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

LETTER. IX. [Easy Sufferings.] To the most Loving and Beloved, my Christian Friends at •aunton, Salvation.

LETTER. IX. [Easie Sufferings.] To the most Loving and Beloved, my Christian Friends at •aunton, Salvation.

Dearly Beloved and longed for, my Joy and Crown, for whom I am an Ambassador in Bonds: what thanks to render to God in your behalf, I know not, for your fervent charity towards me, and all the servants of my Lord, for all your labours of love, for all your diligence, and boldness, and resolution, in owning the despised way, and hared servants of the Lord Jesus, in an evil day. The Lord is not unrighteous to forget this: Is not this upon record with him and •aled up among his Treasures? surely the Lord will have mercy upon Taunton: I have no doubt but that the God of •our Mercies hath yet a choice blessing in store for you; be not weakened by my Bonds. Glory be to God in the Highest, that he hath accounted me worthy not only to Preach the Gospel to you, but also to confirm it by the pa•ing with my much valued liberty, so dear a People, so swee• Relations, comforts, conveniences, which I enjoyed in all a•dance when I was with you. When I look back upon all the circumstances of the late Providence, I must say as they of Christ upon his Miracles, He hath done all things well; it is all as I would have it, I am fully satisfied in my Fathers good pleasure. ⟨p. 34⟩Verily there is no little honour and happiness, no little peace and privilege in these Bonds. Verily all is true that I have told you of the All-sufficiency of God, of the fullness of Christ, of the satisfactoriness of the promises of the peace, tranquility, content, and security, that is to be had in a life of Faith. Surely methinks I should be content to seal to these things at a much dearer rate than this; but my gracious Father will not put me to the hardest Leson at first: oh what reason have I to speak good of his name! what else should I do all my days, but love, and fear, and preach, and praise, so good a God? when I look back upon the gentle dealings of God with me, I often think he hath brought me up as indulgently as David did Adoniah, of whom it is said, His Father had not displeased him. I have received nothing but good at the hands of the Lord all my days; and now he doth begin to afflict, I see so much Mercy in this very Goal, that I must be more thankful for this than for my prosperity. Surely the name of the place is, The Lord is here: Surely it may be called Peniel. Be strong in the Lord, my Brethren, be patient, stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draws nigh.