I Am persuaded that the Image of so good a Husband and Father cannot but be deeply printed on your minds; but yet it may not be wholly needless to be told of the Comfort and the Duty, thence to be inferred. It was you, Sir, his eldest Son and Executor, who called me to the public performance of that which I have thought meet to make more public. I have long known you so well, that I am comfortably persuaded, that your Father had great cause to place that great affection on you, and confidence in you which he did. Your dear Love to him, and great Reverence of him, and hearty Love to the good which he loved, and your singleness and uprightness of Mind and Life, are your amiableness, and better than the greatest earthly birthright: ⟨image 3⟩But I did purposely say little in the following discourse, of your Fathers example, as consolatory and obligatory to all his nearest Relations, because I thought that their special interest in him, did give them right to a special address, which is the intent of this Epistle. Gods Scripture blessings of the faithful and their seed, doth make this relation honourable and comfortable to you all. How cheerfully may you all follow the footsteps of one so near you, who sped so well in following Christ? The greatest comforts and blessings are the greatest obligations to further duty; and that duty is the way to get greater blessings. It will be some help to you to Love God and Goodness, good Men and all Men, to remember how much all these were loved, by one who so tenderly loved your selves. You have not only heard but seen and felt, that Holiness is not a bare name or dream, and Religion a mere art or image, but a Divine Nature, a real renovation of Heart and Life, and that the effects ⟨image 3⟩of Gods Spirit in sanctifying Souls, do greatly difference them from carnal minds. You have seen that Godliness, genuine and real, is not a wearisome uncomfortable Life. Live as he did, and it will be a cure of melancholy, passions and discontents, and a constant tranquillity and delight.
I Am perswaded that the Image of so good a Husband and Father cannot but be deeply printed on your minds; but yet it may not be wholly needless to be told of the Comfort and the Duty, thence to be inferred. It was you, Sir, his eldest Son and Executor, who called me to the publick performance of that which I have thought meet to make more publick. I have long known you so well, that I am comfortably perswaded, that your Father had great cause to place that great affection on you, and confidence in you which he did. Your dear Love to him, and great Reverence of him, and hearty Love to the good which he loved, and your singleness and uprightness of Mind and Life, are your amiableness, and better than the greatest earthly birthright: ⟨image 3⟩But I did purposely say little in the following discourse, of your Fathers example, as consolatory and obligatory to all his nearest Relations, because I thought that their special interest in him, did give them right to a special address, which is the intent of this Epistle. Gods Scripture blessings of the faithful and their seed, doth make this relation honorable and comfortable to you all. How chearfully may you all follow the footsteps of one so near you, who sped so well in following Christ? The greatest comforts and blessings are the greatest obligations to further duty; and that duty is the way to get greater blessings. It will be some help to you to Love God and Goodness, good Men and all Men, to remember how much all these were loved, by one who so tenderly loved your selves. You have not only heard but seen and felt, that Holiness is not a bare name or dream, and Religion a meer art or image, but a Divine Nature, a reall renovation of Heart and Life, and that the effects ⟨image 3⟩of Gods Spirit in sanctifying Souls, do greatly difference them from carnal minds. You have seen that Godliness, genuine and real, is not a wearysom uncomfortable Life. Live as he did, and it will be a cure of melancholy, passions and discontents, and a constant tranquillity and delight.
