Some select cases resolved. Specially, tending to the right ordering of the heart, that…

And although I grant some creatures move freely, some necessarily; yet it is from a positive ⟨p. 52⟩will and providence that they move, act and see. Therefore you see what cause there is to see a positive providence in every thing.

Concerning the rest of your letter; Oh that I had time and heart to write more; yet I hope I have writ enough for this time, and the Lord knows whether ever more or no. However I thank you heartily for improving me this way of writing, who have my mouth stopped from speaking. I wish I had more such friends to deal thus with me, and my self more time, and a more fruitful head and heart to improve my self this, or any other like way for them: For who knows what breathings of God's Spirit are lost for want of writing, especially when there is no season of speaking? Truly Sir, I meet with few that are much troubled in that manner as your self; but they go on in an easy, quiet, and very dangerous way: Which troubles, I persuade my self, keep you awaking, when other virgins are slumbering; and after which, I am persuaded, the Lord intends to use you for more than common service, if you wade well through them. However as I said before, be not discouraged, or too much perplexed in sorrow for them: For surely, as far as I can guess, the Lord is preparing you for himself by them I shall not forget you, though I never see you: And I beseech you, if you have any spark of affection toward me kindled by these few lines, remember when you are best able to pray for your self, to look after me and mine, and all that go with me on the mighty waters; and then ⟨p. 53⟩to look up and sigh to Heaven for me, that the Lord would out of his free grace but bring me to that good land, and those glorious Ordinances; and that there I may but behold the face of the Lord in his Temple, though he never delight to use me there, though I and mine should possibly beg there; and that if the Lord should call me to my solemn work and service for the good of his Church and People, and company that go with me, or are gone before me, that then the Lord Jesus would reveal his secrets to me, and enable me the little time I have to live, to be fruitful to him, and to have larger heart than ever for him. As for your self, I shall desire the Lord to keep you blameless and unspotted in an evil world; and that as he has begun, so he would perfect, and crown his divine graces and work in you; and that you may be preserved from national sins, which shortly bring national and most heavy plagues; and that the presence of the Lord may abide with you, and in you, until the Lord call for you.