I blefs God, I have been in better fpirits for the laft fortnight, and been able pretty nearly to balance accounts with my correfpondents, and to do a little in revising fome fermons, which I mean to publish. But I cannot do much at a time. Many hours, and fome whole days, I am quite laid afide as useless, and often in great pain and weakness. But having obtained help of God, I continue to this day: and, bleffed be his name! have some intervals of ease and cheerfulness, which I

hope

doctor's curate. An eminent dignitary (Dr. TUCKER, dean of Gloucefter) fpeaks of it in the following manner. "It is as feasonable and ufeful a thing as any the doctor ever pub. lifhed. And though much of his plan may be impracticable in large parishes, yet many of the hints may be well adopted in all places and the clergy in general have all fomething to learn from it." One of our prefent Bifhops gives thefe Hints to thofe whom he ordains.

hope are employed to fome valuable purposes.

But notwithstanding all

this favourable difcipline, and this mixture of mercies and afflictions, which I have experienced for fo many years, I find very little improvement in the divine life. I feel much langour and deadnefs at thofe feafons, and in thofe circumstances, when I ought to be most ferious, lively, and attentive, and cannot raise my groveling heart to that fpirituality and heavenly mindednefs, which is fo defirable for one, who is on the borders of the grave. My thoughts cling too much to earth, empty as it is, and to this body, from which I have fuffered, and am daily fuffering, so much pain and uneafinefs. -I entertain myfelf in reading my good old books, in which there is a favour, and a fuitablenefs to my cafe, which I find in few modern ones. I

have been reading for a fifth or fixth time Dr. LUCAS's Enquiry after Happiness, and his other pieces, which always afford me new pleasure.* I pray God to affift and profper you in all your undertakings for his glory, and the edification of the church, and beg the continuance of your prayers for me, that I may be doing some little good, while I am continued here, and be growing more and more meet for a nobler sphere of fervice, when my Mafter

* LUCAS's character as a writer, as given by Dr. DODDRIDGE." His flyle very peculiar : fometimes exceeding free, nearly approaching converfation fometimes grand and sublime: generally very expreflive. His method not clear, but thoughts excellent; many taken from attentive obfervation of life: wrote as entirely devoted to God, and fuperior to the world. His Practical Chrißianity most valuable; and Enquiry after Happiness, especially the fecond volume of it."- Manufcript.

Mafter calls me hence. I am always

glad to hear from you, and am,

Dear Sir,

Your affectionate and faithful

friend, and humble servant,

JOB ORTON.

LETTER

LETTER XVI.

DEAR SIR,

Jan. 14, 1775.

AT T this feafon of the year, it is ufual for all wife and prudent people to fettle their accounts, to pay their debts, and to leave none outstanding. But it is the unhappy cafe of fome, who bear an honeft mind, and are

willing to be

out of debt, not to be

Not

able to be fo. This is at prefent, and is often, my own cafe with regard to my epiftolary correfpondents. for want of an honeft mind, or a real affection to my friends, but through inability. I have long been a bankrupt in my health, and strength, and spirits, and must throw myfelf upon the compaffion and kindnefs of my friends to bear with me and excufe me, and I hope they are, and will be willing, to accept of a compofition, and to take a

part