(_FEAR NOT THEM WHO KILL THE BODY--UNEXPECTED FAVOUR._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I am much
obliged to your love in God.
I beseech you, Sir, let nothing be so dear to you as Christ's truth,
for salvation is worth all the world, and, therefore, be not afraid of
men that shall die. The Lord will do for you in your suffering for
Him, and will bless your house and seed; and ye have God's promise,
that ye shall have His presence in fire, water, and in seven
tribulations. Your day shall wear to an end, and your sun go down. In
death it will be your joy that ye have ventured all ye have for
Christ; and there is not a promise of heaven made but to such as are
willing to suffer for it. It is a castle taken by force. This earth is
but the clay portion of bastards; and, therefore, no wonder that the
world smile on its own; but better things are laid up for His
lawfully-begotten bairns, whom the world hateth.
I have experience to speak this; for I would not exchange my prison
and sad nights with the court, honour, and ease of my adversaries. My
Lord is pleased to make many unknown faces to laugh upon me, and to
provide a lodging for me; and He Himself visiteth my soul with feasts
of spiritual comforts. Oh, how sweet a Master is Christ! Blessed are
they who lay down all for Him.
I thank you kindly for your love to my distressed brother. Ye have the
blessing and prayers of the prisoner of Christ to you, your wife and
your children.
Remember my love and blessing to William and Samuel. I desire them in
their youth to seek the Lord, and to fear His great name; to pray
twice a-day, at least, to God, and to read God's word; to keep
themselves from cursing, lying, and filthy talking.
Now the only wise God, and the presence of the Son of God, be with you
all.
Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,