A26687:61
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 VIII. [How to show love to Ministers, and live joyfully.] To the most Loving and dearly Beloved, my Christian Friends in Taunton, Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
LETTER VIII. [How to shew love to Ministers, and live joyfully.] To the most Loving and dearly Beloved, my Christian Friends in Taunton, Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Most endeared Brethren,
I Have received your moving melting letter, and could not look over such tender expressions of your working affections, without some commotions in my own: I may confidently say, I spent more Tears upon those lines, than ever you did Ink: your deep sense of my labours in the Ministry, I cannot but thankfully acknowledge, and take notice of: yet withal, heartily and unseingedly confessing, that all was but the duty which I did owe to your precious and immortal Souls: which God knows, are very much short of my duty. The omissions, imperfections, defects, deadness, that accompanied my duties I do own, I must and will own; and the Lord humble me for them. But all that was of God (and that was all that was good) be sure that you give to God alone. To him I humbly ascribe both the Will, and the Deed, to whom alone be Glory for ever.
I Have received your moving melting letter, and could not look over such tender expressions of your working affections, without some commotions in my own: I may confidently say, I spent more Tears upon those lines, than ever you did Ink: your deep sense of my labours in the Ministry, I cannot but thankfully acknowledge, and take notice of: yet withal, heartily and unseingedly consessing, that all was but the duty which I did owe to your precious and immortal Souls: which God knows, are very much short of my duty. The omissions, imperfections, defects, deadness, that accompanied my duties I do own, I must and will own; and the Lord humble me for them. But all that was of God (and that was all that was good) be sure that you give to God alone. To him I humbly ascribe both the Will, and the Deed, to whom alone be Glory for ever.