The life & death of Mr. Joseph Alleine, late teacher of the church at Taunton, in Somersetshire, assistant to Mr. Newton whereunto are annexed diverse Christian letters of his, full of spiritual instructions tending to the promoting of the power of Godliness, both in persons and families, and his funeral sermon, preached by Mr. Newton.
         Alleine, Theodosia.
      
       
         
           1672
        
      
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         A23622
         Wing A1013_PARTIAL
         Wing N1047_PARTIAL
         ESTC R19966
         12676429
         ocm 12676429
         65560
         
           
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             The life & death of Mr. Joseph Alleine, late teacher of the church at Taunton, in Somersetshire, assistant to Mr. Newton whereunto are annexed diverse Christian letters of his, full of spiritual instructions tending to the promoting of the power of Godliness, both in persons and families, and his funeral sermon, preached by Mr. Newton.
             Alleine, Theodosia.
             Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691.
             Alleine, Joseph, 1634-1668. Christian letters full of spiritual instructions.
             Newton, George, 1602-1681. Sermon preached at the funeral of Mr. Joseph Alleine.
          
           143 [i.e. 127], 167, [1], 26 p.
           
             Printed for Nevil Simmons ...,
             London :
             1672.
          
           
             Consists of articles written by Theodosia Alleine and others, with an introd. by Richard Baxter.
             "Christian letters full of spiritual instructions" and "A sermon preached at the funeral of Mr. Joseph Alleine" each has special t.p. and separate paging.
             Newton's sermon was also issued separately, and appears cataloged separately as Wing (2nd ed.) N1047 at reel .
             Advertisement: prelim. p. [5]-[8].
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
             Entry for A1013 (The life and death) cancelled in Wing (2nd ed.), replaced by A1011A.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Alleine, Joseph, 1634-1668.
           Funeral sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           Life
           and
           Death
           of
           Mr.
           
             JOSEPH
             ALLEINE
          
           ,
           Late
           Teacher
           of
           the
           Church
           at
           Taunton
           ,
           in
           Sommersetshire
           ,
           Assistant
           to
           Mr.
           Newton
           .
        
         
           Whereunto
           are
           Annexed
           Diverse
           Christian
           LETTERS
           Of
           His
           ,
           Full
           of
           Spiritual
           Instructions
           tending
           to
           the
           Promoting
           of
           the
           power
           of
           Godliness
           ,
           both
           in
           Persons
           ,
           and
           Families
           .
        
         
           AND
           HIS
           
             FUNERAL
             SERMON
          
           Preached
           by
           Mr.
           Newton
           .
        
         
           LOFDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Nevil
             Simmon
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Princes-Arms
           in
           St.
           
             Pauls
             Church-yard
          
           ,
           1672.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
             
             
             
               The
               Contents
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   I.
                
                 THE
                 Introduction
                 ,
                 by
                 Mr.
                 
                   Richard
                   Baxter
                
                 ,
              
               
                 p.
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   II.
                
                 A
                 brief
                 Relation
                 of
                 his
                 early
                 setting
                 forth
                 in
                 the
                 Christian
                 Race
                 from
                 his
                 Childhood
                 ;
                 and
                 some
                 Memorials
                 of
                 his
                 first
                 beginnings
                 ,
                 and
                 earnest
                 pursuit
                 of
                 Learning
                 in
                 the
                 University
                 .
                 Written
                 by
                 an
                 eye-witness
                 thereof
                 ,
              
               
                 p.
                 18
              
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   III.
                
                 A
                 brief
                 Character
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 Mr.
                 
                   Richard
                   Alleine
                
                 ,
                 shewing
                 how
                 eminently
                 he
                 was
                 qualified
                 for
                 the
                 Ministerial
                 service
                 and
                 warfare
                 whereunto
                 he
                 was
                 called
                 ,
              
               
                 p.
                 18
              
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   IV.
                
                 An
                 account
                 of
                 his
                 godly
                 Life
                 and
                 Practice
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 his
                 Ministry
                 in
                 Taunton
                 ;
                 given
                 by
                 Mr.
                 
                   George
                   Newton
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Reverend
                 Pastor
                 there
                 ,
                 whose
                 Assistant
                 he
                 was
                 ,
              
               
                 p.
                 33
              
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   V.
                
                 A
                 further
                 Account
                 of
                 his
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Supplement
                 to
                 the
                 former
                 :
                 By
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 Fellow-Labourers
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 his
                 intimate
                 Friend
                 ,
              
               
                 p.
                 39
              
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   VI.
                
                 A
                 full
                 Narrative
                 of
                 his
                 Life
                 from
                 his
                 silencing
                 to
                 his
                 Death
                 ;
                 by
                 his
                 Widow
                 ,
                 Mr.
                 
                   Theodosia
                   Alleine
                
                 ,
                 in
                 her
                 own
                 words
                 :
                 Wherein
                 is
                 notably
                 set
                 forth
                 with
                 what
                 patience
                 he
                 ran
                 the
                 Race
                 that
                 was
                 set
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 fulfilled
                 the
                 Ministry
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 received
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               
                 p.
                 52
              
               
                 
                 
                   CHAP.
                   VII
                
                 .
                 Some
                 Notes
                 by
                 another
                 ,
                 whose
                 House
                 he
                 lodged
                 in
                 ,
              
               
                 p.
                 97
              
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   VIII
                
                 .
                 An
                 intire
                 and
                 exact
                 Delineation
                 of
                 this
                 Holy
                 Person
                 .
                 Written
                 by
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 familiar
                 Acquaintance
                 :
                 Presented
                 as
                 the
                 Portraicture
                 of
                 a
                 compleat
                 Gospel-Minister
                 ,
              
               
                 p.
                 102
              
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   IX
                
                 .
                 A
                 few
                 Additions
                 to
                 this
                 Character
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 intimate
                 Friend
                 Mr.
                 
                   Richard
                   Fairclough
                
                 ,
              
               
                 p.
                 123
              
            
          
           
             
               LET
               the
               Reader
               know
               ,
               (
               to
               assure
               him
               that
               Faction
               and
               Partiality
               are
               not
               the
               Authors
               of
               this
               History
               )
               that
               the
               two
               full
               Narratives
               that
               are
               not
               subscribed
               ,
               are
               written
               by
               two
               Conformable
               Ministers
               of
               very
               great
               sincerity
               and
               abilities
               ,
               who
               were
               long
               and
               intimately
               acquainted
               with
               Mr.
               
                 Joseph
                 Alleine
              
               .
            
             
               REader
               ,
               thou
               art
               desired
               to
               take
               notice
               ,
               That
               that
               part
               of
               the
               Life
               which
               is
               drawn
               up
               by
               Mrs.
               
                 Theodosia
                 Alleine
              
               ,
               was
               sent
               up
               by
               her
               to
               a
               worthy
               Divine
               ,
               by
               him
               to
               be
               published
               in
               his
               own
               Stile
               ,
               she
               not
               imagining
               it
               should
               be
               put
               forth
               in
               her
               own
               words
               .
               But
               that
               worthy
               Person
               ,
               and
               divers
               others
               ,
               upon
               〈◊〉
               ,
               saw
               no
               reason
               to
               alter
               it
               ,
               but
               caused
               it
               to
               be
               printed
               as
               it
               is
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 These
                 Books
                 following
                 are
                 Published
                 by
                 Mr.
              
               Richard
               Baxter
               ;
               
                 and
                 Printed
                 for
              
               Nevil
               Simmons
               ,
               
                 at
                 the
              
               Princes-Arms
               
                 in
                 Saint
              
               Pauls
               Church-yard
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 HIS
                 Aphorisms
                 of
                 Justification
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Saints
                 Everlasting
                 Rest
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Plain
                 Scripture-proof
                 of
                 Infant
                 Church-membership
                 and
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 right
                 Method
                 for
                 a
                 setled
                 Peace
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 Spiritual
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 in
                 32
                 Directions
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 Christian
                 Concord
                 :
                 or
                 ,
                 the
                 Agreement
                 of
                 the
                 Associated
                 Pastors
                 and
                 Churches
                 of
                 Worcester-shire
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 True
                 Christianity
                 ;
                 or
                 ,
                 Christ's
                 Absolute
                 Dominion
                 ,
                 &c.
                 In
                 two
                 Assize
                 Sermons
                 preacht
                 at
                 Worcester
                 ;
                 in
                 twelves
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 A
                 Sermon
                 of
                 Judgment
                 preach'd
                 at
                 
                   Pauls
                   ,
                   London
                   ,
                   Dec.
                
                 17.
                 1664.
                 and
                 now
                 enlarged
                 ,
                 in
                 twelves
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 Making
                 light
                 of
                 Christ
                 and
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 too
                 oft
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 Gospel-Invitations
                 ;
                 manifested
                 in
                 a
                 Sermon
                 preached
                 at
                 Laurence-Jury
                 in
                 London
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 9.
                 
                 The
                 Agreement
                 of
                 divers
                 Ministers
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 the
                 County
                 of
                 Woroester
                 ,
                 for
                 Catechizing
                 ,
                 or
                 Personal
                 Instructing
                 all
                 in
                 their
                 several
                 〈◊〉
                 that
                 will
                 consent
                 thereunto
                 ;
                 Containing
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Articles
                 of
                 our
                 Agreement
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 An
                 〈◊〉
                 to
                 the
                 People
                 to
                 submit
                 to
                 this
                 necessary
                 work
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 Profession
                 of
                 Faith
                 and
                 Catechism
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Guildas
                   Salvianus
                
                 ,
                 The
                 Reformed
                 Pastor
                 ,
                 shewing
                 the
                 Nature
                 of
                 the
                 Pastoral
                 Work
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 private
                 Instruction
                 and
                 Catechizing
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 11.
                 
                 Certain
                 Disputations
                 of
                 Right
                 to
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 true
                 Nature
                 of
                 visible
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 12.
                 
                 Of
                 Justification
                 :
                 Four
                 Disputations
                 clearing
                 and
                 amicably
                 defending
                 the
                 Truth
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 unnecessary
                 oppositions
                 of
                 divers
                 Learned
                 and
                 Reverend
                 Brethreu
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 13.
                 
                 A
                 Treatise
                 of
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 Preached
                 and
                 now
                 published
                 for
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 strangers
                 to
                 a
                 true
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 14.
                 
                 One
                 Sheet
                 for
                 the
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 Malignants
                 of
                 all
                 sorts
                 .
              
               
                 
                 15.
                 
                 A
                 Winding-sheet
                 for
                 Popery
                 .
              
               
                 16.
                 
                 One
                 Sheet
                 against
                 the
                 Quakers
                 .
              
               
                 17.
                 
                 A
                 second
                 Sheet
                 for
                 the
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 18.
                 
                 Directions
                 to
                 Justices
                 of
                 the
                 Peace
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 Corporations
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 discharge
                 of
                 their
                 Duty
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 19.
                 
                 The
                 Crucifying
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 by
                 the
                 Cross
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 20.
                 
                 A
                 Call
                 to
                 the
                 Unconverted
                 to
                 Turn
                 and
                 Live
                 ,
                 and
                 accept
                 of
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 while
                 Mercy
                 may
                 be
                 had
                 ,
                 as
                 ever
                 they
                 would
                 find
                 Mercy
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 their
                 extremity
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Living
                 God
                 :
                 To
                 be
                 read
                 in
                 Families
                 where
                 any
                 are
                 unconverted
                 ,
                 in
                 twelves
                 .
              
               
                 21.
                 
                 Of
                 Saving
                 Faith
                 :
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 onely
                 gradually
                 ,
                 but
                 specifically
                 distinct
                 from
                 all
                 Common
                 Faith.
                 The
                 Agreement
                 of
                 
                   Richard
                   Baxter
                
                 with
                 that
                 very
                 Learned
                 consenting
                 Adversary
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 maintained
                 his
                 Affertion
                 by
                 a
                 pretended
                 Confutation
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 
                   Serjeant
                   Shepheards
                
                 Book
                 of
                 Sincerity
                 and
                 Hypocrisie
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 22.
                 
                 Directions
                 and
                 Perswasions
                 to
                 a
                 sound
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 23.
                 
                 The
                 Grotian
                 Religion
                 discovered
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 invitation
                 of
                 Mr.
                 
                   Thomas
                   Pierce
                
                 in
                 his
                 Vindication
                 ;
                 with
                 a
                 Preface
                 ,
                 Vindicating
                 the
                 Synod
                 of
                 Dort
                 from
                 the
                 calumnies
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 Tilenus
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   Peter
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 and
                 the
                 Puritans
                 ,
                 and
                 Sequestrations
                 ,
                 &c.
                 from
                 the
                 censures
                 of
                 Mr.
                 Pierce
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 24.
                 
                 Confirmation
                 and
                 Restauration
                 ,
                 the
                 necessary
                 means
                 of
                 Reformation
                 and
                 Reconciliation
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 25.
                 
                 Five
                 Disputations
                 of
                 Church-Government
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 26.
                 
                 A
                 Key
                 for
                 Catholicks
                 ,
                 to
                 open
                 the
                 jugling
                 of
                 the
                 Jesuits
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfie
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 but
                 truly
                 willing
                 to
                 understand
                 ,
                 whether
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 Roman
                 or
                 Reformed
                 Churches
                 be
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 leave
                 the
                 Reader
                 utterly
                 inexcusable
                 that
                 after
                 this
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 Papist
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 27.
                 
                 A
                 Treatise
                 of
                 Self-denyal
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 28.
                 
                 His
                 Apology
                 against
                 the
                 Exceptions
                 of
                 Mr.
                 
                   Blake
                   ,
                   Kendal
                   ,
                   Crandon
                   ,
                   Eires
                   ,
                   L.
                   Moulin
                   ,
                
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 29.
                 
                 The
                 unreasonableness
                 of
                 Infidelity
                 ,
                 in
                 four
                 parts
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 30.
                 
                 The
                 Worcester-shire
                 Petition
                 to
                 the
                 Parliament
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 England
                 ,
                 defended
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 31.
                 
                 His
                 Holy
                 Common-Wealth
                 ,
                 or
                 Political
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 opening
                 the
                 true
                 Principles
                 of
                 Government
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 
                 32.
                 
                 His
                 Confession
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 33.
                 
                 His
                 Humble
                 Advice
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 Heads
                 of
                 those
                 Things
                 which
                 were
                 offered
                 to
                 many
                 honourable
                 Members
                 of
                 Parliament
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 34.
                 
                 The
                 Quakers
                 Catechism
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 Quakers
                 questioned
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 35.
                 
                 An
                 Account
                 of
                 his
                 present
                 Thoughts
                 concerning
                 the
                 Controversies
                 about
                 the
                 perseverance
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 36.
                 
                 His
                 Letter
                 to
                 Mr.
                 Drury
                 for
                 Pacification
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 37.
                 
                 The
                 safe
                 Religion
                 ;
                 or
                 three
                 Disputations
                 for
                 the
                 Reformed
                 Catholick
                 Religion
                 ,
                 against
                 Popery
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 38.
                 
                 Catholick
                 Unity
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 only
                 way
                 to
                 bring
                 us
                 all
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 one
                 Religion
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 twelves
                 .
              
               
                 39.
                 
                 The
                 true
                 Catholick
                 ,
                 and
                 Catholick
                 Church
                 described
                 ,
                 in
                 twelves
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 40.
                 
                 The
                 successive
                 visibility
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 of
                 which
                 Protestants
                 are
                 the
                 foundest
                 Members
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 41.
                 
                 A
                 Sermon
                 of
                 Repentance
                 .
              
               
                 42.
                 
                 Of
                 Right
                 Rejoycing
                 .
              
               
                 43.
                 
                 A
                 Sermon
                 of
                 Faith
                 before
                 the
                 King.
                 
              
               
                 44.
                 
                 A
                 Treatise
                 of
                 Death
                 .
              
               
                 45.
                 
                 The
                 Vain
                 Religion
                 of
                 the
                 Formal
                 Hypocrite
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 several
                 Sermons
                 preached
                 at
                 the
                 Abbey
                 in
                 Westminster
                 ,
                 in
                 twelves
                 .
              
               
                 46.
                 
                 Two
                 Sheets
                 for
                 poor
                 Families
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 47.
                 
                 Short
                 Instructions
                 for
                 the
                 Sick
                 ,
                 a
                 sheet
                 .
              
               
                 48.
                 
                 A
                 Saint
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Bruit
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 49.
                 
                 The
                 mischief
                 of
                 Self-Ignorance
                 ,
                 and
                 benefit
                 of
                 Self-acquaintance
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 50.
                 
                 Universal
                 Concord
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 51.
                 
                 The
                 last
                 Work
                 of
                 a
                 Believer
                 ,
                 &c.
                 in
                 twelves
                 .
              
               
                 52.
                 
                 The
                 Divine
                 Life
                 ,
                 in
                 three
                 Treatises
                 :
                 The
                 first
                 ,
                 Of
                 the
                 Knowledge
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 The
                 second
                 ,
                 Of
                 Walking
                 with
                 God
                 :
                 The
                 third
                 ,
                 Of
                 Conversing
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 Solitude
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 53.
                 
                 The
                 Reasons
                 of
                 the
                 Christian
                 Religion
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 54.
                 
                 Directions
                 for
                 weak
                 distempered
                 Christians
                 ,
                 to
                 grow
                 up
                 into
                 a
                 confirmed
                 state
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 &c.
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Characters
                 of
                 a
                 sound
                 confirmed
                 Christian
                 ,
                 written
                 to
                 imprint
                 on
                 Man's
                 Mind
                 the
                 true
                 Idea
                 or
                 Conception
                 of
                 Godliness
                 and
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 
                 55.
                 
                 Now
                 or
                 Never
                 ,
                 in
                 twelves
                 .
              
               
                 56.
                 
                 The
                 Life
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 in
                 three
                 parts
                 ,
                 in
                 quaerto
                 .
              
               
                 57.
                 
                 The
                 Cure
                 of
                 Church-Divisions
                 :
                 or
                 Directions
                 for
                 week
                 Christians
                 to
                 keep
                 them
                 from
                 being
                 Dividers
                 ,
                 and
                 Troublers
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 58.
                 
                 A
                 defence
                 of
                 the
                 Principles
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 necessary
                 to
                 the
                 Unity
                 and
                 Concord
                 of
                 Christians
                 ;
                 and
                 are
                 delivered
                 in
                 a
                 Book
                 ,
                 called
                 the
                 Cure
                 of
                 Church
                 Divisions
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 59.
                 
                 A
                 second
                 Admonition
                 to
                 Mr.
                 
                   Edward
                   Bagshaw
                
                 ,
                 written
                 to
                 call
                 him
                 to
                 Repentance
                 for
                 many
                 false
                 Doctrines
                 ,
                 Crimes
                 and
                 especially
                 fourscore
                 palpable
                 Untruths
                 in
                 matter
                 of
                 Fact
                 ,
                 deliberately
                 published
                 by
                 him
                 in
                 two
                 small
                 Libels
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 he
                 exemplifieth
                 the
                 Love-killing
                 and
                 depraving
                 Principles
                 of
                 Church-Dividers
                 :
                 And
                 telleth
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 what
                 Men
                 are
                 hastning
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 sinfully
                 avoid
                 Communion
                 with
                 true
                 Churches
                 and
                 Christians
                 ,
                 for
                 tolerable
                 faults
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 60.
                 
                 The
                 Difference
                 between
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 Magistrates
                 and
                 Church
                 Pastors
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Roman
                 Kingdom
                 and
                 Magistracy
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Church
                 and
                 Church
                 Government
                 ,
                 usurped
                 by
                 the
                 Pope
                 ,
                 as
                 liberally
                 given
                 him
                 by
                 Popish
                 Princes
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 61.
                 
                 The
                 Church
                 Told
                 of
                 Mr.
                 
                   Edward
                   Bagshaws
                
                 Scandals
                 ,
                 and
                 warned
                 of
                 the
                 dangerous
                 snares
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 now
                 laid
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Love-killing
                 Principles
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 62.
                 
                 The
                 Duty
                 of
                 Heavenly
                 Meditation
                 ,
                 in
                 quarto
                 .
              
               
                 63.
                 
                 How
                 far
                 Holiness
                 is
                 the
                 Design
                 of
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 in
                 4to
                 .
              
               
                 64.
                 
                 God's
                 goodness
                 Vindicated
                 ,
                 with
                 respect
                 to
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 of
                 Reprobation
                 and
                 Damnation
                 ,
                 in
                 twelves
                 .
              
               
                 65.
                 
                 The
                 Divine
                 Appointment
                 of
                 the
                 Lord's
                 Day
                 ,
                 in
                 octavo
                 .
              
               
                 66.
                 
                 More
                 Reasons
                 for
                 the
                 Christian
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 Reason
                 against
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 twelves
                 .
              
            
             
               There
               is
               now
               extant
               another
               Treatise
               of
               Mr.
               
                 Jos.
                 Allens
              
               ,
               Entituled
               ,
               
                 An
                 Alarm
                 to
                 Unconverted
                 Sinners
              
               ;
               with
               many
               Practical
               Cases
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               in
               octavo
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               There
               is
               now
               in
               the
               Press
               ,
               and
               will
               in
               a
               few
               Months
               be
               Published
               ,
               
                 A
                 CHRISTIAN
                 DIRECTORY
                 ,
                 Or
                 sum
                 of
                 Practical
                 Divinity
                 .
              
            
             
               With
               the
               Pertinent
               Cases
               of
               Conscience
               .
            
             
               BEING
            
             
               
                 A
                 Promptuary
                 and
                 Help
                 for
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Young
                 Preachers
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Private
                 Christians
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 daily
                 Practice
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               some
               performance
               of
               the
               request
               of
               many
               Foreign
               Divines
               long
               since
               made
               to
               A.
               Bp.
               Usher
               ,
               and
               published
               by
               Mr.
               Dury
               .
            
             
               By
               Richard
               Baxter
               .
            
             
               In
               Folio
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 Books
                 Printed
                 for
              
               Dorman
               Newman
               ,
               
                 at
                 the
              
               Kings-Arms
               
                 in
                 the
              
               Poultry
               .
            
             
               
                 Folio
                 .
              
               
                 PRins
                 New
                 History
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 of
                 
                   England
                   .
                   Stapletons
                
                 Translation
                 of
                 Juvenal
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Quarto
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Mount
                   Pisgah
                
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Prospect
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 Being
                 an
                 Exposition
                 on
                 the
                 Fourth
                 Chapter
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 Epistle
                 of
                 St.
                 Paul
                 to
                 the
                 Thessalonians
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   Tho.
                   Case
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Real
                   Christian
                
                 ;
                 or
                 a
                 Treatise
                 of
                 Effectual
                 Calling
                 ;
                 wherein
                 the
                 Work
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 drawing
                 the
                 Soul
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 being
                 opened
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 some
                 things
                 required
                 by
                 our
                 late
                 Divines
                 ,
                 as
                 necessary
                 for
                 a
                 right
                 preparation
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 true
                 closing
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 hath
                 caused
                 ,
                 and
                 doth
                 still
                 cause
                 ,
                 great
                 trouble
                 to
                 some
                 serious
                 Christians
                 ,
                 are
                 with
                 due
                 respects
                 to
                 those
                 Worthy
                 Men
                 brought
                 to
                 the
                 Ballance
                 of
                 the
                 Sanctuary
                 ,
                 there
                 weighed
                 ,
                 and
                 accordingly
                 judged
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   Giles
                   Fermin
                
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 
                   Christian
                   Man's
                   Calling
                
                 ;
                 or
                 a
                 Treatise
                 of
                 making
                 Religion
                 ones
                 Business
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 Christian
                 is
                 directed
                 how
                 he
                 may
                 perform
                 it
                 in
                 his
                 Religious
                 Duties
                 ,
                 in
                 Natural
                 Actions
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Particular
                 Vocation
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Family
                 Directions
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Recreations
                 .
                 By
                 
                   George
                   Swinnock
                
                 ,
                 late
                 Preacher
                 at
                 Great
                 Kingbal
                 in
                 the
                 County
                 of
                 Bucks
                 .
              
               
                 An
                 Exposition
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Song
                   of
                   Solomon
                
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   James
                   Durham
                
                 ,
                 late
                 Minister
                 at
                 Glasgow
                 ;
                 with
                 a
                 Preface
                 prefixed
                 by
                 Doctor
                 Owen
                 .
              
               
                 Mr.
                 Caryls
                 Exposition
                 of
                 the
                 Book
                 of
                 Job
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 
                   Sinners
                   Sanctuary
                
                 ;
                 or
                 a
                 Discovery
                 made
                 of
                 those
                 Glorious
                 Priviledges
                 offered
                 unto
                 the
                 Penitent
                 and
                 Faithful
                 under
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 being
                 forty
                 Sermons
                 on
                 the
                 Eighth
                 Chapter
                 of
                 the
                 Romans
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   Hugh
                   Binning
                
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Quakers
                 Spiritual
                 Court
                 Proclaimed
                 .
              
               
               
                 Doctor
                 
                   Robert
                   Wilds
                
                 Letter
                 to
                 a
                 Friend
                 in
                 London
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 receipt
                 of
                 his
                 Majesties
                 Declaration
                 for
                 
                   Liberty
                   of
                   Conscience
                
                 ;
                 together
                 with
                 his
                 
                   Poetica
                   Licentia
                
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Friendly
                 Debate
                 between
                 a
                 Conformist
                 and
                 a
                 Nonconformist
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Octavoes
                 and
                 Twelves
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Heaven
                   on
                   Earth
                
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 best
                 Friend
                 in
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 Times
                 :
                 To
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 added
                 ,
                 A
                 Sermon
                 Preached
                 at
                 the
                 Funeral
                 of
                 
                   Thomas
                   Mosely
                
                 ,
                 an
                 Apothecary
                 ;
                 with
                 a
                 full
                 account
                 of
                 his
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 drawn
                 up
                 by
                 his
                 own
                 hand
                 before
                 his
                 death
                 ;
                 and
                 published
                 by
                 
                   James
                   Janeway
                
                 ,
                 Minister
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 Token
                 for
                 Children
                 ;
                 Being
                 an
                 Exact
                 Account
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 and
                 Exemplary
                 Lives
                 ,
                 and
                 Joyful
                 Deaths
                 ,
                 of
                 several
                 Young
                 Children
                 ,
                 in
                 two
                 Parts
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   James
                   Janeway
                
                 .
              
               
                 Memorials
                 of
                 God's
                 Judgments
                 ,
                 Spiritual
                 and
                 Temporal
                 ;
                 being
                 Sermons
                 preached
                 in
                 London
                 ,
                 during
                 the
                 late
                 Visitation
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   Nicholas
                   Lockier
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Lazarus
                   Redivivus
                
                 ;
                 or
                 a
                 Discovery
                 of
                 the
                 Tryals
                 and
                 Triumphs
                 that
                 accompany
                 the
                 Work
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 and
                 about
                 his
                 People
                 ;
                 laid
                 open
                 in
                 several
                 Sermons
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   N.
                   Blakie
                
                 .
              
               
                 Fenners
                 four
                 Sermons
                 against
                 Popery
                 .
              
               
                 Bishop
                 Ushers
                 Life
                 and
                 Death
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 Plat
                 for
                 〈◊〉
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 Seamans
                 Preacher
                 ;
                 delivered
                 in
                 several
                 Sermons
                 on
                 Jonah's
                 Voyage
                 to
                 Niniveh
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   John
                   Rither
                
                 ,
                 Preacher
                 of
                 God's
                 Word
                 at
                 Wapping
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               THE
               Life
               &
               Death
               Of
               that
               Excellent
               Minister
               of
               Christ
               ,
               Mr.
               
                 JOSEPH
                 ALLEIN
              
               ,
               Late
               Teacher
               of
               the
               Church
               at
               Taunton
               in
               Somerset-shire
               ;
               Assistant
               to
               worthy
               Mr.
               Newton
               .
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 I.
                 The
                 Introduction
                 .
              
               
                 AS
                 History
                 is
                 both
                 Useful
                 and
                 Delightful
                 to
                 Man-kind
                 ;
                 so
                 Church-History
                 above
                 all
                 ,
                 hath
                 the
                 preheminence
                 in
                 both
                 :
                 for
                 it
                 Treateth
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 and
                 most
                 necessary
                 Subjects
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 most
                 eminently
                 Divine
                 ,
                 as
                 Recording
                 those
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 he
                 most
                 Graciously
                 condescendeth
                 unto
                 Man
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 Actions
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 most
                 nearly
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 Treating
                 of
                 those
                 Holy
                 Societies
                 ,
                 Events
                 ,
                 and
                 Businesses
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 God's
                 Holiness
                 is
                 most
                 conspicuous
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Honour
                 most
                 concerned
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 The
                 Narratives
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 Victories
                 
                 and
                 large
                 Dominions
                 of
                 
                   Alexander
                   ,
                   Caesar
                   ,
                   Tamberlain
                
                 ,
                 or
                 such
                 others
                 ,
                 are
                 but
                 the
                 Portraiture
                 of
                 Phantasms
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Relation
                 of
                 the
                 Dreams
                 of
                 Vagrant
                 Imaginations
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 the
                 Lifeless
                 motions
                 in
                 a
                 Poppit-Play
                 ,
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 much
                 stir
                 to
                 little
                 purpose
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 Play
                 be
                 ended
                 ;
                 further
                 than
                 the
                 Matters
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 Mens
                 everlasting
                 concernments
                 ,
                 are
                 comprehended
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 report
                 of
                 one
                 Souls
                 Conversion
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Reformation
                 of
                 one
                 Family
                 ,
                 City
                 ,
                 or
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 noble
                 Operations
                 of
                 the
                 blessed
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 by
                 which
                 he
                 brings
                 up
                 Souls
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 conquereth
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Devil
                 ;
                 the
                 Heavenly
                 Communications
                 of
                 God
                 unto
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 Vivification
                 ,
                 Illumination
                 ,
                 and
                 holy
                 Love
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 his
                 Image
                 ,
                 are
                 so
                 far
                 better
                 than
                 the
                 Stories
                 of
                 these
                 grand
                 Murderers
                 ,
                 and
                 Tyrants
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 great
                 Robberies
                 ,
                 and
                 Murders
                 ,
                 called
                 Conquests
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Diagnosticks
                 of
                 Health
                 are
                 than
                 those
                 of
                 Sickness
                 :
                 Or
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 more
                 pleasant
                 to
                 read
                 of
                 the
                 Building
                 of
                 Cities
                 ,
                 than
                 of
                 their
                 ruins
                 ;
                 or
                 of
                 the
                 Cures
                 of
                 a
                 Physitian
                 ,
                 than
                 of
                 the
                 hurts
                 done
                 by
                 Robberies
                 and
                 Frays
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Healing
                 of
                 Immortal
                 Souls
                 ,
                 than
                 of
                 the
                 over-hasty
                 destroying
                 of
                 mens
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 which
                 would
                 quickly
                 turn
                 to
                 Dust
                 of
                 themselves
                 ,
                 if
                 these
                 valiant
                 Murderers
                 had
                 but
                 the
                 patience
                 to
                 stay
                 the
                 time
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 among
                 all
                 parts
                 of
                 Church-History
                 ,
                 the
                 Lives
                 of
                 Wise
                 and
                 Holy
                 Men
                 ,
                 do
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 not
                 least
                 Useful
                 and
                 Delightful
                 ;
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 reason
                 why
                 Satan
                 hath
                 so
                 marvelously
                 and
                 successfully
                 bestird
                 himself
                 ,
                 to
                 corrupt
                 this
                 part
                 of
                 History
                 with
                 so
                 many
                 impudent
                 lies
                 in
                 the
                 Popish
                 Legends
                 ,
                 as
                 might
                 render
                 all
                 such
                 Narratives
                 afterwards
                 Contemptible
                 and
                 Incredible
                 ,
                 and
                 might
                 destroy
                 the
                 Ends
                 :
                 )
                 Therefore
                 is
                 the
                 Sacred
                 Scripture
                 so
                 much
                 Historical
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Gospel
                 it self
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 Volumn
                 of
                 well
                 composed
                 Orations
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Systeme
                 ,
                 or
                 Encuclopaedia
                 of
                 the
                 Sciences
                 and
                 Arts
                 ;
                 nor
                 yet
                 a
                 great
                 Volumn
                 of
                 unnecessary
                 Laws
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 History
                 of
                 the
                 Life
                 and
                 Death
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 wonderous
                 Works
                 of
                 Himself
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Spirit
                 in
                 his
                 Servants
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Record
                 of
                 those
                 brief
                 Laws
                 and
                 Doctrines
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 needful
                 to
                 the
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Happiness
                 of
                 Man.
                 
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 Lives
                 of
                 Holy
                 Men
                 we
                 see
                 God's
                 Image
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Beauties
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 Precept
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 Reality
                 and
                 
                 Practice
                 ;
                 not
                 Pictured
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 Substance
                 :
                 And
                 though
                 the
                 Precepts
                 and
                 Rules
                 be
                 more
                 perfect
                 in
                 their
                 kind
                 ,
                 as
                 wanting
                 no
                 Degree
                 or
                 Part
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 real
                 Impress
                 and
                 Holiness
                 in
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 living
                 Image
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 which
                 the
                 Scripture
                 is
                 but
                 the
                 Instrumental
                 cause
                 .
                 And
                 Holiness
                 in
                 visible
                 Realities
                 ,
                 is
                 apt
                 to
                 affect
                 the
                 World
                 more
                 deeply
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 Portraiture
                 and
                 Precept
                 only
                 .
                 Therefore
                 ,
                 we
                 find
                 that
                 Satan
                 and
                 his
                 Instruments
                 ,
                 are
                 used
                 to
                 do
                 that
                 against
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 exemplified
                 in
                 the
                 Godly
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 done
                 against
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 in
                 themselves
                 :
                 They
                 can
                 bear
                 the
                 bare
                 Precepts
                 of
                 a
                 perfect
                 Rule
                 ,
                 who
                 cannot
                 bear
                 the
                 very
                 imperfect
                 practice
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 a
                 Holy
                 Life
                 .
                 Many
                 have
                 burnt
                 Martyrs
                 ,
                 that
                 could
                 endure
                 good
                 Books
                 .
                 Living
                 Holiness
                 most
                 exciteth
                 Malice
                 !
                 Besides
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 men
                 have
                 Imperfections
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 pretence
                 for
                 Detraction
                 ,
                 Slander
                 ,
                 and
                 Persecution
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Sacred
                 Rule
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 boldly
                 to
                 be
                 accused
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 are
                 ripened
                 in
                 Malignity
                 and
                 Audacity
                 .
              
               
                 Many
                 a
                 one
                 can
                 read
                 with
                 Reverence
                 the
                 Life
                 of
                 a
                 dead
                 Saint
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 neither
                 imitate
                 nor
                 indure
                 the
                 Living
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 many
                 can
                 bear
                 the
                 Narrative
                 of
                 this
                 holy
                 persons
                 Life
                 ,
                 who
                 could
                 not
                 have
                 endured
                 to
                 see
                 themselves
                 condemned
                 in
                 the
                 Exercises
                 of
                 his
                 present
                 Holy
                 Zeal
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 denied
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 Humane
                 Nature
                 yet
                 containeth
                 such
                 Principles
                 and
                 Inclinations
                 ,
                 as
                 give
                 an
                 honourable
                 testimony
                 to
                 goodness
                 ;
                 For
                 the
                 exercises
                 of
                 prudent
                 ,
                 impartial
                 ,
                 equal
                 Vertue
                 ,
                 and
                 eminent
                 holiness
                 in
                 a
                 Heavenly
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 joyful
                 Hopes
                 of
                 the
                 invisible
                 Blessedness
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 servent
                 Love
                 to
                 God
                 and
                 Man
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 an
                 innocent
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 Self-denying
                 endeavours
                 to
                 do
                 good
                 to
                 all
                 ,
                 do
                 so
                 much
                 convince
                 and
                 awe
                 Mans
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 powerfully
                 command
                 Approbation
                 and
                 Honour
                 ,
                 that
                 Satan
                 and
                 bad
                 Men
                 could
                 not
                 resist
                 them
                 ;
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 that
                 such
                 excellent
                 Persons
                 are
                 too
                 Rare
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 far
                 greater
                 number
                 of
                 good
                 Men
                 are
                 lamentably
                 imperfect
                 ,
                 and
                 tainted
                 with
                 many
                 unlovely
                 Faults
                 :
                 And
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 〈◊〉
                 for
                 two
                 great
                 advantages
                 that
                 Satan
                 layeth
                 hold
                 on
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 Mens
                 Strangeness
                 and
                 Disaecquaintance
                 with
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Slanderous
                 reports
                 of
                 them
                 by
                 others
                 .
                 And
                 whoever
                 noteth
                 it
                 ,
                 shall
                 find
                 ,
                 that
                 most
                 that
                 ever
                 Hated
                 and
                 Persecuted
                 men
                 of
                 eminent
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 were
                 such
                 as
                 never
                 intimately
                 knew
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 at
                 a
                 deceitful
                 distance
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 heard
                 them
                 odiously
                 described
                 by
                 lying
                 Tongues
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 small
                 benefit
                 of
                 this
                 kind
                 of
                 History
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Weak
                 and
                 Lame
                 Christians
                 may
                 see
                 such
                 excellent
                 Examples
                 for
                 their
                 imitation
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 sluggish
                 and
                 distempered
                 Christian
                 may
                 have
                 so
                 real
                 and
                 lively
                 a
                 reproof
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 discouraged
                 Christian
                 may
                 see
                 that
                 higher
                 degrees
                 of
                 goodness
                 ,
                 are
                 indeed
                 attainable
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 dark
                 and
                 troubled
                 Christian
                 may
                 see
                 the
                 Methods
                 in
                 which
                 Gods
                 Spirit
                 doth
                 work
                 upon
                 his
                 Servants
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 that
                 a
                 Genuine
                 Christian
                 life
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 Life
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 joy
                 on
                 earth
                 :
                 And
                 that
                 the
                 sloathful
                 Hypocrite
                 ,
                 may
                 see
                 that
                 Religion
                 is
                 a
                 serious
                 Business
                 :
                 And
                 that
                 the
                 factious
                 Christian
                 ,
                 may
                 see
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 may
                 be
                 eminently
                 Holy
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 of
                 his
                 Opinion
                 ,
                 Side
                 ,
                 or
                 Party
                 :
                 And
                 that
                 both
                 the
                 proud
                 domineering
                 Pharisee
                 may
                 see
                 ,
                 that
                 eminent
                 Piety
                 is
                 separated
                 from
                 his
                 Traditions
                 ,
                 Formalities
                 ,
                 Ceremonies
                 and
                 Pomp
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 Opinionative
                 Hypocrite
                 may
                 see
                 ,
                 that
                 Holiness
                 consisteth
                 of
                 something
                 else
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 circumstantial
                 and
                 siding
                 Singularities
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 condemning
                 of
                 other
                 mens
                 outward
                 Expressions
                 ,
                 or
                 Modes
                 of
                 Worship
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 boisterous
                 Zeal
                 against
                 the
                 Opinions
                 and
                 Ceremonies
                 of
                 others
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 notable
                 benefit
                 of
                 this
                 kind
                 of
                 History
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 fitted
                 to
                 Insinuate
                 the
                 Reverence
                 and
                 Love
                 of
                 Piety
                 into
                 
                   young
                   unexperienced
                   Persons
                
                 :
                 For
                 before
                 they
                 can
                 read
                 much
                 of
                 Theological
                 Treatises
                 with
                 understanding
                 or
                 delight
                 ,
                 Nature
                 enclineth
                 them
                 to
                 a
                 pleasure
                 in
                 History
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 their
                 Food
                 is
                 sugard
                 to
                 their
                 Appetites
                 ,
                 and
                 Profit
                 is
                 entertained
                 by
                 delight
                 .
                 And
                 nothing
                 taketh
                 well
                 with
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 pleasant
                 to
                 it
                 ;
                 nor
                 did
                 he
                 ever
                 know
                 the
                 true
                 way
                 of
                 Educating
                 Youth
                 ,
                 or
                 doing
                 good
                 to
                 any
                 ,
                 that
                 knew
                 not
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 drawing
                 them
                 to
                 a
                 pleasedness
                 ,
                 and
                 love
                 to
                 goodness
                 :
                 
                   Omne
                   〈◊〉
                   punctum
                   qui
                   miscuit
                   utile
                   dulci.
                   
                
              
               
                 On
                 such
                 Accounts
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 conclude
                 that
                 such
                 men
                 as
                 
                   Melchior
                   Adamus
                
                 ,
                 Mr.
                 
                   Samuel
                   Clark
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 that
                 have
                 served
                 the
                 Church
                 with
                 this
                 sort
                 of
                 History
                 ,
                 have
                 done
                 no
                 small
                 or
                 useless
                 Service
                 ;
                 which
                 we
                 the
                 easilier
                 perceive
                 when
                 we
                 remember
                 at
                 what
                 rates
                 now
                 the
                 Church
                 would
                 purchase
                 a
                 full
                 History
                 of
                 the
                 Lives
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 Eminent
                 Pastors
                 of
                 the
                 Churches
                 for
                 the
                 first
                 two
                 hundred
                 ,
                 or
                 three
                 hundred
                 Years
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 or
                 but
                 of
                 some
                 few
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 how
                 
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 History
                 of
                 the
                 Times
                 they
                 lived
                 in
                 ,
                 is
                 contained
                 in
                 a
                 just
                 History
                 of
                 such
                 mens
                 Lives
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 wished
                 that
                 more
                 did
                 as
                 Thuanus
                 ,
                 at
                 large
                 ;
                 or
                 as
                 Scultetm
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 
                   Curriculum
                   vitae
                   suae
                
                 at
                 least
                 ;
                 or
                 yet
                 as
                 Junius
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 others
                 ,
                 that
                 give
                 us
                 a
                 Breviate
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 considerable
                 Passages
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 lives
                 :
                 Because
                 no
                 man
                 knoweth
                 usually
                 those
                 intimate
                 Transactions
                 of
                 God
                 upon
                 mens
                 Souls
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 the
                 Life
                 of
                 such
                 History
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 no
                 useless
                 part
                 .
                 But
                 men
                 are
                 commonly
                 supposed
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 selfishly
                 partial
                 ,
                 and
                 apt
                 to
                 over-value
                 all
                 their
                 own
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 fish
                 for
                 applause
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 meet
                 to
                 avoid
                 appearances
                 of
                 Pride
                 ,
                 and
                 Ostentation
                 ,
                 that
                 few
                 think
                 meet
                 to
                 take
                 this
                 course
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 next
                 desirable
                 is
                 ,
                 That
                 their
                 intimate
                 Friends
                 would
                 write
                 their
                 Lives
                 at
                 large
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 best
                 able
                 ;
                 as
                 Camerarius
                 hath
                 done
                 Melancthons
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   Beza
                   ,
                   Calvins
                
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 the
                 Lives
                 of
                 
                   Bucholtzer
                   ,
                   Chytreaas
                
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 more
                 are
                 written
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 none
                 of
                 all
                 this
                 must
                 be
                 expected
                 concerning
                 this
                 our
                 Brother
                 :
                 Because
                 he
                 was
                 young
                 ,
                 and
                 taken
                 away
                 before
                 any
                 had
                 thoughts
                 of
                 gathering
                 up
                 his
                 Words
                 or
                 Actions
                 for
                 any
                 such
                 use
                 :
                 Those
                 that
                 have
                 done
                 this
                 little
                 ,
                 being
                 his
                 Fathers
                 ,
                 and
                 Seniors
                 ,
                 who
                 looked
                 to
                 have
                 died
                 long
                 before
                 him
                 :
                 And
                 because
                 he
                 lived
                 in
                 a
                 time
                 of
                 Trouble
                 ,
                 and
                 Division
                 ,
                 and
                 Suspition
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 every
                 man
                 had
                 great
                 concernments
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 to
                 mind
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 which
                 men
                 are
                 afraid
                 of
                 praising
                 the
                 Holy
                 Servants
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 lest
                 it
                 offend
                 those
                 that
                 in
                 some
                 things
                 differed
                 from
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 special
                 Excellency
                 of
                 this
                 Worthy
                 Man
                 ,
                 lay
                 chiefly
                 in
                 the
                 Harmony
                 and
                 Compleatness
                 of
                 such
                 particular
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 a
                 high
                 Degree
                 ,
                 as
                 use
                 to
                 exalt
                 the
                 fame
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 some
                 one
                 or
                 few
                 of
                 them
                 is
                 found
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 these
                 in
                 a
                 man
                 so
                 young
                 ,
                 as
                 unless
                 in
                 one
                 
                   Job
                   .
                   Picus
                   Mirandula
                
                 ,
                 one
                 Keckerman
                 ,
                 one
                 Pemble
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 is
                 rarely
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 .
                 Do
                 you
                 desire
                 the
                 Preparatives
                 of
                 Languages
                 ,
                 and
                 Philosophy
                 ?
                 In
                 these
                 he
                 was
                 Eximious
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 
                   Treatise
                   de
                   Providentia
                
                 ,
                 Licensed
                 for
                 the
                 Press
                 (
                 of
                 which
                 more
                 anon
                 )
                 doth
                 shew
                 ;
                 with
                 several
                 other
                 Manuscripts
                 of
                 like
                 nature
                 .
                 How
                 throughly
                 had
                 he
                 searched
                 the
                 Writings
                 of
                 Philosophers
                 ?
                 How
                 fully
                 had
                 he
                 found
                 out
                 how
                 much
                 Natural
                 Reason
                 doth
                 attest
                 ,
                 and
                 speak
                 for
                 the
                 Attributes
                 and
                 Providence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Principles
                 of
                 a
                 Godly
                 Life
                 .
                 And
                 how
                 much
                 Super-natural
                 Revelation
                 
                 presupposeth
                 ,
                 and
                 findeth
                 ready
                 to
                 entertain
                 it
                 and
                 befriend
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 Light
                 and
                 Law
                 of
                 Nature
                 ?
                 How
                 excellently
                 able
                 was
                 he
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 the
                 Naturalist
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 Weapons
                 ,
                 aud
                 to
                 shame
                 them
                 that
                 call
                 Religion
                 an
                 unproved
                 or
                 
                   unreasonable
                   thing
                
                 ?
                 No
                 doubt
                 it
                 was
                 an
                 excellent
                 help
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 Faith
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 so
                 clear
                 and
                 full
                 a
                 sight
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 
                   Subsidiary
                   natural
                   Verities
                
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 known
                 
                   propriae
                   luce
                
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 reach
                 of
                 those
                 malignant
                 Suggestions
                 ,
                 by
                 which
                 the
                 Tempter
                 is
                 often
                 questioning
                 Supernatural
                 Truths
                 .
                 Few
                 Christians
                 ,
                 and
                 too
                 few
                 Divines
                 do
                 dig
                 so
                 deep
                 ,
                 and
                 proceed
                 so
                 wisely
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 take
                 in
                 all
                 these
                 natural
                 helps
                 ;
                 but
                 overpassing
                 those
                 presupposed
                 Verities
                 ,
                 do
                 ost
                 leave
                 themselves
                 open
                 to
                 the
                 subtil
                 affaults
                 of
                 the
                 Tempter
                 ,
                 who
                 knoweth
                 where
                 the
                 Breach
                 is
                 ;
                 and
                 will
                 some
                 ;
                 times
                 urge
                 such
                 Objections
                 on
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 need
                 a
                 Solution
                 〈◊〉
                 those
                 helps
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 ignorant
                 of
                 .
              
               
                 Do
                 you
                 look
                 for
                 an
                 high
                 degree
                 of
                 Zeal
                 ?
                 In
                 this
                 he
                 was
                 Marvellous
                 ,
                 being
                 a
                 living
                 Fire
                 ,
                 continually
                 burning
                 in
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 Man
                 ;
                 still
                 mounting
                 upward
                 ,
                 and
                 kindling
                 all
                 that
                 were
                 capable
                 about
                 him
                 ;
                 As
                 prone
                 to
                 Fervour
                 and
                 Activity
                 ,
                 as
                 earthen
                 Natures
                 to
                 Cold
                 and
                 Idleness
                 ;
                 not
                 weary
                 of
                 well
                 doing
                 ;
                 not
                 speaking
                 slightly
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 indifferent
                 affection
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 Jehovah
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 holy
                 things
                 ;
                 but
                 with
                 the
                 reverence
                 and
                 seriousness
                 ,
                 as
                 became
                 one
                 that
                 by
                 Faith
                 still
                 saw
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 Not
                 doing
                 God's
                 Work
                 with
                 an
                 unwilling
                 or
                 a
                 sluggish
                 heart
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 did
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 nor
                 as
                 those
                 that
                 fear
                 being
                 losers
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 giving
                 him
                 more
                 than
                 he
                 deserveth
                 ,
                 or
                 getting
                 Salvation
                 at
                 too
                 dear
                 a
                 rate
                 :
                 But
                 as
                 a
                 Soul
                 that
                 was
                 Kin
                 to
                 Angels
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 active
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 flame
                 of
                 Fire
                 that
                 came
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 Father
                 of
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 and
                 liveth
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 working
                 and
                 passing
                 up
                 to
                 God.
                 As
                 one
                 that
                 knew
                 that
                 none
                 other
                 work
                 was
                 worthy
                 of
                 a
                 Man
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 approveable
                 by
                 any
                 Reason
                 ,
                 save
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 made
                 a
                 Salve
                 to
                 sense
                 )
                 except
                 onely
                 the
                 Souls
                 
                   Resignation
                   ,
                   Obedience
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Love
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 seeking
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Heavenly
                   durable
                   Felicity
                
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 Means
                 which
                 God
                 in
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 hath
                 appointed
                 for
                 the
                 obtaining
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 too
                 common
                 to
                 find
                 men
                 that
                 are
                 long
                 and
                 deep
                 Students
                 in
                 Philosophy
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Doctrinals
                 ,
                 and
                 Methods
                 of
                 Theologie
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 none
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 Zealous
                 or
                 serious
                 Divines
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 learnedst
                 Doctors
                 to
                 be
                 but
                 of
                 the
                 coursest
                 and
                 weakest
                 sort
                 of
                 Christians
                 .
                 Because
                 they
                 exercise
                 the
                 Head
                 almost
                 alone
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 little
                 pains
                 to
                 work
                 what
                 Truths
                 they
                 know
                 upon
                 their
                 Hearts
                 :
                 As
                 if
                 the
                 head
                 were
                 more
                 diseased
                 with
                 sin
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 Heart
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Heart
                 had
                 not
                 as
                 much
                 need
                 of
                 a
                 Cure
                 :
                 Or
                 as
                 if
                 God's
                 Grace
                 did
                 not
                 as
                 much
                 dwell
                 in
                 the
                 Will
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 Understanding
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Heart
                 had
                 not
                 the
                 noblest
                 Work
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 
                   Life
                   ,
                   Light
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Love
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 Inseparable
                 Influences
                 and
                 Effects
                 of
                 the
                 Sanctifying
                 Spirit
                 :
                 But
                 yet
                 sometimes
                 the
                 Indisposition
                 of
                 the
                 Receiver
                 ,
                 may
                 keep
                 out
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 more
                 than
                 the
                 rest
                 .
                 Light
                 alone
                 may
                 be
                 profitable
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 by
                 breeding
                 Light
                 in
                 others
                 :
                 But
                 Life
                 and
                 Love
                 ,
                 also
                 are
                 as
                 suitable
                 means
                 to
                 produce
                 their
                 like
                 ,
                 as
                 Light
                 is
                 .
                 And
                 without
                 them
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 flashy
                 Light
                 and
                 frigid
                 Knowledge
                 that
                 will
                 save
                 the
                 Soul.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 alass
                 ,
                 how
                 ordinary
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 Zeal
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 bussle
                 in
                 the
                 Dark
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 very
                 earnest
                 to
                 be
                 very
                 blind
                 ?
                 And
                 strong
                 Affections
                 (
                 not
                 to
                 God
                 himself
                 ,
                 but
                 about
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 Religious
                 Duties
                 )
                 to
                 be
                 guided
                 by
                 a
                 weak
                 Understanding
                 :
                 And
                 so
                 for
                 such
                 well-meaning
                 Persons
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 most
                 haste
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 divide
                 and
                 trouble
                 the
                 Church
                 and
                 Neighbourhood
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 fervency
                 in
                 Errour
                 ,
                 till
                 late
                 Experience
                 hath
                 ripened
                 them
                 to
                 see
                 what
                 mischief
                 their
                 Self-conceitedness
                 hath
                 done
                 ?
                 O!
                 how
                 happy
                 were
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 great
                 Understanding
                 and
                 fervent
                 Zeal
                 ,
                 were
                 ordinarily
                 as
                 well
                 conjoyned
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 this
                 worthy
                 Man.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 many
                 have
                 much
                 Reading
                 ,
                 and
                 plentiful
                 Materials
                 for
                 Learning
                 ,
                 who
                 yet
                 were
                 never
                 truly
                 Learned
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 Injudicious
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 having
                 well
                 digested
                 what
                 they
                 Read
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 habits
                 of
                 solid
                 Understanding
                 .
                 But
                 so
                 was
                 it
                 not
                 with
                 this
                 our
                 Brother
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 very
                 Letters
                 fully
                 witness
                 :
                 How
                 clearly
                 and
                 solidly
                 doth
                 he
                 resolve
                 that
                 great
                 Question
                 which
                 he
                 speaketh
                 to
                 ?
                 As
                 one
                 that
                 had
                 Theologie
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 his
                 Books
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 his
                 Head
                 and
                 Heart
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 I
                 account
                 it
                 no
                 small
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 Excellency
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 Judgment
                 led
                 him
                 to
                 dwell
                 so
                 much
                 on
                 the
                 great
                 Essentials
                 of
                 Godliness
                 and
                 Christianity
                 ;
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 holy
                 ,
                 just
                 ,
                 and
                 sober
                 Life
                 :
                 And
                 that
                 he
                 laid
                 not
                 out
                 his
                 Zeal
                 diseasedly
                 ,
                 and
                 unproportionably
                 ,
                 upon
                 those
                 outward
                 Circumstances
                 ,
                 
                 where
                 the
                 noise
                 doth
                 call
                 off
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 too
                 many
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 inward
                 life
                 of
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 :
                 His
                 Sermons
                 ,
                 his
                 Conference
                 ,
                 his
                 Letters
                 ,
                 were
                 not
                 about
                 Mint
                 and
                 Commin
                 ,
                 but
                 about
                 the
                 Knowledge
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Life
                 Eternal
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 that
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 prostitute
                 his
                 Conscience
                 to
                 the
                 Interest
                 of
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 nor
                 subject
                 God
                 to
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 nor
                 deny
                 Self-denyal
                 and
                 the
                 Cross
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 nor
                 Hypocritically
                 resolve
                 to
                 shift
                 off
                 the
                 costly
                 part
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 on
                 pretence
                 of
                 Indifferency
                 or
                 Smallness
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 thought
                 God
                 forbad
                 him
                 ;
                 you
                 need
                 no
                 other
                 proof
                 than
                 the
                 following
                 History
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 one
                 of
                 those
                 weak
                 well-meaning
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 who
                 think
                 that
                 their
                 meer
                 Honesty
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 deserve
                 the
                 esteem
                 of
                 worthy
                 Pastors
                 ;
                 nor
                 was
                 he
                 one
                 of
                 those
                 proud
                 and
                 empty
                 Persons
                 ,
                 who
                 think
                 that
                 the
                 Dignity
                 of
                 their
                 Function
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 oblige
                 all
                 to
                 bow
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 Ruled
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 personal
                 
                   Wisdom
                   ,
                   Holiness
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   Ministerial
                   Abilities
                
                 ,
                 suitable
                 to
                 their
                 Sacred
                 Office
                 :
                 But
                 ,
                 so
                 great
                 was
                 his
                 Ministerial
                 Skilfulness
                 in
                 the
                 publick
                 Explication
                 ,
                 and
                 Application
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 so
                 Melting
                 ,
                 and
                 Winning
                 ,
                 Convincing
                 and
                 Powerful
                 ,
                 his
                 unaffected
                 sacred
                 Oratory
                 ;
                 so
                 wise
                 and
                 serious
                 his
                 private
                 dealing
                 with
                 particular
                 Families
                 and
                 Souls
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 wonder
                 if
                 God
                 blessed
                 him
                 with
                 that
                 great
                 success
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 yet
                 visible
                 among
                 the
                 People
                 where
                 he
                 lived
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 Brethren
                 wanted
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 by
                 slovenly
                 Expressions
                 ,
                 nor
                 immethodical
                 Extravagances
                 ,
                 nor
                 unsound
                 injudicious
                 erroneous
                 Passages
                 ,
                 nor
                 by
                 jocular
                 Levities
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 nauseous
                 Tautologies
                 ,
                 make
                 Sermons
                 ,
                 or
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 become
                 a
                 scorn
                 ;
                 nor
                 give
                 advantage
                 to
                 carnal
                 captious
                 Hearers
                 ,
                 who
                 for
                 every
                 hair
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 abhominate
                 the
                 wholsomest
                 Food
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 write
                 Books
                 to
                 breed
                 their
                 own
                 Disease
                 in
                 others
                 :
                 Nor
                 yet
                 did
                 he
                 by
                 an
                 affected
                 unnatural
                 curiosity
                 of
                 Jingling
                 Words
                 ,
                 and
                 starched
                 Phrases
                 ,
                 make
                 Sermons
                 like
                 Stage-plays
                 ,
                 and
                 destroyed
                 the
                 Peoples
                 Edificacion
                 ,
                 or
                 their
                 reverence
                 of
                 Holy
                 Things
                 :
                 But
                 he
                 spake
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 spake
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 for
                 mens
                 Renovation
                 and
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 manner
                 suitable
                 to
                 the
                 Weight
                 and
                 Holiness
                 of
                 the
                 Matter
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 his
                 servent
                 Zeal
                 and
                 Thirst
                 for
                 the
                 Peoples
                 Conversion
                 and
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 was
                 a
                 great
                 advantage
                 to
                 his
                 Success
                 .
                 For
                 ;
                 
                 〈◊〉
                 mens
                 Parts
                 be
                 never
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 I
                 seldom
                 have
                 known
                 any
                 man
                 do
                 much
                 good
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 not
                 
                   earnestly
                   desirous
                
                 to
                 do
                 good
                 ;
                 If
                 he
                 long
                 not
                 for
                 mens
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 seldom
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 Converting
                 many
                 .
                 For
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 certain
                 
                   lively
                   seriousness
                
                 necessary
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 Studies
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 our
                 Sermons
                 suitable
                 to
                 their
                 ends
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 fit
                 to
                 reach
                 mens
                 Hearts
                 ;
                 without
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 as
                 a
                 blunted
                 Knife
                 ,
                 or
                 as
                 a
                 Bell
                 that
                 's
                 crackt
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 other
                 unmeet
                 Instruments
                 ,
                 unable
                 for
                 their
                 proper
                 use
                 .
                 And
                 though
                 God
                 can
                 work
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 can
                 work
                 without
                 means
                 ,
                 or
                 without
                 their
                 fitness
                 ,
                 yet
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 his
                 ordinary
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 expected
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 his
                 great
                 diligence
                 from
                 House
                 to
                 House
                 in
                 private
                 ,
                 was
                 a
                 great
                 promoter
                 of
                 his
                 Successes
                 .
                 I
                 never
                 knew
                 Minister
                 ,
                 who
                 prudently
                 and
                 diligently
                 took
                 that
                 course
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 unprosperous
                 in
                 his
                 Work
                 ;
                 but
                 by
                 them
                 that
                 have
                 wisely
                 and
                 faithfully
                 used
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 known
                 that
                 done
                 ,
                 that
                 before
                 seemed
                 incredible
                 :
                 And
                 truly
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 think
                 of
                 some
                 men
                 yet
                 living
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 few
                 (
                 too
                 few
                 )
                 places
                 (
                 great
                 places
                 )
                 which
                 by
                 the
                 great
                 Abilities
                 ,
                 and
                 excellent
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 the
                 Personal
                 Exhortations
                 ,
                 and
                 Catechizing
                 ,
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 Pains
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 extraordinary
                 Charity
                 to
                 the
                 Poor
                 ,
                 the
                 the
                 holy
                 exemplary
                 Lives
                 of
                 their
                 Pastors
                 (
                 I
                 can
                 scarce
                 forbear
                 naming
                 four
                 or
                 five
                 of
                 my
                 Acquaintance
                 )
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 generally
                 seasoned
                 with
                 Piety
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 great
                 Market
                 Towns
                 have
                 become
                 as
                 Religious
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 selected
                 Members
                 ,
                 which
                 some
                 think
                 onely
                 fit
                 for
                 Churches
                 ;
                 it
                 makes
                 me
                 conclude
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 principally
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 World
                 is
                 so
                 bad
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 greater
                 things
                 are
                 not
                 done
                 among
                 us
                 :
                 And
                 that
                 for
                 another
                 sort
                 of
                 men
                 to
                 cry
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Peoples
                 Ignorance
                 and
                 Prophaness
                 ,
                 and
                 obstinate
                 Wickedness
                 ,
                 while
                 their
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 Sloath
                 ,
                 Miscarriage
                 ,
                 and
                 Negligence
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 cause
                 ;
                 is
                 as
                 little
                 honour
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 Physitian
                 or
                 Surgeon
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 he
                 can
                 skilfuller
                 but
                 few
                 ,
                 doth
                 cast
                 the
                 blame
                 upon
                 the
                 Patient
                 ,
                 when
                 skilfuller
                 men
                 do
                 cure
                 the
                 like
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 his
                 great
                 humility
                 in
                 stooping
                 to
                 the
                 meanest
                 ,
                 and
                 conversing
                 with
                 the
                 poorest
                 of
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 affecting
                 things
                 above
                 him
                 ,
                 nor
                 〈◊〉
                 by
                 〈◊〉
                 into
                 men
                 of
                 worldly
                 Wealth
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 no
                 doubt
                 helps
                 on
                 his
                 great
                 Successes
                 ;
                 though
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 Preferments
                 ,
                 Honours
                 ,
                 no
                 nor
                 
                 Safety
                 and
                 Quietness
                 to
                 the
                 Flesh.
                 Had
                 Balaam
                 〈◊〉
                 throughout
                 sincerely
                 ,
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 a
                 very
                 honourable
                 and
                 comfortable
                 word
                 to
                 him
                 from
                 King
                 Balack
                 ,
                 Num.
                 24.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   I
                   thought
                   to
                   promote
                   thee
                   to
                   great
                   honour
                   ,
                   but
                   〈◊〉
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   kept
                   thee
                   back
                   from
                   honour
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 more
                 honourable
                 and
                 comfortable
                 to
                 be
                 kept
                 from
                 honour
                 by
                 God
                 and
                 a
                 good
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 be
                 honoured
                 by
                 men
                 on
                 sinful
                 terms
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 the
                 moderation
                 and
                 peaceableness
                 of
                 this
                 holy
                 Man
                 ,
                 was
                 very
                 exemplary
                 and
                 amiable
                 ;
                 which
                 I
                 the
                 rather
                 mention
                 ,
                 because
                 in
                 these
                 distempered
                 times
                 of
                 Temptation
                 ,
                 too
                 many
                 think
                 that
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 Zeal
                 lyeth
                 in
                 going
                 to
                 the
                 furthest
                 from
                 those
                 they
                 differ
                 from
                 ,
                 and
                 suffer
                 by
                 .
                 And
                 because
                 some
                 will
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 knew
                 no
                 more
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 onely
                 how
                 oft
                 and
                 long
                 he
                 lay
                 in
                 the
                 Common
                 Goal
                 ,
                 that
                 sure
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 some
                 violent
                 unpeaceable
                 Zealot
                 .
                 No
                 ,
                 his
                 Zeal
                 was
                 for
                 Peace
                 and
                 Quietness
                 ,
                 for
                 Love
                 and
                 for
                 good
                 Works
                 :
                 He
                 was
                 not
                 used
                 to
                 inflame
                 men
                 against
                 Dissenters
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 Back-bite
                 others
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 make
                 those
                 odious
                 that
                 were
                 willing
                 enough
                 to
                 have
                 made
                 him
                 so
                 :
                 He
                 fled
                 from
                 one
                 extream
                 with
                 fear
                 ,
                 and
                 suspition
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 indeed
                 himself
                 a
                 Silenced
                 Minister
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 Place
                 ,
                 and
                 among
                 a
                 People
                 who
                 had
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 had
                 been
                 blessed
                 with
                 his
                 fruitful
                 Labours
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 Judgment
                 was
                 ,
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 Sacriledge
                 for
                 a
                 Minister
                 Consecrated
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 alienate
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 violate
                 that
                 Covenant
                 and
                 Ministerial
                 Dedication
                 ,
                 by
                 giving
                 over
                 his
                 Work
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 ability
                 and
                 opportunity
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 peoples
                 Souls
                 have
                 a
                 true
                 necessity
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 he
                 chose
                 that
                 long
                 Imprisonment
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 voluntarily
                 to
                 Surcease
                 .
                 But
                 whilst
                 he
                 had
                 Liberty
                 ,
                 he
                 went
                 oft
                 to
                 the
                 publick
                 Assembles
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 a
                 Hearer
                 where
                 he
                 was
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Teacher
                 ,
                 and
                 encouraged
                 the
                 People
                 to
                 do
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 He
                 spake
                 not
                 evil
                 of
                 Dignities
                 ,
                 nor
                 kindled
                 seditious
                 Principles
                 or
                 Passions
                 in
                 the
                 Peoples
                 minds
                 ,
                 nor
                 disaffected
                 them
                 against
                 Authority
                 ,
                 nor
                 aggravated
                 his
                 own
                 Sufferings
                 to
                 exasperate
                 their
                 minds
                 against
                 such
                 as
                 he
                 suffered
                 by
                 ;
                 though
                 how
                 great
                 they
                 were
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 Effect
                 ,
                 the
                 Sequel
                 will
                 acquaint
                 you
                 .
                 In
                 all
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 in
                 patience
                 possess
                 his
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 learned
                 still
                 more
                 patience
                 by
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 he
                 suffered
                 ,
                 and
                 taught
                 others
                 what
                 he
                 learned
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 above
                 all
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 his
                 highest
                 excellency
                 in
                 my
                 eyes
                 ,
                 that
                 
                 he
                 attained
                 to
                 the
                 right
                 temperament
                 of
                 the
                 Christian
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 a
                 truly
                 Evangelical
                 frame
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 suitable
                 to
                 the
                 glorious
                 hopes
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 wonderful
                 love
                 of
                 our
                 Redeemer
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 most
                 Christians
                 think
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 much
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 can
                 but
                 weep
                 and
                 groan
                 over
                 their
                 Corruptions
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 abstain
                 from
                 the
                 lustful
                 Pollutions
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 many
                 doubts
                 and
                 fears
                 ;
                 LOVE
                 and
                 JOY
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 HEAVENLY
                 MIND
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 Internal
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 Religion
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 large
                 and
                 fervent
                 PRAISES
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 THANKS
                 GIVING
                 for
                 his
                 Mercies
                 ,
                 especialiy
                 for
                 CHRIST
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 SPIRIT
                 ,
                 and
                 HEAVEN
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 External
                 Exercises
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 not
                 negligent
                 in
                 confessing
                 Sin
                 ,
                 nor
                 Tainted
                 with
                 any
                 Antinomian
                 Errours
                 ;
                 but
                 PRAISE
                 ,
                 and
                 THANKSGIVING
                 ,
                 were
                 his
                 Natural
                 Strains
                 ;
                 his
                 
                   frequentest
                   ,
                   longest
                
                 ,
                 and
                 heartiest
                 Services
                 :
                 He
                 was
                 no
                 despiser
                 of
                 a
                 broken
                 Heart
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 had
                 attained
                 the
                 blessing
                 of
                 a
                 healed
                 joyful
                 Heart
                 .
                 The
                 following
                 Narratives
                 ,
                 the
                 strain
                 of
                 his
                 Letters
                 ,
                 but
                 above
                 all
                 the
                 admirations
                 of
                 his
                 nearest
                 Friends
                 ,
                 will
                 tell
                 him
                 that
                 will
                 enquire
                 ,
                 how
                 his
                 tryumphant
                 Discourses
                 of
                 the
                 Hopes
                 of
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 frequent
                 and
                 fervent
                 Thanksgiving
                 and
                 Praise
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 Language
                 which
                 he
                 familiarly
                 spake
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 very
                 business
                 of
                 his
                 Heart
                 and
                 Life
                 .
                 And
                 ,
                 O
                 how
                 amiable
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 hear
                 the
                 Tongue
                 employed
                 seriously
                 ,
                 and
                 frequently
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 which
                 it
                 was
                 made
                 for
                 ;
                 even
                 in
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 made
                 it
                 !
                 And
                 to
                 see
                 a
                 man
                 passing
                 with
                 joyful
                 hopes
                 towards
                 Immortality
                 !
                 And
                 to
                 live
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 seriously
                 believeth
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 must
                 quickly
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 Heavenly
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 with
                 God
                 and
                 Christ
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 O
                 how
                 comely
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 see
                 a
                 man
                 that
                 saith
                 ,
                 he
                 believeth
                 that
                 Christ
                 hath
                 redeemed
                 him
                 from
                 Hell
                 ,
                 and
                 reconciled
                 him
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 him
                 an
                 Adopted
                 Heir
                 of
                 Glory
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 like
                 one
                 that
                 was
                 so
                 strangely
                 saved
                 from
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 misery
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 affectionate
                 gratitude
                 to
                 honour
                 the
                 Purchaser
                 of
                 all
                 this
                 Grace
                 :
                 And
                 how
                 uncomely
                 a
                 thing
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 hear
                 a
                 man
                 say
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 believeth
                 all
                 this
                 Grace
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 this
                 Heavenly
                 Glory
                 ,
                 this
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 to
                 be
                 inclined
                 to
                 no
                 part
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 but
                 fears
                 and
                 complainings
                 ,
                 and
                 scarce
                 to
                 have
                 any
                 words
                 of
                 Praises
                 or
                 Thanksgiving
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 few
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 by
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 heartless
                 affected
                 ,
                 and
                 constrained
                 .
                 O
                 did
                 Christians
                 ,
                 yea
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 but
                 Live
                 with
                 
                 the
                 Joy
                 and
                 Gratitude
                 ,
                 and
                 Praise
                 of
                 Jehovah
                 ,
                 which
                 beseemeth
                 those
                 that
                 believe
                 what
                 they
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 entring
                 into
                 the
                 Coelestial
                 Chore
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 then
                 be
                 an
                 honour
                 to
                 God
                 and
                 their
                 Redeemer
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 win
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 a
                 love
                 of
                 Faith
                 and
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 throw
                 away
                 their
                 worldly
                 Fool-games
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 and
                 see
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 these
                 
                   Joyous
                   Souls
                
                 have
                 found
                 :
                 But
                 when
                 we
                 shew
                 the
                 World
                 no
                 Religion
                 ,
                 but
                 Sighing
                 ,
                 and
                 Complaining
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 a
                 sadder
                 life
                 than
                 they
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 talk
                 of
                 the
                 glad-Tydings
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 and
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 talk
                 so
                 long
                 enough
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 will
                 believe
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 seem
                 no
                 more
                 to
                 be
                 Believers
                 our selves
                 ,
                 or
                 before
                 they
                 will
                 leave
                 their
                 fleshly
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 sad
                 and
                 dreadful
                 a
                 Life
                 as
                 this
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 as
                 this
                 kind
                 of
                 Heavenly
                 ,
                 Joyful
                 Life
                 is
                 an
                 honour
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 wonderful
                 help
                 to
                 the
                 Converting
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 it
                 a
                 Reward
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 hath
                 it
                 ;
                 which
                 made
                 this
                 Holy
                 Person
                 live
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 vigour
                 of
                 Duty
                 ,
                 such
                 fervour
                 of
                 holy
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 continual
                 Content
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 him
                 was
                 
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   Peace
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Joy
                   in
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ;
                 which
                 others
                 think
                 consisteth
                 in
                 
                   Meats
                   ,
                   Drinks
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Dayes
                 ,
                 in
                 Shadows
                 and
                 Circumstances
                 ,
                 in
                 Sidings
                 and
                 in
                 singular
                 Conceits
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 14.
                 
                 Col.
                 2.
                 16.
                 
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 a
                 Melancholy
                 Spirit
                 that
                 acted
                 him
                 ,
                 nor
                 did
                 he
                 tempt
                 his
                 People
                 into
                 such
                 an
                 uncomfortable
                 state
                 and
                 strein
                 .
                 But
                 in
                 the
                 multude
                 of
                 his
                 thoughts
                 within
                 him
                 ,
                 the
                 comforts
                 of
                 God
                 did
                 delight
                 his
                 Soul
                 :
                 His
                 Meditation
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 Redeemer
                 was
                 sweet
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 rejoyced
                 in
                 the
                 Lord.
                 He
                 delighted
                 in
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 delight
                 invited
                 him
                 ,
                 no
                 wonder
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 his
                 Meditation
                 day
                 and
                 night
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 1.
                 2.
                 
                 &
                 104.
                 34.
                 
                 &
                 119.
                 103.
                 
                 &
                 94.
                 19.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 how
                 great
                 a
                 Solace
                 was
                 this
                 in
                 his
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 could
                 be
                 in
                 a
                 Goal
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 Heaven
                 at
                 once
                 ?
                 When
                 he
                 could
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 terrible
                 torment
                 of
                 Convulsions
                 ,
                 have
                 the
                 foresight
                 and
                 taste
                 of
                 Heavenly
                 Pleasures
                 ?
                 
                   Nihil
                   Crus
                   sentit
                   in
                   Nervo
                   ,
                   cum
                   Animus
                   est
                   in
                   Coelo
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 Tertul.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 as
                 he
                 lived
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 died
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   Vigorous
                   ,
                   Joyful
                   Praises
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Thanksgivings
                 :
                 Reviving
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 long
                 speechless
                 Convulsion
                 ,
                 into
                 those
                 fervent
                 Raptures
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 so
                 impatient
                 of
                 being
                 absent
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 just
                 passing
                 into
                 his
                 Presence
                 ;
                 or
                 rather
                 as
                 if
                 with
                 Stephen
                 ,
                 he
                 
                 had
                 seen
                 Heaven
                 opened
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 in
                 his
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 speak
                 of
                 the
                 unutterable
                 things
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 seen
                 .
                 I
                 deny
                 not
                 but
                 his
                 vigorous
                 active
                 Temper
                 ,
                 might
                 be
                 a
                 great
                 help
                 to
                 all
                 his
                 holy
                 Alacrity
                 and
                 Joy
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 healthful
                 State
                 :
                 But
                 when
                 that
                 frame
                 of
                 Nature
                 was
                 broken
                 by
                 such
                 Torments
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 then
                 dissolving
                 ,
                 to
                 hear
                 a
                 dying
                 Man
                 about
                 sixteen
                 hours
                 together
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 ferventest
                 Preacher
                 in
                 the
                 Pulpit
                 ,
                 pour
                 out
                 his
                 Soul
                 in
                 Praises
                 and
                 Thanskgiving
                 ;
                 and
                 speak
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 could
                 never
                 speak
                 enough
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 a
                 Vivacity
                 and
                 Force
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 in
                 former
                 Health
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 tryumph
                 in
                 Joy
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 was
                 just
                 laying
                 hold
                 upon
                 the
                 Crown
                 ;
                 surely
                 in
                 this
                 there
                 was
                 something
                 that
                 was
                 the
                 Reward
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 former
                 Praise
                 and
                 Thankfulness
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 must
                 needs
                 tell
                 the
                 Auditors
                 the
                 diference
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 between
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 a
                 Righteous
                 Believer
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 wicked
                 Unbeliever
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 weak
                 and
                 distempered
                 Believer
                 ;
                 also
                 the
                 difference
                 between
                 a
                 sound
                 and
                 a
                 diseased
                 Christian
                 ,
                 and
                 between
                 the
                 tryumphant
                 Faith
                 and
                 Hopes
                 ,
                 of
                 one
                 that
                 saw
                 the
                 God
                 and
                 World
                 invisible
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 staggering
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 trembling
                 Hopes
                 of
                 a
                 feeble
                 and
                 distrustful
                 Soul
                 ;
                 and
                 between
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 one
                 that
                 had
                 been
                 used
                 to
                 converse
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 make
                 Thanksgiving
                 and
                 Praise
                 his
                 Work
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 one
                 that
                 had
                 been
                 used
                 to
                 cleave
                 to
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 a
                 great
                 matter
                 of
                 the
                 concernments
                 of
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 rise
                 but
                 little
                 higher
                 in
                 Religion
                 ,
                 then
                 a
                 course
                 of
                 outward
                 Duty
                 animated
                 most
                 with
                 troublesome
                 Fears
                 :
                 Though
                 he
                 died
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Pulpit
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 died
                 in
                 Pulpit-Work
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 I
                 must
                 also
                 note
                 ,
                 how
                 great
                 an
                 advantage
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 his
                 Ministerial
                 Works
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 possessed
                 deeply
                 with
                 this
                 true
                 sentiment
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 PLEASING
                 of
                 GOD
                 is
                 the
                 proper
                 ultimate
                 end
                 of
                 Man
                 ,
                 (
                 not
                 doubting
                 but
                 it
                 includeth
                 the
                 notion
                 of
                 glorifying
                 him
                 )
                 for
                 thus
                 his
                 heart
                 was
                 rightly
                 principled
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 Doctrine
                 and
                 Duties
                 rightly
                 animated
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 as
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 extraordinarily
                 addicted
                 to
                 open
                 to
                 the
                 Hearers
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 explain
                 Religion
                 in
                 the
                 true
                 Notion
                 of
                 Covenanting
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Covenant-keeping
                 ,
                 and
                 greatly
                 to
                 urge
                 men
                 to
                 deliberate
                 well-grounded
                 Resolutions
                 in
                 this
                 Holy
                 Covenant
                 (
                 as
                 one
                 
                 that
                 understood
                 that
                 Baptizing
                 is
                 truly
                 Christening
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 Baptism
                 and
                 the
                 Lord's-Supper
                 are
                 our
                 Sacramental
                 Covenanting
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 we
                 need
                 no
                 new
                 Descriptions
                 nor
                 Characters
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Church-Titles
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 understand
                 what
                 these
                 Sacraments
                 truly
                 mean
                 :
                 )
                 So
                 God
                 was
                 pleased
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 a
                 certainty
                 and
                 sense
                 of
                 his
                 Divine
                 Faithfulness
                 ,
                 in
                 fulfilling
                 the
                 Promises
                 of
                 his
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 lively
                 sense
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 benefits
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 Faith
                 in
                 God
                 for
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 his
                 part
                 ,
                 was
                 as
                 strong
                 and
                 fixed
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 his
                 own
                 Resolution
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 Grace
                 to
                 be
                 true
                 to
                 God
                 :
                 I
                 compare
                 not
                 his
                 resolution
                 to
                 God's
                 Fidelity
                 ;
                 for
                 what
                 comparison
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 Man
                 ,
                 but
                 onely
                 to
                 his
                 belief
                 of
                 God's
                 Fidelity
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 comfort
                 in
                 the
                 assurance
                 of
                 the
                 Conclusion
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 resolved
                 through
                 Grace
                 never
                 to
                 forsake
                 Christ
                 ,
                 so
                 Christ
                 did
                 never
                 fail
                 him
                 ,
                 nor
                 forsake
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 his
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Death
                 ,
                 this
                 Faith
                 ,
                 this
                 Hope
                 ,
                 this
                 Heavenly
                 Joy
                 ,
                 was
                 his
                 support
                 and
                 strength
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Valley
                 of
                 the
                 shadow
                 of
                 Death
                 ,
                 he
                 feared
                 no
                 evil
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 his
                 flesh
                 and
                 heart
                 failed
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 natural
                 strength
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 was
                 the
                 Rock
                 or
                 Strength
                 of
                 his
                 Heart
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 failed
                 him
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 73.
                 25.
                 
                 
                   Let
                   me
                   die
                   the
                   death
                   of
                   the
                   Righteous
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   my
                   last
                   end
                   be
                   like
                   his
                   .
                
              
               
                 I
                 have
                 premised
                 this
                 general
                 Skeleton
                 ,
                 as
                 Limners
                 and
                 Builders
                 first
                 draw
                 the
                 Pillars
                 and
                 Stamina
                 of
                 their
                 Work
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 following
                 Narratives
                 will
                 fill
                 up
                 :
                 And
                 I
                 have
                 given
                 you
                 this
                 general
                 Index
                 ,
                 or
                 Contents
                 ,
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 distinctly
                 contained
                 in
                 the
                 Sequel
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 History
                 is
                 not
                 drawn
                 up
                 by
                 one
                 Hand
                 ,
                 nor
                 as
                 by
                 one
                 that
                 intended
                 rather
                 to
                 shew
                 what
                 he
                 could
                 say
                 ,
                 than
                 what
                 the
                 Person
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 did
                 :
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 brief
                 Account
                 of
                 the
                 several
                 parts
                 of
                 his
                 Life
                 ,
                 drawn
                 up
                 by
                 several
                 of
                 his
                 most
                 worthy
                 and
                 judicious
                 Friends
                 ,
                 that
                 were
                 present
                 ,
                 or
                 most
                 intimate
                 and
                 familiar
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 take
                 this
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 best
                 Advantage
                 to
                 a
                 History
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 Truth
                 ,
                 which
                 should
                 satisfie
                 the
                 Incredulous
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 as
                 to
                 Uniformity
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 fluid
                 Stile
                 ,
                 which
                 might
                 please
                 the
                 Curious
                 .
                 For
                 a
                 Man's
                 Life
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 War
                 or
                 Battle
                 :
                 No
                 dispersed
                 War
                 ,
                 no
                 nor
                 any
                 one
                 particular
                 Battle
                 ,
                 can
                 fully
                 be
                 described
                 by
                 the
                 Observations
                 of
                 any
                 one
                 man
                 alone
                 :
                 But
                 one
                 Man
                 is
                 but
                 in
                 one
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 seeth
                 onely
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 within
                 his
                 own
                 prospect
                 ,
                 which
                 his
                 proper
                 station
                 did
                 advantage
                 him
                 to
                 see
                 :
                 
                 But
                 when
                 Intelligent
                 Men
                 from
                 each
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Army
                 do
                 every
                 one
                 bring
                 in
                 their
                 several
                 Narratives
                 ,
                 all
                 set
                 together
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 satisfactory
                 History
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 War
                 ,
                 or
                 Fight
                 :
                 So
                 when
                 a
                 Man's
                 course
                 of
                 Life
                 is
                 transient
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 is
                 his
                 Familiar
                 in
                 his
                 Youth
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 at
                 riper
                 Age
                 ,
                 one
                 in
                 the
                 University
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 in
                 the
                 Ministry
                 ;
                 one
                 in
                 Prison
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 at
                 Home
                 ;
                 one
                 in
                 Health
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 at
                 Death
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 one
                 of
                 himself
                 that
                 can
                 credibly
                 report
                 the
                 whole
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 though
                 by
                 variety
                 of
                 Stile
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 seem
                 a
                 Ceuto
                 ,
                 or
                 incongruously
                 composed
                 ;
                 yet
                 Truth
                 being
                 the
                 Soul
                 of
                 History
                 ;
                 that
                 's
                 best
                 which
                 is
                 best
                 fitted
                 to
                 the
                 lovers
                 of
                 Truth
                 .
                 And
                 though
                 one
                 part
                 be
                 written
                 by
                 a
                 Woman
                 ,
                 (
                 his
                 Widow
                 )
                 and
                 another
                 by
                 his
                 Reverend
                 Father
                 in
                 Law
                 ;
                 another
                 by
                 that
                 worthy
                 Pastor
                 whom
                 he
                 assisted
                 ;
                 another
                 by
                 a
                 Fellow
                 Minister
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 by
                 a
                 Scholar
                 of
                 his
                 intimate
                 Acquaintance
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 Yet
                 is
                 there
                 such
                 Agreement
                 in
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 Evidence
                 of
                 unquestionable
                 Verity
                 ,
                 especially
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 know
                 these
                 Worthy
                 and
                 Faithful
                 Persons
                 ,
                 that
                 for
                 my
                 part
                 I
                 take
                 it
                 as
                 coming
                 to
                 me
                 with
                 greater
                 advantage
                 ,
                 than
                 if
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 an
                 evener
                 Thred
                 ,
                 drawn
                 out
                 by
                 one
                 skilful
                 Hand
                 alone
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 writing
                 of
                 the
                 History
                 of
                 Christ
                 by
                 the
                 four
                 Evangelists
                 ,
                 is
                 advantagious
                 to
                 the
                 Christian
                 Faith.
                 The
                 plainness
                 and
                 open
                 Breast
                 of
                 a
                 Godly
                 Widow
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 so
                 many
                 Holy
                 and
                 most
                 credible
                 Friends
                 ,
                 is
                 another
                 kind
                 of
                 Evidence
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 contrived
                 History
                 of
                 a
                 Learned
                 Man
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 fitted
                 to
                 the
                 Interest
                 of
                 a
                 Party
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 the
                 persons
                 Fame
                 and
                 Honour
                 seemeth
                 requisite
                 :
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 a
                 History
                 of
                 this
                 Nature
                 could
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 World
                 with
                 fairer
                 humane
                 Evidence
                 of
                 unquestionable
                 credibility
                 than
                 this
                 doth
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 let
                 Posterity
                 know
                 (
                 for
                 I
                 need
                 not
                 tell
                 it
                 to
                 this
                 present
                 Age
                 ,
                 who
                 live
                 in
                 the
                 Light
                 )
                 that
                 though
                 this
                 Servant
                 of
                 Christ
                 excelled
                 very
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 that
                 such
                 men
                 are
                 wonders
                 in
                 this
                 Age
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 Life
                 is
                 singled
                 out
                 to
                 be
                 recorded
                 to
                 Posterity
                 :
                 But
                 because
                 his
                 affectionate
                 Friends
                 and
                 Auditors
                 ,
                 are
                 forwarder
                 than
                 many
                 others
                 ,
                 hereby
                 to
                 tell
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 what
                 Effects
                 his
                 Holy
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 and
                 Example
                 ,
                 hath
                 left
                 upon
                 their
                 hearts
                 :
                 It
                 makes
                 the
                 Writers
                 heart
                 to
                 bleed
                 ,
                 to
                 think
                 how
                 many
                 thousands
                 of
                 Souls
                 do
                 perish
                 by
                 Ignorance
                 ,
                 and
                 ungodliness
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 England
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 many
                 vast
                 Kingdoms
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 are
                 deprived
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
               
               
                 If
                 you
                 ask
                 ,
                 What
                 Labours
                 he
                 hath
                 left
                 behind
                 him
                 ?
                 I
                 Answer
                 ;
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 great
                 numbers
                 of
                 Holy
                 Souls
                 converted
                 ,
                 confirmed
                 ,
                 and
                 edified
                 by
                 his
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Example
                 of
                 his
                 holy
                 Life
                 .
                 The
                 Specimen
                 ,
                 or
                 Exemplar
                 of
                 a
                 right
                 Minister
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 left
                 to
                 the
                 Neighbour
                 Ministers
                 that
                 knew
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 now
                 possess
                 their
                 Places
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 Ministers
                 of
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 Ages
                 that
                 are
                 yet
                 to
                 come
                 :
                 For
                 who
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 convinced
                 of
                 the
                 necessity
                 and
                 sweetness
                 of
                 Holy
                 Diligence
                 ,
                 in
                 so
                 good
                 2
                 Work
                 ,
                 and
                 become
                 Laborious
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 and
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 who
                 seriously
                 readeth
                 such
                 Examples
                 as
                 this
                 here
                 set
                 before
                 him
                 ?
                 And
                 who
                 that
                 considereth
                 it
                 aright
                 ,
                 can
                 chuse
                 but
                 see
                 ,
                 how
                 greatly
                 such
                 Holy
                 Labourers
                 do
                 differ
                 from
                 those
                 that
                 Preach
                 the
                 Gospel
                 in
                 strife
                 and
                 envie
                 ,
                 to
                 add
                 affliction
                 to
                 Pauls
                 Bonds
                 ,
                 Phil.
                 1.
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 those
                 that
                 use
                 their
                 Ministry
                 but
                 as
                 Lawyers
                 use
                 the
                 Laws
                 ,
                 to
                 get
                 Preferment
                 and
                 worldly
                 Wealth
                 by
                 it
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Soul
                   ,
                   take
                   thy
                   Ease
                   ,
                   Eat
                   ,
                   Drink
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   Merry
                   ,
                   thou
                   hast
                   Goods
                   enough
                   laid
                   up
                   for
                   many
                   years
                   :
                
                 Till
                 they
                 hear
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   fool
                   ,
                   this
                   night
                   shall
                   they
                   require
                   thy
                   Soul
                   ;
                   Whos
                   's
                   then
                   shall
                   the
                   things
                   be
                   which
                   thou
                   possessest
                   ?
                
                 So
                 is
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 layeth
                 up
                 Riches
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 not
                 Rich
                 towards
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 And
                 for
                 Writings
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 expect
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 that
                 entered
                 upon
                 the
                 Sacred
                 Ministry
                 at
                 Twenty
                 One
                 years
                 of
                 Age
                 ;
                 and
                 died
                 about
                 Thirty
                 Five
                 ,
                 and
                 lived
                 in
                 such
                 exceeding
                 Ministerial
                 Labours
                 ,
                 should
                 leave
                 many
                 Books
                 behind
                 him
                 of
                 his
                 Writing
                 ,
                 (
                 in
                 an
                 Age
                 wherein
                 we
                 have
                 had
                 too
                 many
                 Books
                 ,
                 and
                 too
                 few
                 such
                 Ministers
                 )
                 yet
                 the
                 following
                 History
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 tha
                 Synopsis
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 in
                 Mr.
                 
                   Richard
                   Alleins
                
                 Book
                 .
                 He
                 Printed
                 an
                 Exposition
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Assemblies
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 with
                 an
                 Exhortation
                 to
                 use
                 it
                 .
                 As
                 also
                 Prayers
                 for
                 his
                 Peoples
                 〈◊〉
                 :
                 And
                 left
                 a
                 Book
                 to
                 work
                 on
                 the
                 Unconverted
                 ,
                 not
                 yet
                 Printed
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 hath
                 left
                 (
                 alass
                 ,
                 imperfect
                 !
                 )
                 a
                 good
                 part
                 of
                 a
                 body
                 of
                 
                   Natural
                   Theology
                
                 ,
                 called
                 ,
                 
                   Theologia
                   〈◊〉
                
                 〈◊〉
                 
                   De
                   cognitione
                   Dei.
                
                 2.
                 
                 
                   De
                   Existentia
                   Dei.
                
                 3.
                 
                 
                   De
                   〈◊〉
                   &
                   Substantia
                   Dei.
                
                 4.
                 
                 
                   De
                   Attributis
                   Dei
                   in
                   genere
                   ,
                   &
                   〈◊〉
                   de
                   ejus
                   Unitate
                   .
                
                 5.
                 
                 
                   De
                   Perfectione
                   Divina
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   De
                   Decretis
                   Divinis
                
                 .
                 7.
                 
                 
                   De
                   Providentia
                   Divina
                
                 .
                 8.
                 
                 
                   De
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   ,
                   de
                   Precibus
                   .
                
                 In
                 all
                 which
                 he
                 succinctly
                 delivereth
                 in
                 a
                 very
                 good
                 Latin
                 Stile
                 ,
                 
                 the
                 
                   Christian
                   Doctrine
                
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Annotations
                 ,
                 addeth
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 the
                 Antient
                 Philosophers
                 :
                 so
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 together
                 a
                 sum
                 of
                 sound
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fullest
                 Attestation
                 of
                 Ethnicks
                 consent
                 that
                 ever
                 I
                 have
                 seen
                 ;
                 being
                 such
                 a
                 Promptuary
                 for
                 any
                 one
                 that
                 hath
                 not
                 leisure
                 to
                 peruse
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 gather
                 to
                 such
                 particular
                 uses
                 the
                 Philosophers
                 themselves
                 that
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 where
                 you
                 can
                 find
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 For
                 every
                 Sheet
                 or
                 two
                 of
                 his
                 Doctrine
                 on
                 the
                 Subject
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 about
                 eight
                 ,
                 ten
                 ,
                 twelve
                 ,
                 or
                 more
                 Sheets
                 of
                 Collected
                 Attestations
                 .
                 The
                 rest
                 are
                 all
                 impersectly
                 written
                 ,
                 onely
                 that
                 
                   De
                   Providentia
                
                 ,
                 hath
                 his
                 
                   Ultiman
                   Manum
                
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 Licensed
                 for
                 the
                 Press
                 ;
                 but
                 being
                 Latin
                 and
                 Greek
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 Books
                 having
                 too
                 few
                 Buyers
                 in
                 England
                 ,
                 none
                 yet
                 is
                 found
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 at
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 Printing
                 it
                 ,
                 much
                 less
                 altogether
                 ;
                 though
                 indeed
                 (
                 though
                 imperfect
                 )
                 it
                 is
                 pity
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 separated
                 .
                 The
                 Title
                 of
                 this
                 Licensed
                 Piece
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   Theologiae
                   Philosophicae
                   ,
                   sive
                   Philosophiae
                   Theologicae
                   specimen
                   :
                   In
                   quo
                   AEterni
                   Dei
                   Providentia
                   solius
                   Nature
                   lumine
                   comprobatur
                   ,
                   validissimis
                   rationum
                   momentis
                   demonstratur
                   ,
                   quoad
                   Partes
                   ,
                   Species
                   ,
                   Objecta
                   ,
                   &
                   explicatur
                   ;
                   Contrae
                   omnes
                   denique
                   Adversariorum
                   Objectiones
                   firmatur
                   :
                   Ex
                
                 Aristotele
                 ,
                 Platone
                 ,
                 Chalcidio
                 ,
                 Sallustio
                 ,
                 Firmico
                 ,
                 Empirico
                 ,
                 Jamlico
                 ,
                 Antonino
                 ,
                 Epecteto
                 ,
                 Proclo
                 ,
                 Simplicio
                 ,
                 Cicerone
                 ,
                 Seneca
                 ,
                 Macrobio
                 ,
                 Porphyrio
                 ,
                 Xenophonte
                 ,
                 Galeno
                 ,
                 Plutarcho
                 ,
                 Plotino
                 ,
                 Tyrio
                 ,
                 Appuleio
                 ,
                 Alcinoo
                 ,
                 
                   alisque
                   Philosophis
                   ,
                   Oratoribus
                   &
                   Poetis
                   ,
                   tum
                   Graecis
                   tum
                   Latinis
                   ,
                   ad
                   Atheorum
                   Convictionem
                   ,
                   &
                   Orthodoxorum
                   confirmationem
                   ;
                   Elucubratione
                
                 J.
                 A.
                 Anno
                 Dom.
                 1661.
                 
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   II.
                
                 A
                 Brief
                 Relation
                 of
                 his
                 early
                 setting
                 forth
                 in
                 the
                 Christian
                 Race
                 ,
                 from
                 his
                 Childhood
                 :
                 Also
                 some
                 Memorials
                 of
                 his
                 Industrious
                 and
                 Prosperous
                 pursuit
                 of
                 Learning
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 singular
                 Piety
                 during
                 his
                 Abode
                 in
                 the
                 University
                 .
                 Written
                 by
                 an
                 Eye-Witness
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 MR.
                 
                   Joseph
                   Allein
                
                 ,
                 Born
                 in
                 the
                 Devizes
                 in
                 Wiltshire
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Year
                 1633.
                 
                 During
                 his
                 Child-hood
                 ,
                 shewed
                 forth
                 a
                 singular
                 sweetness
                 of
                 Disposition
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 remarkable
                 Diligence
                 in
                 every
                 thing
                 he
                 was
                 then
                 imployed
                 about
                 .
                 The
                 first
                 observable
                 Zeal
                 of
                 Religion
                 that
                 appeared
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 eleventh
                 year
                 of
                 his
                 Age
                 ,
                 about
                 which
                 time
                 he
                 was
                 noted
                 to
                 be
                 very
                 diligent
                 in
                 private
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 fixed
                 in
                 that
                 Duty
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 disturbed
                 ,
                 or
                 moved
                 by
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 any
                 Person
                 accidentally
                 into
                 the
                 places
                 of
                 his
                 Retirement
                 .
                 This
                 and
                 other
                 Fruits
                 of
                 a
                 Serious
                 and
                 Gracious
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 common
                 observation
                 of
                 the
                 Family
                 .
                 From
                 this
                 time
                 forward
                 ,
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 his
                 Youth
                 ,
                 was
                 an
                 even-spun
                 thred
                 of
                 Godly
                 Conversation
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 rendered
                 more
                 amiable
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 sweet
                 and
                 pleasant
                 deportment
                 towards
                 all
                 he
                 conversed
                 with
                 .
                 While
                 he
                 thus
                 openly
                 began
                 to
                 run
                 his
                 Christian
                 Race
                 ,
                 his
                 Brother
                 Mr.
                 
                   Edward
                   Allein
                
                 ,
                 a
                 worthy
                 Minister
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 departed
                 this
                 Life
                 :
                 Whereupon
                 he
                 earnestly
                 desired
                 to
                 be
                 brought
                 up
                 in
                 Preparation
                 ,
                 to
                 succeed
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Work
                 of
                 the
                 Ministry
                 .
                 Which
                 good
                 Motion
                 ,
                 his
                 Father
                 gladly
                 hearkned
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 speedily
                 prepared
                 to
                 putit
                 in
                 Execution
                 .
                 Such
                 was
                 his
                 great
                 diligence
                 at
                 School
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 redeemed
                 for
                 his
                 Book
                 ,
                 the
                 time
                 allotted
                 for
                 Recreation
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 space
                 of
                 about
                 four
                 years
                 ,
                 he
                 attained
                 to
                 very
                 good
                 knowledge
                 in
                 the
                 Latin
                 and
                 Greek
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 by
                 his
                 School-Master
                 ,
                 adjudged
                 fit
                 for
                 University-Studies
                 .
                 After
                 which
                 ,
                 he
                 abode
                 some
                 time
                 with
                 his
                 Father
                 in
                 the
                 Country
                 ,
                 where
                 a
                 worthy
                 Minister
                 
                 of
                 the
                 Place
                 read
                 Logick
                 to
                 him
                 :
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 about
                 sixteen
                 years
                 Old
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 placed
                 in
                 Lincoln
                 Colledge
                 in
                 Oxford
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 long
                 in
                 the
                 University
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 Wiltshire
                 Place
                 becoming
                 void
                 in
                 
                   Corpus
                   Christi
                
                 Colledge
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 chosen
                 SCHOLAR
                 of
                 that
                 House
                 :
                 The
                 Pregnancy
                 of
                 his
                 Parts
                 ,
                 assuring
                 all
                 that
                 his
                 own
                 MERITS
                 were
                 the
                 SOLE
                 FRIENDS
                 ,
                 the
                 ONLY
                 MANDAMUS
                 which
                 brought
                 him
                 in
                 .
              
               
                 Being
                 entered
                 and
                 setled
                 ,
                 he
                 gave
                 both
                 early
                 and
                 constant
                 Proofs
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 indefatigable
                 Industry
                 ;
                 Signalizing
                 thereby
                 his
                 love
                 to
                 Learning
                 ,
                 and
                 evidently
                 Demonstrating
                 how
                 much
                 he
                 abhorr'd
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 a
                 Drone
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 Hive
                 .
                 He
                 esteemed
                 a
                 Colledge
                 an
                 otherguess
                 place
                 than
                 a
                 VICTUALING
                 HOUSE
                 ,
                 and
                 coming
                 into
                 this
                 with
                 a
                 Nobler
                 design
                 ,
                 than
                 onely
                 to
                 TAKE
                 COMMONS
                 :
                 He
                 thought
                 himself
                 happy
                 in
                 nothing
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 advantage
                 he
                 had
                 gain'd
                 for
                 the
                 best
                 Aquists
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 have
                 known
                 too
                 many
                 ,
                 who
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 Places
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 got
                 by
                 their
                 Parts
                 ,
                 have
                 lost
                 the
                 Parts
                 which
                 got
                 them
                 their
                 Places
                 ;
                 and
                 peradventure
                 had
                 been
                 excellent
                 excellent
                 Scholars
                 ,
                 had
                 they
                 never
                 had
                 those
                 Incouragements
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 unhappily
                 won
                 from
                 their
                 Competitors
                 .
                 For
                 Idleness
                 enervates
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 those
                 Loggs
                 that
                 might
                 have
                 been
                 Mercuries
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 Person
                 was
                 none
                 of
                 those
                 .
                 He
                 quitting
                 himself
                 so
                 well
                 at
                 the
                 Election
                 ,
                 was
                 but
                 a
                 Pledge
                 and
                 Earnest
                 of
                 his
                 doing
                 better
                 afterwards
                 .
                 He
                 made
                 it
                 appear
                 to
                 all
                 observing
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 he
                 stood
                 ,
                 he
                 stood
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 for
                 a
                 Place
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 Accomplishments
                 by
                 his
                 future
                 studiousness
                 attainable
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 demeaning
                 himself
                 like
                 one
                 ,
                 who
                 even
                 in
                 the
                 dayes
                 of
                 his
                 Vanity
                 ,
                 well
                 understood
                 how
                 prophane
                 a
                 thing
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 live
                 in
                 a
                 School
                 of
                 Learning
                 ,
                 no
                 otherwise
                 than
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 a
                 Sanctuary
                 for
                 Lasiness
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Place
                 priviledg'd
                 with
                 nothing
                 else
                 but
                 Leave
                 and
                 Opportunity
                 to
                 eat
                 the
                 Founders
                 Bread
                 ,
                 with
                 no
                 other
                 sweat
                 of
                 the
                 Brow
                 ,
                 than
                 what
                 's
                 provok'd
                 in
                 a
                 Ball
                 Court.
                 
              
               
                 Never
                 had
                 Learning
                 a
                 truer
                 Drudge
                 since
                 she
                 kept
                 House
                 in
                 Oxford
                 .
                 At
                 her
                 Work
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 both
                 day
                 and
                 night
                 ,
                 thinking
                 all
                 time
                 too
                 little
                 ,
                 no
                 pains
                 too
                 much
                 that
                 he
                 spent
                 in
                 her
                 Service
                 :
                 When
                 but
                 a
                 School-Boy
                 (
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 heard
                 )
                 he
                 was
                 
                 observed
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 studious
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 known
                 as
                 much
                 by
                 this
                 Periphrasis
                 [
                 
                   The
                   Lad
                   that
                   will
                   not
                   play
                
                 ]
                 as
                 by
                 his
                 name
                 :
                 And
                 sure
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 when
                 in
                 the
                 University
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 so
                 generously
                 and
                 ingeniously
                 bookish
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 deserved
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 ,
                 The
                 Scholar
                 ,
                 who
                 by
                 his
                 good
                 will
                 would
                 do
                 nothing
                 else
                 but
                 Pray
                 and
                 Study
                 .
              
               
                 Courteous
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 very
                 civil
                 to
                 all
                 Acquaintance
                 :
                 But
                 if
                 they
                 came
                 to
                 visit
                 him
                 at
                 Studying
                 times
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 were
                 sure
                 enough
                 to
                 find
                 him
                 within
                 ,
                 yet
                 withal
                 so
                 busie
                 generally
                 with
                 better
                 Company
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 have
                 no
                 leisure
                 to
                 let
                 them
                 in
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 at
                 this
                 they
                 were
                 moved
                 ,
                 and
                 murmured
                 ,
                 and
                 went
                 away
                 offended
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 cared
                 not
                 .
                 That
                 notable
                 Principle
                 of
                 
                   Joachimus
                   Fortius
                
                 ,
                 which
                 shut
                 him
                 up
                 ,
                 bearing
                 him
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 being
                 his
                 relief
                 in
                 all
                 such
                 Cases
                 ,
                 
                   Viz.
                   Better
                   it
                   is
                   that
                   they
                   should
                   wonder
                   at
                   thy
                   rudeness
                   ,
                   than
                   thou
                   shouldest
                   lose
                   thy
                   time
                   ;
                   for
                   only
                   one
                   or
                   two
                   will
                   take
                   notice
                   of
                   that
                   ,
                   but
                   all
                   Posterity
                   would
                   be
                   sensible
                   of
                   this
                   .
                
              
               
                 His
                 Appetite
                 to
                 his
                 Business
                 being
                 that
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 Allarms
                 in
                 their
                 Chambers
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 to
                 others
                 ;
                 seldom
                 it
                 was
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 Bed
                 after
                 four
                 in
                 the
                 Morning
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 had
                 stayed
                 up
                 on
                 the
                 same
                 occasion
                 on
                 which
                 he
                 then
                 rose
                 ,
                 till
                 almost
                 One
                 over-night
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 though
                 whilst
                 Junior
                 Scholar
                 ,
                 he
                 obtained
                 many
                 weekly
                 SLEEPING
                 DAYS
                 for
                 others
                 ,
                 yet
                 in
                 many
                 years
                 he
                 could
                 hardly
                 vouchsafe
                 himself
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 one
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 as
                 thus
                 he
                 begrudg'd
                 himself
                 his
                 Rest
                 ,
                 so
                 thus
                 also
                 his
                 very
                 Food
                 :
                 It
                 being
                 as
                 familiar
                 with
                 him
                 to
                 give
                 away
                 his
                 Commons
                 (
                 at
                 least
                 )
                 once
                 ,
                 as
                 with
                 any
                 others
                 to
                 eat
                 theirs
                 twice
                 a
                 day
                 .
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 who
                 was
                 never
                 satisfied
                 how
                 many
                 Volumns
                 soever
                 he
                 devoured
                 ,
                 had
                 looked
                 upon
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 gluttony
                 ,
                 to
                 eat
                 that
                 Meal
                 ,
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 eating
                 which
                 might
                 without
                 prejudice
                 to
                 Health
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 better
                 spent
                 upon
                 a
                 Book
                 .
                 Porphyries
                 Wish
                 ,
                 viz.
                 That
                 he
                 were
                 able
                 to
                 live
                 without
                 eating
                 ,
                 and
                 drinking
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 wholly
                 taken
                 up
                 about
                 nobler
                 things
                 ,
                 Is
                 sure
                 the
                 with
                 of
                 thousands
                 in
                 the
                 Leardned
                 World.
                 Certain
                 I
                 am
                 it
                 was
                 his
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 if
                 Piety
                 would
                 have
                 suffered
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 such
                 dears
                 Friends
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 fallen
                 out
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 tying
                 his
                 Soul
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 Body
                 ,
                 as
                 could
                 not
                 subsist
                 without
                 (
                 what
                 he
                 would
                 often
                 call
                 no
                 better
                 than
                 time-consuming
                 things
                 )
                 Meat
                 ,
                 and
                 Drink
                 ,
                 &
                 Sleep
                 .
              
               
               
                 That
                 this
                 his
                 laborious
                 Studiousness
                 ,
                 was
                 as
                 delightful
                 and
                 pleasant
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 highest
                 Voluptuousness
                 can
                 be
                 to
                 the
                 most
                 sensual
                 Sot
                 ;
                 I
                 conclude
                 not
                 onely
                 from
                 the
                 constancy
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 from
                 his
                 charging
                 Matrimony
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 afterwards
                 he
                 became
                 a
                 Subject
                 ,
                 with
                 no
                 greater
                 tyranny
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 necessity
                 which
                 it
                 laid
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 of
                 being
                 kinder
                 sometimes
                 unto
                 himself
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 was
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 Oxford
                 .
                 For
                 being
                 Married
                 ,
                 an
                 intimate
                 Friend
                 of
                 his
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Colledge
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 thoughts
                 of
                 changing
                 his
                 Condition
                 ,
                 wrote
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 (
                 in
                 a
                 〈◊〉
                 manner
                 )
                 desired
                 of
                 him
                 an
                 Account
                 of
                 the
                 Inconveniences
                 of
                 Marriage
                 ;
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 returned
                 this
                 pleasant
                 (
                 but
                 very
                 significant
                 )
                 Answer
                 .
                 Thou
                 wouldest
                 know
                 the
                 Inconveniences
                 of
                 a
                 Wife
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 tell
                 thee
                 ;
                 First
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 whereas
                 thou
                 risest
                 constantly
                 at
                 four
                 in
                 the
                 Morning
                 ,
                 or
                 before
                 ,
                 she
                 will
                 keep
                 thee
                 till
                 about
                 six
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Whereas
                 thou
                 usest
                 to
                 study
                 fourteen
                 Hours
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 ,
                 she
                 will
                 bring
                 thee
                 to
                 eight
                 or
                 nine
                 .
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 Whereas
                 thou
                 art
                 wont
                 to
                 forbear
                 one
                 Meal
                 a
                 day
                 at
                 least
                 for
                 thy
                 Studies
                 ,
                 she
                 will
                 bring
                 thee
                 to
                 thy
                 Meat
                 :
                 If
                 these
                 be
                 not
                 Mischiefs
                 enough
                 to
                 afright
                 thee
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 what
                 thou
                 art
                 .
              
               
                 Through
                 his
                 Industry
                 (
                 with
                 God's
                 Blessing
                 on
                 it
                 )
                 he
                 exceedingly
                 prospered
                 in
                 his
                 Studies
                 ,
                 and
                 quickly
                 appeared
                 a
                 notable
                 Proficient
                 .
                 He
                 would
                 often
                 say
                 ,
                 he
                 chiefly
                 affected
                 rational
                 Learning
                 ,
                 valuing
                 Skill
                 in
                 Languages
                 ,
                 onely
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 things
                 most
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 of
                 all
                 most
                 likely
                 to
                 improve
                 his
                 Judgment
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 his
                 words
                 was
                 sufficiently
                 evident
                 :
                 For
                 all
                 that
                 knew
                 him
                 ,
                 knew
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 good
                 a
                 Linguist
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 smart
                 a
                 Disputant
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 excellent
                 Philosopher
                 .
                 When
                 he
                 performed
                 any
                 Academical
                 Exercises
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 the
                 Hall
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 the
                 Schools
                 ;
                 he
                 seldom
                 or
                 never
                 came
                 off
                 without
                 the
                 Applause
                 ,
                 or
                 (
                 at
                 least
                 )
                 Approbation
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 envious
                 ;
                 who
                 also
                 themselves
                 ,
                 even
                 by
                 their
                 very
                 Detractions
                 ,
                 in
                 spight
                 of
                 their
                 Teeth
                 ,
                 commended
                 him
                 ;
                 there
                 being
                 to
                 the
                 Ingenuous
                 ,
                 no
                 surer
                 sign
                 almost
                 of
                 his
                 having
                 acquitted
                 himself
                 well
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 endure
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 said
                 so
                 .
              
               
                 Certain
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 his
                 pregnant
                 Parts
                 ,
                 and
                 early
                 Accomplishments
                 ,
                 were
                 so
                 much
                 taken
                 notice
                 of
                 in
                 the
                 Colledge
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 soon
                 almost
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 but
                 Batchellor
                 of
                 Arts
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 even
                 compelled
                 to
                 Commence
                 a
                 Tutor
                 ;
                 and
                 presently
                 intrusted
                 (
                 to
                 
                 speak
                 within
                 compass
                 )
                 with
                 as
                 great
                 a
                 number
                 of
                 Pupils
                 as
                 any
                 in
                 the
                 House
                 .
                 Some
                 of
                 his
                 Scholars
                 are
                 now
                 Graduates
                 in
                 Divinity
                 ,
                 and
                 singular
                 Ornaments
                 of
                 that
                 flourishing
                 Society
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 Mr.
                 
                   John
                   Rosewel
                
                 ,
                 B.
                 D.
                 Mr.
                 
                   Nicholas
                   Horseman
                
                 ,
                 B.
                 D.
                 &c.
                 )
                 others
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 left
                 the
                 University
                 ,
                 have
                 not
                 gone
                 without
                 considerable
                 preferments
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 Mr.
                 
                   John
                   Peachil
                
                 ,
                 lately
                 Lecturer
                 at
                 St.
                 
                   Clements
                   Danes
                
                 ,
                 without
                 Temple-Bar
                 ;
                 Mr.
                 
                   Christopher
                   Coward
                
                 ,
                 Prebendary
                 of
                 Wells
                 ,
                 &c.
                 )
                 And
                 I
                 make
                 no
                 question
                 but
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 (
                 which
                 are
                 yet
                 alive
                 )
                 honour
                 his
                 memory
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 express
                 the
                 grateful
                 sense
                 which
                 they
                 retain
                 of
                 the
                 advantage
                 they
                 received
                 from
                 his
                 prudent
                 instructions
                 and
                 pious
                 Examples
                 .
              
               
                 'T
                 is
                 true
                 indeed
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 advancement
                 proportionable
                 to
                 his
                 Merits
                 whilst
                 he
                 staid
                 amongst
                 us
                 :
                 But
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 any
                 thing
                 to
                 be
                 blam'd
                 for
                 that
                 ,
                 't
                 was
                 nothing
                 else
                 but
                 his
                 own
                 Self-denyal
                 .
                 For
                 a
                 Chaplains
                 place
                 becoming
                 void
                 ,
                 he
                 chose
                 that
                 before
                 a
                 Fellowship
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 knew
                 well
                 enough
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 little
                 time
                 ,
                 would
                 of
                 course
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 right
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 certainly
                 his
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 choice
                 having
                 been
                 made
                 by
                 him
                 at
                 first
                 deliberately
                 ,
                 he
                 never
                 after
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 repented
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 often
                 reflected
                 on
                 with
                 a
                 great
                 deal
                 of
                 content
                 and
                 comfort
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 had
                 alwayes
                 such
                 an
                 huge
                 affection
                 for
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 and
                 his
                 Friend
                 could
                 hardly
                 ever
                 walk
                 and
                 discourse
                 together
                 ,
                 but
                 before
                 they
                 parted
                 (
                 at
                 his
                 desire
                 )
                 they
                 must
                 also
                 go
                 and
                 Pray
                 together
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 a
                 pleasure
                 then
                 may
                 we
                 think
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 twice
                 a
                 day
                 to
                 engage
                 a
                 whole
                 Society
                 ,
                 in
                 so
                 dear
                 an
                 Exercise
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   pray
                
                 !
                 Frequently
                 indeed
                 have
                 I
                 heard
                 him
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   prized
                   the
                   Imployment
                   above
                   that
                   ,
                
                 which
                 generally
                 we
                 reckoned
                 much
                 better
                 Preferment
                 ,
                 and
                 look'd
                 upon
                 it
                 as
                 his
                 honour
                 and
                 happiness
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 't
                 was
                 well
                 with
                 us
                 that
                 so
                 he
                 did
                 ,
                 it
                 being
                 hardly
                 possible
                 that
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 the
                 place
                 should
                 have
                 been
                 by
                 any
                 discharged
                 better
                 than
                 it
                 was
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 We
                 were
                 not
                 used
                 to
                 a
                 great
                 deal
                 of
                 Noise
                 ,
                 vain
                 Tautologies
                 ,
                 crude
                 Effusions
                 ,
                 untelligible
                 Sense
                 ,
                 or
                 mysterious
                 Non-sence
                 ,
                 instead
                 of
                 Prayer
                 .
                 His
                 Spirit
                 was
                 serious
                 ,
                 his
                 Gesture
                 reverent
                 ,
                 his
                 Words
                 few
                 ,
                 but
                 premeditated
                 and
                 well
                 weighed
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 solid
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 full
                 expressive
                 of
                 his
                 as
                 truly
                 humble
                 as
                 earnest
                 desire
                 .
                 He
                 loathed
                 the
                 sawciness
                 ,
                 which
                 went
                 by
                 the
                 
                 name
                 of
                 
                   Holy
                   Boldness
                
                 ,
                 and
                 drew
                 near
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 not
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 going
                 to
                 play
                 with
                 his
                 Mate
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 became
                 a
                 Creature
                 overaw'd
                 with
                 the
                 Majesty
                 of
                 his
                 great
                 Creator
                 .
                 He
                 prayed
                 with
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Understanding
                 also
                 ;
                 confessed
                 Sin
                 with
                 real
                 Grief
                 ,
                 inward
                 Hatred
                 ,
                 and
                 Detestation
                 ;
                 and
                 beg'd
                 the
                 Mercies
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 beg
                 ,
                 like
                 one
                 that
                 felt
                 the
                 want
                 and
                 worth
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 beg'd
                 ,
                 with
                 Faith
                 and
                 Fervency
                 ,
                 and
                 true
                 Importunity
                 ;
                 his
                 Affections
                 working
                 ,
                 but
                 working
                 rationally
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 strongly
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 (
                 as
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 it
                 prevailed
                 above
                 )
                 so
                 it
                 had
                 on
                 us
                 the
                 more
                 powerful
                 influence
                 ,
                 because
                 we
                 found
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 no
                 meer
                 Religious
                 Fit
                 ,
                 but
                 exactly
                 agreeable
                 to
                 the
                 habitual
                 frame
                 and
                 disposition
                 of
                 the
                 Man.
                 'T
                 is
                 a
                 shrewd
                 reflection
                 which
                 Suidas
                 makes
                 on
                 the
                 Philosopher
                 Sallust
                 ,
                 (
                 how
                 truly
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 neither
                 civil
                 nor
                 just
                 to
                 some
                 )
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 .
                 Sallust's
                 carriage
                 was
                 strange
                 to
                 all
                 men
                 ;
                 For
                 though
                 when
                 he
                 read
                 his
                 Philosophy
                 Lectures
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 it
                 gravely
                 and
                 very
                 solemnly
                 ;
                 yet
                 at
                 other
                 times
                 he
                 plaid
                 the
                 Child
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 most
                 ridiculously
                 .
                 And
                 there
                 are
                 too
                 many
                 ,
                 both
                 Chaplains
                 and
                 Preachers
                 ,
                 who
                 justly
                 merit
                 as
                 bad
                 a
                 Censure
                 :
                 Whilst
                 Praying
                 and
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 they
                 appear
                 demure
                 ,
                 and
                 mighty
                 devout
                 ;
                 yet
                 take
                 them
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 Desks
                 ,
                 and
                 Pulpits
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 as
                 light
                 ,
                 as
                 vain
                 ,
                 and
                 frothy
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 extreamly
                 dissolute
                 as
                 any
                 others
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 so
                 with
                 this
                 Person
                 :
                 For
                 he
                 was
                 alwayes
                 composed
                 and
                 serious
                 ,
                 grave
                 and
                 reverend
                 ,
                 above
                 his
                 Age.
                 He
                 set
                 God
                 alwayes
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 where-ever
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 laboured
                 to
                 live
                 as
                 in
                 his
                 Presence
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 his
                 solemn
                 business
                 to
                 be
                 Religious
                 ,
                 his
                 great
                 endeavour
                 to
                 walk
                 by
                 Rule
                 ;
                 his
                 main
                 design
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 wayes
                 ,
                 to
                 approve
                 himself
                 unto
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 which
                 saw
                 in
                 secret
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 daily
                 exercise
                 to
                 keep
                 a
                 Conscience
                 void
                 of
                 offence
                 ,
                 both
                 towards
                 God
                 and
                 towards
                 man.
                 
              
               
                 As
                 for
                 the
                 pleasures
                 and
                 delights
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 he
                 highly
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 abhorred
                 them
                 ;
                 was
                 so
                 above
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 〈◊〉
                 them
                 :
                 
                   Quam
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   carere
                
                 !
                 How
                 〈◊〉
                 was
                 it
                 to
                 him
                 (
                 as
                 said
                 once
                 St.
                 Austine
                 )
                 to
                 want
                 those
                 〈◊〉
                 !
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 lawful
                 delights
                 and
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 although
                 he
                 did
                 〈◊〉
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 and
                 then
                 solace
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 entertain
                 himself
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 yet
                 how
                 little
                 was
                 his
                 heart
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 was
                 he
                 (
                 generally
                 )
                 taken
                 with
                 them
                 !
                 He
                 was
                 as
                 formal
                 in
                 using
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 some
                 Christians
                 are
                 in
                 God's
                 Service
                 ;
                 as
                 they
                 sometimes
                 do
                 pray
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 indeed
                 they
                 prayed
                 not
                 ;
                 and
                 hear
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 heard
                 not
                 ;
                 so
                 he
                 rejoyced
                 in
                 such
                 things
                 as
                 these
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 indeed
                 he
                 rejoyced
                 not
                 .
                 He
                 looked
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 compared
                 with
                 others
                 ,
                 as
                 upon
                 his
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 compared
                 with
                 Christ's
                 ,
                 as
                 very
                 vanity
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 dross
                 and
                 dung
                 .
                 His
                 conversation
                 being
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 his
                 sweetest
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 prised
                 Refreshments
                 ,
                 were
                 Divine
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 .
                 His
                 Soul
                 took
                 often
                 a
                 delightful
                 prospect
                 of
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 viewing
                 the
                 Regions
                 of
                 Bliss
                 and
                 Glory
                 ,
                 looking
                 wishly
                 at
                 (
                 her
                 Fathers
                 Seat
                 )
                 the
                 Mount
                 of
                 Joy
                 ,
                 aspiriring
                 after
                 a
                 nobler
                 Mansion
                 ,
                 and
                 hugging
                 her self
                 in
                 a
                 comfortable
                 perswasion
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 long
                 ere
                 she
                 should
                 be
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 hereupon
                 as
                 he
                 little
                 minded
                 any
                 Earthly
                 glory
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 little
                 minded
                 or
                 cared
                 for
                 the
                 poor
                 and
                 empty
                 delights
                 of
                 sense
                 .
              
               
                 However
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 morosly
                 pious
                 ,
                 nor
                 did
                 his
                 Affection
                 to
                 God
                 and
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 things
                 Above
                 ,
                 make
                 him
                 either
                 a
                 Timon
                 or
                 a
                 Cynic
                 ;
                 (
                 It
                 had
                 not
                 then
                 been
                 so
                 true
                 and
                 genuine
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 so
                 right
                 a
                 kind
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 )
                 Homilitical
                 Virtue
                 he
                 as
                 much
                 excelled
                 in
                 as
                 any
                 other
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 decried
                 Morality
                 found
                 ever
                 with
                 him
                 very
                 great
                 respect
                 ,
                 being
                 recogniz'd
                 as
                 an
                 integral
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 Religion
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 of
                 as
                 sweet
                 a
                 disposition
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 as
                 highly
                 civil
                 a
                 conversation
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 (
                 subject
                 to
                 the
                 common
                 frailties
                 of
                 humane
                 nature
                 )
                 almost
                 could
                 be
                 .
                 He
                 had
                 scarce
                 a
                 gesture
                 which
                 did
                 not
                 seem
                 to
                 speak
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 a
                 powerful
                 and
                 charming
                 Rhetcrick
                 ,
                 affect
                 all
                 whom
                 he
                 conversed
                 with
                 .
                 Were
                 it
                 not
                 that
                 so
                 many
                 other
                 moral
                 Perfections
                 and
                 Excellencies
                 besides
                 that
                 ,
                 it
                 might
                 as
                 truly
                 be
                 said
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Historian
                 ,
                 was
                 of
                 the
                 Emperour
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 his
                 clemency
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 was
                 
                   Totus
                   ex
                   comitate
                
                 ,
                 made
                 up
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 of
                 nothing
                 else
                 but
                 Courtesie
                 and
                 Affability
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 a
                 Friend
                 ,
                 I
                 think
                 I
                 may
                 safely
                 say
                 ,
                 He
                 was
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 truest
                 that
                 ever
                 Person
                 had
                 interest
                 in
                 ;
                 and
                 withal
                 ,
                 as
                 pleasant
                 as
                 a
                 serious
                 Christian
                 could
                 well
                 wish
                 .
                 He
                 loved
                 not
                 rashly
                 ,
                 but
                 where
                 he
                 loved
                 ,
                 he
                 loved
                 intirely
                 ;
                 and
                 who
                 ever
                 came
                 to
                 be
                 entertained
                 in
                 his
                 Affections
                 ,
                 were
                 sure
                 to
                 find
                 a
                 warm
                 Lodging
                 :
                 There
                 was
                 no
                 more
                 but
                 only
                 one
                 thing
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 he
                 thought
                 too
                 much
                 for
                 any
                 ,
                 for
                 whom
                 he
                 thought
                 not
                 his
                 Love
                 too
                 good
                 .
                 He
                 could
                 not
                 sin
                 (
                 knowingly
                 ,
                 and
                 willingly
                 )
                 for
                 any
                 Friend
                 he
                 had
                 on
                 Earth
                 .
                 When
                 Lelius
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 the
                 Romane
                 Consuls
                 ,
                 (
                 who
                 after
                 thecondemnation
                 of
                 
                   Tiberius
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 pursued
                 all
                 that
                 had
                 been
                 formerly
                 intimate
                 with
                 him
                 )
                 came
                 to
                 enquire
                 of
                 
                   Caius
                   Blosius
                
                 ,
                 his
                 chiefest
                 Friend
                 ,
                 what
                 he
                 was
                 willing
                 to
                 have
                 done
                 for
                 〈◊〉
                 :
                 He
                 answered
                 ,
                 
                   All
                   things
                
                 :
                 What
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 replied
                 Lelius
                 ?
                 Suppose
                 he
                 had
                 willed
                 you
                 to
                 burn
                 our
                 Temples
                 ,
                 would
                 you
                 have
                 done
                 it
                 at
                 his
                 request
                 ?
                 I
                 know
                 ,
                 said
                 Blosius
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 never
                 command
                 it
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 ,
                 I
                 had
                 obeyed
                 him
                 .
                 I
                 confess
                 this
                 Friend
                 did
                 never
                 dare
                 to
                 be
                 such
                 a
                 Friend
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 thing
                 like
                 him
                 :
                 But
                 
                   Usque
                   ad
                   Aras
                
                 ,
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 lawfully
                 and
                 conscientiously
                 he
                 might
                 do
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 he
                 stuck
                 at
                 nothing
                 wherein
                 he
                 might
                 serve
                 ,
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 or
                 gratifie
                 them
                 he
                 lov'd
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 yet
                 his
                 love
                 was
                 not
                 ingrossed
                 by
                 his
                 Friends
                 onely
                 ;
                 for
                 whilst
                 to
                 them
                 he
                 shewed
                 himself
                 friendly
                 ,
                 good
                 nature
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 obliged
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 kind
                 to
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 (
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 ability
                 )
                 to
                 the
                 Poor
                 bountiful
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 too
                 frugal
                 to
                 throw
                 away
                 his
                 Charity
                 ,
                 yet
                 not
                 so
                 covetous
                 as
                 to
                 with-hold
                 it
                 when
                 he
                 met
                 with
                 Objects
                 to
                 whom
                 't
                 was
                 due
                 .
                 He
                 did
                 not
                 think
                 the
                 little
                 he
                 had
                 so
                 much
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 his
                 necessitous
                 Brethren
                 might
                 not
                 claim
                 a
                 part
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 gave
                 them
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 paying
                 Debts
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 bestowing
                 Alms.
                 But
                 of
                 all
                 most
                 admirable
                 was
                 his
                 affection
                 to
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 desire
                 to
                 do
                 good
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 indeed
                 was
                 most
                 conspicuous
                 ,
                 and
                 seemed
                 to
                 shew
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   
                     Velut
                     inter
                     Ignes
                  
                   
                     Luna
                     minores
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Much
                 like
                 the
                 Moon
                 appearing
                 bigger
                 ,
                 and
                 shining
                 brighter
                 than
                 the
                 other
                 Stars
                 .
                 The
                 sage
                 Pythagoras
                 ,
                 I
                 remember
                 ,
                 gave
                 this
                 very
                 mystical
                 ,
                 but
                 wise
                 advice
                 unto
                 his
                 Scholars
                 ,
                 (
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 )
                 
                   By
                   no
                   means
                   to
                   eat
                   their
                   own
                   Brains
                
                 ;
                 intending
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 't
                 is
                 conceived
                 )
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 not
                 keep
                 their
                 Reason
                 (
                 of
                 which
                 the
                 Brains
                 is
                 an
                 immediate
                 Instrument
                 )
                 unto
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 still
                 employ
                 it
                 for
                 the
                 
                 advantage
                 of
                 others
                 .
                 And
                 sure
                 this
                 Person
                 did
                 forbear
                 to
                 eat
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 his
                 abstinence
                 ,
                 fed
                 many
                 others
                 with
                 his
                 Brains
                 ,
                 
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 his
                 inlightned
                 ,
                 improved
                 Reason
                 .
                 Some
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 to
                 my
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 who
                 at
                 this
                 day
                 do
                 verily
                 think
                 ,
                 they
                 should
                 never
                 have
                 found
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 live
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 liv'd
                 unto
                 himself
                 .
                 Eminent
                 was
                 his
                 charity
                 to
                 the
                 poor
                 Prisoners
                 in
                 Oxford
                 ,
                 Goal
                 ;
                 among
                 whom
                 first
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 reverend
                 Mr.
                 Perkins
                 did
                 at
                 Cambridge
                 )
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 〈◊〉
                 he
                 began
                 to
                 Preach
                 ,
                 and
                 held
                 on
                 constantly
                 (
                 〈◊〉
                 he
                 remained
                 in
                 Town
                 )
                 once
                 a
                 fortnight
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 year
                 and
                 upwards
                 ,
                 encouraging
                 them
                 to
                 give
                 attendance
                 on
                 his
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 considerable
                 allowance
                 of
                 Bread
                 (
                 that
                 week
                 he
                 preached
                 )
                 at
                 his
                 proper
                 cost
                 and
                 charges
                 .
                 Frequent
                 visits
                 also
                 was
                 he
                 us'd
                 to
                 make
                 at
                 other
                 times
                 ,
                 to
                 other
                 persons
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 that
                 were
                 but
                 mean
                 and
                 low
                 ;
                 his
                 main
                 design
                 (
                 together
                 with
                 the
                 relieving
                 of
                 their
                 temporal
                 wants
                 )
                 being
                 to
                 assist
                 their
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 help
                 them
                 forward
                 in
                 their
                 way
                 to
                 Heaven
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 Converses
                 ,
                 where-ever
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 like
                 Fire
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 〈◊〉
                 was
                 used
                 to
                 say
                 of
                 〈◊〉
                 )
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ;
                 Warming
                 ,
                 Refreshing
                 ,
                 Quickning
                 all
                 that
                 were
                 about
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 kindling
                 in
                 them
                 the
                 like
                 zeal
                 for
                 God
                 and
                 goodness
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 in
                 himself
                 .
                 Whoever
                 they
                 were
                 that
                 came
                 to
                 visit
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 be
                 〈◊〉
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 their
                 own
                 fault
                 if
                 they
                 got
                 not
                 by
                 him
                 so
                 much
                 good
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 for
                 ever
                 the
                 better
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 hardly
                 possible
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 his
                 company
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 hear
                 such
                 things
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 ,
                 if
                 well
                 weighed
                 ,
                 might
                 have
                 been
                 enough
                 to
                 make
                 one
                 out
                 of
                 conceit
                 with
                 Sin
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 Vertue
                 ,
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 one
                 lived
                 .
                 Though
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 say
                 (
                 as
                 Titus
                 once
                 )
                 yet
                 by
                 his
                 actions
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 judge
                 he
                 thought
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 even
                 quite
                 lost
                 a
                 day
                 ,
                 when
                 none
                 had
                 gained
                 somewhat
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 lived
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 quickned
                 with
                 that
                 saying
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 somewhere
                 met
                 with
                 in
                 Tertullian
                 )
                 
                   Quid
                   prodest
                   esse
                   ,
                   quod
                   esse
                   non
                   prodest
                   ?
                
                 To
                 what
                 purpose
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 live
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 live
                 to
                 some
                 good
                 purpose
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 this
                 was
                 that
                 (
                 this
                 ardent
                 love
                 to
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 men
                 )
                 that
                 quickly
                 depriv'd
                 us
                 of
                 his
                 company
                 ,
                 it
                 carried
                 him
                 down
                 into
                 the
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 where
                 ,
                 how
                 he
                 demeaned
                 and
                 carried
                 himself
                 ,
                 let
                 others
                 speak
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   III.
                
                 A
                 brief
                 Character
                 of
                 him
                 by
                 that
                 Reverend
                 Person
                 Mr.
                 
                   R.
                   A.
                
                 who
                 was
                 nearly
                 related
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 shewing
                 how
                 eminently
                 he
                 wus
                 qualified
                 for
                 the
                 Ministerial
                 Service
                 and
                 Warfare
                 ,
                 unto
                 which
                 he
                 was
                 called
                 .
              
               
                 OF
                 his
                 Extract
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 say
                 little
                 ;
                 He
                 was
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 a
                 godly
                 Father
                 ,
                 Mr.
                 
                   Tobie
                   Allein
                
                 ,
                 sometime
                 of
                 the
                 Devizes
                 ,
                 an
                 understanding
                 ,
                 affectionate
                 ,
                 prudent
                 ,
                 and
                 signally
                 humble
                 ,
                 and
                 experienced
                 Christian
                 ;
                 who
                 died
                 suddenly
                 ,
                 but
                 sweetly
                 ;
                 his
                 Son
                 surviving
                 him
                 not
                 above
                 a
                 year
                 or
                 two
                 .
                 He
                 having
                 been
                 languishing
                 for
                 some
                 time
                 ,
                 at
                 length
                 he
                 seemed
                 to
                 be
                 upon
                 eecovery
                 ,
                 and
                 went
                 about
                 his
                 House
                 ;
                 on
                 the
                 morning
                 before
                 he
                 died
                 ,
                 he
                 arose
                 about
                 four
                 ;
                 about
                 10
                 or
                 11
                 he
                 came
                 down
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 Closet
                 ,
                 and
                 called
                 for
                 something
                 to
                 eat
                 ,
                 which
                 being
                 prepared
                 ,
                 he
                 gave
                 Thanks
                 ,
                 but
                 could
                 not
                 eat
                 any
                 thing
                 :
                 His
                 Wife
                 perceiving
                 a
                 sudden
                 change
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 perswaded
                 him
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 his
                 Bed
                 ;
                 He
                 answered
                 ,
                 No
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 will
                 die
                 in
                 my
                 Chair
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 afraid
                 to
                 die
                 ;
                 He
                 sat
                 down
                 and
                 only
                 said
                 ,
                 My
                 Life
                 is
                 hid
                 with
                 Christ
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 he
                 closed
                 his
                 Eyes
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 died
                 immediately
                 .
                 No
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 :
                 Concerning
                 his
                 Son
                 I
                 shall
                 speak
                 ,
              
               
                 What
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 his
                 temper
                 and
                 behaviour
                 was
                 .
              
               
                 
                   As
                   a
                   Man.
                   
                
                 
                   As
                   a
                   Christian.
                   
                
                 
                   As
                   a
                   Minister
                   .
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   As
                   a
                   Man.
                
                 He
                 was
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Of
                 quick
                 natural
                 parts
                 ,
                 and
                 great
                 acquired
                 Abilities
                 ,
                 concerning
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 need
                 say
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 there
                 being
                 a
                 fuller
                 Account
                 given
                 by
                 another
                 Hand
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 Of
                 a
                 composed
                 grave
                 and
                 serious
                 temper
                 and
                 behaviour
                 ,
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 morose
                 ,
                 but
                 full
                 of
                 candour
                 ,
                 free
                 ,
                 affable
                 ,
                 chearful
                 ,
                 and
                 courteous
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   As
                   a
                   Christian.
                
                 He
                 was
                 for
                 exemplary
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Heavenliness
                 of
                 mind
                 and
                 life
                 ,
                 much
                 elevated
                 above
                 the
                 ordinary
                 Rank
                 .
                 He
                 lived
                 much
                 in
                 delightful
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 his
                 Soul
                 was
                 greatly
                 exercised
                 in
                 Divine
                 Contemplation
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 would
                 sometimes
                 speak
                 (
                 to
                 provoke
                 others
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 wished
                 the
                 same
                 delights
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 exercise
                 )
                 what
                 ineffable
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 sweetness
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfaction
                 his
                 Soul
                 had
                 found
                 in
                 his
                 stated
                 Meditations
                 on
                 the
                 Divine
                 Attributes
                 ,
                 distinctly
                 one
                 by
                 one
                 .
                 In
                 his
                 Discourses
                 he
                 would
                 speak
                 much
                 and
                 passionately
                 to
                 the
                 commending
                 and
                 exalting
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 inexpressible
                 dearness
                 and
                 tenderness
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Love.
                 In
                 Prayer
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 ordinarily
                 so
                 much
                 in
                 confession
                 or
                 complaining
                 of
                 Corruption
                 and
                 Infirmities
                 ,
                 (
                 though
                 he
                 expressed
                 a
                 due
                 sense
                 of
                 these
                 )
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 admiring
                 and
                 praising
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 Infinite
                 Glorious
                 Perfections
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 mention
                 of
                 his
                 wonderful
                 Works
                 ,
                 particularly
                 of
                 those
                 Wonders
                 of
                 his
                 Love
                 revealed
                 in
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 In
                 some
                 of
                 his
                 Letters
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 speaking
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 and
                 Goodness
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 (
                 of
                 the
                 sense
                 whereof
                 he
                 would
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 even
                 quite
                 swallowed
                 up
                 )
                 he
                 would
                 break
                 off
                 with
                 some
                 such
                 Expressions
                 as
                 these
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   am
                   full
                   of
                   the
                   Mercies
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ;
                   O
                   Love
                   the
                   Lord
                   for
                   me
                   ;
                   O
                   praise
                   the
                   Lord
                   for
                   my
                   sake
                   ;
                   O
                   help
                   me
                   ,
                   help
                   me
                   to
                   praise
                   the
                   Lord.
                   
                
              
               
                 His
                 whole
                 Life
                 was
                 adorned
                 and
                 beautified
                 with
                 the
                 admirable
                 lustre
                 of
                 his
                 particular
                 personal
                 Graces
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   He
                   was
                   a
                   Man
                   of
                   Love.
                
                 His
                 sweet
                 amicable
                 and
                 courteous
                 converse
                 ,
                 was
                 such
                 as
                 made
                 him
                 the
                 deliciae
                 of
                 his
                 Acquaintance
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 way
                 for
                 the
                 entertainment
                 both
                 of
                 his
                 serious
                 Counsels
                 and
                 severer
                 Reproofs
                 :
                 He
                 grew
                 dear
                 unto
                 the
                 Saints
                 that
                 knew
                 him
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 saw
                 in
                 his
                 very
                 face
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 Carriages
                 ,
                 how
                 very
                 dear
                 they
                 were
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 His
                 compassion
                 to
                 those
                 in
                 distress
                 ,
                 his
                 bounty
                 to
                 those
                 in
                 want
                 ,
                 (
                 wherein
                 he
                 abounded
                 beyond
                 his
                 ability
                 )
                 his
                 forbearance
                 in
                 case
                 of
                 offences
                 ,
                 his
                 affectionate
                 Language
                 and
                 Carriage
                 ,
                 his
                 readiness
                 to
                 all
                 obliging
                 Offices
                 of
                 Love
                 to
                 his
                 Relations
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 Friends
                 ,
                 to
                 Strangers
                 ,
                 to
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 did
                 evidently
                 declare
                 how
                 he
                 loved
                 them
                 .
                 Especially
                 his
                 Love
                 was
                 let
                 forth
                 in
                 
                 fuller
                 streams
                 upon
                 the
                 Congregation
                 where
                 he
                 exercised
                 his
                 Ministry
                 .
                 The
                 People
                 of
                 his
                 Care
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 his
                 Delight
                 .
                 His
                 ardent
                 longing
                 for
                 their
                 Souls
                 ,
                 his
                 rejoycing
                 in
                 their
                 Souls
                 —
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 his
                 bleedings
                 and
                 breakings
                 of
                 Soul
                 under
                 any
                 of
                 their
                 falls
                 or
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 his
                 uncessant
                 labours
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 both
                 publickly
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 House
                 to
                 House
                 ,
                 his
                 frequent
                 and
                 affectionate
                 Letters
                 to
                 them
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 absent
                 ;
                 his
                 earnest
                 desire
                 to
                 live
                 and
                 die
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 buried
                 amongst
                 them
                 ,
                 (
                 declaring
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   if
                   he
                   died
                   within
                   fifty
                   miles
                   of
                
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 
                   his
                   will
                   was
                   to
                   be
                   brought
                   and
                   buried
                   there
                   ,
                   that
                   his
                   Bones
                   might
                   be
                   laid
                   with
                   their
                   Bones
                   ,
                   his
                   Dust
                   mingled
                   with
                   their
                   Dust
                
                 )
                 these
                 all
                 declare
                 how
                 greatly
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 his
                 Heart
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   He
                   was
                   a
                   Man
                   of
                   Courage
                   .
                
                 1.
                 
                 He
                 feared
                 no
                 dangers
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 his
                 Duty
                 ,
                 knowing
                 that
                 
                   He
                   that
                   walks
                   uprightly
                   ,
                   walks
                   surely
                   .
                
                 In
                 cases
                 less
                 clear
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 very
                 inquisitive
                 to
                 understand
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 he
                 fixed
                 without
                 fear
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 He
                 feared
                 not
                 the
                 faces
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 but
                 where
                 occasion
                 was
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 bold
                 in
                 admonishing
                 ,
                 and
                 faithful
                 in
                 reproving
                 ;
                 which
                 ungrateful
                 Duty
                 he
                 yet
                 managed
                 with
                 such
                 prudence
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 expressions
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 compassion
                 to
                 Souls
                 ,
                 as
                 made
                 his
                 way
                 into
                 hearts
                 more
                 easie
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 work
                 more
                 succesful
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   He
                   was
                   a
                   Son
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 ;
                 Both
                 a
                 zealous
                 Peace-maker
                 among
                 differing
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 in
                 case
                 of
                 personal
                 Quarrels
                 and
                 Contentions
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 was
                 also
                 of
                 sober
                 and
                 peaceful
                 Principles
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 healing
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 Parties
                 or
                 Factions
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 Religion
                 .
                 He
                 had
                 an
                 awful
                 and
                 reverend
                 regard
                 to
                 Magistrates
                 ,
                 abhorring
                 all
                 provoking
                 and
                 insolent
                 expressions
                 ,
                 or
                 mutinous
                 and
                 tumultous
                 Actions
                 against
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   He
                   was
                   a
                   Man
                   of
                   Truth
                   and
                   Righteousness
                
                 ;
                 Both
                 as
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 personal
                 practice
                 ,
                 and
                 also
                 was
                 much
                 in
                 pressing
                 it
                 upon
                 others
                 ,
                 especially
                 professors
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 examplarily
                 just
                 in
                 their
                 dealings
                 ,
                 and
                 true
                 in
                 their
                 words
                 ;
                 to
                 be
                 wary
                 in
                 promising
                 ,
                 and
                 punctual
                 in
                 performing
                 .
                 O
                 how
                 often
                 and
                 passionately
                 have
                 I
                 heard
                 him
                 bewailing
                 the
                 Sins
                 of
                 Promise-breaking
                 and
                 deceitful
                 dealing
                 ,
                 whereof
                 such
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 known
                 to
                 be
                 guilty
                 ,
                 have
                 understood
                 both
                 by
                 Word
                 and
                 Writing
                 how
                 much
                 his
                 Soul
                 was
                 grieved
                 at
                 them
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 wrong
                 they
                 did
                 hereby
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 Souls
                 especially
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 reproach
                 
                 they
                 brought
                 upon
                 the
                 Gospel
                 of
                 our
                 Lord.
                 
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   He
                   was
                   of
                   great
                   Patience
                
                 .
                 To
                 say
                 nothing
                 of
                 his
                 behaviour
                 under
                 sufferings
                 of
                 other
                 kinds
                 ,
                 his
                 great
                 weakness
                 ,
                 and
                 long
                 languishing
                 for
                 some
                 years
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 constant
                 serenity
                 ,
                 calms
                 and
                 quietness
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 the
                 least
                 touch
                 of
                 murmuring
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 still
                 blessing
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 his
                 tender
                 dealings
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 have
                 given
                 the
                 World
                 a
                 full
                 proof
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 of
                 a
                 patient
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 
                   He
                   was
                   Eminent
                   in
                   Liberality
                
                 ;
                 He
                 not
                 only
                 did
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   devised
                   liberal
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                   by
                   liberal
                   things
                   did
                   he
                   stand
                
                 ;
                 He
                 studied
                 and
                 considered
                 how
                 he
                 might
                 both
                 give
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 procure
                 from
                 others
                 ,
                 relief
                 for
                 those
                 in
                 want
                 :
                 He
                 gave
                 much
                 Alms
                 daily
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 where
                 he
                 lived
                 ,
                 and
                 where-ever
                 he
                 came
                 .
                 When
                 there
                 were
                 Collections
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 for
                 pious
                 and
                 charitable
                 uses
                 ,
                 He
                 stirred
                 up
                 others
                 to
                 bountiful
                 giving
                 ,
                 both
                 by
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 also
                 by
                 his
                 Example
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 Collection
                 for
                 the
                 Fire
                 in
                 London
                 ,
                 He
                 gave
                 publickly
                 such
                 a
                 liberal
                 proportion
                 as
                 he
                 thought
                 meet
                 to
                 be
                 an
                 example
                 to
                 others
                 ;
                 and
                 (
                 as
                 I
                 came
                 occasionally
                 to
                 understand
                 )
                 lest
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 misjudged
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 known
                 to
                 give
                 more
                 ,
                 he
                 gave
                 more
                 than
                 as
                 much
                 again
                 secretly
                 .
                 He
                 distributed
                 much
                 amongst
                 his
                 Relations
                 .
                 His
                 Aged
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 divers
                 of
                 his
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 with
                 their
                 large
                 Families
                 ,
                 being
                 fallen
                 into
                 decay
                 ,
                 he
                 took
                 great
                 care
                 for
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 gave
                 education
                 to
                 some
                 ,
                 Pensions
                 to
                 other
                 ,
                 Portions
                 to
                 others
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 but
                 a
                 very
                 small
                 matter
                 of
                 Stock
                 to
                 begin
                 upon
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 above
                 80
                 pounds
                 
                   per
                   ann
                
                 .
                 that
                 I
                 know
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 near
                 the
                 one
                 half
                 of
                 his
                 time
                 ,
                 not
                 above
                 half
                 so
                 much
                 ;
                 only
                 by
                 the
                 industry
                 of
                 his
                 Wife
                 ,
                 who
                 for
                 divers
                 years
                 kept
                 a
                 Boarding-School
                 ,
                 his
                 income
                 was
                 for
                 that
                 time
                 considerably
                 enlarged
                 .
                 He
                 took
                 great
                 pains
                 in
                 journeyings
                 abroad
                 to
                 many
                 Gentlemen
                 ,
                 and
                 othe
                 rich
                 Men
                 in
                 the
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 to
                 procure
                 a
                 standing
                 supply
                 for
                 such
                 
                   Non-conforming
                   Ministers
                
                 as
                 were
                 in
                 want
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 
                   He
                   was
                   of
                   an
                   Active
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 He
                 went
                 about
                 doing
                 good
                 .
                 As
                 he
                 was
                 abundant
                 and
                 uncessant
                 in
                 his
                 Labours
                 in
                 the
                 Congregation
                 where
                 he
                 lived
                 ;
                 So
                 where-ever
                 he
                 came
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 scattering
                 some
                 good
                 Seed
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 among
                 the
                 Adult
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 dealing
                 much
                 with
                 the
                 Children
                 in
                 those
                 Families
                 into
                 which
                 he
                 came
                 ,
                 asking
                 them
                 Questions
                 ,
                 
                 giving
                 them
                 Counsel
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 leaving
                 them
                 his
                 Counsel
                 in
                 Writing
                 .
                 In
                 his
                 own
                 Family
                 (
                 which
                 was
                 great
                 whilst
                 his
                 Wife
                 kept
                 Boarders
                 )
                 he
                 was
                 exceedingly
                 industrious
                 ;
                 the
                 gravity
                 of
                 his
                 Carriage
                 ,
                 contempered
                 with
                 much
                 sweetness
                 and
                 affability
                 towards
                 those
                 young
                 ones
                 ,
                 begat
                 in
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 the
                 Awe
                 and
                 Love
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 Children
                 to
                 their
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 way
                 for
                 the
                 success
                 of
                 his
                 Indeavours
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 considerable
                 upon
                 divers
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 At
                 Bath
                 ,
                 while
                 he
                 lay
                 sick
                 there
                 ,
                 he
                 sent
                 for
                 many
                 of
                 the
                 Poor
                 ,
                 both
                 Old
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 gave
                 them
                 Catechisms
                 ,
                 engaging
                 them
                 to
                 learn
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 him
                 an
                 account
                 ;
                 who
                 came
                 chearfully
                 and
                 frequently
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 being
                 encouraged
                 hereto
                 by
                 his
                 Familiar
                 and
                 Winning
                 Carriage
                 ;
                 his
                 giving
                 them
                 Money
                 ,
                 his
                 Feeding
                 and
                 Feasting
                 them
                 .
                 He
                 would
                 sometimes
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   It
                   's
                   pity
                   that
                   Counsel
                   of
                   our
                   Lord
                
                 (
                 Luk.
                 14.
                 13.
                 
                 )
                 
                   of
                   Feasting
                   the
                   Poor
                   ,
                   was
                   no
                   more
                   practised
                   amongst
                   Christians
                   .
                
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 
                   He
                   was
                   of
                   an
                   humble
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 Though
                 God
                 had
                 so
                 exceedingly
                 listed
                 him
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 Hearts
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 puffed
                 up
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 :
                 He
                 was
                 low
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 despised
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 His
                 whole
                 carriage
                 was
                 without
                 the
                 least
                 ostentation
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 was
                 of
                 great
                 condescention
                 to
                 the
                 Weakest
                 or
                 Meanest
                 .
                 Once
                 or
                 twice
                 he
                 was
                 complaining
                 to
                 me
                 of
                 the
                 pride
                 of
                 his
                 Heart
                 ;
                 I
                 (
                 judging
                 it
                 to
                 proceed
                 rather
                 from
                 an
                 holy
                 jealousie
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 tenderness
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 spark
                 of
                 that
                 evil
                 ,
                 than
                 from
                 any
                 power
                 it
                 had
                 upon
                 him
                 )
                 replyed
                 to
                 him
                 (
                 as
                 I
                 remember
                 )
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 :
                 If
                 he
                 had
                 a
                 proud
                 Heart
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 it
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 for
                 none
                 else
                 could
                 perceive
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 answered
                 ,
                 
                   Some
                   men
                   that
                   are
                   proud
                   enough
                   ,
                   have
                   more
                   wit
                   than
                   to
                   let
                   every
                   one
                   know
                   it
                   .
                
                 Another
                 time
                 making
                 the
                 same
                 complaint
                 in
                 a
                 Letter
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 he
                 added
                 this
                 :
                 
                   But
                   my
                   naughty
                   heart
                   ,
                   whilst
                   I
                   am
                   writing
                   this
                   ,
                   is
                   in
                   hope
                   you
                   will
                   not
                   believe
                   me
                   .
                
                 So
                 watchful
                 was
                 he
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 espie
                 and
                 check
                 the
                 least
                 motions
                 of
                 that
                 Lust
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 so
                 much
                 abhorred
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   As
                   a
                   Minister
                
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 setled
                 in
                 
                   Taunton
                   Magdalen
                
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 Assistant
                 to
                 the
                 Reverend
                 Pastour
                 there
                 ;
                 with
                 whom
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Son
                 with
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 he
                 served
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 say
                 nothing
                 here
                 ,
                 there
                 being
                 a
                 large
                 Account
                 given
                 under
                 the
                 Hand
                 of
                 that
                 worthy
                 Person
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 besides
                 his
                 Labours
                 in
                 that
                 great
                 Congregation
                 ,
                 in
                 
                 which
                 alone
                 he
                 was
                 fixed
                 ,
                 the
                 care
                 for
                 many
                 other
                 Congregations
                 was
                 daily
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 went
                 forth
                 frequently
                 into
                 several
                 places
                 about
                 the
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 amongst
                 the
                 poor
                 ignorant
                 people
                 that
                 lived
                 in
                 dark
                 Corners
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 none
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 both
                 Preached
                 to
                 them
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 stirred
                 up
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 Brethren
                 ;
                 whose
                 forward
                 minds
                 readily
                 joyned
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 set
                 up
                 standing
                 Lectures
                 amongst
                 them
                 .
                 He
                 had
                 an
                 Eye
                 to
                 poor
                 Wales
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 an
                 influence
                 upon
                 the
                 sending
                 over
                 some
                 Ministers
                 to
                 them
                 :
                 He
                 resolved
                 also
                 to
                 have
                 gone
                 and
                 spent
                 some
                 time
                 amongst
                 them
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 all
                 the
                 disswasions
                 of
                 his
                 Friends
                 ,
                 from
                 his
                 great
                 Weakness
                 and
                 Unfitness
                 for
                 Travail
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 hardly
                 with-held
                 from
                 his
                 Purpose
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   IV.
                
                 An
                 Account
                 of
                 his
                 Godly
                 Life
                 and
                 Practice
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Course
                 of
                 his
                 Ministry
                 in
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 given
                 by
                 Mr.
                 
                   George
                   Newton
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Reverend
                 Pastor
                 there
                 ,
                 whose
                 Assistant
                 he
                 was
                 .
              
               
                 MR.
                 
                   Joseph
                   Allein
                
                 came
                 to
                 my
                 Assistance
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Year
                 1655.
                 being
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 One
                 and
                 Twentieth
                 year
                 of
                 his
                 Age
                 ;
                 and
                 we
                 continued
                 together
                 with
                 much
                 mutual
                 Satisfaction
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 soon
                 observed
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 young
                 Man
                 of
                 Singular
                 Accomplishments
                 ,
                 Natural
                 and
                 Acquired
                 .
                 His
                 Intellectuals
                 solid
                 ,
                 his
                 Memory
                 strong
                 ,
                 his
                 Affections
                 lively
                 ,
                 his
                 Learning
                 much
                 beyond
                 the
                 ordinary
                 Size
                 :
                 And
                 above
                 all
                 ,
                 his
                 Holiness
                 eminent
                 ,
                 his
                 Conversation
                 exemplary
                 ;
                 In
                 brief
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 a
                 good
                 Head
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 better
                 Heart
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 spent
                 a
                 considerable
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 time
                 in
                 private
                 converses
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 Soul
                 ;
                 he
                 delighted
                 very
                 much
                 to
                 perform
                 his
                 secret
                 Devotions
                 in
                 the
                 view
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 the
                 open
                 Air
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 could
                 find
                 advantages
                 fit
                 for
                 his
                 purpose
                 .
                 He
                 used
                 to
                 keep
                 many
                 dayes
                 alone
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 a
                 private
                 Room
                 would
                 not
                 content
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 (
                 if
                 he
                 could
                 )
                 he
                 would
                 withdraw
                 himself
                 to
                 a
                 solitary
                 House
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 no
                 inhabitant
                 in
                 it
                 :
                 And
                 herein
                 he
                 was
                 gratified
                 often
                 by
                 some
                 private
                 Friends
                 of
                 his
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 impart
                 his
                 design
                 :
                 Perhaps
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 freely
                 use
                 his
                 Voice
                 as
                 his
                 Affections
                 led
                 him
                 ,
                 without
                 such
                 prudential
                 considerations
                 and
                 restraints
                 as
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 necessary
                 in
                 another
                 place
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 converse
                 with
                 God
                 without
                 any
                 avocation
                 or
                 distraction
                 .
              
               
                 His
                 conversation
                 with
                 others
                 ,
                 was
                 alwayes
                 mingled
                 with
                 Heavenly
                 and
                 Holy
                 Discourses
                 ;
                 he
                 was
                 ready
                 to
                 Instruct
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 Exhort
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 Reprove
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 never
                 failed
                 to
                 do
                 (
                 when
                 he
                 thought
                 it
                 necessary
                 )
                 what-ever
                 the
                 event
                 might
                 be
                 :
                 But
                 he
                 performed
                 it
                 usually
                 with
                 such
                 respect
                 ,
                 humility
                 ,
                 tenderness
                 ,
                 self-condemnation
                 ,
                 and
                 compassion
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 reproof
                 from
                 him
                 did
                 seldom
                 ,
                 if
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 miscarry
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 Houses
                 where
                 he
                 Sojourned
                 ,
                 their
                 Hands
                 fed
                 one
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 Lips
                 fed
                 many
                 ;
                 God
                 freely
                 poured
                 Grace
                 into
                 his
                 Lips
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 freely
                 poured
                 it
                 out
                 .
                 None
                 could
                 live
                 quietly
                 in
                 any
                 visible
                 and
                 open
                 sin
                 ,
                 under
                 his
                 inspection
                 :
                 When
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 any
                 House
                 to
                 take
                 up
                 his
                 abode
                 there
                 ,
                 he
                 brought
                 Salvation
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 when
                 he
                 departed
                 ,
                 he
                 left
                 Salvation
                 behind
                 him
                 .
                 His
                 manner
                 was
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 ready
                 to
                 depart
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 transplant
                 himself
                 into
                 some
                 other
                 Family
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 that
                 the
                 exigence
                 of
                 his
                 condition
                 and
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 did
                 more
                 than
                 once
                 constrain
                 him
                 to
                 )
                 to
                 call
                 the
                 People
                 one
                 by
                 one
                 into
                 his
                 Chamber
                 ;
                 from
                 whence
                 it
                 was
                 observed
                 ,
                 that
                 scarce
                 any
                 one
                 returned
                 with
                 dry
                 eyes
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 matters
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 first
                 Table
                 ,
                 his
                 strictness
                 was
                 so
                 exemplary
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 was
                 near
                 to
                 rigour
                 )
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 scarce
                 known
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 years
                 keep
                 pace
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 Surely
                 he
                 did
                 more
                 than
                 others
                 ;
                 His
                 Righteousness
                 exceeded
                 not
                 the
                 Publican
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 too
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 much
                 taken
                 with
                 Monsieur
                 
                   de
                   Reuty
                
                 ,
                 (
                 whose
                 Life
                 he
                 read
                 often
                 )
                 and
                 imitated
                 some
                 of
                 his
                 Severities
                 upon
                 better
                 grounds
                 :
                 How
                 often
                 have
                 I
                 heard
                 him
                 to
                 admire
                 (
                 among
                 many
                 other
                 things
                 )
                 especially
                 his
                 self-annihilation
                 ,
                 striving
                 continually
                 to
                 be
                 Nothing
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 God
                 might
                 be
                 all
                 .
              
               
               
                 But
                 here
                 he
                 stayeth
                 not
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 second-Table-man
                 ,
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 Morals
                 ;
                 I
                 never
                 knew
                 him
                 spotted
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 degree
                 with
                 any
                 unjust
                 or
                 uncharitable
                 Act.
                 And
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 ,
                 the
                 many
                 failings
                 of
                 Professors
                 in
                 this
                 kind
                 ,
                 touched
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 very
                 quick
                 ,
                 and
                 brought
                 him
                 low
                 ;
                 drew
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 Tears
                 ,
                 Complaints
                 ,
                 and
                 Lamentations
                 ,
                 both
                 by
                 Word
                 and
                 Letter
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 though
                 yet
                 the
                 Lord
                 would
                 not
                 permit
                 him
                 to
                 behold
                 and
                 reap
                 the
                 Fruit
                 before
                 he
                 died
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 had
                 an
                 eminently
                 ,
                 free
                 ,
                 and
                 bountiful
                 heart
                 to
                 his
                 power
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 may
                 truly
                 say
                 ,
                 beyond
                 his
                 power
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 much
                 beyond
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 willing
                 of
                 himself
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 but
                 seldom
                 that
                 the
                 best
                 do
                 need
                 restraint
                 in
                 these
                 Matters
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 we
                 read
                 of
                 some
                 who
                 brought
                 more
                 than
                 enough
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 much
                 more
                 than
                 enough
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 36.
                 5.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 Proclamation
                 issued
                 out
                 ,
                 to
                 put
                 a
                 stop
                 upon
                 their
                 Bounty
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 added
                 presently
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 People
                 were
                 restrained
                 .
                 Men
                 universally
                 almost
                 do
                 need
                 a
                 Spur
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 did
                 rather
                 need
                 a
                 Bridle
                 .
                 When
                 other
                 men
                 gave
                 little
                 out
                 of
                 much
                 ,
                 he
                 gave
                 much
                 out
                 of
                 little
                 ;
                 and
                 while
                 they
                 heapt
                 and
                 gathered
                 up
                 ,
                 he
                 dispersed
                 and
                 scattered
                 abroad
                 .
                 He
                 did
                 not
                 hide
                 himself
                 from
                 his
                 own
                 flesh
                 ,
                 but
                 was
                 helpful
                 to
                 Relations
                 ,
                 as
                 some
                 of
                 them
                 have
                 great
                 reason
                 to
                 acknowledge
                 .
                 His
                 charity
                 began
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 did
                 not
                 end
                 there
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   he
                   did
                   good
                   to
                   all
                
                 ,
                 (
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 opportunities
                 )
                 though
                 
                   especially
                   to
                   the
                   Houshold
                   of
                   Faith.
                
                 He
                 considered
                 the
                 Poor
                 ,
                 he
                 studied
                 their
                 condition
                 ;
                 he
                 devised
                 liberal
                 things
                 ;
                 he
                 was
                 full
                 of
                 holy
                 Projects
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 advancement
                 of
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 both
                 Spiritual
                 and
                 Temporal
                 ;
                 which
                 he
                 pursued
                 with
                 such
                 irresistable
                 vigor
                 ,
                 and
                 zeal
                 ,
                 and
                 activity
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 seldom
                 proved
                 abortive
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 extraordinary
                 condescention
                 to
                 the
                 infirmities
                 of
                 weaker
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 that
                 are
                 most
                 holy
                 ,
                 and
                 best
                 acquainted
                 with
                 themselves
                 ,
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 :
                 
                   Instructing
                   those
                   that
                   were
                   contrary
                   minded
                   in
                   meekness
                   ;
                   If
                   God
                   peradventure
                   would
                   give
                   them
                   repentance
                   to
                   the
                   acknowledging
                   of
                   the
                   Truth
                   :
                   Restoring
                   those
                   who
                   were
                   overtaken
                   with
                   a
                   fault
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Meekness
                   .
                
                 So
                 dealing
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 loving
                 ,
                 sweet
                 ,
                 and
                 humble
                 way
                 ,
                 as
                 considering
                 himself
                 ,
                 lest
                 he
                 also
                 might
                 be
                 tempted
                 .
                 In
                 their
                 confessed
                 failings
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 no
                 way
                 supercilious
                 ,
                 captious
                 ,
                 and
                 censorious
                 ;
                 he
                 would
                 maintain
                 a
                 good
                 opinion
                 of
                 another
                 ,
                 upon
                 a
                 narrower
                 
                 footing
                 than
                 many
                 others
                 ,
                 who
                 (
                 to
                 say
                 no
                 more
                 )
                 were
                 nothing
                 stricter
                 ,
                 holier
                 ,
                 humbler
                 ,
                 than
                 himself
                 would
                 be
                 .
                 His
                 Charity
                 ,
                 
                   Believed
                   all
                   things
                
                 that
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 believed
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Hoped
                   all
                   things
                
                 that
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 hoped
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 deeply
                 condemned
                 the
                 Action
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 judge
                 of
                 the
                 Estate
                 :
                 Indeed
                 he
                 had
                 more
                 charity
                 for
                 others
                 than
                 himself
                 ;
                 and
                 though
                 he
                 were
                 sufficiently
                 mild
                 in
                 his
                 judgment
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 severe
                 enough
                 in
                 his
                 judgment
                 of
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 not
                 Peremptory
                 in
                 matters
                 that
                 belong
                 to
                 doubtful
                 Disputations
                 :
                 He
                 laid
                 no
                 more
                 weight
                 and
                 stress
                 on
                 Notions
                 ,
                 and
                 Opinions
                 in
                 Religion
                 ,
                 that
                 wholly
                 depend
                 upon
                 Topical
                 Arguments
                 ,
                 than
                 belongs
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 not
                 like
                 many
                 who
                 are
                 so
                 over-confident
                 in
                 their
                 determinations
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 hardly
                 hold
                 communion
                 ;
                 Nay
                 ,
                 scarce
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 a
                 pleasing
                 conversation
                 with
                 any
                 man
                 (
                 how
                 gracious
                 soever
                 )
                 who
                 cannot
                 think
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 and
                 act
                 in
                 every
                 thing
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 .
                 He
                 would
                 allow
                 his
                 Fellow-Members
                 the
                 Latitude
                 that
                 the
                 Apostle
                 doth
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 would
                 freely
                 and
                 familiarly
                 converse
                 with
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 sound
                 in
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 fundamentals
                 of
                 Religion
                 )
                 and
                 who
                 were
                 strict
                 and
                 holy
                 in
                 their
                 lives
                 ,
                 of
                 all
                 Perswasions
                 .
              
               
                 His
                 Ministerial
                 Studies
                 were
                 more
                 than
                 usually
                 easie
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 being
                 of
                 a
                 quick
                 conceit
                 ,
                 a
                 ready
                 ,
                 strong
                 ,
                 and
                 faithful
                 memory
                 ,
                 a
                 free
                 expression
                 (
                 which
                 was
                 rather
                 nervous
                 and
                 substantial
                 ,
                 than
                 soft
                 and
                 delicate
                 )
                 and
                 which
                 was
                 best
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 a
                 holy
                 Heart
                 that
                 boyled
                 and
                 bubled
                 up
                 with
                 good
                 matter
                 .
                 This
                 〈◊〉
                 him
                 on
                 all
                 occasions
                 ,
                 not
                 with
                 warm
                 affections
                 onely
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 holy
                 Notions
                 too
                 .
                 For
                 his
                 Heart
                 was
                 an
                 Epistle
                 ,
                 written
                 not
                 with
                 Ink
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 the
                 Living
                 God
                 :
                 And
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 Epistle
                 ,
                 he
                 drew
                 many
                 excellent
                 things
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 his
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 good
                 Man
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 Heart
                 a
                 good
                 Treasure
                 ;
                 whence
                 he
                 was
                 wont
                 continually
                 to
                 bring
                 forth
                 good
                 things
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 publick
                 and
                 private
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 apt
                 to
                 Preach
                 and
                 Pray
                 ,
                 most
                 ready
                 on
                 all
                 occasions
                 to
                 lay
                 out
                 himself
                 in
                 such
                 Work
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 spending
                 himself
                 in
                 such
                 Work
                 :
                 When
                 my
                 suddain
                 Distemper
                 seised
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 put
                 him
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 (
                 as
                 many
                 times
                 they
                 did
                 )
                 upon
                 very
                 short
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 preparations
                 ,
                 he
                 never
                 refused
                 ;
                 no
                 ,
                 nor
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 fluctuated
                 in
                 the
                 undertaking
                 :
                 But
                 being
                 
                 called
                 ,
                 he
                 confidently
                 cast
                 himself
                 upon
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 trusted
                 perfectly
                 to
                 his
                 Assistance
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 never
                 failed
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 he
                 readily
                 and
                 freely
                 went
                 about
                 his
                 Work
                 without
                 distraction
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 began
                 upon
                 a
                 very
                 considerable
                 stock
                 of
                 Learning
                 ,
                 and
                 Gifts
                 Ministerial
                 and
                 Personal
                 ,
                 much
                 beyond
                 the
                 proportion
                 of
                 his
                 Years
                 ,
                 and
                 grew
                 exceedingly
                 in
                 his
                 Abilities
                 and
                 Graces
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 little
                 time
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 his
                 profiting
                 appeared
                 to
                 all
                 Men
                 ;
                 he
                 waxed
                 very
                 rich
                 in
                 heavenly
                 Treasure
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 blessing
                 of
                 God
                 on
                 a
                 diligent
                 hand
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 behind
                 in
                 no
                 good
                 Gift
                 .
                 He
                 found
                 that
                 pretious
                 promise
                 sensibly
                 made
                 good
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   him
                   that
                   hath
                
                 (
                 for
                 use
                 and
                 good
                 employment
                 )
                 
                   shall
                   be
                   given
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   have
                   abundance
                   .
                
                 He
                 had
                 no
                 Talent
                 for
                 the
                 Napkin
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 for
                 Traffique
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 laid
                 out
                 so
                 freely
                 for
                 his
                 Masters
                 use
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 a
                 little
                 time
                 they
                 multiplyed
                 so
                 fast
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Napkin
                 could
                 not
                 hold
                 them
                 .
                 I
                 heard
                 a
                 worthy
                 Minister
                 say
                 of
                 him
                 once
                 ,
                 (
                 not
                 withont
                 much
                 admiration
                 )
                 
                   Whence
                   hath
                   this
                   man
                   these
                   things
                   ?
                
                 He
                 understood
                 whence
                 he
                 had
                 them
                 well
                 enough
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 did
                 I
                 ,
                 even
                 from
                 Above
                 ,
                 whence
                 every
                 good
                 and
                 perfect
                 Gift
                 proceedeth
                 :
                 God
                 blessed
                 him
                 in
                 all
                 Spiritual
                 Blessings
                 in
                 Heavenly
                 Things
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 returned
                 all
                 to
                 Heaven
                 again
                 ;
                 he
                 served
                 God
                 with
                 all
                 his
                 might
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 strength
                 ;
                 he
                 was
                 abundant
                 in
                 the
                 Work
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 go
                 ,
                 but
                 run
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 his
                 Commandments
                 :
                 He
                 made
                 haste
                 and
                 lingred
                 not
                 ;
                 
                   He
                   did
                   run
                   ,
                   and
                   was
                   not
                   weary
                   ;
                   he
                   did
                   walk
                   ,
                   and
                   was
                   not
                   saint
                   .
                
                 He
                 pressed
                 hard
                 towards
                 the
                 Mark
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 attained
                 it
                 ;
                 his
                 Race
                 was
                 short
                 and
                 swift
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 End
                 glorious
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 infinitely
                 and
                 insatiably
                 greedy
                 of
                 the
                 Conversion
                 of
                 Souls
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 small
                 success
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 his
                 Ministry
                 :
                 And
                 to
                 this
                 end
                 ,
                 he
                 poured
                 out
                 his
                 very
                 Heart
                 in
                 Prayer
                 and
                 in
                 Preaching
                 ;
                 
                   He
                   imparted
                   not
                   the
                   Gospel
                   only
                   ,
                   but
                   his
                   own
                   Soul.
                
                 His
                 Supplications
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Exhortations
                 ,
                 many
                 times
                 were
                 so
                 affectionate
                 ,
                 so
                 full
                 of
                 holy
                 Zeal
                 ,
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 Vigor
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 quite
                 overcame
                 his
                 Hearers
                 :
                 He
                 melted
                 over
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 thawed
                 and
                 molified
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 dissolved
                 the
                 hardest
                 Hearts
                 .
                 But
                 while
                 he
                 melted
                 thus
                 ,
                 he
                 wasted
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 last
                 consumed
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 not
                 satisfied
                 to
                 spend
                 himself
                 in
                 publique
                 ,
                 but
                 used
                 constantly
                 to
                 go
                 from
                 House
                 to
                 House
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 to
                 deal
                 perticularly
                 
                 (
                 where
                 he
                 had
                 a
                 free
                 reception
                 )
                 both
                 with
                 the
                 Governours
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 Servants
                 of
                 the
                 Houshold
                 ,
                 instructing
                 them
                 especially
                 in
                 the
                 great
                 Fundamental
                 necessary
                 Truths
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 observed
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 ignorant
                 :
                 Gently
                 reproving
                 them
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 found
                 any
                 thing
                 amiss
                 among
                 them
                 .
                 Exhorting
                 them
                 to
                 diligence
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 their
                 general
                 and
                 particular
                 Callings
                 :
                 Entreating
                 them
                 who
                 were
                 defective
                 ,
                 by
                 any
                 means
                 to
                 set
                 up
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 their
                 Houses
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 little
                 Churches
                 ,
                 by
                 constant
                 reading
                 of
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 Christ
                 might
                 deeply
                 dwell
                 among
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 them
                 richly
                 ,
                 by
                 careful
                 Catechising
                 of
                 the
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Servants
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Governours
                 were
                 able
                 ;
                 by
                 frequent
                 Meditations
                 ,
                 Conferences
                 ,
                 Repetitions
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 they
                 had
                 heard
                 in
                 publique
                 ,
                 especially
                 by
                 daily
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 Morning
                 and
                 Evening
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 they
                 might
                 avoid
                 that
                 dreadful
                 indignation
                 which
                 hangs
                 over
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 be
                 poured
                 out
                 upon
                 the
                 Families
                 that
                 call
                 not
                 upon
                 God.
                 He
                 made
                 the
                 best
                 inspection
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 every
                 particular
                 Person
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 accordingly
                 applyed
                 himself
                 to
                 check
                 ,
                 to
                 comfort
                 ,
                 to
                 encourage
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 found
                 occasion
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 he
                 did
                 with
                 so
                 much
                 tenderness
                 ,
                 humility
                 ,
                 &
                 self-denyal
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 gained
                 very
                 much
                 on
                 the
                 affections
                 ,
                 and
                 respects
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 received
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 wrought
                 them
                 at
                 least
                 to
                 outward
                 conformity
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 who
                 were
                 not
                 visited
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 ,
                 at
                 length
                 came
                 forth
                 and
                 called
                 upon
                 him
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 their
                 Families
                 and
                 help
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 did
                 he
                 wear
                 himself
                 away
                 ,
                 and
                 gave
                 light
                 and
                 heat
                 to
                 others
                 :
                 He
                 usually
                 allowed
                 himself
                 too
                 little
                 sleep
                 to
                 recruit
                 and
                 to
                 repair
                 the
                 Spirits
                 which
                 he
                 wasted
                 with
                 waking
                 .
                 His
                 manner
                 was
                 to
                 rise
                 at
                 four
                 a
                 Clock
                 at
                 the
                 utmost
                 ,
                 many
                 times
                 before
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 cold
                 Winter
                 Mornings
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 with
                 God
                 betime
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 get
                 room
                 for
                 other
                 studies
                 and
                 imployments
                 .
                 His
                 extraordinary
                 watchings
                 ,
                 constant
                 cares
                 ,
                 excessive
                 labours
                 in
                 the
                 Work
                 of
                 his
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 publique
                 and
                 private
                 ,
                 were
                 generally
                 apprehended
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 those
                 distempers
                 and
                 decays
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 last
                 of
                 that
                 ill
                 habit
                 of
                 body
                 ,
                 whereof
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 he
                 died
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 the
                 gravest
                 ,
                 strictest
                 ,
                 most
                 serious
                 ,
                 and
                 composed
                 young
                 Man
                 that
                 I
                 had
                 ever
                 yet
                 the
                 happiness
                 to
                 be
                 acquainted
                 
                 with
                 .
                 And
                 yet
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 rigid
                 in
                 his
                 Principles
                 ,
                 his
                 moderation
                 was
                 known
                 to
                 all
                 men
                 that
                 knew
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   V.
                
                 A
                 further
                 Account
                 of
                 his
                 Catechizing
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 Publick
                 and
                 Private
                 ,
                 by
                 Mr.
                 G.
                 
              
               
                 WHen
                 he
                 did
                 Catechise
                 the
                 greater
                 Sort
                 in
                 Publick
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 was
                 Silenced
                 ,
                 his
                 manner
                 was
                 to
                 begin
                 with
                 Prayer
                 for
                 a
                 Blessing
                 upon
                 that
                 Exercise
                 :
                 And
                 having
                 proposed
                 some
                 Questions
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Assemblies
                   Catechism
                
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 careful
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 perfect
                 in
                 rehearsing
                 the
                 Answers
                 there
                 set
                 down
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 to
                 bring
                 them
                 to
                 a
                 clear
                 understanding
                 of
                 the
                 sence
                 and
                 meaning
                 of
                 the
                 said
                 Answers
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Terms
                 and
                 Phrases
                 in
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 expressed
                 ;
                 And
                 to
                 draw
                 some
                 practical
                 ,
                 useful
                 ,
                 inferences
                 from
                 those
                 Heads
                 of
                 Divinity
                 contained
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 Moreover
                 ,
                 when
                 any
                 distinction
                 was
                 necessary
                 for
                 the
                 clearing
                 up
                 of
                 the
                 matter
                 in
                 hand
                 ;
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 also
                 instructing
                 his
                 Catechumen's
                 therein
                 ;
                 Now
                 this
                 he
                 would
                 do
                 ,
                 by
                 proposing
                 several
                 other
                 Collateral
                 Questions
                 ,
                 besides
                 those
                 in
                 the
                 Catechism
                 ;
                 which
                 Questions
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 the
                 Answers
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 himself
                 had
                 before
                 drawn
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 sent
                 to
                 them
                 in
                 writing
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 Even
                 of
                 the
                 Lord's
                 Day
                 ,
                 his
                 course
                 was
                 to
                 repeat
                 his
                 Sermon
                 again
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 publick
                 Place
                 of
                 Worship
                 ,
                 where
                 abundance
                 of
                 People
                 constantly
                 resorted
                 to
                 hear
                 him
                 ;
                 which
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 done
                 ,
                 several
                 Youths
                 were
                 called
                 forth
                 ,
                 which
                 did
                 give
                 him
                 an
                 Account
                 of
                 the
                 Heads
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 Sermon
                 by
                 Memory
                 .
              
               
                 As
                 for
                 his
                 Method
                 in
                 going
                 from
                 House
                 to
                 House
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 instructing
                 of
                 Private
                 Families
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 this
                 ;
                 He
                 would
                 give
                 them
                 notice
                 of
                 his
                 coming
                 the
                 day
                 before
                 ,
              
               
                 Desiring
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 admittance
                 to
                 their
                 Houses
                 ,
                 to
                 converse
                 with
                 them
                 about
                 their
                 Soul-Concerns
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 would
                 have
                 their
                 whole
                 Family
                 together
                 against
                 he
                 came
                 .
                 
                 When
                 he
                 came
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Family
                 were
                 called
                 together
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 instructing
                 the
                 younger
                 sort
                 in
                 the
                 Principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 by
                 asking
                 several
                 Questions
                 in
                 the
                 Catechism
                 ;
                 the
                 Answers
                 to
                 which
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 opening
                 and
                 explaining
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 Also
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 enquiring
                 of
                 them
                 about
                 their
                 spiritual
                 Estate
                 and
                 Condition
                 ,
                 labouring
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 sensible
                 of
                 the
                 evil
                 and
                 danger
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 the
                 corruption
                 and
                 wickedness
                 of
                 our
                 Natures
                 ,
                 the
                 misery
                 of
                 an
                 unconverted
                 State
                 ;
                 stirring
                 them
                 up
                 to
                 look
                 after
                 the
                 true
                 Remedy
                 proposed
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 all
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 GOD
                 ,
                 to
                 close
                 with
                 Christ
                 upon
                 his
                 own
                 Terms
                 ;
                 to
                 follow
                 after
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 to
                 watch
                 over
                 their
                 Hearts
                 and
                 Lives
                 ,
                 to
                 mortifie
                 their
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 to
                 redeem
                 their
                 Time
                 ,
                 to
                 prepare
                 for
                 Eternity
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 as
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 explaining
                 to
                 their
                 understandings
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 have
                 clear
                 apprehensions
                 about
                 them
                 ;
                 so
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 pressing
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 them
                 upon
                 their
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 Cogent
                 Arguments
                 and
                 Considerations
                 ,
                 minding
                 them
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 Priviledges
                 they
                 did
                 enjoy
                 ,
                 the
                 many
                 Gospel-Sermons
                 that
                 they
                 did
                 or
                 might
                 hear
                 ,
                 the
                 many
                 Talents
                 they
                 were
                 intrusted
                 withal
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 great
                 account
                 that
                 they
                 had
                 to
                 give
                 to
                 the
                 GOD
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
                 Telling
                 them
                 how
                 sad
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 with
                 them
                 another
                 day
                 ,
                 if
                 after
                 all
                 this
                 they
                 should
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 Salvation
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 leave
                 with
                 them
                 several
                 Counsels
                 and
                 Directions
                 to
                 be
                 carefully
                 remembred
                 and
                 practised
                 for
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 their
                 Souls
                 .
                 Those
                 that
                 were
                 serious
                 and
                 religious
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 labour
                 to
                 help
                 forward
                 in
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 by
                 answering
                 their
                 Doubts
                 ,
                 resolving
                 their
                 Cases
                 ,
                 incouraging
                 them
                 under
                 their
                 difficulties
                 .
                 And
                 before
                 he
                 did
                 go
                 from
                 any
                 Family
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 deal
                 with
                 the
                 Heads
                 of
                 that
                 Family
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 others
                 as
                 were
                 grown
                 to
                 years
                 of
                 discretion
                 ,
                 singly
                 and
                 apart
                 :
                 That
                 so
                 he
                 might
                 (
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 possibly
                 he
                 could
                 )
                 come
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 each
                 particular
                 Person
                 in
                 his
                 Flock
                 ,
                 and
                 address
                 himself
                 in
                 his
                 Discourse
                 as
                 might
                 be
                 suitable
                 to
                 every
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 If
                 he
                 did
                 perceive
                 that
                 they
                 did
                 live
                 in
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 Family
                 Duties
                 :
                 He
                 would
                 exhort
                 and
                 press
                 them
                 to
                 set
                 up
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 GOD
                 in
                 their
                 Families
                 ,
                 as
                 Reading
                 ,
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 directing
                 them
                 how
                 to
                 set
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 time
                 for
                 secret
                 Duties
                 too
                 .
                 Such
                 as
                 were
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 earnestly
                 perswade
                 ,
                 and
                 desire
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 did
                 tender
                 the
                 Honour
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 welfare
                 of
                 their
                 
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 Souls
                 to
                 let
                 them
                 have
                 sometime
                 every
                 day
                 for
                 such
                 private
                 Duties
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 incourage
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 neither
                 would
                 he
                 leave
                 them
                 before
                 he
                 had
                 a
                 promise
                 of
                 them
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 Sometimes
                 also
                 he
                 would
                 himself
                 go
                 to
                 Prayer
                 before
                 his
                 departure
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 his
                 method
                 in
                 the
                 general
                 ;
                 although
                 with
                 such
                 necessary
                 variation
                 in
                 his
                 particular
                 Visits
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 various
                 State
                 and
                 Condition
                 of
                 the
                 several
                 Families
                 did
                 require
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 Family
                 where
                 he
                 came
                 were
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 insist
                 the
                 longer
                 in
                 Instructing
                 and
                 Catechizing
                 :
                 If
                 loose
                 ,
                 in
                 reproving
                 and
                 convincing
                 :
                 If
                 Godly
                 ,
                 in
                 incouraging
                 and
                 directing
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 did
                 use
                 to
                 spend
                 five
                 afternoons
                 every
                 week
                 in
                 such
                 exercises
                 ,
                 from
                 one
                 or
                 two
                 of
                 the
                 Clock
                 ,
                 until
                 seven
                 in
                 the
                 evening
                 :
                 In
                 which
                 space
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 visit
                 sometimes
                 three
                 or
                 four
                 Families
                 in
                 an
                 afternoon
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 more
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 greater
                 or
                 less
                 .
                 This
                 course
                 he
                 would
                 take
                 throughout
                 the
                 Town
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 gone
                 through
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 presently
                 begin
                 again
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 visit
                 every
                 Family
                 as
                 often
                 as
                 he
                 could
                 .
                 He
                 often
                 did
                 bless
                 GOD
                 for
                 the
                 great
                 success
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 in
                 these
                 Exercises
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 that
                 GOD
                 had
                 made
                 him
                 as
                 instrumental
                 of
                 good
                 to
                 Souls
                 this
                 way
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 his
                 publick
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 more
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 Ministers
                 of
                 this
                 County
                 of
                 Somerset
                 ,
                 at
                 one
                 of
                 their
                 Associations
                 which
                 heretofore
                 they
                 held
                 ,
                 were
                 debating
                 whether
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 far
                 it
                 were
                 incumbent
                 upon
                 them
                 to
                 set
                 up
                 private
                 Family
                 Instruction
                 in
                 their
                 particular
                 charges
                 ;
                 Mr.
                 Allein
                 was
                 the
                 Man
                 that
                 they
                 pitched
                 upon
                 for
                 to
                 draw
                 up
                 his
                 Reasons
                 for
                 that
                 practice
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 a
                 Method
                 for
                 the
                 more
                 profitable
                 management
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 
                   An
                   Abridgment
                   of
                   what
                   he
                   drew
                   up
                   ,
                   here
                   Followeth
                   .
                
                 
                   IT
                   being
                   the
                   unquestionable
                   Duty
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   Ministers
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   
                     To
                     take
                     heed
                     to
                     all
                     the
                     Flock
                     over
                     whom
                     the
                     Holiest
                     hath
                     made
                     them
                     Overseers
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   to
                   Teach
                   ,
                   &
                   Preach
                   ,
                   not
                   only
                   publickly
                   ,
                   but
                   from
                   House
                   to
                   House
                   ;
                   not
                   onely
                   taking
                   a
                   general
                   care
                   of
                   the
                   whole
                   ,
                   or
                   calling
                   out
                   the
                   chiefest
                   of
                   the
                   Sheep
                   ,
                   for
                   our
                   particular
                   Care
                   and
                   Inspection
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   manner
                   of
                   some
                   is
                   ,
                   and
                   leaving
                   the
                   rest
                   to
                   sink
                   or
                   swim
                   :
                   
                   But
                   as
                   good
                   Shepherds
                   iniquiring
                   into
                   their
                   Estates
                   ,
                   observing
                   the
                   particular
                   Marks
                   ,
                   Diseases
                   ,
                   Strayings
                   of
                   our
                   Sheep
                   ,
                   and
                   applying
                   our selves
                   suitably
                   to
                   their
                   Cases
                   ;
                   In
                   a
                   word
                   ,
                   warning
                   every
                   man
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   may
                   present
                   every
                   man
                   perfect
                   in
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   ;
                   Therefore
                   it
                   behoveth
                   us
                   ,
                   to
                   study
                   to
                   do
                   this
                   great
                   Duty
                   in
                   such
                   a
                   manner
                   ,
                   as
                   may
                   be
                   acceptable
                   to
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   profitable
                   to
                   our
                   Flocks
                   .
                   The
                   directions
                   for
                   performing
                   this
                   Duty
                   ,
                   are
                   either
                   more
                   general
                   ,
                   or
                   more
                   special
                   ;
                   for
                   the
                   more
                   general
                   Directions
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   either
                   such
                   as
                   concern
                   the
                   entrance
                   on
                   this
                   Duty
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   performance
                   of
                   it
                   .
                   For
                   those
                   that
                   concern
                   the
                   Entrance
                   :
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   It
                   will
                   be
                   necessary
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   convince
                   the
                   People
                   of
                   the
                   necessity
                   of
                   this
                   Duty
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   That
                   we
                   study
                   to
                   manage
                   this
                   great
                   Work
                   to
                   our
                   Peoples
                   best
                   advantage
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   That
                   we
                   set
                   apart
                   such
                   set-times
                   for
                   this
                   great
                   Work
                   ,
                   as
                   upon
                   consideration
                   we
                   shall
                   find
                   most
                   convenient
                   for
                   them
                   and
                   us
                   ,
                   resolving
                   to
                   be
                   constant
                   in
                   observing
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                   4.
                   
                   That
                   we
                   pray
                   for
                   Wisdom
                   from
                   Above
                   ,
                   what
                   ,
                   and
                   how
                   to
                   speak
                   .
                
                 
                   5.
                   
                   That
                   we
                   send
                   word
                   to
                   the
                   People
                   ,
                   when
                   we
                   intend
                   to
                   visit
                   them
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   dispose
                   of
                   their
                   business
                   to
                   receive
                   us
                   .
                
                 
                   For
                   those
                   that
                   concern
                   us
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   mannaging
                   of
                   the
                   Duty
                   :
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   The
                   Family
                   being
                   called
                   together
                   ,
                   we
                   may
                   ,
                   if
                   time
                   and
                   conveniency
                   permit
                   ,
                   begin
                   with
                   Prayer
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   The
                   Family
                   ,
                   consisting
                   of
                   Superiours
                   ,
                   and
                   Inferiours
                   ,
                   it
                   would
                   not
                   be
                   amiss
                   to
                   begin
                   with
                   the
                   Inferious
                   ;
                   for
                   many
                   can
                   hear
                   their
                   Children
                   ,
                   and
                   Servants
                   Examined
                   contentedly
                   ,
                   that
                   cannot
                   bear
                   it
                   themselves
                   :
                   For
                   that
                   they
                   will
                   not
                   disdain
                   to
                   give
                   an
                   account
                   of
                   themselves
                   before
                   their
                   Superiours
                   ,
                   though
                   their
                   Superiours
                   would
                   disdain
                   to
                   give
                   account
                   before
                   them
                   ;
                   and
                   here
                   it
                   will
                   be
                   necessary
                   to
                   enquire
                   into
                   their
                   Knowledge
                   ,
                   Practice
                   ,
                   States
                   .
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Their
                   Knowledge
                   ;
                   here
                   we
                   may
                   examine
                   what
                   progress
                   they
                   have
                   made
                   in
                   the
                   Principles
                   of
                   the
                   Doctrine
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   and
                   try
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   Catechism
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   What
                   they
                   do
                   gain
                   by
                   the
                   publick
                   Ministry
                   ,
                   what
                   they
                   remember
                   of
                   the
                   Sermon
                   last
                   heard
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   In
                   their
                   Practice
                   .
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   In
                   their
                   Duty
                   towards
                   God
                   ;
                   where
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   useful
                   
                   to
                   inquire
                   ,
                   if
                   they
                   make
                   Conscience
                   of
                   secret
                   Prayer
                   ;
                   the
                   necessity
                   of
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   expressed
                   ,
                   the
                   nature
                   of
                   it
                   opened
                   ,
                   and
                   some
                   heads
                   of
                   Prayer
                   explained
                   ;
                   and
                   if
                   they
                   be
                   such
                   as
                   need
                   it
                   ,
                   it
                   would
                   be
                   useful
                   to
                   commend
                   to
                   them
                   some
                   form
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   present
                   help
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   In
                   the
                   Duties
                   of
                   their
                   Relations
                   towards
                   〈◊〉
                   ;
                   and
                   if
                   they
                   be
                   pressed
                   to
                   Faithfulness
                   ,
                   Diligence
                   ,
                   and
                   Uprightness
                   ,
                   the
                   Duties
                   they
                   owe
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   were
                   over
                   them
                   ,
                   it
                   would
                   be
                   very
                   convenient
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   Into
                   their
                   Estates
                   ;
                   and
                   here
                   we
                   may
                   take
                   an
                   account
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   what
                   they
                   think
                   of
                   the
                   state
                   of
                   their
                   Souls
                   ,
                   shewing
                   the
                   paucity
                   of
                   them
                   that
                   are
                   saved
                   ,
                   the
                   desperate
                   〈◊〉
                   of
                   the
                   heart
                   ,
                   the
                   infinite
                   danger
                   of
                   being
                   deceived
                   ,
                   the
                   wiles
                   and
                   devices
                   of
                   Satan
                   to
                   beguile
                   them
                   ;
                   from
                   whence
                   ,
                   and
                   such
                   like
                   Arguments
                   ,
                   we
                   may
                   press
                   them
                   to
                   be
                   diligent
                   in
                   inquiring
                   ,
                   what
                   the
                   case
                   of
                   their
                   Souls
                   is
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   jealous
                   of
                   themselves
                   ,
                   where
                   we
                   may
                   take
                   occasion
                   to
                   shew
                   them
                   ,
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   That
                   every
                   Man
                   by
                   Nature
                   is
                   in
                   a
                   damnable
                   estate
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   The
                   absolute
                   necessity
                   of
                   Conversion
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   By
                   what
                   signs
                   they
                   may
                   know
                   whether
                   they
                   remain
                   in
                   ,
                   or
                   are
                   delivered
                   from
                   ,
                   this
                   Estate
                   :
                   which
                   signs
                   should
                   be
                   few
                   ,
                   plain
                   ,
                   certain
                   ,
                   and
                   infallible
                   ,
                   sounded
                   upon
                   the
                   clear
                   evidence
                   of
                   the
                   Word
                   ;
                   and
                   because
                   the
                   searching
                   Work
                   is
                   so
                   displeasing
                   to
                   the
                   Flesh
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   might
                   disingage
                   them
                   to
                   come
                   too
                   close
                   at
                   first
                   ,
                   It
                   may
                   not
                   be
                   amiss
                   to
                   defer
                   this
                   ,
                   till
                   we
                   had
                   got
                   some
                   interest
                   in
                   their
                   Hearts
                   ,
                   by
                   a
                   loving
                   tender
                   carriage
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   The
                   Inferiours
                   being
                   thus
                   dealt
                   with
                   ,
                   may
                   be
                   〈◊〉
                   to
                   their
                   several
                   Imployments
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   we
                   may
                   take
                   occasion
                   to
                   discourse
                   with
                   the
                   Heads
                   of
                   the
                   Families
                   ,
                   proceeding
                   as
                   prudence
                   shall
                   direct
                   upon
                   some
                   of
                   the
                   fore-mentioned
                   particulars
                   .
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   We
                   may
                   enquire
                   whether
                   they
                   perform
                   this
                   great
                   Duty
                   of
                   Prayer
                   in
                   the
                   Family
                   ,
                   offering
                   them
                   helps
                   if
                   they
                   need
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   We
                   may
                   press
                   them
                   to
                   Instruct
                   and
                   Catechise
                   their
                   Families
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   We
                   may
                   〈◊〉
                   them
                   to
                   the
                   strict
                   Sanctifying
                   the
                   Lord's
                   Day
                   .
                
                 
                   4.
                   
                   If
                   they
                   are
                   poor
                   ,
                   we
                   may
                   draw
                   forth
                   the
                   Hand
                   of
                   our
                   〈◊〉
                   towards
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   5.
                   
                   If
                   we
                   know
                   any
                   evil
                   by
                   them
                   ,
                   we
                   may
                   take
                   them
                   aside
                   privately
                   ,
                   shewing
                   them
                   the
                   sinfulness
                   of
                   their
                   practice
                   ,
                   and
                   ingaging
                   them
                   to
                   promise
                   reformation
                   .
                
                 
                   6.
                   
                   We
                   should
                   leave
                   with
                   them
                   some
                   few
                   particulars
                   of
                   greatest
                   weight
                   ,
                   often
                   repeating
                   them
                   till
                   they
                   remember
                   them
                   ,
                   ingaging
                   them
                   to
                   mind
                   them
                   ,
                   till
                   we
                   shall
                   Converse
                   with
                   them
                   again
                   .
                
                 
                   7.
                   
                   Our
                   dealing
                   with
                   them
                   ,
                   must
                   be
                   in
                   that
                   manner
                   that
                   may
                   most
                   prevail
                   ,
                   and
                   win
                   upon
                   their
                   hearts
                   .
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   With
                   Compassion
                   ;
                   being
                   kindly
                   affectioned
                   to
                   them
                   ,
                   Charging
                   ,
                   Exhorting
                   ,
                   Comforting
                   every
                   one
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   as
                   a
                   Father
                   his
                   Children
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   With
                   Prudence
                   ;
                   warning
                   and
                   teaching
                   them
                   in
                   all
                   Wisdom
                   ,
                   applying
                   our selves
                   to
                   the
                   several
                   Cases
                   and
                   Capacities
                   .
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   To
                   the
                   Rich
                   in
                   this
                   World
                   ,
                   shewing
                   more
                   respect
                   as
                   their
                   places
                   require
                   ,
                   charging
                   upon
                   them
                   those
                   Duties
                   that
                   are
                   required
                   of
                   them
                   in
                   special
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   To
                   the
                   poor
                   ,
                   you
                   may
                   be
                   more
                   plain
                   and
                   free
                   ,
                   pressing
                   upon
                   them
                   those
                   Duties
                   that
                   are
                   most
                   proper
                   to
                   their
                   condidition
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   To
                   the
                   Aged
                   ,
                   we
                   must
                   be
                   more
                   reverent
                   ,
                   labouring
                   to
                   root
                   out
                   of
                   them
                   the
                   love
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   shewing
                   them
                   the
                   dangerousness
                   of
                   Covetousness
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   necessity
                   of
                   making
                   speedy
                   preparations
                   for
                   Eternity
                   .
                
                 
                   4.
                   
                   The
                   Men
                   are
                   to
                   be
                   exhorted
                   to
                   Temperance
                   and
                   Sobriety
                   ;
                   diligence
                   in
                   their
                   Callings
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                
                 
                   5.
                   
                   Women
                   to
                   Meekness
                   ,
                   Humility
                   ,
                   Subjection
                   to
                   their
                   Husbands
                   ,
                   and
                   constant
                   infusing
                   good
                   Principles
                   into
                   their
                   Children
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   With
                   Patience
                   ,
                   being
                   gentle
                   to
                   all
                   Men
                   ;
                   in
                   meekness
                   instructing
                   those
                   that
                   oppose
                   themselves
                   ,
                   bearing
                   with
                   their
                   dulness
                   ,
                   rudeness
                   ,
                   and
                   disrespectfulness
                   ,
                   waiting
                   for
                   their
                   repentance
                   .
                
                 
                   4.
                   
                   With
                   all
                   faithfulness
                   ,
                   giving
                   no
                   occasion
                   of
                   offence
                   ,
                   that
                   our
                   Ministry
                   be
                   not
                   blamed
                   .
                
                 
                   5.
                   
                   With
                   Zeal
                   ,
                   as
                   Apollo
                   ,
                   fervent
                   in
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   teaching
                   diligently
                   the
                   things
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                
                 
                   6.
                   
                   With
                   plainness
                   ,
                   not
                   betraying
                   their
                   Souls
                   to
                   Hell
                   ,
                   and
                   ours
                   with
                   them
                   ,
                   for
                   want
                   of
                   faithfulness
                   ,
                   and
                   closeness
                   in
                   
                   our
                   dealing
                   with
                   them
                   ;
                   it
                   being
                   not
                   sufficient
                   in
                   general
                   ,
                   that
                   no
                   Drunkard
                   ,
                   &c.
                   shall
                   inherit
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   Heaven
                   ;
                   but
                   telling
                   them
                   plainly
                   ,
                   and
                   particularly
                   ,
                   such
                   is
                   your
                   looseness
                   ,
                   your
                   ignorance
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   fear
                   you
                   are
                   in
                   an
                   unconverted
                   state
                   .
                
                 
                   7.
                   
                   With
                   Authority
                   ;
                   dealing
                   with
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   power
                   and
                   demonstration
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 
                   8.
                   
                   With
                   Humility
                   ;
                   
                     Not
                     lording
                     it
                     over
                     God's
                     Heritage
                     ,
                     but
                     condescending
                     to
                     men
                     of
                     low
                     Estates
                     :
                  
                   Nor
                   disdaining
                   to
                   go
                   into
                   the
                   Houses
                   of
                   the
                   meanest
                   .
                
                 
                   The
                   sort
                   of
                   Directions
                   are
                   more
                   special
                   ,
                   respecting
                   the
                   several
                   sorts
                   of
                   our
                   People
                   ,
                   who
                   may
                   be
                   ranked
                   into
                   four
                   Heads
                   ,
                   the
                   Ignorant
                   ,
                   Prophane
                   ,
                   Formal
                   ,
                   Godly
                   .
                
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   For
                   the
                   Ignorant
                   :
                   Our
                   Work
                   with
                   them
                   will
                   be
                   ,
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   To
                   convince
                   them
                   that
                   are
                   Ignorant
                   ,
                   which
                   may
                   be
                   done
                   by
                   shewing
                   their
                   inability
                   ,
                   to
                   answer
                   some
                   plain
                   familiar
                   Questions
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   To
                   shew
                   them
                   the
                   dangerous
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   the
                   damnable
                   nature
                   of
                   ignorance
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   To
                   Press
                   them
                   with
                   all
                   possible
                   earnestness
                   ,
                   to
                   labour
                   after
                   knowledge
                   .
                
                 
                   4.
                   
                   To
                   answer
                   their
                   carnal
                   Pleas
                   for
                   their
                   ignorance
                   ,
                   when
                   wilful
                   .
                
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   For
                   the
                   Prophane
                   :
                   It
                   would
                   be
                   necessary
                   to
                   deal
                   with
                   them
                   convincingly
                   ,
                   shewing
                   the
                   certain
                   damnation
                   they
                   are
                   running
                   upon
                   .
                
                 
                   Thirdly
                   ,
                   For
                   the
                   Formal
                   :
                   With
                   these
                   we
                   must
                   deal
                   searchingly
                   ,
                   and
                   shew
                   them
                   ,
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   How
                   easily
                   Men
                   may
                   mistake
                   the
                   Form
                   of
                   Godliness
                   for
                   the
                   Power
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   The
                   undoing
                   danger
                   of
                   resting
                   in
                   being
                   almost
                   a
                   Christian
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   The
                   most
                   distinguishing
                   differences
                   between
                   an
                   Hypocrite
                   and
                   a
                   sincere
                   Christian.
                   
                
                 
                   Fourthly
                   ,
                   For
                   the
                   Godly
                   :
                   To
                   these
                   we
                   must
                   draw
                   forth
                   the
                   Breasts
                   of
                   the
                   Promises
                   ,
                   opening
                   to
                   them
                   the
                   riches
                   and
                   〈◊〉
                   of
                   Christ
                   ;
                   inquiring
                   into
                   their
                   growth
                   in
                   Grace
                   ;
                   quickning
                   them
                   to
                   labour
                   after
                   assurance
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   stedfast
                   in
                   the
                   Faith
                   ;
                   patient
                   in
                   suffering
                   ;
                   diligent
                   in
                   doing
                   the
                   Will
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   〈◊〉
                   of
                   good
                   Works
                   ,
                   alwayes
                   abounding
                   more
                   and
                   more
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   There
                   is
                   one
                   thing
                   more
                   ,
                   in
                   which
                   his
                   self-denyal
                   ,
                   and
                   other
                   Graces
                   ,
                   were
                   very
                   exemplary
                   :
                   Namely
                   ,
                   his
                   faithfulness
                   in
                   reproving
                   the
                   miscarriages
                   of
                   Professors
                   ,
                   sparing
                   none
                   ,
                   whether
                   High
                   or
                   Low
                   ,
                   whether
                   Ministers
                   or
                   Private
                   Christians
                   ;
                   yea
                   ,
                   although
                   they
                   had
                   been
                   never
                   so
                   dear
                   in
                   his
                   affections
                   ,
                   and
                   never
                   so
                   obliging
                   in
                   their
                   carriage
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   yet
                   if
                   he
                   found
                   in
                   them
                   any
                   thing
                   that
                   was
                   reproveable
                   ,
                   and
                   blame-worthy
                   ,
                   he
                   would
                   deal
                   with
                   them
                   faithfully
                   and
                   plainly
                   about
                   it
                   ,
                   whatsoever
                   the
                   issue
                   and
                   event
                   were
                   .
                
                 
                   One
                   time
                   when
                   he
                   was
                   going
                   about
                   such
                   a
                   Work
                   ,
                   he
                   told
                   a
                   Christian
                   Friend
                   ,
                   with
                   whom
                   he
                   was
                   very
                   intimate
                   and
                   familiar
                   ;
                   Well
                   (
                   sayes
                   he
                   )
                   
                     I
                     am
                     going
                     about
                     that
                     which
                     is
                     like
                     to
                     make
                     a
                     very
                     dear
                     and
                     obliging
                     Friend
                     ,
                     to
                     become
                     an
                     Enemy
                     :
                     But
                     however
                     ,
                     it
                     cannot
                     be
                     omitted
                     ,
                     it
                     is
                     better
                     to
                     lose
                     mans
                     favour
                     ,
                     than
                     GOD's
                     .
                  
                   But
                   GOD
                   was
                   pleased
                   (
                   then
                   ,
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   divers
                   other
                   times
                   besides
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   went
                   about
                   business
                   of
                   this
                   nature
                   )
                   to
                   order
                   things
                   for
                   him
                   ,
                   better
                   than
                   he
                   could
                   have
                   expected
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   to
                   dispose
                   of
                   the
                   heart
                   of
                   the
                   Person
                   with
                   whom
                   he
                   had
                   to
                   deal
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   was
                   so
                   far
                   from
                   becoming
                   his
                   Enemy
                   for
                   his
                   consciencious
                   faithfulness
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   loved
                   him
                   the
                   better
                   ever
                   after
                   as
                   long
                   as
                   he
                   lived
                   .
                
                 
                   As
                   to
                   his
                   judgment
                   about
                   the
                   Arminian
                   Controversies
                   ,
                   as
                   far
                   as
                   I
                   can
                   perceive
                   ,
                   who
                   have
                   discoursed
                   with
                   him
                   about
                   them
                   ,
                   it
                   was
                   much-what
                   the
                   same
                   with
                   Doctor
                   Davenants
                   ,
                   and
                   Mr.
                   Baxters
                   .
                
                 
                   He
                   was
                   a
                   Man
                   of
                   a
                   very
                   calm
                   and
                   peaceable
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   one
                   that
                   loathed
                   all
                   tumultuous
                   carriages
                   and
                   proceedings
                   ;
                   he
                   was
                   far
                   from
                   having
                   any
                   other
                   design
                   in
                   his
                   Preaching
                   ,
                   than
                   the
                   advancement
                   of
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   conversion
                   and
                   salvation
                   of
                   Souls
                   :
                   This
                   was
                   the
                   mark
                   that
                   he
                   had
                   in
                   his
                   eye
                   ;
                   this
                   was
                   that
                   for
                   which
                   he
                   laboured
                   ,
                   and
                   ventured
                   ,
                   and
                   suffered
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   which
                   he
                   thought
                   he
                   could
                   never
                   lay
                   out
                   himself
                   enough
                   .
                
                 
                   Though
                   he
                   were
                   but
                   a
                   young
                   Man
                   ,
                   yet
                   in
                   his
                   carriage
                   he
                   was
                   exceeding
                   serious
                   and
                   grave
                   ,
                   and
                   〈◊〉
                   very
                   humble
                   ,
                   courteous
                   ,
                   and
                   affable
                   ,
                   condescending
                   to
                   discourse
                   with
                   the
                   poorest
                   and
                   meanest
                   Persons
                   ,
                   for
                   their
                   spiritual
                   good
                   ,
                   as
                   soon
                   as
                   with
                   the
                   greatest
                   and
                   richest
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   indeed
                   so
                   unblameable
                   and
                   convincing
                   was
                   he
                   in
                   the
                   whole
                   of
                   his
                   conversation
                   ,
                   that
                   there
                   were
                   very
                   few
                   religious
                   
                   and
                   sober
                   Persons
                   that
                   knew
                   him
                   ,
                   either
                   in
                   Town
                   or
                   Country
                   ,
                   either
                   Ministers
                   ,
                   or
                   People
                   ,
                   (
                   yea
                   ,
                   though
                   some
                   of
                   them
                   differing
                   in
                   judgment
                   from
                   him
                   )
                   but
                   did
                   highly
                   approve
                   of
                   him
                   .
                   And
                   for
                   his
                   Brethren
                   in
                   the
                   Ministry
                   here
                   in
                   these
                   parts
                   ,
                   such
                   was
                   his
                   holy
                   and
                   discreet
                   deportment
                   amongst
                   them
                   ;
                   that
                   he
                   had
                   as
                   great
                   an
                   influence
                   upon
                   them
                   ,
                   as
                   few
                   others
                   had
                   the
                   like
                   .
                
                 
                   He
                   was
                   full
                   of
                   holy
                   projects
                   ,
                   often
                   bethinking
                   himself
                   by
                   what
                   wayes
                   and
                   means
                   he
                   might
                   more
                   effectually
                   promote
                   the
                   honour
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   benefit
                   of
                   Souls
                   ,
                   and
                   whatsoever
                   he
                   apprehended
                   to
                   be
                   conducing
                   to
                   these
                   highest
                   ends
                   ,
                   he
                   would
                   prosecute
                   with
                   that
                   wisdom
                   and
                   vigour
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   seldom
                   failed
                   of
                   bringing
                   it
                   to
                   a
                   comfortable
                   and
                   successful
                   issue
                   .
                
                 
                   Of
                   which
                   Projects
                   ,
                   this
                   is
                   one
                   which
                   I
                   shall
                   here
                   insert
                   .
                   Having
                   considered
                   how
                   much
                   the
                   Conscientious
                   ,
                   and
                   frequent
                   performance
                   of
                   the
                   duty
                   of
                   Self-Examination
                   ,
                   might
                   tend
                   to
                   the
                   bringing
                   down
                   of
                   Sin
                   ,
                   and
                   furtherance
                   of
                   Holiness
                   ,
                   both
                   in
                   heart
                   and
                   life
                   ;
                   He
                   did
                   earnestly
                   press
                   the
                   said
                   Duty
                   on
                   his
                   Hearers
                   in
                   his
                   Preaching
                   ,
                   directing
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   performance
                   ;
                   and
                   not
                   onely
                   so
                   ,
                   but
                   dealt
                   with
                   them
                   also
                   in
                   private
                   about
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   got
                   a
                   promise
                   from
                   the
                   most
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   would
                   every
                   night
                   ,
                   before
                   they
                   did
                   take
                   their
                   rest
                   ,
                   set
                   about
                   this
                   Duty
                   ;
                   and
                   spend
                   some
                   time
                   in
                   secret
                   ,
                   on
                   purpose
                   to
                   call
                   themselves
                   to
                   an
                   account
                   ,
                   how
                   they
                   had
                   carried
                   it
                   that
                   day
                   ,
                   by
                   proposing
                   several
                   Questions
                   to
                   their
                   own
                   hearts
                   ,
                   which
                   Questions
                   he
                   had
                   referred
                   to
                   several
                   Heads
                   ,
                   and
                   drawn
                   up
                   for
                   them
                   in
                   writing
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   not
                   a
                   few
                   of
                   them
                   have
                   acknowledged
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   have
                   cause
                   to
                   bless
                   GOD
                   ,
                   who
                   stirred
                   him
                   up
                   to
                   put
                   them
                   upon
                   this
                   practice
                   ,
                   which
                   they
                   have
                   found
                   very
                   helpful
                   to
                   them
                   in
                   their
                   daily
                   Christian
                   Walk
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 USEFUL
                 QUESTIONS
                 ,
                 Whereby
                 a
                 Christian
                 may
                 every
                 day
                 examine
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 
                   PSAL.
                   4.
                   4.
                   
                
                 
                   
                     Commune
                     with
                     your
                     Hearts
                     upon
                     your
                     Beds
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 
                   EVery
                   Evening
                   before
                   you
                   sleep
                   (
                   unless
                   you
                   find
                   some
                   other
                   time
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   more
                   for
                   your
                   advantage
                   in
                   this
                   Work
                   )
                   sequester
                   your self
                   from
                   the
                   World
                   ;
                   and
                   having
                   set
                   your
                   heart
                   in
                   the
                   presence
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   charge
                   it
                   before
                   God
                   to
                   answer
                   to
                   these
                   Interrogatories
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     For
                     your
                     Duties
                     .
                     
                       
                         Q.
                         1.
                         
                         
                           Did
                           not
                           God
                           find
                           me
                           on
                           my
                           Bed
                           ,
                           when
                           he
                           looked
                           for
                           me
                           on
                           my
                           knees
                           ?
                        
                         Job
                         1.
                         5.
                         
                         Psal.
                         5.
                         3.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         2.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           not
                           I
                           prayed
                           to
                           no
                           purpose
                           ,
                           or
                           suffered
                           wandering
                           thoughts
                           to
                           eat
                           out
                           my
                           duties
                           ?
                        
                         Mat.
                         18.
                         8
                         ,
                         9.
                         
                         Jer.
                         12.
                         2.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         3.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           not
                           I
                           neglected
                           ,
                           or
                           been
                           very
                           overly
                           in
                           the
                           reading
                           God's
                           Holy
                           Word
                           ?
                        
                         Deut.
                         17.
                         19.
                         
                         Josh.
                         1.
                         7
                         ,
                         8.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         4.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           digested
                           the
                           Sermon
                           I
                           heard
                           last
                           ?
                           Have
                           I
                           〈◊〉
                           it
                           over
                           ?
                           and
                           prayed
                           it
                           over
                           ?
                        
                         Luk.
                         2.
                         19
                         ,
                         51.
                         
                         Psal.
                         1.
                         2.
                         
                         &
                         119.
                         5
                         ,
                         11
                         ,
                         97.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                         Q.
                         5.
                         
                         
                           Was
                           there
                           not
                           more
                           of
                           custome
                           ,
                           and
                           fashion
                           in
                           my
                           Family
                           Duties
                           ,
                           than
                           of
                           Conscience
                           ?
                        
                         Psal.
                         101.
                         2.
                         
                         Jer.
                         30.
                         22.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         6.
                         
                         
                           Wherein
                           have
                           I
                           denyed
                           my self
                           this
                           day
                           for
                           God
                           ?
                        
                         Luk.
                         9.
                         23.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         7.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           redeemed
                           my
                           time
                           from
                           too
                           long
                           or
                           needless
                           visits
                           ,
                           idle
                           imaginations
                           ,
                           fruitless
                           discourse
                           ,
                           unnecessary
                           sleep
                           ,
                           more
                           than
                           needs
                           of
                           the
                           World
                           ?
                        
                         Ephes.
                         5.
                         16.
                         
                         Col.
                         4.
                         5.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         8.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           done
                           any
                           thing
                           more
                           than
                           ordinary
                           for
                           the
                           Church
                           of
                           God
                           ,
                           in
                           this
                           time
                           extraordinary
                           ?
                        
                         2
                         Cor.
                         11.
                         28.
                         
                         Isa
                         62.
                         6.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         9.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           took
                           care
                           of
                           my
                           Company
                           ?
                        
                         Prov.
                         13.
                         20.
                         
                         Psal.
                         119.
                         63.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         10.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           not
                           I
                           neglected
                           ,
                           or
                           done
                           something
                           against
                           the
                           duties
                           of
                           my
                           Relations
                           ,
                           as
                           a
                           Master
                           ,
                           Servant
                           ,
                           Husband
                           ,
                           Wife
                           ,
                           Parent
                           ,
                           Child
                           ,
                        
                         &c.
                         Ephes.
                         5.
                         22.
                         to
                         Chap.
                         6.
                         ver
                         .
                         9.
                         
                         Col.
                         3.
                         18.
                         to
                         chap.
                         4.
                         ver
                         .
                         2.
                         
                      
                    
                  
                   
                     For
                     your
                     Sins
                     .
                     
                       
                         Q.
                         1.
                         
                         
                           Doth
                           not
                           sin
                           sit
                           light
                        
                         ?
                         Psal.
                         38.
                         4.
                         
                         Rom.
                         7.
                         24.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         2.
                         
                         
                           Am
                           I
                           a
                           mourner
                           for
                           the
                           sins
                           of
                           the
                           Land
                           ?
                        
                         Ezek.
                         9.
                         4.
                         
                         Jer.
                         9.
                         1
                         ,
                         2
                         ,
                         3.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         3.
                         
                         
                           Do
                           I
                           live
                           in
                           nothing
                           that
                           I
                           know
                           or
                           fear
                           to
                           be
                           a
                           sin
                           ?
                        
                         Psal.
                         119.
                         101
                         ,
                         104.
                         
                      
                    
                  
                   
                     For
                     your
                     Heart
                     .
                     
                       
                         Q.
                         1.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           been
                           much
                           in
                           Holy
                           Ejaculations
                           ?
                        
                         Neh.
                         2.
                         4
                         ,
                         5.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         2.
                         
                         
                           Hath
                           not
                           God
                           been
                           out
                           of
                           mind
                           ?
                           Heaven
                           out
                           of
                           sight
                           ?
                        
                         Psal.
                         16.
                         8.
                         
                         Jer.
                         2.
                         32.
                         
                         Phil.
                         3.
                         23.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         3.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           been
                           often
                           looking
                           into
                           mine
                           own
                           Heart
                           ,
                           and
                           made
                           conscience
                           of
                           vain
                           thoughts
                           ?
                        
                         Prov.
                         3.
                         23.
                         
                         Psal.
                         119.
                         113.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                         Q.
                         4.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           not
                           I
                           given
                           way
                           to
                           the
                           workings
                           of
                           Pride
                           ,
                        
                         or
                         Passion
                         ?
                         2
                         Chron.
                         32.
                         26.
                         
                         Jam.
                         4.
                         5
                         ,
                         6
                         ,
                         7.
                         
                      
                    
                  
                   
                     For
                     my
                     Tongue
                     .
                     
                       
                         Q.
                         1.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           bridled
                           my
                           Tongue
                           ,
                           and
                           forced
                           it
                           in
                           ?
                        
                         James
                         1.
                         26.
                         
                         &
                         3.
                         2
                         ,
                         3
                         ,
                         4.
                         
                         Psal.
                         39.
                         1.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         2.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           spoke
                           evil
                           of
                           no
                           Man
                           ?
                        
                         Tit.
                         3.
                         2.
                         
                         Jam.
                         4.
                         11.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         3.
                         
                         
                           Hath
                           the
                           Law
                           of
                           the
                           Lord
                           been
                           in
                           my
                           mouth
                           as
                           I
                           fat
                           in
                           my
                           House
                           ,
                           went
                           by
                           the
                           way
                           ,
                           was
                           lying
                           down
                           ,
                           and
                           rising
                           up
                           ?
                        
                         Deut.
                         6.
                         6
                         ,
                         7.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         4.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           come
                           into
                           no
                           company
                           where
                           I
                           have
                           not
                           dropped
                           something
                           of
                           God
                           ,
                           and
                           left
                           some
                           good
                           savour
                           behind
                           ?
                        
                         Col.
                         4.
                         6.
                         
                         Ephes.
                         4.
                         29.
                         
                      
                    
                  
                   
                     For
                     your
                     Table
                     .
                     
                       
                         Q.
                         1.
                         
                         
                           Did
                           not
                           I
                           sit
                           down
                           with
                           an
                           higher
                           end
                           than
                           a
                           Beast
                           ,
                           meerly
                           to
                           please
                           my
                           Appetite
                           ?
                           Did
                           I
                           eat
                           ,
                           drink
                           for
                           the
                           glory
                           of
                           God
                           ?
                        
                         1
                         Cor.
                         10.
                         31.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         2.
                         
                         
                           Was
                           not
                           mine
                           Appetite
                           too
                           hard
                           for
                           me
                           ?
                        
                         Jude
                         12.
                         2
                         
                         Pet.
                         1.
                         6.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         3.
                         
                         
                           Did
                           not
                           I
                           arise
                           from
                           the
                           〈◊〉
                           without
                           dropping
                           any
                           thing
                           of
                           God
                           there
                           ?
                        
                         Luk.
                         7.
                         36
                         ,
                         &c.
                         &
                         14.
                         1
                         ,
                         &c.
                         John
                         6.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         4.
                         
                         
                           Did
                           not
                           I
                           mock
                           with
                           God
                           when
                           I
                           pretended
                           to
                           〈◊〉
                           a
                           blessing
                           ,
                           and
                           return
                           thanks
                           ?
                        
                         Acts
                         27.
                         35
                         ,
                         39.
                         
                         Mat.
                         15.
                         36.
                         
                         Col.
                         3.
                         17
                         ,
                         23.
                         
                      
                    
                  
                   
                     For
                     your
                     Calling
                     .
                     
                       
                         Q.
                         1.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           been
                           diligent
                           in
                           the
                           duties
                           of
                           my
                           Calling
                           ?
                        
                         Eccles.
                         9.
                         1
                         
                         Cor.
                         7.
                         17
                         ,
                         20
                         ,
                         24.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                         Q.
                         2.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           desrauded
                           no
                           man
                        
                         ?
                         1
                         Thes.
                         4.
                         6.
                         1
                         
                         Cor.
                         6.
                         3.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         3.
                         
                         
                           Have
                           I
                           dropped
                           never
                           a
                           lye
                           in
                           my
                           Shop
                           or
                           Trade
                           ?
                        
                         Prov.
                         21.
                         6.
                         
                         Ephes.
                         4.
                         25.
                         
                      
                       
                         Q.
                         4.
                         
                         
                           Did
                           not
                           I
                           rashly
                           make
                           ,
                           nor
                           falsly
                           break
                           some
                           promise
                           ?
                        
                         Psal.
                         106.
                         33.
                         
                         Jos.
                         9.
                         14
                         ,
                         &c.
                         Psal.
                         15.
                         4.
                         
                      
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 
                   An
                   Addition
                   of
                   some
                   brief
                   Directions
                   for
                   the
                   Morning
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Direct
                     .
                     1.
                     
                     
                       If
                       through
                       necessity
                       or
                       carelesness
                       you
                       have
                       omitted
                       the
                       reading
                       and
                       weighing
                       of
                       these
                       Questions
                       in
                       the
                       evening
                       ,
                       be
                       sure
                       to
                       do
                       it
                       now
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     D.
                     2.
                     
                     
                       Ask
                       your self
                       ,
                       what
                       sin
                       have
                       I
                       committed
                       ,
                       what
                       duty
                       have
                       I
                       omitted
                       ?
                       Against
                       which
                       of
                       these
                       Rules
                       have
                       I
                       offended
                       ,
                       in
                       the
                       day
                       foregoing
                       ?
                       And
                       renew
                       your
                       repentance
                       ,
                       and
                       double
                       your
                       watch
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     D.
                     3.
                     
                     
                       Examine
                       whether
                       God
                       were
                       last
                       in
                       your
                       thoughts
                       when
                       you
                       went
                       to
                       sleep
                       ,
                       and
                       first
                       when
                       you
                       awake
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     D.
                     4.
                     
                     
                       Enquire
                       whether
                       your
                       care
                       of
                       your
                       heart
                       and
                       wayes
                       ,
                       doth
                       increase
                       upon
                       your
                       constant
                       using
                       of
                       this
                       course
                       for
                       Self-Examination
                       ,
                       or
                       whether
                       it
                       doth
                       abate
                       ,
                       and
                       you
                       grow
                       more
                       remiss
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     D.
                     5.
                     
                     
                       Impose
                       a
                       task
                       of
                       some
                       good
                       meditations
                       upon
                       your selves
                       while
                       you
                       are
                       making
                       ready
                       ,
                       either
                       to
                       go
                       over
                       these
                       Rules
                       in
                       your
                       thoughts
                       ,
                       or
                       the
                       Heads
                       of
                       some
                       Sermon
                       you
                       heard
                       last
                       ,
                       or
                       the
                       Holy
                       Meditations
                       for
                       this
                       purpose
                       in
                       the
                    
                     Practice
                     of
                     Piety
                     ,
                     or
                     Scuders
                     Daily
                     Walk
                     .
                  
                   
                     D.
                     6.
                     
                     
                       Set
                       your
                       ends
                       right
                       for
                       all
                       that
                       day
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     D.
                     7.
                     
                     
                       Set
                       your
                       watch
                       ,
                       especially
                       against
                       those
                       sins
                       and
                       temptations
                       that
                       you
                       are
                       like
                       to
                       be
                       most
                       incident
                       to
                       that
                       day
                       .
                    
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   VI.
                
                 A
                 full
                 Narrative
                 of
                 his
                 Life
                 ,
                 (
                 from
                 his
                 Silencing
                 till
                 his
                 Death
                 )
                 by
                 his
                 Widdow
                 Mrs.
                 
                   Theodosia
                   Allein
                
                 ,
                 in
                 her
                 own
                 Words
                 ;
                 wherein
                 is
                 notably
                 set
                 forth
                 with
                 what
                 patience
                 he
                 ran
                 the
                 Race
                 that
                 was
                 set
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 fulfilled
                 the
                 Ministry
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 received
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
               
                 BEfore
                 the
                 
                   Act
                   for
                   Uniformity
                
                 came
                 forth
                 ,
                 my
                 Husband
                 was
                 
                   very
                   earnest
                   day
                   and
                   night
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                
                 that
                 his
                 Way
                 might
                 be
                 made
                 plain
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 not
                 desist
                 from
                 such
                 Advantages
                 of
                 saving
                 Souls
                 ,
                 with
                 any
                 scruple
                 upon
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 In
                 which
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 saw
                 those
                 Clauses
                 of
                 Assent
                 and
                 Consent
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Renouncing
                   the
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 
                   fully
                   satisfied
                
                 :
                 But
                 he
                 seemed
                 so
                 
                   moderate
                   before
                
                 ,
                 that
                 both
                 my self
                 and
                 others
                 ,
                 thought
                 he
                 
                   would
                   have
                   Conformed
                
                 :
                 He
                 often
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   would
                   not
                   leave
                   his
                   work
                   for
                   small
                   and
                   dubious
                   Matters
                   :
                
                 But
                 seeing
                 his
                 way
                 
                   so
                   plain
                
                 for
                 quitting
                 the
                 publick
                 
                   Station
                   that
                   〈◊〉
                   held
                
                 ,
                 and
                 being
                 thoroughly
                 perswaded
                 of
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 the
                 Ministers
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 Places
                 ,
                 did
                 not
                 〈◊〉
                 them
                 from
                 preaching
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 he
                 presently
                 took
                 up
                 a
                 〈◊〉
                 resolution
                 to
                 go
                 on
                 with
                 his
                 Work
                 in
                 private
                 ,
                 both
                 of
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 Visiting
                 from
                 House
                 to
                 House
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 〈◊〉
                 to
                 Prison
                 ,
                 or
                 Banishment
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 counted
                 upon
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 assisting
                 him
                 :
                 And
                 this
                 Resolution
                 ,
                 without
                 delay
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Thursday
                 after
                 he
                 appointed
                 a
                 Solemn
                 
                 Day
                 of
                 Humiliation
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 preached
                 to
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 would
                 adventure
                 themselves
                 with
                 him
                 at
                 our
                 own
                 House
                 :
                 But
                 it
                 being
                 then
                 a
                 strange
                 thing
                 to
                 the
                 most
                 Professors
                 to
                 suffer
                 ,
                 they
                 seemed
                 much
                 afrighted
                 at
                 the
                 threatnings
                 of
                 Adversaries
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 there
                 was
                 not
                 such
                 an
                 appearance
                 at
                 such
                 opportunities
                 as
                 my
                 Husband
                 expected
                 ;
                 whereupon
                 he
                 made
                 it
                 his
                 Work
                 to
                 converse
                 much
                 with
                 those
                 he
                 perceived
                 to
                 be
                 most
                 timerous
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 satisfie
                 the
                 Scruples
                 that
                 were
                 on
                 many
                 amongst
                 us
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 was
                 pleased
                 in
                 a
                 short
                 time
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 such
                 success
                 that
                 his
                 own
                 People
                 waxed
                 bold
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Gospel
                 :
                 and
                 multitudes
                 flocked
                 into
                 the
                 Meetings
                 ,
                 at
                 whatsoever
                 season
                 they
                 were
                 ,
                 either
                 by
                 day
                 or
                 night
                 ;
                 which
                 was
                 a
                 great
                 encouragement
                 to
                 my
                 Husband
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 went
                 on
                 with
                 much
                 vigour
                 and
                 affection
                 in
                 his
                 Work
                 ,
                 both
                 of
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 and
                 Visiting
                 ,
                 and
                 Catechizing
                 ,
                 from
                 House
                 to
                 House
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 went
                 also
                 frequently
                 into
                 the
                 Villages
                 and
                 Places
                 about
                 the
                 Towns
                 where
                 their
                 Ministers
                 were
                 gone
                 ,
                 as
                 most
                 of
                 them
                 did
                 flie
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 the
                 least
                 desist
                 for
                 a
                 considerable
                 time
                 after
                 Bartholomew
                 day
                 :
                 Where-ever
                 he
                 went
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 was
                 pleased
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 great
                 success
                 ;
                 many
                 converted
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 generality
                 of
                 those
                 animated
                 to
                 cleave
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 and
                 his
                 wayes
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 by
                 this
                 the
                 Justices
                 rage
                 was
                 much
                 heightned
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 was
                 often
                 threatned
                 and
                 sought
                 for
                 ;
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 whose
                 Work
                 he
                 was
                 delighted
                 in
                 ,
                 was
                 preserved
                 much
                 longer
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 hands
                 than
                 he
                 expected
                 :
                 For
                 he
                 would
                 often
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   it
                   pleased
                   the
                   Lord
                   to
                   grant
                   him
                   three
                   months
                   liberty
                   before
                   he
                   went
                   to
                   Prison
                   ,
                   he
                   should
                   account
                   himself
                   favoured
                   by
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   should
                   with
                   more
                   chearfulness
                   go
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   had
                   done
                   some
                   Work.
                
                 At
                 which
                 time
                 we
                 sold
                 off
                 all
                 our
                 goods
                 ,
                 preparing
                 for
                 a
                 Goal
                 ,
                 or
                 Banishment
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 was
                 desirous
                 I
                 should
                 attend
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 was
                 willing
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 it
                 alwayes
                 having
                 been
                 more
                 grievous
                 to
                 me
                 to
                 think
                 of
                 being
                 absent
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 suffer
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 also
                 resolved
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 would
                 suffer
                 him
                 no
                 longer
                 to
                 stay
                 in
                 England
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 go
                 to
                 China
                 ,
                 or
                 some
                 remote
                 Part
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 publish
                 the
                 Gospel
                 there
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 pleased
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 to
                 indulge
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 went
                 on
                 in
                 his
                 Work
                 from
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 26th
                 after
                 :
                 Though
                 often
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 was
                 never
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 
                 People
                 both
                 of
                 the
                 Town
                 and
                 Countrey
                 were
                 grown
                 so
                 resolute
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 came
                 in
                 great
                 multitudes
                 ,
                 at
                 whatever
                 season
                 the
                 Meeting
                 was
                 appointed
                 ,
                 very
                 seldom
                 missing
                 twice
                 a
                 Sabbath
                 ,
                 and
                 often
                 in
                 the
                 week
                 :
                 I
                 know
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 Preached
                 fourteen
                 times
                 in
                 eight
                 dayes
                 ,
                 and
                 ten
                 often
                 ,
                 and
                 six
                 or
                 seven
                 ordinarily
                 in
                 these
                 Months
                 ,
                 at
                 home
                 and
                 abroad
                 ,
                 besides
                 his
                 frequent
                 converse
                 with
                 Souls
                 .
                 He
                 then
                 laying
                 aside
                 all
                 other
                 Studies
                 which
                 he
                 formerly
                 so
                 much
                 delighted
                 in
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 accounted
                 his
                 time
                 would
                 be
                 but
                 short
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Lord
                 (
                 as
                 he
                 often
                 told
                 me
                 )
                 made
                 his
                 Work
                 in
                 his
                 Ministry
                 far
                 more
                 easie
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 supplies
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 both
                 in
                 Gifts
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 as
                 did
                 evidently
                 appear
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 his
                 Doctrine
                 and
                 Life
                 ;
                 he
                 appearing
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 Spiritual
                 ,
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 ,
                 and
                 affectionate
                 then
                 before
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 heard
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 conversed
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 upon
                 a
                 Saturday
                 in
                 the
                 evening
                 ,
                 about
                 six
                 a
                 clock
                 ,
                 seized
                 on
                 by
                 an
                 Officer
                 of
                 our
                 Town
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 rather
                 have
                 been
                 otherwise
                 imployed
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 often
                 said
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 forced
                 to
                 a
                 speedy
                 execution
                 of
                 the
                 Warrant
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 Justice's
                 Clerk
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 sent
                 on
                 purpose
                 with
                 it
                 to
                 see
                 it
                 Executed
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 feared
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 the
                 Town
                 would
                 have
                 done
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Warrant
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 three
                 Justices
                 ,
                 to
                 summon
                 him
                 to
                 appear
                 forthwith
                 at
                 one
                 of
                 their
                 Houses
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 about
                 two
                 miles
                 from
                 the
                 Town
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 desired
                 liberty
                 to
                 stay
                 and
                 Sup
                 with
                 his
                 Family
                 first
                 ,
                 supposing
                 his
                 Entertainment
                 there
                 would
                 be
                 such
                 as
                 would
                 require
                 some
                 refreshment
                 :
                 This
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 granted
                 ,
                 till
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 chief
                 of
                 the
                 Town
                 was
                 bound
                 for
                 his
                 speedy
                 appearance
                 :
                 His
                 Supper
                 being
                 prepared
                 ,
                 he
                 sat
                 down
                 eating
                 very
                 heartily
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 very
                 chearful
                 ,
                 but
                 full
                 of
                 Holy
                 and
                 gracious
                 Expressions
                 ,
                 sutable
                 to
                 his
                 and
                 our
                 prosent
                 state
                 .
                 After
                 Supper
                 ,
                 having
                 prayed
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 with
                 the
                 Officer
                 ,
                 and
                 two
                 or
                 three
                 Friends
                 accompanying
                 him
                 ,
                 repaired
                 to
                 the
                 Justices
                 House
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 lay
                 to
                 his
                 charge
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 broken
                 the
                 
                   Act
                   of
                   Uniformity
                
                 by
                 his
                 Preaching
                 ;
                 which
                 he
                 denyed
                 ,
                 saying
                 ;
                 
                   That
                   he
                   had
                   Preached
                   neither
                   in
                   any
                   Church
                   ,
                   nor
                   Chappel
                   ,
                   nor
                   place
                   of
                   publick
                   Worship
                   since
                   the
                   24th
                   of
                
                 August
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   what
                   he
                   did
                   was
                   in
                   his
                   own
                   Family
                   ,
                   with
                   those
                   others
                   that
                   came
                   there
                   to
                   hear
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 Here
                 behold
                 hom
                 many
                 Ministers
                 have
                 these
                 eight
                 or
                 nine
                 years
                 been
                 silenced
                 in
                 
                   England
                   ,
                   Scotland
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Ireland
                 ,
                 whose
                 Holy
                 Skill
                 and
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 Fidelity
                 and
                 Zeal
                 ,
                 is
                 sucht
                 ,
                 as
                 would
                 have
                 justly
                 advanced
                 most
                 of
                 the
                 Antient
                 Fathers
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 to
                 far
                 greater
                 renown
                 ,
                 had
                 they
                 been
                 but
                 possessed
                 with
                 the
                 like
                 :
                 Of
                 whom
                 indeed
                 the
                 World
                 is
                 not
                 worthy
                 .
                 O!
                 how
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 am
                 I
                 constrained
                 to
                 remember
                 ,
                 with
                 joy
                 for
                 their
                 great
                 Worth
                 ,
                 and
                 sorrow
                 for
                 their
                 Silence
                 !
                 But
                 though
                 Learning
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 wonderful
                 Ministerial
                 Skill
                 ,
                 and
                 Industry
                 ,
                 Moderation
                 ,
                 Peaceableness
                 ,
                 true
                 Catholecism
                 ,
                 absolute
                 Dedication
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Zeal
                 ,
                 Patience
                 and
                 Perseverance
                 ,
                 did
                 not
                 all
                 seem
                 sufficient
                 to
                 procure
                 his
                 Ministerial
                 or
                 Corporal
                 Liberty
                 in
                 his
                 latter
                 years
                 ;
                 yet
                 they
                 did
                 much
                 more
                 for
                 him
                 than
                 that
                 ,
                 in
                 qualifying
                 him
                 for
                 the
                 Crown
                 which
                 he
                 now
                 enjoyeth
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 hear
                 ,
                 
                   Well
                   done
                   good
                   and
                   faithful
                   Servant
                   ,
                   enter
                   into
                   thy
                   Masters
                   Joy.
                   
                
              
               
                 But
                 ,
                 alas
                 ,
                 Lord
                 !
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 terrible
                 future
                 evil
                 ,
                 from
                 which
                 thou
                 takest
                 such
                 men
                 away
                 !
                 And
                 why
                 is
                 this
                 World
                 so
                 much
                 forsaken
                 ?
                 As
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 not
                 a
                 Prayer
                 of
                 Hope
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 taught
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   Thy
                   Will
                   be
                   done
                   on
                   Earth
                   ,
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   in
                   Heaven
                   .
                
              
               
                 He
                 hath
                 Printed
                 a
                 small
                 Book
                 ,
                 called
                 ,
                 
                   A
                   Call
                   to
                   Archippus
                
                 ,
                 to
                 perswade
                 the
                 silent
                 Non-conformists
                 ,
                 to
                 pity
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 faithful
                 in
                 the
                 Work
                 to
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 Devoted
                 and
                 Consecrated
                 ,
                 how
                 dear
                 soever
                 it
                 may
                 cost
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 held
                 that
                 Separation
                 in
                 a
                 Church
                 was
                 necessary
                 many
                 times
                 from
                 the
                 known
                 corruptions
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 allowed
                 not
                 Separation
                 from
                 a
                 Church
                 ,
                 where
                 Active
                 Complyance
                 with
                 some
                 sinful
                 Evil
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 made
                 the
                 Condition
                 of
                 Communion
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 this
                 way
                 he
                 frequently
                 declared
                 himself
                 in
                 Health
                 and
                 Sickness
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 expresly
                 in
                 my
                 hearing
                 on
                 his
                 Bed
                 of
                 Languishing
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 drawing
                 near
                 his
                 Long-Home
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 that
                 the
                 People
                 were
                 not
                 disobliged
                 from
                 attending
                 upon
                 their
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 ejected
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 Places
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 Book
                 entituled
                 
                   A
                   Call
                   to
                   Archippus
                
                 sheweth
                 ;
                 after
                 that
                 Black
                 and
                 Mournful
                 Sabbath
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 he
                 took
                 his
                 farewel
                 with
                 much
                 affection
                 of
                 his
                 Beloved
                 People
                 .
              
               
                 When
                 he
                 was
                 taken
                 up
                 for
                 Prison
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 onely
                 contented
                 ,
                 but
                 joyful
                 to
                 suffer
                 for
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Jesus
                 and
                 his
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 so
                 dear
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 Intimating
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 had
                 given
                 
                 him
                 much
                 more
                 ]
                 time
                 than
                 he
                 expected
                 ,
                 or
                 askt
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 accounted
                 it
                 cause
                 of
                 rejoycing
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 honour
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 called
                 forth
                 to
                 suffer
                 for
                 his
                 name
                 .
              
               
                 Although
                 he
                 was
                 very
                 suddenly
                 surprised
                 ,
                 yet
                 none
                 could
                 discern
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 moved
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 pitied
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 his
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 requesting
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Martyr
                 Stephen
                 did
                 for
                 those
                 that
                 stoned
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   God
                   would
                   not
                   lay
                   this
                   sin
                   of
                   theirs
                   to
                   their
                   charge
                   .
                
                 The
                 greatest
                 harm
                 that
                 he
                 did
                 wish
                 to
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 was
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   they
                   might
                   throughly
                   be
                   Converted
                   and
                   Sanctified
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   their
                   Souls
                   might
                   be
                   saved
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   .
                
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 very
                 urgent
                 with
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 Unconverted
                 ,
                 to
                 look
                 with
                 more
                 care
                 after
                 their
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 now
                 they
                 were
                 removed
                 from
                 them
                 that
                 longed
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 watched
                 for
                 their
                 Souls
                 ;
                 using
                 this
                 as
                 an
                 Argument
                 often
                 ,
                 That
                 now
                 they
                 were
                 fallen
                 into
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 such
                 ,
                 many
                 of
                 which
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 most
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 had
                 neither
                 Skill
                 nor
                 Will
                 to
                 save
                 Souls
                 :
                 And
                 setting
                 home
                 upon
                 them
                 with
                 most
                 tender
                 Affections
                 ,
                 what
                 miserable
                 Creatures
                 they
                 were
                 while
                 Unregenerate
                 ,
                 telling
                 them
                 how
                 his
                 Heart
                 did
                 yearn
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Bowels
                 turned
                 within
                 him
                 for
                 them
                 ;
                 how
                 he
                 did
                 pray
                 and
                 weep
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 while
                 they
                 were
                 asleep
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 willingly
                 he
                 had
                 suffered
                 a
                 years
                 Imprisonment
                 :
                 Nay
                 ,
                 how
                 readily
                 he
                 could
                 shed
                 his
                 Blood
                 to
                 procure
                 their
                 Salvation
                 .
                 His
                 Counsels
                 and
                 Directions
                 were
                 many
                 ,
                 and
                 suited
                 to
                 the
                 several
                 states
                 of
                 those
                 he
                 thus
                 Conversed
                 with
                 ,
                 both
                 as
                 to
                 their
                 degree
                 and
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 sins
                 and
                 wants
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 be
                 too
                 long
                 to
                 recite
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 can
                 remember
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 his
                 fellow
                 Prisoners
                 ,
                 he
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Eyes
                   of
                   GOD
                   and
                   Angels
                   are
                   upon
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   eyes
                   of
                   Men
                   are
                   upon
                   you
                   ;
                   now
                   you
                   will
                   be
                   critically
                   observed
                   .
                   Every
                   one
                   will
                   be
                   looking
                   that
                   you
                   should
                   be
                   more
                   Holy
                   than
                   others
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   called
                   forth
                   to
                   this
                   his
                   glorious
                   Dignity
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Witnesses
                   of
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   loss
                   of
                   your
                   Liberties
                   .
                
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 eminently
                 free
                 from
                 harsh
                 censuring
                 and
                 judging
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 ready
                 to
                 embrace
                 all
                 in
                 Heart
                 ,
                 Arms
                 ,
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 Civil
                 and
                 Religious
                 ,
                 any
                 that
                 prosessed
                 saving
                 〈◊〉
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 did
                 not
                 overthrow
                 that
                 Profession
                 by
                 some
                 Fundamental
                 Error
                 in
                 Doctrine
                 or
                 Wickedness
                 of
                 Life
                 and
                 Conversation
                 .
              
               
               
                 And
                 yet
                 they
                 accused
                 him
                 of
                 being
                 at
                 a
                 
                   Riotous
                   Assembly
                
                 ,
                 though
                 there
                 were
                 no
                 Threats
                 ,
                 nor
                 dangerous
                 Words
                 ;
                 no
                 Staves
                 ,
                 nor
                 Weapons
                 ,
                 no
                 Fear
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 pretended
                 to
                 be
                 struck
                 into
                 any
                 man
                 ,
                 nor
                 any
                 other
                 Business
                 met
                 about
                 ,
                 then
                 Preaching
                 and
                 Prayer
                 .
                 Here
                 he
                 was
                 much
                 abused
                 ,
                 receiving
                 many
                 scorns
                 and
                 scoffs
                 from
                 the
                 Justices
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Associa
                 es
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 met
                 to
                 hear
                 his
                 Examination
                 ,
                 also
                 from
                 the
                 Ladies
                 and
                 other
                 Gentlemen
                 ,
                 who
                 called
                 him
                 often
                 Rogue
                 ,
                 and
                 told
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 deserved
                 to
                 be
                 Hang'd
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 were
                 not
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 Hang'd
                 for
                 him
                 :
                 With
                 many
                 such
                 like
                 scurrilous
                 Passages
                 ,
                 which
                 my
                 Husband
                 received
                 with
                 much
                 patience
                 ;
                 and
                 seeming
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 apprehended
                 by
                 his
                 Countenance
                 ,
                 to
                 slight
                 their
                 Threatnings
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 more
                 inraged
                 at
                 him
                 :
                 They
                 urged
                 him
                 much
                 to
                 accuse
                 himself
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 seeing
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 bring
                 him
                 to
                 ;
                 and
                 having
                 no
                 evidence
                 ,
                 as
                 appeared
                 after
                 ,
                 yet
                 did
                 make
                 his
                 Mittimus
                 for
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 the
                 Goal
                 on
                 Monday
                 Morning
                 ,
                 after
                 they
                 had
                 detained
                 him
                 till
                 twelve
                 at
                 Night
                 ,
                 abusing
                 him
                 beyond
                 what
                 I
                 do
                 now
                 distinctly
                 remember
                 ,
                 or
                 were
                 fit
                 to
                 express
                 .
              
               
                 As
                 soon
                 as
                 he
                 returned
                 ,
                 it
                 being
                 so
                 late
                 ,
                 about
                 two
                 a
                 Clock
                 ,
                 he
                 lay
                 down
                 on
                 the
                 Bed
                 in
                 his
                 Clothes
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 slept
                 above
                 two
                 or
                 three
                 hours
                 at
                 the
                 most
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 was
                 up
                 ,
                 spending
                 his
                 time
                 in
                 Converse
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 till
                 about
                 eight
                 a
                 Clock
                 ;
                 by
                 which
                 hour
                 ,
                 several
                 of
                 his
                 Friends
                 were
                 come
                 to
                 Visit
                 him
                 :
                 But
                 he
                 was
                 so
                 watched
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Officer
                 had
                 such
                 a
                 charge
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 suffered
                 to
                 Preach
                 all
                 that
                 Sabbath
                 ,
                 but
                 spent
                 the
                 day
                 in
                 discoursing
                 with
                 the
                 various
                 Companies
                 ,
                 that
                 came
                 flocking
                 in
                 from
                 the
                 Town
                 ,
                 and
                 Villages
                 ,
                 to
                 visit
                 him
                 ;
                 Praying
                 often
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 could
                 be
                 permitted
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 exceeding
                 chearful
                 in
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 full
                 of
                 admirations
                 of
                 the
                 Mercies
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 incouraging
                 all
                 that
                 came
                 to
                 be
                 bold
                 ,
                 and
                 venture
                 for
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Souls
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 what
                 was
                 come
                 upon
                 him
                 for
                 their
                 sakes
                 :
                 For
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 told
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 moved
                 at
                 at
                 ,
                 nor
                 did
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 repent
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 he
                 had
                 done
                 ,
                 but
                 accounted
                 himself
                 happy
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 that
                 Promise
                 Christ
                 makes
                 to
                 his
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 5th
                 of
                 Matthew
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 doubly
                 and
                 trebly
                 blessed
                 now
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 suffer
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 :
                 And
                 was
                 very
                 earnest
                 with
                 his
                 Brethren
                 in
                 the
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 that
                 came
                 to
                 see
                 him
                 ,
                 That
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 desist
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 gone
                 ,
                 that
                 
                 there
                 might
                 not
                 be
                 one
                 Sermon
                 the
                 less
                 in
                 Taunton
                 ;
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 People
                 to
                 attend
                 the
                 Ministry
                 with
                 greater
                 Ardency
                 ,
                 Diligency
                 ,
                 and
                 courage
                 ,
                 than
                 before
                 ;
                 assuring
                 them
                 how
                 sweet
                 and
                 comfortable
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 him
                 to
                 consider
                 what
                 he
                 had
                 done
                 for
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 months
                 past
                 :
                 And
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 going
                 to
                 Prison
                 full
                 of
                 Joy
                 ,
                 being
                 confident
                 that
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 would
                 turn
                 to
                 the
                 furtherance
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 he
                 not
                 being
                 satisfied
                 to
                 go
                 away
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 leave
                 some
                 exhortations
                 with
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 he
                 appointed
                 them
                 to
                 meet
                 him
                 about
                 one
                 or
                 two
                 a
                 Clock
                 in
                 the
                 Night
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 they
                 shewed
                 their
                 readiness
                 ,
                 though
                 at
                 so
                 unseasonable
                 a
                 time
                 :
                 There
                 was
                 of
                 Young
                 and
                 Old
                 ,
                 many
                 hundreds
                 ;
                 he
                 Preached
                 and
                 Prayed
                 with
                 them
                 about
                 three
                 hours
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 so
                 with
                 many
                 yearnings
                 of
                 his
                 Bowels
                 towards
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 theirs
                 toward
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 took
                 their
                 farewel
                 of
                 each
                 other
                 ;
                 a
                 more
                 affectionate
                 Parting
                 could
                 not
                 well
                 be
                 .
              
               
                 About
                 nine
                 a
                 Clock
                 ,
                 he
                 with
                 two
                 or
                 three
                 Friends
                 that
                 were
                 willing
                 to
                 accompany
                 him
                 ,
                 set
                 out
                 for
                 Ilchester
                 :
                 The
                 Streets
                 were
                 lined
                 on
                 both
                 sides
                 with
                 People
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 followed
                 him
                 a
                 foot
                 some
                 miles
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Town
                 ,
                 with
                 such
                 lamentations
                 ,
                 (
                 that
                 he
                 told
                 me
                 after
                 )
                 did
                 so
                 affect
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 scarce
                 bear
                 them
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 Lord
                 so
                 strengthned
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 passed
                 through
                 them
                 all
                 with
                 great
                 Courage
                 and
                 Joy
                 ,
                 labouring
                 both
                 by
                 his
                 chearful
                 Countenance
                 and
                 Expressions
                 ,
                 to
                 encourage
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 carried
                 his
                 Mittimus
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 no
                 Officer
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 but
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 there
                 ,
                 he
                 found
                 the
                 Goaler
                 absent
                 ,
                 and
                 took
                 that
                 opportunity
                 to
                 Preach
                 before
                 he
                 went
                 into
                 the
                 Prison
                 ;
                 which
                 was
                 accounted
                 by
                 his
                 Adversaries
                 ,
                 a
                 great
                 addition
                 to
                 his
                 former
                 Crime
                 .
                 As
                 soon
                 as
                 the
                 Goaler
                 came
                 ,
                 he
                 delivered
                 his
                 Mittimus
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 clapped
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 Bridewel
                 Chamber
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 over
                 the
                 common
                 Goal
                 .
                 When
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 the
                 Prison
                 ,
                 he
                 found
                 there
                 Mr.
                 
                   John
                   Norman
                
                 ,
                 late
                 Minister
                 of
                 Bridgwater
                 ,
                 who
                 for
                 the
                 like
                 cause
                 ,
                 was
                 Apprehended
                 and
                 Committed
                 a
                 few
                 dayes
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 (
                 a
                 Man
                 ,
                 who
                 for
                 his
                 singular
                 Abilities
                 in
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 his
                 fervent
                 Zeal
                 ,
                 and
                 Holy
                 Boldness
                 in
                 the
                 Cause
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 his
                 Constancy
                 to
                 his
                 Principles
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 Wavering
                 and
                 Shaking
                 Times
                 ,
                 joyned
                 with
                 an
                 exemplary
                 Carriage
                 and
                 Conversation
                 ,
                 was
                 deservedly
                 had
                 
                 in
                 great
                 repute
                 among
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 these
                 Western
                 parts
                 ;
                 and
                 indeed
                 there
                 were
                 very
                 few
                 that
                 knew
                 him
                 ,
                 either
                 among
                 the
                 sober
                 Gentry
                 ,
                 or
                 Commonalty
                 ;
                 but
                 for
                 his
                 eminent
                 Parts
                 ,
                 and
                 spotless
                 Life
                 ,
                 had
                 great
                 respects
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 )
                 There
                 were
                 also
                 five
                 more
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 with
                 fifty
                 Quakers
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 all
                 their
                 Lodgings
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Room
                 ,
                 only
                 parted
                 with
                 a
                 Mat
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 had
                 done
                 for
                 a
                 little
                 more
                 Retirement
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 long
                 after
                 before
                 Mr.
                 Coven
                 ,
                 and
                 Mr.
                 Powel
                 ,
                 with
                 eight
                 more
                 ,
                 were
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 same
                 place
                 ,
                 being
                 taken
                 at
                 Meetings
                 ;
                 which
                 made
                 their
                 Rooms
                 very
                 straight
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 was
                 so
                 nigh
                 to
                 the
                 upper
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Prison
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 could
                 touch
                 the
                 Tiles
                 as
                 they
                 lay
                 in
                 their
                 Beds
                 ;
                 which
                 made
                 it
                 very
                 irksom
                 ,
                 the
                 Sun
                 lying
                 so
                 hot
                 on
                 it
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 being
                 so
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 much
                 Resort
                 continually
                 of
                 Friends
                 ,
                 they
                 had
                 very
                 little
                 Air
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 were
                 forced
                 to
                 take
                 down
                 the
                 Glass
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 Tiles
                 ,
                 to
                 let
                 in
                 some
                 Refreshment
                 .
                 But
                 here
                 they
                 were
                 confined
                 to
                 Lie
                 ,
                 and
                 eat
                 their
                 Meals
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 no
                 place
                 but
                 a
                 small
                 Garden
                 ,
                 joyned
                 to
                 the
                 place
                 where
                 all
                 the
                 Common
                 Prisoners
                 were
                 ;
                 which
                 was
                 no
                 Retirement
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 having
                 there
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 their
                 Chamber
                 ,
                 the
                 constaut
                 noise
                 of
                 those
                 Wretches
                 ,
                 except
                 when
                 they
                 slept
                 ;
                 who
                 lay
                 just
                 under
                 them
                 ,
                 their
                 Chains
                 ratling
                 ,
                 their
                 Tongues
                 often
                 Blaspheming
                 ;
                 or
                 else
                 Roaring
                 and
                 Singing
                 by
                 Night
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 Day
                 :
                 And
                 if
                 they
                 went
                 into
                 the
                 Courts
                 of
                 the
                 Prison
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 their
                 Clothes
                 hanging
                 full
                 of
                 Vermin
                 ,
                 and
                 themselves
                 in
                 their
                 Rags
                 and
                 Chains
                 :
                 But
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 most
                 grievous
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 had
                 no
                 place
                 to
                 retire
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 ,
                 neither
                 alone
                 ,
                 nor
                 together
                 .
                 They
                 were
                 also
                 much
                 molested
                 by
                 the
                 Quakers
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 frequently
                 disturb
                 them
                 by
                 their
                 Cavils
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 times
                 of
                 their
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 Praying
                 ,
                 and
                 Singing
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 come
                 and
                 work
                 in
                 their
                 Callings
                 just
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 while
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 Duties
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 no
                 small
                 disturbance
                 to
                 them
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 the
                 Air
                 was
                 more
                 to
                 my
                 Husband
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 most
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 alwayes
                 accustomed
                 himself
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 Oxford
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 ,
                 to
                 spend
                 his
                 most
                 secret
                 Hours
                 abroad
                 in
                 by-Places
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Fields
                 or
                 Woods
                 .
              
               
                 As
                 soon
                 as
                 he
                 came
                 into
                 the
                 Prison
                 ,
                 he
                 Preached
                 and
                 Prayed
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 called
                 the
                 Consecration
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 After
                 he
                 had
                 spent
                 a
                 day
                 or
                 two
                 in
                 the
                 Prison
                 ,
                 being
                 willing
                 to
                 have
                 me
                 either
                 
                 in
                 the
                 Town
                 ,
                 or
                 there
                 ,
                 to
                 attend
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 keep
                 company
                 with
                 his
                 Friends
                 ,
                 who
                 came
                 frequently
                 to
                 visit
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 then
                 began
                 to
                 fit
                 up
                 his
                 Lodging
                 ;
                 having
                 prevailed
                 with
                 the
                 Keeper
                 for
                 one
                 Corner
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 more
                 private
                 than
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 to
                 set
                 his
                 Bed
                 in
                 ,
                 about
                 which
                 he
                 made
                 a
                 little
                 Partition
                 by
                 some
                 Curtains
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 some
                 conveniency
                 for
                 Retirement
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 much
                 comfort
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 a
                 few
                 Weeks
                 ,
                 he
                 got
                 leave
                 of
                 the
                 Keeper
                 to
                 go
                 out
                 a
                 Mornings
                 and
                 Evenings
                 a
                 mile
                 or
                 more
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 did
                 constantly
                 ,
                 unless
                 the
                 Weather
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 Keepers
                 fury
                 did
                 hinder
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Their
                 Diet
                 was
                 very
                 good
                 and
                 sufficient
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 abundant
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 Friends
                 kindness
                 .
                 Here
                 they
                 Preach
                 once
                 a
                 day
                 coustantly
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 twice
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 came
                 daily
                 to
                 hear
                 them
                 ,
                 eight
                 or
                 ten
                 miles
                 round
                 about
                 the
                 Countrey
                 ;
                 and
                 Multitudes
                 came
                 to
                 visit
                 them
                 ,
                 it
                 being
                 a
                 strange
                 sight
                 to
                 see
                 Ministers
                 laid
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 place
                 .
                 Their
                 Friends
                 were
                 exceeding
                 kind
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 endeavouring
                 by
                 their
                 frequents
                 Visits
                 ,
                 and
                 provisions
                 for
                 Diet
                 ,
                 and
                 supplies
                 of
                 Money
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 their
                 Prison
                 sweet
                 to
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 my
                 Husbands
                 Labours
                 were
                 much
                 increased
                 by
                 this
                 ,
                 spending
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 in
                 converse
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 forced
                 to
                 take
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 Night
                 for
                 his
                 Studies
                 ,
                 and
                 secret
                 Converse
                 with
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Thus
                 he
                 with
                 my
                 Brother
                 Norman
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Company
                 ,
                 with
                 their
                 fellow
                 Prisoners
                 ,
                 continued
                 in
                 that
                 place
                 for
                 four
                 Months
                 ,
                 being
                 tossed
                 from
                 Sessions
                 to
                 Assizes
                 .
                 On
                 the
                 14th
                 of
                 July
                 following
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 brought
                 to
                 the
                 Sessions
                 held
                 at
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 there
                 Indited
                 for
                 Preaching
                 on
                 May
                 the
                 17th
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Evidence
                 against
                 him
                 was
                 so
                 slender
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Grand
                   Jury
                
                 could
                 not
                 find
                 the
                 Bill
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 brought
                 to
                 his
                 Answer
                 there
                 at
                 all
                 :
                 And
                 his
                 Friends
                 hoped
                 he
                 should
                 have
                 been
                 dismissed
                 ,
                 it
                 being
                 the
                 constant
                 practice
                 of
                 the
                 Court
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 a
                 Prisoner
                 be
                 Indited
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 Bill
                 found
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 Freed
                 by
                 Proclamation
                 ,
                 But
                 however
                 ,
                 my
                 Husband
                 was
                 sent
                 to
                 Prison
                 again
                 until
                 the
                 Assizes
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 his
                 Friends
                 that
                 earnestly
                 expected
                 his
                 Inlargement
                 ,
                 he
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   bless
                   God
                   that
                   his
                   Will
                   is
                   done
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   the
                   will
                   of
                   such
                   Worms
                   as
                   we
                   .
                
              
               
                 August
                 the
                 24th
                 ,
                 He
                 was
                 again
                 Indited
                 at
                 the
                 Assizes
                 ,
                 and
                 though
                 the
                 Evidence
                 was
                 the
                 very
                 same
                 ,
                 that
                 at
                 the
                 Sessions
                 was
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Grand
                   Jury
                
                 ,
                 judged
                 Insufficient
                 yet
                 now
                 at
                 the
                 Assizes
                 ,
                 the
                 Bill
                 was
                 by
                 them
                 found
                 against
                 him
                 .
                 So
                 was
                 he
                 
                 had
                 to
                 the
                 Bar
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Indictment
                 read
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 :
                 
                   That
                   he
                   ,
                   upon
                   the
                
                 17th
                 
                   day
                   of
                
                 May
                 ,
                 1663.
                 
                   with
                   twenty
                   others
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   Jurors
                   unknown
                   ,
                   did
                   Riotously
                   ,
                   Routously
                   ,
                   and
                   Seditiously
                   ,
                   Assemble
                   themselves
                   together
                   ,
                   contrary
                   to
                   the
                   Peace
                   of
                   our
                   Sovereign
                   Lord
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   the
                   great
                   Terrour
                   of
                   his
                   Subjects
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   the
                   evil
                   Example
                   of
                   others
                   .
                
                 Unto
                 which
                 ,
                 his
                 Answer
                 was
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   as
                   to
                   Preaching
                   ,
                   and
                   Praying
                   ,
                   which
                   was
                   the
                   truth
                   of
                   the
                   Case
                   ,
                   of
                   these
                   things
                   he
                   was
                   guilty
                   ,
                   and
                   did
                   own
                   them
                   as
                   his
                   Duty
                   ;
                   but
                   as
                   for
                   Riotous
                   Routous
                   ,
                   and
                   Seditious
                   Assemblies
                   ,
                   he
                   did
                   abhor
                   them
                   with
                   his
                   Heart
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   these
                   he
                   was
                   not
                   guilty
                   .
                
                 At
                 last
                 he
                 was
                 found
                 guilty
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Petty
                   Jury
                
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 Sentenced
                 by
                 the
                 Judge
                 to
                 pay
                 an
                 Hundred
                 Marks
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 lie
                 in
                 Prison
                 till
                 payment
                 should
                 be
                 made
                 .
                 Sentence
                 being
                 pronounced
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 only
                 made
                 this
                 brief
                 Reply
                 :
                 
                   That
                   he
                   was
                   glad
                   that
                   it
                   had
                   appeared
                   before
                   his
                   Countrey
                   ,
                   That
                   whatsoever
                   he
                   was
                   charged
                   with
                   ,
                   he
                   was
                   guilty
                   of
                   nothing
                   but
                   doing
                   his
                   Duty
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   all
                   did
                   〈◊〉
                   the
                   Evidence
                   ,
                   was
                   only
                   that
                   he
                   had
                   Sung
                   〈◊〉
                   Psalm
                   ,
                   and
                   Instructed
                   his
                   Family
                   ,
                   others
                   being
                   there
                   ,
                   and
                   both
                   in
                   his
                   own
                   House
                   :
                   And
                   that
                   if
                   nothing
                   that
                   had
                   been
                   urged
                   would
                   satisfie
                   ,
                   he
                   should
                   with
                   all
                   chearfulness
                   and
                   thankfulness
                   ,
                   accept
                   whatsoever
                   Sentence
                   his
                   Lordship
                   should
                   pronounce
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   for
                   so
                   Good
                   and
                   Righteous
                   a
                   Cause
                   .
                
                 Thus
                 from
                 the
                 Assizes
                 he
                 was
                 sent
                 to
                 Prison
                 again
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 continued
                 a
                 whole
                 Year
                 ,
                 wanting
                 but
                 three
                 dayes
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 the
                 Winter
                 coming
                 on
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 willing
                 to
                 try
                 if
                 they
                 could
                 have
                 the
                 favour
                 to
                 be
                 removed
                 to
                 the
                 Ward
                 ,
                 this
                 place
                 being
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 cold
                 in
                 the
                 Winter
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 hot
                 in
                 the
                 Summer
                 ,
                 (
                 there
                 being
                 no
                 Chimney
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 Chamber
                 )
                 which
                 with
                 some
                 difficulty
                 they
                 obtained
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 had
                 more
                 comfortable
                 Accomodations
                 in
                 all
                 respects
                 .
              
               
                 Here
                 they
                 had
                 very
                 great
                 Meetings
                 ,
                 Week-dayes
                 ,
                 and
                 Sabbath-dayes
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 dayes
                 of
                 Humiliation
                 ,
                 and
                 Thanksgiving
                 .
                 The
                 Lords-dayes
                 many
                 Hundreds
                 came
                 .
                 And
                 though
                 my
                 Husband
                 ,
                 and
                 Brother
                 Norman
                 ,
                 had
                 many
                 Threats
                 from
                 the
                 Justices
                 and
                 Judges
                 ,
                 That
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 sent
                 beyond
                 Sea
                 ,
                 or
                 carried
                 to
                 some
                 Island
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 kept
                 close
                 Prisoners
                 ;
                 yet
                 the
                 Lord
                 preserved
                 them
                 by
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 thus
                 ordered
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 Imprisonment
                 was
                 a
                 great
                 furtherance
                 to
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 brought
                 much
                 Glory
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 both
                 
                 by
                 their
                 Preaching
                 and
                 Conversing
                 with
                 Souls
                 :
                 In
                 which
                 they
                 had
                 great
                 Success
                 through
                 his
                 Blessing
                 on
                 their
                 Labours
                 .
                 My
                 Husband
                 having
                 here
                 more
                 freedom
                 ,
                 made
                 a
                 little
                 Book
                 ,
                 Entituled
                 
                   A
                   Call
                   to
                   Archippus
                
                 ,
                 to
                 stir
                 up
                 his
                 Non-conforming
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 diligent
                 at
                 their
                 Work
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 Dangers
                 and
                 Sufferings
                 they
                 might
                 meet
                 withal
                 :
                 And
                 because
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 go
                 to
                 his
                 Flock
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 prepared
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Synopsis
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 after
                 placed
                 into
                 one
                 of
                 my
                 Fathers
                 Books
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 for
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 the
                 Governours
                 of
                 Families
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 Weekly
                 Catechizing
                 those
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 ,
                 he
                 
                   explained
                   all
                   the
                   Assemblies
                   shorter
                   Chatechism
                
                 ;
                 to
                 which
                 he
                 annexed
                 an
                 affectionate
                 Letter
                 ,
                 with
                 Rules
                 for
                 their
                 daily
                 Examination
                 ;
                 which
                 were
                 Printed
                 and
                 Dispersed
                 into
                 all
                 their
                 Houses
                 by
                 his
                 Orde
                 ,
                 while
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 Prisoner
                 .
                 He
                 also
                 writ
                 many
                 Holy
                 ,
                 and
                 Gracious
                 ,
                 and
                 affectionate
                 Letters
                 to
                 all
                 his
                 Relations
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 other
                 Friends
                 ,
                 to
                 many
                 Churches
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 other
                 parts
                 and
                 places
                 ,
                 both
                 far
                 and
                 near
                 .
              
               
                 His
                 Sufferings
                 that
                 he
                 underwent
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 could
                 neither
                 remit
                 his
                 Zeal
                 ,
                 not
                 abate
                 his
                 Activity
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 would
                 gladly
                 imbrace
                 all
                 Opportunities
                 of
                 doing
                 him
                 Service
                 .
                 The
                 Minister
                 who
                 was
                 appointed
                 to
                 Preach
                 at
                 certain
                 times
                 to
                 the
                 Fellons
                 in
                 the
                 Prison
                 ,
                 being
                 by
                 sickness
                 disabled
                 for
                 that
                 Work
                 ,
                 he
                 freely
                 performed
                 that
                 Office
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 permitted
                 ;
                 earnestly
                 exhorting
                 them
                 by
                 Repentance
                 towards
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Faith
                 toward
                 our
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 secure
                 the
                 eternal
                 welfare
                 of
                 their
                 Souls
                 ;
                 freely
                 bestowing
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 Ability
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 Relief
                 ;
                 that
                 by
                 doing
                 good
                 to
                 their
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 win
                 upon
                 them
                 to
                 receive
                 good
                 for
                 their
                 Souls
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 very
                 forward
                 to
                 promote
                 the
                 Education
                 of
                 Youth
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Town
                 of
                 Ilchester
                 ,
                 and
                 Country
                 adjacent
                 ,
                 freely
                 bestowing
                 Catechisms
                 on
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 of
                 poor
                 Families
                 ,
                 to
                 instruct
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 Principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 ;
                 stirring
                 up
                 the
                 Elder
                 to
                 Teach
                 ,
                 and
                 incouraging
                 the
                 Younger
                 to
                 Learn
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 a
                 serious
                 and
                 faithful
                 Monitor
                 to
                 his
                 fellow
                 Sufferers
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 espyed
                 any
                 thing
                 in
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 did
                 not
                 become
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 they
                 suffered
                 .
              
               
               
                 Here
                 ,
                 as
                 else-where
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 careful
                 redeemer
                 of
                 his
                 time
                 his
                 constant
                 practice
                 was
                 ,
                 early
                 to
                 begin
                 the
                 day
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 rising
                 about
                 four
                 of
                 the
                 Clock
                 ,
                 and
                 spending
                 a
                 considerable
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Morning
                 in
                 Meditation
                 and
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 falling
                 close
                 to
                 his
                 Study
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 corner
                 or
                 other
                 of
                 the
                 Prison
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 could
                 be
                 private
                 .
                 At
                 times
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 spend
                 near
                 the
                 whole
                 Night
                 in
                 these
                 Exercises
                 ,
                 not
                 putting
                 off
                 his
                 Clothes
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 onely
                 taking
                 the
                 repose
                 of
                 an
                 hour
                 or
                 two
                 in
                 his
                 Night-Gown
                 upon
                 the
                 Bed
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 up
                 again
                 .
                 When
                 any
                 came
                 to
                 visit
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 entertain
                 them
                 with
                 needless
                 impertinent
                 Discourse
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 serious
                 ,
                 profitable
                 ,
                 and
                 edifying
                 ;
                 in
                 which
                 he
                 was
                 careful
                 to
                 apply
                 himself
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 several
                 capacities
                 ,
                 whether
                 Elder
                 or
                 Younger
                 ;
                 exhorting
                 them
                 to
                 those
                 gracious
                 Practices
                 ,
                 which
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 their
                 Age
                 ,
                 or
                 Temper
                 ,
                 Calling
                 ,
                 or
                 Condition
                 ,
                 he
                 apprehended
                 they
                 might
                 be
                 most
                 defective
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 dehorting
                 them
                 from
                 those
                 Evils
                 they
                 might
                 be
                 most
                 prone
                 and
                 lyable
                 unto
                 .
                 He
                 rejoyced
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 accounted
                 worthy
                 to
                 suffer
                 for
                 the
                 Work
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 would
                 labour
                 to
                 incourage
                 the
                 timerous
                 and
                 faint-hearted
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 own
                 and
                 others
                 experience
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Mercy
                 and
                 Goodness
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Prison
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 far
                 beyond
                 what
                 they
                 could
                 have
                 thought
                 or
                 expected
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 a
                 careful
                 observer
                 of
                 that
                 Rule
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 5.
                 44.
                 
                 
                   Love
                   your
                   enemies
                   ,
                   bless
                   them
                   that
                   curse
                   you
                   ,
                   do
                   good
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   hate
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   pray
                   for
                   them
                   that
                   despitefully
                   use
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   persecute
                   you
                   .
                
                 It
                 was
                 none
                 of
                 his
                 practice
                 to
                 exclaim
                 against
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 the
                 greatest
                 Instruments
                 of
                 his
                 Sufferings
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 all
                 his
                 Imprisonment
                 ,
                 at
                 present
                 ,
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 discern
                 his
                 Health
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 least
                 impaired
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 his
                 abundant
                 Labours
                 ;
                 but
                 cannot
                 but
                 suspect
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Physitians
                 judged
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 laid
                 the
                 foundation
                 for
                 that
                 Weakness
                 ,
                 which
                 suddenly
                 after
                 surprised
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 his
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 At
                 his
                 return
                 from
                 the
                 Prison
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 far
                 more
                 
                   earnest
                   in
                   his
                   Work
                   than
                   before
                
                 ;
                 yet
                 willing
                 to
                 preserve
                 his
                 liberty
                 among
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 no
                 Minister
                 that
                 had
                 the
                 oversight
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 though
                 some
                 came
                 and
                 preached
                 while
                 he
                 was
                 absent
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 People
                 flocked
                 so
                 greatly
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 judged
                 it
                 best
                 to
                 divide
                 the
                 Company
                 into
                 four
                 ,
                 and
                 resolved
                 to
                 Preach
                 four
                 times
                 each
                 Sabbath
                 to
                 them
                 :
                 But
                 finding
                 sensibly
                 
                 that
                 would
                 be
                 too
                 hard
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 his
                 strength
                 much
                 decaying
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 forbear
                 that
                 course
                 ,
                 and
                 preacht
                 only
                 twice
                 a
                 Sabbath
                 as
                 formerly
                 ,
                 and
                 often
                 on
                 Week-days
                 at
                 Home
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Countrey
                 ;
                 and
                 spent
                 what
                 time
                 he
                 had
                 else
                 from
                 his
                 studying
                 ,
                 in
                 private
                 converse
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 formerly
                 he
                 had
                 done
                 :
                 Pressing
                 all
                 that
                 feared
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 especially
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 of
                 a
                 more
                 weak
                 and
                 timerous
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 life
                 of
                 Courage
                 and
                 Activity
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 much
                 in
                 helping
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 Converses
                 ,
                 now
                 Ministers
                 were
                 withdrawn
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 much
                 in
                 the
                 Work
                 of
                 Praises
                 and
                 Thanksgiving
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 rejoycing
                 and
                 delighting
                 themselves
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 with
                 chearfulness
                 and
                 readiness
                 ,
                 denying
                 themselves
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 resigning
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 they
                 did
                 enjoy
                 ,
                 to
                 him
                 :
                 Letting
                 the
                 World
                 know
                 ,
                 they
                 could
                 live
                 comfortably
                 on
                 a
                 God
                 alone
                 ,
                 on
                 his
                 Attributes
                 and
                 Promises
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 should
                 have
                 nothing
                 else
                 left
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 it
                 pleased
                 the
                 All-wise
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 him
                 off
                 from
                 the
                 eager
                 pursuit
                 of
                 his
                 Work
                 ,
                 and
                 designs
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 visiting
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 later
                 end
                 of
                 August
                 ,
                 with
                 much
                 Weakness
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 above
                 three
                 months
                 time
                 after
                 he
                 came
                 out
                 of
                 Prison
                 :
                 For
                 he
                 going
                 about
                 sixteen
                 miles
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 request
                 of
                 a
                 Society
                 ,
                 whose
                 Pastor
                 was
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 come
                 among
                 them
                 to
                 Preach
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 Administer
                 a
                 more
                 solemn
                 Ordinance
                 ;
                 he
                 was
                 so
                 disabled
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 able
                 not
                 to
                 perform
                 the
                 great
                 and
                 chief
                 Work
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 did
                 adventure
                 to
                 Preach
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 much
                 injury
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 wholly
                 disappoint
                 the
                 People
                 ,
                 who
                 came
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 did
                 :
                 With
                 much
                 difficulty
                 ,
                 after
                 three
                 or
                 four
                 dayes
                 ,
                 I
                 made
                 way
                 to
                 get
                 him
                 home
                 to
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 where
                 we
                 then
                 sojourned
                 ,
                 and
                 presently
                 had
                 the
                 best
                 Advice
                 the
                 most
                 Able
                 Physitians
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 and
                 round
                 the
                 Town
                 ,
                 could
                 give
                 ;
                 who
                 advised
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 judged
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 from
                 his
                 abundant
                 Labours
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Preaching
                 too
                 soon
                 after
                 his
                 Meals
                 ;
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 Preacht
                 four
                 times
                 a
                 Sabbath
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 had
                 so
                 abated
                 the
                 natural
                 heat
                 of
                 his
                 Stomach
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 Food
                 would
                 digest
                 ,
                 nor
                 oftentimes
                 keep
                 within
                 him
                 :
                 He
                 would
                 assure
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 in
                 no
                 pain
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 constant
                 discomposure
                 in
                 his
                 Stomach
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 failing
                 of
                 his
                 Appetite
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 for
                 many
                 Weeks
                 bear
                 the
                 scent
                 of
                 any
                 Flesh-meat
                 ,
                 nor
                 retain
                 any
                 Liquors
                 or
                 Broths
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 consumed
                 so
                 fast
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 Life
                 seemed
                 to
                 draw
                 to
                 
                 an
                 end
                 :
                 But
                 the
                 Lord
                 did
                 so
                 bless
                 the
                 means
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 recovered
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 Distemper
                 ,
                 after
                 two
                 months
                 time
                 ,
                 but
                 so
                 lost
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 his
                 Arms
                 from
                 October
                 till
                 April
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 put
                 off
                 nor
                 on
                 his
                 Clothes
                 ,
                 nor
                 often
                 write
                 either
                 his
                 Notes
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 Letters
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 I
                 wrote
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 dictated
                 to
                 me
                 :
                 He
                 was
                 by
                 all
                 Physitians
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 my
                 earnest
                 beseechings
                 often
                 diswaded
                 from
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 but
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 prevailed
                 with
                 ,
                 but
                 did
                 go
                 on
                 once
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 twice
                 a
                 Sabbath
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 private
                 Visiting
                 all
                 that
                 Winter
                 ;
                 in
                 the
                 Spring
                 ,
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 his
                 Arms
                 returned
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 he
                 was
                 exceeding
                 thankful
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 and
                 we
                 had
                 great
                 hopes
                 of
                 his
                 Recovering
                 ;
                 and
                 making
                 use
                 of
                 further
                 Remedies
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 able
                 to
                 go
                 on
                 with
                 more
                 freedom
                 in
                 his
                 Work
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 Summer
                 following
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 Mineral-Waters
                 in
                 Wiltshire
                 ,
                 near
                 the
                 Devises
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 was
                 born
                 ,
                 his
                 strength
                 was
                 much
                 increased
                 ,
                 he
                 finding
                 great
                 and
                 sensible
                 good
                 by
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 he
                 venturing
                 too
                 much
                 on
                 what
                 he
                 had
                 obtained
                 ,
                 his
                 weakness
                 returned
                 frequently
                 upon
                 him
                 the
                 next
                 Winter
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 in
                 the
                 Spring
                 following
                 ,
                 being
                 seised
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 at
                 the
                 first
                 :
                 But
                 it
                 continued
                 not
                 long
                 at
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 did
                 Preach
                 often
                 to
                 his
                 utmost
                 strength
                 (
                 nay
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 say
                 ,
                 much
                 beyond
                 the
                 strength
                 he
                 had
                 )
                 both
                 at
                 Home
                 and
                 Abroad
                 ;
                 going
                 into
                 some
                 remote
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 where
                 had
                 been
                 no
                 Meetings
                 kept
                 all
                 that
                 time
                 the
                 Ministers
                 had
                 been
                 out
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 two
                 Years
                 :
                 And
                 there
                 he
                 ingaged
                 several
                 of
                 his
                 Brethren
                 to
                 go
                 and
                 take
                 their
                 turns
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 did
                 with
                 great
                 success
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 had
                 also
                 agreed
                 with
                 two
                 of
                 his
                 Brethren
                 to
                 go
                 into
                 Wales
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 spread
                 the
                 Gospel
                 there
                 ;
                 but
                 was
                 prevented
                 in
                 that
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 weakness
                 increasing
                 upon
                 him
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 much
                 that
                 he
                 did
                 ,
                 but
                 much
                 more
                 that
                 he
                 desired
                 to
                 do
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 in
                 this
                 time
                 much
                 Threatned
                 ,
                 and
                 Warrants
                 often
                 out
                 for
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 was
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 being
                 disturbed
                 at
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 rejoyced
                 ;
                 that
                 when
                 he
                 could
                 do
                 but
                 little
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 his
                 Distempers
                 ,
                 God
                 would
                 so
                 far
                 honour
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 go
                 and
                 suffer
                 for
                 him
                 in
                 a
                 Prison
                 .
                 He
                 would
                 often
                 with
                 chearfulness
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   They
                   could
                   not
                   do
                   him
                   a
                   greater
                   kindness
                   :
                
                 But
                 the
                 Lord
                 was
                 yet
                 pleased
                 to
                 preserve
                 him
                 from
                 their
                 rage
                 ,
                 seeing
                 him
                 not
                 then
                 fit
                 for
                 the
                 inconveniencies
                 of
                 a
                 Prison
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 five
                 Mile
                 Act
                 coming
                 in
                 force
                 ,
                 he
                 removed
                 to
                 a
                 place
                 
                 called
                 Wellington
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 reckoned
                 five
                 miles
                 from
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 Dyers
                 House
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 very
                 obscure
                 place
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 preached
                 on
                 the
                 Lord's-Dayes
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 able
                 :
                 But
                 the
                 vigilant
                 Eyes
                 of
                 his
                 old
                 Adversaries
                 were
                 so
                 watchful
                 over
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 soon
                 found
                 him
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 resolved
                 to
                 take
                 him
                 thence
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 put
                 a
                 Warrant
                 into
                 the
                 Constables
                 hand
                 to
                 apprehend
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 sent
                 for
                 our
                 Friend
                 ,
                 and
                 threatned
                 to
                 send
                 him
                 to
                 Goal
                 for
                 entertaining
                 such
                 persons
                 in
                 his
                 House
                 :
                 So
                 my
                 Husband
                 returned
                 to
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 Mr.
                 
                   John
                   Mallack
                
                 ,
                 a
                 Merchant
                 ,
                 who
                 lived
                 about
                 a
                 mile
                 from
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 long
                 solicited
                 him
                 to
                 take
                 his
                 House
                 for
                 his
                 Home
                 :
                 We
                 being
                 in
                 such
                 an
                 unsetled
                 state
                 ,
                 my
                 Husband
                 thought
                 it
                 best
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 his
                 courteous
                 offer
                 :
                 But
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 Friends
                 were
                 willing
                 to
                 enjoy
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Town
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 earnest
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 did
                 ,
                 to
                 satisfie
                 them
                 ,
                 go
                 from
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 staying
                 a
                 fortnight
                 ,
                 or
                 three
                 weeks
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 month
                 at
                 each
                 House
                 ;
                 but
                 still
                 took
                 Mr.
                 Mallacks
                 for
                 his
                 Home
                 :
                 This
                 motion
                 of
                 his
                 Friends
                 he
                 told
                 me
                 ,
                 (
                 though
                 it
                 was
                 troublesome
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 unsetled
                 )
                 he
                 was
                 willing
                 to
                 embrace
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 knew
                 not
                 how
                 soon
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 carried
                 again
                 from
                 them
                 to
                 Prison
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 should
                 have
                 opportunity
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 intimately
                 acquainted
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 their
                 Souls
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 their
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 they
                 perform
                 their
                 Duties
                 each
                 to
                 other
                 in
                 their
                 Families
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 went
                 from
                 no
                 House
                 without
                 serious
                 Counsels
                 ,
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 or
                 Reproofs
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 Conditions
                 called
                 for
                 ;
                 dealing
                 with
                 all
                 that
                 were
                 capable
                 ,
                 both
                 Governours
                 and
                 others
                 particularly
                 ,
                 acquainting
                 them
                 faithfully
                 and
                 most
                 affectionately
                 ,
                 what
                 he
                 had
                 seen
                 amiss
                 in
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 went
                 from
                 no
                 House
                 that
                 was
                 willing
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 nor
                 had
                 he
                 opportunity
                 to
                 answer
                 the
                 requests
                 of
                 half
                 that
                 invited
                 us
                 to
                 their
                 Houses
                 :
                 So
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 often
                 bless
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 with
                 holy
                 Mr.
                 
                   Dod
                   ,
                   That
                   he
                   had
                   a
                   hundred
                   Houses
                   for
                   one
                   that
                   he
                   had
                   parted
                   with
                
                 ;
                 and
                 though
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 Goods
                 ,
                 he
                 wanted
                 nothing
                 ,
                 his
                 Father
                 cared
                 for
                 him
                 in
                 every
                 thing
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 lived
                 a
                 far
                 more
                 pleasant
                 life
                 than
                 his
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 turned
                 him
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 :
                 He
                 was
                 exceedingly
                 taken
                 with
                 God's
                 Mercy
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 in
                 Mr.
                 Mallacks
                 entertaining
                 him
                 and
                 me
                 so
                 bountifully
                 ,
                 the
                 House
                 ,
                 and
                 Gardens
                 ,
                 and
                 Walks
                 ,
                 being
                 a
                 very
                 great
                 delight
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 being
                 so
                 Pleasant
                 and
                 Curious
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 Accommodations
                 within
                 suitable
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 
                 would
                 often
                 say
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 did
                 as
                 Dives
                 ,
                 fare
                 deliciously
                 every
                 day
                 :
                 But
                 he
                 hoped
                 he
                 should
                 improve
                 it
                 better
                 than
                 he
                 did
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 God
                 had
                 inclined
                 him
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 for
                 many
                 Poor
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 several
                 of
                 his
                 Brethren
                 in
                 the
                 Ministry
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 God
                 did
                 reward
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 not
                 suffering
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 the
                 least
                 expence
                 for
                 himself
                 or
                 me
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 a
                 very
                 strict
                 observer
                 of
                 all
                 Providences
                 of
                 every
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 did
                 usually
                 reckon
                 them
                 up
                 to
                 me
                 before
                 we
                 went
                 to
                 sleep
                 ,
                 each
                 night
                 after
                 he
                 came
                 into
                 his
                 Chamber
                 and
                 Bed
                 ,
                 to
                 raise
                 his
                 own
                 Heart
                 and
                 Mind
                 ,
                 to
                 praise
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 trust
                 him
                 ,
                 whom
                 we
                 had
                 such
                 experience
                 of
                 ,
                 from
                 time
                 to
                 time
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 Year
                 being
                 come
                 for
                 his
                 going
                 to
                 the
                 Waters
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 desirous
                 to
                 set
                 one
                 day
                 apart
                 for
                 thanksgiving
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 his
                 Mercies
                 to
                 him
                 and
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 to
                 take
                 his
                 leave
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Accordingly
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 10th
                 of
                 July
                 ,
                 1665.
                 divers
                 of
                 his
                 Brethren
                 in
                 the
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 Friends
                 of
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 met
                 together
                 to
                 take
                 their
                 leave
                 of
                 him
                 before
                 his
                 departure
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 Mr.
                 Mallack
                 ,
                 then
                 living
                 about
                 a
                 mile
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Town
                 .
                 Where
                 after
                 they
                 had
                 been
                 a
                 while
                 together
                 ,
                 came
                 two
                 Justices
                 ,
                 and
                 several
                 other
                 Persons
                 attending
                 them
                 ,
                 brake
                 open
                 the
                 Doors
                 by
                 force
                 ,
                 (
                 though
                 they
                 might
                 have
                 unlatched
                 them
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 pleased
                 )
                 and
                 with
                 Swords
                 came
                 in
                 among
                 them
                 .
                 After
                 much
                 deriding
                 and
                 menacing
                 Language
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 here
                 relate
                 ,
                 having
                 taken
                 their
                 Names
                 ,
                 committed
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 custody
                 of
                 some
                 Constables
                 ,
                 whom
                 they
                 charged
                 to
                 bring
                 them
                 forth
                 the
                 next
                 day
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 Castle
                 Tavern
                 in
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 Justices
                 of
                 the
                 Peace
                 there
                 .
                 The
                 next
                 day
                 the
                 Prisoners
                 appeared
                 ,
                 and
                 answered
                 to
                 their
                 Names
                 ;
                 and
                 after
                 two
                 dayes
                 tedious
                 attendance
                 ,
                 were
                 all
                 Convicted
                 of
                 a
                 Conventicle
                 ,
                 and
                 Sentenced
                 to
                 pay
                 three
                 Pounds
                 a
                 piece
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 be
                 committed
                 to
                 Prison
                 threescore
                 dayes
                 .
                 Of
                 the
                 Persons
                 thus
                 Convicted
                 ,
                 but
                 few
                 either
                 paid
                 their
                 Fines
                 ,
                 or
                 suffered
                 their
                 Friends
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 My
                 Husband
                 ,
                 with
                 seven
                 Ministers
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 forty
                 private
                 Persons
                 ,
                 were
                 committed
                 to
                 the
                 Prison
                 of
                 Ilchester
                 :
                 When
                 he
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 his
                 Brethrtn
                 and
                 Christian
                 Friends
                 ,
                 came
                 to
                 the
                 Prison
                 ,
                 his
                 Carriage
                 and
                 Conversation
                 there
                 was
                 every
                 way
                 as
                 Exemplary
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 his
                 former
                 Confinement
                 .
                 
                 Notwithstanding
                 his
                 weakness
                 of
                 Body
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 would
                 constantly
                 take
                 his
                 turn
                 with
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 in
                 preaching
                 the
                 Gospel
                 in
                 the
                 Prison
                 ;
                 which
                 turns
                 came
                 about
                 the
                 oftner
                 ,
                 though
                 there
                 were
                 eight
                 of
                 them
                 there
                 together
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 had
                 Preaching
                 and
                 Praying
                 twice
                 a
                 day
                 ,
                 almost
                 every
                 day
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 Prison
                 ;
                 besides
                 other
                 Exercises
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 he
                 would
                 take
                 his
                 part
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 although
                 he
                 had
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 Flock
                 confined
                 to
                 the
                 Prison
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 which
                 means
                 he
                 had
                 the
                 fairer
                 opportunity
                 of
                 Instructing
                 ,
                 and
                 watching
                 over
                 them
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 Spitual
                 good
                 ;
                 yet
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 forgetful
                 of
                 the
                 rest
                 that
                 were
                 left
                 behind
                 ,
                 but
                 would
                 frequently
                 visit
                 them
                 also
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Letters
                 ,
                 full
                 of
                 serious
                 profitable
                 Matter
                 ,
                 from
                 which
                 they
                 might
                 reap
                 no
                 small
                 benefit
                 ,
                 while
                 they
                 were
                 debarred
                 of
                 his
                 bodily
                 presence
                 .
                 And
                 how
                 greatly
                 solicitous
                 he
                 was
                 for
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 (
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 be
                 the
                 better
                 for
                 their
                 Bonds
                 ,
                 walking
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 many
                 and
                 great
                 Mercies
                 they
                 had
                 enjoyed
                 during
                 their
                 Imprisonment
                 ;
                 that
                 when
                 they
                 came
                 home
                 to
                 their
                 Houses
                 ,
                 they
                 might
                 speak
                 forth
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 forth
                 the
                 Praises
                 of
                 GOD
                 ,
                 carrying
                 themselves
                 in
                 every
                 respect
                 as
                 becomes
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 they
                 had
                 been
                 Sufferers
                 )
                 you
                 may
                 clearly
                 see
                 by
                 those
                 parting
                 Counsels
                 that
                 he
                 gave
                 them
                 that
                 Morning
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 delivered
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 recite
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Words
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 taken
                 from
                 his
                 Mouth
                 in
                 Short-hand
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 intimate
                 Friend
                 ,
                 and
                 fellow
                 Prisoner
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 may
                 take
                 as
                 followeth
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Mr.
                   
                     Joseph
                     Allein
                  
                   his
                   Exhortation
                   to
                   his
                   Fellow-Sufferers
                   ,
                   when
                   they
                   were
                   to
                   be
                   Discharged
                   from
                   their
                   Imprisonment
                   .
                
                 
                   DEarly
                   Beloved
                   Brethren
                   ,
                   my
                   Time
                   is
                   little
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   Strength
                   but
                   small
                   ,
                   yet
                   I
                   could
                   not
                   consent
                   that
                   you
                   should
                   pass
                   without
                   receiving
                   some
                   parting
                   Counsel
                   ,
                   and
                   what
                   I
                   have
                   to
                   say
                   at
                   Parting
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   chiefly
                   to
                   you
                   that
                   are
                   Prisoners
                   ,
                   and
                   partly
                   also
                   to
                   you
                   our
                   Friends
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   here
                   
                   met
                   together
                   .
                   To
                   you
                   that
                   are
                   Prisoners
                   ,
                   I
                   shall
                   speak
                   something
                   by
                   way
                   of
                   Exhortation
                   ,
                   and
                   something
                   by
                   way
                   of
                   Dehortation
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     By
                     way
                     of
                     Exhortation
                     .
                  
                   
                     First
                     ,
                     Rejoyce
                     with
                     trembling
                     in
                     your
                     Prison-Comforts
                     ,
                     and
                     see
                     that
                     you
                     keep
                     them
                     in
                     a
                     Thankful-Remembrance
                     .
                     Who
                     can
                     tell
                     the
                     Mercies
                     that
                     you
                     have
                     received
                     here
                     ?
                     My
                     time
                     ,
                     nor
                     strength
                     ,
                     will
                     not
                     suffice
                     me
                     to
                     recapitulate
                     them
                     .
                     See
                     that
                     you
                     rejoyce
                     in
                     GOD
                     ,
                     but
                     rejoyce
                     with
                     trembling
                     .
                     Do
                     not
                     think
                     the
                     account
                     will
                     be
                     little
                     for
                     Mercies
                     ,
                     so
                     many
                     and
                     so
                     great
                     .
                     Receive
                     these
                     choice
                     Mercies
                     with
                     a
                     trembling
                     hand
                     ,
                     for
                     fear
                     lest
                     you
                     should
                     be
                     found
                     guilty
                     of
                     misimproving
                     such
                     precious
                     benefits
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     wrath
                     should
                     be
                     upon
                     you
                     from
                     the
                     Lord.
                     Remember
                     Hezekiah's
                     case
                     ,
                     great
                     Mercies
                     did
                     he
                     receive
                     ,
                     some
                     Praises
                     he
                     did
                     return
                     ,
                     but
                     not
                     according
                     to
                     the
                     benefit
                     done
                     unto
                     him
                     ;
                     therefore
                     was
                     wrath
                     upon
                     him
                     from
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     and
                     upon
                     all
                     Judah
                     for
                     his
                     sake
                     ,
                     2
                     Chron.
                     32.
                     25.
                     
                     Therefore
                     go
                     away
                     with
                     a
                     holy
                     Fear
                     upon
                     your
                     hearts
                     ,
                     lest
                     you
                     should
                     forget
                     the
                     loving
                     kindness
                     of
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     and
                     should
                     not
                     render
                     to
                     him
                     according
                     to
                     what
                     you
                     have
                     received
                     .
                  
                   
                     Oh
                     my
                     Brethren
                     ,
                     stir
                     up
                     your selves
                     to
                     render
                     praises
                     to
                     the
                     Lord
                     :
                     You
                     are
                     the
                     People
                     that
                     GOD
                     hath
                     formed
                     for
                     his
                     Praise
                     ,
                     and
                     sent
                     hither
                     for
                     his
                     Praise
                     ;
                     and
                     you
                     should
                     now
                     go
                     Home
                     as
                     so
                     many
                     Trumpets
                     to
                     sound
                     forth
                     the
                     Praises
                     of
                     GOD
                     ,
                     when
                     you
                     come
                     among
                     your
                     Friends
                     .
                     There
                     is
                     an
                     Expression
                     ,
                     Psal.
                     68.
                     11.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Lord
                       gave
                       the
                       Word
                       ,
                       great
                       was
                       the
                       company
                       of
                       them
                       that
                       published
                       it
                       .
                    
                     So
                     let
                     it
                     be
                     said
                     of
                     the
                     Praises
                     of
                     God
                     now
                     ,
                     Great
                     was
                     the
                     company
                     of
                     them
                     that
                     published
                     them
                     .
                     GOD
                     hath
                     sent
                     a
                     whole
                     Troop
                     of
                     you
                     here
                     together
                     ,
                     let
                     all
                     these
                     go
                     home
                     and
                     sound
                     the
                     praises
                     of
                     GOD
                     where-ever
                     you
                     come
                     ;
                     and
                     this
                     is
                     the
                     way
                     to
                     make
                     his
                     Praise
                     glorious
                     indeed
                     .
                     Shall
                     I
                     tell
                     you
                     a
                     Story
                     that
                     I
                     have
                     read
                     :
                     There
                     was
                     a
                     certain
                     King
                     that
                     had
                     a
                     pleasant
                     Grove
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     he
                     might
                     make
                     it
                     every
                     way
                     delightful
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     caused
                     some
                     Birds
                     to
                     be
                     caught
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     be
                     kept
                     up
                     in
                     Cages
                     ,
                     till
                     they
                     had
                     learned
                     sundry
                     sweet
                     and
                     artificial
                     Tunes
                     ;
                     and
                     when
                     they
                     were
                     perfect
                     in
                     their
                     Lessons
                     ,
                     he
                     let
                     them
                     Abroad
                     out
                     of
                     their
                     Cages
                     into
                     his
                     Grove
                     ,
                     that
                     while
                     he
                     was
                     walking
                     
                     in
                     this
                     Grove
                     ,
                     he
                     might
                     hear
                     them
                     singing
                     those
                     pleasant
                     Tunes
                     ,
                     and
                     teaching
                     them
                     to
                     other
                     Birds
                     that
                     were
                     of
                     a
                     wilder
                     Note
                     .
                     Brethren
                     ,
                     this
                     King
                     is
                     GOD
                     ,
                     this
                     Grove
                     is
                     his
                     Church
                     ,
                     these
                     Birds
                     are
                     your selves
                     ,
                     this
                     Cage
                     is
                     the
                     Prison
                     ;
                     GOD
                     hath
                     sent
                     you
                     hither
                     ,
                     that
                     you
                     should
                     learn
                     the
                     sweet
                     and
                     pleasant
                     Notes
                     of
                     his
                     Praise
                     ,
                     And
                     I
                     trust
                     that
                     you
                     have
                     learned
                     something
                     all
                     this
                     while
                     ,
                     GOD
                     forbid
                     else
                     .
                     Now
                     GOD
                     opens
                     the
                     Cage
                     ,
                     and
                     lets
                     you
                     forth
                     into
                     the
                     Grove
                     of
                     his
                     Church
                     ,
                     that
                     you
                     may
                     sing
                     forth
                     his
                     Praises
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     others
                     may
                     learn
                     of
                     you
                     too
                     .
                     Forget
                     not
                     therefore
                     the
                     Songs
                     of
                     the
                     House
                     of
                     your
                     Pilgrimage
                     ,
                     do
                     not
                     return
                     to
                     your
                     wild
                     Notes
                     again
                     ;
                     keep
                     the
                     Mercy
                     of
                     GOD
                     for
                     ever
                     in
                     a
                     thankful
                     Remembrance
                     ,
                     and
                     make
                     mention
                     of
                     them
                     humbly
                     as
                     long
                     as
                     you
                     live
                     ;
                     then
                     shall
                     you
                     answer
                     the
                     end
                     for
                     which
                     he
                     sent
                     you
                     hither
                     :
                     I
                     trust
                     you
                     will
                     not
                     forget
                     this
                     place
                     .
                     When
                     Queen
                     Mary
                     died
                     ,
                     she
                     said
                     ,
                     
                       That
                       if
                       they
                       did
                       rip
                       her
                       up
                       ,
                       they
                       should
                       find
                    
                     Callis
                     
                       on
                       her
                       Heart
                    
                     .
                     I
                     hope
                     that
                     men
                     shall
                     find
                     by
                     you
                     hereafter
                     ,
                     that
                     the
                     Prison
                     is
                     upon
                     your
                     heart
                     ,
                     Lichester
                     is
                     upon
                     your
                     heart
                     .
                  
                   
                     Secondly
                     ,
                     Feed
                     and
                     feast
                     your
                     Faith
                     upon
                     Prison-Experiences
                     .
                     Do
                     not
                     think
                     that
                     GOD
                     hath
                     done
                     this
                     onely
                     for
                     your
                     present
                     supply
                     .
                     Brethren
                     ,
                     GOD
                     hath
                     provided
                     for
                     you
                     ,
                     not
                     only
                     for
                     your
                     present
                     supply
                     in
                     Prison
                     ,
                     but
                     to
                     lay
                     up
                     for
                     all
                     your
                     Lives
                     ,
                     that
                     experience
                     that
                     your
                     Faith
                     must
                     live
                     upon
                     ,
                     till
                     Faith
                     be
                     turned
                     into
                     Vision
                     .
                     Learn
                     dependance
                     upon
                     GOD
                     ,
                     and
                     confidence
                     in
                     GOD
                     ,
                     by
                     all
                     the
                     Experiences
                     that
                     you
                     have
                     had
                     here
                     ,
                     
                       Because
                       thou
                       hast
                       been
                       my
                       help
                    
                     (
                     saith
                     the
                     Psalmist
                     )
                     
                       therefore
                       under
                       the
                       shadow
                       of
                       thy
                       Wing
                       will
                       I
                       rejoyce
                       .
                    
                     Are
                     you
                     at
                     a
                     loss
                     at
                     any
                     time
                     ,
                     then
                     remember
                     your
                     Bonds
                     .
                     We
                     read
                     in
                     Scripture
                     of
                     a
                     time
                     when
                     there
                     was
                     no
                     Smith
                     in
                     all
                     Israel
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Israelites
                     were
                     fain
                     to
                     carry
                     their
                     Goads
                     and
                     other
                     Instruments
                     ,
                     to
                     be
                     sharpened
                     ,
                     down
                     to
                     the
                     Philistines
                     :
                     So
                     when
                     your
                     Spirits
                     are
                     low
                     ,
                     and
                     when
                     your
                     Faith
                     is
                     dull
                     ,
                     carry
                     them
                     to
                     the
                     Prison
                     to
                     be
                     sharpened
                     and
                     quickned
                     .
                     Oh
                     how
                     hath
                     the
                     Lord
                     confuted
                     all
                     our
                     fears
                     !
                     Cared
                     for
                     all
                     our
                     necessities
                     !
                     The
                     Faith
                     of
                     some
                     of
                     you
                     was
                     sorely
                     put
                     to
                     it
                     for
                     Corporal
                     Necessities
                     :
                     You
                     came
                     hither
                     ,
                     not
                     having
                     any
                     thing
                     considerable
                     to
                     pay
                     for
                     your
                     Charges
                     here
                     ,
                     but
                     GOD
                     took
                     care
                     for
                     that
                     :
                     And
                     you
                     left
                     poor
                     miserable
                     Families
                     at
                     home
                     ,
                     and
                     no
                     doubt
                     but
                     many
                     troublesome
                     thoughts
                     
                     were
                     in
                     your
                     minds
                     ,
                     what
                     your
                     Families
                     should
                     do
                     for
                     Bread
                     ,
                     but
                     GOD
                     hath
                     provided
                     for
                     them
                     .
                  
                   
                     We
                     that
                     are
                     Ministers
                     ,
                     left
                     poor
                     starvling
                     Flocks
                     ,
                     and
                     we
                     thought
                     that
                     the
                     Countrey
                     had
                     been
                     now
                     stript
                     ,
                     and
                     yet
                     GOD
                     hath
                     provided
                     for
                     them
                     .
                     Thus
                     hath
                     the
                     Lord
                     been
                     pleased
                     to
                     furnish
                     us
                     with
                     Arguments
                     for
                     our
                     Faith
                     ,
                     against
                     we
                     come
                     to
                     the
                     next
                     distress
                     :
                     Though
                     you
                     should
                     be
                     called
                     forth
                     to
                     leave
                     your
                     Flocks
                     destitute
                     ,
                     you
                     that
                     are
                     my
                     Brethren
                     in
                     the
                     Ministry
                     ,
                     and
                     others
                     their
                     Families
                     destitute
                     ,
                     yet
                     doubt
                     not
                     but
                     GOD
                     will
                     provide
                     ,
                     remember
                     your
                     Bonds
                     upon
                     all
                     occasions
                     .
                     Whensoever
                     you
                     are
                     in
                     distress
                     ,
                     remember
                     your
                     old
                     Friend
                     ,
                     remember
                     your
                     tryed
                     Friend
                     .
                  
                   
                     Thirdly
                     ,
                     Let
                     Divine
                     Mercy
                     be
                     as
                     Oyl
                     to
                     the
                     flame
                     of
                     your
                     Love
                     :
                     
                       O
                       love
                       the
                       Lord
                       all
                       ye
                       his
                       Saints
                       .
                    
                     Brethren
                     ,
                     this
                     is
                     the
                     Language
                     of
                     all
                     GOD's
                     dealings
                     with
                     you
                     ,
                     they
                     all
                     call
                     upon
                     you
                     to
                     love
                     the
                     Lord
                     your
                     God
                     with
                     all
                     your
                     hearts
                     ,
                     with
                     all
                     your
                     Souls
                     ,
                     with
                     all
                     your
                     strength
                     .
                     What
                     hath
                     GOD
                     been
                     doing
                     ever
                     since
                     you
                     came
                     to
                     this
                     Prison
                     ?
                     All
                     that
                     he
                     hath
                     been
                     doing
                     since
                     you
                     came
                     hither
                     ,
                     hath
                     been
                     to
                     pour
                     Oyl
                     into
                     the
                     flames
                     of
                     your
                     Love
                     ,
                     thereby
                     to
                     encrease
                     and
                     heighten
                     them
                     .
                     GOD
                     hath
                     lost
                     all
                     these
                     Mercies
                     upon
                     you
                     ,
                     if
                     you
                     do
                     not
                     love
                     him
                     better
                     then
                     you
                     did
                     before
                     .
                     You
                     have
                     had
                     supplies
                     ;
                     to
                     what
                     purpose
                     is
                     it
                     ,
                     unless
                     you
                     love
                     GOD
                     the
                     more
                     ?
                     If
                     they
                     that
                     be
                     in
                     want
                     ,
                     love
                     him
                     better
                     than
                     you
                     ,
                     it
                     were
                     better
                     you
                     had
                     been
                     in
                     their
                     case
                     .
                     You
                     have
                     had
                     health
                     here
                     ,
                     but
                     if
                     they
                     that
                     be
                     in
                     sickness
                     love
                     GOD
                     better
                     than
                     you
                     ,
                     it
                     were
                     better
                     you
                     had
                     been
                     in
                     sickness
                     too
                     :
                     See
                     that
                     you
                     love
                     your
                     Father
                     ,
                     that
                     hath
                     been
                     so
                     tender
                     of
                     you
                     .
                     What
                     hath
                     GOD
                     been
                     doing
                     ,
                     but
                     pouring
                     out
                     his
                     Love
                     upon
                     you
                     ?
                     How
                     were
                     we
                     mistaken
                     ?
                     For
                     my
                     part
                     ,
                     I
                     thought
                     that
                     GOD
                     took
                     us
                     upon
                     his
                     Knee
                     to
                     Whip
                     us
                     ,
                     but
                     he
                     took
                     us
                     upon
                     his
                     Knee
                     to
                     Dandle
                     us
                     .
                     We
                     thought
                     to
                     have
                     felt
                     the
                     strokes
                     of
                     his
                     Anger
                     ,
                     but
                     he
                     hath
                     stroked
                     us
                     as
                     a
                     Father
                     his
                     Children
                     ,
                     with
                     most
                     dear
                     Affection
                     .
                     Who
                     can
                     utter
                     his
                     loving
                     Kindness
                     !
                     What
                     (
                     my
                     Brethren
                     )
                     shall
                     we
                     be
                     〈◊〉
                     than
                     Publicans
                     ?
                     the
                     Publicans
                     will
                     love
                     those
                     that
                     love
                     them
                     .
                     Will
                     not
                     you
                     return
                     Love
                     for
                     so
                     much
                     Love
                     ?
                     Far
                     be
                     this
                     from
                     you
                     ,
                     Brethren
                     ,
                     you
                     must
                     not
                     only
                     exceed
                     the
                     〈◊〉
                     ,
                     but
                     the
                     Pharisees
                     too
                     ;
                     therefore
                     ,
                     surely
                     you
                     must
                     love
                     him
                     that
                     loveth
                     you
                     .
                     This
                     is
                     my
                     Business
                     now
                     to
                     bespeak
                     your
                     love
                     to
                     GOD
                     ,
                     
                     to
                     unite
                     your
                     hearts
                     to
                     him
                     ;
                     Blessed
                     be
                     God
                     for
                     this
                     Occasion
                     ,
                     for
                     my
                     part
                     I
                     am
                     unworthy
                     of
                     it
                     .
                     Now
                     if
                     I
                     can
                     get
                     your
                     Hearts
                     nearer
                     to
                     GOD
                     than
                     they
                     were
                     ,
                     then
                     happy
                     am
                     I
                     ,
                     and
                     blessed
                     are
                     you
                     :
                     Fain
                     I
                     would
                     ,
                     that
                     all
                     these
                     Experiences
                     should
                     knit
                     our
                     Hearts
                     to
                     GOD
                     more
                     ,
                     and
                     endear
                     us
                     for
                     ever
                     to
                     him
                     .
                     What
                     ?
                     So
                     much
                     bounty
                     and
                     kindness
                     ,
                     and
                     no
                     returns
                     of
                     Love
                     ?
                     At
                     least
                     no
                     further
                     returns
                     ?
                     I
                     may
                     plead
                     in
                     the
                     behalf
                     of
                     the
                     Lord
                     with
                     you
                     ,
                     as
                     they
                     did
                     for
                     the
                     Centurion
                     :
                     
                       He
                       loveth
                       our
                       Nation
                    
                     (
                     say
                     they
                     )
                     
                       and
                       hath
                       built
                       us
                       a
                       Synagogue
                       .
                    
                     So
                     I
                     may
                     say
                     here
                     ,
                     He
                     hath
                     loved
                     you
                     ,
                     and
                     poured
                     out
                     his
                     Bounty
                     upon
                     you
                     .
                     How
                     many
                     friendly
                     Visits
                     from
                     those
                     that
                     you
                     could
                     but
                     little
                     expect
                     of
                     ?
                     Whence
                     do
                     you
                     think
                     this
                     came
                     ?
                     It
                     is
                     GOD
                     that
                     hath
                     the
                     Key
                     of
                     all
                     these
                     Hearts
                     .
                     He
                     secretly
                     turned
                     the
                     Cock
                     ,
                     and
                     caused
                     them
                     to
                     pour
                     forth
                     kindness
                     upon
                     you
                     :
                     There
                     is
                     not
                     a
                     motion
                     of
                     love
                     in
                     the
                     Heart
                     of
                     a
                     Friend
                     towards
                     you
                     ,
                     but
                     it
                     was
                     GOD
                     that
                     put
                     it
                     in
                     .
                  
                   
                     Fourthly
                     ,
                     Keep
                     your
                     Manna
                     in
                     a
                     Golden
                     Pot
                     ,
                     and
                     forget
                     not
                     him
                     that
                     hath
                     said
                     so
                     often
                     ,
                     
                       Remember
                       me
                    
                     .
                     You
                     have
                     had
                     Manna
                     rained
                     plentifully
                     about
                     you
                     ,
                     be
                     sure
                     that
                     something
                     of
                     it
                     be
                     kept
                     .
                     Do
                     not
                     forget
                     all
                     the
                     Sermons
                     that
                     you
                     have
                     heard
                     here
                     :
                     O
                     that
                     you
                     would
                     labour
                     to
                     repeat
                     them
                     over
                     ,
                     to
                     live
                     them
                     over
                     !
                     You
                     have
                     had
                     such
                     a
                     Stock
                     that
                     you
                     may
                     live
                     upon
                     ,
                     and
                     your
                     Friends
                     too
                     (
                     if
                     you
                     be
                     communicative
                     )
                     a
                     great
                     while
                     together
                     :
                     If
                     any
                     thing
                     have
                     been
                     wanting
                     ,
                     time
                     for
                     the
                     Digesting
                     hath
                     been
                     wanting
                     .
                     See
                     that
                     you
                     well
                     Chew
                     the
                     Cud
                     ,
                     and
                     see
                     that
                     you
                     especially
                     remember
                     
                       the
                       Feasts
                       of
                       Love.
                    
                     Do
                     not
                     you
                     know
                     who
                     hath
                     said
                     to
                     you
                     so
                     often
                     ,
                     
                       Remember
                       me
                    
                     ?
                     How
                     often
                     have
                     you
                     heard
                     that
                     sweet
                     Word
                     since
                     you
                     came
                     hither
                     ?
                     What
                     ?
                     Do
                     you
                     think
                     it
                     is
                     enough
                     to
                     remember
                     him
                     for
                     an
                     hour
                     ?
                     No
                     ,
                     but
                     let
                     it
                     be
                     a
                     living
                     and
                     lasting
                     remembrance
                     .
                     Do
                     not
                     you
                     write
                     that
                     Name
                     of
                     his
                     in
                     the
                     Dust
                     ,
                     that
                     hath
                     written
                     your
                     Names
                     upon
                     his
                     Heart
                     .
                     Your
                     High
                     Priest
                     hath
                     your
                     Names
                     upon
                     his
                     Heart
                     ,
                     and
                     therewith
                     is
                     entered
                     into
                     the
                     Holy
                     Place
                     ,
                     and
                     keeps
                     them
                     there
                     for
                     a
                     Memorial
                     before
                     the
                     Lord
                     continually
                     .
                     O
                     that
                     his
                     Remembrance
                     might
                     be
                     ever
                     written
                     upon
                     your
                     Hearts
                     ,
                     written
                     as
                     with
                     a
                     Pen
                     of
                     a
                     Diamond
                     ,
                     upon
                     Tables
                     of
                     Marble
                     ,
                     that
                     might
                     never
                     be
                     worn
                     out
                     !
                     That
                     as
                     Aristotle
                     saith
                     of
                     the
                     cutious
                     Fabrick
                     of
                     Minerva
                     ,
                     that
                     he
                     had
                     so
                     ordered
                     the
                     Fabrick
                     ,
                     
                     that
                     his
                     Name
                     was
                     written
                     in
                     the
                     midst
                     ,
                     that
                     if
                     any
                     went
                     to
                     take
                     that
                     out
                     ,
                     the
                     whole
                     Fabrick
                     was
                     dissolved
                     .
                     So
                     the
                     Name
                     of
                     Jesus
                     should
                     be
                     written
                     upon
                     the
                     substance
                     of
                     your
                     Souls
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     should
                     pull
                     all
                     〈◊〉
                     ,
                     before
                     they
                     should
                     be
                     able
                     to
                     pull
                     it
                     out
                     .
                  
                   
                     Fifthly
                     ,
                     Let
                     the
                     Bonds
                     of
                     your
                     Affliction
                     ,
                     strengthen
                     the
                     Bonds
                     of
                     your
                     Affection
                     .
                     Brethren
                     ,
                     GOD
                     hath
                     sent
                     us
                     hither
                     to
                     teach
                     us
                     among
                     other
                     things
                     ,
                     the
                     better
                     to
                     Love
                     one
                     another
                     .
                     Love
                     is
                     lovely
                     ,
                     both
                     in
                     the
                     sight
                     of
                     GOD
                     and
                     Men
                     ,
                     and
                     if
                     by
                     your
                     Imprisonment
                     you
                     have
                     profited
                     in
                     Love
                     ,
                     then
                     you
                     have
                     made
                     an
                     acceptable
                     proficiency
                     .
                     O
                     Brethren
                     ,
                     look
                     within
                     ;
                     Are
                     you
                     not
                     more
                     indeared
                     one
                     to
                     another
                     ?
                     I
                     bless
                     the
                     Lord
                     for
                     that
                     Union
                     and
                     Peace
                     that
                     hath
                     been
                     ever
                     among
                     you
                     ;
                     but
                     you
                     must
                     be
                     sensible
                     that
                     we
                     come
                     very
                     far
                     short
                     of
                     that
                     Love
                     that
                     we
                     owe
                     one
                     to
                     another
                     ;
                     we
                     have
                     not
                     that
                     love
                     ,
                     that
                     indearedness
                     ,
                     that
                     tenderness
                     ,
                     that
                     complacency
                     ,
                     that
                     compassion
                     towards
                     each
                     other
                     ,
                     that
                     we
                     ought
                     to
                     have
                     .
                     Ministers
                     should
                     be
                     more
                     indeared
                     one
                     to
                     another
                     ,
                     and
                     Christians
                     should
                     be
                     more
                     dear
                     to
                     each
                     other
                     ,
                     then
                     they
                     were
                     before
                     .
                     We
                     have
                     eaten
                     and
                     drunk
                     together
                     ,
                     and
                     lived
                     on
                     our
                     Fathers
                     Love
                     in
                     one
                     Family
                     together
                     ;
                     we
                     have
                     been
                     joyned
                     together
                     in
                     one
                     common
                     Cause
                     ,
                     and
                     all
                     put
                     into
                     one
                     Bottom
                     :
                     O
                     let
                     the
                     Remembrance
                     of
                     a
                     Prison
                     ,
                     and
                     of
                     what
                     hath
                     passed
                     here
                     ,
                     especially
                     those
                     Uniting
                     Feasts
                     ,
                     ingage
                     you
                     to
                     love
                     one
                     another
                     .
                  
                   
                     Sixthly
                     ,
                     Let
                     present
                     Indulgence
                     fit
                     you
                     for
                     future
                     hardships
                     ,
                     and
                     do
                     not
                     look
                     that
                     your
                     Father
                     should
                     be
                     alwayes
                     dandling
                     you
                     on
                     his
                     Knee
                     .
                     Beloved
                     ,
                     GOD
                     hath
                     used
                     you
                     like
                     Fondlings
                     now
                     ,
                     rather
                     than
                     like
                     Sufferers
                     :
                     What
                     shall
                     I
                     say
                     ?
                     I
                     am
                     at
                     a
                     loss
                     ,
                     when
                     I
                     think
                     of
                     the
                     tender
                     indulgence
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     yearnings
                     of
                     the
                     Bowels
                     of
                     our
                     Heavenly
                     Father
                     upon
                     us
                     .
                     But
                     (
                     my
                     Brethren
                     )
                     do
                     not
                     look
                     for
                     such
                     Prisons
                     again
                     .
                  
                   
                     Affliction
                     doth
                     but
                     now
                     play
                     and
                     sport
                     with
                     you
                     ,
                     rather
                     than
                     Bite
                     you
                     ;
                     but
                     do
                     you
                     look
                     that
                     Affliction
                     should
                     hereafter
                     fasten
                     its
                     Teeth
                     on
                     you
                     to
                     purpose
                     :
                     And
                     do
                     you
                     look
                     that
                     the
                     Hand
                     that
                     hath
                     now
                     gently
                     stroked
                     you
                     ,
                     may
                     possibly
                     buffet
                     you
                     ,
                     and
                     put
                     your
                     Faith
                     hard
                     to
                     it
                     ,
                     when
                     you
                     come
                     to
                     the
                     next
                     Tryal
                     .
                     This
                     fondness
                     of
                     your
                     Heavenly
                     Father
                     ,
                     is
                     to
                     be
                     expected
                     only
                     while
                     you
                     are
                     young
                     and
                     tender
                     ,
                     but
                     
                     afterward
                     you
                     must
                     look
                     to
                     follow
                     your
                     Business
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     keep
                     your
                     distance
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     have
                     rebukes
                     and
                     frowns
                     too
                     when
                     you
                     need
                     them
                     .
                     Bless
                     GOD
                     for
                     what
                     you
                     have
                     found
                     here
                     ,
                     but
                     prepare
                     you
                     ,
                     this
                     is
                     but
                     the
                     beginning
                     ,
                     (
                     shall
                     I
                     say
                     the
                     beginning
                     of
                     Sorrow
                     ,
                     I
                     cannot
                     say
                     so
                     ;
                     for
                     the
                     Lord
                     hath
                     made
                     it
                     a
                     place
                     of
                     Rejoycing
                     )
                     this
                     is
                     but
                     the
                     entrance
                     of
                     our
                     Affliction
                     ;
                     but
                     you
                     must
                     look
                     ,
                     that
                     when
                     you
                     are
                     trained
                     up
                     to
                     a
                     better
                     perfection
                     ,
                     GOD
                     will
                     put
                     your
                     Faith
                     to
                     harder
                     Exercise
                     .
                  
                   
                     Seventhly
                     ,
                     Cast
                     up
                     your
                     accounts
                     at
                     your
                     Return
                     ,
                     and
                     see
                     whether
                     you
                     have
                     gone
                     as
                     much
                     forward
                     in
                     your
                     Souls
                     ,
                     as
                     you
                     have
                     gone
                     backward
                     in
                     your
                     Estates
                     .
                     I
                     cannot
                     be
                     insensible
                     ,
                     but
                     some
                     of
                     you
                     are
                     here
                     to
                     very
                     great
                     disadvantage
                     ,
                     as
                     to
                     your
                     Affairs
                     in
                     the
                     World
                     ,
                     having
                     left
                     your
                     business
                     so
                     rawly
                     at
                     home
                     in
                     your
                     Shops
                     ,
                     Trades
                     ,
                     and
                     Callings
                     ,
                     that
                     it
                     is
                     like
                     to
                     be
                     no
                     little
                     detriment
                     to
                     you
                     ,
                     upon
                     this
                     Account
                     :
                     But
                     happy
                     are
                     ye
                     ,
                     if
                     you
                     find
                     at
                     your
                     return
                     ,
                     that
                     as
                     much
                     as
                     your
                     Affairs
                     are
                     gone
                     backward
                     ,
                     and
                     behind-hand
                     ,
                     so
                     much
                     your
                     Souls
                     have
                     gone
                     forward
                     .
                     If
                     your
                     Souls
                     go
                     forward
                     in
                     Grace
                     by
                     your
                     Sufferings
                     ,
                     blessed
                     be
                     GOD
                     that
                     hath
                     brought
                     you
                     to
                     such
                     a
                     place
                     as
                     a
                     Prison
                     is
                     .
                  
                   
                     Eightly
                     ,
                     Let
                     the
                     Snuffers
                     of
                     this
                     Prison
                     make
                     your
                     Light
                     burn
                     the
                     brighter
                     ,
                     and
                     see
                     that
                     your
                     Course
                     and
                     Discourse
                     be
                     the
                     more
                     savoury
                     ,
                     serious
                     ,
                     and
                     Spiritual
                     for
                     this
                     present
                     Tryal
                     .
                     O
                     Brethren
                     !
                     Now
                     the
                     Voice
                     of
                     the
                     Lord
                     is
                     to
                     you
                     ,
                     as
                     it
                     is
                     in
                     the
                     Prophet
                     Isaiah
                     60.
                     1.
                     
                     
                       Arise
                       ,
                       and
                       shine
                       ,
                       now
                       let
                       your
                       Light
                       shine
                       before
                       men
                       ,
                       that
                       others
                       may
                       see
                       your
                       good
                       Works
                       ,
                       and
                       glorifie
                       your
                       Father
                       which
                       is
                       in
                       Heaven
                       .
                    
                     It
                     is
                     said
                     of
                     those
                     Preachers
                     beyond
                     Sea
                     ,
                     that
                     have
                     been
                     sent
                     into
                     England
                     ,
                     and
                     here
                     reaped
                     the
                     benefit
                     of
                     our
                     English
                     practical
                     Divinity
                     :
                     At
                     their
                     Return
                     ,
                     they
                     have
                     Preached
                     so
                     much
                     better
                     than
                     they
                     had
                     wont
                     to
                     do
                     ,
                     that
                     it
                     hath
                     been
                     said
                     of
                     them
                     :
                     
                       Apparuit
                       hunc
                       fuisse
                       in
                    
                     Angliâ
                     .
                     So
                     do
                     you
                     my
                     Brethren
                     ,
                     Live
                     so
                     much
                     better
                     than
                     you
                     had
                     wont
                     ,
                     that
                     when
                     men
                     shall
                     see
                     the
                     change
                     in
                     your
                     Lives
                     ,
                     they
                     may
                     say
                     of
                     you
                     ,
                     
                       Apparuit
                       hunc
                       fuisse
                       in
                       Custodiâ
                    
                     .
                     See
                     that
                     your
                     whole
                     Course
                     and
                     Discourse
                     be
                     more
                     Spiritual
                     and
                     Heavenly
                     than
                     ever
                     .
                     See
                     that
                     you
                     shine
                     in
                     your
                     Families
                     when
                     you
                     come
                     Home
                     ;
                     be
                     you
                     better
                     Husbands
                     ,
                     better
                     Masters
                     ,
                     better
                     Fathers
                     ,
                     study
                     to
                     do
                     more
                     than
                     you
                     have
                     done
                     this
                     way
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     approve
                     your selves
                     better
                     in
                     your
                     Family-Relations
                     than
                     you
                     did
                     before
                     ;
                     that
                     the
                     savour
                     
                     of
                     a
                     Prison
                     may
                     be
                     upon
                     you
                     in
                     all
                     Companies
                     ,
                     then
                     will
                     you
                     praise
                     and
                     please
                     the
                     Lord.
                     
                  
                   
                     Ninthly
                     ,
                     And
                     lastly
                     ,
                     See
                     that
                     you
                     walk
                     Accurately
                     ,
                     as
                     those
                     that
                     have
                     the
                     Eyes
                     of
                     GOD
                     ,
                     Angels
                     ,
                     and
                     Men
                     ,
                     upon
                     you
                     :
                     (
                     my
                     Brethren
                     )
                     you
                     will
                     be
                     looked
                     upon
                     now
                     with
                     very
                     curious
                     Eyes
                     .
                     GOD
                     doth
                     expect
                     more
                     of
                     you
                     than
                     ever
                     ;
                     for
                     he
                     hath
                     done
                     more
                     for
                     you
                     ,
                     and
                     he
                     looketh
                     what
                     Fruit
                     there
                     will
                     be
                     of
                     all
                     this
                     .
                     Oh!
                     may
                     there
                     be
                     a
                     sensible
                     change
                     upon
                     your
                     Souls
                     ,
                     by
                     the
                     Showres
                     that
                     have
                     fallen
                     in
                     Prison
                     ,
                     as
                     there
                     is
                     in
                     the
                     greenness
                     of
                     the
                     Earth
                     ,
                     by
                     the
                     showres
                     that
                     have
                     fallen
                     lately
                     abroad
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     By
                     way
                     of
                     Dehortation
                     also
                     ,
                     I
                     have
                     these
                     four
                     things
                     to
                     Leave
                     with
                     you
                     .
                  
                   
                     First
                     ,
                     Revile
                     not
                     your
                     Persecutors
                     ,
                     but
                     bless
                     them
                     ,
                     and
                     pray
                     for
                     them
                     ,
                     as
                     the
                     Instruments
                     of
                     conveying
                     great
                     Mercies
                     to
                     you
                     .
                     Do
                     not
                     you
                     so
                     far
                     forget
                     the
                     Rule
                     of
                     Christ
                     ,
                     as
                     when
                     you
                     come
                     home
                     ,
                     to
                     be
                     setting
                     your
                     Mouths
                     to
                     talk
                     against
                     those
                     that
                     have
                     injured
                     you
                     .
                     Remember
                     the
                     Command
                     of
                     your
                     Lord
                     ,
                     
                       Bless
                       them
                       that
                       curse
                       you
                       ,
                       pray
                       for
                       them
                       that
                       despitefully
                       use
                       you
                       ,
                       and
                       persecute
                       you
                       .
                    
                     Whatsoever
                     they
                     intended
                     ,
                     yet
                     they
                     have
                     been
                     Instruments
                     of
                     a
                     great
                     deal
                     of
                     Mercy
                     to
                     us
                     ;
                     and
                     so
                     we
                     should
                     pray
                     for
                     them
                     ,
                     and
                     bless
                     GOD
                     for
                     the
                     good
                     we
                     have
                     received
                     by
                     them
                     .
                  
                   
                     Secondly
                     ,
                     Let
                     not
                     the
                     humble
                     acknowledgment
                     of
                     GOD's
                     Mercy
                     degenerate
                     into
                     proud
                     ,
                     Vain-glorious
                     boasting
                     ,
                     or
                     Carnal-tryumph
                     .
                     I
                     beseech
                     you
                     ,
                     see
                     that
                     you
                     go
                     home
                     with
                     a
                     great
                     deal
                     of
                     fear
                     upon
                     your
                     Spirits
                     in
                     this
                     respect
                     ,
                     left
                     pride
                     should
                     get
                     advantage
                     of
                     you
                     ,
                     left
                     instead
                     of
                     humble
                     acknowledging
                     GOD's
                     Mercy
                     ,
                     there
                     should
                     be
                     Carnal
                     boasting
                     .
                     Beware
                     of
                     this
                     ,
                     I
                     earnestly
                     beg
                     of
                     you
                     ,
                     for
                     this
                     will
                     very
                     much
                     spoyl
                     your
                     Sufferings
                     ,
                     and
                     be
                     very
                     displeasing
                     in
                     the
                     sight
                     of
                     GOD.
                     But
                     let
                     your
                     acknowledging
                     of
                     his
                     Mercy
                     ,
                     be
                     ever
                     with
                     humble
                     Self-abasing
                     Thankfulness
                     ,
                     and
                     be
                     careful
                     that
                     you
                     do
                     not
                     make
                     his
                     Mercies
                     to
                     be
                     the
                     Fuel
                     of
                     your
                     Pride
                     ,
                     which
                     were
                     to
                     lose
                     all
                     at
                     once
                     .
                  
                   
                     Thirdly
                     ,
                     Be
                     not
                     Prodigal
                     of
                     your
                     Liberty
                     upon
                     a
                     conceit
                     that
                     the
                     Prisons
                     will
                     be
                     easie
                     ,
                     nor
                     fearful
                     of
                     adventuring
                     your selves
                     in
                     the
                     way
                     of
                     your
                     Duty
                     .
                     Alas
                     !
                     I
                     am
                     afraid
                     of
                     both
                     
                     these
                     extreams
                     on
                     the
                     one
                     hand
                     ,
                     lest
                     some
                     among
                     us
                     ,
                     having
                     found
                     a
                     great
                     deal
                     of
                     Mercy
                     here
                     ,
                     will
                     now
                     think
                     there
                     is
                     no
                     need
                     of
                     any
                     Christian
                     prudence
                     ,
                     which
                     is
                     alwayes
                     necessary
                     ,
                     and
                     is
                     a
                     great
                     duty
                     .
                     It
                     is
                     not
                     cowardice
                     to
                     make
                     use
                     of
                     the
                     best
                     means
                     to
                     preserve
                     our
                     Liberty
                     ,
                     not
                     decling
                     our
                     Duty
                     .
                     On
                     the
                     other-side
                     ,
                     there
                     is
                     fear
                     lest
                     some
                     may
                     be
                     fearful
                     ,
                     and
                     ready
                     to
                     decline
                     their
                     Duty
                     ;
                     because
                     they
                     have
                     newly
                     tasted
                     of
                     a
                     Prison
                     for
                     it
                     .
                     Far
                     be
                     it
                     from
                     you
                     to
                     distrust
                     GOD
                     ,
                     of
                     whom
                     you
                     have
                     had
                     so
                     great
                     experience
                     ,
                     but
                     be
                     sure
                     you
                     hold
                     on
                     in
                     your
                     duty
                     ,
                     whatsoever
                     it
                     cost
                     you
                     .
                  
                   
                     Fourthly
                     ,
                     Do
                     not
                     load
                     others
                     with
                     censures
                     ,
                     whose
                     Judgment
                     ,
                     or
                     Practice
                     ,
                     differs
                     from
                     yours
                     ,
                     but
                     humbly
                     bless
                     GOD
                     that
                     hath
                     so
                     happily
                     directed
                     you
                     .
                     You
                     know
                     all
                     are
                     not
                     of
                     the
                     same
                     mind
                     as
                     to
                     the
                     Circumstances
                     of
                     Suffering
                     ,
                     and
                     all
                     have
                     not
                     gone
                     the
                     same
                     way
                     .
                     Far
                     be
                     it
                     from
                     any
                     of
                     you
                     (
                     my
                     Brethren
                     )
                     that
                     you
                     should
                     so
                     far
                     forget
                     your selves
                     ,
                     as
                     to
                     be
                     unmerciful
                     to
                     your
                     Brethren
                     ,
                     but
                     bless
                     GOD
                     that
                     hath
                     directed
                     you
                     into
                     a
                     better
                     way
                     .
                     Your
                     charity
                     must
                     grow
                     higher
                     than
                     ever
                     ;
                     GOD
                     forbid
                     that
                     you
                     should
                     increase
                     in
                     Censures
                     ,
                     instead
                     of
                     increasing
                     in
                     Charity
                     .
                  
                   
                     Having
                     spoken
                     to
                     my
                     Fellow-Prisoners
                     ,
                     I
                     have
                     two
                     Words
                     to
                     speak
                     to
                     you
                     our
                     Friends
                     and
                     Brethren
                     with
                     us
                     .
                  
                   
                     First
                     ,
                     Let
                     our
                     experience
                     be
                     your
                     incouragement
                     .
                     O
                     love
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     ye
                     our
                     Friends
                     ,
                     love
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     fear
                     him
                     for
                     ever
                     ,
                     believe
                     in
                     him
                     ,
                     trust
                     in
                     him
                     for
                     ever
                     ,
                     for
                     our
                     sakes
                     ;
                     we
                     have
                     tasted
                     of
                     the
                     kindness
                     of
                     GOD.
                     
                  
                   
                     You
                     know
                     how
                     good
                     GOD
                     hath
                     been
                     to
                     us
                     in
                     Spirituals
                     &
                     in
                     Temporals
                     .
                     Encourage
                     your
                     hearts
                     in
                     the
                     Lord
                     your
                     God
                     ,
                     serve
                     him
                     the
                     more
                     freely
                     and
                     gladly
                     for
                     our
                     sakes
                     .
                     You
                     see
                     we
                     have
                     tryed
                     ,
                     we
                     have
                     tasted
                     how
                     good
                     the
                     Lord
                     is
                     :
                     Do
                     you
                     trust
                     him
                     the
                     more
                     ,
                     because
                     we
                     have
                     tryed
                     him
                     so
                     much
                     ,
                     and
                     found
                     him
                     a
                     Friend
                     so
                     Faithful
                     ,
                     so
                     Gracious
                     ,
                     that
                     we
                     are
                     uttterly
                     unable
                     to
                     speak
                     his
                     Praise
                     .
                     Go
                     on
                     and
                     fear
                     not
                     in
                     the
                     way
                     of
                     your
                     Duty
                     :
                     
                       Verily
                       there
                       is
                       a
                       reward
                       for
                       the
                       Righteous
                       .
                    
                     GOD
                     hath
                     given
                     us
                     a
                     great
                     reward
                     already
                     ,
                     but
                     this
                     is
                     but
                     the
                     least
                     ,
                     we
                     look
                     for
                     a
                     Kingdom
                     .
                  
                   
                     Secondly
                     ,
                     and
                     lastly
                     ,
                     My
                     desire
                     is
                     to
                     our
                     Friends
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     will
                     all
                     help
                     us
                     in
                     our
                     Praises
                     .
                     Our
                     Tongues
                     are
                     too
                     little
                     to
                     speak
                     forth
                     the
                     Goodness
                     and
                     the
                     Grace
                     of
                     GOD
                     ,
                     do
                     you
                     help
                     us
                     in
                     our
                     Praises
                     .
                     Love
                     the
                     Lord
                     the
                     better
                     ,
                     Praise
                     him
                     the
                     
                     more
                     ,
                     and
                     what
                     is
                     wanting
                     in
                     us
                     ,
                     let
                     it
                     be
                     made
                     good
                     by
                     you
                     .
                     O
                     that
                     the
                     Praises
                     of
                     GOD
                     may
                     sound
                     abroad
                     in
                     the
                     Country
                     by
                     our
                     means
                     ,
                     and
                     for
                     our
                     sakes
                     .
                  
                   
                     HE
                     was
                     prevented
                     of
                     going
                     to
                     the
                     Waters
                     ,
                     by
                     his
                     last
                     Imprisonment
                     ;
                     for
                     want
                     of
                     which
                     ,
                     his
                     Distempers
                     increased
                     much
                     upon
                     him
                     all
                     the
                     Winter
                     after
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     next
                     Spring
                     more
                     〈◊〉
                     yet
                     not
                     so
                     as
                     to
                     take
                     him
                     fully
                     off
                     from
                     his
                     Work
                     ,
                     but
                     he
                     Preached
                     ,
                     and
                     kept
                     many
                     Dayes
                     ,
                     and
                     Administred
                     the
                     Sacrament
                     among
                     them
                     frequently
                     .
                  
                   
                     But
                     going
                     up
                     to
                     the
                     Waters
                     in
                     July
                     1667
                     ,
                     they
                     had
                     a
                     contrary
                     effect
                     upon
                     him
                     ,
                     from
                     what
                     they
                     had
                     at
                     first
                     :
                     For
                     after
                     three
                     dayes
                     taking
                     them
                     ,
                     he
                     fell
                     into
                     a
                     Feaver
                     ,
                     which
                     seised
                     on
                     his
                     Spirits
                     ,
                     and
                     decayed
                     his
                     strength
                     exceedingly
                     ,
                     so
                     that
                     he
                     seemed
                     very
                     near
                     Death
                     :
                     But
                     the
                     Lord
                     then
                     again
                     revoked
                     the
                     Sentence
                     passed
                     upon
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     enabled
                     him
                     in
                     six
                     Weeks
                     to
                     return
                     again
                     to
                     his
                     People
                     ,
                     where
                     he
                     much
                     desired
                     to
                     be
                     :
                     But
                     finding
                     ,
                     at
                     his
                     return
                     ,
                     great
                     decay
                     of
                     his
                     strength
                     ,
                     and
                     a
                     weakness
                     in
                     all
                     his
                     Limbs
                     ,
                     he
                     was
                     willing
                     to
                     go
                     to
                     Dorchester
                     ,
                     to
                     advise
                     further
                     with
                     Doctor
                     Lose
                     ,
                     a
                     very
                     Worthy
                     and
                     Reverend
                     Physitian
                     ,
                     from
                     whom
                     he
                     had
                     received
                     many
                     Medicines
                     ,
                     but
                     never
                     conversed
                     with
                     him
                     ,
                     nor
                     had
                     seen
                     him
                     ,
                     which
                     he
                     conceived
                     might
                     conduce
                     more
                     to
                     his
                     full
                     Cure.
                     
                  
                   
                     The
                     Doctor
                     soon
                     perceiving
                     my
                     Husbands
                     weakness
                     ,
                     perswaded
                     him
                     to
                     continue
                     for
                     a
                     fortnight
                     or
                     three
                     weeks
                     there
                     ,
                     that
                     he
                     might
                     the
                     better
                     advise
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     alter
                     his
                     Remedies
                     ,
                     as
                     he
                     should
                     see
                     occasion
                     ;
                     which
                     motion
                     was
                     readily
                     yeelded
                     unto
                     by
                     us
                     .
                  
                   
                     But
                     we
                     had
                     not
                     been
                     there
                     above
                     five
                     dayes
                     ,
                     before
                     the
                     use
                     of
                     all
                     his
                     Limbs
                     was
                     taken
                     away
                     on
                     a
                     sudden
                     ;
                     one
                     day
                     his
                     Arms
                     wholly
                     failing
                     ,
                     the
                     next
                     his
                     Legs
                     ;
                     so
                     that
                     he
                     could
                     not
                     go
                     ,
                     nor
                     stand
                     ,
                     nor
                     move
                     a
                     Finger
                     ,
                     nor
                     turn
                     in
                     his
                     Bed
                     ,
                     but
                     as
                     my self
                     and
                     another
                     did
                     turn
                     him
                     night
                     and
                     day
                     in
                     a
                     Sheet
                     :
                     All
                     means
                     failing
                     ,
                     he
                     was
                     given
                     over
                     by
                     Physitiand
                     and
                     Friends
                     ,
                     that
                     saw
                     him
                     lie
                     some
                     weeks
                     in
                     cold
                     Sweats
                     night
                     and
                     day
                     ,
                     and
                     many
                     times
                     for
                     some
                     hours
                     together
                     ,
                     half
                     his
                     Body
                     cold
                     ,
                     in
                     our
                     apprehensions
                     ,
                     dying
                     ;
                     receiving
                     nothing
                     but
                     the
                     best
                     Cordials
                     that
                     Art
                     could
                     invent
                     ,
                     and
                     Almond
                     Milk
                     ,
                     or
                     a
                     little
                     thin
                     Broth
                     once
                     in
                     three
                     or
                     four
                     days
                     .
                     Thus
                     he
                     lay
                     from
                     September
                     28
                     ,
                     to
                     November
                     16.
                     before
                     he
                     
                     began
                     to
                     Revive
                     ,
                     or
                     it
                     could
                     be
                     discerned
                     that
                     Remedies
                     did
                     at
                     all
                     prevail
                     against
                     his
                     Diseases
                     :
                     In
                     all
                     this
                     time
                     he
                     was
                     still
                     chearful
                     ,
                     and
                     when
                     he
                     did
                     speak
                     ,
                     it
                     was
                     not
                     at
                     all
                     complaining
                     ,
                     but
                     alwayes
                     praising
                     and
                     admiring
                     God
                     for
                     his
                     Mercies
                     ;
                     but
                     his
                     Spirits
                     were
                     so
                     low
                     ,
                     that
                     he
                     spake
                     seldom
                     ,
                     and
                     very
                     softly
                     .
                     He
                     still
                     told
                     us
                     he
                     had
                     no
                     pain
                     at
                     all
                     ,
                     and
                     when
                     his
                     Friends
                     admired
                     his
                     Patience
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     say
                     ;
                     God
                     had
                     not
                     yet
                     tryed
                     him
                     in
                     any
                     thing
                     ,
                     but
                     laying
                     him
                     aside
                     out
                     of
                     his
                     Work
                     ,
                     and
                     keeping
                     him
                     out
                     of
                     Heaven
                     ;
                     but
                     through
                     Grace
                     he
                     could
                     submit
                     to
                     his
                     pleasure
                     ,
                     waiting
                     for
                     him
                     :
                     It
                     was
                     Pain
                     he
                     ever
                     feared
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     he
                     had
                     not
                     yet
                     felt
                     ;
                     so
                     tender
                     was
                     his
                     Father
                     of
                     him
                     ;
                     and
                     he
                     wanted
                     strength
                     (
                     as
                     he
                     often
                     told
                     us
                     )
                     to
                     speak
                     more
                     of
                     his
                     Love
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     speak
                     for
                     God
                     who
                     had
                     been
                     ,
                     and
                     was
                     still
                     so
                     gracious
                     to
                     him
                     .
                     Being
                     often
                     askt
                     by
                     my self
                     and
                     others
                     ,
                     how
                     it
                     was
                     with
                     his
                     Spirit
                     in
                     all
                     this
                     weakness
                     ?
                     he
                     would
                     answer
                     :
                     He
                     had
                     not
                     those
                     
                       ravishing
                       joys
                    
                     that
                     he
                     expected
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     some
                     Believers
                     did
                     partake
                     of
                     ;
                     but
                     he
                     had
                     a
                     sweet
                     serenity
                     of
                     Heart
                     ,
                     and
                     confidence
                     in
                     God
                     ,
                     grounded
                     on
                     the
                     Promises
                     of
                     the
                     Gospel
                     ,
                     and
                     did
                     believe
                     it
                     would
                     be
                     well
                     with
                     him
                     to
                     all
                     eternity
                     .
                  
                   
                     In
                     all
                     this
                     time
                     ,
                     I
                     never
                     heard
                     one
                     impatient
                     word
                     from
                     him
                     ,
                     nor
                     could
                     upon
                     my
                     strictest
                     observation
                     ,
                     discern
                     the
                     least
                     discontent
                     with
                     this
                     state
                     ;
                     though
                     he
                     was
                     a
                     pitiful
                     Object
                     to
                     all
                     others
                     that
                     beheld
                     him
                     ,
                     being
                     so
                     consumed
                     ,
                     besides
                     the
                     loss
                     of
                     the
                     use
                     of
                     his
                     Limbs
                     :
                     Yet
                     the
                     Lord
                     did
                     support
                     and
                     quiet
                     his
                     Spirit
                     ,
                     that
                     he
                     lay
                     as
                     if
                     he
                     had
                     endured
                     nothing
                     ;
                     breaking
                     out
                     often
                     most
                     affectionately
                     in
                     commending
                     the
                     kindness
                     of
                     the
                     Lord
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     saying
                     ,
                     Goodness
                     and
                     Mercy
                     had
                     followed
                     him
                     all
                     his
                     dayes
                     .
                  
                   
                     And
                     indeed
                     the
                     loving
                     kindness
                     and
                     care
                     of
                     God
                     was
                     singular
                     to
                     us
                     in
                     that
                     place
                     ,
                     which
                     I
                     cannot
                     but
                     mention
                     to
                     his
                     praise
                     .
                  
                   
                     We
                     came
                     Strangers
                     thither
                     ,
                     and
                     being
                     in
                     our
                     Inn
                     ,
                     we
                     found
                     it
                     very
                     uncomfortable
                     ;
                     yet
                     were
                     fearful
                     to
                     impose
                     our selves
                     on
                     any
                     private
                     House
                     :
                     But
                     necessity
                     inforcing
                     ,
                     we
                     did
                     enquire
                     for
                     a
                     Chamber
                     ,
                     but
                     could
                     not
                     procure
                     one
                     ;
                     the
                     Small
                     Pox
                     being
                     very
                     hot
                     in
                     most
                     Families
                     ,
                     and
                     those
                     that
                     had
                     them
                     not
                     ,
                     daily
                     expecting
                     them
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     could
                     not
                     spare
                     Rooms
                     ,
                     as
                     else
                     they
                     might
                     .
                     But
                     the
                     Lord
                     who
                     saw
                     our
                     affliction
                     ,
                     inclined
                     the
                     heart
                     of
                     a
                     very
                     good
                     Woman
                     ,
                     (
                     a
                     Ministers
                     
                     Widdow
                     )
                     one
                     Mrs.
                     Bartlet
                     ,
                     to
                     come
                     and
                     invite
                     us
                     to
                     a
                     Lodging
                     in
                     her
                     House
                     ;
                     which
                     we
                     readily
                     and
                     thankfully
                     accepted
                     off
                     ;
                     where
                     we
                     were
                     so
                     accommodated
                     ,
                     as
                     we
                     could
                     not
                     have
                     been
                     any
                     where
                     else
                     in
                     the
                     Town
                     ,
                     especially
                     in
                     regard
                     of
                     the
                     assistance
                     I
                     had
                     from
                     four
                     young
                     Women
                     who
                     lived
                     under
                     the
                     same
                     roof
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     were
                     ready
                     ,
                     night
                     and
                     day
                     ,
                     to
                     help
                     〈◊〉
                     ,
                     (
                     I
                     having
                     no
                     Servant
                     nor
                     Friend
                     near
                     me
                     )
                     we
                     being
                     so
                     unsetled
                     ,
                     I
                     kept
                     none
                     ,
                     but
                     had
                     alwayes
                     tended
                     him
                     my self
                     to
                     that
                     time
                     :
                     And
                     the
                     Ministers
                     and
                     Christians
                     of
                     that
                     place
                     were
                     very
                     compassionate
                     towards
                     us
                     ,
                     visiting
                     and
                     Praying
                     with
                     and
                     for
                     us
                     often
                     :
                     And
                     Dr.
                     Lose
                     visited
                     him
                     twice
                     a
                     day
                     for
                     twelve
                     or
                     fourteen
                     Weeks
                     ,
                     except
                     when
                     he
                     was
                     called
                     out
                     of
                     Town
                     ,
                     refusing
                     any
                     Fees
                     tendered
                     to
                     him
                     :
                     The
                     Gentry
                     in
                     and
                     about
                     the
                     Town
                     ,
                     and
                     others
                     ,
                     sending
                     to
                     us
                     what-ever
                     they
                     imagined
                     might
                     be
                     pleasing
                     to
                     him
                     ;
                     furnishing
                     him
                     with
                     all
                     delicates
                     that
                     might
                     be
                     grateful
                     to
                     one
                     so
                     weak
                     ;
                     So
                     that
                     he
                     wanted
                     neither
                     Food
                     nor
                     Physick
                     ,
                     having
                     not
                     only
                     for
                     necessity
                     ,
                     but
                     for
                     delight
                     ,
                     and
                     he
                     did
                     much
                     delight
                     himself
                     in
                     the
                     consideration
                     of
                     the
                     Lord's
                     kindness
                     to
                     him
                     in
                     the
                     love
                     he
                     received
                     ,
                     and
                     would
                     often
                     say
                     ,
                     
                       I
                       was
                       a
                       Stranger
                       ,
                       and
                       Mercy
                       took
                       me
                       in
                       ;
                       in
                       Prison
                       ,
                       and
                       it
                       came
                       to
                       me
                       ;
                       sick
                       and
                       weak
                       ,
                       and
                       it
                       visited
                       me
                       .
                    
                     There
                     was
                     also
                     ten
                     young
                     Women
                     ,
                     besides
                     the
                     four
                     in
                     the
                     House
                     ,
                     that
                     took
                     their
                     turns
                     to
                     watch
                     with
                     him
                     constantly
                     ;
                     for
                     twelve
                     weeks
                     space
                     I
                     never
                     wanted
                     one
                     to
                     help
                     me
                     :
                     And
                     the
                     Lord
                     was
                     pleased
                     to
                     shew
                     his
                     power
                     so
                     in
                     strengthening
                     me
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     was
                     every
                     night
                     (
                     all
                     these
                     Weeks
                     in
                     the
                     depth
                     of
                     Winter
                     )
                     one
                     that
                     helped
                     to
                     turn
                     him
                     ,
                     never
                     lying
                     out
                     of
                     the
                     Bed
                     one
                     night
                     from
                     him
                     ,
                     but
                     every
                     time
                     he
                     called
                     or
                     wanted
                     any
                     thing
                     ,
                     was
                     waking
                     to
                     assist
                     her
                     in
                     the
                     Chamber
                     ,
                     though
                     as
                     some
                     of
                     them
                     have
                     said
                     they
                     did
                     tell
                     ,
                     that
                     we
                     did
                     turn
                     him
                     more
                     than
                     40
                     times
                     a
                     Night
                     ,
                     he
                     seldom
                     sleeping
                     at
                     all
                     in
                     the
                     Night
                     ,
                     in
                     all
                     those
                     Weeks
                     :
                     Though
                     his
                     tender
                     Affections
                     were
                     such
                     ,
                     as
                     to
                     have
                     had
                     me
                     sometimes
                     lain
                     in
                     another
                     Room
                     ,
                     yet
                     mine
                     were
                     such
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     could
                     not
                     bear
                     it
                     ,
                     the
                     thoughts
                     of
                     it
                     being
                     worse
                     to
                     me
                     than
                     the
                     trouble
                     or
                     disturbance
                     he
                     accounted
                     I
                     had
                     with
                     him
                     ,
                     for
                     I
                     feared
                     none
                     would
                     do
                     any
                     thing
                     about
                     him
                     with
                     such
                     ease
                     ;
                     neither
                     would
                     he
                     suffer
                     any
                     one
                     all
                     the
                     day
                     to
                     touch
                     him
                     but
                     me
                     ,
                     or
                     to
                     give
                     him
                     any
                     thing
                     that
                     he
                     did
                     receive
                     ;
                     by
                     which
                     I
                     discerned
                     it
                     was
                     most
                     grateful
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     
                     and
                     therefore
                     so
                     to
                     me
                     ;
                     And
                     I
                     never
                     found
                     any
                     want
                     of
                     my
                     Rest
                     ,
                     nor
                     did
                     get
                     so
                     much
                     as
                     a
                     Cold
                     all
                     that
                     Winter
                     ,
                     though
                     I
                     do
                     not
                     remember
                     that
                     for
                     14
                     or
                     15
                     years
                     before
                     ,
                     I
                     could
                     ever
                     say
                     I
                     was
                     one
                     month
                     free
                     of
                     a
                     most
                     violent
                     Cough
                     ,
                     which
                     if
                     I
                     had
                     been
                     molested
                     with
                     then
                     ,
                     would
                     have
                     been
                     a
                     great
                     addition
                     to
                     his
                     and
                     my
                     affliction
                     ;
                     and
                     he
                     was
                     not
                     a
                     little
                     taken
                     with
                     the
                     goodness
                     of
                     God
                     to
                     me
                     in
                     the
                     time
                     of
                     all
                     his
                     sickness
                     ,
                     but
                     especially
                     that
                     Winter
                     ;
                     for
                     he
                     being
                     not
                     able
                     to
                     help
                     himself
                     in
                     the
                     least
                     ,
                     I
                     could
                     not
                     be
                     from
                     him
                     night
                     nor
                     day
                     ,
                     with
                     any
                     comfort
                     to
                     him
                     or
                     my self
                     .
                  
                   
                     In
                     this
                     condition
                     he
                     kept
                     his
                     Bed
                     till
                     December
                     the
                     18th
                     .
                     And
                     then
                     ,
                     beyond
                     all
                     expectation
                     ,
                     though
                     in
                     the
                     depth
                     of
                     Winter
                     ,
                     began
                     to
                     revive
                     and
                     go
                     out
                     of
                     his
                     Bed
                     ;
                     but
                     he
                     could
                     neither
                     stand
                     nor
                     go
                     ,
                     nor
                     yet
                     move
                     a
                     finger
                     ,
                     having
                     sense
                     in
                     all
                     his
                     Limbs
                     ,
                     but
                     not
                     the
                     least
                     motion
                     :
                     As
                     his
                     strength
                     did
                     increase
                     ,
                     he
                     learnt
                     to
                     go
                     ,
                     (
                     as
                     he
                     would
                     say
                     )
                     first
                     by
                     being
                     led
                     by
                     two
                     of
                     us
                     ,
                     then
                     by
                     one
                     ;
                     and
                     when
                     he
                     could
                     go
                     one
                     turn
                     in
                     his
                     Chamber
                     ,
                     though
                     more
                     weakly
                     ,
                     and
                     with
                     more
                     fear
                     than
                     the
                     weakest
                     Child
                     that
                     ever
                     I
                     saw
                     ,
                     he
                     was
                     wonderfully
                     taken
                     with
                     the
                     Lord's
                     Mercy
                     to
                     him
                     :
                     By
                     February
                     he
                     was
                     able
                     ,
                     with
                     a
                     little
                     help
                     ,
                     to
                     walk
                     in
                     the
                     Streets
                     ;
                     (
                     but
                     not
                     to
                     feed
                     himself
                     )
                     nor
                     to
                     go
                     up
                     or
                     down
                     stairs
                     without
                     much
                     help
                     .
                  
                   
                     When
                     he
                     was
                     deprived
                     of
                     the
                     use
                     of
                     his
                     Limbs
                     ,
                     looking
                     down
                     on
                     his
                     Arms
                     ,
                     as
                     I
                     held
                     him
                     up
                     by
                     all
                     the
                     strength
                     I
                     had
                     :
                     He
                     again
                     listed
                     up
                     his
                     Eyes
                     from
                     his
                     useless
                     Arms
                     to
                     .
                     Heaven
                     ,
                     and
                     with
                     a
                     chearful
                     countenance
                     said
                     :
                     
                       The
                       Lord
                       hath
                       given
                       ,
                       and
                       the
                       Lord
                       hath
                       taken
                       ,
                       and
                       blessed
                       be
                       the
                       Name
                       of
                       the
                       Lord.
                       
                    
                  
                   
                     Being
                     asked
                     by
                     a
                     Friend
                     ,
                     How
                     he
                     could
                     be
                     so
                     well
                     contented
                     to
                     lie
                     so
                     long
                     under
                     such
                     weakness
                     ?
                     He
                     answered
                     ,
                  
                   
                     What
                     ,
                     is
                     God
                     my
                     Father
                     ,
                     Jesus
                     Christ
                     my
                     Saviour
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Spirit
                     my
                     sweet
                     Friend
                     ,
                     my
                     Comforter
                     ,
                     and
                     Sanctifyer
                     ,
                     and
                     Heaven
                     my
                     Inheritance
                     ?
                     Shall
                     I
                     not
                     be
                     content
                     without
                     Limbs
                     and
                     Health
                     ?
                     Through
                     Grace
                     I
                     am
                     fully
                     satisfied
                     with
                     my
                     Fathers
                     pleasure
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       To
                       another
                       that
                       asked
                       him
                       the
                       same
                       ,
                       he
                       Answers
                       ,
                    
                     I
                     have
                     chosen
                     God
                     ,
                     and
                     he
                     is
                     become
                     mine
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     know
                     with
                     whom
                     I
                     have
                     trusted
                     my self
                     ,
                     which
                     is
                     enough
                     :
                     He
                     is
                     an
                     unreasonable
                     wretch
                     that
                     cannot
                     be
                     content
                     with
                     a
                     God
                     ,
                     though
                     he
                     had
                     nothing
                     
                     else
                     :
                     My
                     interest
                     in
                     God
                     is
                     all
                     my
                     joy
                     .
                  
                   
                     His
                     Friends
                     (
                     some
                     of
                     Taunton
                     )
                     coming
                     to
                     Dorcester
                     to
                     see
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     was
                     much
                     revived
                     ,
                     and
                     would
                     be
                     set
                     up
                     in
                     his
                     Bed
                     ,
                     and
                     have
                     all
                     the
                     Curtains
                     drawn
                     ,
                     and
                     desired
                     them
                     to
                     stand
                     round
                     about
                     the
                     Bed
                     ,
                     and
                     would
                     have
                     me
                     take
                     out
                     his
                     Hand
                     ,
                     and
                     hold
                     it
                     out
                     to
                     them
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     might
                     shake
                     him
                     ,
                     though
                     he
                     could
                     not
                     them
                     ;
                     as
                     he
                     used
                     formerly
                     to
                     do
                     ,
                     when
                     he
                     had
                     been
                     absent
                     from
                     them
                     :
                     And
                     as
                     he
                     was
                     able
                     ,
                     thus
                     he
                     spake
                     to
                     them
                     :
                     
                       O
                       how
                       it
                       rejoyces
                       my
                       heart
                       to
                       see
                       your
                       Faces
                       ,
                       and
                       to
                       hear
                       your
                       Voices
                       ,
                       though
                       I
                       cannot
                       speak
                       as
                       heretofore
                       to
                       you
                       :
                       Methinks
                       I
                       am
                       now
                       like
                       Old
                    
                     Jacob
                     ,
                     
                       with
                       all
                       his
                       Sons
                       about
                       him
                       :
                       Now
                       you
                       see
                       my
                       weak
                       estate
                       ;
                       thus
                       have
                       I
                       been
                       for
                       many
                       weeks
                       ,
                       since
                       I
                       parted
                       with
                    
                     Taunton
                     ,
                     
                       but
                       God
                       hath
                       been
                       with
                       me
                       ,
                       and
                       I
                       hope
                       with
                       you
                       ;
                       your
                       Prayers
                       have
                       been
                       heard
                       ,
                       and
                       answered
                       ,
                       for
                       me
                       many
                       wayes
                       ;
                       the
                       Lord
                       return
                       them
                       into
                       your
                       own
                       Bosoms
                       .
                       My
                       Friends
                       ,
                       Life
                       is
                       mine
                       ,
                       Death
                       is
                       mine
                       ,
                       in
                       that
                       Covenant
                       I
                       was
                       preaching
                       of
                       to
                       you
                       ,
                       is
                       all
                       my
                       Salvation
                       ,
                       and
                       all
                       my
                       desire
                       ;
                       although
                       my
                       Body
                       do
                       not
                       prosper
                       ,
                       I
                       hope
                       through
                       Grace
                       my
                       Soul
                       doth
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     I
                     have
                     lived
                     a
                     sweet
                     Life
                     by
                     the
                     Promises
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     hope
                     through
                     Grace
                     can
                     Die
                     by
                     a
                     Promise
                     :
                     It
                     is
                     the
                     Promises
                     of
                     God
                     which
                     are
                     everlasting
                     ,
                     that
                     will
                     stand
                     by
                     us
                     :
                     Nothing
                     but
                     God
                     in
                     them
                     will
                     stead
                     us
                     in
                     a
                     day
                     of
                     Affliction
                     .
                  
                   
                     My
                     dear
                     Friends
                     ,
                     I
                     feel
                     the
                     power
                     of
                     those
                     Doctrines
                     I
                     Preached
                     to
                     you
                     ,
                     on
                     my
                     Heart
                     :
                     Now
                     the
                     Doctrines
                     of
                     Faith
                     ,
                     of
                     Repentance
                     ,
                     of
                     Self-denyal
                     ,
                     of
                     the
                     Covenant
                     of
                     Grace
                     ,
                     of
                     Contentment
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     rest
                     ;
                     O
                     that
                     you
                     would
                     live
                     them
                     over
                     ,
                     now
                     I
                     cannot
                     Preach
                     to
                     you
                     .
                  
                   
                     It
                     is
                     a
                     shame
                     for
                     a
                     Believer
                     to
                     be
                     cast
                     down
                     under
                     Afflictions
                     ,
                     that
                     hath
                     so
                     many
                     glorious
                     Priviledges
                     ,
                     Justification
                     ,
                     Adoption
                     ,
                     Sanctification
                     ,
                     and
                     eternal
                     Glory
                     .
                     We
                     shall
                     be
                     as
                     the
                     Angels
                     of
                     God
                     in
                     a
                     little
                     while
                     :
                     Nay
                     ,
                     to
                     say
                     the
                     truth
                     ,
                     Believers
                     are
                     ,
                     as
                     it
                     were
                     ,
                     little
                     Angels
                     already
                     ,
                     that
                     live
                     in
                     the
                     power
                     of
                     Faith.
                     O
                     my
                     Friends
                     !
                     Live
                     like
                     Believers
                     ,
                     trample
                     this
                     dirty
                     World
                     under
                     your
                     feet
                     ;
                     Be
                     not
                     taken
                     with
                     its
                     Comforts
                     ,
                     nor
                     disquieted
                     with
                     its
                     Crosses
                     ,
                     You
                     will
                     be
                     gone
                     out
                     of
                     it
                     shortly
                     .
                  
                   
                     When
                     they
                     came
                     to
                     take
                     their
                     leaves
                     of
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     Pray
                     with
                     them
                     as
                     his
                     weak
                     state
                     would
                     suffer
                     him
                     ;
                     and
                     in
                     the
                     words
                     of
                     Moses
                     ,
                     and
                     of
                     the
                     Apostles
                     ,
                     Blessed
                     them
                     .
                     
                     
                       The
                       same
                       he
                       alwayes
                       used
                       after
                       a
                       Sacrament
                       :
                    
                     The
                     Lord
                     bless
                     you
                     and
                     keep
                     you
                     ,
                     the
                     Lord
                     cause
                     his
                     Face
                     to
                     shine
                     upon
                     you
                     ,
                     and
                     give
                     you
                     peace
                     .
                     And
                     the
                     God
                     of
                     Peace
                     ,
                     that
                     brought
                     again
                     from
                     the
                     Dead
                     our
                     Lord
                     Jesus
                     ,
                     through
                     the
                     Blood
                     of
                     the
                     Everlasting
                     Covenant
                     ,
                     make
                     you
                     perfect
                     in
                     every
                     good
                     Work
                     to
                     do
                     his
                     Will
                     ,
                     working
                     in
                     you
                     that
                     which
                     is
                     well-pleasing
                     in
                     his
                     sight
                     ,
                     through
                     Jesus
                     Christ
                     ,
                     to
                     whom
                     be
                     glory
                     ,
                     for
                     ever
                     and
                     ever
                     .
                     Amen
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       And
                       then
                       spake
                       thus
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Farewell
                     ,
                     farewell
                     my
                     dear
                     Friends
                     ]
                     Remember
                     me
                     to
                     all
                     Taunton
                     ;
                     I
                     beseech
                     you
                     and
                     them
                     ,
                     if
                     I
                     never
                     see
                     your
                     faces
                     more
                     ,
                     go
                     Home
                     and
                     live
                     over
                     what
                     I
                     have
                     preached
                     to
                     you
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Lord
                     provide
                     for
                     you
                     when
                     I
                     am
                     gone
                     :
                     O!
                     let
                     not
                     all
                     my
                     labours
                     and
                     sufferings
                     ,
                     let
                     not
                     my
                     wasted
                     strength
                     ,
                     my
                     useless
                     Limbs
                     ,
                     rise
                     up
                     in
                     judgment
                     against
                     you
                     at
                     the
                     great
                     Day
                     of
                     the
                     LORD
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Another
                       time
                       ,
                       some
                       coming
                       to
                       Visit
                       him
                       there
                       ,
                       he
                       spake
                       thus
                       to
                       them
                       :
                    
                     O!
                     my
                     Friends
                     ,
                     let
                     your
                     whole
                     Conversation
                     be
                     as
                     becomes
                     the
                     Gospel
                     of
                     Christ
                     ;
                     whether
                     I
                     am
                     present
                     or
                     absent
                     ,
                     live
                     to
                     what
                     I
                     have
                     spoken
                     to
                     you
                     in
                     the
                     Name
                     of
                     the
                     Lord
                     :
                     Now
                     I
                     cannot
                     Preach
                     to
                     you
                     ,
                     let
                     my
                     wasted
                     strength
                     ,
                     my
                     useless
                     Limbs
                     ,
                     be
                     a
                     Sermon
                     to
                     you
                     :
                     Behold
                     me
                     ,
                     I
                     cannot
                     move
                     a
                     finger
                     ;
                     all
                     this
                     is
                     come
                     upon
                     me
                     for
                     your
                     sakes
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Gospel
                     ;
                     It
                     is
                     for
                     Christ
                     and
                     you
                     that
                     I
                     have
                     thus
                     spent
                     out
                     my self
                     :
                     I
                     am
                     afraid
                     of
                     you
                     ,
                     lest
                     some
                     of
                     you
                     ,
                     after
                     all
                     that
                     I
                     have
                     spoken
                     to
                     you
                     ,
                     should
                     be
                     lost
                     in
                     the
                     World.
                     There
                     are
                     many
                     Professors
                     who
                     can
                     pray
                     well
                     ,
                     and
                     talk
                     well
                     ,
                     whom
                     we
                     shall
                     find
                     at
                     the
                     left
                     Hand
                     of
                     Christ
                     another
                     day
                     :
                     You
                     have
                     your
                     Trades
                     ,
                     your
                     Estates
                     ,
                     your
                     Relations
                     ;
                     be
                     not
                     taken
                     with
                     these
                     ,
                     but
                     with
                     God
                     :
                     O
                     live
                     on
                     him
                     !
                     For
                     the
                     Lord's
                     sake
                     go
                     Home
                     and
                     take
                     heed
                     of
                     the
                     World
                     ,
                     worldly
                     Cares
                     ,
                     worldly
                     Comforts
                     ,
                     worldly
                     Friends
                     ,
                     
                       &c.
                       
                       Saying
                       thus
                    
                     ,
                  
                   
                     
                       The
                       Lord
                       having
                       given
                       Authority
                       to
                       his
                       Ministers
                       to
                       bless
                       his
                       People
                       ,
                       accordingly
                       I
                       bless
                       you
                       in
                       his
                       Name
                       ,
                    
                     using
                     the
                     same
                     words
                     as
                     before
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     parted
                     with
                     them
                     ;
                     with
                     many
                     other
                     dear
                     Expressions
                     of
                     his
                     Love
                     to
                     them
                     and
                     the
                     Town
                     .
                  
                   
                     And
                     thus
                     he
                     was
                     used
                     to
                     Converse
                     with
                     all
                     that
                     came
                     to
                     Visit
                     him
                     ,
                     as
                     he
                     was
                     able
                     ,
                     looking
                     alwayes
                     chearfully
                     upon
                     them
                     ,
                     and
                     never
                     complaining
                     of
                     any
                     Affliction
                     he
                     was
                     under
                     ,
                     except
                     it
                     were
                     to
                     excite
                     his
                     Taunton
                     Friends
                     to
                     their
                     Duties
                     .
                  
                   
                   
                     In
                     February
                     ,
                     he
                     being
                     very
                     desirous
                     to
                     return
                     among
                     his
                     People
                     ,
                     he
                     moved
                     it
                     to
                     his
                     Doctor
                     ,
                     who
                     consented
                     to
                     it
                     ,
                     fearing
                     that
                     Air
                     might
                     be
                     too
                     keen
                     for
                     him
                     in
                     March
                     :
                     And
                     hoping
                     that
                     it
                     might
                     much
                     add
                     to
                     his
                     Cure
                     ,
                     to
                     satisfie
                     his
                     mind
                     .
                  
                   
                     In
                     a
                     Horse-Litter
                     I
                     removed
                     him
                     :
                     He
                     was
                     much
                     pleased
                     at
                     the
                     sight
                     of
                     the
                     Place
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     People
                     ,
                     who
                     came
                     flocking
                     about
                     him
                     ;
                     and
                     he
                     seemed
                     to
                     increase
                     in
                     strength
                     ,
                     so
                     that
                     he
                     was
                     able
                     to
                     feed
                     himself
                     the
                     Week
                     after
                     he
                     came
                     Home
                     :
                     But
                     I
                     fearing
                     the
                     frequent
                     Visits
                     of
                     his
                     Friends
                     might
                     be
                     prejudicial
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     perswaded
                     him
                     to
                     remove
                     to
                     Mr.
                     Mallacks
                     House
                     ,
                     which
                     he
                     was
                     again
                     invited
                     to
                     ,
                     and
                     most
                     courteously
                     entertained
                     .
                  
                   
                     And
                     thus
                     he
                     continued
                     increasing
                     in
                     strength
                     ,
                     till
                     the
                     beginning
                     of
                     April
                     ,
                     and
                     then
                     he
                     began
                     to
                     decline
                     again
                     ,
                     and
                     was
                     taken
                     after
                     some
                     dayes
                     with
                     Convulsion
                     Fits
                     ,
                     as
                     he
                     sat
                     in
                     his
                     Chamber
                     one
                     Afternoon
                     ,
                     and
                     had
                     three
                     or
                     four
                     more
                     fits
                     that
                     Night
                     :
                     But
                     in
                     the
                     use
                     of
                     Means
                     ,
                     through
                     God's
                     Blessing
                     ,
                     he
                     had
                     no
                     more
                     in
                     three
                     Weeks
                     .
                     One
                     Evening
                     being
                     in
                     his
                     Chamber
                     ,
                     he
                     desired
                     me
                     to
                     leave
                     him
                     a
                     while
                     alone
                     ;
                     which
                     I
                     was
                     very
                     unwilling
                     to
                     do
                     ,
                     but
                     his
                     importunity
                     made
                     me
                     to
                     go
                     down
                     from
                     him
                     :
                     But
                     in
                     less
                     than
                     half
                     a
                     quarter
                     of
                     an
                     hour
                     ,
                     he
                     was
                     fallen
                     to
                     the
                     Ground
                     in
                     one
                     of
                     his
                     former
                     Fits
                     ,
                     and
                     had
                     hurt
                     his
                     Face
                     ;
                     and
                     from
                     his
                     Nose
                     came
                     much
                     Blood
                     ,
                     which
                     was
                     very
                     clotted
                     and
                     corrupt
                     ,
                     which
                     Physitians
                     seeing
                     ,
                     did
                     conclude
                     (
                     though
                     it
                     were
                     grievous
                     to
                     me
                     ,
                     that
                     under
                     such
                     Weakness
                     ,
                     he
                     should
                     have
                     so
                     sad
                     an
                     Accident
                     )
                     that
                     the
                     fall
                     saved
                     his
                     life
                     :
                     For
                     had
                     not
                     that
                     Blood
                     come
                     from
                     his
                     Head
                     ,
                     he
                     had
                     ,
                     so
                     far
                     as
                     they
                     could
                     rationally
                     judge
                     ,
                     died
                     in
                     that
                     Fit
                     ,
                     which
                     took
                     away
                     his
                     Senses
                     for
                     the
                     present
                     ;
                     but
                     he
                     went
                     to
                     Bed
                     ,
                     and
                     slept
                     so
                     well
                     that
                     night
                     ,
                     as
                     he
                     had
                     not
                     in
                     many
                     Weeks
                     before
                     ;
                     so
                     that
                     my Self
                     ,
                     and
                     Friends
                     ,
                     feared
                     that
                     he
                     had
                     been
                     in
                     an
                     Apoplexy
                     :
                     But
                     he
                     awaked
                     about
                     six
                     in
                     the
                     Morning
                     ,
                     much
                     refreshed
                     ,
                     and
                     full
                     of
                     the
                     Praises
                     of
                     God
                     for
                     his
                     Mercies
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     being
                     very
                     sensible
                     how
                     suddenly
                     he
                     was
                     surprised
                     the
                     Evening
                     before
                     .
                     After
                     this
                     ,
                     he
                     lived
                     alwayes
                     expecting
                     Death
                     ,
                     saying
                     often
                     to
                     me
                     and
                     his
                     Friends
                     ,
                     
                       It
                       is
                       but
                       a
                       puff
                       ,
                       and
                       I
                       am
                       gone
                    
                     ;
                     And
                     therefore
                     would
                     ,
                     every
                     Night
                     after
                     he
                     had
                     been
                     at
                     Prayer
                     ,
                     bid
                     all
                     the
                     Family
                     farewel
                     ,
                     telling
                     them
                     ,
                     
                       He
                       might
                       be
                       dead
                       before
                       the
                       Morning
                    
                     ;
                     and
                     〈◊〉
                     
                     some
                     holy
                     Counsels
                     to
                     them
                     ,
                     would
                     depart
                     to
                     his
                     Chamber
                     :
                     All
                     the
                     while
                     I
                     was
                     undressing
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     be
                     discoursing
                     of
                     Spiritual
                     things
                     ,
                     it
                     being
                     all
                     his
                     delight
                     ;
                     and
                     when
                     we
                     lay
                     down
                     to
                     rest
                     ,
                     his
                     last
                     words
                     were
                     usually
                     ,
                     [
                     
                       We
                       shall
                       shortly
                       be
                       in
                       another
                       Bed
                       ,
                       therefore
                       it
                       is
                       good
                       to
                       mind
                       it
                       ,
                       and
                       provide
                       for
                       it
                       apace
                       ;
                       farewel
                       my
                       Dear
                       Heart
                       ,
                       the
                       Lord
                       bless
                       thee
                    
                     ]
                     and
                     so
                     he
                     would
                     go
                     to
                     his
                     Rest.
                     In
                     his
                     Health
                     and
                     Sickness
                     ,
                     his
                     first
                     Speeches
                     in
                     the
                     Mornings
                     would
                     be
                     ,
                     [
                     
                       Now
                       we
                       have
                       one
                       day
                       more
                       ;
                       here
                       is
                       one
                       more
                       for
                       God
                       ;
                       now
                       let
                       us
                       live
                       well
                       this
                       day
                       ;
                       work
                       hard
                       for
                       our
                       Souls
                       ;
                       lay
                       up
                       much
                       Treasure
                       in
                       Heaven
                       this
                       day
                       ,
                       for
                       we
                       have
                       but
                       a
                       few
                       to
                       live
                       .
                    
                     ]
                  
                   
                     After
                     this
                     ,
                     the
                     strength
                     of
                     his
                     Limbs
                     ,
                     which
                     were
                     decayed
                     ,
                     returned
                     again
                     ,
                     and
                     he
                     was
                     ,
                     beyond
                     all
                     expectation
                     ,
                     so
                     far
                     recovered
                     ,
                     that
                     we
                     had
                     no
                     fears
                     of
                     his
                     relapsing
                     again
                     :
                     His
                     Appetite
                     ,
                     and
                     Rest
                     ,
                     and
                     all
                     repaired
                     .
                     But
                     about
                     the
                     sixth
                     of
                     May
                     ,
                     he
                     began
                     again
                     to
                     find
                     weakness
                     in
                     his
                     Stomach
                     ,
                     which
                     in
                     a
                     few
                     dayes
                     so
                     grew
                     upon
                     him
                     ,
                     that
                     he
                     lost
                     his
                     Limbs
                     again
                     ;
                     and
                     on
                     the
                     12th
                     of
                     May
                     ,
                     in
                     the
                     Morning
                     ,
                     having
                     lain
                     some
                     dayes
                     and
                     nights
                     in
                     cold
                     Sweats
                     ,
                     as
                     heretofore
                     at
                     Dorchester
                     ,
                     he
                     was
                     again
                     seised
                     with
                     Convulsions
                     ,
                     first
                     lying
                     four
                     hours
                     with
                     his
                     eyes
                     fixed
                     to
                     Heaven
                     ,
                     not
                     speaking
                     one
                     Word
                     ,
                     not
                     in
                     the
                     least
                     moving
                     himself
                     ,
                     my self
                     and
                     Friends
                     weeping
                     by
                     him
                     ,
                     at
                     last
                     he
                     spake
                     to
                     us
                     with
                     a
                     very
                     audible
                     Voice
                     ,
                     [
                     
                       Weep
                       not
                       for
                       me
                       ,
                       my
                       Work
                       is
                       done
                    
                     ]
                     and
                     seemed
                     to
                     be
                     full
                     of
                     Matter
                     to
                     utter
                     to
                     us
                     ,
                     but
                     was
                     immediately
                     seised
                     with
                     a
                     tertible
                     Convulsion
                     ,
                     which
                     was
                     sad
                     to
                     behold
                     ;
                     it
                     so
                     altered
                     his
                     Countenance
                     ,
                     and
                     put
                     him
                     into
                     such
                     Sweats
                     ,
                     that
                     't
                     was
                     strange
                     to
                     see
                     how
                     the
                     drops
                     lay
                     and
                     run
                     down
                     his
                     Face
                     ,
                     and
                     Hands
                     ,
                     and
                     Body
                     :
                     This
                     held
                     him
                     two
                     hours
                     or
                     more
                     ,
                     and
                     ceased
                     ,
                     but
                     he
                     was
                     left
                     by
                     it
                     without
                     any
                     sense
                     ;
                     and
                     in
                     a
                     quarter
                     of
                     an
                     hour
                     ,
                     or
                     little
                     more
                     ,
                     fell
                     into
                     another
                     ,
                     in
                     which
                     he
                     ratled
                     ,
                     and
                     was
                     cold
                     ,
                     so
                     that
                     we
                     apprehended
                     every
                     breath
                     would
                     be
                     his
                     last
                     .
                     The
                     Physitian
                     who
                     was
                     then
                     by
                     him
                     ,
                     accounted
                     his
                     Pulse
                     to
                     be
                     gone
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     he
                     would
                     be
                     dead
                     in
                     a
                     few
                     minutes
                     :
                     But
                     the
                     Lord
                     shewed
                     his
                     Power
                     here
                     once
                     again
                     in
                     raising
                     him
                     ,
                     so
                     that
                     many
                     that
                     came
                     and
                     saw
                     him
                     ,
                     that
                     heard
                     the
                     next
                     day
                     he
                     was
                     alive
                     ,
                     would
                     not
                     believe
                     till
                     they
                     came
                     and
                     saw
                     him
                     again
                     .
                     These
                     violent
                     Fits
                     went
                     off
                     about
                     twelve
                     a
                     Clock
                     ,
                     and
                     he
                     revived
                     ,
                     but
                     had
                     no
                     sense
                     to
                     converse
                     with
                     us
                     
                     till
                     the
                     next
                     day
                     ,
                     nor
                     did
                     he
                     perfectly
                     recover
                     them
                     four
                     dayes
                     after
                     ,
                     and
                     then
                     was
                     as
                     before
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     continued
                     very
                     weak
                     till
                     July
                     ,
                     no
                     strength
                     coming
                     into
                     his
                     Hands
                     or
                     Legs
                     ;
                     for
                     the
                     most
                     part
                     confined
                     to
                     his
                     Bed
                     ,
                     but
                     still
                     chearful
                     in
                     his
                     Spirit
                     ,
                     and
                     free
                     to
                     discourse
                     with
                     any
                     that
                     came
                     to
                     visit
                     him
                     ,
                     as
                     long
                     as
                     he
                     was
                     able
                     .
                  
                   
                     But
                     the
                     Lord
                     had
                     yet
                     more
                     work
                     for
                     him
                     to
                     do
                     :
                     I
                     seeing
                     him
                     lie
                     so
                     hopeless
                     ,
                     as
                     to
                     his
                     Life
                     or
                     Limbs
                     ,
                     and
                     considering
                     the
                     Winter
                     was
                     growing
                     on
                     apace
                     ,
                     I
                     proposed
                     it
                     to
                     the
                     Doctors
                     to
                     have
                     him
                     to
                     the
                     Bath
                     ;
                     some
                     were
                     for
                     it
                     ,
                     others
                     against
                     it
                     ;
                     acquainting
                     my
                     Husband
                     with
                     it
                     ,
                     he
                     was
                     much
                     pleased
                     with
                     it
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     earnest
                     in
                     it
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     sent
                     immediately
                     to
                     Bath
                     for
                     a
                     Horse-Litter
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Lord
                     was
                     pleased
                     strangely
                     to
                     appear
                     in
                     strengthening
                     him
                     for
                     his
                     Journey
                     ;
                     so
                     that
                     he
                     that
                     had
                     not
                     in
                     many
                     weeks
                     been
                     out
                     of
                     his
                     Bed
                     and
                     Chamber
                     ,
                     was
                     able
                     in
                     two
                     dayes
                     to
                     reach
                     near
                     forty
                     miles
                     ,
                     (
                     but
                     when
                     he
                     came
                     to
                     Bath
                     ,
                     the
                     Doctors
                     there
                     seemed
                     to
                     be
                     much
                     amazed
                     to
                     behold
                     such
                     an
                     Object
                     ,
                     professing
                     they
                     never
                     saw
                     the
                     like
                     )
                     much
                     wondering
                     how
                     he
                     was
                     come
                     alive
                     such
                     a
                     Journey
                     ,
                     and
                     doubted
                     much
                     to
                     put
                     him
                     in
                     :
                     But
                     he
                     having
                     tryed
                     all
                     Artificial
                     Baths
                     ,
                     and
                     Oyntments
                     ,
                     and
                     Plaisters
                     before
                     ,
                     he
                     resolved
                     ,
                     against
                     their
                     Judgment
                     ,
                     to
                     adventure
                     himself
                     .
                  
                   
                     At
                     his
                     first
                     appearing
                     in
                     the
                     Bath
                     ,
                     being
                     wasted
                     to
                     Skin
                     and
                     Bone
                     ,
                     some
                     of
                     the
                     Ladies
                     were
                     afrighted
                     ,
                     as
                     if
                     Death
                     had
                     been
                     come
                     in
                     among
                     them
                     ,
                     and
                     could
                     not
                     endure
                     to
                     look
                     towards
                     him
                     .
                  
                   
                     The
                     first
                     time
                     he
                     went
                     in
                     ,
                     he
                     was
                     able
                     to
                     stay
                     but
                     a
                     little
                     while
                     ,
                     but
                     was
                     much
                     refreshed
                     ,
                     and
                     had
                     no
                     symptom
                     of
                     his
                     Fits
                     ,
                     which
                     he
                     feared
                     the
                     Bath
                     might
                     have
                     caused
                     again
                     :
                     Through
                     the
                     blessing
                     of
                     the
                     Lord
                     upon
                     this
                     means
                     ,
                     without
                     any
                     thing
                     else
                     ,
                     except
                     his
                     drinking
                     of
                     Goats-Milk
                     ,
                     he
                     that
                     was
                     not
                     able
                     to
                     go
                     nor
                     stand
                     ,
                     nor
                     move
                     a
                     Finger
                     ,
                     could
                     in
                     three
                     weeks
                     time
                     walk
                     about
                     his
                     Chamber
                     ,
                     and
                     feed
                     himself
                     :
                     his
                     impaired
                     Appetite
                     was
                     again
                     restored
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     strength
                     so
                     increased
                     ,
                     that
                     there
                     seemed
                     no
                     doubt
                     to
                     the
                     Physitians
                     of
                     his
                     full
                     recovery
                     ,
                     he
                     having
                     not
                     the
                     least
                     sign
                     of
                     any
                     inclination
                     to
                     his
                     Fits
                     ,
                     from
                     the
                     twelfth
                     of
                     May
                     till
                     his
                     Death
                     drew
                     nigh
                     .
                  
                   
                     In
                     this
                     time
                     of
                     his
                     being
                     in
                     Bath
                     ,
                     his
                     Soul
                     was
                     far
                     more
                     
                     strengthened
                     with
                     Grace
                     ;
                     so
                     that
                     my self
                     ,
                     and
                     all
                     that
                     beheld
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     conversed
                     with
                     him
                     ,
                     discerned
                     sensibly
                     his
                     growth
                     ;
                     and
                     he
                     was
                     in
                     the
                     nights
                     and
                     dayes
                     ,
                     so
                     frequently
                     with
                     God
                     ,
                     and
                     often
                     in
                     such
                     ravishments
                     of
                     Spirit
                     ,
                     from
                     the
                     Joys
                     and
                     Consolations
                     that
                     he
                     received
                     from
                     the
                     Spirit
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                     that
                     it
                     was
                     oftentimes
                     more
                     than
                     he
                     could
                     express
                     ,
                     or
                     his
                     bodily
                     strength
                     could
                     bear
                     ;
                     so
                     that
                     for
                     my
                     own
                     part
                     ,
                     I
                     had
                     less
                     hopes
                     of
                     his
                     continuance
                     on
                     Earth
                     than
                     ever
                     before
                     :
                     For
                     I
                     perceived
                     plainly
                     ,
                     the
                     Lord
                     had
                     spared
                     him
                     but
                     to
                     recover
                     strength
                     of
                     Grace
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     make
                     him
                     a
                     more
                     evident
                     instance
                     of
                     his
                     singular
                     Love
                     ,
                     before
                     he
                     took
                     him
                     hence
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     being
                     now
                     more
                     chearful
                     than
                     formerly
                     ,
                     and
                     more
                     exceedingly
                     affectionate
                     in
                     his
                     carriage
                     to
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     all
                     his
                     Friends
                     ,
                     especially
                     with
                     those
                     that
                     were
                     most
                     Heavenly
                     ,
                     the
                     Lord
                     was
                     pleased
                     to
                     order
                     it
                     in
                     his
                     Providence
                     ;
                     there
                     were
                     many
                     such
                     then
                     who
                     came
                     to
                     use
                     the
                     Bath
                     ,
                     as
                     Mr.
                     Fairclough
                     and
                     his
                     Wife
                     ,
                     Mr.
                     How
                     of
                     Torrington
                     ,
                     Mr.
                     
                       Joseph
                       Barnard
                    
                     and
                     his
                     Wife
                     ,
                     and
                     several
                     of
                     our
                     Taunton
                     Friends
                     ,
                     and
                     of
                     Bristol
                     Ministers
                     and
                     others
                     ,
                     which
                     was
                     a
                     great
                     comfort
                     to
                     us
                     .
                  
                   
                     His
                     parts
                     seemed
                     to
                     be
                     more
                     quick
                     in
                     his
                     Converses
                     ,
                     whatever
                     he
                     was
                     put
                     upon
                     ,
                     either
                     by
                     Scholars
                     ,
                     or
                     those
                     that
                     were
                     more
                     Inferiour
                     .
                     He
                     had
                     many
                     visitors
                     there
                     ,
                     both
                     of
                     strangers
                     and
                     Friends
                     ,
                     who
                     were
                     willing
                     to
                     see
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     discourse
                     with
                     him
                     ,
                     having
                     heard
                     what
                     a
                     monument
                     of
                     Mercy
                     he
                     was
                     ;
                     and
                     he
                     would
                     to
                     all
                     of
                     them
                     ,
                     so
                     amplifie
                     upon
                     all
                     the
                     Passages
                     of
                     Gods
                     dealings
                     with
                     him
                     ,
                     as
                     was
                     very
                     pleasant
                     to
                     all
                     that
                     heard
                     him
                     ;
                     and
                     did
                     affect
                     many
                     that
                     were
                     strangers
                     to
                     God
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     Religion
                     ,
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     to
                     him
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     found
                     much
                     favour
                     ,
                     even
                     among
                     the
                     worst
                     ,
                     both
                     Gentry
                     and
                     others
                     (
                     such
                     as
                     would
                     make
                     a
                     scoff
                     at
                     Religion
                     ,
                     or
                     holy
                     Discourse
                     from
                     others
                     )
                     would
                     hearken
                     to
                     him
                     .
                     Though
                     he
                     did
                     often
                     faithfully
                     reprove
                     many
                     for
                     their
                     Oaths
                     ,
                     and
                     excess
                     in
                     Drinking
                     ,
                     their
                     lascivious
                     Carriages
                     ,
                     which
                     he
                     observed
                     in
                     the
                     Bath
                     ;
                     and
                     there
                     was
                     none
                     of
                     them
                     but
                     did
                     most
                     thankfully
                     accept
                     it
                     from
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     shewed
                     him
                     more
                     respect
                     after
                     ,
                     than
                     they
                     had
                     done
                     before
                     :
                     In
                     which
                     he
                     observed
                     much
                     of
                     Gods
                     goodness
                     to
                     〈◊〉
                     ,
                     and
                     would
                     often
                     say
                     to
                     me
                     :
                     
                       O!
                       how
                       good
                       is
                       it
                       to
                       be
                       faithful
                       to
                       God.
                    
                     The
                     vilest
                     of
                     these
                     Persons
                     ,
                     as
                     I
                     was
                     by
                     several
                     informed
                     ,
                     said
                     of
                     him
                     ,
                     
                       That
                       he
                       never
                       spake
                       with
                       such
                       a
                       man
                       in
                       his
                       life
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                   
                     His
                     Reproofs
                     were
                     managed
                     with
                     so
                     much
                     respect
                     to
                     their
                     Persons
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     honourable
                     esteem
                     he
                     had
                     of
                     their
                     Dignity
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     said
                     ,
                     
                       They
                       could
                       not
                       but
                       accept
                       his
                       Reproofs
                       ,
                       though
                       very
                       close
                       and
                       plain
                       :
                    
                     And
                     his
                     way
                     was
                     ,
                     sometime
                     before
                     he
                     intended
                     to
                     reprove
                     them
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     often
                     in
                     the
                     Bath
                     Converse
                     with
                     them
                     ,
                     
                       of
                       things
                       that
                       might
                       be
                       taking
                       with
                       them
                    
                     ;
                     and
                     did
                     so
                     ingage
                     their
                     Affections
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     would
                     willingly
                     every
                     day
                     converse
                     with
                     him
                     :
                     He
                     being
                     furnished
                     (
                     from
                     his
                     former
                     Studies
                     )
                     
                       for
                       any
                       Company
                    
                     ,
                     designing
                     to
                     use
                     it
                     still
                     for
                     Holy
                     ends
                     ;
                     by
                     such
                     means
                     hath
                     caught
                     many
                     Souls
                     .
                  
                   
                     While
                     he
                     was
                     in
                     this
                     place
                     ,
                     though
                     he
                     had
                     many
                     Diversions
                     ,
                     by
                     his
                     using
                     the
                     Bath
                     constantly
                     every
                     day
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     frequent
                     Visits
                     ,
                     besides
                     his
                     Weakness
                     ,
                     yet
                     he
                     kept
                     his
                     constant
                     Seasons
                     ,
                     four
                     times
                     a
                     day
                     ,
                     for
                     his
                     Holy
                     Retirements
                     ;
                     waking
                     in
                     the
                     Morning
                     constantly
                     at
                     or
                     before
                     five
                     a
                     Clock
                     ,
                     and
                     would
                     not
                     be
                     disturbed
                     till
                     about
                     seven
                     ,
                     when
                     he
                     was
                     carried
                     to
                     the
                     Bath
                     .
                     Having
                     the
                     Curtains
                     drawn
                     close
                     ,
                     he
                     spent
                     his
                     time
                     in
                     Holy
                     Meditation
                     ,
                     and
                     Prayer
                     ,
                     and
                     Singing
                     ,
                     and
                     once
                     again
                     before
                     Dinner
                     ,
                     but
                     then
                     he
                     spent
                     less
                     time
                     ;
                     and
                     about
                     half
                     an
                     hour
                     before
                     two
                     in
                     the
                     Afternoon
                     ,
                     just
                     before
                     he
                     went
                     abroad
                     .
                  
                   
                     For
                     though
                     he
                     never
                     attained
                     to
                     so
                     much
                     strength
                     ,
                     as
                     to
                     be
                     able
                     to
                     walk
                     abroad
                     in
                     the
                     Streets
                     without
                     my
                     leading
                     him
                     ,
                     or
                     some
                     other
                     ,
                     yet
                     he
                     would
                     be
                     imployed
                     for
                     his
                     Lord
                     and
                     Master
                     .
                     His
                     Chair-men
                     that
                     used
                     to
                     carry
                     him
                     to
                     the
                     Bath
                     ,
                     he
                     appointed
                     to
                     fetch
                     him
                     about
                     three
                     a
                     Clock
                     ,
                     who
                     carried
                     him
                     to
                     Visit
                     all
                     the
                     Schools
                     and
                     Alms-houses
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Godly
                     Poor
                     ,
                     especially
                     the
                     Widdows
                     ;
                     to
                     whom
                     he
                     would
                     give
                     Money
                     ,
                     and
                     with
                     whom
                     he
                     would
                     Pray
                     and
                     Converse
                     with
                     them
                     ,
                     concerning
                     their
                     Spiritual
                     States
                     ,
                     according
                     as
                     their
                     Necessities
                     required
                     ;
                     ingaging
                     those
                     that
                     were
                     Teachers
                     ,
                     and
                     Governours
                     ,
                     to
                     Teach
                     the
                     
                       Assemblies
                       Catechism
                    
                     ,
                     buying
                     many
                     Dozens
                     ,
                     and
                     giving
                     them
                     to
                     distribute
                     to
                     their
                     Scholars
                     ;
                     and
                     many
                     other
                     small
                     Books
                     which
                     he
                     thought
                     might
                     be
                     useful
                     for
                     them
                     ;
                     and
                     then
                     would
                     come
                     and
                     see
                     ,
                     in
                     a
                     Week
                     or
                     Fortnight
                     ,
                     what
                     progress
                     they
                     had
                     made
                     :
                     He
                     also
                     ingaged
                     several
                     to
                     send
                     their
                     Children
                     once
                     a
                     Week
                     to
                     him
                     to
                     be
                     Catechised
                     ;
                     which
                     they
                     did
                     hearken
                     to
                     him
                     in
                     :
                     And
                     we
                     had
                     about
                     sixty
                     or
                     seventy
                     Children
                     every
                     Lord's-Day
                     to
                     our
                     Lodging
                     ,
                     and
                     they
                     profited
                     much
                     by
                     his
                     Instructions
                     ,
                     till
                     some
                     took
                     
                     such
                     offence
                     at
                     it
                     ,
                     that
                     he
                     was
                     forced
                     to
                     desist
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     School-Master
                     was
                     threatned
                     to
                     be
                     cited
                     to
                     Wells
                     before
                     the
                     Bishop
                     ,
                     and
                     many
                     others
                     afrighted
                     from
                     it
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     also
                     sent
                     for
                     all
                     the
                     godly
                     Poor
                     he
                     could
                     find
                     in
                     that
                     place
                     ,
                     and
                     entertained
                     them
                     at
                     his
                     Chamber
                     ,
                     and
                     gave
                     to
                     them
                     every
                     one
                     as
                     he
                     was
                     able
                     ,
                     as
                     a
                     Thank-Offering
                     to
                     the
                     Lord
                     for
                     his
                     Mercy
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     desired
                     them
                     ,
                     with
                     several
                     others
                     ,
                     to
                     keep
                     a
                     day
                     of
                     Thanksgiving
                     for
                     him
                     ;
                     Mr.
                     Fairclough
                     ,
                     Mr.
                     How
                     ,
                     and
                     Himself
                     ,
                     performing
                     the
                     duties
                     of
                     the
                     day
                     .
                  
                   
                     Thus
                     though
                     his
                     Sickness
                     had
                     been
                     long
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     Expences
                     great
                     ,
                     he
                     thought
                     he
                     could
                     never
                     spend
                     enough
                     for
                     him
                     from
                     whom
                     he
                     had
                     received
                     all
                     :
                     He
                     constantly
                     gave
                     Money
                     or
                     Apples
                     to
                     all
                     the
                     Children
                     that
                     came
                     to
                     be
                     catechized
                     by
                     him
                     ,
                     to
                     ingage
                     them
                     ,
                     besides
                     all
                     he
                     gave
                     to
                     the
                     Teachers
                     ,
                     and
                     Poor
                     ,
                     which
                     indeed
                     was
                     beyond
                     his
                     ability
                     ,
                     considering
                     his
                     Estate
                     :
                     But
                     I
                     am
                     perswaded
                     ,
                     he
                     did
                     foresee
                     that
                     his
                     time
                     would
                     be
                     but
                     short
                     ;
                     and
                     having
                     made
                     a
                     competent
                     and
                     comfortable
                     provision
                     for
                     me
                     ,
                     he
                     resolved
                     to
                     lay
                     up
                     the
                     rest
                     in
                     Heaven
                     ;
                     he
                     did
                     often
                     say
                     to
                     me
                     ,
                     
                       If
                       he
                       lived
                       never
                       so
                       long
                       ,
                       he
                       would
                       never
                       increase
                       his
                       Estate
                       ,
                       now
                       I
                       was
                       provided
                       for
                       ;
                       he
                       having
                       no
                       Children
                       ,
                       God's
                       Children
                       should
                       have
                       it
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     But
                     he
                     was
                     yet
                     again
                     designing
                     what
                     he
                     might
                     do
                     before
                     he
                     took
                     his
                     leave
                     of
                     the
                     World
                     :
                     And
                     his
                     next
                     work
                     was
                     ,
                     to
                     send
                     Letters
                     to
                     all
                     his
                     Relations
                     and
                     intimate
                     Friends
                     ,
                     in
                     most
                     of
                     which
                     he
                     urges
                     them
                     to
                     observe
                     his
                     Counsels
                     ,
                     for
                     they
                     were
                     like
                     to
                     be
                     his
                     last
                     to
                     them
                     .
                     I
                     alwayes
                     wrote
                     for
                     him
                     ,
                     for
                     he
                     could
                     not
                     ,
                     by
                     reason
                     of
                     his
                     weakness
                     ,
                     write
                     a
                     Line
                     .
                  
                   
                     At
                     this
                     time
                     he
                     had
                     a
                     great
                     desire
                     to
                     go
                     to
                     Mr.
                     
                       Joseph
                       Barnards
                    
                     ,
                     which
                     was
                     about
                     five
                     Miles
                     from
                     Bath
                     ,
                     there
                     to
                     finish
                     his
                     last
                     Work
                     for
                     God
                     ,
                     that
                     ever
                     he
                     did
                     on
                     Earth
                     ;
                     which
                     was
                     to
                     promote
                     the
                     Exercise
                     of
                     Catechising
                     in
                     Somersetshire
                     and
                     Wiltshire
                     :
                     Mr.
                     Barnard
                     having
                     had
                     a
                     great
                     deliverance
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     himself
                     ,
                     he
                     proposed
                     this
                     to
                     him
                     as
                     their
                     Thank-Offering
                     to
                     God
                     ,
                     which
                     they
                     would
                     joyntly
                     tender
                     to
                     him
                     .
                     They
                     had
                     ingaged
                     one
                     to
                     another
                     ,
                     to
                     give
                     so
                     much
                     for
                     the
                     Printing
                     of
                     six
                     thousand
                     of
                     the
                     
                       Assemblies
                       Catechism
                    
                     ,
                     &
                     among
                     other
                     Friends
                     ,
                     to
                     raise
                     
                       some
                       Money
                       ,
                       for
                       to
                       send
                       to
                       every
                       Minister
                    
                     that
                     would
                     ingage
                     in
                     the
                     Work
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     
                       give
                       to
                       the
                       Children
                       for
                       their
                       Incouragement
                       in
                       Learning
                       :
                    
                     This
                     Work
                     was
                     finished
                     by
                     Mr.
                     Barnard
                     ,
                     after
                     my
                     Husband
                     was
                     gone
                     to
                     his
                     Rest.
                     
                  
                   
                   
                     He
                     finding
                     himself
                     to
                     decline
                     again
                     ,
                     apprehended
                     it
                     was
                     for
                     want
                     of
                     using
                     the
                     Bath
                     ,
                     and
                     therefore
                     desired
                     to
                     return
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     being
                     fearful
                     he
                     should
                     ride
                     home
                     ,
                     seeing
                     some
                     Symptoms
                     of
                     his
                     Fits
                     ,
                     sent
                     for
                     the
                     Horse-Litter
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     carried
                     him
                     again
                     to
                     Bath
                     :
                     Where
                     ,
                     by
                     the
                     Doctors
                     advice
                     ,
                     after
                     he
                     had
                     taken
                     some
                     things
                     to
                     prepare
                     his
                     Body
                     ,
                     he
                     made
                     use
                     of
                     the
                     Hot
                     Bath
                     (
                     the
                     Cross-Bath
                     being
                     then
                     too
                     cold
                     )
                     and
                     so
                     he
                     did
                     for
                     four
                     dayes
                     ,
                     and
                     seemed
                     to
                     be
                     refreshed
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     strength
                     that
                     he
                     had
                     in
                     his
                     Limbs
                     to
                     recover
                     ,
                     rather
                     than
                     abate
                     ;
                     and
                     two
                     of
                     his
                     Taunton
                     Friends
                     coming
                     to
                     see
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     was
                     chearful
                     with
                     them
                     :
                     But
                     on
                     the
                     third
                     of
                     November
                     ,
                     I
                     discerned
                     a
                     great
                     change
                     in
                     his
                     Countenance
                     ,
                     and
                     he
                     found
                     a
                     great
                     alteration
                     in
                     himself
                     ,
                     but
                     concealed
                     it
                     from
                     me
                     ,
                     as
                     I
                     heard
                     after
                     :
                     For
                     some
                     Friends
                     coming
                     to
                     visit
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     desired
                     them
                     to
                     pray
                     for
                     him
                     ,
                     for
                     his
                     time
                     was
                     very
                     short
                     ;
                     But
                     desired
                     them
                     not
                     to
                     tell
                     me
                     of
                     it
                     :
                     All
                     that
                     day
                     he
                     would
                     not
                     permit
                     me
                     to
                     move
                     out
                     of
                     the
                     Chamber
                     from
                     him
                     ,
                     except
                     once
                     while
                     those
                     Friends
                     were
                     with
                     him
                     .
                     After
                     we
                     had
                     dined
                     ,
                     he
                     was
                     in
                     more
                     then
                     ordinary
                     manner
                     transported
                     with
                     Affection
                     towards
                     me
                     ;
                     which
                     he
                     expressed
                     ,
                     by
                     his
                     returning
                     me
                     thanks
                     for
                     all
                     my
                     pains
                     and
                     care
                     for
                     him
                     and
                     with
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     putting
                     up
                     many
                     most
                     affectionate
                     requests
                     for
                     me
                     to
                     GOD
                     ,
                     before
                     he
                     would
                     suffer
                     me
                     to
                     rise
                     as
                     we
                     sat
                     together
                     :
                     At
                     Night
                     again
                     ,
                     at
                     Supper
                     ,
                     before
                     I
                     could
                     rise
                     from
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     spake
                     thus
                     to
                     me
                     .
                  
                   
                     Well
                     ,
                     now
                     my
                     dear
                     Heart
                     ,
                     my
                     Companion
                     in
                     all
                     my
                     Tribulations
                     and
                     Afflictions
                     ,
                     I
                     thank
                     thee
                     for
                     all
                     thy
                     pains
                     and
                     labours
                     for
                     me
                     ,
                     at
                     Home
                     and
                     Abroad
                     ,
                     in
                     Prison
                     and
                     Liberty
                     ,
                     in
                     Health
                     and
                     Sickness
                     ;
                     reckoning
                     up
                     many
                     of
                     the
                     Places
                     we
                     had
                     been
                     in
                     ,
                     in
                     the
                     dayes
                     of
                     our
                     affliction
                     :
                     And
                     with
                     many
                     other
                     most
                     endearing
                     and
                     affectionate
                     Expressions
                     ,
                     he
                     concluded
                     with
                     many
                     Holy
                     Breathings
                     to
                     God
                     for
                     me
                     ,
                     that
                     he
                     would
                     requite
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     never
                     forget
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     fill
                     me
                     with
                     all
                     manner
                     of
                     Grace
                     and
                     Consolations
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     his
                     Face
                     might
                     still
                     shine
                     upon
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     I
                     might
                     be
                     supported
                     and
                     carried
                     through
                     all
                     difficulties
                     .
                  
                   
                     After
                     this
                     he
                     desired
                     me
                     to
                     see
                     for
                     a
                     
                       〈◊〉
                       of
                       〈◊〉
                    
                     ;
                     and
                     I
                     procuring
                     one
                     for
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     turned
                     his
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     might
                     not
                     see
                     ,
                     and
                     read
                     the
                     
                       〈◊〉
                       〈◊〉
                       Death
                    
                     in
                     the
                     
                       latter
                       end
                    
                     of
                     that
                     Book
                     ;
                     which
                     I
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                     of
                     him
                     ,
                     Whether
                     
                     he
                     did
                     apprehend
                     his
                     end
                     was
                     near
                     ?
                     To
                     which
                     he
                     replyed
                     ,
                     
                       He
                       knew
                       not
                       ,
                       in
                       a
                       few
                       dayes
                       I
                       would
                       see
                    
                     ;
                     and
                     so
                     fell
                     into
                     Discourse
                     ,
                     to
                     divert
                     me
                     ;
                     desiring
                     me
                     to
                     read
                     two
                     Chapters
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     as
                     I
                     used
                     to
                     do
                     every
                     night
                     ;
                     and
                     so
                     he
                     hasted
                     to
                     Bed
                     ,
                     not
                     being
                     able
                     to
                     go
                     to
                     Prayer
                     ;
                     and
                     with
                     his
                     own
                     hands
                     did
                     very
                     hastily
                     undoe
                     his
                     Coat
                     and
                     Doublet
                     ,
                     which
                     he
                     had
                     not
                     done
                     in
                     many
                     months
                     before
                     :
                     As
                     soon
                     as
                     he
                     was
                     in
                     Bed
                     he
                     told
                     me
                     ,
                     He
                     felt
                     some
                     more
                     than
                     ordinary
                     stoppage
                     in
                     his
                     Head
                     ;
                     and
                     I
                     brought
                     him
                     something
                     to
                     prevent
                     the
                     Fits
                     ,
                     which
                     I
                     feared
                     :
                     But
                     in
                     a
                     quarter
                     of
                     an
                     hour
                     after
                     he
                     fell
                     into
                     a
                     very
                     strong
                     Convulsion
                     :
                     Which
                     I
                     being
                     much
                     afrighted
                     at
                     ,
                     called
                     for
                     help
                     ,
                     and
                     sent
                     for
                     the
                     Doctors
                     ;
                     used
                     all
                     former
                     and
                     other
                     means
                     ,
                     but
                     no
                     success
                     the
                     Lord
                     was
                     pleased
                     to
                     give
                     then
                     to
                     any
                     :
                     But
                     they
                     continued
                     for
                     two
                     dayes
                     and
                     nights
                     ,
                     not
                     ceasing
                     one
                     hour
                     .
                  
                   
                     This
                     was
                     most
                     grievous
                     to
                     me
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     saw
                     him
                     so
                     like
                     to
                     depart
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     I
                     should
                     hear
                     him
                     speak
                     no
                     more
                     to
                     me
                     ;
                     fearing
                     it
                     would
                     harden
                     the
                     Wicked
                     to
                     see
                     him
                     removed
                     by
                     such
                     a
                     stroak
                     :
                     For
                     his
                     Fits
                     were
                     most
                     terrible
                     to
                     behold
                     :
                     And
                     I
                     earnestly
                     besought
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     that
                     if
                     it
                     were
                     his
                     pleasure
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     so
                     far
                     mitigate
                     the
                     heavy
                     〈◊〉
                     I
                     saw
                     was
                     coming
                     upon
                     me
                     ,
                     by
                     causing
                     him
                     to
                     utter
                     something
                     of
                     his
                     Heart
                     before
                     he
                     took
                     him
                     from
                     me
                     ;
                     which
                     he
                     gratiously
                     answered
                     me
                     in
                     ;
                     for
                     he
                     that
                     had
                     not
                     spoke
                     from
                     Tuesday
                     Night
                     ,
                     did
                     on
                     Friday
                     Morning
                     ,
                     about
                     three
                     a
                     Clock
                     ,
                     call
                     for
                     me
                     to
                     come
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     speaking
                     very
                     understandingly
                     
                       between
                       Times
                    
                     ,
                     all
                     that
                     day
                     :
                     But
                     that
                     Night
                     about
                     nine
                     
                       a
                       Clock
                       he
                       brake
                       out
                       with
                    
                     an
                     
                       audible
                       voice
                       ,
                       speaking
                       for
                       sixteen
                       hours
                       together
                       ,
                    
                     those
                     and
                     such
                     like
                     words
                     as
                     you
                     formerly
                     had
                     account
                     of
                     ;
                     and
                     did
                     cease
                     but
                     a
                     very
                     little
                     space
                     ,
                     now
                     and
                     then
                     ,
                     all
                     the
                     Afternoon
                     ,
                     till
                     about
                     six
                     on
                     Saturday
                     in
                     the
                     Evening
                     ,
                     when
                     he
                     departed
                     .
                  
                   
                     About
                     three
                     in
                     the
                     Afternoon
                     he
                     had
                     ,
                     as
                     we
                     perceived
                     ,
                     some
                     conflict
                     with
                     Satan
                     ,
                     for
                     he
                     uttered
                     these
                     words
                     ;
                  
                   
                     Away
                     thou
                     foul
                     Fiend
                     ,
                     thou
                     Enemy
                     of
                     all
                     Man-kind
                     ,
                     thou
                     subtile
                     Sophister
                     ,
                     art
                     thou
                     come
                     now
                     to
                     molest
                     me
                     !
                     Now
                     I
                     am
                     just
                     going
                     !
                     Now
                     I
                     am
                     so
                     weak
                     ,
                     and
                     Death
                     upon
                     me
                     .
                     Trouble
                     me
                     not
                     ,
                     for
                     I
                     am
                     none
                     of
                     thine
                     !
                     I
                     am
                     the
                     Lords
                     ,
                     Christ
                     is
                     mine
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     am
                     his
                     :
                     His
                     by
                     Covenant
                     ;
                     I
                     have
                     sworn
                     my self
                     to
                     be
                     the
                     Lords
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     I
                     will
                     be
                     :
                     Therefore
                     be
                     gone
                     .
                     
                     
                       These
                       last
                       words
                       he
                       repeated
                       often
                       ,
                       which
                       I
                       took
                       muc
                       '
                       notice
                       of
                       ;
                       That
                       his
                       covenanting
                       with
                       God
                       was
                       the
                       means
                       〈◊〉
                       used
                       to
                       expel
                       the
                       Devil
                       and
                       all
                       his
                       Temptations
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     The
                     time
                     we
                     were
                     in
                     Bath
                     ,
                     I
                     had
                     very
                     few
                     hours
                     alone
                     with
                     him
                     ,
                     by
                     reason
                     of
                     his
                     constant
                     using
                     the
                     Bath
                     ,
                     and
                     Visits
                     of
                     Friends
                     from
                     all
                     Parts
                     thereabouts
                     ,
                     and
                     sometimes
                     from
                     Taunton
                     ;
                     and
                     when
                     they
                     were
                     gone
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     be
                     either
                     retyring
                     to
                     GOD
                     ,
                     or
                     to
                     his
                     Rest
                     :
                     But
                     what
                     time
                     I
                     had
                     with
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     alwayes
                     spent
                     in
                     Heavenly
                     and
                     Profitable
                     Discourse
                     ,
                     speaking
                     much
                     of
                     the
                     Place
                     he
                     was
                     going
                     to
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     Desires
                     to
                     be
                     gone
                     :
                     One
                     Morning
                     as
                     I
                     was
                     dressing
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     looked
                     up
                     to
                     Heaven
                     and
                     smiled
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     urging
                     him
                     to
                     know
                     why
                     ,
                     he
                     answered
                     me
                     thus
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Ah
                     my
                     Love
                     ,
                     I
                     was
                     thinking
                     of
                     my
                     Marriage
                     Day
                     ,
                     it
                     will
                     be
                     shortly
                     :
                     O
                     what
                     a
                     joyful
                     day
                     will
                     that
                     be
                     !
                     Will
                     it
                     not
                     ,
                     thinkest
                     thou
                     my
                     dear
                     Heart
                     ?
                  
                   
                     Another
                     time
                     ,
                     bringing
                     him
                     some
                     Broth
                     ,
                     he
                     said
                     ,
                     
                       Blessed
                       be
                       the
                       Lord
                       for
                       these
                       refreshments
                       in
                       the
                       way
                       home
                       ;
                       but
                       O
                       how
                       sweet
                       will
                       Heaven
                       be
                       !
                    
                  
                   
                     Another
                     time
                     ,
                     
                       I
                       hope
                       to
                       be
                       shortly
                       where
                       I
                       shall
                       need
                       no
                       Meat
                       ,
                       nor
                       Drink
                       ,
                       nor
                       Cloaths
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     When
                     he
                     looked
                     on
                     his
                     weak
                     consumed
                     Hands
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     say
                     ,
                     
                       These
                       shall
                       be
                       changed
                       ;
                       This
                       vile
                       Body
                       shall
                       be
                       made
                       like
                       to
                       Christs
                       Glorious
                       Body
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     O
                     what
                     a
                     glorious
                     Day
                     will
                     the
                     Day
                     of
                     the
                     Resurrection
                     be
                     !
                     Methinks
                     I
                     see
                     it
                     by
                     Faith
                     ;
                     How
                     will
                     the
                     Saints
                     lift
                     up
                     their
                     heads
                     and
                     rejoyce
                     ,
                     and
                     how
                     sadly
                     will
                     the
                     wicked
                     World
                     look
                     then
                     !
                  
                   
                     O
                     come
                     let
                     us
                     make
                     haste
                     ,
                     our
                     Lord
                     will
                     come
                     shortly
                     ,
                     let
                     us
                     prepare
                     .
                  
                   
                     If
                     we
                     long
                     to
                     be
                     in
                     Heaven
                     ,
                     let
                     us
                     hasten
                     with
                     our
                     Work
                     ;
                     for
                     when
                     that
                     is
                     done
                     ,
                     away
                     we
                     shall
                     be
                     fetcht
                     .
                  
                   
                     O
                     this
                     vain
                     foolish
                     dirty
                     World
                     ,
                     I
                     wonder
                     how
                     reasonable
                     Creatures
                     can
                     so
                     dote
                     upon
                     it
                     !
                     What
                     is
                     in
                     it
                     worth
                     the
                     looking
                     after
                     !
                     I
                     care
                     not
                     to
                     be
                     in
                     it
                     longer
                     than
                     while
                     my
                     Mvster
                     hath
                     either
                     doing
                     ,
                     or
                     suffering
                     work
                     for
                     me
                     ,
                     were
                     that
                     done
                     ,
                     farewel
                     to
                     Earth
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     was
                     much
                     in
                     commending
                     the
                     Love
                     of
                     Christ
                     ,
                     and
                     from
                     that
                     exciting
                     himself
                     and
                     me
                     to
                     obedience
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     often
                     speaking
                     of
                     his
                     Sufferings
                     and
                     of
                     his
                     Glory
                     .
                  
                   
                   
                     〈◊〉
                     Of
                     his
                     Love-Letters
                     ,
                     as
                     he
                     called
                     the
                     Holy
                     History
                     of
                     his
                     Life
                     ,
                     Death
                     ,
                     Resurrection
                     ,
                     Ascention
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     Second
                     coming
                     ;
                     The
                     thoughts
                     of
                     which
                     he
                     seemed
                     alwayes
                     to
                     be
                     much
                     ravished
                     with
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     would
                     be
                     frequently
                     reckoning
                     the
                     choice
                     Tokens
                     Christ
                     had
                     sent
                     him
                     ,
                     which
                     I
                     remember
                     he
                     would
                     frequently
                     reckon
                     up
                     ,
                     1.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Pardon
                       of
                       Sin.
                    
                     2.
                     
                     
                       A
                       Patent
                       for
                       Heaven
                    
                     .
                     3.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Gift
                       of
                       the
                       Spirit
                    
                     .
                     4.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Robe
                       of
                       his
                       Righteousness
                    
                     .
                     5.
                     
                     
                       The
                       spoyles
                       of
                       Enemies
                    
                     .
                     6.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Charter
                       of
                       all
                       Liberties
                       and
                       Priviledges
                       .
                    
                     7.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Guard
                       of
                       his
                       Angels
                    
                     .
                     The
                     consideration
                     of
                     this
                     last
                     he
                     did
                     frequently
                     solace
                     himself
                     in
                     ,
                     saying
                     to
                     me
                     often
                     ,
                     when
                     we
                     lived
                     alone
                     in
                     the
                     Prison
                     ,
                     and
                     divers
                     other
                     Places
                     ;
                     
                       Well
                       ,
                       my
                       Dear
                       ,
                       though
                       we
                       have
                       not
                       our
                       Attendants
                       and
                       Servants
                       as
                       the
                       Great
                       Ones
                       ,
                       and
                       Rich
                       of
                       the
                       World
                       have
                       ,
                       we
                       have
                       the
                       Blessed
                       Angels
                       of
                       God
                       still
                       to
                       wait
                       upon
                       us
                       ,
                       to
                       minister
                       to
                       us
                       ,
                       and
                       to
                       watch
                       over
                       us
                       while
                       we
                       are
                       sleeping
                       ;
                       to
                       be
                       with
                       us
                       when
                       journeying
                       ,
                       and
                       still
                       to
                       preserve
                       us
                       from
                       the
                       rage
                       of
                       Men
                       and
                       Devils
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     He
                     was
                     exceedingly
                     affected
                     with
                     the
                     three
                     last
                     Chapters
                     of
                     
                       Saint
                       John's
                       Gospel
                    
                     ,
                     especially
                     Christ's
                     parting
                     Words
                     ,
                     and
                     Prayer
                     for
                     his
                     Disciples
                     .
                     But
                     it
                     is
                     time
                     for
                     me
                     to
                     set
                     a
                     stop
                     to
                     my
                     Pen
                     ,
                     God
                     did
                     pour
                     into
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     he
                     did
                     pour
                     out
                     so
                     much
                     ,
                     that
                     it
                     was
                     scarce
                     possible
                     to
                     retain
                     the
                     Converses
                     of
                     one
                     day
                     ,
                     without
                     a
                     constant
                     Register
                     :
                     His
                     Heart
                     ,
                     his
                     Lips
                     ,
                     his
                     Life
                     was
                     filled
                     up
                     with
                     Grace
                     ;
                     In
                     which
                     he
                     did
                     thine
                     both
                     in
                     Health
                     and
                     Sickness
                     ,
                     Prosperity
                     and
                     Adversity
                     ,
                     in
                     Prison
                     and
                     at
                     Liberty
                     ,
                     in
                     his
                     own
                     House
                     ,
                     and
                     in
                     the
                     Churches
                     of
                     Christ
                     ,
                     where-ever
                     he
                     came
                     :
                     I
                     never
                     heard
                     any
                     that
                     conversed
                     with
                     him
                     ,
                     but
                     would
                     acknowledge
                     it
                     was
                     to
                     their
                     advantage
                     .
                  
                   
                     At
                     my
                     Husbands
                     first
                     coming
                     to
                     Taunton
                     ,
                     he
                     was
                     entertained
                     by
                     Mr.
                     Newton
                     as
                     a
                     Sojourner
                     ,
                     and
                     after
                     he
                     was
                     ordained
                     in
                     Taunton
                     in
                     a
                     Publick
                     Association
                     Meeting
                     ,
                     he
                     administred
                     all
                     Ordinances
                     joyntly
                     with
                     him
                     ;
                     though
                     he
                     were
                     but
                     an
                     Assistant
                     ,
                     Mr.
                     Newton
                     would
                     have
                     it
                     so
                     ,
                     who
                     dearly
                     loved
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     highly
                     esteemed
                     of
                     him
                     ;
                     and
                     seeing
                     him
                     restless
                     in
                     his
                     Spirit
                     ,
                     and
                     putting
                     himself
                     to
                     many
                     tedious
                     Journeys
                     to
                     visit
                     me
                     ,
                     (
                     as
                     he
                     did
                     once
                     a
                     Fortnight
                     25
                     miles
                     )
                     he
                     perswaded
                     him
                     to
                     marry
                     ,
                     contrary
                     to
                     our
                     purpose
                     ,
                     we
                     resolving
                     to
                     have
                     lived
                     much
                     longer
                     single
                     .
                     The
                     4th
                     of
                     October
                     1655.
                     after
                     a
                     year
                     and
                     two
                     Months
                     acquaintance
                     ,
                     our
                     Marriage
                     was
                     consummated
                     .
                  
                   
                   
                     And
                     we
                     lived
                     together
                     with
                     Mr.
                     Newton
                     ,
                     near
                     two
                     years
                     ,
                     where
                     we
                     were
                     most
                     courteously
                     entertained
                     ,
                     and
                     then
                     hopeing
                     to
                     be
                     more
                     useful
                     in
                     our
                     Station
                     ,
                     we
                     took
                     a
                     House
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     having
                     been
                     alwayes
                     bred
                     to
                     work
                     ,
                     undertook
                     to
                     teach
                     a
                     School
                     ,
                     and
                     had
                     many
                     Tablers
                     ,
                     and
                     Scholars
                     ,
                     our
                     Family
                     being
                     seldome
                     less
                     than
                     Twenty
                     ,
                     and
                     many
                     times
                     Thirty
                     ;
                     My
                     School
                     usually
                     fifty
                     or
                     sixty
                     of
                     the
                     Town
                     and
                     other
                     places
                     .
                     And
                     the
                     Lord
                     was
                     pleased
                     to
                     bless
                     us
                     exceedingly
                     in
                     our
                     endeavours
                     :
                     So
                     that
                     many
                     were
                     converted
                     in
                     a
                     few
                     years
                     ,
                     that
                     were
                     before
                     Strangers
                     to
                     God
                     :
                     All
                     our
                     Scholars
                     called
                     him
                     Father
                     :
                     And
                     indeed
                     he
                     had
                     far
                     more
                     care
                     of
                     them
                     than
                     most
                     of
                     their
                     natural
                     Parents
                     ,
                     and
                     was
                     most
                     tenderly
                     affectionate
                     to
                     them
                     ,
                     but
                     especially
                     to
                     their
                     Souls
                     .
                  
                   
                     His
                     course
                     in
                     his
                     Family
                     was
                     Prayer
                     ,
                     and
                     reading
                     the
                     Scriptures
                     ,
                     and
                     singing
                     twice
                     a
                     day
                     ,
                     except
                     when
                     he
                     catechised
                     ,
                     which
                     was
                     constantly
                     once
                     ,
                     if
                     not
                     twice
                     a
                     Week
                     :
                     Of
                     every
                     Chapter
                     that
                     was
                     read
                     ,
                     he
                     expected
                     an
                     account
                     of
                     ,
                     and
                     of
                     every
                     Sermon
                     ,
                     either
                     to
                     himself
                     or
                     me
                     :
                     He
                     dealt
                     with
                     them
                     and
                     his
                     Servants
                     frequently
                     together
                     ,
                     and
                     apart
                     ,
                     about
                     their
                     Spiritual
                     states
                     ,
                     pressing
                     them
                     to
                     all
                     their
                     Duties
                     ,
                     both
                     of
                     First
                     and
                     Second-Table
                     ,
                     and
                     calling
                     them
                     strictly
                     to
                     account
                     ,
                     Whether
                     they
                     did
                     not
                     omit
                     them
                     .
                     He
                     also
                     gave
                     them
                     Books
                     suitable
                     to
                     their
                     Capacities
                     and
                     Condition
                     ,
                     which
                     they
                     gave
                     a
                     weekly
                     account
                     of
                     to
                     him
                     or
                     me
                     ;
                     but
                     too
                     often
                     by
                     publick
                     Work
                     was
                     he
                     diverted
                     ,
                     as
                     I
                     am
                     apt
                     to
                     think
                     ,
                     who
                     knew
                     not
                     so
                     well
                     what
                     was
                     to
                     be
                     preferred
                     .
                  
                   
                     His
                     Lords-Days
                     Work
                     was
                     great
                     ,
                     for
                     though
                     he
                     Preacht
                     but
                     once
                     in
                     his
                     own
                     Place
                     ,
                     yet
                     he
                     was
                     either
                     desired
                     by
                     some
                     of
                     his
                     Brethren
                     to
                     supply
                     theirs
                     on
                     any
                     Exigency
                     ,
                     or
                     would
                     go
                     where
                     was
                     no
                     Minister
                     ;
                     and
                     so
                     was
                     forced
                     often
                     to
                     leave
                     his
                     Family
                     to
                     me
                     ,
                     to
                     my
                     great
                     grief
                     and
                     loss
                     :
                     In
                     his
                     Repetitions
                     in
                     Publick
                     ,
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     Catechising
                     ,
                     his
                     own
                     Family
                     came
                     all
                     in
                     their
                     turns
                     ,
                     to
                     Answer
                     in
                     the
                     Congregation
                     ,
                     both
                     Scholars
                     and
                     Servants
                     .
                  
                   
                     When
                     I
                     have
                     pleaded
                     with
                     him
                     for
                     more
                     of
                     his
                     time
                     with
                     my Self
                     and
                     Family
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     answer
                     me
                     :
                     His
                     Ministerial
                     Work
                     would
                     not
                     permit
                     him
                     to
                     be
                     so
                     constant
                     as
                     he
                     would
                     ;
                     for
                     if
                     he
                     had
                     Ten
                     Bodies
                     and
                     Souls
                     ,
                     he
                     could
                     imploy
                     them
                     all
                     ,
                     in
                     ,
                     and
                     about
                     Taunton
                     :
                     And
                     would
                     say
                     ,
                     
                       Ah
                       my
                       Dear
                       ,
                       I
                       know
                       thy
                       Soul
                       is
                       safe
                       ;
                       But
                       how
                       many
                       that
                       are
                       Perishing
                    
                     
                     
                       have
                       I
                       to
                       look
                       after
                       ?
                       O
                       that
                       I
                       could
                       do
                       more
                       for
                       them
                       !
                    
                  
                   
                     He
                     was
                     a
                     Holy
                     ,
                     Heavenly
                     ,
                     Tenderly-Affectionate
                     Husband
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     know
                     nothing
                     I
                     could
                     complain
                     of
                     ,
                     but
                     that
                     he
                     was
                     so
                     taken
                     up
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     could
                     have
                     but
                     very
                     little
                     converse
                     with
                     him
                     .
                  
                   
                     His
                     love
                     was
                     expressed
                     to
                     me
                     ,
                     in
                     his
                     great
                     care
                     for
                     me
                     ,
                     Sick
                     and
                     Well
                     ;
                     in
                     his
                     Provision
                     for
                     me
                     ;
                     in
                     his
                     Delight
                     in
                     my
                     Company
                     ;
                     saying
                     often
                     ,
                     He
                     could
                     not
                     bear
                     to
                     be
                     from
                     me
                     ,
                     but
                     when
                     he
                     was
                     with
                     God
                     ,
                     or
                     imployed
                     for
                     him
                     ;
                     and
                     that
                     often
                     it
                     was
                     hard
                     for
                     him
                     to
                     deny
                     himself
                     to
                     be
                     so
                     long
                     absent
                     :
                     It
                     was
                     irksome
                     to
                     him
                     to
                     make
                     a
                     Meal
                     without
                     me
                     ,
                     nor
                     would
                     he
                     manage
                     any
                     Affair
                     almost
                     without
                     conversing
                     with
                     me
                     ,
                     concealing
                     nothing
                     from
                     me
                     ,
                     that
                     was
                     fit
                     for
                     me
                     to
                     know
                     ;
                     being
                     far
                     from
                     the
                     Temper
                     of
                     those
                     Husbands
                     ,
                     who
                     hide
                     all
                     their
                     Concerns
                     from
                     their
                     Wives
                     ,
                     which
                     he
                     could
                     not
                     indure
                     to
                     hear
                     of
                     ,
                     especially
                     in
                     Good
                     Men.
                     
                  
                   
                     He
                     was
                     a
                     faithful
                     reprover
                     of
                     any
                     thing
                     he
                     saw
                     amiss
                     in
                     me
                     ,
                     which
                     I
                     took
                     as
                     a
                     great
                     evidence
                     of
                     his
                     real
                     good
                     will
                     to
                     my
                     Soul
                     ;
                     and
                     if
                     in
                     any
                     thing
                     he
                     gave
                     me
                     offence
                     ,
                     which
                     was
                     but
                     seldom
                     ,
                     so
                     far
                     would
                     he
                     deny
                     himself
                     ,
                     as
                     to
                     acknowledge
                     it
                     ,
                     and
                     desire
                     me
                     to
                     pass
                     it
                     by
                     ,
                     professing
                     to
                     me
                     he
                     could
                     never
                     rest
                     till
                     he
                     had
                     done
                     so
                     ;
                     and
                     the
                     like
                     I
                     was
                     ready
                     to
                     do
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     as
                     there
                     was
                     far
                     more
                     reason
                     ;
                     by
                     which
                     course
                     ,
                     if
                     any
                     difference
                     did
                     arise
                     ,
                     it
                     was
                     soon
                     over
                     with
                     us
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     was
                     a
                     very
                     tender
                     Master
                     to
                     his
                     Servants
                     ,
                     every
                     way
                     expressing
                     it
                     to
                     their
                     Souls
                     and
                     Bodies
                     ,
                     giving
                     them
                     that
                     incouragement
                     in
                     their
                     places
                     they
                     could
                     desire
                     ;
                     expecting
                     from
                     his
                     whole
                     Family
                     that
                     respect
                     ,
                     and
                     obedience
                     to
                     his
                     Commands
                     ,
                     which
                     their
                     Rule
                     required
                     ;
                     reproving
                     them
                     that
                     were
                     careless
                     and
                     negligent
                     in
                     observing
                     them
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     was
                     frequent
                     in
                     keeping
                     solemn
                     dayes
                     of
                     Humiliation
                     ,
                     especially
                     against
                     a
                     Sacrament
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     was
                     a
                     very
                     strict
                     observer
                     of
                     the
                     Sabbath
                     ,
                     the
                     Duties
                     of
                     which
                     ,
                     he
                     did
                     perform
                     with
                     such
                     joy
                     and
                     alacrity
                     of
                     Spirit
                     ,
                     as
                     was
                     most
                     pleasant
                     to
                     joyn
                     with
                     him
                     ,
                     both
                     in
                     Publick
                     ,
                     and
                     in
                     the
                     Family
                     ,
                     when
                     we
                     could
                     enjoy
                     him
                     :
                     And
                     this
                     he
                     did
                     much
                     press
                     upon
                     Christians
                     ,
                     to
                     spend
                     their
                     Sabbaths
                     more
                     in
                     〈◊〉
                     and
                     Thanksgivings
                     ,
                     as
                     dayes
                     of
                     holy
                     rejoycing
                     in
                     our
                     〈◊〉
                     .
                  
                   
                     All
                     the
                     time
                     of
                     his
                     Health
                     ,
                     he
                     did
                     rise
                     constantly
                     at
                     ,
                     or
                     
                     before
                     four
                     of
                     the
                     Clock
                     ,
                     (
                     and
                     on
                     the
                     Sabbaths
                     sooner
                     ,
                     if
                     he
                     did
                     wake
                     )
                     he
                     would
                     be
                     much
                     troubled
                     if
                     he
                     heard
                     any
                     Smiths
                     or
                     Shoomakers
                     ,
                     or
                     such
                     Tradesmen
                     at
                     work
                     at
                     their
                     Trades
                     ,
                     before
                     he
                     was
                     in
                     his
                     Duties
                     with
                     God
                     :
                     Saying
                     to
                     me
                     often
                     ,
                     O
                     how
                     this
                     Noise
                     shames
                     me
                     !
                     Doth
                     not
                     my
                     Master
                     deserve
                     more
                     than
                     theirs
                     ?
                     From
                     four
                     till
                     eight
                     ,
                     he
                     spent
                     in
                     Prayer
                     ,
                     Holy
                     Contemplation
                     ,
                     and
                     singing
                     of
                     Psalms
                     ,
                     which
                     he
                     much
                     delighted
                     in
                     ,
                     and
                     did
                     daily
                     practise
                     alone
                     ,
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     in
                     his
                     Family
                     :
                     Having
                     refreshed
                     himself
                     about
                     half
                     an
                     hour
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     call
                     to
                     Family-Duties
                     ,
                     and
                     after
                     that
                     to
                     his
                     Studies
                     ,
                     till
                     eleven
                     or
                     twelve
                     a
                     Clock
                     ,
                     cutting
                     out
                     his
                     Work
                     for
                     every
                     hour
                     in
                     the
                     day
                     .
                     Having
                     refreshed
                     himself
                     a
                     while
                     after
                     Dinner
                     ,
                     he
                     used
                     to
                     retire
                     to
                     his
                     Study
                     to
                     Prayer
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     Abroad
                     among
                     the
                     Families
                     he
                     was
                     to
                     visit
                     ,
                     to
                     whom
                     he
                     alwayes
                     sent
                     the
                     day
                     before
                     ;
                     going
                     out
                     about
                     two
                     a
                     Clock
                     ,
                     and
                     seldom
                     returning
                     till
                     seven
                     in
                     the
                     Evening
                     ,
                     sometimes
                     later
                     :
                     He
                     would
                     often
                     say
                     ,
                     
                       Give
                       me
                       a
                       Christian
                       that
                       counts
                       his
                       time
                       more
                       precious
                       than
                       Gold.
                    
                     His
                     Work
                     in
                     his
                     publick
                     Ministry
                     in
                     Taunton
                     ,
                     being
                     to
                     Preach
                     but
                     once
                     a
                     Sabbath
                     ,
                     and
                     Catechise
                     ;
                     he
                     devoted
                     himself
                     much
                     to
                     private
                     Work
                     ,
                     and
                     also
                     Catechised
                     once
                     a
                     Week
                     in
                     Publick
                     besides
                     ,
                     and
                     repeated
                     the
                     Sermon
                     he
                     Preached
                     on
                     the
                     Sabbath-Day
                     ,
                     on
                     Tuesday
                     in
                     the
                     Evening
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     found
                     much
                     difficulty
                     in
                     going
                     from
                     House
                     to
                     House
                     ,
                     because
                     it
                     had
                     not
                     been
                     practised
                     a
                     long
                     time
                     by
                     any
                     Minister
                     in
                     Taunton
                     ,
                     not
                     by
                     any
                     others
                     of
                     his
                     Brethren
                     ;
                     and
                     he
                     being
                     but
                     a
                     Young
                     Man
                     ,
                     to
                     be
                     looked
                     upon
                     as
                     singular
                     ,
                     was
                     that
                     which
                     called
                     for
                     much
                     Self-denyal
                     ,
                     which
                     the
                     Lord
                     inabled
                     him
                     to
                     Exercise
                     :
                     For
                     after
                     he
                     had
                     Preached
                     up
                     in
                     Publick
                     the
                     Ministers
                     Duty
                     to
                     their
                     People
                     ,
                     and
                     theirs
                     to
                     receive
                     them
                     ,
                     when
                     they
                     came
                     to
                     them
                     for
                     their
                     Spiritual
                     Advantage
                     ,
                     he
                     set
                     speedily
                     upon
                     the
                     Work.
                     
                  
                   
                     In
                     this
                     Work
                     ,
                     his
                     course
                     was
                     ,
                     to
                     draw
                     a
                     Catalogue
                     of
                     the
                     Names
                     of
                     the
                     Families
                     in
                     each
                     Street
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     to
                     send
                     a
                     day
                     or
                     two
                     before
                     he
                     intended
                     to
                     visit
                     them
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     might
                     not
                     be
                     absent
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     he
                     might
                     understand
                     who
                     was
                     willing
                     to
                     receive
                     him
                     :
                     Those
                     that
                     sent
                     slight
                     Excuses
                     ,
                     or
                     did
                     obstinately
                     refuse
                     his
                     Message
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     notwithstanding
                     go
                     to
                     them
                     ,
                     and
                     if
                     (
                     as
                     some
                     would
                     )
                     they
                     did
                     shut
                     their
                     Doors
                     against
                     him
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     speak
                     some
                     few
                     affectionate
                     words
                     to
                     them
                     ;
                     
                     or
                     if
                     he
                     saw
                     cause
                     ,
                     denounce
                     the
                     Threatnings
                     of
                     God
                     against
                     them
                     that
                     despise
                     his
                     Ministers
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     departed
                     ;
                     and
                     after
                     would
                     send
                     affectionate
                     Letters
                     to
                     them
                     ,
                     so
                     full
                     of
                     love
                     ,
                     and
                     expressions
                     of
                     his
                     great
                     desires
                     to
                     do
                     their
                     Souls
                     good
                     ,
                     as
                     did
                     overcome
                     their
                     Hearts
                     ;
                     and
                     they
                     did
                     many
                     of
                     them
                     afterwards
                     readily
                     receive
                     him
                     into
                     their
                     Houses
                     .
                     Herein
                     was
                     his
                     Compassion
                     shewed
                     to
                     all
                     Sorts
                     ,
                     both
                     Poor
                     and
                     Rich
                     ,
                     not
                     disdaining
                     to
                     go
                     into
                     such
                     Houses
                     amongst
                     the
                     Poor
                     ,
                     as
                     were
                     often
                     very
                     offensive
                     to
                     him
                     to
                     sit
                     in
                     ,
                     he
                     being
                     of
                     an
                     exact
                     and
                     curious
                     temper
                     :
                     yet
                     would
                     he
                     with
                     joy
                     and
                     freedom
                     ,
                     deny
                     himself
                     for
                     the
                     good
                     of
                     their
                     Souls
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     he
                     might
                     fulfil
                     his
                     Ministry
                     among
                     those
                     the
                     Lord
                     had
                     given
                     him
                     the
                     oversight
                     of
                     .
                  
                   
                     I
                     perceiving
                     this
                     Work
                     ,
                     with
                     what
                     he
                     did
                     otherwise
                     ,
                     to
                     be
                     too
                     hard
                     for
                     him
                     ,
                     fearing
                     often
                     he
                     would
                     bring
                     himself
                     to
                     Distempers
                     and
                     Diseases
                     ,
                     as
                     he
                     did
                     soon
                     after
                     ,
                     besought
                     him
                     not
                     to
                     go
                     so
                     frequently
                     :
                     His
                     answer
                     would
                     be
                     ,
                     
                       What
                       have
                       I
                       strength
                       for
                       ,
                       but
                       to
                       spend
                       for
                       God
                       ?
                       What
                       is
                       a
                       Candle
                       for
                       ,
                       but
                       to
                       be
                       burnt
                       ?
                    
                     And
                     he
                     would
                     say
                     ,
                     
                       I
                       was
                       like
                    
                     Peter
                     ,
                     
                       still
                       crying
                    
                     ,
                     O
                     spare
                     thy self
                     ;
                     
                       But
                       I
                       must
                       not
                       hearken
                       to
                       thee
                       ,
                       no
                       more
                       than
                       my
                       Master
                       did
                       to
                       him
                       :
                    
                     Though
                     his
                     Labours
                     were
                     so
                     abundant
                     ,
                     I
                     never
                     knew
                     him
                     ,
                     for
                     nine
                     years
                     together
                     ,
                     under
                     the
                     least
                     Distemper
                     one
                     quarter
                     of
                     an
                     hour
                     .
                  
                   
                     He
                     was
                     exceeding
                     temperate
                     in
                     his
                     Dyet
                     ,
                     though
                     he
                     had
                     a
                     very
                     sharp
                     Appetite
                     ,
                     yet
                     did
                     he
                     at
                     every
                     Meal
                     deny
                     himself
                     ,
                     being
                     perswaded
                     that
                     it
                     did
                     much
                     conduce
                     to
                     his
                     Health
                     :
                     His
                     converse
                     at
                     his
                     Table
                     was
                     very
                     profitable
                     ,
                     and
                     yet
                     pleasant
                     ,
                     never
                     rising
                     ,
                     either
                     at
                     home
                     or
                     abroad
                     ,
                     without
                     dropping
                     something
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                     according
                     to
                     the
                     Rule
                     he
                     laid
                     down
                     to
                     others
                     .
                     He
                     was
                     very
                     much
                     in
                     commending
                     and
                     admiring
                     the
                     Mercies
                     of
                     God
                     in
                     every
                     Meal
                     ,
                     and
                     was
                     still
                     so
                     pleased
                     with
                     his
                     provision
                     for
                     him
                     ,
                     that
                     he
                     would
                     often
                     say
                     ;
                     He
                     fared
                     deliciously
                     every
                     day
                     ,
                     and
                     lived
                     far
                     better
                     than
                     the
                     Great
                     〈◊〉
                     of
                     the
                     World
                     ,
                     who
                     had
                     their
                     Tables
                     far
                     better
                     furnished
                     :
                     For
                     he
                     enjoyed
                     God
                     in
                     all
                     ,
                     and
                     saw
                     his
                     Love
                     and
                     Bounty
                     in
                     what
                     he
                     received
                     at
                     every
                     Meal
                     :
                     So
                     that
                     he
                     would
                     say
                     ,
                     
                       O
                       Wife
                       !
                       I
                       live
                       a
                       voluptuous
                       life
                       ;
                       but
                       blessed
                       be
                       God
                       ,
                       it
                       is
                       upon
                       Spiritual
                       Dainties
                       ,
                       such
                       as
                       the
                       World
                       know
                       not
                       ,
                       nor
                       taste
                       〈◊〉
                       of
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     He
                     was
                     much
                     in
                     minding
                     the
                     Poor
                     ,
                     that
                     were
                     in
                     want
                     of
                     
                     all
                     things
                     ,
                     often
                     wondering
                     that
                     God
                     should
                     make
                     such
                     a
                     difference
                     between
                     him
                     and
                     them
                     ,
                     both
                     for
                     this
                     World
                     and
                     that
                     to
                     come
                     ;
                     and
                     his
                     Charity
                     was
                     ever
                     beyond
                     his
                     Estate
                     ,
                     as
                     my self
                     and
                     many
                     other
                     Friends
                     did
                     conceive
                     ,
                     but
                     he
                     would
                     not
                     be
                     disswaded
                     ,
                     alwayes
                     saying
                     ,
                     
                       If
                       he
                       were
                       Prodigal
                       ,
                       it
                       was
                       for
                       God
                       ,
                       and
                       not
                       for
                       himself
                       ,
                       nor
                       sin
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     There
                     were
                     but
                     few
                     ,
                     if
                     any
                     ,
                     Poor
                     Families
                     ,
                     especially
                     of
                     the
                     godly
                     in
                     Taunton
                     ,
                     but
                     he
                     knew
                     their
                     necessities
                     ,
                     and
                     did
                     by
                     himself
                     or
                     Friends
                     relieve
                     them
                     :
                     So
                     that
                     our
                     Homes
                     were
                     seldom
                     free
                     of
                     such
                     as
                     came
                     to
                     make
                     complaints
                     to
                     him
                     .
                     After
                     the
                     times
                     grew
                     dead
                     for
                     Trade
                     ,
                     many
                     of
                     our
                     godly
                     men
                     decaying
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     give
                     much
                     beyond
                     his
                     ability
                     to
                     recover
                     them
                     :
                     He
                     would
                     buy
                     Pease
                     and
                     Flitches
                     of
                     Bacon
                     ,
                     and
                     distribute
                     twice
                     a
                     year
                     ,
                     in
                     the
                     cold
                     and
                     hard
                     Seasons
                     .
                     He
                     kept
                     several
                     Children
                     at
                     School
                     at
                     his
                     own
                     Cost
                     ;
                     bought
                     many
                     Books
                     and
                     Catechisms
                     ,
                     and
                     had
                     many
                     thousands
                     of
                     Prayers
                     printed
                     ,
                     and
                     distributed
                     among
                     them
                     !
                     And
                     after
                     his
                     Brethren
                     were
                     turned
                     out
                     ,
                     he
                     gave
                     four
                     pounds
                     a
                     year
                     himself
                     to
                     a
                     publick
                     Stock
                     for
                     them
                     ,
                     by
                     which
                     he
                     excited
                     many
                     others
                     to
                     do
                     the
                     same
                     ,
                     and
                     much
                     more
                     ,
                     which
                     else
                     would
                     never
                     have
                     done
                     it
                     :
                     And
                     on
                     any
                     other
                     occasions
                     as
                     did
                     frequently
                     fall
                     in
                     ,
                     he
                     would
                     give
                     even
                     to
                     the
                     offence
                     of
                     his
                     Friends
                     :
                     So
                     that
                     many
                     would
                     grudge
                     in
                     the
                     Town
                     to
                     give
                     him
                     what
                     they
                     had
                     agreed
                     for
                     ;
                     because
                     he
                     would
                     give
                     so
                     much
                     .
                     Besides
                     all
                     this
                     ,
                     the
                     necessities
                     of
                     his
                     own
                     Father
                     ,
                     and
                     many
                     other
                     Relations
                     were
                     still
                     calling
                     upon
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     he
                     was
                     open
                     handed
                     to
                     them
                     all
                     :
                     So
                     that
                     it
                     hath
                     been
                     sometimes
                     even
                     incredible
                     to
                     our selves
                     to
                     consider
                     how
                     much
                     he
                     did
                     ,
                     out
                     of
                     a
                     little
                     Estate
                     ,
                     and
                     therefore
                     may
                     seem
                     strange
                     to
                     others
                     :
                     Moreover
                     ,
                     when
                     he
                     had
                     received
                     any
                     more
                     than
                     ordinary
                     Mercy
                     at
                     the
                     Hand
                     of
                     GOD
                     ,
                     his
                     manner
                     was
                     ,
                     to
                     set
                     apart
                     some
                     considerable
                     Portion
                     out
                     of
                     his
                     Estate
                     ,
                     and
                     dedicate
                     it
                     to
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     as
                     a
                     Thank-offering
                     ,
                     to
                     be
                     laid
                     out
                     for
                     his
                     Glory
                     in
                     pious
                     and
                     charitable
                     Uses
                     .
                  
                   
                     When
                     I
                     have
                     begged
                     him
                     to
                     consider
                     himself
                     and
                     me
                     ;
                     he
                     would
                     answer
                     me
                     ,
                     He
                     was
                     laying
                     up
                     ,
                     and
                     GOD
                     would
                     repay
                     him
                     :
                     That
                     by
                     liberal
                     things
                     he
                     should
                     stand
                     ,
                     when
                     others
                     might
                     fall
                     that
                     censured
                     him
                     ;
                     that
                     if
                     he
                     sowed
                     sparingly
                     ,
                     he
                     should
                     reap
                     so
                     ;
                     if
                     bountifully
                     ,
                     he
                     should
                     reap
                     bountifully
                     .
                  
                   
                     And
                     I
                     must
                     confess
                     I
                     did
                     often
                     see
                     so
                     much
                     of
                     GOD
                     in
                     his
                     
                     dealings
                     with
                     us
                     ,
                     according
                     to
                     his
                     Promises
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     have
                     been
                     convinc'd
                     and
                     silenc'd
                     ;
                     God
                     having
                     often
                     so
                     strangely
                     and
                     unexpectedly
                     provided
                     for
                     us
                     :
                     And
                     notwithstanding
                     all
                     he
                     had
                     done
                     ,
                     he
                     had
                     at
                     last
                     somewhat
                     to
                     dispose
                     of
                     to
                     his
                     Relations
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     his
                     Brethren
                     ,
                     besides
                     comfortable
                     provision
                     for
                     me
                     .
                  
                   
                     Thus
                     his
                     whole
                     Life
                     was
                     a
                     continual
                     Sermon
                     ,
                     holding
                     forth
                     evidently
                     the
                     Doctrines
                     he
                     Preached
                     ;
                     Humility
                     ,
                     Self-denyal
                     ,
                     Patience
                     ,
                     Meekness
                     ,
                     Contentation
                     ,
                     Faith
                     ,
                     and
                     holy
                     Confidence
                     〈◊〉
                     in
                     him
                     ,
                     with
                     most
                     dear
                     Love
                     to
                     God
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     Church
                     ,
                     and
                     People
                     ;
                     and
                     where
                     he
                     longed
                     and
                     panted
                     to
                     be
                     ,
                     he
                     is
                     now
                     shiniug
                     in
                     Heaven
                     ,
                     singing
                     Praises
                     to
                     God
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     the
                     〈◊〉
                     ,
                     which
                     Work
                     he
                     much
                     delighted
                     in
                     ,
                     whilst
                     here
                     on
                     Earth
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   VII
                
                 .
                 Some
                 Notes
                 from
                 another
                 ,
                 whose
                 House
                 he
                 Lodged
                 in
                 (
                 Mr.
                 F.
                 )
              
               
                 The
                 Narrative
                 of
                 his
                 most
                 Constant
                 ,
                 Tender
                 ,
                 Compassionate
                 dealing
                 with
                 ignorant
                 and
                 bad
                 People
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 places
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 ,
                 (
                 frequently
                 giving
                 them
                 Money
                 ,
                 with
                 his
                 Exhortations
                 )
                 is
                 mentioned
                 before
                 .
              
               
                 AS
                 for
                 such
                 as
                 feared
                 God
                 already
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 still
                 seeking
                 their
                 Edification
                 ,
                 and
                 stirring
                 them
                 up
                 to
                 a
                 Holy
                 Life
                 :
                 Very
                 much
                 pressing
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 intend
                 God
                 as
                 their
                 end
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 do
                 whatever
                 they
                 did
                 for
                 God.
                 When
                 the
                 Week
                 began
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Another
                   Week
                   is
                   now
                   before
                   us
                   ,
                   let
                   us
                   spend
                   this
                   Week
                   for
                   God.
                
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 Morning
                 he
                 would
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Come
                   now
                   let
                   this
                   day
                   be
                   spent
                   for
                   God.
                   Now
                   let
                   us
                   live
                   this
                   one
                   day
                   well
                   :
                   Could
                   we
                   resolve
                   to
                   be
                   more
                   than
                   ordinary
                   circumspect
                   ,
                   but
                   for
                   one
                   day
                   at
                   a
                   time
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   on
                   ,
                   we
                   might
                   live
                   at
                   extraordinary
                   〈◊〉
                   .
                
                 In
                 the
                 day
                 time
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 (
                 seasonably
                 )
                 ask
                 People
                 ,
                 
                   How
                   did
                   you
                   set
                   out
                   to
                   day
                   ?
                   Did
                   you
                   set
                   out
                   for
                   God
                   to
                   day
                   ?
                   What
                   were
                   your
                   Morning
                   Thoughts
                   ?
                
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 Week
                 time
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 often
                 ask
                 the
                 Servants
                 for
                 the
                 
                 Heads
                 of
                 the
                 Sermon
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 had
                 heard
                 on
                 the
                 Lord's-Day
                 before
                 .
                 As
                 he
                 walked
                 about
                 the
                 House
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 make
                 some
                 Spiritual
                 use
                 of
                 what-ever
                 did
                 occur
                 ,
                 and
                 still
                 his
                 Lips
                 did
                 drop
                 like
                 the
                 Hony-Comb
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 were
                 about
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 do
                 any
                 Offices
                 for
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 Weakness
                 ,
                 were
                 all
                 well
                 requited
                 .
                 To
                 give
                 a
                 few
                 Instances
                 of
                 his
                 savoury
                 words
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 one
                 that
                 had
                 done
                 well
                 .
                 
                   
                     There
                     are
                     two
                     things
                     (
                     
                       said
                       he
                    
                     )
                     that
                     we
                     must
                     specially
                     look
                     to
                     after
                     well
                     doing
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     special
                     tast
                     of
                     the
                     Love
                     of
                     God.
                     1.
                     
                     That
                     we
                     grow
                     not
                     proud
                     of
                     it
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     lose
                     all
                     .
                     2.
                     
                     That
                     we
                     grow
                     not
                     secure
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     give
                     the
                     Tempter
                     new
                     Advantages
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Speaking
                 of
                 the
                 Vanity
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 he
                 said
                 :
                 
                   
                     It
                     is
                     as
                     good
                     be
                     without
                     the
                     World
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     bear
                     that
                     state
                     as
                     beseemeth
                     a
                     Christian
                     ,
                     as
                     to
                     enjoy
                     the
                     World
                     ,
                     though
                     it
                     were
                     never
                     so
                     well
                     imployed
                     :
                     If
                     a
                     Man
                     hath
                     Riches
                     ,
                     and
                     layeth
                     them
                     out
                     for
                     God
                     ,
                     and
                     for
                     his
                     Servants
                     ,
                     yet
                     is
                     it
                     as
                     happy
                     a
                     state
                     to
                     receive
                     Alms
                     of
                     another
                     ,
                     so
                     we
                     bear
                     our
                     Poverty
                     aright
                     ,
                     and
                     are
                     chearful
                     and
                     thankful
                     in
                     our
                     low
                     Estate
                     .
                     (
                     Though
                     yet
                     it
                     is
                     true
                     ,
                     that
                     Riches
                     may
                     be
                     used
                     to
                     the
                     good
                     of
                     others
                     ;
                     and
                     it
                     is
                     more
                     honourable
                     to
                     give
                     ,
                     than
                     to
                     receive
                     .
                     )
                  
                
              
               
                 Another
                 time
                 he
                 was
                 saying
                 :
                 
                   
                     How
                     necessary
                     a
                     Duty
                     it
                     is
                     for
                     a
                     Child
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                     placidly
                     to
                     suit
                     with
                     all
                     God's
                     Dispensations
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     a
                     Christian
                     must
                     not
                     onely
                     quietly
                     submit
                     to
                     God
                     in
                     all
                     his
                     dealings
                     ,
                     but
                     ever
                     to
                     be
                     best
                     pleased
                     with
                     what
                     God
                     doth
                     ,
                     as
                     knowing
                     that
                     he
                     is
                     infinitely
                     Wise
                     ,
                     and
                     Good.
                     And
                     ,
                     O
                     how
                     unbecoming
                     a
                     Christian
                     is
                     it
                     to
                     do
                     otherwise
                     .
                  
                
                 To
                 which
                 one
                 answering
                 ,
                 How
                 short
                 we
                 ordinarily
                 fall
                 as
                 to
                 that
                 temper
                 :
                 He
                 replyed
                 ,
                 
                   
                     We
                     have
                     much
                     ground
                     to
                     go
                     yet
                     ,
                     but
                     so
                     it
                     must
                     be
                     ;
                     but
                     we
                     shall
                     never
                     be
                     well
                     indeed
                     till
                     we
                     come
                     to
                     Heaven
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Another
                 time
                 said
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   
                     O
                     what
                     an
                     alteration
                     will
                     be
                     shortly
                     made
                     upon
                     us
                     !
                     Now
                     we
                     are
                     the
                     Sons
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                     but
                     yet
                     it
                     doth
                     not
                     appear
                     (
                     to
                     sight
                     )
                     what
                     we
                     shall
                     be
                     :
                     Did
                     we
                     imagine
                     onely
                     that
                     we
                     shall
                     shine
                     as
                     the
                     Sun
                     in
                     the
                     Firmament
                     ,
                     it
                     were
                     too
                     low
                     a
                     Conception
                     of
                     our
                     〈◊〉
                     hereafter
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Another
                 Morning
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 Dressing
                 ,
                 he
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   
                     O
                     what
                     a
                     shout
                     will
                     there
                     be
                     when
                     Christ
                     shall
                     come
                     in
                     his
                     Glory
                     !
                     I
                     
                     contribute
                     to
                     that
                     shout
                     .
                  
                
              
               
               
                 Another
                 time
                 ,
                 
                   
                     I
                     bless
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     I
                     delight
                     in
                     nothing
                     in
                     this
                     World
                     ,
                     further
                     than
                     I
                     see
                     God
                     in
                     it
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Another
                 time
                 (
                 in
                 his
                 weakness
                 )
                 saith
                 he
                 :
                 
                   
                     There
                     are
                     three
                     things
                     which
                     must
                     be
                     unlearned
                     ,
                     as
                     being
                     mistakes
                     among
                     men
                     .
                     1.
                     
                     Men
                     think
                     that
                     their
                     happiness
                     lyeth
                     in
                     having
                     the
                     World
                     ,
                     when
                     it
                     is
                     much
                     more
                     in
                     contemning
                     the
                     World.
                     2.
                     
                     Men
                     think
                     that
                     the
                     greatest
                     contentment
                     lyeth
                     in
                     having
                     their
                     Wills
                     ,
                     when
                     indeed
                     it
                     lyeth
                     in
                     crossing
                     ,
                     mortifying
                     ,
                     and
                     subduing
                     their
                     wills
                     to
                     the
                     Will
                     of
                     God.
                     3.
                     
                     Men
                     think
                     it
                     their
                     business
                     and
                     benefit
                     to
                     seek
                     themselves
                     ,
                     when
                     indeed
                     it
                     is
                     the
                     denying
                     of
                     themselves
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Another
                 time
                 this
                 was
                 his
                 advice
                 .
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Value
                     precious
                     time
                     ,
                     while
                     time
                     doth
                     last
                     ,
                     and
                     not
                     when
                     it
                     is
                     irrevocably
                     lost
                     .
                     2.
                     
                     Know
                     the
                     worth
                     of
                     things
                     to
                     come
                     ,
                     before
                     they
                     come
                     ,
                     (
                     or
                     are
                     present
                     )
                     and
                     the
                     worth
                     of
                     things
                     present
                     ,
                     before
                     they
                     are
                     past
                     .
                     3.
                     
                     Value
                     no
                     Mercy
                     as
                     it
                     serveth
                     to
                     content
                     the
                     flesh
                     ,
                     but
                     as
                     it
                     is
                     serviceable
                     for
                     God
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     things
                     eternal
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Such
                 was
                 his
                 talk
                 at
                 the
                 Table
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 still
                 raised
                 in
                 gratitude
                 for
                 God's
                 Bounty
                 ,
                 and
                 used
                 to
                 eat
                 his
                 meat
                 with
                 much
                 chearfulness
                 and
                 comfort
                 ,
                 as
                 savouring
                 of
                 a
                 sweeter
                 good
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 took
                 one
                 that
                 was
                 watching
                 with
                 him
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 said
                 :
                 
                   
                     I
                     hope
                     to
                     pass
                     an
                     Eternity
                     with
                     thee
                     ,
                     in
                     the
                     praises
                     of
                     our
                     God
                     :
                     In
                     the
                     mean
                     time
                     ,
                     Let
                     us
                     live
                     a
                     life
                     of
                     praise
                     while
                     we
                     are
                     here
                     ,
                     for
                     it
                     is
                     sweet
                     to
                     us
                     ,
                     and
                     delightful
                     to
                     God
                     :
                     It
                     is
                     harmony
                     in
                     his
                     Ears
                     ,
                     our
                     failings
                     being
                     pardoned
                     ,
                     and
                     we
                     and
                     our
                     praise
                     accepted
                     through
                     Christ.
                     
                  
                
                 Such
                 discourse
                 is
                 ,
                 I
                 hope
                 ,
                 no
                 great
                 rarity
                 with
                 good
                 men
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 chearfulness
                 of
                 prosperity
                 in
                 health
                 ;
                 but
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 on
                 the
                 Bed
                 of
                 tedious
                 languishing
                 it
                 is
                 more
                 rare
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 night
                 before
                 he
                 went
                 to
                 Bath
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 died
                 ,
                 he
                 said
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 Person
                 :
                 
                   
                     O
                     how
                     much
                     more
                     hath
                     God
                     done
                     for
                     you
                     ,
                     than
                     for
                     all
                     the
                     World
                     of
                     unconverted
                     Persons
                     ,
                     in
                     that
                     he
                     hath
                     wrought
                     his
                     Image
                     on
                     your
                     heart
                     ,
                     and
                     will
                     bring
                     you
                     at
                     last
                     to
                     his
                     Coelestial
                     Glory
                     :
                     See
                     now
                     that
                     you
                     acknowledge
                     the
                     Grace
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                     and
                     give
                     him
                     the
                     praise
                     of
                     it
                     :
                     For
                     my
                     part
                     ,
                     I
                     bless
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     full
                     of
                     his
                     Mercy
                     ;
                     Goodness
                     and
                     Mercy
                     have
                     followed
                     me
                     all
                     my
                     dayes
                     ;
                     I
                     am
                     full
                     and
                     running
                     over
                     :
                     And
                     now
                     I
                     charge
                     you
                     to
                     walk
                     chearfully
                     ,
                     
                     and
                     to
                     follow
                     me
                     with
                     your
                     Praises
                     whilst
                     I
                     am
                     alive
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 And
                 for
                 such
                 in
                 the
                 Family
                 as
                 lay
                 under
                 doubts
                 of
                 their
                 condition
                 ,
                 he
                 took
                 great
                 care
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 endeavouring
                 daily
                 to
                 satisfie
                 their
                 Doubts
                 ,
                 and
                 answer
                 their
                 Scruples
                 ;
                 and
                 still
                 would
                 be
                 enquiring
                 ,
                 whether
                 they
                 had
                 yet
                 any
                 more
                 settlement
                 :
                 And
                 if
                 they
                 said
                 ,
                 they
                 knew
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 try
                 themselves
                 ;
                 he
                 would
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Come
                   ,
                   let
                   me
                   help
                   you
                
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 would
                 take
                 them
                 aside
                 ,
                 and
                 propound
                 some
                 three
                 or
                 four
                 sound
                 Marks
                 ,
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Question
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 ask
                 them
                 whether
                 it
                 were
                 so
                 with
                 them
                 or
                 not
                 ?
                 And
                 if
                 any
                 doubt
                 appeared
                 to
                 remain
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 easily
                 leave
                 them
                 ;
                 till
                 they
                 were
                 somewhat
                 satisfied
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 bring
                 all
                 down
                 to
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 Capacity
                 ,
                 by
                 putting
                 his
                 Questions
                 several
                 wayes
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 yet
                 doubts
                 remained
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 use
                 all
                 the
                 compassion
                 and
                 pitifulness
                 that
                 might
                 be
                 ,
                 and
                 open
                 to
                 them
                 the
                 goodness
                 of
                 God's
                 Nature
                 ,
                 the
                 sufficiency
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 readiness
                 to
                 accept
                 returning
                 Sinners
                 ;
                 and
                 after
                 long
                 tryal
                 by
                 fairer
                 means
                 ,
                 would
                 plainly
                 labour
                 to
                 convince
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 the
                 Sin
                 of
                 Unbelief
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 And
                 for
                 any
                 in
                 the
                 Family
                 that
                 seemed
                 to
                 stick
                 under
                 bare
                 Convictions
                 ,
                 he
                 much
                 urged
                 〈◊〉
                 to
                 go
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 a
                 through
                 ,
                 and
                 sound
                 ,
                 and
                 sure
                 work
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 Family
                 Duties
                 ,
                 he
                 seemed
                 more
                 excellent
                 than
                 at
                 other
                 times
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 singular
                 patience
                 in
                 Affliction
                 .
                 Though
                 he
                 lay
                 under
                 such
                 weakness
                 for
                 certain
                 years
                 ,
                 as
                 rendered
                 him
                 almost
                 wholly
                 unable
                 for
                 his
                 publick
                 Work
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 times
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 move
                 a
                 Hand
                 or
                 Finger
                 ,
                 or
                 hardly
                 any
                 other
                 part
                 ;
                 yet
                 some
                 that
                 have
                 been
                 much
                 with
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 never
                 heard
                 him
                 once
                 complain
                 ,
                 of
                 one
                 pain
                 or
                 other
                 ,
                 unless
                 any
                 askt
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 would
                 alwayes
                 make
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 lay
                 many
                 nights
                 and
                 never
                 took
                 the
                 least
                 〈◊〉
                 by
                 sleep
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 never
                 shew
                 the
                 least
                 impatiency
                 ,
                 nor
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 say
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 slept
                 ,
                 unless
                 it
                 were
                 askt
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 still
                 would
                 justifie
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Shall
                   I
                   receive
                   good
                   at
                   God's
                   hand
                   ,
                   and
                   no
                   evil
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Speaking
                   of
                   Exhortations
                   and
                   Reproof
                   ,
                   he
                   said
                   ,
                   
                     It
                     's
                     the
                     safest
                     course
                  
                   (
                   where
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   done
                   )
                   
                     to
                     take
                     the
                     opportunity
                     ,
                     and
                     not
                     to
                     suffer
                     our
                     backward
                     hearts
                     to
                     cheat
                     us
                     of
                     the
                     present
                     ,
                     on
                     pretence
                     of
                     staying
                     for
                     a
                     fitter
                     time
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   As
                   advice
                   for
                   profitable
                   Discourse
                   ,
                   he
                   said
                   ,
                   
                     It
                     is
                     good
                     for
                     such
                     Christians
                     as
                     need
                     it
                     ,
                     to
                     study
                     before-hand
                     what
                     to
                     speak
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     may
                     alwayes
                     have
                     something
                     in
                     readiness
                     to
                     bring
                     forth
                     for
                     the
                     benefit
                     of
                     others
                     ,
                     which
                     will
                     prevent
                     impertinencies
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   Of
                   Prayer
                   with
                   others
                   he
                   would
                   say
                   ;
                   
                     We
                     have
                     need
                     to
                     watch
                     against
                     confining
                     our
                     Thoughts
                     and
                     Desires
                     to
                     the
                     cases
                     of
                     our
                     own
                     Souls
                     ,
                     with
                     the
                     neglect
                     of
                     those
                     that
                     joyn
                     with
                     us
                     ;
                     but
                     above
                     all
                     ,
                     with
                     the
                     neglect
                     of
                     the
                     miserable
                     World
                     ,
                     and
                     of
                     the
                     Church
                     of
                     Christ.
                  
                   For
                   though
                   indeed
                   Hypocrites
                   use
                   to
                   Indite
                   almost
                   all
                   their
                   publick
                   Prayers
                   from
                   the
                   supposed
                   case
                   of
                   those
                   that
                   are
                   present
                   ,
                   and
                   meddle
                   but
                   little
                   with
                   their
                   own
                   sins
                   and
                   wants
                   ,
                   unless
                   in
                   formality
                   :
                   Yet
                   sincere
                   Christians
                   are
                   at
                   first
                   too
                   apt
                   to
                   dwell
                   upon
                   their
                   own
                   Cases
                   almost
                   alone
                   ,
                   insomuch
                   that
                   they
                   have
                   need
                   to
                   be
                   called
                   outward
                   ;
                   and
                   as
                   they
                   grow
                   in
                   Love
                   ,
                   they
                   will
                   grow
                   enlarged
                   in
                   the
                   case
                   of
                   their
                   Brethren
                   ,
                   but
                   especially
                   of
                   Publick
                   and
                   Universal
                   Consequence
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   VIII
                
                 .
                 An
                 intire
                 and
                 exact
                 Delineation
                 of
                 this
                 Holy
                 Person
                 ,
                 Written
                 by
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 familiar
                 Acquaintance
                 ;
                 presented
                 in
                 the
                 last
                 place
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Portraiture
                 of
                 a
                 compleat
                 Gospel-Minister
                 .
              
               
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   His
                   Personal
                   Character
                   .
                   His
                   Stature
                   and
                   Complexion
                   .
                
                 
                   AS
                   to
                   his
                   Personal
                   Bodily
                   Character
                   ,
                   He
                   was
                   of
                   Stature
                   ,
                   tall
                   and
                   erect
                   ;
                   of
                   Complexion
                   ,
                   clear
                   and
                   lovely
                   ,
                   his
                   Countenance
                   being
                   the
                   seat
                   of
                   chearfulness
                   ,
                   gravity
                   ,
                   and
                   love
                   .
                   It
                   
                   contradicted
                   that
                   usual
                   saying
                   ,
                   viz.
                   
                     Fronti
                     〈◊〉
                     fides
                  
                   ;
                   for
                   his
                   spritely
                   &
                   serene
                   Countenance
                   was
                   the
                   Index
                   of
                   an
                   active
                   and
                   harmonious
                   Soul.
                   Anger
                   as
                   it
                   seldom
                   beclouded
                   ,
                   so
                   〈◊〉
                   became
                   not
                   that
                   Face
                   most
                   uncapable
                   of
                   sowr
                   impressions
                   .
                   It
                   was
                   forc'd
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   not
                   of
                   long
                   continuance
                   ,
                   for
                   it
                   never
                   appeared
                   but
                   upon
                   Summons
                   ,
                   when
                   commanded
                   to
                   interpose
                   it self
                   ,
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   GOD
                   ,
                   and
                   Honour
                   of
                   Religion
                   being
                   concern'd
                   .
                   Neither
                   did
                   his
                   Reason
                   and
                   Vertue
                   sooner
                   raise
                   than
                   lay
                   it
                   when
                   the
                   Cause
                   was
                   ceased
                   .
                   He
                   was
                   angry
                   ,
                   and
                   sinned
                   not
                   ,
                   by
                   being
                   angry
                   chiefly
                   or
                   only
                   for
                   sin
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Constitution
                   .
                
                 
                   He
                   had
                   not
                   a
                   more
                   hail
                   Complexion
                   ,
                   than
                   healthful
                   Constitution
                   ,
                   hugely
                   fitted
                   for
                   the
                   Employment
                   in
                   which
                   he
                   was
                   so
                   successful
                   ,
                   viz.
                   His
                   Ministerial
                   Labours
                   and
                   Studies
                   .
                   Insomuch
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   often
                   been
                   heard
                   to
                   confess
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   knew
                   not
                   what
                   an
                   hours
                   sickness
                   or
                   indisposition
                   was
                   for
                   thirty
                   years
                   and
                   upward
                   ,
                   even
                   until
                   after
                   his
                   first
                   Imprisonment
                   ,
                   to
                   which
                   (
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   else-where
                   intimated
                   )
                   it
                   may
                   well
                   be
                   thought
                   that
                   he
                   owed
                   the
                   first
                   and
                   fatal
                   impairs
                   of
                   his
                   healthful
                   vigour
                   .
                   Since
                   which
                   first
                   decay
                   ,
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   affirmed
                   that
                   contrariwise
                   for
                   some
                   years
                   together
                   ,
                   till
                   the
                   period
                   of
                   his
                   life
                   ,
                   he
                   scarce
                   knew
                   what
                   was
                   an
                   hours
                   health
                   .
                   Most
                   deplorable
                   it
                   is
                   ,
                   that
                   his
                   great
                   and
                   even
                   excessive
                   labours
                   ,
                   and
                   hard
                   durance
                   ,
                   should
                   have
                   been
                   prodigal
                   of
                   that
                   strength
                   which
                   might
                   perchance
                   have
                   been
                   hitherto
                   employed
                   to
                   the
                   most
                   noble
                   purposes
                   .
                   But
                   alas
                   ,
                   the
                   innocent
                   flames
                   of
                   Divine
                   Love
                   to
                   GOD
                   ,
                   and
                   Zeal
                   for
                   his
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   good
                   of
                   Souls
                   ,
                   made
                   all
                   his
                   strength
                   a
                   whole
                   burnt
                   Sacrifice
                   ,
                   and
                   as
                   well
                   devoted
                   ,
                   as
                   if
                   sacrificed
                   to
                   the
                   flames
                   of
                   Martyrdom
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Judgment
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   here
                   some
                   injury
                   would
                   be
                   done
                   to
                   his
                   Worthy
                   Name
                   ,
                   should
                   his
                   internal
                   Excellencies
                   ,
                   which
                   are
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   greatest
                   ,
                   be
                   wholly
                   forgotten
                   .
                   His
                   Judgment
                   was
                   as
                   the
                   Pot
                   of
                   Manna
                   ,
                   wherein
                   were
                   found
                   and
                   conserved
                   all
                   wholesome
                   Soul-feeding-Doctrines
                   ;
                   most
                   solid
                   and
                   accute
                   it
                   was
                   .
                   For
                   though
                   with
                   the
                   Eye
                   of
                   his
                   Body
                   he
                   could
                   not
                   see
                   far
                   off
                   ,
                   yet
                   
                   with
                   the
                   Eye
                   of
                   his
                   mind
                   or
                   understanding
                   ,
                   he
                   penetrated
                   far
                   into
                   the
                   recesses
                   of
                   difficult
                   Truths
                   ,
                   and
                   out
                   of
                   mental
                   〈◊〉
                   he
                   was
                   wont
                   happily
                   to
                   extricate
                   himself
                   and
                   others
                   ,
                   the
                   toyl
                   of
                   his
                   Intellect
                   herein
                   being
                   not
                   so
                   pleasant
                   as
                   successful
                   .
                   He
                   was
                   all
                   judgment
                   in
                   his
                   enquiries
                   after
                   Truth
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   affection
                   in
                   pursuing
                   and
                   promoting
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   good
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Memory
                   .
                
                 
                   His
                   Memory
                   was
                   as
                   the
                   Tables
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   GOD's
                   .
                   LAW
                   being
                   his
                   Meditation
                   Day
                   and
                   Night
                   ,
                   and
                   as
                   the
                   Sacred
                   Records
                   there
                   kept
                   .
                   It
                   was
                   a
                   most
                   Faithful
                   and
                   Refined
                   Treasury
                   ,
                   out
                   of
                   which
                   he
                   continually
                   brought
                   Things
                   New
                   and
                   Old
                   for
                   the
                   Instruction
                   and
                   Consolation
                   of
                   his
                   Hearers
                   .
                   So
                   〈◊〉
                   it
                   was
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   needed
                   not
                   ,
                   and
                   wholly
                   refused
                   those
                   helps
                   by
                   which
                   it
                   is
                   usually
                   fortified
                   ,
                   and
                   its
                   defects
                   supplyed
                   .
                   It
                   knew
                   not
                   the
                   slavery
                   of
                   an
                   imposed
                   task
                   ,
                   for
                   what
                   had
                   once
                   engaged
                   his
                   love
                   ,
                   was
                   without
                   delay
                   or
                   difficulty
                   〈◊〉
                   of
                   his
                   Mind
                   or
                   Memory
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Phansie
                   .
                
                 
                   His
                   Phansie
                   was
                   as
                   Aarons
                   Rod
                   budding
                   ,
                   ever
                   producing
                   fresh
                   〈◊〉
                   of
                   refined
                   Divine
                   Wit
                   and
                   Invention
                   .
                   It
                   was
                   quick
                   and
                   happy
                   ,
                   a
                   fruitful
                   Store-house
                   of
                   hallowed
                   and
                   〈◊〉
                   Notions
                   .
                   Ever
                   pregnant
                   ,
                   yet
                   never
                   bringing
                   forth
                   any
                   other
                   than
                   the
                   Off-springs
                   of
                   Judgment
                   &
                   Discretion
                   .
                   Though
                   it
                   footed
                   high
                   ,
                   yet
                   like
                   a
                   Bird
                   in
                   a
                   String
                   ,
                   when
                   it
                   had
                   gone
                   to
                   its
                   〈◊〉
                   length
                   ,
                   it
                   was
                   check'd
                   by
                   his
                   Judgment
                   and
                   Humility
                   ,
                   left
                   it
                   should
                   ascend
                   above
                   its
                   height
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Will
                   and
                   Affections
                   .
                
                 
                   His
                   Will
                   he
                   had
                   so
                   long
                   lost
                   in
                   the
                   Divine
                   Will
                   ,
                   as
                   not
                   to
                   find
                   it
                   ,
                   or
                   to
                   be
                   troubled
                   with
                   its
                   reluctancies
                   under
                   so
                   long
                   and
                   sad
                   a
                   Series
                   of
                   Tryals
                   and
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   as
                   those
                   which
                   attended
                   him
                   constantly
                   to
                   his
                   Grave
                   .
                   His
                   Affections
                   were
                   strong
                   and
                   servent
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   use
                   his
                   Words
                   ,
                   They
                   kept
                   to
                   their
                   right
                   Objects
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   due
                   Bounds
                   ,
                   never
                   inkindled
                   
                   but
                   with
                   a
                   Coal
                   from
                   the
                   Altar
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   they
                   soared
                   to
                   marvellous
                   Heights
                   .
                   He
                   was
                   indeed
                   ,
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   ,
                   all
                   affection
                   in
                   pursuing
                   and
                   promoting
                   the
                   grand
                   interests
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                   The
                   Zeal
                   of
                   God's
                   House
                   had
                   consumed
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   not
                   Blind
                   nor
                   Wild
                   ,
                   but
                   well
                   attempered
                   with
                   Light
                   and
                   Heats
                   .
                   In
                   Sum
                   ,
                   what
                   Holy
                   Mr.
                   Herbert
                   said
                   of
                   himself
                   ,
                   that
                   may
                   be
                   said
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                   That
                   his
                   Active
                   Soul
                   was
                   as
                   a
                   keen
                   Knife
                   in
                   a
                   thin
                   Sheath
                   ,
                   ever
                   about
                   to
                   cut
                   through
                   ,
                   and
                   take
                   its
                   flight
                   into
                   the
                   Region
                   of
                   Souls
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   great
                   Gravity
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   to
                   proceed
                   to
                   some
                   of
                   his
                   excellent
                   Properties
                   .
                   His
                   gravity
                   appeared
                   to
                   be
                   true
                   and
                   genuine
                   ,
                   (
                   as
                   not
                   affected
                   or
                   morose
                   ,
                   not
                   through
                   any
                   inability
                   ,
                   but
                   unwillingness
                   to
                   press
                   his
                   Wit
                   to
                   the
                   service
                   of
                   Vanity
                   )
                   resulting
                   from
                   a
                   mind
                   ever
                   in
                   the
                   awe
                   of
                   God.
                   Because
                   his
                   Presence
                   and
                   Deportment
                   struck
                   such
                   an
                   awe
                   even
                   on
                   all
                   with
                   whom
                   he
                   conversed
                   ,
                   and
                   composed
                   them
                   to
                   a
                   true
                   decorum
                   .
                   So
                   that
                   as
                   Reverend
                   Mr.
                   Bolton
                   ,
                   when
                   walking
                   in
                   the
                   Streets
                   ,
                   was
                   so
                   much
                   cloathed
                   with
                   majesty
                   ,
                   as
                   by
                   the
                   notice
                   of
                   his
                   coming
                   in
                   these
                   Words
                   ,
                   
                     Here
                     comes
                     Mr.
                     Bolton
                  
                   ,
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   to
                   charm
                   them
                   into
                   order
                   ,
                   when
                   vain
                   or
                   doing
                   amiss
                   ;
                   so
                   this
                   most
                   grave
                   Divine
                   ,
                   wheresoever
                   he
                   came
                   ,
                   was
                   as
                   a
                   walking
                   Ghost
                   by
                   his
                   presence
                   ,
                   conjuring
                   them
                   into
                   a
                   grave
                   deportment
                   ,
                   his
                   countenance
                   ever
                   pointing
                   at
                   his
                   awful
                   Soul.
                   What
                   the
                   Image
                   or
                   Statue
                   of
                   Senacherib
                   did
                   speak
                   ,
                   that
                   much
                   more
                   did
                   this
                   lively
                   Image
                   of
                   the
                   most
                   High
                   GOD
                   speak
                   ,
                   
                     viz.
                     He
                     who
                     looketh
                     to
                     me
                     ,
                     let
                     him
                     be
                     Religious
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   This
                   his
                   great
                   gravity
                   was
                   not
                   onely
                   Universally
                   discerned
                   by
                   all
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   more
                   particularly
                   and
                   especially
                   acknowledged
                   and
                   loved
                   by
                   his
                   Brethren
                   in
                   the
                   Ministry
                   ,
                   for
                   there
                   being
                   some
                   matter
                   of
                   moment
                   depending
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                   the
                   care
                   of
                   which
                   was
                   to
                   be
                   devolved
                   on
                   some
                   one
                   man
                   :
                   A
                   worthy
                   Divine
                   far
                   exceeding
                   him
                   in
                   years
                   ,
                   sollicited
                   him
                   to
                   take
                   it
                   on
                   him
                   ,
                   who
                   modestly
                   waved
                   it
                   ,
                   wondering
                   that
                   they
                   should
                   pitch
                   on
                   one
                   so
                   young
                   and
                   unexperienced
                   as
                   himself
                   ,
                   for
                   so
                   solemn
                   an
                   undertaking
                   :
                   To
                   whom
                   the
                   forenamed
                   Divine
                   replyed
                   ;
                   That
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   Ministers
                   ,
                   his
                   Brethven
                   ,
                   whereof
                   many
                   for
                   Age
                   were
                   his
                   Fathers
                   ,
                   he
                   knew
                   none
                   of
                   greater
                   Gravity
                   ,
                   
                   Industry
                   ,
                   and
                   fitness
                   for
                   the
                   management
                   of
                   that
                   Affair
                   than
                   himself
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Affability
                   .
                
                 
                   Neither
                   was
                   he
                   so
                   immured
                   in
                   his
                   Study
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   stranger
                   to
                   ,
                   or
                   averse
                   from
                   ,
                   that
                   generous
                   and
                   innocent
                   freedom
                   and
                   obligingness
                   of
                   converse
                   ,
                   for
                   Love
                   and
                   Affability
                   ,
                   were
                   accurately
                   attempered
                   with
                   his
                   great
                   Gravity
                   .
                   He
                   became
                   all
                   things
                   to
                   all
                   men
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   might
                   gain
                   the
                   more
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   communicative
                   innocent
                   and
                   obliging
                   were
                   all
                   his
                   Converses
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   commanded
                   the
                   imitation
                   and
                   admiration
                   of
                   his
                   Friends
                   ,
                   and
                   forc'd
                   this
                   acknowledgment
                   from
                   his
                   Adversaries
                   ,
                   both
                   Prophane
                   ,
                   Atheistical
                   ,
                   and
                   Sectarian
                   ,
                   viz.
                   That
                   if
                   there
                   were
                   ever
                   a
                   good
                   Man
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                   (
                   meaning
                   the
                   Nonconformists
                   )
                   Mr.
                   Ahein
                   was
                   he
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Charity
                   .
                
                 
                   Communicative
                   I
                   say
                   he
                   was
                   ,
                   both
                   of
                   Spiritual
                   ,
                   and
                   also
                   Temporal
                   good
                   things
                   together
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   ,
                   and
                   even
                   beyond
                   his
                   Power
                   ,
                   (
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   else-where
                   abundantly
                   ascertained
                   )
                   both
                   when
                   he
                   heard
                   the
                   loud
                   Complaints
                   of
                   some
                   ,
                   and
                   when
                   he
                   listened
                   to
                   the
                   silent
                   Suits
                   of
                   others
                   ,
                   viz.
                   some
                   modest
                   and
                   indigent
                   House-keepers
                   ,
                   who
                   only
                   spake
                   by
                   their
                   real
                   needs
                   ,
                   and
                   entered
                   their
                   Suits
                   at
                   the
                   Eyes
                   of
                   an
                   inquisitive
                   Almoner
                   ,
                   more
                   than
                   at
                   his
                   Ears
                   .
                   Of
                   the
                   good
                   things
                   pertaining
                   to
                   this
                   Life
                   ,
                   he
                   was
                   often
                   liberal
                   beyond
                   his
                   measure
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   those
                   pertaining
                   to
                   another
                   Life
                   ,
                   often
                   beyond
                   his
                   strength
                   ;
                   and
                   by
                   this
                   Constellation
                   of
                   his
                   Charity
                   and
                   Alms-deeds
                   ,
                   he
                   made
                   the
                   one
                   more
                   Profitable
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   other
                   more
                   Acceptable
                   ;
                   the
                   one
                   the
                   greater
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   other
                   the
                   happier
                   ,
                   and
                   more
                   successful
                   ;
                   and
                   by
                   this
                   Conjunction
                   also
                   ,
                   he
                   approved
                   himself
                   more
                   perfect
                   before
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   more
                   throughly
                   furnished
                   to
                   every
                   good
                   Word
                   and
                   Work.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Utterance
                   .
                
                 
                   His
                   Prolation
                   or
                   manner
                   of
                   Speech
                   was
                   Free
                   ,
                   Eloquent
                   ,
                   Sublime
                   ,
                   and
                   Weighty
                   .
                   Of
                   him
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   well
                   said
                   ,
                   as
                   of
                   
                   our
                   Blessed
                   Saviour
                   ,
                   
                     That
                     all
                     bear
                     him
                     witness
                     ,
                     and
                     wondered
                     at
                     the
                     gracious
                     Words
                     which
                     proceeded
                     out
                     of
                     his
                     Mouth
                     .
                  
                   It
                   will
                   be
                   hard
                   to
                   tell
                   what
                   Man
                   ever
                   spake
                   with
                   more
                   Holy
                   Eloquence
                   ,
                   Gravity
                   ,
                   Authority
                   ,
                   Meekness
                   ,
                   Compassion
                   and
                   Efficacy
                   to
                   Souls
                   ,
                   than
                   he
                   did
                   to
                   those
                   to
                   whom
                   in
                   Instruction
                   ,
                   Exhortation
                   ,
                   Consolation
                   ,
                   Reprehension
                   ,
                   he
                   most
                   wisely
                   ,
                   frequently
                   ,
                   and
                   successfully
                   applyed
                   himself
                   .
                   Few
                   could
                   resist
                   ,
                   or
                   stand
                   before
                   the
                   powerful
                   Charms
                   ,
                   and
                   united
                   Force
                   of
                   his
                   Love
                   and
                   Authority
                   ,
                   being
                   equally
                   attracted
                   by
                   the
                   one
                   ,
                   and
                   awed
                   by
                   the
                   other
                   .
                   In
                   him
                   ,
                   if
                   in
                   any
                   ,
                   that
                   common
                   observation
                   did
                   evidently
                   fall
                   ,
                   viz.
                   
                
                 
                   
                     Non
                     bene
                     conveniunt
                     ,
                     nec
                     in
                     〈◊〉
                     sede
                     locantur
                     Majestas
                     &
                     Amor.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   True
                   it
                   is
                   ,
                   that
                   this
                   young
                   Timothy
                   (
                   with
                   whom
                   few
                   were
                   like
                   minded
                   ,
                   in
                   caring
                   naturally
                   for
                   the
                   state
                   of
                   his
                   Flock
                   )
                   was
                   at
                   his
                   first
                   entrance
                   on
                   his
                   Ministry
                   ,
                   despised
                   for
                   his
                   Youth
                   ,
                   by
                   those
                   who
                   after
                   with
                   shame
                   confessed
                   their
                   Errour
                   ,
                   and
                   deplored
                   their
                   rashness
                   ,
                   resolving
                   after
                   for
                   his
                   sake
                   ,
                   no
                   more
                   to
                   judge
                   according
                   to
                   appearance
                   ,
                   but
                   to
                   honour
                   for
                   their
                   work
                   ,
                   and
                   intrinsick
                   worth
                   ,
                   those
                   whom
                   Age
                   hath
                   not
                   made
                   Venerable
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   His
                   Studies
                   and
                   Learning
                   .
                
                 
                   As
                   respects
                   his
                   Studies
                   ,
                   he
                   had
                   a
                   strong
                   inclination
                   to
                   ,
                   and
                   delight
                   in
                   the
                   Study
                   of
                   the
                   Natural
                   and
                   
                     Ethnick
                     Theologie
                  
                   ,
                   in
                   which
                   he
                   proceeded
                   to
                   a
                   great
                   acquaintance
                   with
                   the
                   chief
                   Sects
                   of
                   the
                   Philosophers
                   ,
                   especially
                   the
                   Academicks
                   ,
                   and
                   Stoicks
                   ,
                   of
                   his
                   insight
                   into
                   whom
                   he
                   made
                   singular
                   use
                   ,
                   by
                   gathering
                   their
                   choicest
                   Flowers
                   to
                   adorn
                   Christianity
                   〈◊〉
                   ;
                   and
                   indeed
                   ,
                   searce
                   did
                   he
                   Preach
                   a
                   Sermon
                   ,
                   wherein
                   he
                   did
                   not
                   Select
                   some
                   excellent
                   Passage
                   or
                   other
                   out
                   of
                   these
                   ,
                   whereby
                   to
                   illustrate
                   and
                   fortifie
                   his
                   Discourse
                   .
                   And
                   how
                   well
                   becoming
                   a
                   Divine
                   ,
                   and
                   most
                   〈◊〉
                   this
                   his
                   Inclination
                   and
                   Choice
                   was
                   ,
                   is
                   most
                   manifest
                   to
                   considering
                   Men
                   ;
                   for
                   hereby
                   he
                   more
                   confirmed
                   himself
                   in
                   the
                   Christian
                   Religion
                   (
                   which
                   he
                   had
                   espoused
                   with
                   so
                   much
                   Judgment
                   and
                   Zeal
                   )
                   by
                   a
                   distinct
                   and
                   certain
                   knowledge
                   of
                   the
                   highest
                   Principles
                   
                   and
                   Hopes
                   of
                   the
                   Ethnick
                   Religions
                   ,
                   and
                   by
                   a
                   sober
                   comparing
                   of
                   that
                   with
                   these
                   .
                   He
                   also
                   much
                   delighted
                   in
                   Anatomy
                   ,
                   in
                   which
                   he
                   acquired
                   a
                   considerable
                   skill
                   ,
                   which
                   also
                   he
                   not
                   a
                   little
                   improved
                   by
                   frequent
                   Dissections
                   .
                   And
                   in
                   his
                   publick
                   Ministry
                   ,
                   he
                   often
                   made
                   use
                   of
                   this
                   his
                   insight
                   ,
                   by
                   composing
                   ,
                   with
                   Galen
                   ,
                   Hymns
                   to
                   the
                   Creator
                   ,
                   whose
                   infinite
                   Wisdom
                   he
                   was
                   often
                   heard
                   to
                   admire
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   contrivance
                   of
                   Mans
                   outward
                   frame
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   rare
                   contexture
                   ,
                   dependance
                   ,
                   and
                   use
                   of
                   all
                   ,
                   even
                   the
                   minutest
                   parts
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   excellent
                   Fabrick
                   of
                   Mans
                   body
                   .
                   As
                   to
                   his
                   skill
                   in
                   the
                   Languages
                   ,
                   it
                   was
                   not
                   contemptible
                   ,
                   especially
                   in
                   those
                   three
                   which
                   (
                   as
                   
                     Ludovicus
                     Vives
                  
                   saith
                   )
                   Christ
                   sanctified
                   upon
                   the
                   Cross.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Thirdly
                   ,
                   His
                   Moderation
                   and
                   Humility
                   .
                
                 
                   He
                   managed
                   his
                   dissents
                   in
                   Judgment
                   from
                   others
                   with
                   great
                   Charity
                   ,
                   Humility
                   ,
                   and
                   Moderation
                   ,
                   most
                   strictly
                   observing
                   what
                   he
                   still
                   exhorted
                   his
                   Flock
                   unto
                   ,
                   
                     viz.
                     To
                     speak
                     evil
                     of
                     no
                     man
                     ,
                  
                   much
                   less
                   of
                   dignities
                   .
                   Insomuch
                   that
                   when
                   his
                   Judgement
                   was
                   at
                   any
                   time
                   desired
                   concerning
                   any
                   Sermon
                   which
                   he
                   had
                   heard
                   ,
                   and
                   any
                   Minister
                   ,
                   (
                   Conformist
                   ,
                   or
                   Nonconformist
                   )
                   though
                   weak
                   and
                   mean
                   ,
                   he
                   would
                   yet
                   ever
                   find
                   matter
                   of
                   Commendation
                   ,
                   none
                   of
                   Dispraise
                   ,
                   judging
                   the
                   Minister
                   and
                   his
                   Discourse
                   ,
                   at
                   least
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   honest
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   good
                   intent
                   .
                   He
                   abhorred
                   to
                   intrench
                   on
                   the
                   Divine
                   Prerogative
                   ,
                   in
                   judging
                   of
                   Mens
                   States
                   before
                   the
                   time
                   ;
                   and
                   in
                   condemning
                   Mens
                   Actions
                   at
                   all
                   adventures
                   ,
                   without
                   considering
                   their
                   lessening
                   or
                   altering
                   Circumstances
                   .
                   And
                   as
                   he
                   liked
                   to
                   judge
                   no
                   man
                   beyond
                   his
                   Sphere
                   ,
                   and
                   speak
                   evil
                   of
                   no
                   Man
                   ;
                   so
                   in
                   his
                   Life
                   did
                   he
                   reap
                   as
                   great
                   and
                   visible
                   Reward
                   as
                   any
                   for
                   this
                   most
                   Christian
                   Practice
                   ;
                   for
                   the
                   Tongues
                   even
                   of
                   all
                   did
                   pay
                   tribute
                   to
                   his
                   good
                   Name
                   ;
                   which
                   was
                   a
                   thing
                   so
                   entire
                   and
                   sacred
                   ,
                   that
                   scarce
                   a
                   Rabsheka
                   or
                   Shimei
                   could
                   find
                   a
                   passage
                   by
                   which
                   to
                   invade
                   it
                   .
                   His
                   good
                   Name
                   was
                   as
                   a
                   precious
                   Box
                   of
                   Oyntment
                   ,
                   by
                   his
                   Death
                   especially
                   broken
                   and
                   poured
                   forth
                   ,
                   the
                   delicious
                   scent
                   whereof
                   all
                   those
                   Hearts
                   with
                   great
                   delight
                   retain
                   ,
                   which
                   like
                   Lidia's
                   ,
                   were
                   open
                   d
                   to
                   his
                   Heavenly
                   Dectrine
                   ;
                   and
                   not
                   onely
                   so
                   ,
                   but
                   they
                   will
                   perpetuate
                   it
                   ,
                   whilst
                   they
                   have
                   Childrens
                   Children
                   by
                   whom
                   to
                   eternize
                   his
                   Memory
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Fourthly
                   ,
                   His
                   Practice
                   as
                   to
                   Church-Communion
                   His
                   Judgment
                   as
                   to
                   Obedience
                   to
                   Authority
                   .
                
                 
                   As
                   respects
                   his
                   Practice
                   ,
                   and
                   moderate
                   Opinion
                   in
                   point
                   of
                   Church-Communion
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   Judgment
                   in
                   point
                   of
                   Obedience
                   to
                   the
                   Supream
                   Power
                   ,
                   together
                   with
                   his
                   great
                   regard
                   to
                   ,
                   and
                   earnest
                   insisting
                   on
                   Second-Table
                   Duties
                   ,
                   〈◊〉
                   may
                   be
                   said
                   to
                   his
                   worthy
                   Praise
                   .
                   He
                   as
                   frequently
                   attended
                   on
                   the
                   publick
                   Worship
                   ,
                   as
                   his
                   opportunities
                   and
                   strength
                   〈◊〉
                   ,
                   and
                   often
                   declared
                   his
                   very
                   good
                   liking
                   of
                   some
                   〈◊〉
                   ,
                   which
                   he
                   heard
                   from
                   the
                   present
                   Incumbent
                   .
                   He
                   did
                   not
                   account
                   that
                   none
                   could
                   worship
                   God
                   aright
                   ,
                   unless
                   in
                   all
                   Instances
                   ,
                   and
                   smaller
                   Circumstances
                   of
                   Worship
                   ,
                   they
                   wholly
                   accorded
                   with
                   his
                   Apprehensions
                   ;
                   But
                   with
                   the
                   Divine
                   Apostle
                   he
                   had
                   learnt
                   to
                   say
                   ;
                   
                     Notwithstanding
                     every
                     way
                     ,
                     〈◊〉
                     in
                     Pretence
                     or
                     in
                     Truth
                     ,
                     Christ
                     is
                     preached
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     〈◊〉
                     do
                     rejoyce
                     ,
                     yea
                     ,
                     and
                     will
                     rejoyce
                     .
                  
                   He
                   knew
                   of
                   how
                   great
                   moment
                   it
                   was
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   publick
                   Worship
                   of
                   God
                   should
                   be
                   maintained
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   its
                   Assemblies
                   should
                   not
                   be
                   〈◊〉
                   ,
                   though
                   some
                   of
                   its
                   Administrations
                   did
                   not
                   clearly
                   approve
                   themselves
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   because
                   upon
                   the
                   account
                   of
                   some
                   Imperfections
                   and
                   Pollutions
                   in
                   them
                   ,
                   supposed
                   or
                   real
                   ,
                   to
                   withdraw
                   Communion
                   ,
                   is
                   evidently
                   to
                   suppose
                   our selves
                   joyned
                   before
                   our
                   time
                   to
                   the
                   Heavenly
                   Assembly
                   ;
                   or
                   to
                   have
                   found
                   such
                   a
                   one
                   here
                   on
                   Earth
                   ,
                   exempt
                   from
                   all
                   〈◊〉
                   and
                   imperfections
                   of
                   Worshippers
                   and
                   Worship
                   .
                   He
                   abandoned
                   not
                   all
                   Forms
                   ,
                   but
                   their
                   formal
                   use
                   ;
                   neither
                   those
                   in
                   particular
                   ,
                   publickly
                   Established
                   ,
                   (
                   through
                   a
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   or
                   partiality
                   ,
                   as
                   may
                   be
                   affirmed
                   of
                   too
                   many
                   )
                   but
                   hath
                   been
                   heard
                   much
                   to
                   commend
                   that
                   Form
                   of
                   Thanksgiving
                   ,
                   both
                   〈◊〉
                   and
                   Antient
                   ,
                   viz.
                   the
                   
                     Te
                     Deum
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   particularly
                   that
                   Sentence
                   in
                   it
                   ,
                   
                     The
                     noble
                     Army
                     of
                     Martyrs
                     praise
                     〈◊〉
                  
                   ;
                   which
                   he
                   was
                   wont
                   to
                   mention
                   with
                   a
                   certain
                   Exaltation
                   .
                   So
                   moderate
                   and
                   calm
                   he
                   was
                   in
                   his
                   Judgment
                   ,
                   that
                   when
                   the
                   two
                   new
                   Forms
                   in
                   the
                   
                     Liturgy
                     ,
                     viz.
                  
                   on
                   the
                   horrid
                   〈◊〉
                   of
                   King
                   Charles
                   the
                   First
                   ,
                   and
                   on
                   the
                   return
                   of
                   King
                   Charles
                   the
                   Second
                   ,
                   were
                   first
                   Printed
                   ,
                   he
                   was
                   so
                   far
                   from
                   Nauseating
                   them
                   ,
                   because
                   Forms
                   ,
                   or
                   because
                   〈◊〉
                   the
                   stamp
                   of
                   Authority
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   had
                   ever
                   resolved
                   to
                   read
                   them
                   ,
                   (
                   though
                   
                   then
                   only
                   ,
                   as
                   I
                   remember
                   ,
                   recommended
                   )
                   had
                   not
                   some
                   occurrences
                   ,
                   which
                   I
                   need
                   not
                   name
                   ,
                   prevailed
                   with
                   him
                   at
                   present
                   to
                   forbear
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Loyalty
                   .
                
                 
                   It
                   appeared
                   that
                   he
                   had
                   a
                   due
                   sense
                   of
                   the
                   grand
                   importance
                   of
                   the
                   Obedience
                   of
                   Subjects
                   to
                   the
                   Supream
                   Magistrate
                   ,
                   by
                   some
                   excellent
                   Sermons
                   which
                   he
                   Preached
                   on
                   that
                   of
                   the
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   Rom.
                   13.
                   ver
                   .
                   1.
                   a
                   little
                   before
                   his
                   Election
                   ;
                   where
                   ,
                   and
                   when
                   his
                   Judgment
                   was
                   so
                   strict
                   ,
                   as
                   unjustly
                   to
                   offend
                   some
                   ,
                   whose
                   weakness
                   and
                   ignorance
                   ,
                   by
                   reason
                   of
                   a
                   long
                   Proscription
                   of
                   the
                   Regal
                   Power
                   ,
                   had
                   made
                   over-scrupulous
                   ,
                   or
                   erroneous
                   .
                   His
                   I
                   oyalty
                   also
                   to
                   his
                   Prince
                   ,
                   he
                   discovered
                   in
                   observing
                   the
                   injunction
                   of
                   the
                   Wise
                   Man
                   ,
                   
                     viz.
                     Not
                     to
                     Curse
                     the
                     King
                     ,
                     no
                     not
                     in
                     his
                     bed-Chamber
                     ,
                     or
                     Retiring-Rooms
                     :
                  
                   for
                   he
                   hath
                   often
                   been
                   seen
                   with
                   indignation
                   to
                   turn
                   from
                   ,
                   and
                   hush
                   into
                   silence
                   ,
                   all
                   Reports
                   or
                   Surmises
                   ,
                   true
                   or
                   false
                   ,
                   which
                   directly
                   or
                   indirectly
                   ,
                   did
                   tend
                   to
                   detract
                   from
                   ,
                   and
                   defame
                   Dignities
                   ,
                   accounting
                   them
                   no
                   cause
                   of
                   withdrawing
                   or
                   lessening
                   our
                   just
                   Honour
                   and
                   Obedience
                   ;
                   but
                   rather
                   of
                   giving
                   our selves
                   the
                   more
                   to
                   Prayer
                   and
                   Humiliation
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Fifthly
                   ,
                   His
                   respect
                   to
                   Second-Table
                   Duties
                   .
                
                 
                   He
                   was
                   not
                   onely
                   a
                   man
                   aspiring
                   to
                   the
                   Heights
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   respecting
                   the
                   due
                   breadth
                   and
                   extent
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   being
                   well-advised
                   ,
                   how
                   much
                   the
                   Vitals
                   and
                   Honour
                   of
                   Religion
                   in
                   the
                   World
                   are
                   conserved
                   by
                   ,
                   and
                   concerned
                   in
                   a
                   conscionable
                   discharge
                   of
                   Second-Table
                   Duties
                   .
                   That
                   he
                   had
                   a
                   deep
                   sense
                   of
                   the
                   great
                   advantage
                   or
                   disadvantage
                   accruing
                   to
                   Religion
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   strict
                   or
                   remiss
                   performance
                   of
                   the
                   Duties
                   of
                   the
                   Second-Table
                   ,
                   and
                   particularly
                   those
                   of
                   the
                   Fifth
                   Commandment
                   ;
                   all
                   bear
                   him
                   witness
                   in
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   upon
                   several
                   Texts
                   for
                   a
                   long
                   time
                   together
                   ,
                   most
                   faithfully
                   instructed
                   his
                   People
                   in
                   Relative-Duties
                   ,
                   (
                   than
                   which
                   ,
                   none
                   indeed
                   are
                   more
                   momentous
                   ,
                   and
                   less
                   observed
                   )
                   and
                   most
                   sharply
                   reproved
                   the
                   Guilty
                   for
                   their
                   failures
                   therein
                   ;
                   on
                   all
                   which
                   Relations
                   ,
                   their
                   Duties
                   ,
                   and
                   Defects
                   ,
                   he
                   particularly
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   much
                   Zeal
                   insisted
                   .
                   Witness
                   also
                   his
                   great
                   grief
                   and
                   indignations
                   ,
                   
                   which
                   he
                   frequently
                   conceived
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   great
                   vehemency
                   expressed
                   in
                   lamenting
                   over
                   ,
                   and
                   reproving
                   some
                   Professors
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   for
                   their
                   wretched
                   neglect
                   and
                   breach
                   of
                   some
                   Second-Table
                   Precepts
                   ;
                   the
                   scandal
                   and
                   dishonour
                   of
                   which
                   to
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Reiigious
                   ,
                   how
                   he
                   resented
                   ,
                   none
                   but
                   God
                   and
                   his
                   own
                   Soul
                   did
                   throughly
                   know
                   .
                   He
                   vehemently
                   detested
                   that
                   impious
                   and
                   hellish
                   design
                   of
                   putting
                   asunder
                   (
                   in
                   this
                   matter
                   )
                   what
                   God
                   hath
                   joyned
                   together
                   ,
                   viz.
                   Those
                   Commands
                   respecting
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   our
                   Neighbour
                   ;
                   both
                   which
                   he
                   hath
                   equally
                   appointed
                   to
                   us
                   ,
                   as
                   Rules
                   of
                   Direction
                   and
                   Judgement
                   .
                   He
                   was
                   neither
                   Legalist
                   nor
                   Solifidian
                   ;
                   neither
                   Ritualist
                   nor
                   Enthusiast
                   ,
                   not
                   so
                   much
                   above
                   in
                   the
                   Mount
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   as
                   not
                   also
                   to
                   come
                   down
                   to
                   his
                   Neighbour
                   ,
                   whom
                   he
                   did
                   accost
                   as
                   Moses
                   ,
                   with
                   both
                   Tables
                   in
                   his
                   Hand
                   ,
                   on
                   which
                   his
                   Life
                   and
                   Doctrine
                   did
                   constantly
                   and
                   excellently
                   comment
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sixthly
                   ,
                   His
                   Labours
                   in
                   the
                   Ministry
                   .
                
                 
                   As
                   Respects
                   ;
                   His
                   great
                   Industry
                   and
                   happy
                   Labours
                   in
                   the
                   Ministry
                   ,
                   together
                   with
                   his
                   great
                   Prudence
                   and
                   Compassion
                   ,
                   in
                   applying
                   himself
                   to
                   the
                   Souls
                   of
                   his
                   Flock
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   their
                   most
                   pressing
                   needs
                   ;
                   none
                   who
                   knew
                   the
                   former
                   ,
                   but
                   must
                   also
                   confess
                   ,
                   and
                   admire
                   at
                   the
                   latter
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     His
                     Prudence
                     in
                     them
                     .
                  
                   
                     His
                     Prudence
                     ;
                     Then
                     in
                     apportioning
                     ,
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     designing
                     ,
                     the
                     most
                     suitable
                     and
                     seasonable
                     instructions
                     to
                     his
                     People
                     ,
                     was
                     most
                     apparent
                     ,
                     in
                     that
                     he
                     was
                     still
                     (
                     after
                     he
                     had
                     finished
                     a
                     foregoing
                     Text
                     or
                     Discourse
                     )
                     even
                     at
                     a
                     loss
                     ,
                     as
                     he
                     hath
                     often
                     expressed
                     himself
                     to
                     some
                     of
                     his
                     Friends
                     ,
                     what
                     Subject
                     most
                     advantagious
                     and
                     seasonable
                     to
                     his
                     Auditory
                     ,
                     he
                     should
                     next
                     insist
                     on
                     ;
                     so
                     far
                     he
                     was
                     from
                     aiming
                     or
                     shooting
                     at
                     Rovers
                     in
                     his
                     Divine
                     Instructions
                     and
                     Exhortations
                     .
                     And
                     so
                     loth
                     he
                     was
                     to
                     labour
                     in
                     vain
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     pass
                     from
                     one
                     Discourse
                     to
                     another
                     ,
                     as
                     one
                     unconcerned
                     whether
                     he
                     had
                     sown
                     any
                     good
                     Seeds
                     or
                     no
                     on
                     the
                     Hearts
                     of
                     his
                     Hearers
                     ;
                     that
                     in
                     the
                     close
                     of
                     his
                     Applicatory
                     part
                     on
                     any
                     Text
                     ,
                     (
                     which
                     sometimes
                     he
                     handled
                     for
                     a
                     considerable
                     
                     while
                     )
                     he
                     ever
                     expressed
                     his
                     great
                     unwillingness
                     to
                     leave
                     that
                     Subject
                     ,
                     till
                     he
                     could
                     have
                     some
                     assurance
                     ,
                     that
                     he
                     had
                     not
                     fought
                     in
                     that
                     Spiritual
                     Warfare
                     against
                     Sin
                     ,
                     as
                     one
                     who
                     beateth
                     the
                     Air
                     ;
                     when
                     also
                     he
                     expressed
                     his
                     great
                     fear
                     ,
                     lest
                     he
                     should
                     ,
                     after
                     all
                     his
                     most
                     importunate
                     Warnings
                     ,
                     leave
                     them
                     as
                     he
                     found
                     them
                     .
                     And
                     here
                     with
                     how
                     much
                     Holy-Taking
                     Rhetorick
                     ,
                     did
                     he
                     frequently
                     expostulate
                     the
                     Case
                     with
                     Impenitent
                     Sinners
                     ,
                     in
                     words
                     too
                     many
                     to
                     mention
                     ,
                     and
                     yet
                     too
                     weighty
                     to
                     be
                     forgotten
                     ;
                     vehemently
                     urging
                     them
                     to
                     come
                     to
                     some
                     good
                     resolve
                     before
                     he
                     and
                     they
                     parted
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     make
                     their
                     choice
                     either
                     of
                     Life
                     or
                     Death
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     2.
                     
                     His
                     Compassion
                     on
                     Souls
                     .
                  
                   
                     His
                     Compassion
                     also
                     towards
                     all
                     committed
                     to
                     his
                     charge
                     was
                     most
                     manifest
                     ,
                     especially
                     towards
                     the
                     Ignorant
                     ;
                     those
                     that
                     were
                     out
                     of
                     the
                     way
                     ,
                     and
                     those
                     that
                     did
                     move
                     heavily
                     on
                     in
                     the
                     way
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   On
                   the
                   Ignorant
                   ,
                   in
                   instructing
                   and
                   catechizing
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     To
                     the
                     Ignorant
                  
                   .
                   And
                   here
                   knowing
                   that
                   
                     without
                     knowledge
                     the
                     Heart
                     is
                     not
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   cannot
                   be
                   good
                   ;
                   and
                   considering
                   also
                   how
                   too
                   successfully
                   the
                   evil
                   one
                   ,
                   by
                   sowing
                   evil
                   Seeds
                   betimes
                   in
                   the
                   hearts
                   of
                   Youth
                   ,
                   doth
                   ever
                   after
                   forestal
                   and
                   defeat
                   the
                   most
                   laborious
                   endeavours
                   for
                   their
                   recovery
                   and
                   salvation
                   :
                   Thus
                   knowing
                   and
                   considering
                   ,
                   he
                   was
                   in
                   nothing
                   more
                   industrious
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   nothing
                   more
                   happy
                   and
                   successful
                   in
                   exerting
                   his
                   industry
                   ,
                   than
                   in
                   an
                   early
                   sowing
                   those
                   Blessed
                   Seeds
                   of
                   Divine
                   Knowledge
                   in
                   the
                   Hearts
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   Youth
                   that
                   he
                   could
                   reach
                   in
                   person
                   or
                   otherwise
                   ;
                   by
                   which
                   they
                   were
                   exceedingly
                   formed
                   to
                   receive
                   all
                   good
                   Impressions
                   .
                   During
                   the
                   time
                   of
                   his
                   publick
                   Ministry
                   on
                   every
                   Lords-day
                   in
                   the
                   Afternoon
                   he
                   constantly
                   catechised
                   ,
                   before
                   a
                   great
                   Congregation
                   ,
                   the
                   Youth
                   of
                   each
                   Sex
                   by
                   turns
                   ,
                   amongst
                   whom
                   were
                   several
                   both
                   young
                   Men
                   and
                   Women
                   ,
                   sometimes
                   five
                   or
                   six
                   of
                   the
                   chief
                   Scholars
                   of
                   the
                   Free-School
                   ,
                   sometimes
                   five
                   or
                   six
                   of
                   the
                   Apprentices
                   of
                   the
                   Town
                   ,
                   some
                   of
                   whom
                   ,
                   though
                   of
                   mans
                   estate
                   ,
                   who
                   accounted
                   it
                   not
                   a
                   disgrace
                   to
                   learn
                   (
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   guise
                   of
                   this
                   mad
                   
                   World
                   )
                   but
                   to
                   be
                   ignorant
                   .
                   Sometimes
                   ,
                   of
                   the
                   other
                   Sex
                   ,
                   five
                   or
                   six
                   young
                   Gentlewomen
                   ,
                   who
                   were
                   under
                   his
                   Wifes
                   Tuition
                   ,
                   (
                   and
                   so
                   his
                   Domestick
                   over-sight
                   )
                   kept
                   their
                   turns
                   ,
                   of
                   whom
                   she
                   had
                   not
                   a
                   few
                   ,
                   and
                   those
                   the
                   Daughters
                   of
                   Gentlemen
                   of
                   good
                   rank
                   far
                   and
                   near
                   ,
                   whose
                   laudable
                   emulation
                   ,
                   and
                   love
                   to
                   their
                   Father
                   (
                   as
                   they
                   styled
                   him
                   )
                   and
                   to
                   the
                   Work
                   ,
                   was
                   the
                   cause
                   why
                   they
                   were
                   not
                   so
                   over-bashful
                   as
                   to
                   decline
                   so
                   advantagious
                   a
                   course
                   ;
                   by
                   which
                   ,
                   together
                   with
                   domestick
                   Instructions
                   and
                   Example
                   ,
                   even
                   all
                   received
                   a
                   tincture
                   of
                   Piety
                   and
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   many
                   a
                   through
                   Impression
                   :
                   Besides
                   these
                   several
                   Virgins
                   also
                   ,
                   and
                   among
                   these
                   the
                   Daughters
                   of
                   some
                   of
                   the
                   chief
                   Magistrates
                   in
                   the
                   Town
                   did
                   keep
                   their
                   turns
                   .
                   In
                   this
                   his
                   course
                   he
                   drew
                   out
                   on
                   the
                   short
                   Answers
                   in
                   the
                   
                     Assemblies
                     Catechism
                  
                   ,
                   an
                   excellent
                   Discourse
                   on
                   all
                   the
                   Points
                   of
                   the
                   Christian
                   Theology
                   ,
                   which
                   he
                   handled
                   successfully
                   ,
                   reducing
                   his
                   Discourse
                   to
                   several
                   Heads
                   ,
                   which
                   he
                   also
                   proved
                   by
                   pertinent
                   Places
                   of
                   Scripture
                   ;
                   which
                   done
                   ,
                   he
                   gave
                   both
                   the
                   Heads
                   and
                   Proofs
                   written
                   at
                   length
                   ,
                   on
                   a
                   Week
                   day
                   ,
                   to
                   those
                   whom
                   he
                   designed
                   to
                   Catechize
                   on
                   the
                   ensuing
                   Lords-day
                   ,
                   which
                   ,
                   besides
                   the
                   short
                   Answers
                   in
                   the
                   Catechism
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   annexed
                   Proofs
                   they
                   committed
                   to
                   memory
                   ,
                   and
                   rendred
                   on
                   the
                   After-noon
                   of
                   the
                   day
                   aforesaid
                   .
                   Throughout
                   all
                   which
                   course
                   he
                   approved
                   himself
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   most
                   substantial
                   Divine
                   .
                
                 
                   Neither
                   did
                   his
                   Catechistical
                   Labours
                   rest
                   here
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   on
                   Thursdayes
                   in
                   the
                   Afternoon
                   (
                   as
                   I
                   remember
                   )
                   he
                   Catechised
                   in
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                   Street
                   by
                   Street
                   ,
                   whole
                   Families
                   ,
                   excepting
                   the
                   Married
                   or
                   more
                   Aged
                   ,
                   in
                   order
                   :
                   Which
                   Exercise
                   (
                   I
                   suppose
                   )
                   he
                   designed
                   as
                   preparatory
                   to
                   his
                   Lord's-Dayes
                   Work.
                   Besides
                   this
                   ,
                   on
                   Saturdayes
                   in
                   the
                   Morning
                   ,
                   he
                   Catechised
                   the
                   Free-School
                   of
                   that
                   place
                   ,
                   instructing
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   Points
                   of
                   Christian
                   Doctrine
                   ,
                   and
                   excellently
                   explaining
                   the
                   Answers
                   in
                   the
                   
                     Assemblies
                     Catechism
                  
                   ,
                   discovering
                   a
                   Mine
                   of
                   Knowledge
                   in
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   himself
                   .
                   How
                   excellent
                   was
                   his
                   design
                   ,
                   and
                   great
                   his
                   Labour
                   ,
                   besides
                   all
                   this
                   ,
                   in
                   going
                   from
                   House
                   to
                   House
                   ,
                   and
                   instructing
                   both
                   Old
                   &
                   Young
                   ,
                   is
                   elsewhere
                   abundantly
                   declared
                   .
                   Neither
                   was
                   this
                   his
                   Labour
                   in
                   vain
                   ,
                   but
                   became
                   even
                   as
                   successful
                   as
                   laborious
                   ;
                   for
                   there
                   are
                   few
                   but
                   have
                   gratefully
                   acknowledged
                   that
                   by
                   this
                   means
                   they
                   were
                   either
                   led
                   into
                   the
                   Knowledge
                   ,
                   or
                   induced
                   
                   to
                   the
                   belief
                   ,
                   choice
                   and
                   practice
                   of
                   that
                   which
                   was
                   and
                   is
                   of
                   Soveraign
                   advantage
                   to
                   them
                   to
                   this
                   day
                   .
                   And
                   how
                   happy
                   and
                   likely
                   a
                   course
                   he
                   took
                   herein
                   to
                   advance
                   Religion
                   in
                   the
                   Nation
                   ,
                   on
                   the
                   hearts
                   and
                   lives
                   of
                   men
                   ;
                   and
                   how
                   far
                   less
                   successful
                   and
                   probable
                   all
                   other
                   means
                   are
                   ,
                   aiming
                   at
                   this
                   end
                   ,
                   without
                   this
                   initial
                   Work
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   left
                   to
                   all
                   pious
                   and
                   considering
                   men
                   to
                   judge
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   2.
                   
                   On
                   those
                   that
                   Err
                   ,
                   by
                   reproving
                   and
                   reducing
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                   He
                   had
                   not
                   onely
                   compassion
                   over
                   the
                   Ignorant
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   over
                   those
                   who
                   
                     were
                     out
                     of
                     the
                     way
                  
                   ;
                   witness
                   his
                   faithful
                   and
                   effectual
                   discharge
                   of
                   that
                   great
                   duty
                   of
                   giving
                   seasonable
                   reproofs
                   ,
                   of
                   which
                   his
                   great
                   faithfulness
                   there
                   is
                   abundant
                   mention
                   else-where
                   .
                   And
                   by
                   so
                   much
                   the
                   more
                   did
                   his
                   excellent
                   discharge
                   hereof
                   speak
                   forth
                   his
                   high
                   praise
                   ,
                   by
                   how
                   much
                   the
                   more
                   difficult
                   he
                   ever
                   apprehended
                   it
                   aright
                   to
                   apply
                   it
                   .
                   He
                   hath
                   been
                   heard
                   often
                   to
                   say
                   ,
                   
                     That
                     it
                     was
                     far
                     more
                     difficult
                     to
                     him
                     to
                     give
                     ,
                     than
                     to
                     take
                     a
                     Reproof
                     ,
                     considering
                     how
                     great
                     Wisdom
                     ,
                     Courage
                     ,
                     Compassion
                     ,
                     Self-denyal
                     ,
                  
                   &c.
                   
                     is
                     required
                     in
                     order
                     to
                     its
                     right
                     discharge
                     .
                  
                   And
                   though
                   he
                   was
                   so
                   rarely
                   Passive
                   ,
                   and
                   often
                   Active
                   in
                   this
                   Work
                   ,
                   yet
                   the
                   frequency
                   of
                   his
                   giving
                   a
                   Reproof
                   ,
                   never
                   made
                   it
                   so
                   easie
                   as
                   to
                   be
                   less
                   difficut
                   than
                   to
                   receive
                   it
                   .
                   Lut
                   ever
                   his
                   Work
                   was
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   not
                   only
                   an
                   Act
                   of
                   the
                   greatest
                   Self-denyal
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   the
                   result
                   of
                   a
                   strong
                   conflict
                   within
                   ,
                   〈◊〉
                   his
                   Indignation
                   at
                   the
                   Sin
                   ,
                   and
                   Compassion
                   on
                   the
                   Sinner
                   .
                   And
                   yet
                   the
                   consideration
                   of
                   the
                   difficulty
                   was
                   not
                   to
                   him
                   an
                   Argument
                   to
                   forbear
                   ,
                   but
                   rather
                   a
                   stronger
                   Motive
                   to
                   undertake
                   it
                   ;
                   who
                   ever
                   delighted
                   to
                   converse
                   in
                   ,
                   and
                   conquer
                   the
                   difficulties
                   of
                   Christianity
                   ,
                   both
                   in
                   doing
                   and
                   suffering
                   .
                   Small
                   difficulties
                   here
                   were
                   not
                   his
                   match
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   were
                   no
                   noble
                   Atchievements
                   in
                   Religion
                   ,
                   to
                   which
                   he
                   attained
                   not
                   ,
                   or
                   vigorously
                   aspired
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   truly
                   Heroick
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 
                   As
                   it
                   is
                   said
                   of
                   Themistocles
                   ,
                   that
                   famous
                   Athenian
                   Captain
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Acts
                   of
                   Miltiades
                   broke
                   his
                   sleep
                   ;
                   so
                   as
                   truly
                   may
                   it
                   be
                   said
                   of
                   this
                   Blessed
                   Saint
                   ,
                   That
                   the
                   Acts
                   and
                   
                   Monuments
                   of
                   the
                   Famous
                   Worthies
                   ,
                   mentioned
                   in
                   the
                   Hebrews
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   those
                   of
                   the
                   same
                   Atchievements
                   with
                   them
                   ,
                   in
                   all
                   Ages
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   even
                   broke
                   his
                   sleep
                   ,
                   by
                   impregnating
                   his
                   Soul
                   with
                   high
                   designs
                   of
                   aspiring
                   after
                   their
                   perfections
                   .
                   Oft
                   therefore
                   he
                   hath
                   been
                   heard
                   to
                   excite
                   Christians
                   so
                   long
                   to
                   move
                   in
                   the
                   Sphear
                   of
                   difficulties
                   ,
                   till
                   the
                   sweet
                   severities
                   of
                   Christianity
                   (
                   as
                   he
                   often
                   called
                   them
                   )
                   were
                   subdued
                   ,
                   and
                   even
                   made
                   familiar
                   ;
                   encouraging
                   them
                   with
                   this
                   consideration
                   ,
                   That
                   then
                   they
                   would
                   highly
                   approve
                   their
                   Divine
                   Love
                   and
                   Sincerity
                   ,
                   and
                   conceive
                   a
                   pleasure
                   in
                   those
                   difficult
                   Acts
                   ,
                   which
                   would
                   equal
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   exceed
                   the
                   pleasure
                   of
                   their
                   natural
                   Actions
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   3.
                   
                   On
                   the
                   Doubting
                   ,
                   by
                   Resolving
                   and
                   Releasing
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                   Neither
                   had
                   he
                   onely
                   compassion
                   on
                   those
                   that
                   were
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   way
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   
                     on
                     those
                     who
                     moved
                     heavtly
                     on
                     in
                     the
                     way
                     .
                  
                   How
                   he
                   hath
                   often
                   raised
                   and
                   rectifyed
                   desponding
                   Christians
                   ,
                   those
                   who
                   are
                   too
                   prone
                   to
                   account
                   doubting
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   their
                   Sin
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   their
                   Duty
                   and
                   Vertue
                   .
                   At
                   once
                   he
                   hath
                   often
                   〈◊〉
                   them
                   from
                   the
                   straitness
                   of
                   their
                   needless
                   fears
                   and
                   disquiets
                   ,
                   and
                   undeceived
                   them
                   by
                   discovering
                   the
                   latent
                   unbelief
                   that
                   did
                   lie
                   lurking
                   in
                   such
                   despondings
                   ,
                   assuring
                   them
                   in
                   these
                   words
                   ,
                   
                     That
                     under
                     a
                     sly
                     pretence
                     of
                     Humility
                     ,
                     they
                     did
                     call
                     in
                     question
                     God's
                     Veracity
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 
                   Seventhly
                   ,
                   His
                   singular
                   Piety
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     As
                     respects
                     his
                     singular
                     Piety
                  
                   ,
                   all
                   who
                   knew
                   him
                   can
                   say
                   much
                   ,
                   and
                   yet
                   all
                   but
                   little
                   ,
                   considering
                   how
                   much
                   more
                   〈◊〉
                   escaped
                   the
                   most
                   tenacious
                   memory
                   ,
                   observant
                   eye
                   ,
                   and
                   attentive
                   ear
                   .
                   Yet
                   he
                   must
                   be
                   wretchedly
                   inobservant
                   ,
                   who
                   amidst
                   so
                   many
                   and
                   great
                   instances
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   can
                   make
                   no
                   reflections
                   .
                
                 
                   How
                   much
                   he
                   conceived
                   it
                   as
                   his
                   own
                   ,
                   and
                   others
                   greatest
                   Interest
                   ,
                   Ornament
                   ,
                   and
                   Felicity
                   herein
                   to
                   excel
                   ,
                   will
                   be
                   manifest
                   by
                   his
                   〈◊〉
                   which
                   he
                   gave
                   to
                   a
                   young
                   Scholar
                   ready
                   to
                   depart
                   to
                   the
                   University
                   ,
                   in
                   words
                   to
                   this
                   purpose
                   :
                   
                     I
                     know
                  
                   ,
                   saith
                   he
                   ,
                   
                     that
                     you
                     will
                     labour
                     to
                     excel
                     in
                     Learning
                     ,
                     but
                     be
                     sure
                     to
                     excel
                     as
                     in
                     that
                     ,
                     so
                     also
                     and
                     especially
                     in
                     Holiness
                     ,
                     which
                     〈◊〉
                     render
                     you
                     one
                     of
                     the
                     most
                     useful
                     and
                     〈◊〉
                  
                   
                   
                     Creatures
                     in
                     the
                     World.
                     Learning
                     will
                     render
                     you
                     perchance
                     aeceptable
                     to
                     men
                     ,
                     but
                     piety
                     both
                     to
                     God
                     and
                     Men
                     :
                     by
                     that
                     you
                     will
                     shine
                     only
                     on
                     Earth
                     to
                     the
                     Clods
                     thereof
                     ,
                     and
                     perhaps
                     in
                     some
                     obscure
                     corner
                     of
                     it
                     ;
                     but
                     this
                     is
                     an
                     Orient
                     Pearl
                     ,
                     which
                     will
                     shine
                     in
                     you
                     on
                     Earth
                     and
                     in
                     Heaven
                     ,
                     both
                     to
                     God
                     ,
                     Angels
                     ,
                     and
                     Men.
                  
                   How
                   much
                   he
                   dwelt
                   on
                   this
                   Exhortation
                   ,
                   and
                   these
                   Apprehensions
                   ,
                   will
                   be
                   evident
                   by
                   a
                   Pious
                   Letter
                   which
                   he
                   sent
                   to
                   the
                   Person
                   forenamed
                   ,
                   some
                   years
                   after
                   ,
                   wherein
                   his
                   words
                   are
                   these
                   :
                   "
                   O
                   study
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   study
                   your self
                   closly
                   ,
                   and
                   pursue
                   Holiness
                   more
                   than
                   Learning
                   ,
                   though
                   both
                   these
                   together
                   make
                   a
                   happy
                   Constellation
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   like
                   Castor
                   and
                   Pollux
                   ;
                   which
                   when
                   they
                   appear
                   together
                   ,
                   do
                   ever
                   presage
                   good
                   to
                   the
                   Mariners
                   .
                   And
                   that
                   it
                   might
                   appear
                   that
                   he
                   did
                   not
                   onely
                   commend
                   Holiness
                   in
                   the
                   general
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   in
                   the
                   particular
                   and
                   chief
                   Instances
                   of
                   a
                   Holy
                   Life
                   :
                   He
                   excellently
                   proceeds
                   in
                   the
                   same
                   Letter
                   ,
                   saying
                   ,
                   ``
                   I
                   much
                   commend
                   unto
                   you
                   those
                   four
                   beautifying
                   Lessons
                   ,
                   so
                   shortly
                   comprehended
                   in
                   this
                   Distich
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                     
                       Spernere
                       mundum
                       ,
                       spernere
                       nullum
                       ,
                       spernere
                       sese
                       ,
                    
                     
                       Spernere
                       se
                       sperni
                       ,
                       quatuor
                       ista
                       beant
                       .
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Contempt
                   of
                   the
                   World.
                   
                
                 
                   
                     Happy
                     is
                     the
                     man
                     that
                     can
                     but
                     learn
                     this
                     .
                     When
                     once
                     a
                     man
                     is
                     arrived
                     hereto
                     ,
                     he
                     is
                     above
                     the
                     Worlds
                     reach
                     ,
                     and
                     hath
                     attained
                     to
                     the
                     true
                     Heroick
                     mind
                     ,
                     so
                     as
                     that
                     no
                     external
                     commotions
                     will
                     be
                     able
                     to
                     disturb
                     his
                     Tranquility
                     ;
                     neither
                     will
                     the
                     Comforts
                     or
                     Crosses
                     here
                     below
                     ,
                     make
                     any
                     great
                     accession
                     to
                     ,
                     or
                     diminution
                     from
                     the
                     serenity
                     of
                     his
                     Spirit
                     .
                  
                   And
                   indeed
                   ,
                   no
                   thing
                   was
                   more
                   conspicuous
                   in
                   this
                   Blessed
                   Saint
                   ,
                   than
                   that
                   generous
                   contempt
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   that
                   true
                   loftiness
                   ,
                   and
                   yet
                   profound
                   humility
                   of
                   Spirit
                   (
                   of
                   which
                   the
                   Lessons
                   aforementioned
                   ,
                   are
                   but
                   as
                   so
                   many
                   instances
                   )
                   which
                   he
                   recommended
                   unto
                   others
                   .
                   He
                   was
                   much
                   a
                   stranger
                   on
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                   like
                   the
                   Kingly
                   Prophet
                   ;
                   not
                   because
                   with
                   old
                   Barzillai
                   he
                   could
                   not
                   ,
                   but
                   would
                   not
                   tast
                   or
                   comply
                   with
                   its
                   Pleasures
                   and
                   Delights
                   ;
                   but
                   he
                   was
                   chiefly
                   induced
                   by
                   a
                   forced
                   exilement
                   from
                   his
                   desired
                   and
                   delectable
                   Habitation
                   ,
                   to
                   think
                   on
                   his
                   state
                   of
                   Banishment
                   from
                   his
                   Heavenly
                   Country
                   whilst
                   
                   here
                   militant
                   upon
                   Earth
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   solace
                   his
                   Thoughts
                   under
                   so
                   great
                   a
                   grievance
                   ,
                   by
                   such
                   Divine
                   Considerations
                   as
                   those
                   ,
                   which
                   he
                   mentions
                   in
                   the
                   following
                   words
                   of
                   his
                   forenamed
                   Letter
                   .
                   
                     It
                     was
                  
                   (
                   saith
                   he
                   )
                   
                     the
                     Divine
                     Argument
                     that
                  
                   Epictetus
                   
                     used
                     for
                     comfort
                     in
                     banishment
                     .
                     Ubique
                     〈◊〉
                     sunt
                     colloquia
                     cum
                     Deo.
                     I
                     met
                     lately
                     mith
                     a
                     passage
                     out
                     of
                     one
                     of
                     the
                     Fathers
                     ,
                     which
                     I
                     which
                     engraved
                     upon
                     my
                     heart
                     .
                  
                   Cui
                   Patria
                   solum
                   placet
                   ,
                   nimis
                   dilicatus
                   est
                   ;
                   Cui
                   omnis
                   Terra
                   Patria
                   ,
                   is
                   fortis
                   est
                   ;
                   Cui
                   omnis
                   Terra
                   exilium
                   is
                   Sanctus
                   est
                   .
                   
                     That
                     's
                     worthy
                     of
                     a
                     Saint
                     indeed
                     to
                     account
                     himself
                     alwayes
                     in
                     the
                     state
                     of
                     Banishment
                     ,
                     whilst
                     in
                     the
                     state
                     of
                     Mortality
                     ,
                     like
                     the
                     Worthies
                     that
                     sojourned
                     even
                     in
                     the
                     Land
                     of
                     Promise
                     ,
                     as
                     in
                     a
                     strange
                     Countrey
                     .
                     Sueh
                     a
                     sojourner
                     I
                     wish
                     both
                     my self
                     and
                     you
                     ,
                     and
                     may
                     the
                     moveableness
                     of
                     our
                     present
                     State
                     fix
                     our
                     desires
                     upon
                     that
                     Kingdom
                     which
                     shall
                     never
                     be
                     shaken
                     .
                  
                   So
                   far
                   he
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Universal
                   and
                   Uniform
                   Obedience
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   to
                   proceed
                   ;
                   He
                   declared
                   that
                   his
                   Piety
                   was
                   〈◊〉
                   and
                   Excellent
                   by
                   its
                   universal
                   regard
                   and
                   extent
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   all
                   GOD's
                   Commands
                   ,
                   so
                   to
                   all
                   Man's
                   Converses
                   and
                   Employments
                   ,
                   witness
                   his
                   earnest
                   and
                   frequent
                   Exhortations
                   ,
                   whereby
                   he
                   did
                   daily
                   call
                   upon
                   his
                   People
                   to
                   a
                   constant
                   uniform
                   care
                   over
                   their
                   Hearts
                   and
                   Wayes
                   .
                   Nothing
                   did
                   he
                   more
                   passionately
                   dehort
                   them
                   from
                   ,
                   than
                   from
                   that
                   undoing
                   fraud
                   unto
                   their
                   Souls
                   ,
                   viz.
                   Confining
                   their
                   Religion
                   to
                   their
                   Closets
                   ,
                   upon
                   the
                   supposal
                   that
                   in
                   so
                   doing
                   they
                   had
                   there
                   put
                   in
                   sufficient
                   security
                   for
                   their
                   after
                   conversation
                   ,
                   and
                   had
                   bid
                   fair
                   for
                   the
                   Divine
                   favour
                   ,
                   as
                   if
                   Religion
                   had
                   taught
                   Men
                   only
                   to
                   kneel
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   how
                   to
                   work
                   ;
                   and
                   walk
                   ,
                   as
                   if
                   it
                   were
                   solitary
                   or
                   deformed
                   ,
                   loving
                   onely
                   to
                   move
                   in
                   the
                   private
                   Path
                   ,
                   and
                   narrow
                   circle
                   of
                   our
                   Morning
                   or
                   Evening
                   Devotions
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   ever
                   before
                   and
                   after
                   to
                   appear
                   least
                   in
                   sight
                   ,
                   or
                   as
                   if
                   it
                   were
                   a
                   fury
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   to
                   be
                   limited
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   to
                   be
                   entrusted
                   with
                   the
                   universal
                   conduct
                   of
                   our
                   Lives
                   and
                   Actions
                   .
                   For
                   many
                   there
                   are
                   who
                   think
                   fit
                   rather
                   to
                   make
                   Religion
                   then
                   Vassal
                   ,
                   than
                   undivided
                   Companion
                   ;
                   to
                   command
                   it
                   ,
                   rather
                   than
                   it
                   should
                   command
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   they
                   make
                   it
                   to
                   keep
                   its
                   Times
                   and
                   Places
                   ,
                   its
                   Postures
                   and
                   due
                   Distance
                   ,
                   
                   and
                   think
                   not
                   good
                   that
                   it
                   retain
                   to
                   their
                   Company
                   ,
                   or
                   appear
                   in
                   their
                   Words
                   or
                   Actions
                   ,
                   unless
                   when
                   it
                   may
                   serve
                   the
                   Uses
                   of
                   a
                   cloak
                   and
                   cover
                   of
                   Hypocrisie
                   and
                   Iniquity
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   care
                   of
                   his
                   Thoughts
                   and
                   Ends
                   ,
                   especially
                   Morning
                   and
                   Evening
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   enough
                   of
                   this
                   digression
                   .
                   These
                   his
                   fore-mentioned
                   momentous
                   Exhortations
                   ,
                   attended
                   with
                   most
                   excellent
                   Motives
                   ,
                   designed
                   chiefly
                   to
                   direct
                   them
                   how
                   well
                   to
                   begin
                   ,
                   and
                   end
                   the
                   day
                   in
                   the
                   fear
                   ,
                   and
                   as
                   in
                   the
                   presence
                   of
                   GOD
                   ,
                   by
                   hallowing
                   their
                   Thoughts
                   ,
                   and
                   (
                   as
                   his
                   Words
                   were
                   )
                   setting
                   their
                   ends
                   aright
                   in
                   the
                   morning
                   ,
                   (
                   then
                   making
                   their
                   resolves
                   ,
                   and
                   piously
                   fore-casting
                   the
                   Work
                   of
                   the
                   day
                   following
                   )
                   and
                   by
                   an
                   impartial
                   survey
                   and
                   examination
                   in
                   the
                   evening
                   of
                   their
                   Compliance
                   or
                   Non-compliance
                   with
                   their
                   foregoing
                   Prescriptions
                   unto
                   themselves
                   ;
                   whether
                   they
                   obtained
                   their
                   designs
                   and
                   ends
                   ,
                   and
                   how
                   they
                   acquitted
                   themselves
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   foregoing
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   delight
                   in
                   Self-examination
                   .
                
                 
                   Thus
                   by
                   pointing
                   at
                   the
                   two
                   extreams
                   in
                   each
                   day
                   ,
                   he
                   happily
                   secured
                   the
                   middle
                   .
                   He
                   tacitely
                   convinced
                   them
                   by
                   his
                   own
                   example
                   and
                   great
                   growth
                   in
                   Piety
                   hereby
                   ,
                   and
                   expresly
                   by
                   many
                   other
                   eminent
                   instances
                   ,
                   how
                   advantagious
                   a
                   course
                   he
                   had
                   recommended
                   to
                   them
                   .
                   To
                   this
                   end
                   he
                   much
                   applauded
                   those
                   two
                   no
                   less
                   excellent
                   than
                   common
                   Books
                   ,
                   the
                   
                     Practice
                     of
                     Piety
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     Scudders
                     daily
                     Walk
                  
                   .
                   By
                   this
                   course
                   he
                   had
                   taught
                   himself
                   and
                   others
                   ,
                   as
                   by
                   constant
                   ,
                   though
                   small
                   gains
                   ,
                   to
                   arrive
                   to
                   great
                   acquests
                   in
                   Christianity
                   ,
                   by
                   constant
                   and
                   short
                   accounts
                   ,
                   the
                   more
                   accurately
                   to
                   know
                   the
                   state
                   of
                   their
                   Souls
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   more
                   easily
                   to
                   discern
                   their
                   Progress
                   or
                   Declinings
                   ;
                   so
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   more
                   to
                   rejoyce
                   in
                   and
                   promote
                   the
                   one
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   sooner
                   to
                   put
                   limits
                   to
                   and
                   redress
                   the
                   other
                   .
                   Also
                   he
                   much
                   inculcated
                   on
                   each
                   Christian
                   ,
                   that
                   important
                   duty
                   of
                   fore-appointing
                   and
                   fixing
                   his
                   ends
                   ,
                   not
                   onely
                   in
                   the
                   general
                   ,
                   but
                   as
                   much
                   as
                   might
                   be
                   particularly
                   and
                   explicitely
                   before
                   each
                   action
                   of
                   the
                   day
                   ,
                   but
                   especially
                   each
                   solemn
                   Action
                   ,
                   revolving
                   and
                   conceiving
                   such
                   a
                   Thought
                   and
                   Resolve
                   as
                   this
                   in
                   his
                   Mind
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   His
                   frequent
                   and
                   generous
                   Designs
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   ,
                   or
                   this
                   will
                   I
                   do
                   for
                   GOD
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                   By
                   which
                   heedful
                   course
                   ,
                   he
                   assured
                   the
                   Observer
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   would
                   hallow
                   all
                   his
                   Actions
                   ,
                   and
                   reap
                   this
                   treble
                   advantage
                   (
                   to
                   say
                   no
                   more
                   )
                   both
                   of
                   espousing
                   the
                   Divine
                   Direction
                   and
                   Blessing
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   obtaining
                   a
                   surer
                   Testimony
                   of
                   his
                   sincerity
                   ,
                   and
                   also
                   a
                   stronger
                   motive
                   to
                   Diligence
                   ,
                   and
                   an
                   awful
                   circumspectness
                   in
                   the
                   right
                   discharge
                   of
                   what
                   he
                   undertook
                   .
                   In
                   complyance
                   with
                   this
                   his
                   excellent
                   Exhortation
                   unto
                   others
                   ,
                   he
                   knew
                   not
                   a
                   day
                   wherein
                   he
                   arose
                   without
                   some
                   Heavenly
                   design
                   of
                   promoting
                   GOD's
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   good
                   of
                   Souls
                   ,
                   accounting
                   it
                   a
                   shame
                   that
                   the
                   Covetous
                   should
                   arise
                   with
                   such
                   anxious
                   projects
                   of
                   compassing
                   his
                   desired
                   Wealth
                   ,
                   the
                   Ambitious
                   his
                   aiery
                   Honours
                   and
                   Grandeur
                   ,
                   the
                   Voluptuous
                   his
                   vain
                   Pleasures
                   ;
                   and
                   that
                   the
                   Religious
                   ,
                   who
                   have
                   so
                   glorious
                   a
                   Prize
                   and
                   Trophies
                   before
                   their
                   eyes
                   ,
                   should
                   be
                   Men
                   of
                   no
                   Projects
                   or
                   Designs
                   .
                   If
                   of
                   any
                   ,
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   affirmed
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                   that
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   frequent
                   and
                   vehement
                   Exhortation
                   thereunto
                   ,
                   he
                   made
                   Religion
                   his
                   business
                   .
                   Which
                   worthy
                   advice
                   in
                   the
                   same
                   words
                   ,
                   he
                   did
                   so
                   often
                   inculcate
                   ,
                   that
                   a
                   Gentleman
                   meeting
                   a
                   plain
                   honest
                   Countrey
                   Man
                   ,
                   and
                   discoursing
                   of
                   Mr.
                   Allein
                   ,
                   cavil'd
                   at
                   this
                   passage
                   which
                   he
                   had
                   often
                   heard
                   from
                   him
                   ,
                   as
                   appearing
                   unto
                   him
                   absur'd
                   and
                   unintelligible
                   ,
                   not
                   knowing
                   how
                   any
                   thing
                   (
                   as
                   he
                   said
                   )
                   could
                   be
                   called
                   a
                   Man's
                   business
                   ,
                   unless
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   secular
                   ;
                   so
                   foolishly
                   ignorant
                   of
                   the
                   just
                   Interest
                   and
                   Power
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   is
                   an
                   unhallowed
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   apt
                   to
                   quarrel
                   with
                   that
                   wholesome
                   advice
                   ,
                   and
                   loth
                   to
                   be
                   in
                   earnest
                   in
                   any
                   thing
                   ,
                   unless
                   in
                   the
                   pursuit
                   of
                   Vanity
                   or
                   Vice.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Delight
                   in
                   Meditation
                   .
                
                 
                   Neither
                   did
                   onely
                   the
                   frequent
                   and
                   faithful
                   performance
                   of
                   the
                   two
                   great
                   difficulties
                   of
                   Christianity
                   ,
                   viz.
                   Reproof
                   ,
                   and
                   Self-Examination
                   ,
                   (
                   consisting
                   of
                   so
                   many
                   complicated
                   Self-denyals
                   )
                   proclaim
                   and
                   improve
                   his
                   great
                   Piety
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   his
                   so
                   great
                   acquaintance
                   with
                   the
                   delightsome
                   Work
                   of
                   Heavenly
                   Meditation
                   .
                   A
                   Specimen
                   of
                   his
                   profitable
                   managery
                   
                   of
                   this
                   Work
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   great
                   Heights
                   herein
                   he
                   often
                   gave
                   in
                   some
                   of
                   his
                   most
                   excellent
                   devotional
                   and
                   contemplative
                   Discourses
                   ,
                   both
                   dropt
                   from
                   his
                   Mouth
                   ,
                   and
                   committed
                   to
                   Writing
                   .
                   And
                   as
                   was
                   his
                   delight
                   ,
                   so
                   were
                   his
                   Converses
                   with
                   those
                   Authors
                   who
                   did
                   encrease
                   his
                   contemplative
                   Pleasure
                   ;
                   but
                   particularly
                   he
                   delighted
                   in
                   Mr.
                   Baxters
                   Platform
                   of
                   Meditation
                   on
                   the
                   Heavenly
                   Felicity
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   close
                   of
                   his
                   
                     Saints
                     Everlasting
                     Rest
                  
                   ;
                   great
                   part
                   whereof
                   he
                   so
                   digested
                   ,
                   as
                   often
                   to
                   cite
                   it
                   with
                   great
                   pleasure
                   ,
                   prefacing
                   his
                   Citations
                   with
                   these
                   words
                   .
                   
                     Most
                     divinely
                     saith
                     that
                     Man
                     of
                     GOD
                     ,
                     Holy
                     Mr.
                  
                   Baxter
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                   And
                   indeed
                   had
                   not
                   his
                   zeal
                   for
                   GOD's
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Salvation
                   of
                   Souls
                   ,
                   engaged
                   him
                   so
                   much
                   to
                   an
                   Active
                   Life
                   ,
                   he
                   could
                   have
                   even
                   lived
                   and
                   dyed
                   wholly
                   in
                   Divine
                   Contemplation
                   and
                   Adoration
                   ;
                   so
                   much
                   did
                   he
                   delight
                   to
                   shrink
                   within
                   himself
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   abandon
                   the
                   view
                   of
                   the
                   desperate
                   Adventures
                   ,
                   and
                   Antick
                   Motions
                   of
                   a
                   mad
                   World
                   ,
                   that
                   so
                   being
                   shut
                   to
                   these
                   ,
                   he
                   might
                   onely
                   open
                   his
                   Soul
                   to
                   GOD
                   and
                   Glory
                   ,
                   displaying
                   it
                   to
                   the
                   glorious
                   Beams
                   of
                   the
                   Sun
                   of
                   Righteousness
                   .
                   Therefore
                   did
                   he
                   often
                   delight
                   in
                   his
                   devotions
                   to
                   converse
                   with
                   the
                   Fowls
                   of
                   the
                   Air
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Beasts
                   of
                   the
                   Field
                   ,
                   since
                   these
                   were
                   more
                   innocent
                   ,
                   and
                   less
                   degenerate
                   than
                   Man.
                   
                
                 
                   With
                   Streams
                   and
                   Plants
                   did
                   he
                   delight
                   to
                   walk
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   these
                   did
                   utter
                   to
                   his
                   attentive
                   Ear
                   the
                   Praise
                   and
                   Knowledge
                   of
                   his
                   Creator
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   his
                   unsetled
                   sojournings
                   from
                   place
                   to
                   place
                   he
                   did
                   often
                   (
                   to
                   use
                   his
                   Words
                   )
                   look
                   back
                   with
                   sweetness
                   and
                   great
                   content
                   on
                   the
                   places
                   of
                   his
                   former
                   pleasant
                   retirements
                   ,
                   setting
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   a
                   Mark
                   upon
                   those
                   which
                   had
                   marvellously
                   pleased
                   him
                   in
                   his
                   Solitudes
                   ,
                   by
                   administring
                   to
                   his
                   contemplative
                   delight
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   delight
                   in
                   Praising
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                
                 
                   In
                   the
                   Close
                   ,
                   His
                   great
                   perfection
                   in
                   holiness
                   was
                   manifest
                   ,
                   in
                   that
                   he
                   loved
                   so
                   much
                   ,
                   and
                   lived
                   a
                   life
                   of
                   Praise
                   ,
                   and
                   Thanksgiving
                   .
                   Being
                   arrived
                   to
                   some
                   perfection
                   ,
                   he
                   desired
                   and
                   designed
                   to
                   antedate
                   the
                   Work
                   and
                   Songs
                   of
                   Spirits
                   made
                   perfect
                   .
                   Thus
                   David
                   much
                   proclaimed
                   his
                   perfection
                   in
                   Piety
                   ,
                   by
                   his
                   so
                   great
                   heights
                   in
                   this
                   Heavenly
                   Employment
                   .
                   And
                   its
                   Evident
                   that
                   Saints
                   most
                   devoted
                   
                   to
                   this
                   Heavenly
                   repast
                   ,
                   are
                   most
                   perfect
                   ;
                   because
                   the
                   more
                   Men
                   adore
                   and
                   praise
                   ,
                   the
                   less
                   they
                   want
                   ,
                   (
                   for
                   sad
                   and
                   constant
                   Complaints
                   ,
                   and
                   pensive
                   Thoughts
                   ,
                   are
                   the
                   Attendants
                   of
                   great
                   wants
                   )
                   and
                   the
                   less
                   men
                   want
                   ,
                   the
                   more
                   is
                   their
                   perfection
                   .
                   His
                   Exhortations
                   to
                   Christians
                   did
                   frequently
                   design
                   to
                   raise
                   them
                   to
                   that
                   sublime
                   life
                   of
                   Praise
                   and
                   Thanksgiving
                   .
                   Often
                   hath
                   he
                   reproved
                   Christians
                   ,
                   charging
                   them
                   with
                   the
                   greatest
                   folly
                   and
                   ingratitude
                   in
                   so
                   much
                   neglecting
                   this
                   so
                   pleasing
                   and
                   profitable
                   duty
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   interessing
                   it
                   so
                   little
                   in
                   their
                   Religious
                   Exercises
                   .
                   He
                   much
                   condemned
                   them
                   for
                   that
                   too
                   general
                   practice
                   in
                   thrusting
                   so
                   enlarging
                   a
                   part
                   of
                   their
                   Devotions
                   into
                   so
                   narrow
                   a
                   Room
                   ,
                   as
                   only
                   the
                   close
                   of
                   their
                   Prayers
                   .
                   Especially
                   did
                   he
                   excite
                   Christians
                   to
                   this
                   Duty
                   on
                   the
                   Lord's
                   Day
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   most
                   proper
                   Work
                   for
                   so
                   Divine
                   a
                   Festival
                   .
                   Shaming
                   them
                   with
                   the
                   excellent
                   Example
                   of
                   the
                   Primitive
                   Christians
                   ,
                   who
                   welcomed
                   in
                   the
                   Sun
                   that
                   brought
                   so
                   glorious
                   a
                   Day
                   as
                   the
                   Christian
                   Sabbath
                   with
                   their
                   Heavenly
                   Hymnes
                   to
                   their
                   Creator
                   and
                   Redeemer
                   .
                   And
                   reproving
                   them
                   for
                   so
                   little
                   considering
                   and
                   observing
                   the
                   proper
                   end
                   of
                   its
                   Institution
                   .
                   But
                   as
                   he
                   respects
                   his
                   own
                   practice
                   a
                   great
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   and
                   sometimes
                   the
                   greatest
                   part
                   of
                   his
                   Prayer
                   was
                   Thanks-giving
                   ,
                   and
                   indeed
                   he
                   was
                   never
                   so
                   much
                   in
                   his
                   Element
                   either
                   in
                   Prayer
                   ,
                   or
                   in
                   Preaching
                   ,
                   as
                   when
                   he
                   was
                   extolling
                   and
                   adoring
                   the
                   Love
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   and
                   marvelling
                   at
                   GOD's
                   infinite
                   goodness
                   in
                   the
                   Gift
                   of
                   his
                   Son
                   our
                   Saviour
                   .
                
                 
                   Neither
                   did
                   he
                   so
                   gaze
                   upon
                   and
                   adore
                   Christ
                   his
                   Redeemer
                   and
                   his
                   Redemption
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   forget
                   to
                   sound
                   forth
                   Praises
                   of
                   GOD
                   ,
                   the
                   Creator
                   ,
                   for
                   often
                   he
                   hath
                   been
                   heard
                   with
                   admiration
                   and
                   praise
                   ,
                   to
                   take
                   notice
                   of
                   the
                   Divine
                   Power
                   and
                   Wisdom
                   in
                   the
                   Works
                   of
                   Creation
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   in
                   the
                   open
                   Air
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   private
                   retirement
                   of
                   some
                   Field
                   or
                   Wood
                   ,
                   he
                   delighted
                   to
                   address
                   himself
                   to
                   God
                   in
                   praise
                   ,
                   that
                   his
                   eyes
                   might
                   affect
                   his
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   awake
                   his
                   glory
                   .
                   And
                   here
                   often
                   he
                   hath
                   been
                   heard
                   to
                   say
                   :
                   
                     That
                     Man
                     was
                     the
                     Tongue
                     of
                     the
                     whole
                     Creation
                     ,
                     appointed
                     as
                     the
                     Creatures
                     Interpreter
                     ,
                     to
                     speak
                     forth
                     ,
                     and
                     make
                     articulate
                     the
                     Praises
                     which
                     they
                     but
                     silentlently
                     intimate
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   He
                   much
                   delighted
                   in
                   Vocal
                   Musick
                   ,
                   and
                   especially
                   in
                   singing
                   Psalms
                   and
                   Hymns
                   ,
                   particularly
                   Mr.
                   Bartons
                   ,
                   witness
                   
                   his
                   constant
                   practice
                   after
                   Dinner
                   else-where
                   related
                   .
                   In
                   him
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   said
                   ,
                   in
                   as
                   high
                   a
                   degree
                   as
                   of
                   most
                   Saints
                   on
                   Earth
                   ,
                   That
                   each
                   Thought
                   was
                   to
                   him
                   a
                   Prayer
                   ,
                   each
                   Prayer
                   a
                   Song
                   ,
                   each
                   Day
                   a
                   Sabbath
                   ,
                   each
                   Meal
                   a
                   Sacrament
                   ,
                   a
                   Fore-taste
                   of
                   that
                   Eternal
                   Repast
                   ,
                   to
                   which
                   he
                   hath
                   now
                   Arrived
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   His
                   Time-redeeming
                   Thrist
                   .
                
                 
                   To
                   conclude
                   ;
                   That
                   he
                   might
                   effect
                   all
                   the
                   excellent
                   purposes
                   of
                   a
                   Holy
                   Life
                   ,
                   he
                   set
                   a
                   high
                   value
                   on
                   his
                   most
                   precious
                   Time
                   ,
                   and
                   did
                   with
                   so
                   Wise
                   and
                   Holy
                   Fore-cast
                   each
                   day
                   redeem
                   and
                   fill
                   it
                   up
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   did
                   not
                   onely
                   not
                   do
                   nothing
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   not
                   little
                   ,
                   though
                   in
                   a
                   little
                   and
                   short
                   time
                   .
                   All
                   Companies
                   did
                   hear
                   him
                   proclaim
                   the
                   Price
                   of
                   Time
                   ,
                   and
                   how
                   excellently
                   and
                   advantagiously
                   he
                   did
                   it
                   in
                   publick
                   before
                   his
                   Ejection
                   ,
                   in
                   several
                   most
                   useful
                   Sermons
                   on
                   Ephes
                   -
                   〈◊〉
                   16.
                   many
                   that
                   heard
                   him
                   ,
                   do
                   to
                   this
                   day
                   ,
                   to
                   their
                   great
                   comfort
                   and
                   profit
                   ,
                   remember
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   more
                   remarkable
                   was
                   this
                   his
                   Holy
                   Thrist
                   ,
                   because
                   prophetical
                   of
                   his
                   short
                   〈◊〉
                   here
                   on
                   Earth
                   .
                
                 
                   His
                   diligence
                   and
                   holiness
                   in
                   this
                   his
                   Sphere
                   of
                   Action
                   ,
                   was
                   a
                   presage
                   of
                   his
                   speedy
                   Translation
                   ,
                   as
                   with
                   Enoch
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   Sphere
                   of
                   Vision
                   and
                   Fruition
                   ,
                   for
                   a
                   reward
                   of
                   his
                   singular
                   Piety
                   ;
                   it
                   being
                   not
                   probable
                   that
                   he
                   who
                   made
                   so
                   great
                   a
                   haste
                   to
                   dispatch
                   his
                   Heavenly
                   Work
                   ,
                   should
                   be
                   long
                   without
                   his
                   desired
                   Recompence
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   X.
                
                 A
                 few
                 Additions
                 to
                 the
                 former
                 Character
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Reverend
                 and
                 Intimate
                 Friend
                 Mr.
                 
                   R.
                   F.
                
                 
              
               
                 HE
                 was
                 a
                 Person
                 ,
                 with
                 whom
                 for
                 many
                 years
                 I
                 was
                 well
                 acquainted
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 more
                 I
                 knew
                 him
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 I
                 loved
                 and
                 admired
                 the
                 rich
                 and
                 exceeding
                 Grace
                 of
                 GOD
                 in
                 him
                 :
                 I
                 looked
                 on
                 him
                 as
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 elevated
                 ,
                 refined
                 ,
                 choice
                 Saints
                 ,
                 that
                 ever
                 I
                 knew
                 ,
                 or
                 expect
                 (
                 while
                 I
                 live
                 )
                 to
                 know
                 ;
                 and
                 
                 that
                 because
                 (
                 among
                 others
                 )
                 I
                 observed
                 these
                 things
                 of
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 A
                 most
                 sincere
                 ,
                 pure
                 ,
                 and
                 absolute
                 consecration
                 of
                 himself
                 to
                 GOD
                 in
                 
                   CHRIST
                   JESUS
                
                 :
                 his
                 Soul
                 had
                 first
                 practised
                 the
                 Covenant-Dedication
                 ,
                 which
                 his
                 hand
                 afterward
                 prescribed
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Patern
                 to
                 others
                 in
                 his
                 Father-in-Laws
                 Book
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 seemed
                 no
                 sinister
                 end
                 ,
                 or
                 false
                 affection
                 ,
                 to
                 move
                 or
                 sway
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 way
                 ;
                 But
                 the
                 good
                 pleasure
                 of
                 the
                 LORD
                 ,
                 the
                 edification
                 of
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Salvation
                 of
                 Souls
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 only
                 marks
                 his
                 eye
                 seemed
                 (
                 at
                 all
                 )
                 to
                 regard
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Designs
                 and
                 Acts
                 :
                 I
                 know
                 no
                 other
                 mans
                 heart
                 ;
                 but
                 thus
                 he
                 appeared
                 to
                 my
                 most
                 attentive
                 observation
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 I
                 fully
                 believe
                 concerning
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 of
                 any
                 Person
                 I
                 ever
                 saw
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 In
                 this
                 his
                 dedication
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 carried
                 with
                 the
                 highest
                 and
                 purest
                 flame
                 of
                 Divine
                 Love
                 that
                 ever
                 I
                 observed
                 in
                 any
                 :
                 And
                 that
                 Love
                 arising
                 from
                 a
                 clear
                 vision
                 of
                 the
                 Beauty
                 of
                 Divine
                 Perfections
                 ,
                 especially
                 his
                 Gospel
                 Love
                 ;
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 which
                 Beauty
                 and
                 Excellency
                 seemed
                 perpetually
                 to
                 possess
                 and
                 ravish
                 his
                 Soul
                 :
                 This
                 Love
                 seemed
                 wholly
                 unmixed
                 from
                 all
                 that
                 carnal
                 heat
                 that
                 would
                 carry
                 him
                 into
                 Fantastick
                 or
                 Indecent
                 Expressions
                 ;
                 but
                 his
                 mind
                 seemed
                 to
                 be
                 alwayes
                 ascending
                 with
                 its
                 might
                 in
                 the
                 greatest
                 calmness
                 and
                 satisfaction
                 .
                 Thus
                 have
                 I
                 oft
                 observed
                 him
                 in
                 frequent
                 and
                 silent
                 elevation
                 of
                 Heart
                 ,
                 manifested
                 by
                 the
                 most
                 genuine
                 and
                 private
                 lifting
                 up
                 of
                 his
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 joyned
                 with
                 the
                 sweetest
                 smile
                 of
                 his
                 Countenance
                 ,
                 when
                 (
                 I
                 am
                 confident
                 )
                 he
                 little
                 thought
                 of
                 being
                 seen
                 by
                 any
                 :
                 Thus
                 have
                 I
                 oft
                 heard
                 him
                 flow
                 in
                 Prayer
                 and
                 Discourse
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 clearest
                 conviction
                 ,
                 and
                 dearest
                 taste
                 of
                 divine
                 Excellency
                 and
                 Goodness
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 fullest
                 ,
                 highest
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 pleased
                 expression
                 of
                 his
                 being
                 overcome
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 giving
                 up
                 his
                 ALL
                 in
                 esteem
                 to
                 it
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 Love
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 greatest
                 demonstration
                 ,
                 appeared
                 by
                 his
                 perpetual
                 greedy
                 and
                 unsatiable
                 spending
                 of
                 his
                 whole
                 self
                 for
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 good
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 Salvatio
                 of
                 Souls
                 .
                 His
                 Head
                 was
                 ever
                 contriving
                 ,
                 his
                 Tongue
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 whole
                 Man
                 acting
                 some
                 design
                 for
                 these
                 ;
                 so
                 he
                 lived
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 he
                 dyed
                 :
                 He
                 laboured
                 and
                 suffered
                 himself
                 into
                 the
                 Maladies
                 which
                 ended
                 him
                 :
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 at
                 Bath
                 ,
                 like
                 a
                 perfect
                 Skeleton
                 ,
                 and
                 could
                 move
                 neither
                 Hand
                 nor
                 Foot
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 Physitians
                 had
                 〈◊〉
                 him
                 all
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 and
                 diswaded
                 him
                 from
                 Vocal
                 Praying
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 being
                 above
                 his
                 strength
                 )
                 
                 yec
                 then
                 would
                 he
                 almost
                 daily
                 be
                 carried
                 in
                 his
                 Bath-Chair
                 to
                 the
                 Alms-Houses
                 ,
                 and
                 little
                 Childrens
                 Schools
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 give
                 them
                 Catechisms
                 ,
                 teach
                 them
                 the
                 meaning
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 call
                 them
                 to
                 an
                 account
                 ,
                 how
                 they
                 remembred
                 and
                 understood
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 died
                 designing
                 a
                 way
                 how
                 every
                 poor
                 Child
                 in
                 Somersetshire
                 might
                 Have
                 ,
                 Learn
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 instructed
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Assemblies
                   Catechism
                
                 ;
                 yea
                 and
                 at
                 the
                 expression
                 of
                 his
                 affection
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 but
                 mention
                 the
                 frequentest
                 Extasies
                 or
                 Raptures
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 lay
                 on
                 his
                 Bed
                 (
                 when
                 his
                 Body
                 was
                 even
                 deprived
                 of
                 all
                 power
                 of
                 its
                 own
                 motion
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 no
                 great
                 pain
                 )
                 in
                 consideration
                 of
                 Divine
                 Love
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 particular
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 felt
                 no
                 great
                 pain
                 :
                 Never
                 heard
                 I
                 God
                 so
                 loved
                 ,
                 and
                 thanked
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 highest
                 confluences
                 of
                 pleasing
                 providences
                 by
                 others
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 by
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 affliction
                 ,
                 for
                 not
                 inflicting
                 great
                 pain
                 upon
                 him
                 ;
                 though
                 he
                 was
                 otherwayes
                 so
                 sad
                 a
                 Spectacle
                 of
                 weakness
                 ,
                 and
                 looked
                 so
                 like
                 death
                 ,
                 that
                 some
                 great
                 Ladies
                 oft
                 hindered
                 his
                 coming
                 into
                 the
                 Bath
                 ,
                 the
                 gastliness
                 of
                 his
                 look
                 did
                 so
                 afright
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 His
                 pure
                 and
                 sacred
                 Love
                 wrought
                 in
                 him
                 a
                 great
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Charity
                 and
                 Meekness
                 to
                 Men
                 of
                 other
                 Judgements
                 and
                 Perswasions
                 ;
                 and
                 great
                 affection
                 towards
                 all
                 such
                 in
                 whom
                 he
                 found
                 any
                 Spiritual
                 good
                 .
                 His
                 Zeal
                 was
                 all
                 of
                 a
                 building
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 destroying
                 nature
                 ;
                 he
                 had
                 too
                 much
                 wisdom
                 to
                 esteem
                 his
                 own
                 thoughts
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Standard
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 Mens
                 :
                 His
                 clear
                 Light
                 and
                 pure
                 Heat
                 ,
                 made
                 him
                 of
                 a
                 more
                 discerning
                 substantial
                 and
                 divine
                 temper
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 reject
                 any
                 (
                 in
                 whom
                 Charity
                 could
                 see
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 a
                 new
                 nature
                 )
                 for
                 differing
                 from
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Modes
                 or
                 Forms
                 of
                 Discipline
                 or
                 Worship
                 ,
                 or
                 Disputable
                 Points
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Suitably
                 to
                 his
                 high
                 degree
                 of
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Divine
                 Communion
                 ,
                 he
                 enjoyed
                 the
                 richest
                 assurance
                 of
                 Divine
                 Love
                 to
                 himself
                 in
                 particular
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 saving
                 interest
                 in
                 Christ.
                 I
                 believe
                 few
                 Men
                 were
                 ever
                 born
                 that
                 attained
                 to
                 so
                 clear
                 ,
                 satisfied
                 and
                 powerful
                 evidence
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 sins
                 were
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Person
                 accepted
                 in
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 into
                 eternal
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 more
                 glorious
                 fore-tastes
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
                 I
                 remember
                 once
                 ,
                 coming
                 in
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 kneeling
                 down
                 to
                 Family
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 his
                 Heart
                 was
                 (
                 in
                 that
                 Duty
                 )
                 carried
                 forth
                 into
                 such
                 expressions
                 of
                 love
                 and
                 praise
                 for
                 the
                 sealings
                 of
                 everlasting
                 Love
                 and
                 Life
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 never
                 heard
                 before
                 or
                 since
                 ;
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 (
                 I
                 am
                 fully
                 satisfied
                 )
                 none
                 
                 could
                 express
                 ,
                 but
                 who
                 had
                 received
                 the
                 White
                 Stone
                 with
                 the
                 new
                 Name
                 in
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 this
                 was
                 not
                 accidental
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 unusual
                 ;
                 for
                 (
                 whatever
                 Clouds
                 he
                 might
                 possibly
                 have
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 know
                 of
                 none
                 )
                 yet
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 (
                 for
                 a
                 good
                 time
                 before
                 his
                 death
                 )
                 he
                 lived
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 dawning
                 to
                 Glory
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 the
                 full
                 assurance
                 of
                 it
                 as
                 his
                 Portion
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Sanctity
                 ,
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 Praise
                 ,
                 like
                 unto
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 though
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 hour
                 of
                 his
                 dying
                 ,
                 his
                 Disease
                 had
                 heat
                 his
                 Head
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 Raptures
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 Expressions
                 ,
                 which
                 at
                 another
                 time
                 his
                 Grace
                 and
                 Reason
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 used
                 ;
                 yet
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 Copies
                 ,
                 (
                 I
                 have
                 seen
                 of
                 those
                 Transports
                 )
                 in
                 the
                 substance
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 speak
                 only
                 fuller
                 assurance
                 of
                 God's
                 Love
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 highest
                 returns
                 of
                 love
                 to
                 Christ
                 again
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 wonder
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 Person
                 shining
                 so
                 much
                 with
                 the
                 Divine
                 Image
                 ,
                 and
                 living
                 so
                 uninterruptedly
                 in
                 the
                 clearest
                 and
                 nearest
                 Divine
                 Communion
                 ,
                 should
                 enjoy
                 such
                 assurance
                 of
                 God's
                 everlasting
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 filled
                 so
                 with
                 Joy
                 therein
                 ,
                 and
                 making
                 such
                 returns
                 of
                 Love
                 and
                 Praise
                 thereto
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
      
       
         
           
             
             
             
               CHRISTIAN
               LETTERS
               FULL
               OF
               
                 Spiritual
                 Instructions
              
               ,
               TENDING
               To
               the
               Promoting
               of
               the
               Power
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               both
               in
               Persons
               ,
               and
               Families
               .
            
             
               Anno
               Dom.
               1672.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
             
               CHRISTIAN
               LETTERS
               Full
               of
               SPIRITUAL
               INSTUCTIONS
               ,
               Tending
               To
               the
               Promoting
               of
               the
               Power
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               both
               in
               Persons
               ,
               and
               Families
               .
            
             
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 
                   To
                   his
                   Wife
                   to
                   Dispose
                   her
                   to
                   his
                   Acceptance
                   of
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   on
                   small
                   Maintenance
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   My
                   Dear
                   Heart
                   .
                
              
               
                 BY
                 this
                 time
                 I
                 hope
                 thou
                 hast
                 received
                 mine
                 by
                 Martin
                 ,
                 and
                 also
                 an
                 Answer
                 touching
                 their
                 Resolution
                 at
                 Taunton
                 .
                 My
                 thoughts
                 have
                 been
                 much
                 upon
                 that
                 Business
                 of
                 late
                 ,
                 so
                 small
                 as
                 the
                 outward
                 Incouragements
                 in
                 point
                 of
                 Maintenance
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 methinks
                 I
                 find
                 my
                 heart
                 much
                 Inclining
                 that
                 way
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 tell
                 thee
                 the
                 Principles
                 upon
                 which
                 I
                 go
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 this
                 for
                 a
                 Foundation
                 ,
                 That
                 a
                 mans
                 Life
                 consisteth
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Abundance
                 of
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 he
                 possesseth
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 accounted
                 a
                 wise
                 Prayer
                 that
                 〈◊〉
                 put
                 up
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 only
                 be
                 Fed
                 with
                 Food
                 convenient
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 certain
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 where
                 men
                 have
                 least
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ;
                 they
                 esteem
                 it
                 least
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 more
                 by
                 Faith
                 and
                 in
                 dependance
                 
                 upon
                 God
                 ,
                 casting
                 their
                 care
                 and
                 burden
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 O
                 the
                 sweet
                 breathings
                 of
                 Davids
                 soul
                 !
                 the
                 strong
                 actings
                 of
                 his
                 Faith
                 and
                 Love
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 find
                 come
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 condition
                 was
                 low
                 and
                 mean
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 How
                 closely
                 doth
                 he
                 cling
                 ?
                 How
                 fully
                 doth
                 he
                 Relie
                 upon
                 God
                 ?
                 The
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 seems
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 a
                 Priviledge
                 to
                 be
                 brought
                 to
                 a
                 necessity
                 of
                 living
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 as
                 ,
                 I
                 think
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 formerly
                 hintted
                 thee
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 Deut.
                 11.
                 10.
                 11.
                 where
                 Canaan
                 is
                 prefer'd
                 before
                 AEgypt
                 ,
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 its
                 dependance
                 upon
                 God
                 for
                 the
                 former
                 and
                 latter
                 Rain
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 AEgypt
                 they
                 could
                 live
                 without
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 supplies
                 from
                 the
                 River
                 .
                 And
                 certainly
                 could
                 we
                 that
                 are
                 unexperienced
                 ,
                 but
                 feel
                 the
                 Thorns
                 of
                 those
                 cares
                 and
                 troubles
                 that
                 there
                 are
                 in
                 gathering
                 and
                 keeping
                 much
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 danger
                 when
                 Riches
                 increase
                 of
                 setting
                 our
                 hearts
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 prize
                 the
                 happiness
                 of
                 a
                 middle
                 condition
                 much
                 before
                 it
                 .
                 Doubtless
                 ,
                 Godliness
                 with
                 contentment
                 ,
                 is
                 great
                 gain
                 .
                 
                   Seekest
                   thou
                   great
                   things
                   for
                   thy self
                
                 (
                 saith
                 the
                 Prophet
                 to
                 Baruch
                 )
                 
                   seek
                   them
                   not
                
                 .
                 Certainly
                 a
                 good
                 Conscience
                 is
                 a
                 continual
                 Feast
                 ,
                 and
                 enough
                 for
                 a
                 happy
                 Life
                 :
                 no
                 man
                 that
                 Wareth
                 intangleth
                 himself
                 with
                 the
                 affairs
                 of
                 this
                 Life
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 please
                 him
                 who
                 hath
                 chosen
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Souldier
                 .
                 We
                 should
                 be
                 but
                 little
                 Incumbred
                 with
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 withal
                 free
                 from
                 a
                 World
                 of
                 Intanglements
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 a
                 great
                 place
                 committed
                 wholly
                 to
                 our
                 charge
                 ,
                 would
                 be
                 upon
                 our
                 Consciences
                 as
                 no
                 small
                 Burden
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 I
                 take
                 this
                 for
                 an
                 undoubted
                 truth
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 dram
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 is
                 better
                 than
                 a
                 Talent
                 of
                 Wealth
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 such
                 a
                 place
                 where
                 our
                 Consciences
                 would
                 be
                 free
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 had
                 little
                 to
                 do
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 take
                 off
                 our
                 hearts
                 and
                 thoughts
                 from
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 the
                 advantage
                 of
                 abundance
                 of
                 means
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 daily
                 opportunities
                 of
                 warming
                 our
                 hearts
                 with
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 Society
                 and
                 Conference
                 of
                 Heavenly
                 Christians
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 temptations
                 to
                 carry
                 us
                 away
                 ,
                 nor
                 discouragements
                 in
                 our
                 walking
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 due
                 performance
                 of
                 our
                 duty
                 is
                 (
                 if
                 we
                 pass
                 a
                 true
                 and
                 Spiritual
                 Judgement
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 in
                 Scripture
                 would
                 )
                 without
                 comparison
                 before
                 another
                 place
                 ,
                 void
                 of
                 those
                 Spiritual
                 helps
                 and
                 advantages
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 think
                 with
                 our selves
                 ,
                 what
                 though
                 our
                 Purses
                 ,
                 our
                 Estates
                 ,
                 may
                 thrive
                 better
                 
                 in
                 a
                 place
                 of
                 a
                 larger
                 maintenance
                 ?
                 yet
                 where
                 are
                 our
                 graces
                 ,
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 like
                 to
                 thrive
                 any
                 way
                 answerable
                 to
                 what
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 this
                 ?
                 We
                 should
                 have
                 but
                 little
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 could
                 live
                 hereafter
                 ;
                 but
                 alas
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 this
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 made
                 up
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 will
                 surely
                 be
                 in
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 People
                 ?
                 If
                 we
                 thrive
                 in
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 Love
                 ,
                 Humility
                 ,
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 mindedness
                 ,
                 as
                 above
                 all
                 places
                 I
                 know
                 we
                 are
                 likely
                 to
                 do
                 there
                 ,
                 what
                 matter
                 is
                 it
                 though
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 raise
                 our selves
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ?
                 the
                 thing
                 it
                 may
                 well
                 be
                 accounted
                 but
                 mean
                 ;
                 but
                 alas
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 look
                 upon
                 it
                 with
                 a
                 spiritual
                 Eye
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 we
                 shall
                 pass
                 another
                 Judgement
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Oh!
                 who
                 would
                 leave
                 so
                 much
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 much
                 comfort
                 in
                 Communion
                 with
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 Saints
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 may
                 gain
                 there
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 probabilities
                 of
                 living
                 with
                 a
                 little
                 more
                 gentility
                 and
                 handsomness
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ?
                 'T
                 is
                 a
                 strange
                 thing
                 to
                 see
                 how
                 Christians
                 generally
                 do
                 judge
                 so
                 carnally
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 looking
                 to
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 seen
                 and
                 Temporal
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 will
                 stick
                 by
                 us
                 to
                 Eternity
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 it
                 worth
                 a
                 year
                 ?
                 is
                 the
                 Maintenance
                 certain
                 and
                 sure
                 ?
                 What
                 charges
                 are
                 there
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 ?
                 these
                 are
                 the
                 questions
                 we
                 commonly
                 ask
                 first
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 speak
                 of
                 setling
                 .
                 But
                 alas
                 ,
                 though
                 those
                 things
                 are
                 duly
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 too
                 ,
                 yet
                 what
                 good
                 am
                 I
                 like
                 to
                 do
                 ?
                 what
                 good
                 am
                 I
                 like
                 to
                 get
                 ?
                 (
                 Both
                 which
                 questions
                 I
                 think
                 might
                 be
                 as
                 comfortably
                 Answered
                 concerning
                 this
                 ,
                 as
                 any
                 place
                 in
                 England
                 ;
                 )
                 These
                 should
                 be
                 the
                 main
                 Interrogatories
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 chief
                 things
                 we
                 should
                 judge
                 of
                 a
                 place
                 to
                 settle
                 in
                 by
                 .
                 What
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 but
                 a
                 little
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ?
                 Why
                 then
                 we
                 must
                 keep
                 but
                 a
                 short
                 Table
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 make
                 but
                 a
                 little
                 noise
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 give
                 the
                 meaner
                 entertainments
                 to
                 our
                 Friends
                 .
                 O
                 but
                 will
                 not
                 this
                 be
                 abundantly
                 made
                 up
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 more
                 outward
                 and
                 inward
                 Peace
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 may
                 well
                 count
                 we
                 shall
                 have
                 .
                 One
                 dram
                 of
                 saving
                 Grace
                 will
                 weigh
                 down
                 all
                 this
                 .
                 Let
                 others
                 〈◊〉
                 themselves
                 in
                 their
                 Corn
                 ,
                 and
                 Wine
                 ,
                 and
                 Oyl
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 sat
                 Livings
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 large
                 Tables
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 great
                 resort
                 ,
                 is
                 we
                 have
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 Light
                 of
                 Gods
                 Countenance
                 ,
                 more
                 grace
                 ,
                 more
                 comfort
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 change
                 with
                 them
                 ?
                 surely
                 if
                 Paul
                 were
                 to
                 chuse
                 a
                 Place
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 look
                 so
                 much
                 what
                 't
                 was
                 a
                 year
                 ,
                 but
                 would
                 wish
                 us
                 to
                 take
                 that
                 where
                 we
                 might
                 be
                 most
                 likely
                 to
                 save
                 our
                 own
                 and
                 others
                 Souls
                 .
              
               
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 best
                 and
                 the
                 surest
                 way
                 to
                 have
                 any
                 outward
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 want
                 it
                 .
                 When
                 mens
                 desires
                 are
                 over-eager
                 after
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 they
                 much
                 have
                 thus
                 much
                 a
                 Year
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 House
                 well
                 Furnished
                 ,
                 and
                 Wife
                 ,
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 thus
                 and
                 thus
                 Qualified
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 content
                 ;
                 God
                 doth
                 usually
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 constantly
                 ,
                 break
                 their
                 wills
                 by
                 denying
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 would
                 cross
                 a
                 froward
                 Child
                 of
                 his
                 stubborn
                 humour
                 :
                 Or
                 else
                 puts
                 a
                 sting
                 into
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 had
                 been
                 as
                 good
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 without
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 would
                 give
                 a
                 thing
                 to
                 a
                 froppish
                 Child
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 with
                 a
                 knock
                 on
                 his
                 Fingers
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 frown
                 to
                 boot
                 .
                 The
                 best
                 way
                 to
                 get
                 Riches
                 ,
                 is
                 out
                 of
                 doubt
                 to
                 set
                 them
                 lowest
                 in
                 ones
                 desires
                 .
                 Solomon
                 found
                 it
                 so
                 :
                 Alas
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 ask
                 Riches
                 ,
                 but
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Ability
                 ,
                 to
                 discharge
                 his
                 great
                 Trust
                 ;
                 but
                 God
                 was
                 so
                 pleased
                 with
                 his
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 threw
                 in
                 them
                 into
                 the
                 Bargain
                 .
                 If
                 we
                 seek
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Righteousness
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 other
                 things
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 stand
                 with
                 us
                 for
                 these
                 outwards
                 ,
                 though
                 we
                 never
                 ask
                 them
                 we
                 shall
                 have
                 them
                 as
                 over
                 measure
                 ;
                 God
                 will
                 throw
                 them
                 in
                 as
                 the
                 Vantage
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 this
                 suits
                 the
                 Experience
                 of
                 our
                 dear
                 Honorathius
                 :
                 And
                 indeed
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 speaking
                 of
                 God
                 )
                 Honorathius
                 finds
                 that
                 his
                 onely
                 hiding
                 place
                 and
                 refuge
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 place
                 of
                 Succour
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Storms
                 that
                 fall
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 had
                 such
                 Helps
                 at
                 dead
                 lift
                 there
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 engaged
                 for
                 ever
                 to
                 trust
                 there
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 he
                 hath
                 been
                 lowest
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 greatest
                 straights
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 gone
                 and
                 made
                 his
                 moan
                 Heaven-ward
                 ,
                 with
                 free
                 submission
                 to
                 the
                 rightful
                 disposer
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 hath
                 been
                 so
                 liberally
                 supplied
                 ,
                 as
                 makes
                 him
                 very
                 confident
                 the
                 best
                 way
                 to
                 obtain
                 any
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 or
                 supply
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 be
                 without
                 it
                 :
                 And
                 he
                 is
                 perswaded
                 nothing
                 sets
                 Gods
                 Mercies
                 farther
                 off
                 ,
                 than
                 want
                 of
                 free
                 submission
                 to
                 want
                 them
                 .
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 never
                 be
                 behind
                 hand
                 with
                 us
                 .
                 Let
                 our
                 care
                 be
                 to
                 Build
                 his
                 House
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 him
                 alone
                 to
                 build
                 ours
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 That
                 none
                 ever
                 was
                 ,
                 or
                 ever
                 shall
                 be
                 ,
                 a
                 loser
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 Many
                 have
                 lost
                 much
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 never
                 did
                 ,
                 never
                 shall
                 any
                 lose
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 Take
                 this
                 for
                 a
                 certainty
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 probabilities
                 of
                 outward
                 Comforts
                 we
                 leave
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 outward
                 advantages
                 we
                 balk
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 glorifie
                 him
                 in
                 our
                 Services
                 ,
                 and
                 enjoy
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 Ordinances
                 more
                 than
                 otherwhere
                 
                 we
                 could
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 receive
                 an
                 hundred
                 fold
                 in
                 this
                 Life
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 a
                 sad
                 thing
                 to
                 see
                 how
                 little
                 Christ
                 is
                 trusted
                 or
                 believed
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 Men
                 will
                 trust
                 him
                 no
                 farther
                 than
                 they
                 can
                 see
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 leave
                 no
                 work
                 for
                 Faith.
                 Alas
                 ,
                 hath
                 he
                 not
                 a
                 thousand
                 ways
                 ,
                 both
                 outward
                 and
                 inward
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 up
                 a
                 little
                 outward
                 disadvantage
                 to
                 us
                 ?
                 What
                 doth
                 our
                 Faith
                 serve
                 for
                 ?
                 Have
                 any
                 ventured
                 themselves
                 upon
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 made
                 good
                 every
                 word
                 of
                 the
                 Promise
                 to
                 them
                 ?
                 let
                 us
                 therefore
                 exercise
                 our
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 stay
                 our selves
                 upon
                 the
                 Promise
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 if
                 ever
                 we
                 are
                 ashamed
                 of
                 our
                 hope
                 .
              
               
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 That
                 what
                 is
                 wanting
                 in
                 the
                 means
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 make
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 blessing
                 .
                 This
                 〈◊〉
                 take
                 for
                 a
                 certain
                 truth
                 ,
                 while
                 a
                 man
                 commits
                 himself
                 and
                 his
                 affairs
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 that
                 God
                 put
                 him
                 into
                 :
                 Now
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 have
                 but
                 a
                 little
                 Income
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 have
                 a
                 great
                 Blessing
                 ,
                 that
                 's
                 enough
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 up
                 .
                 Alas
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 account
                 Mercies
                 by
                 the
                 Bulk
                 .
                 What
                 if
                 another
                 have
                 a
                 Pound
                 to
                 my
                 Ounce
                 ,
                 if
                 mine
                 be
                 Gold
                 for
                 his
                 Silver
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 never
                 change
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 As
                 't
                 is
                 not
                 Bread
                 that
                 keeps
                 men
                 alive
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 Blessing
                 that
                 proceedeth
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 Mouth
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 so
                 't
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 largeness
                 of
                 the
                 Means
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 blessing
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 that
                 maketh
                 rich
                 .
                 Oh!
                 if
                 men
                 did
                 but
                 believe
                 this
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 grasp
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 .
                 Well
                 ,
                 let
                 others
                 take
                 their
                 course
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 will
                 take
                 ours
                 ,
                 to
                 wait
                 upon
                 God
                 by
                 Faith
                 and
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 rest
                 in
                 his
                 Promise
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 confident
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 be
                 provided
                 for
                 :
                 Let
                 others
                 toyl
                 to
                 enlarge
                 their
                 Income
                 ,
                 (
                 but
                 alas
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 find
                 they
                 go
                 not
                 the
                 right
                 way
                 to
                 work
                 )
                 we
                 will
                 bless
                 God
                 to
                 enlarge
                 our
                 blessing
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 we
                 shall
                 prove
                 the
                 Gainers
                 .
              
               
                 Sixthly
                 ,
                 That
                 every
                 Condition
                 hath
                 its
                 Snares
                 ,
                 Crosses
                 ,
                 and
                 troubles
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 expect
                 to
                 be
                 without
                 them
                 where
                 ever
                 we
                 be
                 ,
                 onely
                 that
                 condition
                 is
                 most
                 eligible
                 that
                 hath
                 fewest
                 and
                 least
                 .
                 I
                 cannot
                 Object
                 any
                 thing
                 against
                 the
                 Proposal
                 of
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 meaness
                 of
                 the
                 Maintenance
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 our
                 Income
                 be
                 but
                 short
                 ,
                 we
                 can
                 I
                 hope
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 live
                 answerably
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 fare
                 the
                 meaner
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 all
                 the
                 inconvenience
                 that
                 Animal
                 know
                 ,
                 and
                 truly
                 I
                 hope
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 that
                 Animal
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 his
                 Heart
                 in
                 his
                 Belly
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 how
                 Daniel
                 thrived
                 by
                 his
                 Water
                 
                 and
                 Pulse
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 a
                 mean
                 Diet
                 is
                 as
                 wholsome
                 to
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 sarless
                 hurtful
                 than
                 a
                 full
                 and
                 liberal
                 is
                 ;
                 and
                 perswade
                 my self
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 no
                 such
                 hard
                 matter
                 for
                 us
                 conrentedly
                 to
                 deny
                 our
                 Flesh
                 in
                 this
                 respect
                 .
                 But
                 let
                 us
                 consider
                 how
                 little
                 and
                 utterly
                 inconsiderable
                 this
                 Inconvenience
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 comparison
                 of
                 those
                 we
                 must
                 reckon
                 upon
                 meeting
                 with
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 cast
                 us
                 into
                 another
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 whether
                 this
                 be
                 not
                 a
                 great
                 deal
                 less
                 than
                 the
                 trouble
                 we
                 shall
                 have
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 comfortable
                 and
                 Christian
                 Society
                 ,
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 the
                 frequent
                 and
                 quickening
                 means
                 we
                 shall
                 here
                 have
                 ,
                 in
                 wrangling
                 and
                 contending
                 with
                 the
                 Covetous
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 losing
                 our
                 dues
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 and
                 malicious
                 Reports
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 we
                 see
                 raised
                 upon
                 the
                 best
                 by
                 the
                 wicked
                 in
                 most
                 places
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 contentions
                 about
                 their
                 right
                 to
                 the
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 Intanglement
                 in
                 the
                 cares
                 and
                 troubles
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 &c.
                 all
                 which
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 here
                 exempted
                 from
                 .
                 Upon
                 these
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 cousiderations
                 ,
                 I
                 find
                 my
                 heart
                 very
                 much
                 inclined
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 their
                 offer
                 at
                 Taunton
                 .
                 I
                 beseech
                 thee
                 to
                 weigh
                 ,
                 and
                 throughly
                 consider
                 the
                 matter
                 ,
                 and
                 tell
                 me
                 impartially
                 thy
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 way
                 thy
                 Spirit
                 inclines
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 have
                 always
                 resolved
                 the
                 place
                 I
                 settled
                 in
                 should
                 be
                 thy
                 choice
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 thy
                 content
                 .
                 The
                 least
                 intimation
                 of
                 thy
                 will
                 to
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 shall
                 overballance
                 all
                 my
                 thoughts
                 of
                 settling
                 there
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 should
                 account
                 it
                 the
                 greatest
                 unhappiness
                 if
                 I
                 should
                 thus
                 settle
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 afterwards
                 be
                 discontented
                 at
                 the
                 straightness
                 of
                 our
                 condition
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 need
                 not
                 have
                 Wrote
                 this
                 ,
                 hadst
                 not
                 thou
                 fully
                 signified
                 thy
                 mind
                 already
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 had
                 never
                 gone
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 .
                 Well
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 whose
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 whom
                 we
                 serve
                 ,
                 do
                 with
                 us
                 as
                 it
                 shall
                 seem
                 good
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 always
                 as
                 mindful
                 as
                 is
                 possible
                 of
                 thee
                 here
                 ,
                 both
                 together
                 and
                 apart
                 .
                 Captain
                 Luke
                 desired
                 me
                 to
                 intreat
                 thee
                 to
                 meet
                 him
                 one
                 two
                 Hours
                 in
                 a
                 Day
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 Mercies
                 upon
                 the
                 twenty
                 third
                 Day
                 of
                 every
                 Month.
                 Send
                 word
                 to
                 me
                 of
                 their
                 Resolution
                 at
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 in
                 two
                 Letters
                 ,
                 least
                 possibly
                 one
                 should
                 miscarry
                 ,
                 though
                 never
                 a
                 one
                 did
                 yet
                 .
                 I
                 dare
                 not
                 think
                 of
                 settling
                 under
                 sixty
                 Pound
                 at
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 and
                 surely
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 less
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 Written
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 I
                 could
                 on
                 a
                 suddeu
                 my
                 Mind
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 large
                 in
                 
                 delivering
                 my
                 Judgement
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 must
                 thrust
                 up
                 my
                 Affections
                 into
                 a
                 Corner
                 .
                 Well
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 have
                 but
                 a
                 corner
                 in
                 my
                 Letter
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 they
                 have
                 room
                 enough
                 in
                 my
                 heart
                 :
                 But
                 I
                 must
                 conclude
                 ;
                 The
                 Lord
                 keep
                 thee
                 my
                 Dear
                 ,
                 and
                 cherish
                 thee
                 for
                 ever
                 in
                 his
                 Bosom
                 .
                 Farewell
                 mine
                 own
                 Soul.
                 
              
               
                 
                   I
                   am
                   as
                   ever
                   Thine
                   own
                   Heart
                   .
                   JOSEPH
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   Oxon
                   ,
                   
                     May
                     27.
                     
                     〈◊〉
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 II.
                 [
                 Prepare
                 for
                 Suffering
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   my
                   dearly
                   beloved
                   the
                   Flock
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dear
                   Christians
                   :
                
              
               
                 MY
                 〈◊〉
                 straights
                 of
                 time
                 will
                 now
                 force
                 me
                 to
                 bind
                 my
                 long
                 loves
                 in
                 a
                 few
                 short
                 lines
                 ;
                 yet
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 tell
                 how
                 to
                 leave
                 you
                 unsaluted
                 ,
                 nor
                 chuse
                 but
                 write
                 to
                 you
                 in
                 a
                 few
                 words
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 dismayed
                 neither
                 at
                 our
                 present
                 sufferings
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 the
                 evil
                 tidings
                 that
                 by
                 this
                 time
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 are
                 come
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 Now
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 put
                 you
                 upon
                 the
                 trial
                 ;
                 now
                 is
                 the
                 hour
                 of
                 temptation
                 come
                 .
                 Oh!
                 be
                 faithful
                 to
                 Christ
                 to
                 the
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 give
                 you
                 a
                 Crown
                 of
                 life
                 :
                 Faithful
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 called
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 suffer
                 you
                 upon
                 his
                 faithfulness
                 to
                 be
                 tempted
                 above
                 what
                 you
                 are
                 able
                 .
                 Give
                 up
                 your selves
                 and
                 your
                 All
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 with
                 resolution
                 to
                 follow
                 him
                 fully
                 ,
                 and
                 two
                 things
                 be
                 sure
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 lay
                 up
                 as
                 sure
                 grounds
                 of
                 everlasting
                 consolation
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 If
                 you
                 seek
                 by
                 prayer
                 and
                 study
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 resolve
                 to
                 follow
                 it
                 in
                 uprightness
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 not
                 fail
                 either
                 of
                 direction
                 or
                 pardon
                 ;
                 Either
                 God
                 will
                 shew
                 you
                 what
                 his
                 pleasure
                 is
                 ,
                 or
                 will
                 certainly
                 forgive
                 you
                 if
                 you
                 miss
                 your
                 way
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 fix
                 upon
                 your
                 Souls
                 the
                 deep
                 and
                 lively
                 affecting
                 apprehensions
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 gracious
                 ,
                 loving
                 ,
                 merciful
                 ,
                 sweet
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 tender
                 nature
                 of
                 your
                 Heavenly
                 Father
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 so
                 great
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 sure
                 he
                 will
                 with
                 all
                 readiness
                 and
                 love
                 accept
                 of
                 his
                 poor
                 Children
                 when
                 they
                 endeavour
                 to
                 approve
                 themselves
                 in
                 sincerity
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 fain
                 know
                 his
                 mind
                 and
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 could
                 but
                 clearly
                 see
                 it
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 should
                 unwillingly
                 mistake
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 as
                 sure
                 as
                 God
                 is
                 faithful
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 do
                 see
                 that
                 such
                 or
                 such
                 a
                 temptation
                 (
                 with
                 the
                 forethought
                 of
                 which
                 you
                 may
                 
                 be
                 apt
                 to
                 disquiet
                 your selves
                 ,
                 lest
                 you
                 should
                 fall
                 away
                 when
                 thus
                 or
                 thus
                 tried
                 )
                 will
                 be
                 too
                 hard
                 for
                 your
                 Graces
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 never
                 suffer
                 it
                 to
                 come
                 upon
                 you
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 ,
                 my
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 let
                 not
                 the
                 present
                 tribulations
                 or
                 those
                 impending
                 move
                 you
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 :
                 persecution
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 your
                 〈◊〉
                 :
                 self-denial
                 and
                 taking
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 Cross
                 is
                 your
                 ABC
                 of
                 Religion
                 ;
                 you
                 have
                 learnt
                 nothing
                 that
                 have
                 not
                 begun
                 at
                 Christs-Cross
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 the
                 Cross
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 your
                 Crown
                 ;
                 the
                 reproach
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 your
                 riches
                 ;
                 the
                 shame
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 your
                 glory
                 ;
                 the
                 damage
                 attending
                 strict
                 and
                 holy
                 diligence
                 ,
                 your
                 greatest
                 advantage
                 :
                 sensible
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 coming
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 discouraged
                 ;
                 humbled
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 dismayed
                 ;
                 having
                 your
                 hearts
                 broken
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 your
                 spirits
                 unbroken
                 ;
                 humble
                 your selves
                 mightily
                 under
                 the
                 mighty
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 but
                 fear
                 not
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 man
                 :
                 may
                 you
                 even
                 be
                 〈◊〉
                 in
                 humility
                 ,
                 but
                 high
                 in
                 courage
                 ;
                 little
                 in
                 your
                 own
                 apprehensions
                 of
                 your selves
                 ,
                 but
                 great
                 in
                 holy
                 fortitude
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 holy
                 magnanimity
                 ,
                 lying
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 before
                 your
                 God
                 ,
                 yet
                 triumphing
                 in
                 faith
                 and
                 hope
                 ,
                 and
                 boldness
                 and
                 confidence
                 over
                 all
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 enemies
                 .
                 Approve
                 your
                 selver
                 〈◊〉
                 good
                 Souldiers
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 with
                 
                   No
                   Armour
                
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 of
                 righteousness
                 ;
                 
                   No
                   Weapons
                
                 ,
                 but
                 strong
                 crying
                 and
                 tears
                 ;
                 looking
                 for
                 no
                 Victory
                 but
                 that
                 of
                 Faith
                 ;
                 nor
                 hope
                 to
                 overcome
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 patience
                 :
                 now
                 for
                 the
                 faith
                 and
                 patience
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 now
                 for
                 the
                 harness
                 of
                 your
                 suffering
                 Graces
                 :
                 O
                 gird
                 up
                 the
                 loyns
                 of
                 your
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 sober
                 ,
                 and
                 hope
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 :
                 
                   Fight
                   not
                
                 but
                 
                   the
                   good
                   fight
                   of
                   Faith
                
                 :
                 here
                 you
                 must
                 contend
                 and
                 that
                 earnestly
                 :
                 Strive
                 not
                 but
                 against
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 here
                 you
                 may
                 resist
                 even
                 unto
                 blood
                 :
                 now
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 chuse
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 embrace
                 affliction
                 rather
                 than
                 sin
                 .
                 Strive
                 together
                 mightily
                 ,
                 and
                 frequently
                 by
                 prayer
                 :
                 I
                 know
                 you
                 do
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 would
                 you
                 should
                 abound
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 :
                 Share
                 my
                 loves
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 continue
                 your
                 earnest
                 prayers
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 you
                 assured
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 and
                 shall
                 be
                 through
                 Grace
                 ,
                 a
                 willing
                 thankful
                 Servant
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 concernments
                 .
              
               
                 
                   From
                   the
                   common
                   Gaole
                   
                     May
                     28.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   Joseph
                   Aleine
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 III.
                 [
                 Warning
                 to
                 Professors
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   my
                   most
                   dearly
                   beloved
                   ,
                   my
                   Christian
                   Friends
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   loving
                   〈◊〉
                   :
                
              
               
                 I
                 Shall
                 nover
                 forget
                 your
                 old
                 kindnesses
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 entire
                 affections
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 shed
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 not
                 by
                 drops
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 floods
                 ,
                 would
                 I
                 never
                 so
                 fain
                 forget
                 them
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 so
                 continually
                 renowned
                 ;
                 for
                 there
                 is
                 never
                 a
                 day
                 but
                 I
                 hear
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 may
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 hear
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 I
                 feel
                 and
                 taste
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 God
                 that
                 hath
                 promised
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 give
                 to
                 a
                 Prophet
                 though
                 but
                 a
                 cup
                 of
                 cold
                 Water
                 ,
                 shall
                 receive
                 a
                 Prophets
                 reward
                 ;
                 he
                 will
                 recompence
                 your
                 labour
                 of
                 love
                 ,
                 your
                 servent
                 prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 constant
                 cryes
                 ,
                 your
                 care
                 for
                 my
                 wellfare
                 ,
                 your
                 bountiful
                 supplies
                 who
                 have
                 given
                 me
                 ,
                 not
                 a
                 cup
                 of
                 cold
                 water
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Wine
                 of
                 your
                 loves
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 sense
                 and
                 tidings
                 whereof
                 I
                 am
                 coutinually
                 refreshed
                 .
                 I
                 must
                 ,
                 I
                 do
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 I
                 live
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath-cast
                 my
                 lot
                 in
                 so
                 fair
                 a
                 place
                 ,
                 to
                 dwell
                 in
                 your
                 communion
                 ;
                 and
                 especially
                 to
                 go
                 in
                 and
                 out
                 before
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Messenger
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Host
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 proclaim
                 his
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 Preach
                 his
                 Excellencies
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 his
                 Spokesman
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 wooe
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 espouse
                 you
                 to
                 one
                 Husband
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 present
                 you
                 as
                 a
                 chaste
                 Virgin
                 unto
                 Christ.
                 Lord
                 !
                 how
                 unworthy
                 am
                 I
                 ,
                 everlastingly
                 unworthy
                 of
                 this
                 glorious
                 Dignity
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 do
                 verily
                 believe
                 the
                 most
                 brightest
                 Angels
                 in
                 Heaven
                 would
                 be
                 glad
                 of
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 saw
                 it
                 fit
                 to
                 imploy
                 them
                 in
                 this
                 work
                 !
                 Well
                 ,
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 repent
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 the
                 difficulties
                 and
                 inconveniences
                 that
                 do
                 attend
                 his
                 despised
                 Servants
                 ,
                 and
                 hated
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 attend
                 them
                 ;
                 for
                 we
                 have
                 but
                 sipped
                 yet
                 of
                 the
                 Cup
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 have
                 set
                 my
                 hand
                 to
                 his
                 plow
                 ;
                 my
                 Ministry
                 I
                 took
                 up
                 
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Testimony
                 I
                 finished
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 thought
                 I
                 had
                 espoused
                 you
                 till
                 death
                 :
                 and
                 when
                 I
                 was
                 entred
                 into
                 that
                 Sacred
                 Office
                 ,
                 which
                 through
                 rich
                 Grace
                 I
                 was
                 imployed
                 in
                 ,
                 I
                 told
                 you
                 in
                 the
                 close
                 of
                 what
                 I
                 spake
                 before
                 the
                 laying
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 Hands
                 upon
                 me
                 (
                 most
                 gladly
                 do
                 I
                 take
                 up
                 this
                 Office
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 persecution
                 ,
                 affliction
                 ,
                 difficulties
                 an
                 tribulation
                 and
                 inconveniencies
                 that
                 do
                 and
                 may
                 attend
                 it
                 )
                 and
                 blessed
                 be
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 through
                 his
                 goodness
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 mind
                 still
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 tribulations
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 do
                 (
                 to
                 him
                 be
                 Glory
                 ,
                 for
                 to
                 me
                 belongs
                 nothing
                 but
                 shame
                 and
                 confusion
                 of
                 face
                 )
                 confirm
                 my
                 choice
                 and
                 my
                 resolution
                 to
                 serve
                 him
                 with
                 much
                 more
                 than
                 my
                 labours
                 .
                 Verily
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 good
                 choice
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 commended
                 to
                 you
                 :
                 Oh!
                 that
                 there
                 might
                 not
                 one
                 be
                 found
                 among
                 you
                 that
                 hath
                 not
                 made
                 Maries
                 choice
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 of
                 that
                 good
                 part
                 which
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 taken
                 away
                 from
                 you
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 let
                 them
                 take
                 up
                 with
                 the
                 world
                 that
                 have
                 no
                 better
                 portion
                 :
                 be
                 content
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 carry
                 the
                 Bell
                 ,
                 and
                 bear
                 away
                 the
                 riches
                 and
                 perferments
                 and
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 splendor
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 Alas
                 !
                 you
                 have
                 no
                 reason
                 to
                 envy
                 them
                 :
                 verlly
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 a
                 lye
                 in
                 their
                 right
                 hand
                 :
                 Ah!
                 how
                 soon
                 will
                 their
                 hopes
                 fail
                 them
                 :
                 how
                 soon
                 will
                 the
                 crackling
                 blast
                 be
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 them
                 in
                 eternal
                 darkness
                 :
                 they
                 shall
                 go
                 to
                 the
                 generation
                 of
                 their
                 Fathers
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 never
                 see
                 light
                 ,
                 like
                 sheep
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 laid
                 in
                 their
                 Graves
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 upright
                 shall
                 have
                 Dominion
                 over
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 morning
                 .
                 But
                 for
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 jealous
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 should
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God.
                 I
                 am
                 ambitious
                 for
                 you
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 all
                 the
                 heirs
                 of
                 an
                 endless
                 life
                 ,
                 the
                 living
                 hopes
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 the
                 inheritance
                 incorruptible
                 ,
                 undefiled
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 fades
                 not
                 away
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 my
                 Brethren
                 !
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 you
                 be
                 all
                 happy
                 ?
                 I
                 am
                 jealous
                 for
                 you
                 with
                 a
                 Godly
                 jealousie
                 ,
                 left
                 a
                 promise
                 being
                 left
                 you
                 of
                 entring
                 into
                 his
                 rest
                 ,
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 should
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 O
                 look
                 diligently
                 ,
                 left
                 any
                 man
                 fail
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 Alas
                 !
                 how
                 it
                 pities
                 me
                 to
                 see
                 this
                 Rest
                 neglected
                 :
                 How
                 it
                 grieves
                 me
                 that
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 should
                 fall
                 short
                 of
                 mercy
                 at
                 last
                 !
                 That
                 any
                 of
                 that
                 flock
                 over
                 which
                 the
                 holy
                 Ghost
                 hath
                 made
                 me
                 in
                 part
                 overseer
                 ,
                 should
                 perish
                 ;
                 when
                 Christ
                 hath
                 done
                 so
                 much
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 his
                 under
                 Officers
                 (
                 through
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 for
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 sufficient
                 of
                 our selves
                 )
                 
                 have
                 done
                 somewhat
                 to
                 recover
                 and
                 save
                 them
                 .
                 Ah
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 !
                 I
                 was
                 in
                 great
                 earnest
                 with
                 you
                 when
                 I
                 besought
                 you
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 many
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 a
                 Bill
                 of
                 Divorce
                 to
                 your
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 the
                 match
                 and
                 the
                 mercy
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 Almighty
                 I
                 did
                 there
                 offer
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 Alas
                 !
                 how
                 it
                 pitied
                 me
                 to
                 look
                 over
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 Congregation
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 ,
                 for
                 my
                 life
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 ,
                 perswade
                 them
                 ,
                 one
                 quarter
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 likelihood
                 to
                 be
                 saved
                 ?
                 how
                 it
                 moved
                 me
                 to
                 see
                 your
                 diligence
                 in
                 flocking
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 the
                 stated
                 Exercises
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 Repetitions
                 and
                 to
                 most
                 hazardous
                 opportunities
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 you
                 are
                 greatly
                 to
                 be
                 commended
                 ,
                 since
                 the
                 Law
                 forbad
                 my
                 publike
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 many
                 of
                 you
                 that
                 went
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 were
                 like
                 to
                 perish
                 for
                 ever
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 going
                 further
                 .
                 I
                 must
                 praise
                 your
                 diligent
                 attendance
                 on
                 all
                 opportunities
                 :
                 Blessed
                 be
                 God
                 that
                 made
                 a
                 willing
                 ministry
                 and
                 a
                 willing
                 people
                 :
                 for
                 I
                 remember
                 how
                 I
                 have
                 gone
                 furnished
                 with
                 a
                 Train
                 !
                 How
                 I
                 went
                 with
                 the
                 multitude
                 to
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 joy
                 and
                 praises
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 multitude
                 that
                 kept
                 Holy-days
                 .
                 The
                 remembrance
                 of
                 which
                 moves
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 flock
                 ,
                 my
                 most
                 dear
                 flock
                 ,
                 how
                 fain
                 would
                 I
                 carry
                 you
                 farther
                 then
                 the
                 external
                 and
                 outward
                 profession
                 ;
                 O!
                 how
                 loath
                 am
                 I
                 to
                 leave
                 you
                 there
                 !
                 How
                 troubled
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 should
                 go
                 far
                 and
                 hazard
                 much
                 for
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 miscarry
                 for
                 ever
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 some
                 unmortified
                 lust
                 !
                 as
                 secret
                 pride
                 or
                 untamed
                 passion
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 unbridled
                 tongue
                 ,
                 or
                 which
                 I
                 fear
                 most
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 a
                 predominate
                 love
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 .
                 Alas
                 !
                 must
                 it
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 there
                 no
                 remedy
                 but
                 I
                 must
                 carry
                 you
                 to
                 Heavens-gate
                 and
                 leave
                 you
                 there
                 !
                 Oh
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 leave
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 but
                 half
                 done
                 ;
                 and
                 bring
                 you
                 no
                 〈◊〉
                 than
                 the
                 almost
                 of
                 Christianity
                 .
                 Hear
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 people
                 ,
                 hear
                 ,
                 although
                 I
                 may
                 command
                 you
                 ,
                 upon
                 your
                 utmost
                 peril
                 in
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 that
                 shall
                 shortly
                 judge
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 warn
                 you
                 as
                 a
                 Father
                 doth
                 his
                 Children
                 ,
                 to
                 look
                 to
                 the
                 setling
                 and
                 securing
                 of
                 your
                 everlasting
                 condition
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 life
                 take
                 heed
                 of
                 your
                 resting
                 in
                 the
                 outter-part
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 restless
                 till
                 you
                 find
                 the
                 through-change
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 within
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 quite
                 new
                 in
                 the
                 frame
                 &
                 bent
                 of
                 your
                 hearts
                 :
                 for
                 here
                 is
                 the
                 main
                 of
                 Religion
                 in
                 the
                 hidden
                 man
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 :
                 For
                 Christs-sake
                 ,
                 
                 for
                 your
                 Soul-sake
                 look
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 build
                 upon
                 the
                 Rock
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 be
                 sure
                 in
                 the
                 Foundation-work
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 〈◊〉
                 deliver
                 over
                 your selves
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 to
                 be
                 under
                 his
                 command
                 and
                 at
                 his
                 dispose
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 :
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 make
                 no
                 exceptions
                 ,
                 no
                 reserve
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 cast
                 over-board
                 all
                 your
                 worldly
                 hopes
                 ,
                 and
                 count
                 upon
                 parting
                 with
                 all
                 for
                 Christ
                 :
                 that
                 you
                 take
                 him
                 alone
                 for
                 your
                 whole
                 happiness
                 .
                 Wonder
                 not
                 that
                 I
                 so
                 often
                 inculcate
                 this
                 :
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 well
                 here
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 well
                 all
                 ;
                 if
                 unfound
                 here
                 ,
                 the
                 ertor
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 Foundation
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 are
                 undone
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 great
                 tryals
                 coming
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 Professors
                 fall
                 like
                 leaves
                 in
                 the
                 Autumn
                 ,
                 unless
                 they
                 be
                 well
                 setled
                 :
                 therefore
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 I
                 would
                 so
                 fain
                 have
                 you
                 look
                 to
                 your
                 standing
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 secure
                 the
                 main
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 you
                 whose
                 Souls
                 are
                 soundly
                 wrought
                 upon
                 ,
                 O
                 make
                 sure
                 whatever
                 you
                 do
                 :
                 get
                 and
                 keep
                 your
                 evidences
                 clear
                 !
                 How
                 dreadful
                 would
                 your
                 temptations
                 be
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 called
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 all
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 be
                 sure
                 of
                 him
                 neither
                 :
                 get
                 a
                 right
                 and
                 clear
                 understanding
                 of
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 set
                 before
                 you
                 in
                 that
                 form
                 of
                 〈◊〉
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 commended
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 would
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 without
                 a
                 Copy
                 of
                 it
                 :
                 be
                 much
                 in
                 observing
                 your
                 own
                 hearts
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 duties
                 and
                 out-crying
                 mightily
                 to
                 God
                 for
                 assurance
                 :
                 If
                 you
                 cannot
                 discern
                 your
                 estate
                 your selves
                 ,
                 go
                 to
                 some
                 body
                 that
                 is
                 able
                 and
                 faithful
                 ,
                 and
                 fully
                 open
                 your
                 Case
                 ,
                 your
                 Evidences
                 and
                 doubts
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 extraordinary
                 strict
                 and
                 watchful
                 in
                 your
                 whole
                 course
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 you
                 will
                 quickly
                 grow
                 up
                 to
                 assurance
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 cannot
                 tell
                 how
                 to
                 make
                 an
                 end
                 ,
                 methinks
                 I
                 could
                 write
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 my
                 straights
                 of
                 time
                 are
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Letter
                 already
                 too
                 long
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 cannot
                 conclude
                 till
                 I
                 have
                 given
                 you
                 my
                 unfeigned
                 thanks
                 for
                 your
                 most
                 kind
                 and
                 gracious
                 Letter
                 .
                 Surely
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 in
                 store
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 laid
                 up
                 among
                 my
                 Treasures
                 ;
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 pleased
                 so
                 to
                 unite
                 your
                 hearts
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 me
                 for
                 your
                 edification
                 ,
                 is
                 matter
                 of
                 highest
                 joy
                 unto
                 me
                 ;
                 as
                 also
                 to
                 see
                 your
                 〈◊〉
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 your
                 unshaken
                 resolutions
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 the
                 Tempters
                 wiles
                 .
                 Go
                 on
                 ,
                 my
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Lord
                 strengthen
                 your
                 hands
                 and
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 lift
                 you
                 up
                 above
                 the
                 fears
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 My
                 most
                 dear
                 Brother
                 Norman
                 salutes
                 you
                 with
                 manifold
                 Loves
                 and
                 Respects
                 ,
                 earnestly
                 wishing
                 
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 wear
                 the
                 Crown
                 of
                 perseverance
                 ;
                 as
                 also
                 Brother
                 Turner
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 strengthen
                 ,
                 establish
                 ,
                 settle
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 you
                 have
                 suffered
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 make
                 you
                 perfect
                 :
                 I
                 leave
                 my
                 Brethen
                 in
                 the
                 everlasting
                 Arms
                 ,
                 and
                 rest
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   From
                   the
                   common
                   〈◊〉
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     June
                     13th
                     .
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   Your
                   Embassador
                   in
                   bonds
                   ,
                   Joseph
                   Alleine
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 LETTERS
                 IV.
                 (
                 A
                 Call
                 to
                 the
                 Unconverted
                 .
                 )
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   Beloved
                   People
                   the
                   Inhabitants
                   of
                   the
                   Town
                   of
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   ,
                   Mercy
                   ,
                   and
                   Peace
                   from
                   God
                   our
                   Father
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   Christ.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   endeared
                   and
                   beloved
                   Friends
                   :
                
              
               
                 I
                 Do
                 most
                 readily
                 acknowledge
                 my self
                 a
                 Debtor
                 to
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Servant
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 I
                 have
                 sent
                 these
                 few
                 Lines
                 to
                 salute
                 you
                 all
                 .
                 My
                 Lines
                 did
                 fall
                 in
                 a
                 fair
                 place
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 did
                 cast
                 my
                 Lot
                 among
                 you
                 ;
                 for
                 which
                 I
                 desire
                 to
                 be
                 thankful
                 .
                 God
                 hath
                 been
                 pleased
                 to
                 work
                 a
                 mutual
                 affection
                 between
                 me
                 and
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 remember
                 the
                 Tears
                 and
                 Prayers
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 sent
                 me
                 hither
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 I
                 saw
                 your
                 hearts
                 in
                 your
                 eyes
                 ;
                 How
                 can
                 I
                 forget
                 how
                 you
                 poured
                 out
                 your
                 Souls
                 upon
                 me
                 .
                 And
                 truly
                 you
                 are
                 a
                 People
                 much
                 upon
                 my
                 heart
                 ,
                 whose
                 welfare
                 is
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 my
                 continual
                 prayers
                 ,
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 study
                 .
                 And
                 oh
                 !
                 that
                 I
                 knew
                 how
                 to
                 do
                 you
                 good
                 :
                 Ah?
                 how
                 certainly
                 should
                 never
                 a
                 son
                 of
                 you
                 miscarry
                 if
                 I
                 knew
                 how
                 to
                 save
                 you
                 .
                 Ah!
                 how
                 it
                 pities
                 
                 me
                 to
                 think
                 how
                 that
                 so
                 many
                 of
                 you
                 should
                 remain
                 in
                 your
                 sins
                 after
                 so
                 many
                 and
                 so
                 long
                 endeavours
                 to
                 convert
                 and
                 bring
                 them
                 in
                 .
                 Once
                 more
                 ,
                 Oh!
                 my
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 once
                 more
                 hear
                 the
                 call
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 high
                 God
                 unto
                 yon
                 .
                 The
                 Prison
                 Preaches
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 Doctrine
                 that
                 the
                 Pulpit
                 did
                 .
                 Hear
                 ,
                 O
                 People
                 ,
                 hear
                 ;
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 an
                 ear
                 let
                 him
                 hear
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 of
                 Life
                 and
                 of
                 Glory
                 offers
                 you
                 all
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 Peace
                 ,
                 and
                 Blessedness
                 :
                 Oh
                 ,
                 why
                 should
                 you
                 die
                 !
                 whosoever
                 will
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 take
                 of
                 the
                 Waters
                 of
                 Life
                 freely
                 ;
                 what
                 miss
                 of
                 life
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 had
                 for
                 the
                 taking
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 .
                 O
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 my
                 Soul
                 yerns
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 bowels
                 towards
                 you
                 .
                 Ah!
                 that
                 I
                 did
                 but
                 know
                 what
                 Arguments
                 to
                 use
                 with
                 you
                 :
                 who
                 shall
                 chuse
                 my
                 words
                 for
                 me
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 prevail
                 with
                 sinners
                 not
                 to
                 reject
                 their
                 own
                 Mercy
                 :
                 how
                 shall
                 I
                 get
                 within
                 them
                 ?
                 How
                 shall
                 I
                 reach
                 them
                 ?
                 Oh!
                 that
                 I
                 did
                 but
                 know
                 the
                 words
                 that
                 would
                 pierce
                 them
                 ?
                 That
                 I
                 could
                 but
                 get
                 between
                 their
                 sins
                 and
                 them
                 .
                 Beloved
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 hath
                 made
                 me
                 ,
                 most
                 unworthy
                 ,
                 his
                 Spokesman
                 ,
                 to
                 bespeak
                 your
                 hearts
                 for
                 him
                 :
                 And
                 oh
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 knew
                 but
                 how
                 to
                 〈◊〉
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 prevail
                 !
                 these
                 eight
                 years
                 have
                 I
                 been
                 calling
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 how
                 great
                 a
                 part
                 do
                 remain
                 visibly
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 few
                 ,
                 alas
                 !
                 how
                 few
                 souls
                 have
                 I
                 gained
                 to
                 Christ
                 by
                 sound
                 conversion
                 .
                 Once
                 more
                 I
                 desire
                 with
                 all
                 possible
                 earnestness
                 to
                 apply
                 my self
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 thought
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 Sermon
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 Prison
                 might
                 do
                 that
                 which
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 do
                 after
                 my
                 long
                 striving
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 left
                 undone
                 〈◊〉
                 then
                 ,
                 O
                 Friends
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 us
                 reason
                 together
                 .
              
               
                 Many
                 among
                 you
                 remain
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Ignorance
                 :
                 Ah!
                 how
                 often
                 have
                 I
                 told
                 you
                 the
                 dangerous
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 damnable
                 estate
                 that
                 such
                 are
                 in
                 .
                 Never
                 make
                 excuses
                 ,
                 nor
                 flatter
                 your selves
                 that
                 you
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 though
                 you
                 go
                 on
                 in
                 this
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 told
                 you
                 often
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 tell
                 you
                 again
                 ,
                 God
                 must
                 be
                 false
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 if
                 ever
                 you
                 be
                 saved
                 without
                 being
                 brought
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 Ignorance
                 :
                 If
                 ever
                 you
                 enter
                 in
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 by
                 the
                 Key
                 of
                 Knowledge
                 ,
                 you
                 cannot
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 except
                 you
                 be
                 brought
                 to
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 .
                 A
                 people
                 that
                 remain
                 in
                 gross
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 without
                 understanding
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 that
                 made
                 them
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 have
                 mercy
                 on
                 them
                 .
                 O
                 why
                 will
                 you
                 flatter
                 your selves
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 wilfully
                 deceive
                 your
                 own
                 selves
                 ?
                 when
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Truth
                 hath
                 said
                 you
                 shall
                 surely
                 die
                 if
                 you
                 go
                 on
                 in
                 this
                 estate
                 :
                 Oh
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 awake
                 and
                 bestir
                 your selves
                 to
                 get
                 the
                 saving
                 knowledge
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 you
                 that
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 learning
                 a
                 Trade
                 to
                 live
                 by
                 ,
                 are
                 you
                 not
                 capable
                 of
                 learning
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 be
                 saved
                 :
                 yea
                 ,
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 you
                 are
                 capable
                 if
                 you
                 would
                 but
                 beat
                 your
                 heads
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 pains
                 to
                 get
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 pity
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 perish
                 for
                 ever
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 a
                 little
                 pains
                 ,
                 and
                 study
                 ,
                 and
                 care
                 to
                 get
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 Study
                 the
                 Catechism
                 ,
                 if
                 possible
                 get
                 it
                 by
                 heart
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 ,
                 read
                 it
                 often
                 ,
                 or
                 get
                 it
                 read
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 cry
                 unto
                 God
                 for
                 knowledge
                 ;
                 improve
                 the
                 little
                 you
                 have
                 by
                 living
                 answerable
                 .
                 Search
                 the
                 Scripture
                 daily
                 ,
                 get
                 them
                 read
                 to
                 you
                 if
                 you
                 cannot
                 read
                 them
                 .
                 Improve
                 your
                 Sabbaths
                 diligently
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 these
                 means
                 you
                 will
                 sooner
                 arrive
                 to
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 than
                 of
                 a
                 Trade
                 .
                 But
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 O
                 hardned
                 sinner
                 ,
                 that
                 wilt
                 make
                 thy
                 excuses
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 not
                 time
                 nor
                 abilities
                 to
                 get
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 sit
                 still
                 without
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 pronounce
                 unto
                 thee
                 that
                 thou
                 shalt
                 surely
                 perish
                 :
                 And
                 I
                 challenge
                 thee
                 to
                 tell
                 me
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 canst
                 ,
                 how
                 thou
                 wilt
                 answer
                 it
                 before
                 the
                 most
                 High
                 God
                 when
                 he
                 shall
                 fit
                 in
                 judgement
                 upon
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 wouldest
                 be
                 contented
                 to
                 undergo
                 a
                 seven
                 years
                 Apprentiship
                 to
                 learn
                 how
                 to
                 get
                 thy
                 living
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 thou
                 mightest
                 have
                 got
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 in
                 half
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 but
                 thou
                 wouldest
                 not
                 beat
                 thy
                 head
                 about
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Many
                 are
                 swallowed
                 up
                 in
                 meer
                 profaneness
                 :
                 Alas
                 !
                 that
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 any
                 such
                 in
                 a
                 place
                 of
                 such
                 means
                 and
                 mercies
                 !
                 but
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 concealed
                 .
                 Many
                 of
                 them
                 proclaim
                 their
                 sin
                 like
                 Sodom
                 ,
                 and
                 carry
                 their
                 deadly
                 Leprosie
                 in
                 their
                 foreheads
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 ashamed
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 in
                 Taunton
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 many
                 Alehouse-haunters
                 and
                 Tiplers
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 lewd
                 Gamesters
                 ,
                 and
                 Rioters
                 and
                 debauched
                 livers
                 ;
                 so
                 many
                 black
                 mouthed
                 Swearers
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 Oaths
                 and
                 Curses
                 for
                 their
                 common
                 language
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 Raylers
                 at
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 and
                 Prosane
                 Scoffers
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 Lyars
                 and
                 deceitful
                 Dealers
                 ,
                 and
                 unclean
                 and
                 wanton
                 Wretches
                 .
                 O
                 what
                 a
                 long
                 list
                 will
                 these
                 and
                 such
                 like
                 make
                 up
                 ,
                 if
                 put
                 together
                 :
                 it
                 saddens
                 me
                 to
                 mention
                 such
                 as
                 these
                 .
                 O
                 how
                 crimsen
                 is
                 their
                 guilt
                 !
                 how
                 often
                 
                 have
                 you
                 been
                 warned
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 are
                 still
                 unreformed
                 ,
                 yea
                 loose
                 and
                 profane
                 .
                 Yet
                 one
                 warning
                 more
                 have
                 I
                 sent
                 after
                 you
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 to
                 repent
                 .
                 Return
                 ,
                 O
                 finners
                 ,
                 what
                 !
                 will
                 you
                 run
                 into
                 everlasting
                 burnings
                 with
                 your
                 eyes
                 open
                 ?
              
               
                 Repent
                 ,
                 O
                 Drunkards
                 or
                 else
                 you
                 shall
                 be
                 shut
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 Repent
                 ,
                 O
                 Swearers
                 ,
                 else
                 you
                 shall
                 fall
                 into
                 condemnation
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 12.
                 
                 Repent
                 ,
                 O
                 Lyars
                 ,
                 put
                 away
                 lying
                 ,
                 and
                 speak
                 every
                 one
                 truth
                 to
                 his
                 neighbour
                 ;
                 else
                 you
                 shall
                 have
                 your
                 part
                 in
                 the
                 Lake
                 that
                 burneth
                 with
                 Fire
                 and
                 Brimstone
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 20.
                 8.
                 
                 Repent
                 ,
                 O
                 Company-keepers
                 ,
                 forsake
                 the
                 foolish
                 and
                 live
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 Companion
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 shall
                 be
                 destroyed
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 13.
                 20.
                 
                 Repent
                 you
                 Deceivers
                 of
                 your
                 unrighteous
                 dealings
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 you
                 shall
                 have
                 no
                 Inheriance
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 that
                 made
                 us
                 ,
                 knows
                 my
                 earnest
                 desire
                 for
                 your
                 conversion
                 and
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 I
                 speak
                 not
                 this
                 to
                 you
                 out
                 of
                 any
                 evil
                 will
                 toward
                 you
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 would
                 〈◊〉
                 at
                 your
                 feet
                 to
                 do
                 you
                 good
                 ,
                 but
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 your
                 deplorable
                 estate
                 ,
                 while
                 you
                 remain
                 in
                 your
                 sins
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 there
                 is
                 mercy
                 for
                 you
                 if
                 you
                 do
                 soundly
                 repent
                 and
                 reform
                 ,
                 and
                 bow
                 to
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 Government
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 :
                 but
                 if
                 you
                 go
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 yet
                 have
                 peace
                 ,
                 I
                 pronounce
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 escape
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 make
                 his
                 wrath
                 to
                 smoak
                 against
                 you
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 wound
                 the
                 head
                 of
                 his
                 enemies
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 hairy
                 scalp
                 of
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 as
                 goeth
                 on
                 still
                 in
                 his
                 Trespasses
                 .
              
               
                 Others
                 have
                 escaped
                 the
                 gross
                 pollutions
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 but
                 stick
                 in
                 the
                 form
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 and
                 content
                 themselves
                 with
                 a
                 negative
                 Righreousness
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 no
                 Drunkards
                 ,
                 nor
                 Swearers
                 ,
                 &c.
                 or
                 at
                 best
                 with
                 an
                 outward
                 conformity
                 to
                 the
                 duties
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 or
                 some
                 common
                 workings
                 ,
                 instead
                 of
                 a
                 saving
                 .
                 O
                 I
                 am
                 jealous
                 for
                 you
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 not
                 lose
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 wrought
                 ,
                 and
                 miss
                 your
                 reware
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 sincerity
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 Lords
                 sake
                 put
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 beware
                 of
                 perishing
                 in
                 the
                 Suburbs
                 of
                 the
                 City
                 of
                 Refuge
                 :
                 beg
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 make
                 through-work
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 jealous
                 for
                 your selves
                 ;
                 get
                 a
                 right
                 understanding
                 of
                 the
                 difference
                 between
                 a
                 Hypocripe
                 and
                 a
                 sincere
                 Christian
                 ,
                 and
                 try
                 you
                 estates
                 much
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 with
                 those
                 marks
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 sure
                 from
                 the
                 Scripture
                 will
                 abide
                 Gods
                 trial
                 .
              
               
               
                 But
                 for
                 you
                 that
                 fear
                 the
                 Lord
                 in
                 sincerity
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 nothing
                 but
                 good
                 and
                 comfortable
                 words
                 :
                 I
                 have
                 proclaimed
                 your
                 happiness
                 in
                 the
                 last
                 Token
                 I
                 sent
                 to
                 the
                 Town
                 :
                 I
                 mean
                 the
                 abstract
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 Priviledges
                 ,
                 comforts
                 ,
                 mercies
                 there
                 summed
                 up
                 and
                 set
                 before
                 you
                 .
                 May
                 your
                 souls
                 ever
                 live
                 ;
                 what
                 condition
                 can
                 you
                 devise
                 wherein
                 there
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 abundance
                 of
                 comfort
                 ,
                 and
                 matter
                 of
                 joy
                 unspeakable
                 ,
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 O
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 know
                 your
                 own
                 happiness
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 in
                 that
                 holy
                 admiring
                 ,
                 commending
                 ,
                 adoring
                 ,
                 praisins
                 of
                 your
                 gracious
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 becomes
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 his
                 praise
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 long
                 ,
                 yet
                 methinks
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 emptied
                 half
                 my
                 heart
                 unto
                 you
                 :
                 I
                 trespass
                 much
                 ,
                 I
                 fear
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 Bearer
                 ,
                 therefore
                 in
                 haste
                 I
                 commend
                 you
                 to
                 God.
                 The
                 good
                 will
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 dwelt
                 in
                 the
                 Bush
                 be
                 with
                 you
                 all
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 Create
                 a
                 defence
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 Deliverance
                 for
                 you
                 :
                 the
                 Lord
                 cover
                 you
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 you
                 to
                 dwell
                 between
                 his
                 shoulders
                 ;
                 I
                 desire
                 your
                 constant
                 ,
                 instant
                 ,
                 earnest
                 Prayers
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 rest
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   A
                   willing
                   Labourer
                   ,
                   and
                   thankful
                   Sufferer
                   for
                   you
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   common
                   Goale
                   in
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     July
                     4th
                     .
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 V.
                 [
                 Trust
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 sincere
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   my
                   most
                   endeared
                   Friends
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   and
                   longed
                   for
                   ,
                   my
                   Joy
                   and
                   Crown
                   :
                
              
               
                 MY
                 hearts
                 desire
                 and
                 prayer
                 to
                 God
                 for
                 you
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 saved
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 the
                 But
                 of
                 mens
                 rage
                 and
                 malice
                 :
                 but
                 you
                 may
                 satisfie
                 your selves
                 as
                 David
                 in
                 his
                 patient
                 sustaining
                 of
                 〈◊〉
                 fury
                 and
                 curses
                 :
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 look
                 upon
                 our
                 affliction
                 ,
                 and
                 require
                 good
                 for
                 their
                 cursing
                 this
                 day
                 .
                 But
                 however
                 it
                 be
                 for
                 that
                 ,
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 hold
                 on
                 your
                 way
                 :
                 your
                 name
                 indeed
                 is
                 cast
                 forth
                 as
                 evil
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 are
                 hated
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 for
                 Christs-sake
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 profession
                 of
                 his
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 clearing
                 to
                 his
                 Ways
                 and
                 Servants
                 :
                 but
                 let
                 not
                 this
                 discourage
                 you
                 ,
                 for
                 you
                 are
                 now
                 more
                 than
                 ever
                 blessed
                 :
                 onely
                 hold
                 fast
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 man
                 take
                 your
                 Crown
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 any
                 that
                 have
                 begun
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 end
                 in
                 the
                 flesh
                 .
                 Do
                 not
                 forsake
                 God
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 forsake
                 you
                 ;
                 he
                 that
                 endureth
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 :
                 The
                 Promise
                 is
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 overcometh
                 ;
                 therefore
                 think
                 not
                 of
                 looking
                 back
                 :
                 Now
                 you
                 have
                 set
                 your
                 hands
                 to
                 Christ's
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 though
                 you
                 labour
                 hard
                 ,
                 and
                 suffer
                 long
                 ,
                 the
                 Crop
                 will
                 pay
                 for
                 all
                 :
                 now
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 trying
                 what
                 credit
                 he
                 hath
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 they
                 be
                 that
                 will
                 trust
                 him
                 .
                 The
                 unbelieving
                 World
                 are
                 all
                 for
                 present
                 Pay
                 ;
                 they
                 must
                 have
                 ready
                 Money
                 ,
                 something
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 not
                 follow
                 the
                 Lord
                 when
                 there
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 any
                 great
                 hazard
                 and
                 hardship
                 in
                 his
                 Service
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 my
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 to
                 prove
                 your selves
                 Believers
                 ,
                 when
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 visible
                 but
                 present
                 hazard
                 and
                 expence
                 ,
                 and
                 difficulty
                 in
                 your
                 Makers
                 service
                 .
                 Now
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 seen
                 who
                 can
                 trust
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 thrusts
                 him
                 not
                 :
                 
                 Now
                 ,
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 bear
                 you
                 up
                 ,
                 stand
                 fast
                 in
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
                 quit
                 you
                 like
                 men
                 ,
                 be
                 strong
                 :
                 now
                 give
                 glory
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 believing
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 can
                 trust
                 in
                 his
                 Promises
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 reward
                 now
                 ,
                 when
                 nothing
                 appears
                 but
                 the
                 dispseasure
                 of
                 Rulers
                 ,
                 and
                 Bonds
                 ,
                 and
                 Losies
                 ,
                 and
                 Tribulations
                 on
                 every
                 side
                 ,
                 this
                 will
                 be
                 somewhat
                 like
                 Believer
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 to
                 reckon
                 upon
                 no
                 other
                 but
                 crosses
                 here
                 .
                 Let
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 dream
                 of
                 an
                 Earthly
                 Paradise
                 ,
                 or
                 flatter
                 your selves
                 with
                 Dreams
                 of
                 sleeping
                 in
                 your
                 ease
                 ,
                 and
                 temporal
                 Prosperity
                 ,
                 and
                 carrying
                 Heaven
                 too
                 .
                 Think
                 not
                 to
                 keep
                 your
                 Estates
                 ,
                 and
                 liberties
                 and
                 consciences
                 too
                 :
                 Count
                 not
                 upon
                 rest
                 till
                 you
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 Promise
                 .
                 Not
                 that
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 to
                 run
                 upon
                 hazards
                 uncalled
                 :
                 No
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 meet
                 them
                 soon
                 enough
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 our
                 duty
                 ,
                 without
                 we
                 will
                 balke
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 shamefully
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 :
                 but
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 you
                 east
                 over-board
                 you
                 worldly
                 hopes
                 ,
                 and
                 count
                 not
                 upon
                 an
                 Earthly
                 felicity
                 but
                 be
                 content
                 〈◊〉
                 till
                 you
                 come
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 the
                 Grave
                 .
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 enough
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 whole
                 eternity
                 of
                 Happiness
                 yet
                 behind
                 ?
                 If
                 God
                 do
                 throw
                 in
                 the
                 comforts
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 too
                 into
                 the
                 bargain
                 ;
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 you
                 throw
                 them
                 back
                 again
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 despite
                 the
                 goodness
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 But
                 I
                 would
                 ,
                 my
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 use
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 〈◊〉
                 it
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 〈◊〉
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 World
                 〈◊〉
                 ;
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 declare
                 plainly
                 that
                 you
                 seek
                 a
                 Countrey
                 ;
                 〈◊〉
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 an
                 Heavenly
                 .
                 Ah!
                 my
                 dear
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 carry
                 it
                 like
                 Pilgrims
                 and
                 strangers
                 ,
                 I
                 〈◊〉
                 you
                 abstain
                 from
                 fleshly
                 lusts
                 ,
                 which
                 war
                 against
                 〈◊〉
                 Souls
                 ;
                 for
                 what
                 have
                 we
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 the
                 customes
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 strangers
                 in
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 contented
                 with
                 .
                 Travellers
                 Lots
                 :
                 know
                 you
                 not
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 in
                 a
                 strange
                 Land
                 ?
                 all
                 is
                 well
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 well
                 at
                 home
                 ;
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 daily
                 and
                 frequently
                 to
                 consider
                 your
                 condition
                 and
                 station
                 :
                 Do
                 you
                 not
                 remember
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 in
                 〈◊〉
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 though
                 your
                 be
                 but
                 poorly
                 attended
                 ,
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 accommodated
                 ?
                 though
                 you
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 hard
                 ,
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 a
                 strange
                 ,
                 thing
                 ?
                 What
                 should
                 Travellers
                 look
                 for
                 else
                 ?
                 Will
                 you
                 set
                 forth
                 in
                 a
                 Journey
                 ,
                 and
                 promise
                 your selves
                 nothing
                 but
                 fair-way
                 and
                 fair
                 weather
                 ?
                 Shall
                 a
                 man
                 put
                 forth
                 to
                 Sea
                 and
                 reckon
                 upon
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 calm
                 ?
                 If
                 you
                 were
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 the
                 World
                 
                 would
                 love
                 his
                 own
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 God
                 hath
                 chosen
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 called
                 you
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 therefore
                 the
                 World
                 hateth
                 you
                 :
                 But
                 remember
                 ,
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 your
                 duty
                 to
                 love
                 them
                 ,
                 even
                 while
                 they
                 hate
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 pray
                 for
                 mercy
                 for
                 them
                 that
                 will
                 shew
                 no
                 mercy
                 ,
                 nor
                 do
                 no
                 Justice
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 This
                 I
                 desire
                 you
                 to
                 observe
                 as
                 a
                 great
                 duty
                 of
                 the
                 present
                 times
                 :
                 And
                 let
                 not
                 any
                 so
                 far
                 forget
                 their
                 duty
                 and
                 pattern
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 wish
                 evil
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 do
                 evil
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 please
                 themselves
                 with
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 being
                 even
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 commit
                 our selves
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 judgeth
                 righteously
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 our selves
                 the
                 children
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 High
                 ,
                 who
                 doth
                 good
                 to
                 his
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 kind
                 to
                 the
                 unkind
                 and
                 unthankful
                 :
                 And
                 what
                 though
                 they
                 do
                 hate
                 us
                 ?
                 Their
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 good-will
                 were
                 much
                 more
                 to
                 be
                 feared
                 ,
                 than
                 their
                 hatred
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 far
                 worse
                 sign
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 keep
                 your selves
                 in
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 here
                 is
                 Wisdom
                 .
                 O
                 happy
                 Souls
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 his
                 Favourites
                 !
                 For
                 the
                 Lords-sake
                 look
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 make
                 sure
                 of
                 something
                 :
                 look
                 to
                 your
                 sincerity
                 above
                 all
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 let
                 not
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 conclude
                 ,
                 that
                 because
                 you
                 are
                 of
                 the
                 suffering-party
                 ,
                 therefore
                 all
                 is
                 well
                 :
                 Look
                 to
                 the
                 Foundation
                 ,
                 that
                 your
                 hearts
                 be
                 foundly
                 taken
                 off
                 from
                 every
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 upon
                 God
                 above
                 as
                 your
                 Blessedness
                 :
                 Beware
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 have
                 only
                 a
                 name
                 to
                 live
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 almost
                 Christians
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 ,
                 make
                 a
                 diligeht
                 search
                 ,
                 and
                 try
                 upon
                 what
                 ground
                 you
                 stand
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 heartily
                 pities
                 me
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 in
                 so
                 deep
                 ,
                 and
                 hazard
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 these
                 must
                 do
                 that
                 will
                 now
                 cleave
                 to
                 the
                 hated
                 ways
                 of
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 lose
                 all
                 at
                 last
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 being
                 thorow
                 and
                 sound
                 in
                 the
                 main
                 work
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 conversion
                 and
                 Regeneration
                 .
                 None
                 so
                 miserable
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 as
                 an
                 unsound
                 Professor
                 of
                 Religion
                 now
                 is
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 hated
                 and
                 persecured
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 takes
                 up
                 a
                 Profession
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 rejected
                 of
                 God
                 too
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 sticks
                 in
                 a
                 Profession
                 :
                 But
                 when
                 once
                 you
                 bear
                 the
                 marks
                 of
                 Gods
                 favour
                 ,
                 you
                 need
                 not
                 fear
                 the
                 Worlds
                 frowns
                 :
                 Cheer
                 up
                 therefore
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 be
                 strong
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 good
                 courage
                 under
                 the
                 Worlds
                 usage
                 :
                 Fear
                 not
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 Fathers
                 House
                 there
                 is
                 bread
                 enough
                 ,
                 and
                 room
                 enough
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 sufficient
                 to
                 comfort
                 us
                 under
                 all
                 the
                 inconveniences
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 so
                 happy
                 a
                 Home
                 ,
                 so
                 worthy
                 a
                 Portion
                 ,
                 so
                 
                 ready
                 a
                 Father
                 ,
                 so
                 goodly
                 an
                 Heritage
                 ,
                 so
                 sure
                 a
                 Tenure
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 comfort
                 one
                 another
                 with
                 these
                 words
                 :
                 let
                 God
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 can
                 trust
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 :
                 let
                 the
                 World
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 can
                 live
                 upon
                 a
                 God.
                 I
                 shall
                 share
                 my
                 Prayers
                 and
                 loves
                 among
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 commit
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 Almighty
                 God
                 :
                 the
                 Keeper
                 of
                 Israel
                 that
                 never
                 slumbereth
                 not
                 sleepeth
                 ,
                 be
                 your
                 Watchman
                 and
                 Keeper
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 Farewel
                 .
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   A
                   fervent
                   well-wisher
                   of
                   your
                   Temporal
                   and
                   Eternal
                   Happiness
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   common
                   Gaol
                   at
                   〈◊〉
                   ,
                   
                     July
                     24.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 VI.
                 [
                 Look
                 out
                 of
                 your
                 Gravos
                 upon
                 the
                 World.
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   my
                   most
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   Friends
                   ,
                   the
                   chosen
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   endeared
                   Christians
                   ,
                
              
               
                 MY
                 heart
                 is
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 am
                 Absent
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 my
                 Bodlly
                 presence
                 from
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 often
                 already
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 have
                 now
                 Written
                 to
                 you
                 to
                 stir
                 up
                 your
                 pureminds
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Remembrance
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 call
                 upon
                 you
                 for
                 your
                 stedfast
                 continuing
                 ,
                 and
                 vigorous
                 proceeding
                 in
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 God.
                 Dear
                 Friends
                 ,
                 and
                 fellow
                 Souldiers
                 under
                 Christ
                 the
                 Captain
                 of
                 our
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 consider
                 your
                 Calling
                 and
                 Station
                 ,
                 and
                 approve
                 your selves
                 as
                 good
                 Souldiers
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 men
                 of
                 resolution
                 and
                 courage
                 ,
                 be
                 discouraged
                 with
                 no
                 difficulties
                 of
                 your
                 present
                 Warsare
                 .
                 As
                 for
                 
                 humane
                 affairs
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 you
                 are
                 ,
                 
                   Men
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 :
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 you
                 
                   Armed
                   not
                   for
                   resisting
                
                 ,
                 God
                 forbid
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 
                   Suffering
                   only
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 hints
                 :
                 You
                 should
                 resist
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 the
                 uttermost
                 ,
                 striving
                 against
                 Sin.
                 Here
                 you
                 must
                 give
                 no
                 Quarter
                 ,
                 for
                 if
                 you
                 spare
                 but
                 one
                 Agag
                 ,
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 must
                 go
                 for
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 your
                 Sins
                 :
                 you
                 must
                 make
                 no
                 Peace
                 ,
                 for
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 smile
                 on
                 that
                 Soul
                 that
                 smiles
                 on
                 Sin
                 ,
                 nor
                 have
                 any
                 Peace
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 at
                 peace
                 with
                 his
                 Enemy
                 .
                 Other
                 Enemies
                 you
                 must
                 forgive
                 ,
                 and
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 pray
                 for
                 (
                 which
                 I
                 again
                 desire
                 you
                 to
                 mind
                 as
                 one
                 special
                 duty
                 of
                 the
                 times
                 )
                 but
                 for
                 these
                 Spiritual
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 all
                 your
                 affections
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 yonr
                 Prayers
                 must
                 be
                 engaged
                 against
                 them
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 admit
                 no
                 Parley
                 :
                 It
                 's
                 dangerous
                 to
                 dispute
                 with
                 Temptations
                 .
                 Remember
                 what
                 Eve
                 lost
                 by
                 Parleying
                 with
                 Satan
                 :
                 you
                 must
                 slie
                 from
                 Temptations
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 them
                 off
                 at
                 first
                 with
                 a
                 Peremptory
                 denial
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 will
                 but
                 hear
                 the
                 Devils
                 Arguments
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Fleshes
                 Pleas
                 ,
                 and
                 fair
                 Pretences
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 hundred
                 to
                 one
                 but
                 you
                 are
                 insnared
                 by
                 his
                 Sophistry
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 this
                 present
                 evil
                 World
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 deliver
                 you
                 from
                 its
                 Snares
                 .
                 Surely
                 you
                 had
                 need
                 watch
                 and
                 be
                 sober
                 ,
                 and
                 use
                 your
                 spiritual
                 Weapons
                 dexterously
                 and
                 diligently
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 this
                 World
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 undo
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 destroy
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 often
                 warned
                 you
                 not
                 to
                 build
                 upon
                 an
                 External
                 happiness
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 promise
                 your selves
                 nothing
                 but
                 hardship
                 here
                 :
                 Oh
                 still
                 remember
                 your
                 Station
                 ;
                 Souldiers
                 must
                 not
                 count
                 upon
                 Rest
                 ,
                 and
                 Fulness
                 ,
                 but
                 Hunger
                 ,
                 and
                 Hardness
                 .
                 Labour
                 to
                 get
                 right
                 apprehensions
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 Do
                 not
                 think
                 these
                 things
                 necessary
                 ;
                 one
                 thing
                 is
                 needful
                 :
                 You
                 may
                 be
                 happy
                 in
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 all
                 outward
                 comforts
                 .
                 Do
                 not
                 think
                 your selves
                 undone
                 ,
                 if
                 brought
                 to
                 Want
                 or
                 Poverty
                 :
                 study
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 will
                 see
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 little
                 material
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 whether
                 you
                 are
                 Poor
                 or
                 Rich
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 have
                 never
                 such
                 an
                 opportunity
                 for
                 your
                 advantage
                 in
                 all
                 your
                 lives
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 you
                 put
                 all
                 to
                 hazard
                 ,
                 and
                 seem
                 to
                 run
                 the
                 Vessel
                 upon
                 the
                 Rocks
                 .
                 Set
                 your
                 enemies
                 one
                 against
                 the
                 other
                 :
                 Death
                 against
                 the
                 World
                 ;
                 no
                 such
                 way
                 to
                 get
                 above
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 put
                 your selves
                 into
                 the
                 possession
                 of
                 Death
                 .
                 Look
                 often
                 upon
                 your
                 Dust
                 that
                 you
                 shall
                 be
                 Reduced
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 imagine
                 you
                 saw
                 your
                 Bones
                 tumbled
                 out
                 of
                 your
                 Graces
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 
                 like
                 shortly
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 and
                 men
                 handling
                 your
                 Skulls
                 ,
                 and
                 enquiring
                 whose
                 is
                 this
                 .
                 Tell
                 me
                 of
                 what
                 account
                 will
                 the
                 World
                 be
                 then
                 ,
                 what
                 good
                 will
                 it
                 do
                 you
                 :
                 put
                 your selves
                 often
                 into
                 your
                 Graves
                 ,
                 and
                 look
                 out
                 from
                 thence
                 upon
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 what
                 Judgement
                 you
                 have
                 of
                 it
                 then
                 .
                 Must
                 not
                 you
                 be
                 shortly
                 forgot
                 among
                 the
                 Dead
                 ?
                 your
                 places
                 will
                 know
                 you
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 Memory
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 among
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 what
                 will
                 it
                 profit
                 you
                 to
                 have
                 lived
                 in
                 fashion
                 and
                 repute
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 Men
                 of
                 esteem
                 ?
                 one
                 serious
                 walk
                 over
                 a
                 Church-yard
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   one
                   speaks
                
                 ,
                 might
                 make
                 a
                 man
                 mortified
                 to
                 the
                 World.
                 Think
                 upon
                 how
                 many
                 you
                 Tread
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 know
                 them
                 not
                 :
                 no
                 doubt
                 they
                 had
                 their
                 Estates
                 ,
                 their
                 friends
                 ,
                 their
                 Trades
                 ,
                 their
                 businesses
                 ,
                 and
                 kept
                 as
                 much
                 stir
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 as
                 others
                 do
                 now
                 .
                 But
                 alas
                 ,
                 what
                 are
                 they
                 the
                 better
                 for
                 any
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 this
                 ?
                 know
                 you
                 not
                 that
                 this
                 must
                 be
                 your
                 own
                 case
                 very
                 shortly
                 :
                 oh
                 the
                 unhappiness
                 of
                 deceived
                 man
                 !
                 how
                 miserably
                 is
                 he
                 bewitched
                 ,
                 and
                 befooled
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 expend
                 himself
                 for
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 knows
                 shall
                 for
                 ever
                 leave
                 him
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 lay
                 no
                 stress
                 upon
                 these
                 perishing
                 things
                 ,
                 but
                 labour
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 a
                 Holy
                 indifferencie
                 about
                 them
                 :
                 Is
                 it
                 for
                 one
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 his
                 wits
                 to
                 sell
                 his
                 God
                 ,
                 his
                 conscience
                 ,
                 his
                 soul
                 ,
                 for
                 things
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 sure
                 to
                 keep
                 a
                 week
                 ,
                 nor
                 a
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 he
                 is
                 sure
                 after
                 a
                 few
                 sleepings
                 and
                 wakings
                 more
                 ,
                 to
                 leave
                 behind
                 him
                 for
                 ever
                 ?
                 go
                 and
                 talk
                 with
                 dying
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 what
                 apprehensions
                 they
                 have
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ?
                 if
                 any
                 should
                 come
                 to
                 such
                 as
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 tell
                 them
                 here
                 is
                 such
                 and
                 such
                 preferments
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 have
                 such
                 titles
                 of
                 Honour
                 and
                 delights
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 will
                 now
                 disown
                 Religion
                 ,
                 or
                 subscribe
                 to
                 iniquity
                 ;
                 do
                 you
                 think
                 such
                 a
                 motion
                 would
                 be
                 embraced
                 ?
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 why
                 should
                 we
                 not
                 be
                 wise
                 in
                 time
                 !
                 why
                 should
                 we
                 not
                 now
                 be
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 which
                 we
                 know
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 all
                 shortly
                 !
                 woe
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 wise
                 ,
                 till
                 it
                 be
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 !
                 woe
                 to
                 them
                 whose
                 eyes
                 nothing
                 but
                 Death
                 and
                 Judgement
                 ,
                 will
                 open
                 !
                 woe
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 though
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 warned
                 by
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 heard
                 the
                 Worlds
                 greatest
                 Darlings
                 in
                 Death
                 to
                 cry
                 out
                 of
                 its
                 vanity
                 ,
                 worthlesness
                 and
                 deceitfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 been
                 told
                 where
                 and
                 how
                 it
                 would
                 leave
                 them
                 ;
                 yet
                 would
                 take
                 no
                 warning
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 must
                 serve
                 themselves
                 to
                 ,
                 for
                 warnings
                 to
                 others
                 .
                 All
                 my
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 beware
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 worldly
                 Professors
                 among
                 
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 part
                 rather
                 with
                 their
                 part
                 in
                 Paradise
                 ,
                 than
                 their
                 part
                 in
                 Paris
                 ;
                 that
                 will
                 rather
                 part
                 with
                 their
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 than
                 with
                 their
                 Estates
                 ;
                 that
                 have
                 secret
                 reserves
                 in
                 hearts
                 to
                 save
                 themselves
                 whole
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 comes
                 to
                 the
                 pinch
                 ;
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 the
                 Religion
                 that
                 will
                 undo
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 Beware
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 have
                 your
                 hearts
                 where
                 your
                 Feet
                 should
                 be
                 ,
                 and
                 love
                 your
                 Mammon
                 before
                 your
                 Maker
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 time
                 for
                 you
                 to
                 learn
                 with
                 Paul
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 Crucified
                 to
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 time
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 remember
                 that
                 't
                 is
                 a
                 Letter
                 ,
                 and
                 contain
                 my self
                 within
                 my
                 Limits
                 .
                 The
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 Grace
                 ,
                 stablish
                 ,
                 strengthen
                 ,
                 and
                 settle
                 you
                 in
                 these
                 shaking
                 times
                 ,
                 and
                 raise
                 your
                 hearts
                 above
                 the
                 fears
                 of
                 the
                 Worlds
                 Threats
                 ,
                 and
                 above
                 the
                 Ambition
                 of
                 its
                 favours
                 .
                 My
                 dearest
                 loves
                 to
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 with
                 my
                 servent
                 desire
                 of
                 your
                 Prayers
                 .
                 May
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Hosts
                 be
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Jacob
                 your
                 refuge
                 .
                 Farewel
                 my
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 Farewel
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 strong
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   to
                   serve
                   you
                   in
                   the
                   Gospel
                   ,
                   whether
                   by
                   Doing
                   or
                   Suffering
                   .
                   Joseph
                   Alleine
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   common
                   Gaole
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     June
                     31.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 VII
                 .
                 [
                 First
                 ,
                 Christian
                 Marks
                 :
                 2.
                 
                 Duties
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   my
                   most
                   endearing
                   ,
                   and
                   endeared
                   Friends
                   ,
                   the
                   Flock
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   and
                   longed
                   for
                   ,
                   my
                   Joy
                   and
                   Crown
                   :
                
              
               
                 I
                 Must
                 say
                 of
                 you
                 as
                 David
                 did
                 of
                 Jonathan
                 ,
                 Very
                 pleasant
                 have
                 you
                 been
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 love
                 to
                 me
                 is
                 wonderful
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 formerly
                 taken
                 great
                 content
                 in
                 that
                 my
                 Lot
                 was
                 cast
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 so
                 through
                 grace
                 I
                 rejoyce
                 in
                 my
                 present
                 Lot
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 called
                 to
                 approve
                 my
                 love
                 to
                 you
                 by
                 suffering
                 for
                 you
                 ;
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 :
                 for
                 you
                 know
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 sought
                 yours
                 but
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 for
                 doing
                 my
                 duty
                 to
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 here
                 in
                 these
                 Bonds
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 do
                 cheerfully
                 accept
                 through
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 strengtheneth
                 me
                 .
                 Oh!
                 That
                 your
                 Souls
                 might
                 be
                 quickened
                 and
                 enlarged
                 by
                 these
                 my
                 Bonds
                 !
                 that
                 your
                 hands
                 might
                 be
                 strengthened
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 hearts
                 encouraged
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 your
                 God
                 by
                 our
                 sufferings
                 !
                 See
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 my
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 stand
                 fast
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Doctrine
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 Preached
                 from
                 the
                 Pulpit
                 ;
                 preached
                 at
                 the
                 Bar
                 ;
                 preached
                 from
                 the
                 Prison
                 to
                 you
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 Gospel
                 worth
                 the
                 suffering
                 for
                 :
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 follow
                 after
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 without
                 which
                 no
                 man
                 shall
                 see
                 God
                 :
                 Oh!
                 the
                 madness
                 of
                 the
                 blind
                 World
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 put
                 from
                 them
                 the
                 only
                 Plank
                 upon
                 which
                 they
                 can
                 scape
                 to
                 Heaven
                 .
                 Surely
                 the
                 Enimies
                 of
                 Holiness
                 are
                 their
                 own
                 Enemies
                 .
                 Alas
                 for
                 them
                 !
                 they
                 know
                 not
                 what
                 they
                 do
                 .
                 What
                 would
                 not
                 these
                 foolish
                 Virgins
                 do
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 too
                 late
                 for
                 a
                 little
                 of
                 the
                 Oyl
                 of
                 the
                 Wise
                 ;
                 Oh
                 ,
                 for
                 
                 one
                 dram
                 of
                 that
                 Grace
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 scorned
                 and
                 despised
                 .
                 But
                 let
                 not
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 my
                 dear
                 People
                 ,
                 be
                 wise
                 too
                 late
                 :
                 Look
                 diligently
                 lest
                 any
                 man
                 fail
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God.
                 Beware
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 be
                 cheated
                 through
                 the
                 subtlety
                 of
                 Satan
                 and
                 deceitfulness
                 of
                 your
                 Hearts
                 with
                 counterfeit
                 grace
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 never
                 a
                 grace
                 but
                 hath
                 its
                 counterfeit
                 :
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 that
                 is
                 more
                 common
                 or
                 more
                 casie
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 mistake
                 common
                 and
                 counterseit
                 Grace
                 for
                 true
                 and
                 saving
                 :
                 and
                 remember
                 you
                 are
                 undone
                 for
                 evermore
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 should
                 die
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 mistake
                 :
                 Not
                 that
                 I
                 would
                 shake
                 the
                 confidence
                 of
                 any
                 sound
                 Believer
                 ,
                 who
                 upon
                 often
                 and
                 through
                 search
                 into
                 the
                 Scripture
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 putting
                 himself
                 upon
                 Gods
                 tryal
                 ,
                 hath
                 gotten
                 good
                 evidence
                 that
                 his
                 Graces
                 are
                 of
                 the
                 right
                 kind
                 :
                 Build
                 your
                 confidence
                 sure
                 :
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 get
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 certain
                 and
                 infallible
                 marks
                 of
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 sure
                 by
                 great
                 observing
                 your
                 own
                 hearts
                 that
                 these
                 marks
                 be
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 you
                 cannot
                 be
                 too
                 confident
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 you
                 love
                 your
                 souls
                 take
                 heed
                 of
                 a
                 groundless
                 confidence
                 .
                 Take
                 heed
                 of
                 being
                 confident
                 before
                 you
                 have
                 tried
                 .
                 Dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 fain
                 have
                 you
                 all
                 secured
                 against
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgement
                 ;
                 I
                 would
                 that
                 the
                 states
                 of
                 your
                 souls
                 were
                 all
                 well
                 setled
                 :
                 Oh
                 how
                 comfortably
                 might
                 you
                 think
                 of
                 any
                 troubles
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 were
                 but
                 sure
                 of
                 your
                 pardons
                 !
                 Were
                 your
                 Salvation
                 out
                 of
                 doubt
                 ,
                 no
                 matter
                 though
                 other
                 things
                 were
                 in
                 hazard
                 .
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 whatever
                 you
                 neglect
                 ,
                 look
                 to
                 this
                 :
                 I
                 am
                 afraid
                 there
                 are
                 among
                 you
                 that
                 have
                 not
                 made
                 your
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 yet
                 ;
                 that
                 are
                 not
                 yet
                 acquainted
                 with
                 that
                 great
                 work
                 of
                 Conversion
                 :
                 such
                 I
                 would
                 warn
                 and
                 charge
                 before
                 the
                 living
                 God
                 to
                 speed
                 into
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 any
                 more
                 disputes
                 or
                 delayes
                 to
                 put
                 away
                 their
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 come
                 in
                 and
                 deliver
                 up
                 themselves
                 to
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 saved
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 your
                 Profession
                 ,
                 nor
                 performing
                 external
                 duties
                 ,
                 nor
                 partaking
                 of
                 external
                 Priviledges
                 that
                 will
                 save
                 you
                 :
                 No
                 ,
                 no
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 be
                 converted
                 or
                 condemned
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 enough
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 some
                 love
                 and
                 liking
                 to
                 Gods
                 ways
                 and
                 people
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 willing
                 to
                 venture
                 something
                 for
                 them
                 ;
                 All
                 this
                 will
                 not
                 prove
                 you
                 sound
                 Christians
                 :
                 Have
                 your
                 hearts
                 been
                 changed
                 ?
                 Have
                 you
                 been
                 soundly
                 convinced
                 of
                 your
                 sins
                 ?
                 of
                 your
                 damnable
                 and
                 undone
                 condition
                 
                 in
                 your selves
                 ?
                 and
                 your
                 utter
                 inability
                 to
                 lick
                 your selves
                 whole
                 again
                 by
                 your
                 own
                 duties
                 ?
                 have
                 you
                 been
                 brought
                 at
                 least
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 sight
                 and
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 sin
                 ,
                 though
                 agreeable
                 to
                 your
                 constitution
                 ,
                 though
                 a
                 support
                 to
                 your
                 gain
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 do
                 heartily
                 abhor
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 utterly
                 disallow
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 are
                 you
                 brought
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Laws
                 and
                 ways
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 desire
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 whole
                 mind
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 not
                 excuse
                 your selves
                 by
                 ignorance
                 from
                 any
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 allow
                 your selves
                 in
                 the
                 ordinary
                 neglect
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 conscience
                 charges
                 upon
                 you
                 as
                 a
                 duty
                 ?
                 are
                 your
                 very
                 hearts
                 set
                 upon
                 the
                 glorifying
                 and
                 enjoying
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 your
                 greatest
                 happiness
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 desire
                 more
                 than
                 Corn
                 and
                 Wine
                 and
                 Oyl
                 ?
                 had
                 you
                 rather
                 be
                 the
                 holiest
                 than
                 the
                 richest
                 and
                 greatest
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ?
                 and
                 is
                 your
                 greatest
                 delight
                 (
                 ordinarily
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 you
                 are
                 your selves
                 )
                 in
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 your
                 conversings
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 Holy
                 Exercises
                 ?
                 Is
                 Christ
                 more
                 precious
                 than
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 you
                 ?
                 and
                 are
                 you
                 willing
                 upon
                 the
                 through
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 strictness
                 ,
                 and
                 holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 self-denying
                 Nature
                 of
                 his
                 Laws
                 ,
                 yet
                 to
                 take
                 them
                 all
                 for
                 the
                 rule
                 of
                 your
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 words
                 ,
                 and
                 actions
                 ?
                 and
                 though
                 Religoin
                 may
                 cost
                 you
                 dear
                 ,
                 do
                 you
                 resolve
                 if
                 God
                 will
                 assist
                 you
                 by
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 to
                 go
                 through
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 cost
                 be
                 what
                 it
                 will
                 ?
                 happy
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 case
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 Christian
                 indeed
                 ,
                 and
                 whatever
                 you
                 be
                 and
                 do
                 short
                 of
                 this
                 ,
                 all
                 is
                 unsound
                 .
                 But
                 you
                 that
                 bear
                 in
                 your
                 souls
                 the
                 marks
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 above
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 upon
                 you
                 I
                 should
                 lay
                 no
                 other
                 burden
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 hold
                 fast
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 good
                 your
                 ground
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 press
                 forward
                 towards
                 the
                 mark
                 .
                 Thankfully
                 acknowledge
                 the
                 distinguishing
                 grace
                 God
                 to
                 your
                 souls
                 :
                 and
                 live
                 rejoycingly
                 in
                 the
                 hopes
                 of
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 hopes
                 that
                 shall
                 never
                 make
                 you
                 ashamed
                 :
                 live
                 daily
                 in
                 the
                 praises
                 of
                 your
                 Redeemer
                 :
                 be
                 much
                 in
                 admiring
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 study
                 the
                 worthiness
                 ,
                 excellency
                 ,
                 and
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 Attributes
                 :
                 let
                 your
                 souls
                 be
                 much
                 taken
                 up
                 in
                 contemplating
                 and
                 commending
                 his
                 glorious
                 perfection
                 ,
                 and
                 blessing
                 your selves
                 in
                 the
                 goodly
                 Portion
                 you
                 have
                 in
                 him
                 :
                 live
                 like
                 those
                 that
                 have
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 be
                 disconsolate
                 if
                 you
                 can
                 :
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 not
                 more
                 in
                 an
                 infinite
                 God
                 to
                 comfort
                 you
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 a
                 Prison
                 ,
                 or
                 Poverty
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 affliction
                 to
                 deject
                 you
                 ,
                 our
                 Preaching
                 is
                 vain
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 your
                 Faith
                 is
                 vain
                 .
                 Let
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 be
                 your
                 daily
                 repast
                 :
                 and
                 never
                 be
                 satisfied
                 till
                 your
                 hearts
                 run
                 out
                 as
                 freely
                 ,
                 naturally
                 ,
                 constantly
                 ,
                 unweariedly
                 after
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 others
                 do
                 after
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 a
                 little
                 force
                 upon
                 your
                 hearts
                 for
                 a
                 while
                 to
                 turn
                 them
                 into
                 this
                 holy
                 Channel
                 ,
                 may
                 quickly
                 come
                 so
                 to
                 habituate
                 your
                 minds
                 to
                 holiness
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 naturally
                 run
                 that
                 way
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 time
                 to
                 shut
                 up
                 :
                 Farewel
                 ,
                 my
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 God
                 Almighty
                 be
                 a
                 protection
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 exceeding
                 great
                 reward
                 :
                 Farewel
                 in
                 the
                 Lord.
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 Just
                 now
                 I
                 received
                 your
                 meking
                 Letter
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 able
                 now
                 to
                 return
                 an
                 answer
                 ,
                 but
                 shall
                 with
                 speed
                 :
                 your
                 very
                 great
                 affections
                 for
                 me
                 cannot
                 but
                 move
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 me
                 ready
                 to
                 repeat
                 again
                 the
                 first
                 words
                 of
                 my
                 Letter
                 above
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 inable
                 me
                 to
                 return
                 something
                 to
                 you
                 for
                 your
                 great
                 loves
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 sensible
                 I
                 have
                 come
                 very
                 short
                 of
                 my
                 duty
                 to
                 you
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 must
                 needs
                 tell
                 you
                 ,
                 my
                 Bowels
                 are
                 moved
                 with
                 your
                 loves
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 hope
                 I
                 shall
                 greatly
                 prize
                 :
                 once
                 more
                 Farewel
                 .
              
               
                 My
                 dear
                 Brother
                 Norman
                 remembers
                 you
                 with
                 much
                 love
                 ,
                 desiring
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 blameless
                 and
                 harmless
                 ,
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 God
                 without
                 rebuke
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 a
                 crooked
                 and
                 perverse
                 Nation
                 ,
                 among
                 whom
                 ye
                 should
                 shine
                 as
                 lights
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   in
                   the
                   Bowels
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     Septemb.
                     11.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 VIII
                 .
                 [
                 How
                 to
                 shew
                 love
                 to
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 joyfully
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   most
                   Loving
                   and
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   my
                   Christian
                   Friends
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   ,
                   Mercy
                   ,
                   and
                   Peace
                   ,
                   from
                   God
                   our
                   Father
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   Christ.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   endeared
                   Brethren
                   ,
                
              
               
                 I
                 Have
                 received
                 your
                 moving
                 melting
                 Letter
                 ,
                 and
                 could
                 not
                 look
                 over
                 such
                 tender
                 expressions
                 of
                 your
                 working
                 affections
                 ,
                 without
                 some
                 commotions
                 in
                 my
                 own
                 :
                 I
                 may
                 confidently
                 say
                 ,
                 I
                 spent
                 more
                 Tears
                 upon
                 those
                 Lines
                 ,
                 than
                 ever
                 you
                 did
                 Ink
                 :
                 Your
                 deep
                 sense
                 of
                 my
                 labours
                 in
                 the
                 Ministry
                 ;
                 I
                 cannot
                 but
                 thankfully
                 acknowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 notice
                 of
                 :
                 yet
                 withal
                 ,
                 heartily
                 and
                 unseingedly
                 confessing
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 was
                 but
                 the
                 duty
                 which
                 I
                 did
                 owe
                 to
                 your
                 precious
                 and
                 immortal
                 Souls
                 :
                 which
                 God
                 knows
                 ,
                 are
                 very
                 much
                 short
                 of
                 my
                 duty
                 .
                 The
                 omissions
                 ,
                 imperfections
                 ,
                 defects
                 ,
                 deadness
                 ,
                 that
                 accompanied
                 my
                 duties
                 I
                 do
                 own
                 ,
                 I
                 must
                 and
                 will
                 own
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Lord
                 humble
                 me
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 all
                 that
                 was
                 of
                 God
                 (
                 and
                 that
                 was
                 all
                 that
                 was
                 good
                 )
                 be
                 sure
                 that
                 you
                 give
                 to
                 God
                 alone
                 .
                 To
                 him
                 I
                 humbly
                 ascribe
                 both
                 the
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Deed
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 alone
                 be
                 Glory
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               
                 My
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 my
                 business
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 often
                 told
                 you
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 gain
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 or
                 turn
                 your
                 eyes
                 towards
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 :
                 his
                 Spokesman
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 will
                 you
                 give
                 your
                 hearts
                 to
                 him
                 ?
                 will
                 you
                 give
                 your
                 hands
                 ,
                 your
                 names
                 to
                 him
                 ?
                 will
                 you
                 subscribe
                 to
                 his
                 Laws
                 ,
                 and
                 consent
                 to
                 his
                 Offices
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 at
                 through
                 defiance
                 with
                 all
                 his
                 Enemies
                 ?
                 This
                 do
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 have
                 my
                 Errant
                 .
                 Who
                 will
                 follow
                 Christs
                 Colours
                 ?
                 who
                 will
                 come
                 under
                 his
                 Banner
                 ?
                 this
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 my
                 Friend
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 will
                 oblige
                 me
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 Do
                 these
                 Letters
                 come
                 to
                 none
                 that
                 are
                 yet
                 unsanctified
                 ?
                 to
                 do
                 loose
                 sinner
                 ?
                 to
                 no
                 ignorant
                 sinner
                 ?
                 to
                 no
                 unfound
                 professor
                 ?
                 
                 Oh
                 that
                 there
                 were
                 none
                 such
                 indeed
                 !
                 oh
                 that
                 I
                 had
                 left
                 no
                 such
                 behind
                 me
                 !
                 but
                 would
                 they
                 do
                 me
                 a
                 kindness
                 as
                 I
                 believe
                 they
                 would
                 ,
                 oh
                 then
                 let
                 them
                 come
                 away
                 to
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 at
                 this
                 call
                 !
                 lie
                 no
                 longer
                 O
                 sinner
                 ,
                 in
                 thy
                 swill
                 ,
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 darkness
                 !
                 stick
                 no
                 longer
                 in
                 the
                 skirts
                 and
                 outside
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 demure
                 no
                 longer
                 ,
                 dispute
                 not
                 and
                 waver
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 halt
                 no
                 further
                 ,
                 but
                 strike
                 in
                 throughly
                 with
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 except
                 nothing
                 ,
                 reserve
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 come
                 off
                 throughly
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 follow
                 him
                 fully
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 happy
                 man
                 that
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 ,
                 for
                 thou
                 wilt
                 be
                 made
                 for
                 ever
                 ;
                 and
                 joyful
                 man
                 that
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 shall
                 save
                 a
                 Soul
                 from
                 death
                 .
                 The
                 earnest
                 and
                 pittiful
                 beggings
                 of
                 a
                 poor
                 Prisoner
                 ,
                 do
                 use
                 to
                 move
                 some
                 Bowels
                 :
                 hear
                 O
                 Friends
                 ,
                 will
                 you
                 do
                 nothing
                 for
                 a
                 Minister
                 of
                 Christ
                 ?
                 Nothing
                 for
                 a
                 Prisoner
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ?
                 methinks
                 I
                 hear
                 you
                 answer
                 ,
                 [
                 yea
                 ,
                 rather
                 what
                 will
                 we
                 not
                 do
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 never
                 want
                 while
                 we
                 have
                 it
                 ;
                 he
                 shall
                 need
                 no
                 office
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 will
                 run
                 and
                 Ride
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 .
                 ]
                 Yea
                 ,
                 but
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 that
                 I
                 beg
                 of
                 you
                 ;
                 will
                 you
                 gratifie
                 me
                 indeed
                 ?
                 then
                 come
                 in
                 ,
                 kiss
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 bow
                 to
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Jesus
                 ;
                 not
                 in
                 a
                 Complement
                 ,
                 with
                 Cap
                 and
                 Knee
                 ,
                 but
                 let
                 your
                 Souls
                 bow
                 ,
                 let
                 all
                 your
                 Powers
                 bend
                 Sail
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 him
                 homage
                 .
                 Let
                 that
                 Sacred
                 Name
                 be
                 Graven
                 into
                 the
                 substance
                 of
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 lie
                 as
                 a
                 bundle
                 of
                 Mirrh
                 between
                 your
                 Breasts
                 .
                 Let
                 me
                 freely
                 speak
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 worthy
                 for
                 whom
                 you
                 shall
                 do
                 this
                 thing
                 ;
                 worthy
                 to
                 be
                 beloved
                 of
                 you
                 ;
                 worthy
                 to
                 have
                 your
                 very
                 hearts
                 ,
                 worthy
                 to
                 be
                 admired
                 ,
                 adored
                 ,
                 praised
                 ,
                 served
                 ,
                 glorified
                 to
                 the
                 uttermost
                 by
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 Creature
                 ;
                 worthy
                 for
                 whom
                 you
                 should
                 lay
                 down
                 all
                 ,
                 leave
                 all
                 :
                 Can
                 any
                 thing
                 be
                 too
                 much
                 for
                 him
                 ?
                 can
                 any
                 thing
                 be
                 too
                 good
                 for
                 him
                 ?
                 Or
                 too
                 great
                 for
                 him
                 ?
                 come
                 give
                 up
                 all
                 ,
                 Resign
                 all
                 ,
                 lay
                 it
                 at
                 the
                 Feet
                 of
                 Chrlst
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 offer
                 all
                 as
                 a
                 Sacrifice
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 be
                 universally
                 the
                 Lords
                 ;
                 keep
                 nothing
                 from
                 him
                 :
                 I
                 know
                 through
                 the
                 goodness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 with
                 many
                 of
                 you
                 this
                 work
                 is
                 not
                 yet
                 to
                 do
                 :
                 but
                 this
                 set
                 solemn
                 resignation
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 more
                 than
                 once
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 followed
                 with
                 an
                 answerable
                 practice
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 done
                 :
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 walk
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ?
                 but
                 how
                 ?
                 in
                 the
                 
                   fear
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 
                   comfort
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ;
                 let
                 these
                 two
                 go
                 together
                 .
                 So
                 shall
                 you
                 adorn
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 of
                 God
                 our
                 Saviour
                 :
                 
                 and
                 experience
                 ,
                 the
                 Heavenly
                 felicity
                 of
                 a
                 Christians
                 life
                 :
                 while
                 Holiness
                 is
                 made
                 the
                 Butt
                 of
                 others
                 Persecution
                 ,
                 do
                 you
                 make
                 it
                 the
                 white
                 ,
                 the
                 mark
                 of
                 your
                 prosecution
                 ;
                 that
                 you
                 
                   live
                   it
                
                 up
                 ,
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 others
                 
                   cry
                   it
                   down
                
                 .
                 O
                 watch
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 your
                 Garments
                 about
                 you
                 ;
                 the
                 plain
                 ,
                 but
                 comely
                 clothing
                 of
                 humility
                 ,
                 the
                 seamless
                 Coat
                 of
                 Christian
                 unity
                 ,
                 the
                 strait
                 and
                 close
                 Garment
                 of
                 strictness
                 ,
                 mortification
                 and
                 Self-denial
                 ,
                 the
                 warm
                 Winter-garment
                 of
                 love
                 and
                 charity
                 ,
                 this
                 Garment
                 will
                 keep
                 you
                 warm
                 in
                 the
                 Winter
                 :
                 love
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 quenched
                 by
                 the
                 Waters
                 ,
                 nor
                 cooled
                 by
                 the
                 nipping
                 Frosts
                 of
                 persecution
                 and
                 opposition
                 .
                 Cleave
                 fast
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 never
                 let
                 go
                 your
                 hold
                 ;
                 cling
                 the
                 faster
                 ,
                 because
                 so
                 many
                 are
                 labouring
                 to
                 knock
                 off
                 your
                 fingers
                 ,
                 and
                 loosen
                 your
                 hold
                 .
                 Hold
                 fast
                 your
                 Profession
                 ,
                 hold
                 fast
                 your
                 Integrity
                 ,
                 hold
                 fast
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 your
                 confidence
                 stedfast
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 :
                 If
                 you
                 do
                 but
                 keep
                 your
                 hold
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 good
                 your
                 ground
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 your
                 way
                 ;
                 all
                 that
                 the
                 World
                 can
                 do
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 the
                 powers
                 of
                 darkness
                 can
                 do
                 ,
                 can
                 never
                 do
                 you
                 harm
                 .
                 Keep
                 your
                 own
                 Vinyard
                 with
                 constant
                 care
                 and
                 watchfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 sure
                 that
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 Inroad
                 made
                 upon
                 your
                 consciences
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Eremy
                 do
                 not
                 get
                 between
                 you
                 and
                 home
                 ,
                 between
                 your
                 souls
                 and
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 let
                 who
                 or
                 what
                 will
                 assail
                 you
                 without
                 ,
                 you
                 need
                 not
                 fear
                 :
                 let
                 this
                 be
                 your
                 daily
                 exercise
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 your
                 consciences
                 void
                 of
                 offence
                 :
                 keep
                 fair
                 weather
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 however
                 it
                 be
                 abroad
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 only
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 walk
                 holily
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 walk
                 comfortably
                 :
                 But
                 I
                 need
                 say
                 the
                 less
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 comfort
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 do
                 lie
                 together
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 provision
                 God
                 hath
                 made
                 for
                 your
                 continual
                 joy
                 and
                 comfort
                 !
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 do
                 but
                 understand
                 your
                 own
                 blessedness
                 ,
                 happy
                 men
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 did
                 but
                 know
                 and
                 consider
                 it
                 ;
                 who
                 would
                 count
                 himself
                 poor
                 and
                 miserable
                 that
                 hath
                 All
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 the
                 Godhead
                 for
                 his
                 :
                 sound
                 in
                 this
                 deep
                 :
                 can
                 you
                 find
                 any
                 bottom
                 ?
                 take
                 the
                 heighth
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Perfections
                 if
                 you
                 can
                 ,
                 till
                 then
                 you
                 cannot
                 tell
                 your
                 own
                 felicity
                 .
                 Take
                 a
                 servey
                 of
                 Immensity
                 ,
                 tell
                 me
                 the
                 longitude
                 or
                 latitude
                 of
                 infinite
                 goodness
                 and
                 mercy
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Eternal
                 Diety
                 :
                 if
                 you
                 can
                 do
                 this
                 ,
                 you
                 may
                 guess
                 at
                 your
                 own
                 happiness
                 .
                 Oh
                 Christians
                 !
                 live
                 like
                 your selves
                 ,
                 live
                 worthy
                 of
                 your
                 Portion
                 ,
                 of
                 your
                 Priviledge
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 glorious
                 prerogatives
                 .
                 
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 haste
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 time
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 end
                 ;
                 however
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 walk
                 worthy
                 of
                 your
                 glorious
                 hopes
                 ,
                 and
                 may
                 live
                 answerably
                 to
                 the
                 mercies
                 you
                 have
                 received
                 from
                 above
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 desire
                 of
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   Souls
                   fervent
                   well
                   wisher
                   in
                   the
                   bonds
                   of
                   affliction
                   and
                   tribvlation
                   .
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     September
                     18.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 LETTERS
                 IX
                 .
                 [
                 Easie
                 Sufferings
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   most
                   Loving
                   and
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   my
                   Christian
                   Friends
                   at
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   :
                
              
               
                 DEarly
                 Beloved
                 and
                 longed
                 for
                 ,
                 my
                 Joy
                 and
                 Crown
                 ,
                 for
                 whom
                 I
                 am
                 an
                 Embassadour
                 in
                 Bonds
                 :
                 what
                 thanks
                 to
                 render
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 your
                 behalf
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 servent
                 charity
                 towards
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 servants
                 of
                 my
                 Lord
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 your
                 labours
                 of
                 love
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 your
                 diligence
                 ,
                 and
                 boldness
                 ,
                 and
                 resolution
                 ,
                 in
                 owning
                 the
                 despised
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 hated
                 servants
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 in
                 an
                 evil
                 day
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 is
                 not
                 unrighteous
                 to
                 forget
                 this
                 :
                 Is
                 not
                 this
                 upon
                 record
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 sealed
                 up
                 among
                 his
                 Treasures
                 ?
                 surely
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 have
                 mercy
                 upon
                 Taunton
                 :
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 doubt
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 your
                 Mercies
                 hath
                 yet
                 a
                 choice
                 blessing
                 in
                 store
                 for
                 you
                 ;
                 be
                 not
                 weakned
                 by
                 my
                 Bonds
                 .
                 Glory
                 be
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Highest
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 accounted
                 me
                 worthy
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 Preach
                 the
                 Gospel
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 to
                 confirm
                 it
                 by
                 the
                 parting
                 with
                 my
                 much
                 valued
                 liberty
                 ,
                 so
                 dear
                 a
                 People
                 ,
                 so
                 sweet
                 Relations
                 ,
                 comforts
                 ,
                 conveniencies
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 enjoyed
                 in
                 all
                 abundance
                 when
                 I
                 was
                 with
                 you
                 .
                 When
                 I
                 look
                 back
                 upon
                 all
                 the
                 circumstances
                 of
                 the
                 late
                 Providence
                 ,
                 I
                 must
                 say
                 as
                 they
                 of
                 
                 Christ
                 upon
                 his
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   hath
                   done
                   all
                   things
                   well
                
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 all
                 as
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 fully
                 satisfied
                 in
                 my
                 Fathers
                 good
                 pleasure
                 .
                 Verily
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 little
                 honour
                 and
                 happiness
                 ,
                 no
                 little
                 Peace
                 and
                 Privilidge
                 in
                 these
                 Bonds
                 .
                 Verily
                 all
                 is
                 true
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 told
                 you
                 of
                 the
                 All-sufficiency
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 satisfactoriness
                 of
                 the
                 promises
                 of
                 the
                 peace
                 ,
                 tranquility
                 ,
                 content
                 ,
                 and
                 security
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 had
                 in
                 a
                 life
                 of
                 Faith.
                 Surely
                 methinks
                 I
                 should
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 seal
                 to
                 these
                 things
                 at
                 a
                 much
                 dearer
                 rate
                 than
                 this
                 ;
                 but
                 my
                 gratious
                 Father
                 will
                 not
                 put
                 me
                 to
                 the
                 hardest
                 Lesson
                 at
                 first
                 :
                 oh
                 what
                 reason
                 have
                 I
                 to
                 speak
                 good
                 of
                 his
                 name
                 !
                 what
                 else
                 should
                 I
                 do
                 all
                 my
                 days
                 ,
                 but
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 fear
                 ,
                 and
                 preach
                 ,
                 and
                 praise
                 ,
                 so
                 good
                 a
                 God
                 ?
                 when
                 I
                 look
                 back
                 upon
                 the
                 gentle
                 dealings
                 of
                 God
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 often
                 think
                 he
                 hath
                 brought
                 me
                 up
                 as
                 indulgently
                 as
                 David
                 did
                 Adonijah
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   His
                   Father
                   had
                   not
                   displeased
                   him
                   .
                
                 I
                 have
                 received
                 nothing
                 but
                 good
                 at
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 all
                 my
                 days
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 he
                 doth
                 begin
                 to
                 afflict
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 so
                 much
                 Mercy
                 in
                 this
                 very
                 Gaol
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 must
                 be
                 more
                 thankful
                 for
                 this
                 than
                 for
                 my
                 prosperity
                 .
                 Surely
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 place
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   is
                   here
                
                 :
                 Surely
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 called
                 Peniel
                 .
                 Be
                 strong
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 be
                 patient
                 ,
                 stablish
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 draws
                 nigh
                 .
                 In
                 nothing
                 be
                 terrified
                 by
                 your
                 adversaries
                 .
                 Now
                 let
                 those
                 that
                 fear
                 the
                 Lord
                 be
                 often
                 speaking
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 .
                 I
                 hear
                 that
                 Satan
                 is
                 practising
                 to
                 send
                 more
                 of
                 you
                 after
                 me
                 :
                 I
                 desire
                 and
                 pray
                 for
                 your
                 liberty
                 :
                 but
                 if
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 be
                 forced
                 hither
                 for
                 the
                 the
                 testimony
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 embrace
                 you
                 with
                 both
                 arms
                 .
                 Fare
                 you
                 well
                 ,
                 my
                 most
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 :
                 be
                 perfect
                 ,
                 be
                 of
                 good
                 comfort
                 ,
                 be
                 of
                 one
                 mind
                 ,
                 live
                 in
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Love
                 and
                 Peace
                 shall
                 be
                 with
                 you
                 .
                 My
                 Brethren
                 in
                 Bonds
                 salute
                 you
                 with
                 much
                 affection
                 ,
                 rejoycing
                 to
                 behold
                 your
                 order
                 and
                 the
                 stedfastness
                 of
                 your
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 :
                 share
                 my
                 heart
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 that
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   The
                   willing
                   Servant
                   of
                   your
                   Faith
                   and
                   Joy
                   ,
                   Joseph
                   Aleine
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   common
                   Gaol
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     September
                     28.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 X.
                 [
                 The
                 Love
                 of
                 Christ.
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   my
                   Beloved
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   the
                   Flock
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   Loving
                   and
                   best
                   Beloved
                   ,
                
              
               
                 MY
                 heart
                 is
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 my
                 affections
                 are
                 espoused
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 And
                 methinks
                 I
                 could
                 even
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 (
                 
                   you
                   are
                   in
                   my
                   heart
                   ,
                   to
                   live
                   and
                   die
                   with
                   you
                   :
                
                 )
                 and
                 who
                 can
                 but
                 love
                 where
                 they
                 have
                 received
                 so
                 much
                 love
                 (
                 and
                 continually
                 do
                 )
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 from
                 you
                 !
                 the
                 Lord
                 require
                 your
                 love
                 which
                 is
                 great
                 (
                 and
                 if
                 compared
                 with
                 his
                 ,
                 but
                 little
                 )
                 with
                 his
                 which
                 is
                 infinite
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 love
                 worthy
                 of
                 your
                 ambition
                 ,
                 worthy
                 of
                 your
                 adoration
                 and
                 admiration
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 Womb
                 that
                 bore
                 you
                 from
                 eternity
                 ,
                 and
                 out
                 of
                 which
                 have
                 burst
                 forth
                 all
                 the
                 Mercies
                 ,
                 Spiritual
                 and
                 Temporal
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 enjoy
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 the
                 love
                 that
                 chose
                 you
                 ,
                 when
                 less
                 Offenders
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 that
                 being
                 converted
                 ,
                 might
                 have
                 been
                 a
                 hundred
                 fold
                 more
                 serviceable
                 to
                 their
                 Makers
                 Glory
                 ,
                 are
                 left
                 to
                 perish
                 in
                 their
                 fins
                 :
                 May
                 your
                 souls
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 this
                 love
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 you
                 will
                 say
                 ,
                 how
                 shall
                 I
                 know
                 if
                 I
                 am
                 an
                 object
                 of
                 Electing
                 love
                 ?
                 least
                 an
                 unbelieving
                 thought
                 should
                 damp
                 your
                 joy
                 ;
                 know
                 in
                 short
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 chosen
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 certainly
                 chosen
                 you
                 .
                 Have
                 you
                 taken
                 him
                 for
                 your
                 blessedness
                 ?
                 and
                 do
                 you
                 more
                 highly
                 prize
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 diligently
                 seek
                 after
                 conformity
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fruition
                 of
                 him
                 than
                 any
                 ,
                 than
                 all
                 the
                 goods
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ?
                 If
                 so
                 ,
                 then
                 away
                 with
                 doubts
                 ,
                 for
                 you
                 could
                 not
                 have
                 loved
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 chosen
                 him
                 ,
                 unless
                 he
                 had
                 loved
                 you
                 first
                 .
                 Now
                 may
                 my
                 Beloved
                 dwell
                 continually
                 in
                 the
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 the
                 views
                 ,
                 the
                 tastes
                 of
                 the
                 love
                 .
                 Get
                 you
                 down
                 under
                 its
                 shadows
                 ,
                 and
                 taste
                 its
                 pleasant
                 Fruits
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 Provisions
                 that
                 love
                 hath
                 made
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 Foundation
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 !
                 Ah
                 silly
                 dust
                 ,
                 that
                 ever
                 thou
                 shouldest
                 be
                 thought
                 upon
                 so
                 long
                 before
                 thou
                 wast
                 :
                 that
                 the
                 contrivances
                 of
                 the
                 infinite
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 taken
                 up
                 about
                 thee
                 !
                 that
                 such
                 a
                 Crawling
                 thing
                 ,
                 such
                 a
                 
                 Mire
                 ,
                 a
                 Flea
                 ,
                 should
                 have
                 the
                 consultations
                 of
                 the
                 Eternal
                 Diety
                 exercised
                 about
                 thee
                 !
                 verily
                 his
                 love
                 to
                 thee
                 is
                 wonderful
                 .
                 Lord
                 what
                 is
                 man
                 !
                 thou
                 tellest
                 us
                 he
                 is
                 
                   Dust
                   and
                   Vanity
                   ,
                   a
                   Worm
                   ,
                   nothing
                   ,
                   less
                   than
                   nothing
                
                 ;
                 how
                 then
                 dost
                 thou
                 love
                 him
                 !
                 oh
                 wonderful
                 !
                 be
                 astonished
                 yea
                 Heavens
                 at
                 this
                 :
                 be
                 moved
                 ye
                 strong
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 .
                 Fall
                 down
                 yea
                 Elders
                 ,
                 strike
                 up
                 ye
                 Heavenly
                 Quires
                 ,
                 and
                 sing
                 yet
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   Glory
                   to
                   God
                   in
                   the
                   highest
                   :
                
                 for
                 all
                 our
                 strings
                 would
                 crack
                 to
                 reach
                 the
                 Notes
                 of
                 love
                 ,
                 praise
                 ,
                 and
                 admiration
                 that
                 this
                 love
                 doth
                 call
                 for
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 ever
                 emptiness
                 and
                 vanity
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 thus
                 prized
                 !
                 that
                 Jehovah
                 should
                 make
                 account
                 of
                 so
                 worthless
                 ,
                 so
                 useless
                 a
                 thing
                 as
                 man
                 !
                 that
                 ever
                 baseness
                 should
                 be
                 thus
                 preferred
                 !
                 that
                 ever
                 nothing
                 should
                 be
                 thus
                 dignified
                 !
                 that
                 ever
                 rottenness
                 should
                 be
                 thus
                 advanced
                 ,
                 a
                 Clod
                 ,
                 a
                 shaddow
                 ,
                 Potsheard
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 thus
                 glorified
                 !
                 Oh
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 study
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 require
                 or
                 retaliate
                 (
                 there
                 's
                 impossibility
                 ,
                 and
                 blaspemy
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 thought
                 )
                 but
                 to
                 admire
                 and
                 imitate
                 his
                 love
                 .
                 Let
                 love
                 constrain
                 you
                 ,
                 let
                 love
                 put
                 you
                 upon
                 doing
                 ,
                 and
                 prepare
                 you
                 for
                 suffering
                 ;
                 forget
                 not
                 a
                 love
                 so
                 memorable
                 ,
                 undervalue
                 not
                 a
                 love
                 so
                 unvaluable
                 ;
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 you
                 all
                 the
                 captives
                 of
                 love
                 :
                 may
                 the
                 cords
                 of
                 love
                 draw
                 you
                 towards
                 ,
                 and
                 knit
                 you
                 to
                 your
                 Redeemer
                 ;
                 may
                 the
                 divided
                 streams
                 be
                 united
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 Alas
                 ,
                 that
                 our
                 souls
                 are
                 so
                 narrow
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Waters
                 are
                 so
                 shallow
                 with
                 us
                 !
                 how
                 little
                 ,
                 how
                 very
                 little
                 would
                 our
                 love
                 be
                 ,
                 it
                 he
                 had
                 it
                 all
                 ,
                 infinitely
                 less
                 than
                 the
                 Glow-worm
                 to
                 the
                 Sun
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Attome
                 to
                 the
                 Universe
                 ?
                 and
                 have
                 we
                 any
                 of
                 this
                 little
                 to
                 spare
                 for
                 him
                 ?
                 oh
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 love
                 him
                 with
                 our
                 little
                 All
                 !
                 that
                 all
                 our
                 little
                 powers
                 were
                 ingaged
                 for
                 him
                 !
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 here
                 is
                 no
                 excess
                 :
                 oh
                 love
                 the
                 Lord
                 ye
                 his
                 Saints
                 !
                 he
                 is
                 worthy
                 for
                 whom
                 you
                 shall
                 do
                 this
                 .
                 Do
                 but
                 think
                 what
                 love
                 hath
                 done
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 if
                 you
                 can
                 ,
                 what
                 it
                 means
                 to
                 do
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 love
                 that
                 yarned
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 when
                 in
                 your
                 Blood
                 no
                 eye
                 pitying
                 you
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 love
                 that
                 took
                 you
                 up
                 when
                 you
                 were
                 Robbed
                 ,
                 and
                 wounded
                 ,
                 and
                 left
                 for
                 dead
                 ,
                 and
                 poured
                 in
                 Wine
                 and
                 Oyl
                 into
                 your
                 wounds
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 love
                 that
                 reprieved
                 ,
                 and
                 spared
                 ,
                 and
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Law
                 had
                 condemned
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 Justice
                 would
                 have
                 had
                 you
                 delivered
                 up
                 ;
                 and
                 your
                 Self-condemning
                 consciences
                 gave
                 up
                 all
                 for
                 lost
                 ,
                 concluding
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 hope
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 love
                 ,
                 the
                 expensive
                 love
                 
                 that
                 bought
                 you
                 from
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 eternal
                 burnings
                 ,
                 the
                 devouring
                 fire
                 in
                 which
                 you
                 must
                 otherwise
                 have
                 dwelt
                 .
                 Do
                 you
                 not
                 remember
                 how
                 you
                 were
                 hungry
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 fed
                 you
                 ,
                 naked
                 and
                 it
                 cloathed
                 you
                 ,
                 strangers
                 and
                 it
                 took
                 you
                 in
                 ,
                 sick
                 and
                 it
                 visited
                 you
                 ,
                 in
                 Prison
                 and
                 it
                 came
                 unto
                 you
                 ?
                 you
                 were
                 dead
                 and
                 are
                 alive
                 ,
                 you
                 were
                 lost
                 and
                 are
                 found
                 .
                 And
                 me
                 thinks
                 I
                 see
                 how
                 love
                 runs
                 to
                 meet
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 falls
                 upon
                 your
                 necks
                 ,
                 and
                 kisseth
                 the
                 Lips
                 that
                 deserve
                 to
                 be
                 loathed
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoyces
                 over
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 a
                 Festival
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 a
                 Holiday
                 in
                 Heaven
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 inviting
                 Angels
                 to
                 rejoyce
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 the
                 friends
                 do
                 rejoyce
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 doth
                 the
                 father
                 ?
                 for
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   These
                   my
                   Sons
                   were
                   dead
                   and
                   are
                   alive
                   ,
                   were
                   lost
                   aud
                   are
                   found
                   .
                
                 Oh
                 melting
                 love
                 !
                 ah
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 how
                 strange
                 is
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 our
                 recovery
                 should
                 be
                 Heavens
                 triumph
                 ,
                 the
                 joy
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 Angels
                 .
                 That
                 this
                 love
                 should
                 feast
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 feast
                 over
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Birth
                 day
                 should
                 be
                 kept
                 in
                 Heaven
                 :
                 that
                 this
                 should
                 be
                 the
                 round
                 at
                 Heavens
                 Table
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 burden
                 of
                 the
                 Songs
                 above
                 :
                 [
                 
                   For
                   this
                   my
                   Son
                   was
                   dead
                   ,
                   and
                   is
                   alive
                   ,
                
                 ]
                 and
                 well
                 ,
                 what
                 remains
                 but
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 another
                 manner
                 of
                 People
                 ,
                 than
                 ever
                 yet
                 you
                 have
                 been
                 ,
                 more
                 Holy
                 ,
                 more
                 humble
                 ,
                 more
                 even
                 ,
                 more
                 resolved
                 ,
                 more
                 lively
                 ,
                 more
                 active
                 ?
                 where
                 is
                 your
                 Zeal
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Hosts
                 ?
                 will
                 slender
                 returns
                 suffice
                 you
                 in
                 answer
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 love
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 .
                 But
                 necessity
                 calls
                 me
                 off
                 from
                 going
                 any
                 further
                 .
                 May
                 the
                 love
                 that
                 chose
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 redeemed
                 you
                 ,
                 for
                 ever
                 dwell
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 overshaddow
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 bear
                 you
                 safe
                 to
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 Holy
                 Arms
                 of
                 Divine
                 Love
                 I
                 desire
                 to
                 leave
                 you
                 .
                 May
                 you
                 live
                 under
                 its
                 daily
                 Influences
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 melted
                 and
                 overcome
                 with
                 its
                 warming
                 Beams
                 ,
                 with
                 its
                 quickning
                 ,
                 piercing
                 ,
                 powerful
                 Rays
                 .
                 My
                 most
                 dear
                 love
                 ,
                 to
                 you
                 all
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 live
                 not
                 in
                 a
                 dull
                 ,
                 fruitless
                 ,
                 liveless
                 course
                 .
                 Be
                 patient
                 ,
                 be
                 watchful
                 ,
                 instant
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 servent
                 in
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 serving
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 I
                 am
                 very
                 healthful
                 and
                 chearful
                 through
                 grace
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 move
                 you
                 that
                 befal
                 us
                 .
                 Fare
                 you
                 well
                 my
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 farewel
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   in
                   the
                   strongest
                   Bonds
                   of
                   Affection
                   ,
                   and
                   Affliction
                   .
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Jeulchester
                   ,
                   
                     Octob.
                     25.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 XI
                 .
                 [
                 Remember
                 Christ
                 crucified
                 ,
                 and
                 crucifie
                 Sin.
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   Faithful
                   and
                   Well-beloved
                   People
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dear
                   Christians
                   ,
                
              
               
                 I
                 Am
                 by
                 Office
                 a
                 Remembrancer
                 ,
                 the
                 Lords
                 Remembrancer
                 for
                 you
                 and
                 your
                 Remembrancer
                 in
                 the
                 behalf
                 of
                 Christ-My
                 business
                 is
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 to
                 stir
                 up
                 your
                 pure
                 minds
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Remembrance
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 or
                 whom
                 should
                 I
                 remember
                 you
                 of
                 ,
                 but
                 your
                 most
                 mindful
                 Friend
                 ,
                 your
                 Intercessour
                 with
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 you
                 alwayes
                 in
                 remembrance
                 ,
                 appearing
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 for
                 you
                 ?
                 May
                 his
                 Memory
                 ever
                 live
                 in
                 our
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 though
                 mine
                 should
                 die
                 :
                 Oh
                 Remember
                 his
                 Love
                 more
                 than
                 Wine
                 ,
                 Remember
                 in
                 what
                 a
                 Case
                 he
                 found
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 nothing
                 could
                 anihelate
                 his
                 Heart
                 ,
                 nor
                 divert
                 the
                 purpose
                 of
                 his
                 Love
                 from
                 you
                 :
                 He
                 loathed
                 not
                 your
                 Rags
                 nor
                 your
                 Rottenness
                 :
                 He
                 found
                 you
                 in
                 a
                 loathsome
                 Vomit
                 and
                 filthiness
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 nasty
                 and
                 Verminous
                 Tatters
                 ,
                 (
                 think
                 not
                 these
                 expressions
                 too
                 odious
                 :
                 No
                 Pen
                 can
                 describe
                 ,
                 no
                 Heart
                 can
                 imagine
                 the
                 odiousness
                 of
                 sin
                 in
                 his
                 sight
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 you
                 lay
                 and
                 rolled
                 your selves
                 as
                 the
                 filthy
                 Swine
                 in
                 the
                 mire
                 )
                 Yet
                 he
                 pitied
                 you
                 ,
                 his
                 Bowels
                 were
                 moved
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Compassions
                 were
                 kindled
                 ,
                 when
                 one
                 would
                 have
                 thought
                 his
                 wrath
                 should
                 have
                 boiled
                 and
                 his
                 indignation
                 have
                 burned
                 down
                 to
                 Hell
                 against
                 you
                 :
                 he
                 loathed
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 loved
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 washed
                 you
                 from
                 your
                 sins
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Blood
                 :
                 Ah
                 monstrous
                 and
                 polluted
                 Captives
                 ?
                 Ah
                 vile
                 and
                 putrid
                 Carkases
                 ?
                 that
                 ever
                 the
                 holy
                 Jesus
                 should
                 take
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 should
                 his
                 own
                 self
                 wash
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 wrinse
                 you
                 !
                 methinks
                 I
                 see
                 him
                 weeping
                 over
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 
                 wore
                 costly
                 Bath
                 by
                 which
                 he
                 cleansed
                 you
                 .
                 Ah
                 Sinners
                 !
                 look
                 upon
                 the
                 streaming
                 Blood
                 flowing
                 out
                 wharm
                 from
                 his
                 blessed
                 Body
                 ,
                 to
                 fetch
                 out
                 the
                 ingrained
                 filthiness
                 that
                 you
                 by
                 sin
                 had
                 contracted
                 .
                 Alas
                 !
                 what
                 a
                 horrid
                 filthiness
                 in
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 could
                 wash
                 away
                 !
                 and
                 what
                 a
                 love
                 is
                 Christs
                 ,
                 than
                 when
                 no
                 Sope
                 nor
                 Nitre
                 could
                 suffice
                 to
                 cleanse
                 us
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 whole
                 Ocean
                 could
                 not
                 wash
                 nor
                 purifié
                 us
                 ,
                 would
                 opon
                 every
                 vein
                 of
                 his
                 heart
                 to
                 do
                 the
                 work
                 !
                 look
                 upon
                 your
                 crucified
                 Lord
                 :
                 do
                 you
                 not
                 see
                 a
                 sacred
                 stream
                 flowing
                 out
                 of
                 every
                 Member
                 ?
                 Ah
                 ,
                 how
                 those
                 Holy
                 Hands
                 ,
                 those
                 unerring
                 Feet
                 do
                 run
                 a
                 stream
                 to
                 purge
                 us
                 !
                 Alas
                 ,
                 how
                 that
                 innocent
                 Back
                 doth
                 Bleed
                 with
                 cruel
                 scourgings
                 to
                 save
                 ours
                 !
                 how
                 the
                 great
                 drops
                 of
                 Blood
                 fall
                 to
                 the
                 ground
                 from
                 his
                 sacred
                 Face
                 in
                 his
                 miraculous
                 sweat
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 bitter
                 and
                 bloody
                 Agony
                 ,
                 to
                 wash
                 and
                 beautifie
                 ours
                 !
                 how
                 his
                 wounded
                 hearts
                 and
                 side
                 twice
                 pierced
                 ,
                 first
                 with
                 love
                 and
                 pity
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 with
                 Souldiers
                 cruelly
                 do
                 pour
                 out
                 their
                 healthful
                 and
                 saving
                 Flouds
                 upon
                 us
                 ?
                 Lord
                 ,
                 how
                 do
                 we
                 make
                 a
                 shift
                 to
                 forget
                 such
                 a
                 love
                 as
                 this
                 !
                 ah
                 mirrors
                 or
                 rather
                 Monsters
                 of
                 ingratitude
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 unmindful
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 Friend
                 !
                 do
                 we
                 thus
                 requite
                 him
                 :
                 is
                 this
                 our
                 kindness
                 to
                 such
                 an
                 obliging
                 friend
                 !
                 Christians
                 ,
                 where
                 are
                 your
                 affections
                 ?
                 to
                 what
                 use
                 do
                 you
                 put
                 your
                 faculties
                 ?
                 what
                 have
                 you
                 memories
                 for
                 :
                 but
                 to
                 remember
                 him
                 !
                 What
                 have
                 you
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 loving
                 for
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 love
                 him
                 ?
                 wherefore
                 serves
                 joy
                 or
                 desire
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 long
                 for
                 him
                 and
                 delightfully
                 to
                 embrace
                 him
                 ?
                 may
                 your
                 souls
                 and
                 all
                 their
                 Powers
                 be
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 him
                 :
                 May
                 all
                 the
                 little
                 Doors
                 of
                 your
                 souls
                 be
                 set
                 open
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 Here
                 fix
                 your
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 here
                 terminate
                 your
                 desires
                 ;
                 here
                 you
                 may
                 light
                 your
                 Candle
                 and
                 kindle
                 your
                 Fire
                 when
                 almost
                 out
                 .
                 Rub
                 and
                 chase
                 your
                 hearts
                 well
                 with
                 the
                 deep
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 wonder
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 get
                 some
                 warmth
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 shed
                 abroad
                 his
                 love
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 :
                 Oh!
                 that
                 this
                 love
                 might
                 constrain
                 you
                 !
                 Brethren
                 what
                 will
                 you
                 do
                 now
                 for
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 Have
                 you
                 never
                 a
                 Sacrifice
                 to
                 lay
                 upon
                 his
                 Altar
                 ?
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 shew
                 you
                 what
                 you
                 shall
                 do
                 ,
                 let
                 your
                 hands
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 your
                 sins
                 ,
                 fall
                 foul
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 search
                 them
                 out
                 with
                 diligence
                 ,
                 search
                 your
                 hearts
                 and
                 your
                 houses
                 ;
                 whatever
                 iniquities
                 you
                 find
                 there
                 ,
                 out
                 
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 put
                 them
                 far
                 from
                 your
                 Tabernacles
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 crucifie
                 them
                 not
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 not
                 Jesus
                 his
                 Friends
                 .
                 Godforbid
                 that
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 a
                 lying
                 Tongue
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 way
                 of
                 deceit
                 in
                 your
                 Shops
                 .
                 That
                 his
                 service
                 should
                 give
                 place
                 to
                 the
                 World
                 in
                 your
                 Families
                 .
                 Far
                 be
                 it
                 from
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 careful
                 to
                 teach
                 your
                 children
                 and
                 servants
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 your
                 Trades
                 and
                 Callings
                 ,
                 and
                 neglect
                 to
                 instruct
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Life
                 .
                 Is
                 weekly
                 Catechising
                 up
                 in
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 your
                 Families
                 ?
                 The
                 Lord
                 convince
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 guilty
                 of
                 this
                 neglect
                 :
                 Oh!
                 set
                 up
                 God
                 in
                 your
                 Houses
                 ;
                 and
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 be
                 not
                 slovenly
                 in
                 Closet
                 performances
                 :
                 beware
                 of
                 serving
                 the
                 Lord
                 negligently
                 ;
                 serve
                 not
                 the
                 Lord
                 with
                 that
                 which
                 costs
                 you
                 nothing
                 :
                 look
                 to
                 it
                 that
                 you
                 content
                 not
                 your selves
                 with
                 a
                 cheap
                 and
                 easie
                 Religion
                 .
                 Put
                 your
                 flesh
                 to
                 it
                 :
                 be
                 well
                 assured
                 that
                 the
                 Religion
                 that
                 costs
                 you
                 nothing
                 will
                 yeeld
                 you
                 nothing
                 :
                 keep
                 up
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 Religion
                 in
                 your
                 Family
                 and
                 Closet
                 duties
                 .
                 Fear
                 nothing
                 like
                 a
                 customary
                 and
                 careless
                 performance
                 of
                 Gods
                 Service
                 .
                 Judge
                 your
                 own
                 selves
                 whether
                 lazie
                 wishes
                 ,
                 idle
                 complaints
                 ,
                 and
                 yawning
                 Prayers
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 carry
                 you
                 through
                 the
                 mighty
                 difficulties
                 that
                 you
                 must
                 get
                 through
                 if
                 ever
                 you
                 come
                 to
                 Heaven
                 .
                 When
                 you
                 find
                 your selves
                 going
                 on
                 in
                 a
                 liftless
                 ,
                 liveless
                 ,
                 heartless
                 course
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 no
                 mind
                 to
                 your
                 work
                 ,
                 ask
                 your selves
                 ,
                 is
                 this
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 by
                 violence
                 ,
                 or
                 can
                 I
                 hope
                 to
                 win
                 it
                 without
                 ?
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 sacrifice
                 your selves
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 deliver
                 up
                 your selves
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 now
                 you
                 live
                 to
                 Christ
                 himself
                 .
                 As
                 Christ
                 hath
                 made
                 over
                 his
                 life
                 and
                 death
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 so
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 your
                 care
                 to
                 live
                 and
                 die
                 to
                 him
                 :
                 labour
                 to
                 forget
                 your selves
                 and
                 look
                 upon
                 all
                 your
                 enjoyments
                 as
                 Christs
                 goods
                 ;
                 upon
                 your
                 time
                 ,
                 parts
                 ,
                 strength
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 Talents
                 :
                 look
                 upon
                 your selves
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 quality
                 of
                 Servants
                 and
                 Stewards
                 that
                 are
                 to
                 husband
                 all
                 these
                 for
                 your
                 Lords
                 advantage
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 those
                 that
                 must
                 give
                 an
                 account
                 .
                 And
                 pray
                 for
                 me
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 take
                 the
                 Counsel
                 that
                 I
                 give
                 .
                 I
                 bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 want
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 opportunity
                 of
                 being
                 serviceable
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 enjoy
                 you
                 :
                 but
                 I
                 hope
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 make
                 my
                 bonds
                 for
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 useful
                 to
                 your
                 edification
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 White
                 I
                 aim
                 at
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 may
                 glorifie
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 serve
                 your
                 Souls
                 best
                 by
                 being
                 here
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 never
                 wish
                 to
                 come
                 out
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 confess
                 
                 liberty
                 of
                 its
                 self
                 is
                 very
                 precious
                 .
                 Finally
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 Farewel
                 :
                 be
                 perfect
                 ,
                 be
                 of
                 good
                 comfort
                 ,
                 be
                 of
                 one
                 mind
                 ,
                 live
                 in
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Love
                 and
                 Peace
                 shall
                 be
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 My
                 dear
                 Brother
                 Norman
                 salutes
                 you
                 tenderly
                 ,
                 desiring
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 patient
                 ,
                 to
                 stablish
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 draweth
                 nigh
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   ready
                   Servant
                   of
                   your
                   Faith
                   and
                   Joy
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     Octob.
                     14.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XII
                 .
                 [
                 For
                 daily
                 Self-Examination
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   most
                   Beloved
                   People
                   ,
                   the
                   Flock
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dear
                   Brethren
                   :
                
              
               
                 I
                 Would
                 my
                 time
                 were
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 my
                 heart
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 open
                 my self
                 to
                 you
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 was
                 not
                 without
                 some
                 discontent
                 diverted
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 was
                 setting
                 my self
                 to
                 have
                 Written
                 at
                 large
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 Now
                 I
                 am
                 pinched
                 ,
                 however
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 leave
                 my
                 dear
                 charge
                 altogether
                 unvisited
                 ,
                 but
                 must
                 needs
                 salute
                 you
                 in
                 a
                 few
                 Lines
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 how
                 stands
                 it
                 with
                 you
                 ?
                 doth
                 the
                 main
                 work
                 go
                 on
                 ?
                 do
                 your
                 souls
                 prosper
                 ?
                 This
                 is
                 my
                 care
                 ,
                 beware
                 that
                 you
                 Flag
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 faint
                 not
                 now
                 in
                 the
                 evil
                 day
                 .
                 I
                 understand
                 that
                 your
                 dangers
                 grow
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 may
                 your
                 Faith
                 and
                 courage
                 and
                 resolution
                 grow
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 and
                 much
                 more
                 abundantly
                 to
                 overtop
                 them
                 .
                 Some
                 of
                 your
                 enemies
                 I
                 hear
                 are
                 in
                 great
                 hopes
                 to
                 satisfie
                 their
                 Lusts
                 upon
                 you
                 :
                 well
                 ,
                 be
                 not
                 discouraged
                 my
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 but
                 bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 who
                 of
                 his
                 abundant
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 hat
                 so
                 remarkably
                 preserved
                 you
                 so
                 long
                 beyond
                 all
                 expectation
                 .
                 Let
                 it
                 not
                 be
                 a
                 strange
                 thing
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 do
                 now
                 call
                 you
                 to
                 some
                 difficulty
                 :
                 forsake
                 not
                 the
                 Assembling
                 of
                 your selves
                 together
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 some
                 is
                 .
                 I
                 plainly
                 see
                 the
                 Coal
                 of
                 Religion
                 will
                 soon
                 go
                 out
                 ,
                 unless
                 it
                 have
                 some
                 better
                 helps
                 to
                 cherish
                 it
                 ,
                 then
                 a
                 Carnal
                 Ministrie
                 ,
                 and
                 lifeless
                 Administration
                 .
                 Dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 now
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 for
                 you
                 that
                 fear
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 to
                 speak
                 often
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 :
                 manage
                 your
                 duties
                 with
                 what
                 prudence
                 you
                 can
                 ,
                 but
                 away
                 with
                 that
                 Carnal
                 prudence
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 decline
                 duty
                 to
                 avoid
                 danger
                 .
                 Is
                 the
                 Communion
                 of
                 Saints
                 worth
                 the
                 venturing
                 for
                 ?
                 Shut
                 not
                 up
                 your
                 doors
                 against
                 Godly
                 Meetings
                 .
                 
                 I
                 am
                 told
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 become
                 a
                 hard
                 matter
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 Minister
                 is
                 willing
                 to
                 take
                 pains
                 with
                 you
                 to
                 get
                 place
                 :
                 Far
                 be
                 this
                 from
                 you
                 my
                 Brethren
                 .
                 What
                 ,
                 shut
                 out
                 the
                 World
                 !
                 suppose
                 there
                 be
                 somewhat
                 more
                 danger
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 gives
                 the
                 Minister
                 entertainment
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 not
                 much
                 more
                 advantage
                 accordingly
                 ?
                 did
                 not
                 
                   Obed
                   Edom
                
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 House
                 ,
                 get
                 the
                 blessing
                 by
                 entertaining
                 the
                 Ark
                 there
                 ?
                 or
                 do
                 you
                 think
                 God
                 hath
                 never
                 a
                 Blessing
                 for
                 those
                 that
                 shall
                 with
                 much
                 Self-denial
                 entertain
                 his
                 Messengers
                 ,
                 his
                 Saints
                 ,
                 his
                 Worship
                 ?
                 are
                 you
                 believers
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 are
                 affraid
                 you
                 shall
                 be
                 loosers
                 by
                 Christ
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 indeed
                 not
                 know
                 that
                 he
                 that
                 runs
                 most
                 hazard
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 doth
                 express
                 most
                 love
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 receive
                 the
                 greatest
                 reward
                 ?
                 away
                 with
                 that
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 that
                 prefers
                 the
                 present
                 safety
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 future
                 glory
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 left
                 you
                 some
                 helps
                 for
                 daily
                 Ezamination
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 jealous
                 least
                 you
                 should
                 grow
                 slack
                 ,
                 and
                 slight
                 ,
                 and
                 careless
                 in
                 that
                 duty
                 .
                 Let
                 me
                 ask
                 you
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 doth
                 never
                 a
                 day
                 pass
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 do
                 solemnly
                 and
                 seriously
                 call
                 your selves
                 to
                 an
                 account
                 ,
                 what
                 your
                 carriage
                 hath
                 been
                 to
                 God
                 and
                 Men
                 ?
                 speak
                 conscience
                 ,
                 Is
                 there
                 never
                 an
                 one
                 within
                 the
                 hearing
                 of
                 this
                 Letter
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 a
                 neglecter
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 ?
                 doth
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 your
                 Consciences
                 acquit
                 you
                 ?
                 Oh
                 that
                 they
                 did
                 !
                 oh
                 that
                 they
                 could
                 !
                 tell
                 me
                 ,
                 would
                 not
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 be
                 put
                 shrewdly
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 should
                 ask
                 you
                 when
                 you
                 read
                 or
                 thought
                 over
                 the
                 Questions
                 that
                 were
                 given
                 you
                 for
                 your
                 help
                 ?
                 and
                 would
                 you
                 not
                 be
                 put
                 to
                 a
                 blush
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 me
                 an
                 answer
                 ?
                 And
                 will
                 you
                 not
                 be
                 much
                 more
                 ashamed
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 and
                 Conscience
                 should
                 find
                 you
                 tardy
                 ?
                 not
                 that
                 I
                 would
                 necessarily
                 bind
                 you
                 up
                 to
                 that
                 very
                 Method
                 ,
                 only
                 till
                 you
                 have
                 found
                 a
                 way
                 more
                 profitable
                 :
                 I
                 would
                 desire
                 you
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 methinks
                 I
                 cannot
                 but
                 deeply
                 charge
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 daily
                 use
                 of
                 that
                 .
                 Awake
                 conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 thou
                 fall
                 upon
                 that
                 Soul
                 that
                 thou
                 findest
                 careless
                 in
                 this
                 work
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 let
                 him
                 be
                 at
                 rest
                 till
                 thou
                 canst
                 witness
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 
                   daily
                   and
                   strict
                   observer
                   of
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 and
                 doth
                 live
                 in
                 the
                 constant
                 practice
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 .
                 What
                 shall
                 neither
                 Gods
                 charge
                 ,
                 nor
                 your
                 promise
                 ,
                 nor
                 profit
                 hold
                 you
                 to
                 your
                 work
                 ?
                 yet
                 I
                 may
                 not
                 doubt
                 ,
                 but
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 do
                 daily
                 perform
                 this
                 duty
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 incourage
                 you
                 in
                 it
                 :
                 yet
                 give
                 me
                 leave
                 to
                 ask
                 you
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 gained
                 ?
                 are
                 you
                 grown
                 more
                 universally
                 consciences
                 ,
                 
                 more
                 strict
                 ,
                 more
                 humble
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 sensible
                 of
                 your
                 many
                 and
                 great
                 defects
                 ,
                 then
                 you
                 were
                 before
                 ?
                 If
                 so
                 ,
                 blessed
                 are
                 you
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 if
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 this
                 duty
                 hath
                 been
                 performe
                 but
                 slightly
                 by
                 you
                 .
                 What
                 can
                 you
                 say
                 to
                 this
                 question
                 ?
                 doth
                 your
                 care
                 of
                 your
                 ways
                 abate
                 ,
                 or
                 doth
                 it
                 increase
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 constant
                 use
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 ?
                 If
                 it
                 abate
                 ,
                 remember
                 from
                 whence
                 you
                 are
                 fallen
                 ,
                 and
                 repent
                 ;
                 as
                 good
                 not
                 do
                 it
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 purpose
                 .
              
               
                 My
                 Pen
                 is
                 apt
                 to
                 run
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 am
                 writing
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 my
                 Letters
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 as
                 so
                 much
                 waste
                 Paper
                 to
                 you
                 ;
                 may
                 they
                 be
                 provocations
                 to
                 your
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 Medicines
                 to
                 any
                 corruptions
                 that
                 they
                 meet
                 with
                 ;
                 Oh
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 find
                 out
                 mens
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 excite
                 their
                 graces
                 !
                 I
                 have
                 run
                 much
                 farther
                 than
                 I
                 thought
                 I
                 should
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 but
                 now
                 I
                 am
                 called
                 upon
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 shut
                 up
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 God
                 be
                 a
                 Sun
                 and
                 a
                 Shield
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 My
                 most
                 dear
                 Love
                 to
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 fare
                 you
                 well
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   Embassador
                   in
                   Bonds
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   ,
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   common
                   Gaol
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     October
                     20.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 XIII
                 .
                 [
                 Motives
                 and
                 Marks
                 of
                 Growth
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   most
                   Loving
                   ,
                   and
                   best
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dear
                   and
                   tender
                   Friends
                   :
                
              
               
                 WHose
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 and
                 whom
                 under
                 God
                 I
                 desire
                 to
                 serve
                 ;
                 to
                 build
                 you
                 up
                 in
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 comfort
                 hath
                 been
                 through
                 grace
                 my
                 great
                 ambition
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 I
                 laboured
                 for
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 I
                 suffer
                 for
                 :
                 and
                 in
                 short
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 all
                 my
                 applications
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 God
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 How
                 do
                 your
                 Souls
                 prosper
                 ?
                 are
                 they
                 in
                 a
                 thriving
                 case
                 ?
                 what
                 progress
                 do
                 you
                 make
                 in
                 Sanctification
                 ?
                 doth
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Saul
                 grow
                 weaker
                 and
                 weaker
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 David
                 stronger
                 and
                 stronger
                 ?
                 beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 desire
                 to
                 be
                 jealous
                 of
                 you
                 with
                 a
                 Godly
                 jealousie
                 ,
                 lest
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 should
                 lose
                 your
                 ground
                 in
                 these
                 declining
                 times
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 often
                 calling
                 upon
                 you
                 to
                 look
                 to
                 your
                 standing
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 watch
                 and
                 hold
                 fast
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 man
                 take
                 your
                 Crown
                 .
                 Ah!
                 how
                 surely
                 shall
                 you
                 reap
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 if
                 you
                 faint
                 not
                 !
                 take
                 heed
                 therefore
                 that
                 you
                 lose
                 not
                 the
                 things
                 you
                 have
                 wrought
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 begun
                 well
                 ,
                 so
                 go
                 on
                 in
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 diligence
                 to
                 the
                 full
                 assurance
                 of
                 hope
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 your
                 thriving
                 ,
                 I
                 tell
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 drive
                 at
                 .
              
               
                 Do
                 you
                 need
                 Motives
                 ?
                 ]
                 1.
                 
                 
                   How
                   much
                   are
                   you
                   behind-hand
                
                 ?
                 Oh
                 ,
                 the
                 fair
                 advantages
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 lost
                 !
                 what
                 time
                 ,
                 what
                 Sabboths
                 ,
                 Sormons
                 ,
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 are
                 upon
                 the
                 matter
                 lost
                 ?
                 how
                 much
                 work
                 have
                 we
                 yet
                 to
                 do
                 ?
                 are
                 you
                 sure
                 of
                 Heaven
                 yet
                 ?
                 are
                 you
                 fit
                 to
                 die
                 yet
                 ?
                 surely
                 they
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 so
                 much
                 Poverty
                 ,
                 under
                 so
                 many
                 great
                 wants
                 ,
                 had
                 need
                 to
                 set
                 upon
                 some
                 more
                 thriving
                 courses
                 .
              
               
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   Consider
                   what
                   others
                   have
                   gained
                   ,
                   whilst
                   we
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   sit
                   down
                   by
                   the
                   loss
                   :
                
                 Have
                 we
                 not
                 met
                 many
                 Veslels
                 richly
                 laden
                 ,
                 while
                 our
                 Souls
                 are
                 empty
                 ?
                 Oh
                 ,
                 the
                 rich
                 Booties
                 ,
                 the
                 golden
                 Prizes
                 that
                 some
                 have
                 won
                 ,
                 while
                 we
                 have
                 solded
                 the
                 hands
                 to
                 sleep
                 !
                 have
                 not
                 many
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 standing
                 in
                 Religion
                 lest
                 us
                 far
                 behind
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                   Consider
                   what
                   a
                   spending
                   time
                   there
                   is
                   coming
                   :
                
                 Affliction
                 and
                 Tribulation
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 not
                 far
                 from
                 you
                 :
                 had
                 you
                 not
                 need
                 to
                 be
                 well
                 stocked
                 against
                 such
                 a
                 day
                 ?
                 go
                 to
                 the
                 Ant
                 thou
                 sluggard
                 ,
                 she
                 layeth
                 up
                 her
                 meat
                 in
                 the
                 Summer
                 .
                 Happy
                 man
                 that
                 can
                 say
                 to
                 his
                 Soul
                 on
                 good
                 grounds
                 ,
                 what
                 he
                 vainly
                 spake
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   hast
                   much
                   goods
                   laid
                   up
                   for
                   many
                   years
                   :
                
                 Who
                 will
                 not
                 Victual
                 the
                 Castle
                 against
                 the
                 Siege
                 ?
                 and
                 the
                 Ship
                 against
                 the
                 Voyage
                 ?
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 
                   Consider
                   you
                   will
                   find
                   all
                   little
                   enough
                   when
                   you
                   come
                   to
                   die
                   :
                
                 the
                 Wise
                 among
                 the
                 Virgins
                 have
                 no
                 Oyl
                 to
                 spare
                 at
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 :
                 distress
                 and
                 temptations
                 ,
                 and
                 death
                 will
                 put
                 all
                 your
                 Graces
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 How
                 much
                 ado
                 have
                 many
                 poor
                 Saints
                 had
                 at
                 last
                 to
                 put
                 into
                 this
                 harbour
                 ?
                 David
                 cries
                 for
                 respire
                 till
                 he
                 had
                 recovered
                 a
                 little
                 more
                 strength
                 .
              
               
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 
                   Consider
                   how
                   little
                   it
                   will
                   avail
                   you
                   to
                   thrive
                   in
                   your
                   Estates
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   thrive
                   in
                   your
                   Souls
                   :
                
                 Poor
                 Gehazi
                 !
                 what
                 did
                 he
                 get
                 by
                 it
                 when
                 he
                 gained
                 Naamans
                 Talents
                 ,
                 and
                 came
                 off
                 with
                 his
                 Leprofie
                 ?
              
               
                 Sixthly
                 ,
                 
                   Consider
                   how
                   short
                   your
                   time
                   for
                   gathering
                   in
                   probability
                   is
                   :
                
                 the
                 Israelites
                 gathered
                 twice
                 so
                 much
                 Manna
                 against
                 the
                 Sabbath
                 as
                 they
                 did
                 at
                 other
                 times
                 ,
                 because
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 Manna
                 fell
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 you
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 long
                 you
                 have
                 to
                 lay
                 in
                 for
                 .
              
               
                 Seventhly
                 ,
                 
                   Consider
                   Gods
                   expectations
                   are
                   great
                   from
                   you
                   :
                
                 he
                 hath
                 been
                 lopping
                 and
                 pruning
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 he
                 looks
                 for
                 
                   more
                   fruit
                
                 :
                 he
                 hath
                 had
                 you
                 for
                 some
                 time
                 under
                 his
                 more
                 severer
                 Discipline
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 expects
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 better
                 proficient
                 :
                 he
                 hath
                 tried
                 new
                 means
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 come
                 to
                 you
                 with
                 a
                 Rod
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 angry
                 with
                 a
                 witness
                 if
                 he
                 do
                 not
                 find
                 you
                 now
                 to
                 mend
                 .
                 Times
                 of
                 Afflictions
                 use
                 to
                 be
                 gaining
                 times
                 to
                 Gods
                 People
                 ;
                 God
                 forbid
                 that
                 you
                 alone
                 should
                 be
                 losers
                 .
              
               
               
                 Do
                 you
                 ask
                 for
                 marks
                 how
                 you
                 may
                 know
                 your
                 souls
                 be
                 in
                 a
                 thriving
                 case
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   If
                   your
                   appetites
                   be
                   more
                   strong
                   .
                
                 Do
                 you
                 thirst
                 after
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 grace
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 heretofore
                 ?
                 do
                 your
                 cares
                 for
                 and
                 desires
                 after
                 the
                 World
                 abate
                 ?
                 and
                 do
                 you
                 hunger
                 and
                 thirst
                 after
                 righteousness
                 !
                 whereas
                 you
                 were
                 wont
                 to
                 come
                 with
                 an
                 ill-will
                 to
                 holy
                 duties
                 ,
                 do
                 you
                 come
                 to
                 them
                 as
                 a
                 hungrie
                 Stomach
                 to
                 its
                 Meats
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   If
                   your
                   Pulses
                   meat
                   more
                   even
                   .
                
                 Are
                 you
                 still
                 off
                 and
                 on
                 ,
                 hot
                 and
                 cold
                 .
                 Or
                 is
                 there
                 a
                 more
                 even
                 spun
                 thred
                 of
                 holiness
                 through
                 your
                 whole
                 course
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 make
                 good
                 the
                 ground
                 from
                 which
                 you
                 were
                 formerly
                 often
                 beaten
                 off
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Thirdly
                   ,
                   If
                   your
                   Natural
                   heat
                   do
                   grow
                   more
                   vigorous
                   ,
                   and
                   your
                   digestion
                   more
                   quick
                   .
                
                 Do
                 you
                 take
                 more
                 notice
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 every
                 thing
                 ,
                 than
                 heretofore
                 ?
                 and
                 let
                 none
                 of
                 his
                 works
                 ,
                 nor
                 words
                 pass
                 without
                 some
                 careful
                 attention
                 ,
                 and
                 observation
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 ponder
                 upon
                 ,
                 and
                 pray
                 over
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Providences
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Fourthly
                   ,
                   If
                   you
                   do
                   look
                   more
                   to
                   the
                   Compass
                   ,
                   and
                   latitude
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   mind
                   more
                   than
                   ever
                   ,
                   the
                   carrying
                   on
                   together
                   the
                   duties
                   of
                   both
                   Tables
                   .
                
                 Do
                 you
                 not
                 only
                 look
                 to
                 the
                 keeping
                 if
                 your
                 own
                 Vineyards
                 ,
                 but
                 do
                 you
                 begin
                 to
                 look
                 more
                 abroad
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 lay
                 out
                 your selves
                 for
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 filled
                 with
                 zealous
                 desires
                 for
                 their
                 conversion
                 ,
                 and
                 salvation
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 manage
                 your
                 talk
                 and
                 your
                 Trade
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 rules
                 of
                 Religion
                 ?
              
               
                 Do
                 you
                 eat
                 and
                 sleep
                 by
                 rule
                 ?
                 doth
                 Religion
                 form
                 ,
                 and
                 mould
                 ,
                 and
                 direct
                 your
                 carriage
                 towards
                 Husband
                 ,
                 Wife
                 ,
                 Parents
                 ,
                 Children
                 ,
                 Masters
                 ,
                 Servants
                 !
                 do
                 you
                 grow
                 more
                 universally
                 conseiencious
                 ?
                 Is
                 piety
                 more
                 diffusive
                 than
                 ever
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 doth
                 it
                 come
                 more
                 abroad
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 your
                 Clossets
                 into
                 your
                 Houses
                 ,
                 your
                 Shops
                 ,
                 your
                 Fields
                 ?
                 doth
                 it
                 journey
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 buy
                 and
                 sell
                 for
                 you
                 ?
                 hath
                 it
                 the
                 casting
                 voice
                 in
                 all
                 you
                 do
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Fifthly
                   ,
                   If
                   the
                   duties
                   of
                   Religion
                   be
                   more
                   easie
                   ,
                   sweet
                   ,
                   and
                   delightful
                   to
                   you
                   .
                
                 Do
                 you
                 take
                 more
                 delight
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 than
                 ever
                 ?
                 are
                 you
                 more
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 secret
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 abundant
                 in
                 it
                 ?
                 cannot
                 you
                 be
                 content
                 with
                 your
                 〈◊〉
                 dinary
                 Seasons
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 ever
                 and
                 anon
                 making
                 extraordinary
                 
                 Visits
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ?
                 and
                 upon
                 all
                 occasions
                 turning
                 aside
                 to
                 talk
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 some
                 short
                 Ejaculations
                 ?
                 are
                 you
                 often
                 darting
                 up
                 your
                 souls
                 Heaven-wards
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 meat
                 and
                 drink
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 do
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 come
                 off
                 more
                 freely
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 answer
                 his
                 Calls
                 ,
                 and
                 open
                 at
                 his
                 knocks
                 ,
                 with
                 more
                 Alacrity
                 and
                 readiness
                 of
                 mind
                 ?
              
               
                 Sixthly
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   you
                   are
                   more
                   abundant
                   in
                   those
                   duties
                   which
                   are
                   most
                   displeasing
                   to
                   the
                   Flesh.
                
                 Are
                 you
                 more
                 earnest
                 upon
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 Mortification
                 ?
                 are
                 you
                 more
                 strict
                 and
                 severe
                 than
                 ever
                 in
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 daily
                 Self-examination
                 ,
                 and
                 holy
                 Meditation
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 hold
                 the
                 Reigns
                 harder
                 upon
                 the
                 Flesh
                 than
                 ever
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 keep
                 a
                 stricter
                 watch
                 upon
                 your
                 Appetites
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 set
                 a
                 stronger
                 guard
                 upon
                 your
                 Tongues
                 ?
                 have
                 you
                 a
                 more
                 jealous
                 eye
                 upon
                 your
                 hearts
                 ?
              
               
                 Sevently
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   you
                   grow
                   more
                   vile
                   in
                   your
                   own
                   eyes
                   .
                
                 Pride
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 choaking
                 Weed
                 ,
                 that
                 nothing
                 will
                 prosper
                 naer
                 it
                 .
                 Do
                 you
                 grow
                 more
                 out
                 of
                 love
                 with
                 mens
                 esteem
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 less
                 by
                 it
                 ?
                 are
                 you
                 not
                 marvellous
                 tender
                 of
                 being
                 slighted
                 ?
                 can
                 you
                 rejoyce
                 to
                 see
                 others
                 preferred
                 before
                 you
                 ?
                 can
                 you
                 heartily
                 value
                 ,
                 and
                 love
                 them
                 that
                 think
                 meanly
                 of
                 you
                 ?
              
               
                 Eighthly
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   you
                   grow
                   more
                   quick
                   of
                   sense
                   ,
                   more
                   tender
                   of
                   sinning
                   ,
                   more
                   sensible
                   of
                   Divine
                   influences
                   ,
                   or
                   withdrawings
                   .
                
                 Are
                 you
                 more
                 affraid
                 of
                 sin
                 than
                 ever
                 ?
                 are
                 your
                 sins
                 a
                 greater
                 pain
                 to
                 you
                 than
                 heretofore
                 ?
                 are
                 your
                 very
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 your
                 great
                 afflictions
                 ?
                 and
                 the
                 daily
                 workings
                 of
                 corruption
                 a
                 continual
                 grief
                 of
                 mind
                 to
                 you
                 ?
              
               
                 Ninthly
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   you
                   are
                   acted
                   more
                   by
                   love
                   to
                   God
                   and
                   Faith
                   in
                   these
                   Promises
                   .
                
                 Fear
                 is
                 a
                 slavish
                 principle
                 :
                 do
                 you
                 find
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 acted
                 less
                 by
                 fear
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 by
                 love
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 look
                 more
                 frequently
                 to
                 the
                 things
                 not
                 seen
                 than
                 ever
                 ?
                 and
                 doth
                 the
                 World
                 abate
                 in
                 your
                 esteem
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 go
                 more
                 out
                 of
                 your selves
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 live
                 upon
                 Christ
                 as
                 the
                 Spring
                 of
                 your
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 more
                 use
                 of
                 him
                 upon
                 all
                 occasions
                 than
                 ever
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 prize
                 the
                 Promises
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 hug
                 and
                 imbrace
                 them
                 with
                 greater
                 dearness
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 more
                 upon
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Tenthly
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   you
                   grow
                   of
                   a
                   more
                   publick
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 A
                 selfish
                 Spirit
                 is
                 unworthy
                 of
                 a
                 Christian
                 :
                 are
                 the
                 common
                 concernments
                 of
                 Gods
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 prosperity
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 much
                 upon
                 your
                 hearts
                 ?
                 will
                 it
                 no
                 way
                 content
                 you
                 to
                 dwell
                 in
                 plenty
                 ,
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 safety
                 your selves
                 ,
                 except
                 you
                 may
                 see
                 
                 peace
                 upon
                 Israel
                 ?
                 do
                 the
                 wounds
                 in
                 Gods
                 Name
                 and
                 Glory
                 go
                 deep
                 into
                 you
                 ?
                 are
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 others
                 your
                 sorrows
                 ?
              
               
                 Time
                 ,
                 and
                 room
                 ,
                 and
                 strength
                 fails
                 to
                 add
                 means
                 too
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 intended
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 trespassed
                 in
                 length
                 already
                 ,
                 may
                 these
                 be
                 helps
                 to
                 you
                 to
                 put
                 you
                 forward
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 help
                 you
                 in
                 discerning
                 your
                 growth
                 .
                 I
                 must
                 conclude
                 abruply
                 ,
                 and
                 commend
                 you
                 to
                 God
                 with
                 my
                 dear
                 loves
                 to
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 I
                 take
                 leave
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 only
                 tell
                 you
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     Octob.
                     31.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XV.
                 [
                 Perswasion
                 to
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 and
                 comfort
                 to
                 Saints
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   my
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   the
                   Inhabitants
                   of
                   the
                   Town
                   of
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   ,
                   Mercy
                   ,
                   and
                   Peace
                   from
                   God
                   our
                   Father
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   Christ.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   :
                
              
               
                 I
                 Have
                 been
                 through
                 mercy
                 many
                 years
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 should
                 be
                 willingly
                 so
                 many
                 years
                 a
                 Prisoner
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 might
                 eminently
                 and
                 effectually
                 further
                 your
                 Salvation
                 .
                 I
                 must
                 again
                 ,
                 yea
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 again
                 thank
                 you
                 for
                 your
                 abundant
                 and
                 intire
                 affections
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 which
                 value
                 as
                 a
                 great
                 mercy
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 myself
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 know
                 my
                 own
                 heart
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 your
                 benefit
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 may
                 thereby
                 be
                 a
                 more
                 likely
                 ,
                 Instrument
                 to
                 further
                 your
                 good
                 .
                 Surely
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 I
                 do
                 value
                 your
                 love
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 ,
                 yet
                 had
                 I
                 rather
                 (
                 if
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 unacquainted
                 with
                 my self
                 )
                 be
                 forgotten
                 and
                 forsaken
                 of
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 buried
                 in
                 oblivion
                 ,
                 So
                 that
                 your
                 eyes
                 and
                 hearts
                 might
                 be
                 hereby
                 fixed
                 on
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 sincerely
                 engaged
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 bespoken
                 your
                 affections
                 for
                 my self
                 :
                 O
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 win
                 your
                 hearts
                 universally
                 to
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 had
                 lost
                 them
                 for
                 ever
                 !
                 O
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 be
                 instrumental
                 to
                 convert
                 ,
                 you
                 to
                 him
                 though
                 you
                 were
                 diverted
                 from
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 perswaded
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 much
                 rather
                 choose
                 to
                 be
                 hated
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 so
                 this
                 might
                 be
                 the
                 means
                 to
                 have
                 Christ
                 honoured
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 up
                 savingly
                 in
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 you
                 all
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 great
                 but
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 nothing
                 is
                 much
                 material
                 or
                 considerable
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 terminated
                 in
                 us
                 :
                 It
                 matters
                 not
                 whether
                 we
                 are
                 in
                 Riches
                 or
                 poverty
                 ,
                 in
                 sickness
                 or
                 Health
                 ,
                 in
                 honour
                 or
                 disgrace
                 ,
                 so
                 Christ
                 may
                 be
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 magnified
                 in
                 the
                 condition
                 we
                 are
                 
                 in
                 .
                 Welcome
                 Prison
                 and
                 Poverty
                 ,
                 welcome
                 Scorn
                 and
                 Envy
                 ,
                 welcome
                 pains
                 or
                 contempt
                 ,
                 if
                 by
                 these
                 Gods
                 glory
                 may
                 be
                 most
                 promoted
                 .
                 What
                 are
                 we
                 for
                 but
                 for
                 God
                 ?
                 what
                 doth
                 the
                 Creature
                 signifie
                 separated
                 from
                 his
                 God
                 ?
                 why
                 just
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 the
                 Cypher
                 separated
                 from
                 the
                 Figure
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 letter
                 from
                 the
                 Syllable
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 nothing
                 or
                 nothing
                 worth
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 reference
                 to
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 ends
                 .
                 Better
                 were
                 it
                 that
                 we
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 Better
                 that
                 we
                 were
                 dead
                 than
                 we
                 should
                 live
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 Better
                 that
                 we
                 had
                 no
                 understandings
                 than
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 know
                 him
                 .
                 Better
                 that
                 we
                 were
                 Blocks
                 and
                 Bruits
                 than
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 use
                 our
                 Reason
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 What
                 are
                 our
                 Interests
                 unless
                 as
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 subservient
                 to
                 his
                 Interest
                 ?
                 or
                 our
                 esteem
                 or
                 reputation
                 ,
                 unless
                 we
                 may
                 hereby
                 glorifie
                 him
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 love
                 me
                 ?
                 I
                 know
                 you
                 do
                 :
                 but
                 who
                 is
                 there
                 that
                 will
                 leave
                 his
                 sins
                 for
                 me
                 ?
                 I
                 mean
                 at
                 my
                 requests
                 :
                 with
                 whom
                 shall
                 I
                 prevail
                 to
                 give
                 up
                 himself
                 in
                 strictness
                 and
                 self
                 denial
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ?
                 who
                 will
                 be
                 intreated
                 by
                 me
                 to
                 set
                 upon
                 neglected
                 duties
                 ,
                 or
                 reform
                 accustomed
                 sins
                 ?
                 O
                 wherein
                 may
                 you
                 rejoyce
                 me
                 ?
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 you
                 shall
                 befriend
                 me
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 obey
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 me
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 be
                 prevailed
                 with
                 to
                 give
                 your selves
                 up
                 throughly
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ?
                 would
                 you
                 lighten
                 my
                 burden
                 ?
                 would
                 you
                 loosen
                 my
                 bonds
                 ?
                 would
                 you
                 make
                 glad
                 my
                 heart
                 ?
                 let
                 me
                 hear
                 of
                 your
                 owning
                 the
                 ways
                 and
                 servants
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 in
                 adversity
                 ,
                 of
                 your
                 coming
                 in
                 ,
                 of
                 your
                 abiding
                 and
                 patient
                 continuing
                 in
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 holiness
                 .
                 O
                 that
                 I
                 could
                 but
                 hear
                 that
                 the
                 prayerless
                 Souls
                 ,
                 the
                 prayerless
                 Families
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 were
                 now
                 given
                 to
                 prayer
                 !
                 that
                 the
                 prosane
                 sinner
                 would
                 be
                 awakened
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 induced
                 by
                 the
                 preaching
                 of
                 these
                 Bonds
                 ,
                 which
                 heretofore
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 prevailed
                 with
                 ,
                 to
                 leave
                 their
                 drunkenness
                 their
                 loose
                 company
                 ,
                 their
                 lying
                 and
                 deceit
                 ,
                 and
                 Wantonness
                 ,
                 by
                 all
                 the
                 threatnings
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 cou'd
                 be
                 pronounced
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 nor
                 all
                 the
                 beseechings
                 ,
                 wooings
                 ,
                 and
                 entreaties
                 that
                 I
                 was
                 able
                 to
                 use
                 with
                 them
                 !
                 will
                 you
                 not
                 be
                 made
                 clean
                 ?
                 when
                 shall
                 it
                 once
                 be
                 ?
                 how
                 long
                 shall
                 the
                 patience
                 of
                 God
                 wait
                 for
                 you
                 ?
                 how
                 long
                 shall
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 stretch
                 our
                 his
                 hands
                 toward
                 you
                 ?
                 O
                 sinners
                 ,
                 cast
                 your selves
                 into
                 his
                 Arms
                 ?
                 Why
                 should
                 you
                 die
                 ?
                 Why
                 will
                 you
                 forsake
                 your
                 
                 own
                 Mercy
                 ?
                 will
                 you
                 perish
                 when
                 mercy
                 wooes
                 you
                 ?
                 confess
                 and
                 forsake
                 your
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 find
                 mercy
                 :
                 will
                 you
                 part
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 sell
                 your
                 Souls
                 to
                 perdition
                 for
                 a
                 little
                 ease
                 and
                 delight
                 to
                 your
                 flesh
                 ?
                 or
                 a
                 little
                 of
                 the
                 gain
                 of
                 unrighteousness
                 ?
                 or
                 a
                 little
                 Ale
                 or
                 vain
                 mirth
                 ,
                 or
                 loose
                 company
                 ?
                 why
                 these
                 are
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 part
                 between
                 Sinners
                 and
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 I
                 know
                 many
                 are
                 spun
                 with
                 a
                 finer
                 thred
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 not
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 prayerless
                 ,
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 Sabbath-breaking
                 ,
                 intemperate
                 sort
                 are
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 must
                 once
                 again
                 warn
                 you
                 of
                 staying
                 in
                 the
                 Suburbs
                 of
                 the
                 City
                 of
                 Refuge
                 .
                 O
                 what
                 pity
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 any
                 should
                 perish
                 at
                 the
                 Gates
                 !
                 that
                 any
                 should
                 escape
                 the
                 pollutions
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 and
                 do
                 many
                 things
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 suffer
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 too
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 should
                 fall
                 short
                 of
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 a
                 through
                 work
                 of
                 grace
                 !
                 Oh
                 you
                 halting
                 Christians
                 ,
                 that
                 halt
                 between
                 Christ
                 and
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 as
                 Ephraim
                 like
                 a
                 Cake
                 not
                 turned
                 ,
                 dow-baked
                 ,
                 Professors
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 Lamps
                 without
                 Oyl
                 ,
                 that
                 cry
                 ,
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Lord
                 ,
                 but
                 do
                 not
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 our
                 Father
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 !
                 how
                 long
                 will
                 you
                 stay
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 the
                 breaking
                 forth
                 of
                 Children
                 ?
                 and
                 stick
                 between
                 the
                 Womb
                 and
                 the
                 World
                 ?
                 your
                 Religion
                 will
                 carry
                 you
                 among
                 the
                 profane
                 despisers
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 but
                 do
                 own
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 love
                 the
                 Ministers
                 and
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 therefore
                 all
                 is
                 well
                 .
                 I
                 tell
                 you
                 ,
                 Godliness
                 is
                 a
                 heart-work
                 ,
                 it
                 goes
                 deep
                 ,
                 and
                 spreads
                 far
                 :
                 unless
                 the
                 frame
                 of
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 drists
                 of
                 your
                 course
                 be
                 changed
                 ,
                 unless
                 you
                 be
                 universally
                 conscientious
                 ,
                 and
                 unreservedly
                 delivered
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 and
                 conditions
                 whatever
                 be
                 the
                 cost
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 none
                 of
                 Christs
                 ,
                 how
                 far
                 soever
                 you
                 go
                 in
                 common
                 workings
                 and
                 external
                 performances
                 .
                 Hear
                 then
                 ,
                 O
                 people
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 nor
                 profaneness
                 swallow
                 you
                 up
                 :
                 let
                 not
                 an
                 almost
                 Christianity
                 deceive
                 you
                 ,
                 orignorance
                 carry
                 you
                 blindfold
                 to
                 perdition
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 thousands
                 ,
                 and
                 ten
                 thousands
                 that
                 have
                 been
                 undone
                 by
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 !
                 Ah
                 how
                 often
                 have
                 you
                 been
                 warned
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 least
                 you
                 should
                 split
                 against
                 these
                 dangerous
                 Rocks
                 .
                 O
                 
                   Jerusalem
                   ,
                   Jerusalem
                
                 ,
                 said
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 O
                 
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Taunton
                
                 ,
                 may
                 I
                 say
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 how
                 often
                 ?
                 who
                 can
                 tell
                 how
                 often
                 ,
                 would
                 Gods
                 servants
                 have
                 gathered
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 ?
                 many
                 ,
                 very
                 many
                 of
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 .
                 But
                 will
                 you
                 now
                 ?
                 will
                 you
                 yet
                 come
                 in
                 ?
                 I
                 cannot
                 
                 forbear
                 once
                 more
                 ,
                 even
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Prison
                 to
                 call
                 after
                 poor
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 one
                 tender
                 of
                 mercy
                 more
                 .
                 O
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 Waters
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 wash
                 you
                 ,
                 make
                 you
                 clean
                 ;
                 read
                 with
                 diligent
                 observation
                 ,
                 the
                 melting
                 passages
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 1.
                 22.
                 
                   to
                   the
                   end
                   ,
                   Isa.
                
                 1.
                 16
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 Isa.
                 55.
                 6
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 Oh
                 obdurate
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 if
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 move
                 you
                 !
              
               
                 But
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 whose
                 very
                 hearts
                 are
                 set
                 against
                 every
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 deliberately
                 resolved
                 for
                 God
                 and
                 Holiness
                 before
                 all
                 the
                 Worlds
                 delight
                 ;
                 you
                 that
                 have
                 experience
                 of
                 a
                 thorow
                 change
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 brought
                 to
                 have
                 respect
                 to
                 all
                 Gods
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 have
                 none
                 but
                 God
                 for
                 your
                 happiness
                 ,
                 none
                 but
                 Christ
                 for
                 your
                 Treasure
                 ,
                 that
                 must
                 and
                 will
                 have
                 him
                 ,
                 come
                 what
                 will
                 come
                 ,
                 blessed
                 are
                 you
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 O
                 happy
                 Souls
                 rejoyce
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 again
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 Rejoyce
                 :
                 let
                 your
                 Souls
                 magnifie
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 spirits
                 rejoyce
                 in
                 God
                 your
                 Saviour
                 .
                 Live
                 you
                 a
                 life
                 of
                 praise
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 highly
                 favoured
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 your
                 Lines
                 are
                 fallen
                 in
                 a
                 pleasant
                 place
                 :
                 only
                 stick
                 you
                 fast
                 to
                 your
                 choice
                 :
                 Beware
                 lest
                 any
                 man
                 beguile
                 you
                 of
                 your
                 reward
                 :
                 watch
                 and
                 keep
                 your
                 Garments
                 about
                 you
                 ,
                 lest
                 you
                 walk
                 naked
                 ,
                 and
                 men
                 see
                 your
                 shame
                 .
                 Many
                 will
                 be
                 plucking
                 to
                 pull
                 you
                 out
                 of
                 Christs
                 hands
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 harder
                 they
                 pluck
                 ,
                 the
                 harder
                 do
                 you
                 cling
                 ,
                 and
                 cleave
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 better
                 hold
                 fast
                 do
                 you
                 take
                 of
                 him
                 :
                 Blessed
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 overcometh
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 now
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Heaven
                 fill
                 you
                 all
                 with
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 all
                 Grace
                 to
                 abound
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 toward
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 Sun
                 to
                 comfort
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Shield
                 of
                 protection
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 shine
                 with
                 his
                 happy
                 Beams
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Glory
                 on
                 you
                 all
                 :
                 Farewel
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   in
                   the
                   Bonds
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   ,
                   JOSEPH
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     August
                     ,
                     28.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 XVI
                 .
                 [
                 How
                 to
                 live
                 to
                 God.
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   Beloved
                   People
                   ,
                   the
                   Inhabitants
                   of
                   the
                   Town
                   of
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   endeared
                   Christians
                   ,
                
              
               
                 TO
                 tell
                 you
                 I
                 love
                 and
                 long
                 for
                 you
                 seems
                 somewhat
                 needless
                 .
                 I
                 cannot
                 doubt
                 of
                 your
                 confidence
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 a
                 deep
                 share
                 in
                 my
                 tenderest
                 affections
                 :
                 for
                 this
                 let
                 my
                 labours
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 hazards
                 for
                 you
                 speak
                 ,
                 rather
                 that
                 I
                 〈◊〉
                 self
                 .
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 Complement
                 the
                 devoted
                 servant
                 of
                 your
                 souls
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 interest
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 you
                 :
                 may
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 be
                 set
                 up
                 higher
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 ;
                 may
                 his
                 name
                 ever
                 live
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 magnified
                 by
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 have
                 what
                 I
                 ask
                 .
                 If
                 this
                 work
                 be
                 not
                 promoted
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 account
                 all
                 my
                 letters
                 but
                 waste
                 Paper
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 my
                 pains
                 but
                 last
                 labour
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 live
                 to
                 your selves
                 ,
                 for
                 this
                 were
                 directly
                 to
                 cross
                 the
                 very
                 end
                 of
                 Christ's
                 death
                 :
                 for
                 therefore
                 he
                 died
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 not
                 live
                 to
                 your selves
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 15.
                 
                 Oh
                 live
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 died
                 for
                 you
                 !
                 live
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 your
                 life
                 !
                 live
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 bought
                 your
                 lives
                 with
                 the
                 expense
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 !
                 To
                 him
                 that
                 bought
                 you
                 from
                 destruction
                 ;
                 and
                 not
                 only
                 so
                 ,
                 but
                 bought
                 your
                 names
                 into
                 the
                 eternal
                 Inheritance
                 ,
                 reserved
                 in
                 the
                 Heavens
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 Will
                 a
                 man
                 be
                 easily
                 perswaded
                 to
                 lose
                 his
                 life
                 ?
                 how
                 infinitely
                 tender
                 are
                 men
                 here
                 !
                 And
                 yet
                 in
                 the
                 worst
                 sence
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 men
                 do
                 lose
                 their
                 lives
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 lose
                 them
                 for
                 nothing
                 .
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 consider
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 life
                 is
                 lost
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 lived
                 unto
                 God.
                 If
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 loss
                 your
                 lives
                 that
                 you
                 live
                 ,
                 see
                 to
                 him
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 your
                 lives
                 .
                 Oh
                 remember
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 reckon
                 that
                 day
                 lost
                 which
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 lived
                 unto
                 God!
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 how
                 great
                 a
                 part
                 of
                 our
                 lives
                 have
                 we
                 really
                 ,
                 alas
                 !
                 too
                 too
                 really
                 lost
                 ?
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 take
                 heed
                 :
                 here
                 you
                 are
                 careful
                 about
                 many
                 things
                 ,
                 but
                 be
                 beware
                 that
                 other
                 things
                 do
                 not
                 put
                 out
                 this
                 which
                 should
                 be
                 the
                 main
                 of
                 your
                 cares
                 ,
                 to
                 wit
                 ,
                 the
                 spending
                 your
                 days
                 and
                 strength
                 for
                 him
                 that
                 made
                 you
                 .
                 Would
                 it
                 not
                 be
                 dreadful
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 find
                 at
                 last
                 when
                 he
                 comes
                 
                 to
                 his
                 account
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 whole
                 life
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 the
                 main
                 of
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 but
                 damnable
                 self-seeking
                 .
                 That
                 a
                 man
                 should
                 have
                 so
                 many
                 years
                 allowed
                 him
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 should
                 at
                 last
                 be
                 found
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 but
                 a
                 false
                 and
                 wicked
                 servant
                 that
                 had
                 set
                 up
                 for
                 himself
                 with
                 his
                 Masters
                 stock
                 ,
                 and
                 alienated
                 his
                 goods
                 ,
                 and
                 turned
                 them
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 use
                 ?
                 Well
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 throughly
                 learn
                 the
                 grand
                 lesson
                 of
                 living
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 take
                 these
                 Counsels
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   Settle
                   it
                   upon
                   your
                   heart
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   the
                   sum
                   of
                   all
                   your
                   business
                   and
                   blessedness
                   to
                   live
                   unto
                   God
                   :
                
                 'T
                 is
                 your
                 business
                 ;
                 for
                 his
                 pleasure
                 you
                 are
                 and
                 were
                 created
                 :
                 what
                 have
                 you
                 else
                 to
                 do
                 but
                 to
                 serve
                 your
                 Maker
                 in
                 your
                 general
                 and
                 particular
                 Callings
                 ?
                 what
                 was
                 the
                 Candle
                 made
                 for
                 (
                 saith
                 one
                 )
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 burnt
                 ?
                 beloved
                 ,
                 what
                 else
                 have
                 you
                 strength
                 for
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 God
                 ?
                 doth
                 he
                 maintain
                 servants
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 he
                 look
                 for
                 their
                 Work
                 ?
                 Would
                 you
                 endure
                 it
                 that
                 the
                 servants
                 that
                 you
                 find
                 with
                 meat
                 and
                 wages
                 should
                 set
                 up
                 for
                 themselves
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 eat
                 your
                 bread
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 while
                 do
                 their
                 own
                 work
                 ?
                 beloved
                 ,
                 Gods
                 service
                 is
                 your
                 business
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 made
                 you
                 and
                 keeps
                 you
                 for
                 no
                 other
                 end
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 your
                 blessedness
                 too
                 .
                 Labour
                 to
                 be
                 under
                 the
                 rooted
                 conviction
                 of
                 this
                 principle
                 ,
                 that
                 your
                 very
                 happiness
                 lies
                 in
                 pleasing
                 and
                 honouring
                 of
                 God.
                 Let
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 this
                 live
                 fresh
                 upon
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 will
                 regulate
                 your
                 whole
                 course
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   Remember
                   what
                   a
                   dangerous
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   damnable
                   thing
                   it
                   is
                   to
                   live
                   your selves
                   :
                
                 To
                 make
                 it
                 our
                 main
                 care
                 and
                 business
                 to
                 please
                 and
                 gratifie
                 our selves
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 have
                 applause
                 from
                 and
                 reputation
                 with
                 others
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 grow
                 rich
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 greaten
                 our selves
                 and
                 posterity
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 certain
                 evidence
                 of
                 a
                 graceless
                 heart
                 .
                 And
                 though
                 the
                 Godly
                 do
                 make
                 God
                 their
                 principle
                 end
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 must
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 for
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 as
                 is
                 spent
                 besides
                 ,
                 this
                 end
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 too
                 too
                 much
                 )
                 they
                 shall
                 suffer
                 loss
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                   Labour
                   to
                   keep
                   alive
                   upon
                   your selves
                   a
                   deep
                   sense
                   of
                   your
                   strong
                   obligations
                   to
                   Good.
                
                 Often
                 think
                 with
                 your selves
                 what
                 a
                 righteous
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 reasonable
                 thing
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 with
                 all
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 serve
                 the
                 Lord.
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 the
                 Vessel
                 be
                 for
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 Porter
                 that
                 made
                 it
                 ?
                 Shall
                 not
                 the
                 servant
                 Trade
                 for
                 his
                 Master
                 with
                 whose
                 goods
                 he
                 is
                 entrusted
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 not
                 fetch
                 all
                 your
                 bread
                 from
                 Gods
                 door
                 ?
                 
                 Is
                 not
                 he
                 the
                 Rock
                 that
                 begat
                 you
                 ?
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 your
                 being
                 and
                 well-being
                 ?
                 is
                 not
                 this
                 he
                 that
                 can
                 crucifie
                 you
                 or
                 release
                 you
                 ?
                 can
                 save
                 you
                 or
                 damn
                 you
                 at
                 his
                 pleasure
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 from
                 him
                 that
                 you
                 fetch
                 every
                 breath
                 ?
                 your
                 interest
                 obliges
                 you
                 to
                 please
                 him
                 .
                 Why
                 should
                 Beltshazzars
                 charge
                 be
                 against
                 you
                 ?
                 that
                 the
                 God
                 in
                 whose
                 hand
                 your
                 breath
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 whose
                 are
                 all
                 your
                 ways
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 glorified
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 5.
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Fonrthly
                 ,
                 
                   Do
                   not
                   only
                   intend
                   God
                   as
                   the
                   general
                   end
                   of
                   your
                   course
                   ,
                   but
                   in
                   every
                   solemn
                   action
                   actually
                   mind
                   your
                   end
                   .
                
                 Though
                 a
                 man
                 need
                 not
                 ,
                 cannot
                 think
                 of
                 his
                 Journeys-end
                 at
                 every
                 step
                 ,
                 yet
                 with
                 care
                 he
                 might
                 come
                 to
                 this
                 in
                 every
                 solemn
                 action
                 ,
                 particularly
                 and
                 expressy
                 to
                 mind
                 his
                 end
                 :
                 a
                 man
                 cannot
                 (
                 nor
                 need
                 he
                 )
                 think
                 at
                 every
                 bit
                 that
                 he
                 puts
                 into
                 his
                 mouth
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 eat
                 this
                 for
                 God
                 :
                 yet
                 he
                 might
                 every
                 time
                 he
                 sits
                 down
                 to
                 his
                 Table
                 ,
                 remember
                 to
                 eat
                 and
                 drink
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 gratifie
                 his
                 flesh
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 glorifie
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 getting
                 strength
                 for
                 his
                 work
                 .
                 you
                 cannot
                 think
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 every
                 step
                 in
                 your
                 Journey
                 ;
                 but
                 without
                 intending
                 some
                 glory
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 serving
                 his
                 will
                 in
                 your
                 place
                 and
                 station
                 ?
                 and
                 so
                 in
                 your
                 visits
                 and
                 labours
                 .
              
               
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 
                   Every
                   morning
                   let
                   this
                   be
                   your
                   first
                   and
                   firm
                   resolution
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   set
                   forth
                   this
                   day
                   in
                   the
                   Name
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Your
                 first
                 and
                 last
                 thoughts
                 are
                 of
                 greatest
                 consequence
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 I
                 advise
                 you
                 to
                 begin
                 and
                 end
                 with
                 this
                 :
                 when
                 ever
                 you
                 lie
                 down
                 ,
                 say
                 in
                 your selves
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 my
                 Bed
                 as
                 an
                 Ordinance
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 Servant
                 of
                 his
                 may
                 be
                 refreshed
                 and
                 fitted
                 for
                 his
                 work
                 :
                 when
                 ever
                 you
                 rise
                 up
                 ,
                 think
                 I
                 will
                 spend
                 this
                 day
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 follow
                 the
                 business
                 of
                 my
                 calling
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 am
                 so
                 appointed
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 Zech.
                 10.
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 
                   they
                   shall
                   walk
                   up
                   and
                   down
                   in
                   his
                   Name
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 design
                 the
                 sweetness
                 and
                 comfort
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 strictness
                 of
                 your
                 lives
                 .
                 Live
                 to
                 God
                 as
                 you
                 are
                 directed
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 marvellously
                 prosper
                 in
                 both
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 sure
                 yet
                 ,
                 whether
                 or
                 no
                 I
                 shall
                 see
                 you
                 at
                 the
                 Assizes
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 earnestly
                 desire
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 I
                 leave
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 our
                 Fathers
                 wise
                 disposal
                 ,
                 and
                 commending
                 you
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 divide
                 my
                 loves
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 rest
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   in
                   the
                   bonds
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Jeulchester
                   ,
                   
                     Nov.
                     14.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 XVII
                 .
                 [
                 Motives
                 to
                 set
                 our selves
                 to
                 please
                 God.
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   my
                   most
                   Dearly
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dear
                   Christians
                   ,
                
              
               
                 YOur
                 Prisoner
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 saluteth
                 you
                 with
                 all
                 dearness
                 :
                 you
                 are
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 my
                 heart
                 ,
                 the
                 desire
                 of
                 my
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 the
                 joy
                 of
                 my
                 Bonds
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 sweet
                 of
                 my
                 liberty
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 much
                 satisfied
                 in
                 the
                 wise
                 disposal
                 of
                 our
                 Heavenly
                 Father
                 ,
                 whether
                 he
                 see
                 it
                 good
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Bond-man
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Freeman
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 may
                 but
                 serve
                 your
                 Souls
                 to
                 the
                 greatest
                 adventage
                 .
                 Methinks
                 I
                 begin
                 to
                 feel
                 in
                 my self
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 ever
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 your
                 Prayers
                 ;
                 the
                 influences
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 riches
                 of
                 Free-Grace
                 (
                 to
                 which
                 alone
                 be
                 the
                 Praise
                 )
                 being
                 more
                 fully
                 sensible
                 ,
                 and
                 sweet
                 upon
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 hope
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 restore
                 us
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 in
                 his
                 time
                 ,
                 much
                 better
                 than
                 we
                 parted
                 ;
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 ,
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 stand
                 fast
                 in
                 the
                 hope
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 taketh
                 infinite
                 care
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 see
                 that
                 it
                 be
                 your
                 care
                 ,
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 your
                 very
                 hearts
                 ,
                 to
                 please
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 Set
                 your
                 hearts
                 to
                 it
                 as
                 the
                 business
                 of
                 your
                 lives
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 very
                 end
                 of
                 your
                 beings
                 ,
                 to
                 walk
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 unto
                 all
                 well-pleasing
                 .
                 Set
                 home
                 on
                 your selves
                 such
                 considerations
                 as
                 these
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   It
                   is
                   the
                   very
                   business
                   you
                   were
                   made
                   for
                   ,
                   and
                   sent
                   into
                   the
                   world
                   for
                   ,
                   to
                   please
                   your
                   Maker
                   .
                
                 For
                 his
                 pleasure
                 you
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 Created
                 .
                 Why
                 should
                 the
                 Lord
                 repent
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 made
                 you
                 ?
                 Gen.
                 6.
                 6.
                 
                 What
                 treacherous
                 and
                 damnable
                 falshood
                 is
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 given
                 us
                 Breath
                 and
                 Being
                 ,
                 and
                 sent
                 us
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 on
                 purpose
                 on
                 his
                 service
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 like
                 false
                 and
                 wicked
                 servants
                 ,
                 set
                 up
                 for
                 our selves
                 ?
                 why
                 should
                 your
                 Creator
                 say
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 you
                 in
                 vain
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   you
                   set
                   your
                   hearts
                   to
                   please
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   you
                   are
                   sure
                   you
                   shall
                   please
                   him
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 with
                 men
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 care
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 will
                 not
                 suffice
                 to
                 please
                 some
                 men
                 .
                 How
                 often
                 do
                 Princes
                 forsake
                 their
                 greatest
                 Favourites
                 ?
                 so
                 that
                 if
                 you
                 set
                 to
                 please
                 men
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 not
                 sure
                 to
                 attain
                 your
                 end
                 at
                 last
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 rather
                 you
                 are
                 sure
                 not
                 to
                 attain
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 doth
                 see
                 your
                 very
                 hearts
                 be
                 set
                 to
                 please
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 accept
                 you
                 ,
                 though
                 you
                 come
                 short
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 8.
                 12.
                 
                 Read
                 that
                 sweet
                 passage
                 ,
                 2
                 Chron.
                 6.
                 75.
                 
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                   It
                   will
                   be
                   a
                   certain
                   sign
                   of
                   your
                   sincerity
                   ,
                   when
                   the
                   pleasing
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   is
                   your
                   greatest
                   business
                   ,
                   Phil.
                
                 1.
                 20.
                 
                 To
                 such
                 the
                 Promise
                 runs
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 56.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 distinguishing
                 evidence
                 ,
                 truly
                 to
                 seek
                 and
                 prize
                 Gods
                 favour
                 ,
                 more
                 then
                 Corn
                 Wine
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 4.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   will
                   set
                   all
                   in
                   order
                   ,
                   and
                   bring
                   all
                   your
                   business
                   to
                   a
                   Head
                   ,
                   when
                   you
                   have
                   set
                   down
                   this
                   as
                   the
                   one
                   thing
                   necessary
                   ,
                   that
                   you
                   are
                   resolved
                   to
                   please
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   this
                   will
                   regulate
                   your
                   whole
                   lives
                   ,
                   and
                   bring
                   all
                   your
                   business
                   into
                   a
                   little
                   compass
                   .
                
                 A
                 Christian
                 hath
                 but
                 
                   one
                   thing
                
                 to
                 do
                 in
                 all
                 conditions
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 carry
                 it
                 so
                 in
                 his
                 present
                 state
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 please
                 God.
                 A
                 man-pleaser
                 :
                 
                   O
                   how
                   many
                   hath
                   he
                   to
                   please
                   !
                
                 what
                 an
                 endless
                 work
                 hath
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 to
                 do
                 ?
              
               
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 
                   Consider
                   but
                   how
                   careful
                   the
                   Man-pleasiing
                   Parasite
                   ,
                   and
                   time-serving
                   Hypocrite
                   is
                   to
                   please
                   men
                   :
                
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 we
                 take
                 as
                 much
                 care
                 to
                 please
                 our
                 God
                 ?
                 oh
                 how
                 doth
                 the
                 flattering
                 Courtier
                 study
                 the
                 humour
                 of
                 his
                 Prince
                 !
                 be
                 you
                 as
                 careful
                 to
                 study
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 acquainted
                 with
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 God.
                 What
                 will
                 not
                 men
                 do
                 to
                 screw
                 themselves
                 into
                 the
                 favour
                 of
                 the
                 Mighty
                 ?
                 oh
                 that
                 you
                 were
                 but
                 as
                 diligent
                 ,
                 and
                 unwearied
                 ,
                 and
                 punctual
                 in
                 your
                 endeavours
                 ,
                 to
                 get
                 and
                 to
                 keep
                 the
                 favour
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 !
              
               
                 Sixthly
                 ,
                 
                   Consider
                   whose
                   favour
                   or
                   displeasure
                   is
                   of
                   that
                   consequence
                   to
                   you
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   Lords
                   is
                   of
                   .
                
                 What
                 if
                 men
                 should
                 be
                 angry
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 have
                 they
                 the
                 Keys
                 of
                 Hell
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 Death
                 ?
                 no
                 ,
                 no
                 ,
                 fear
                 them
                 not
                 .
                 Can
                 they
                 undo
                 your
                 souls
                 ?
                 can
                 they
                 send
                 you
                 to
                 Hell
                 ?
                 Alas
                 they
                 cannot
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 dread
                 his
                 displeasure
                 that
                 can
                 .
                 Alas
                 what
                 will
                 their
                 favour
                 avail
                 you
                 ?
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 pleased
                 ,
                 can
                 they
                 stand
                 between
                 the
                 Wrath
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 you
                 ?
                 can
                 they
                 pardon
                 your
                 sins
                 ?
                 save
                 your
                 souls
                 ?
                 secure
                 your
                 Eternal
                 concernments
                 ?
                 where
                 is
                 all
                 there
                 favour
                 
                 or
                 good
                 will
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 or
                 you
                 come
                 to
                 die
                 ?
                 It
                 will
                 not
                 〈◊〉
                 worth
                 a
                 Rush
                 when
                 most
                 needed
                 .
                 Therefore
                 beloved
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 whatever
                 you
                 do
                 keep
                 in
                 with
                 God.
                 Resolve
                 upon
                 it
                 
                   He
                   must
                
                 be
                 pleased
                 ,
                 though
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 be
                 displeased
                 .
                 Le
                 it
                 be
                 enough
                 to
                 you
                 to
                 have
                 his
                 good
                 will
                 :
                 let
                 this
                 be
                 〈◊〉
                 
                   One
                   thing
                
                 that
                 you
                 bend
                 your selves
                 to
                 seek
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 you
                 set
                 〈◊〉
                 seek
                 it
                 ,
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 find
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 Messenger
                 stay
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 I
                 must
                 here
                 shut
                 up
                 my
                 Letter
                 ,
                 as
                 Jude
                 〈◊〉
                 his
                 .
                 
                   Ye
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   building
                   up
                   your selves
                   in
                   your
                   most
                   holy
                   Faith
                   Praying
                   in
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   keep
                   your selves
                   in
                   the
                   love
                   of
                   God
                   looking
                   for
                   the
                   Mercy
                   of
                   our
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   unto
                   Eternal
                   life
                
                 Unto
                 his
                 Grace
                 I
                 commend
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 add
                 nothing
                 but
                 to
                 share
                 my
                 loves
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 rest
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   Embassador
                   is
                   Bonds
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     November
                     22.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 XVIII
                 .
                 [
                 The
                 Worth
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   Beloved
                   People
                   the
                   Flock
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   
                     Most
                     dear
                     Friends
                     ,
                     and
                     Brethren
                     ,
                  
                
                 
                   I
                   Am
                   now
                   a
                   Prisoner
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   for
                   you
                   Gentiles
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   have
                   sent
                   these
                   few
                   Lines
                   ,
                   to
                   beseech
                   you
                   by
                   these
                   Bonds
                   which
                   I
                   gladly
                   endure
                   for
                   your
                   sakes
                   ,
                   to
                   hold
                   forth
                   ,
                   and
                   hold
                   fast
                   the
                   Profession
                   of
                   your
                   Faith
                   without
                   wavering
                   .
                   The
                   Lord
                   make
                   you
                   stedfast
                   in
                   the
                   Holy
                   Doctrine
                   wherein
                   you
                   have
                   been
                   taught
                   .
                   I
                   have
                   not
                   shunned
                   to
                   declare
                   unto
                   you
                   the
                   whole
                   Counsel
                   of
                   God.
                   O
                   remember
                   that
                   by
                   the
                   space
                   of
                   eight
                   years
                   ,
                   I
                   ceased
                   not
                   to
                   warn
                   you
                   every
                   one
                   ,
                   and
                   kept
                   back
                   nothing
                   that
                   was
                   profitable
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   but
                   have
                   taught
                   you
                   publickly
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   House
                   to
                   House
                   ,
                   warning
                   every
                   man
                   ,
                   and
                   teaching
                   every
                   man
                   that
                   I
                   might
                   present
                   every
                   man
                   perfect
                   in
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   .
                   Oh
                   that
                   Impenitent
                   sinners
                   would
                   yet
                   remember
                   the
                   Invitations
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   obsecrations
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   obtestations
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   have
                   had
                   !
                   have
                   they
                   not
                   been
                   sought
                   unto
                   ?
                   have
                   they
                   not
                   been
                   intreated
                   ?
                   have
                   they
                   not
                   been
                   followed
                   from
                   the
                   Publick
                   ,
                   to
                   their
                   own
                   Houses
                   ?
                   hath
                   not
                   the
                   Word
                   been
                   brought
                   to
                   their
                   Doors
                   ?
                   Hath
                   not
                   Mercy
                   wooed
                   them
                   ?
                   have
                   they
                   not
                   been
                   called
                   under
                   the
                   Wings
                   of
                   Mercy
                   ?
                   And
                   yet
                   they
                   would
                   not
                   .
                   Oh
                   that
                   they
                   would
                   consider
                   it
                   now
                   in
                   the
                   latter
                   days
                   !
                   Jer.
                   23.
                   20.
                   
                   Oh
                   that
                   they
                   would
                   remember
                   ,
                   and
                   repent
                   ,
                   that
                   there
                   might
                   be
                   yet
                   an
                   after
                   Harvest
                   !
                   That
                   they
                   would
                   yet
                   come
                   in
                   and
                   live
                   !
                   Are
                   you
                   yet
                   willing
                   to
                   turn
                   ?
                   hear
                   how
                   Wisdom
                   calls
                   after
                   you
                   ,
                   Prov.
                   11.
                   
                   
                     How
                     long
                     ye
                     simple
                     ones
                  
                   
                   
                     will
                     you
                     love
                     simplicity
                     ,
                     and
                     fools
                     bate
                     knowledge
                     :
                     turn
                     you
                     at
                     my
                     reproof
                     .
                  
                   But
                   if
                   they
                   will
                   not
                   hear
                   ,
                   good
                   were
                   it
                   for
                   them
                   that
                   they
                   had
                   never
                   been
                   born
                   :
                   It
                   shall
                   be
                   more
                   ,
                   and
                   better
                   for
                   Sodom
                   and
                   Gomorah
                   ,
                   then
                   for
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   for
                   you
                   that
                   have
                   taken
                   upon
                   you
                   the
                   Profession
                   of
                   strict
                   Godliness
                   ,
                   I
                   shall
                   only
                   press
                   you
                   to
                   follow
                   on
                   ,
                   and
                   press
                   towards
                   the
                   Mark.
                   You
                   have
                   much
                   work
                   yet
                   to
                   do
                   ,
                   and
                   God
                   hath
                   given
                   you
                   no
                   time
                   to
                   Loyter
                   in
                   .
                   I
                   beseech
                   you
                   to
                   put
                   on
                   .
                   That
                   Person
                   that
                   sits
                   down
                   when
                   he
                   hath
                   gotten
                   to
                   that
                   pitch
                   that
                   he
                   thinks
                   will
                   bring
                   him
                   to
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   is
                   never
                   like
                   to
                   come
                   thither
                   ;
                   Grace
                   is
                   one
                   of
                   those
                   things
                   that
                   saith
                   ,
                   
                     It
                     never
                     hath
                     enough
                  
                   .
                   Let
                   me
                   urge
                   upon
                   you
                   the
                   Apostles
                   Counsel
                   ,
                   Heb.
                   12.
                   14.
                   
                   
                     Follow
                     after
                     Holiness
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   Holiness
                   is
                   the
                   choicest
                   Ornament
                   :
                   it
                   is
                   and
                   adorning
                   in
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   of
                   great
                   prize
                   .
                   It
                   is
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   you
                   count
                   it
                   your
                   shame
                   ?
                   Exod.
                   15
                   :
                   God
                   is
                   glorious
                   in
                   Holiness
                   ,
                   and
                   Grace
                   is
                   called
                   Glory
                   ,
                   2
                   Cor.
                   3.
                   18.
                   
                   But
                   we
                   may
                   now
                   cry
                   out
                   as
                   the
                   Psalmist
                   ,
                   in
                   his
                   complaint
                   ,
                   
                     O
                     ye
                     sons
                     of
                     men
                     ,
                     how
                     long
                     will
                     ye
                     turn
                     my
                     glory
                     into
                     shame
                     ?
                     Ps.
                  
                   4.
                   2.
                   
                   But
                   be
                   of
                   good
                   comfort
                   ,
                   the
                   shame
                   of
                   Holiness
                   is
                   real
                   Glory
                   :
                   how
                   confidently
                   doth
                   Paul
                   shake
                   his
                   Chain
                   ?
                   Acts
                   28.
                   20.
                   
                   We
                   read
                   of
                   some
                   that
                   did
                   glory
                   in
                   their
                   shame
                   in
                   a
                   sad
                   sense
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   in
                   that
                   which
                   was
                   real
                   ground
                   of
                   shame
                   ,
                   to
                   wit
                   ,
                   their
                   sin
                   ,
                   Phil.
                   3.
                   19.
                   
                   But
                   we
                   meet
                   with
                   others
                   that
                   in
                   a
                   happy
                   sense
                   ,
                   did
                   glory
                   in
                   their
                   shame
                   :
                   that
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   shame
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   indeed
                   a
                   Crown
                   of
                   glory
                   .
                   So
                   did
                   Peter
                   and
                   John
                   ,
                   Acts
                   5.
                   41.
                   
                
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   Holiness
                   is
                   the
                   safest
                   Muniment
                   :
                   Grace
                   is
                   not
                   onely
                   for
                   Ornament
                   ,
                   but
                   for
                   Use.
                   Righteousness
                   is
                   a
                   Brest-plate
                   that
                   keeps
                   the
                   Vitals
                   ,
                   and
                   is
                   sure
                   defence
                   from
                   any
                   mortal
                   wounds
                   ,
                   Ephes.
                   6.
                   14.
                   
                   When
                   the
                   Politicians
                   have
                   done
                   their
                   best
                   with
                   all
                   their
                   politick
                   fetches
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   he
                   
                     that
                     walketh
                     uprightly
                     ,
                     that
                     walketh
                     surely
                     ,
                     Prov.
                  
                   10.
                   19.
                   
                   
                     Let
                     integrity
                     and
                     uprightness
                     preserve
                     me
                     ,
                  
                   saith
                   
                     David
                     ,
                     Psa.
                  
                   25.
                   last
                   .
                   I
                   desire
                   no
                   other
                   Protection
                   than
                   Innocency
                   .
                   I
                   desire
                   to
                   be
                   no
                   longer
                   safe
                   than
                   these
                   can
                   preserve
                   me
                   ;
                   when
                   I
                   must
                   let
                   go
                   my
                   Integrety
                   or
                   my
                   sasety
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   chose
                   the
                   danger
                   rather
                   than
                   the
                   fin
                   :
                   and
                   yet
                   will
                   never
                   doubt
                   but
                   my
                   Integrity
                   will
                   save
                   me
                   harmless
                   ,
                   and
                   prevent
                   me
                   for
                   ever
                   coming
                   off
                   a
                   Loser
                   .
                   Never
                   perswade
                   me
                   that
                   that
                   man
                   doth
                   choose
                   wisely
                   
                   or
                   will
                   consult
                   his
                   own
                   safety
                   ,
                   that
                   runs
                   upon
                   the
                   displeasure
                   of
                   the
                   infinite
                   God
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                   a
                   devouring
                   fire
                   ,
                   to
                   flie
                   the
                   danger
                   of
                   mans
                   displeasure
                   .
                   Did
                   you
                   ever
                   read
                   or
                   hear
                   of
                   a
                   man
                   so
                   mad
                   as
                   to
                   run
                   upon
                   the
                   swords
                   point
                   ,
                   to
                   avoid
                   the
                   scratch
                   of
                   a
                   Pin
                   ?
                   or
                   to
                   run
                   upon
                   a
                   roaring
                   Canon
                   ,
                   rather
                   than
                   indanger
                   his
                   being
                   wetshod
                   ?
                   why
                   this
                   is
                   the
                   best
                   wisdom
                   of
                   the
                   distracted
                   World
                   ,
                   who
                   will
                   sin
                   rather
                   than
                   suffer
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   save
                   themselves
                   harmless
                   in
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   will
                   run
                   upon
                   God
                   ,
                   even
                   upon
                   his
                   neck
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   thick
                   Bosses
                   of
                   his
                   Buckler
                   ,
                   Job
                   15.
                   25
                   ,
                   26.
                   
                
                 
                   Thirdly
                   ,
                   Holiness
                   will
                   be
                   found
                   to
                   be
                   your
                   real
                   happiness
                   :
                   Eat
                   of
                   this
                   Tree
                   ,
                   and
                   you
                   shall
                   be
                   indeed
                   as
                   God.
                   Godliness
                   is
                   Gods
                   likewise
                   .
                   The
                   beauty
                   of
                   Holiness
                   is
                   this
                   very
                   Image
                   ;
                   Sin
                   is
                   the
                   disease
                   of
                   which
                   holiness
                   is
                   the
                   Cure.
                   Pride
                   is
                   the
                   Timpany
                   ,
                   passion
                   the
                   Feavour
                   of
                   the
                   mind
                   ;
                   how
                   restlesly
                   raging
                   is
                   the
                   mind
                   where
                   they
                   reign
                   ?
                   holiness
                   ,
                   humility
                   ,
                   meekness
                   ,
                   are
                   a
                   present
                   ease
                   ,
                   a
                   present
                   Cure
                   ,
                   if
                   the
                   Patient
                   can
                   take
                   but
                   enough
                   .
                   O
                   what
                   peace
                   and
                   tranquility
                   doth
                   Holiness
                   work
                   in
                   the
                   Mind
                   !
                   
                     Great
                     peace
                     have
                     they
                     that
                     love
                     thy
                     Commandments
                     ,
                     and
                     nothing
                     shall
                     offend
                     them
                     ,
                     Psalm
                  
                   119.
                   165.
                   
                   Read
                   Isa.
                   48.
                   18
                   ,
                   22.
                   and
                   26.
                   3.
                   and
                   32.
                   17.
                   
                   Holiness
                   will
                   be
                   a
                   Treasure
                   of
                   Riches
                   ,
                   Jam.
                   2.
                   5.
                   and
                   a
                   Crown
                   of
                   honour
                   ,
                   Acts
                   17.
                   11.
                   
                   a
                   Paradise
                   of
                   Pleasure
                   to
                   you
                   ,
                   Prov.
                   3.
                   17.
                   
                   In
                   a
                   word
                   ,
                   holiness
                   is
                   the
                   perfection
                   of
                   mans
                   nature
                   ,
                   Heb.
                   12.
                   21.
                   the
                   Communication
                   of
                   the
                   Divine
                   Nature
                   ,
                   2
                   Pet.
                   1.
                   4.
                   the
                   earnest
                   of
                   Glory
                   ,
                   Matt.
                   5.
                   8.
                   and
                   the
                   very
                   entrance
                   of
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   Phil.
                   3.
                   20.
                   
                
                 
                   Let
                   me
                   say
                   now
                   to
                   every
                   one
                   of
                   you
                   ,
                   as
                   our
                   Saviour
                   to
                   
                     Martha
                     ,
                     John
                  
                   11.
                   26.
                   
                   
                     Believed
                     thou
                     this
                  
                   ?
                   If
                   you
                   do
                   ,
                   live
                   like
                   Believers
                   ,
                   and
                   do
                   you
                   follow
                   after
                   Holiness
                   as
                   others
                   follow
                   their
                   Trades
                   ,
                   or
                   Studies
                   .
                   Let
                   Religion
                   be
                   your
                   business
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   a
                   thing
                   by
                   the
                   by
                   with
                   you
                   :
                   follow
                   as
                   hard
                   upon
                   the
                   pursuit
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                   as
                   if
                   you
                   did
                   indeed
                   believe
                   riches
                   and
                   honour
                   were
                   in
                   it
                   .
                   Count
                   your selves
                   well
                   ,
                   as
                   long
                   as
                   you
                   keep
                   within
                   the
                   line
                   of
                   your
                   duty
                   .
                   Let
                   holiness
                   sit
                   in
                   your
                   Lips
                   ,
                   and
                   season
                   all
                   your
                   Speech
                   with
                   grace
                   .
                   Profess
                   it
                   ,
                   own
                   it
                   ,
                   plead
                   stoutly
                   and
                   resolve
                   for
                   it
                   ,
                   be
                   you
                   Advocates
                   for
                   Holiness
                   ,
                   in
                   an
                   Adulterous
                   and
                   wicked
                   Generation
                   ,
                   wear
                   it
                   as
                   a
                   Robe
                   of
                   honour
                   ,
                   when
                   the
                   spightful
                   World
                   cast
                   the
                   dung
                   of
                   their
                   Reproaches
                   at
                   you
                   for
                   it
                   :
                   let
                   it
                   dwell
                   
                   in
                   your
                   Hearts
                   :
                   Let
                   it
                   adorn
                   your
                   Houses
                   :
                   Let
                   it
                   be
                   your
                   Companion
                   in
                   your
                   Closets
                   :
                   Let
                   it
                   Travel
                   with
                   You
                   in
                   your
                   Journies
                   :
                   Let
                   it
                   Lie
                   down
                   and
                   Rise
                   up
                   with
                   You
                   :
                   Let
                   it
                   close
                   your
                   Eyes
                   in
                   the
                   Evening
                   ,
                   and
                   call
                   You
                   out
                   of
                   your
                   Beds
                   in
                   the
                   Morning
                   .
                   Be
                   You
                   the
                   Votaries
                   of
                   Holiness
                   :
                   Keep
                   Her
                   ,
                   and
                   She
                   shall
                   Keep
                   You.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   shall
                   close
                   with
                   my
                   Loves
                   to
                   You
                   all
                   ,
                   onely
                   because
                   I
                   know
                   You
                   love
                   to
                   hear
                   of
                   my
                   Well-fare
                   :
                   I
                   must
                   tell
                   You
                   that
                   Goodness
                   and
                   Mercy
                   do
                   follow
                   me
                   perpetually
                   every
                   Day
                   ,
                   and
                   every
                   Night
                   ,
                   Glory
                   to
                   God
                   in
                   the
                   highest
                   .
                   Dear
                   Brethren
                   ,
                   Fare
                   you
                   well
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                
                 
                   
                     Your
                     Devoted
                     Servant
                     in
                     the
                     Gospel
                     ,
                     whether
                     a
                     Bond-Man
                     ,
                     or
                     a
                     Free
                     ,
                     JOS.
                     ALLEINE
                     .
                  
                   
                     From
                     the
                     Prison
                     at
                     Juelshester
                     ,
                     
                       Decemb.
                       3.
                       1663.
                       
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 
                   
                     Most
                     Dearly
                     Beloved
                     ,
                  
                
                 
                   This
                   was
                   intended
                   for
                   you
                   a
                   Week
                   sooner
                   then
                   it
                   comes
                   to
                   be
                   Communicated
                   .
                   I
                   purposely
                   Write
                   in
                   the
                   middle
                   of
                   the
                   Week
                   ,
                   that
                   if
                   any
                   Opportunity
                   be
                   suddenly
                   offered
                   ,
                   I
                   may
                   have
                   somewhat
                   ready
                   for
                   You
                   :
                   But
                   last
                   Week
                   I
                   failed
                   of
                   a
                   Conveyance
                   ,
                   I
                   shall
                   not
                   add
                   any
                   thing
                   further
                   now
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   I
                   shall
                   follow
                   my
                   Counsels
                   with
                   my
                   Prayers
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   be
                   an
                   humble
                   Intercessor
                   night
                   and
                   day
                   before
                   God
                   for
                   You
                   :
                   To
                   him
                   I
                   commend
                   You
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   the
                   Word
                   of
                   his
                   Grace
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                     Remaining
                     Yours
                     while
                     I
                     am
                     ,
                     J.
                     A.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XIX
                 .
                 [
                 1.
                 
                 Try.
                 2.
                 
                 Rejoyce
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   most
                   Loving
                   ,
                   and
                   best
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   the
                   Flock
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   endeared
                   Friends
                   ,
                
              
               
                 MY
                 heart
                 is
                 solicitous
                 for
                 You
                 :
                 Your
                 Spiritual
                 and
                 Eternal
                 welfare
                 is
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 my
                 desires
                 and
                 designes
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 my
                 Beloved
                 think
                 they
                 were
                 forgotten
                 by
                 me
                 ,
                 because
                 you
                 heard
                 not
                 from
                 me
                 the
                 last
                 Week
                 :
                 sleep
                 departed
                 from
                 my
                 eyes
                 to
                 write
                 to
                 you
                 at
                 large
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 morning
                 I
                 concluded
                 it
                 best
                 ,
                 to
                 defer
                 the
                 imparting
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 You
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 might
                 have
                 it
                 a
                 better
                 way
                 .
                 Can
                 a
                 woman
                 forget
                 her
                 Child
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 should
                 not
                 have
                 compassion
                 on
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 her
                 Womb
                 ?
                 Yea
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 forget
                 ;
                 but
                 Christ
                 will
                 earnestly
                 remember
                 You
                 still
                 .
                 Natural
                 Parents
                 may
                 be
                 so
                 far
                 unnatural
                 ;
                 spiritual
                 Parents
                 may
                 be
                 so
                 far
                 carnal
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 forget
                 their
                 own
                 Children
                 :
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 you
                 count
                 nothing
                 as
                 certain
                 but
                 Christs
                 love
                 and
                 care
                 .
                 This
                 you
                 may
                 build
                 upon
                 :
                 You
                 need
                 not
                 fear
                 lest
                 time
                 and
                 distance
                 should
                 wear
                 out
                 the
                 remembrance
                 of
                 you
                 with
                 him
                 :
                 Your
                 names
                 are
                 inrolled
                 in
                 the
                 everlasting
                 Decrees
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 whole
                 Eternity
                 hath
                 not
                 been
                 able
                 to
                 wear
                 them
                 out
                 .
                 Do
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 Question
                 whether
                 you
                 are
                 so
                 happy
                 as
                 to
                 have
                 your
                 Names
                 recorded
                 above
                 ?
                 I
                 shall
                 bring
                 it
                 to
                 a
                 speedy
                 issue
                 :
                 Do
                 you
                 Question
                 whether
                 Christ
                 hath
                 taken
                 your
                 Names
                 ?
                 Whether
                 you
                 are
                 upon
                 his
                 heart
                 ?
                 Let
                 me
                 ask
                 you
                 ,
                 Is
                 
                   Heaven
                   upon
                   your
                   Hearts
                
                 ?
                 Is
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Jesus
                 deeply
                 engraven
                 upon
                 your
                 Souls
                 ?
                 Is
                 his
                 Image
                 and
                 Superscription
                 there
                 ?
                 If
                 you
                 can
                 find
                 that
                 Heaven
                 is
                 the
                 main
                 of
                 your
                 cares
                 ,
                 that
                 your
                 hearts
                 are
                 set
                 upon
                 it
                 as
                 your
                 home
                 and
                 your
                 Countrey
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 your
                 great
                 business
                 to
                 seek
                 it
                 and
                 to
                 secure
                 it
                 ,
                 then
                 
                 never
                 doubt
                 ,
                 if
                 your
                 hearts
                 be
                 chiefly
                 upon
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 your
                 Names
                 are
                 unquestionably
                 written
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
                 Again
                 ,
                 hath
                 Christ
                 recorded
                 his
                 Name
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 ?
                 Is
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Jesus
                 the
                 Beloved
                 name
                 with
                 you
                 ?
                 precious
                 above
                 all
                 ;
                 next
                 to
                 your
                 Hearts
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 no
                 other
                 Name
                 under
                 Heaven
                 so
                 dear
                 and
                 sweet
                 to
                 you
                 ?
                 What
                 room
                 hath
                 Christ
                 in
                 you
                 ?
                 If
                 any
                 thing
                 be
                 deeper
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 than
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 unsound
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 Father
                 hath
                 given
                 him
                 ,
                 so
                 do
                 your
                 hearts
                 give
                 him
                 a
                 Name
                 above
                 every
                 Name
                 :
                 Is
                 Christ
                 uppermost
                 with
                 you
                 in
                 your
                 estimations
                 and
                 affections
                 ?
                 Then
                 rejoyce
                 and
                 leap
                 for
                 joy
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 Names
                 are
                 most
                 pretious
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 if
                 his
                 Name
                 be
                 above
                 all
                 dear
                 to
                 You.
                 Once
                 more
                 ,
                 hath
                 Christ
                 drawn
                 out
                 his
                 own
                 similitude
                 upon
                 You
                 ?
                 Is
                 Christ
                 within
                 You
                 ?
                 doth
                 he
                 dwell
                 in
                 your
                 Hearts
                 ?
                 Then
                 be
                 sure
                 You
                 have
                 a
                 room
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 :
                 The
                 Image
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 in
                 holiness
                 .
                 Is
                 this
                 that
                 which
                 your
                 very
                 hearts
                 are
                 set
                 upon
                 ?
                 Do
                 You
                 thirst
                 for
                 Holiness
                 ?
                 Do
                 You
                 follow
                 after
                 Holiness
                 ?
                 Do
                 you
                 prize
                 it
                 above
                 all
                 Prosperity
                 and
                 worldly
                 Greatness
                 ?
                 Do
                 You
                 hate
                 every
                 sin
                 and
                 long
                 to
                 be
                 rid
                 of
                 it
                 as
                 your
                 most
                 irksome
                 burden
                 ?
                 and
                 use
                 all
                 Gods
                 means
                 against
                 it
                 as
                 far
                 as
                 you
                 know
                 them
                 ?
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 thus
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 Christ
                 hath
                 set
                 his
                 stamp
                 upon
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 sure
                 he
                 hath
                 set
                 You
                 as
                 a
                 Seal
                 upon
                 his
                 heart
                 .
              
               
                 Rejoyce
                 then
                 ,
                 O
                 Christians
                 ,
                 and
                 bless
                 your selves
                 in
                 the
                 happy
                 priviledge
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 ,
                 in
                 being
                 under
                 Christs
                 care
                 .
                 Fear
                 not
                 little
                 Flock
                 ;
                 Stronger
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 against
                 you
                 :
                 What
                 though
                 Satan
                 should
                 raise
                 all
                 his
                 Militia
                 against
                 you
                 ,
                 adhere
                 to
                 Christ
                 in
                 a
                 patient
                 doing
                 and
                 suffering
                 his
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 secure
                 you
                 :
                 The
                 Lord
                 will
                 not
                 forsake
                 you
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 hath
                 pleased
                 the
                 Lord
                 to
                 make
                 you
                 his
                 people
                 :
                 God
                 hath
                 entrusted
                 you
                 with
                 his
                 Son
                 :
                 You
                 are
                 his
                 Care
                 and
                 his
                 Charge
                 :
                 Many
                 will
                 be
                 listing
                 at
                 you
                 ,
                 many
                 will
                 be
                 plucking
                 at
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 fear
                 not
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 moved
                 ,
                 none
                 shall
                 pluck
                 you
                 out
                 of
                 Christs
                 hand
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 all
                 power
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 28.
                 8.
                 
                 Can
                 Omnipotence
                 secure
                 you
                 ?
                 He
                 is
                 all
                 Treasures
                 ,
                 Col.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 Can
                 unsearchable
                 Riches
                 suffice
                 you
                 ?
                 In
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 all
                 Fulness
                 ,
                 Col.
                 1.
                 21.
                 
                 Can
                 all
                 Content
                 you
                 ?
                 Can
                 Fulness
                 fill
                 you
                 ?
                 if
                 so
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 blessed
                 and
                 shall
                 be
                 blessed
                 .
              
               
               
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 We
                 lose
                 unutterably
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 considering
                 ,
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 viewing
                 our
                 own
                 Priviledges
                 ,
                 and
                 Blessedness
                 .
                 O
                 Man
                 ,
                 is
                 Christ
                 thine
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 dost
                 thou
                 live
                 at
                 a
                 low
                 rate
                 and
                 Comfort
                 ?
                 Is
                 thy
                 name
                 written
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 dost
                 thou
                 not
                 rejoyce
                 ?
                 Shall
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 ,
                 the
                 Candidates
                 of
                 Glory
                 ,
                 the
                 chosen
                 Generation
                 ,
                 the
                 Royal
                 Priesthood
                 ,
                 be
                 like
                 other
                 men
                 ?
                 O
                 Christians
                 ,
                 Remember
                 who
                 and
                 whence
                 you
                 are
                 ,
                 consider
                 your
                 Obligations
                 ,
                 put
                 on
                 a
                 better
                 pace
                 ;
                 Bestir
                 your selves
                 ,
                 run
                 and
                 wrestle
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 strong
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Hosts
                 (
                 and
                 earnestly
                 ,
                 yet
                 peaceably
                 )
                 contend
                 for
                 the
                 Faith
                 once
                 delivered
                 to
                 his
                 Saints
                 ;
                 What
                 shall
                 we
                 make
                 nothing
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 said
                 and
                 done
                 for
                 us
                 ?
                 Christians
                 ,
                 shall
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 gotten
                 an
                 inriching
                 Office
                 boast
                 of
                 his
                 Booty
                 ?
                 or
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 obtained
                 the
                 Kings
                 Patent
                 for
                 an
                 Earldome
                 ,
                 glory
                 in
                 his
                 Riches
                 and
                 Honour
                 ?
                 And
                 shall
                 the
                 Grant
                 of
                 Heaven
                 signifie
                 little
                 with
                 thee
                 ?
                 Or
                 Christs
                 Patent
                 for
                 thy
                 Sonship
                 and
                 Partnership
                 with
                 himself
                 be
                 like
                 a
                 Cypher
                 ?
                 Shall
                 Haman
                 come
                 home
                 from
                 the
                 Banquet
                 with
                 a
                 glad
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 glorying
                 in
                 the
                 greatness
                 of
                 his
                 Riches
                 ,
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 his
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 things
                 wherein
                 the
                 King
                 had
                 promoted
                 him
                 above
                 the
                 Princes
                 ?
                 And
                 shall
                 we
                 turn
                 over
                 our
                 Bibles
                 and
                 read
                 the
                 Promises
                 ,
                 and
                 find
                 it
                 under
                 Gods
                 own
                 hand
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 intends
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 Father
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 gives
                 and
                 grants
                 all
                 his
                 infinite
                 perfections
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 not
                 be
                 moved
                 ?
                 Beloved
                 Christians
                 ,
                 live
                 like
                 your selves
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 World
                 see
                 that
                 the
                 Promises
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Priviledges
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 are
                 not
                 empty
                 sounds
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 meer
                 Crack
                 .
                 Let
                 the
                 Heavenly
                 cheerfulness
                 and
                 the
                 restless
                 diligence
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 holy
                 raisedness
                 of
                 your
                 Conversations
                 prove
                 the
                 reallity
                 ,
                 excellency
                 ,
                 and
                 beauty
                 of
                 your
                 Religion
                 to
                 the
                 World.
                 Forget
                 not
                 your
                 Prisener
                 .
                 Labour
                 earnestly
                 for
                 me
                 in
                 your
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 who
                 am
                 night
                 and
                 day
                 labouring
                 and
                 suffering
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 can
                 never
                 bless
                 God
                 enough
                 for
                 his
                 most
                 tender
                 and
                 indulgent
                 care
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 which
                 appears
                 so
                 wonderfully
                 in
                 his
                 Fatherly
                 Protection
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Fatherly
                 Provision
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 receive
                 not
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 vain
                 .
                 Remember
                 with
                 trembling
                 ,
                 that
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   whom
                   much
                   is
                   given
                   of
                   him
                   much
                   shall
                   be
                   required
                   .
                
                 With
                 my
                 most
                 Dear
                 Loves
                 to
                 
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 I
                 commend
                 you
                 to
                 your
                 Father
                 and
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 your
                 God
                 and
                 my
                 God
                 ,
                 remaining
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   in
                   all
                   manner
                   of
                   Obligations
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     January
                     20th
                     .
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 LETTER
                 XX.
                 [
                 The
                 Felicity
                 of
                 Believers
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   most
                   Beloved
                   People
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   endeared
                   Christians
                   ,
                
              
               
                 I
                 Have
                 longed
                 and
                 waited
                 for
                 a
                 little
                 breathing
                 time
                 ,
                 wherein
                 I
                 might
                 write
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 oppressed
                 hitherto
                 with
                 so
                 many
                 cares
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 a
                 throng
                 of
                 business
                 ,
                 that
                 till
                 now
                 (
                 and
                 scarcely
                 now
                 )
                 I
                 have
                 had
                 no
                 time
                 of
                 respiration
                 ,
                 wherein
                 I
                 might
                 sufficiently
                 reflect
                 on
                 you
                 ,
                 or
                 my self
                 .
                 But
                 although
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 part
                 of
                 Taunton
                 be
                 translated
                 to
                 Juelchester
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 may
                 not
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 forget
                 you
                 that
                 are
                 behind
                 .
              
               
                 Alas
                 poor
                 Taunton
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 I
                 bewail
                 thee
                 !
                 did
                 I
                 look
                 upon
                 thee
                 onely
                 with
                 the
                 Eye
                 of
                 sense
                 ,
                 Alas
                 !
                 for
                 thy
                 wonted
                 Liberties
                 ,
                 for
                 thy
                 former
                 plenty
                 ,
                 and
                 variety
                 wherewith
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 blessed
                 thee
                 ?
                 He
                 had
                 
                 spread
                 a
                 Table
                 for
                 thee
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 thine
                 Enemies
                 ;
                 Bread
                 hath
                 been
                 given
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Waters
                 have
                 been
                 sure
                 :
                 But
                 now
                 a
                 Famine
                 seems
                 to
                 threaten
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Comforters
                 that
                 should
                 relieve
                 thy
                 Soul
                 are
                 far
                 from
                 thee
                 .
                 Thy
                 Shepheards
                 are
                 removed
                 .
                 Thou
                 seest
                 not
                 thy
                 Signs
                 ,
                 nor
                 thy
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 wonted
                 helpers
                 are
                 now
                 disabled
                 from
                 giving
                 thee
                 supplies
                 ,
                 Alas
                 ,
                 how
                 do
                 thine
                 Enemies
                 triumph
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Teachers
                 and
                 thine
                 Inhabitants
                 are
                 become
                 their
                 Captives
                 !
                 and
                 how
                 great
                 is
                 the
                 Cry
                 of
                 thy
                 Poor
                 ,
                 and
                 thine
                 oppressed
                 !
              
               
                 Such
                 would
                 be
                 the
                 Language
                 of
                 Sense
                 ,
                 if
                 that
                 were
                 suffered
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Speaker
                 .
                 But
                 Faith
                 will
                 speak
                 in
                 another
                 Dialect
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 amongst
                 my
                 other
                 Counsels
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 shall
                 send
                 you
                 ,
                 this
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 first
                 .
              
               
                 Judge
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 present
                 Providences
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 conduct
                 of
                 Sense
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 Faith.
                 Faith
                 will
                 see
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 then
                 most
                 Honoured
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 most
                 vilified
                 ,
                 and
                 reproached
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 at
                 nought
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 then
                 most
                 happy
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 World
                 hath
                 done
                 its
                 worst
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 miserable
                 .
                 Faith
                 will
                 tell
                 you
                 ;
                 that
                 GOD
                 is
                 a
                 very
                 present
                 help
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 seem
                 quite
                 to
                 fail
                 of
                 Help
                 ;
                 and
                 will
                 shew
                 you
                 the
                 Well
                 of
                 Water
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 near
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Water
                 in
                 the
                 Bottle
                 is
                 spent
                 .
                 What
                 though
                 you
                 seem
                 to
                 have
                 lost
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 Husbands
                 ,
                 Friends
                 for
                 a
                 Season
                 ?
                 Faith
                 will
                 tell
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 well
                 bestowed
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 both
                 your
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Advantage
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Day
                 of
                 Retribution
                 .
              
               
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 what
                 are
                 you
                 for
                 ?
                 Are
                 you
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 World
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 that
                 to
                 come
                 ?
                 Are
                 you
                 for
                 your
                 Temporal
                 enjoyments
                 ,
                 or
                 do
                 you
                 seek
                 for
                 Glory
                 ,
                 Honour
                 ,
                 and
                 Immortallty
                 ?
                 If
                 you
                 are
                 for
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 made
                 a
                 very
                 imprudent
                 choice
                 ,
                 in
                 taking
                 up
                 the
                 Profession
                 of
                 Godliness
                 and
                 cleaving
                 to
                 and
                 owning
                 the
                 hated
                 ways
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 But
                 if
                 you
                 are
                 for
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 then
                 be
                 of
                 good
                 Chear
                 ,
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 do
                 make
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 You
                 are
                 Witnesses
                 how
                 often
                 I
                 have
                 told
                 you
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 can
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 I
                 believed
                 therefore
                 have
                 I
                 spoken
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 I
                 am
                 nothing
                 moved
                 with
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 nor
                 with
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 do
                 yet
                 further
                 abide
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 believed
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 I
                 told
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 never
                 be
                 losers
                 by
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ.
                
                 Nay
                 ,
                 
                 do
                 I
                 say
                 I
                 told
                 it
                 you
                 ,
                 You
                 know
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 hath
                 shewed
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Persecuted
                 are
                 doubly
                 blessed
                 ;
                 that
                 such
                 should
                 rejoice
                 ,
                 and
                 leap
                 for
                 joy
                 ,
                 because
                 great
                 is
                 their
                 Reward
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
                 Hath
                 not
                 God
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 we
                 suffer
                 with
                 him
                 we
                 shall
                 also
                 Reign
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 these
                 light
                 afflictions
                 work
                 for
                 us
                 a
                 weight
                 of
                 Glory
                 ?
                 And
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 true
                 ,
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 ,
                 tell
                 me
                 whether
                 GOD
                 heth
                 not
                 dealt
                 well
                 with
                 us
                 in
                 counting
                 us
                 worthy
                 of
                 this
                 little
                 Tribulation
                 for
                 his
                 Name
                 ?
                 Indeed
                 the
                 Sufferings
                 is
                 but
                 little
                 ;
                 but
                 verily
                 the
                 Reward
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 little
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 whom
                 I
                 have
                 trusted
                 :
                 I
                 am
                 well
                 assured
                 the
                 Glasse
                 is
                 turned
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 ever
                 hour
                 reckoned
                 of
                 our
                 imprisonment
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 Scorn
                 and
                 Reproach
                 of
                 our
                 Enemies
                 is
                 kept
                 in
                 Black
                 and
                 White
                 .
                 I
                 believe
                 ,
                 therefore
                 do
                 I
                 speak
                 ;
                 GOD
                 is
                 infinitely
                 tender
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 though
                 a
                 Poor
                 and
                 despicable
                 Generation
                 .
                 I
                 value
                 not
                 the
                 pop-gun
                 threats
                 of
                 a
                 frowning
                 World
                 ;
                 't
                 is
                 well
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 GODS
                 Favourites
                 .
                 Come
                 by
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 sit
                 down
                 under
                 his
                 Shadow
                 :
                 Here
                 is
                 safety
                 ,
                 and
                 rest
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 be
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 be
                 against
                 us
                 ;
                 Verily
                 he
                 Bottles
                 all
                 our
                 Tears
                 ,
                 and
                 tells
                 all
                 our
                 Wandrings
                 :
                 He
                 numbers
                 all
                 our
                 hairs
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 toucheth
                 us
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 Innocent
                 .
                 Know
                 you
                 not
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 Apple
                 of
                 his
                 Eye
                 ?
                 Hath
                 not
                 he
                 reproved
                 the
                 greatest
                 for
                 his
                 Peoples
                 sakes
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 reproach
                 not
                 mine
                 anointed
                 ?
                 And
                 so
                 we
                 forget
                 how
                 he
                 loved
                 us
                 .
                 Are
                 not
                 we
                 his
                 Jewells
                 ?
                 Doth
                 he
                 not
                 own
                 us
                 for
                 his
                 Members
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 Children
                 ?
              
               
                 Ah
                 what
                 a
                 Block
                 doth
                 Unbelief
                 make
                 of
                 man
                 ?
                 What
                 ,
                 do
                 you
                 think
                 that
                 all
                 this
                 doth
                 signifie
                 nothing
                 ?
                 Can
                 you
                 forget
                 your
                 Children
                 ?
                 Will
                 you
                 suffer
                 your
                 Jewells
                 to
                 lie
                 in
                 the
                 Dirt
                 ,
                 or
                 make
                 no
                 reckoning
                 of
                 them
                 whether
                 they
                 are
                 lost
                 ?
              
               
                 Verily
                 I
                 write
                 not
                 this
                 without
                 shaming
                 reflectious
                 upon
                 my
                 own
                 stupidity
                 .
                 What
                 ,
                 Beloved
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 adopted
                 by
                 God!
                 What
                 ,
                 a
                 Member
                 of
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 !
                 A
                 vessel
                 of
                 Mercy
                 !
                 An
                 heir
                 of
                 Glory
                 ?
                 What
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 yet
                 swallowed
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 Gods
                 infinite
                 love
                 !
                 Blush
                 ,
                 Oh
                 my
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 confounded
                 before
                 the
                 most
                 High
                 ,
                 &
                 cover
                 thy
                 face
                 with
                 shame
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 remember
                 what
                 the
                 Heathen
                 Seneca
                 writes
                 ,
                 observing
                 the
                 expressions
                 of
                 Gods
                 love
                 to
                 man
                 in
                 his
                 common
                 Providence
                 ;
                 
                   Verum
                   est
                   ,
                   usque
                   in
                   delicias
                   amamur
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 very
                 truth
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 beloved
                 of
                 God
                 even
                 as
                 his
                 darlings
                 .
              
               
               
                 My
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 Have
                 Faith
                 in
                 God.
                 Believe
                 his
                 Promises
                 :
                 Walk
                 in
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 .
                 Comfort
                 your selves
                 in
                 Gods
                 love
                 towards
                 You
                 ,
                 under
                 all
                 the
                 hatred
                 and
                 envy
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 contradiction
                 of
                 sinners
                 that
                 You
                 meet
                 with
                 .
                 Be
                 strong
                 and
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 courage
                 ,
                 God
                 is
                 for
                 You.
                 Be
                 assured
                 that
                 he
                 that
                 walketh
                 uprightly
                 ,
                 walketh
                 surely
                 :
                 Forsake
                 not
                 the
                 assembling
                 of
                 your selves
                 together
                 .
                 Now
                 see
                 that
                 You
                 speak
                 often
                 to
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 build
                 up
                 each
                 other
                 in
                 the
                 holy
                 Faith.
                 God
                 knows
                 I
                 cannot
                 do
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 would
                 ;
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 larger
                 to
                 You
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 cannot
                 .
                 My
                 most
                 dear
                 Loves
                 I
                 desire
                 You
                 to
                 share
                 among
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 greatly
                 Yours
                 .
                 The
                 Peace
                 that
                 passeth
                 all
                 Understanding
                 keep
                 your
                 Hearts
                 and
                 minds
                 .
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   to
                   serve
                   you
                   and
                   for
                   you
                   with
                   all
                   readiness
                   of
                   mind
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     July
                     28th
                     .
                     1665.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXI
                 .
                 [
                 What
                 do
                 you
                 more
                 than
                 others
                 ?
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   most
                   Dearly
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   loving
                   and
                   entirely
                   Beloved
                   ,
                
              
               
                 YOu
                 are
                 a
                 great
                 Joy
                 to
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 what
                 thanks
                 to
                 render
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 hear
                 of
                 your
                 Constancy
                 ,
                 and
                 Pidelity
                 ,
                 and
                 Zeal
                 ,
                 in
                 adhering
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Ways
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 time
                 as
                 this
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 highly
                 favoured
                 ,
                 Blessed
                 be
                 the
                 Lord
                 God
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 regarded
                 the
                 low
                 Estates
                 of
                 his
                 Servants
                 :
                 That
                 he
                 should
                 ever
                 Indulge
                 you
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 ,
                 and
                 Hover
                 over
                 you
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 the
                 Eagle
                 stirreth
                 up
                 her
                 Nest
                 ,
                 and
                 fluttereth
                 over
                 her
                 Young
                 ,
                 spreadeth
                 abroad
                 her
                 Wings
                 ,
                 taketh
                 them
                 ,
                 beareth
                 them
                 on
                 her
                 Wings
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 hath
                 the
                 Lord
                 your
                 God
                 dealt
                 with
                 You
                 :
                 He
                 hath
                 kept
                 you
                 as
                 the
                 Apple
                 of
                 his
                 Eye
                 ,
                 and
                 since
                 the
                 Streams
                 of
                 Cherith
                 were
                 dried
                 up
                 ,
                 yet
                 to
                 this
                 day
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 suffered
                 the
                 handful
                 of
                 Meal
                 to
                 wast
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 Oyl
                 in
                 the
                 Cruse
                 to
                 fail
                 ,
                 but
                 (
                 though
                 you
                 have
                 no
                 certainty
                 to
                 trust
                 to
                 )
                 hath
                 continually
                 provided
                 for
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 full
                 .
                 How
                 should
                 I
                 love
                 and
                 bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 this
                 his
                 great
                 Grace
                 towards
                 you
                 ,
                 while
                 I
                 live
                 !
                 Now
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 consider
                 the
                 Kindness
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 your
                 God
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 careth
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 you
                 love
                 the
                 Lord
                 your
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 fear
                 him
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 your
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Length
                 of
                 your
                 Daies
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 Job
                 had
                 a
                 holy
                 fear
                 of
                 his
                 Children
                 ,
                 least
                 they
                 should
                 have
                 offended
                 :
                 So
                 my
                 most
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 jealous
                 of
                 you
                 with
                 a
                 Godly
                 jealousie
                 ,
                 lest
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 should
                 receive
                 this
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 vain
                 .
                 I
                 must
                 not
                 cease
                 to
                 put
                 you
                 in
                 mind
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 doth
                 look
                 for
                 no
                 small
                 matters
                 from
                 You.
                 Remember
                 my
                 most
                 
                 endeared
                 Charge
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 doth
                 look
                 for
                 singular
                 things
                 from
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 be
                 not
                 a
                 barren
                 Tree
                 ,
                 nor
                 a
                 Dwarf
                 Christian
                 among
                 you
                 ;
                 where
                 the
                 Lord
                 doth
                 strow
                 much
                 ,
                 he
                 looks
                 to
                 gather
                 much
                 ;
                 and
                 where
                 he
                 soweth
                 much
                 ,
                 he
                 expects
                 to
                 reap
                 accordingly
                 .
                 Whose
                 account
                 my
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 great
                 as
                 yours
                 ?
                 O
                 look
                 about
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 of
                 the
                 Master
                 coming
                 to
                 Reckon
                 with
                 you
                 for
                 his
                 Talents
                 ;
                 when
                 he
                 will
                 expect
                 no
                 small
                 increase
                 .
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 what
                 can
                 you
                 do
                 ?
                 How
                 much
                 are
                 you
                 grown
                 ?
                 What
                 spoil
                 have
                 you
                 made
                 upon
                 your
                 Corruptions
                 ?
                 What
                 progress
                 in
                 Grace
                 ?
              
               
                 Suppose
                 Christ
                 should
                 put
                 that
                 awakening
                 Question
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 What
                 do
                 you
                 more
                 than
                 others
                 ?
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 God
                 doth
                 expect
                 more
                 of
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 than
                 of
                 any
                 others
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 besides
                 :
                 And
                 well
                 he
                 may
                 .
                 For
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   hath
                   bestowed
                   more
                   on
                   them
                   than
                   on
                   others
                   :
                
                 Now
                 where
                 much
                 is
                 given
                 ,
                 much
                 shall
                 be
                 required
                 ;
                 Can
                 you
                 think
                 of
                 that
                 without
                 trembling
                 ?
                 He
                 hath
                 bestowed
                 on
                 them
                 singular
                 Love
                 more
                 than
                 on
                 others
                 ;
                 
                   You
                   only
                   have
                   I
                   known
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   Families
                   on
                   Earth
                   .
                
                 He
                 hath
                 a
                 distinguishing
                 Love
                 and
                 Favour
                 for
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 looks
                 that
                 his
                 Love
                 should
                 be
                 a
                 constraining
                 Argument
                 to
                 Obedience
                 .
                 Again
                 he
                 hath
                 laid
                 out
                 a
                 singular
                 care
                 on
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 on
                 others
                 :
                 He
                 cares
                 for
                 no
                 man
                 ,
                 for
                 nothing
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 in
                 comparison
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 He
                 reproveth
                 Kings
                 for
                 their
                 sakes
                 .
                 He
                 will
                 give
                 Nations
                 ,
                 and
                 Kingdomes
                 for
                 their
                 Ransome
                 .
                 So
                 precious
                 are
                 they
                 in
                 his
                 sight
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 give
                 men
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 People
                 for
                 their
                 Life
                 .
                 He
                 withdraweth
                 not
                 his
                 Eyes
                 from
                 the
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 indure
                 them
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 sight
                 .
                 The
                 Eyes
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 are
                 upon
                 the
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 first
                 the
                 Eye
                 of
                 his
                 more
                 accurate
                 Observation
                 :
                 God
                 can
                 wink
                 at
                 others
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 and
                 overlook
                 what
                 they
                 do
                 with
                 little
                 notice
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 hath
                 a
                 most
                 curious
                 eye
                 upon
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 he
                 marketh
                 their
                 steps
                 ,
                 and
                 booketh
                 their
                 words
                 ,
                 he
                 weigheth
                 their
                 Actions
                 ,
                 and
                 pondereth
                 all
                 their
                 goings
                 .
                 And
                 should
                 not
                 they
                 walk
                 more
                 cautiously
                 ,
                 and
                 charily
                 ,
                 than
                 any
                 alive
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 under
                 so
                 exact
                 and
                 curious
                 an
                 Eye
                 ?
                 Secondly
                 the
                 Eye
                 of
                 special
                 Care
                 ,
                 and
                 Protection
                 .
                 Behold
                 the
                 Eye
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 upon
                 them
                 that
                 fear
                 him
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 guide
                 thee
                 with
                 mine
                 Eye
                 :
                 And
                 should
                 not
                 they
                 be
                 infinitely
                 tender
                 and
                 careful
                 how
                 to
                 please
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                 who
                 have
                 his
                 singular
                 Care
                 laid
                 out
                 on
                 them
                 ?
                 In
                 short
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 bestowed
                 on
                 them
                 singular
                 Priviledges
                 more
                 than
                 others
                 :
                 These
                 are
                 a
                 peculiar
                 Treasure
                 to
                 him
                 above
                 all
                 People
                 ,
                 a
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 Priests
                 ,
                 an
                 Holy
                 Nation
                 ,
                 a
                 singular
                 separated
                 People
                 ,
                 they
                 dwell
                 alone
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 diverse
                 from
                 all
                 People
                 :
                 When
                 the
                 whole
                 World
                 lies
                 in
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 these
                 are
                 Called
                 and
                 Chosen
                 ,
                 and
                 Faithful
                 ,
                 Washed
                 and
                 justified
                 ,
                 and
                 Sanctified
                 in
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 our
                 God.
                 The
                 rest
                 are
                 the
                 Refuse
                 :
                 These
                 the
                 Jewels
                 :
                 These
                 are
                 taken
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 left
                 .
                 Shall
                 not
                 Gods
                 Priests
                 be
                 Cloathed
                 with
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 Princes
                 Live
                 above
                 the
                 rate
                 of
                 Peasants
                 ?
              
               
                 Secondly
                 .
                 
                   He
                   hath
                   intrusted
                   them
                   with
                   more
                   than
                   others
                   :
                
                 Not
                 onely
                 with
                 the
                 Talents
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 (
                 for
                 the
                 increase
                 whereof
                 they
                 must
                 give
                 a
                 strict
                 account
                 )
                 but
                 also
                 with
                 the
                 Jewel
                 of
                 his
                 Glory
                 .
                 How
                 tenderly
                 should
                 they
                 walk
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 entrusted
                 with
                 such
                 a
                 Jewel
                 ?
                 Remember
                 ,
                 your
                 Makers
                 Glory
                 is
                 bound
                 up
                 in
                 your
                 fruitful
                 walking
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   hath
                   qualified
                   them
                   more
                   than
                   others
                   .
                
                 He
                 hath
                 put
                 into
                 them
                 a
                 Principle
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 having
                 quickned
                 them
                 together
                 with
                 Christ.
                 He
                 hath
                 set
                 up
                 a
                 Light
                 in
                 their
                 Minds
                 ,
                 when
                 others
                 lie
                 in
                 Darkness
                 .
                 He
                 hath
                 given
                 them
                 other
                 Aids
                 ,
                 than
                 others
                 have
                 ,
                 even
                 his
                 Spirit
                 to
                 help
                 their
                 Infirmities
                 ,
                 when
                 others
                 lie
                 like
                 Vessels
                 that
                 are
                 Windbound
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 stir
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   hath
                   provided
                   for
                   them
                   other
                   manner
                   of
                   things
                   than
                   for
                   others
                   .
                
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 little
                 Flock
                 to
                 whom
                 it
                 is
                 his
                 good
                 pleasure
                 to
                 give
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 ;
                 great
                 are
                 the
                 preparations
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 Father
                 hath
                 prepared
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 for
                 them
                 from
                 the
                 Foundations
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 The
                 Son
                 is
                 gone
                 to
                 Heaven
                 on
                 purpose
                 to
                 prepare
                 a
                 place
                 for
                 them
                 :
                 The
                 Spirit
                 is
                 preparing
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 making
                 them
                 meet
                 to
                 be
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 Inheritance
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 Light
                 :
                 And
                 should
                 these
                 be
                 like
                 other
                 People
                 ?
              
               
                 Brethren
                 beloved
                 ,
                 God
                 and
                 Men
                 do
                 expect
                 you
                 should
                 do
                 more
                 than
                 others
                 ,
                 see
                 that
                 that
                 you
                 be
                 indeed
                 singular
                 .
                 For
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 If
                 you
                 do
                 no
                 more
                 for
                 God
                 than
                 others
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 do
                 more
                 against
                 you
                 then
                 others
                 :
                 
                   You
                   onely
                   have
                   I
                   known
                   ,
                   therefore
                   will
                   I
                   punish
                   you
                   .
                
                 The
                 barren
                 Tree
                 in
                 the
                 Vineyard
                 must
                 down
                 ,
                 whereas
                 had
                 he
                 been
                 in
                 the
                 Common
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 
                 stood
                 much
                 longer
                 .
                 God
                 looked
                 for
                 Grapes
                 from
                 his
                 Vineyard
                 ,
                 on
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 bestowed
                 such
                 Care
                 and
                 Cost
                 more
                 than
                 ordinary
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 they
                 bring
                 forth
                 wild
                 Grapes
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 lay
                 them
                 waste
                 in
                 a
                 worse
                 manner
                 than
                 the
                 Forrest
                 .
                 When
                 Christ
                 came
                 to
                 the
                 Figg-tree
                 seeking
                 Fruit
                 ,
                 and
                 met
                 with
                 none
                 ,
                 he
                 Curst
                 it
                 from
                 the
                 Root
                 ,
                 whereas
                 had
                 it
                 been
                 a
                 Thorn
                 or
                 Bramble
                 ,
                 it
                 might
                 have
                 stood
                 as
                 before
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 If
                 you
                 do
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 others
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 look
                 for
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 others
                 :
                 If
                 you
                 should
                 put
                 off
                 God
                 with
                 a
                 common
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 expect
                 to
                 be
                 put
                 off
                 with
                 common
                 Mercies
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Except
                 you
                 do
                 more
                 than
                 others
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 dishonoured
                 more
                 by
                 you
                 than
                 others
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 too
                 long
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 am
                 earnestly
                 desirous
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 sensible
                 of
                 Gods
                 extraordinary
                 Expectations
                 from
                 you
                 .
                 And
                 truly
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 looks
                 for
                 more
                 from
                 his
                 own
                 than
                 others
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 looks
                 for
                 more
                 from
                 you
                 than
                 others
                 ,
                 even
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 because
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 more
                 :
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 be
                 shining
                 Christians
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 be
                 strong
                 in
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 that
                 you
                 press
                 toward
                 the
                 Mark.
                 But
                 I
                 must
                 conclude
                 ;
                 I
                 give
                 my
                 Loves
                 among
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 being
                 able
                 to
                 add
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   in
                   servent
                   Loves
                   and
                   Longings
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     January
                     2.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXII
                 .
                 [
                 Christian
                 Care
                 ,
                 Faith
                 ,
                 Self-denial
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   most
                   Beloved
                   People
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   endeared
                   Christians
                   ,
                
              
               
                 THe
                 reason
                 why
                 my
                 Letters
                 have
                 not
                 of
                 late
                 come
                 so
                 thick
                 as
                 formerly
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 because
                 I
                 forget
                 to
                 love
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 care
                 for
                 you
                 ;
                 but
                 because
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 busily
                 taken
                 up
                 in
                 other
                 Labors
                 of
                 sundry
                 kinds
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 yours
                 ,
                 and
                 love
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 being
                 ambitious
                 not
                 to
                 have
                 dominion
                 over
                 your
                 faith
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 helper
                 of
                 your
                 Joy.
                 Christs
                 Officers
                 are
                 so
                 your
                 Rulers
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 as
                 yet
                 to
                 Preach
                 not
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 themselves
                 your
                 Servants
                 for
                 Jesus
                 sake
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 greater
                 felicity
                 under
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 serve
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 Souls
                 .
                 Brethren
                 beloved
                 ,
                 How
                 fares
                 it
                 with
                 your
                 Souls
                 ?
                 Are
                 they
                 in
                 Health
                 ?
                 Do
                 they
                 prosper
                 ?
                 I
                 wish
                 your
                 Temporal
                 prosperity
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 joy
                 to
                 me
                 to
                 hear
                 when
                 your
                 Trade
                 doth
                 flourish
                 :
                 But
                 these
                 are
                 but
                 very
                 little
                 things
                 if
                 we
                 look
                 into
                 Eternity
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 my
                 ambition
                 for
                 you
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 Cedars
                 among
                 the
                 Shrubs
                 ,
                 that
                 from
                 you
                 should
                 found
                 out
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 every
                 place
                 your
                 Faith
                 to
                 God-ward
                 should
                 be
                 spread
                 abroad
                 .
                 That
                 Taunton
                 should
                 be
                 as
                 a
                 Field
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 blessed
                 :
                 That
                 you
                 should
                 not
                 onely
                 have
                 the
                 Name
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 Life
                 ,
                 Power
                 ,
                 Heat
                 ,
                 Growth
                 ,
                 Vigour
                 of
                 Christianity
                 among
                 you
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 Taunton
                 onely
                 have
                 the
                 Name
                 to
                 live
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 noted
                 for
                 the
                 Profession
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 but
                 see
                 to
                 it
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 be
                 with
                 you
                 :
                 Oh
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 might
                 be
                 a
                 Temple
                 of
                 God!
                 Oh
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 your
                 Families
                 might
                 be
                 a
                 Church
                 of
                 God!
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 
                 look
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 nameth
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Christ
                 among
                 You
                 do
                 depart
                 from
                 Iniquity
                 ,
                 secret
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 open
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Heart
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 of
                 the
                 Life
                 .
                 Let
                 no
                 man
                 think
                 that
                 to
                 make
                 an
                 out-cry
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   Wickedness
                   of
                   the
                   Times
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Professing
                   Party
                
                 ;
                 will
                 serve
                 his
                 turn
                 ;
                 many
                 go
                 to
                 Hell
                 in
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 the
                 wise
                 Virgins
                 .
                 That
                 no
                 man
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 Self-deceiver
                 ,
                 let
                 every
                 man
                 be
                 a
                 Self-Searcher
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 keeps
                 no
                 Day-Book
                 in
                 his
                 Shop
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 Account
                 ,
                 no
                 Record
                 in
                 his
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 his
                 Estate
                 and
                 his
                 Soul
                 will
                 thrive
                 both
                 alike
                 .
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 that
                 You
                 should
                 remember
                 whither
                 You
                 are
                 a
                 going
                 .
                 If
                 a
                 man
                 be
                 after
                 a
                 few
                 Months
                 to
                 be
                 Transported
                 into
                 another
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 never
                 to
                 Return
                 more
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 send
                 over
                 whatever
                 he
                 can
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 the
                 best
                 Provision
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 against
                 he
                 comes
                 into
                 another
                 Countrey
                 .
                 Dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 You
                 are
                 Strangers
                 and
                 Pilgrims
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 but
                 a
                 few
                 Months
                 abode
                 in
                 this
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 Traffique
                 much
                 with
                 Heaven
                 .
                 Christ
                 is
                 our
                 Common
                 Factor
                 ,
                 O
                 send
                 over
                 to
                 him
                 what
                 possible
                 you
                 can
                 .
                 Give
                 Alms
                 plentifully
                 ,
                 Pray
                 continually
                 ,
                 be
                 much
                 in
                 Meditation
                 and
                 Consideration
                 ;
                 Reckon
                 with
                 your selves
                 daily
                 :
                 Walk
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 Your
                 Callings
                 :
                 Do
                 all
                 the
                 Duties
                 of
                 your
                 Relations
                 as
                 unto
                 God
                 :
                 Live
                 not
                 one
                 day
                 to
                 your selves
                 ,
                 but
                 unto
                 Christ
                 :
                 Set
                 forth
                 continually
                 in
                 his
                 Name
                 ,
                 so
                 shall
                 you
                 be
                 continually
                 Transporting
                 into
                 another
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 laying
                 up
                 Treasure
                 in
                 Heaven
                 :
                 And
                 O
                 the
                 blessed
                 Store
                 that
                 You
                 shall
                 find
                 there
                 after
                 a
                 few
                 Years
                 diligence
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 holy
                 Course
                 !
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 while
                 You
                 are
                 here
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 You
                 are
                 but
                 like
                 a
                 Merchants
                 Ship
                 in
                 a
                 strange
                 Port
                 ,
                 the
                 day
                 for
                 your
                 Return
                 is
                 set
                 ,
                 and
                 You
                 are
                 to
                 stay
                 no
                 longer
                 then
                 till
                 your
                 Fraight
                 is
                 ready
                 .
                 Be
                 wise
                 ,
                 know
                 your
                 season
                 ,
                 improve
                 your
                 time
                 ,
                 You
                 are
                 made
                 or
                 mar'd
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 as
                 You
                 speed
                 in
                 this
                 one
                 Voyage
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 returning
                 again
                 to
                 this
                 Countrey
                 to
                 mend
                 a
                 bad
                 Market
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 call
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 Talents
                 ,
                 Time
                 shall
                 be
                 no
                 longer
                 .
                 Oh?
                 come
                 in
                 ,
                 come
                 and
                 buy
                 now
                 while
                 the
                 Market
                 is
                 open
                 ,
                 that
                 You
                 that
                 want
                 may
                 have
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 You
                 that
                 have
                 may
                 have
                 it
                 more
                 abundantly
                 .
                 Go
                 and
                 plead
                 with
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 bid
                 You
                 
                   come
                   ,
                   buy
                   and
                   eat
                
                 without
                 Mony
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 Price
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 counselled
                 You
                 to
                 come
                 buy
                 of
                 him
                 Gold
                 ,
                 Raiment
                 ,
                 and
                 Eye-salve
                 ;
                 tell
                 Him
                 You
                 are
                 come
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 call
                 ,
                 and
                 wait
                 upon
                 him
                 
                 for
                 Grace
                 ;
                 for
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 for
                 Light
                 and
                 Instruction
                 :
                 Lay
                 hold
                 on
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 plead
                 it
                 ,
                 live
                 upon
                 it
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 worthy
                 to
                 be
                 Believed
                 ,
                 worthy
                 to
                 be
                 Trusted
                 ,
                 go
                 out
                 of
                 your selves
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 unlearn
                 your selves
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 threefoold
                 Foot
                 that
                 Carnal-self
                 stands
                 upon
                 ,
                 our
                 own
                 Wisdome
                 ,
                 our
                 own
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 our
                 own
                 Strength
                 ,
                 these
                 three
                 Feet
                 must
                 be
                 Cut
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 must
                 learn
                 to
                 have
                 no
                 subsistence
                 in
                 our selves
                 but
                 only
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 stand
                 only
                 on
                 his
                 bottom
                 .
                 Study
                 the
                 excellent
                 Lesson
                 of
                 Self-denial
                 ,
                 Self-annihilation
                 ,
                 A
                 true
                 Christian
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 Vine
                 that
                 cannot
                 stand
                 of
                 it self
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 wholly
                 supported
                 by
                 the
                 Prop
                 it
                 leans
                 on
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 thing
                 to
                 know
                 our selves
                 to
                 be
                 nothing
                 ,
                 of
                 no
                 might
                 ,
                 of
                 no
                 worth
                 ,
                 of
                 no
                 understanding
                 ,
                 nor
                 reality
                 ;
                 to
                 look
                 upon
                 our selves
                 as
                 helpless
                 ,
                 worthless
                 ,
                 foolish
                 empty
                 shadows
                 .
                 This
                 holy
                 Littleness
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 matter
                 ;
                 when
                 we
                 find
                 that
                 all
                 our
                 Inventory
                 amounts
                 to
                 nothing
                 but
                 Folly
                 ,
                 Weakness
                 ,
                 and
                 Beggery
                 ;
                 when
                 we
                 set
                 down
                 our Selves
                 for
                 Cyphers
                 ,
                 our
                 Gain
                 for
                 loss
                 ,
                 our
                 Excellencies
                 for
                 very
                 Vanities
                 ,
                 then
                 we
                 shall
                 learn
                 to
                 live
                 like
                 Believers
                 .
                 A
                 true
                 Saint
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 Glass
                 without
                 a
                 Foot
                 ,
                 that
                 set
                 him
                 where
                 you
                 will
                 ,
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 fall
                 every
                 way
                 till
                 you
                 set
                 him
                 to
                 a
                 Prop
                 :
                 Let
                 Christ
                 be
                 the
                 only
                 Support
                 you
                 lean
                 unto
                 .
                 When
                 you
                 are
                 throughly
                 Emptied
                 and
                 Nullified
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 all
                 comeliness
                 to
                 be
                 but
                 as
                 a
                 withered
                 Flower
                 ,
                 dead
                 ,
                 dried
                 ,
                 and
                 past
                 Recovery
                 ,
                 then
                 You
                 will
                 be
                 put
                 upon
                 the
                 happy
                 necessity
                 of
                 going
                 out
                 to
                 Christ
                 for
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Messengers
                 haste
                 forceth
                 me
                 Abruptly
                 to
                 end
                 here
                 :
                 I
                 can
                 add
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 by
                 my
                 Prayers
                 to
                 my
                 Counsels
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 commending
                 you
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 I
                 rest
              
               
                 
                   The
                   fervent
                   Well-willer
                   of
                   your
                   Souls
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Juel-Chester
                   ,
                   
                     April
                     16.
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXIII
                 .
                 [
                 Right
                 Reasons
                 in
                 Suffering
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   my
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   the
                   Flock
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   loving
                   and
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   ,
                
              
               
                 I
                 Know
                 not
                 what
                 thanks
                 to
                 render
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 God
                 for
                 You
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 unexpressable
                 love
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 found
                 in
                 you
                 toward
                 me
                 ;
                 and
                 not
                 terminatively
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 Christ
                 in
                 me
                 ;
                 for
                 I
                 believe
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 am
                 a
                 Messenger
                 and
                 Embassador
                 of
                 his
                 to
                 You
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 loved
                 me
                 and
                 done
                 so
                 much
                 every
                 way
                 for
                 me
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 think
                 I
                 may
                 say
                 of
                 Taunton
                 as
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 of
                 
                   Jerusalem
                   ,
                   If
                   I
                   forget
                   thee
                   ,
                   let
                   my
                   right
                   hand
                   forget
                   her
                   cunning
                   ,
                   if
                   I
                   do
                   not
                   remember
                   thee
                   ,
                   let
                   my
                   tongue
                   cleave
                   to
                   the
                   roof
                   of
                   my
                   mouth
                   .
                
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 ,
                 my
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 that
                 You
                 should
                 be
                 dejected
                 or
                 discouraged
                 at
                 the
                 Late
                 disappointments
                 :
                 For
                 through
                 the
                 goodness
                 of
                 God
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 more
                 satisfied
                 than
                 before
                 :
                 and
                 this
                 I
                 can
                 truly
                 say
                 ,
                 nothing
                 doth
                 sadden
                 me
                 more
                 than
                 to
                 see
                 so
                 much
                 sadness
                 in
                 your
                 faces
                 .
                 As
                 on
                 the
                 contrary
                 nothing
                 doth
                 comfort
                 me
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 see
                 your
                 Chear
                 and
                 Courage
                 .
                 Therefore
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 faint
                 not
                 because
                 of
                 my
                 Tribulation
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 Gods
                 delays
                 ,
                 but
                 strengthen
                 the
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 feeble
                 knees
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Lord
                 bolster
                 up
                 your
                 hands
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 did
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 Moses
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 not
                 fall
                 down
                 till
                 Israel
                 do
                 prevail
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 fear
                 lest
                 there
                 be
                 some
                 evil
                 among
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 being
                 angry
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 doth
                 send
                 this
                 farther
                 tryal
                 upon
                 us
                 .
                 Pray
                 earnestly
                 for
                 me
                 lest
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 jealous
                 God
                 should
                 discern
                 that
                 in
                 me
                 which
                 should
                 render
                 me
                 unfit
                 for
                 the
                 mercy
                 You
                 desire
                 .
                 And
                 let
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 you
                 search
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 search
                 his
                 house
                 to
                 
                 see
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 not
                 〈◊〉
                 there
                 :
                 Let
                 not
                 these
                 disappointments
                 make
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 nevertheless
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 more
                 out
                 of
                 love
                 with
                 sin
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 humble
                 our selves
                 under
                 the
                 mighty
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 exalt
                 us
                 in
                 due
                 time
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 the
                 Enemies
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 know
                 also
                 that
                 their
                 foot
                 shall
                 slide
                 in
                 due
                 time
                 .
                 Let
                 the
                 Servants
                 of
                 God
                 encourage
                 themselves
                 in
                 their
                 God
                 :
                 for
                 in
                 the
                 things
                 wherein
                 they
                 deal
                 proudly
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 above
                 them
                 :
                 Therefore
                 fret
                 not
                 your selves
                 because
                 of
                 evil-doers
                 ;
                 commit
                 your
                 Cause
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 judgeth
                 righteously
                 .
                 Remember
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 bid
                 if
                 you
                 see
                 oppression
                 of
                 the
                 poor
                 ,
                 and
                 violent
                 perverting
                 of
                 Judgment
                 and
                 Justice
                 in
                 a
                 Province
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 marvel
                 at
                 the
                 matter
                 :
                 Verily
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 that
                 Judgeth
                 in
                 the
                 Earth
                 :
                 And
                 you
                 have
                 the
                 liberty
                 of
                 Appeals
                 :
                 Rest
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 wait
                 patiently
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 fret
                 not
                 your selves
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 men
                 that
                 bring
                 wicked
                 devises
                 to
                 pass
                 :
                 take
                 heed
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 do
                 with
                 Peter
                 begin
                 to
                 sink
                 ,
                 now
                 you
                 see
                 the
                 waters
                 rough
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 winds
                 boysterous
                 :
                 these
                 things
                 must
                 not
                 weaken
                 your
                 Faith
                 ,
                 nor
                 cool
                 your
                 Zeal
                 :
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 great
                 Arguments
                 for
                 the
                 strengthning
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 What
                 clearer
                 evidence
                 can
                 there
                 be
                 for
                 the
                 future
                 Judgment
                 and
                 Perdition
                 of
                 the
                 ungodly
                 ,
                 and
                 Coronation
                 of
                 the
                 Just
                 in
                 another
                 life
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 most
                 unjust
                 proceedings
                 that
                 are
                 here
                 upon
                 Earth
                 :
                 Shall
                 not
                 the
                 Judge
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Earth
                 see
                 right
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 ?
                 We
                 see
                 here
                 nothing
                 but
                 confusion
                 and
                 disorder
                 ,
                 the
                 wicked
                 receiveth
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Innocent
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Wicked
                 .
                 The
                 Godly
                 perish
                 and
                 the
                 Wicked
                 flourish
                 ;
                 these
                 do
                 prosper
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 do
                 suffer
                 .
                 What!
                 Can
                 it
                 be
                 ever
                 thus
                 !
                 No
                 doubtless
                 ,
                 there
                 must
                 be
                 a
                 day
                 when
                 God
                 will
                 Judg
                 the
                 World
                 in
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 rectifie
                 the
                 present
                 disorders
                 ,
                 and
                 reverse
                 the
                 unrighteous
                 Sentences
                 that
                 have
                 been
                 passed
                 against
                 his
                 Servants
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 evidence
                 is
                 so
                 clear
                 ,
                 that
                 many
                 of
                 the
                 Heathen
                 Philosophers
                 have
                 from
                 this
                 very
                 Argument
                 (
                 I
                 mean
                 the
                 unrighteous
                 usage
                 of
                 the
                 Good
                 )
                 concluded
                 that
                 there
                 must
                 certainly
                 be
                 Rewards
                 and
                 Punishments
                 adjudged
                 by
                 God
                 in
                 mother
                 World.
                 
              
               
               
                 Nor
                 yet
                 lose
                 your
                 Zeal
                 :
                 Now
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 that
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 many
                 doth
                 wax
                 cold
                 :
                 but
                 I
                 bless
                 God
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 with
                 you
                 :
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 your
                 love
                 to
                 me
                 is
                 ,
                 as
                 true
                 Friends
                 should
                 be
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 Chimneys
                 ,
                 warmest
                 in
                 the
                 Winter
                 of
                 Adversity
                 :
                 and
                 I
                 hope
                 your
                 love
                 to
                 God
                 is
                 much
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 would
                 that
                 You
                 should
                 abound
                 yet
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 .
                 Where
                 else
                 should
                 you
                 bestow
                 your
                 Loves
                 ?
                 Love
                 ye
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 ye
                 his
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 cling
                 about
                 him
                 the
                 faster
                 now
                 ye
                 see
                 the
                 World
                 is
                 striving
                 to
                 separate
                 you
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 How
                 many
                 are
                 they
                 that
                 go
                 to
                 knock
                 off
                 your
                 fingers
                 !
                 O
                 methinks
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 what
                 tugging
                 there
                 is
                 .
                 The
                 World
                 is
                 plucking
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Devil
                 is
                 plucking
                 :
                 Oh
                 ,
                 hold
                 fast
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ;
                 hold
                 fast
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 man
                 take
                 your
                 Crown
                 .
                 Let
                 the
                 Water
                 that
                 is
                 sprinkled
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 rather
                 poured
                 upon
                 your
                 Love
                 ,
                 make
                 it
                 to
                 flame
                 up
                 the
                 more
                 .
                 Are
                 you
                 not
                 betrothed
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ?
                 Oh
                 Remember
                 ,
                 Remember
                 your
                 Marriage-Covenant
                 :
                 Did
                 you
                 not
                 take
                 him
                 for
                 Richer
                 for
                 Poorer
                 ,
                 for
                 better
                 for
                 worse
                 :
                 Now
                 prove
                 your
                 love
                 to
                 Christ
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 a
                 true
                 Conjugal
                 love
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 you
                 can
                 love
                 him
                 when
                 most
                 slighted
                 ,
                 despised
                 ,
                 undervalued
                 ,
                 blasphemed
                 among
                 men
                 .
                 Now
                 acquit
                 your selves
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 have
                 followed
                 Christ
                 for
                 the
                 Loaves
                 ,
                 Now
                 confute
                 the
                 Accuser
                 of
                 the
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 who
                 may
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 suggest
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 You
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 of
                 
                   Job
                   ,
                   Doth
                   he
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord
                   for
                   nought
                   ?
                
                 And
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 seen
                 that
                 You
                 loved
                 Christ
                 and
                 Holiness
                 purely
                 for
                 their
                 own
                 sakes
                 ,
                 that
                 You
                 can
                 love
                 a
                 naked
                 Christ
                 when
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 hopes
                 of
                 worldly
                 advantage
                 ,
                 or
                 promoting
                 of
                 self-interest
                 in
                 following
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 beware
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 do
                 stick
                 to
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 Christ
                 and
                 Religion
                 upon
                 so
                 carnal
                 an
                 Account
                 as
                 this
                 ,
                 because
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Way
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 
                   already
                   taken
                   up
                
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 count
                 it
                 a
                 shame
                 to
                 recede
                 from
                 
                   your
                   Principles
                
                 :
                 I
                 am
                 very
                 jealous
                 lest
                 some
                 Professors
                 should
                 miss
                 of
                 their
                 Reward
                 for
                 this
                 :
                 Least
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 accounted
                 Turn-coats
                 and
                 Hypocrites
                 ;
                 therefore
                 they
                 will
                 shew
                 a
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 spirit
                 in
                 going
                 on
                 ,
                 since
                 they
                 have
                 once
                 begun
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 with
                 honour
                 retreat
                 .
                 Would
                 you
                 chose
                 holiness
                 and
                 strictness
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 to
                 do
                 again
                 ?
                 Would
                 you
                 enter
                 yourselves
                 among
                 
                 Gods
                 poor
                 people
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 now
                 first
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 Would
                 you
                 have
                 taken
                 up
                 the
                 Profession
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 though
                 you
                 had
                 foreseen
                 all
                 this
                 that
                 is
                 come
                 and
                 coming
                 ?
                 This
                 will
                 do
                 much
                 to
                 evidence
                 your
                 sincerity
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 forget
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 writing
                 a
                 Letter
                 ,
                 being
                 prone
                 to
                 pass
                 all
                 bounds
                 when
                 I
                 have
                 thus
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 you
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 God
                 remember
                 and
                 reward
                 you
                 and
                 your
                 Labours
                 of
                 Love.
                 The
                 Eternal
                 God
                 be
                 your
                 Refuge
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 under
                 you
                 his
                 everlasting
                 Arms.
                 The
                 Peace
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 passeth
                 all
                 understanding
                 Keep
                 your
                 Hearts
                 .
                 Christs
                 Legacy
                 of
                 Peace
                 I
                 leave
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 Rest
                 ,
                 with
                 my
                 dear
                 affections
                 to
                 You
                 all
                 :
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   Embassador
                   in
                   Bonds
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXIV
                 .
                 [
                 Councel
                 for
                 Salvation
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   most
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   
                     Taunton
                     ,
                     Salvation
                  
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   endeared
                   Christians
                   ,
                
              
               
                 MY
                 continual
                 Solicitude
                 for
                 your
                 State
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 suffer
                 me
                 to
                 pass
                 in
                 quiet
                 one
                 week
                 without
                 Writing
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 unless
                 I
                 am
                 extraordinarily
                 hindred
                 .
                 Your
                 Sincerity
                 ,
                 Stedfastness
                 ,
                 and
                 Proficiency
                 in
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 my
                 earnest
                 desire
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 I
                 should
                 account
                 my self
                 happy
                 in
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 a
                 longing
                 desire
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 Faces
                 of
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 (
                 besides
                 mine
                 Expectation
                 )
                 shall
                 (
                 I
                 trust
                 )
                 speedily
                 have
                 the
                 opportunity
                 to
                 see
                 you
                 at
                 the
                 approaching
                 Assizes
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 greatly
                 rejoice
                 in
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 our
                 coming
                 may
                 be
                 otherwise
                 attended
                 with
                 many
                 Inconveniencies
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 I
                 send
                 you
                 a
                 few
                 Prison
                 Counsels
                 .
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   To
                   improve
                   for
                   Eternity
                   the
                   Advantages
                   of
                   your
                   present
                   State.
                
                 Though
                 you
                 are
                 at
                 many
                 disadvantages
                 with
                 respect
                 to
                 the
                 publick
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 yet
                 you
                 have
                 many
                 wondrous
                 and
                 most
                 happy
                 Priviledges
                 ,
                 which
                 Spiritual
                 Wisdom
                 would
                 make
                 no
                 small
                 improvement
                 of
                 .
                 Oh
                 what
                 a
                 Mercy
                 have
                 you
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 serve
                 God
                 while
                 you
                 will
                 in
                 your
                 Families
                 !
                 That
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 you
                 will
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 secret
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 holy
                 Meditation
                 ,
                 and
                 Self-examination
                 !
                 I
                 beseech
                 You
                 consider
                 what
                 a
                 Blessing
                 You
                 have
                 above
                 others
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 your
                 Health
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Competency
                 of
                 the
                 Comforts
                 of
                 this
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 free
                 from
                 those
                 continual
                 pains
                 ,
                 or
                 Heart-eating
                 Cares
                 ,
                 that
                 others
                 are
                 disabled
                 by
                 ,
                 from
                 looking
                 after
                 
                 God
                 and
                 their
                 Souls
                 ,
                 as
                 You
                 may
                 do
                 .
                 Oh
                 consider
                 what
                 a
                 blessed
                 Seed-time
                 You
                 have
                 for
                 Eternity
                 !
                 Now
                 be
                 wise
                 and
                 improve
                 your
                 happy
                 Season
                 ,
                 your
                 day
                 of
                 Grace
                 .
                 Prepare
                 for
                 Death
                 ,
                 make
                 all
                 sure
                 :
                 Press
                 on
                 towards
                 the
                 Mark
                 ,
                 lay
                 up
                 in
                 store
                 for
                 your selves
                 a
                 good
                 Foundation
                 against
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 come
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 Morning
                 sow
                 your
                 Seed
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Evening
                 withdraw
                 not
                 your
                 Hand
                 .
                 Treasure
                 up
                 much
                 in
                 Heaven
                 :
                 What
                 profit
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 more
                 than
                 others
                 ?
                 more
                 Liberty
                 ,
                 more
                 Comfort
                 ,
                 more
                 Health
                 ,
                 more
                 Wealth
                 ,
                 than
                 others
                 ?
                 except
                 You
                 love
                 God
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 serve
                 him
                 better
                 than
                 others
                 .
                 Now
                 ply
                 your
                 Work
                 ,
                 and
                 dispatch
                 your
                 Business
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 have
                 nothing
                 to
                 trouble
                 You
                 upon
                 your
                 Death-Beds
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   To
                   Consider
                   also
                   the
                   Temptations
                   ,
                   and
                   Disadvantages
                   of
                   your
                   State.
                
                 Study
                 to
                 know
                 your
                 own
                 weaknesses
                 ,
                 and
                 where
                 your
                 danger
                 lies
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 obviate
                 Satan
                 ,
                 and
                 prevent
                 your
                 Miscarrying
                 :
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 Condition
                 but
                 hath
                 its
                 Snares
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 You
                 acquaint
                 your selves
                 with
                 his
                 Devices
                 ,
                 least
                 You
                 be
                 beguiled
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 caught
                 in
                 his
                 Trap
                 through
                 your
                 own
                 unwariness
                 .
                 You
                 that
                 are
                 well
                 provided
                 for
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 had
                 need
                 to
                 watch
                 your selves
                 ,
                 least
                 You
                 fall
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 present
                 things
                 ,
                 least
                 you
                 be
                 lifted
                 up
                 ,
                 least
                 You
                 trust
                 in
                 those
                 Carnal
                 props
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 least
                 You
                 warp
                 ,
                 and
                 decline
                 ,
                 and
                 baulk
                 your
                 duties
                 through
                 Carnal
                 fear
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 desire
                 of
                 preserving
                 your
                 Estates
                 .
                 You
                 that
                 have
                 little
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 without
                 your
                 temptations
                 neither
                 :
                 Oh
                 take
                 heed
                 of
                 envying
                 others
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 of
                 murmurring
                 and
                 discontent
                 ,
                 of
                 diffidence
                 and
                 distrustfulness
                 ,
                 of
                 using
                 indirect
                 means
                 to
                 help
                 your selves
                 :
                 Be
                 sure
                 You
                 make
                 not
                 the
                 Worlds
                 pressures
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 an
                 excuse
                 from
                 your
                 daily
                 serving
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 your
                 Families
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 secret
                 .
                 Set
                 this
                 down
                 as
                 your
                 Rule
                 ,
                 and
                 unchangeeble
                 Resolution
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 and
                 your
                 Souls
                 and
                 your
                 Families
                 shall
                 be
                 looked
                 duly
                 and
                 continually
                 after
                 ,
                 go
                 the
                 world
                 which
                 way
                 it
                 will.
                 Consider
                 what
                 sins
                 your
                 Tempers
                 ,
                 Relations
                 ,
                 Callings
                 ,
                 do
                 most
                 expose
                 you
                 to
                 .
                 Be
                 not
                 strangers
                 to
                 your selves
                 .
                 Prove
                 your selves
                 upright
                 in
                 keeping
                 from
                 your
                 Iniquities
                 .
              
               
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   To
                   converse
                   often
                   with
                   your
                   Dust.
                
                 Brethren
                 we
                 are
                 going
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 going
                 ,
                 the
                 Grave
                 waiteth
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 Oh
                 forget
                 not
                 that
                 Corruption
                 is
                 your
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Worm
                 your
                 Mother
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 Sister
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 your
                 poor
                 Kindred
                 that
                 you
                 must
                 shortly
                 dwell
                 with
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 come
                 to
                 your
                 long
                 Home
                 :
                 Remember
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 Darkness
                 which
                 shall
                 be
                 many
                 .
                 Take
                 every
                 day
                 some
                 serious
                 turns
                 with
                 Death
                 .
                 Think
                 where
                 you
                 shall
                 be
                 a
                 few
                 days
                 and
                 nights
                 hence
                 ,
                 happy
                 he
                 that
                 knew
                 what
                 to
                 morrow
                 meant
                 for
                 20.
                 
                 Years
                 together
                 .
                 Believe
                 it
                 ,
                 you
                 will
                 find
                 it
                 no
                 little
                 thing
                 to
                 die
                 .
                 Think
                 often
                 how
                 you
                 are
                 provided
                 ,
                 how
                 you
                 should
                 receive
                 the
                 Sentence
                 of
                 Death
                 .
                 Were
                 you
                 never
                 within
                 sight
                 of
                 Death
                 ?
                 How
                 did
                 it
                 look
                 ?
                 What
                 did
                 you
                 wish
                 for
                 most
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 ?
                 What
                 did
                 then
                 trouble
                 you
                 most
                 ?
                 Oh
                 mark
                 those
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 accordingly
                 .
                 Often
                 ask
                 your
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 What
                 if
                 God
                 should
                 this
                 night
                 require
                 my
                 Soul
                 ?
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   To
                   serve
                   your
                   Generation
                   with
                   your
                   might
                   while
                   you
                   have
                   time
                   .
                
                 You
                 have
                 but
                 a
                 very
                 little
                 time
                 to
                 bring
                 God
                 any
                 Glory
                 here
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 do
                 your
                 Friends
                 any
                 good
                 ;
                 now
                 up
                 and
                 be
                 doing
                 .
                 Now
                 or
                 never
                 live
                 in
                 the
                 deep
                 and
                 and
                 constant
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 very
                 little
                 time
                 that
                 You
                 have
                 for
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 great
                 work
                 You
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 You
                 are
                 going
                 whence
                 You
                 shall
                 not
                 return
                 .
                 There
                 's
                 no
                 After-Game
                 to
                 be
                 Plaid
                 .
                 What!
                 But
                 one
                 cast
                 for
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 You
                 not
                 be
                 carefull
                 to
                 throw
                 that
                 well
                 ?
              
               
                 Most
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 covet
                 after
                 your
                 furtherance
                 in
                 Mortification
                 ,
                 and
                 Growth
                 in
                 Grace
                 .
                 And
                 Oh
                 that
                 I
                 could
                 but
                 represent
                 Death
                 to
                 You
                 ,
                 as
                 shortly
                 it
                 will
                 shew
                 it self
                 :
                 Or
                 could
                 but
                 open
                 a
                 Window
                 into
                 Eternity
                 to
                 You
                 :
                 How
                 effectually
                 would
                 this
                 do
                 the
                 work
                 .
                 Then
                 the
                 Cripple
                 would
                 fling
                 away
                 his
                 Crutches
                 ,
                 and
                 betake
                 himself
                 to
                 his
                 Leggs
                 :
                 Then
                 the
                 Slothful
                 would
                 pluck
                 his
                 Hand
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 Bosome
                 ,
                 and
                 shake
                 off
                 his
                 Excuses
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 Night
                 and
                 Day
                 at
                 his
                 work
                 .
                 Then
                 the
                 Laodicean
                 would
                 be
                 recovered
                 from
                 his
                 benumed
                 frame
                 ;
                 then
                 we
                 should
                 have
                 no
                 Halving
                 in
                 Religion
                 ,
                 no
                 Lazy
                 wishing
                 and
                 complaining
                 ;
                 but
                 men
                 would
                 ply
                 the
                 Oars
                 to
                 purpose
                 ,
                 and
                 sweat
                 at
                 their
                 work
                 .
              
               
               
                 But
                 Oh
                 unhappy
                 man
                 ,
                 how
                 powerfully
                 hath
                 the
                 World
                 bewitched
                 thee
                 !
                 How
                 miserably
                 hath
                 Sin
                 unmanned
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 look
                 no
                 farther
                 than
                 thou
                 canst
                 see
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 present
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 forget
                 so
                 momentous
                 Concernments
                 as
                 are
                 before
                 thee
                 ?
              
               
                 But
                 You
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 lift
                 up
                 your selves
                 above
                 the
                 Objects
                 of
                 Sense
                 :
                 May
                 You
                 be
                 men
                 for
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 and
                 carry
                 it
                 like
                 those
                 that
                 seek
                 for
                 Glory
                 ,
                 Honour
                 ,
                 and
                 Immortality
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 apt
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 long
                 with
                 You
                 :
                 I
                 commend
                 You
                 to
                 Divine
                 Grace
                 :
                 my
                 dearest
                 Loves
                 among
                 You
                 ,
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   in
                   the
                   Bonds
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   of
                   our
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Juel-Chester
                   ,
                   
                     March
                     5.
                     1665.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXV
                 .
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   loving
                   and
                   most
                   Beloved
                   People
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   ,
                
              
               
                 ALthough
                 I
                 am
                 forced
                 at
                 the
                 present
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 a
                 distance
                 from
                 You
                 ;
                 yet
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 you
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 dear
                 remembrance
                 of
                 you
                 is
                 always
                 fresh
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 your
                 eternal
                 Welfare
                 is
                 always
                 living
                 upon
                 my
                 heart
                 .
                 Therefore
                 as
                 my
                 Beloved
                 Friends
                 I
                 warn
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 cease
                 not
                 to
                 stir
                 you
                 up
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 remembrance
                 ,
                 being
                 jealous
                 for
                 you
                 with
                 a
                 Godly
                 jealousie
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 man
                 take
                 your
                 Crown
                 .
                 My
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 you
                 have
                 many
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 and
                 above
                 all
                 ,
                 I
                 fear
                 your
                 bosom
                 Enemies
                 :
                 and
                 as
                 the
                 Watchman
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 give
                 you
                 careful
                 warning
                 ,
                 and
                 exhort
                 you
                 all
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 high-minded
                 ,
                 but
                 fear
                 .
                 Blessed
                 is
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 feareth
                 always
                 .
                 Look
                 diligently
                 ,
                 lest
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 fail
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God.
                 You
                 have
                 made
                 much
                 and
                 long
                 Profession
                 of
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 :
                 Oh
                 ,
                 look
                 to
                 your
                 Foundations
                 ,
                 see
                 upon
                 what
                 Ground
                 you
                 stand
                 .
                 Look
                 to
                 your
                 sincerity
                 .
                 You
                 must
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 you
                 stand
                 shortly
                 before
                 the
                 Judgment
                 Seat
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 tried
                 for
                 your
                 lives
                 :
                 Oh
                 ,
                 try
                 your selves
                 throughly
                 first
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 easie
                 to
                 mistake
                 Education
                 for
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 and
                 common
                 Conviction
                 and
                 Illumination
                 for
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 partial
                 Reformation
                 and
                 external
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 for
                 true
                 Sanctification
                 .
                 Therefore
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 every
                 one
                 ,
                 to
                 examine
                 whether
                 you
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 Faith.
                 Prove
                 your
                 own
                 selves
                 .
                 Tell
                 not
                 me
                 ,
                 you
                 hope
                 you
                 are
                 sincere
                 ,
                 you
                 hope
                 you
                 shall
                 go
                 to
                 Heaven
                 :
                 Never
                 put
                 it
                 off
                 with
                 Hopes
                 ,
                 but
                 pray
                 ,
                 and
                 try
                 ,
                 and
                 search
                 ,
                 till
                 you
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 you
                 are
                 passed
                 from
                 Death
                 to
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 that
                 you
                 know
                 you
                 have
                 a
                 Building
                 ,
                 not
                 made
                 with
                 hands
                 ,
                 eternal
                 in
                 the
                 Heavens
                 .
              
               
                 Suppose
                 I
                 should
                 ask
                 you
                 one
                 by
                 one
                 ,
                 Where
                 are
                 your
                 Evidences
                 for
                 Heaven
                 ?
                 Could
                 you
                 make
                 out
                 your
                 Claim
                 ?
                 Can
                 you
                 bring
                 me
                 Scripture-proof
                 ?
                 Can
                 you
                 shew
                 me
                 the
                 Marks
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ?
                 What
                 mean
                 you
                 to
                 live
                 at
                 Uncertainties
                 ?
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 intollerable
                 Ignorance
                 for
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 in
                 these
                 dayes
                 of
                 glorious
                 Light
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 tell
                 the
                 distinguishing
                 Marks
                 of
                 a
                 sound
                 Believer
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 intollerable
                 carelesness
                 of
                 your
                 everlasting
                 Welfare
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 bring
                 your selves
                 to
                 the
                 Trial
                 by
                 these
                 Marks
                 .
                 What
                 are
                 your
                 hands
                 filled
                 with
                 Books
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 ears
                 filled
                 with
                 Sermons
                 ,
                 that
                 tell
                 you
                 so
                 plainly
                 from
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 how
                 you
                 shall
                 know
                 whether
                 you
                 are
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 you
                 still
                 to
                 seek
                 ?
                 Oh
                 ,
                 stir
                 up
                 your
                 own
                 selves
                 .
                 Take
                 heed
                 ,
                 lest
                 a
                 Promise
                 being
                 left
                 of
                 entring
                 into
                 his
                 Rest
                 ,
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 fall
                 short
                 of
                 it
                 at
                 last
                 by
                 Vnbelief
                 .
                 You
                 are
                 a
                 Professing
                 People
                 ,
                 you
                 pray
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 hear
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 run
                 upon
                 some
                 Adventures
                 for
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 :
                 But
                 ,
                 O
                 look
                 to
                 your
                 sincerity
                 .
                 Look
                 to
                 your
                 Principles
                 ,
                 look
                 to
                 your
                 Ends
                 ,
                 else
                 you
                 may
                 lose
                 all
                 at
                 last
                 .
                 Examine
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 what
                 is
                 done
                 ,
                 but
                 whence
                 't
                 is
                 done
                 ,
                 look
                 to
                 the
                 Root
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 Fruit.
                 Eye
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 your
                 Actions
                 ,
                 but
                 your
                 Aims
                 .
                 Remember
                 what
                 a
                 strict
                 and
                 severe
                 Eye
                 you
                 are
                 under
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 makes
                 strict
                 observation
                 upon
                 all
                 your
                 works
                 and
                 wayes
                 .
                 He
                 observes
                 who
                 of
                 you
                 be
                 fruitful
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 be
                 barren
                 and
                 unprofitable
                 .
                 He
                 knows
                 who
                 of
                 you
                 be
                 thriving
                 and
                 who
                 be
                 declining
                 .
                 He
                 observes
                 ,
                 who
                 be
                 warm
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 lukewarm
                 :
                 who
                 be
                 sound
                 Christians
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 of
                 you
                 have
                 onely
                 a
                 name
                 to
                 live
                 .
              
               
                 Return
                 ,
                 O
                 backsliding
                 Christians
                 :
                 You
                 have
                 lost
                 your
                 former
                 Convictions
                 ,
                 and
                 lost
                 your
                 former
                 Affections
                 .
                 You
                 are
                 grown
                 remiss
                 in
                 your
                 watch
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 Zeal
                 is
                 turned
                 into
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 indifferencie
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 diligence
                 into
                 negligence
                 .
                 Your
                 Care
                 is
                 turned
                 into
                 Security
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 tenderness
                 into
                 senslessness
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 your
                 case
                 is
                 dangerous
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 hath
                 a
                 great
                 Controversie
                 with
                 you
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 remember
                 whence
                 
                 you
                 are
                 fallen
                 ,
                 and
                 repent
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 your
                 first
                 works
                 .
                 Strengthen
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 remain
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 die
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 rub
                 and
                 chafe
                 your
                 swooning
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 ply
                 them
                 with
                 warm
                 applications
                 ,
                 and
                 rousing
                 considerations
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 recover
                 their
                 former
                 heat
                 .
                 And
                 know
                 ye
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 backsliders
                 in
                 heart
                 shall
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 wayes
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 ye
                 barren
                 and
                 fruitless
                 trees
                 :
                 Behold
                 the
                 Axe
                 is
                 lifted
                 up
                 to
                 fell
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 ground
                 ,
                 except
                 you
                 bring
                 forth
                 fruits
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 worthy
                 of
                 Repentance
                 .
                 May
                 not
                 Christ
                 say
                 to
                 some
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 
                   Behold
                   these
                   three
                   years
                   have
                   I
                   come
                   ,
                   seeking
                   fruit
                   ,
                   and
                   finding
                   none
                   ?
                
                 How
                 is
                 it
                 then
                 that
                 you
                 read
                 not
                 the
                 Sentence
                 passed
                 on
                 the
                 fruitless
                 Tree
                 ?
                 O
                 sleepy
                 Professors
                 ,
                 how
                 long
                 will
                 you
                 drive
                 on
                 in
                 this
                 heavy
                 course
                 ?
                 How
                 long
                 will
                 you
                 continue
                 in
                 an
                 unprofitable
                 and
                 customary
                 Profession
                 ?
                 Would
                 you
                 be
                 the
                 joy
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 ,
                 why
                 know
                 ye
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 thriving
                 Plant
                 is
                 the
                 Masters
                 praise
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 hearts
                 delight
                 .
                 Christians
                 ,
                 put
                 on
                 ,
                 press
                 towards
                 the
                 Mark
                 ,
                 be
                 adding
                 to
                 your
                 Faith
                 ,
                 Virtue
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 Virtue
                 ,
                 Knowledge
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 grow
                 extensively
                 ,
                 in
                 being
                 abundant
                 in
                 all
                 forts
                 of
                 good
                 works
                 .
                 Be
                 pitiful
                 ,
                 be
                 courteous
                 ,
                 gentle
                 ,
                 easily
                 to
                 be
                 entreated
                 .
                 Be
                 slow
                 to
                 anger
                 ,
                 soon
                 reconciled
                 .
                 Be
                 patient
                 ,
                 be
                 ye
                 temperate
                 ,
                 be
                 ye
                 chearful
                 .
                 Study
                 not
                 every
                 one
                 onely
                 his
                 own
                 things
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 his
                 Neighbor
                 .
                 Think
                 it
                 not
                 enough
                 to
                 look
                 to
                 your
                 own
                 Souls
                 ,
                 but
                 watch
                 for
                 others
                 Souls
                 .
                 Pray
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 warn
                 them
                 ,
                 be
                 kind
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 study
                 to
                 oblige
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 any
                 means
                 you
                 may
                 win
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 gain
                 their
                 Souls
                 .
              
               
                 Labour
                 to
                 grow
                 intensively
                 ,
                 to
                 do
                 better
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 you
                 did
                 before
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 fervent
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 more
                 free
                 and
                 willing
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 to
                 hear
                 with
                 more
                 profit
                 ,
                 to
                 examine
                 your selves
                 more
                 thorowly
                 ,
                 to
                 mind
                 Heaven
                 more
                 frequently
                 than
                 heretofore
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 you
                 ,
                 O
                 carnal
                 and
                 unsound
                 Professors
                 ,
                 that
                 reckon
                 your selves
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 not
                 new
                 Creatures
                 ;
                 that
                 because
                 you
                 have
                 the
                 good
                 opinion
                 of
                 the
                 Godly
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 outwardly
                 conformable
                 to
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 perswade
                 your selves
                 
                 you
                 are
                 in
                 a
                 good
                 condition
                 ,
                 although
                 your
                 hearts
                 have
                 not
                 yet
                 to
                 this
                 day
                 been
                 renewed
                 :
                 O
                 Repent
                 speedily
                 .
                 Repent
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 converted
                 .
                 What
                 though
                 we
                 cannot
                 distinguish
                 the
                 Tares
                 from
                 the
                 Wheat
                 ?
                 Yet
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 the
                 Harvest
                 can
                 .
                 Christ
                 will
                 find
                 you
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 condemn
                 you
                 for
                 rotten
                 and
                 unsound
                 ,
                 unless
                 you
                 be
                 soundly
                 renewed
                 by
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 effectually
                 changed
                 by
                 converting
                 Grace
                 .
              
               
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 I
                 fervently
                 wish
                 your
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 while
                 I
                 am
                 able
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 bend
                 my
                 ardent
                 endeavours
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 now
                 taking
                 advice
                 for
                 my
                 health
                 ,
                 and
                 hope
                 in
                 some
                 few
                 Weeks
                 to
                 be
                 restored
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 I
                 commend
                 me
                 to
                 Your
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 remaining
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   Dorchester
                   ,
                   
                     July
                     7th
                     .
                     1666.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXVI
                 .
                 [
                 The
                 Character
                 and
                 Priviledges
                 of
                 true
                 Believers
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   Loving
                   and
                   Beloved
                   People
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   ,
                
              
               
                 I
                 Longed
                 to
                 hear
                 of
                 your
                 Welfare
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 the
                 Carryers
                 intermitting
                 his
                 Journeys
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 till
                 now
                 obtain
                 my
                 desires
                 ,
                 neither
                 had
                 I
                 Opportunity
                 till
                 the
                 last
                 Week
                 of
                 writing
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 rejoyce
                 to
                 hear
                 by
                 Mr.
                 Ford
                 ,
                 of
                 Gods
                 continual
                 goodness
                 towards
                 you
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 your
                 Shepherd
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 want
                 .
                 Me
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 alwayes
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 is
                 ever
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 his
                 Rod
                 and
                 his
                 Staff
                 shall
                 comfort
                 you
                 ;
                 Nay
                 ,
                 more
                 then
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 you
                 may
                 hence
                 conclude
                 comfortably
                 for
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 whole
                 Eternity
                 to
                 come
                 .
                 Surely
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Mercy
                 shall
                 follow
                 you
                 all
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 your
                 Lives
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 dwell
                 in
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 this
                 ,
                 my
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 rejoyce
                 ,
                 and
                 again
                 I
                 say
                 rejoyce
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 ingaged
                 in
                 so
                 near
                 and
                 so
                 sweet
                 relation
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 Doubtless
                 your
                 Souls
                 shall
                 Lodge
                 in
                 goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 provided
                 for
                 carefully
                 ,
                 and
                 lie
                 down
                 in
                 everlasting
                 safety
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 the
                 Almighty
                 for
                 our
                 Shepherd
                 .
                 Blessed
                 are
                 the
                 Flock
                 of
                 his
                 Hands
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Sheep
                 of
                 his
                 Pasture
                 ,
                 happy
                 is
                 the
                 People
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 Case
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 who
                 are
                 Christs
                 Sheep
                 ?
              
               
                 Not
                 all
                 Professers
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 take
                 heed
                 how
                 you
                 rest
                 in
                 Profession
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 Profession
                 ,
                 but
                 Converson
                 that
                 turns
                 a
                 man
                 from
                 a
                 Swine
                 to
                 a
                 Sheep
                 .
                 Let
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 be
                 deceived
                 ,
                 
                 nor
                 flatter
                 your selves
                 ,
                 that
                 because
                 you
                 beat
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Christians
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 many
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 escaped
                 the
                 open
                 gross
                 pollutions
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 therefore
                 you
                 are
                 surely
                 among
                 the
                 number
                 of
                 Christs
                 true
                 Sheep
                 .
                 All
                 this
                 you
                 may
                 attain
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 be
                 but
                 washed
                 Swine
                 ;
                 here
                 must
                 be
                 an
                 inward
                 deep
                 and
                 thorow
                 and
                 universal
                 Change
                 upon
                 your
                 Natures
                 ,
                 Dispositions
                 ,
                 Inclinations
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 you
                 are
                 not
                 Christs
                 Sheep
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 If
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 put
                 out
                 of
                 doubt
                 whether
                 you
                 are
                 his
                 Sheep
                 or
                 not
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 trie
                 it
                 by
                 this
                 certain
                 Mark
                 that
                 Christ
                 sets
                 upon
                 all
                 his
                 Sheep
                 ,
                 even
                 your
                 Sanctification
                 ,
                 you
                 that
                 will
                 stand
                 to
                 the
                 trial
                 ,
                 answer
                 me
                 truly
                 and
                 deliberately
                 to
                 these
                 Questions
                 .
                 Do
                 you
                 hate
                 every
                 sin
                 as
                 the
                 Sheep
                 doth
                 the
                 Mire
                 ?
                 Do
                 you
                 regard
                 no
                 Iniquity
                 in
                 your
                 Hearts
                 ?
                 Do
                 you
                 strive
                 against
                 ,
                 and
                 oppose
                 all
                 Sin
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 may
                 seem
                 never
                 so
                 necessary
                 ,
                 never
                 so
                 natural
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 or
                 have
                 you
                 not
                 you
                 secret
                 Haunts
                 of
                 evil
                 ?
                 For
                 every
                 Swine
                 will
                 have
                 his
                 swill
                 .
                 Do
                 you
                 abstain
                 from
                 sin
                 out
                 of
                 fear
                 ,
                 or
                 out
                 of
                 dislike
                 ?
                 Are
                 You
                 at
                 peace
                 with
                 no
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 do
                 you
                 not
                 hide
                 some
                 Iniquity
                 as
                 a
                 sweet
                 morsel
                 under
                 your
                 Tongue
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 not
                 some
                 practice
                 that
                 You
                 are
                 not
                 willing
                 to
                 know
                 is
                 a
                 sin
                 for
                 fear
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 forced
                 to
                 leave
                 it
                 ?
                 Do
                 you
                 love
                 the
                 Commandment
                 that
                 forbids
                 your
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 do
                 you
                 not
                 wish
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Bible
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 evil
                 man
                 wished
                 God
                 had
                 never
                 made
                 the
                 Seventh
                 Commandment
                 ?
                 Again
                 ,
                 how
                 do
                 You
                 stand
                 affected
                 towards
                 Holiness
                 ?
                 Do
                 you
                 love
                 it
                 ?
                 Do
                 you
                 choose
                 it
                 ?
                 Do
                 You
                 hunger
                 and
                 thirst
                 after
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 desire
                 it
                 more
                 than
                 any
                 Temporal
                 good
                 ?
                 Have
                 You
                 chosen
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Gods
                 Precepts
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 rather
                 live
                 Holily
                 than
                 be
                 allowed
                 to
                 live
                 in
                 your
                 sins
                 ?
                 Do
                 You
                 in
                 your
                 very
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 prefer
                 a
                 Godly
                 strict
                 Life
                 in
                 communion
                 with
                 and
                 conformity
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 greatest
                 prosperity
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ?
                 Do
                 You
                 chose
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 bare
                 necessity
                 ,
                 because
                 You
                 cannot
                 go
                 to
                 Heaven
                 without
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 out
                 of
                 love
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 a
                 deep
                 sense
                 that
                 You
                 have
                 of
                 the
                 surpassing
                 Excellency
                 ,
                 and
                 Loveliness
                 ,
                 and
                 Beauty
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 thus
                 with
                 You
                 ,
                 You
                 are
                 the
                 Persons
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 hath
                 marked
                 for
                 his
                 Sheep
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 Come
                 ye
                 Blessed
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 have
                 this
                 Mark
                 upon
                 You
                 ,
                 come
                 and
                 understand
                 your
                 happiness
                 ;
                 You
                 are
                 marked
                 out
                 for
                 preservation
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 it
                 go
                 how
                 it
                 will
                 with
                 the
                 
                 rest
                 ;
                 this
                 I
                 know
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 go
                 well
                 with
                 you
                 that
                 fear
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 fear
                 before
                 him
                 .
                 You
                 are
                 the
                 separated
                 Ones
                 ,
                 the
                 sealed
                 Ones
                 ,
                 Upon
                 whom
                 the
                 Angel
                 hath
                 set
                 the
                 Seal
                 of
                 the
                 Living
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 you
                 are
                 redeemed
                 unto
                 God
                 from
                 among
                 men
                 ,
                 being
                 the
                 First-fruits
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 unto
                 the
                 Lamb
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 your
                 Fathers
                 Name
                 written
                 in
                 your
                 Fore-heads
                 .
              
               
                 Hear
                 ,
                 O
                 beloved
                 Flock
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 give
                 you
                 the
                 Salutation
                 of
                 the
                 Angels
                 ,
                 
                   Hail
                   ,
                   You
                   are
                   highly
                   favoured
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   Blessed
                   are
                   you
                   among
                   men
                
                 ;
                 though
                 you
                 are
                 but
                 poor
                 and
                 despised
                 ,
                 and
                 like
                 little
                 Benjamin
                 among
                 the
                 thousands
                 of
                 Judah
                 ;
                 You
                 carry
                 away
                 the
                 the
                 Blessing
                 and
                 the
                 Priviledge
                 from
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 .
                 God
                 hath
                 done
                 more
                 for
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 you
                 than
                 for
                 the
                 whole
                 World
                 of
                 Mankind
                 besides
                 ,
                 put
                 all
                 their
                 mercies
                 together
                 .
                 
                   Fear
                   not
                   little
                   Flock
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   your
                   Fathers
                   good
                   pleasure
                   to
                   give
                   you
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   .
                   Blessed
                   are
                   you
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   for
                   yours
                   is
                   the
                   Kingdome
                   of
                   Heaven
                   .
                
                 All
                 that
                 the
                 Scripture
                 speaks
                 of
                 that
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 Glory
                 ,
                 that
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 Peace
                 ,
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 that
                 Everlasting
                 Kingdome
                 ,
                 It
                 speaks
                 it
                 all
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 Behold
                 your
                 Inheritance
                 ,
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 believe
                 .
                 What
                 know
                 you
                 not
                 your
                 own
                 selves
                 ?
                 You
                 are
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Inheritours
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 Joint
                 Heirs
                 with
                 Christ
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Glory
                 .
                 Do
                 you
                 believe
                 this
                 ?
                 Take
                 heed
                 you
                 make
                 not
                 God
                 a
                 Lyar
                 :
                 His
                 Word
                 is
                 nigh
                 you
                 :
                 Have
                 you
                 not
                 the
                 Writings
                 in
                 your
                 hands
                 ?
                 Do
                 I
                 speak
                 any
                 thing
                 but
                 what
                 God
                 hath
                 spoken
                 ?
                 Shall
                 I
                 tell
                 you
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 which
                 shall
                 be
                 hereafter
                 ?
                 Why
                 thus
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 .
                 The
                 Son
                 of
                 man
                 shall
                 come
                 in
                 his
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 holy
                 Angels
                 with
                 him
                 :
                 Then
                 shall
                 he
                 sit
                 upon
                 the
                 Throne
                 of
                 his
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 separate
                 you
                 as
                 a
                 Shepherd
                 divideth
                 the
                 Sheep
                 from
                 the
                 Goats
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 set
                 you
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 right
                 hand
                 ,
                 Then
                 shall
                 the
                 King
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Come
                   ye
                   Blessed
                   of
                   my
                   Father
                   ,
                   inherit
                   the
                   Kingdome
                   prepared
                   for
                   you
                   .
                
              
               
                 Do
                 you
                 believe
                 yet
                 ?
                 Do
                 you
                 throughly
                 believe
                 ?
                 If
                 so
                 ,
                 then
                 my
                 work
                 is
                 done
                 ,
                 then
                 I
                 need
                 not
                 bid
                 you
                 Rejoyce
                 ,
                 nor
                 bid
                 you
                 be
                 Thankful
                 ,
                 onely
                 believe
                 .
                 Do
                 this
                 and
                 do
                 all
                 Believe
                 and
                 you
                 
                   will
                   rejoyce
                
                 with
                 Joy
                 unspeakeable
                 ,
                 and
                 full
                 of
                 Glory
                 .
                 Believe
                 and
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 Fruitfull
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 your
                 Faith
                 by
                 your
                 works
                 .
                 Believe
                 and
                 you
                 will
                 Love
                 ,
                 for
                 Faith
                 
                 worketh
                 by
                 love
                 .
                 In
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 keep
                 these
                 things
                 upon
                 your
                 Hearts
                 by
                 daily
                 and
                 lively
                 Consideration
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 will
                 bring
                 Heaven
                 into
                 your
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 ingage
                 you
                 to
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 holy
                 Conversation
                 ,
                 and
                 Godliness
                 .
                 This
                 will
                 mortifie
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 the
                 grand
                 Enemy
                 which
                 I
                 advise
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 I
                 charge
                 you
                 to
                 beware
                 of
                 .
                 When
                 Saul
                 had
                 gotten
                 his
                 Kingdome
                 ,
                 he
                 left
                 off
                 taking
                 Care
                 for
                 the
                 Asses
                 .
                 O
                 Remember
                 yours
                 is
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 :
                 What
                 are
                 You
                 the
                 better
                 that
                 You
                 have
                 all
                 this
                 in
                 your
                 Bibles
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 weigh
                 it
                 by
                 frequent
                 and
                 serious
                 Consideration
                 ,
                 and
                 ponder
                 these
                 sayings
                 in
                 your
                 Hearts
                 .
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 written
                 these
                 things
                 to
                 you
                 that
                 your
                 joy
                 may
                 be
                 full
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 Peace
                 I
                 leave
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 Christs
                 Embassador
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 an
                 Embassador
                 of
                 Peace
                 ;
                 his
                 Peace
                 I
                 pronounce
                 unto
                 you
                 :
                 In
                 his
                 Name
                 I
                 bless
                 you
                 .
                 Farewell
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   The
                   fervent
                   Well-willer
                   of
                   your
                   Souls
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   Devises
                   ,
                   
                     June
                     29.
                     1666.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXVII
                 .
                 [
                 Of
                 the
                 Second
                 coming
                 of
                 Christ.
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   Faithful
                   ,
                   and
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Loving
                   and
                   most
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   ,
                
              
               
                 THough
                 I
                 trust
                 my
                 Bonds
                 do
                 preach
                 to
                 You
                 ,
                 yet
                 methinks
                 that
                 doth
                 not
                 suffice
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Conscience
                 of
                 my
                 Duty
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 workings
                 of
                 my
                 Heart
                 towards
                 You
                 ,
                 are
                 still
                 calling
                 upon
                 me
                 to
                 stir
                 You
                 up
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Remembrance
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 You
                 know
                 and
                 be
                 established
                 in
                 the
                 present
                 Truth
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 Paul
                 do
                 call
                 upon
                 so
                 great
                 an
                 Evangelist
                 as
                 Timothy
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   Remember
                   that
                   Jesus
                   was
                   raised
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   Gospel
                   ,
                
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 I
                 be
                 often
                 calling
                 upon
                 my self
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 my
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 to
                 remember
                 and
                 meditate
                 upon
                 ,
                 and
                 closely
                 apply
                 the
                 great
                 and
                 weighty
                 Truths
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 which
                 You
                 have
                 already
                 received
                 ?
                 And
                 in
                 truth
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 in
                 
                   my self
                   and
                   you
                
                 another
                 manner
                 of
                 heat
                 and
                 warmth
                 in
                 the
                 insisting
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   plainest
                   Principles
                
                 of
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 setting
                 them
                 home
                 upon
                 
                   mine
                   own
                   heart
                   and
                   yours
                
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 dwelling
                 upon
                 any
                 more
                 
                   abstruse
                   Speculations
                
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 clearest
                 handling
                 of
                 which
                 ,
                 the
                 Preacher
                 may
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 much
                 like
                 the
                 Winter
                 nights
                 ,
                 very
                 bright
                 ,
                 but
                 very
                 cold
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 now
                 ,
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 with
                 Paul
                 call
                 upon
                 You
                 so
                 much
                 to
                 remember
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 Christ
                 :
                 
                   Behold
                   ,
                   He
                   cometh
                   in
                   the
                   Clouds
                   ,
                   and
                   every
                   Eye
                   shall
                   see
                   him
                
                 ;
                 Your
                 Eyes
                 and
                 mine
                 Eyes
                 :
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 Tribes
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 shall
                 mourn
                 because
                 of
                 him
                 :
                 But
                 we
                 shall
                 lift
                 up
                 our
                 heads
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Day
                 of
                 our
                 Redemption
                 
                 draweth
                 nigh
                 :
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 Day
                 I
                 look
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 wait
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 laid
                 up
                 all
                 my
                 hopes
                 in
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 Lord
                 return
                 not
                 ,
                 I
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 my self
                 undone
                 ,
                 my
                 Preaching
                 is
                 vain
                 ;
                 and
                 my
                 suffering
                 is
                 vain
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Bottom
                 in
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 intrusted
                 all
                 my
                 hopes
                 is
                 for
                 ever
                 miscarried
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 know
                 whom
                 I
                 have
                 trusted
                 :
                 We
                 are
                 built
                 upon
                 the
                 Foundations
                 of
                 that
                 sure
                 Word
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 built
                 upon
                 the
                 sand
                 of
                 Mortality
                 .
                 Nor
                 do
                 we
                 run
                 so
                 as
                 uncertainly
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 abideth
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 upon
                 which
                 word
                 do
                 we
                 hope
                 ;
                 How
                 fully
                 doth
                 this
                 word
                 assure
                 us
                 that
                 this
                 same
                 Jesus
                 that
                 is
                 gone
                 up
                 into
                 Heaven
                 shall
                 so
                 return
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 appear
                 the
                 Second
                 time
                 unto
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 look
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 how
                 sure
                 is
                 the
                 thing
                 !
                 How
                 near
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 !
                 How
                 Glorious
                 will
                 his
                 Appearing
                 be
                 !
              
               
                 The
                 thing
                 is
                 sure
                 ,
                 the
                 Day
                 is
                 set
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 appointed
                 2
                 Day
                 wherein
                 he
                 will
                 judge
                 the
                 World
                 by
                 that
                 man
                 whom
                 he
                 hath
                 〈◊〉
                 ;
                 The
                 manner
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 revealed
                 ,
                 
                   Behold
                   the
                   Lord
                   〈◊〉
                   with
                   ten
                   thousand
                   of
                   his
                   Saints
                   :
                
                 The
                 Attendants
                 are
                 appointed
                 and
                 nominated
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Son
                   of
                   Man
                   shall
                   come
                   in
                   his
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   his
                   holy
                   Angels
                   with
                   him
                   .
                
                 The
                 thing
                 You
                 see
                 is
                 established
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 circumstance
                 is
                 determined
                 .
                 How
                 sweet
                 are
                 the
                 words
                 that
                 dropped
                 from
                 the
                 pretious
                 Lips
                 of
                 our
                 departing
                 Lord
                 !
                 What
                 generous
                 Cordials
                 hath
                 he
                 left
                 us
                 in
                 his
                 parting
                 Sermons
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 last
                 Prayer
                 !
                 And
                 yet
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 those
                 are
                 the
                 sweetest
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   come
                   again
                   and
                   receive
                   you
                   to
                   my self
                   ,
                   that
                   where
                   I
                   am
                   ,
                   there
                   you
                   may
                   be
                   also
                   .
                
                 What
                 need
                 you
                 any
                 further
                 witness
                 :
                 You
                 have
                 heard
                 him
                 your selves
                 ,
                 assuring
                 you
                 of
                 his
                 Return
                 .
                 Doubtless
                 he
                 cannot
                 deceive
                 you
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 onely
                 known
                 ,
                 but
                 seen
                 and
                 felt
                 the
                 Truth
                 of
                 his
                 promises
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 will
                 he
                 come
                 ?
                 Tremble
                 then
                 ye
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 Triumph
                 ye
                 Saints
                 ,
                 Clap
                 your
                 hands
                 all
                 ye
                 that
                 look
                 for
                 the
                 Confolation
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
                 O
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 where
                 will
                 you
                 then
                 appear
                 ?
                 How
                 will
                 you
                 look
                 upon
                 him
                 whom
                 you
                 have
                 pierced
                 ?
                 Whom
                 you
                 have
                 persecuted
                 ?
                 Whose
                 great
                 Salvation
                 you
                 have
                 neglected
                 and
                 despised
                 ?
                 Wo
                 unto
                 you
                 that
                 ever
                 you
                 were
                 born
                 ,
                 unless
                 you
                 should
                 then
                 be
                 found
                 to
                 be
                 New-born
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 you
                 ,
                 O
                 Children
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 high
                 ,
                 how
                 will
                 you
                 forget
                 your
                 travel
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 melted
                 into
                 Joy.
                 This
                 is
                 he
                 in
                 whom
                 you
                 have
                 believed
                 ;
                 whom
                 having
                 not
                 seen
                 〈◊〉
                 loved
                 .
                 But
                 
                 how
                 will
                 Love
                 and
                 Joy
                 be
                 working
                 (
                 if
                 I
                 may
                 so
                 speak
                 )
                 with
                 pangs
                 unutterable
                 when
                 you
                 shall
                 see
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 hear
                 his
                 sweet
                 Voice
                 commending
                 ,
                 applauding
                 ,
                 approving
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 owning
                 you
                 by
                 Name
                 before
                 all
                 the
                 World.
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 thus
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 spoken
                 it
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 stagger
                 not
                 at
                 the
                 Promise
                 ,
                 but
                 give
                 Glory
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 Believing
                 .
              
               
                 Again
                 ,
                 The
                 Time
                 is
                 near
                 ,
                 
                   Yet
                   a
                   little
                   while
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   shall
                   come
                   will
                   come
                   .
                   Behold
                   ,
                   I
                   come
                   quickly
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 :
                 And
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   is
                   at
                   hand
                
                 :
                 Sure
                 You
                 are
                 ,
                 that
                 death
                 cannot
                 be
                 far
                 off
                 .
                 O
                 Christian
                 ,
                 thou
                 dost
                 not
                 know
                 but
                 the
                 next
                 year
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 possibly
                 the
                 next
                 week
                 ,
                 thou
                 mayest
                 be
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
                 Christ
                 will
                 not
                 long
                 endure
                 thine
                 absence
                 ,
                 but
                 will
                 have
                 thee
                 up
                 to
                 him
                 till
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 his
                 General
                 appearing
                 ;
                 when
                 he
                 will
                 take
                 us
                 up
                 altogether
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 ever
                 with
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
               
                 Soul
                 ,
                 believest
                 thou
                 this
                 ?
                 If
                 thou
                 dost
                 indeed
                 ,
                 what
                 remains
                 but
                 that
                 thou
                 shouldest
                 live
                 a
                 Life
                 of
                 Love
                 and
                 Praise
                 ;
                 studying
                 to
                 do
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 thou
                 〈◊〉
                 till
                 thou
                 come
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 and
                 waiting
                 all
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 thine
                 appointed
                 time
                 till
                 thy
                 change
                 shall
                 come
                 .
                 O
                 my
                 Soul.
                 look
                 out
                 and
                 long
                 .
                 O
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 be
                 you
                 as
                 the
                 Mother
                 of
                 〈◊〉
                 looking
                 out
                 at
                 the
                 Windows
                 ,
                 and
                 watching
                 at
                 the
                 Latices
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 why
                 are
                 his
                 Chariot-wheels
                 so
                 long
                 a
                 coming
                 .
                 Though
                 the
                 time
                 till
                 you
                 shall
                 see
                 him
                 be
                 but
                 very
                 short
                 ,
                 yet
                 love
                 and
                 longing
                 make
                 it
                 seem
                 tedious
                 .
              
               
                 My
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 comfort
                 your
                 hearts
                 with
                 these
                 Words
                 Look
                 upon
                 these
                 things
                 as
                 the
                 greatest
                 reallities
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 your
                 affections
                 be
                 answerable
                 to
                 your
                 expectations
                 .
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 told
                 you
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 unless
                 I
                 had
                 believed
                 them
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 this
                 hope
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 bound
                 with
                 this
                 Chain
                 .
                 The
                 Blessing
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Trinity
                 be
                 upon
                 You
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 yours
                 and
                 will
                 be
                 .
                 The
                 God
                 of
                 Peace
                 be
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 Rest
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   Embassador
                   in
                   Bonds
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     August
                     .
                     5.
                     1666.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXVIII
                 .
                 [
                 Of
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 Christ.
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   his
                   most
                   endeared
                   Friends
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   ,
                
              
               
                 MEthinks
                 my
                 Brests
                 are
                 not
                 easie
                 ,
                 unless
                 I
                 do
                 let
                 them
                 forth
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 Methings
                 there
                 is
                 somethink
                 still
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Weeks
                 work
                 is
                 not
                 ended
                 ,
                 unless
                 I
                 have
                 given
                 my
                 Soul
                 vent
                 ,
                 and
                 imparted
                 something
                 to
                 the
                 Beloved
                 flock
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 left
                 behind
                 .
                 And
                 Oh
                 ,
                 that
                 my
                 Letters
                 in
                 my
                 absence
                 might
                 be
                 useful
                 to
                 you
                 !
                 Assuredly
                 it
                 is
                 my
                 joy
                 to
                 serve
                 You
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Love
                 to
                 you
                 is
                 without
                 dissimulation
                 :
                 witness
                 my
                 twice
                 lost
                 Liberties
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 impaired
                 Health
                 ,
                 all
                 which
                 I
                 might
                 have
                 preserved
                 ,
                 had
                 it
                 not
                 been
                 for
                 my
                 readiness
                 to
                 minister
                 to
                 you
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 what
                 do
                 I
                 speak
                 of
                 my
                 Love
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 Sense
                 of
                 the
                 infinite
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 your
                 Father
                 that
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 to
                 dwell
                 upon
                 you
                 .
                 Forget
                 me
                 ,
                 so
                 you
                 remember
                 him
                 .
                 Let
                 me
                 be
                 very
                 little
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 be
                 very
                 lovely
                 in
                 your
                 Eyes
                 .
                 Let
                 him
                 be
                 as
                 the
                 Bucket
                 that
                 goes
                 up
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 be
                 as
                 the
                 Bucket
                 that
                 goes
                 down
                 .
                 Bury
                 me
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 but
                 set
                 the
                 Lord
                 always
                 before
                 you
                 .
                 Let
                 my
                 name
                 be
                 written
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 ,
                 so
                 his
                 Name
                 be
                 written
                 deep
                 upon
                 all
                 your
                 Souls
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 thy
                 Servant
                 ,
                 truly
                 I
                 am
                 thy
                 servant
                 ,
                 Glorifie
                 thine
                 own
                 Name
                 by
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 have
                 my
                 hand
                 to
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 be
                 hid
                 in
                 obscurity
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 disappear
                 through
                 the
                 overcoming
                 lustre
                 and
                 brightness
                 of
                 thy
                 Glory
                 .
              
               
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 understand
                 mine
                 Office
                 ,
                 I
                 Preach
                 not
                 my self
                 ,
                 
                 but
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 my self
                 your
                 Servant
                 for
                 Jesus
                 sake
                 .
                 Give
                 him
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 have
                 my
                 Errand
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 but
                 the
                 Friend
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Business
                 is
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 give
                 you
                 to
                 understand
                 his
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 gain
                 your
                 hearts
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 an
                 Object
                 worthy
                 of
                 my
                 Commendations
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 your
                 affections
                 .
                 His
                 Love
                 is
                 worth
                 the
                 writing
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 worth
                 the
                 thinking
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 worth
                 the
                 speaking
                 of
                 .
                 O
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 never
                 forget
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 how
                 he
                 loveth
                 You.
                 He
                 is
                 in
                 heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 You
                 are
                 on
                 earth
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 Glory
                 and
                 you
                 in
                 Rags
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 shining
                 Throne
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 in
                 dirty
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 he
                 loveth
                 you
                 .
                 His
                 heart
                 is
                 infinitely
                 tender
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 even
                 now
                 while
                 he
                 is
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Majesty
                 on
                 High.
                 How
                 feelingly
                 doth
                 he
                 cry
                 out
                 at
                 the
                 hurt
                 of
                 his
                 poor
                 Members
                 on
                 Earth
                 ?
                 
                   Saul
                   ,
                   Saul
                   ,
                   why
                   persecutest
                   thou
                   me
                   !
                
                 Oh
                 ,
                 of
                 what
                 quick
                 Sense
                 is
                 the
                 Sense
                 of
                 our
                 dear
                 Lord
                 unto
                 us
                 !
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 touched
                 on
                 Earth
                 he
                 feels
                 it
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 Christ
                 is
                 real
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 speaks
                 unto
                 you
                 :
                 He
                 is
                 not
                 like
                 a
                 flourishing
                 Lover
                 ,
                 who
                 fills
                 up
                 his
                 Letters
                 with
                 Rhetorick
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 more
                 care
                 of
                 the
                 dress
                 of
                 his
                 Speech
                 ,
                 than
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 .
                 Who
                 ever
                 gave
                 Demonstration
                 of
                 the
                 reallity
                 of
                 his
                 Love
                 at
                 so
                 dear
                 a
                 rate
                 as
                 Christ
                 hath
                 done
                 ?
                 Men
                 do
                 not
                 use
                 to
                 die
                 in
                 jest
                 :
                 Who
                 will
                 impoverish
                 himself
                 to
                 enrich
                 his
                 Friend
                 ?
                 and
                 divest
                 himself
                 of
                 his
                 honour
                 to
                 advance
                 him
                 ?
                 and
                 debase
                 himself
                 to
                 admiration
                 below
                 his
                 own
                 degree
                 to
                 contract
                 affinity
                 with
                 him
                 ?
                 and
                 all
                 this
                 but
                 to
                 make
                 him
                 believe
                 that
                 he
                 loves
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 possess
                 your
                 very
                 hearts
                 with
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 Christs
                 love
                 doth
                 go
                 out
                 with
                 infinite
                 dearness
                 towards
                 you
                 .
                 Even
                 now
                 while
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 Glory
                 ,
                 he
                 earnestly
                 remembers
                 you
                 still
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 High
                 Priest
                 that
                 now
                 is
                 entred
                 into
                 the
                 Holy
                 of
                 Holies
                 ,
                 doth
                 bear
                 your
                 names
                 particularly
                 ,
                 remembring
                 every
                 poor
                 believer
                 by
                 name
                 .
                 He
                 bears
                 your
                 names
                 ,
                 but
                 where
                 ?
                 upon
                 his
                 Brest-plate
                 ,
                 upon
                 his
                 Heart
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Text
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 28.
                 29.
                 
                 Ah
                 Christians
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 salute
                 you
                 as
                 the
                 Angel
                 did
                 
                   Mary
                   ,
                   Hail
                   you
                   that
                   are
                   highly
                   favoured
                   :
                   Blessed
                   are
                   you
                   among
                   men
                   .
                
                 Sure
                 your
                 Lot
                 is
                 fallen
                 in
                 an
                 happy
                 
                 place
                 ;
                 What
                 in
                 the
                 Bosom
                 of
                 Christ
                 ?
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 verily
                 you
                 may
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 doubt
                 not
                 .
                 I
                 may
                 apply
                 that
                 of
                 
                   Gabriel
                   ,
                   O
                   Daniel
                   ,
                   thou
                   art
                   greatly
                   beloved
                   ,
                
                 unto
                 you
                 ;
                 you
                 are
                 beloved
                 indeed
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 your
                 Names
                 written
                 upon
                 the
                 very
                 heart
                 of
                 Christ
                 now
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 Glory
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 ,
                 let
                 his
                 Name
                 be
                 written
                 then
                 on
                 your
                 hearts
                 .
                 Do
                 not
                 write
                 his
                 Name
                 in
                 the
                 Sand
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 hath
                 written
                 yours
                 upon
                 his
                 
                   own
                   Brest
                
                 !
                 Do
                 not
                 forget
                 him
                 who
                 hath
                 taken
                 such
                 care
                 ,
                 that
                 while
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 he
                 may
                 never
                 forget
                 you
                 ,
                 having
                 recorded
                 your
                 Names
                 not
                 onely
                 on
                 his
                 Book
                 ,
                 but
                 on
                 his
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 you
                 as
                 a
                 Seal
                 upon
                 his
                 Heart
                 .
                 He
                 hath
                 you
                 upon
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 but
                 why
                 ?
                 For
                 a
                 memorial
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 continually
                 ,
                 so
                 saith
                 the
                 Text.
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 your
                 Lord
                 is
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 forgetting
                 you
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 Greatness
                 and
                 Glory
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 gone
                 into
                 heaven
                 on
                 purpose
                 ,
                 there
                 to
                 present
                 you
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 alwaies
                 in
                 remembrance
                 before
                 him
                 .
                 O
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 Glory
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 Triumph
                 in
                 his
                 Love.
                 Doubtless
                 it
                 must
                 go
                 well
                 with
                 us
                 .
                 Who
                 shall
                 condemn
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 Christ
                 that
                 died
                 ,
                 and
                 rose
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 now
                 making
                 Intercession
                 .
                 His
                 Interest
                 is
                 potent
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 alwaies
                 present
                 .
                 Our
                 Advocate
                 is
                 never
                 out
                 of
                 Court.
                 Never
                 did
                 Cause
                 miscarry
                 in
                 his
                 hand
                 .
                 Trust
                 you
                 safely
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 Happy
                 is
                 that
                 man
                 for
                 whom
                 he
                 shall
                 undertake
                 to
                 speak
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 ,
                 the
                 Riches
                 of
                 Christs
                 Love
                 !
                 He
                 did
                 not
                 think
                 it
                 enough
                 to
                 die
                 for
                 You.
                 His
                 Love
                 and
                 care
                 doth
                 not
                 end
                 with
                 his
                 natural
                 Life
                 on
                 Earth
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 ever
                 liveth
                 to
                 make
                 Intercession
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 His
                 Love
                 is
                 like
                 his
                 Life
                 ,
                 ever
                 ,
                 ever
                 :
                 Knowing
                 no
                 remission
                 in
                 degree
                 ,
                 nor
                 intermission
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 no
                 cessation
                 of
                 working
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 ever
                 ,
                 ever
                 ,
                 in
                 motion
                 towards
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 when
                 shall
                 I
                 end
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 suffer
                 my
                 Soul
                 to
                 run
                 out
                 its
                 length
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 running
                 Pen
                 to
                 enlarge
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 demensions
                 of
                 this
                 boundless
                 Field
                 of
                 Divine
                 Love
                 ?
                 If
                 the
                 Pens
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 were
                 imployed
                 to
                 write
                 Volumes
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Tongues
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 living
                 were
                 exercised
                 in
                 nothing
                 else
                 but
                 talking
                 of
                 this
                 love
                 ;
                 If
                 all
                 the
                 Hearts
                 that
                 
                 be
                 were
                 made
                 up
                 of
                 Love
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 Powers
                 and
                 affections
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 were
                 turned
                 into
                 one
                 ,
                 to
                 wit
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 yet
                 this
                 were
                 no
                 less
                 than
                 infinitely
                 too
                 little
                 ,
                 either
                 to
                 conceive
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 express
                 the
                 greatness
                 of
                 Christs
                 Love.
                 
              
               
                 O
                 my
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 may
                 your
                 Souls
                 be
                 swallowed
                 up
                 in
                 this
                 Love.
                 Think
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 while
                 you
                 will
                 ,
                 you
                 can
                 never
                 think
                 how
                 much
                 You
                 are
                 beloved
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 ye
                 love
                 again
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Gratitude
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 of
                 Requital
                 :
                 What
                 though
                 your
                 Souls
                 be
                 but
                 narrow
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 powers
                 but
                 little
                 ,
                 yet
                 love
                 him
                 with
                 all
                 you
                 have
                 .
                 Love
                 him
                 with
                 all
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 your
                 strength
                 .
                 To
                 the
                 Meditations
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 Embraces
                 of
                 Divine
                 Love
                 I
                 leave
                 you
                 ,
                 thinking
                 it
                 now
                 not
                 worth
                 while
                 to
                 tell
                 You
                 of
                 my
                 Love
                 ,
                 Remaining
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   in
                   the
                   Bonds
                   of
                   your
                   most
                   dear
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     August
                     11.
                     1665.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXIX
                 .
                 [
                 Warning
                 to
                 Professors
                 of
                 their
                 Danger
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   most
                   Beloved
                   People
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dear
                   Friends
                
              
               
                 MY
                 top
                 Joy
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 my
                 Beloved
                 is
                 mine
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 his
                 :
                 but
                 next
                 to
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 Joy
                 so
                 great
                 as
                 that
                 You
                 are
                 mine
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 yours
                 ,
                 and
                 You
                 are
                 Christs
                 .
                 My
                 Relation
                 to
                 Christ
                 is
                 above
                 all
                 ;
                 He
                 is
                 my
                 Life
                 and
                 my
                 Peace
                 ,
                 my
                 Riches
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Righteousness
                 :
                 He
                 is
                 my
                 Hope
                 and
                 my
                 Strength
                 ,
                 and
                 mine
                 Inheritance
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Rejoycing
                 :
                 In
                 him
                 will
                 I
                 please
                 my self
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 him
                 will
                 I
                 glory
                 .
                 I
                 esteem
                 my self
                 most
                 Happy
                 and
                 Rich
                 ,
                 and
                 safe
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 though
                 of
                 my self
                 I
                 am
                 nothing
                 .
                 In
                 him
                 I
                 may
                 boast
                 without
                 Pride
                 ,
                 and
                 glory
                 without
                 Vanity
                 .
                 Here
                 is
                 no
                 danger
                 of
                 being
                 overmuch
                 pleased
                 ;
                 neither
                 can
                 the
                 Christian
                 exceed
                 his
                 Bounds
                 in
                 overvaluing
                 his
                 own
                 Riches
                 ,
                 and
                 Happiness
                 in
                 Christ.
                 I
                 am
                 greatly
                 pleased
                 with
                 the
                 Lot
                 that
                 is
                 fallen
                 to
                 me
                 :
                 The
                 Lord
                 hath
                 dealt
                 bountifully
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 none
                 shall
                 stop
                 this
                 my
                 confidence
                 of
                 boasting
                 in
                 Christ.
                 But
                 as
                 my
                 Lot
                 in
                 him
                 is
                 above
                 all
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 will
                 assure
                 You
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 content
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 that
                 my
                 Lot
                 is
                 fallen
                 with
                 You.
                 And
                 though
                 many
                 difficulties
                 have
                 fallen
                 to
                 my
                 Lot
                 among
                 You
                 (
                 for
                 I
                 have
                 broken
                 my
                 health
                 and
                 lost
                 my
                 Liberty
                 once
                 and
                 again
                 ,
                 for
                 Your
                 sakes
                 )
                 yet
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 move
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 wish
                 nothing
                 more
                 then
                 to
                 spend
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 spent
                 upon
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 your
                 Faith.
                 I
                 bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 it
                 as
                 an
                 invaluable
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 that
                 ever
                 he
                 called
                 me
                 to
                 be
                 an
                 Embassadour
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 to
                 You-wards
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 station
                 I
                 desire
                 to
                 approve
                 my self
                 to
                 
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 withdrawn
                 from
                 my
                 Work
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 but
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 return
                 to
                 you
                 refreshed
                 ,
                 and
                 inabled
                 for
                 my
                 Work
                 among
                 You.
                 You
                 may
                 not
                 think
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 forgotten
                 You
                 ,
                 and
                 consulted
                 my
                 own
                 ease
                 and
                 pleasure
                 :
                 but
                 if
                 God
                 prosper
                 my
                 Intentions
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 found
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 daily
                 serving
                 You
                 in
                 this
                 Retirement
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 assure
                 You
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 very
                 tender
                 of
                 preserving
                 all
                 that
                 little
                 strength
                 that
                 God
                 doth
                 add
                 to
                 me
                 entirely
                 for
                 Your
                 sakes
                 :
                 being
                 resolved
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 once
                 to
                 broach
                 the
                 Vessel
                 till
                 I
                 draw
                 forth
                 to
                 You.
                 I
                 bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 great
                 tranquility
                 here
                 in
                 this
                 Town
                 ,
                 and
                 walk
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 the
                 Corporation
                 without
                 any
                 Questioning
                 me
                 .
                 Onely
                 it
                 hath
                 pleased
                 the
                 Lord
                 to
                 add
                 to
                 my
                 Affliction
                 since
                 my
                 coming
                 ,
                 by
                 taking
                 away
                 my
                 dear
                 Father
                 ,
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 whose
                 glorious
                 Translation
                 was
                 the
                 day
                 after
                 my
                 arriving
                 here
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 do
                 believe
                 and
                 expect
                 the
                 return
                 of
                 the
                 Redeemer
                 with
                 all
                 his
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 most
                 glorious
                 Resurrection
                 of
                 my
                 own
                 dead
                 Body
                 with
                 all
                 Believers
                 :
                 and
                 this
                 makes
                 me
                 to
                 rest
                 in
                 Hope
                 ,
                 and
                 fills
                 me
                 with
                 unspeakable
                 more
                 Joy
                 than
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 my self
                 or
                 any
                 other
                 Saint
                 can
                 with
                 grief
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 I
                 make
                 it
                 my
                 business
                 to
                 be
                 rendred
                 serviceable
                 to
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 do
                 by
                 this
                 ,
                 return
                 You
                 my
                 hearty
                 thanks
                 for
                 your
                 earnest
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Intercessiors
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 my
                 behalf
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 must
                 do
                 the
                 Cure
                 :
                 I
                 seem
                 to
                 my self
                 to
                 be
                 ritired
                 to
                 this
                 place
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Vessel
                 rent
                 and
                 shatter'd
                 and
                 torn
                 in
                 the
                 Service
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 come
                 to
                 recruit
                 in
                 the
                 Harbour
                 :
                 And
                 here
                 I
                 am
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 rigging
                 ,
                 and
                 repairing
                 ,
                 and
                 Victualling
                 to
                 put
                 forth
                 again
                 in
                 the
                 Service
                 :
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 do
                 with
                 the
                 first
                 Wind
                 ,
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 I
                 am
                 ready
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 my
                 life
                 unless
                 I
                 am
                 serviceable
                 ?
                 And
                 though
                 I
                 must
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 forbear
                 my
                 wonted
                 Labour
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 cease
                 to
                 exhort
                 You
                 ,
                 and
                 call
                 upon
                 you
                 while
                 I
                 am
                 absent
                 from
                 You
                 ,
                 to
                 stand
                 fast
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 grow
                 up
                 in
                 your
                 holy
                 Faith.
                 
              
               
                 Be
                 warned
                 ,
                 my
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 that
                 You
                 fall
                 not
                 upon
                 these
                 dangerous
                 Rocks
                 upon
                 which
                 so
                 many
                 Professors
                 have
                 been
                 split
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 are
                 three
                 Things
                 which
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 carefully
                 to
                 beware
                 of
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   Lest
                   while
                   Christ
                   is
                   in
                   your
                   mouths
                   ,
                   the
                   world
                   run
                   away
                   with
                   your
                   hearts
                   :
                
                 There
                 is
                 many
                 a
                 seeming
                 Professor
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 a
                 meer
                 Idolater
                 ?
                 Many
                 a
                 Soul
                 goes
                 down
                 to
                 
                 Hell
                 in
                 this
                 sin
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 his
                 Profession
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 〈◊〉
                 it
                 till
                 it
                 be
                 too
                 late
                 .
                 Remember
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 You
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Oxen
                 ,
                 the
                 Farm
                 ,
                 Wife
                 ,
                 Merchandize
                 ,
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 lawful
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 did
                 as
                 effectually
                 keep
                 men
                 from
                 a
                 sound
                 and
                 saving
                 closing
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 vilest
                 lufts
                 of
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 Whatever
                 You
                 find
                 your
                 hearts
                 very
                 much
                 pleased
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 ,
                 among
                 these
                 earthly
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 set
                 a
                 mark
                 upon
                 that
                 thing
                 ,
                 and
                 remember
                 that
                 there
                 lies
                 your
                 greatest
                 danger
                 .
                 What
                 you
                 love
                 most
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 fear
                 most
                 ;
                 and
                 think
                 often
                 with
                 your selves
                 ,
                 This
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 my
                 ruine
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 the
                 multitudes
                 of
                 Professors
                 that
                 perish
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 secret
                 hand
                 of
                 this
                 mortal
                 Enemy
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 the
                 over-valuing
                 of
                 Earthly
                 things
                 .
                 The
                 hearers
                 compared
                 to
                 the
                 thorny
                 Ground
                 ,
                 did
                 not
                 openly
                 fall
                 away
                 and
                 cast
                 off
                 their
                 Profession
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 stony
                 ground
                 did
                 ;
                 but
                 while
                 others
                 withered
                 away
                 ,
                 the
                 blade
                 of
                 Profession
                 was
                 as
                 green
                 and
                 fresh
                 as
                 ever
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 their
                 inordinate
                 affection
                 to
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 did
                 secretly
                 undo
                 all
                 at
                 last
                 .
                 Little
                 do
                 most
                 Professors
                 think
                 of
                 this
                 ,
                 while
                 they
                 please
                 themselves
                 in
                 their
                 estates
                 ,
                 while
                 they
                 delight
                 themselves
                 so
                 freely
                 in
                 their
                 Children
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 Wives
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 habitations
                 and
                 possessions
                 ;
                 that
                 these
                 be
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 undo
                 them
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 How
                 little
                 is
                 that
                 Scripture
                 thought
                 of
                 ,
                 which
                 speaks
                 so
                 dreadfully
                 to
                 worldly
                 Professors
                 ;
                 
                   Love
                   not
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   for
                   if
                   any
                   man
                   love
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   the
                   love
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   him
                   .
                
                 Are
                 there
                 not
                 many
                 among
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 though
                 they
                 do
                 keep
                 up
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 holy
                 Duties
                 ;
                 yet
                 the
                 strength
                 and
                 vigour
                 of
                 their
                 hearts
                 goeth
                 out
                 after
                 earthly
                 things
                 ?
                 And
                 those
                 are
                 their
                 chief
                 Care
                 and
                 their
                 chief
                 Joy.
                 Such
                 must
                 know
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 none
                 of
                 Christs
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 were
                 better
                 to
                 understand
                 it
                 now
                 ,
                 and
                 seek
                 to
                 be
                 renewed
                 by
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 then
                 hereafter
                 when
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 no
                 place
                 for
                 Repentance
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   Lest
                   while
                   iniquity
                   doth
                   abound
                   ,
                   your
                   love
                   to
                   Christ
                   doth
                   wax
                   cold
                   .
                
                 Remember
                 what
                 an
                 Abomination
                 Laodicoa
                 was
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 because
                 she
                 grow
                 so
                 luke-warm
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 a
                 controversie
                 he
                 had
                 with
                 Ephesus
                 ,
                 a
                 sound
                 Church
                 ,
                 because
                 she
                 did
                 but
                 slacken
                 and
                 grow
                 more
                 remiss
                 in
                 her
                 love
                 .
                 A
                 Friend
                 is
                 born
                 for
                 Adversity
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 will
                 prove
                 the
                 sincerity
                 of
                 your
                 love
                 and
                 friendship
                 to
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 following
                 him
                 zealously
                 ,
                 resolvedly
                 ,
                 fully
                 ,
                 now
                 he
                 is
                 most
                 rejected
                 and
                 opposed
                 .
              
               
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                   Lest
                   you
                   keep
                   up
                   a
                   〈◊〉
                   and
                   fruitless
                   Profession
                   ,
                   without
                   Progression
                   :
                
                 See
                 to
                 it
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 that
                 You
                 be
                 not
                 onely
                 Professors
                 ,
                 but
                 proficients
                 :
                 Many
                 Professors
                 think
                 all
                 is
                 well
                 because
                 they
                 keep
                 on
                 in
                 the
                 Exercises
                 of
                 Religion
                 ;
                 but
                 alas
                 !
                 You
                 may
                 keep
                 on
                 Praying
                 ,
                 and
                 hearing
                 all
                 the
                 Week
                 long
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 be
                 not
                 one
                 jot
                 the
                 further
                 .
                 Many
                 there
                 are
                 that
                 keep
                 going
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 like
                 the
                 Horse
                 in
                 the
                 Mill
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 going
                 all
                 day
                 ,
                 but
                 yet
                 is
                 no
                 further
                 than
                 when
                 he
                 first
                 began
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 it
                 oft
                 times
                 happens
                 in
                 the
                 Trade
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 doth
                 in
                 Trading
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 where
                 many
                 keep
                 on
                 in
                 Trading
                 still
                 ,
                 till
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 care
                 and
                 caution
                 ,
                 and
                 examining
                 their
                 accounts
                 whether
                 they
                 go
                 forward
                 or
                 backward
                 ,
                 they
                 Trade
                 themselves
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 look
                 to
                 it
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 You
                 rest
                 in
                 the
                 doing
                 of
                 Duties
                 ,
                 but
                 examine
                 what
                 comes
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Otherwise
                 as
                 You
                 may
                 Trade
                 your selves
                 into
                 Poverty
                 ,
                 so
                 you
                 may
                 hear
                 and
                 pray
                 your selves
                 into
                 hardness
                 of
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 desperate
                 security
                 ,
                 and
                 formality
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 the
                 very
                 Case
                 of
                 wretched
                 Laodicea
                 ,
                 who
                 kept
                 up
                 the
                 Trade
                 of
                 Religious
                 Duties
                 ,
                 and
                 verily
                 thought
                 that
                 all
                 was
                 well
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Trade
                 still
                 went
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 she
                 was
                 increased
                 in
                 spiritual
                 Goods
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 gaining
                 way
                 :
                 but
                 when
                 her
                 accounts
                 were
                 cast
                 up
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 all
                 comes
                 to
                 nothing
                 ,
                 and
                 ends
                 in
                 wretchedness
                 ,
                 poverty
                 ,
                 and
                 nakedness
                 .
                 Most
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 I
                 wish
                 and
                 pray
                 for
                 the
                 prosperity
                 of
                 you
                 all
                 :
                 but
                 above
                 all
                 ,
                 I
                 wish
                 your
                 Souls
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 with
                 which
                 ,
                 after
                 my
                 most
                 dear
                 Loves
                 to
                 You
                 all
                 ,
                 having
                 already
                 exceeded
                 the
                 bounds
                 of
                 an
                 Epistle
                 ,
                 I
                 commend
                 You
                 to
                 the
                 living
                 God
                 ,
                 Remaining
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   fervent
                   well
                   wisher
                   and
                   Embassador
                   in
                   Christ.
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   Devises
                   ,
                   
                     June
                     22.
                     1666.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXX
                 .
                 [
                 An
                 Admiration
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God.
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   loving
                   and
                   most
                   Dearly
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   My
                   most
                   dear
                   Friends
                   ,
                
              
               
                 I
                 Love
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 long
                 for
                 you
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 weary
                 with
                 forbearing
                 that
                 good
                 and
                 blessed
                 Work
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 committed
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 furtherance
                 of
                 your
                 Salvation
                 .
                 How
                 long
                 Lord
                 ,
                 how
                 long
                 shall
                 I
                 dwell
                 in
                 silence
                 !
                 How
                 long
                 shall
                 my
                 Tongue
                 cleave
                 to
                 the
                 Roof
                 of
                 my
                 Mouth
                 !
                 When
                 will
                 God
                 open
                 my
                 Lips
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 stand
                 up
                 and
                 praise
                 him
                 ?
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 my
                 Fathers
                 good
                 pleasure
                 yet
                 to
                 keep
                 me
                 in
                 a
                 total
                 disability
                 of
                 publishing
                 his
                 Name
                 among
                 you
                 ;
                 unto
                 him
                 my
                 soul
                 shall
                 patiently
                 subscribe
                 .
                 I
                 may
                 not
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 complain
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 hard
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 or
                 useth
                 me
                 with
                 Rigour
                 :
                 I
                 am
                 full
                 of
                 the
                 Mercies
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 Brimful
                 and
                 running
                 over
                 ,
                 And
                 shall
                 I
                 complain
                 ?
                 Far
                 be
                 it
                 from
                 me
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 though
                 I
                 may
                 not
                 murmur
                 ,
                 methinks
                 I
                 may
                 mourn
                 a
                 little
                 ,
                 and
                 sit
                 down
                 and
                 wish
                 ,
                 O
                 if
                 I
                 may
                 not
                 have
                 a
                 Tongue
                 to
                 speak
                 ,
                 would
                 I
                 had
                 but
                 Hands
                 to
                 Write
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 from
                 my
                 Pen
                 drop
                 some
                 heavenly
                 Councels
                 to
                 my
                 Beloved
                 People
                 .
                 Methinks
                 my
                 feeble
                 Fingers
                 do
                 even
                 Itch
                 to
                 Write
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 ,
                 alas
                 my
                 Right-hand
                 seems
                 to
                 have
                 forgot
                 her
                 cunning
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 much
                 ado
                 with
                 trembling
                 to
                 lift
                 the
                 Bread
                 unto
                 my
                 Mouth
                 .
                 Do
                 you
                 think
                 you
                 should
                 have
                 had
                 so
                 little
                 to
                 shew
                 under
                 my
                 Hand
                 ,
                 to
                 bear
                 witness
                 of
                 my
                 Care
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 Love
                 to
                 you
                 if
                 God
                 had
                 not
                 shook
                 my
                 Pen
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 out
                 of
                 my
                 Hand
                 ?
                 But
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 is
                 done
                 well
                 ,
                 and
                 wisely
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 I
                 submit
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 purposed
                 
                 to
                 borrow
                 Hands
                 wherewith
                 to
                 Write
                 unto
                 my
                 Beloved
                 rather
                 then
                 to
                 be
                 silent
                 any
                 longer
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 where
                 shall
                 I
                 begin
                 ,
                 or
                 when
                 should
                 I
                 end
                 ?
                 If
                 I
                 think
                 to
                 speak
                 of
                 the
                 Mercies
                 of
                 God
                 towards
                 me
                 ,
                 or
                 mine
                 enlarged
                 affections
                 towards
                 you
                 ,
                 methinks
                 I
                 feel
                 already
                 how
                 strait
                 this
                 Paper
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 insignificant
                 my
                 Expressions
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 insufficient
                 all
                 that
                 I
                 can
                 say
                 will
                 prove
                 at
                 last
                 to
                 utter
                 what
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 tell
                 you
                 ;
                 but
                 shall
                 I
                 say
                 nothing
                 because
                 I
                 cannot
                 utter
                 all
                 ,
                 this
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 neither
                 .
              
               
                 Come
                 then
                 all
                 ye
                 that
                 fear
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 come
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 tell
                 you
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 for
                 my
                 Soul.
                 O
                 help
                 me
                 to
                 love
                 that
                 precious
                 Name
                 of
                 his
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 above
                 all
                 my
                 Praises
                 .
                 O
                 love
                 the
                 Lord
                 all
                 ye
                 his
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 fear
                 before
                 him
                 !
                 magnifie
                 the
                 Lord
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 us
                 exalt
                 his
                 Name
                 together
                 !
                 he
                 hath
                 remembred
                 my
                 low
                 estate
                 ,
                 because
                 his
                 Mercy
                 endureth
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 O
                 blessed
                 be
                 you
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 my
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 O
                 thrice
                 blessed
                 may
                 you
                 be
                 for
                 all
                 your
                 Remembrances
                 of
                 me
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 wrestled
                 with
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 wrestled
                 me
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 very
                 Jaws
                 of
                 Death
                 it self
                 :
                 O
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 Prayer
                 !
                 Surely
                 it
                 is
                 stronger
                 than
                 Death
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 You
                 even
                 honour
                 the
                 power
                 and
                 prevalency
                 of
                 Prayer
                 :
                 Oh
                 be
                 in
                 Love
                 with
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 high
                 and
                 venerable
                 thoughts
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 What
                 Distresses
                 ,
                 Diseases
                 .
                 Deaths
                 can
                 stand
                 before
                 it
                 ?
                 Surely
                 I
                 live
                 by
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 Prayer
                 hath
                 given
                 a
                 Resurrection
                 to
                 this
                 Body
                 of
                 mine
                 ,
                 when
                 Physicians
                 ,
                 and
                 Friends
                 had
                 given
                 up
                 their
                 hopes
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 my
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 methinks
                 it
                 delights
                 me
                 to
                 tell
                 the
                 Story
                 of
                 your
                 Love
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 towards
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 forgotten
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 forgotten
                 your
                 tender
                 Love
                 in
                 all
                 my
                 Distresses
                 .
                 I
                 remember
                 your
                 kindness
                 to
                 me
                 in
                 my
                 Bonds
                 ,
                 when
                 once
                 and
                 again
                 I
                 was
                 delivered
                 up
                 to
                 a
                 Prison
                 for
                 your
                 sakes
                 .
                 I
                 remember
                 with
                 much
                 delight
                 ,
                 how
                 You
                 refreshed
                 and
                 comforted
                 me
                 in
                 my
                 Tribulations
                 ,
                 how
                 open
                 your
                 hearts
                 were
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 hands
                 were
                 not
                 straightned
                 neither
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 was
                 in
                 want
                 of
                 nothing
                 .
                 I
                 may
                 not
                 ,
                 I
                 must
                 not
                 forget
                 what
                 painful
                 Journies
                 you
                 took
                 to
                 visit
                 me
                 ,
                 when
                 in
                 places
                 Remote
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 had
                 touched
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 though
                 my
                 long
                 Sickness
                 was
                 almost
                 incredible
                 Expensive
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 yet
                 your
                 
                 supplies
                 did
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 lighten
                 my
                 Burthen
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 though
                 I
                 put
                 it
                 last
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 mind
                 it
                 least
                 ,
                 that
                 You
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 ready
                 in
                 returning
                 Praises
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 my
                 behalf
                 ,
                 your
                 Thanksgiving
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 my
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 do
                 administer
                 abundant
                 cause
                 to
                 me
                 of
                 my
                 giving
                 thanks
                 unto
                 You.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 now
                 my
                 Heart
                 methinks
                 is
                 big
                 to
                 tell
                 You
                 a
                 little
                 of
                 my
                 Loue
                 to
                 You
                 ,
                 surely
                 You
                 are
                 dear
                 unto
                 me
                 ;
                 but
                 though
                 it
                 be
                 sweet
                 to
                 tell
                 the
                 Story
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 yet
                 in
                 this
                 I
                 will
                 restrain
                 my self
                 .
                 For
                 I
                 fear
                 least
                 as
                 the
                 Wise
                 man
                 saith
                 of
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 strife
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 should
                 find
                 of
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 like
                 the
                 letting
                 forth
                 of
                 the
                 Water
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 rather
                 I
                 do
                 forbear
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 hope
                 you
                 have
                 better
                 Testimonies
                 than
                 Words
                 ,
                 to
                 bear
                 Witness
                 herein
                 unto
                 You.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 if
                 I
                 sing
                 the
                 Song
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 O
                 let
                 Divine
                 Love
                 overcarry
                 the
                 Praise
                 ;
                 I
                 found
                 my self
                 in
                 straights
                 when
                 I
                 began
                 to
                 speak
                 of
                 the
                 natural
                 Love
                 between
                 my
                 dear
                 People
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 unworthy
                 Minister
                 of
                 Christ
                 to
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 seemed
                 that
                 all
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 said
                 was
                 much
                 too
                 little
                 ,
                 but
                 now
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 speak
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 seems
                 to
                 be
                 by
                 far
                 too
                 much
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 infinite
                 Love
                 never
                 to
                 be
                 Comprehended
                 ,
                 but
                 ever
                 to
                 be
                 Admired
                 ,
                 Magnified
                 ,
                 and
                 Adored
                 by
                 every
                 Creature
                 !
                 O
                 let
                 my
                 Heart
                 be
                 filled
                 ,
                 let
                 my
                 Mouth
                 be
                 filled
                 ,
                 let
                 my
                 Papers
                 be
                 filled
                 ,
                 ever
                 ever
                 filled
                 with
                 the
                 thankful
                 Commemoration
                 of
                 this
                 matchless
                 Love.
                 O
                 turn
                 your
                 Eyes
                 from
                 other
                 Objects
                 !
                 O
                 Bury
                 me
                 in
                 Forgetfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 my
                 Love
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 mentioned
                 nor
                 had
                 in
                 remembrance
                 among
                 You
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 You
                 may
                 be
                 throughly
                 possessed
                 and
                 inflamed
                 with
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God.
                 This
                 ,
                 my
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 Love
                 which
                 is
                 ever
                 to
                 be
                 Commended
                 ,
                 and
                 Extolled
                 by
                 You.
                 See
                 that
                 You
                 studie
                 this
                 Love
                 ,
                 fill
                 your
                 Souls
                 with
                 wonder
                 ,
                 and
                 feast
                 your
                 Souls
                 with
                 joy
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 ravished
                 with
                 rich
                 contentment
                 in
                 this
                 Divine
                 Love
                 :
                 Take
                 your
                 daily
                 walk
                 ,
                 and
                 lose
                 your selves
                 in
                 the
                 Field
                 of
                 Love
                 :
                 Drink
                 ,
                 O
                 Friends
                 ,
                 yea
                 drink
                 abundantly
                 ,
                 O
                 Beloyed
                 ,
                 fear
                 no
                 excess
                 .
                 O
                 that
                 your
                 Souls
                 may
                 be
                 drencht
                 and
                 drowned
                 in
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 till
                 You
                 can
                 every
                 one
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 ravisht
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   am
                   sick
                   of
                   Love.
                
                 Marvel
                 not
                 that
                 I
                 wander
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 seem
                 to
                 forget
                 the
                 bounds
                 of
                 a
                 Letter
                 ,
                 this
                 Love
                 obligeth
                 me
                 ,
                 Yea
                 ,
                 rather
                 constraineth
                 me
                 .
                 Who
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Earth
                 should
                 admire
                 
                 and
                 commend
                 this
                 Love
                 if
                 I
                 should
                 not
                 ?
                 I
                 feel
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 taste
                 it
                 ,
                 the
                 sweet
                 Savour
                 thereof
                 Reviveth
                 my
                 Soul
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 Light
                 to
                 mine
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 Life
                 co
                 mine
                 Heart
                 ;
                 the
                 warm
                 Beams
                 of
                 this
                 blessed
                 Sun
                 ,
                 O
                 how
                 have
                 they
                 Comforted
                 me
                 ,
                 Ravished
                 ,
                 and
                 Refreshed
                 me
                 both
                 in
                 Body
                 and
                 Soul
                 !
                 My
                 benumbed
                 Limbs
                 ,
                 my
                 withered
                 Hands
                 ,
                 my
                 feeble
                 Knees
                 ,
                 my
                 Bones
                 quite
                 naked
                 of
                 Flesh
                 do
                 yet
                 again
                 Revive
                 through
                 the
                 Quickning
                 ,
                 Healing
                 ,
                 and
                 Raising
                 influence
                 of
                 Divine
                 Grace
                 and
                 Love.
                 Now
                 my
                 own
                 Hands
                 can
                 feed
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 own
                 feet
                 can
                 bear
                 me
                 ,
                 my
                 Appetlte
                 is
                 quick
                 ,
                 my
                 Sleep
                 comfortable
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 give
                 some
                 increase
                 continually
                 though
                 by
                 insensible
                 Degrees
                 ;
                 And
                 shall
                 not
                 I
                 praise
                 that
                 Love
                 and
                 Grace
                 that
                 hath
                 done
                 all
                 this
                 for
                 me
                 ?
                 Yea
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 this
                 to
                 all
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 tell
                 You
                 ?
                 My
                 Heart
                 is
                 enlarged
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 told
                 You
                 Paper
                 could
                 not
                 hold
                 what
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 speak
                 of
                 the
                 Goodness
                 of
                 the
                 All-Gracious
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 I
                 live
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 forced
                 to
                 end
                 ,
                 least
                 you
                 should
                 not
                 bear
                 my
                 length
                 .
                 My
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 send
                 my
                 Heart
                 unto
                 You
                 ,
                 divide
                 my
                 Love
                 amongst
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 particularly
                 tender
                 it
                 to
                 your
                 Reverend
                 and
                 Faithfull
                 Pastour
                 ,
                 whose
                 Presence
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 Painfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 Watchfulness
                 over
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 Zeal
                 and
                 Courage
                 for
                 you
                 in
                 so
                 dangerous
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 is
                 matter
                 of
                 my
                 great
                 Joy
                 and
                 Thanksgivings
                 unto
                 God.
                 The
                 Grace
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 be
                 with
                 you
                 all
                 .
                 Fare
                 you
                 well
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 remain
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   unworthy
                   Minister
                   and
                   servent
                   Well
                   wisher
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXXI
                 .
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   most
                   endeared
                   People
                   ,
                   the
                   Inhabitants
                   of
                   Taunton
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dearly
                   Beloved
                   and
                   longed
                   for
                   ,
                   my
                   Joy
                   and
                   Crown
                   ,
                
              
               
                 MY
                 Hearts
                 desire
                 and
                 Prayer
                 for
                 you
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 saved
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 Praying
                 and
                 Studying
                 ,
                 and
                 Preaching
                 for
                 these
                 many
                 Years
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 my
                 Venturing
                 ,
                 and
                 Suffering
                 ,
                 and
                 Writing
                 at
                 this
                 present
                 time
                 .
                 God
                 that
                 knoweth
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 he
                 knoweth
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 my
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 Oh
                 that
                 I
                 could
                 but
                 come
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 Souls
                 !
                 And
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Pride
                 and
                 the
                 Gain
                 that
                 I
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 I
                 might
                 〈◊〉
                 Souls
                 .
                 I
                 seek
                 〈◊〉
                 other
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 give
                 〈◊〉
                 your
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 let
                 me
                 but
                 part
                 between
                 your
                 sins
                 and
                 You
                 〈◊〉
                 me
                 but
                 to
                 save
                 You
                 ;
                 give
                 me
                 〈◊〉
                 to
                 carry
                 you
                 〈◊〉
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 ask
                 you
                 any
                 more
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 〈◊〉
                 You
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 suffer
                 for
                 You
                 thankfully
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 may
                 but
                 save
                 You.
                 Do
                 not
                 wonder
                 why
                 I
                 follow
                 you
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 I
                 call
                 upon
                 you
                 so
                 frequently
                 〈◊〉
                 ;
                 not
                 my
                 〈◊〉
                 be
                 grievous
                 to
                 You
                 ,
                 all
                 this
                 is
                 but
                 to
                 save
                 You.
                 Christ
                 did
                 not
                 bethink
                 his
                 Blood
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 I
                 bethink
                 my
                 Breath
                 ,
                 or
                 Ink
                 ,
                 too
                 〈◊〉
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 your
                 Salvation
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 any
                 of
                 You
                 should
                 miscarry
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Ignorance
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 a
                 prophane
                 Negligence
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 formal
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 Profession
                 of
                 strict
                 God
                 liness
                 .
              
               
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 afraid
                 of
                 You
                 lest
                 (
                 as
                 to
                 many
                 of
                 You
                 )
                 I
                 have
                 run
                 in
                 vain
                 .
                 I
                 cannot
                 but
                 most
                 thankfully
                 acknowledg
                 ,
                 that
                 (
                 considering
                 the
                 Paucity
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 saved
                 )
                 there
                 are
                 not
                 a
                 few
                 of
                 You
                 who
                 are
                 the
                 Joy
                 of
                 your
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 Christ.
                 But
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 dissembled
                 ,
                 that
                 far
                 the
                 greater
                 number
                 give
                 little
                 ground
                 to
                 Hope
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 Salvation
                 .
                 And
                 must
                 not
                 this
                 be
                 a
                 pinching
                 thought
                 to
                 a
                 compassionate
                 Teacher
                 ,
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 cannot
                 for
                 his
                 heart
                 perswade
                 men
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 them
                 will
                 wilfully
                 throw
                 away
                 themselves
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 a
                 woful
                 sight
                 ,
                 to
                 behold
                 the
                 Devils
                 driving
                 a
                 great
                 part
                 of
                 our
                 miserable
                 Flocks
                 (
                 as
                 they
                 did
                 once
                 the
                 Herd
                 of
                 Swine
                 ,
                 the
                 Keepers
                 themselves
                 amazed
                 looking
                 on
                 .
                 )
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 driving
                 them
                 violently
                 down
                 the
                 hill
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 be
                 choaked
                 in
                 the
                 Water
                 ,
                 and
                 drowned
                 irrecoverably
                 in
                 the
                 Gulf
                 of
                 endless
                 Perdition
                 ?
                 Ah
                 miserable
                 spectacle
                 !
                 What
                 through
                 the
                 wilful
                 blindness
                 of
                 some
                 ,
                 what
                 through
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 sensuality
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 what
                 through
                 the
                 halving
                 ,
                 and
                 Cold
                 ,
                 and
                 customary
                 Religion
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 how
                 great
                 a
                 number
                 of
                 our
                 poor
                 Flocks
                 ,
                 is
                 〈◊〉
                 like
                 to
                 carry
                 utterly
                 away
                 from
                 us
                 ,
                 after
                 all
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 done
                 to
                 save
                 〈◊〉
                 ?
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 I
                 〈◊〉
                 but
                 call
                 after
                 them
                 .
                 Hearken
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 Oye
                 Children
                 .
                 How
                 long
                 will
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 and
                 follow
                 〈◊〉
                 Leasing
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 in
                 lying
                 Words
                 ?
                 As
                 the
                 Lord
                 〈◊〉
                 You
                 are
                 lost
                 ,
                 except
                 you
                 turn
                 :
                 Wherefore
                 turn
                 your
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 live
                 ye
                 .
                 Ah
                 how
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 you
                 !
                 How
                 it
                 〈◊〉
                 to
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 to
                 you
                 ?
                 Hear
                 ,
                 O
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 hear
                 .
                 See
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 merciful
                 Saviour
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 〈◊〉
                 forth
                 his
                 hands
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 long
                 ,
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 Wings
                 ,
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 you
                 as
                 a
                 Hen
                 doth
                 her
                 〈◊〉
                 !
                 hear
                 you
                 not
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 his
                 Bowels
                 ?
                 He
                 hath
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 You
                 ;
                 Yet
                 How
                 do
                 his
                 )
                 Compassions
                 melt
                 over
                 perishing
                 Sinners
                 ?
                 his
                 he
                 〈◊〉
                 is
                 〈◊〉
                 within
                 him
                 ,
                 And
                 shall
                 not
                 this
                 〈◊〉
                 your
                 〈◊〉
                 ?
                 his
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 are
                 kindled
                 together
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 not
                 this
                 〈◊〉
                 You
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 ?
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 at
                 the
                 Door
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 O
                 man
                 wilt
                 thou
                 keep
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 and
                 lodge
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   as
                
                 in
                 
                 42.
                 
                 He
                 crieth
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 1.
                 21
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 How
                 long
                 ye
                 simple
                 ones
                 ,
                 will
                 you
                 love
                 〈◊〉
                 ?
                 Will
                 you
                 not
                 be
                 made
                 clean
                 ?
                 When
                 shall
                 it
                 once
                 be
                 ?
                 Why
                 will
                 you
                 die
                 ?
                 Turn
                 you
                 at
                 my
                 Reproof
                 Behold
                 ,
                 I
                 wll
                 pour
                 out
                 my
                 Spirit
                 upon
                 you
                 .
                 Sinner
                 ,
                 art
                 thou
                 not
                 yet
                 melted
                 ?
                 Oh
                 come
                 in
                 at
                 his
                 loving
                 Calls
                 ,
                 Come
                 out
                 from
                 thy
                 〈◊〉
                 :
                 Touch
                 the
                 Scepter
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 live
                 :
                 Why
                 shouldest
                 thou
                 〈◊〉
                 dashed
                 in
                 〈◊〉
                 by
                 his
                 
                 Iron
                 Rod
                 ?
                 Kiss
                 the
                 Son
                 :
                 Why
                 shouldst
                 thou
                 〈◊〉
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ?
                 Set
                 up
                 Jesus
                 as
                 thy
                 King
                 ,
                 lest
                 he
                 count
                 thee
                 for
                 his
                 Enemy
                 ,
                 because
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 Reign
                 〈◊〉
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 thou
                 be
                 called
                 forth
                 and
                 slain
                 before
                 him
                 .
                 Oh
                 how
                 dreadful
                 will
                 this
                 Case
                 be
                 ,
                 to
                 perish
                 under
                 the
                 pitiful
                 Eyes
                 of
                 his
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 〈◊〉
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 a
                 〈◊〉
                 !
                 Oh
                 double
                 hell
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 thy
                 Redeemer
                 become
                 thine
                 〈◊〉
                 !
                 And
                 the
                 hand
                 that
                 was
                 so
                 long
                 stretched
                 forth
                 to
                 save
                 thee
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 now
                 stretched
                 forth
                 to
                 slay
                 thee
                 !
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 merciful
                 heart
                 of
                 Christ
                 himself
                 hardned
                 against
                 thee
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 call
                 thee
                 forth
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 hand
                 hew
                 thee
                 in
                 pieces
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 Samuel
                 did
                 Agag
                 before
                 the
                 Lord.
                 )
              
               
                 But
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 too
                 too
                 long
                 in
                 prefacing
                 to
                 what
                 I
                 intended
                 forthwith
                 to
                 have
                 fallen
                 upon
                 :
                 Indeed
                 I
                 am
                 apt
                 to
                 run
                 out
                 in
                 matters
                 that
                 do
                 so
                 nearly
                 touch
                 upon
                 your
                 greatest
                 〈◊〉
                 .
              
               
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 I
                 despair
                 of
                 ever
                 bringing
                 You
                 to
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 Sanctification
                 :
                 Or
                 possessing
                 You
                 with
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 without
                 perfwading
                 You
                 to
                 holiness
                 .
                 God
                 knows
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 hope
                 ever
                 to
                 see
                 one
                 of
                 your
                 Faces
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 except
                 You
                 be
                 Converted
                 and
                 Sanctified
                 ,
                 and
                 Exercise
                 your selves
                 〈◊〉
                 Godliness
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 I
                 drive
                 at
                 .
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 You
                 study
                 to
                 further
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Family
                   Godliness
                   .
                
                 !
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Personal
                   Godliness
                
                 .
                 Let
                 it
                 be
                 your
                 〈◊〉
                 care
                 to
                 set
                 up
                 Christ
                 in
                 your
                 Hearts
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 make
                 all
                 your
                 worldly
                 Interests
                 to
                 stoop
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 You
                 be
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 devoted
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 wilfully
                 ,
                 and
                 deliberately
                 ,
                 and
                 ordinarily
                 harbour
                 any
                 sin
                 ,
                 You
                 are
                 undone
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 You
                 unfeignedly
                 take
                 the
                 Laws
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 rule
                 of
                 your
                 words
                 ,
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 actions
                 ;
                 and
                 subject
                 your
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 man
                 ,
                 members
                 and
                 mind
                 faithfully
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 If
                 You
                 have
                 a
                 true
                 respect
                 to
                 all
                 Gods
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 〈◊〉
                 at
                 heart
                 .
                 Oh
                 study
                 to
                 get
                 the
                 image
                 and
                 impress
                 of
                 Christ
                 upon
                 you
                 within
                 .
                 Begin
                 with
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 you
                 build
                 without
                 a
                 foundation
                 .
                 Labour
                 to
                 get
                 a
                 saving
                 change
                 within
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 all
                 external
                 performances
                 will
                 be
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 study
                 to
                 shew
                 forth
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 〈◊〉
                 in
                 the
                 life
                 .
                 Let
                 piety
                 be
                 your
                 first
                 and
                 great
                 business
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 highest
                 point
                 of
                 Justice
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 God
                 his
                 due
                 .
                 Beware
                 
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 be
                 a
                 Prayerless
                 person
                 :
                 for
                 that
                 is
                 a
                 most
                 certain
                 discovery
                 of
                 a
                 Christless
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 graceless
                 person
                 ,
                 of
                 one
                 that
                 is
                 a
                 very
                 stranger
                 to
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God.
                 Suffer
                 not
                 your
                 Bibles
                 to
                 gather
                 dust
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 converse
                 dayly
                 with
                 the
                 Word
                 .
                 That
                 man
                 can
                 never
                 lay
                 claim
                 to
                 Blessedness
                 ,
                 whose
                 delight
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
                 Let
                 meditation
                 and
                 self-examination
                 be
                 your
                 daily
                 exercise
                 ,
                 else
                 the
                 Papists
                 ,
                 yea
                 the
                 Pagans
                 ,
                 will
                 condemn
                 us
                 .
                 That
                 the
                 short
                 questions
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 given
                 you
                 as
                 a
                 help
                 to
                 self-examination
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 dayly
                 perused
                 by
                 you
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 my
                 passionate
                 request
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 If
                 ever
                 you
                 come
                 to
                 any
                 growth
                 in
                 holiness
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 constant
                 use
                 of
                 this
                 practice
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 grosly
                 deceived
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 I
                 would
                 beseech
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 even
                 charge
                 you
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 would
                 daily
                 examine
                 your selves
                 by
                 these
                 questions
                 ,
                 till
                 you
                 have
                 found
                 a
                 better
                 help
                 to
                 this
                 duty
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 Piety
                 ,
                 without
                 Charity
                 ,
                 is
                 but
                 the
                 half
                 of
                 christianity
                 ,
                 or
                 rather
                 impious
                 hypocrisie
                 ,
                 We
                 may
                 not
                 divide
                 the
                 Tables
                 .
                 See
                 therefore
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 justly
                 ,
                 and
                 love
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 Equity
                 ,
                 and
                 Charity
                 run
                 like
                 an
                 even
                 thred
                 ,
                 throughout
                 all
                 your
                 dealings
                 .
                 Be
                 you
                 temperate
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 Chastity
                 ,
                 and
                 Sobriety
                 ,
                 be
                 your
                 undivided
                 companions
                 .
                 Let
                 truth
                 and
                 Purity
                 ,
                 Seriousness
                 and
                 modesty
                 ,
                 Heavenliness
                 and
                 gravity
                 be
                 the
                 constant
                 ornaments
                 of
                 your
                 speech
                 .
                 Let
                 patience
                 and
                 humility
                 ,
                 simplicity
                 and
                 sincerity
                 shine
                 out
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 parts
                 of
                 your
                 conversations
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 forget
                 and
                 forgive
                 wrongs
                 ,
                 and
                 requite
                 them
                 with
                 kindness
                 as
                 you
                 would
                 be
                 found
                 children
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 high
                 .
                 Be
                 merciful
                 in
                 your
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 the
                 most
                 favourable
                 construction
                 upon
                 our
                 Brethrens
                 carriage
                 that
                 their
                 actions
                 will
                 reasonably
                 bear
                 .
                 Be
                 slow
                 in
                 promising
                 ,
                 punctual
                 in
                 fulfilling
                 .
                 Let
                 meekness
                 and
                 innocency
                 ,
                 Affableness
                 ,
                 Yieldingness
                 ,
                 and
                 Curtesie
                 ,
                 commend
                 your
                 conversations
                 to
                 all
                 men
                 .
                 Let
                 none
                 of
                 your
                 Relations
                 want
                 that
                 love
                 and
                 loyalty
                 ,
                 that
                 reverence
                 and
                 duty
                 ,
                 that
                 tenderness
                 ,
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 vigilancy
                 ,
                 which
                 their
                 several
                 places
                 and
                 capacities
                 call
                 for
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 throughout
                 godliness
                 .
                 I
                 charge
                 you
                 before
                 the
                 most
                 high
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 you
                 be
                 found
                 a
                 swearer
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 lyar
                 ,
                 a
                 lover
                 of
                 evil
                 company
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 scoffer
                 ,
                 or
                 malicious
                 ,
                 or
                 covetous
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 drunkard
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 unrighteous
                 in
                 his
                 dealing
                 ,
                 unclean
                 in
                 his
                 living
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 a
                 quareller
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 thief
                 ,
                 or
                 backbiter
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 railer
                 :
                 for
                 I
                 denounce
                 unto
                 you
                 from
                 the
                 living
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 damnation
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 all
                 such
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 13.
                 20.
                 
                 Jam.
                 5.
                 12.
                 
                 Rev.
                 21.
                 8.
                 1
                 
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 19
                 ,
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Family
                 Godliness
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 set
                 up
                 Christ
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 study
                 to
                 set
                 him
                 up
                 in
                 his
                 house
                 .
                 Let
                 every
                 family
                 with
                 you
                 be
                 a
                 Christian
                 Church
                 ;
                 every
                 house
                 ,
                 a
                 house
                 of
                 Prayer
                 ;
                 every
                 houshold
                 ,
                 a
                 houshold
                 of
                 faith
                 .
                 Let
                 every
                 housholder
                 say
                 ,
                 with
                 
                   Joshua
                   ,
                   I
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   house
                   will
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 and
                 resolve
                 with
                 David
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 121.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   walk
                   within
                   my
                   house
                   ,
                   with
                   a
                   perfect
                   heart
                   .
                
                 Let
                 me
                 press
                 upon
                 you
                 a
                 few
                 duties
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 long
                 harping
                 upon
                 ,
                 but
                 Alas
                 (
                 I
                 speak
                 it
                 to
                 your
                 shame
                 )
                 with
                 many
                 (
                 too
                 too
                 many
                 )
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 little
                 purpose
                 in
                 general
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Let
                 Religion
                 be
                 in
                 your
                 families
                 ,
                 not
                 as
                 a
                 matter
                 by
                 the
                 by
                 ,
                 (
                 to
                 be
                 minded
                 at
                 leisure
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 world
                 will
                 give
                 you
                 leave
                 )
                 but
                 the
                 standing
                 business
                 of
                 the
                 house
                 .
                 Let
                 them
                 have
                 your
                 prayers
                 as
                 duly
                 as
                 their
                 meals
                 ,
                 is
                 there
                 any
                 of
                 your
                 families
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 time
                 for
                 their
                 taking
                 food
                 ?
                 wretched
                 man
                 !
                 canst
                 thou
                 find
                 time
                 to
                 eat
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 time
                 to
                 Pray
                 in
                 ?
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Settle
                 it
                 upon
                 your
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 that
                 your
                 Souls
                 are
                 bound
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 your
                 Family
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 committed
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 (
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 lost
                 through
                 your
                 〈◊〉
                 )
                 will
                 be
                 required
                 at
                 your
                 hands
                 ;
                 Sirs
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 know
                 that
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 Souls
                 is
                 a
                 heavy
                 charge
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 Blood
                 of
                 Souls
                 is
                 a
                 heavy
                 guilt
                 .
                 O
                 man
                 ,
                 hast
                 thou
                 a
                 charge
                 of
                 Souls
                 to
                 answer
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 dost
                 thou
                 not
                 yet
                 bestir
                 thy self
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 Blood
                 be
                 not
                 found
                 in
                 thy
                 Skirts
                 ?
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 do
                 no
                 more
                 for
                 immortal
                 Souls
                 ,
                 than
                 thou
                 wilt
                 do
                 for
                 thy
                 Beasts
                 that
                 perish
                 ?
                 What
                 dost
                 thou
                 do
                 for
                 thy
                 children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 ?
                 Thou
                 providest
                 Meat
                 and
                 Drink
                 for
                 〈◊〉
                 agreeable
                 to
                 their
                 Natures
                 ,
                 and
                 dost
                 thou
                 not
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 thy
                 Beasts
                 ?
                 Thou
                 givest
                 them
                 Medicines
                 ,
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 them
                 when
                 they
                 be
                 Sick
                 ,
                 and
                 dost
                 thou
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 Swine
                 ?
                 More
                 particularly
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Let
                 the
                 solemn
                 Reading
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 34.
                 16.
                 
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 31
                 
                 
                   and
                   singing
                   of
                   Psalms
                   ,
                   be
                   your
                   Family
                   Exercises
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 118.
                 15
                 ,
                 See
                 Christ
                 singing
                 with
                 his
                 Family
                 ,
                 viz.
                 his
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 26.
                 30
                 ,
                 Tuke
                 9.
                 18.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Let
                   every
                   person
                   in
                   your
                   Families
                   be
                   duly
                   called
                   to
                   an
                   account
                   of
                   their
                   profiting
                   by
                   the
                   word
                   heard
                   or
                   read
                   ,
                   as
                   they
                   be
                   about
                   doing
                   your
                   own
                   Businesses
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 Duty
                 of
                 consequence
                 unspeakable
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 be
                 a
                 means
                 to
                 bring
                 those
                 under
                 your
                 charge
                 ,
                 to
                 remember
                 and
                 profit
                 by
                 what
                 they
                 recive
                 .
                 See
                 Christs
                 Example
                 in
                 calling
                 his
                 Family
                 to
                 an
                 account
                 .
                 Mat.
                 16.
                 11
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 33.
                 
                 
                   Often
                   take
                   and
                   account
                   of
                   the
                   Souls
                   under
                   your
                   care
                   concerning
                   their
                   Spiritual
                   estates
                   .
                
                 Herein
                 you
                 must
                 be
                 Followers
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 13.
                 10
                 ,
                 36
                 ,
                 51.
                 
                 Mark.
                 4.
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 Make
                 enquiry
                 into
                 their
                 conditions
                 ,
                 insist
                 much
                 upon
                 the
                 sinfulness
                 and
                 misery
                 of
                 their
                 natural
                 estate
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 and
                 Conversion
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 their
                 Salvation
                 .
                 Admonish
                 them
                 gravely
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 incourage
                 beginnings
                 .
                 Follow
                 them
                 earnestly
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 them
                 have
                 no
                 quiet
                 for
                 You
                 ,
                 till
                 You
                 see
                 them
                 in
                 a
                 saving
                 change
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 duty
                 of
                 high
                 consequence
                 .
                 but
                 (
                 I
                 am
                 afraid
                 )
                 fearfully
                 neglected
                 by
                 some
                 that
                 are
                 Godly
                 .
                 Doth
                 not
                 Conscience
                 say
                 ,
                 Thou
                 art
                 the
                 man
                 ?
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Look
                   to
                   the
                   strict
                   sanctisying
                   of
                   the
                   Sabbath
                   ,
                   by
                   all
                   of
                   your
                   Housholds
                   ,
                   Exod.
                
                 20.
                 10.
                 
                 Lev.
                 23.
                 3.
                 
                 Many
                 poor
                 Families
                 have
                 little
                 time
                 else
                 .
                 O
                 improve
                 but
                 your
                 Sabbath-days
                 as
                 diligently
                 in
                 labouring
                 for
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 doing
                 your
                 Makers
                 work
                 ,
                 as
                 You
                 do
                 the
                 other
                 days
                 in
                 doing
                 your
                 own
                 work
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 may
                 come
                 to
                 some
                 proficiencie
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   Morning
                   and
                   Evening
                   Sacrifice
                   of
                   solemn
                   Prayer
                   ,
                   be
                   daily
                   offered
                   up
                   in
                   all
                   your
                   Families
                   .
                   Psal.
                
                 92.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 Exod.
                 30.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 Luk.
                 1.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 Beware
                 they
                 be
                 not
                 found
                 among
                 the
                 Families
                 that
                 call
                 not
                 upon
                 Gods
                 Name
                 ;
                 for
                 why
                 should
                 there
                 be
                 wrath
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 upon
                 your
                 Families
                 ?
                 Jer.
                 10.
                 25
                 ,
                 O
                 miserable
                 Families
                 without
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 without
                 Family
                 Prayer
                 !
                 What
                 have
                 You
                 so
                 many
                 Family
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 Family
                 wants
                 ,
                 Family
                 Mercies
                 ,
                 what
                 and
                 yet
                 no
                 Family
                 
                 Prayers
                 ?
                 How
                 do
                 You
                 pray
                 with
                 
                   all
                   Prayer
                   and
                   Supplication
                
                 ,
                 if
                 You
                 do
                 not
                 with
                 Family
                 Prayer
                 ?
                 Say
                 not
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 time
                 .
                 What
                 hast
                 thou
                 all
                 thy
                 time
                 on
                 purpose
                 to
                 serve
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 save
                 thy
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 this
                 that
                 for
                 which
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 find
                 no
                 time
                 .
                 Find
                 but
                 a
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 find
                 time
                 .
                 Pinch
                 out
                 of
                 your
                 meals
                 and
                 sleep
                 ,
                 rather
                 then
                 want
                 for
                 Prayer
                 .
                 Say
                 no
                 my
                 business
                 will
                 not
                 give
                 leave
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 thy
                 greatest
                 business
                 ,
                 to
                 save
                 thy self
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Souls
                 committed
                 to
                 thee
                 .
                 Besides
                 a
                 〈◊〉
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 let
                 .
                 In
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 the
                 Blessing
                 of
                 all
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 got
                 by
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 29.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 2
                 
                 〈◊〉
                 .
                 29.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 is
                 thy
                 business
                 without
                 Gods
                 Blessing
                 ?
                 Say
                 not
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 able
                 .
                 Use
                 thy
                 one
                 Talent
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 will
                 increase
                 it
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 25
                 24
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 Helps
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 had
                 till
                 thou
                 art
                 better
                 able
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 other
                 remedy
                 ,
                 thou
                 〈◊〉
                 join
                 with
                 thine
                 〈◊〉
                 Neighbour
                 .
                 God
                 hath
                 special
                 regard
                 to
                 joint
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 5.
                 14.
                 to
                 19.
                 
                 Acts
                 12.
                 5.
                 to
                 12.
                 
                 〈◊〉
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 11.
                 and
                 therefore
                 You
                 must
                 improve
                 Family
                 advantages
                 for
                 the
                 performing
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 Put
                 every
                 one
                 in
                 your
                 Families
                 upon
                 private
                 Prayer
                 .
                 Observe
                 whether
                 they
                 do
                 perform
                 it
                 .
                 Get
                 them
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 a
                 form
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 need
                 it
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 go
                 without
                 .
                 Direct
                 them
                 how
                 to
                 Pray
                 ,
                 by
                 minding
                 them
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 wants
                 ,
                 and
                 mercies
                 ,
                 the
                 materials
                 of
                 Prayer
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 John
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 11.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 Set
                 up
                 Catechizing
                 in
                 your
                 Families
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 least
                 once
                 every
                 week
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 my
                 parting
                 ;
                 dying
                 request
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 would
                 set
                 up
                 and
                 maintain
                 this
                 duty
                 in
                 your
                 families
                 .
                 Have
                 you
                 done
                 it
                 all
                 accordingly
                 ?
                 Cannot
                 your
                 consciences
                 witness
                 ,
                 cannot
                 your
                 families
                 〈◊〉
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 ?
                 Well
                 ,
                 I
                 thought
                 my
                 parting
                 words
                 would
                 have
                 done
                 something
                 with
                 you
                 :
                 I
                 hoped
                 the
                 fervent
                 request
                 of
                 a
                 dying
                 Minister
                 ,
                 would
                 have
                 prevailed
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 small
                 matter
                 with
                 you
                 .
                 What
                 ,
                 to
                 this
                 day
                 without
                 solemn
                 catechizing
                 in
                 your
                 houses
                 ?
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 discouragement
                 to
                 your
                 teacher
                 is
                 this
                 ?
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 shall
                 I
                 yet
                 prevail
                 with
                 you
                 ?
                 Will
                 you
                 reject
                 me
                 now
                 also
                 ?
                 O
                 let
                 me
                 perswade
                 you
                 ,
                 before
                 you
                 take
                 off
                 your
                 eyes
                 from
                 〈◊〉
                 lines
                 ,
                 to
                 resolve
                 to
                 set
                 upon
                 the
                 constant
                 exerise
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 .
                 Surely
                 I
                 have
                 done
                 and
                 suffered
                 more
                 for
                 you
                 then
                 this
                 comes
                 to
                 :
                 will
                 you
                 deny
                 me
                 ?
                 I
                 〈◊〉
                 you
                 ,
                 let
                 
                 me
                 find
                 ,
                 if
                 ever
                 God
                 do
                 bring
                 me
                 again
                 to
                 visit
                 your
                 houses
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 a
                 suffering
                 Minister
                 have
                 some
                 power
                 with
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 sent
                 you
                 an
                 help
                 on
                 purpose
                 :
                 what
                 shall
                 all
                 my
                 perswasions
                 be
                 but
                 speaking
                 in
                 the
                 wind
                 ?
                 and
                 all
                 my
                 pains
                 but
                 labouring
                 in
                 the
                 fire
                 ?
                 Beloved
                 you
                 have
                 no
                 dread
                 of
                 the
                 Almighties
                 charge
                 ,
                 That
                 you
                 should
                 
                   teach
                   these
                   things
                   diligently
                   to
                   your
                   children
                   ,
                   and
                   talk
                   of
                   them
                   as
                   you
                   sit
                   in
                   your
                   houses
                   ,
                   &c.
                   Deut.
                
                 6.
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 9.
                 and
                 4.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 and
                 11.
                 18
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 and
                 
                   train
                   them
                   up
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   they
                   should
                   go
                   ,
                   Prov.
                
                 22.
                 6.
                 
                   the
                   Margin
                
                 .
                 Hath
                 God
                 so
                 commended
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 teach
                 
                   his
                   children
                   and
                   houshold
                   ,
                   Gen.
                
                 18.
                 19.
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 so
                 many
                 
                   instructed
                   servants
                   ,
                   Gen.
                
                 14.
                 14.
                 
                   the
                   Margin
                
                 and
                 given
                 such
                 a
                 promise
                 to
                 him
                 thereupon
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 not
                 you
                 put
                 in
                 for
                 a
                 share
                 ,
                 neither
                 in
                 the
                 praise
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 promise
                 ?
                 Hath
                 Christ
                 honoured
                 catechizing
                 with
                 his
                 presence
                 ,
                 Luke
                 2.
                 46.
                 and
                 will
                 not
                 you
                 own
                 it
                 with
                 your
                 practise
                 ?
                 Say
                 not
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 careless
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 not
                 learn.
                 What
                 have
                 you
                 your
                 Authority
                 for
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 to
                 use
                 it
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 their
                 souls
                 ?
                 You
                 will
                 call
                 them
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 force
                 them
                 to
                 do
                 your
                 work
                 ;
                 and
                 should
                 you
                 not
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 be
                 as
                 zealous
                 in
                 putting
                 them
                 upon
                 Gods
                 work
                 ?
                 Say
                 not
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 dull
                 and
                 are
                 not
                 capable
                 .
                 If
                 they
                 be
                 dull
                 ,
                 God
                 requires
                 of
                 you
                 the
                 more
                 pains
                 and
                 patience
                 ,
                 but
                 so
                 dull
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 you
                 will
                 make
                 them
                 learn
                 how
                 to
                 work
                 ;
                 and
                 can
                 they
                 not
                 learn
                 as
                 well
                 how
                 to
                 live
                 !
                 Are
                 they
                 capable
                 of
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 your
                 trade
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 they
                 not
                 capable
                 of
                 the
                 plain
                 principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 ?
                 well
                 as
                 ever
                 you
                 would
                 see
                 the
                 growth
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 the
                 cure
                 of
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 the
                 remedy
                 of
                 prophaness
                 ,
                 the
                 downfal
                 of
                 error
                 ,
                 fulfil
                 you
                 my
                 joy
                 in
                 going
                 through
                 with
                 this
                 duty
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 too
                 long
                 already
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 I
                 am
                 afraid
                 my
                 letter
                 will
                 be
                 ended
                 before
                 my
                 work
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 how
                 loath
                 am
                 I
                 to
                 leave
                 you
                 ,
                 before
                 I
                 have
                 prevailed
                 with
                 you
                 to
                 set
                 to
                 the
                 work
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 you
                 are
                 here
                 directed
                 ,
                 will
                 you
                 pass
                 your
                 promise
                 ,
                 will
                 you
                 give
                 me
                 your
                 hands
                 ?
                 Oh
                 that
                 you
                 would
                 !
                 you
                 cannot
                 do
                 me
                 a
                 greater
                 pleasure
                 .
                 Ask
                 what
                 you
                 will
                 of
                 me
                 ;
                 See
                 if
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 do
                 as
                 much
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 your
                 Families
                 might
                 be
                 a
                 joy
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 twice
                 noble
                 Ladies
                 to
                 John
                 ;
                 who
                 professes
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 greater
                 joy
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 find
                 her
                 children
                 walking
                 in
                 the
                 truth
                 Beloved
                 why
                 should
                 you
                 hot
                 give
                 the
                 hand
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 mutually
                 engage
                 each
                 
                 to
                 other
                 ,
                 for
                 more
                 vigorous
                 and
                 diligent
                 endeavours
                 ,
                 in
                 promoting
                 family
                 godliness
                 .
                 I
                 must
                 tell
                 you
                 ,
                 God
                 looks
                 for
                 more
                 than
                 ordinary
                 from
                 you
                 ,
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 day
                 as
                 this
                 .
                 He
                 expects
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 do
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 your
                 houses
                 ,
                 somewhat
                 more
                 than
                 ever
                 ,
                 under
                 these
                 his
                 Extraordinary
                 dispensations
                 .
                 My
                 most
                 dearly
                 beloved
                 mine
                 own
                 howels
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 will
                 you
                 satisfie
                 the
                 longings
                 of
                 a
                 travelling
                 Minister
                 ?
                 Will
                 you
                 answer
                 the
                 Calls
                 of
                 Divine
                 Providence
                 ?
                 Would
                 you
                 remove
                 the
                 Incumbent
                 ,
                 or
                 prevent
                 the
                 impending
                 Calamities
                 ?
                 Would
                 you
                 plant
                 Nurseries
                 for
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 Would
                 you
                 that
                 God
                 should
                 build
                 your
                 Houses
                 ,
                 and
                 bless
                 your
                 Substance
                 ?
                 would
                 you
                 that
                 your
                 Children
                 should
                 bless
                 you
                 ?
                 that
                 Your
                 Father
                 should
                 bless
                 You
                 ?
                 Oh
                 ,
                 then
                 set
                 up
                 Piety
                 in
                 your
                 Families
                 as
                 ever
                 you
                 would
                 be
                 blessed
                 ,
                 or
                 be
                 a
                 blessing
                 ,
                 let
                 your
                 Hearts
                 and
                 your
                 Houses
                 be
                 the
                 Temples
                 of
                 the
                 living
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 his
                 worship
                 (
                 according
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 forementioned
                 directions
                 )
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 with
                 constancy
                 reverently
                 performed
                 .
                 Pardon
                 my
                 prolixity
                 ,
                 and
                 importunity
                 in
                 so
                 earnest
                 pursuing
                 of
                 You
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 yet
                 afraid
                 I
                 have
                 done
                 too
                 soon
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 end
                 without
                 my
                 Erranil
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 God
                 perswade
                 you
                 .
                 To
                 him
                 I
                 turn
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 well
                 assured
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 prevail
                 with
                 you
                 :
              
               
                 O
                 Father
                 of
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 set
                 me
                 over
                 thy
                 Flock
                 to
                 watch
                 for
                 their
                 Souls
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 must
                 give
                 an
                 account
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 long
                 studied
                 thy
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 taught
                 in
                 thy
                 Name
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 unfeiguedly
                 bless
                 thee
                 ;
                 that
                 any
                 have
                 believed
                 my
                 Report
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 given
                 unto
                 them
                 the
                 Words
                 which
                 thou
                 gavest
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 have
                 received
                 them
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 manifested
                 thy
                 Name
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 have
                 kept
                 thy
                 Word
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 I
                 am
                 no
                 more
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 come
                 unto
                 thee
                 :
                 Holy
                 Father
                 keep
                 them
                 through
                 thine
                 own
                 Name
                 ;
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 thine
                 .
                 As
                 they
                 have
                 kept
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 thy
                 Patience
                 ,
                 so
                 keep
                 thou
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 hour
                 of
                 Temptation
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 but
                 a
                 flock
                 ,
                 a
                 little
                 and
                 a
                 helpless
                 flock
                 :
                 but
                 thou
                 art
                 their
                 Shepheard
                 ,
                 
                 suffer
                 them
                 not
                 to
                 want
                 .
                 Do
                 thou
                 feed
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 fold
                 them
                 .
                 Let
                 thy
                 Rod
                 and
                 thy
                 Staff
                 comfort
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 not
                 the
                 Beasts
                 of
                 prey
                 fall
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 spoiling
                 of
                 their
                 Souls
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 what
                 shall
                 I
                 do
                 for
                 them
                 that
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 gathered
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 called
                 after
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 answer
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 charged
                 them
                 in
                 thy
                 Name
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 hear
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 studied
                 to
                 speak
                 perswasively
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 cannot
                 prevail
                 .
                 Then
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 laboured
                 in
                 vain
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 spent
                 my
                 strength
                 for
                 nought
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 vain
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 cannot
                 give
                 them
                 over
                 ,
                 much
                 less
                 may
                 I
                 give
                 thee
                 over
                 .
                 Lord
                 perswade
                 Japhet
                 ,
                 to
                 dwell
                 in
                 the
                 Tents
                 of
                 Shem.
                 Lord
                 ,
                 compel
                 them
                 to
                 come
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 lay
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 mercy
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 thou
                 didst
                 on
                 lingring
                 Lot
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 them
                 forth
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 escape
                 for
                 their
                 lives
                 and
                 not
                 be
                 consumed
                 .
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 pray
                 thee
                 open
                 their
                 eyes
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 see
                 ,
                 and
                 lay
                 hold
                 upon
                 their
                 hearts
                 by
                 thy
                 Omnipotent
                 Grace
                 .
                 Do
                 thou
                 turn
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 turned
                 :
                 O
                 bring
                 back
                 the
                 miserable
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 suffer
                 not
                 the
                 Enemy
                 of
                 Mankind
                 to
                 drive
                 away
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 the
                 flock
                 before
                 mine
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 fruitless
                 endeavours
                 of
                 thy
                 Laborers
                 ,
                 and
                 boast
                 over
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 can
                 do
                 more
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 seek
                 to
                 ruine
                 them
                 ,
                 than
                 all
                 the
                 beseechings
                 ,
                 counsels
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 charges
                 of
                 thy
                 Servants
                 that
                 seek
                 to
                 save
                 them
                 .
                 Lord
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 could
                 find
                 out
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 would
                 pierce
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 would
                 make
                 its
                 way
                 into
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 thou
                 〈◊〉
                 if
                 would
                 〈◊〉
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 many
                 years
                 pleading
                 thy
                 Cause
                 in
                 vain
                 .
                 O
                 let
                 not
                 these
                 endeavors
                 also
                 be
                 lost
                 .
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 find
                 out
                 every
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 every
                 prophane
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 every
                 prayerless
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 prayerless
                 family
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 convince
                 them
                 of
                 their
                 miserable
                 condition
                 ,
                 while
                 without
                 thee
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 Set
                 thy
                 Image
                 upon
                 their
                 Souls
                 ,
                 set
                 up
                 thy
                 Worship
                 in
                 their
                 Families
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 pride
                 ,
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 or
                 slothfulness
                 ,
                 keep
                 them
                 in
                 neglect
                 of
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 Knowledge
                 .
                 Let
                 thine
                 eyes
                 be
                 over
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 my
                 desires
                 for
                 good
                 ,
                 from
                 one
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 year
                 to
                 the
                 other
                 end
                 thereof
                 .
                 Let
                 every
                 House
                 therein
                 be
                 a
                 Seminary
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 those
                 that
                 cast
                 their
                 eyes
                 upon
                 these
                 lines
                 ,
                 find
                 thee
                 sliding
                 in
                 by
                 the
                 secret
                 influence
                 of
                 thy
                 Grace
                 into
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 irresistably
                 engaging
                 them
                 to
                 do
                 thy
                 pleasure
                 .
                 Amen
                 .
              
               
                 Amen
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXXII
                 .
                 [
                 He
                 that
                 endureth
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   the
                   Loving
                   and
                   Well-Beloved
                   ,
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Huntington
                   ,
                   Grace
                   and
                   Peace
                   :
                
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   dear
                   Christians
                   ,
                
              
               
                 I
                 Do
                 thankfully
                 acknowledge
                 ,
                 both
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 You
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 many
                 ways
                 obliged
                 to
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 serve
                 you
                 :
                 and
                 surely
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 shall
                 turn
                 our
                 Captivity
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 (
                 through
                 his
                 Grace
                 )
                 endeavour
                 to
                 shew
                 my self
                 thankful
                 ,
                 wherein
                 I
                 may
                 ,
                 unto
                 You.
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 more
                 sensible
                 of
                 your
                 great
                 love
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 cannot
                 be
                 insensible
                 ,
                 how
                 little
                 I
                 have
                 deserved
                 such
                 a
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 little
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 to
                 oblige
                 You.
                 Able
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 willing
                 to
                 be
                 much
                 more
                 serviceable
                 to
                 you
                 :
                 But
                 now
                 ,
                 Letters
                 and
                 Prayers
                 are
                 all
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 for
                 you
                 ;
                 of
                 these
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 be
                 prodigal
                 .
                 Your
                 love
                 to
                 me
                 hath
                 been
                 very
                 bountiful
                 :
                 I
                 may
                 not
                 forget
                 the
                 liberal
                 Supplies
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 sent
                 ,
                 many
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 even
                 out
                 of
                 your
                 poverty
                 to
                 me
                 ;
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 me
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 whole
                 Family
                 of
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 and
                 Fellow-Prisoners
                 ,
                 who
                 do
                 all
                 bless
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 send
                 by
                 these
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 their
                 thankful
                 respects
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 servently
                 pray
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 not
                 doubt
                 to
                 speed
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 reap
                 in
                 Grace
                 and
                 Glory
                 ,
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 sown
                 to
                 us
                 in
                 bounty
                 .
                 
                   Verily
                   ,
                   there
                   is
                   a
                   reward
                   for
                   the
                   Righteous
                   .
                
                 Ah
                 ,
                 how
                 sure
                 is
                 it
                 !
                 And
                 how
                 great
                 and
                 how
                 near
                 is
                 it
                 ?
                 Come
                 on
                 ,
                 my
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 and
                 Fellow-Travellers
                 .
                 Stir
                 up
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 to
                 your
                 race
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 loiter
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 speed
                 apace
                 in
                 your
                 holy
                 Course
                 .
                 What
                 tire
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 or
                 think
                 of
                 looking
                 back
                 ,
                 when
                 Heaven
                 is
                 the
                 prize
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 .
                 To
                 him
                 that
                 soweth
                 righteousness
                 
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 a
                 sure
                 reward
                 .
                 What
                 though
                 it
                 should
                 seem
                 slow
                 ?
                 As
                 long
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 sure
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 never
                 be
                 discouraged
                 :
                 In
                 the
                 end
                 you
                 shall
                 reap
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 faint
                 not
                 .
                 Wait
                 but
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 have
                 a
                 blessed
                 Harvest
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 speaks
                 to
                 the
                 Christian
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 to
                 his
                 Creditor
                 in
                 another
                 Case
                 .
                 Have
                 patience
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 pay
                 thee
                 all
                 .
                 Oh
                 now
                 for
                 Faith
                 and
                 Patience
                 !
                 How
                 safely
                 ,
                 how
                 sweetly
                 would
                 these
                 carry
                 us
                 to
                 our
                 Home
                 and
                 Harbour
                 ,
                 through
                 all
                 difficulties
                 .
                 Brethren
                 beloved
                 ,
                 be
                 ye
                 followers
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 through
                 Faith
                 and
                 Patience
                 inherit
                 the
                 Promises
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 want
                 of
                 Patience
                 that
                 undoes
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 Patience
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 in
                 the
                 bearing
                 the
                 inflicted
                 evil
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 waiting
                 for
                 the
                 deferred
                 good
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 Reward
                 of
                 Religion
                 would
                 be
                 presently
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 Religious
                 ?
                 Who
                 but
                 the
                 deceitful
                 world
                 count
                 it
                 doubtful
                 and
                 distant
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 for
                 something
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 take
                 up
                 with
                 a
                 present
                 felicity
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 deals
                 all
                 upon
                 trust
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 that
                 account
                 is
                 but
                 little
                 dealt
                 with
                 .
                 You
                 must
                 have
                 Patience
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 plow
                 and
                 sow
                 ,
                 and
                 wait
                 for
                 the
                 return
                 of
                 all
                 at
                 the
                 Harvest
                 ,
                 when
                 this
                 life
                 is
                 ended
                 .
                 They
                 that
                 like
                 not
                 Religion
                 upon
                 these
                 terms
                 ,
                 may
                 see
                 where
                 they
                 can
                 mend
                 their
                 Markets
                 .
                 But
                 you
                 ,
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 be
                 stedfast
                 ,
                 unmoveable
                 ,
                 abounding
                 in
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 for
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 you
                 know
                 your
                 labour
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 in
                 vain
                 in
                 the
                 Lord.
                 Wait
                 a
                 little
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 short
                 life
                 between
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 blessed
                 inheritance
                 of
                 the
                 endless
                 Glory
                 .
                 Ah
                 wretched
                 unbelievers
                 !
                 How
                 worthy
                 are
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 shut
                 for
                 ever
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 ,
                 that
                 did
                 so
                 undervalue
                 all
                 the
                 Glory
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 had
                 promised
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 to
                 count
                 it
                 sufficient
                 to
                 pay
                 them
                 for
                 a
                 little
                 waiting
                 ?
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 lift
                 up
                 your
                 Eyes
                 and
                 behold
                 your
                 Inheritance
                 ,
                 the
                 good
                 Land
                 that
                 is
                 beyond
                 the
                 Jordan
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 goodly
                 Mountain
                 .
                 The
                 Promises
                 are
                 a
                 Map
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
                 Do
                 but
                 view
                 it
                 believingly
                 and
                 considerately
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 darkly
                 drawn
                 there
                 ,
                 and
                 tell
                 me
                 ,
                 what
                 think
                 you
                 of
                 that
                 worthy
                 portion
                 ,
                 that
                 goodly
                 Heritage
                 ?
                 Will
                 not
                 all
                 this
                 make
                 you
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 stay
                 ?
                 Why
                 then
                 act
                 like
                 Believers
                 .
                 Never
                 bethink
                 the
                 pains
                 ,
                 nor
                 expences
                 of
                 Religion
                 .
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 he
                 shall
                 come
                 off
                 a
                 loser
                 .
                 What
                 though
                 You
                 are
                 much
                 upon
                 the
                 spending
                 〈◊〉
                 ?
                 I
                 might
                 tell
                 you
                 ,
                 God
                 
                 but
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 you
                 
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 [
                 laid
                 
                 out
                 ]
                 upon
                 You
                 ;
                 but
                 who
                 can
                 tell
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 [
                 laid
                 up
                 ]
                 for
                 them
                 that
                 fear
                 him
                 ?
                 And
                 will
                 you
                 miss
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 Patience
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 .
                 Behold
                 the
                 Husbandman
                 waiteth
                 for
                 the
                 precious
                 fruits
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 long
                 patience
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 receive
                 the
                 early
                 and
                 later
                 rain
                 .
                 Be
                 ye
                 also
                 patient
                 ,
                 stablish
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 draweth
                 nigh
                 .
                 What
                 ,
                 shall
                 the
                 Husbandman
                 have
                 more
                 patience
                 for
                 the
                 Fruits
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 than
                 you
                 for
                 the
                 pretious
                 fruits
                 of
                 your
                 Faith
                 ?
                 The
                 Husbandman
                 hath
                 no
                 such
                 certainty
                 is
                 〈◊〉
                 he
                 hath
                 but
                 a
                 probability
                 of
                 an
                 harvest
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 he
                 hath
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 content
                 to
                 venture
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 at
                 great
                 pains
                 ,
                 and
                 much
                 cost
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 still
                 laying
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 nothing
                 coming
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 he
                 is
                 content
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 his
                 reimbursement
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 Corn
                 be
                 grown
                 .
                 But
                 your
                 harvest
                 is
                 must
                 sure
                 ,
                 as
                 sure
                 as
                 the
                 irrevocable
                 Decree
                 ,
                 the
                 infallible
                 Promise
                 ,
                 the
                 immutable
                 Oath
                 of
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 a
                 God
                 that
                 cannot
                 lie
                 ,
                 that
                 knows
                 no
                 place
                 for
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 can
                 make
                 it
                 .
                 Again
                 ,
                 the
                 Husbandman
                 hath
                 no
                 such
                 increase
                 to
                 look
                 for
                 as
                 you
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 were
                 but
                 sure
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 Corn
                 would
                 bear
                 a
                 Crown
                 ,
                 with
                 what
                 exultation
                 and
                 joy
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 patience
                 ,
                 would
                 he
                 go
                 through
                 all
                 his
                 cost
                 and
                 labour
                 .
                 Why
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 such
                 is
                 a
                 Believers
                 increase
                 .
                 Every
                 Grain
                 shall
                 produce
                 a
                 Crown
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 Tear
                 shall
                 bring
                 forth
                 a
                 Pearl
                 ;
                 and
                 every
                 minute
                 in
                 pains
                 or
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 an
                 age
                 of
                 Joy
                 and
                 Glory
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 the
                 Husbandman
                 hath
                 long
                 patience
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 not
                 you
                 have
                 a
                 little
                 patience
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 long
                 patience
                 that
                 God
                 doth
                 expect
                 of
                 you
                 :
                 for
                 behold
                 ,
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 draweth
                 nigh
                 .
                 Will
                 the
                 Garrison
                 yield
                 when
                 relief
                 is
                 at
                 hand
                 ?
                 Or
                 the
                 Merchant
                 sit
                 down
                 and
                 give
                 up
                 his
                 hopes
                 ,
                 when
                 within
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 Harbour
                 ?
                 Or
                 will
                 the
                 Husbandman
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 up
                 all
                 for
                 lost
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 sees
                 the
                 fields
                 even
                 white
                 for
                 the
                 Harvest
                 ?
                 Or
                 shall
                 he
                 do
                 more
                 for
                 a
                 crop
                 of
                 Corn
                 ,
                 than
                 you
                 will
                 do
                 for
                 a
                 crop
                 of
                 Glory
                 ?
                 Far
                 be
                 it
                 .
                 Behold
                 the
                 Judge
                 is
                 even
                 at
                 Door
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 is
                 at
                 hand
                 .
                 He
                 cometh
                 quickly
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 reward
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 comes
                 with
                 the
                 Crown
                 in
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 to
                 〈◊〉
                 upon
                 the
                 head
                 of
                 patience
                 .
                 Therefore
                 cast
                 not
                 away
                 your
                 confidence
                 ,
                 which
                 hath
                 great
                 recompence
                 of
                 reward
                 .
                 The
                 Prisoners
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 your
                 Brethren
                 in
                 the
                 Patience
                 of
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 can
                 tell
                 you
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 suffering
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 Master
                 .
                 We
                 must
                 tell
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 said
                 to
                 our
                 Lord
                 in
                 another
                 case
                 ,
                 He
                 
                 is
                 worthy
                 for
                 whom
                 you
                 should
                 do
                 this
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 beyond
                 measure
                 gracious
                 to
                 us
                 here
                 .
                 He
                 shines
                 bright
                 into
                 our
                 prison
                 ,
                 blessed
                 be
                 his
                 Name
                 .
                 He
                 waters
                 us
                 from
                 heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 earth
                 .
                 As
                 ,
                 we
                 trust
                 ,
                 you
                 forgot
                 not
                 the
                 poor
                 Prisoners
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 pray
                 ,
                 so
                 we
                 would
                 that
                 many
                 thanksgivings
                 should
                 abound
                 in
                 our
                 behalf
                 .
                 And
                 Prayer
                 being
                 the
                 onely
                 Key
                 that
                 can
                 open
                 our
                 Prisons
                 .
                 we
                 trust
                 that
                 you
                 will
                 not
                 slack
                 ,
                 nor
                 let
                 your
                 hands
                 be
                 heavy
                 ,
                 but
                 pray
                 and
                 not
                 faint
                 :
                 and
                 doubtless
                 Prayer
                 will
                 do
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 am
                 apt
                 to
                 pass
                 the
                 bounds
                 of
                 a
                 Letter
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 promise
                 my self
                 now
                 〈◊〉
                 pardon
                 for
                 lo
                 loving
                 a
                 trespass
                 .
                 With
                 my
                 dear
                 Loves
                 to
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 I
                 commend
                 you
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 .
                 Though
                 I
                 have
                 done
                 writing
                 ,
                 yet
                 not
                 praying
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 promise
                 ,
                 where
                 my
                 Letter
                 ends
                 ,
                 my
                 Prayers
                 shall
                 begin
                 .
                 Farewell
                 ,
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 :
                 Fare
                 you
                 well
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   An
                   unworthy
                   Embassador
                   of
                   Jesus
                   in
                   Bonds
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   From
                   the
                   Prison
                   at
                   Juelchester
                   ,
                   
                     Octob.
                     〈◊〉
                     .
                     1663.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXXIII
                 .
                 [
                 For
                 Perseverance
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   To
                   my
                   dear
                   Friends
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   Luppit
                   ,
                   Salvation
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Beloved
                   Christians
                   ,
                
              
               
                 HAving
                 taken
                 up
                 a
                 Resolution
                 to
                 Write
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 endeavour
                 to
                 confirm
                 all
                 the
                 Places
                 ,
                 where
                 I
                 have
                 gone
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 Preaching
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 You
                 were
                 by
                 no
                 means
                 to
                 be
                 omitted
                 .
                 You
                 were
                 the
                 People
                 that
                 were
                 last
                 upon
                 my
                 Heart
                 ,
                 before
                 my
                 taking
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 I
                 not
                 been
                 made
                 a
                 Prisoner
                 ,
                 I
                 think
                 I
                 had
                 in
                 a
                 few
                 hours
                 after
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 my
                 Apprehension
                 been
                 with
                 you
                 .
                 Now
                 I
                 can
                 no
                 way
                 but
                 by
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 Letters
                 ,
                 and
                 Councels
                 visit
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 have
                 sent
                 these
                 ,
                 to
                 let
                 you
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 upon
                 my
                 Heart
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 your
                 Welfare
                 is
                 dear
                 unto
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 to
                 hear
                 that
                 his
                 Work
                 doth
                 not
                 cease
                 among
                 you
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 Joy
                 of
                 our
                 Bonds
                 ,
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 to
                 hear
                 that
                 the
                 Word
                 is
                 not
                 bound
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 Satan
                 hath
                 not
                 his
                 design
                 upon
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 doubtless
                 intended
                 by
                 these
                 Sufferings
                 to
                 have
                 struck
                 Terrour
                 into
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 have
                 made
                 their
                 Hands
                 weak
                 .
                 Know
                 ,
                 dear
                 Christians
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Bonds
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 are
                 not
                 tedious
                 through
                 Grace
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 is
                 a
                 Master
                 worth
                 a
                 suffering
                 for
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 really
                 enough
                 in
                 Religion
                 to
                 desray
                 all
                 our
                 Charges
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 quit
                 all
                 the
                 Cost
                 and
                 Expence
                 You
                 can
                 be
                 at
                 in
                 or
                 upon
                 it
                 ;
                 That
                 you
                 may
                 Build
                 upon
                 it
                 that
                 you
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 losers
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 Christs
                 Prison
                 is
                 better
                 than
                 the
                 Worlds
                 Paradise
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Divine
                 Attributes
                 are
                 alone
                 an
                 All-sufficient
                 Livelihood
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Influences
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 Shines
                 of
                 Gods
                 Countenance
                 are
                 sufficient
                 to
                 lighten
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 Dungeon
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 to
                 Perfume
                 and
                 Sweeten
                 the
                 noisomest
                 Prison
                 to
                 a
                 poor
                 Believer
                 ;
                 that
                 if
                 You
                 can
                 bring
                 Faith
                 and
                 Patience
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Assurance
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Favour
                 with
                 You
                 to
                 a
                 Prison
                 ,
                 you
                 will
                 live
                 comfortable
                 in
                 spight
                 of
                 Earth
                 and
                 Hell.
                 These
                 are
                 Truths
                 that
                 the
                 Prisoners
                 of
                 Christ
                 can
                 in
                 a
                 measure
                 Seal
                 unto
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 soundly
                 assured
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 established
                 in
                 .
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 mind
                 in
                 a
                 Prison
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 were
                 of
                 in
                 the
                 Pulpit
                 ;
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Life
                 to
                 a
                 Life
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ;
                 that
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Yoak
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Cross
                 ,
                 are
                 worthy
                 of
                 all
                 acceptation
                 ;
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 best
                 ,
                 and
                 wisest
                 ,
                 and
                 safest
                 and
                 gainfullest
                 course
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 stick
                 close
                 to
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 Ways
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 adhere
                 to
                 them
                 in
                 all
                 hazards
                 Come
                 on
                 ,
                 Beloved
                 Christians
                 ,
                 come
                 on
                 ,
                 slack
                 not
                 your
                 pace
                 ,
                 but
                 give
                 dilligence
                 to
                 the
                 full
                 assurance
                 of
                 Hope
                 unto
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 ye
                 followers
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 through
                 Faith
                 and
                 Patience
                 inherit
                 the
                 Promises
                 .
                 Strengthen
                 the
                 Hands
                 that
                 hang
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 feeble
                 Knees
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 faint
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Adversity
                 ,
                 your
                 strength
                 is
                 small
                 .
                 Chear
                 up
                 ,
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 look
                 what
                 a
                 Crown
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 Kingdom
                 here
                 is
                 ;
                 What
                 say
                 you
                 ?
                 Is
                 not
                 here
                 a
                 worthy
                 Portion
                 ,
                 a
                 goodly
                 Heritage
                 ?
                 Were
                 it
                 not
                 pity
                 to
                 lose
                 all
                 this
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 Diligence
                 and
                 Patience
                 ?
                 Come
                 ,
                 dear
                 Christians
                 ,
                 and
                 fellow
                 Travellers
                 ,
                 I
                 pray
                 You
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 put
                 on
                 :
                 Pluck
                 up
                 the
                 weary
                 Limbs
                 ,
                 our
                 Home
                 is
                 within
                 sight
                 .
                 Lift
                 up
                 your
                 Eyes
                 from
                 the
                 Pisga
                 of
                 the
                 Promises
                 :
                 You
                 may
                 see
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 Rest.
                 Will
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 think
                 of
                 returning
                 into
                 Egypt
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 :
                 A
                 little
                 patience
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 will
                 come
                 .
                 Behold
                 ,
                 the
                 Husbandman
                 〈◊〉
                 for
                 〈◊〉
                 precious
                 fruits
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 long
                 patience
                 till
                 he
                 receive
                 the
                 early
                 and
                 later
                 Rain
                 :
                 Be
                 ye
                 allo
                 patient
                 ,
                 stablish
                 your
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Coming
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 draweth
                 nigh
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 Christian
                 indeed
                 ,
                 that
                 cannot
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 tarry
                 for
                 his
                 Preferment
                 in
                 another
                 World.
                 Cast
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 that
                 your
                 Kingdom
                 is
                 not
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ;
                 that
                 here
                 you
                 must
                 have
                 Tribulations
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 all
                 is
                 well
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 secured
                 for
                 Eternity
                 .
                 Exhort
                 one
                 another
                 daily
                 :
                 〈◊〉
                 together
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 unite
                 your
                 strength
                 therein
                 ,
                 and
                 pull
                 a
                 main
                 :
                 Mercy
                 will
                 come
                 sooner
                 or
                 later
                 ,
                 however
                 we
                 will
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 wait
                 till
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 Ah
                 how
                 surely
                 will
                 he
                 come
                 !
                 He
                 will
                 render
                 Tribulation
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 trouble
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 us
                 that
                 are
                 troubled
                 ,
                 rest
                 with
                 
                 him
                 .
                 Onely
                 believe
                 and
                 wait
                 :
                 What
                 not
                 watch
                 with
                 him
                 one
                 hour
                 ?
                 Why
                 the
                 Judg
                 is
                 even
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 !
                 And
                 how
                 blessed
                 will
                 you
                 be
                 if
                 you
                 do
                 but
                 continue
                 and
                 hold
                 fast
                 till
                 he
                 come
                 !
                 Watch
                 therefore
                 ,
                 and
                 stand
                 fast
                 ,
                 quit
                 you
                 like
                 men
                 ,
                 be
                 Zealous
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 your
                 hearts
                 be
                 strong
                 :
                 God
                 is
                 your
                 Friend
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 may
                 trust
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 bear
                 you
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 bear
                 you
                 up
                 :
                 Faint
                 not
                 therefore
                 ,
                 but
                 be
                 stedfast
                 ,
                 unmoveable
                 ,
                 abounding
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Speak
                 often
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 provoke
                 to
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 good
                 Works
                 .
                 Let
                 the
                 Bay
                 of
                 Opposition
                 against
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 make
                 the
                 Torrent
                 of
                 your
                 Zeal
                 break
                 over
                 with
                 the
                 more
                 violence
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 's
                 time
                 to
                 end
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 bold
                 to
                 call
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 you
                 see
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 stir
                 you
                 up
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Remembrance
                 .
                 May
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 high
                 God
                 excite
                 you
                 ,
                 encourage
                 you
                 ,
                 enflame
                 you
                 :
                 May
                 these
                 poor
                 Lines
                 be
                 some
                 quickning
                 to
                 you
                 :
                 may
                 the
                 Good-will
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 dwelt
                 in
                 the
                 Bush
                 dwell
                 with
                 you
                 .
                 My
                 dear
                 Loves
                 to
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 Pray
                 for
                 the
                 Prisoners
                 .
                 Farewel
                 dear
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 farewell
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   in
                   the
                   Bonds
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Octob.
                     11.
                     1665.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXXIV
                 .
              
               
                 
                   To
                   a
                   Back-stiding
                   Fellow-Student
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Sir
                   ,
                
              
               
                 WHom
                 this
                 will
                 find
                 you
                 ,
                 or
                 when
                 ,
                 or
                 where
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 have
                 shot
                 this
                 arrow
                 at
                 a
                 venture
                 .
                 Once
                 you
                 were
                 an
                 Associate
                 with
                 me
                 in
                 
                   Corpus
                   Christi
                
                 ,
                 where
                 I
                 remember
                 your
                 blameless
                 Conversation
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 zealous
                 affection
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 adhesion
                 to
                 the
                 ways
                 and
                 people
                 of
                 God.
                 May
                 you
                 be
                 still
                 found
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 paths
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 without
                 which
                 no
                 man
                 shall
                 see
                 God.
                 The
                 vows
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 upon
                 me
                 (
                 which
                 ,
                 I
                 confess
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 too
                 slack
                 to
                 pay
                 )
                 that
                 I
                 would
                 put
                 you
                 in
                 remembrance
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 Brotherly
                 tenderness
                 advise
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 remember
                 from
                 whence
                 you
                 are
                 fallen
                 .
                 I
                 was
                 informed
                 ,
                 before
                 your
                 leaving
                 of
                 England
                 ,
                 of
                 many
                 unhappy
                 miscarriages
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 great
                 reproach
                 of
                 your
                 holy
                 profession
                 ,
                 you
                 had
                 been
                 too
                 manifestly
                 guilty
                 of
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 without
                 some
                 hope
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 may
                 have
                 since
                 recalled
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 brought
                 you
                 back
                 to
                 himself
                 :
                 and
                 yet
                 not
                 without
                 more
                 fear
                 ,
                 lest
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 corruption
                 were
                 so
                 strong
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 precipitate
                 you
                 with
                 such
                 violence
                 ,
                 at
                 such
                 a
                 time
                 as
                 that
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 place
                 as
                 England
                 ,
                 as
                 Oxon
                 where
                 you
                 had
                 so
                 many
                 encouragements
                 ,
                 and
                 inducements
                 ,
                 examples
                 ,
                 and
                 faithful
                 friendly
                 ,
                 watchful
                 observes
                 ,
                 you
                 may
                 now
                 much
                 more
                 be
                 carried
                 away
                 ,
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 among
                 such
                 Company
                 ,
                 as
                 now
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 likely
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 .
                 Sir
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 assured
                 ,
                 that
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 conscience
                 of
                 my
                 duty
                 hath
                 engaged
                 me
                 ,
                 now
                 you
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 many
                 years
                 a
                 stranger
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 at
                 so
                 many
                 thousand
                 miles
                 distance
                 from
                 me
                 ,
                 to
                 write
                 notwithstanding
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 bear
                 a
                 little
                 with
                 me
                 .
                 Is
                 it
                 wisdom
                 after
                 you
                 have
                 begun
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 to
                 end
                 in
                 the
                 flesh
                 ?
                 you
                 did
                 run
                 well
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 hindred
                 you
                 ?
                 I
                 remember
                 your
                 strict
                 
                 walkings
                 ,
                 your
                 holy
                 converse
                 ,
                 your
                 many
                 tears
                 :
                 will
                 you
                 lose
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 wrought
                 ?
                 have
                 you
                 found
                 out
                 another
                 a
                 nearer
                 way
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 hope
                 to
                 get
                 in
                 at
                 the
                 wide
                 Gate
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 broad
                 way
                 ?
                 need
                 I
                 to
                 mind
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 better
                 for
                 you
                 never
                 to
                 have
                 known
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 then
                 after
                 you
                 have
                 known
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 turn
                 aside
                 from
                 the
                 Holy
                 Commandment
                 ?
                 can
                 you
                 ever
                 enter
                 into
                 Gods
                 Hill
                 ,
                 without
                 you
                 be
                 of
                 clean
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 pure
                 heart
                 ?
                 I
                 know
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 not
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   strait
                   is
                   the
                   gate
                   ,
                   and
                   narrow
                   is
                   the
                   way
                   that
                   leadeth
                   unto
                   life
                   ,
                   and
                   few
                   there
                   be
                   that
                   find
                   it
                   :
                
                 and
                 will
                 you
                 yet
                 do
                 as
                 the
                 most
                 ,
                 and
                 decline
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 strictness
                 ,
                 and
                 holy
                 self-denial
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 the
                 flesh
                 the
                 reins
                 ?
                 what
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 cannot
                 lie
                 ,
                 hath
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   you
                   live
                   after
                   the
                   flesh
                   ,
                   you
                   shall
                   die
                   ?
                
                 Do
                 you
                 not
                 know
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 in
                 vain
                 name
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 except
                 you
                 depart
                 from
                 iniquity
                 ?
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 you
                 know
                 it
                 :
                 Oh
                 Sir
                 ,
                 consider
                 it
                 ,
                 improve
                 it
                 .
                 Oh!
                 have
                 you
                 for
                 learnt
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Carnal
                 liberty
                 and
                 loosness
                 ,
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 evil
                 company
                 and
                 fleshliness
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 eternal
                 life
                 ?
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 for
                 tying
                 up
                 Salvation
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 Opinion
                 :
                 but
                 certainly
                 ,
                 let
                 men
                 be
                 of
                 what
                 opinion
                 they
                 will
                 ,
                 without
                 strictness
                 ,
                 self-denial
                 ,
                 and
                 holy
                 diligence
                 ,
                 they
                 cannot
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 16.
                 42.
                 
                 Mat.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 1
                 
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 Once
                 you
                 could
                 say
                 with
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   a
                   companion
                   to
                   all
                   them
                   that
                   fear
                   thee
                   :
                
                 is
                 it
                 so
                 now
                 ?
                 O
                 Sir
                 ,
                 let
                 not
                 the
                 wicked
                 entice
                 you
                 .
                 Hath
                 not
                 God
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   A
                   Companion
                   of
                   fools
                   shall
                   be
                   destroyed
                   ,
                   Prov.
                
                 13.
                 20.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 must
                 forsake
                 the
                 foolish
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 desire
                 to
                 live
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 9.
                 6.
                 
                 Sir
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 more
                 hopes
                 ever
                 to
                 meet
                 you
                 more
                 on
                 Earth
                 :
                 O
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 meet
                 you
                 in
                 Heaven
                 !
                 let
                 us
                 tread
                 the
                 same
                 path
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 we
                 shall
                 doubtless
                 meet
                 there
                 .
                 But
                 surely
                 you
                 must
                 deeply
                 ,
                 and
                 timely
                 repent
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 return
                 from
                 your
                 grievous
                 back-slidings
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 I
                 desire
                 never
                 to
                 meet
                 in
                 your
                 Heaven
                 .
                 But
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 we
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 so
                 often
                 met
                 in
                 serious
                 and
                 holy
                 Prayer
                 together
                 ,
                 we
                 that
                 have
                 so
                 often
                 met
                 at
                 the
                 Lords
                 Table
                 together
                 ,
                 we
                 that
                 have
                 so
                 often
                 eat
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 fasted
                 together
                 ,
                 meet
                 in
                 glory
                 together
                 ?
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 dear
                 Sir
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 not
                 already
                 smitten
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 dust
                 ,
                 and
                 broken
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 reduced
                 to
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 holiness
                 ,
                 now
                 consider
                 your
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 turn
                 your
                 feet
                 to
                 his
                 Testimonies
                 .
                 Oh
                 remember
                 that
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   back-slider
                   in
                   heart
                   shall
                
                 
                 
                   be
                   filled
                   with
                   his
                   own
                   ways
                   .
                
                 God
                 hath
                 said
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 shall
                 reverse
                 it
                 ?
                 
                   If
                   any
                   man
                   draw
                   back
                   ,
                   my
                   Soul
                   shall
                   have
                   no
                   pleasure
                   in
                   him
                   .
                
                 And
                 once
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   when
                   the
                   righteous
                   turueth
                   away
                   from
                   his
                   righteousness
                   ,
                   and
                   committeth
                   iniquity
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   live
                   ?
                   In
                   his
                   trespass
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   trespassed
                   ,
                   shall
                   he
                   not
                   die
                   ?
                
                 I
                 know
                 Prayers
                 can
                 reach
                 you
                 ,
                 though
                 at
                 so
                 vast
                 a
                 distance
                 ;
                 I
                 shall
                 add
                 to
                 them
                 these
                 Counsels
                 ,
                 and
                 commit
                 you
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 remaining
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   real
                   Friend
                   in
                   Crist
                   ,
                   Joseph
                   Alleine
                   .
                
                 
                   Juelchaster
                   ,
                   
                     May
                     18th
                     .
                     1664.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 LETTER
                 XXXV
                 .
                 [
                 Good
                 Counsel
                 to
                 his
                 Wife
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   My
                   most
                   dear
                   Theodosia
                   ,
                
              
               
                 THou
                 seemest
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 long
                 from
                 me
                 :
                 Let
                 nothing
                 any
                 longer
                 detain
                 thee
                 ,
                 but
                 my
                 Sisters
                 necessity
                 ,
                 or
                 Fathers
                 Authority
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 very
                 sorry
                 that
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 lose
                 two
                 Sacraments
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 a
                 comfortable
                 state
                 of
                 health
                 ,
                 through
                 Divine
                 goodness
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 be
                 glory
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 thou
                 love
                 and
                 admire
                 that
                 Fountain
                 of
                 our
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 peace
                 :
                 and
                 be
                 ever
                 mindful
                 that
                 't
                 is
                 all
                 thy
                 business
                 to
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 save
                 ,
                 and
                 praise
                 thy
                 Creator
                 and
                 Redeemer
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 〈◊〉
                 but
                 this
                 to
                 write
                 to
                 thee
                 about
                 :
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 all
                 our
                 〈◊〉
                 .
                 What
                 be
                 use
                 to
                 call
                 business
                 is
                 but
                 vanity
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 some
                 by
                 matter
                 in
                 comparison
                 of
                 this
                 .
                 Remember
                 and
                 forget
                 not
                 that
                 't
                 is
                 thy
                 chief
                 end
                 to
                 glorifie
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 enjoy
                 him
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 Learn
                 well
                 that
                 Leston
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 one
                 thing
                 necessary
                 .
                 Every
                 morning
                 remember
                 that
                 thy
                 serving
                 and
                 pleasing
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 whole
                 business
                 of
                 that
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 set
                 out
                 accordingly
                 with
                 an
                 express
                 design
                 and
                 intention
                 to
                 please
                 God
                 in
                 thy
                 eating
                 ,
                 drinking
                 ,
                 visiting
                 ,
                 conversing
                 ,
                 calling
                 ,
                 and
                 duties
                 of
                 thy
                 Relations
                 throughout
                 the
                 day
                 .
                 My
                 most
                 dear
                 heart
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 nothing
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 that
                 doth
                 concern
                 thee
                 ,
                 or
                 me
                 so
                 much
                 to
                 write
                 of
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 as
                 this
                 is
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 thou
                 mayst
                 be
                 still
                 be
                 laying
                 up
                 in
                 Heaven
                 !
                 still
                 furthering
                 thy
                 account
                 ;
                 still
                 adding
                 to
                 the
                 heap
                 ,
                 and
                 encreasing
                 thy
                 glorious
                 reward
                 !
                 nothing
                 is
                 done
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 thou
                 shalt
                 hear
                 of
                 it
                 again
                 .
                 Whatever
                 is
                 not
                 done
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 but
                 so
                 much
                 lost
                 .
                 Those
                 things
                 which
                 others
                 do
                 being
                 led
                 by
                 their
                 natural
                 affections
                 and
                 desires
                 ,
                 those
                 things
                 do
                 thou
                 do
                 with
                 holy
                 Aims
                 ,
                 for
                 spiritual
                 ends
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 God
                 will
                 put
                 it
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 ,
                 as
                 so
                 much
                 done
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 So
                 it
                 is
                 my
                 dearest
                 ,
                 God
                 keeps
                 a
                 true
                 account
                 .
                 See
                 that
                 thou
                 believe
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 plow
                 in
                 hope
                 ,
                 and
                 sowe
                 in
                 hope
                 ,
                 pray
                 and
                 hear
                 with
                 an
                 eye
                 to
                 the
                 sure
                 reward
                 .
                 Let
                 thy
                 hopes
                 be
                 strong
                 and
                 lively
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 thy
                 hands
                 will
                 be
                 strong
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 resolutions
                 and
                 affections
                 will
                 be
                 strong
                 .
                 My
                 time
                 is
                 very
                 precious
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 lose
                 any
                 inch
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 See
                 thou
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 mytime
                 in
                 writing
                 this
                 Letter
                 be
                 not
                 lost
                 time
                 .
                 Love
                 God
                 the
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 thine
                 heart
                 the
                 straighter
                 towards
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 but
                 practice
                 this
                 one
                 thing
                 ,
                 in
                 every
                 solemn
                 action
                 to
                 look
                 to
                 thy
                 ends
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 I
                 have
                 got
                 well
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 better
                 by
                 these
                 Counsels
                 .
                 My
                 dearest
                 ,
                 I
                 love
                 thee
                 in
                 truth
                 and
                 tenderness
                 ,
                 but
                 my
                 love
                 signifies
                 little
                 ,
                 unless
                 it
                 serve
                 thine
                 Eternal
                 good
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   I
                   rest
                   thine
                   own
                   ,
                   JOSEPH
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 XXXVI
                 .
                 [
                 To
                 his
                 Wife
                 ,
                 Desires
                 after
                 Heaven
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   My
                   Dear
                   Heart
                   ,
                
              
               
                 MY
                 heart
                 is
                 now
                 a
                 little
                 at
                 rest
                 to
                 write
                 to
                 thee
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 these
                 three
                 days
                 much
                 disturbed
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 out
                 of
                 frame
                 .
                 Strong
                 solicitations
                 I
                 have
                 had
                 from
                 several
                 hands
                 ,
                 to
                 accept
                 very
                 honourable
                 preferment
                 in
                 several
                 kinds
                 ,
                 some
                 friends
                 making
                 a
                 Journey
                 on
                 purpose
                 to
                 propound
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 found
                 the
                 invitations
                 (
                 though
                 I
                 confess
                 very
                 honourble
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 or
                 will
                 be
                 suddenly
                 embraced
                 by
                 men
                 of
                 far
                 greater
                 worth
                 and
                 eminency
                 )
                 to
                 suit
                 with
                 the
                 inclinations
                 of
                 my
                 own
                 heart
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 was
                 confident
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 with
                 thine
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 sent
                 away
                 my
                 friends
                 satisfied
                 with
                 the
                 reasons
                 of
                 my
                 refusal
                 ,
                 and
                 am
                 now
                 ready
                 with
                 joy
                 to
                 say
                 with
                 
                   David
                   .
                   Soul
                   return
                   unto
                   thy
                   rest
                   .
                
                 But
                 alas
                 ,
                 that
                 such
                 things
                 should
                 disturb
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 live
                 above
                 this
                 lower
                 region
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 passages
                 or
                 providence
                 whatsoever
                 might
                 put
                 me
                 out
                 of
                 frame
                 ,
                 nor
                 disquiet
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 unsettle
                 me
                 from
                 my
                 desired
                 rest
                 .
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 my
                 heart
                 fixed
                 upon
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 no
                 occurrences
                 might
                 disturb
                 my
                 tranquility
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 might
                 be
                 still
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 quiet
                 and
                 even
                 frame
                 .
                 Well
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 am
                 apt
                 to
                 be
                 unsettled
                 ,
                 and
                 quickly
                 set
                 off
                 the
                 hinges
                 ,
                 yet
                 methinks
                 I
                 am
                 like
                 a
                 Bird
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 nest
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 never
                 quiet
                 till
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 my
                 old
                 way
                 of
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 needle
                 in
                 the
                 Compass
                 that
                 is
                 restless
                 ,
                 till
                 it
                 be
                 turned
                 towards
                 the
                 the
                 Pole.
                 I
                 can
                 say
                 through
                 grace
                 with
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 with
                 my
                 soul
                 have
                 I
                 desired
                 thee
                 in
                 the
                 night
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 my
                 Spirit
                 within
                 me
                 have
                 I
                 sought
                 thee
                 early
                 ,
                 my
                 heart
                 is
                 early
                 and
                 late
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 't
                 is
                 the
                 business
                 and
                 delight
                 of
                 my
                 life
                 to
                 seek
                 him
                 .
                 But
                 alas
                 ,
                 how
                 long
                 shall
                 I
                 be
                 a
                 seeking
                 ?
                 how
                 long
                 shall
                 I
                 spend
                 my
                 days
                 in
                 wishing
                 and
                 desiring
                 ,
                 when
                 my
                 glorified
                 Brethren
                 spend
                 theirs
                 in
                 rejoycing
                 and
                 enjoying
                 ?
                 look
                 as
                 the
                 poor
                 imprisoned
                 captive
                 fighs
                 under
                 the
                 burdensome
                 clog
                 of
                 his
                 Irons
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 onely
                 
                 pear
                 through
                 the
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 long
                 for
                 the
                 sweetness
                 of
                 that
                 liberty
                 which
                 he
                 sees
                 others
                 enjoy
                 :
                 such
                 methinks
                 is
                 my
                 condition
                 :
                 I
                 can
                 only
                 look
                 through
                 the
                 Grate
                 of
                 this
                 Prison
                 my
                 flesh
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 and
                 Isaac
                 ,
                 and
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 sitting
                 down
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 alass
                 ,
                 I
                 my self
                 must
                 stand
                 without
                 longing
                 ,
                 striving
                 ,
                 fighting
                 ,
                 running
                 ,
                 praying
                 ,
                 waiting
                 ,
                 for
                 what
                 they
                 are
                 enjoying
                 .
                 Oh
                 happy
                 ,
                 thrice
                 happy
                 pouls
                 !
                 when
                 shall
                 these
                 Fetters
                 of
                 mine
                 be
                 knocked
                 off
                 ?
                 when
                 shall
                 I
                 be
                 set
                 at
                 liberty
                 from
                 this
                 Prison
                 of
                 my
                 body
                 ?
                 you
                 are
                 cloted
                 with
                 glory
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 am
                 clothed
                 with
                 dust
                 .
                 I
                 dwell
                 in
                 flesh
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 House
                 of
                 Clay
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 dwell
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 a
                 House
                 not
                 made
                 with
                 hands
                 ,
                 eternal
                 in
                 the
                 Heavens
                 .
                 I
                 must
                 be
                 continually
                 clog'd
                 with
                 the
                 cumbersome
                 burden
                 of
                 this
                 Dung-hill
                 Body
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 it
                 not
                 a
                 soul
                 dwelling
                 in
                 it
                 like
                 Salt
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 to
                 preserve
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 soon
                 turn
                 to
                 putrefaction
                 and
                 corruption
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 as
                 odious
                 and
                 loathsome
                 as
                 the
                 filthiest
                 Carrion
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 have
                 put
                 on
                 incorruption
                 and
                 immortaliey
                 .
                 What
                 continual
                 molestation
                 am
                 I
                 subject
                 to
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 this
                 flesh
                 ?
                 what
                 pains
                 doth
                 it
                 cost
                 me
                 to
                 keep
                 this
                 earthen
                 Vessel
                 from
                 breaking
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 fed
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 clothed
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 exercised
                 ,
                 recreated
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 is
                 worst
                 of
                 all
                 cherished
                 with
                 time-devouring
                 sleep
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 I
                 live
                 but
                 little
                 of
                 the
                 short
                 time
                 I
                 have
                 alotted
                 me
                 here
                 :
                 but
                 oh
                 blessed
                 souls
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 swallowed
                 up
                 of
                 immortality
                 and
                 life
                 ,
                 your
                 race
                 is
                 run
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 have
                 received
                 your
                 Crown
                 .
                 How
                 cautious
                 must
                 I
                 be
                 to
                 keep
                 me
                 from
                 dangers
                 ,
                 how
                 apt
                 am
                 I
                 to
                 be
                 troubled
                 with
                 the
                 cares
                 and
                 fears
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 molesting
                 my self
                 with
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 what
                 I
                 shall
                 eat
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 I
                 shall
                 put
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 wherewithal
                 I
                 shall
                 provide
                 for
                 my self
                 and
                 mine
                 ;
                 when
                 your
                 souls
                 are
                 taken
                 with
                 nothing
                 but
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 't
                 is
                 your
                 work
                 to
                 be
                 still
                 contemplating
                 ,
                 and
                 admiring
                 that
                 love
                 that
                 redeemed
                 you
                 from
                 all
                 this
                 .
                 Alas
                 ,
                 how
                 am
                 I
                 encompast
                 with
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 and
                 still
                 carry
                 about
                 me
                 Death
                 in
                 my
                 bosome
                 ,
                 what
                 pains
                 and
                 cost
                 must
                 I
                 be
                 at
                 to
                 repair
                 the
                 rotten
                 and
                 ruinous
                 building
                 of
                 this
                 earthly
                 Tabernacle
                 ,
                 which
                 when
                 I
                 have
                 done
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 will
                 shortly
                 fall
                 about
                 my
                 ears
                 ;
                 when
                 you
                 are
                 got
                 far
                 above
                 mortality
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 made
                 equal
                 with
                 the
                 Angels
                 .
                 Oh
                 I
                 groan
                 earnestly
                 to
                 be
                 clothed
                 upon
                 with
                 my
                 house
                 which
                 is
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 being
                 willing
                 rather
                 to
                 be
                 absent
                 from
                 the
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 present
                 with
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 Oh
                 ,
                 
                 when
                 shall
                 I
                 come
                 and
                 appear
                 before
                 him
                 .
                 When
                 shall
                 I
                 receive
                 the
                 Purchase
                 of
                 my
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 my
                 prayers
                 ,
                 the
                 harvest
                 of
                 my
                 labours
                 ,
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 my
                 Faith
                 ,
                 the
                 Salvation
                 of
                 my
                 soul
                 ?
                 Alas
                 ,
                 what
                 do
                 I
                 here
                 ?
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 my
                 resting
                 place
                 .
                 My
                 treasure
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 heart
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
                 Oh
                 when
                 shall
                 I
                 be
                 where
                 my
                 heart
                 is
                 ?
                 woe
                 is
                 me
                 that
                 I
                 sojour
                 in
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 and
                 dwell
                 in
                 the
                 Tents
                 of
                 Kedar
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 I
                 had
                 wings
                 〈◊〉
                 a
                 Dove
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 flie
                 away
                 and
                 be
                 at
                 rest
                 .
                 Then
                 would
                 I
                 hasten
                 my
                 escape
                 from
                 the
                 windy
                 storm
                 and
                 tempest
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 reach
                 of
                 fears
                 ,
                 disturbances
                 ,
                 and
                 distractions
                 .
                 How
                 long
                 shall
                 I
                 live
                 at
                 such
                 a
                 distance
                 from
                 my
                 God
                 ,
                 at
                 such
                 a
                 distance
                 from
                 my
                 Countrey
                 ?
                 Alas
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 I
                 be
                 merry
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 I
                 sing
                 the
                 Lords
                 Song
                 in
                 a
                 strange
                 Land
                 ;
                 no
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 hang
                 my
                 Harp
                 upon
                 the
                 Willows
                 ,
                 and
                 sit
                 down
                 and
                 weep
                 when
                 I
                 remember
                 Sion
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 my
                 flesh
                 shall
                 rest
                 in
                 hope
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 daily
                 bathe
                 my
                 soul
                 in
                 the
                 sweet
                 thoughts
                 of
                 my
                 blessed
                 home
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 rejoyce
                 in
                 hopes
                 of
                 what
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 yet
                 enjoy
                 ,
                 and
                 content
                 my self
                 with
                 the
                 taste
                 of
                 what
                 I
                 shall
                 shortly
                 have
                 my
                 fill
                 of
                 .
                 But
                 stay
                 this
                 Pen
                 run
                 not
                 beyond
                 thy
                 Commission
                 .
                 Alas
                 ,
                 now
                 I
                 receive
                 what
                 I
                 have
                 gotten
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 I
                 have
                 set
                 down
                 what
                 I
                 would
                 be
                 rather
                 than
                 what
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 and
                 wrote
                 more
                 of
                 my
                 dears
                 heart
                 than
                 my
                 own
                 penning
                 ,
                 rather
                 a
                 Copy
                 for
                 my self
                 ,
                 than
                 a
                 Copy
                 of
                 my self
                 .
                 Well
                 ,
                 I
                 thank
                 God
                 I
                 have
                 got
                 some
                 heat
                 by
                 it
                 for
                 all
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 grant
                 thou
                 mayst
                 get
                 a
                 thousand
                 times
                 more
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 grant
                 the
                 request
                 I
                 daily
                 pour
                 out
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 us
                 helps
                 and
                 furtherances
                 to
                 each
                 others
                 soul
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 quicken
                 and
                 promote
                 and
                 forward
                 one
                 another
                 in
                 his
                 ways
                 .
                 Help
                 me
                 by
                 thy
                 Prayers
                 as
                 thou
                 dost
                 always
                 .
                 The
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 peace
                 and
                 comfort
                 be
                 with
                 thee
                 my
                 sweet
                 love
                 ,
                 Farewel
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   Thine
                   beyond
                   Expression
                   ,
                   Joseph
                   Aleine
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 XXXVII
                 .
                 [
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 satisfying
                 Portion
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   My
                   most
                   dear
                   Pylades
                   ,
                
              
               
                 HAd
                 not
                 my
                 right
                 hand
                 long
                 since
                 forgot
                 her
                 cunning
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Almighty
                 shook
                 the
                 Pen
                 out
                 of
                 my
                 hand
                 ,
                 I
                 should
                 long
                 ere
                 this
                 have
                 been
                 writing
                 to
                 thee
                 :
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 wonder
                 of
                 Divine
                 Power
                 and
                 goodness
                 that
                 my
                 soul
                 had
                 not
                 before
                 this
                 time
                 dwelt
                 in
                 silence
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 death
                 had
                 not
                 put
                 the
                 long
                 period
                 to
                 all
                 my
                 Writing
                 and
                 Converse
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 my
                 Pylades
                 ,
                 what
                 shall
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 thee
                 now
                 I
                 begin
                 to
                 write
                 ,
                 where
                 shall
                 I
                 begin
                 ,
                 when
                 shall
                 I
                 end
                 ?
                 methinks
                 I
                 am
                 as
                 a
                 full
                 Bottle
                 quite
                 inverted
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 forward
                 pressing
                 of
                 the
                 overhasty
                 Liquor
                 makes
                 the
                 evacuation
                 more
                 flow
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 thoughts
                 are
                 like
                 a
                 thronging
                 croud
                 sticking
                 in
                 the
                 door
                 .
              
               
                 Long
                 is
                 the
                 Song
                 of
                 Love
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 tell
                 thee
                 ,
                 I
                 rejoice
                 in
                 the
                 constancie
                 of
                 thy
                 Love
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 waters
                 of
                 so
                 long
                 a
                 silence
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 distance
                 have
                 not
                 yet
                 quenched
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 thy
                 desires
                 are
                 towards
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 heart
                 is
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 though
                 Providence
                 hath
                 hindred
                 me
                 from
                 thy
                 much
                 desired
                 Company
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 assure
                 thee
                 it
                 hath
                 been
                 a
                 pleasure
                 to
                 my
                 heart
                 a
                 good
                 part
                 of
                 this
                 summer
                 to
                 hope
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 come
                 one
                 half
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 give
                 thee
                 a
                 meeting
                 ;
                 but
                 such
                 is
                 my
                 weakness
                 hitherto
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 forced
                 to
                 put
                 off
                 those
                 hopes
                 till
                 the
                 Spring
                 ,
                 when
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 give
                 me
                 strength
                 to
                 ride
                 ,
                 I
                 intend
                 to
                 see
                 thee
                 before
                 mine
                 own
                 Home
                 .
                 I
                 thank
                 thee
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 dear
                 expressions
                 of
                 thy
                 servent
                 love
                 :
                 Methinks
                 I
                 see
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 feel
                 how
                 it
                 runs
                 through
                 all
                 the
                 Veins
                 of
                 every
                 Letter
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 every
                 Line
                 ;
                 I
                 needed
                 not
                 so
                 chargeable
                 a
                 Testimony
                 as
                 thy
                 golden
                 Token
                 ,
                 with
                 which
                 I
                 was
                 something
                 displeased
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 thought
                 thou
                 needest
                 more
                 than
                 my self
                 :
                 but
                 the
                 love
                 there-by
                 expressed
                 is
                 most
                 dearly
                 welcome
                 to
                 me
                 .
                 What
                 thou
                 talkest
                 of
                 Retribution
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 Justice
                 doth
                 not
                 so
                 well
                 relish
                 
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Phrases
                 seem
                 improper
                 to
                 the
                 love
                 profest
                 between
                 us
                 ,
                 I
                 never
                 looked
                 for
                 any
                 return
                 from
                 thee
                 but
                 love
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 paying
                 of
                 all
                 thy
                 Debts
                 :
                 my
                 expences
                 have
                 indeed
                 been
                 vast
                 and
                 almost
                 incredible
                 ;
                 but
                 surely
                 goodness
                 and
                 mercy
                 hath
                 followed
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 follow
                 me
                 in
                 every
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 every
                 change
                 of
                 my
                 condition
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 as
                 to
                 temporals
                 I
                 have
                 lack
                 of
                 nothing
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 for
                 spirituals
                 I
                 abound
                 and
                 superabound
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 streams
                 of
                 my
                 comforts
                 have
                 been
                 full
                 and
                 ruuning
                 over
                 ;
                 the
                 joy
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 been
                 my
                 strength
                 at
                 weakest
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 my
                 thoughts
                 within
                 me
                 ,
                 his
                 comforts
                 have
                 refresh'd
                 my
                 Soul
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 found
                 God
                 a
                 satisfying
                 portion
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 sat
                 down
                 under
                 his
                 shadow
                 with
                 full
                 delights
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 fruit
                 is
                 most
                 sweet
                 to
                 my
                 taste
                 :
                 he
                 is
                 my
                 strength
                 and
                 my
                 Song
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 will
                 take
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 write
                 of
                 him
                 with
                 perpetual
                 pleasure
                 .
                 Through
                 grace
                 ,
                 I
                 can
                 say
                 ,
                 methinks
                 I
                 am
                 now
                 in
                 my
                 Element
                 ,
                 fince
                 I
                 have
                 begun
                 to
                 make
                 mention
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 rich
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 happy
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 soul
                 saith
                 unto
                 him
                 with
                 David
                 ,
                 Thou
                 hast
                 made
                 me
                 most
                 blessed
                 for
                 evermore
                 ,
                 and
                 happy
                 is
                 the
                 hour
                 that
                 ever
                 I
                 was
                 born
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 so
                 blissful
                 a
                 Treasure
                 ,
                 so
                 endless
                 a
                 felicity
                 ,
                 so
                 Angelical
                 Prerogatives
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 O
                 sweet
                 are
                 his
                 converses
                 ,
                 how
                 delightful
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 triumph
                 in
                 his
                 Love
                 !
              
               
                 Suffer
                 me
                 to
                 be
                 free
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 where
                 should
                 I
                 pour
                 out
                 my
                 Soul
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 into
                 thy
                 bosom
                 ?
                 did
                 the
                 poor
                 woman
                 call
                 upon
                 her
                 friends
                 and
                 neighbours
                 to
                 rejoyce
                 together
                 with
                 her
                 at
                 the
                 finding
                 of
                 a
                 lost
                 Groat
                 ?
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 I
                 tell
                 to
                 thee
                 the
                 keeper
                 of
                 the
                 sacrets
                 of
                 my
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 friend
                 of
                 my
                 inmost
                 bosom
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 friend
                 is
                 the
                 Lord
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 though
                 an
                 unworthy
                 sinner
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 I
                 run
                 and
                 tell
                 thee
                 what
                 a
                 treasure
                 I
                 have
                 found
                 .
                 And
                 here
                 methinks
                 the
                 story
                 of
                 the
                 Lepers
                 comes
                 not
                 unaptly
                 to
                 my
                 mind
                 ,
                 who
                 said
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 when
                 they
                 had
                 eat
                 and
                 drunk
                 ,
                 and
                 carried
                 away
                 silver
                 and
                 gold
                 ,
                 and
                 rayment
                 ,
                 and
                 went
                 and
                 hid
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   do
                   not
                   well
                   ,
                   this
                   day
                   is
                   a
                   day
                   of
                   good
                   tidings
                   and
                   we
                   hold
                   our
                   peace
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 fit
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 be
                 cloathed
                 with
                 shame
                 ;
                 I
                 acknowledge
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 trieth
                 the
                 hearts
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 unworthy
                 ,
                 everlastingly
                 unworthy
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 fit
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 lose
                 his
                 praise
                 ,
                 nay
                 rather
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 be
                 the
                 more
                 ador'd
                 ,
                 and
                 magnifi'd
                 ,
                 and
                 admir'd
                 for
                 ever
                 and
                 ever
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 my
                 Secrets
                 say
                 ,
                 Amen
                 .
                 Bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 soul
                 
                 bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 Friend
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 exalt
                 his
                 Name
                 together
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 my
                 solace
                 in
                 my
                 solitude
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 my
                 standing
                 comforter
                 ,
                 my
                 tried
                 friend
                 my
                 sure
                 refuge
                 ,
                 my
                 safe
                 retreat
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 my
                 Paradise
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 my
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 and
                 my
                 heart
                 is
                 at
                 rest
                 in
                 him
                 :
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 sit
                 and
                 sing
                 under
                 his
                 shadow
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Bird
                 among
                 the
                 Branches
                 ;
                 and
                 whither
                 should
                 I
                 go
                 but
                 unto
                 him
                 ?
                 Shall
                 I
                 leave
                 the
                 fatness
                 of
                 the
                 Olive
                 ,
                 and
                 sweetness
                 of
                 the
                 Fig-tree
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Vine
                 ,
                 and
                 go
                 and
                 put
                 my
                 trust
                 under
                 the
                 shadow
                 of
                 the
                 Bramble
                 ?
                 No
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 made
                 my
                 everlasting
                 choice
                 :
                 this
                 is
                 my
                 rest
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 my
                 Well-beloved
                 in
                 whom
                 I
                 am
                 well
                 pleased
                 .
                 Suffer
                 me
                 to
                 boast
                 a
                 little
                 here
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 Glory
                 without
                 vanity
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 can
                 praise
                 him
                 without
                 end
                 or
                 measure
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 have
                 nothing
                 to
                 say
                 of
                 my self
                 :
                 I
                 find
                 thou
                 dost
                 overvalue
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 magnifie
                 me
                 above
                 my
                 measure
                 ;
                 set
                 the
                 Crown
                 upon
                 the
                 head
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 let
                 nothing
                 be
                 great
                 with
                 thee
                 but
                 him
                 ,
                 give
                 him
                 the
                 glory
                 :
                 but
                 thy
                 love
                 pleaseth
                 me
                 ,
                 only
                 I
                 have
                 this
                 exception
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 thine
                 own
                 Idol
                 ,
                 as
                 Austin
                 somewhere
                 speaks
                 to
                 a
                 friend
                 of
                 his
                 that
                 did
                 too
                 much
                 magnifie
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 magnifiest
                 a
                 Creature
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 sancie
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 thy
                 poor
                 Orestes
                 :
                 God
                 that
                 knoweth
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 knoweth
                 my
                 poverty
                 ,
                 how
                 little
                 ,
                 how
                 low
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 mean
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 short
                 I
                 come
                 of
                 the
                 attainments
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 who
                 yet
                 do
                 themselves
                 come
                 so
                 exceedingly
                 short
                 of
                 the
                 Rule
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 set
                 before
                 us
                 :
                 I
                 often
                 think
                 of
                 the
                 Complaint
                 of
                 the
                 devout
                 Monsier
                 [
                 I
                 feel
                 my self
                 very
                 poor
                 this
                 week
                 ,
                 and
                 very
                 defective
                 in
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 would
                 know
                 wherein
                 you
                 may
                 pleasure
                 me
                 ,
                 love
                 God
                 more
                 ;
                 that
                 what
                 is
                 wanting
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 abundance
                 of
                 your
                 love
                 :
                 ]
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 my
                 Pylades
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 thou
                 mayest
                 most
                 highly
                 pleasure
                 me
                 ;
                 love
                 God
                 a
                 little
                 the
                 better
                 ,
                 praise
                 him
                 a
                 little
                 the
                 more
                 for
                 my
                 sake
                 ;
                 let
                 me
                 have
                 this
                 to
                 please
                 my self
                 in
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 little
                 the
                 better
                 loved
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 blowed
                 up
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 but
                 one
                 flash
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 but
                 one
                 spark
                 of
                 Divine
                 Love
                 in
                 the
                 bosom
                 of
                 my
                 dearest
                 friend
                 towards
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 why
                 ,
                 my
                 Pylades
                 ,
                 why
                 is
                 thy
                 stile
                 towards
                 me
                 changed
                 ?
                 why
                 hast
                 thou
                 lost
                 the
                 old
                 and
                 wonted
                 strain
                 of
                 our
                 former
                 pleasing
                 familiarity
                 ?
                 this
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 observe
                 with
                 some
                 disgust
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 because
                 thy
                 heart
                 is
                 changed
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 question
                 in
                 which
                 I
                 cannot
                 ask
                 any
                 resolution
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 satisfied
                 
                 and
                 at
                 rest
                 in
                 thy
                 love
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 this
                 alterations
                 means
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 ;
                 art
                 thou
                 willing
                 by
                 degrees
                 to
                 grow
                 strange
                 ;
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 ,
                 thou
                 seest
                 however
                 that
                 I
                 cannot
                 change
                 my
                 voice
                 .
              
               
                 Busides
                 ,
                 I
                 find
                 some
                 jealous
                 passages
                 in
                 thy
                 last
                 lines
                 unto
                 us
                 ;
                 but
                 cast
                 thou
                 think
                 that
                 〈◊〉
                 can
                 be
                 put
                 into
                 the
                 ballance
                 against
                 my
                 old
                 Friend
                 ,
                 my
                 own
                 ,
                 my
                 Covenant
                 Pylades
                 ,
                 or
                 can
                 a
                 friend
                 of
                 words
                 come
                 into
                 any
                 competition
                 or
                 comparison
                 with
                 thine
                 experienced
                 love
                 ?
                 I
                 cannot
                 entertain
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 this
                 without
                 some
                 disdain
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 thy
                 needful
                 cautions
                 are
                 acceptable
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 desire
                 to
                 foresee
                 and
                 provide
                 for
                 manifold
                 changes
                 and
                 storms
                 ;
                 I
                 know
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 yet
                 in
                 the
                 Harbor
                 ;
                 O
                 pray
                 with
                 me
                 that
                 I
                 enter
                 not
                 into
                 Temptation
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 very
                 weak
                 in
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 in
                 body
                 ,
                 God
                 knoweth
                 .
                 But
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 end
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 somewhere
                 or
                 other
                 I
                 must
                 break
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 wilt
                 say
                 it
                 is
                 time
                 to
                 shut
                 up
                 ;
                 for
                 once
                 onely
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 thy
                 daily
                 Orator
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 be
                 whilest
                 I
                 am
                 :
                 and
                 yet
                 once
                 more
                 I
                 must
                 have
                 room
                 to
                 add
                 my
                 thankful
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 thine
                 and
                 thy
                 costly
                 kindness
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 with
                 our
                 most
                 dear
                 affections
                 to
                 you
                 both
                 ,
                 I
                 commend
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 love
                 ,
                 still
                 abiding
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Thy
                   fast
                   and
                   sure
                   Orestes
                   .
                
                 
                   Bath
                   ,
                   
                     Octob.
                     13.
                     1668.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXXVII
                 .
                 [
                 To
                 a
                 person
                 of
                 Quality
                 to
                 be
                 constant
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   Most
                   Honoured
                   Sir
                   ,
                
              
               
                 MAny
                 charges
                 have
                 passed
                 over
                 both
                 you
                 and
                 my self
                 ,
                 since
                 my
                 last
                 Writing
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 am
                 glad
                 to
                 hear
                 that
                 in
                 that
                 great
                 change
                 of
                 your
                 condition
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 made
                 so
                 wise
                 and
                 happy
                 a
                 choice
                 .
                 Mine
                 unfeigned
                 desire
                 to
                 God
                 is
                 for
                 your
                 Temporal
                 and
                 Spiritual
                 prosperity
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 blessings
                 of
                 both
                 Worlds
                 may
                 be
                 heaped
                 up
                 upon
                 you
                 .
                 Yet
                 I
                 should
                 desire
                 you
                 not
                 to
                 expect
                 too
                 much
                 here
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 count
                 it
                 a
                 strange
                 thing
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 meet
                 with
                 disappointments
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 your
                 portion
                 ,
                 and
                 Heaven
                 for
                 your
                 Inheritance
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 World
                 should
                 not
                 answer
                 your
                 expectations
                 .
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 likely
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 we
                 ,
                 to
                 meet
                 with
                 manifold
                 temptations
                 :
                 the
                 Lord
                 make
                 you
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 have
                 done
                 all
                 to
                 stand
                 .
                 Hold
                 out
                 a
                 while
                 in
                 faith
                 ,
                 patience
                 ,
                 and
                 self-denial
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 be
                 as
                 sure
                 as
                 God
                 can
                 make
                 you
                 of
                 the
                 Crown
                 .
                 Now
                 arise
                 and
                 shine
                 ,
                 and
                 hold
                 forth
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 holiness
                 in
                 all
                 your
                 converse
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 lived
                 in
                 times
                 when
                 Religion
                 was
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 credit
                 and
                 esteem
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 it
                 was
                 more
                 difficult
                 to
                 discern
                 the
                 sincerity
                 of
                 ones
                 profession
                 ,
                 because
                 men
                 might
                 be
                 drawn
                 to
                 it
                 upon
                 worldly
                 ends
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 when
                 God
                 will
                 prove
                 us
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 will
                 appear
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 own
                 his
                 ways
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 common
                 scorn
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 Oh
                 Sir
                 ,
                 think
                 it
                 not
                 hard
                 if
                 God
                 do
                 call
                 you
                 forth
                 to
                 own
                 him
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 time
                 as
                 this
                 ,
                 when
                 few
                 of
                 your
                 rank
                 and
                 quality
                 will
                 bear
                 you
                 company
                 :
                 but
                 look
                 upon
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 special
                 advantage
                 to
                 prove
                 your
                 sincerity
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 fidelity
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 your
                 Maker
                 .
                 The
                 holy
                 and
                 blessed
                 life
                 of
                 that
                 noble
                 Marquess
                 Galeacius
                 ,
                 I
                 should
                 much
                 commend
                 to
                 your
                 reading
                 and
                 Imitation
                 .
                 Court
                 not
                 the
                 world
                 nor
                 its
                 preferments
                 ,
                 Moses
                 his
                 self-denying
                 choice
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 World
                 would
                 have
                 branded
                 for
                 unparalled
                 folly
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 voluntarily
                 left
                 all
                 the
                 Court-preferments
                 and
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 the
                 wisest
                 Judge
                 commends
                 for
                 the
                 greatest
                 Wisdom
                 .
                 If
                 Religion
                 will
                 make
                 you
                 vile
                 ,
                 resolve
                 with
                 that
                 Royal
                 Worthy
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 yet
                 more
                 vile
                 .
                 Remember
                 who
                 accounted
                 
                 the
                 reproaches
                 of
                 Christ
                 greater
                 riches
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 Treasures
                 of
                 Egypt
                 .
                 Verily
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 greater
                 honour
                 to
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 vilified
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 be
                 dignified
                 with
                 the
                 highest
                 Titles
                 that
                 the
                 greatest
                 on
                 Earth
                 can
                 confer
                 :
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 call'd
                 Puritan
                 ,
                 or
                 Phanatique
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 bold
                 and
                 constant
                 owning
                 of
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 have
                 whole
                 Pages
                 filled
                 up
                 with
                 the
                 honourable
                 offices
                 and
                 marks
                 of
                 Dignity
                 ,
                 that
                 earthly
                 Princes
                 can
                 bestow
                 .
                 Now
                 then
                 is
                 your
                 time
                 to
                 get
                 the
                 true
                 honour
                 .
                 Few
                 of
                 your
                 places
                 and
                 dignity
                 ,
                 will
                 take
                 this
                 way
                 to
                 get
                 it
                 :
                 But
                 he
                 that
                 can
                 but
                 use
                 the
                 prospective
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 look
                 as
                 far
                 as
                 the
                 approaching
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 will
                 easily
                 see
                 the
                 vanity
                 of
                 the
                 worlds
                 riches
                 and
                 slattering
                 preferments
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 everlasting
                 glory
                 and
                 honour
                 wherewith
                 the
                 dispised
                 Saints
                 shall
                 surely
                 be
                 Crowned
                 .
                 Fix
                 your
                 eyes
                 and
                 Meditations
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 will
                 set
                 you
                 above
                 the
                 worlds
                 temptations
                 ,
                 when
                 by
                 its
                 offers
                 or
                 threatnings
                 it
                 would
                 make
                 you
                 to
                 warp
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 let
                 go
                 your
                 hold-fast
                 of
                 Eternal
                 life
                 .
                 Now
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 for
                 you
                 to
                 make
                 Heaven
                 sure
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 that
                 is
                 done
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 prepared
                 for
                 the
                 worst
                 that
                 can
                 come
                 .
                 I
                 desire
                 you
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 my
                 service
                 and
                 respects
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Wives
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 do
                 hereby
                 present
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 your
                 most
                 deserving
                 yoak-fellow
                 ,
                 whom
                 I
                 unfeignedly
                 honour
                 though
                 I
                 never
                 saw
                 her
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 for
                 her
                 noble
                 blood
                 ,
                 which
                 yet
                 calls
                 for
                 great
                 respects
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 her
                 far
                 more
                 noble
                 qualifications
                 ,
                 and
                 priviledges
                 of
                 her
                 second
                 birth
                 .
                 Pardon
                 my
                 boldness
                 with
                 you
                 in
                 troubling
                 you
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 Sir
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   most
                   Oblidged
                   Friend
                   ,
                   and
                   Servant
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Feb.
                     26.
                     1661.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 ,
                 XXXVII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Dear
                   Couzin
                   ,
                
              
               
                 THough
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 in
                 the
                 valley
                 of
                 the
                 shadow
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 have
                 had
                 more
                 than
                 one
                 foot
                 in
                 the
                 Grave
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 been
                 in
                 deaths
                 often
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 love
                 and
                 remembrance
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 ever
                 liveth
                 on
                 my
                 heart
                 :
                 I
                 have
                 long
                 had
                 neither
                 feet
                 to
                 walk
                 nor
                 hands
                 to
                 write
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 have
                 borrowed
                 hands
                 as
                 you
                 see
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 I
                 would
                 stay
                 any
                 longer
                 from
                 warning
                 and
                 admonishing
                 of
                 you
                 .
                 Dear
                 Couzin
                 ,
                 that
                 soul
                 of
                 yours
                 ,
                 that
                 precious
                 immortal
                 soul
                 is
                 of
                 no
                 light
                 value
                 with
                 me
                 !
                 I
                 pray
                 hard
                 for
                 its
                 Salvation
                 :
                 I
                 have
                 a
                 Godly
                 fear
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 lest
                 your
                 soul
                 should
                 miscarry
                 in
                 a
                 crowd
                 of
                 worldly
                 business
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 earthly
                 cares
                 .
                 Ah
                 ,
                 my
                 dear
                 Niece
                 ,
                 it
                 comforts
                 me
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 so
                 setled
                 for
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 in
                 want
                 of
                 nothing
                 ,
                 I
                 bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 this
                 ,
                 but
                 me
                 thinks
                 this
                 doth
                 not
                 satisfie
                 me
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 could
                 be
                 sure
                 that
                 you
                 were
                 once
                 safe
                 setled
                 in
                 Christ
                 ;
                 though
                 you
                 are
                 ,
                 I
                 trust
                 comfortably
                 furnished
                 with
                 earthly
                 things
                 ,
                 yet
                 in
                 this
                 you
                 are
                 but
                 half
                 provided
                 for
                 :
                 have
                 you
                 a
                 Treasure
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ?
                 have
                 you
                 laid
                 hold
                 on
                 eternal
                 life
                 ?
                 have
                 you
                 made
                 sure
                 work
                 for
                 everlasting
                 ?
                 have
                 you
                 past
                 the
                 straits
                 of
                 the
                 New-Birth
                 ?
                 do
                 your
                 bear
                 upon
                 you
                 the
                 marks
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ?
              
               
                 If
                 you
                 shall
                 pass
                 by
                 a
                 sumptuous
                 Fabrick
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 great
                 Lordship
                 ,
                 and
                 should
                 lay
                 claim
                 to
                 all
                 as
                 your
                 inheritance
                 ,
                 and
                 please
                 your self
                 with
                 the
                 hopes
                 of
                 enjoying
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 had
                 nothing
                 to
                 shew
                 ,
                 no
                 Writing
                 ,
                 no
                 Evidence
                 to
                 produce
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 ground
                 for
                 any
                 such
                 hope
                 ,
                 would
                 not
                 every
                 one
                 say
                 ,
                 this
                 were
                 a
                 piece
                 of
                 strange
                 vanity
                 and
                 imprudence
                 ;
                 much
                 greater
                 folly
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 promise
                 our selves
                 a
                 part
                 in
                 Paradise
                 ,
                 and
                 rest
                 satisfied
                 in
                 a
                 meer
                 perswasion
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 Heirs
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 cannot
                 prove
                 our
                 Title
                 from
                 the
                 Book
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 nor
                 produce
                 from
                 within
                 our selves
                 ,
                 the
                 sure
                 and
                 certain
                 marks
                 of
                 the
                 children
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Ah
                 ,
                 Dear
                 Couzin
                 ,
                 Rouze
                 up
                 your self
                 make
                 conscience
                 ,
                 to
                 
                 deal
                 plainly
                 and
                 freely
                 with
                 your
                 soul
                 ,
                 say
                 within
                 your self
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 hopes
                 for
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 but
                 where
                 are
                 my
                 grounds
                 and
                 my
                 Evidences
                 ?
                 do
                 I
                 not
                 build
                 without
                 a
                 foundation
                 ?
                 do
                 I
                 venture
                 my
                 Salvation
                 upon
                 meer
                 uncertainties
                 ?
                 What
                 have
                 I
                 ,
                 what
                 do
                 I
                 more
                 than
                 others
                 ?
                 I
                 pray
                 ,
                 I
                 hear
                 ,
                 I
                 read
                 ,
                 but
                 may
                 not
                 a
                 meer
                 Hypocrite
                 do
                 all
                 this
                 ?
                 I
                 run
                 not
                 with
                 others
                 into
                 the
                 wretched
                 practice
                 of
                 Lying
                 ,
                 and
                 Couzening
                 ,
                 Whoredom
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ;
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 this
                 more
                 than
                 a
                 Pharisee
                 may
                 have
                 to
                 say
                 for
                 himself
                 ?
                 can
                 I
                 prove
                 by
                 Scripture
                 my
                 claim
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ?
                 can
                 I
                 produce
                 Chapter
                 and
                 Verse
                 to
                 justifie
                 my self
                 ?
              
               
                 Oh
                 Couzin
                 ,
                 fear
                 ,
                 least
                 a
                 Promise
                 being
                 lest
                 of
                 entring
                 into
                 rest
                 ,
                 you
                 should
                 by
                 any
                 mistakes
                 ,
                 or
                 self-deceits
                 fall
                 short
                 through
                 unbelief
                 ;
                 fear
                 lest
                 you
                 should
                 take
                 Counters
                 of
                 gold
                 ,
                 or
                 some
                 common
                 workings
                 for
                 saving
                 Grace
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 world
                 of
                 counterfeit
                 Coin
                 going
                 ,
                 multitudes
                 perish
                 by
                 mistake
                 ,
                 and
                 wake
                 in
                 Hell
                 ,
                 whilest
                 they
                 dreamt
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 Heaven
                 :
                 the
                 tempter
                 is
                 very
                 subtile
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 sure
                 deceive
                 if
                 he
                 can
                 :
                 your
                 heart
                 is
                 deceitful
                 above
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 willing
                 to
                 cheat
                 you
                 if
                 it
                 can
                 .
                 Therefore
                 am
                 I
                 engaged
                 so
                 earnestly
                 to
                 call
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 watcheth
                 for
                 your
                 soul
                 ,
                 to
                 arise
                 speedily
                 and
                 to
                 set
                 roundly
                 to
                 your
                 Work.
                 Oh
                 ,
                 consider
                 your
                 danger
                 ,
                 and
                 work
                 out
                 your
                 Salvation
                 with
                 fear
                 and
                 trembling
                 :
                 away
                 with
                 these
                 lazie
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 away
                 with
                 these
                 cold
                 and
                 heartless
                 Professions
                 ,
                 away
                 with
                 this
                 drowsie
                 ,
                 liveless
                 ,
                 liftless
                 Religion
                 ;
                 bestir
                 your self
                 to
                 purpose
                 for
                 your
                 Soul
                 before
                 it
                 be
                 too
                 late
                 .
                 Search
                 your
                 Conscience
                 as
                 with
                 Candles
                 ,
                 be
                 jealous
                 of
                 your self
                 ;
                 consider
                 ,
                 now
                 is
                 your
                 time
                 ,
                 what
                 you
                 do
                 you
                 must
                 do
                 quickly
                 ,
                 the
                 patience
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 waiting
                 ,
                 Christ
                 is
                 knocking
                 ,
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 striving
                 ,
                 and
                 death
                 is
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 :
                 Oh
                 now
                 take
                 your
                 opportunity
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 heed
                 lest
                 a
                 slothful
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 cares
                 of
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 presumptuous
                 confidence
                 that
                 all
                 is
                 well
                 and
                 safe
                 already
                 ,
                 should
                 at
                 last
                 shut
                 you
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 I
                 cannot
                 write
                 distinctly
                 to
                 your
                 Husband
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 to
                 call
                 upon
                 him
                 to
                 set
                 his
                 heart
                 to
                 these
                 Counsels
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 written
                 to
                 you
                 ;
                 I
                 earnestly
                 entreat
                 him
                 to
                 make
                 Religion
                 his
                 business
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 look
                 heedfully
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 gain
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 prove
                 not
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 his
                 soul.
                 I
                 desire
                 him
                 that
                 Closet
                 and
                 Family
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 weekly
                 Catechesing
                 of
                 his
                 Houshold
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 strict
                 sanctifying
                 of
                 the
                 Sabbath
                 ,
                 and
                 reading
                 of
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 singing
                 of
                 Psalms
                 ,
                 repeating
                 of
                 Sermons
                 ,
                 and
                 diligent
                 attendance
                 upon
                 powerful
                 Preaching
                 may
                 be
                 his
                 continual
                 exercises
                 ;
                 that
                 so
                 his
                 house
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 little
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 may
                 delight
                 to
                 dwell
                 in
                 his
                 Family
                 :
                 pray
                 give
                 me
                 to
                 understand
                 what
                 is
                 done
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 have
                 a
                 zeal
                 for
                 your
                 welfare
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 you
                 and
                 your
                 Houshould
                 should
                 serve
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 enter
                 into
                 his
                 rest
                 ,
                 and
                 carry
                 children
                 ,
                 and
                 servants
                 ,
                 and
                 friends
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 to
                 Heaven
                 with
                 you
                 .
                 As
                 to
                 my
                 own
                 estate
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 lost
                 all
                 my
                 Limbs
                 ,
                 and
                 about
                 this
                 twelve
                 Months
                 useless
                 ,
                 and
                 been
                 again
                 and
                 again
                 under
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 death
                 ;
                 but
                 was
                 brought
                 in
                 a
                 Horse-litter
                 to
                 Bath
                 ,
                 where
                 God
                 hath
                 wonderfully
                 restored
                 me
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 I
                 can
                 seed
                 my self
                 ,
                 and
                 go
                 alone
                 ,
                 and
                 speak
                 with
                 a
                 little
                 more
                 freedom
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 love
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 praise
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 me
                 ;
                 notwithstanding
                 I
                 continue
                 weak
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 not
                 strength
                 to
                 write
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 tell
                 how
                 to
                 die
                 in
                 silence
                 from
                 you
                 ;
                 but
                 have
                 made
                 use
                 of
                 a
                 friendly
                 hand
                 to
                 send
                 these
                 counsels
                 and
                 calls
                 after
                 you
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 to
                 accept
                 in
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 unlike
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 my
                 last
                 to
                 you
                 that
                 ever
                 you
                 may
                 receive
                 :
                 I
                 now
                 commend
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 mine
                 own
                 and
                 my
                 dear
                 Wives
                 love
                 to
                 you
                 both
                 ,
                 Rest
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   loving
                   and
                   careful
                   unkle
                   ,
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Octob.
                     21.
                     1668.
                     
                  
                
              
               
                 FINIS
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXXV
                 .
                 [
                 The
                 Concernments
                 of
                 our
                 Souls
                 especially
                 to
                 be
                 regarded
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   Dear
                   Cousin
                   ,
                
              
               
                 YOU
                 may
                 think
                 you
                 are
                 forgotten
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 because
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 heard
                 so
                 long
                 a
                 time
                 from
                 me
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 may
                 let
                 you
                 know
                 ,
                 That
                 though
                 God
                 hath
                 taken
                 away
                 your
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 suffered
                 your
                 Mother
                 to
                 be
                 helpless
                 to
                 you
                 ;
                 yet
                 you
                 have
                 one
                 friend
                 on
                 earth
                 that
                 careth
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 The
                 welfare
                 of
                 your
                 immortal
                 soul
                 is
                 dear
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 my
                 sollicitous
                 care
                 and
                 prayer
                 .
                 
                   Dear
                   Cousin
                
                 ,
                 Methinks
                 I
                 feel
                 a
                 godly
                 jealousie
                 of
                 you
                 within
                 my
                 heart
                 ,
                 lest
                 you
                 should
                 lose
                 your
                 soul
                 amongst
                 a
                 croud
                 of
                 worldly
                 cares
                 and
                 business
                 .
                 Oh
                 remember
                 the
                 story
                 of
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Book
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 ,
                 who
                 relates
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 a
                 Soldier
                 committed
                 to
                 his
                 keeping
                 ,
                 upon
                 condition
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 lose
                 his
                 life
                 if
                 he
                 did
                 let
                 him
                 go
                 :
                 
                   But
                   while
                   thy
                   servant
                   went
                   hither
                   and
                   thither
                   ,
                   the
                   man
                   escaped
                   .
                
                 But
                 the
                 King
                 replies
                 presently
                 ,
                 
                   Even
                   so
                   shall
                   thy
                   judgment
                   be
                   ;
                   thy
                   life
                   shall
                   go
                   for
                   his
                   life
                   .
                
                 Ah
                 Cousin
                 ,
                 take
                 earnest
                 heed
                 ,
                 lest
                 while
                 you
                 are
                 going
                 hither
                 and
                 thither
                 ,
                 minding
                 many
                 things
                 ,
                 tossed
                 in
                 a
                 hurry
                 of
                 worldly
                 affairs
                 ,
                 the
                 enemy
                 run
                 not
                 away
                 with
                 your
                 soul.
                 Oh
                 beware
                 that
                 the
                 world
                 doth
                 not
                 secretly
                 steal
                 away
                 your
                 heart
                 .
                 Consider
                 ,
                 that
                 whatever
                 your
                 business
                 be
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 and
                 will
                 have
                 an
                 eating
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 sleeping
                 time
                 .
                 Oh
                 be
                 as
                 sollicitous
                 every
                 day
                 to
                 keep
                 your
                 praying
                 times
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 a
                 thousand
                 times
                 more
                 necessary
                 than
                 a
                 time
                 to
                 eat
                 in
                 ,
                 or
                 sleep
                 .
                 Be
                 sure
                 that
                 there
                 doth
                 not
                 a
                 morning
                 or
                 evening
                 pass
                 over
                 your
                 head
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 perfumed
                 your
                 closet
                 with
                 solemn
                 and
                 fervent
                 prayer
                 :
                 And
                 take
                 heed
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 love
                 your
                 salvation
                 ,
                 
                 lest
                 Satan
                 beguile
                 you
                 with
                 the
                 bare
                 outward
                 performance
                 of
                 duties
                 ,
                 and
                 outward
                 acts
                 of
                 Religion
                 .
                 See
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 rest
                 in
                 a
                 worldly
                 Religion
                 ;
                 to
                 give
                 God
                 your
                 knee
                 ,
                 while
                 the
                 World
                 carries
                 away
                 your
                 heart
                 .
                 You
                 may
                 pray
                 ,
                 hear
                 ,
                 and
                 read
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 ,
                 excep
                 your
                 very
                 Soul
                 be
                 employed
                 and
                 engaged
                 in
                 these
                 duties
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 life
                 ,
                 vigour
                 ,
                 and
                 strength
                 of
                 your
                 affections
                 be
                 found
                 to
                 go
                 after
                 God
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 If
                 therefore
                 you
                 will
                 have
                 Christ
                 and
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 renounce
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 You
                 must
                 cast
                 overboard
                 your
                 worldly
                 hopes
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 up
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 naked
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 your
                 whole
                 happiness
                 ,
                 both
                 for
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 come
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 hopes
                 of
                 your
                 salvation
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 sound
                 mortification
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 you
                 must
                 be
                 mortified
                 to
                 your
                 worldly
                 expectations
                 :
                 look
                 not
                 for
                 much
                 from
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 promise
                 not
                 your self
                 much
                 from
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 seek
                 not
                 great
                 things
                 for
                 your self
                 :
                 say
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 So
                 I
                 may
                 have
                 thee
                 for
                 my
                 portion
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Kingdom
                 for
                 my
                 inheritance
                 ,
                 give
                 or
                 deny
                 me
                 what
                 thou
                 wilt
                 ,
                 poverty
                 or
                 riches
                 ,
                 any
                 thing
                 or
                 nothing
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 contented
                 with
                 my
                 Lot.
                 Say
                 unto
                 your
                 soul
                 ,
                 So
                 I
                 may
                 but
                 have
                 Christ
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 may
                 but
                 carry
                 it
                 for
                 the
                 other
                 world
                 ,
                 let
                 this
                 world
                 go
                 which
                 way
                 it
                 will
                 :
                 I
                 must
                 be
                 converted
                 or
                 condemned
                 ;
                 I
                 must
                 be
                 born
                 again
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 would
                 I
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 born
                 :
                 but
                 of
                 this
                 present
                 world
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 such
                 necessity
                 ;
                 I
                 may
                 be
                 poor
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 happy
                 :
                 but
                 wo
                 to
                 me
                 if
                 I
                 remain
                 unsanctified
                 :
                 I
                 must
                 have
                 grace
                 ,
                 or
                 perish
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 
                   Dear
                   Cousin
                
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 live
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 find
                 me
                 a
                 friend
                 to
                 your
                 worldly
                 prosperity
                 ;
                 but
                 whether
                 I
                 live
                 or
                 die
                 ,
                 I
                 charge
                 you
                 by
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 be
                 infinitely
                 tender
                 of
                 your
                 immortal
                 Souls
                 everlasting
                 concernments
                 .
                 Will
                 you
                 not
                 spin
                 a
                 fair
                 thread
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 if
                 while
                 you
                 are
                 pursuing
                 after
                 earthly
                 things
                 ,
                 you
                 lose
                 your
                 soul
                 in
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 ?
                 While
                 I
                 live
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 pray
                 and
                 care
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 Farewel
                 in
                 the
                 Lord.
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   truly
                   loving
                   and
                   careful
                   Uncle
                   ,
                   JOSEPH
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXXVI
                 .
                 [
                 Godly
                 Counsels
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   Dear
                   Cousin
                   ,
                
              
               
                 THE
                 welcom
                 tidings
                 of
                 your
                 safe
                 arrival
                 at
                 Barbadoes
                 ,
                 is
                 come
                 to
                 my
                 ears
                 ;
                 as
                 also
                 the
                 news
                 of
                 your
                 escape
                 from
                 a
                 perillous
                 sickness
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 I
                 bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 desire
                 to
                 be
                 thankful
                 with
                 you
                 :
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 without
                 a
                 care
                 for
                 your
                 well-being
                 ,
                 but
                 do
                 look
                 upon
                 my self
                 as
                 really
                 concerned
                 in
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 considered
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 bereft
                 you
                 of
                 a
                 careful
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 your
                 Mother
                 takes
                 but
                 little
                 care
                 for
                 you
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 none
                 nearer
                 than
                 my self
                 to
                 watch
                 for
                 your
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 charge
                 and
                 admonish
                 you
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 of
                 you
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 ,
                 
                   Dear
                   Cousin
                
                 ,
                 be
                 not
                 discouraged
                 by
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 but
                 look
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 flie
                 unto
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 put
                 away
                 every
                 known
                 sin
                 ,
                 set
                 upon
                 the
                 conscientious
                 performance
                 of
                 every
                 known
                 duty
                 ;
                 make
                 Christ
                 your
                 choice
                 ,
                 embrace
                 him
                 upon
                 his
                 own
                 terms
                 ;
                 deliver
                 up
                 your self
                 ,
                 body
                 and
                 soul
                 ,
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 no
                 reserves
                 nor
                 limitations
                 in
                 your
                 choice
                 of
                 him
                 ;
                 give
                 him
                 your
                 very
                 heart
                 ;
                 cast
                 away
                 your
                 worldly
                 hopes
                 and
                 expectations
                 ,
                 make
                 Religion
                 your
                 very
                 business
                 .
                 O
                 Cousin
                 ,
                 these
                 things
                 do
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 be
                 sure
                 of
                 a
                 Friend
                 in
                 Heaven
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 may
                 be
                 any
                 comfort
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 not
                 fail
                 ,
                 while
                 I
                 live
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 one
                 friend
                 on
                 earth
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 You
                 are
                 gone
                 far
                 from
                 me
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 the
                 uttermost
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 have
                 sent
                 these
                 Letters
                 to
                 call
                 even
                 thither
                 after
                 you
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 to
                 call
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 cry
                 in
                 your
                 ears
                 ,
                 O
                 what
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 become
                 of
                 your
                 soul
                 !
                 Where
                 is
                 that
                 immortal
                 soul
                 of
                 yours
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 lodged
                 for
                 ever
                 ?
                 amongst
                 Devils
                 ,
                 or
                 amongst
                 Angels
                 ?
                 upon
                 a
                 bed
                 of
                 Flames
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 
                 the
                 joys
                 of
                 Paradise
                 ?
                 Dear
                 Cousin
                 ,
                 go
                 aside
                 by
                 your self
                 in
                 secret
                 ,
                 retire
                 from
                 the
                 noise
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 to
                 your self
                 ,
                 
                   Oh
                   my
                   soul
                   !
                   whether
                   art
                   thou
                   going
                   ?
                   do
                   not
                   I
                   know
                   in
                   my
                   very
                   heart
                   that
                   I
                   must
                   be
                   converted
                   or
                   condemned
                   ?
                   that
                   I
                   must
                   be
                   sanctified
                   ,
                   or
                   can
                   never
                   be
                   saved
                   ?
                
                 Oh
                 my
                 soul
                 !
                 what
                 seekest
                 thou
                 ?
                 what
                 designs
                 do
                 I
                 drive
                 at
                 ?
                 what
                 is
                 my
                 chief
                 care
                 ?
                 which
                 way
                 do
                 I
                 bend
                 my
                 course
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 for
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 the
                 world
                 to
                 come
                 ?
                 Do
                 I
                 first
                 seek
                 the
                 kingdom
                 of
                 heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 righteousness
                 thereof
                 ?
                 Do
                 I
                 think
                 Heaven
                 will
                 drop
                 into
                 my
                 mouth
                 ?
                 that
                 glory
                 and
                 immortality
                 will
                 be
                 gotten
                 with
                 a
                 wet
                 finger
                 ,
                 with
                 cold
                 prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 heartless
                 wishes
                 ,
                 while
                 the
                 world
                 carries
                 the
                 main
                 of
                 my
                 heart
                 ?
                 Do
                 I
                 think
                 to
                 be
                 crowned
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 never
                 fight
                 ?
                 to
                 get
                 the
                 race
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 run
                 ?
                 to
                 enter
                 at
                 the
                 strait
                 gate
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 strive
                 ?
                 to
                 overcome
                 Principalities
                 and
                 Powers
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 wrestle
                 ?
                 No
                 ,
                 no
                 ;
                 say
                 within
                 your self
                 ,
                 Oh
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 either
                 lay
                 by
                 the
                 hopes
                 of
                 Heaven
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 rouse
                 up
                 thy self
                 ,
                 put
                 forth
                 thy
                 strength
                 in
                 seeking
                 after
                 God
                 and
                 glory
                 ;
                 either
                 lay
                 by
                 thy
                 worldly
                 hopes
                 ,
                 or
                 thy
                 hopes
                 of
                 immortality
                 ;
                 away
                 with
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 or
                 thou
                 must
                 let
                 Christ
                 go
                 for
                 ever
                 ;
                 think
                 not
                 to
                 have
                 Chrst
                 and
                 the
                 world
                 too
                 ,
                 to
                 serve
                 God
                 and
                 Mammon
                 ,
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 :
                 If
                 thou
                 follow
                 the
                 world
                 as
                 thy
                 chief
                 desire
                 and
                 delight
                 ;
                 if
                 thou
                 live
                 after
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 thou
                 must
                 die
                 ,
                 count
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 spoken
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 can
                 never
                 reverse
                 it
                 .
                 Thus
                 reason
                 the
                 case
                 with
                 your
                 own
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 not
                 rest
                 to
                 your self
                 night
                 nor
                 day
                 ,
                 till
                 you
                 are
                 gotten
                 off
                 from
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 broken
                 off
                 from
                 the
                 wilful
                 practice
                 of
                 every
                 known
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 gotten
                 safe
                 into
                 Christ.
                 Dear
                 Cousin
                 ,
                 I
                 charge
                 you
                 by
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 to
                 observe
                 these
                 things
                 ;
                 pray
                 over
                 them
                 ,
                 weep
                 over
                 them
                 ,
                 read
                 them
                 again
                 and
                 again
                 ;
                 do
                 not
                 pass
                 them
                 over
                 as
                 slight
                 and
                 ordinary
                 things
                 :
                 your
                 soul
                 is
                 at
                 stake
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 your
                 salvation
                 is
                 concerned
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 think
                 not
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 jest
                 with
                 you
                 .
                 Ah
                 Cousin
                 ,
                 I
                 travel
                 in
                 birth
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 till
                 Christ
                 be
                 formed
                 in
                 you
                 .
                 Why
                 should
                 you
                 die
                 ?
                 Oh
                 repent
                 and
                 live
                 ,
                 lay
                 hold
                 on
                 eternel
                 life
                 ,
                 win
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 win
                 all
                 .
                 O
                 be
                 thankful
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 now
                 you
                 are
                 fatherless
                 and
                 friendless
                 ,
                 yet
                 you
                 have
                 one
                 Remembrancer
                 to
                 warn
                 you
                 to
                 flie
                 from
                 the
                 
                 wrath
                 to
                 come
                 .
                 God
                 forbid
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 find
                 you
                 at
                 last
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 Torments
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 not
                 embracing
                 the
                 godly
                 Counsels
                 .
                 To
                 conclude
                 ,
                 in
                 short
                 ,
                 I
                 charge
                 you
                 as
                 a
                 Minister
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Friend
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Father
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 Take
                 heed
                 of
                 these
                 three
                 things
                 :
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Left
                 the
                 gain
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 prove
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 your
                 soul
                 :
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Left
                 the
                 snare
                 of
                 evil
                 company
                 withdraw
                 you
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 prove
                 your
                 final
                 ruine
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Left
                 a
                 lofty
                 and
                 a
                 worldly
                 heart
                 should
                 thrust
                 you
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               
                 God
                 abhors
                 that
                 the
                 proud
                 should
                 come
                 near
                 him
                 :
                 Oh
                 labour
                 ,
                 whatever
                 you
                 do
                 ,
                 for
                 an
                 humble
                 heart
                 ;
                 be
                 little
                 ,
                 be
                 vile
                 in
                 your
                 own
                 eyes
                 ;
                 seek
                 not
                 after
                 great
                 things
                 ;
                 be
                 poor
                 in
                 spirit
                 ;
                 without
                 this
                 ,
                 Heaven
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 place
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 friend
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 Dear
                 Cousin
                 ,
                 your
                 lot
                 is
                 fallen
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 fear
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 place
                 of
                 great
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 where
                 your
                 soul
                 is
                 in
                 much
                 danger
                 ,
                 where
                 your
                 temptations
                 are
                 many
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 helps
                 for
                 Heaven
                 but
                 few
                 ;
                 where
                 godly
                 examples
                 are
                 rare
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 will
                 entice
                 you
                 to
                 sin
                 and
                 vanity
                 .
                 O!
                 if
                 you
                 love
                 me
                 ,
                 or
                 love
                 your
                 soul
                 ,
                 look
                 about
                 you
                 ,
                 consider
                 your
                 danger
                 ,
                 fear
                 lest
                 you
                 should
                 miscarry
                 for
                 ever
                 by
                 worldly
                 loss
                 and
                 vain
                 company
                 ,
                 which
                 proves
                 to
                 so
                 many
                 the
                 fearful
                 cause
                 of
                 their
                 eternal
                 perdition
                 .
                 I
                 can
                 but
                 warn
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 pray
                 for
                 you
                 :
                 but
                 though
                 you
                 have
                 none
                 to
                 oversee
                 you
                 ,
                 remember
                 the
                 strict
                 and
                 severe
                 eye
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 observe
                 all
                 your
                 actions
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 surely
                 bring
                 all
                 your
                 practices
                 into
                 his
                 Judgment
                 .
                 Your
                 Aunt
                 ,
                 with
                 my self
                 ,
                 commend
                 our
                 dear
                 love
                 to
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 commend
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 remain
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   loving
                   and
                   careful
                   uncle
                   ,
                   JOSEPH
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     August
                     19.
                     1668.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXXVII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Dear
                   Cousins
                   ,
                
              
               
                 THough
                 you
                 are
                 removed
                 far
                 from
                 me
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 my
                 sight
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Seas
                 as
                 a
                 great
                 gulf
                 are
                 fixed
                 betwixt
                 you
                 and
                 me
                 ;
                 yet
                 my
                 prayers
                 follow
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 good
                 wishes
                 for
                 your
                 present
                 and
                 everlasting
                 welfare
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 wings
                 of
                 a
                 Dove
                 ,
                 take
                 speedy
                 flight
                 .
                 I
                 look
                 upon
                 my self
                 ,
                 now
                 God
                 hath
                 removed
                 my
                 Brother
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 room
                 of
                 a
                 Father
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 yea
                 and
                 of
                 a
                 Mother
                 too
                 ;
                 for
                 I
                 know
                 you
                 have
                 but
                 little
                 help
                 from
                 her
                 .
              
               
                 My
                 dear
                 Neeces
                 ,
                 my
                 heart
                 is
                 careful
                 for
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 I
                 cannot
                 cease
                 ,
                 while
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 being
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 to
                 warn
                 and
                 admonish
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 my
                 children
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 call
                 upon
                 you
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 Eternal
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 awaken
                 your selves
                 with
                 all
                 godly
                 fear
                 and
                 holy
                 diligence
                 ,
                 lest
                 by
                 any
                 means
                 you
                 should
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Let
                 me
                 mind
                 you
                 ,
                 dear
                 Cousins
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 dangerous
                 place
                 you
                 stand
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 look
                 about
                 you
                 with
                 trembling
                 .
                 Methinks
                 I
                 see
                 Satan
                 watching
                 for
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Dragon
                 did
                 for
                 the
                 seed
                 of
                 the
                 Woman
                 ,
                 waiting
                 to
                 devour
                 it
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 she
                 should
                 be
                 delivered
                 .
                 Know
                 you
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 must
                 wrestle
                 with
                 Principalities
                 and
                 Powers
                 ?
                 Methinks
                 I
                 see
                 temptations
                 surrounding
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 beleaguering
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 enemy
                 about
                 the
                 walls
                 of
                 the
                 treacherous
                 party
                 within
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 carnal
                 affections
                 and
                 corruptions
                 ,
                 complotting
                 how
                 to
                 deliver
                 up
                 the
                 castle
                 .
                 Know
                 you
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 your
                 fleshly
                 lusts
                 do
                 war
                 against
                 your
                 souls
                 ?
                 and
                 that
                 your
                 own
                 hearts
                 are
                 not
                 true
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 deceitful
                 above
                 all
                 things
                 ?
                 Lord
                 ,
                 what
                 need
                 have
                 you
                 to
                 bestir
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 flie
                 unto
                 Jesus
                 !
                 to
                 distrust
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 trust
                 onely
                 in
                 him
                 and
                 his
                 righteousness
                 !
                 Oh
                 work
                 out
                 your
                 salvation
                 with
                 fear
                 and
                 trembling
                 :
                 Do
                 you
                 ever
                 think
                 to
                 escape
                 these
                 mighty
                 enemies
                 ,
                 to
                 conquer
                 the
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 plots
                 and
                 snares
                 of
                 those
                 
                 potent
                 adversaries
                 ,
                 without
                 most
                 painful
                 diligence
                 ?
                 O
                 cry
                 to
                 heaven
                 for
                 help
                 ;
                 watch
                 and
                 pray
                 ;
                 fear
                 ,
                 left
                 a
                 promise
                 being
                 left
                 of
                 entring
                 into
                 rest
                 ,
                 either
                 of
                 you
                 should
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 My
                 dear
                 Neeces
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 many
                 do
                 watch
                 for
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 to
                 devour
                 them
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 doubt
                 too
                 few
                 ,
                 except
                 my self
                 ,
                 do
                 watch
                 for
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 to
                 save
                 them
                 :
                 therefore
                 I
                 look
                 upon
                 my self
                 ,
                 who
                 am
                 now
                 upon
                 the
                 matter
                 your
                 only
                 Monitor
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 more
                 concerned
                 to
                 awaken
                 my self
                 to
                 your
                 help
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 look
                 after
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 watch
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 left
                 by
                 any
                 means
                 you
                 should
                 miscarry
                 by
                 the
                 deceits
                 and
                 temprations
                 wherewith
                 you
                 are
                 encompassed
                 .
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 you
                 over-careful
                 for
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 commend
                 your
                 laudable
                 care
                 and
                 diligence
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 burdensom
                 to
                 any
                 man
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 commend
                 to
                 you
                 a
                 better
                 and
                 more
                 necessary
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaks
                 of
                 ,
                 the
                 Virgins
                 care
                 ;
                 
                   The
                   unmarried
                
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   careth
                   for
                   the
                   things
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 Ah
                 ,
                 let
                 this
                 be
                 your
                 care
                 ;
                 seek
                 first
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 thereof
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 shall
                 be
                 added
                 ;
                 you
                 have
                 Gods
                 sure
                 promise
                 for
                 it
                 :
                 If
                 the
                 Lord
                 give
                 me
                 to
                 live
                 and
                 prosper
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 see
                 and
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 a
                 friend
                 only
                 in
                 words
                 to
                 you
                 ;
                 but
                 however
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 ,
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 embrace
                 the
                 Counsels
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 me
                 .
                 Oh
                 make
                 sure
                 of
                 Heaven
                 betimes
                 ,
                 walk
                 humbly
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 beware
                 of
                 a
                 proud
                 heart
                 and
                 a
                 lofty
                 spirit
                 ;
                 abhor
                 your selves
                 ,
                 else
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 accept
                 you
                 ?
                 be
                 displeased
                 with
                 your selves
                 ,
                 else
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 pleased
                 with
                 you
                 ;
                 condemn
                 your selves
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 may
                 acquit
                 you
                 .
                 The
                 leven
                 of
                 pride
                 will
                 sowr
                 the
                 whole
                 lump
                 ,
                 and
                 mar
                 all
                 your
                 Profession
                 and
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 render
                 your
                 Persons
                 ,
                 and
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 ,
                 an
                 abomination
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 prevail
                 in
                 you
                 .
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 be
                 not
                 high
                 minded
                 ,
                 but
                 fear
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 prayer
                 and
                 watchfulness
                 restrain
                 and
                 root
                 up
                 this
                 wretched
                 corruption
                 of
                 pride
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 a
                 sin
                 so
                 natural
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 had
                 need
                 to
                 use
                 an
                 infinite
                 care
                 and
                 caution
                 to
                 keep
                 it
                 under
                 .
              
               
                 As
                 to
                 my self
                 ,
                 these
                 may
                 acquaint
                 you
                 ,
                 That
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 often
                 at
                 the
                 very
                 gates
                 of
                 death
                 :
                 I
                 have
                 lost
                 all
                 my
                 
                 limbs
                 ;
                 but
                 prayer
                 hath
                 redeemed
                 me
                 from
                 my
                 extremities
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 hath
                 blessed
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 Bath
                 to
                 me
                 .
                 Oh
                 praise
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 praise
                 him
                 for
                 my
                 sake
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 glory
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 my
                 life
                 .
                 Love
                 him
                 ,
                 honour
                 and
                 glorifie
                 him
                 ,
                 whose
                 favour
                 and
                 friendship
                 hath
                 filled
                 my
                 soul
                 with
                 comfort
                 ,
                 and
                 given
                 a
                 resutrection
                 to
                 my
                 body
                 .
                 I
                 can
                 now
                 walk
                 alone
                 ,
                 and
                 feed
                 my self
                 ,
                 but
                 am
                 altogether
                 unable
                 to
                 write
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 reason
                 why
                 these
                 come
                 to
                 you
                 in
                 another
                 hand
                 .
                 Dear
                 Cousins
                 ,
                 you
                 may
                 think
                 me
                 too
                 tedious
                 ;
                 but
                 you
                 must
                 pardon
                 me
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 erre
                 in
                 my
                 love
                 and
                 zeal
                 for
                 your
                 welfare
                 :
                 And
                 now
                 I
                 shall
                 〈◊〉
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 my
                 own
                 and
                 dear
                 Wifes
                 love
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 commend
                 you
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 rest
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   Your
                   loving
                   and
                   careful
                   uncle
                   ,
                   JOSEPH
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXXVIII
                 .
                 [
                 Do
                 all
                 in
                 reference
                 to
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 glory
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   Dear
                   Friend
                   ,
                
              
               
                 I
                 Have
                 received
                 yours
                 of
                 the
                 19th
                 of
                 September
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 came
                 to
                 me
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 my
                 sickness
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 I
                 was
                 much
                 a
                 stranger
                 to
                 writing
                 ;
                 it
                 continued
                 upon
                 me
                 five
                 Months
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 this
                 day
                 so
                 much
                 weaknes
                 remains
                 in
                 my
                 arms
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 put
                 off
                 or
                 on
                 my
                 own
                 clothes
                 .
                 Your
                 Letter
                 was
                 exceeding
                 welcom
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 as
                 reviving
                 the
                 remembrance
                 of
                 our
                 old
                 friendship
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 ,
                 as
                 bringing
                 me
                 news
                 of
                 some
                 spiritual
                 good
                 that
                 you
                 received
                 by
                 me
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 best
                 tidings
                 that
                 I
                 can
                 receive
                 :
                 for
                 what
                 do
                 I
                 live
                 for
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 useful
                 to
                 souls
                 in
                 my
                 generation
                 ?
                 I
                 desire
                 to
                 know
                 no
                 other
                 business
                 than
                 to
                 please
                 and
                 honour
                 my
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 serve
                 my
                 generation
                 in
                 that
                 short
                 allowance
                 of
                 time
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 here
                 ,
                 before
                 I
                 go
                 hence
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 seen
                 no
                 more
                 .
                 Shall
                 I
                 commend
                 to
                 you
                 the
                 Lesson
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 about
                 to
                 learn
                 ?
                 But
                 why
                 should
                 I
                 doubt
                 of
                 your
                 acceptance
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 so
                 readily
                 embraced
                 me
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 converses
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 Lesson
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   be
                   entirely
                   devoted
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   be
                   able
                   to
                   say
                   after
                   the
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   To
                   me
                   to
                   live
                   is
                   Christ.
                
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 serving
                 God
                 onely
                 for
                 a
                 day
                 in
                 the
                 week
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 hour
                 or
                 two
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 ;
                 but
                 every
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 :
                 I
                 am
                 ambitious
                 to
                 come
                 up
                 towards
                 that
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 and
                 Master
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   do
                   always
                   those
                   things
                   that
                   please
                   God.
                
                 I
                 plainly
                 see
                 ,
                 that
                 self-seeking
                 is
                 self-undoing
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 then
                 we
                 do
                 promote
                 our selves
                 best
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 please
                 God
                 most
                 .
                 I
                 find
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 I
                 have
                 done
                 all
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 be
                 not
                 
                 pleased
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 done
                 nothing
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 I
                 can
                 but
                 approve
                 my self
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 my
                 work
                 is
                 done
                 :
                 I
                 reckon
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 live
                 that
                 time
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 live
                 unto
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 I
                 am
                 fain
                 to
                 cut
                 off
                 so
                 many
                 hours
                 from
                 my
                 days
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 many
                 years
                 from
                 my
                 life
                 (
                 so
                 short
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 )
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 lived
                 unto
                 my self
                 .
                 I
                 find
                 no
                 enemy
                 so
                 dangerous
                 as
                 self
                 ;
                 and
                 O
                 that
                 others
                 might
                 take
                 warning
                 by
                 my
                 hurt
                 !
                 O
                 that
                 I
                 had
                 lived
                 wholly
                 unto
                 God!
                 then
                 had
                 every
                 day
                 and
                 every
                 hour
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 spent
                 ,
                 been
                 found
                 upon
                 my
                 account
                 at
                 that
                 great
                 day
                 of
                 our
                 appearing
                 before
                 God
                 :
                 then
                 I
                 had
                 been
                 rich
                 indeed
                 ,
                 in
                 treasure
                 laid
                 up
                 there
                 ,
                 whither
                 I
                 am
                 apace
                 removing
                 ;
                 then
                 I
                 had
                 been
                 every
                 day
                 and
                 hour
                 adding
                 to
                 the
                 heap
                 ,
                 and
                 encreasing
                 the
                 reward
                 which
                 God
                 of
                 his
                 meer
                 grace
                 hath
                 promised
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 the
                 meanest
                 work
                 that
                 is
                 done
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 Col.
                 4.
                 24.
                 
                 I
                 verily
                 perceive
                 I
                 am
                 an
                 eternal
                 loser
                 by
                 acting
                 no
                 more
                 as
                 for
                 God
                 ;
                 for
                 what
                 is
                 done
                 to
                 my self
                 ,
                 is
                 lost
                 ;
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 done
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 done
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 receive
                 an
                 everlasting
                 reward
                 .
                 Verily
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 another
                 world
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 eternal
                 state
                 after
                 this
                 short
                 life
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 our
                 onely
                 wisdom
                 to
                 be
                 removing
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 transplanting
                 and
                 transporting
                 what
                 we
                 can
                 ,
                 from
                 hence
                 ,
                 into
                 that
                 Countrey
                 to
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 shortly
                 to
                 be
                 removed
                 ,
                 that
                 what
                 we
                 are
                 now
                 doing
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 reaping
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 for
                 ever
                 more
                 .
                 The
                 world
                 think
                 themselves
                 wise
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 will
                 pawn
                 my
                 soul
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 true
                 wisdom
                 .
              
               
                 Well
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 be
                 wholly
                 swallowed
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 concerns
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 no
                 other
                 interest
                 but
                 Jesus
                 Christs
                 .
                 I
                 cannot
                 say
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 already
                 attained
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 my
                 heart
                 is
                 set
                 to
                 learn
                 ,
                 That
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 I
                 do
                 ,
                 whether
                 sacred
                 or
                 civil
                 actions
                 ,
                 still
                 I
                 may
                 be
                 doing
                 but
                 one
                 work
                 ,
                 and
                 driving
                 on
                 one
                 design
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   God
                   may
                   be
                   pleased
                   by
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   glorified
                   in
                   me
                
                 ;
                 that
                 not
                 onely
                 my
                 praying
                 ,
                 preaching
                 ,
                 alms
                 ,
                 &c.
                 may
                 be
                 found
                 upon
                 my
                 account
                 ;
                 but
                 even
                 my
                 eating
                 ,
                 drinking
                 ,
                 sleeping
                 ,
                 visits
                 ,
                 discourses
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 dont
                 as
                 unto
                 God.
                 Too
                 often
                 do
                 I
                 take
                 a
                 wrong
                 aim
                 ,
                 and
                 miss
                 my
                 mark
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 will
                 tell
                 you
                 what
                 be
                 the
                 Rules
                 I
                 set
                 my self
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 strictly
                 impose
                 upon
                 my self
                 from
                 day
                 to
                 day
                 :
                 
                   Never
                   to
                   lie
                   down
                   ,
                   but
                   in
                   the
                
                 
                 
                   Name
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 not
                 barely
                 for
                 natural
                 refreshment
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 a
                 wearied
                 servant
                 of
                 Christ
                 may
                 be
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 and
                 fitted
                 to
                 serve
                 him
                 better
                 the
                 next
                 day
                 .
                 
                   Never
                   to
                   rise
                   up
                   but
                   with
                   this
                   resolution
                   ,
                   Well
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   go
                   forth
                   this
                   day
                   in
                   the
                   Name
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   make
                   Religion
                   my
                   business
                   ,
                   and
                   spend
                   the
                   day
                   for
                   Eternity
                   .
                   Never
                   to
                   enter
                   upon
                   my
                   calling
                   ,
                   but
                   first
                   thinking
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   do
                   these
                   things
                   as
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                
                 because
                 he
                 requireth
                 these
                 things
                 at
                 my
                 hands
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 and
                 station
                 he
                 hath
                 put
                 me
                 into
                 .
                 
                   Never
                   to
                   sit
                   down
                   to
                   the
                   Table
                   ,
                   but
                   resolving
                   ,
                   I
                   Will
                   not
                   eat
                   meerly
                   to
                   please
                   my
                   appetite
                   ,
                   but
                   to
                   strengthen
                   my self
                   for
                   my
                   Masters
                   work
                   .
                   Never
                   to
                   make
                   a
                   Visit
                   ,
                   but
                   upon
                   some
                   holy
                   design
                   ,
                   resolving
                   to
                   leave
                   something
                   of
                   God
                   where
                
                 I
                 
                   go
                   ;
                   and
                   in
                   every
                   company
                   to
                   leave
                   some
                   good
                   savour
                   behind
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 for
                 some
                 time
                 a
                 learning
                 ,
                 and
                 am
                 pressing
                 hard
                 after
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 I
                 strive
                 not
                 to
                 walk
                 by
                 these
                 Rules
                 ,
                 let
                 this
                 Paper
                 be
                 a
                 witness
                 against
                 me
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 now
                 in
                 my
                 former
                 Publick
                 Capacity
                 ,
                 such
                 things
                 being
                 required
                 of
                 me
                 to
                 say
                 and
                 subscribe
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 could
                 by
                 no
                 means
                 yield
                 to
                 ,
                 without
                 open
                 lying
                 and
                 dissembling
                 with
                 God
                 and
                 Men
                 :
                 Yet
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 unuseful
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 say
                 ;
                 but
                 rather
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 possibly
                 I
                 may
                 be
                 of
                 more
                 use
                 than
                 heretofore
                 .
                 I
                 thank
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 known
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 want
                 a
                 Tongue
                 to
                 speak
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 my
                 sickness
                 ;
                 nor
                 a
                 People
                 to
                 hear
                 ;
                 but
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 we
                 both
                 follow
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 make
                 for
                 peace
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 perceive
                 you
                 are
                 otherwise
                 perswaded
                 in
                 some
                 things
                 ,
                 than
                 I
                 am
                 :
                 but
                 however
                 ,
                 I
                 trust
                 we
                 meet
                 in
                 our
                 end
                 .
                 Since
                 you
                 are
                 in
                 ,
                 may
                 it
                 be
                 your
                 whole
                 study
                 to
                 gain
                 souls
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 build
                 them
                 up
                 in
                 holiness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 with
                 too
                 many
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 their
                 cares
                 .
                 One
                 duty
                 (
                 miserably
                 neglected
                 )
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 bold
                 to
                 commend
                 to
                 you
                 from
                 my
                 own
                 experience
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 visiting
                 your
                 whole
                 Flock
                 from
                 house
                 to
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 enquiring
                 into
                 their
                 spiritual
                 estates
                 particularly
                 ,
                 and
                 dealing
                 plainly
                 and
                 truly
                 with
                 them
                 about
                 their
                 〈◊〉
                 to
                 God
                 :
                 to
                 the
                 usefulness
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 work
                 ,
                 I
                 can
                 set
                 my
                 
                   Probatum
                   est
                
                 .
              
               
               
                 I
                 hear
                 you
                 have
                 two
                 Parsonages
                 :
                 O
                 tremble
                 to
                 think
                 how
                 many
                 precious
                 souls
                 you
                 have
                 to
                 look
                 to
                 !
                 And
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 seen
                 ,
                 however
                 others
                 aim
                 at
                 the
                 Fleoce
                 ,
                 you
                 aim
                 at
                 the
                 Flock
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 indeed
                 
                   Curam
                   animarum
                
                 .
              
               
                 You
                 see
                 how
                 free
                 I
                 am
                 with
                 you
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 know
                 your
                 candor
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 rejoyce
                 in
                 your
                 happy
                 Yoke-fellow
                 :
                 salute
                 her
                 from
                 your
                 old
                 Friend
                 ;
                 and
                 accept
                 the
                 unseigned
                 Respects
                 of
                 him
                 who
                 is
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   SIR
                   ,
                
                 
                   Your
                   real
                   and
                   faithful
                   Friend
                   ,
                   JOSEPH
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 XXXIX
                 .
                 PRISON-COMFORTS
                 .
                 [
                 To
                 a
                 Minister
                 in
                 Prison
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   Worthy
                   Sir
                   ,
                
              
               
                 I
                 Owe
                 you
                 a
                 Letter
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 than
                 a
                 Letter
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 particular
                 respects
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 your
                 brotherly
                 sympathy
                 ,
                 your
                 multiplied
                 and
                 earnest
                 prayers
                 ,
                 your
                 tenderness
                 of
                 my
                 health
                 ,
                 your
                 welcom
                 Jewel
                 in
                 M.
                 Ruths
                 Letters
                 ,
                 from
                 which
                 I
                 trust
                 my
                 soul
                 and
                 others
                 may
                 reap
                 no
                 small
                 benefit
                 .
                 Much
                 more
                 do
                 I
                 owe
                 you
                 for
                 your
                 common
                 respects
                 to
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 my
                 desires
                 ;
                 and
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 whole
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 in
                 all
                 whose
                 concernments
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 concerned
                 .
                 Your
                 indefatigable
                 labours
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 do
                 with
                 all
                 thankfulness
                 accept
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 undoubted
                 evidence
                 of
                 your
                 great
                 love
                 :
                 For
                 all
                 which
                 ,
                 may
                 he
                 requite
                 you
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 shortly
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Inasmuch
                   as
                   thou
                   didst
                   it
                   unto
                   the
                   least
                   of
                   these
                   my
                   Brethren
                   ,
                   thou
                   didst
                   it
                   unto
                   me
                   .
                
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 but
                 a
                 little
                 after
                 my
                 release
                 from
                 my
                 own
                 confinement
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 heard
                 of
                 yours
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 write
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 hath
                 taken
                 a
                 higher
                 degree
                 than
                 ever
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 truly
                 honourable
                 ,
                 being
                 commenced
                 Prisoner
                 of
                 Christ.
                 I
                 was
                 once
                 affected
                 with
                 the
                 Picture
                 of
                 a
                 devout
                 man
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 a
                 voice
                 came
                 down
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Quid
                   vis
                   fieri
                   prote
                
                 ?
                 To
                 which
                 he
                 answered
                 ,
                 
                   Nihil
                   domine
                   nisi
                   pati
                   ac
                   contemni
                   prote
                   .
                
                 Undoubtedly
                 ,
                 Sir
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 our
                 real
                 glory
                 to
                 be
                 throughout
                 conformed
                 to
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 his
                 sanctity
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 his
                 sufferings
                 .
                 Paul
                 counted
                 all
                 things
                 but
                 dung
                 for
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 win
                 Christ
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 and
                 know
                 the
                 fellowship
                 of
                 his
                 sufferings
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 made
                 conformable
                 to
                 his
                 death
                 .
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 your
                 consolations
                 in
                 Christ
                 do
                 much
                 more
                 then
                 superabound
                 in
                 all
                 your
                 tribulations
                 for
                 him
                 :
                 Yet
                 let
                 me
                 add
                 this
                 one
                 Cordial
                 ,
                 That
                 now
                 you
                 have
                 a
                 whole
                 shoal
                 of
                 Promises
                 come
                 in
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 had
                 not
                 before
                 ;
                 I
                 mean
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 Promises
                 to
                 suffering
                 Saints
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 so
                 immediate
                 ,
                 but
                 onely
                 a
                 remoter
                 right
                 ,
                 unless
                 in
                 a
                 suffering
                 state
                 :
                 And
                 doubtless
                 he
                 hath
                 gotten
                 well
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 gotten
                 such
                 a
                 number
                 of
                 exceeding
                 great
                 and
                 precious
                 Promises
                 :
                 If
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 do
                 so
                 rejoyce
                 when
                 such
                 or
                 such
                 an
                 Estate
                 is
                 fallen
                 to
                 them
                 ;
                 should
                 not
                 you
                 much
                 more
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 such
                 a
                 Treasure
                 of
                 Promises
                 fallen
                 to
                 you
                 ?
              
               
                 I
                 can
                 tell
                 you
                 little
                 good
                 of
                 my self
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 I
                 'can
                 tell
                 you
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 Promises
                 of
                 God
                 were
                 never
                 so
                 sweet
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 and
                 since
                 my
                 imprisoned
                 state
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 bottomless
                 Riches
                 of
                 the
                 Covenanr
                 of
                 Grace
                 !
                 It
                 shames
                 me
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 let
                 such
                 a
                 Treasure
                 lie
                 by
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 made
                 so
                 little
                 use
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Never
                 did
                 my
                 soul
                 know
                 the
                 Heaven
                 of
                 a
                 Believers
                 life
                 ,
                 till
                 I
                 learnt
                 to
                 live
                 a
                 life
                 of
                 praise
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 more
                 frequent
                 consideration
                 to
                 set
                 home
                 the
                 unspeakable
                 riches
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Promises
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 ,
                 I
                 trust
                 ,
                 through
                 grace
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 made
                 an
                 heir
                 .
                 I
                 verily
                 perceive
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 our
                 work
                 were
                 done
                 at
                 once
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 could
                 but
                 prevail
                 with
                 our selves
                 and
                 others
                 to
                 live
                 like
                 Believers
                 ;
                 to
                 tell
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 by
                 our
                 course
                 and
                 carriage
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 such
                 pleasantness
                 in
                 Christs
                 wars
                 ,
                 such
                 beauty
                 in
                 holiness
                 ,
                 such
                 reward
                 to
                 obedience
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 prosess
                 to
                 believe
                 .
                 May
                 ours
                 and
                 our
                 peoples
                 conversations
                 but
                 preach
                 this
                 aloud
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 reality
                 in
                 what
                 God
                 hath
                 promised
                 ;
                 That
                 Heaven
                 is
                 worth
                 the
                 venturing
                 for
                 ;
                 That
                 the
                 sufferings
                 of
                 the
                 present
                 time
                 are
                 not
                 worthy
                 to
                 be
                 compared
                 with
                 the
                 glory
                 which
                 shall
                 be
                 revealed
                 in
                 us
                 !
              
               
                 Verily
                 ,
                 Sir
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 very
                 little
                 while
                 that
                 Prisons
                 shall
                 hold
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 we
                 shall
                 dwell
                 in
                 dirty
                 flesh
                 .
                 〈◊〉
                 tells
                 us
                 of
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 ashamed
                 to
                 see
                 himself
                 in
                 the
                 Body
                 ;
                 to
                 see
                 a
                 divine
                 and
                 immortal
                 Soul
                 in
                 a
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 (
                 for
                 so
                 they
                 held
                 
                 the
                 body
                 to
                 be
                 ;
                 )
                 but
                 the
                 worst
                 shackles
                 are
                 those
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 Well
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 shortly
                 off
                 all
                 together
                 ;
                 our
                 Lord
                 doth
                 not
                 long
                 intend
                 us
                 for
                 this
                 lower
                 Region
                 :
                 Surely
                 he
                 is
                 gone
                 to
                 prepare
                 a
                 place
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 Doubtless
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 come
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 receive
                 us
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 where
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 also
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 have
                 we
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 wait
                 ,
                 and
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 long
                 ,
                 and
                 look
                 out
                 for
                 his
                 coming
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 is
                 all
                 our
                 hope
                 ?
                 'T
                 will
                 be
                 time
                 enough
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 preferred
                 then
                 .
                 We
                 know
                 before
                 hand
                 who
                 shall
                 then
                 be
                 uppermost
                 .
                 Our
                 Lord
                 hath
                 shewed
                 us
                 where
                 our
                 place
                 shall
                 be
                 ,
                 even
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 right
                 hand
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 say
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   Come
                   ye
                   blessed
                   ,
                   &c.
                
                 
                 Surely
                 we
                 shall
                 stand
                 in
                 his
                 Judgment
                 :
                 He
                 hath
                 promised
                 to
                 stand
                 our
                 Friend
                 :
                 Let
                 us
                 look
                 for
                 the
                 joyful
                 day
                 :
                 As
                 sure
                 as
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 this
                 day
                 will
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 it
                 shall
                 go
                 well
                 with
                 us
                 .
                 What
                 if
                 Bonds
                 and
                 Banishments
                 abide
                 us
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 ?
                 This
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 what
                 our
                 Lord
                 hath
                 told
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   world
                   shall
                   rejoyce
                   ,
                   but
                   ye
                   shall
                   weep
                   and
                   lament
                   :
                   You
                   shall
                   be
                   sorrowful
                   ,
                   but
                   your
                   sorrow
                   shall
                   be
                   turned
                   into
                   joy
                   .
                
                 Oh
                 how
                 reviving
                 are
                 his
                 words
                 !
                 
                   I
                   will
                   see
                   you
                   again
                   ,
                   and
                   your
                   heart
                   shall
                   rejoyce
                   ,
                   and
                   your
                   joy
                   no
                   man
                   taketh
                   from
                   you
                   .
                
              
               
                 If
                 that
                 miserable
                 wretch
                 leapt
                 chearfully
                 off
                 the
                 Ladder
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   shall
                   be
                   a
                   Queen
                   in
                   Hell
                   :
                
                 With
                 what
                 joy
                 should
                 we
                 do
                 and
                 suffer
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 his
                 Truth
                 in
                 pawn
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 Crown'd
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ?
                 Verily
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 wonderful
                 Preparations
                 that
                 are
                 making
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 The
                 Lord
                 prepare
                 us
                 apace
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 us
                 meet
                 to
                 be
                 Partakers
                 ,
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 highest
                 Commendation
                 that
                 ever
                 that
                 Worthy
                 
                   R.
                   Baxter
                
                 received
                 ,
                 which
                 fell
                 from
                 the
                 Pen
                 of
                 his
                 scoffing
                 Adversary
                 Tilenus
                 ,
                 who
                 saith
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   Totum
                   Puritanismum
                   totus
                   spirat
                
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 this
                 may
                 be
                 true
                 of
                 us
                 and
                 ours
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 your
                 true
                 yoke-fellow
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Christian
                 Friends
                 with
                 you
                 in
                 the
                 Bonds
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 have
                 my
                 hearty
                 Commendations
                 :
                 And
                 these
                 Counsels
                 ,
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 ,
                 give
                 them
                 from
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 improving
                 of
                 their
                 present
                 state
                 .
              
               
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   To
                   habituate
                   themselves
                   ,
                   both
                   as
                   to
                   their
                   thoughts
                   and
                   discourses
                   ,
                   more
                   throughly
                   than
                   ever
                   unto
                   Holiness
                   .
                
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 teach
                 you
                 the
                 Lesson
                 that
                 I
                 resolve
                 to
                 learn
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 That
                 your
                 minds
                 and
                 tongues
                 may
                 as
                 naturally
                 run
                 on
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 as
                 others
                 on
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 world
                 .
                 Why
                 should
                 it
                 not
                 be
                 thus
                 ?
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 God
                 and
                 Heaven
                 do
                 as
                 well
                 deserve
                 to
                 be
                 thought
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 talked
                 of
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 froth
                 and
                 vanity
                 can
                 deserve
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 many
                 that
                 have
                 in
                 a
                 great
                 measure
                 learnt
                 this
                 lesson
                 ,
                 and
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 we
                 be
                 some
                 of
                 them
                 ?
                 What
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 hard
                 at
                 first
                 ?
                 Every
                 thing
                 is
                 so
                 to
                 a
                 beginner
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 ours
                 a
                 Religion
                 of
                 self-denial
                 ?
                 Further
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 do
                 but
                 force
                 our selves
                 a
                 while
                 to
                 holy
                 Thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 Discourse
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 grow
                 habitual
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 most
                 natural
                 ,
                 familiar
                 ,
                 and
                 heavenly
                 sweet
                 .
                 Oh
                 what
                 gainers
                 will
                 you
                 be
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 do
                 but
                 learn
                 this
                 Lesson
                 !
              
               
                 Verily
                 ,
                 it
                 's
                 the
                 shame
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 that
                 Christians
                 are
                 so
                 unlike
                 themselves
                 ,
                 unless
                 upon
                 their
                 knees
                 .
                 Sirs
                 ,
                 our
                 lives
                 and
                 language
                 should
                 tell
                 the
                 world
                 what
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 whither
                 we
                 are
                 going
                 .
                 Christians
                 ,
                 let
                 little
                 things
                 content
                 you
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 but
                 aspire
                 after
                 great
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God.
                 Many
                 real
                 Christians
                 do
                 little
                 think
                 what
                 high
                 frames
                 of
                 Holiness
                 they
                 might
                 grow
                 up
                 to
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 with
                 pains
                 and
                 diligence
                 .
                 Sirs
                 ,
                 be
                 you
                 men
                 of
                 great
                 designs
                 :
                 Think
                 it
                 not
                 enough
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 wherewith
                 to
                 bear
                 your
                 charges
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 but
                 aspire
                 with
                 an
                 holy
                 ambition
                 to
                 be
                 great
                 in
                 the
                 Court
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 Favourites
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 High
                 ,
                 of
                 〈◊〉
                 growth
                 ,
                 great
                 experience
                 ,
                 singular
                 communion
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 burn
                 and
                 shine
                 in
                 your
                 places
                 ,
                 and
                 convince
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 savour
                 of
                 Heaven
                 where
                 ever
                 you
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 an
                 even-spun
                 thred
                 of
                 Holiness
                 running
                 through
                 your
                 whole
                 course
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 the
                 disgrace
                 of
                 Profession
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 so
                 little
                 difference
                 to
                 be
                 seen
                 in
                 the
                 ordinary
                 coversation
                 of
                 Believers
                 from
                 other
                 men
                 :
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 a
                 shame
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 in
                 company
                 with
                 others
                 ,
                 this
                 should
                 be
                 all
                 the
                 difference
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 seen
                 ,
                 onely
                 that
                 we
                 will
                 not
                 curse
                 and
                 swear
                 ,
                 as
                 do
                 the
                 
                 worst
                 of
                 men
                 ?
                 Christians
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 will
                 honour
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 bring
                 forth
                 your
                 Religion
                 out
                 of
                 your
                 Closets
                 (
                 the
                 world
                 can't
                 see
                 what
                 you
                 do
                 there
                 )
                 into
                 your
                 Shops
                 ,
                 Trades
                 ,
                 Visits
                 ,
                 &c.
                 and
                 exemplifie
                 the
                 rules
                 of
                 Religion
                 in
                 the
                 management
                 of
                 all
                 your
                 Relations
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 your
                 ordinary
                 converse
                 .
                 Let
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 Place
                 or
                 Company
                 that
                 you
                 come
                 into
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 drop
                 something
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 This
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 shall
                 never
                 convince
                 the
                 World
                 till
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 this
                 .
                 May
                 you
                 come
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 your
                 Prisons
                 with
                 your
                 faces
                 shining
                 ,
                 having
                 your
                 minds
                 seasoned
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 tongues
                 〈◊〉
                 with
                 Holiness
                 :
                 May
                 your
                 mouths
                 be
                 as
                 a
                 Well
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 from
                 whence
                 may
                 flow
                 the
                 Holy
                 Streams
                 of
                 Edifying
                 Discourse
                 :
                 May
                 you
                 ever
                 remember
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 are
                 sitting
                 in
                 your
                 Houses
                 ,
                 going
                 by
                 the
                 Way
                 ,
                 lying
                 down
                 ,
                 rising
                 up
                 ,
                 what
                 the
                 Lord
                 doth
                 then
                 require
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 Deut
                 6.
                 7.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   To
                   improve
                   their
                   present
                   retirements
                   from
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   settling
                   of
                   their
                   spiritual
                   estates
                   .
                
                 'T
                 is
                 a
                 common
                 complaint
                 amongst
                 Christians
                 ,
                 That
                 they
                 want
                 Assurance
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 that
                 wanted
                 Assurance
                 when
                 you
                 came
                 to
                 Prison
                 ,
                 may
                 carry
                 that
                 blessing
                 out
                 ,
                 what
                 happy
                 gainers
                 would
                 you
                 be
                 !
                 Now
                 you
                 are
                 called
                 more
                 than
                 ever
                 to
                 self-searching
                 .
                 Now
                 bring
                 your
                 Graces
                 to
                 the
                 Touchstone
                 .
                 Be
                 much
                 in
                 Self
                 Observation
                 .
                 See
                 what
                 your
                 hearts
                 do
                 with
                 most
                 love
                 and
                 delight
                 ,
                 go
                 out
                 unto
                 :
                 what
                 are
                 your
                 greatest
                 hopes
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 chief
                 designs
                 .
                 See
                 whether
                 God's
                 Intrest
                 be
                 uppermost
                 in
                 you
                 :
                 prove
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 prove
                 all
                 .
                 Rest
                 not
                 in
                 probable
                 hopes
                 .
                 Think
                 not
                 that
                 is
                 enough
                 that
                 you
                 can
                 say
                 ,
                 you
                 hope
                 't
                 is
                 well
                 .
                 God
                 lookes
                 for
                 extraordinary
                 things
                 from
                 you
                 under
                 such
                 great
                 helps
                 ,
                 such
                 extraordinary
                 Dispensations
                 .
                 Be
                 restless
                 till
                 you
                 can
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 You
                 know
                 .
                 't
                 is
                 well
                 ?
                 that
                 you
                 know
                 you
                 are
                 passed
                 from
                 Death
                 to
                 Life
              
               
                 Think
                 not
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 priviledge
                 that
                 only
                 a
                 few
                 may
                 expect
                 .
                 Observe
                 but
                 these
                 three
                 things
                 :
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 acquaint
                 your selves
                 throughly
                 with
                 the
                 conditions
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 heed
                 of
                 laying
                 the
                 marks
                 of
                 Solvation
                 cither
                 too
                 high
                 or
                 too
                 low
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 To
                 be
                 much
                 in
                 observing
                 the
                 frame
                 ,
                 and
                 bent
                 ,
                 and
                 workings
                 of
                 your
                 own
                 hearts
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   To
                   universally
                   conscientious
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   be
                   constant
                   in
                   even
                   and
                   close
                   walkings
                   ,
                
                 and
                 then
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 you
                 will
                 grow
                 up
                 speedily
                 to
                 a
                 settled
                 assurance
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 and
                 feel
                 that
                 peace
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 passeth
                 all
                 understanding
                 :
                 and
                 this
                 will
                 be
                 somewhat
                 worth
                 your
                 carrying
                 out
                 of
                 Prison
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 I
                 return
                 to
                 your self
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 shall
                 I
                 say
                 ?
                 I
                 have
                 more
                 need
                 to
                 receive
                 from
                 you
                 ,
                 than
                 abilitie
                 to
                 give
                 ;
                 only
                 I
                 will
                 tell
                 you
                 my
                 wishes
                 for
                 you
                 :
                 I
                 wish
                 that
                 your
                 body
                 may
                 prosper
                 ,
                 as
                 your
                 soul
                 also
                 prospereth
                 .
                 I
                 wish
                 ,
                 That
                 you
                 may
                 see
                 the
                 travel
                 of
                 your
                 Soul
                 ;
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 find
                 your
                 People
                 thriving
                 under
                 your
                 hands
                 in
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 holy
                 conversation
                 and
                 godliness
                 ,
                 that
                 whosoever
                 converses
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 may
                 see
                 and
                 hear
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   God
                   is
                   in
                   them
                   of
                   a
                   Truth
                   .
                
                 I
                 wish
                 your
                 enlargement
                 from
                 your
                 bonds
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 enlargement
                 in
                 them
                 :
                 That
                 your
                 Prison
                 may
                 be
                 but
                 the
                 Lanthorn
                 through
                 which
                 your
                 Graces
                 ,
                 Experiences
                 ,
                 Communion
                 ,
                 and
                 Prison-attainments
                 ,
                 may
                 shine
                 most
                 brightly
                 to
                 all
                 beholders
                 .
                 I
                 wish
                 your
                 Prison
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 Paradice
                 of
                 Peace
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Patmos
                 of
                 Divine
                 discoveries
                 .
                 
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   set
                   to
                   thy
                
                 Amen
                 .
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   SIR
                   ,
                
                 
                   Your
                   unworthy
                   Brother
                   and
                   Companion
                   in
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   and
                   Patience
                   of
                   JESUS
                   :
                   JOS.
                   ALLEINE
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Jan.
                     10.
                     1664.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 LETTER
                 .
                 XL.
                 [
                 Directions
                 to
                 the
                 Ministers
                 of
                 Somersetshire
                 and
                 Wistshire
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 instructing
                 of
                 Families
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Catechising
                 .
                 ]
              
               
                 
                   SIR
                   ,
                
              
               
                 THIS
                 Letter
                 cometh
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 Macedonia
                 ,
                 to
                 Paul
                 ,
                 crying
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 
                   Come
                   and
                   help
                   us
                
                 .
                 O
                 how
                 insufficient
                 do
                 we
                 find
                 our selves
                 for
                 the
                 Praises
                 of
                 GOD
                 !
                 What
                 Reason
                 have
                 we
                 to
                 call
                 upon
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 call
                 upon
                 all
                 our
                 Friends
                 !
                 and
                 yet
                 we
                 foresee
                 that
                 all
                 will
                 be
                 too
                 little
                 a
                 Sacrifice
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 and
                 too
                 slender
                 a
                 return
                 to
                 the
                 most
                 High
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 made
                 us
                 such
                 wonders
                 of
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 signal
                 instances
                 of
                 his
                 Divine
                 Power
                 and
                 Rich
                 Grace
                 .
                 You
                 are
                 not
                 ignorant
                 of
                 our
                 Estate
                 ,
                 how
                 the
                 Sentence
                 of
                 Death
                 had
                 passed
                 upon
                 us
                 ;
                 how
                 our
                 Flesh
                 and
                 our
                 Hearts
                 failed
                 ,
                 and
                 Friends
                 and
                 Physicians
                 gave
                 up
                 their
                 Hopes
                 :
                 But
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 raised
                 the
                 Dead
                 ,
                 was
                 pleased
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 the
                 Monuments
                 of
                 his
                 wondrous
                 Mercy
                 .
                 O
                 that
                 the
                 same
                 God
                 would
                 make
                 us
                 the
                 special
                 instruments
                 of
                 his
                 Praise
                 and
                 Glory
                 .
                 Of
                 a
                 Truth
                 Sir
                 ,
                 we
                 perceive
                 our
                 Hearts
                 are
                 too
                 little
                 ,
                 our
                 Tongues
                 are
                 too
                 shore
                 ,
                 our
                 Expressions
                 are
                 too
                 low
                 ,
                 either
                 to
                 conceive
                 or
                 utter
                 what
                 we
                 owe
                 to
                 the
                 Great
                 God.
                 O
                 help
                 !
                 help
                 !
                 Bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 O
                 our
                 Souls
                 :
                 Bless
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 O
                 our
                 Friends
                 :
                 O
                 that
                 all
                 that
                 have
                 Wrestled
                 with
                 God
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 might
                 joyn
                 Hand
                 in
                 Hand
                 to
                 make
                 some
                 suitable
                 returns
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 our
                 lives
                 ,
                 and
                 may
                 bring
                 in
                 every
                 one
                 his
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 contribute
                 to
                 make
                 one
                 common
                 stock
                 of
                 Praises
                 ,
                 that
                 many
                 Thanksgivings
                 
                 may
                 abound
                 to
                 God
                 on
                 our
                 behalfs
                 .
                 O
                 what
                 hath
                 Prayer
                 done
                 for
                 us
                 !
                 while
                 we
                 live
                 we
                 must
                 Honour
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 admire
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 we
                 owe
                 our
                 limbs
                 and
                 our
                 lives
                 to
                 Prayer
                 .
                 O
                 that
                 a
                 goodly
                 crop
                 of
                 praise
                 may
                 grow
                 up
                 unto
                 God
                 as
                 a
                 return
                 for
                 his
                 Mercies
                 :
                 that
                 the
                 seed
                 of
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 showers
                 of
                 tears
                 ,
                 may
                 procure
                 sheaves
                 of
                 joy
                 ,
                 and
                 Songs
                 of
                 deliverauce
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 O
                 what
                 shall
                 we
                 render
                 ?
                 wherewithall
                 shall
                 we
                 come
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 or
                 bow
                 our selves
                 to
                 the
                 Most
                 High
                 God
                 ?
                 O
                 where
                 shall
                 we
                 find
                 a
                 sitting
                 sacrifice
                 ?
                 Verily
                 we
                 will
                 give
                 our selves
                 and
                 our
                 All
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 But
                 alas
                 ,
                 what
                 are
                 we
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 is
                 this
                 little
                 that
                 we
                 call
                 
                   our
                   All
                
                 ?
                 Therefore
                 have
                 we
                 found
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 to
                 write
                 to
                 you
                 and
                 others
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 excite
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 Divine
                 Praises
                 with
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 O
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 might
                 be
                 loved
                 the
                 better
                 ,
                 and
                 glorified
                 the
                 more
                 for
                 our
                 sakes
                 :
                 Will
                 you
                 tell
                 us
                 wherein
                 we
                 may
                 shew
                 our
                 love
                 to
                 Him
                 ?
                 wherein
                 we
                 may
                 best
                 please
                 and
                 serve
                 Him
                 ?
                 O
                 that
                 you
                 would
                 !
                 Herein
                 assuredly
                 you
                 would
                 most
                 highly
                 gratifie
                 us
                 .
                 O
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 do
                 some
                 singular
                 thing
                 for
                 God
                 ;
                 for
                 certainly
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 common
                 things
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 We
                 pray
                 you
                 call
                 upon
                 those
                 that
                 fear
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 to
                 help
                 us
                 in
                 celebrating
                 his
                 loving
                 kindness
                 .
                 O
                 how
                 it
                 pleaseth
                 our
                 very
                 Hearts
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 God
                 should
                 be
                 Loved
                 and
                 Honoured
                 the
                 better
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 That
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 instruments
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 but
                 for
                 the
                 blowing
                 up
                 of
                 one
                 flash
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 the
                 kindling
                 of
                 one
                 spark
                 of
                 Divine
                 Love
                 in
                 the
                 Hearts
                 of
                 his
                 Children
                 towards
                 him
                 !
                 Sir
                 ,
                 You
                 cannot
                 pleasure
                 us
                 in
                 any
                 thing
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 To
                 love
                 and
                 admire
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 spread
                 his
                 Praise
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 ;
                 that
                 what
                 is
                 wanting
                 through
                 our
                 weakness
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 up
                 in
                 your
                 abundance
                 .
                 But
                 we
                 have
                 need
                 to
                 crave
                 your
                 〈◊〉
                 for
                 our
                 length
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 Christ
                 constraineth
                 us
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 we
                 hope
                 you
                 will
                 pass
                 by
                 an
                 error
                 of
                 Love.
                 
              
               
                 While
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 deyifing
                 what
                 to
                 do
                 for
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 thought
                 we
                 could
                 no
                 way
                 better
                 serve
                 him
                 ,
                 
                 than
                 by
                 provoking
                 such
                 as
                 you
                 are
                 to
                 set
                 up
                 his
                 great
                 Name
                 with
                 us
                 .
                 We
                 love
                 and
                 Honour
                 you
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 as
                 you
                 are
                 a
                 Member
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 Minister
                 of
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 our
                 LORD
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 deserve
                 to
                 be
                 doubly
                 dear
                 unto
                 us
                 :
                 And
                 because
                 we
                 could
                 think
                 of
                 no
                 more
                 pleasing
                 a
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 Thanksgiving
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 stirred
                 up
                 our selves
                 and
                 Friends
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 to
                 send
                 to
                 you
                 a
                 Prophet
                 in
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 this
                 poor
                 Token
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 which
                 though
                 but
                 small
                 ,
                 yet
                 we
                 trust
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 sweet
                 savour
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 be
                 accepted
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 being
                 our
                 two
                 Mites
                 cast
                 into
                 God's
                 Treasury
                 .
                 But
                 look
                 not
                 upon
                 your self
                 as
                 obliged
                 to
                 us
                 hereby
                 :
                 but
                 put
                 it
                 upon
                 the
                 Account
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 whose
                 precious
                 Name
                 we
                 dedicate
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 whom
                 (
                 although
                 he
                 be
                 so
                 much
                 already
                 before
                 hand
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 yet
                 )
                 we
                 expect
                 a
                 recompence
                 at
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 of
                 the
                 just
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 being
                 further
                 desirous
                 to
                 promote
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 our
                 low
                 and
                 slender
                 Capacities
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 bold
                 to
                 provoke
                 your self
                 ,
                 with
                 other
                 our
                 Fathers
                 and
                 Brethren
                 in
                 the
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 to
                 set
                 about
                 that
                 necessary
                 and
                 much
                 neglected
                 work
                 of
                 Catechising
                 ;
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 pleasing
                 our selves
                 in
                 the
                 sweet
                 hope
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 your
                 means
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 instrumental
                 to
                 spread
                 the
                 sweet
                 savour
                 of
                 the
                 knowledg
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 every
                 place
                 :
                 and
                 being
                 well
                 perswaded
                 of
                 your
                 readiness
                 to
                 forward
                 so
                 blessed
                 a
                 work
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 stirred
                 up
                 our selves
                 and
                 our
                 Friends
                 to
                 expend
                 a
                 considerable
                 Sum
                 of
                 Money
                 to
                 furnish
                 Ministers
                 with
                 Catechisms
                 ,
                 a
                 hundred
                 whereof
                 we
                 have
                 sent
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 beseeching
                 you
                 to
                 use
                 your
                 best
                 prudence
                 and
                 utmost
                 diligence
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 spreading
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 others
                 improvement
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 our
                 labour
                 and
                 charge
                 in
                 so
                 good
                 a
                 work
                 ,
                 prove
                 not
                 at
                 last
                 of
                 no
                 effect
                 .
              
               
                 Sir
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 humbly
                 propose
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 impose
                 upon
                 you
                 .
                 But
                 let
                 us
                 be
                 bold
                 with
                 you
                 in
                 Ghrist
                 ,
                 to
                 lay
                 our
                 requests
                 before
                 you
                 as
                 touching
                 this
                 concernment
                 ,
                 they
                 being
                 indeed
                 what
                 judicious
                 friends
                 and
                 brethren
                 have
                 thought
                 fit
                 to
                 propound
                 .
              
               
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 the
                 People
                 be
                 publikely
                 and
                 privately
                 instructed
                 about
                 the
                 high
                 necessity
                 and
                 great
                 usefulness
                 of
                 this
                 Dutie
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 these
                 Catechisms
                 be
                 freely
                 given
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 will
                 promise
                 to
                 use
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 would
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 acquaint
                 your self
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 Schools
                 that
                 are
                 within
                 your
                 Verge
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 you
                 would
                 do
                 your
                 utmost
                 to
                 engage
                 the
                 Teachers
                 thereof
                 to
                 teach
                 their
                 Scholars
                 this
                 Catechism
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 you
                 would
                 furnish
                 all
                 their
                 Scholars
                 that
                 are
                 capable
                 and
                 willing
                 to
                 learn.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 will
                 endeavour
                 from
                 house
                 to
                 house
                 to
                 engage
                 the
                 Master
                 or
                 Mistris
                 of
                 every
                 Family
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 forwarding
                 of
                 this
                 work
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 will
                 appoint
                 set-times
                 wherein
                 to
                 take
                 an
                 Account
                 of
                 the
                 proficiency
                 of
                 all
                 such
                 as
                 have
                 promised
                 to
                 Learn
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 engaged
                 to
                 Learn
                 weekly
                 a
                 proportion
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 Capacities
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 would
                 favour
                 us
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 let
                 us
                 know
                 as
                 speedilie
                 as
                 you
                 may
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 receit
                 of
                 these
                 Lines
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 may
                 presume
                 so
                 far
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 we
                 pray
                 you
                 to
                 indulge
                 us
                 some
                 assurance
                 under
                 your
                 Hand
                 ,
                 That
                 you
                 will
                 to
                 your
                 Power
                 promote
                 this
                 happy
                 design
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 by
                 our
                 Lady-day
                 next
                 you
                 will
                 acquaint
                 Mr.
                 Bernard
                 what
                 progress
                 is
                 made
                 .
              
               
                 Sir
                 ,
                 our
                 Sou's
                 will
                 even
                 travel
                 in
                 Birth
                 for
                 the
                 success
                 of
                 this
                 undertaking
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 we
                 request
                 you
                 for
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 respect
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 perswaded
                 you
                 bare
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 will
                 labour
                 to
                 comfort
                 and
                 encourage
                 us
                 in
                 our
                 endeavours
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 can
                 no
                 way
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 do
                 so
                 well
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 letting
                 us
                 see
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 some
                 Blessed
                 Fruit
                 of
                 our
                 cost
                 and
                 paines
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 not
                 run
                 in
                 
                 vain
                 ,
                 nor
                 laboured
                 in
                 vain
                 .
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 Catechsims
                 remaining
                 in
                 your
                 hands
                 that
                 you
                 cannot
                 dispose
                 of
                 by
                 our
                 Lady-day
                 ,
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 send
                 them
                 to
                 Mr.
                 Barnard
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 Mr.
                 Rositer
                 in
                 Taunton
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 should
                 need
                 any
                 more
                 ,
                 give
                 us
                 speedy
                 notice
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 not
                 fail
                 to
                 be
                 furnished
                 with
                 what
                 number
                 you
                 desire
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 upon
                 the
                 bended
                 knees
                 of
                 our
                 thankful
                 souls
                 ,
                 we
                 commend
                 our
                 poor
                 sacrifices
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 your self
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 eternal
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 remain
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   Christs
                   devoted
                   Sevants
                   ,
                   and
                   your
                   Friends
                   JOS.
                   BERNARD
                   ,
                   and
                   JOS.
                   ALLIENE
                   .
                
              
               
                 FINIS
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               ADVERTISEMENT
               .
            
             
               
                 SAcrilegious
                 Desertion
              
               of
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Ministery
              
               rebuked
               ,
               And
               Tolerated
               Preaching
               of
               the
               Gospel
               Vindicated
               ,
               against
               the
               Reasoning
               of
               a
               Confident
               Queftionist
               ,
               in
               a
               Book
               called
               [
               
                 Toleration
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 abused
              
               .
               ]
               With
               Counsel
               to
               the
               Nonconformest
               ,
               and
               Petition
               to
               the
               
                 Pious
                 Conformist
              
               .
            
             
               By
               one
               that
               is
               Consecrated
               to
               the
               Sacred
               Ministery
               ,
               and
               is
               resolved
               not
               to
               be
               a
               wilful
               Deserter
               of
               it
               ,
               in
               trust
               that
               any
               undertakers
               ,
               cau
               justifie
               him
               for
               such
               desertion
               at
               the
               Judgment
               of
               God
               ;
               till
               he
               know
               better
               how
               those
               can
               come
               off
               themselves
               ;
               who
               are
               unfaithful
               Pastors
               .
               or
               unjust
               Silencers
               of
               others
               .
            
             
               
                 Printed
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 sold
                 by
              
               Nevil
               Simmons
               ,
               
                 at
                 the
                 Princes
                 Arms
                 in
              
               Pauls-Church-yard
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
               A
               SERMON
               PREACHED
               AT
               THE
               FUNERAL
               OF
               Mr.
               JOSEPHALLEINE
               ,
               BY
               Mr.
               
                 GEORGE
                 NEWTON
              
               ,
               late
               Minister
               of
               Taunton
               in
               Sommersetshire
               .
            
             
               Rev.
               14.
               13.
               
               
                 Blessed
                 are
                 the
                 dead
                 which
                 die
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 from
                 henceforth
                 :
                 Yea
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 rest
                 from
                 their
                 Labours
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 works
                 do
                 follow
                 them
                 .
              
            
             
               LONDON
               ,
               Printed
               and
               are
               to
               be
               Sold
               by
               
                 Nevil
                 Simmons
              
               ,
               at
               the
               Princes-Arms
               in
               St.
               
                 Pauls
                 Church-yard
              
               .
            
             
               1672.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
             
               
                 
                   Luke
                   23.
                   28.
                
                 
              
               
                 Daughters
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 weep
                 not
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 weep
                 for
                 your Selves
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 Children
                 .
              
            
             
               WHat
               Subject
               fitter
               for
               this
               sad
               Occasion
               ,
               then
               a
               Theam
               of
               Weeping
               ?
               what
               Language
               can
               we
               better
               speak
               ,
               or
               more
               agreeable
               to
               the
               dark
               Providence
               that
               we
               are
               under
               ,
               then
               Sighs
               ,
               and
               Cries
               and
               Lamentations
               ?
               How
               
                 merciful
                 was
                 God
                 to
                 him
              
               ,
               whom
               he
               hath
               taken
               to
               himself
               ,
               and
               how
               
                 severe
                 to
                 us
              
               ,
               in
               this
               Stroke
               ?
               And
               Oh
               what
               hard
               and
               stupid
               hearts
               have
               we
               ?
               Should
               we
               be
               so
               insensible
               of
               Gods
               heavy
               Indignation
               ,
               and
               our
               irreparable
               Loss
               ,
               as
               to
               give
               him
               just
               Occasion
               to
               complain
               ,
               as
               in
               Jeremiah
               ,
               5.
               3.
               
               
                 I
                 have
                 smitten
                 them
                 and
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 grieved
                 .
              
               You
               of
               this
               Congregation
               have
               reason
               to
               fit
               down
               in
               bitterness
               ,
               
                 because
                 the
                 Almighty
                 hath
                 dealt
                 very
                 bitterly
                 with
                 you
                 .
              
               And
               to
               cry
               out
               as
               sometimes
               Joash
               did
               ,
               over
               Elisha
               ,
               2
               Kings
               13.
               14.
               
               
                 My
                 Father
                 ,
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 the
                 Chariots
                 of
                 Israel
                 and
                 the
                 Horsemen
                 thereof
                 :
              
               And
               as
               Rachel
               ,
               once
               to
               weep
               ,
               and
               hardly
               to
               be
               comforted
               ,
               because
               he
               is
               not
               :
               And
               for
               my
               part
               I
               shall
               take
               up
               David's
               Lamentation
               over
               Jonathan
               ,
               with
               David's
               Affections
               ,
               2
               Sam.
               1.
               26.
               
               
                 I
                 am
                 distressed
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 my
                 Brother
                 ,
                 very
                 pleasant
                 hast
                 thou
                 been
                 unto
                 me
                 .
              
            
             
               But
               me
               thinks
               I
               over-hear
               him
               who
               being
               dead
               ,
               yet
               speaketh
               ,
               calling
               upon
               us
               in
               our
               Saviours
               Words
               ,
               
                 weep
                 not
                 for
                 me
              
               .
               As
               for
               my
               own
               part
               ,
               I
               have
               rest
               for
               Labour
               ,
               Joy
               for
               Sorrow
               ,
               Peace
               for
               Trouble
               ,
               Ease
               for
               Pain
               ;
               I
               feel
               no
               aking
               Bones
               ,
               no
               falling
               Fits
               ,
               no
               strained
               Sinews
               ,
               no
               Distortions
               ,
               no
               Convulsions
               in
               the
               Grave
               .
               And
               for
               what
               I
               find
               in
               Heaven
               you
               shall
               know
               when
               you
               come
               thither
               .
               My
               refreshing
               time
               is
               come
               ,
               God
               hath
               now
               wiped
               clean
               away
               
                 every
                 Tear
              
               from
               my
               Eyes
               ;
               and
               
                 every
                 drop
                 of
                 Sweat
              
               from
               my
               Face
               ,
               and
               
                 every
                 sadt
              
               
               
                 thought
                 from
                 my
              
               heart
               ;
               And
               therefore
               I
               forbid
               your
               tears
               for
               me
               ,
               
                 Weep
                 not
                 for
                 me
              
               .
               But
               if
               you
               swelling
               Passions
               must
               have
               vent
               ,
               Consider
               whose
               the
               Loss
               is
               .
               Alas
               ,
               it
               is
               
                 not
                 mine
              
               ,
               but
               yours
               ;
               and
               therefore
               ,
               turn
               the
               Stream
               into
               the
               right
               Channel
               ,
               
                 Weep
                 not
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 weep
                 for
                 your selves
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 Children
                 .
              
            
             
               These
               were
               our
               Saviours
               words
               sometimes
               ,
               in
               which
               he
               puts
               a
               stop
               upon
               the
               sorrow
               and
               the
               〈◊〉
               of
               those
               ,
               who
               wept
               too
               much
               even
               at
               the
               Death
               of
               Christ
               himself
               .
               Dead
               he
               was
               in
               Law
               already
               ,
               condemned
               by
               Pilate
               ,
               delivered
               to
               the
               Roman
               Band
               ,
               to
               guard
               〈◊〉
               to
               the
               Place
               of
               Execution
               .
               Such
               tragical
               appearances
               are
               〈◊〉
               attended
               with
               a
               Multitude
               of
               Lookers
               on
               ,
               and
               by
               how
               〈◊〉
               the
               greater
               ,
               and
               more
               remarkable
               the
               person
               is
               who
               is
               to
               〈◊〉
               ,
               so
               much
               the
               greater
               is
               the
               Concourse
               .
               And
               hence
               it
               was
               that
               such
               a
               heap
               of
               people
               followed
               Christ
               ,
               on
               whom
               the
               eyes
               of
               the
               〈◊〉
               Nation
               of
               the
               Jews
               were
               fixed
               ,
               though
               with
               different
               affections
               ;
               Some
               to
               secure
               him
               from
               a
               rescue
               ,
               some
               to
               mock
               him
               and
               deride
               him
               ;
               some
               to
               gaze
               upon
               the
               〈◊〉
               and
               observe
               his
               carriage
               in
               his
               dead
               〈◊〉
               ,
               and
               some
               to
               see
               the
               Execution
               .
               Among
               the
               rest
               ,
               there
               were
               a
               sort
               of
               People
               that
               bewailed
               his
               Death
               ,
               of
               whom
               it
               is
               observed
               that
               they
               exprest
               their
               grief
               in
               tears
               .
               I
               make
               no
               〈◊〉
               there
               were
               men
               that
               wept
               ,
               but
               because
               women
               usually
               have
               moister
               brains
               ,
               and
               less
               command
               upon
               their
               passions
               ,
               and
               so
               are
               more
               inclinable
               to
               vent
               their
               sorrow
               in
               a
               flood
               of
               tears
               then
               men
               ,
               especially
               ,
               because
               their
               passions
               are
               not
               much
               regarded
               neither
               ;
               so
               that
               there
               was
               no
               fear
               or
               〈◊〉
               though
               they
               were
               free
               and
               open
               in
               their
               sorrow
               .
               Hence
               it
               is
               that
               there
               is
               no
               notice
               taken
               of
               any
               other
               〈◊〉
               but
               theirs
               ,
               in
               the
               Verse
               before
               the
               Text
               ,
               and
               that
               our
               Saviour
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               ,
               and
               directs
               his
               Speech
               to
               them
               in
               the
               words
               that
               have
               been
               read
               ,
               
                 Daughters
                 of
                 Jerusolem
                 weep
                 not
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 Children
                 .
              
            
             
               Now
               in
               this
               Speech
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               we
               have
               especially
               to
               be
               considered
               two
               things
               ,
               a
               prohibition
               ,
               and
               a
               permission
               .
               In
               the
               first
               place
               we
               have
               the
               prohibition
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               in
               which
               he
               forbiddeth
               them
               to
               weep
               ,
               Daughters
               of
               
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 weep
                 not
                 for
                 me
                 .
              
               And
               in
               the
               second
               place
               we
               have
               his
               permission
               in
               which
               he
               alloweth
               them
               to
               weep
               ;
               
                 but
                 weep
                 for
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 Children
                 .
              
               And
               yet
               you
               see
               he
               doth
               not
               
               here
               command
               and
               forbid
               the
               same
               things
               in
               the
               same
               respect
               ,
               but
               in
               relation
               to
               a
               diverse
               object
               .
               In
               relation
               
                 to
                 himself
              
               he
               forbiddeth
               them
               to
               weep
               ,
               
                 Weep
                 not
                 for
                 me
              
               .
               In
               relation
               
                 to
                 themselves
              
               ,
               he
               alloweth
               them
               to
               weep
               ,
               
                 but
                 weep
                 for
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 Children
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               total
               final
               and
               irreparable
               〈◊〉
               of
               Jerusalem
               was
               near
               at
               hand
               ,
               our
               Saviour
               had
               it
               in
               his
               eye
               when
               he
               spake
               these
               words
               .
               He
               wept
               apace
               for
               this
               himself
               but
               a
               little
               while
               before
               ,
               as
               you
               may
               see
               ,
               Luke
               19.
               41.
               
               
                 He
                 behold
                 the
                 city
                 and
                 wept
                 over
                 it
                 .
              
               First
               he
               beholds
               it
               with
               his
               eye
               ,
               and
               then
               his
               eye
               affects
               his
               heart
               ,
               Wo
               and
               alas
               !
               saith
               he
               ,
               (
               while
               in
               a
               pang
               of
               holy
               pity
               and
               compassion
               ,
               the
               tears
               come
               flowing
               down
               his
               cheeks
               )
               
                 If
                 thou
                 hadst
                 known
                 even
                 thou
                 at
                 least
                 in
                 this
                 thy
                 day
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 belong
                 unto
                 thy
                 peace
                 ,
                 but
                 now
                 they
                 are
                 hid
                 from
                 thine
                 eyes
                 .
              
               And
               therefore
               he
               alloweth
               them
               to
               weep
               for
               this
               ,
               who
               are
               to
               have
               a
               share
               and
               portion
               in
               that
               dreadful
               desolation
               .
               But
               for
               himself
               ,
               who
               willingly
               submitted
               to
               the
               death
               which
               he
               was
               leading
               to
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               other
               circumstances
               of
               his
               passion
               ;
               who
               was
               beloved
               of
               him
               who
               had
               appointed
               and
               designed
               him
               to
               it
               ,
               who
               was
               God
               as
               well
               as
               Man
               ;
               and
               therefore
               able
               to
               endure
               it
               ,
               and
               to
               overcome
               it
               too
               ;
               and
               who
               was
               shortly
               to
               be
               rescued
               from
               the
               jaws
               of
               death
               ,
               and
               so
               triumphantly
               to
               enter
               into
               Glory
               :
               He
               forbiddeth
               them
               to
               weep
               ,
               
                 weep
                 not
                 so
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 weep
                 for
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               So
               that
               the
               purpose
               of
               our
               Saviour
               is
               not
               wholly
               to
               suppress
               ,
               but
               to
               rectifie
               their
               sorrow
               .
               They
               wept
               for
               him
               out
               of
               a
               childish
               kind
               of
               pity
               ,
               but
               they
               wept
               not
               for
               their
               sins
               ,
               nor
               the
               unseen
               calamities
               that
               were
               about
               to
               come
               upon
               them
               .
               And
               therefore
               Christ
               endeavours
               to
               withdraw
               their
               sorrow
               from
               the
               wrong
               ,
               and
               fix
               it
               on
               the
               right
               object
               .
               And
               to
               this
               end
               he
               shews
               them
               why
               they
               should
               not
               weep
               ,
               and
               why
               they
               
                 should
                 .
                 Weep
                 not
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 Children
                 .
              
               Two
               Observations
               lie
               before
               us
               in
               the
               Text.
               The
               first
               ,
               
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 unlawful
                 nor
                 unfit
                 sometimes
                 to
                 express
                 our
                 grief
                 in
                 tears
                 .
              
               The
               second
               ,
               
                 That
                 we
                 are
                 very
                 oubject
                 to
                 misplace
                 our
                 grief
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 mistake
                 the
                 ground
                 and
                 object
                 of
                 our
                 sorrow
                 .
              
               I
               shall
               speak
               to
               these
               in
               order
               ,
               beginning
               with
               the
               first
               .
            
             
             
               Doct.
               That
               it
               is
               not
               unlawful
               nor
               unfit
               sometimes
               to
               express
               our
               grief
               in
               tears
               .
            
             
               We
               have
               our
               Saviours
               warrant
               for
               it
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               
                 weep
                 for
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 children
                 .
              
               There
               weep
               and
               weep
               on
               .
               How
               often
               are
               we
               called
               upon
               to
               weep
               in
               Scripture
               ?
               Oh
               what
               a
               cloud
               of
               weepers
               shall
               we
               find
               there
               ,
               who
               are
               all
               witnesses
               to
               this
               great
               truth
               .
               And
               some
               of
               them
               the
               wisest
               and
               the
               holiest
               mentioned
               in
               the
               Book
               of
               God
               ,
               without
               exception
               .
               Our
               Saviour
               Christ
               himself
               ,
               the
               holy
               One
               ,
               and
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               God
               ,
               was
               a
               very
               great
               Weeper
               .
               He
               was
               
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 sorrows
              
               ,
               not
               of
               a
               few
               ,
               but
               many
               sorrows
               ,
               Isa.
               53.
               3.
               
               You
               never
               read
               he
               laughed
               in
               all
               his
               Story
               ,
               but
               you
               find
               he
               wept
               often
               .
               In
               the
               days
               of
               his
               flesh
               he
               
                 offered
                 up
                 strong
                 cries
                 and
                 tears
              
               to
               God
               ,
               Heb.
               5.
               7.
               
               He
               wept
               for
               his
               beloved
               
                 Lazarus
                 ,
                 John
              
               11.
               35.
               
               And
               if
               we
               do
               the
               like
               on
               this
               occasion
               ,
               we
               have
               a
               great
               Example
               in
               our
               eye
               .
               He
               melted
               over
               poor
               undone
               Jerusalem
               with
               many
               tears
               ,
               who
               had
               over-pass'd
               the
               day
               of
               her
               gracious
               Visitation
               .
            
             
               Look
               up
               and
               down
               among
               the
               poor
               afflicted
               and
               distressed
               People
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               you
               shall
               find
               that
               tears
               have
               been
               as
               ordinary
               with
               them
               ,
               as
               their
               daily
               food
               .
               Thou
               
                 feedest
                 them
              
               ,
               saith
               
                 Asaph
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               80.
               5.
               
               With
               the
               bread
               of
               tears
               ,
               and
               givest
               them
               
                 tears
                 to
                 drink
              
               .
               Tears
               were
               both
               their
               Meat
               and
               Drink
               ,
               and
               it
               seems
               they
               had
               their
               fill
               of
               this
               Diet
               This
               was
               the
               Legacy
               our
               Saviour
               lest
               to
               his
               Diseiples
               ,
               
                 ye
                 shall
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               John
               16.
               22.
               
               It
               is
               observed
               of
               the
               Saints
               ,
               they
               
                 sow
                 in
                 tears
              
               ,
               they
               go
               forth
               weeping
               ,
               bearing
               precious
               Seed
               Psal.
               126.
               5.
               
               〈◊〉
               time
               of
               sowing
               ,
               is
               a
               time
               of
               weeping
               They
               sow
               in
               showry
               weather
               ,
               in
               a
               rainy
               time
               ,
               the
               Seed
               they
               sow
               most
               commonly
               is
               steep'd
               in
               tears
               .
               
                 Mine
                 eye
              
               (
               saith
               holy
               David
               )
               
                 is
                 consumed
                 with
                 grief
              
               ,
               Psal.
               6.
               7.
               
               He
               wept
               so
               much
               that
               he
               was
               shriveled
               up
               to
               nothing
               like
               a
               
                 bottle
                 in
                 a
                 smoak
              
               ,
               as
               his
               own
               expression
               is
               ,
               Plal.
               119
               83.
               
            
             
               You
               see
               then
               it
               is
               not
               unlawful
               ,
               nor
               unfit
               sometimes
               to
               express
               our
               grief
               in
               tears
               .
               But
               you
               will
               ask
               me
               
                 what
                 these
                 times
                 are
              
               ;
               I
               will
               tell
               you
               in
               a
               word
               .
               
                 Sinning
                 times
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Suffring
                 times
              
               ,
               are
               weeping
               times
               .
               A
               word
               or
               two
               of
               these
               in
               order
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 Sinning
                 times
              
               ,
               are
               weeping
               times
               .
               And
               that
               whether
               they
               be
               sinning
               times
               
                 with
                 others
              
               ,
               or
               our selves
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Sinning
               times
               
                 with
                 others
              
               ,
               must
               be
               sorrowing
               times
               ,
               
               
                 with
                 us
              
               .
               Our
               Saviours
               
                 Bowels
                 rowl'd
              
               within
               him
               ,
               when
               he
               look'd
               about
               ,
               and
               
                 saw
                 the
                 hardness
              
               of
               the
               Peoples
               hearts
               ,
               Mark
               3.
               5.
               
               
                 Rivers
                 of
                 waters
                 run
                 down
                 mine
                 eyes
              
               (
               saith
               holy
               David
               to
               the
               Lord
               ,
               Psal.
               119.
               136.
               
               )
               
                 because
                 men
                 keep
                 not
                 thy
                 Law.
              
               If
               they
               will
               not
               hear
               saith
               Jeremiah
               ,
               Chap.
               13.
               17.
               
               
                 My
                 soul
                 shall
                 weep
                 in
                 secret
                 places
                 for
                 their
                 pride
                 ,
                 and
                 mine
                 eyes
                 shall
                 weep
                 sore
                 and
                 run
                 down
                 with
                 tears
                 .
              
               My
               Soul
               and
               Eye
               shall
               weep
               together
               .
               You
               shall
               observe
               that
               those
               whom
               God
               appointed
               to
               be
               marked
               and
               singled
               out
               for
               preservation
               ,
               in
               a
               common
               desolation
               ,
               were
               such
               as
               
                 sighed
                 and
                 cried
                 for
                 the
                 abominations
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
              
               Ezek.
               9.
               4.
               
               They
               did
               not
               only
               keep
               themselves
               from
               the
               abominations
               of
               the
               time
               and
               place
               on
               which
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               had
               cast
               them
               ,
               but
               they
               mourned
               for
               them
               in
               others
               .
               They
               were
               not
               meer
               abstainers
               ,
               but
               they
               were
               mourners
               ,
               weepers
               too
               ,
               and
               so
               were
               snatched
               as
               fire-brands
               out
               of
               the
               burnings
               ,
               and
               set
               as
               monuments
               of
               the
               Mercy
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               Brethren
               ,
               if
               you
               define
               to
               be
               preserved
               in
               times
               of
               common
               desolation
               ,
               when
               the
               judgments
               of
               the
               Lord
               are
               abroad
               upon
               the
               earth
               ,
               and
               on
               the
               places
               of
               your
               habitation
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               
                 safe
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 his
                 anger
                 ,
              
               work
               your
               hearts
               to
               this
               temper
               ,
               while
               other
               men
               are
               sinning
               ,
               be
               you
               mourning
               ;
               While
               others
               are
               committing
               horrible
               abominations
               ;
               be
               you
               lamenting
               and
               bewailing
               them
               ,
               sighing
               and
               crying
               for
               those
               abominations
               .
               That
               when
               God
               comes
               to
               visit
               ,
               he
               may
               find
               the
               sighs
               breathing
               from
               your
               hearts
               ,
               the
               drops
               running
               down
               your
               cheeks
               ,
               and
               all
               about
               you
               wet
               with
               tears
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               And
               as
               sinning
               times
               with
               others
               ,
               so
               
                 our
                 own
                 sinning
                 times
                 especially
              
               ,
               must
               be
               our
               weeping
               times
               .
               Though
               David
               were
               a
               good
               man
               ,
               yet
               he
               was
               a
               
                 great
                 sinner
              
               ,
               and
               so
               he
               was
               a
               
                 great
                 weeper
              
               .
               In
               Psal.
               6.
               6.
               
               We
               find
               him
               even
               drowned
               in
               tears
               .
               
                 All
                 the
                 night
                 long
              
               (
               faith
               he
               )
               
                 I
                 make
                 my
                 Bed
                 to
                 swim
                 ,
                 and
                 water
                 my
                 Couch
                 with
                 my
                 tears
                 .
              
               An
               Hyperbolical
               expression
               of
               unmeasurable
               weping
               .
               So
               ,
               
                 Mary
                 Magdalon
              
               had
               much
               forgiven
               her
               ,
               and
               thereupon
               she
               loved
               much
               ,
               and
               
                 wept
                 much
              
               Yea
               she
               made
               a
               bath
               of
               tears
               ,
               in
               which
               she
               washed
               the
               feet
               of
               Christ
               ,
               Luke
               7.
               37.
               
               It
               is
               observed
               of
               the
               people
               of
               the
               Jews
               ,
               that
               when
               they
               had
               surveyed
               their
               monstious
               sins
               ,
               they
               
                 drew
                 forth
                 water
              
               (
               out
               of
               the
               Fountains
               of
               their
               guilty
               eyes
               )
               
                 and
                 poured
                 it
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               1
               Sam.
               7.
               6.
               
               When
               once
               
               their
               hard
               and
               rockie
               hearts
               were
               smitten
               with
               remorse
               ,
               they
               melted
               into
               tears
               .
               They
               wept
               
                 by
                 Buckets
              
               ,
               not
               
                 by
                 Drops
              
               .
               It
               is
               a
               woful
               frame
               of
               heart
               ,
               when
               men
               can
               sin
               ,
               but
               cannot
               sorrow
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               As
               sinning
               times
               are
               weeping
               times
               ,
               
                 so
                 suffering
                 times
              
               are
               weeping
               times
               .
               And
               that
               whether
               they
               be
               suffering
               times
               
                 with
                 others
              
               or
               our selves
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Suffering
               times
               
                 with
                 others
              
               ,
               must
               be
               sorrowing
               times
               with
               us
               .
               We
               must
               
                 weep
                 with
                 them
                 that
                 weep
              
               .
               The
               Holy
               Ghost
               himself
               takes
               notice
               of
               it
               ,
               as
               remarkable
               ,
               in
               Nehemiah
               ,
               Chap.
               1.
               4.
               that
               when
               
                 he
                 heard
              
               of
               the
               distresses
               ,
               of
               his
               Brethren
               ,
               he
               
                 sat
                 down
              
               (
               as
               one
               astonied
               )
               
                 and
                 wept
                 and
                 mourned
                 certain
                 dates
                 .
              
               And
               Jeremiah
               crieth
               out
               in
               such
               a
               ease
               ,
               
                 Oh
                 that
                 my
                 head
                 were
                 waters
              
               (
               nothing
               else
               )
               
                 and
                 mine
                 eyes
                 a
                 fountain
                 of
                 tears
                 ,
              
               (
               both
               eyes
               one
               fountain
               )
               
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 weep
                 day
                 and
                 night
              
               (
               without
               cessation
               )
               
                 for
                 the
                 slain
                 of
                 the
                 Daughters
                 of
                 my
                 People
                 .
              
               It
               is
               our
               duty
               ,
               
                 to
                 remember
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 Bonds
                 ,
                 as
                 bound
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 Distressed
                 ,
                 and
                 broken
                 and
                 undone
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 we
                 our selves
                 were
                 broken
                 and
                 undone
                 with
                 them
                 .
              
               Oh
               let
               not
               it
               be
               said
               of
               any
               of
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               
                 swim
                 in
                 pleasures
              
               ,
               while
               our
               Brethren
               
                 swim
                 in
                 tears
              
               .
               That
               we
               have
               lain
               upon
               our
               costly
               Beds
               ,
               and
               stretched
               our selves
               upon
               our
               Couches
               ,
               that
               we
               have
               〈◊〉
               the
               Lambs
               out
               of
               the
               Flock
               ,
               and
               the
               Calves
               out
               of
               the
               Stall
               ,
               that
               we
               have
               chanted
               to
               the
               Viol
               and
               invented
               Instruments
               of
               Musick
               to
               our selves
               ,
               that
               we
               
                 drink
                 Wine
                 in
                 bowls
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 not
                 grieved
                 for
                 the
                 afflictions
                 of
                 Joseph
                 ,
              
               Amos
               6.
               4
               ,
               5
               ,
               6.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               And
               as
               when
               others
               are
               afflicted
               ,
               
                 so
                 when
                 we
                 our selves
                 are
                 so
                 ,
              
               it
               is
               a
               proper
               time
               to
               weep
               .
               The
               poor
               distressed
               Church
               draws
               up
               a
               Catalogue
               of
               all
               her
               troubles
               ,
               Lamentations
               1.
               12
               ,
               &c.
               
               And
               then
               concludeth
               at
               the
               16.
               
               
                 Verse
                 ,
                 for
                 these
                 things
                 I
                 weep
                 ,
                 mine
                 eye
                 ,
                 mine
                 eye
                 ,
                 runneth
                 down
                 with
                 water
                 .
              
               Yea
               ,
               she
               complains
               that
               she
               had
               wept
               so
               much
               ,
               that
               
                 her
                 eyes
                 did
                 fail
                 with
                 tears
                 ,
                 Lam.
              
               2.
               11.
               
               I
               might
               give
               other
               Scriptures
               ,
               where
               you
               shall
               find
               them
               flowing
               abundantly
               on
               such
               occasions
               .
               But
               this
               may
               satisfie
               to
               shew
               you
               ,
               
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 unlawful
                 ,
                 nor
                 unfit
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 to
                 express
                 our
                 grief
                 in
                 tears
                 .
              
               And
               what
               those
               
                 weeping
                 times
                 are
              
               :
               Times
               of
               sinning
               ,
               and
               times
               of
               suffering
               ,
               either
               with
               others
               ,
               or
               with
               our
               selves
               .
            
             
               Use
               1.
               
               They
               are
               mistaken
               then
               ,
               who
               think
               it
               an
               unworthy
               
               and
               unmanly
               thing
               to
               weep
               ,
               to
               drop
               a
               rear
               at
               any
               time
               ,
               as
               if
               it
               argued
               feebleness
               of
               mind
               ,
               and
               imbecillity
               of
               spirit
               .
               How
               many
               daring
               Gallants
               are
               there
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               who
               despise
               Gods
               mourners
               ,
               and
               look
               on
               such
               as
               weep
               ,
               for
               the
               abominatious
               ,
               or
               the
               desolations
               of
               the
               times
               ,
               as
               a
               company
               of
               poor
               weak
               low
               Souls
               .
               And
               yet
               
                 Hezekiah
                 wept
              
               ,
               and
               
                 David
                 wept
              
               ,
               even
               till
               he
               〈◊〉
               himself
               in
               tears
               ;
               who
               notwithstanding
               was
               as
               gallant
               and
               as
               brave
               a
               man
               as
               ever
               lived
               .
               The
               wise
               man
               tells
               us
               ;
               that
               there
               is
               a
               
                 time
                 to
                 weep
              
               ,
               Ecles
               .
               3.
               4.
               
               And
               where
               saith
               he
               
                 of
                 mourning
              
               thou
               art
               mad
               ,
               and
               of
               sorrow
               ,
               What
               is
               it
               that
               thou
               doest
               ?
               As
               he
               doth
               of
               joy
               and
               laughter
               ,
               Where
               do
               you
               find
               a
               blessing
               poured
               out
               on
               laughter
               ,
               as
               you
               do
               on
               tears
               and
               mourning
               ?
               There
               are
               but
               nine
               Beatitudes
               and
               this
               is
               one
               ,
               
                 Blessed
                 are
                 they
                 that
                 mourn
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 comforted
                 ,
              
               Mar.
               5.
               4.
               
               And
               therefore
               they
               deceive
               themselves
               who
               scorn
               mourners
               ,
               and
               labour
               to
               put
               on
               that
               Apathie
               and
               Idolence
               ,
               which
               is
               so
               much
               commended
               by
               the
               Stoicks
               :
               Who
               think
               it
               is
               their
               Patience
               ,
               and
               insuperable
               Fortitude
               of
               mind
               ,
               to
               be
               disquiered
               with
               nothing
               ,
               neither
               sins
               ,
               〈◊〉
               sufferings
               ,
               so
               far
               at
               least
               ,
               as
               to
               shed
               tears
               .
               Their
               Patience
               is
               it
               ?
               No
               ,
               't
               is
               their
               senslesness
               .
               I
               have
               smitten
               them
               and
               they
               have
               not
               grieved
               ,
               saith
               God
               ,
               of
               hardned
               Israel
               ,
               Jer.
               5.
               3.
               
               It
               is
               not
               Patience
               but
               Stupidity
               ,
               that
               he
               bewaileth
               there
               in
               that
               people
               .
            
             
               Use
               2.
               
               What
               shall
               we
               think
               of
               those
               who
               have
               no
               time
               for
               tears
               ,
               or
               sorrows
               :
               They
               spend
               their
               days
               in
               mirth
               ,
               and
               pleasure
               ,
               and
               chase
               away
               all
               thoughts
               from
               their
               hearts
               ,
               be
               the
               occasion
               what
               it
               will
               ,
               or
               what
               it
               can
               :
               These
               are
               merry
               men
               indeed
               ,
               I
               wish
               they
               would
               but
               sadly
               lay
               to
               heart
               these
               few
               Considerations
               ,
               and
               I
               shall
               pass
               on
               to
               the
               third
               Use.
               
            
             
               1.
               
               It
               is
               a
               
                 foolish
                 thing
              
               ,
               to
               melt
               away
               in
               mirth
               and
               laughter
               ,
               especially
               at
               such
               a
               time
               ,
               when
               there
               is
               nothing
               upon
               every
               side
               but
               cause
               of
               sorrow
               .
               No
               question
               they
               conceive
               ,
               it
               is
               their
               wisdome
               to
               be
               lively
               still
               ,
               however
               matters
               go
               ,
               and
               to
               drive
               away
               sorrow
               from
               their
               hearts
               .
               But
               what
               saith
               Solomon
               ,
               the
               wisest
               man
               that
               ever
               lived
               ,
               Ecc'es
               .
               7.
               4.
               
               
                 The
                 wise
                 mans
                 heart
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 〈◊〉
              
               If
               his
               body
               be
               not
               there
               ,
               yet
               his
               heart
               at
               least
               ,
               is
               there
               .
               But
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               the
               
                 heart
                 of
                 Fools
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 mirth
                 .
              
               You
               know
               they
               use
               to
               paint
               Fools
               laughing
               ,
               and
               wise
               men
               ,
               with
               a
               serious
               grave
               composed
               look
               ,
               And
               surely
               there
               is
               something
               in
               it
               ,
               
               
               
               
               
               but
               the
               Fool
               hath
               not
               the
               wit
               to
               pick
               it
               out
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               As
               it
               is
               a
               foolish
               thing
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               a
               
                 sinful
                 thing
              
               ,
               to
               give
               our selves
               to
               mitch
               and
               laughter
               ,
               when
               God
               calleth
               us
               to
               sorrow
               .
               It
               is
               a
               sin
               which
               God
               doth
               hardly
               (
               if
               at
               all
               forgive
               )
               we
               find
               that
               he
               hath
               sealed
               the
               Committers
               of
               it
               up
               to
               wrath
               ,
               and
               bound
               the
               guilt
               of
               this
               Iniquity
               upon
               their
               souls
               never
               to
               be
               removed
               again
               .
               That
               is
               a
               damning
               sentence
               which
               we
               find
               ,
               Isa.
               22.
               12.
               
               They
               were
               formidable
               Judgments
               which
               the
               Lord
               had
               threatned
               ,
               and
               actually
               inflicted
               on
               the
               Jews
               .
               And
               thereupon
               he
               looked
               they
               should
               have
               carried
               and
               demeaned
               themselves
               like
               Mourners
               ,
               like
               men
               that
               were
               extreamly
               sensible
               of
               his
               displeasure
               ,
               and
               much
               affected
               with
               his
               hand
               upon
               them
               .
               But
               they
               despised
               and
               slighted
               all
               ,
               and
               gave
               themselves
               to
               mirth
               and
               pleasure
               ,
               and
               〈◊〉
               in
               a
               braving
               way
               .
               And
               what
               was
               the
               event
               and
               issue
               of
               it
               ;
               
                 Surely
                 this
                 iniquity
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 purged
                 from
                 you
                 till
                 you
                 die
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               And
               as
               it
               is
               a
               foolish
               ,
               and
               a
               sinful
               thing
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               a
               
                 dangerous
                 thing
              
               .
               There
               ,
               is
               a
               fearful
               woe
               denounced
               to
               such
               
                 as
                 laugh
              
               ;
               for
               they
               
                 shall
                 mourn
              
               .
               The
               Lord
               will
               one
               day
               turn
               their
               vain
               and
               foolish
               mirth
               ,
               to
               weeping
               and
               lamentation
               .
               It
               will
               be
               Gall
               and
               Wormwood
               in
               the
               latter
               end
               .
               They
               that
               are
               alwaies
               making
               mercy
               ,
               and
               never
               grieve
               at
               the
               distress
               of
               the
               church
               ,
               they
               
                 shall
                 go
                 captive
                 with
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 as
                 God
              
               denounceth
               ,
               Amos
               6.
               7.
               
               Whoever
               escape
               they
               shall
               be
               sure
               to
               have
               their
               portion
               .
               The
               Lord
               will
               set
               them
               in
               the
               Front
               to
               undergo
               the
               sharpest
               brunt
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               fierce
               encounter
               of
               his
               Vengeance
               .
               And
               though
               they
               bear
               it
               out
               a
               while
               ,
               the
               Lord
               will
               surely
               meet
               with
               them
               another
               day
               ,
               when
               they
               shall
               have
               their
               portion
               there
               ,
               where
               there
               is
               
                 nothing
                 else
                 but
                 Weeping
                 and
                 wailing
                 ,
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 teeth
                 .
              
               They
               that
               do
               nothing
               else
               
                 but
                 laugh
              
               in
               this
               world
               ,
               shall
               do
               nothing
               else
               
                 but
                 weep
              
               in
               that
               to
               come
               .
               And
               all
               their
               carnal
               joy
               will
               prove
               
                 crackling
                 of
                 thorns
                 under
                 a
                 pot
                 ,
              
               soon
               in
               and
               soon
               out
               ,
               and
               flashes
               of
               Lightning
               before
               Eternal
               fire
               .
            
             
               Use
               3.
               
               And
               therefore
               in
               the
               third
               place
               ,
               since
               there
               are
               times
               to
               grieve
               ,
               and
               to
               express
               our
               grief
               in
               tears
               ,
               let
               this
               be
               a
               
                 Caveat
                 to
                 us
                 not
                 to
                 look
                 for
                 too
                 much
                 joy
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 .
              
               Let
               us
               not
               cast
               too
               much
               upon
               it
               ,
               lest
               we
               be
               disappointed
               and
               deceived
               .
               It
               's
               that
               we
               are
               very
               apt
               to
               cozen
               and
               delude
               our
               
               selves
               about
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               on
               a
               merry
               pin
               ,
               and
               flourish
               in
               a
               prosperous
               estate
               ,
               it
               is
               our
               manner
               to
               conclude
               that
               we
               shall
               never
               have
               a
               storm
               again
               ,
               and
               that
               this
               happy
               time
               will
               never
               end
               .
               And
               so
               we
               run
               upon
               a
               double
               inconvenience
               ,
               we
               grow
               remiss
               in
               making
               preparations
               for
               a
               time
               of
               sorrow
               ;
               and
               when
               it
               comes
               upon
               us
               unexpected
               it
               cuts
               the
               deeper
               ,
               and
               disquiets
               us
               the
               more
               .
               How
               often
               shall
               you
               hear
               it
               from
               the
               mouths
               of
               some
               ,
               when
               any
               heavy
               Cross
               befals
               them
               ,
               alas
               they
               never
               dream'd
               of
               this
               ,
               they
               never
               look'd
               to
               see
               this
               doleful
               day
               ;
               The
               weaker
               and
               unwiser
               they
               .
               Did
               they
               not
               know
               what
               they
               are
               ,
               
                 born
                 to
                 trouble
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 sparks
                 fly
                 upward
                 ,
              
               so
               that
               they
               have
               a
               natural
               tendency
               to
               it
               ?
               That
               they
               are
               wandring
               in
               a
               
                 vale
                 of
                 tears
              
               ;
               in
               which
               they
               must
               look
               out
               for
               many
               storms
               :
               It
               was
               a
               pretty
               Speech
               of
               
                 Seneca
                 ,
                 Dolor
                 &
                 voluptas
                 inhicem
                 cedunt
                 ,
                 brevior
                 voluptas
              
               ;
               Joy
               and
               sorrow
               have
               still
               their
               turns
               and
               entercourses
               here
               ,
               but
               Joy
               (
               most
               commonly
               )
               hath
               the
               speediest
               dispatch
               .
               And
               therefore
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               Joy
               ,
               let
               us
               be
               wisely
               casting
               upon
               times
               of
               sorrow
               ,
               and
               making
               preparation
               and
               provision
               for
               them
               .
               And
               that
               you
               may
               not
               saint
               either
               in
               the
               
                 sence
                 and
                 feeling
              
               ,
               or
               in
               the
               
                 apprehension
                 and
                 expectation
              
               of
               them
               ;
               I
               shall
               drop
               down
               a
               few
               Cordials
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 The
                 times
                 of
                 tears
                 and
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 are
                 better
                 for
                 us
                 then
                 the
                 times
                 of
                 mirth
                 and
                 laughter
                 .
              
               And
               hence
               saith
               Solomon
               ,
               in
               the
               fore-alledged
               Scriptures
               ,
               Eceles
               .
               7.
               2.
               
               
                 It
                 is
                 better
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 mourning
                 then
                 to
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 feasting
              
               Is
               it
               not
               a
               more
               pleasing
               good
               ,
               but
               is
               it
               a
               more
               profitable
               good
               ;
               though
               it
               be
               not
               more
               delightful
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               more
               beneficial
               to
               be
               where
               there
               are
               tears
               and
               lamentations
               ,
               then
               to
               be
               where
               there
               is
               nothing
               else
               but
               laughter
               .
               And
               that
               upon
               these
               two
               Accounts
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Times
               of
               grief
               and
               tears
               ,
               
                 prepare
                 for
                 grace
              
               ,
               They
               fit
               us
               for
               the
               work
               of
               holiness
               upon
               our
               souls
               .
               They
               settle
               us
               ,
               and
               fix
               us
               ,
               and
               make
               us
               capable
               of
               good
               impressions
               .
               When
               there
               is
               nothing
               else
               but
               mirth
               ,
               we
               have
               light
               and
               〈◊〉
               spirits
               ,
               our
               fancies
               rove
               ,
               our
               thoughts
               and
               our
               imaginations
               wander
               :
               But
               when
               the
               Lord
               presenteth
               nothing
               else
               before
               our
               eyes
               but
               tears
               and
               lamentations
               ,
               this
               calleth
               home
               our
               thoughts
               ,
               It
               renders
               us
               unto
               our selves
               ,
               and
               makes
               us
               fit
               for
               holy
               motions
               .
               We
               see
               it
               by
               experience
               ,
               that
               the
               very
               
               men
               ,
               who
               when
               they
               are
               upon
               a
               merry
               pin
               ,
               are
               sensless
               and
               incapable
               of
               any
               good
               ,
               they
               have
               such
               vain
               and
               foolish
               hearts
               :
               when
               they
               are
               brought
               into
               a
               melting
               frame
               ,
               then
               they
               are
               mild
               and
               time
               as
               Lambs
               ,
               then
               they
               are
               pliable
               and
               flexible
               ,
               and
               tractable
               ;
               so
               that
               a
               
                 little
                 child
                 may
                 lead
                 them
              
               .
               If
               you
               visit
               them
               ;
               if
               you
               counsel
               and
               advise
               them
               for
               their
               good
               ,
               then
               you
               shall
               have
               their
               ears
               ,
               and
               hearts
               too
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               And
               as
               the
               times
               of
               grief
               and
               tears
               prepare
               for
               grace
               ,
               so
               they
               
                 increase
                 and
                 further
                 grace
              
               .
               Grace
               will
               spring
               and
               grow
               the
               more
               for
               such
               showers
               as
               these
               are
               .
               It
               prospers
               better
               in
               a
               
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 watred
              
               then
               in
               a
               
                 dry
                 and
                 barren
              
               soyl
               ,
               And
               if
               you
               search
               the
               sacred
               Story
               ,
               you
               will
               find
               the
               
                 greatest
                 weepers
              
               to
               have
               been
               the
               greatest
               Saints
               .
               As
               
                 David
                 ,
                 Peter
              
               ,
               yea
               ,
               our
               Saviour
               Christ
               himself
               .
               Indeed
               this
               precious
               Seed
               delights
               to
               have
               such
               dews
               as
               these
               ;
               the
               Seed
               of
               Prayer
               ,
               of
               Repentance
               ,
               yea
               ,
               that
               Immortal
               Seed
               ,
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               doth
               best
               when
               it
               is
               sown
               in
               tears
               .
               When
               we
               repent
               in
               tears
               ,
               our
               hearts
               relent
               and
               melt
               most
               .
               When
               we
               
                 preach
                 and
                 pray
              
               in
               tears
               ,
               we
               move
               our selves
               and
               others
               most
               ;
               —
               
                 Si
                 vts
                 me
                 flere
                 ,
                 dolendum
                 est
                 Primum
                 ipsi
                 tibi
                 .
              
               This
               Seed
               when
               it
               is
               watred
               thus
               springs
               up
               the
               faster
               ,
               and
               bringeth
               forth
               the
               more
               plentiful
               increase
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               These
               times
               of
               grief
               and
               tears
               
                 will
                 end
                 at
                 last
              
               ,
               and
               
                 end
                 in
                 joy
                 .
                 You
                 shall
                 weep
              
               (
               saith
               Christ
               to
               his
               Apostles
               ,
               )
               
                 but
                 your
                 sorrow
                 shall
                 be
                 turned
                 into
                 joy
                 .
                 They
                 that
                 sow
                 in
                 tears
                 shall
                 reap
                 in
                 joy
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 goes
                 forth
                 weeping
                 ,
                 bearing
                 precious
                 Seed
                 ,
                 shall
                 doubtless
                 come
                 again
                 with
                 rejoycing
                 ,
                 bringing
                 his
                 sheaves
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               There
               is
               no
               doubt
               ,
               no
               question
               to
               be
               made
               of
               that
               ,
               and
               therefore
               it
               is
               bound
               with
               an
               Asseveration
               ,
               which
               takes
               away
               all
               scruple
               from
               it
               ,
               he
               shall
               doubtless
               come
               again
               with
               rejoycing
               ,
               bringing
               his
               sheaves
               with
               him
               .
               It
               is
               the
               custome
               every
               where
               to
               have
               good
               chear
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               merry
               when
               they
               reap
               .
               So
               it
               was
               among
               the
               Jews
               ,
               as
               you
               may
               see
               Deut.
               16.
               13
               ,
               14.
               
               And
               therefore
               this
               is
               used
               in
               Scripture
               to
               express
               the
               greatest
               joy
               ,
               Isa.
               9.
               3.
               
               
                 They
                 shall
                 rejoyce
                 before
                 thee
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 joy
                 of
                 harvest
                 .
              
               So
               ,
               though
               the
               Christian
               ,
               sows
               in
               rainy
               weather
               ,
               in
               a
               weeping
               time
               ,
               all
               shall
               be
               sweet
               ,
               and
               calm
               ,
               and
               fair
               ,
               when
               the
               reaping
               time
               comes
               .
               He
               shall
               
                 fit
                 down
                 with
              
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               Isaac
               ,
               and
               Jacob
               ,
               
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
              
               ,
               feeding
               on
               the
               hidden
               Manna
               ,
               and
               drinking
               
               of
               the
               pure
               and
               Crystal
               River
               of
               Water
               of
               Life
               ,
               proceeding
               from
               the
               Throne
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               Lamb
               ,
               and
               there
               they
               shall
               be
               merry
               all
               together
               .
               When
               once
               he
               comes
               to
               God's
               immediate
               presence
               ,
               he
               shall
               have
               
                 joy
                 ,
                 full
                 joy
              
               ;
               yea
               ,
               the
               
                 fulness
                 of
                 joy
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               16.
               last
               .
               In
               his
               presence
               is
               
                 fulness
                 of
                 joy
                 ,
                 and
                 pleasures
                 for
                 evermore
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               
                 joy
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 come
                 will
                 pay
                 for
                 all
                 .
              
               It
               will
               be
               such
               ,
               so
               plentiful
               and
               overflowing
               ,
               that
               it
               will
               make
               a
               full
               amends
               for
               all
               your
               present
               tears
               and
               sorrow
               ;
               It
               will
               quite
               overcome
               the
               sense
               ,
               and
               the
               remembrance
               of
               them
               .
               Alas
               ,
               our
               trouble
               here
               is
               nothing
               ,
               in
               comparison
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               light
               and
               easie
               Burthen
               .
               Our
               affliction
               is
               but
               short
               ,
               it
               continues
               but
               a
               moment
               ,
               but
               the
               time
               is
               drawing
               nigh
               ,
               when
               this
               little
               light
               sorrow
               ,
               shall
               be
               wholly
               swallowed
               up
               in
               endless
               and
               unutterable
               joy
               ,
               
                 This
                 short
                 affliction
                 which
                 lasteth
                 but
                 a
                 moment
                 ,
                 shall
                 end
                 in
                 everlasting
                 and
                 unmixed
                 pleasures
                 ,
              
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               17.
               
               It
               worketh
               for
               us
               ,
               a
               far
               more
               exceeding
               and
               eternal
               weight
               of
               glory
               :
               Oh
               what
               transporting
               comfort
               is
               there
               many
               times
               ,
               in
               reaping
               the
               first
               fruits
               of
               the
               Spirit
               !
               that
               we
               are
               ready
               to
               cry
               out
               ,
               if
               the
               
                 first
                 fruits
              
               be
               so
               sweet
               ,
               what
               will
               the
               Harvest
               be
               ?
               If
               the
               earnest
               be
               so
               great
               ,
               what
               will
               the
               Possession
               be
               ?
               When
               we
               shall
               be
               filled
               and
               satisfied
               ,
               with
               the
               delights
               that
               heaven
               yields
               to
               all
               eternity
               .
               I
               could
               say
               as
               Peter
               once
               ,
               
                 It
                 is
                 good
                 to
                 be
                 here
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 build
                 Tabernacles
                 here
                 .
              
               But
               I
               must
               hasten
               to
               another
               Observation
               .
            
             
               Doct.
               2.
               
               That
               we
               are
               very
               subject
               to
               misplace
               our
               grief
               ,
               and
               to
               mistake
               the
               Ground
               and
               Object
               of
               our
               sorrow
               .
            
             
               So
               did
               these
               Daughters
               of
               Jerusalem
               you
               see
               ,
               they
               wept
               where
               they
               should
               not
               ,
               and
               they
               
                 wept
                 not
              
               where
               they
               should
               .
               And
               therefore
               Christ
               Corrects
               their
               Sorrow
               in
               the
               Text
               ;
               
                 Daughters
                 of
              
               Jerusalem
               ,
               
                 weep
                 not
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 weep
                 for
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 Children
                 .
              
               A
               great
               part
               of
               the
               sin
               ,
               and
               corruption
               that
               hath
               invaded
               humane
               nature
               ,
               consists
               in
               the
               disorder
               and
               distemper
               of
               our
               passions
               and
               affections
               ;
               &
               lies
               especially
               in
               two
               things
               ,
               either
               when
               we
               
                 miss
                 the
                 right
                 object
              
               ,
               or
               
                 transgress
                 the
                 just
                 measure
              
               :
               When
               they
               are
               either
               
                 ill
                 placed
              
               ,
               or
               
                 ill
                 proportioned
              
               :
               When
               we
               mistake
               in
               either
               of
               them
               ,
               When
               we
               are
               troubled
               where
               we
               should
               not
               ,
               or
               too
               much
               troubled
               where
               we
               should
               ;
               we
               are
               much
               to
               be
               condemned
               :
               
               And
               both
               of
               these
               we
               are
               very
               subject
               to
               .
               The
               first
               is
               pertinent
               to
               our
               purpose
               ,
               we
               are
               extreamly
               apt
               
                 to
                 grieve
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 troubled
                 where
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 .
              
               It
               is
               no
               wonder
               that
               we
               find
               Esau
               faulty
               here
               ,
               mistaken
               in
               the
               object
               of
               his
               sorrow
               :
               
                 He
                 sought
                 Repentance
              
               ,
               and
               sought
               it
               
                 carefully
                 with
                 tears
              
               ;
               as
               you
               may
               see
               ,
               Heb.
               12.
               17.
               
               But
               what
               Repentance
               did
               he
               seek
               with
               tears
               ?
               Alas
               he
               missed
               his
               mark
               ,
               he
               sought
               not
               his
               own
               ,
               but
               
                 his
                 Fathers
                 Repentance
              
               ;
               feign
               he
               would
               have
               his
               Father
               to
               Repent
               of
               his
               pouring
               out
               the
               blessing
               on
               his
               younger
               brother
               Jacob
               ,
               and
               consequently
               to
               revoke
               it
               ,
               and
               to
               call
               it
               back
               again
               :
               But
               when
               he
               saw
               that
               was
               not
               to
               be
               done
               ,
               and
               heard
               his
               Father
               say
               ,
               
                 I
                 have
                 blessed
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 blessed
                 ,
                 he
                 lifted
                 up
                 his
                 voice
                 and
                 wept
                 ,
              
               Gen.
               27.
               38.
               
               Yea
               the
               Apostles
               and
               Disciples
               of
               our
               Saviour
               Christ
               himself
               mistook
               in
               this
               ,
               that
               they
               misapplyed
               their
               sorrow
               .
               They
               were
               extreamly
               grieved
               and
               troubled
               that
               Christ
               was
               ready
               to
               depart
               ,
               and
               to
               withdraw
               his
               fleshly
               presence
               from
               them
               :
               Whereas
               he
               tells
               them
               plainly
               ,
               
                 It
                 is
                 expedient
                 for
                 you
                 that
                 I
                 go
                 away
                 ,
              
               John.
               16.
               7.
               
               It
               is
               not
               only
               expedient
               
                 for
                 me
              
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               expedient
               
                 for
                 you
              
               ?
               so
               that
               here
               was
               no
               real
               cause
               of
               grief
               and
               sorrow
               .
               And
               hence
               our
               Saviour
               puts
               a
               stop
               upon
               it
               ,
               John
               14.
               1.
               
               
                 Let
                 not
                 your
                 hearts
                 be
                 troubled
                 ,
              
               q
               d.
               I
               see
               that
               you
               misplace
               your
               grief
               ,
               Come
               it
               must
               not
               be
               so
               ;
               I
               will
               not
               have
               it
               to
               be
               so
               ;
               lot
               not
               your
               hearts
               be
               troubled
               .
            
             
               Poor
               Mary
               was
               greatly
               at
               a
               loss
               in
               this
               particular
               ,
               she
               stood
               
                 besides
                 the
                 sepulcher
                 of
                 Christ
                 Weeping
                 ,
              
               John
               11.
               20.
               
               Why
               what
               's
               the
               matter
               ?
               The
               Body
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               gone
               .
               Had
               she
               found
               him
               dead
               there
               ,
               it
               seems
               she
               had
               been
               very
               well
               content
               :
               So
               that
               her
               grief
               and
               sorrow
               was
               in
               deed
               (
               although
               she
               did
               not
               understand
               it
               ,
               and
               intend
               it
               so
               )
               that
               Christ
               was
               Risen
               .
               She
               should
               have
               wept
               over
               an
               
                 unbelieving
                 heart
              
               ,
               (
               that
               doubted
               of
               the
               Resurrection
               of
               her
               Saviour
               )
               and
               not
               over
               an
               
                 empty
                 Grave
              
               ,
               from
               which
               his
               Body
               was
               deliver'd
               ;
               God
               having
               
                 loosed
                 the
                 pains
                 of
                 Death
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 possible
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 holden
                 of
                 it
                 ,
              
               Acts
               2.
               24.
               
            
             
               I
               might
               add
               other
               instances
               ,
               but
               these
               may
               satisfie
               to
               clear
               the
               point
               ;
               That
               we
               are
               very
               subject
               to
               misplace
               our
               grief
               ,
               and
               to
               mistake
               the
               ground
               and
               object
               of
               our
               sorrow
               :
               And
               there
               are
               two
               especial
               causes
               of
               it
               .
               viz.
               Either
               because
               our
               
                 understanding
                 is
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               or
               our
               
                 Affections
                 are
                 mislaid
              
               .
            
             
             
               Reas.
               1
               :
               Sometimes
               we
               are
               very
               subject
               to
               misplace
               our
               grief
               ,
               
                 because
                 our
                 understanding
                 is
                 misled
              
               .
               We
               do
               not
               Judg
               aright
               of
               that
               ,
               which
               is
               indeed
               the
               only
               ,
               or
               the
               greatest
               cause
               of
               trouble
               .
               Some
               apprehend
               their
               tears
               are
               fitter
               to
               be
               spent
               on
               their
               Afflictions
               ,
               then
               their
               sins
               :
               They
               see
               no
               great
               hurt
               in
               sin
               ,
               but
               they
               feel
               much
               in
               Affliction
               ;
               Affliction
               is
               a
               grievous
               thing
               to
               them
               ;
               but
               corruption
               is
               not
               so
               .
               There
               is
               a
               principle
               in
               Nature
               which
               makes
               a
               man
               averse
               from
               
                 penal
                 evil
              
               ,
               but
               there
               is
               none
               at
               all
               ,
               that
               maketh
               him
               averse
               from
               
                 sinful
                 evil
              
               :
               so
               that
               a
               man
               needs
               nothing
               else
               but
               Nature
               to
               make
               him
               sensible
               of
               penal
               evils
               of
               Afflictions
               ,
               but
               he
               needs
               more
               then
               Nature
               ,
               to
               make
               him
               sensible
               of
               sin
               :
               And
               hence
               it
               is
               ,
               because
               the
               greater
               part
               of
               men
               have
               nothing
               else
               but
               Nature
               in
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               so
               exceedingly
               affected
               with
               the
               one
               ,
               and
               so
               regardless
               of
               the
               other
               .
            
             
               Now
               these
               
                 affections
                 follow
                 apprehensions
              
               ,
               as
               they
               always
               do
               ;
               They
               are
               mistaken
               in
               their
               judgments
               ,
               and
               so
               they
               misapply
               their
               passions
               :
               They
               look
               upon
               their
               sins
               as
               small
               matters
               ,
               but
               they
               amplifie
               their
               troubles
               and
               afflictions
               ,
               as
               he
               in
               the
               Poet
               ,
               I
               am
               ten
               times
               ,
               twenty
               times
               ,
               an
               hundred
               times
               miserable
               ;
               And
               hence
               they
               weep
               for
               their
               afflictions
               and
               will
               not
               be
               comforted
               ;
               while
               they
               have
               not
               a
               tear
               to
               spend
               upon
               their
               sins
               ;
               And
               this
               in
               probability
               was
               Israels
               case
               ,
               Ier.
               30.
               15.
               
               They
               were
               extreamly
               troubled
               at
               the
               miseries
               that
               were
               upon
               them
               ,
               but
               they
               were
               little
               troubl'd
               at
               their
               sins
               ;
               They
               cryed
               because
               of
               their
               Afflictions
               ;
               they
               did
               not
               only
               sigh
               and
               mourn
               and
               grieve
               and
               weep
               ,
               but
               more
               then
               so
               they
               cry'd
               aloud
               ;
               which
               shews
               extremity
               of
               sorrow
               :
               But
               we
               hear
               nothing
               of
               any
               sorrow
               for
               their
               sins
               .
               And
               therefore
               God
               comes
               in
               and
               interrupts
               them
               ,
               why
               what
               's
               the
               matter
               with
               you
               ,
               can
               you
               tell
               why
               you
               take
               on
               in
               this
               fashion
               ?
               
                 Why
                 criest
                 thou
                 for
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 ?
                 thy
                 sorrow
                 is
                 incurable
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 thine
                 Iniquitie
                 :
                 because
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 increased
              
            
             
               And
               so
               for
               
                 penal
                 evils
              
               ,
               they
               mistake
               there
               too
               ;
               They
               think
               that
               
                 Temporal
                 Judgments
              
               ,
               are
               greater
               and
               heavier
               then
               
                 spiritual
                 judgments
              
               :
               They
               take
               the
               
                 bodily
                 plague
              
               ,
               to
               be
               worse
               then
               the
               
                 plague
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 :
                 a
                 famine
                 of
                 Corn
                 ,
              
               then
               the
               
                 famine
                 of
                 the
                 word
              
               ;
               and
               so
               they
               grieve
               more
               for
               the
               one
               ,
               then
               for
               the
               other
               ;
               and
               they
               had
               rather
               lose
               their
               Saviour
               ;
               then
               their
               〈◊〉
               :
               That
               is
               the
               first
               reason
               then
               ,
               why
               we
               misplace
               our
               
               grief
               ,
               Because
               our
               understanding
               is
               misled
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               second
               is
               ,
               Because
               our
               
                 Affection
                 is
                 misled
              
               ,
               I
               mean
               our
               love
               ;
               for
               love
               is
               the
               commander
               of
               our
               other
               passions
               :
               It
               is
               the
               first
               and
               great
               wheel
               of
               the
               soul
               ,
               that
               carries
               all
               the
               rest
               about
               ,
               and
               governs
               them
               as
               it
               pleaseth
               .
               Love
               is
               the
               strongest
               of
               the
               passions
               and
               Affections
               ,
               and
               therefore
               all
               the
               rest
               yield
               to
               it
               ,
               and
               are
               greatly
               sway'd
               by
               it
               :
               And
               by
               this
               means
               it
               comes
               to
               pass
               ,
               that
               if
               we
               misplace
               our
               Love
               ,
               we
               are
               in
               danger
               to
               misplace
               
                 our
                 sorrow
              
               :
               For
               we
               shall
               surely
               grieve
               for
               that
               most
               ,
               which
               we
               love
               best
               ,
               whether
               it
               be
               best
               or
               not
               .
               Oh
               what
               a
               deal
               of
               vain
               unnecessary
               sorrow
               ,
               do
               many
               throw
               themselves
               into
               ,
               by
               misapplying
               this
               Affection
               !
               Their
               love
               is
               setled
               where
               it
               should
               not
               be
               ,
               or
               it
               is
               stronger
               then
               it
               ought
               to
               be
               ,
               to
               such
               a
               friend
               ,
               to
               such
               a
               comfort
               ,
               to
               such
               a
               relation
               ,
               and
               when
               they
               find
               a
               disappointment
               by
               the
               removall
               ,
               or
               the
               change
               of
               that
               which
               they
               have
               set
               their
               hearts
               too
               much
               upon
               ,
               their
               grief
               is
               answerable
               to
               their
               love
               .
               Strong
               affections
               (
               especially
               when
               they
               miscarry
               in
               the
               object
               of
               them
               )
               do
               cast
               men
               into
               strong
               Afflictions
               .
            
             
               Oh
               how
               was
               David
               overcome
               with
               the
               death
               of
               Absalom
               !
               though
               yet
               indeed
               ,
               the
               cutting
               of
               him
               off
               ,
               was
               a
               great
               and
               signal
               mercy
               ,
               to
               himself
               ,
               and
               to
               his
               people
               .
               And
               therefore
               Joab
               even
               rates
               him
               for
               it
               ,
               2
               Sam.
               19.
               5
               and
               following
               verses
               .
               Saith
               he
               ,
               
                 Thou
                 hast
                 sham'd
                 this
                 day
                 the
                 faces
                 of
                 all
                 thy
                 servants
                 who
                 have
                 sav'd
                 thy
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 thy
                 Sons
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 thy
                 Daughters
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Wives
                 :
                 Since
                 thou
                 hast
                 〈◊〉
                 thine
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 and
                 hated
                 thy
                 Friends
                 ,
                 and
                 hast
                 declar'd
                 this
                 day
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 regardest
                 neither
                 Princes
                 nor
                 Servants
                 :
                 And
                 I
                 perceive
                 that
                 if
              
               Absalom
               
                 had
                 lived
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 we
                 had
                 died
                 this
                 day
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 have
                 pleased
                 thee
                 well
                 .
              
               You
               see
               the
               reason
               of
               his
               immoderate
               and
               overflowing
               sorrow
               for
               him
               ,
               was
               his
               inordinate
               Affection
               to
               him
               :
               Which
               was
               so
               out
               of
               measure
               great
               ,
               that
               when
               he
               heard
               the
               news
               ,
               his
               passion
               wrought
               ,
               and
               he
               was
               hasting
               to
               a
               room
               to
               give
               it
               vent
               .
               But
               alas
               ,
               he
               cannot
               hold
               till
               he
               come
               thither
               ,
               but
               discharges
               at
               the
               stairs
               as
               he
               is
               going
               up
               ,
               2
               Sam.
               18.
               33.
               
               
                 He
                 wept
                 as
                 he
                 went
                 and
                 said
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 Son
              
               Absalom
               ,
               
                 my
                 Son
              
               Absalom
               ,
               
                 would
                 God
                 I
                 had
                 died
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 O
              
               Absalom
               ,
               
                 my
                 Son
                 ,
                 my
                 Son.
              
               You
               see
               then
               both
               that
               ,
               and
               why
               ,
               we
               are
               so
               ready
               to
               misplace
               our
               grief
               ,
               and
               to
               misapply
               our
               sorrow
               .
            
             
             
               Use.
               The
               application
               of
               the
               point
               shall
               be
               
                 for
                 Caution
                 ,
                 and
                 Direction
              
               ,
               both
               together
               ;
               To
               watch
               our
               hearts
               against
               it
               ,
               that
               so
               we
               lay
               not
               out
               our
               tears
               amiss
               :
               Be
               circumspect
               that
               you
               do
               not
               misplace
               your
               grief
               ,
               and
               that
               you
               do
               not
               mistake
               the
               ground
               and
               object
               of
               your
               sorrow
               ;
               like
               these
               poor
               Daughters
               of
               Jerusalem
               ,
               who
               wept
               where
               they
               should
               not
               ,
               and
               wept
               not
               where
               they
               should
               .
               Oh
               what
               a
               deal
               of
               grief
               do
               some
               men
               waste
               away
               ,
               when
               there
               is
               no
               cause
               at
               all
               !
               How
               do
               many
               men
               take
               on
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               crost
               in
               prosecution
               of
               their
               lusts
               ,
               and
               hindred
               in
               their
               sins
               ,
               which
               is
               in
               deed
               a
               great
               mercy
               ?
               Oh
               what
               floods
               of
               tears
               do
               some
               men
               pour
               〈◊〉
               upon
               a
               petty
               flight
               occasion
               ,
               at
               a
               trifling
               accident
               !
            
             
               Beloved
               ,
               tears
               if
               they
               be
               shed
               aright
               ,
               are
               precious
               things
               ;
               God
               
                 puts
                 them
                 up
                 into
                 his
                 Bottle
                 ,
              
               as
               if
               they
               were
               of
               great
               value
               :
               And
               yet
               some
               lay
               them
               out
               on
               nothing
               :
               How
               will
               they
               weep
               ,
               and
               grieve
               ,
               at
               any
               disappointment
               in
               their
               small
               affairs
               ,
               any
               miscarriage
               in
               their
               business
               ,
               any
               little
               petty
               loss
               ,
               any
               unkindness
               from
               their
               friends
               ,
               or
               neighbours
               ,
               any
               affront
               or
               provocation
               in
               the
               least
               degree
               ;
               nay
               if
               they
               be
               but
               crossed
               in
               their
               wills
               ,
               though
               it
               be
               best
               indeed
               they
               should
               :
               All
               their
               sorrow
               is
               bestowed
               on
               little
               trifling
               inconsiderable
               things
               .
               Why
               ,
               my
               beloved
               ,
               have
               ye
               not
               other
               manner
               of
               things
               then
               these
               to
               grieve
               for
               ?
               what
               think
               you
               of
               your
               
                 own
                 sias
              
               ,
               with
               all
               their
               bloody
               aggravations
               ?
               what
               think
               you
               of
               the
               
                 horrible
                 Abominations
              
               ,
               and
               
                 woful
                 desolations
              
               of
               the
               Land
               ?
               And
               of
               all
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               hath
               been
               lately
               manitested
               and
               reveal'd
               from
               Heaven
               against
               us
               ,
               more
               ways
               then
               I
               am
               able
               to
               express
               ?
               I
               might
               be
               very
               large
               in
               shewing
               you
               particularly
               and
               distinctly
               ,
               both
               what
               
                 you
                 should
              
               ,
               and
               what
               you
               
                 should
                 not
              
               grieve
               for
               ;
               and
               giving
               you
               directions
               from
               the
               word
               of
               God
               about
               it
               .
               But
               because
               the
               time
               spends
               ,
               and
               I
               would
               not
               be
               prevented
               of
               that
               which
               I
               have
               principally
               in
               my
               eye
               ,
               I
               shall
               pass
               over
               many
               other
               things
               that
               so
               I
               may
               apply
               my self
               to
               the
               occasion
               .
            
             
               Methinks
               I
               see
               the
               clouds
               gather
               ,
               and
               return
               after
               the
               Rain
               :
               And
               out
               of
               question
               many
               of
               you
               are
               come
               hither
               with
               a
               sufficient
               〈◊〉
               of
               sorrow
               :
               your
               
                 hearts
                 are
                 full
                 of
                 grief
              
               ,
               and
               your
               
                 souls
                 full
                 of
                 trouble
              
               ,
               and
               your
               
                 bottles
                 full
                 of
                 tears
              
               ,
               brim
               full
               .
               You
               have
               drawn
               water
               ,
               and
               are
               ready
               to
               pour
               it
               our
               before
               the
               Lord
               this
               day
               .
               My
               work
               shall
               be
               to
               guide
               you
               ,
               
               and
               direct
               you
               (
               with
               our
               Saviour
               in
               the
               Text
               )
               how
               to
               bestow
               these
               tears
               ,
               and
               how
               to
               spend
               this
               sorrow
               ,
               that
               you
               may
               not
               weep
               in
               vain
               ,
               I
               say
               to
               you
               as
               Christ
               doth
               to
               the
               Daughters
               of
               Jerusalem
               (
               with
               a
               little
               alteration
               )
               
                 weep
                 not
                 for
                 him
              
               ,
               whom
               the
               Lord
               hath
               taken
               from
               you
               ,
               but
               
                 weep
                 for
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 Children
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 Weep
                 not
                 for
                 him
              
               .
               I
               know
               the
               loss
               of
               such
               an
               Able
               ,
               Faithful
               ,
               Painful
               ,
               zealous
               Minister
               of
               Christ
               as
               he
               was
               ,
               ought
               to
               be
               very
               much
               bewailed
               ;
               Men
               of
               such
               hidden
               worth
               as
               he
               had
               in
               him
               ,
               and
               of
               such
               publick
               use
               and
               service
               in
               the
               Church
               ,
               should
               not
               be
               raked
               up
               in
               their
               Graves
               ,
               without
               tear
               ,
               and
               lamentations
               :
               
                 Joash
                 a
              
               wicked
               King
               wept
               for
               a
               good
               Prophet
               ,
               and
               that
               with
               very
               great
               affection
               ,
               2
               Kings
               13.
               14.
               
               
                 He
                 wept
                 over
                 his
                 face
                 and
                 said
                 ,
                 My
                 Father
                 ,
                 my
                 Father
                 the
                 Chariots
                 of
                 Israel
                 and
                 the
                 Horsemen
                 thereof
                 .
              
               And
               if
               you
               mark
               the
               carriage
               of
               the
               Saints
               ,
               when
               such
               as
               he
               (
               I
               mean
               our
               dear
               and
               worthy
               Brother
               )
               have
               been
               taken
               from
               them
               ,
               it
               would
               warrant
               all
               the
               tears
               you
               have
               to
               spend
               on
               this
               occasion
               .
               In
               the
               first
               of
               Kings
               13.
               30.
               
               You
               find
               a
               Prophet
               burying
               a
               Prophet
               ,
               and
               melting
               over
               him
               when
               he
               Inter'd
               him
               ;
               
                 He
                 laid
                 his
                 Carcase
                 in
                 the
                 Grave
                 and
                 mourned
                 over
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 said
                 alass
                 my
                 Brother
                 !
              
               How
               solemnly
               did
               Israel
               lament
               the
               death
               of
               Samuel
               ,
               and
               made
               their
               grief
               as
               remarkable
               and
               publick
               as
               their
               loss
               ,
               1
               Sam.
               25.
               1.
               
               It
               is
               observed
               of
               Stephen
               that
               he
               
                 was
                 carried
                 by
                 devout
                 men
                 to
                 his
                 burial
                 with
                 great
                 lamentation
                 ,
              
               Acts
               8.
               2.
               
               And
               God
               forbid
               that
               such
               an
               one
               as
               we
               have
               lost
               ,
               should
               die
               away
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               were
               
                 not
                 desired
              
               ;
               that
               he
               would
               steal
               into
               his
               Grave
               ,
               as
               if
               there
               were
               no
               notice
               taken
               of
               his
               Death
               .
               No
               my
               Beloved
               ,
               weep
               ,
               and
               weep
               on
               ;
               sit
               down
               and
               weep
               till
               you
               can
               weep
               no
               more
               ;
               yet
               still
               I
               say
               ,
               
                 weep
                 not
                 for
                 him
              
               .
            
             
               Your
               loss
               is
               unaccomptable
               indeed
               ,
               and
               time
               perhaps
               will
               shew
               it
               to
               be
               greater
               then
               as
               yet
               you
               see
               .
               But
               tell
               me
               my
               Beloved
               ,
               
                 is
                 he
                 a
                 loser
              
               any
               way
               ?
               Nay
               ,
               is
               he
               not
               an
               infinite
               gainer
               ?
               Is
               not
               this
               best
               of
               all
               
                 for
                 him
              
               ?
               Indeed
               to
               have
               continued
               in
               the
               flesh
               was
               better
               
                 for
                 you
              
               ;
               as
               the
               Apostle
               states
               the
               case
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               〈◊〉
               ,
               Phil.
               1.
               24.
               
               But
               for
               him
               it
               was
               
                 far
                 better
                 to
                 be
                 dissolved
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 with
                 Christ.
              
               Now
               he
               enjoys
               a
               〈◊〉
               deliverance
               from
               all
               Corruptions
               ,
               all
               Temptations
               ,
               all
               
                 Afflict
                 〈◊〉
              
               :
               A
               full
               return
               of
               all
               his
               Prayers
               ,
               and
               Breathings
               
               after
               God
               and
               Christ
               ,
               in
               which
               he
               was
               transported
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               drawing
               near
               his
               Glory
               :
               A
               full
               reward
               of
               all
               his
               tiring
               and
               incessent
               Labours
               .
               Oh
               blessed
               soul
               !
               You
               know
               a
               Voice
               from
               Heaven
               hath
               said
               ,
               
                 Blessed
                 are
                 the
                 dead
                 that
                 die
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 rest
                 from
                 their
                 Labours
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 works
                 follow
                 them
                 .
              
               Therefore
               I
               say
               weep
               not
               for
               him
               .
            
             
               There
               is
               one
               thing
               I
               must
               confess
               that
               makes
               this
               Providence
               the
               sadder
               to
               us
               :
               You
               know
               it
               is
               the
               Prophet
               Davids
               Prayer
               ,
               Psal.
               102.
               24.
               
               
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 take
                 me
                 not
                 away
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 my
                 daies
                 .
              
               The
               Lord
               indeed
               hath
               taken
               him
               away
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               his
               days
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               his
               Ministry
               .
               But
               is
               he
               gone
               to
               Heaven
               too
               soon
               ?
               Too
               soon
               indeed
               
                 for
                 you
              
               ,
               but
               not
               for
               him
               .
               Is
               he
               got
               home
               to
               his
               Fathers
               house
               too
               soon
               ?
               Is
               he
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               Christ
               ,
               and
               Angels
               ,
               and
               glorified
               Saints
               too
               soon
               ?
               What
               ,
               doth
               he
               wish
               that
               he
               were
               back
               again
               with
               you
               ?
               Hath
               he
               his
               everlasting
               Rest
               too
               soon
               ?
               His
               glorious
               Recompence
               too
               soon
               ?
               Brethren
               ,
               he
               wrought
               a
               pace
               you
               know
               ,
               while
               he
               had
               strength
               ,
               and
               finished
               the
               work
               that
               God
               had
               given
               him
               to
               do
               betime
               .
               So
               that
               it
               is
               no
               wonder
               though
               he
               hath
               his
               wages
               early
               ,
               sooner
               then
               such
               dull
               heavy
               Slugs
               as
               we
               are
               .
               His
               life
               was
               short
               indeed
               ,
               though
               filled
               up
               with
               Grace
               and
               Duty
               ,
               and
               God
               hath
               made
               but
               an
               exchange
               of
               an
               Eternal
               one
               for
               it
               .
               He
               was
               a
               
                 burning
                 and
                 a
                 shining
                 light
              
               ;
               burning
               with
               enflamed
               Affections
               ,
               till
               the
               Oyl
               was
               spent
               ,
               and
               shining
               in
               an
               exemplary
               Conversation
               .
               But
               this
               Lamp
               is
               
                 not
                 extinguished
              
               ,
               but
               only
               
                 lighted
                 up
              
               ,
               to
               flame
               and
               shine
               in
               a
               more
               glorious
               place
               .
               And
               there
               he
               shall
               
                 shine
                 forth
                 as
                 the
                 Sun
                 ,
                 for
                 ever
                 and
                 ever
                 .
              
               So
               that
               I
               may
               say
               still
               ,
               
                 weep
                 not
                 for
                 him
              
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               But
               you
               will
               ask
               me
               ,
               For
               whom
               shall
               we
               weep
               then
               ?
               I
               answer
               ,
               for
               
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 Children
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 Weep
                 for
                 your selves
              
               .
               The
               Lord
               you
               see
               hath
               made
               a
               woful
               breach
               upon
               you
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               said
               of
               〈◊〉
               ,
               1
               Sam
               6.
               8.
               
               And
               that
               your
               hearts
               remain
               unbroken
               ,
               they
               are
               unsutable
               to
               this
               heavy
               dispensation
               .
               God
               hath
               remov'd
               his
               holy
               faithful
               servant
               ,
               not
               into
               a
               
                 blind
                 corner
              
               ,
               but
               into
               a
               dark
               pit
               .
               The
               Grave
               hath
               newly
               shut
               her
               mouth
               upon
               him
               ,
               he
               is
               gone
               hence
               to
               be
               no
               more
               in
               this
               world
               :
               You
               shall
               behold
               him
               now
               no
               more
               in
               the
               Land
               of
               the
               Living
               :
               Your
               eyes
               shall
               see
               your
               Teacher
               here
               no
               more
               for
               ever
               :
               You
               shall
               now
               be
               no
               more
               
               enlightened
               with
               his
               clear
               instructions
               :
               No
               more
               enliven'd
               with
               his
               zealous
               Exhortations
               :
               No
               more
               quickned
               with
               his
               fervent
               Prayers
               :
               No
               more
               warm'd
               with
               his
               heavenly
               Discourses
               :
               No
               more
               chear'd
               with
               his
               sweet
               Consolations
               :
               No
               more
               guided
               by
               his
               holy
               Example
               .
               The
               Lord
               hath
               
                 made
                 him
                 up
                 among
                 his
                 Jewels
                 ,
              
               because
               indeed
               we
               were
               not
               worthy
               of
               such
               a
               precious
               Gemme
               as
               he
               was
               :
               He
               hath
               in
               anger
               and
               displeasure
               pluckt
               away
               one
               of
               our
               Pillars
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               meant
               the
               House
               should
               fall
               .
               And
               shall
               we
               be
               insensible
               of
               such
               a
               stroke
               ?
               Shall
               we
               have
               tears
               enough
               to
               waste
               upon
               our
               petty
               Losses
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               have
               a
               tear
               to
               spend
               on
               this
               Inestimable
               and
               Irreparable
               one
               ?
               Brethren
               ,
               you
               are
               allow'd
               to
               weep
               here
               ,
               though
               not
               for
               him
               ,
               yet
               
                 for
                 your selves
              
               :
               And
               that
               especially
               in
               two
               respects
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 For
                 the
                 sins
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 done
                 ,
              
               for
               they
               have
               made
               this
               sad
               work
               .
               They
               are
               the
               true
               and
               real
               cause
               of
               all
               your
               Losses
               .
               They
               are
               your
               sins
               that
               
                 binder
                 good
                 things
              
               that
               they
               come
               not
               to
               you
               ;
               or
               
                 take
                 them
                 quite
                 away
              
               when
               they
               are
               come
               .
               If
               God
               carry
               you
               a
               side
               
                 into
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 and
                 strip
                 you
                 naked
                 there
              
               of
               any
               mercy
               ;
               as
               if
               he
               meant
               to
               〈◊〉
               you
               to
               the
               purpose
               ;
               
                 Your
                 waies
                 and
                 your
                 doing
                 I
                 have
                 procured
                 you
                 these
                 things
                 ;
                 such
                 is
                 your
                 wickedness
                 .
              
               Believe
               it
               ,
               you
               have
               sinned
               some
               way
               or
               other
               ,
               against
               the
               Mercy
               which
               the
               Lord
               takes
               from
               you
               :
               They
               are
               our
               sins
               
                 against
                 the
                 Ordinances
              
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               that
               cause
               the
               Lord
               to
               take
               away
               our
               Ordinances
               from
               us
               .
               They
               are
               our
               sins
               
                 against
                 the
                 Ministers
                 of
                 Christ
              
               (
               in
               that
               capacity
               as
               Ministers
               )
               that
               provoke
               him
               to
               remove
               our
               Ministers
               from
               us
               ;
               yea
               many
               times
               to
               take
               away
               the
               Candlestick
               and
               Light
               together
               .
               You
               may
               take
               up
               the
               Lamentation
               of
               the
               Church
               this
               day
               ;
               
                 The
                 Crown
                 is
                 faln
                 from
                 our
                 heads
                 ;
                 wo
                 to
                 us
                 for
                 we
                 have
                 sinned
                 .
              
               They
               are
               our
               sins
               that
               〈◊〉
               and
               Impair
               and
               Kill
               our
               Ministers
               ,
               who
               are
               indeed
               the
               
                 Churches
                 Crown
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 glory
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               
            
             
               Sometimes
               we
               
                 overvalue
                 them
              
               ,
               and
               then
               we
               kill
               them
               with
               kindness
               .
               Sometimes
               we
               
                 undervalue
                 them
              
               ,
               and
               then
               we
               kill
               them
               with
               neglect
               ,
               
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 them
                 do
                 their
                 work
                 with
                 grief
                 :
              
               Sometimes
               we
               are
               〈◊〉
               ,
               and
               unthankful
               ,
               and
               unfruitful
               ;
               and
               God
               calls
               away
               his
               Workmen
               out
               of
               the
               Vineyard
               that
               will
               yield
               no
               better
               Fruit.
               Nay
               sometimes
               we
               decline
               ,
               and
               grow
               remiss
               ,
               and
               cold
               ,
               and
               slat
               ,
               we
               lose
               our
               love
               to
               
               God
               and
               Christ
               ,
               and
               then
               he
               takes
               away
               our
               Beloved
               comforts
               from
               us
               .
               And
               let
               me
               tell
               you
               ,
               some
               of
               you
               have
               backslidden
               grievously
               ,
               and
               sensibly
               abated
               of
               your
               former
               Zeal
               and
               Holiness
               ,
               and
               strictness
               in
               the
               Waies
               of
               God
               :
               Yea
               ,
               sinned
               scandalously
               to
               the
               dishonour
               of
               Religion
               and
               the
               Gospel
               :
               This
               grieved
               our
               dear
               Brother
               ,
               who
               will
               grieve
               no
               more
               now
               ;
               I
               had
               it
               from
               his
               Mouth
               and
               Pen
               ,
               how
               tenderly
               he
               took
               some
               late
               miscarriages
               ,
               and
               how
               near
               they
               went
               to
               him
               :
               These
               things
               
                 brought
                 him
                 low
                 among
                 you
              
               ,
               who
               was
               low
               enough
               before
               ;
               and
               made
               him
               to
               
                 bewail
                 many
                 who
                 have
                 manifestly
                 sinned
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 not
                 repented
                 ,
              
               as
               the
               Apostle
               speaks
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               12.
               21.
               
               Oh
               how
               it
               wounded
               him
               ,
               after
               so
               many
               Labours
               and
               so
               many
               Sufferings
               ,
               for
               your
               establishment
               and
               confirmation
               ;
               to
               see
               such
               declinations
               and
               backslidings
               .
               He
               might
               have
               said
               with
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               1
               Thes.
               3.
               8.
               
               
                 Now
                 I
                 live
                 if
                 you
                 stand
                 fast
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 I
                 die
              
               ;
               and
               dead
               he
               is
               .
            
             
               Oh
               my
               dear
               Friends
               ,
               What
               have
               your
               sins
               done
               ?
               What
               hath
               your
               barrenness
               ,
               and
               your
               unfruitfulness
               ,
               and
               your
               backsliding
               done
               ?
               I
               know
               you
               
                 lov'd
                 him
              
               with
               a
               very
               high
               affection
               ,
               and
               have
               made
               it
               to
               appear
               in
               many
               outward
               declarations
               to
               your
               great
               praise
               :
               But
               the
               best
               way
               to
               shew
               your
               love
               to
               the
               true
               Ministers
               of
               Christ
               ,
               
                 Who
                 seek
                 not
                 yours
                 ,
                 but
                 you
              
               ;
               who
               seek
               not
               profit
               and
               applause
               ,
               but
               Fruit
               ;
               is
               to
               bear
               their
               just
               reproofs
               and
               to
               be
               amended
               by
               them
               ;
               
                 to
                 hear
                 and
                 obey
                 them
              
               in
               their
               regular
               directions
               ;
               
                 to
                 follow
              
               all
               their
               good
               Examples
               :
               For
               the
               Ministers
               of
               Christ
               are
               Samplers
               to
               the
               flock
               ,
               and
               Samplers
               must
               be
               wrought
               after
               .
               And
               in
               a
               word
               ,
               
                 to
                 bring
              
               them
               in
               the
               return
               of
               all
               their
               Labours
               ,
               in
               Holiness
               and
               holy
               Walking
               ;
               that
               they
               may
               
                 see
                 the
                 travel
                 of
                 their
                 souls
                 and
                 be
                 satisfied
                 .
              
               Nothing
               but
               this
               will
               satisfie
               them
               ,
               and
               make
               them
               
                 do
                 their
                 work
                 with
                 Joy.
              
               I
               know
               you
               
                 lov'd
                 him
              
               ,
               as
               there
               was
               cause
               enough
               you
               should
               ;
               but
               say
               in
               truth
               ,
               have
               you
               
                 Improv'd
                 him
              
               ?
               I
               am
               assur'd
               that
               many
               of
               you
               (
               a
               considerable
               number
               )
               have
               Improv'd
               him
               to
               the
               utmost
               of
               your
               power
               .
               That
               you
               have
               made
               the
               most
               you
               could
               ,
               of
               his
               Indefatigable
               and
               Incessant
               pains
               among
               you
               :
               That
               you
               have
               gather'd
               up
               the
               very
               Fragments
               of
               the
               Bread
               of
               Life
               ,
               and
               pick'd
               up
               the
               very
               Crums
               ,
               that
               nothing
               might
               be
               lost
               .
               That
               you
               have
               eyed
               his
               exemplary
               Conversation
               ,
               and
               walked
               according
               to
               your
               pattern
               .
               And
               this
               I
               make
               no
               question
               
               is
               no
               small
               comfort
               to
               you
               in
               this
               doleful
               day
               .
               But
               have
               you
               all
               done
               this
               ?
               Are
               there
               no
               secret
               Stitches
               at
               the
               Hearts
               of
               any
               of
               you
               ,
               upon
               this
               consideration
               ?
               He
               
                 spent
                 his
                 strength
              
               indeed
               among
               you
               ,
               he
               wasted
               and
               consumed
               himself
               ,
               that
               you
               might
               flourish
               :
               But
               tell
               mee
               ,
               have
               there
               been
               answerable
               Fruits
               among
               you
               ,
               of
               Holiness
               and
               Obedience
               ?
               When
               he
               Fed
               you
               ,
               have
               you
               prosper'd
               ?
               He
               got
               a
               poor
               lean
               wither'd
               Body
               ,
               that
               you
               might
               have
               fat
               Souls
               .
               And
               are
               you
               all
               
                 fat
                 and
                 well
                 liking
              
               ?
               Oh
               what
               lean
               Souls
               have
               some
               of
               you
               ,
               who
               have
               attended
               on
               his
               Ministry
               ,
               even
               to
               his
               dying
               day
               :
               How
               hath
               your
               rich
               and
               fat
               Pasture
               been
               cast
               away
               upon
               you
               ?
               So
               that
               our
               Brother
               might
               have
               said
               (
               in
               reference
               to
               many
               )
               as
               the
               Prophet
               did
               ,
               I
               have
               
                 spent
                 my
                 strength
                 in
                 vain
              
               .
               However
               he
               
                 is
                 glorious
              
               with
               his
               God.
               But
               I
               am
               very
               much
               afraid
               that
               many
               of
               you
               will
               find
               this
               holy
               witness
               who
               is
               now
               ascended
               ,
               Witnessing
               against
               you
               ,
               when
               the
               day
               of
               trial
               comes
               .
            
             
               Dear
               Friends
               :
               Be
               not
               offended
               if
               I
               tell
               you
               ,
               that
               your
               sins
               have
               had
               a
               stroke
               in
               the
               Sickness
               ,
               and
               the
               Weakness
               ,
               and
               the
               death
               of
               your
               deservedly
               beloved
               Minister
               .
               They
               were
               our
               sins
               that
               killed
               Christ
               ;
               
                 He
                 was
                 bruised
                 for
                 our
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 and
                 broken
                 for
                 our
                 sins
                 .
                 He
                 bare
                 our
                 sins
                 in
                 his
                 Body
                 on
                 the
                 Tree
                 .
              
               And
               so
               they
               are
               our
               sins
               that
               kill
               the
               Ministers
               of
               Christ.
               You
               have
               often
               seen
               your
               Saviour
               slain
               before
               you
               ,
               by
               and
               for
               your
               sins
               .
               Now
               you
               have
               seen
               a
               holy
               Minister
               of
               his
               ,
               slain
               by
               the
               same
               hands
               .
               And
               yet
               your
               sins
               live
               still
               to
               do
               more
               such
               work
               ,
               and
               the
               Lord
               knows
               where
               it
               will
               end
               .
               There
               is
               no
               Execution
               done
               upon
               them
               ,
               who
               have
               done
               such
               dreadful
               Execution
               in
               our
               view
               .
               Oh
               let
               your
               hearts
               break
               ,
               and
               your
               Tears
               run
               down
               ,
               till
               your
               Lusts
               be
               broken
               ,
               mortified
               ,
               and
               destroyed
               ;
               or
               else
               they
               will
               break
               you
               ,
               and
               destroy
               you
               .
               If
               you
               have
               any
               love
               to
               Christ
               ,
               to
               the
               Ministers
               of
               Christ
               ,
               or
               to
               your Selves
               ,
               you
               may
               see
               cause
               enough
               to
               weep
               ,
               though
               not
               for
               our
               deceased
               Brother
               ;
               yet
               
                 for
                 your selves
              
               ,
               and
               for
               your
               sins
               .
               That
               's
               the
               first
               thing
               then
               ,
               weep
               
                 for
                 the
                 sins
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 done
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 For
                 the
                 Judgments
                 that
                 now
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 like
                 to
                 suffer
                 .
              
               To
               this
               our
               Saviour
               referreth
               in
               the
               
                 Text
                 ,
                 weep
                 for
                 your selves
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 children
                 ,
              
               That
               is
               ,
               for
               the
               extremity
               of
               Wrath
               and
               〈◊〉
               V
               engeance
               ,
               that
               is
               about
               to
               come
               on
               you
               and
               
               them
               .
               Even
               so
               say
               I
               to
               you
               my
               Brethren
               ,
               with
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               James
               5.
               1.
               
               
                 Go
                 to
                 now
                 ,
                 weep
                 and
                 howl
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 miseries
                 that
                 shall
                 come
                 upon
                 you
                 .
              
               Oh
               let
               not
               that
               complaint
               of
               the
               Prophet
               ,
               Isaiah
               57.
               1.
               
               Be
               renewed
               against
               you
               ,
               
                 The
                 Righteous
                 perisheth
                 and
                 no
                 man
                 laieth
                 it
                 to
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 merciful
                 men
                 are
                 taken
                 away
                 ,
                 none
                 considering
                 that
                 the
                 Righteous
                 is
                 taken
                 away
                 from
                 the
                 evil
                 to
                 come
                 .
              
               Our
               dear
               Brother
               now
               deceased
               was
               a
               Righteous
               man
               ,
               yea
               a
               Preacher
               of
               Righteousness
               .
               The
               Lord
               you
               see
               hath
               taken
               him
               away
               ;
               Oh
               what
               evil
               is
               to
               come
               !
               When
               such
               as
               he
               are
               hous'd
               ,
               what
               dreadful
               storms
               may
               there
               be
               like
               to
               fall
               ?
               Brethren
               ,
               the
               holy
               Ministers
               of
               God
               ,
               are
               the
               peoples
               Life-guard
               ,
               
                 The
                 Chariots
                 of
                 Israel
                 and
                 the
                 Horsemen
                 thereof
                 ,
              
               2
               Kings
               13.
               14.
               
               They
               are
               anointed
               Cherubs
               that
               Cover
               .
               They
               are
               a
               Shelter
               and
               a
               Covering
               from
               the
               Storm
               ,
               and
               from
               the
               Rain
               .
               Sometimes
               they
               are
               called
               Shepherds
               ;
               and
               the
               business
               of
               a
               Shepherd
               is
               to
               keep
               and
               save
               the
               Flock
               .
               Sometimes
               they
               are
               called
               Angels
               ;
               and
               Angels
               are
               the
               Guardians
               of
               the
               Lords
               people
               :
               They
               Guard
               ,
               and
               Cover
               ,
               and
               Protect
               a
               People
               .
            
             
               Now
               this
               they
               do
               while
               they
               instruct
               them
               so
               to
               walk
               ,
               that
               wrath
               may
               not
               come
               upon
               them
               while
               they
               Intercede
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               stand
               up
               in
               the
               breach
               ,
               to
               keep
               out
               the
               Indignation
               that
               is
               flowing
               in
               upon
               it
               .
               A
               praying
               Minister
               (
               and
               such
               a
               one
               have
               you
               lost
               )
               one
               that
               bare
               you
               on
               his
               Heart
               continually
               before
               the
               Lord
               (
               as
               Aaron
               did
               the
               names
               of
               Israel
               on
               his
               Breast-plate
               )
               I
               say
               a
               praying
               Minister
               ,
               is
               a
               Protection
               to
               the
               People
               .
               It
               s
               true
               ,
               the
               fervent
               Prayers
               of
               the
               
                 meanest
                 Saint
              
               ,
               are
               an
               Incredible
               defence
               to
               any
               place
               ,
               to
               save
               it
               from
               the
               shokes
               of
               God.
               And
               therefore
               even
               they
               are
               stiled
               
                 Intercessors
                 ,
                 Isa.
              
               59.
               16.
               
               Because
               they
               mediate
               with
               God
               when
               he
               is
               Angry
               ,
               and
               by
               their
               zealous
               Supplications
               hold
               his
               hands
               .
               But
               yet
               however
               ,
               though
               it
               be
               a
               certain
               truth
               that
               God
               hath
               much
               respect
               to
               the
               Petitions
               of
               his
               weakest
               Servants
               ,
               yea
               though
               perhaps
               some
               private
               Christians
               may
               Excel
               a
               holy
               Minister
               in
               Prayer
               ;
               yet
               God
               hath
               more
               regard
               to
               the
               Intreaties
               of
               his
               faithful
               Ministers
               ,
               who
               have
               a
               special
               Charge
               ,
               and
               commission
               to
               be
               his
               Remembrancers
               for
               the
               good
               of
               that
               People
               ,
               which
               he
               〈◊〉
               to
               their
               charge
               ;
               and
               their
               Petitions
               are
               of
               more
               avail
               and
               power
               with
               God
               both
               to
               Procure
               his
               Blessings
               ,
               and
               avert
               his
               Judgments
               .
               
               
                 Moses
                 and
                 Aaron
                 among
                 the
                 Priests
                 ,
                 and
                 Samuel
                 among
                 them
                 that
                 call
                 on
                 his
                 Name
                 :
                 They
                 called
                 upon
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 answered
                 them
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               99.
               6.
               
               Why
               doubtless
               ,
               so
               he
               heard
               the
               Prayers
               of
               his
               other
               Saints
               .
               But
               these
               his
               holy
               Priests
               and
               Prophets
               had
               the
               Ear
               of
               God
               (
               as
               special
               Favourites
               have
               their
               Princes
               Ears
               )
               and
               could
               be
               Heard
               and
               Answered
               ,
               when
               others
               were
               denied
               Access
               and
               Audience
               .
               And
               this
               is
               not
               obseurely
               Intimated
               in
               that
               Protestation
               of
               the
               Lord
               to
               Israel
               ,
               concerning
               their
               approaching
               Desolation
               ,
               Ezek.
               14.
               14.
               
               
                 Though
                 these
                 three
                 men
              
               ,
               Noah
               ,
               Daniel
               ,
               and
               Job
               
                 were
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 should
                 deliver
                 but
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 .
              
               By
               which
               ,
               he
               insinuates
               ,
               that
               when
               the
               absolute
               Decree
               is
               once
               gone
               forth
               ,
               it
               can
               by
               no
               means
               be
               revok'd
               ;
               so
               he
               suggests
               withal
               ,
               that
               if
               it
               had
               been
               feasible
               ,
               these
               holy
               〈◊〉
               would
               have
               done
               it
               ;
               (
               
                 q.
                 d.
              
               )
               were
               those
               three
               men
               in
               Israel
               ,
               they
               would
               put
               me
               to
               it
               hard
               ,
               and
               try
               me
               shrewdly
               to
               forbear
               the
               Land
               ,
               I
               should
               be
               hardly
               able
               to
               deny
               them
               .
               
                 He
                 said
                 he
                 would
                 destroy
                 them
                 ,
                 had
                 not
              
               Moses
               
                 stood
                 before
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 breach
                 ,
                 to
                 turn
                 away
                 his
                 wrath
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               106.
               23.
               
               Oh
               how
               did
               Moses
               stand
               against
               him
               ,
               and
               bind
               the
               Hands
               of
               the
               Almighty
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               about
               to
               strike
               .
               So
               that
               the
               Lord
               intreats
               and
               flatters
               with
               him
               
                 to
                 let
                 him
                 alone
              
               ,
               Exod.
               32.
               10.
               
               While
               such
               as
               Moses
               are
               Intercessors
               for
               a
               People
               ,
               God
               forbears
               ,
               he
               holds
               his
               Hands
               ,
               and
               restrains
               his
               Indignation
               ;
               as
               he
               that
               means
               to
               strike
               ,
               observes
               what
               strength
               there
               will
               be
               likely
               to
               oppose
               him
               :
               And
               when
               he
               looks
               and
               sees
               ,
               that
               
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Intercessor
              
               ,
               then
               he
               goes
               on
               with
               his
               design
               ,
               Isa.
               59.
               16.
               
               
                 Then
                 his
                 Arm
                 brings
                 Salvation
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 puts
                 on
                 the
                 Garments
                 of
                 Vengeance
                 .
              
            
             
               Brethren
               ,
               you
               are
               in
               greater
               danger
               then
               you
               are
               aware
               ,
               by
               the
               removal
               of
               your
               Praying
               Minister
               :
               For
               you
               have
               lost
               one
               Intercessor
               ,
               if
               any
               breach
               should
               happen
               between
               God
               and
               you
               .
               Yea
               ,
               you
               have
               lost
               your
               Covering
               ,
               if
               a
               storm
               of
               Wrath
               should
               fall
               .
               So
               that
               it
               may
               be
               said
               of
               you
               ,
               as
               it
               was
               once
               of
               Israel
               when
               Moses
               was
               a
               way
               ,
               that
               you
               
                 are
                 naked
              
               ;
               And
               what
               ,
               are
               you
               in
               Laodicea's
               case
               indeed
               ?
               Do
               you
               
                 not
                 know
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 naked
                 ?
              
               Are
               you
               naked
               and
               are
               you
               not
               afraid
               ?
               Are
               you
               naked
               and
               not
               ashamed
               ?
               This
               would
               become
               a
               state
               of
               Innocence
               indeed
               ;
               in
               which
               it
               was
               observed
               of
               Adam
               and
               his
               Wife
               ,
               that
               
                 they
                 were
                 both
                 naked
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 not
              
               
               〈◊〉
               ,
               Gen.
               2.
               5.
               
               But
               will
               it
               suit
               with
               such
               a
               state
               of
               sin
               and
               danger
               ,
               as
               the
               best
               of
               you
               are
               in
               ?
               Do
               you
               not
               find
               your selves
               uncovered
               ?
               Have
               you
               no
               sense
               and
               feeling
               of
               it
               ?
               Especially
               at
               such
               a
               time
               as
               this
               ,
               when
               the
               Judgments
               of
               the
               Lord
               are
               abroad
               upon
               the
               Earth
               ,
               upon
               the
               Land
               ,
               upon
               this
               very
               place
               in
               which
               you
               live
               ,
               more
               waies
               then
               I
               am
               able
               to
               express
               .
               Alas
               ,
               alas
               ,
               you
               are
               uncovered
               ,
               whether
               you
               know
               it
               yea
               or
               no.
               And
               it
               is
               perhaps
               some
               mercy
               ,
               that
               you
               are
               not
               quite
               uncovered
               .
               Here
               spend
               your
               Tears
               ,
               and
               you
               shall
               not
               misplace
               your
               sorrow
               .
               That
               is
               the
               first
               branch
               of
               Direction
               ;
               
                 weep
                 for
                 your selves
              
               :
               For
               the
               sins
               that
               you
               have
               done
               ,
               and
               for
               the
               Judgments
               that
               you
               may
               be
               like
               to
               suffer
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               is
               a
               second
               yet
               behind
               ,
               and
               I
               have
               done
               .
               
                 Weep
                 for
                 your
                 Children
              
               .
               Weep
               not
               for
               me
               ,
               saith
               Christ
               ,
               but
               weep
               for
               your selves
               ,
               
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 Children
              
               .
               And
               why
               for
               them
               ?
               Because
               their
               Children
               were
               to
               bear
               a
               share
               ,
               and
               suffer
               with
               them
               in
               the
               wrath
               that
               was
               about
               to
               come
               upon
               them
               ,
               as
               you
               may
               see
               ,
               Luke
               19.
               43.
               
               For
               the
               days
               shall
               come
               upon
               thee
               (
               saith
               our
               Saviour
               )
               that
               thine
               enemies
               shall
               cast
               〈◊〉
               Trench
               about
               thee
               ,
               and
               compass
               thee
               round
               ,
               and
               keep
               thee
               in
               on
               every
               side
               ,
               and
               shall
               lay
               thee
               eaven
               with
               the
               ground
               ,
               
                 and
                 thy
                 Children
                 with
                 thee
              
               .
               Brethren
               ,
               if
               you
               have
               any
               Tears
               left
               ,
               drop
               a
               few
               upon
               your
               Children
               :
               You
               are
               not
               able
               to
               foresee
               what
               miseries
               your
               little
               ones
               may
               be
               reserved
               for
               :
               And
               verily
               their
               danger
               is
               increased
               as
               well
               as
               yours
               ,
               by
               this
               stroke
               :
               For
               you
               have
               lost
               a
               〈◊〉
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               a
               Preacher
               ;
               you
               know
               what
               care
               and
               pains
               he
               took
               ,
               and
               what
               a
               Gift
               and
               Faculty
               he
               had
               in
               instilling
               holy
               Knowledg
               into
               your
               Children
               ,
               and
               your
               little
               ones
               ,
               while
               he
               had
               liberty
               in
               Publick
               ,
               and
               strength
               with
               opportunity
               in
               Private
               .
               He
               took
               a
               very
               great
               delight
               to
               tamper
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               to
               role
               them
               on
               to
               the
               holy
               Waies
               of
               God
               by
               all
               the
               means
               that
               he
               was
               able
               to
               devise
               .
               It
               was
               his
               very
               last
               design
               (
               As
               he
               was
               alwaies
               full
               of
               holy
               Projects
               )
               to
               take
               some
               Course
               ,
               that
               Children
               might
               be
               more
               generall
               Principled
               in
               the
               Grounds
               and
               Fundamentals
               of
               Religiony
               then
               they
               are
               .
               And
               I
               am
               very
               well
               assured
               ,
               that
               many
               of
               your
               Children
               ,
               have
               such
               Liquor
               poured
               into
               them
               by
               his
               means
               ,
               that
               they
               will
               relish
               of
               it
               as
               long
               as
               they
               have
               a
               day
               to
               live
               ,
               and
               it
               may
               be
               bless
               the
               Lord
               and
               him
               for
               it
               ,
               to
               all
               Eternity
               .
               And
               therefore
               you
               have
               cause
               enough
               to
               
               〈◊〉
               that
               you
               have
               lost
               a
               Minister
               that
               was
               
                 〈◊〉
                 and
                 apt
                 to
                 Teach
              
               ,
               not
               your
               selves
               only
               ,
               but
               your
               Children
               too
               ,
               
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 them
                 know
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Not
               to
               feed
               the
               Sheep
               only
               ,
               but
               to
               lead
               the
               〈◊〉
               too
               ,
               and
               to
               〈◊〉
               them
               in
               his
               Bosom
               ,
               as
               the
               expression
               is
               ,
               Isa
               40.
               11.
               
               I
               have
               done
               with
               the
               Directions
               ,
               
                 Weep
                 for
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 your
                 Children
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               now
               for
               the
               close
               of
               all
               ,
               〈◊〉
               again
               ,
               
                 Weep
                 not
                 for
                 him
              
               ,
               his
               sorrow
               certainly
               ,
               is
               
                 turned
                 〈◊〉
                 Joy
              
               ,
               and
               therefore
               so
               let
               yours
               be
               also
               .
               He
               hath
               receiv'd
               that
               Blessed
               Sentence
               ,
               
                 Welt
                 done
                 good
                 and
                 faithful
                 Servant
                 ,
                 enter
                 into
                 thy
                 Masters
                 Joy.
              
               And
               let
               me
               tell
               you
               (
               I
               speak
               it
               upon
               good
               assurance
               )
               he
               went
               Triumphantly
               to
               Glory
               :
               
                 An
                 Entrance
                 was
                 〈◊〉
                 to
                 him
                 abundantly
                 into
                 the
                 Heavenly
                 Kingdom
                 .
              
               As
               he
               drew
               nearer
               Heaven
               (
               till
               his
               disease
               prevailed
               against
               his
               reason
               )
               he
               grew
               still
               more
               Heavenly
               .
               When
               Grace
               and
               Glory
               were
               about
               to
               Joyn
               ,
               Grace
               in
               him
               was
               most
               Glorious
               .
               Oh
               with
               what
               Extasie
               ,
               and
               Ravishments
               of
               Spirit
               did
               he
               flie
               away
               into
               the
               Bosom
               of
               his
               Saviour
               !
            
             
               I
               have
               but
               one
               word
               to
               add
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               that
               of
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               Heb.
               13.
               
               
                 Remember
                 him
                 that
                 had
                 sometimes
                 the
                 Rule
                 over
                 you
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 spoken
                 to
                 you
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 whose
                 Faith
                 follow
                 ,
                 considering
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 his
                 conversation
                 .
              
               And
               that
               was
               a
               blessed
               end
               indeed
               .
               Remember
               him
               ;
               to
               follow
               him
               in
               all
               that
               was
               exemplary
               in
               him
               ,
               whether
               concerning
               Faith
               ,
               or
               Life
               ,
               that
               walking
               in
               the
               
                 holy
                 way
              
               that
               he
               did
               ,
               you
               may
               at
               last
               come
               to
               the
               
                 happy
                 End
                 and
                 Place
              
               where
               he
               is
               .
            
             
               FINIS
               .