A26687:324
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 XXXV. [Good Counsel to his Wise.]
My most dear Theodosia,
Thou seemest to have been long from me: let nothing any longer detain thee, but my Sisters necessity, or Fathers Authority. I am very sorry that thou should lose two Sacraments. I am in a comfortable state of health, through Divine goodness, to which be glory for ever. See that thou love and admire that Fountain of our life, and peace; and be ever mindful that 'tis all thy business to love, and serve, and praise thy Creator and Redeemer. I have no other business but this to write to thee about: but this is all our business What be use to call business is but vanity and pastime and some by matter in comparison of this. Remember and forget not that 'tis thy chief end to glorify God, and enjoy him for ever. Learn well that Lesson, and know that it is the only thing necessary. Every morning remember that thy serving and pleasing of God, is the whole business of that day, and therefore set out accordingly with an express design and intention to please God in thy eating, drinking, visiting, conversing, calling, and duties of thy Relations throughout the day. My most dear heart, I have nothing in the world that doth concern thee, or me so much to write of to thee, as this is. Oh that thou mayst still be laying up in Heaven! still furthering thy account; still adding to the heap, and increasing thy glorious reward! nothing is done for God, but thou shalt hear of it again. Whatever is not done for God, is but so much lost. Those things which others do being led by their natural affections and desires, those things do thou do with holy aims, for spiritual ends, and then God will put it on the account, as so much done for him. So it is my dearest, God keeps a true account. See that thou believe it, and so plough in hope, and sow in hope, pray and hear with an eye to the sure reward. Let thy hopes be strong and lively, and then thy hands will be strong, and thy resolutions and affections will be strong.