(_BENEFITS OF THE CROSS, IF WE ARE CHRIST'S._)
MY VERY DEAR AND WORTHY SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to
you.--Ye are truly blessed of the Lord, however a sour world gloom
upon you, if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not
moved away from the hope of the Gospel. It is good that there is a
heaven, and it is not a night-dream or a fancy. It is a wonder that
men deny not that there is a heaven, as they deny there is a way to it
but of men's making. You have learned of Christ that there is a
heaven: contend for it, and contend for Christ. Bear well and
submissively the hard cross of this step-mother world, that God will
not have to be yours. I confess it is hard, and I would I were able to
ease you of your burden; but believe me, that this world (which the
Lord will not have to be yours) is but the dross, the refuse, and scum
of God's creation, the portion of the Lord's hired servants; the
movables, not the heritage; a hard bone casten to the dogs holden out
of the New Jerusalem, whereupon they rather break their teeth than
satisfy their appetite. It is your Father's blessing, and Christ's
birthright, that our Lord is keeping for you. And I persuade you, that
your seed, also, shall inherit the earth (if that be good for them),
for that is promised to them; and God's bond is as good, and better,
than if men would give every one of them a bond for a thousand
thousands. Ere ye were born, crosses, in number, measure, and weight,
were written for you, and your Lord will lead you through them. Make
Christ sure, and the blessings of the earth shall be at Christ's back.
I see many professors for the fashion follow on, but they are
professors of glass; I would cause a little knock of persecution ding
them in twenty pieces, and so the world would laugh at the shreds.
Therefore, make fast work. See that Christ lay the ground-stone of
your profession; for wind, and rain, and spaits will not wash away His
building. His works have no shorter date than to stand for evermore. I
should twenty times have perished in my affliction, if I had not
leaned my weak back, and laid my pressing burden both, upon the stone,
the Foundation-stone, the Corner-stone laid in Zion: and I desire
never to rise off this stone.
Now, the very God of peace confirm and establish you unto the day of
the blessed appearance of Christ Jesus. God be with you.
Yours, in his dearest Lord Jesus,