The Life and Death of Joseph Alleine, Letters · Letter 37
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 onelyonly 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.