the rulers, Jer. li. 19-23.

But Little Faith is not mentioned among all these. He appears to bear a very faint resemblance of a lion, a troophorse, a battleax, a war chariot, a smiting rod, a burdensome stone, a brazen pillar, or an iron wall; and therefore must cut a very poor figure in the day of battle: for, as you have acknowledged, he is often in fear where no fear is, and often flies when none pursues him; and, if so, what would he do if pursued in reality? For, if he hath run with footmen, and they have wearied him, how would he do if called to contend with horses! And if he is wearied in a land of peace, what would he do in the swelling of Jordan!

Steward. You don't talk much like a shepherd now. You read of a Shepherd that gathers the lambs with his arms, and carries them in his bosom and, if so, they are as nigh to the heart of the Shepherd, and as safe in his arms, as the rams with their iron horns and brazen hoofs, which are often pushed into the hottest of the battle. Such as Little Faith are compared to a few hairs hid in the skirt of the Son of Man; Ezek. v. 3; and are called the Lord's hair, which is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead, Cant. vi. 5. They all appear to have a testimony borne in their behalf by the whole heap, or whole cloud, of witnesses, which the word Gilead signifies. And you must know that hairs grow nearer the head than any other members whatsoever :

and if the hairs of a saint's head are all numbered, so that not one of them shall perish, or fall to the ground; what must these be that grow on the Covenant Head, and are hid in the skirts of the Son of Man! It is true Little Faith says, “I watch, and am, as a sparrow, alone upon the house top," Psalm cii. 7. Yet we know that, though two sparrows are sold for one farthing, yet not one of them shall fall to the ground without our heavenly Father's leave, Matt. x. 29.

Shepherd. I perceive you are a stanch advocate for Little Faith, and the records of Zion furnish you with many and weighty arguments in favour of him: therefore I shall not in future lie at the catch, as I can judge of your care and sensations from what I have felt when the dog Smut has been sent to fetch a strolling lamb back that has strayed from the fold. I have been ready to cry, with the psalmist, "Deliver my soul from the sword, my darling from the power of the dog."

Steward. I hope I shall never be left to "speak wickedly for God, and talk deceitfully for him," Job xiii. 7; nor be allowed to condemn the just, or to justify the wicked; for both these are an abomination to God, Prov. xvii. 15. But, as I find Little Faith's name, character, and conduct, upon record in the eternal register, I am determined to defend his birth, parentage, &c. to the uttermost; knowing that, though Little Faith is often, in appearance, like a fatherless child, yet.

the promise is, "I will not leave you orphans," John xiv. 18. For, "a judge of the widows, and a father of the fatherless, is God, in his holy habitation." I will say no more in the behalf of Little Faith than what I see a scriptural warrant for. If God give me grace, and the lip of truth, as I hope he will, I am determined that my heart shall not reproach me for this so long as I live, Job xxvii. 6; nor shall my tongue utter deceit, Job xxvii. 4. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make Little Faith obedient by word and deed, Rom. xv. 18.

Shepherd. To warp from the truth, to build weaklings up in flesh and blood, or to attempt to strengthen them by speaking falsely, is leading them to Satan instead of Christ. He is sure to comfort in vain, in whose answers there remaineth falsehood, Job xxi. 34. Pray, is Little Faith a favourer of the stewards of the house, and of the seed royal?

Steward. A great favourer of those who are true and faithful to the King; though none tremble, or stand in awe, more than he does, when any message is delivered from his Majesty to the family. In his eyes a vile person is contemned, but he honoureth them that fear the King, Psalm xv. 4. This is a true characteristic of a son of Zion. And, as for the seed royal, he views them as perfections of beauty; and before them appears, in his own eyes, nothing but deformity;

and it is the holy seed, and they only, that esteem others better than themselves, Phil. ii. 3. He is troubled, at times, with jealousy; and often secretly envies the abounding happiness of some; and in private frequently sighs, and says, '0 that I could but see the King's face! O that I had but a tenth part of their felicity! Surely I would put my mouth in the dust, if so be there might be hope of this! Lam. iii. 29. But my soul is far from peace; I forget prosperity: my strength and my hope are perished from the King!' Lam. iii. 17, 18. Thus he often mourns in silence.

Shepherd. Has Little Faith considered that ancient, but most excellent and most gracious speech, published by the evangelical herald in the Jewish æra; Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the King, speak, saying, Jehovah hath utterly separated me from his people. Neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree! Also, the sons of the stranger that join themselves to Jehovah, to serve him, and to love the name of him; to be his servants; every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain,' Isa. lvi. 3, 4.

Steward. There is scarcely a statute, edict, judgment or testimony, gracious speech, proclamation, declaration, invitation, or direction, but what Little Faith has perused, and pondered over

in his heart. He is very studious, and perpetually poring on the ancient records; and is so versed in them, that if an herald errs in proclaiming any part thereof, it is ten to one but Little Faith finds him out, for he brings all to his own sensations; and, if the King's speech be so handled as to contradict the power, it is sure to be suspected by him, whether he speaks about it or not. For if the herald seems to be bordering on the mount, or directing in the least toward the Hagarene castle, Little Faith feels him, and sits as if he were all eye, all ear, and all attention: and, as soon as he begins to knit his brows, it is all over; he sets off, and leaves the court dejected and dismayed; for he has compassed that mount long enough. Thus you may perceive that he grows in knowledge.

Shepherd. It is surprising that such a teachable, tractable, diligent, well affected child, should be so often, and so long, kept from the presence of the King, who is the best and most indulgent parent existing; for it is but seldom that Little Faith is favoured with a glimpse of his Majesty's face.

Steward. Little Faith has such a humbling sight of himself, and stands, in his own apprehension, at such an infinite distance from the King, and is so overmodest, that he often refuses even what he sorely needs. "I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my