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which your former station might have subjected you It is one of the characteristics of the Messiah's kingdom, that, 'the nations shall not learn war any more;' and whatever may be alleged for the necessity of it, I have your leave to say, that it is a certain proof that the religion of Christ has not yet had its effect. in the world. If necessary, you will let my kinsman, Mr. B. A., know what is to be done with regard to his son's admission into Christ's Hospital. You have done me a good favour, and given me great pleasure. I thank you again, and wishing you and Mrs. Pownall much Christian joy of each other, am, dear sir,

"Your most affectionate and

"humble servant,

"THOMAS ADAM."

In the year 1777, Mr. Adam contributed several papers to an edition of "Bogatsky's Golden Treasury," which his friend Mr. Thornton published, at his own expense, for distribution. Mr. Adam presented several copies to his communicants, which were sent to him for that purpose. From one of these the editor gathers, that the paper on Job, the forty-second chapter and the sixth verse, is from Mr. Adam's pen. The one in the following letter, we

learn from himself, was also his.

TO COLONEL POWNALL.

"Wintringham, Feb. 15th, 1777.

"Dear Sir,

"When I applied to you on behalf of my young kinsman, I did it with great confidence, knowing

that you would not rest till you had done all in your power. I am much pleased that your endeavours have been successful, and repeat my thanks to you and all concerned in the affair.

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"I am obliged to you for putting me in mind of gospel comfort and gospel promises. In truth, I have nothing else to live upon, do live upon them, trust I shall be able to face death with them, and send them back to you, with my warmest wishes that they may be a cordial in your heart, and a never-failing spring of gratitude, praise, and willing service to the Redeemer of your soul. Think what St. Paul felt, when he said, 'The love of Christ constraineth us."* He still goes on, Because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.' It is true, dead they were, in every sense of the word; but the original is, 'then all died,' that is, in and with Christ; so that you and I were then and there nailed to the cross, paid the death we owed, made full satisfaction to justice, and became new creatures, not only or chiefly by sanctification, as the words are commonly understood, but by adoption and grace. Consider what follows to the end of the chapter. I know to whom I am writing, and fear no Antinomian consequences from your being rooted and grounded in the faith of salvation by Christ crucified. For my own part, I should think myself undone, if this hope were taken from me. As I said before, I live upon it, though it does not always stand at the same height. You will not think my homily tedious, if I transcribe a passage, contributed by me to Mr. Thornton's edition of Bogatsky's Golden Treasury; which, if you have

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* 2 Cor. v. 14.

not seen it, is a short word or descant on a text of scripture for every day in the year. For instance, Rev. v. 9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.'

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"In heaven we shall have a perfect knowledge of sin, far beyond anything we now conceive of it, in conjunction with the greatness of our deliverance, and the glory of redeeming mercy will be the eternal ground of our love and adoration. On earth, it is the great exercise and difficult work of faith, to see sin and Christ at the same time, or to be penetrated with a lively sense of our desert, and absolute freedom from condemnation. But the more we know of both, the nearer approach we make to the state of heaven; and we are our own greatest enemies, if, together with the fullest comprehension of sin, we do not look steadily unto Christ, and see it taken away by the blood of the Lamb of God. This, though continually repeated by the heavenly choir, is called their new song; because it is always a matter of as great joy to them, as if they had never sung it before; and because the love of God and of Christ in their redemption, is always opening upon them with new and increasing wonders. O O my soul, let not thy sin hinder thee from beginning it now.'

"God bless you and Mrs. Pownall, and join you to this happy society, now and ever.

My dear Sir, I am very respectfully and af

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"I am obliged to you for acquainting me with the death of my kinsman, which I had been told before was likely to happen. For his widow I have guineas, by a private hand which I put into yours, not knowing how to direct to her, and make no apology for the trouble I give you.

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"For yourself, my dear sir, I cannot easily tell you how much I respect and love you. My great wish for you is, that in your retired life, you may keep a watchful eye on that deceitful, slippery thing, the heart. The little knowledge I have of my own, throws me directly on the Saviour. I seem to myself to be sinking apace; and no wonder, having now the load of seventy-six years upon my back.

“I am, with my respectful compliments to Mrs. Pownall, dear sir, your very affectionate "And humble servant,

"THOMAS ADAM."

In 1779, Mr. Adam writes to his friend, with freedom of thought, and a lively interest in the success and defence of the gospel.

TO COLONEL POWNALL.

"Dear Sir,

66

Wintringham, April 3rd, 1779.

"With all my heart I wish you and Mrs. Pownall the best of all good things on this side heaven, a happy progress in the divine life, and a hope full of immortality. I please myself with thinking it is the mark at which you are aiming, and that you enjoy life by looking forward to the conclusion of it. God bless you both, and make you helpers to one another in your great interest, and keep you closely united in the best of bonds.

"If friend Venn has fallen into any mistake himself, his title will be retorted upon him with aggravation; I do not mean, and should be sorry to think, he has committed any worthy of notice, as my notions of gospel grace and gospel truth coincide with his; I except the article of particular election. The great point on which justification turns, will always be a mystery, and a bone of contention; but the gospel will be no more than a republication of the law of mount Sinai, and Christ died in vain, if heart's ease, peace of conscience, reconciliation with God, and a right to eternal life, can be obtained by self-righteousness, human endeavours, or any work of our own, whether of repentance or holiness. My dear sir, this is the opening of my heart to you, which I should be glad to do more largely, if my hand would let me; and you are to take notice that, at your request, and out of particular regard to you, I submit to the troublesome task of writing, or rather scratching, once

more.

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