Christian Letters Full of Spiritual Instructions, Letter 16
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 my self. Beloved, I am, without a Complement the devoted servant of your souls prosperity, and the interest of Christ in you: way 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 lost 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! to too really lost? I beseech you take heed: here you are careful about many things, but beware that other things do not put out this which should be the main of your cares, to wit, the spendin 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: 'Tis 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 to 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 ar 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 God. 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, sha I 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 yot 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 breach is, and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified, Dan. 5. 23.
Fourthly, 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 expresly 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 comforts, 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
From the Prison at Juelchester, Nov. 14. 1663. Yours in the bonds of the Lord Jesus, JOS. ALLEINE.