The Life and Death of Joseph Alleine, Letters · Letter 34 – Letter 36
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 'tis 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 'tis 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.