable compassion and love. If ever I am brought safe to the regions of bliss above, what must I then think of the power and fulness of Jesus to savę. It is heaven upon earth to live upon his fulness. Oh what a precious Saviour! We have known but very little of him yet. Oh may every cloud be removed, that we may see more of his glory in this new year than ever we have yet discovered, and then we shall be very happy in trusting him with ourselves and our all. I find that I am nothing but hell and misery, yet in Jesus I am in heaven, though in the midst of various enemies and trials.—I trust you are daily kept under the wings of the Father of the fatherless : and to be there is far better than to dwell in the palaces of

kings without this mercy.-I have been at home here for about nine days, but have however not had time to rest.→ I have been in and through many counties since I wrote to you my last; often in cold, but, through mercy, not in nakedness.

"Dan lives still at Bridgend, but has not as yet been successful.-By reason of various afflictions, I am kept near the dust, and in myself quite in the dust.—My daughter Maria is a woman of great spirits, and I hope that she has a saving knowledge of Mary's Son. This crowns all. Even in poverty, a man may be happy, having this.—I left my friend well in a warm nest, and I am very happy in travelling through wet and cold, being supported from above in my important work.”

In perusing the above interesting letter, how forcibly are we reminded of Bishop Hooper's dying expressions in prayer, when burning at the stake in Gloucester. Lord," said the good bishop, "I am hell, but thou art heaven: I am the swill and sink of sin, but thou art a gracious and merciful Redeemer: have mercy therefore upon me, a most miserable wretch and offender, after thy great mercy, and according to thy inestimable goodness."-Those that see how unworthy they are, and how excellent their ground of confidence is, will go on patiently through even the greatest afflictions.

CHAP. VIII.

Jones's troubles and afflictions in different circumstances― his letters on the same.

ANOTHER species of suffering which Jones experienced, shall be mentioned here. The account may be, under God's blessing, of some relief to many of his brethren in similar circumstances. They may be encouraged to apply to the same Saviour for deliverance and help, by observing how he was enabled to steer clear through all weather.

A female friend of his writes in the following manner about a tender delicate point, a disappointment as to marriage, which had given him great uneasiness." Mr. Jones's first wife," she says, "had been dead some years, and he was paying his addresses in 1793 to Miss R., my mother's only sister. I was truly delighted to have the prospect of such a good man for my uncle, in a few months. But I was disappointed, owing to her strange and unaccountable refusal of him.-About this time there was a large association at Carefilly, Glamorganshire, where thousands met. Jones, who was there, called on my mother, and said, 'Nancy, do you know your sister has absolutely refused me.' She was much surprised at this; and he was exceedingly affected in the interview, but expressed a hope that the Lord would give him strength to preach to the people. It was indeed a heavy and sore trial, especially as he expected to take her home as Mrs. Jones. However he nobly said, 'It is not her property I wanted, that I would not touch: but I esteemed her much, and I believed her to be a real christian.'-He preached that morning to a large congregation from a peculiar text and words; Ruth i. 16, Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.'

I heard my mother say that it was one of the best sermons she ever heard him preach.-He was much dejected at dinner: but he took a kind farewell of my aunt and my mother, and commenced his journey that evening for Langan."-It seems that his itinerant labours did not suit the lady.

Jones wrote a letter to the above lady afterwards, notwithstanding her unkindness. It manifested a most christian spirit, and one every way worthy of imitation in such circumstances, and therefore shall be introduced here.

"Coychurch, Jan. 31, 1794.-Well may I, of all men, say, 'It is of the Lord's goodness that I am not consumed.' Tribulations are my lot; and I find they do me good. I am too much wedded to this world, and it is a great work of divine grace to wean me from its allurements. I was, am, and shall be at all times, glad to hear from you and your worthy sister. There is no person in the world who more sincerely wishes you happy than myself. You are well convinced, I trust, of the faithfulness of my heart towards you both. A late affair between you and me being now dropped, at your request, I am, through mercy, willing to bury it in oblivion. The Lord was my friend, when you were afraid of consequences. And indeed my heart can never, never blame my dear and worthy friend Miss R. in any one thing. When I recollect, (though I wish never to think of it for a moment any more,) your last answer to me, I cannot, for fear I may repent,'-then poor Orpah's parting with her friends comes full to my mind; back she goes, though she wept. I suppose she was likewise afraid of repenting, had she gone on. This however I am confident in, that though you have been an Orpah to me, you will be enabled, by divine grace, to prove a Ruth to my beloved Master; for I humbly trust you are for ever married to him.

1

"I am at present much tried with outward troubles and bodily pain, and am destitute of friends to give me comfort

in a cloudy day. This inclines me to look out for some good woman to bear a part of my burden. I have reason to believe there is one ready, and my Master can, in his own time, make her also willing. I am in his hand, and let him do with me as seemeth best in his sight. I am however rather easy in the matter: let the Lord assure me that He is mine, and that is enough.

"As to my coming on a round through Monmouthshire, I should like it much, but at present I can see no open door before me. I confess I should be glad to see you and many more of my friends in that part of the world. Yet it may be best for me perhaps not to have my own wishes. I am now, though (llwm) destitute, yet (llawen) happy; and to open old sores again will not do. It is time for me to give over trusting in the strength of my own heart.How can I be sufficiently thankful to you, your dear sister, and Mrs. H., for your late handsome present? Every article of which was brought very safe to my daughter and myself. If I could do you and them any thing in return, it would afford me the greatest pleasure.-I hope you and they will be enabled to remember me at a throne of grace. This will be the greatest favour you can show me, while in this world of grief and sorrow."

May those that are placed in painful circumstances, similar to the above, learn to be resigned, like Jones, to the will of God, and pray for his guidance in such an intricate path, and God's name will be glorified, and their own souls will find rest and peace.

A few letters of Jones's, on subjects relating to afflictions, shall be now introduced. They may be useful to the children

of

great tribulation; for none of us are free from them. May we then, when in affliction, learn to follow the patience, faith, and love of those gone before us.-The first of these letters, addressed to Miss R., is on friendship, condolence, and submission to the divine will, the best effect of affliction.