“There is provision made in the covenant for great comfort, consistent with human frailty and imperfection, but not with carelessness and negligence.  While, therefore, we rejoice in the Lord, we have good reason to join trembling with our exultation; while standing high in comfort, to take heed lest we fall, through the deceitfulness of sin.  We carry about with us ’a body of sin and death;’ ’the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.’  We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers,’ etc.  We live in a world lying in wickedness; the captives of sin and Satan exerting every faculty to banish all thoughts of God, death, and eternity; contriving, with unwearied industry and amazing ingenuity, new gratifications for body and mind in endless variety, suited to all constitutions, all tempers and dispositions, and to those in all circumstances.  Of these, the most rational are the most subtle, and, in the hand of the enemy, the most calculated to keep men ignorant of themselves, their misery, and of the great salvation; and alas, by these he often spoils unwary Christians, who, though heirs of heaven, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, are, during their minority, subject to like passions with themselves, and ever in danger of being spoiled of their comforts when off their guard.

“With the people of the world Christians have much to do:  they are fellow-members of society with them; they have many duties to perform to them, with them, and by them; many of the things of the world are necessary to them, many of its pleasures lawful; for ’the earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof,’ and he gives them of it as his wisdom sees good for them.  That which he gives them they gather in the same manner as and in society with the world, by industry and diligence in their lawful calling and business.  Keeping near the Captain of salvation, and armed in his whole armor, they are safe.  When off their guard, the vigilant enemy gains some advantage, and they get into trouble.  O how many gracious names our dear Redeemer has assumed in his word, for our comfort, our meditation, our spiritual exercise; how pleasant and delightful in the light of his countenance to analyze them!  Besides the names peculiar to himself as God-man, how many has he condescended to take from among men, and the natural comforts and safeguards of men—­our Shepherd, our Rock, our Ark, all the relations in life—­and ends with our All in all.  But I must have done, that I may tell you that goodness and mercy follow us in this family also.”

“July 28, 1801.

“My dear pastor, Mr. M——­, sailed for Britain.  I thank thee, good and kind Shepherd of Israel, for all those providences, which seemed small things at the time, that hedged me into that congregation; for all the benefits and comforts I enjoyed under the ministry of thy aged servant now before thy throne, and that thou preparedst thy young servant to fill his place when the time of his departure came.