The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

To my much valued, beloved, and honoured friends, Col. John Bridges, with Mrs Margaret Bridges his Wife, and Mr. Thomas Foley, with Mrs Anne Foley his Wife.

To my much valued, beloved, and honored friends, Col. John Bridges, with Mrs Margaret Bridges his Wife, and Mr. Thomas Foley, with Mrs Anne Foley his Wife.

Though in publishing our Writings, we intend them for the good of all; yet custom (not without reason) doth teach us, sometimes to direct them more especially to some. Though one only had the original interest in these papers, yet do I now direct them to you all, as not knowing how in this to separate you. You dwell together in my Estimation and Affection: One of you a Member of ⟨image 4⟩the Church, which I must Teach; and legally the Patron of its Maintenance and Minister: The other, a special branch of that family, which I was first indebted to in this County. You lately joined in presenting to the Parliament, the Petition of this County for the Gospel and a faithful Ministry: When I only told you of my intention, of sending some poor Scholars to the University, you freely and jointly offered your considerable Annual allowance thereto, and that for the continuance of my life, or their necessities there. I will tell the world of this, whether you will or no: not for your applause, but for their imitation; and the shame of many of far greater estates, that will not be drawn to do the like. The season somewhat aggravates the Goodness of your Works. When Satan hath a design to burn up those Nurseries, you are watering Gods plants: when the greedy mouth of Sacrilege is gaping for their Maintenance, you are voluntarily adding ⟨image 4⟩for the supply of its defect. Who knows how many souls they may win to Christ (if God shall send them forth into his harvest) whom you have thus assisted? and what an addition to your comfort this may be? When the Gospel is so undermined, and the Ministry so maligned, and their maintenance so envied, you have, as the mouth of this County, appeared for them all. What God will yet do with us, we cannot tell; but if he will continue his Gospel to us, you may have the greater comfort in it; If he will remove it, and forsake a proud unworthy false hearted People; yet may you have the comfort of your sincere endeavours: you (with the rest that sincerely furthered it) may escape the gnawings of Conscience, and the public curse and reproach, which the History of this age may fasten upon them, who after all their Engagements in blood and Covenants, would either in ignorant fury, or malicious subtlety, or base temporizing cowardice, oppugn or