A26687:378
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 XXXVIII. [Do all in reference to God and his Glory.]
Dear Friend,
I Have received yours of the 19th. of September, but it came to me in the time of my sickness, in which I was much a stranger to writing; it con•nued upon me five months, and to this day so much weakness remains in my arms, that I am not able to put off or on my own clothes. Your Letter was exceeding welcome to me, not only as reviving the remembrance of our old friendship, but also, as bringing me news of some spiritual good that you received by me, which is the best tidings that I can receive: for what do I live for, but to be useful to souls in my generation? I desire to know no other business than to please and honour my God, and serve my generation in that short allowance of time that I have here, before I go hence, and shall be seen no more. Shall I commend to you the Lesson that I am about to learn? But why should I doubt of your acceptance, who have so readily embraced me in all our converses?
The Lesson is, To be entirely devoted unto the Lord, that I may be able to say after the Apostle, To me to live is Christ. I would not be serving God only for a day in the week, or an hour or two in the day; but every day, and all the day. I am ambitious to come up towards that of our Lord and Master, To do always those things that please God. I plainly see, that self-seeking is self-undoing; and that then we do promote our selves best, when we please God most. I find, that when I have done all, if God be not pleased, I have done nothing; and if I can but approve my self to God, my work is done: I reckon I do not live that time I do not live unto God.