YOUR answer to my question, on what is the proper foundation of our rejoicing in temporal blessings, is perfectly satisfactory, and I thank you for it. What you say of Mr. _P._’s tract is just what I wanted: possibly some fit season may be given me to make a good use of it. One would imagine that if singleness of eye, and sincerity of heart were really found in all those of our ministers, who in a measure preach the gospel, there would scarce be room left even for the shadow of a dispute. But this is only imagination; for I cannot help observing of some, for whose sincerity I would answer with my life, that they are far from being consistent long together. I have lately been attacked with a mighty pretty distinction (and from my ignorance a new one to me) in respect of the doctrine of assurance of forgiveness of sin.――Mr. **** says, it is of the _essence_ of _faith_; but most of the old _Puritans_, together with a heap of great names (of which I remember not one) say, it is of the _fruits_ of _faith_.――A poor weak woman, who has not learnt logic, may be easily puzzled with the nicety of a logical distinction; but still I could plainly see, that let it be essence or fruits, there was a manifest necessity for enforcing the doctrine: because a tree which brings not forth its proper fruits, is a barren tree.――A faith which brings not forth its proper fruits, is a dead faith, and consequently unprofitable.――The answer is, “A tree may be alive, and yet not bring forth fruit immediately.”――Well, but this makes nothing against the necessity there is that it _should_ bring forth fruit, in order to make it a profitable tree.――But then we have a homily to fly to:――“The homily on salvation says ‘nothing of assurance.’”――If the homily contradicts St. _Paul_, the homily is nothing to me.――“O, you won’t refer it to that, ‘because it makes against you.’”――I do not so much as know what is in it.――“It only ‘says a _sure trust_ and _confidence_.’”――I think a _sure confidence_ is nearly the same with assurance.――“No, they are very different.”――Now, Sir, you must be so good to furnish me with two or three of your strong arguments, to pull down this _Babel_ tower, which _our friends_ are building. I should also be glad, if you would tell me by what happy art you are always _consistent_ in doctrine, as well as practice: for I can find no one else that is so.――Difference of opinion I regard not; I could enjoy fellowship of spirit with a truly sincere _Predestinarian_, _Papist_, or _Quaker_. Inconsistency is the thing alone which hurts me. When I find this in people whom I know to be in so much higher a state of grace than myself, and whom I love and honour, it disquiets me, I own, by far too much: and my soul, like _Noah_’s dove, flies solitary about, and finds no place of rest on the face of the whole earth: till at last with one olive-leaf, and _only one_, she returns joyful to the ark――Give me leave, Sir, to intreat of you (if you should have a little