LETTERXII.[How to live to God.]To the beloved people, the inhabitants ofTaunton, grace and peace.Most endeared Christians,BELOVED, I am, without a compliment, the devoted servant of your soul’s prosperity: may the Lord Jesus be set up in your hearts: may his name ever live in you, and I have what I ask. If this work be not promoted among you, I shall account all my pains but lost labour. Brethren, I beseech you that none of you live to yourselves, for this were directly to cross the end of Christ’s death; for therefore he died that you should not live to yourselves. O live to him that died for you! Live to him that is the God of your life! Live to him thatbought your lives with his own! To him that bought you from destruction, and not only so, but bought you the eternal inheritance. Will a man be easily persuaded to lose his life? How infinitely tender are men here! And yet 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 lose your lives that you live, live 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 lost? I beseech you take heed; you are careful about many things; but beware that other things do not put out this, 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 a wicked servant, that had set up for himself with his master’s stock, and alienated his goods? Well, that you may throughly learn the grand lesson of living to God, take these counsels:*First,Settle it in your heart that it is the sum of all your business and blessedness to live unto God: ’tis yourbusiness, for his pleasure you are andwere created: what have you to do but to serve your Maker in your general and particular callings! Beloved, what else have you strength for, but for God? Doth he maintain servants, and shall he not look for their work? Would you endure it, that the servants you find with meat and wages should set up for themselves? Beloved, God’s 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, that your happiness lies in pleasing and honouring God. Let the sense of this live fresh upon your hearts, and it will regulate your whole course.Secondly,Labour to keep alive in yourselves a deep sense of your strong obligations to God. Often think with yourselves, what a reasonable thing it is, that you should with all you have serve the Lord. Beloved, shall not the vessel be for the use of the potter 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 God’s door? Is not he the author of our being and well-being? Is it not from him that you fetch every breath? Your interest obliges you to please him. Why shouldBelshazzer’s charge be against you? That the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified,Danielv.23.Thirdly,Every morning let this be your first and firm resolution, I will set forth this day in thename of God. Your first and last thoughts are of the greatest consequence, and therefore I advise you to begin and end with this; whenever you lie down, say in yourselves, I will make use of my bed as an ordinance of God, that I may be refreshed and fitted for his work: whenever 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.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. I leave all things to your Father’s wise disposal, and commending you to God, I restYour’s in the bonds of the Lord Jesus,JOS.ALLEINE.From the prison atIvelchester,November 14, 1663.
[How to live to God.]
To the beloved people, the inhabitants ofTaunton, grace and peace.
Most endeared Christians,
BELOVED, I am, without a compliment, the devoted servant of your soul’s prosperity: may the Lord Jesus be set up in your hearts: may his name ever live in you, and I have what I ask. If this work be not promoted among you, I shall account all my pains but lost labour. Brethren, I beseech you that none of you live to yourselves, for this were directly to cross the end of Christ’s death; for therefore he died that you should not live to yourselves. O live to him that died for you! Live to him that is the God of your life! Live to him thatbought your lives with his own! To him that bought you from destruction, and not only so, but bought you the eternal inheritance. Will a man be easily persuaded to lose his life? How infinitely tender are men here! And yet 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 lose your lives that you live, live 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 lost? I beseech you take heed; you are careful about many things; but beware that other things do not put out this, 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 a wicked servant, that had set up for himself with his master’s stock, and alienated his goods? Well, that you may throughly learn the grand lesson of living to God, take these counsels:
*First,Settle it in your heart that it is the sum of all your business and blessedness to live unto God: ’tis yourbusiness, for his pleasure you are andwere created: what have you to do but to serve your Maker in your general and particular callings! Beloved, what else have you strength for, but for God? Doth he maintain servants, and shall he not look for their work? Would you endure it, that the servants you find with meat and wages should set up for themselves? Beloved, God’s 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, that your happiness lies in pleasing and honouring God. Let the sense of this live fresh upon your hearts, and it will regulate your whole course.
Secondly,Labour to keep alive in yourselves a deep sense of your strong obligations to God. Often think with yourselves, what a reasonable thing it is, that you should with all you have serve the Lord. Beloved, shall not the vessel be for the use of the potter 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 God’s door? Is not he the author of our being and well-being? Is it not from him that you fetch every breath? Your interest obliges you to please him. Why shouldBelshazzer’s charge be against you? That the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified,Danielv.23.
Thirdly,Every morning let this be your first and firm resolution, I will set forth this day in thename of God. Your first and last thoughts are of the greatest consequence, and therefore I advise you to begin and end with this; whenever you lie down, say in yourselves, I will make use of my bed as an ordinance of God, that I may be refreshed and fitted for his work: whenever 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.
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. I leave all things to your Father’s wise disposal, and commending you to God, I rest
Your’s in the bonds of the Lord Jesus,
JOS.ALLEINE.
From the prison atIvelchester,November 14, 1663.
LETTERXIII.To the beloved people, the flock of God inTaunton, grace and peace.Most dear friends and brethren,IHAVE sent these few lines, to beseech you by these bonds, which I gladly endure for yoursakes, 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.You that have taken upon you the profession of strict godliness, I shall only press you to press towards the mark. You have much work to do, and God hath given you no time to loiter 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 apostle’s counsel,Follow after holiness.First.Holiness is the choicest ornament: it is an adorning in the sight of God, of great price. It is the glory of God, and will you count it your shame?Exodus♦15. God is glorious in holiness, and grace is called glory,2 Corinthiansiii.18.Yet we may now cry out as thepsalmist,O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame?Psalmsiv.2.But be of good comfort, the shame of holiness is real glory.♦Chapter omitted from reference in text.Secondly.Holiness is the safest defence; grace is not only for ornament, but for use. Righteousness is a breast-plate that keeps the vitals, and is a sure defence from any mortal wounds. When the politicians have done their best, it is hethat walketh uprightly, thatwalketh surely,Proverbsx.19.Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, saithDavid. I desire to be no longer safe than these can preserve me; when I must let go my integrity or my safety, I will chuse the danger rather than the sin: and yet will never doubt but my integrity will save me harmless. *Never persuade me that the man chooses wisely, who runs upon the displeasure of God, to flee man’s displeasure. Did you ever hear of a man so mad as to run upon the sword’s point, to avoid the scratch of a pin? Why this is the 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 the thick bosses of his buckler.Thirdly.Holiness will be found to be your real happiness: eat of this tree, and you shall be indeed as God. Godliness is God’s likeness. The beauty of holiness is his very image; sin is the disease of which holiness is the cure. O what peace and tranquility doth holiness work in the mind!Great peace have they that love thy commandments, and nothing shall offend them.In aword, holiness is the perfection of man’s nature, the communication of the divine nature, the earnest of glory, and the very entrance of heaven.Let me say now to every one of you, as our Saviour toMartha;Believest 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 bye: follow as hard after grace, as if you did indeed believe riches and honor were in it. Let holiness sit on your lips, and season all your speech with grace. Profess it, own it, plead stoutly for it, be advocates for holiness, in an adulterous and wicked generation; wear it as a robe of honour, when the world cast 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.Because I know you love to hear of my welfare, I must tell you that goodness and mercy follow me perpetually every day, and every night, glory to God in the highest. Dear brethren, fare you well in the Lord, I amYour devoted servant in the gospel,whether a bond-man, or a free,JOS.ALLEINE.From the common Gaol, atIvelchester,December 3, 1663.
To the beloved people, the flock of God inTaunton, grace and peace.
Most dear friends and brethren,
IHAVE sent these few lines, to beseech you by these bonds, which I gladly endure for yoursakes, 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.
You that have taken upon you the profession of strict godliness, I shall only press you to press towards the mark. You have much work to do, and God hath given you no time to loiter 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 apostle’s counsel,Follow after holiness.
First.Holiness is the choicest ornament: it is an adorning in the sight of God, of great price. It is the glory of God, and will you count it your shame?Exodus♦15. God is glorious in holiness, and grace is called glory,2 Corinthiansiii.18.Yet we may now cry out as thepsalmist,O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame?Psalmsiv.2.But be of good comfort, the shame of holiness is real glory.
♦Chapter omitted from reference in text.
♦Chapter omitted from reference in text.
♦Chapter omitted from reference in text.
Secondly.Holiness is the safest defence; grace is not only for ornament, but for use. Righteousness is a breast-plate that keeps the vitals, and is a sure defence from any mortal wounds. When the politicians have done their best, it is hethat walketh uprightly, thatwalketh surely,Proverbsx.19.Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, saithDavid. I desire to be no longer safe than these can preserve me; when I must let go my integrity or my safety, I will chuse the danger rather than the sin: and yet will never doubt but my integrity will save me harmless. *Never persuade me that the man chooses wisely, who runs upon the displeasure of God, to flee man’s displeasure. Did you ever hear of a man so mad as to run upon the sword’s point, to avoid the scratch of a pin? Why this is the 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 the thick bosses of his buckler.
Thirdly.Holiness will be found to be your real happiness: eat of this tree, and you shall be indeed as God. Godliness is God’s likeness. The beauty of holiness is his very image; sin is the disease of which holiness is the cure. O what peace and tranquility doth holiness work in the mind!Great peace have they that love thy commandments, and nothing shall offend them.In aword, holiness is the perfection of man’s nature, the communication of the divine nature, the earnest of glory, and the very entrance of heaven.
Let me say now to every one of you, as our Saviour toMartha;Believest 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 bye: follow as hard after grace, as if you did indeed believe riches and honor were in it. Let holiness sit on your lips, and season all your speech with grace. Profess it, own it, plead stoutly for it, be advocates for holiness, in an adulterous and wicked generation; wear it as a robe of honour, when the world cast 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.
Because I know you love to hear of my welfare, I must tell you that goodness and mercy 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 common Gaol, atIvelchester,December 3, 1663.
LETTERXIV.To the flock of Christ inTaunton, grace and peace.Most endeared friends,IWOULD have you count nothing as certain but Christ’s 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. 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, Isheaven upon your hearts? Is the name of Jesus deeply engraven upon your souls? Is his image and superscription there? If you find that heaven is the main of your cares, that your hearts are set upon it as your home and your country; and that it is your business to seek it and secure it. If your hearts be 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 everyname. Is Christ uppermost with you in your affections? Then rejoice and leap for joy, your names are most precious 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 heart is 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 God’s means against it as far as you know them? If it be thus with you, Christ hath set his stamp upon your hearts, and hath set you as a seal upon his heart.Rejoice then, O Christians, and bless yourselves, in being under Christ’s 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, 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: many will be plucking at you, but fear not, he hath all power. Can omnipotence secure you? He is all treasure. Can unsearchable riches suffice you? In a word, he is all fullness. Can fullness fill you? If so, you are blessed and shall be blessed.Beloved, We lose unutterably for want of considering our own privileges, and blessedness. O man, is Christ thine, and yet dost thou live at a low rate? Is thy name written in heaven, and yet dost thou not rejoice? Shall the children of the kingdom, the chosen generation, be like other men? O Christians, remember who and whence you are, consider your obligations, bestir yourselves, 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? O Christians, shall he that hath obtained the King’s patent for an earldom, glory in his riches and honour? And shall the grant of heaven signify little with thee? Or Christ’s patent for the son-ship and partnership with himself be like a cypher? ShallHamancome home from the banquet with a glad heart, glorying in the greatness of his riches, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him? And shall we find it under God’s own hand, that he intends the kingdom 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? *Christians live like yourselves, let the world see that the promises of God and privileges of the gospel are not empty sounds. Let the heavenly chearfulness and the restless diligence, and the holy raisedness of your conversation prove the reality, excellency, and beauty of your religion.See that you receive not the grace of God in vain. Remember with trembling,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, remainingYour’s in all manner of obligations,JOS.ALLEINE.From the common goal, inIvelchester,January 20, 1663.
To the flock of Christ inTaunton, grace and peace.
Most endeared friends,
IWOULD have you count nothing as certain but Christ’s 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. 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, Isheaven upon your hearts? Is the name of Jesus deeply engraven upon your souls? Is his image and superscription there? If you find that heaven is the main of your cares, that your hearts are set upon it as your home and your country; and that it is your business to seek it and secure it. If your hearts be 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 everyname. Is Christ uppermost with you in your affections? Then rejoice and leap for joy, your names are most precious 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 heart is 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 God’s means against it as far as you know them? If it be thus with you, Christ hath set his stamp upon your hearts, and hath set you as a seal upon his heart.
Rejoice then, O Christians, and bless yourselves, in being under Christ’s 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, 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: many will be plucking at you, but fear not, he hath all power. Can omnipotence secure you? He is all treasure. Can unsearchable riches suffice you? In a word, he is all fullness. Can fullness fill you? If so, you are blessed and shall be blessed.
Beloved, We lose unutterably for want of considering our own privileges, and blessedness. O man, is Christ thine, and yet dost thou live at a low rate? Is thy name written in heaven, and yet dost thou not rejoice? Shall the children of the kingdom, the chosen generation, be like other men? O Christians, remember who and whence you are, consider your obligations, bestir yourselves, 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? O Christians, shall he that hath obtained the King’s patent for an earldom, glory in his riches and honour? And shall the grant of heaven signify little with thee? Or Christ’s patent for the son-ship and partnership with himself be like a cypher? ShallHamancome home from the banquet with a glad heart, glorying in the greatness of his riches, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him? And shall we find it under God’s own hand, that he intends the kingdom 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? *Christians live like yourselves, let the world see that the promises of God and privileges of the gospel are not empty sounds. Let the heavenly chearfulness and the restless diligence, and the holy raisedness of your conversation prove the reality, excellency, and beauty of your religion.See that you receive not the grace of God in vain. Remember with trembling,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
Your’s in all manner of obligations,
JOS.ALLEINE.
From the common goal, inIvelchester,January 20, 1663.
LETTERXV.[What do you more than others?]To the most dearly beloved, the servants of God, inTaunton, 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 fidelity, 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 ofIsrael, 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 waste, nor the oil in the cruise to fail, but hath continually provided for you. How should I love and bless the Lord for this his great grace towards you? 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 days. But asJobhad a holy fear of his children, lest they should have offended: so I am jealous of you with a godly jealousy, lest any of you should receive this grace of God in vain. I must not cease to put you mind, that God doth look for no small matter from you. Remember my charge, that there be not a barren tree nor a dwarf Christian among you; where the Lord 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 the awakening question to you, What do you more thanothers? God doth expect more of his people, than of any others in the world: and well he may. ForFirst,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;Thee only have I known of all the families on earth: and he looks that his love should be a constraining argument to obedience. Again, he hath laid out a singular care for his people, more than for others: he cares for no men, for nothing in the world, in comparison of them. He reproveth kings for their sakes. He will give nations and kingdoms for their ransom. 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 endure 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 has 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 they not walk more cautiously than any alive, that are under so exact 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: andshould 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 privileges: these are a peculiar treasure to him above all people, a kingdom of priests, an holy nation; 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. Shall not God’s priests be cloathed with righteousness, and shall not princes live above the rate of peasants?Secondly,He hath entrusted them with more than others: not only 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 Maker’s 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 quickened 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 otherslie like vessels that are wind-bound, 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 kingdom 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, God and men expect you should do more than others, see that you be indeed singular. For1. If you do no more for God than others, he will do more against you than others:You only 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 looketh for grapes from his vineyard, on which he had bestowed such care more than ordinary, but when they bring forth wild grapes, he will lay them waste in a worse manner than the forest.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 by you more than others.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 he hath done more: see that you be shining Christians, that you be strong in the grace of God, that you press towards the mark. But I must conclude; I give my love among you all, being able to add no more, but that I amYour’s in fervent love and longings,JOS.ALLEINE.
[What do you more than others?]
To the most dearly beloved, the servants of God, inTaunton, 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 fidelity, 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 ofIsrael, 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 waste, nor the oil in the cruise to fail, but hath continually provided for you. How should I love and bless the Lord for this his great grace towards you? 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 days. But asJobhad a holy fear of his children, lest they should have offended: so I am jealous of you with a godly jealousy, lest any of you should receive this grace of God in vain. I must not cease to put you mind, that God doth look for no small matter from you. Remember my charge, that there be not a barren tree nor a dwarf Christian among you; where the Lord 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 the awakening question to you, What do you more thanothers? God doth expect more of his people, than of any others in the world: 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;Thee only have I known of all the families on earth: and he looks that his love should be a constraining argument to obedience. Again, he hath laid out a singular care for his people, more than for others: he cares for no men, for nothing in the world, in comparison of them. He reproveth kings for their sakes. He will give nations and kingdoms for their ransom. 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 endure 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 has 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 they not walk more cautiously than any alive, that are under so exact 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: andshould 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 privileges: these are a peculiar treasure to him above all people, a kingdom of priests, an holy nation; 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. Shall not God’s priests be cloathed with righteousness, and shall not princes live above the rate of peasants?
Secondly,He hath entrusted them with more than others: not only 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 Maker’s 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 quickened 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 otherslie like vessels that are wind-bound, 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 kingdom 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, God and men expect you should do more than others, see that you be indeed singular. For
1. If you do no more for God than others, he will do more against you than others:You only 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 looketh for grapes from his vineyard, on which he had bestowed such care more than ordinary, but when they bring forth wild grapes, he will lay them waste in a worse manner than the forest.
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 by you more than others.
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 he hath done more: see that you be shining Christians, that you be strong in the grace of God, that you press towards the mark. But I must conclude; I give my love among you all, being able to add no more, but that I am
Your’s in fervent love and longings,
JOS.ALLEINE.
LETTERXVI.To the servants of God inTaunton, salvation.Most endeared Christians,IAM your’s, and love to be so, being ambitious not to have dominion over your faith, but to be a helper of your joy. Christ’s 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’s sake. I have no greater felicity under God, than to serve the good of souls. Brethren, how fares it with your souls? Are they in health? Do they prosper? It is a joy to me to hear when your trade flourishes: but these are very little things if we lookinto eternity. Brethren, my ambition for you is, that you should be cedars among the shrubs; that from you should sound out the word of the Lord, and that in every place your faith to God-ward should be spread abroad. That ye should be as a field that the Lord hath blessed: that you should not only have the name, but the spirit, life, power, heat, growth, vigour of Christianity among you. Let notTauntononly have the name to live: but to see to it, 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 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 thewickedness of the times, will serve his turn; many go to hell in the company of the wise virgins. That no man may be aself-deceiver, let every man be aself-searcher. He that keeps no day-book in his shop, and no account in his conscience, his estate and his soul will thrive both alike. Beloved, I would that you should remember whither you are going. If a man be after a few months to be transported into another country, never to return, he will send over whatever he can, and make the best provision he may against he come into that country. Brethren, you are strangers and pilgrimshere, and have but a few month’s stay in this country; see that you traffic much with heaven. Christ is our common factor. O send over to him what possibly you can. Give alms plentifully, pray continually, be much in meditation and consideration; reckon with yourselves daily: walk with God in your callings. Do all the duties of your relations as unto God: live not one day to yourselves, but unto Christ: 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! *Beloved, while you are here in this world, you are but like a merchant’s ship in a strange port; the day for your return is set, and you are to stay no longer than ’till your freight is ready. Be wise, know your season, improve your time, you are made or marred forever, as you speed in this one voyage. There is no returning to this country 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 who want may have grace, and you that have, may have it more abundantly. Go and plead with the Lord Jesus, that he hath bid youcome, buy and eatwithout money, 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 forgrace, 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 yourselves to him, unlearn yourselves. There is a threefold foot that we naturally stand upon, our ownwisdom, our ownrighteousness, and our ownstrength; these three feet must be cut off, and we must learn to have no subsistence but 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 itself, but is wholly supported by the prop it leans on. It is no small thing to know ourselves to be nothing, of no might, of no worth, of no understanding; to look upon ourselves 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 beggary: when we set down ourselves 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 on. When you are throughly emptied, and see all your comeliness to be but as a withered flower, dead, dried, past recovery, then you will be put upon the happy necessity of going out to Christ for all.I can add no more but my prayers to my counsels, and so commending you to God, and the word of his grace, I restThe fervent well-wisher of your souls,JOS.ALLEINE.
To the servants of God inTaunton, salvation.
Most endeared Christians,
IAM your’s, and love to be so, being ambitious not to have dominion over your faith, but to be a helper of your joy. Christ’s 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’s sake. I have no greater felicity under God, than to serve the good of souls. Brethren, how fares it with your souls? Are they in health? Do they prosper? It is a joy to me to hear when your trade flourishes: but these are very little things if we lookinto eternity. Brethren, my ambition for you is, that you should be cedars among the shrubs; that from you should sound out the word of the Lord, and that in every place your faith to God-ward should be spread abroad. That ye should be as a field that the Lord hath blessed: that you should not only have the name, but the spirit, life, power, heat, growth, vigour of Christianity among you. Let notTauntononly have the name to live: but to see to it, 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 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 thewickedness of the times, will serve his turn; many go to hell in the company of the wise virgins. That no man may be aself-deceiver, let every man be aself-searcher. He that keeps no day-book in his shop, and no account in his conscience, his estate and his soul will thrive both alike. Beloved, I would that you should remember whither you are going. If a man be after a few months to be transported into another country, never to return, he will send over whatever he can, and make the best provision he may against he come into that country. Brethren, you are strangers and pilgrimshere, and have but a few month’s stay in this country; see that you traffic much with heaven. Christ is our common factor. O send over to him what possibly you can. Give alms plentifully, pray continually, be much in meditation and consideration; reckon with yourselves daily: walk with God in your callings. Do all the duties of your relations as unto God: live not one day to yourselves, but unto Christ: 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! *Beloved, while you are here in this world, you are but like a merchant’s ship in a strange port; the day for your return is set, and you are to stay no longer than ’till your freight is ready. Be wise, know your season, improve your time, you are made or marred forever, as you speed in this one voyage. There is no returning to this country 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 who want may have grace, and you that have, may have it more abundantly. Go and plead with the Lord Jesus, that he hath bid youcome, buy and eatwithout money, 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 forgrace, 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 yourselves to him, unlearn yourselves. There is a threefold foot that we naturally stand upon, our ownwisdom, our ownrighteousness, and our ownstrength; these three feet must be cut off, and we must learn to have no subsistence but 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 itself, but is wholly supported by the prop it leans on. It is no small thing to know ourselves to be nothing, of no might, of no worth, of no understanding; to look upon ourselves 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 beggary: when we set down ourselves 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 on. When you are throughly emptied, and see all your comeliness to be but as a withered flower, dead, dried, past recovery, then you will be put upon the happy necessity of going out to Christ for all.
I can add no more but my prayers to my counsels, and so commending you to God, and the word of his grace, I rest
The fervent well-wisher of your souls,
JOS.ALLEINE.
LETTERXVII.To the servants of God inTaunton, salvation.Most endeared Christians,ISEND you a few prison counsels.1.To improve for eternity, the advantages of your present state.Though you are at many disadvantages with respect to the public ordinances, yet you have many most happy privileges. Oh what a mercy have you that you may serve God when 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, and are free from those heart-eating cares, that others are disabled by, from looking after God and their souls. Oh consider what a blessed seed-time you have for eternity! Now be wise and improve your happy season. Prepare for death. Make all sure: press on towards themark. Lay up in store for yourselves 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? 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 disadvantages of your state.Study to know your own weakness, and where your danger lies, that you may obviate Satan, and prevent your miscarrying: there is no condition but has its snares. See that ye acquaint yourselves with his devices lest you be beguiled by him, through your own unwariness. You that are well provided for in the world had need to watch yourselves, lest you fall in love with present things, lest you be lifted up, lest you trust in those carnal props, and put confidence in the creatures, lest you warp, and decline, and baulk your duties, through the desire of preserving your estates. You that have little in the world, are not without your temptations: Oh take heed of envying others prosperity, of murmuring and discontent, of diffidence and distrustfulness, of using indirect means to help yourselves: be sure you make not any pressures an excuse from your daily serving God in your families, and in secret.Set this down as your rule, and unchangeable 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, most expose you to. Be not strangers to yourselves. Prove yourselves upright in keeping from your iniquities.*3.To converse often with your dust.Brethren, we are going; the grave waiteth for us: O forget not that corruption is your father, and the worm your mother, and your sister! These are your 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 hence. Happy he that knew not what to-morrow meant for twenty years together. Believe it, you will find it no little thing to die. Think often how you are provided. 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 these 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 yourfriends any good. Now up and be doing. Now or never live in the deep 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 played. What! But one cast for eternity, and will you not be careful to throw that well?Most dearly beloved, I covet after your furtherance in mortification, and growth in grace. And oh that I could represent death unto you, as it will shew shortly itself: 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, the slothful would pluck his hand out of his bosom, and shake off his excuses, and be night and day at his work. Then theLaodiceanwould be recovered from his♦benumbed 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.♦“benummed” replaced with “benumbed”Brethren, lift up yourselves above the objects of sense; be men for eternity, and carry it like those that seek for glory, honour, and immortality. I commend you to divine grace; and amYour’s in the bonds of the gospel of our Lord Jesus,JOS.ALLEINE.From the common gaol atIvelchester,March 5, 1665.
To the servants of God inTaunton, salvation.
Most endeared Christians,
ISEND you a few prison counsels.
1.To improve for eternity, the advantages of your present state.Though you are at many disadvantages with respect to the public ordinances, yet you have many most happy privileges. Oh what a mercy have you that you may serve God when 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, and are free from those heart-eating cares, that others are disabled by, from looking after God and their souls. Oh consider what a blessed seed-time you have for eternity! Now be wise and improve your happy season. Prepare for death. Make all sure: press on towards themark. Lay up in store for yourselves 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? 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 disadvantages of your state.Study to know your own weakness, and where your danger lies, that you may obviate Satan, and prevent your miscarrying: there is no condition but has its snares. See that ye acquaint yourselves with his devices lest you be beguiled by him, through your own unwariness. You that are well provided for in the world had need to watch yourselves, lest you fall in love with present things, lest you be lifted up, lest you trust in those carnal props, and put confidence in the creatures, lest you warp, and decline, and baulk your duties, through the desire of preserving your estates. You that have little in the world, are not without your temptations: Oh take heed of envying others prosperity, of murmuring and discontent, of diffidence and distrustfulness, of using indirect means to help yourselves: be sure you make not any pressures an excuse from your daily serving God in your families, and in secret.Set this down as your rule, and unchangeable 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, most expose you to. Be not strangers to yourselves. Prove yourselves upright in keeping from your iniquities.
*3.To converse often with your dust.Brethren, we are going; the grave waiteth for us: O forget not that corruption is your father, and the worm your mother, and your sister! These are your 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 hence. Happy he that knew not what to-morrow meant for twenty years together. Believe it, you will find it no little thing to die. Think often how you are provided. 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 these 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 yourfriends any good. Now up and be doing. Now or never live in the deep 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 played. What! But one cast for eternity, and will you not be careful to throw that well?
Most dearly beloved, I covet after your furtherance in mortification, and growth in grace. And oh that I could represent death unto you, as it will shew shortly itself: 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, the slothful would pluck his hand out of his bosom, and shake off his excuses, and be night and day at his work. Then theLaodiceanwould be recovered from his♦benumbed 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.
♦“benummed” replaced with “benumbed”
♦“benummed” replaced with “benumbed”
♦“benummed” replaced with “benumbed”
Brethren, lift up yourselves above the objects of sense; be men for eternity, and carry it like those that seek for glory, honour, and immortality. I commend you to divine grace; and am
Your’s in the bonds of the gospel of our Lord Jesus,
JOS.ALLEINE.
From the common gaol atIvelchester,March 5, 1665.
LETTERXVIII.To the loving and most beloved people, the servants of God inTaunton, 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 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 jealousy, that no man take your crown. 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 long profession of the name of Jesus Christ: Oh, see upon what ground you stand. You must, every one of you, stand shortly before the judgment-seat of Christ, and be tried for your lives: Oh, try yourselves throughly first. ’Tis easy to mistake a partial reformation and external obedience, for true sanctification. Therefore I beseech you every one, to examine whether youare in the faith. Prove your ownselves. 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 know you are passed from death unto life, and that 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 intolerable ignorance for any of you in these days of glorious light, not to be able to tell the distinguishing marks of a sound believer. And it is intolerable♦carelessness, if you do not bring yourselves to the trial by these marks. What! Are your hands filled with books, and your ears 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 yourselves. Take heed, lest a promise being left of entering into his rest, any of you fall short of it at last. You are a professing people; you pray, and you hear; but oh, look to your sincerity. Look to your principles, look to your ends; else you may lose all at last. Examine not only what is done, but whence ’tis done; look to the root as well as to the fruit. Eye not only your actions, but your aims. Remember what a strict eye you are under.The Lord Jesus makes strict observation upon all your works and ways. He observes who of you are fruitful, and who are barren and unprofitable. He knows who are thriving, and who declining. He observes who are warm, and who lukewarm: who are sound Christians, and who have only a name to live.♦“carelesness” replaced with “carelessness”Christians, put on, press towards the mark, be adding to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge. See that you grow extensively, being abundant in all sorts of good works. Be pitiful, be courteous, gentle, easy to be intreated. Be slow to anger, soon reconciled. Be patient, be temperate, be chearful. Study not every one only his own things, but also the good of his neighbour. Think it not enough to look to your own souls but watch for the souls of others. Pray for them, warn them, be kind to them, study to oblige them, that by any means you may win them, and gain your 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 yourselves more thoroughly, to mind heaven more frequently.I commend myself to your prayers, and you to the grace of God, remainingYour’s in the Lord Jesus,JOS.ALLEINE.Dorchester,July 7, 1663.
To the loving and most beloved people, the servants of God inTaunton, 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 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 jealousy, that no man take your crown. 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 long profession of the name of Jesus Christ: Oh, see upon what ground you stand. You must, every one of you, stand shortly before the judgment-seat of Christ, and be tried for your lives: Oh, try yourselves throughly first. ’Tis easy to mistake a partial reformation and external obedience, for true sanctification. Therefore I beseech you every one, to examine whether youare in the faith. Prove your ownselves. 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 know you are passed from death unto life, and that 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 intolerable ignorance for any of you in these days of glorious light, not to be able to tell the distinguishing marks of a sound believer. And it is intolerable♦carelessness, if you do not bring yourselves to the trial by these marks. What! Are your hands filled with books, and your ears 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 yourselves. Take heed, lest a promise being left of entering into his rest, any of you fall short of it at last. You are a professing people; you pray, and you hear; but oh, look to your sincerity. Look to your principles, look to your ends; else you may lose all at last. Examine not only what is done, but whence ’tis done; look to the root as well as to the fruit. Eye not only your actions, but your aims. Remember what a strict eye you are under.The Lord Jesus makes strict observation upon all your works and ways. He observes who of you are fruitful, and who are barren and unprofitable. He knows who are thriving, and who declining. He observes who are warm, and who lukewarm: who are sound Christians, and who have only a name to live.
♦“carelesness” replaced with “carelessness”
♦“carelesness” replaced with “carelessness”
♦“carelesness” replaced with “carelessness”
Christians, put on, press towards the mark, be adding to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge. See that you grow extensively, being abundant in all sorts of good works. Be pitiful, be courteous, gentle, easy to be intreated. Be slow to anger, soon reconciled. Be patient, be temperate, be chearful. Study not every one only his own things, but also the good of his neighbour. Think it not enough to look to your own souls but watch for the souls of others. Pray for them, warn them, be kind to them, study to oblige them, that by any means you may win them, and gain your 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 yourselves more thoroughly, to mind heaven more frequently.
I commend myself to your prayers, and you to the grace of God, remaining
Your’s in the Lord Jesus,
JOS.ALLEINE.
Dorchester,July 7, 1663.
LETTERXIX.[The character and privileges of true believers.]To the most beloved people, the servants of God inTaunton, grace and peace.Most dearly beloved,IREJOICE to hear of God’s continual goodness towards you; he is your shepherd, and therefore it is that you do not want. Me you have not always, but he is ever with you; his rod and his staff shall comfort you. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all your days, and you shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.In this my dear brethren, rejoice, that God is engaged in so near and so sweet a relation to you. Doubtless your souls shall lodge in goodness, and be provided for carefully, that have the Almighty for your shepherd. Blessed are the flock of his hands, and the sheep of his pasture; happy are the people that are in such a case.But who are Christ’s sheep?Not all professors. I beseech you to take heed how you rest in profession. It is notprofession, butconversionthat turns a man from a swine to a sheep. Let none of you flatter yourselves, thatbecause you have escaped the gross pollutions of the world, therefore you are among the number of Christ’s sheep. All this you may attain to, and yet be but washed swine; there must be an inward, deep, thorough, universal change upon your natures, dispositions, inclinations, or else you are not Christ’s sheep.*If you will be put out of doubt whether you are his sheep or not, you must try it by the mark that Christ sets upon all his sheep, even yoursanctification. 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 your secret haunts for 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? 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 God’s precepts, and had rather live holily than be allowed to live in your sins? Do you in your very hearts prefer a strict life in communion with and conformity to God, before the prosperity of the world? Do you chuse holiness, not out of bare necessity, because you cannot go to heaven without it, but out ofloveto it, and from a deep sense that you have of the surpassing 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 all that have this mark, come and understand your happiness. You are marked out for preservation, and let it go how it will with the rest, it shall go well with you. You are the separated ones upon whom the angel hath set the seal of the living God; you are redeemed unto God from among men, being the first fruits unto God and the Lamb, and have your Father’s name written in your foreheads.Hail, you are highly favoured of the Lord, blessed are ye among men!Though you are but poor and despised, and little likeBenjaminamong the thousands ofJudah; you carry away the blessing and the privilege from all the rest. God hath done more for the least of you than for the whole world of mankind besides.Fear not little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.All that the scripture speaks of that kingdom of glory, that everlasting kingdom,it speaks to you. Behold your inheritance. You are the sons of God, inheritors of the kingdom of heaven, joint heirs with Christ the Lord of glory.Do you believe this? Do you thoroughly believe? If so, my work is done, I need not bid yourejoice, nor bid you bethankful, onlybelieve. Do this and do all.Believeand youwill rejoicewith joy unspeakable, and full of glory.Believeand you will befruitful, and shew your faith by your works.Believeand you willlove, 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 engage you to all manner of holy conversation. This will mortify you to the world, the grand enemy which I charge you to beware of. O remember, your’s is the kingdom; and ponder these sayings in your hearts. Beloved, I have written these things toyouthat your joy may be full. And now peace I leave withyou. I am Christ’s 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-wisher of your souls,JOS.ALLEINE.Devizes, June 29, 1666.
[The character and privileges of true believers.]
To the most beloved people, the servants of God inTaunton, grace and peace.
Most dearly beloved,
IREJOICE to hear of God’s continual goodness towards you; he is your shepherd, and therefore it is that you do not want. Me you have not always, but he is ever with you; his rod and his staff shall comfort you. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all your days, and you shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
In this my dear brethren, rejoice, that God is engaged in so near and so sweet a relation to you. Doubtless your souls shall lodge in goodness, and be provided for carefully, that have the Almighty for your shepherd. Blessed are the flock of his hands, and the sheep of his pasture; happy are the people that are in such a case.
But who are Christ’s sheep?
Not all professors. I beseech you to take heed how you rest in profession. It is notprofession, butconversionthat turns a man from a swine to a sheep. Let none of you flatter yourselves, thatbecause you have escaped the gross pollutions of the world, therefore you are among the number of Christ’s sheep. All this you may attain to, and yet be but washed swine; there must be an inward, deep, thorough, universal change upon your natures, dispositions, inclinations, or else you are not Christ’s sheep.
*If you will be put out of doubt whether you are his sheep or not, you must try it by the mark that Christ sets upon all his sheep, even yoursanctification. 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 your secret haunts for 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? 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 God’s precepts, and had rather live holily than be allowed to live in your sins? Do you in your very hearts prefer a strict life in communion with and conformity to God, before the prosperity of the world? Do you chuse holiness, not out of bare necessity, because you cannot go to heaven without it, but out ofloveto it, and from a deep sense that you have of the surpassing 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 all that have this mark, come and understand your happiness. You are marked out for preservation, and let it go how it will with the rest, it shall go well with you. You are the separated ones upon whom the angel hath set the seal of the living God; you are redeemed unto God from among men, being the first fruits unto God and the Lamb, and have your Father’s name written in your foreheads.
Hail, you are highly favoured of the Lord, blessed are ye among men!Though you are but poor and despised, and little likeBenjaminamong the thousands ofJudah; you carry away the blessing and the privilege from all the rest. God hath done more for the least of you than for the whole world of mankind besides.Fear not little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.All that the scripture speaks of that kingdom of glory, that everlasting kingdom,it speaks to you. Behold your inheritance. You are the sons of God, inheritors of the kingdom of heaven, joint heirs with Christ the Lord of glory.
Do you believe this? Do you thoroughly believe? If so, my work is done, I need not bid yourejoice, nor bid you bethankful, onlybelieve. Do this and do all.Believeand youwill rejoicewith joy unspeakable, and full of glory.Believeand you will befruitful, and shew your faith by your works.Believeand you willlove, 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 engage you to all manner of holy conversation. This will mortify you to the world, the grand enemy which I charge you to beware of. O remember, your’s is the kingdom; and ponder these sayings in your hearts. Beloved, I have written these things toyouthat your joy may be full. And now peace I leave withyou. I am Christ’s 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-wisher of your souls,
JOS.ALLEINE.
Devizes, June 29, 1666.