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

It was but a little after my release from my own confinement, but I heard of yours; and now write to you, as one that hath taken a higher degree than ever, and more truly honourable, being commenced Prisoner of Christ. I was once affected with the Picture of a devout man, to whom a voice came down from Heaven, saying, Quid vis fieri pro te, To which he answered, Nihil domine nisi pati ac contemni pro•e. Undoubtedly, Sir, it is our real glory to be throughout conformed to Jesus Christ, not only in his sanctity, but in his sufferings. Paul counted all things but dung for this, that he might win Christ, &c. and know the fellowship of his sufferings, and be made conformable to his death. I doubt not but your consolations in Christ do much more then superabound in all your tribulations for him: Yet let me add this one Cordial, That now you have a whole shoal of Promises come in to you, which you had not before; I mean, all the Promises to suffering Saints, in which they have not so immediate, but only a remoter right, unless in a suffering state: ⟨p. 143⟩And doubtless he hath gotten well, that hath gotten such a number of exceeding great and precious Promises. If the men of the world do so rejoice when such or such an Estate is fallen to them? should not you much more, that have such a Treasure of Promises fallen to you?

It was but a little after my release from my own confinement, but I heard of yours; and now write to you, as one that hath taken a higher degree than ever, and more truly honourable, being commenced Prisoner of Christ. I was once affected with the Picture of a devout man, to whom a voice came down from Heaven, saying, Quid vis fieri pro te, To which he answered, Nihil domine nisi pati ac contemni pro•e. Undoubtedly, Sir, it is our real glory to be throughout conformed to Jesus Christ, not onely in his sanctity, but in his sufferings. Paul counted all things but dung for this, that he might win Christ, &c. and know the fellowship of his sufferings, and be made conformable to his death. I doubt not but your consolations in Christ do much more then superabound in all your tribulations for him: Yet let me add this one Cordial, That now you have a whole shoal of Promises come in to you, which you had not before; I mean, all the Promises to suffering Saints, in which they have not so immediate, but only a remoter right, unless in a suffering state: ⟨p. 143⟩