The Mystical Union of Believers with Christ, Author to his friends
To my dearly beloved Friends, The Inhabitants of the Town and Pariſh of Wockingham, in the Counties of Berks and Wilts.
WITH a ſpecial reſpect to the furtherance of your eternal welfare, I have ſuffered theſe enſuing Meditations, to ſee the light. For ſince it pleaſed the Lord (at whoſe diſpoſal are our perſons, liberties, and every concernment) by his righteous providence, to cauſe me to be ſeparated from you: I have often conſulted within my ſelf, how I might be moſt inſtrumental to do you ſervice, as to your ſoul-affairs. Which, at this local diſtance, I knew not how better to accompliſh, than by commending to you ſuch ſpiritual Leſſons, as may be ready at hand, upon all occaſions, for your guidance, and direction, in the way to heaven. If Truth (as *foreign. Plut.one ſaith) is of the number of the greateſt gifts, which the God of heaven could confer on the children of men, or they are capable of receiving from the Lord of glory: And if thoſe Truths are moſt worthy of all acceptation, which are, in their own nature and tendency, of the greateſt weight and importance: Then, I hope, I may juſtly expect your loving Reception, and diligent Peruſal of theſe Divine Inſtructions. Eſpecially, when I call to remembrance your fervent mind, and more than uſual reſpect, which many of you have formerly expreſſed towards me. If I detain you longer than is cuſtomable, by way of Preface; impute it wholly to the earneſtneſs of my deſires, of being uſeful to the promoting your everlaſting ſalvation. For I can truly ſay, that ſince my removal from amongſt you, I have had you frequently in my thoughts, much in my affections, and fervently in my Prayers.
Give me leave to be your Remembrancer, That you are a people under manifold Obligations and Ingagements, to ſerve the Lord, and to ſtick faſt unto his teſtimonies.
1. You have, ſome of you, for a long time, made a Profeſſion of Godlineſs; and openly avowed your ſelves to be the ſervants of the moſt High. And will you not labour, to walk anſwerably to that Vocation wherewith ye are called? If the Principles you own be good, they ought to be practiſed: And if they be evil, why are they profeſſed? When King Alexander had a cowardly Souldier, of his own name, he is reported to have called him aſide, and thus to have ſpoken to him; Friend, either change thy name, or leave thy cowardiſe. The like may be fitly ſaid to Profeſſors of Religion; Either ſh w forth the power of godlineſs in your lives, or do not take upon you the profeſsion of Godlineſs. Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, if ye do not the things which I ſay? Luk. 6.46.
2. You are, many of you, (I am apt to think) a people under convictions. The clear light of the Goſpel which hath ſhined amongſt you, hath left, at leaſt, ſuch impreſſions on your ſpirits, That you cannot but approve the things that are excellent. You cannot but acknowledge the wayes of God to be right, and the ſervice of ſin to be abominable. Ask your conſciences (to whom I appeal in this caſe) if it be not thus. So that I may ſpeak to you, as the Apoſtle Paul to the King, Act. 26.27. King Agrippa, Believest thou the Prophets? I know that thou believeſt. My brethren, Do you believe the abſolute neceſſity, and incomparable worth of Holineſs? Do you believe, That the fear of the Lord is the beſt wiſdom, and the favour of God the chiefeſt portion? That Godlineſs is great gain, and ought to have the ſupremacy and preheminence above all worldly enjoyments? Do you believe, that the pleaſures of ſin are folly and madneſs; and will end at length in everlaſting deſtruction? I am perſwaded, many of you believe it. Now, Sirs, it is a dreadful thing to ſin againſt convictions; to diſown that in your converſations, which you ſubſcribe to in your conſciences. Happy is he that condemneth not himſelf in that thing which he alloweth, Rom. 14.22. To him that knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is ſin, Jam. 4.17.
3. You are, moſt of you, a people of low eſtate, and poor in the world. And will you not ſecure an intereſt in the true riches? If you have little, or no, treaſures upon earth; ſhould it not quicken you to be the more induſtrious to lay up treaſures in heaven; that you may not be poor in every reſpect? When Biſhop Hooper (as I remember) was led to his Martyrdom, there came to meet him a poor boy, that was blind, but had received the knowledge of the truth: To whom the Martyr ſpake to this effect; See to it that you continue to ſerve the Lord, and that you loſe not the knowledge of God; for then thou wouldest be blinde both in ſoul and body. So let me ſay to thoſe of this rank amongſt you; Well is it, if you have choſen the good part, which cannot be taken away; if you have in heaven, an enduring ſubſtance: elſe you are poor, both in this world, and in relation to that which is to come. Study to ſhew your ſelves, men and women approved of God, that it may appear, you are of the number of thoſe whom the Apoſtle James makes mention of, Chap. 2.5. Whom God hath choſen, the poor of this world, but rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom, which he hath promiſed to them that love him.
4. You are, all of you, a people of ſignal and eminent mercies. And if the mercy of God riſe up in judgment againſt you, what will be able to plead for you? If mercy condemn you, how ſore will be your condemnation? Will ye trample upon the bowels of the compaſſion of God? And tread under foot his loving kindneſs? Deut. 32.6, Do you thus requite the Lord, O fooliſh people and unwiſe? Is he not thy father that hath bought thee? Hath he not made thee, and eſtabliſhed thee? I will not multiply the mention of Particulars: only there are two mercies principally, come at preſent into my thoughts; which I would have you never to forget.
1. Remember the dayes of old, conſider the years of ſome generations at the leaſt: Ask your Fathers, and they will tell it; your Elders, and they will ſhew it, That you have been remarkably bleſſed with Goſpel-priviledges, and advantages for attendance upon God, and communion with him. You have had, for ſome good while together, a ſucceſsion of faithful and painful Miniſters, who rightly divided the word of Truth. When ſome other places were, comparatively, in darkneſs; you dwelt in Goſhen, a place of light. Keep therefore an holy ſuſpicion and jealouſie over your hearts and lives, leſt you be found guilty of receiving the grace of God in vain, 2 Cor. 6.1. And to that end, let me beſeech you often to read, and meditate with ſeriouſneſs, and ſelf-application upon, theſe awakening Texts, Mat. 11.20, 21, 22, 23, 24. 2 Cor. 4.3, 4, 5, 6.
2. Conſult your late experiences of the goodneſs of God. That was a ſpecial preſervation, which I would have you to keep freſh in your Memories, and conſtantly to retain the ſenſe of it, upon your hearts: When it pleaſed the Lord, in the late dreadful year, to contend with the Nation, by the deſtroying Peſtilence, you were as a fire-brand pluckt out of the burning. You were expoſed to the contagion, as well as other places where it violently raged. Nay, more, upon ſeveral accounts, than ſome other Towns, which it laid almoſt deſolate. And the Lord was pleaſed only to give you thereby, an awakening call to Repentance; and to ſuffer the deſtroying Angel to proceed no further. One houſe amongſt you was infected, and it ſwept away all that dwelt therein: And a ſtop was immediately put to the further progreſs of it. Correcting providences, and gracious deliverances, have both of them a Teaching vertue. They are the voice of the Lord, whereby he crieth aloud, unto the children of men, Mic. 6.9. Amos 4.10, 11. And this diſpenſation which I am calling back to your remembrance, being a Judgment allayed with the mixture of abundant mercy, ſeemed in my apprehenſion, to ſpeak thus much unto you: As if the Lord had ſaid, This people are in the way of declining apace from me, and begin to loſe the ſenſe of the Goſpel doctrines, wherein they have been taught: And therefore I might juſtly break in upon them in wrath, and conſume them with a ſore deſtruction. But how ſhall I give them up to utter ruine and deſolation? How ſhall I lay them waſte, and make them as Admah and Zeboim? My bowels are turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceneſs of mine anger: I will yet grant them ſome deliverance: I will wait upon them a while further, that I may be gracious unto them. I will ſee what their end will be, what uſe they will make of this eminent deliverance. My Brethren, I queſtion not, but there are many amongſt you, that truly fear the name of the Lord: And of the reſt I ſpeak, not to ſhame or accuſe; But as my dearly beloved friends, I warn and admoniſh. And I expect your pardon, for dealing thus plainly; for if you would have me for your Friend, you cannot rationally expect, that I ſhould be *Idem non poteſt eſſe amicus & adulator.your Flatterer. Take heed therefore, leſt that come upon you which is ſpoken of by the Prophet Eſaias, Chap. 5.4, 5, 6. What could have been done more to my vineyard; that I have not done in it? Wherefore when I looked that it ſhould bring forth grapes, brought it forth wilde grapes? And now, Go to, I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it ſhall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it ſhall be troden down. And I will lay it waſte, it ſhall not be pruned nor digged: but there ſhall come up bryars and thorns. I will alſo command the clouds, that they rain no rain upon it. You may now expect to be diſmiſſed. But before I conclude this Epiſtle, give me leave to preſs upon you a few general Scripture rules. The Lord cauſe them to work efficaciouſly upon your ſpirits.
1. Take heed of reſting in a formal courſe of Religion, and of fancying to your ſelves an eaſie way to ſalvation. But get through convictions upon your hearts, of the neceſſitie of making it your very buſineſs to walk with God, and of acting with vigour and induſtry, in laying hold on eternal life. Lazy wiſhes, and faint deſires, an empty name and profeſsion, and a bare keeping the round of ſome outward duties, will never bring you into the glorious preſence of God. Formality and lukewarmneſs will no ſooner get to heaven, than downright Atheiſm and profaneſs. If you will be ſaved, you muſt not only ſeek, but strive (you muſt put your ſelves, as it were, into an Agony with ſtriving *foreign.) to enter in at the ſtrait gate, Luke 13.24. You may be brought into thoſe ſtreights, that if you will keep a good conſcience, you ſhall keep nothing but a good conſcience: And if ye will ſave your ſouls, you ſhall ſave nothing but your ſouls, Mark 8.34, 35. And can this be done with a wet finger? Is it an eaſie thing to bring your hearts into a willingneſs to forſake all that you have for Chriſt? If you will enter into life, you muſt walk in a contradiction to the generality of the world, 1 Joh. 5.19. Rom. 12.2. You muſt watch, and ſtand faſt againſt all ſorts of ſollicitations unto ſin, 1 Cor. 16.13. You muſt not content your ſelves with the external performance of duties, but be ſpiritual and ſervent in the performance of them, Iſa. 64.7. Jude 3. The kingdom of heaven ſuffereth violence, Mat. 11.12. And every man preſſeth into it; i.e. Every one that doth ſavingly cloſe with it, every one that gets a real intereſt therein, every one that will not fall ſhort of the grace offered thereby, Luke 16.16. So that, if you will work out your ſalvation ſucceſsfully, you muſt act forcibly. The height of ſecurity and wickedneſs in the heart of a ſinner, uſually entereth in at this door, of ſlightneſs and formality in the ſervice *Nemo repente fit turpiſſimns.of God. When perſons are negligent and ſuperficial in duty, they will quickly make no conſcience of duty; and at length forget that there is a God to be ſerved, or immortal ſouls to be regarded, Prov. 19.15. 2 Tim. 3.13.
2. If you will act to purpoſe, in working out your ſalvation, you muſt ſet upon the proſecution of that deſign, with the full purpoſe of your hearts. If you will follow the Lord fully, you muſt walk reſolvedly. That's the way, to reſist the devil, that he may flee from you: and to break through all impediments, and averſions, that they may not turn you aſide. A double-minded man is both unſtable and ſlothful in all his waies. 'Tis a ſetled reſolution, that ſtrengthens the ſpirit under preſſures, fortifieth the ſoul againſt difficulties, and makes it unmoveable as a Rock, that nothing ſhall prevail to the alteration of his courſe. Let me give you the exhortation of Barnabas, Act. 23. That with purpoſe of heart, you cleave unto the Lord. Say, every one of you, as Joſhua, Chap. 24.15. As for me and my houſe, we will ſerve the Lord. The God of heaven we will adore, and his Statutes we will keep: His Ordinances we will obſerve, and the wayes of holineſs we will own, whatever cometh of it. To this end, conſider often the abſolute neceſſity of making your peace with God, and walking before him in the integrity of your hearts. If you trifle in this buſineſs, you are undone for ever. And bethink your ſelves, how obſtinately the wicked are bent, upon the ſatisfaction of their luſts; and will not you be as peremptorily fixed, upon the ſaving of your ſouls? That's an excellent Copy, to tranſcribe in your practiſe, Mic. 4.5. For all people will walk, every one in the name of his God: and we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God, for ever and ever.
3. Be ſure to get your underſtandings and judgments rightly principled, with diſtinct knowledge of the myſteries of the Goſpel. As there can be no ſaving grace in the heart, without a competent knowledge of the principles of Religion: So it is hardly to be imagined what abundant miſchiefs do ariſe (as to errors in the mind, diſorders in the converſation, and deprivement of comfort in the ſoul) for want of a diſtinct knowledge of thoſe principles. Ignorance is vertually any evil whatſoever. The underſtanding is the gate of entrance into the ſoul; and the other faculties depend, in all their regular operations, upon the guidance of the underſtanding. So that, if the light that is within you be darkneſs, how great is that darkneſs? If it be dim and cloudy, how eaſily will you be carried into innumerable miſtakes? Let the word of Chriſt therefore dwell in you richly, in all wiſdom, Col. 3.16. And whatever truths you learn, let it ever be with a perſonal appropriation unto your own hearts and conſciences. One plain truth cloſely *In abſoluto, & facili ſtat aeternitas.applyed to the heart, will be of more advantage, to help you forward in your journey towards Canaan, than multitudes of notions, that lie only floating in the head, and do not deſcend with energy, upon the conſcience. Job 5.27. Lo this, We have ſearched it, ſo it is: hear it, and know thou it for thy ſelf.
4. Labour, what in you lieth, to edulce and ſweeten the way of God to your ſelves. Be not alwaies poring upon the black and dark ſide of Religion; but take a frequent view of it, in its beauty and pleaſantneſs. When people fancy Religion to be a ſad and melancholy way; and think of nothing but the ſorrows and ſeverities of it; their ſpirits are apt to hang off, and are hardly wrought to any cordial compliance. So that, ſtudy much the lovelineſs and amiableneſs… of it, and take a daily proſpect of the bright ſide of godlineſs, Prov. 3.13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Happy is the man that findeth wiſdom, and the man that getteth underſtanding. For the merchandiſe of it is better than the merchandiſe of ſilver, and the gain thereof, than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canſt deſire, are not to be compared unto her. Length of dayes is in her right hand, and in her left hand, riches and honour. Her wayes are wayes of pleaſantneſs, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life, to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is every one that retaineth her. This was the very courſe that David took, which made his ſoul to follow hard after God, and even to break with longings for the enjoyment of him, Pſal. 63.1, 3, 5, 8. And to this purpoſe, obſerve theſe enſuing Directions. (1.) Look upon the word of precept in a continual conjunction with the word of promiſe. If ſinners did not ſeparate between the Prohibition, and the Commination: If they did joyn the ſin forbidden, with the judgment threatned, it would help to imbitter the waies of ſin. And if the people of God did contemplate the command, as it is linkt with the Promiſe, it would notably ſweeten the courſe of obedience, Heb. 10.23. 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. 2 Cor. 7.1. (2.) Be much looking within the vail. Live in a conſtant meditation upon the crown of Righteouſneſs: And have a due reſpect to the recompence of reward. Are there difficulties in the way? The kingdom of heaven *Optanda eſt jactura, quae lucro majore compenſatur.will make amends for all. If the wicked did live in the apprehenſions of Hell, it would make the path of ungodlineſs as bitter as gall and wormwood. And therefore, that they may take their ſwinge, they caſt off theſe thoughts, Prov. 9.17, 18. Pſal. 10.4, 5. So, if the righteous did live in the meditation of Heaven, it would put ſweetneſs into the way of righteouſneſs, Heb. 10.34, 35. Heb. 11.26. 2 Cor. 4.16, 17, 18. (3.) Often bethink your ſelves, what comfortable lives you might lead, during your pilgrimage upon earth; if you had good aſſurance of the love of God towards you, and did ſtudy to *Hilaritatis noſtrae omnis rivulus, de fonte ducendus pietatis.approve your ſelves in ſincerity unto him. With what ſweet ſerenity and peace of ſpirit, might you enjoy your comforts, and perform all your undertakings, as knowing your ſelves to be under the bleſſing and protection of the Lord of hosts, who dwelleth between the Cherubims. i.e, of that infinite Being, whoſe power and mercy are united *2 Sam. 6.2. The mercy-ſeat was placed between the Cherubims.for the defence of his children? How cheerful might you be in times of affliction and trouble, as knowing that all things ſhould conſpire to the advancement of your welfare? You need not then be afraid of any terror or amazement, Prov. 3.21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. My Son, let them not depart from thine eyes; keep ſound wiſdom and diſcretion. So ſhall they be life to thy ſoul, and grace to thy neck. Then ſhalt thou walk in thy way ſafely, and thy foot ſhall not stumble. When thou lieſt down, thou ſhalt not be afraid: yea, thou ſhalt lie down, and thy ſteep ſhall be ſweet. Be not afraid [i. e. Thou needeſt not be afraid *Ʋtuntur Hebraei imperativo in promiſſionibus ut foreign cuſtodi praecepta mea & vive. i. e. vives. Sic, Ne timeto. i.e non timebis., there is no cauſe to be afraid] of ſudden fear, neither of the deſolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord ſhall be thy confidence, and ſhall keep thy foot from being taken. Read Job 11. from v. 13. to v. 19. And Pſal. 34.12, 15. But I muſt contract my thoughts, leſt I ſhould far exceed the intended bounds.
5. Endeavour to be beſt, in the worſt times. And think not the worſe of Religion, becauſe it is deſpiſed and ſet againſt. It is condemned indeed of pride and humour; of faction, ſedition, and turbulency. But who are the perſons by whom it is evil ſpoken of, but men of corrupt minds, and deſtitute of the truth? who have deeply wounded their conſciences, by ſins againſt light and knowledge, and given the victory to their fleſhly luſts? Therefore they condemn the fear of the Lord, and the ſtrict waies of holineſs; leſt otherwiſe they ſhould accuſe and condemn themſelves. And will a Traveller be turned out of his road, becauſe of ſome Dogs and Curs, that bark at him? If you believe the Scriptures, it is an excellent branch of humility, to be ſubject unto the Lord; and the greateſt pride imaginable, for poor Earth-worms to riſe up againſt the moſt High, Jer. 43.2. Neh. 9.16. 1 Tim. 6.3. The Saints of God are the beſt ſubjects in a ſtate, who yield obedience in things agreeable to the will of God, not only for wrath, but alſo for conſcience ſake: And pray for Kings, and for all that are in authority, that they may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godlineſs and honeſty, 1 Tim. 2.2. Religion otherwhile is condemned of folly; But it will ſhortly be found to be a point of the higheſt wiſdom, Eph. 5.15, 16. Job 28.28. Pſal. 111.10. That is a conſiderable paſſage in the Apocryphal writings, Wiſd. 5.4. Then ſhall the righteous man ſtand with great boldneſs, before the face of ſuch as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labours. When they ſee it, they ſhall be troubled with terrible fear, and ſhall be amazed at the ſtrangeneſs of his ſalvation, ſo far beyond all they looked for. And they, repenting and groaning for anguiſh of ſpirit, ſhall ſay within themſelves: This is he whom we had ſometimes in deriſion, and a proverb of reproach. We fools accounted his life madneſs, and his end to be without honour. How is he numbred amongſt the children of God? and his lot is amongſt the Saints. As for the oppoſitions you meet with, the word of God is evidently fulfilled in them, before your faces: And they are none other, than you were warned to expect, Act. 14.22. 2 Tim. 3.12. Beſides, It is but yet a little while, *Nubecula eſt, cito pertranſibit.and he that ſhall come will come, and will not tarry, Heb. 10.37.
6. According to your ſeveral abilities, ſet up the worſhip of God in your families. And be conſcientious and ſtrict in ſanctification of the Sabbath, the Lords day. It is a matter of eaſie obſervation, That where theſe two are neglected, or ſlightly managed, the faireſt profeſſion of godlineſs is quickly ſhriveled, and withereth away. Never plead, that you have no parts, or ability, for theſe things. If you will ſet upon the diſcharge of your duty, in the integrity of your hearts, God will meet you therein, and graciouſly aſſiſt you unto the performance, Pſal. 27.14. And if there be [indeed] firſt a willing mind [which willingneſs is manifeſted by vigorous and earneſt indeavours] it is accepted, according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not, 2 Cor. 8.12. See Gen. 35.2, 3. Joſh. 24.15. Pſal. 101. Jer. 10.25. Iſa. 56.2, 4, 5. Iſa. 58.13, 14.
7. Be conſtant and diligent in the duty of prayer. That is one of the ſpecial waies, whereby a fellowſhip and correſpondency is maintained, between God and his people. In taking counſel of the word, we hear what the Lord is pleaſed to ſpeak unto us: And by the exerciſe of the grace of ſupplications, we have the liberty given us to ſpeak unto the Lord. And remember what hath often been inculcated upon you, That as all ſorts of bleſsings are ſtored up in the promiſes, ſo Faith and Prayer are the ſpecial means, which God hath appointed for the fulfilling and accompliſhment of all his promiſes, Jer. 29.11, 12, 13. Pſal. 10.14. As you cannot comfortably expect, that God ſhould preſerve and keep you from the pollution of ſin, unleſs you be careful to avoid the occaſions of ſin: So on the other hand, You cannot rationally expect to receive mercies from the Lord, unleſs you ſeek unto him by prayer, for the obtaining of mercy. Ask, and it ſhall be given you: ſeek, and ye ſhall find: knock, and it ſhall be opened unto you, Mat. 7.7. Philip. 4.6, 7. Eph. 6.18, 19.
8. Live in the daily contemplations of eternity, and of the uncertainty of the time of your continuance here. Study how you may ſubordinate all your affairs and concernments in this world, unto the matters of another world. Put an eſtimate upon all things, as they have reference thereunto. Often ſay within your ſelves, What evidence have I, to prove my intereſt in God? What are the grounds, whereupon I look for eternal life? What thoughts am I likely to entertain of ſin, and the world, on the one hand; and of conformity to Christ on the other hand, when I am to depart hence, and ſhall be ſeen no more? How precious will that time and ſpace of repentance then be, which now I am ready to ſquander away upon trifles? What anſwer ſhall I be able to make, when God viſiteth; for the filling up of my Relations; for the management of the Talents, wherewith I have been intruſted; for the right improvement of the means of grace, which I have enjoyed; for all the particulars of my converſation in the world? Did you frequently preſs theſe, and ſuch like conſiderations home upon your ſpirits, and keep them cloſs, and warm, by meditation, upon your hearts, what manner of perſons would you be in all ſobriety, holineſs, and righteouſneſs? My brethren, You know not how ſoon, how unexpectedly, you may be ſummoned to the giving up your accounts: And it infinitely concerns you to be in a readineſs, That you may be found of God in peace. Boaſt not thy ſelf of To morrow: for thou knoweſt not what a day may bring forth, Prov. 27.1.
9. Beware therefore of procraſtinating in the buſineſs of providing for your immortal ſouls. It is one of the principal ſnares of the devil, whereby he holds ſinners faſt, in their ſpiritual bondage, and captivity, unto their final deſtruction. If therefore you would ſet effectually upon working out your ſalvation, ingage ſpeedily, preſently, in the work; without further delay. Give not place to the devil. Deliver thy ſelf, as a Roe from the hand of the hunter: and as a bird from the ſnare of the fowler. Give not ſleep to thine eyes, nor ſlumber to thine eye lids, Pſal. 119.6. Heb. 3.7. 2 Cor. 6.1, 2.
And now I ſhall trouble you no further with this preliminary diſcourſe: But conclude with my unfeigned Prayers, for you all. That the grace of our Lord Jeſus Christ, who is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, the Infinite, Eternal, and Almighty God; and the only Redeemer of loſt ſinners: The love of God, our Father in him, who ſpared not his own Son, but delivered him up unto death: And the ſweet and comfortable Preſence, Guidance, and Communion of the holy Ghoſt, the ſame Infinite, Incomprehenſible, and Immortal God, the Spirit of Grace and Truth: The Sanctifying, Aſsiſting, Quickning, Comforting, and preſerving preſence of that Spirit, may be with you, and amongſt you: To inable you unto your duties, To keep you againſt Temptations, To ſupport you under Burdens, To carry you through difficulties, To ſtrengthen your weakneſſes, and plentifully to ſupply all your wants: That you may walk wiſely in your Families, ſpiritually in your Cloſets, ſoberly in your companies, and Chriſtianly in all your converſations: So as to write Holineſs to the Lord, upon every of your undertakings: That upon all occaſions you may be effectually inſtructed in the will of the Lord, and bring forth his word into practiſe: That you may thereby witneſs your Union with Chriſt, and be rooted and built up in him, and ſtabliſhed in the faith: And ſo the Bleſsing of God may be your conſtant portion here, and you may be everlaſtingly bleſſed, in the glorious preſence of God, hereafter. Amen.
23. July. 1668. Written by one, who truly and affectionately deſireth your Edification and Salvation. ROWLAND STEDMAN.