Christian Letters Full of Spiritual Instructions, Letter 35
LETTER. XXXV. [The Concernments of our Souls especially to be regarded.]
Dear Cousin,
YOu may think you are forgotten with me, because you have not heard so long a time from me; but this may let you know, That though God hath taken away your Father; and suffered your Mother to be helpless to you; Yet you have one friend on earth that careth for you. The welfare of your immortal soul is dear to me, and is the matter of my sollicitons care and prayer. Dear Cousin, methinks I feel a Godly jealousie of you within my heart, lest you should lose your soul amongst a croud of worldly cares and business. O remember the story of him in the Book of the Kings, who relates that he had a Soldier committed to his keeping, upon condition that he should lose his life if he did let him go: But while thy servant went hither and thither, the man escaped. But the King replies presently, Even so shall thy judgement be; thy life shall go for his life. Ah Cousin, take earnest heed, lest while you are going hither and thither, minding many things, … in a hurry of worldly affairs, the enemy run not away with your soul. Oh beware that the World doth not secretly steal away your heart. Consider, that whatever your business be, you must and will have an eating time, and a sleeping time. Oh be as sollicitous every day to keep your praying times, which are a thousand times more necessary than a time to eat in, or sleep. Be sure that there doth not a morning or evening pass over your head, in which you have not perfumed your Closer with solemn and fervent prayer. And take heed, it you love your salvation, lest Saran beguile you with the bare outward performance of duties a…d ou…ward acts of Religion. See to it, that you do not rest in a Worldly Religion; to give God your knee, while the World carries away your heart. You may pra…, hear, and read, and all to no purpose, except your very Soul be employed and engaged in these duties; and the …ife, vigour, and strength of your affections be found to go after God in them. If therefore you will have Christ and Heaven, see that you renounce the world. You must cast overboard your worldly hopes, and take up with God, with a naked Christ, as your wh… happiness, both for this life, and that which is to come. There is no hopes of your Salvation, without a sound mortification to the world; you must be mortified to your worldly expectations: look not for much from tbe world; promise not your self much from the world; seek not great things for your self: say unto God, So I may have thee for my portion, and thy Kingdom for my inheritance, give or deny me what thou wilt, poverty or riches, any thing or nothing, I will be contented with my Lot. Say unto your soul, So I may but have Christ, so I may but carry it for the other world, let this world go which way it will: I must be converted or condemned; I must be born again, or else would I had never been born: but of this present world there is no such necessity; I may be poor, and yet happy: but wo unto me if I remain unsanctified: I must have grace, or perish for ever. Dear Cousin, if I live, you shall find me a friend to your worldly prosperity; but whether I live or die, I charge you by the Lord, that you be infinitely tender of your immortal souls everlasting concernments. Will you not spin a fair thread of it, if while you are pursuing after earthly things, you lose your soul in the throng? While I live, I shall pray and care for you. Farewel in the Lord. I am
Your truly loving and careful uncle, JOS. ALLEINE.