Remains of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…Remaines of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…

Loving and most dearly beloved,

I have lately received your affectionate letter; and though I never question your affections to me, and need no verbal testimony; yet I cannot but take it thankfully, and read it delightfully, when I see it attested under your own hands. And I cannot but tell you, you are the people of my cares, the desire of my eyes, the people of my delights, & of my prayers. My labours with you for many years, though some time attended with difficulty, and danger, yet were not tedious; but my time passed like Jacobs, when he served for Rachel and my sufferings for you are not irksome, through grace, because I trust they are for your edification, and are a seal of my love to you, and more especially of the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ, which I have long preached among you. The Lord God teach me, with humility, and thankfulness to bear such honour, ⟨p. 238⟩that I should be set for the defence, and confirmation of the Gospel. And now, my dearly beloved, (though you should not be insensible of Gods great visitation upon you, yet) I would not have you inordinately disquieted, that I am removed from you to a prison for a season; but rather imitate the Heroic virtue of that most gracious mother, in the Martyrology; who, when the Son of her bowels came, not to a prison, but to a stake to be sacrificed in the flames for Christ, fell down on her knees, and blessed the Lord, that ever she should be so happy, as to have a Son to suffer for Jesus Christ. Ah my dear flock! how glad should […] be, if God would send me forthwith among you again, to feed you as in the days of old, and to go in and out before you, that you might find pasture? yet be not dismayed, fear not little flock; though you are little, and despised, and hated of all men for Christs name sake; Christs relation to you, and tenderness of you is such, that you cannot miscarry. He liveth, and his care liveth. The Godly wife of that worthy Cornish Divine Mr. Vincent, being left in great want, with many little Children, would often answer them, when t•y came crying about her for bread, and she had none to give, with this gracious expression, be quiet, children, our God […]. And surely, that, my brethren, may be a quieting, comforting consideration, both for you and me, though the bread do […] fail.