A26687:285
Christian letters full of spiritual instructions tending to the promoting of the power of…
Christian letters full of spiritual instructions tending to the promoting of the power of godliness, both in person and families.
London : Printed for and sold by Nevil Simmons and Dorman Newman, 1673
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
LETTER XXXI. To the most Beloved People, the Servants of God in Taunton, Salvation.
Most dearly Beloved and longed for, my Joy and Crown,
MY hearts desire and Prayer for you is, that you may be saved. This is that which I have been Praying and studying, and Preaching for these many Years: and this is the end of my Venturing, and Suffering, and Writing at this present time. God that knoweth all things, he knoweth that this is my wish; Oh that I could but come at their Souls! And that this is the prize and the gain that I run for, that I might win souls. I seek not other gifts, give me your hearts, let me but part between your sins and you; suffer me but to save you; give me leave to carry you over to Jesus Christ, and I will not ask you any more. I will serve you gladly, I will suffer for you thankfully, so I may but save you. Do not wonder why I follow you so pressingly, why I call upon you so frequently; let not my importunity be grievous to you, all this is but to save you. Christ did not bethink his Blood, and shall I think my Breath, or Ink, too dear in order to your salvation? what pity is it, that any of you should ⟨p. 101⟩miscarry at last, under the power of Ignorance, or by a profane negligence, or a formal and lifeless profession of strict Godliness.
MY hearts desire and Prayer for you is, that you may be saved. This is that which I have been Praying and studying, and Preaching for these many Years: and this is the end of my Venturing, and Suffering, and Writing at this present time. God that knoweth all things, he knoweth that this is my wish; Oh that I could but come at their Souls! And that this is the prize and the gain that I run for, that I might win souls. I seek not other gifts, give me your hearts, let me but part between your sins and you; suffer me but to save you; give me leave to carry you over to Jesus Christ, and I will not ask you any more. I will serve you gladly, I will suffer for you thankfully, so I may but save you. Do not wonder why I follow you so pressingly, why I call upon you so frequently; let not my importunity be grievous to you, all this is but to save you. Christ did not bethink his Blood, and shall I think my Breath, or Ink, too dear in order to your salvation? what pitie is it, that any of you should