(_CHRIST THE SAME--YOUTHFUL SINS--NO DISPENSING WITH CROSSES._)
DEAR BROTHER,--I received your letter. I cannot but testify under mine
own hand, that Christ is still the longer the better, and that this
time is the time of loves. When I have said all I can, others may
begin and say that I have said nothing of Him. I never knew Christ to
ebb or flow, wax or wane. His winds turn not; when He seemeth to
change, it is but we who turn our wrong side to Him. I never had a
plea with Him, in my hardest conflicts, but of mine own making. Oh
that I could live in peace and good neighbourhood with such a second,
and let Him alone! My unbelief made many black lies, but my
recantation to Christ is not worth the hearing. Surely He hath borne
with strange gawds in me; He knoweth my heart hath not natural wit to
keep quarters with such a Saviour.
Ye do well to fear your backsliding. I had stood sure if I had, in my
youth, borrowed Christ to be my bottom. But he that beareth his own
weight to heaven shall not fail to slip and sink. Ye had not need to
be barefooted among the thorns of this apostate generation, lest a
stob strike up into your foot, and cause you to halt all your days.
And think not that Christ will do with you in the matter of suffering
as the Pope doth in the matter of sin. Ye shall not find that Christ
will sell a dispensation, or give a dyvour's protection against
crosses. Crosses are proclaimed as common accidents to all the saints,
and in them standeth a part of our communion with Christ; but there
lieth a sweet casualty to the cross, even Christ's presence and His
comforts, when they are sanctified.
Remember my love to your father and mother. Grace be with you.
Yours in his sweet Lord Jesus,