Invisibles, realities, demonstrated in the holy life and triumphant death of Mr. John Janeway,…

Read what his language was (when he was between eighteen and nineteen years old) in a Letter to an ancient Minister that he stood related to, who at that time walked very heavily.

Read what his language was (when he was between eighteen and nineteen years old) in a Letter to an antient Minister that he stood related to, who at that time walked very heavily.

His Letter. Reverend Sir, There are two things, the want of which, I have had xperience of in your Family, though not in every degree; yet in that intenseness of degree wherein they ought to be; which are the real power of Godliness and Religion; and then that which is the fruit of the former, that cheerfulness, delight, spiritual joy and serenity of mind which is to be had in Religion and no where else; and that not in Religion in its weakest degrees, but in a real vigour, power and life, and in a more close constant walking with God; from a tender sense of the worth of souls, especially those of your family; and knowing the duty which my relation to it doth lay upon me, and having confidence of their will acceptance of it; I have undertaken to open my thoughts unto them. In most Families in England I fear there is neither the form nor the power of Godliness, where there is no fear of God, no regard of him, no acting under him or in reference to him. These are in my opinion twice dead, nay not so much as having the dead carcass of Religion: objects of pity they are, and O how few are there that spend one passionate thought upon them. ⟨p. 10⟩Others there are who some way or other, it may be from tradition from good Parents, it may be from knowing the fashion of those in their rank; it may be from the frequent inculcating of good instructions from Christian Friends, or Godly Ministers; or some struggling eruptions of Conscience; have gotten the outward husk or shell of Religion; without any kernel, or solidity at all: and this generation doth usually trust to this their Religion; that it will bring them to a place like a sleeping place in Heaven, or keep them out of Hell; though they live without God in the World. These are poor creatures too; making haste to their own destruction, and know it not, yea thinking that they are in a fair way for Heaven. O that there were never a Family to which we are related which gave too sad cause of fear, that it were in such a case, or near such a case as this is. A third sort of people there are (and but few of these neither) which have the reality of Religion; but yet in much weakness, coldness, faintness, dimness and intermission; like Nilus's brood above half mud still; beginning to have some life in their head, a little in their heart, but the feet of their affections and actions have little or no motion.