Christian Letters Full of Spiritual Instructions, Letter 9
LETTER. IX. [Easie Sufferings.] To the most Loving and Beloved, my Christian Friends at …aunton, 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 fervent charity towards me, and all the servants of my Lord, for all your labours of love, for all your diligence, and bold…ess, and resolution, in owning the despised way, and hared ser…ants of the Lord Jesus, in an evil day. The Lord is not unrighteous to forget this: Is not this upon record with him and …aled up among his Treasures? surely the Lord will have mercy upon Tauntou: I have no doubt but that the God of …our 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 pa…ing with my much valued liberty, so dear a People, so swee… Relations, comforts, conveniencies, which I enjoyed in all a…dance 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 priviledge 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 gracious Father will not put me to the hardest Les…on 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 Adoni…ah, 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 Goal, 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 Bre…hren, 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 sorced hither for the testimony of the Gospel, I shall embrace you with both arms Fare you well, my most dearly Beloved: be perfect, and 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, JOS. ALLEINE. From the common Gaole at Juelchester, Sept. 28. 1663.