ing the evil of which, I am sure it is not necessary to enlarge, when addressing myself to a gentleman of good understanding.

I conclude, sir, with my most affectionate wishes and prayers for you, that the whole of your conduct, in every circumstance of life, may be such as will yield the most pleasing reflections in the awful hour of death, and the most comfortable account before the Divine tribunal to which we are hastening: and in the serious views of which, I have presumed to give you this trouble, hoping you will esteem it, as it undoubtedly, is, a proof that I am with great sincerity, sir, Your most faithful, humble servant,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

LETTER III.

Rev. James Hervey to Richard Nush, esq.*On a life of si:ful pleasure.

Sir,

This letter comes from your sincere friend, and one who has your best interest deeply at heart; it comes on a design altogether important, aud of no less consequence than your everlasting happiness: so that it may justly challenge your attentive regard. It is not to upbraid or reproach, much less to triumph and insult over, your misconduct ;-no! it is pure benevolence which prompts me to write: and I hope I shall not raise your resentment. However, be the result what it may, I cannot bear to see you walk in the paths that lead to destruction, without warning you of your danger; without sounding in your ears the awful admonition: "Return and live; why will you die?"--I have long observed and pitied you; and

Master of the ceremonies at Bath.-Mr. Hervey is supposed to have written this letter, when he was at Bath, in the year 1743. It was found among Mr. Nash's papers after his death.

a most melancholy spectacle which I lately beheld, made me resolve to caution you, lest you also come into the same condemnation.

I was not long since called to visit a gentleman, who, a short time before, was of the most robust body, and gayest temper, I ever knew. When I visited him, I found him no more that sprightly and vivacious son of joy which he used to be: but languishing, pining away, and withering, under the chastising hand of God! his limbs feeble and trembling; his countenance forlorn and ghastly; and the little breath which he had left, sobbed out in sorrowful sighs! his body hastening apace to the dust, to lodge in the silent grave, the land of darkness and desolation; his soul just going to God who gave it, and preparing itself to depart to its long home, to enter upon an unchangeable and eternal state. When I was come into his chamber, and had seated myself by his bed, he cast a most wishful look upon me; and then began, as well as he was able, to speak. "Oh! that I had been wise; that I had known this; that I had considered my latter end!-Death is knocking at my door: in a few hours more I shall draw my last gasp; and then, judgment, tremendous judgment! How shall I appear, unprepared as I am, before the all-knowing and omnipotent God? how shall I endure the day of his coming?"

To ob

When I mentioned, among many other things, that strict holiness, which he had formerly so slightly esteemed, he replied with a hasty eagerness: "Oh! that holiness is the only thing I now long for: I lave not words tell you how highly I value it. tain it, I would gladly part with all my estate, large as that is. Now my benighted eyes are enlightened, I clearly discern the things that are excellent. What is there in the place whither I am going, but God? or, what is there to be desired on earth, but religion ?” If God should restore you to health, said L, do you think that you would alter your former course?" I call Heaven and earth to witness," said be," I would la

bour for holiness, as I shall soon labour for life. As for riches, and pleasures, and the applause of men, I account them as dross ;-no more to my happiness than the feathers that lie on the floor.-Oh! if the righteous Judge would try me, once more ;-if he would but reprieve and spare me a little longer;-in what a spirit would I spend the remainder of my days! I would know no other business, aim at no other end, than perfecting myself in holiness: whatever contributed to that, every means of grace, every opportunity of spiritual improvement, should be dearer to me than thousands of gold and silver. But alas! why do I amuse myself with fond imaginations? The best resolutions are now insignificant, because they are too late the day, in which I should have worked, is over and gone; and I see a sad, horrible night approaching, bringing with it the blackness of darkness for ever. Hitherto, (wo is me!) when God called, I refused; when he invited, I was one of them who made excuses. Now, therefore, I receive the reward of my deeds; fearfulness and trembling are come upon me; I am in sore anguish already; and this is but the beginning of sorrows! It does not yet appear what I shall be ;-but, surely, I shall be ruined, undone !"

This sad scene I saw with my eyes; these words, and many more equally affecting, I heard with my ears and, soon after, I attended the unhappy gentleman to his tomb. The poor, breathless skeleton spoke in such an accent, and with so much earnestness, that I could not easily forget him, or his words. And as I was using upon this sorrowful subject, I remembered Mr. Nash-I remembered you, sir ;--for I discerned too near an agreement and correspondence between yourself and the deceased. They are alike, said I, in their ways; and what shall hinder them from being alike in their end? The course of their actions is equally full of sin and folly; and why

should not the period of them be equally full of horror and distress? I am grievously afraid for the survivor, lest, as he lives the life, so he should die the death, of this wretched man.

For this cause, therefore, I take my pen, to advise, to admonish, nay, to request you, to repent, while you have opportunity; if haply you may find grace and forgiveness. Yet a moment, and you may die; yet a little while, and you must die: and will you go down with infamy and despair to the grave, rather than depart in peace, and with hopes full of immortality?

But I must tell you plainly, sir, with the utmost freedom, that your present behaviour is not the way to reconcile yourself to God: you are so far from making atonement to offended justice, that you are aggravating the former account, and heaping up an increase of wrath against the day of wrath. For what say the Scriptures? those sacred books, which, at the consummation of all things, the Ancient of days shall open, and judge you by every jot and tittle in them. They testify and declare to every soul of man," That whosoever liveth in pleasure, is dead while he liveth :" so that as long as you roll on in a continued circle of sensual delights, and vain entertainments, you are dead to all the purposes of piety and virtue; you cannot work out your salvation, or restore yourself to the Divine favour. Would you be rescued from the anger of Almighty God? would you be delivered from weeping, and wailing, and incessant wo? Surely you would!--Then I exhort you, as a friend; I beseech you, as a brother; I charge you, as a messenger from the great God, in his own most solemn words: "Cast away, from you your transgressions; make you a new heart, and a new spirit so iniquity shall not be your ruin."

Perhaps you may be disposed to contemn this letter, and its serious purport; or to recommend it to

your companions as a fit subject for raillery: but let me tell you beforehand, that for this, as well as for other things, God will bring you into judgment. He sees me now write; he will observe you while you read; he notes down, my words in his book; he will note down your consequent procedure: so that not upon me, but upon your own self, will the neglecting or the despising of my sayings turn.

Be not concerned, sir, to know my name; it is enough that you will know this hereafter wait but a little, till the Lord, even the most mighty God, shall call the Heaven from above, and the earth, that he may judge his people ;-and then you will see me face to face: then shall I be ready, at the dreadful tribunal, to rejoice with you, if you regard my warning and live ; or to be—what God prevent, by inclining your heart to receive this friendly admonition!

Coming home this evening, I could not forbear musing on the various topics, which furnished matter for our discourse; and now I am all thoughtful and retired, I cannot forbear taking notice of some particulars relating to our conversation. To be silent in such a case, would, I am persuaded, be more displeasing to a gentleman of your discernment and generosity, than to use the utmost freedom of speech.

Was it you, dear sir, who, when a certain passage in Scripture happened to be mentioned, treated it,