Christian letters full of spiritual instructions tending to the promoting of the power of…

LETTER III. [Warning to Professors.] To my most dearly beloved, my Christian Friends in Taunton, Salvation.

Most loving Brethren,

I Shall never forget your old kindnesses, and the entire affections that you have shed upon me, not by drops, but by floods, would I never so fain forget them, yet I could not, they are so continually renowned; for there is never a day but I hear of them; Nay, •ore than hear of them, I feel and taste them. The God that hath promised to them that give to a Prophet though but a cup of cold Water, shall receive a Prophets reward; he will recompense your labour of love, your fervent prayers, and constant cries, your care for my welfare, your bountiful supplies who have given me, not a cup of cold water, but the Wine of your loves, with the sense and tidings whereof I am continually refreshed. I must, I do and will bless the Lord as long as I live, that he hath cast my lot in so fair a place, to dwell in your communion; and especially to go in and out before you, and to be the Messenger of the Lord of Host to you, to proclaim his Law, and to Preach his Excellencies, to be his Spokesman to you, and to woo• for him, and to espouse you to one Husband, and to present you as a chaste Virgin unto Christ. Lord! how unworthy am I, everlastingly unworthy of this glorious Dignity, which I do verily believe the most brightest Angels in ⟨p. 12⟩Heaven would be glad of, if the Lord saw it fit to employ them in this work! Well, I do not, I cannot repent, notwithstanding all the difficulties and inconveniences that do attend his despised Servants, and hated ways, and that are like to attend them; for we have but sipped yet of the Cup; but I have set my hand to his plough; my Ministry I took up with you, and my Testimony I finished with you, though I thought I had espoused you till death; and when I was entered into that Sacred Office, which through rich Grace I was employed in, I told you in the close of what I spake before the laying of the holy Hands upon me (most gladly do I take up this Office with all the persecution, affliction, difficulties an tribulation and inconveniences that do and may attend it) and blessed be God, I am through his goodness of the same mind still, and my tribulations for Christ, do (to him be Glory, for to me belongs nothing but shame and confusion of face) confirm my choice and my resolution to serve him with much more than my labours. Verily, Brethren, it is a good choice that I have commended to you: Oh!