But I must apply my self to you, to whom I am sent: yet I am at a great loss. Would to God I knew how to go to work with you! would I stick at the pains? God knoweth you your selves are my witnesses, how I have followed you in private, as well as in public, and have brought the Gospel to your doors, testifying to you the necessity of the new birth, and persuading you to look in time after a sound and thorough change. Beloved, I have not acted a part among you, to serve my own advantage: your Gospel is not yea• and nay. Have you not heard the same truths, from the Pulpit, by public labours, and by private letters, by personal instructions? Brethren, I am of the same mind as ever, that holiness is the best choice, that there is no entering into Heaven, but by the straight passages of the second birth, that without holiness you shall never see God, Heb. 12. 14. Ah my beloved! refresh my ⟨p. 3⟩bowels in the Lord. If there be any consolation in Christ, any comfort of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, any bowels and mercies, fulfil you my joy. Now give your selves unto the Lord, 2 Cor. 8. 5. Now set your selves to seek him. Now set up the Lord Jesus in your heares, and set him up in your houses: Now come in and kiss the Son, Psal. 2. 12. and embrace the tenders of mercy. Touch his Sceptre and live; why will you die? I beg not for my self; but fain I would have you happy: This is the prize I run for, and the white I aim at. My soul's desire and prayer for you is, that you may be saved, Rom. 10. 1.
But I must apply my self to you, to whom I am sent: yet I am at a great loss. Would to God I knew how to go to work with you! would I stick at the pains? God knoweth you your selves are my witnesses, how I have followed you in private, as well as in publick, and have brought the Gospel to your doors, testifying to you the necessity of the new birth, and persuading you to look in time after a sound and thorough change. Beloved, I have not acted a part among you, to serve my own advantage: your Gospel is not yea• and nay. Have you not heard the same truths, from the Pulpit, by publick labours, and by private letters, by personal instructions? Brethren, I am of the same mind as ever, that holiness is the best choice, that there is no entring into Heaven, but by the streight passages of the second birth, that without holiness you shall never see God, Heb. 12. 14. Ah my beloved! refresh my ⟨p. 3⟩bowels in the Lord. If there be any consolation in Christ, any comfort of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, any bowels and mercies, fulfil you my joy. Now give your selves unto the Lord, 2 Cor. 8. 5. Now set your selves to seek him. Now set up the Lord Jesus in your heares, and set him up in your houses: Now come in and kiss the Son, Psal. 2. 12. and embrace the tenders of mercy. Touch his Scepter and live; why will you die? I beg not for my self; but fain I would have you happy: This is the prize I run for, and the white I aim at. My soul's desire and prayer for you is, that you may be saved, Rom. 10. 1.
