(_HEAVEN A REALITY--STEDFASTNESS TO BE GROUNDED ON CHRIST._)
MY VERY DEAR AND WORTHY SISTER,--You are truly blessed in the Lord,
however a sour world gloom and frown on you, if ye continue in the
faith settled and grounded, 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
and a fancy. It is a wonder that men deny not that there is a heaven,
as they deny there is any way to it but of men's making. You have
learned of Christ that there is a heaven; contend for it and for
Christ. Bear well and submissively the hard thrust of this stepmother
world, which God will not have to be yours. I confess it is hard, and,
would to God, I were able to lighten you of your burden; but believe
me, this world, which the Lord will not have to be yours, is but the
dross, refuse, and scum of God's creation, the portion of the Lord's
poor hired servants, the moveables, not the heritage, a hard bone cast
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
persuade yourself also that (if it be good for them and you) your seed
also shall inherit the earth; for that is promised to them, and God's
bond is as good as if He would give every one of them a bond for
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 world and the blessings of the earth shall be at Christ's back
and beck. I see many professors for the fashion, professors of glass;
I would make a little knock of persecution ding them in twenty pieces,
and the world would laugh at the shreds. Therefore, make fast work;
see that Christ be the ground-stone of your profession. The sore wind
and rain will not wash away His building; His work hath no less date
than to stand for evermore. I should twenty times have perished in my
affliction, if I had not laid my weak back and pressing burden, both,
upon the Stone, the Corner-stone laid in Zion. I am not twice fain (as
the proverb is), but once and for ever, of this Stone. Now the God of
peace establish you to the day of the appearance of Jesus Christ.
Yours,